Jhond stopped and looked around as if he had no idea where they were. He shrugged. "I didn't even think...just let my feet take me. Not the action of a god-like being."
"Which is precisely the point," Ninian said. "Don't take the blame for things beyond your control, my friend. You're powerful, but you are not omniscient."
"That is certainly true." Jhond looked thoughtful for a minute and then with an odd, rather sad smile curving his lips, he said, "It seems perhaps I still have much to learn. I think fate is sending me a message."
"What?" Amired asked, though Ninian had the oddest feeling he knew what was coming.
Jhond glanced at Amired and then looked steadily at Ninian. "That I am the Eynan. I am not like other men. My life will not follow the same pattern. I will not take a wife and produce children. I will be akin to the nuns and monks who served the ancient gods, only my life will be dedicated to helping those in need."
"How can you predict the future like that? I thought you weren't omniscient," Amired said.
"No, but I think two failures are a clear indication of the pattern my life will take," Jhond said.
"You might be correct, but perhaps if you allow life to take its own path?" Ninian commented.
Jhond shrugged. "I won't go looking, if that's what you mean. I'll make being the Eynan my priority and let that be my guide." Jhond looked first at Amired and then switched his gaze to Ninian, who read the silent message all too clearly and gave a slight nod. He would stay at Jhond's side as long as he was needed.
Amired smiled. "Now, will you take us back to my ship?"
Jhond hesitated, looking thoughtful. He glanced down the path they were on and then in the direction of the path leading back toward where the
Horologue
was berthed. "Perhaps my subconscious wasn't so wrong in taking me along this path to the village," he said softly. He glanced over at Ninian. "I think I'd like to call into Remelin's cottage one last time."
Ninian opened his mouth, about to ask why, but decided it was better to let Jhond do whatever he wished, whatever he needed.
* * * *
Jhond truly believed what he had told Ninian and the others, but letting go of the possibility of a family, of a woman who would mean the world to him, was very difficult. He still had Gallia in his life, albeit only as a friend, but she would always be there to lend an ear or offer a shoulder for him to cry on. Remelin was gone forever, and, his fault or not, it had been by his hand.
The village was just ahead now, and Jhond could see Remelin's cottage, the first one in the village from this direction. He swallowed as he thought of the last time they had been there. He wished he could turn back time and that they had never-- He stopped because that was the way to madness. He had to accept what was and learn from it. He turned toward the front door, resisting looking back at Ninian, not wanting to put his need into words for his friend.
He pushed open the door, staring into the dark interior. Taking a deep breath, he crossed the threshold. He stood in the center of the room, glancing at the drawn curtains over the sink, so thin the faint sunlight sparkled through them, at the dresser with the few pieces of pottery, at the fireplace now as cold as Jhond's heart.
"Jhond?" Ninian said quietly from behind him.
Jhond ignored him.
He sucked in a breath and walked over to the door to her bedroom, the one room he had never entered. Slowly he opened the door and looked inside at the bed, with its two pillows and thick quilt; at the simple nightgown thrown casually on top. There was a chest of drawers under the small window with its drawn curtains. On top of the chest of drawers was a small pile of books next to a little wooden box.
Jhond didn't know just what it was he was searching for, but he felt he would know it when he saw it. He walked over to the chest and opened the drawers, one after the other, finding only clothes. He glanced at the books, but none of them called to him. He opened the box and inside he found some folded papers and a couple of small drawings--one of a man and the other of a woman. Jhond saw Remelin in both of them and guessed they were her parents. Underneath them, he found a small brooch, the kind used to hold a cloak together, or perhaps to fasten a blouse. It was pretty, but it didn't mean anything to Jhond.
He sighed and turned back to the main room. It was then he saw it, sitting haphazardly on the mantle over the fireplace: the long silver clip with the twisted knot at the wide end that Remelin often used to hold her long hair back from her face. She had been wearing it the first time Jhond had seen her. He reached for it, and the instant he touched it, he knew that was it.
"Jhond?" This time Ninian was a little more insistent.
Jhond turned to face him, catching sight of Amired just behind Ninian and Warkist watching from the entrance. "It's fine now," he said, and Ninian looked puzzled. "I just needed something to touch, to hold. Something that had special meaning for Remi." He held up the clip. "This was her mother's, and it meant a lot to her." Jhond slipped it into an inside pocket. He took a deep breath. "We can go back to your ship now, Amired." Jhond walked closer to both men and bent both arms slightly. "Take hold."
"With pleasure," Ninian said. "It'll be good to get out of this place."
"Er, you forget about me?" Warkist spoke up. He walked up to his captain. "I thought he"--indicating Jhond--"could only take two people with that device of his."
"Ah, yes." Amired cocked his head to one side. "Never mind, Warkist. The walk will do you good. Perhaps you can use that excellent sword arm of yours to get us something fresh for our dinner."
"That's the last time I bother to save your life," Warkist declared, as Amired and Ninian each took one of Jhond's arms, Amired giving Warkist a sly grin.
Ignoring the by-play, Jhond quickly transported them back to the
Horologue,
and though Jhond was greatly relieved to leave the tainted cellar and nunnery behind, he knew he would never forget them.
L. S. Gibson has been putting pen to paper, figuratively speaking, for decades, but only in the last few years has L. S. really pursued writing in a more serious manner, wanting to get the work published so others can read and hopefully appreciate it.
L. S. likes to write in various genres, though science fiction, fantasy and historical are among the favorites.
For more information on L. S., please visit:
http://www.lsgibsonauthor.com
http://lsgibsonauthor.wordpress.com
When his dreams of marrying his beloved Gallia crumble to ash, Jhond of the House of Reeve knows he must leave home. Having grown up among the old legends of the time of magistry, he decides to follow the clues to find the fabled Temple of the Magi. On his journey there, he meets up with Ninian, who knows more than it first seems. Together they investigate the Temple, and Ninian helps Jhond to realize the truth of his ability. Magistry is not simply a long past myth, it exists. Ninian is a mage--and so is Jhond.
It is only the beginning of their epic journey. They make new friends and dangerous enemies, become embroiled in a war of empires, encounter old loves and learn the value of forgiveness, while all the time Jhond refines his skills as a mage.
Gradually all the pieces begin to draw together, and Jhond learns he may be more than a simple mage, he might just be the answer to everyone's prayers--the much-vaunted Eynan of long-forgotten legend.