The alternate beginning to LR has received so many positive reviews that I'm inspired to share more of my created world with you. This story, however, requires a bit of background...but I don't mean within the story itself. For that, you'll have to either puzzle it out, or email me your questions. d:
No. What I mean is that this story happens long before my first novel takes place. Those who write like I do will totally understand why writers like Tolkien filled whole volumes with background stories that were never slated to see the light of day. This story, we can imagine, as having come from my Silmarillion.
Something else you need to know about this story: it's Pure unedited Pattie. This, folks, is how I write. Thick, word bound, lots of description and not a lot of action is all me. (Though, in reality, this story is mostly action.)
Finally, the only thing I will say about my created world (to throw you a bone) is that all creatures have a beast form and a human form. It makes interspecies mating easier. ^__~ This story has no title, it's simply a doc on my hard drive called...
I'm in love...
By Pattie Lawler
"I’m in love," Heimir murmured as he sank onto the sofa.
"Heimir! Congratulations!" Sebastian gushed, a wide grin on his face...which faded in the next second as he gazed at his despondent companion. Heimir appeared utterly miserable, his amber eyes were glazed and unseeing.
"What’s wrong?" the Maze Keeper whispered, mentally dismissing Anka, who fled the room.
Several minutes passed before the Delta was again aware of his surroundings. Sebastian waited, silently offering his support by sitting forward to be closer to his suffering friend.
"What I can’t explain," Heimir whispered, as if in response to an unasked question, "is how it happened."
The Maze Keeper cocked his head. "Does such a feeling require an explanation?"
Heimir squeezed his eyes closed and seemed to withdraw with this action. Leaning his elbows on his knees, he balled his hands into a single fist and pressed his forehead against his thumbs.
Sebastian longed to question his friend but knew Heimir would speak in his own time. Rising, the Maze Keeper moved around the table and joined the Dragon on the sofa.
"You know the lady," Heimir murmured without looking up.
Of this, Sebastian had no doubt. There were few creatures within the Great Lord’s immediate circle that he didn’t know, as well as the several spheres orbiting the King of the Delta. In a greater sense, all of the pyro Delta were Heimir’s offspring, and surely the unnamed lady was a pyro. It was inconceivable that Heimir could love another species.
Sebastian thrust his thoughts into the recent past, searching for a clue as to the lady’s identity.
Early in the existence of the western Delta, Heimir declared a communal birth date for the Dragons within his realm. This date, August 1st, was typically the hottest day of the year and he felt it reflected the pyros of his domain perfectly. Every year a weeklong celebration was held in honor of this event, and now, a month later, Heimir was still entertaining guests. His several wives took it upon themselves to plan the necessary festivities and he was happy to let them.
Heimir currently supported five wives, and it was common knowledge that they were all political unions, not affairs of the heart. It was an amicable situation between those involved. This admission of love from the Great Lord was the first such statement that Sebastian had ever heard from his friend. He recalled the guest list, seeking a Delta who would catch the Great Lord’s eye.
The image of flaming hair and dazzling sapphire eyes filled his mind.
"It’s Hildegard," Sebastian whispered knowingly.
Heimir sucked in a deep breath as he sat back, raking his fingers through his hair.
"I haven’t seen her in several thousand years," Heimir admitted, confirming the Maze Keeper’s assertion. "Her father introduced her, saying that I was too busy to remember everyone. She was joking, saying the Alpha had given her time off for good behavior. Then we were alone in the garden; I don’t even know how we came to be there."
Sebastian did indeed know the lady, and he knew, as did most of the magical realm, that she was the Alpha’s current lover. She had been for years.
"You’ve chosen an incredible creature."
"And a peerless rival," Heimir moaned, sliding his hands down to cover his face.
There was no disputing this fact. Sebastian changed the subject.
"What happened in the garden, if you don’t mind my asking?"
"What happened," the Delta groused, dropping his hands and looking at his friend, "was I discovered that breathing is a very conscious activity we assume is automatic."
The Maze Keeper laughed as he crossed his legs and laid back.
"We talked about the festival," Heimir continued, "about relations with the other Delta, new species, population concerns...every word she uttered was interesting and intelligent. We passed an hour in what felt like a handful of minutes. When her sister, Helche, came to find her, I felt like I had been rudely awakened from a dream."
Sebastian chuckled at his friend’s plight. "You can’t imagine how I envy you."
The Great Lord smiled in turn, shaking his head. "I couldn’t wait to see her again, Sebastian. I ordered breakfast served, as it was near dawn. I extended an invitation to those who yet remained—"
"But she had already left."
Heimir nodded. "Her father is an old campaigner—he tires easily—and Helche had sought Hildegard out as they were retiring."
"And the next day?"
Heimir’s gaze returned to the fire.
The Maze Keeper nodded as well. "What will you do?"
"What can I do?"
<0>
Sebastian stood before the maze and watched as the Delta strode across the lawn.
He recognized Hildegard at once and a brief mental battle ensued as to whether or not he could summon Heimir. The rapid conclusion was, no. Here on the Maze Lawn, Hildegard had come with a question for the Labyrinth and whatever it was, it was her business. Rather than suffer on his friend’s behalf, Sebastian took the opportunity to examine the pyro.
The first impression he garnered was that she was perfect.
Her figure, features, deportment...nothing about her appeared other than flawless. She moved with effortless grace and looked invitingly soft. There was a dazzling smile on her lips as she approached and Sebastian was happy to return the greeting.
"My Lord Beta," she began, reaching her hand out.
Sebastian immediately collected this offering and bent to kiss her knuckles. "Lady Hildegard," he replied as he straightened.
Her smile warmed. "You remember me."
"You have grown into a lovely creature, but I can still see the child in you."
She blushed prettily, dropping her gaze as he released her hand. Forging ahead to avoid an awkward silence, Sebastian preformed his eternal task and asked the lady if she had a question for the Labyrinth.
For a fleeting second, Hildegard looked pained but then she nodded, her gaze rising to meet the Maze Keeper’s eyes. "I find myself in an unenviable position, my Lord Beta. Doubtless you know of my involvement with the Alpha, and please believe I do not mean to flatter myself by the admission, I simply state the fact."
Sebastian inclined his head in acknowledgement. But when he again looked at the lady he was surprised to see her eyes earnestly probing his face.
"Lady?"
"He’s been here, hasn’t he? Oh, I’ve been a fool!"
"I’m sorry—" Sebastian began, unsure of what to say and hoping that his confusion was telling enough.
But Hildegard was backing away from him, her hands pressed to her coloring cheeks. At that moment, the Labyrinth emerged from the hedge and reached out a hand toward the Delta. "Lady Hildegard," the foliate creature soothed, catching her elbow and thereby her attention.
Hildegard started with surprise, but paused long enough for Sebastian to recover his wits.
"Lady," he began, moving to join his counterpart. "I have had many guests of late and like your desire to approach me, their business is a sacred trust I would divulge to no one. If you mean to question me directly, I must apologize at the outset. I will reveal nothing."
"You are concerned," the Labyrinth took up the Maze Keeper’s unuttered truth, "that the Great Lord has come here, and lady, you should know he has, but to the Summer Lawn, not the Maze Lawn."
"Heimir is one of my closest friends," Sebastian added, smiling encouragingly.
"I have not seen the Great Lord in many thousands of years," Hildegard whispered, looking between the two creatures. "I came to the festival at my younger sister, Helche’s, insistence. She fears the advances of a powerful Delta who has already gained my father’s consent. Helche thought that perhaps my presence, and by extension that of the Alpha, might dissuade the upstart. I sought the Great Lord when it was apparent that I alone was insufficient." Her eyes flashed with indignation. "My father is in awe of this monster and Helche is a sweet and quiet child. She cannot stand against the brute!"
"Why didn’t you say something?" Heimir whispered, startling them all.
Hildegard gasped; withdrawing into the protective sphere of the Labyrinth whose arms encircled her.
"Heimir!" Sebastian barked with consternation.
"The magic of the Delta allowed Me access," the Great Lord explained, meeting the Maze Keeper’s gaze before looking toward Hildegard. "One of the Delta is in distress and I am summoned."
Frowning, Sebastian amended the protective shield around the Maze Lawn.
"What’s done is done," the Labyrinth murmured, addressing his angry counterpart before returning his gaze to the Delta in his arms. "The Great Lord is here, Lady Hildegard. You may pose your question, if that is your desire. But you must remember, lady; one question alone will your Maze answer. Choose carefully."
Sebastian then understood her dilemma. Hildegard had indeed come here to ask a question of the Labyrinth, but now was torn between her duty to her sister and her own desire.
"Heimir," Sebastian commanded, turning toward the Delta, "I must insist you withdraw. You have enough information regarding the plight of the Lady Helche to act in her best interest. No one here doubts you will proceed with alacrity and justice. I would strongly urge you to contact the Lady Hildegard when an outcome is reached, so that you may put her mind at ease."
There was nothing more for Heimir to say, so he accepted the Beta’s commission, bowed to those gathered and disappeared.
Behind him, Sebastian heard Hildegard exhale and he allowed himself a brief smile before he turned back to his guest. "Has this eliminated one of your questions?"
Hildegard managed a slight smile. "Thank you, my Lord Beta."
"And now," Sebastian went on with energy. "You have a question for the Labyrinth."
Hildegard looked up at the creature who held her and nodded. "I sought the Great Lord for his aid," she began, addressing her response to the foliate creature, "and in so doing found myself alone with him. We talked for too brief a time; I wanted the moment to last forever."
Sebastian felt his heart swelling with delight for his friend.
"A more charming creature I have never met. I couldn’t concentrate upon my task and found myself introducing topics simply to remain in his company. He made the commonplace exceptional and never made me feel as if I was prattling on, as surely I was!" She looked at Sebastian with beseeching eyes. "I am nothing to him, one of the distressed Delta in his care, and yet, my Lord Beta, in that one hour spent with him he effortlessly supplanted the Alpha in my heart and became all to me! I cannot return to Leviathan!" she firmly asserted. "Nor may I simply walk away from Her!"
"And so your question."
Hildegard nodded. "Is there a way for me to leave the Alpha without hurting either of us—"
"But there is more," Sebastian cut in before she could conclude. "Say all that is in your heart, lady. I have removed the Maze Lawn from Time and Space and no one, not even the Alpha, may approach us. You must be clear in your request! No one will censure you, Lady Hildegard, but you must open your heart to the Labyrinth."
In response to these directions, Hildegard’s eyes sank closed and she bowed her head. Beside them, the hedge maze began to move, flowing in spirals that contracted and expanded, only to return to the shining green grove of bushes mere seconds later. The opening facing where Heimir had stood.
Taking her hand, the Maze Keeper gently drew Hildegard from the arms of the Labyrinth and toward the opening. He explained the working of the Maze, what to expect and how to exit. Without hesitation, he placed her in the opening, and with softly murmured thanks, Hildegard entered her Maze and was gone.
<0>
Sebastian sat beside Heimir in the knot garden. They had been silent for over an hour and neither cared. The Maze Keeper assumed the problem that had plagued Hildegard was no longer a concern and nothing need be said on the topic.
What they were waiting for was the return of Anka. Heimir had asked the phoenix to watch and see Hildegard safely returned to the Alpha and to return directly.
Another hour passed without issue.
"Is this taking an eternity, or is it just me?" Heimir finally demanded, rounding on his friend.
Sebastian chuckled. "It certainly seems to be dragging on."
But not ten minutes later the creamy white phoenix dropped from the sky and reverted to its human form. "I’m sorry I’m late," Anka called as he hurried to join the two creatures. "The Alpha sent a message to Heimir and She told me to wait while She drafted it."
Heimir leapt to his feet the second he saw the bird and his hands were out even as Anka produced a letter and box from his pocket. The Delta snatched the missive while Anka handed the box to the Maze Keeper. For a moment there was silence as Heimir read.
"It’s a challenge," the Dragon murmured, reading as he turned toward Sebastian.
Opening the box, Sebastian whistled softly and turned it to face the Delta.
Resting on velvet supports was a small, white-gold crown. The four delicate, filigree spires originated from a setting whose prongs were open and awaiting its stone.
"I’m to collect the missing stones," Heimir explained, looking up from the letter. "One from each element, and present it to the Alpha in exchange for the right to vie for Hildegard’s hand. The Alpha says that Hildegard has agreed to this challenge."
The Labyrinth emerged from the hedge and moved to join the gathered creatures.
"The lady’s question," the newcomer said as he neared, "has prompted this trial. Only a creature who is capable of winning these items is worthy of the lady’s esteem."
"I think it is an excellent test," Sebastian murmured. "It will prove not only your desire for the Lady Hildegard, but your ability to make and keep allies."
Heimir looked up, "Allies?" he whispered, and recoiled.
Gone was the Maze Keeper and in his place stood the Beta. Sebastian’s arms were out at His sides and a tornado wind snapped His jacket around Him.
"Of all the elements," the Beta intoned, His blazing eyes turning on Heimir, "the most elusive is Air! Come to Me again when you have gathered what tactile charms come into your hands!"
Surprised, Heimir hastened to revert, to meet this challenge, and found he could not. This only served to alarm him further. Flooding his body with power, he again tried to revert, and could not. Enraged, he snarled at the Beta and burst into flame.
"Yes!" Sebastian cried, His white eyes glowing with pride. "Become the Delta, Heimir! Become the Delta and return to the Maze Lawn for your final trial!"
Heimir suddenly found himself in the space between. Quenching his fire, he looked around himself in surprise. Reaching out, he tried to make for the Maze Lawn, and encountered a barrier that froze his questing fingertips. Gasping in pain, he withdrew and cradled the stinging fingers in his free hand.
"Become the Delta?" he murmured with confusion, using his fire to warm his frosty fingers.
<0>
The Great Lord returned to his hall and put his immediate affairs in order. He summoned his wives, explained his present emotional condition, what the terms of the challenge were, and urged them to discuss their feelings with him. It surprised him not at all that they were supportive, eager to meet with Hildegard, and happy to know that he had found love. Once past this hurtle, Heimir bowed deeply to the ladies and thanked them again for their boundless esteem. Eagerly they questioned him as to the trials he expected and offered what advice they could. Heimir spent the remainder of the day with them and took his leave just before dinner. He told them to expect him when next they saw him and received a parting kiss from each.
<0>
Reverting, Heimir threw himself into the space between and made for the realm of the Unicorn. Collecting the element of fire seemed the most obvious for a pyro, and in theory the easiest. Emerging in the space between, he turned for Annwn, Gwen’s hall.
But as he neared, he felt the air cooling and his wings becoming sluggish. Surprised, he slowed to assess his condition. Yet even as he did, he was suddenly upon the lawn before the vast hall. Before the closed doors of the hall stood his son by marriage, Gwen ap Lludd, King of the Iota.
Never had Heimir seen this form of the Iota. Gwen was in his human form, but his silver, spiral horn was visible upon his bow. Bemused, the Great Lord crouched down and dipped his head in greeting.
Without a word, Gwen reached up, gripped his horn and gave it a sharp turn. Easily, the silver taper came away from his head and in the place where the base of the horn touched his forehead shone a molten, red stone.
Heimir’s eyes grew wide with surprise, and then narrowed as he gazed at his goal.
In one fluid motion Gwen replaced his horn, reverted to his beast form, and burst into flame.
"I am all Iota, I am of Iota. I am all Fire, I am of Fire," Gwen intoned, slowly prancing toward his adversary. "I am all Water, I am of Water. I am all Air, I am of Air. I am all Earth, I am of Earth! The King’s Stone is upon My brow, Great Lord Heimir! Collect it if you are able!"
Rising to his feet, his eyes never straying from Gwen’s, Heimir drew in a deep breath, ignited his fire, and arched his golden neck. When he reached the limit of his lungs he leveled the superheated blast at the white Unicorn that stood before him.
Gwen instantly extended his fire into a sphere of protection that absorbed the Delta’s fire and was not weakened. Within the sphere, Gwen chuckled a deep, throaty laugh.
On and on Heimir exhaled at the Iota, to no avail. Gwen stood his ground and simply watched as the river of flames was parted by his own fire. When Heimir finally ran out of breath, Gwen reared up, pawing the air.
"Again!" the Unicorn bellowed.
Heimir responded by filling his lungs and blasting the Iota, while sweeping his serpentine tail at the protective sphere. Gwen simply launched himself into the air on a whirlwind of thermals and avoided the wicked lash. With his fountain of flame, Heimir followed the Iota, and rose in the air when it appeared Gwen would drift out of the Delta’s range.
But in the air, Gwen dropped his sphere, reverted to his Catazoon form and became as tactile as a cloud. Heimir flew at him, lancing through the air like an arrow, and as he opened his mouth to encompass the Iota, his teeth came down on nothing. Whirling with astonishing agility, the Great Lord swung back to face the Iota, and found Gwen as transparent as ice. No matter how the great jaw snapped, Heimir could not connect with the Iota. Gwen again reared back and raced toward the ground.
Howling with annoyance, Heimir followed.
As the silver hooves touched the soil before the hall, Gwen disappeared.
Throwing his wings wide, Heimir halted his forward motion and simply hung in the air, searching for the Unicorn. His long neck swept in arcs, his golden eyes trained on the ground.
Suddenly a long, thick, black horn rose from the ground, racing toward the Great Lord, parting the dirt like the bow of a ship cuts waves. As the Yale form of the Iota broke the surface, and his head and neck rose up from the earth, Heimir threw himself forward, his forelegs extended to pull the Yale from the ground.
But as the Great Lord was about to reach his goal, Gwen stopped, dropped his head below the surface of the ground and brought his long, reverse horn up, impaling one of the Dragon’s grasping paws.
Heimir screamed from rage, not from pain. Ignoring the injury, the Great Lord closed his fist, gripping the horn, which became water and melted from his hand in the next second.
Unable to halt his forward motion, Heimir fell heavily to the ground and spun back toward the place where he thought he had caught the Iota, and saw the small, white Unicorn serenely watching him, his head cocked as if the Dragon puzzled him.
"I am all Iota," Gwen reminded him. "I am the Iota."
"My daughter chose well," Heimir panted, nodding in agreement. "But don’t forget, Iota, I am Delta! Pyro!" Roaring, the golden Dragon rose onto his hind legs, writhing as he rose. His massive head swept down, orienting on the Unicorn, and he dropped his weight forward, looking to squash his adversary like a bug.
Gwen became a hyppogryph and the Great Lord’s feet splashed into a puddle of water. For a stunned moment the Dragon simply stood looking at his dripping feet before he burst out laughing.
Behind him came an answering chuckle and the supple neck swung around to gaze at the Unicorn who stood some distance off.
"It was mine for the asking, wasn’t it?" Heimir rumbled, amazed at his stupidity.
The Unicorn trotted closer, dipping his head as he drew near. "Heimir," Gwen chided the beast, "you are my father, you are my Great Lord and more than these, you are my beloved friend."
"I’m also a fool," Heimir laughed, reverting to his human form. He held his bleeding hand out to the approaching Unicorn, who paused.
"Do you yield?"
Heimir continued to laugh. "How could I not? Yes, my king, I yield. I have been soundly bested and am eager to throw myself on your kindness."
The dark eyes of the Unicorn smiled as Gwen advanced and touched the tip of his horn against the hole in the Dragon’s hand.
"I’m sorry," Gwen murmured as his glowing horn undid its previous damage. "I didn’t mean to hurt you. I thought you would avoid the second horn."
"I had forgotten it," Heimir admitted, flexing his repaired hand. "Thank you."
Gwen nodded in reply and reverted, though his horn remained on his forehead. Once again he removed the silver sword from his brow. Drawing himself up straight, he closed his eyes and waited.
Heimir stood in awe, gazing at his son. The blood-red stone was glowing softly, beckoning to him and yet Heimir couldn’t move. The King of the Iota waited, gripping his horn and offering up his secret treasure. The Great Lord’s heart swelled at the sight and rather than take the stone, Heimir stepped up to Gwen and embraced him.
Startled, Gwen’s eyes flew open but then he smiled and returned the affectionate outpouring. "I’m happy for you, Heimir," the Unicorn whispered, "and hope that some day I’m as fortunate."
"How could you not be, Gwen? Your heart is as large as your courage."
"Courage?" Gwen repeated as if confused. "Me?"
"Yes, you," Heimir laughed, gently pushing the Iota away. "You are the noblest creature I know, Gwen ap Lludd, and I count myself fortunate in having lost to you."
Gwen’s smile grew and he bowed, his hand rising to catch the King’s Stone as it dropped from his brow.
"Win your lady," Gwen whispered as he pressed the hot stone into Heimir’s hand. "I won’t be happy until I see this set in Lady Hildegard’s crown."
<0>
Magister Flavius of the Pi was also waiting for Heimir. Their battle echoed the previous in that the Great Lord was bested by his own vanity. When Flavius finally awarded the amber resin of his veins to his vanquished foe, Heimir was torn between elation and humility.
"The Beta told me to go away and become the Delta," Heimir murmured as he and Flavius sat below the canopy of the Eta’s branches.
"And by His reckoning, you should be half way by now," Flavius teased.
Heimir couldn’t help but laugh. "I have a goal in mind, and yet—"
"Don’t say it," Flavius quickly interjected. "What you think at this point is exactly what the Beta wanted and when you make this admission it should be to Him, not me."
"Are you so sure you know what I was going to say?" Heimir demanded, still laughing.
"Verbatim," the Magister admitted, nodding. "You are a plane of glass to me now, Great Lord."
<0>
Heimir found the Southern Delta off the coast of New Zealand. He approached the massive sea serpent and presented himself as peer and supplicant.
"The Southern Delta," Yingarna began, "have a very comfortable relationship with the Queen of the Oceans. Leviathan told Me to expect you, Great Lord."
"She explained to you why I am here?"
The Mist Mover turned pale green eyes on the Great Lord. "Very comfortable."
Heimir nodded.
"Hilde is also known to us," Yingarna drawled familiarly. "She is a favorite here at court and pray allow Me to assure you, Great Lord, we would miss her exceedingly were she to be...removed."
Again Heimir nodded. While he didn’t expect the same reception he had garnered from his friends, he didn’t expect this thinly veiled challenge. He seldom had dealings with the Shining Swimmer, but never before did he feel so unwelcome.
"Were the Lady Hildegard to leave the Alpha," Heimir replied, "it would be of her own free will. I shall not importune the lady."
"I’m pleased to hear you say so, Great Lord. And now I will be candid with you, Heimir of the Pyros. We here in the Southern Empire know of your victories over your friends and have vowed to be less accommodating."
"The implication being that they let me win out of friendship."
"I’m simply stating the facts, Great Lord. My design extended no further than a polite warning." The Delta then lifted his chin and amid the lustrous scales Heimir could see a pale blue stone at his throat.
"This is the Aqua Tide," Yingarna explained. Suddenly a massive wall of water exploded in front of Heimir, and before he could react, it crashed down upon him.
"You have beaten a fire element," Yingarna was shouting over the roar of the water, "and an earth element—but neither cancels out fire as completely as water! Pyro no longer, Great Lord, we fight!"
Rising up from the onslaught, Heimir ignited his fire—to no avail. Yingarna was right. The cold seawater quenched his magic as surely as it soaked his scales. Immediately the Great Lord drew in breath and felt his internal fire gathering, glowing, growing. He directed it to his sodden skin, to remove the sticky salt, but felt the magic of the Southern Delta still in place.
Snarling with rage, Heimir threw himself into the air and quickly gained enough height to allow him to assess the arena in which he was to battle.
Yingarna was nowhere in sight.
Doubtless he was below the roiling surface. Heimir swept his head around, searching the brackish water. He had a belly full of flame that he desperately wanted to present the Mist Mover.
The first column of water that shot up connected with his right wing.
Twisting, Heimir avoided the next pillar, and the next. Moving between the waterspouts, he kept ahead of the liquid missiles, but couldn’t locate his opponent. In mere moments, the green sea was a forest of water jets. Heimir easily rose above them to hover on the cool breeze. His eyes swept the field, and were just in time to see the shadow of movement in one of the pillars.
Climbing the waterspout, Yingarna erupted into the sky above the water forest and hung for a second before Heimir’s startled gaze. As Yingarna exhaled a jet of water at the Great Lord, Heimir blasted his arsenal of flame at the Southern Delta. The two energies clashed, forming a wall of hissing steam. Yingarna immediately dove into one of the falling columns of water. Heimir swept down, blasting the water with his flames as he dropped, but Yingarna simply leapt to the next pillar, forcing Heimir to swing around the column and redirect his flame while avoiding the next jet of seawater.
"Become the Delta!"
Startled by this sudden recollection of the Beta’s parting words, Heimir angled his wings and once again shot up above the countless twisters.
"I am all Iota, I am the Iota," Gwen declared once again.
What was he missing?
Flavius too had seen his flaw but had kept him from voicing the thought.
"I am all Iota..."
Gwen was a pyro, fire element...and yet he became air, earth and water with alacrity.
Hovering, Heimir stilled his thoughts and concentrated on the element of water. As the first among equals could he possibly take on the abilities of those creatures who shared his Rank?
Hildegard was a pyro and yet had been living with the Alpha for years.
Looking down into one of the fountains, Heimir flooded his mind with the antithesis of his natural magic, willing himself to become a aqua Delta. He threw himself, head first, into the nearest jet of water.
The force of the stream almost halted his motion. Heaving himself forward, Heimir pumped his wings and tried to meld with the frigid water. The cold became an anvil in his forehead and he fought to not close his eyes against the current.
This wasn’t working.
Because he was still resisting.
Heimir imagined himself a sieve. He imagined the briny water as nothing more than the wind beneath his wings. He imagined that his burning lungs were breathing in water as naturally as he breathed in flame. He saw himself as Yingarna, and mirrored the Mist Mover.
For a second he joined with the water before Yingarna’s tail connected with his head.
Thrust from the supporting column, Heimir plummeted toward the ocean. Flashes of color blinded him as he tried to recover from the blow, and the next jet of water hit him squarely in the stomach.
Thrown ignominiously into the open sky, Heimir shook himself, forcing the haze from his head. His wings automatically flew wide, catching a breeze and holding him above attack.
"Become the Delta," he muttered, swaying in the breeze.
He had been beaten by the Iota, the Pi and was in danger of losing to one of his own species.
"Stop thinking like a pyro, or any element!" he chastised himself. Set aside magic. Use your wit, skills and brut force to face any challenge. Sebastian was right. The Maze Keeper hadn’t commanded that Heimir become the pyro Delta, but the Delta! No magic, just Rank.
Several waterspouts away, the Sea Serpent rose into the sapphire sky and leveled a blast of water at Heimir. Rising above the jet that naturally followed him, the Great Lord smiled.
"How strong are you, Yingarna?" he called as he rose. "Are you stronger than I am?"
Pushing his massive wings down, Heimir flew forward. Yingarna dove into a falling fountain and Heimir followed. Together they sprinted for the ocean. Yingarna was ahead, but Heimir was closing the gap, so powerful was his swimming. Just as it seemed that Yingarna would gain the safety of the deep waters, Heimir stretched out his neck, closed his mouth on the tip of the Shining Swimmer’s tail and threw his wings wide, halting them both.
Leaning back, Heimir dragged the thrashing sea serpent out from the pillar of water and began beating his wings. At first they were slow to rise, and Yingarna’s writhing body was a hindrance, but Heimir forced his leaden wings down and began to climb. Each mile of altitude was a struggle, but the higher he rose, the less Yingarna fought.
"You’re a wyrm out of water," Heimir mumbled, "but you can’t revert to your human form at this height or you’ll die. There’s not enough air for a human up here."
Sluggishly, Yingarna nodded.
"I’ll return you to your element in exchange for the Aqua Tide, Yingarna. Do we have a deal?"
The Southern Delta was in no condition to argue. It only took a few seconds for Heimir to return the panting creature to the water below and as Yingarna relaxed back into the ocean’s embrace, his claw deftly picked out the Aqua Tide from its hiding place.
"Your fire attack I could have dealt with," Yingarna murmured.
Heimir nodded in agreement. "And you would have won."
<0>
The way to the Maze Lawn was no longer barred and Heimir was shown to the library and asked to wait. Upon the desk sat the white box and it beckoned to him, though the Great Lord simply sat where he had been placed. The sound of the door opening and closing announced the arrival of the Beta and without looking at the Maze Keeper, Heimir announced, "I have won three of the four stones."
"I know," Sebastian replied amiably. "The shield I placed on the Maze Lawn was charmed to allow you passage only when you possessed the stones."
Heimir nodded.
Sebastian moved around his desk and settled himself in the leather chair. "So tell me," he urged as he made himself comfortable. "How did you get them?"
Over the course of several hours, Heimir recounted what his various challenges had been and their outcomes. Sebastian said little, and never took his eyes from the Great Lord’s face. When Heimir finally grew quiet, Sebastian nodded.
"Do you believe you have become the Delta?"
"No. But I know what I must do."
"And I know you well enough to know you won’t fail."
Heimir shook his head. "You were right about me. I wasn’t the Delta. I was a pyro and seemingly content with this. I am no longer content. Gwen...truly humbled me."
"The Delta need a strong figurehead, not a strong magic user," Sebastian agreed. "Anyone of the pyros could do what you do with the right training, but none of them have the leadership skills, the charisma or the physical greatness that comes from being the primus inter pares, the first among equals."
Sebastian leaned back and drew open a drawer. He removed a small velvet box, opened it and turned it to face Heimir.
"I have been fashioning this stone since the Alpha issued Her challenge."
On the black, satin lining lay a stone so clear it appeared as nothing more than a disturbance in the material’s weave. Truly it was a stone of air.
"I call it Immaculate Vow," Sebastian went on with pride as he lifted the stone from its resting place. "You must promise Me, Heimir, that you will take it, and the crown, to the Alpha."
The Great Lord dipped his head. "Willingly."
"This is My charge and your commission. Do you accept?"
Alert, Heimir faced the Maze Keeper more squarely. "I accept, my Lord Beta."
"Excellent!" Sebastian cried as he twisted his wrist, exposing more of his skin from his cuff. The Maze Keeper placed the stone against his wrist and pushed. Magically, the Immaculate Vow disappeared.
Gaping, Heimir sat in stunned silence.
"Come, come!" Sebastian cheerfully called, rising and moving to his friend’s side. "Lupus has made all the arrangements. All we need do is arrive!"
Mute with confusion, Heimir rose and followed the beckoning Maze Keeper.
In a moment, Heimir found himself in a forest clearing where a fire burned in a stone-lined pit. Deep night swathed the area, and he watched as Sebastian surveyed the scene, and then dropped down beside the fire.
"I wanted us to be alone for this trial. I hope you don’t mind."
Stupefied, Heimir knelt and joined the Maze Keeper.
Sebastian produced a knife and was holding the hilt out to the Great Lord. "You’ll need this."
Heimir’s jaw dropped and his shook his head.
"You promised," Sebastian teased, raising the knife.
"I can’t hurt you like that!" Heimir hissed, leaning away from the knife.
"I know you can’t, but the Delta can."
"No, the Delta can’t! The Delta will not risk the life of a dear friend—"
"For what? For love?"
"You are asking me to cut the stone from your wrist so I can offer it to a creature who could rebuff me without a second glance!"
"You know that all I will feel is pain. I cannot die. But consider, Heimir, when you are a true leader there will be hard choices to make, and other dear friends to wound. I, at least, am aware of the upcoming pain and its source. Some other poor soul may only learn of your wounding choice at a later date. I’m not asking you to do anything the Delta couldn’t. You have to be the leader; you have to do your duty. No matter how repugnant, no matter how your heart aches."
"How is this my duty?" Heimir snapped, gesturing to the knife.
"I asked you to carry this stone," Sebastian used the knife’s grip to indicate the final stone, "and the crown to the Alpha...and you accepted, Great Lord."
"That was before any conditions!"
"You don’t know that. It was before any conditions that you were aware of. I never said I was going to just hand you the stone."
"You’re saying that the conditions were implied."
The Maze Keeper nodded. "You didn’t pause to question what they could be."
The Great Lord sagged. "I assumed."
Sebastian chuckled as he held the knife out again. "It is an endearing trait, Great Lord, that your future mate will learn to guard you from.
"She’s waiting for you, Heimir," he went on rapturously. "She loves you as surely as you do her. The only thing standing in your way is your love of Me. I have imposed this condition and I know that only the deepest regard is making you hesitate. Come," he urged, "I shan’t flinch."
Slowly, the Delta reached for the knife and caught the Maze Keeper’s wrist in his free hand. With a deep breath, Heimir quickly dragged the knife across the exposed, lace-ringed skin.
Blood sprayed from the wound and Heimir sat forward and covered the pulsing shower with his mouth.
Hissing at this series of events, Sebastian screwed his eyes closed. He felt Heimir’s tongue against his skin as the Great Lord tried to slow the tide. He felt as the Immaculate Vow clinked against Heimir’s teeth, and the Great Lord drew the stone into his mouth.
Once assured of the stone’s location, Heimir wondered for a second what he should do, and then he tasted the blood in his mouth. The searing liquid rose through his brain and left him reeling. Dropping the knife, he caught the Maze Keeper’s arm, supporting it as he drew more of the hot blood into his mouth.
"Yes," Sebastian moaned, "drink."
Heimir couldn’t resist the lustful command. Tucking the stone out of harm’s way, he crammed the wound further into his mouth and swallowed the collected blood. Sebastian panted in time with each heartbeat and Heimir felt reason depart as he bared his teeth and greedily chewed on the smooth skin.
Glancing up to gauge the Maze Keeper’s reaction to this added assault, Heimir found Sebastian gazing at him, a serene smile on his face. Bemused, he paused, relaxing his mouth.
"I know I could have asked," Sebastian whispered, reaching for his badge, "but I wanted you to do it for reasons unconnected with our relationship."
Frowning with confusion, Heimir sat back as Sebastian’s magic arched from his badge toward the still bleeding wrist. The thin blue line of magic healed the knife wound in a second, leaving the Great Lord puzzled.
"I’m part of you now," Sebastian explained with a nod toward his wrist. "Your children will share my blood. Part of the Beta will always be part of the Delta, Heimir."
Still tasting the wine of Sebastian’s blood in his mouth, Heimir spat the Immaculate Vow into his hand and reached to embrace his best friend as tears flooded his eyes.
<0>
Sebastian set the four stones, mounted the delicate spires on a diadem and crafted a new box to house the crown.
As he presented the Great Lord with this treasure, Heimir blurted out, "Will you accompany me?"
In reply, the Maze Keeper pointed toward the library door even as Lupus opened it.
"Are the kings assembled?" Sebastian asked the valet without missing a beat.
"They wait upon the lawn, Sir," the valet replied with a bow. "Your horse is saddled and ready as well."
Glancing up at the startled Great Lord, Sebastian smiled. "They wanted to come, too."
Side by side, the Beta, Gamma and Delta lead the procession. More than one hundred thousand creatures trailed behind the leading Ranks. Ringing Heimir were all of the Delta kings. Arrayed behind them was the host of Ranked Creatures who paid homage and deference to the Great Lord.
At the outset, Heimir took special pains to acknowledge Sebastian, Yingarna, Gwen, and Flavius, who in turn offered their deepest obeisance. With his own hands, Heimir raised them up and presented them to the gathered host.
When the host gained the coastline, the Alpha was waiting for them. Sebastian was the first to approach the Queen of the Oceans, followed by Iapetus of the Gamma and then Heimir. Each Rank approached the Alpha, bowed deeply, and presented the next in line.
Hildegard stood behind the Alpha’s throne. Dressed in a simple white dress, unadorned save for a rope of pearls, she had eyes for Heimir alone.
Surveying the host, the Alpha too looked at the Delta. "Have you carried out My commission?" She demanded, eyeing Heimir shrewdly. "Or have you come to frighten Me into handing over what you desire?"
Heimir smiled, reverted to his human form, and knelt before the Alpha. As he rose, he began the prescribed greeting. He swore fealty to the First Failed Experiment, and when these vows were completed, he turned to present his allies. As Sebastian moved to Heimir’s side, the Maze Keeper opened the box that housed the newly created crown. Joined by Yingarna, Gwen and Flavius, Sebastian gestured to the crown.
"Here are Immaculate Vow, Aqua Tide, King’s Stone and Healing Blood. Here are their previous owners, to attest to their authenticity, as well as vouchsafe their having been fairly won."
The Alpha’s gaze turned to the four creatures, who bowed in agreement.
"We have tested the Delta," Sebastian continued as he rose, "and he has exceeded our expectation. Yours was a well-crafted test, Alpha, to which we dedicated our bodies, souls and magic and found the Delta equal to the task."
Leviathan dropped Her gaze and glanced over Her shoulder at Hildegard. "Come to Me," She commanded, and Hildegard reached her hand out for the Alpha to draw her forward. They smiled at each other, and Hildegard’s eyes were bright with tears.
"I willingly release you, Hildegard," the Alpha declared, "so that you may return to your species. This crown, with its allied stones, is My parting gift to you. Wear it on your wedding day so that all will know that My hand is upon you...from a distance, and so that I will be in your heart as well."
Turning, Leviathan beckoned the Maze Keeper closer. Sebastian quickly passed the box to Yingarna and reached out to take Hildegard’s hand as the Alpha moved her forward.
Sebastian smiled with delight as Hildegard placed her hand in his. Unseen by anyone but the Alpha and Hildegard, Sebastian winked at the Alpha before he spoke aloud.
"The Great Lord has fought several battles for the right to court you, Lady Hildegard. Are you amenable to his attentions?"
Hildegard turned her sapphire eyes on the Great Lord and smiled. "I am, my Lord Beta."
"Then I deliver you from the Alpha, to the Delta, in the hopes that your time together proves satisfactory."
"I’m convinced it will," Hildegard breathed as she gazed at Heimir.
<0>
Theirs was a brief courtship. Within six years, Hildegard consented to be Queen of the Delta. The couple spent a year with each of the creatures who had yielded up a stone to her crown, a year with Heimir’s five queens, and a year alone. Upon reflection, Hilde enjoyed her time spent in company on the Summer Lawn best. She and her fiancé were frequent guests to the cottage. It was in the knot garden that Hilde promised her unending love to the Great Lord, and to Sebastian that the happy couple ran to share their joy.
<0>
Hildegard stood on the terrace, looking across the moonlit garden. On her wrist was the sapphire bracelet Heimir had clasped on her before the party and she smiled as she lifted it into the light.
Leaning on the doorjamb, Heimir watched her. For the countless time he marveled at her perfection and he couldn’t help but smile with pleasure.
"Do you like it?"
Startled, Hilde spun toward the speaker. Recovering quickly, she smiled. "Did you have any say in the design, or did Sebastian do it all?"
"Actually, I designed it and chose the stones. He merely acted on orders."
Her smile warmed as she hugged it to her chest. "Then I’m no longer surprised that I find it exceptional."
Pushing himself upright, Heimir moved to join her. Collecting her hand, he pressed his lips against her palm. "Marry me, divine creature," he commanded between kisses. "Be my only love and let me never be from your side."
Hildegard stretched up and pressed her reply against his eager lips.