"And it is most appreciated," I bowed in return. Farzi, Nenzi and the other three were crawling upward now, to join their brothers. I smiled at all of them. Nenzi, brave soul that he was, took himself to the top of my head and lifted up, looking about. That caused quite a few chuckles around us.
"My son is a Nameless One?" Pheligar appeared before us.
"Yes. And most deservedly so," Belen said. "As are Edward and Reah. Reah has moved to the Light and no longer belongs to the Dark Realm. Kifirin has taken a lesser spot—a new Lord of the Dark Realm has come. He now presides over the High Demon world." Belen gave Jayd a pointed look as he spoke. "You will bow to him when he makes his presence known, and those who fought beside Reah and Edward this day will live again on their own worlds. It is fitting." Belen disappeared.
"My love, are you ready?" Edward smiled at me.
"I think so," I agreed. "Farzi, Nenzi, Darzi, Chazi, Perzi, Yanzi, Bekzi and Hirzi, do you wish to travel with me or stay here?"
Nenzi slid down my Thifilatha's nose and plopped naked into my hand. "We go," he grinned.
* * *
"I don't believe this." Those were Teeg's words and they woke me from a sound sleep. My head was in Edward's lap and he stroked hair away from my face. Kevis, who'd appeared with the others, stared at me.
"What the hell is going on?" Ry demanded. Astralan didn't wait to ask questions; he came, knelt in front of me and kissed me. Very nicely, too.
"I said that those things weren't the only ones who could travel the timeline," I yawned, sitting up. "Edward stayed here with me, because I can't do anything like this," I patted Garwin Wyatt. "But a year from now? Different story."
"Unbelievable," Teeg shook his head. Farzi and Nenzi appeared from nothing. I knew their brothers were now safely on Campiaa. Both my reptanoids rushed toward us and Edward had to move over so they could climb into the swing with me.
"We need to take a trip tomorrow," I said, "since I'm rested now."
"So, what does this mean? We'll be smited, or smitten or smote, if we don't do what you tell us to?" Tory appeared, arms crossed angrily over his chest.
"Tory, it doesn't mean any of those things. Neither Edward nor I will have any control over anything you do. It's only in our other shapes that we act as gods. While I look like this, I'm what I've always been. That's who will interact with my mates. Ry wants to marry me as soon as Garwin Wyatt is born. If anybody wants to be married to me, he can show up at that ceremony. If they don't, or if they want to dissolve what we already have, then stay away. It's as simple as that."
"Do I still have a hill to climb if I show up?"
"Tory, what do you think? Am I still hurt? Yes. I might understand things a little better now, but that doesn't eliminate all the pain. And Kifirin has a very hard path to tread for his part in all this. The new Lord of the Dark Realm will watch him closely, and I pity him if he makes mistakes past this point. I want to go visit Lendill and Kaldill, now. Edward is coming with me. Lendill lost Faldill earlier, and he's about to lose his two remaining brothers. I want to be there to support him when those decisions are made."
"I'll come," Teeg stepped forward.
"As will we," Lok and Aurelius looked exhausted, but they were coming as well. Ry, Corolan, Astralan, Farzi, Nenzi and a latecomer, brought in by Nefrigar, also came. Zendeval Rjjn, smiling almost shyly, showed up.
"In or out, bro?" Ry looked at Tory.
"I'll come," Tory nodded.
* * *
Gaelar N'Seith held an atmosphere of mourning and Kaldill, when we walked into his beautiful palace, had been weeping.
"Reah," he placed his arms around me, holding me tightly.
"Kaldill," I kissed his cheek.
"My father told me once he saw tragedy surrounding my children. I didn't know what that meant until today," he said, his voice so thick with tears he almost couldn't speak.
"I know. But someone very wise once told me that things go in a circle. What we lose, we gain," I touched his cheek gently.
"But it hurts in the losing," he said.
"I know. That's exactly what I was thinking when you said it to me."
Lendill had already removed Reldill's power when we made our way to the two cells inside Kaldill's palace. Faldill's body lay in state before both cells. He'd brushed against a Ra'Ak while trying to take down one of the other creatures attacking Lendill and Kaldill. He'd died a hero's death, after he'd said he didn't have enough strength or courage to be King of the Elves. Reldill stared at his brother's body, hands on the bars of his cage. Naldill, the instigator, had his back turned. It was like him not to take responsibility.
"You, come," I put power in my voice and changed to my smaller Thifilatha so Naldill had to obey. I pulled him right through the bars of his cell. "You will bury your brother," I said. "You will watch," I crooked my finger at Reldill.
Kaldill chose a spot beneath an ancient, spreading oak. Oaks were special to the elves. I didn't question, I merely handed a spade to Naldill and told him to dig. Twice he tried to quit. I wouldn't allow it. Finally, weeping tears that he wiped away with filthy and blistered fingers, the hole was deep enough.
"Both of you will lower your brother's body. It is your doing that he lies dead," I told them. Reldill was shaking with sobs by that time. Faldill was laid in the grave by his two older brothers while Kaldill and Lendill watched, wiping tears away. Nefrigar stood between both of them, trilling while they watched Faldill's burial.
"We will come for you tomorrow," Edward said to Naldill and Reldill afterward, stars filling his eyes. "You will be isolated on Cloudsong, and that world will not be approachable by any save the Powers That Be or those above them. You will remain there until your deaths. Since your power is now removed, you are mortal. Was your revenge worth that to you?" Edward turned and stalked away.
Lendill transported them back to their cells, and he offered towels and warm water for his brothers to wash.
"Did you want to stay with your father for a few days?" I asked Lendill.
"Yes," he nodded and held me briefly. "It could have been so much worse," he sighed against my hair.
"Yes, it could," I agreed.
* * *
"Where are we going?" Teeg asked the following morning.
"It's a surprise," I said. "But Kevis has to come."
"You wouldn't be able to leave me behind," he insisted. Therefore, the crowd went with me to Cloudsong.