The Ocean Hearth (A "Hymns of Evermorn" Story) by Lionelson NY
Chapter 11: The Message

Dalhar was silent that night. The light orbs that glow on the streets were dim. Nothing but the sound of crickets and owls. Tarsya Raenna watched her city from her balcony of her chambers. The starbornes had just finished cleaning up the blood and ashes on the streets. But if she closed her eyes, the Blue Moon of Ashes could still be recalled vividly.

“An-Tarsya…” Mu carried a jug of wine appeared from behind her.

“Put it on the table” the Tarsya spoke, monotonously.

Mu placed it there and was just about to leave until Raenna called her again.

“Mu. Is there any new word from the head huntress?”

“No, an-Tarsya. That was the only message we ever got from her.” She replied, referring to the moon message they received from Laia two nights explaining her capture. “However, an-Tarsya, the priestesses did sensed the activation of her Terazine bracelet just now. But it was too weak to find out where it came from. If we could expend a little more Galaviere…”

“No!” a rusty old voice responded from behind. Mu turned and saw her old king entering the chamber. “Every drop of Galaviere we have must be preserved. If her message is true, we are in grave danger from a second wave of attack.”

“Of course, an-Ashosh” Mu bowed and stepped back, making way for the old king to walk towards his wife.

“I have appointed Keira, daughter of Mareva, as the new head huntress of the Sye’rah. I told them that there was no time for an officiation ceremony. Her duty starts immediately. They are training and building weapons as we speak.” the Ashosh said.

“That is wise, love.” Raenna replied. “The streets are finally cleared. We could start rebuilding. But right now it seems the Sye’rah would require more quotation for the Galaviere. So I’ve arranged a few of our feast halls to be manually made into shelters and healing homes. No magic required.”

“Seems fitting. We wouldn’t be able to have any big feast for another twelve years anyways. Might as well give it to the people who need it.” The Ashosh approved. “How are you coping, my dear?”

The Ashosh held the Tarsya’s hand tightly.

“Still heartbroken. But otherwise I’m fine. The people have started going to the temple again. Even the priestesses can resume their rituals now. The chief priestess also told me that we have ample reserve of Galaviere. If we ration it right, we might just survive the long wait.”

“I always believed you are a strong Tarsya. You always were” He gave Raenna a peck on the cheek. “Mu, you may take the night off.”

Raenna was startled. She needed her servant to be there for her. Asides from fetching her needs and doing her chores, Mu was the only person she could express her emotions to without being judged as weak. But the Ashosh continued.

“I will take care of our Tarsya tonight. You haven’t rested since the Blue Moon. Go and tend to your family.”

Mu smiled, touched by the Ashosh’s kindness.

“Thank you, an-Ashosh. Sya’amar” Mu said and she left.

But the moment she left the room, the Ashosh’s smile faded.

“Raenna…” he muttered. “If indeed the humans are coming, I have to let you know one thing.”

She gave him a concerned look. Her eyes started to pool with tears. For she knew that the Ashosh was about to propose something that was ridiculous to her mourning mind.

“No…” Raenna said as she grabbed his hands placed them on her chest. “You can’t fight this battle. You won’t even know if you’ll survive the spell at this age. Keira is already the best huntress we have right now; you can trust her to win it! You don’t need to do anything.”

“Trust me, an-Tarsya, as I trust that Dalhar will be in good hands when I’m gone” he gripped her hands tighter.

Her lips shivered, looking at the wrinkles and prominent veins on the face of her husband. She could only close her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks.

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