Chapter 299: Mordas

Even after he passed the Shield Trials he could go through training on Asclepius as well. He agreed with the covenant. Then, Leona began to explain his magical circumstances.

“He’s a dragon shifter, and his magical core is corrupted in a sense… broken, fractured, and degraded in others. Damaged is the catch-all for it is. I’ve never seen anything like it, which is why I suggest a full healing ritual thought the Temple, led by the Great Priest.”

Leandros was given a full copy of her preliminary notes, and it was decided that she would continue to observe and treat him through his training and serve as his lead healer until the Great Priest could organize this healing ritual. Zarantia would conscript him to service for five years, including any training exclusive to the Alliance Council’s standard which included training on Ithanas, Thaiandros, and Typhos.

It was also exclusive of the hours Zarantia required, but they had to be completed before Zarantia’s clock could begin. Zarantia’s clock would be just that, with no restrictions. He had to make his home in Zarantia and work for the throne for five years, but there was no restriction about them being consecutive, and even if he worked on things for the islands while there.

“I am pleased to say that Zarantia, since the war, will have plenty of work for you when you’re ready. I suspect there will be a great deal more since Zarantia is not equipped to handle their own issues and Kyria has issued a standing decree that we will not lend any more aid than our Shield.”

He smiled up at the woman. “Penelope is… a cunning woman.”

She flashed him a smile. “I do so love a man who knows how to give a compliment.”

He had never been so relieved as when he was escorted back to Zarantia to collect his things collected. The sail back was in the company of the few people of the islands and their descendants who had been left, including Minerva, Polites and Mrs. Morvale. Ardass protested the whole time he packed. He didn’t even see Naos. Judan seethed with jealousy as Kevyn joined him on the ship. Ophel was teary-eyed and pathetic looking.

Leandros had never been more relieved.

With his trunk packed, and his things collected, he walked to the front of the palace and looked up at the edifice. Naos stood in one of the windows and he turned away. Something reached out to him from within the walls, caressing him like a fond farewell.

Leandros entered the house he was sharing with Kevyn what felt like a lifetime later. He would be staying on Ascelppius or ease, but using the gates to get to other islands as he needed. The first thing he noticed was that all of the cabinets were full of food. Kevyn snagged an apple as Leandros kept looking. The bedroom was gigantic. He opened the closet and stilled, seeing it full of clothing.

A note shaped like a butterfly fluttered down from the top shelf. It’s movements drew his eye and pricked at his mind. It landed in the palm of his hand with delicately painted wings of blue, sparkling black, and gold.

“Uh, hi?” Leandros said looking down at it. Amazed by it as it fluttered its wings. “And… who are you from?”

It unfurled its wings and stretched out into a note with a shimmer of light, hovering above his palm.

Greetings Prince Leandros,

The robes and other clothing you will find inside are gifts of allegiance from the Great Spear, Kyria Penelope. You will find in the coming days that you shall not want for proper clothing, for food or shelter, nor comfort, nor peace. As long as Caelthos stands, until you can take your rightful place, the Alliance shall stand in your defense. Find in the years ahead all the answers you need to give you peace and weapons to strike down your enemies.

Until we meet.

Kyria Penelope of Caelthos

Leandros groaned, rubbing his head as he sat up. Penelope was still fast asleep, tears streaming down her cheeks. He shifted closer to her and kissed her temple.

“I have so many questions for you.”

“Ask them.” He jerked up, seeing Persephone standing there. The longer he looked at her, the more her appearance echoed through his memories in this life and several others.

“How far back does this go?” He asked. “And why?”

Her lips twitched into a smile. “Forever and almost nowhere, and because… I was merciful.”

She settled on the edge of the bed and looked over at Penelope.

“And because I was ruthless.” She shook her head. “But it doesn’t have to keep going. The plan has always been to undo it all, but everything has to go right for that to happen cleanly and meaningfully.”

“And what am I supposed to do?”

“What you’ve always done,” she said, her eyes gentle. “Love her. Forgive her. Be patient.”

Leandros looked back at Penelope. “I feel like that answers nothing.”

She laughed and stood. “As your memories come back to you both, it will be more than enough answer. Everything repeats forwards and backward. Everything has to undo it all.”

“And if this all goes to plan, where we end up?” He narrowed his eyes.

“Where we were always meant to be.”

“I hate riddles.”

She smiled. “No, you don’t. You love Penelope.”

He agreed with that, but before he could speak again, he heard a voice calling on the wind. He stood and went to the window, looking out. An island with white sand and black stone flickered in his mind. A black spear ripped through the sky.

“Is that… Taravon?”

“It is.” He turned back hearing Penelope’s voice. She got out of bed and came to stand beside him. “The hundred years in that time has passed.”

He swallowed. “Does that mean things are about to reset?”

“No,” Penelope said. “It means that Naos is coming here.”

“Why here?”

She smiled. “Because Delphos is where it began.”

She took his hand. “I don’t know if we get out hundred years and six honeymoons in this life, but… if things work out we’ll have the millenia we should have in this world and beyond.” She looked up at him. “Would that be enough for you to forgive me?”

“Forgive you?” He turned to her and drew her close. “Will you tell me why you feel you need forgiveness?”

Her eyes welled with tears. “Later… After Naos is dealt with.”

He narrowed his eyes at her, wanting to protest, but the plea in her eye made him hold back.

He nodded once, then again. “So, what happens?”

“We get ready, and we wait for the sign.”

“What—”

A blue spear appeared beside the black one and footsteps rushed down the hallway. A fist pounded on the door.

“Tell me you kids are decent!” A man’s voice called.

Leandros crossed the room and opened the door and looked up into eyes he’d only ever seen in other lives, always closing, vacant and dead.

Mordas was awake and apparently ridiculous.

Mordas took him by the face.

"Hm..."