Eyes of Ember (Imdalind Series #2)(68)

“Have you ever seen the statue of the Greek Titan, Atlas, who holds the world upon his shoulders?”

I looked to him, confused as to where this could be coming from. His comment was so out of the blue. I raced the story of Atlas through my brain. I knew it, but I couldn’t find any similarities with what we had been talking about.

“Yes,” I said.

“My father had that statue in our home when I was with him. He used to say that it was there to remind him of the best way to defeat your enemies. Those who hold the world can do nothing but struggle and cry.”

“So, you’re saying that Edmund is doing this to weaken me, to keep me from whatever it is I am supposed to do?”

“Exactly,” Thom’s eyes shone. I groaned and rested my head on my shoulders.

“Well, he is succeeding,” I mumbled to myself.

“If you think like that, then you have already lost.” I snapped my head up to Thom and fought the urge to yell at him.

“He has taken everything from me, Thom, forced me into this life with its pain, and fear, and secrets. And I still don’t even know all of it yet, in case you have forgotten.” I was a little bitter, and I knew it, especially since Thom was trying to give me words of wisdom.

“You need to find someone to help you carry your load. That is where Atlas failed. He tried to trick others into taking it from him instead of asking for help.”

“How can I lighten my load if he has taken away everything that was a support to me?” I had calmed down, but I still felt my anger surge.

“You are speaking of your friends? Of your Father?” Thom leaned forward in his chair.

“Yes.”

“What of Ilyan?” Thom asked.

“He’s kind of busy at the moment, isn’t he?” I said.

“You never know who may be supporting you from behind the scenes, Siln?. Even though Ilyan is ill, he is still with you. He has the strength to carry the weight of the world for you, and he has that strength for a reason. When he wakes he will be there to help you hold it, and hold you up if needed.”

Ilyan had told me several times he would be there to support me, to help me, to lighten my load. And I knew he would be. I knew I could trust him. I just wasn’t sure I wanted him to. Ryland’s riddle was still too fresh in my mind.

“I think I see what you’re saying,” I admitted. I nodded once to Thom who said nothing, grabbed his chair, and walked away.

I slid off Ilyan’s bed, my body aching at the movement. I moved to Ilyan’s head and smoothed his long hair. Thom had said that Ilyan had his strength for a reason. I couldn’t rely on him carrying all of my worries for me – I didn’t want him to – but I didn’t know if I had enough strength of my own, I didn’t know which I wanted to be, strong on my own; or strong enough to ask for help.

I didn’t know which I was supposed to be.





Twenty-One


I clutched the mug of Black Water and pressed it to my lips, a soft groan escaping as I felt the liquid flow through me. I tried to ignore Dramin’s happy chuckle from behind me and let myself enjoy the way the Black Water made me feel. It was better than a cheeseburger.

Dramin had been supplying me with the drink since he had returned earlier that morning. Although it had been weird to only eat a small amount of rice and vegetables for lunch, my body didn’t want food anymore. And I didn’t care. The Black Water was all I needed. Dramin was right.

“Do you need more?” Dramin asked.

“Not yet. It’s good this is just water, Uncle, or I might be worried I was turning into an alcoholic.” Dramin chuckled, and I heard Thom grunt loudly from beside me.

“Poisonous water,” Thom amended, which only caused Dramin to chuckle more.

A grunt and a chuckle. I couldn’t think of anything else that could explain the two men better.

“Well, if you don’t need more,” Dramin said, “let’s get back to work, shall we?”

I took another drink and let the warm energy pulse through me. So far it was taking away all my aches from having avoided the T?uha today. I enjoyed the feeling, but what I loved even more was that the Water had fully unlocked my abilities.

I had sparred with Thom this morning, and even through my sore and rigid body, I was able to beat him in three matches. I could tell he wasn’t as powerful as Ilyan, but I had never beaten anyone before – without cheating of course. It made me excited, while it only made Thom surly.

I sat on the floor of the large training hall, a large fur cloak draped around me. It was there not only for warmth, but also for some semblance of decency. I hadn’t had a chance to change clothes, or even take a shower, since before the fight in Santa Fe. And thanks to last night’s nightmares and today’s sparing matches, I was sweatier and more ratty than usual. I had tried to smooth my hair, but gave up when I realized I was fighting a losing battle. I would have to look a little bit derelict until I located a shower and a clothing store – both of which I had been informed the cave did not have.

Dramin stood about ten feet behind me and Thom slightly to my left. Even with my eyes closed I could see them. I had opened up my internal vision to include the whole room, much to Thom’s dismay. He could only manage about a ten foot circle. And even though I could see the whole cave, I was sure I could manage even more if I focused.