The two old immortals flew across the sky but even their speed was limited by their magical strength. Yushir noticed his friend’s energy ran low far earlier than he believed it should have and they were forced to descend atop the waterfalls where the meilita danced.
Eastwei landed near the precipice with his back to Yushir as the prince settled behind him. Yushir grasped his hand over his heaving chest but took the time to examine his old acquaintance.
The fiery god’s spirit appeared tamped down by the confrontation with the keeper of the rolls. His shoulders were slumped and at the same time stiff, and his head was slightly bowed. He didn’t move but for the soft motion of necessary breathing.
Yushir gathered some air and strolled over to his friend. “We have not yet discussed how Lady Roberts was able to separate those two men. The magic of the shifter folk may be weaker than ours but they are not someone to trifle with.” He waited for a reply but when one wasn’t forthcoming he continued. “I wonder if her magic allowed her to survive for so long down here.” He paused and furrowed his brow as he stared into the water abyss at their feet. “But then, why did the loyal Lady Arian not join her sooner? That is the most mysterious part of the whole story. Then again, perhaps her friend was in her village the whole time.”
“Did you see her forehead?”
The question was so sudden that Yushir whipped his head up and blinked at his friend. “Pardon?”
“When she stopped the duel. Did you see her forehead?”
Yushir shook his head. “No. Is there some importance I missed?”
Eastwei stared ahead a moment longer before he stepped forward and off the high cliff. He transformed into a fiery ball and zipped off toward the heaven gate.
Yushir glared at his friend as he did the same. “You and your mysteries. . .”
They made better time than when they had leisurely traveled to the bear clan realm but the distance was still great and it was past midnight by the time they reached the gate. Yushir was exhausted when he landed but Eastwei strolled through without so much as a pause.
“Wait. . .wait for me,” Yushir wheezed as he stumbled through the open portal.
The prince came out the other side and paused to enjoy the radiant sun on his chilled skin. All was beautiful and perfect, and he couldn’t help but contrast that to the trouble that lingered at their backs.
Eastwei didn’t stop for reflection but hurried forward. Yushir sighed but rushed after his friend. He joined him a quarter of a mile down the main walk and together they ventured to one of the more unusual palaces.
First, the place was a mess. The gardens just inside the archway were overrun with wildflowers and the grass was two feet tall. The two-floor abode had all its windows shut tightly and thick curtains hid the interior. Rather than a front door, another heavy curtain hung in its place. A sign outside the archway, written in a perfect hand, read Stories Welcomed, Gardeners Are Not. A note in smaller letters was attached at the bottom to the first note: And Please Keep the Noise Down.
Eastwei and Yushir slipped through the curtain and found themselves in chaos. The large front room was packed with scrolls, books, tomes, manuscripts, and every other form of writing archiving known to the immortals. The papers, bound or not, were scattered across the floor, tables, and chairs, and stuffed into the shelves of the bookcases that hid the walls.
A narrow path led to the inner depths of the home. They followed the trail that led them to the inner sanctum, a room permanently scented with the tangy smell of ink. Quills and dried inkwells covered much of the floor and led like a scattering of bread crumbs up to a short desk. A man slightly younger than Yushir sat cross-legged behind the desk, bent over a piece of parchment. The man wore a robe stained with countless ink droplets and his long hair was a mess of knots. He scribbled one sentence after another in perfect handwriting and when he had neared the end of the sheet he snatched a fresh one from a mountainous pile on his left.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Yushir cleared his throat and the man started with a small cry. Papers went flying and so did his pen. The filled writing tool dropped onto the top of his head and ink spilled into his hair. The man appeared not to notice when his gaze fell on his guests.
“Lord Eastwei! Prince Yushir!” he shouted as he leaped to his feet and scrambled over his desk. His bare feet padded across the floor, wincing now and again when he stepped on a sharp quill, and he ended up stumbling into the outstretched hand of the prince. The man grasped Yushir’s hand with both of his and gave it an exuberant shake. “What a pleasure to see you!”
“It is a pleasure to see you as well, Lord Dandruh,” Yushir replied as he looked about the room for a place to sit.
Dandruh noticed Yushir’s roaming eye and swept papers off a hidden chair. “Take a seat. And you, Lord Eastwei? Would you um-” He searched for another chair but the stacks of paper hid them. “Would you care for my seat?”
“We are in a bit of a hurry,” Yushir revealed as he took a seat. “And we have a very specific question to ask you as keeper of the gods’ tales.”
Dandruh folded his arms over his front and puffed out his chest. “Ask me anything because I have asked everything of everyone! There is not a god or goddess I have not interviewed and a tale I have not been told, and all so their exploits be not forgotten!”
“Can you tell us anything about the magical barrier of Lord Wyrmir?”
Dandruh’s chest deflated and a little color drained from his face. “L-Lord Wyrmir?”
Yushir toyed with his ring as he inspected the quivering god of the tales. “Surely you have interviewed Wyrmir about his exploits, especially as he is one of the oldest gods still around. My uncle, I believe, ordered all of them to be interviewed by you a million years ago when you first began your role.”
Dandruh winced. “Y-yes, that is true, your uncle did command all of them to come to me for an interview.”
“And? Could anything he said answer our question?”
Their host hung his head and sighed. “Truth be told, Your Highness, Wyrmir did not speak to me at all.”
Yushir blinked at him. “You mean he did not come?”
“No, I mean he sat before my desk for five hours and said nothing, though I asked him questions until I was hoarse.” Dandruh wrapped his arms around himself and shuddered. “I have never met someone so intent on keeping his secrets.” He paused and his eyes flickered to Eastwei. “Except perhaps you, Lord Eastwei. You never did sit down for an interview.”
“Then you can tell us nothing?” Yushir questioned him.
Dandruh bit his lower lip. “I am not sure-”
“Tell us.” The command came from Eastwei. The fiery god’s eyes glowed brightly in the dim light and a faint light surrounded his hands.
Dandruh’s eyes darted over him and he lifted his chin slightly. “There is something. As you know, I am able to see the memories of others by a mere touch, though the visions usually end up very scattered and nonsensical, and I am left jotting them down in my notebook to file away without a happy ending-”
“Then you touched Lord Wyrmir?” Yushir guessed.
Dandruh’s hands fidgeted in front of him. “Yes. I had just asked him if he had any weaknesses and I believe the god took offense. At that point, he stood and made to leave. As is my habit, I grasped his arm to help him out through my, um, home. Well, I glimpsed a memory, no doubt roused by my question, that I believe would help you.”
Yushir perked up. “What is it?”
Dandruh bit his lower lip as his eyes studied Eastwei. “I will gladly tell you if you will tell me a tale.” The fire in Eastwei’s eyes grew brighter. Dandruh flung up his arms in front of himself. “Only a short story! That is all I ask! And I swear ever to tell another living soul of its contents!”
The prince frowned at their host. “We cannot agree to-”
“Step outside.”
Yushir blinked at his friend. “Come again?”
Eastwei continued to stare at their host. “Step into the courtyard. I will join you in a moment.”
Yushir’s eyebrows crashed down but he reluctantly stood. “Very well, but I expect to hear something of this story.” He slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Dandruh plopped himself on the chair vacated by Yushir and grinned up at his guest. “Now tell me your story.”
