“Nova," the disjointed voice called out, "I’d be insulted if it weren’t for your memory block.”

The voice was creepy. It sounded like a man’s voice, though it echoed in a haunting way.

“Cut the games, Arden. I might stab you this time,” Isaac rolled his eyes.

Arden was much less intimidating than the creep show he put on. And...I kind of wanted to know the story behind Isaac’s comment.

“Oh, how you wound this old man.”

“You mentioned a block on Nova's memories. Arden, can you help with Nova’s memories?”

I looked him over. He did look like some kind of sage from a video game. He was dressed in robes that made his frame seem bulkier than it truly was. He stood an inch or so taller than Isaac, though he was considerably frail in comparison. He had a long white beard and the top of his head was bald. His eyes were dark yet they seemed to shimmer with magic. He stared at Isaac a moment longer before turning to me.

“I was your magic tutor when you were younger.”

He smiled at me. It was warm and gentle. Probably the nicest thing I’ve seen since coming here. The front room was quaint but homey with a small couch and a table in front of it. Shelves with books lined the wall to the left. There was a closed door to the right, and the entrance to the kitchen on the other side of the closed door. Isaac didn’t move to sit, so I stayed beside him.

“So, does that mean you can help me recover my memories?” I asked.

“No, I’m afraid not. It’d only put you in more danger. Magic used on you or by you will alert the Great Darkness of your location.”

“What about the blood spots then? Wouldn't their magic alert it?”

“No, magic produced by the land is different from magic produced by the soul. The land magic is even more ancient than the Great Darkness. Even my holy powers can do naught to alter terramagic.”

God, I had so many questions.

“So, you were my magic teacher?”

“I was. You were exceptionally talented too. I had a feeling you weren't truly gone. Vena may have been slightly crazy, but I knew she wouldn’t have harmed her blooded granddaughter.”

“Funny you should say that,” I started but Isaac cut me off.

“Vena is alive,” His voice went back to that commander’s air from earlier.

Isaac explained to Arden what had happened and the warning that Vena gave us.

“Vena was once a great leader,” Arden’s voice seemed as ancient as the trees. “Vena was truly loved by her people. It saddens me to know that she’s suffered so much.”

“What do you know about the dark one she mentioned?” Isaac asked.

“You remember the creation story? You should know that the dark one is borne of negative emotion. He’s the physical manifestation of the great father’s anguish. I apologize, but I don’t think there’s much information I can give you. There isn’t much else known.”

“I understand,” I told him.

“We need to be leaving soon,” Isaac said, looking out the window. “Is there anything you can tell us that may be useful?”

“The darkness isn’t like the demon diseases. Magic doesn’t get rid of it. It infects the soul and corrupts the magic inside. It’s been spreading among the courts. There’s no way to know who it’s infected. The utmost caution must be used.”

Isaac nodded. I looked back to where Arden was standing.

“Thank you. You’re the nicest person I’ve talked to since I ended up here.”

Isaac rolled his eyes and Arden laughed.

“I can’t imagine being stuck with this sourpuss has been bushels of fun.”

“I supposed I can’t complain too much,” I shrugged.

“Goodbye, Arden. We’ll meet again soon,” Isaac said as he opened the door.

“Isaac, what a surprise!” Said a deep, loud voice at the door.

Isaac tensed and Arden grabbed my hand, pulling me to the closed door.

“Stay in there and stay silent,” the old man whispered.

Louder, he called out to Isaac, “I’m tired, and need my rest. Why haven’t you left yet?”

“Sorry Arden, it seems you have more company,” Isaac called back.

“Hey! Arden! You’re still alive?” The loud voice laughed.

I wanted to see what was going on, but I understood why I needed to stay hidden.

“Aodhan, you loud nuisance! What are you here for?” Arden gruffed.

The loud voice laughed again. His accent was different from both Arden and Isaac. His ‘r’s were heavily pronounced and there was a softness to the vowels. It didn’t have the same kind of lilt as Isaac’s, but it wasn’t grating either.

“Come now Arden, you can’t still be mad! It’s been years since I accidentally set your garden on fire.”

“I am still mad. You almost burnt down my cottage too. I lost several rare plants because of you.”

I wanted to know more about this...Aodhan.

“I am a sorry old man. Truly. But I’m here for something different. Isaac, you may want to sit back down. We have a lot to discuss.”

It was quiet for a moment and I assumed the men were sitting down on the couch.

“I know this sounds crazy. Arden, is it possible to feel the energy signature of someone who died, years ago?"

His loud voice seemed less jovial now.

“Well, no. Energy signatures are unique to the person’s soul. It’s not possible.”

“Then I need to know how I felt the dead heir’s energy signature only a day ago,” He said, quieter this time.

“I’m not sure how that’d be possible,” Arden answered him.

“Tell me,” Isaac’s voice cut in. “How sure are you it was her signature?”

“We were affianced at her birth and our betrothal was bound by magic. You know that. I’ve always been able to feel her signature. Her magic signature has been as familiar to me as my own.”

Affianced? First, that was such an antiquated word. Second, what the fuck? I have a fiancé? From birth? It was difficult to not storm into the room and demand answers.

‘Fiancé?’ I asked Isaac through the link. He didn’t answer me.

“How are things back at the manor?” Isaac asked.

“It’s gotten worse. There’s more that seems to be changing. Even the duke seems to be affected. It’s spreading quickly,” Aodhan’s voice was deep. It didn’t have the almost sensual gruffness that Isaac’s did though. “I wasn’t the only one who felt it though. Her signature, I mean.” He continued.

“What do you mean?” Arden asked

“Those whom we know have been infected...” he broke off, “they went crazy.” Curiosity was getting the better of me. I really had a lot of questions to ask. “The darkness is spreading faster. Like, it has been amplified. It’s not just here. It’s everywhere. The elemental court is the same and I’m willing to bet the others are just as affected. The dark one’s forces are taking over and we lose more good men every day. The demons are infesting their souls.”

“Aodhan, are you alone? Where are your men?” Isaac asked.

Aodhan didn’t answer for a minute.

“Some of them have been affected. I left them at the duke’s manor.”

Nothing was said for a moment, then I heard footsteps and the door open and close.

“I don’t feel anyone else,” Arden confirmed.

Isaac’s voice was a bit farther away now, “There’s only Mystic out there.”

Who was Mystic?

“Tell me about what happened when you felt her signature.”

Isaac must have walked closer, his voice was louder.

“I don’t know how to explain it. I was overseeing the recruits when I felt it. Her energy came like a shockwave. Men dropped to their knees and started foaming black smoke. They fell over in seizure, then started screaming. It happened in a matter of minutes. When everything stopped, the men who were affected were just gone.”

“Gone?” Arden asked. “Interesting.”

“That sounds like you know something,” Isaac said.

“It reminds me of a story I heard once. But I don’t remember, I’m afraid. It’s been a long time since my mother was alive.”

Arden sounded much older than he looked, and he looked ancient. I was getting tired of staying hidden. Plus I hated feeling like I was eavesdropping. Especially when they were discussing things that pertained to me.

“Have you been able to feel her signature since that time?” That was Isaac’s voice.

“No. I came here as quickly as I could. Mystic and I rode without breaking. So, I apologize for the intrusion, Arden, but I do need to let her rest.”

No one else said anything for a moment, then Isaac spoke again.

“Has any of our council been affected that you know of?”

“So far, no. At least, I’ve not heard word of such.”

I was trying to picture what Aodhan looked like, maybe draw upon some long-hidden memory...

Nope.

Nothing.

I couldn’t remember anything about him. No hair color came to mind, no eye color, it was all blank. Though, that wouldn’t be much of a surprise. Vena had said she’d taken my memories.

He said we were bound by magic. I wanted to reach out to him to see if there was a connection between us similar to what I seemed to have with Isaac. Though, Isaac did say that what happened between us was unusual. If Aodhan had felt my energy signature though, why couldn’t I feel his? Why didn’t I feel any connection to him?

At least with Isaac, despite the situation, I at least had felt some weird connection with him. Isaac didn’t seem like he was going to answer any of my questions though, so I let it go. For now. With nothing else to do, I looked around Arden’s room. The room was dark, but light from the wall sconce kept it from being black. It was as quaint as the rest of the house. He had a small bed, some potted plants by a window and there was a fireplace in the corner. In front of the fireplace, there was a small chair. Of course, there was another bookcase too.

It was too dark to read and I wasn’t sure how to work the feylights yet, or if it could be seen from the living room. I wanted to go sit, but I also wanted to stay by the door and listen to what was being said. Especially since this was about me and whatever has been going on. Aodhan spoke again. Whatever he said this time was a bit too murmured for me to hear. I considered just opening the door and dealing with whatever the consequences were.