Gems of Fate

Gems of Fate

It was a beautiful but windy day in the seaside city of Ameluna. Though the sun was out, the wind was cool, almost cold, a rare event in these parts. The sea was gentle and there were barely any clouds in the sky above the port full of ships, boats, and ferries. On a certain ferry far to the western edges where the beach ended and erosion-carved caves could be glimpsed by the corner of one’s eyes, Tinlea rose to her feet, wrestling her anger into the depths of her heart. She paced the length of the ferry for a while before her eyes fell on three 18-inch poles used to propel the ferry.

“Unfortunately, I’m the only one on the boa-”

“Is this ferry available?” a gentle voice inquired. Tinlea turned around and found herself face to face with a beautiful woman, slightly taller than her with flowing golden locks and light brown eyes. Her face and skin suggested high status, but her clothes were rough and tattered like a street urchin.

“Do you have any money?” Tinlea inquired in a very rude tone, traces of her anger still evident.

“Of course,” the woman replied, pulling out a purse and shaking it revealing the sound of jingling coins. “What would I be doing here if I did not?”

Even so, Tinlea did not budge. “I can’t help you,” she said. “My father and s-friend are not here right now and I cannot propel an entire ferry by myself.”

She turned around ready to ignore the woman when she heard her say, “Then, how about I help you propel it? But in return, you cut the price in half.”

Tinlea wanted to retort with anger, but she suddenly stopped. If she agreed, she could go out to sea while making a bit of money on the side.

“Very well,” Tinlea replied. “The ferry usually costs three kings per person and one extra for each luggage.”

“So one king coin and a star coin.” the woman said, digging into her purse and handing them to Tinlea.

“By the way, my name is Evelia, what is yours?”

“Tinlea A-” Suddenly she paused then added. “Just Tinlea.”

Evelia’s eyes lit up as she gushed with praise, “You have a wonderful name; huntress of darkness!”

“Thank you,” Tinlea replied, picking up one of the poles. “Your name is wonderful too; Evelia was it?”

“Indeed,” she replied, heading towards one of the poles and picking it with relative ease. Tinlea’s eyes widened in surprise, Evelia was blessed with Vis.

“Shall we?” Tinlea inquired. She received a nod from Evelia before releasing the ropes and letting the ferry slide onto the river. Tinlea took a deep breath, feeling Vis dance through her blood and into her muscles similar to lightning as she brought her pole into the water and propelled the ferry. She glanced at Evelia and saw that just as she was doing, the older woman was rowing with relative ease. Under their guidance, the ferry danced upon the river heading east towards the shores of Anore.

“You’re quite strong,” Tinlea noted.

“I’ve had a lot of practice,” Evelia replied, a smile on her face.

“Practice? Have you propelled a ferry before?” Tinlea asked.

“I was not talking about the ferry.” Evelia said as her arms released a soft, gold light for a second.

Tinlea trembled while Evelia had a light smile on her face. “I thought as much when you picked up the pole with relative ease considering the size of your arms.”

“Then why did you not say anything?” Evelia inquired.

“It’s not-” Tinlea was saying when a strong gust of wind struck her. She glanced around and her face lost all color.

“How did I not notice?” she muttered. The sun was nowhere to be found and the once blue sky was now covered with thick gray almost black clouds. The gentle river was disturbed as waves from the ocean crashed into it sending ripples that struck the wooden ferry. Tinlea gazed at the far shore and winced; they were barely halfway there meaning no hope of battling the river to reach the other side. Left with no choice she turned around to see if they could somehow turn around. Suddenly an even larger wave fell into the river. It pushed the ferry far to the south away from her goal and her home.

“What do we do now?” Evelia inquired. Tinlea listened for the wind’s direction trying to determine her next move, but...

The wind arose from the north and the west, then came from the south and east and finally all four cardinals at once. It varied in speed and strength ensuring that each clash strengthened the gusts till the sea and ferry trembled like leaves.

Years by the seaside had made Tinlea adept at reading the course of the wind. One of her dreams was to build a ship to travel the seas and head to the Pillars of Reality at the edge of the world. All of that was tossed out of her mind as the wind’s speed gradually increased, stirring up the river into a circular motion. The ferry was tossed and rocked like a child in the arms of an evil mother by the growing waves, and only by the grace of the gods did they not lose their footing. Water fell upon them making their clothes heavy and uncomfortable and their poles more slippery.

“We need to force our way out of this storm,” Tinlea shouted. “We’re right in what will soon become its center!”

“So we’ll need a whole lot of Vis then?” Evelia inquired.

“Yes,” Tinlea said, taking a deep breath and feeling Vis surge like lightning in her muscles as she raised her pole. She glanced to see Evelia had done the same.

“Now!” Tinlea ordered and their poles both struck the stream like a thunderclap. The ferry burst forward, defying the storm and on they went finally out of the storm’s eye.

“How far did we-” Tinlea began to say as she looked back only to see a huge wave behind them like a cloud on a sunny day.

“Gods of Teluria,” she muttered as it swallowed her, Evelia, and the ferry into the darkness of its depths.

#

“Where are we?” Tinlea inquired, glancing around. For miles and miles, all she could see was the ocean, silent and still. Her father’s ferry sat upon it similar to a corpse on the earth. There was no wind and no sign of Anore and Ameluna.

“Finally we’re alone,” Evelia said. Tinlea spun around and paused. Gone were the tattered robes, Evelia was now covered in a wonderful cyan blue dress. With a pair of robins on her shoulders, she was seated at a round table made of cedarwood which held two cups; one wood and the other gold.

“Come, sit with me, Tinlea.”

“Who are you?” Tinlea inquired, having a funny feeling in her heart.

“I already told you, my name is Evelia.”

“Evelia?” Tinlea muttered suddenly, having a strange thought. The name lit her mind and struck her like thunder. The next second she jumped and almost tumbled out of the ferry.

“Lady Evelia of the Morning?!” she cried out.

“Daughter of Celea better known as Cela; that is who I am,” Evelia said. At the mention of that name, the true implication of the current situation fell upon Tinlea. She fell to her knees as she finally understood she was speaking to a goddess.

“How-how can my humble self help you, Lady of the Morning?” she asked, keeping her eyes on the dusty ferry board, sweat running down her spine, her heart pounding furiously.

“By sitting down and listening to me.” the goddess said, a note of impatience slipping into her voice.

Tinlea rose quickly to her feet, almost stumbling as she took the seat opposite Evelia. She placed her hands on the table then decided that would be rude and placed them on her side before changing her mind once more and putting them in her lap. At this, Evelia laughed, bringing Tinlea to a stop. Although it was much more elegant, that laugh contained a familiar feeling of warmth. It was the same kind of laugh her father made when she did something foolish.

“I will not tell you to relax,” she said. “When speaking to a god, you must never relax. We gods are strange creatures, fiercely bound by our nature.”

“But as long as you speak freely, you will not offend me.” she added

Tinlea was quiet for a while before finding her voice and asking, “What can I do for you?”

“I came because your fierce desires sang to me. Your hope of what the future should hold drew me here,” she replied.

“But these are simply selfish whims.” Tinlea protested.

“Selfish or selfless, hope never loses its essence and as its goddess, fierce hope and longing pulls at my heartstrings,” Evelia explained. Tinlea felt those eyes on her, warm yet hiding great fire.

She let out a sigh then said, “Amara was right. When I learned that my father was of noble birth and he had lost it, I was angry.”

“Why were you angry?”

“Because something that from birth was meant to be mine had been taken away,” Tinlea said then scoffed. “It’s pretty stupid thinking about it now, but my eyes turned red with anger.”

“The petty desires of one’s self. The emergence of such desires is not something to be ashamed of. Not everyone has the strength to be selfless; too many of us are plagued by the curse of selfishness.”

“Are you saying that I am not wrong?”

“Nothing of the sort, my child,” Evelia said with a shake of her head. “You are wrong; so perfectly wrong and in an ideal world, your thoughts would be a disgrace. But…”

At this point, the goddess stopped and gazed far into the horizon. Tinlea followed her gaze and noticed that far to the east there seemed to be an island of light. From that island, a road of fire arose stretching over the horizon, invisible at first glance, but visible once glimpsed.

“Is that the Sun Road?” she asked, unable to help herself.

“Indeed,” Evelia replied. “I gave Ladesis some of my cakes so he could slow his chariot and give us time to speak.”

Tinlea felt her heart seize with something. Excitement? Fear? She did not know. Just this morning she was wrestling with her anger, trying to convince Amara to-

“What can you tell me about Amara?” she suddenly asked. A second of silence passed before Tinlea covered her mouth with her hands and apologized profusely.

“All is well, Tinlea,” Evelia said. “But to answer the question about your friend would be tricky.”

“Why?”

“Because she belongs to another.”

“Another?” Tinlea muttered, cocking her head when the answer struck her. “Is Amara one of the Blessed?”

“No,” Evelia replied, shaking her head. “She is a priestess.”

Tinlea felt her soul leave her body. A priestess! Who would have thought that timid girl was marked for greatness since birth?! A note of pride flowed through her that one day, her sister would be someone who could make rulers jump.

“As a priestess and one of her caliber, she is intimately linked with her god and shares many of his traits nor can she act unless he gives her permission.”

“Who is this god?” Tinlea inquired. She glanced at Evelia and for the first time, a frown appeared on her face.

“His name should not be mentioned, but he is called the Mortal God.” Tinlea could sense that whoever this Mortal God was, Evelia did not want to talk about him. Curiosity burned within her, but she kept her tongue still, Evelia’s warning of a god’s nature branded on her mind.

Suddenly, one of her robins sang and the goddess’s frown deepened before she said, “We do not have a lot of time. Ladesis has finished his cakes; he will be back on track very soon. We must jump to the reason I came here.”

Tinlea sat up straight, placing all her attention on Evelia. “Tinlea, look at the cups that rest before you,” Evelia said, causing Tinlea to glance at the golden and wooden cup. The wooden cup was layered with images of a gem tightly wrapped by chains. On the other hand, the golden cup held a single heart, crimson like blood.

“What significance do they have?” she inquired.

“They represent a choice; a choice no other creature gets to make.” Evelia replied. Tinlea said nothing, letting the goddess expand further.

Evelia’s hand glowed and an iridescent gemstone appeared in it. “Fate is like this gemstone, it is immutable and its shape is formed long before the rock that houses it even exists. Evelia said. “But you, my child, have none.”

Tinlea cocked her head in confusion, not fully understanding the metaphor or if that was meant to be literal. “The gemstone’s shape determines the rock’s structure, but what if the gem did not exist?” Evelia asked.

“The rock gets to choose what it will become.” Tinlea replied just as the words sunk into her.

“Wow, that sounds great!” Tinlea cried out, her eyes glowing. “Does that mean the Oracle cannot give me prophecies?” The concept of the Oracle had always terrified her; to think that someone could speak certain words and no matter how much she twisted or struggled, it would guide her to the same place was terrifying.

“It is both a blessing and a curse,” Evelia said, robbing Tinlea of her joy. “You get to truly choose your life, but…”

“But?”

“Fate despises loose ends. Your freedom comes with a price—mediocrity unless you rise above it!” Evelia replied.

What does that mean? I thought I was free of fate!” Tinlea’s voice rose, frustration lacing her words.

“No one is ever truly free of fate; some just have looser bindings than others.”

“You’re confusing me,” Tinlea said, her anger starting to return, her voice rising in octaves. ’You said I was free of fate, but now I’m cursed with mediocrity. Which is it?!

Evelia raised the gemstone she formed, “Imagine a young lady tying ropes to this gemstone, would she be able to move it?” Evelia asked.

“Of course.” Tinlea replied, not understanding why the goddess changed the topic.

“But what if there were ten more gemstones?” Evelia said and the gemstones multiplied, lining up vertically.

“It would be difficult, but she could do it.” Tinlea repeated.

“But what if it were a mountain or rather multiple mountains?” Evelia added. “And what if those mountains kept moving?” Tinlea’s eyes widened in realization. The longer she lived, the more gems she would encounter and the more weight would be added to the threads of her destiny.

“There is a grand purpose to fate and all must play their part in its funeral dirge. You can change that theme, but only if you position yourself well.”

“Unfortunately, fate despises that ability and hence the reason for your mediocrity.” Evelia expanded.

Evelia’s brows rose up and her face released a soft glow. A weight settled upon Tinlea like mountains being chained onto her shoulders. She glanced down, horrified at her tone and word choice. “You are not free of fate. What you are free of are the gemstones that accompany all living creatures from birth. I apologize if I am confusing you, but you will understand all this in due time. It is what you are after all.” the goddess said

Tinlea nodded in acceptance, her throat dry, her shoulder still shaking. “What about the mediocrity?” she asked.

“Everything you do will fall short, unless you break free.” Evelia answered.

“So I am destined for mediocrity?” Tinlea growled.

“No!” Evelia said, her voice burning with itensity. Her skin rippled with light and her form with power reminding Tinlea that she was speaking with a goddess. She leaned forward and added,“It can be changed!”

“Think, my child,” Evelia said, her voice firm like the earth. “You have no gems, only threads, where others navigate the treachery of their gems, you are free.”

Tinlea worked to steady her frantic mind. What did Evelia want her to see? She had no gems; something Fate despised and that despise would trap her in a life of mediocrity-She froze, how would she be trapped in mediocrity? Tinlea’s thoughts drifted back to her life to her father’s lost brilliance. His gemstone had shaped their lives—deciding where they lived, whom they spoke to, even what she became. It had stripped her of her birthright, transforming her into a simple ferry girl. But

“If they can influence me, can I not do the same to them?” Tinlea added.

“That is true, but Fate is relentless,” Evelia said softly, her voice like a distant storm. “It doesn’t strike directly—it bends the sky, twists the sea, and the people you meet, until the world itself turns against you.”

Evelia’s voice was like thunder as she picked up the two cups on the table. “As you are now, if you try to do what you desire, it will end in misery because the city of Lenora is a place filled with brilliant gemstones. Gems that will change the world.”

“Which brings us to these two cups, Tinlea. The cups are choices about the direction your life will go.”

Tinlea studied the cups, the wooden cup was layered with images of a gem tightly wrapped by chains. On the other hand, the golden cup held a single heart, crimson like blood.

“How will that happen?”

“If you drink from the wooden cup; it will place a gem within your life, but...” Evelia trailed off.

Tinlea studied the cup and the symbols, the gem so tightly wrapped by chains. Ice crawled up her spine. “So, I will be given my own gemstone and be like everyone else..” Tinlea realized and Evelia nodded.

“What of the golden cup?” she asked, glancing at it and wondering what it would bring. At the mention of it, Evelia’s face changed almost as if she were struggling.

“If you drink from this, the threads of your destiny will be bound to another’s fate.”

Horror poured forth from Tinlea’s eyes. Why would she bind her fate to another person? She had no desire to carry their misfortune for them! Her lips opened, but...“Let me finish, Tinlea,” Evelia said, infusing power in her voice and robbing Tinlea of speech.

“The gemless are despised by fate; if you put yourself at her mercy, she will not reciprocate your kindness.”

“Meaning?” Tinlea inquired, regaining her voice once more.

“Look at the symbols.” Evelia insisted. Tinlea shivered as she focused on the gem, bound so tightly in chains it seemed to howl. The wooden cup felt heavy even without her touching it, as if the chains carved into its surface were wrapping around her soul, tightening with every heartbeat.

Evelia picked up the gem from the table, wrapping her fingers around its form. “We are all in fate’s palms,” she whispered, squeezing until the gem cracked and crumbled into a thousand pieces “But this cup will let her crush your heart.”

“You will wish you had never been born!”

Tinlea’s stomach did a backflip and it took all of her not to bolt away. “Then why even offer it?” Tinlea whispered. Evelia’s eyes narrowed. “Fate favors choice over chance. This is your sliver of hope—one I wasn’t meant to give.”

Tinlea’s eyes widened as she finally understood that what Evelia was doing should not be done. She was breaking some sort of rule by even being here. Her heart squeezed with shock, but at the same time, caution rose in her. Why would a goddess put herself in harm’s way to help her?

Tinlea took a deep breath, forcing her emotions to settle, then asked, “You said if I drank from the golden cup, my destiny will be tied to another. Who is this person?”

“The Mortal God.” the goddess replied

“The god who Amara is a priestess to? Why him?”

“It is an older sister’s job to look after the younger; that is what my mother taught me.” Evelia said. A tickle of familiarity ran through Tinlea.

“Those are your own words.” Evelia said.

“Amara,” Tinlea muttered to herself.

“By doing this, you can stay beside your sister all the days of your life.” the goddess added.

Tinlea appreciated it, but her heart trembled and the fear that the goddess was manipulating her arose. “What happens if I tie myself to the Mortal God?”

At this Evelia sighed saying, “You’re quite selfish. I thought the mention of your sister would make you agree. But I can’t say I blame you.”

Tinlea blushed slightly but kept her eyes trained forward as Evelia replied. “Your fate will be linked to his, freeing you from mediocrity—but at a cost.”

“Cost?” Tinlea pressed, curbing her impatience as best she could. Evelia’s eyes darkened. “A god’s gem is heavier than mountains,” Evelia murmured. “Once you’re bound, you’ll be pulled wherever he goes.”

“So no matter which choice I make, some greater force will always hang around my neck?”

“Yes.” Evelia admitted, sorrow escaping from her eyes for a moment.

“Then why suggest the golden cup if you did not want me to take it?” Tinlea demanded.

“Because this god gives you a chance—for yourself, and for him.”

“A chance for what?” Tinlea asked.

“For a better morning.” Evelia said, her eyes softening when at the mention of hope, a flash of humanity in the goddess’s otherwise unyielding demeanor.

“So hope?” Tinlea muttered as she could not help but smile. “I guess that makes sense since that is your domain, Lady of the Morning.”

Suddenly, the serene sea began to move and on the island, a new light arose. This one was silver and gentle unlike the burning gold of the Sun Road.

“What is that light?” Tinlea asked. Evelia turned to glance at it and her face blanched.

The goddes’s calm mask cracks as silver light floods the sky, signaling Piera’s approach. “Choose, Tinlea! Time is running out.” The wind howled, and the ferry shook as Tinlea’s fingers hovered over the golden cup, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.

Tinlea’s eyes danced over both cups; leave herself to the mercy of fate or be dragged along by the fate of a god? The spreading light of Piera made her shiver; gods were powerful and dangerous. To be intertwined with them was-she inclined towards the wooden cup. Suddenly, she saw her father as he told her of the history of their family and her birthright. But now that birthright would be gone unless…

Her hand snaked forward and seized the golden cup, “Better to suffer the fate of a god than the fate of a worm.” she said as she brought the cup to her lips only to see a pitch-black liquid that reeked of death. For a second she paused then she poured it down and grabbed her throat in horror. Not only did it reek of death, but it also tasted like it. Her stomach turned, her tongue rebelling against this bitter taste yet her gut refused to let it go and its contents settled within her. A great pain arose somewhere no physical hands could touch within her and she fell to her knees.

“It’s time for you to go,” Evelia said, pulling her to her feet. “You’ll be-”

Suddenly Tinlea grabbed the goddess, all fear gone and asked in a hoarse voice, “Why? Why are you doing this?!”

“Just like you, I am also selfish. But is it wrong for a mother to selfishly provide her child with what she desires?”

“Wh-” Tinlea began when all went dark and she lost consciousness.

#

“Tinlea! Tinlea!” a familiar voice called out. Tinlea’s eyes fluttered open to glance at the familiar blue sky of Ameluna which was suddenly obstructed by the even more familiar face of her father, Aron Arbane.

“What happened? Why were you unconscious on the ferry in the middle of the river?!” he demanded, pulling her into his chest.

“There was a woman-no a goddess and…” she muttered then trailed off. It had been right there; she had learned something important about herself yet it was now as elusive as the secret of life.

“Father, do you know-” she began.

“Know what?” her father asked, pushing her back to see her face. Tinlea’s face twisted with concentration as she struggled to pull out what she wanted to say. Suddenly, an image danced into her mind of light brown threads being pulled by dark gray strands towards a gem of golden light. There was a strange weight pressing on her chest, an ache she could not shake, though her mind was foggy. The sun shone too brilliantly, the sky as quiet as the grave. Something fundamental has shifted inside her, even if she could not articulate or understand it. All that remained was;

‘Have you ever heard of the Mortal God?’ she asked.