Everyone remembers Selene Onale merely as the scholar—the seemingly frivolous girl who chanced upon the prophecies and unraveled Cull’s grand design. She is often reduced to the woman who harbored unrequited love for Marteen Madrigal and whose heart was shattered when he chose Sasha. But such a view barely scratches the surface of who she truly was. The foppish, heartsick bookworm had long since vanished by the time the Heroes returned to Lisandra. The Selene who returned was a seasoned warrior, a master of Grace, and an unparalleled scholar. She had transformed into the very epitome of what a cleric should aspire to be. With resolute defiance, she walked into the Crystal Palace, embodying strength and wisdom in equal measure. Yet, it was precisely for her embodiment of these virtues that the Sacellum chose to banish her. – Artist Baken Baken, “A Retrospective of the Heroes – Five Years Later”

SELENE

Selene’s hand throbbed. She forgot how much it hurt to punch someone. She opened and closed her hand to lessen the pain as her husband, Robar, served tea. How was she going to explain Robar to these three? None of her friends knew about her marriage. When she felt Marteen, Kurt, and Rin traveling to her home, Selene furiously contemplated how to explain her situation. She thought she prepared enough to see Marteen again. It was eight years since she left Lisandra to “retire” to this little cottage. Even that morning, she prayed to the Goddess to give her the serenity to deal with Marteen. Then, she saw him just standing on her front step, smiling as if nothing had happened, and everything went red. Robar was so shocked by her reaction that he froze in the doorway as she rained blows down on Marteen. Kurt was too busy laughing to be of any use. Then, Rin yanked her off Marteen. Selene was so surprised, Robar had a chance to invite them in for tea.

Selene took a sip of her tea and examined Rin. His sudden appearance in the medallion’s pulses was a pleasant surprise. Selene chided herself at the thought. It shouldn’t have been so surprising. The promise would have brought him back from wherever he’d been hiding for the last ten years. There was a darkness in the boy. It worried Selene – and slightly frightened her. What happened to the happy boy she remembered?

“Why has the terrible trio made their way to my humble cottage?” Selene asked.

“Marteen’s hurt, and the, um, field expedient treatment…” Kurt let his voice trail off. The dwarf looked decidedly uncomfortable. Selene focused on Marteen and called upon the Goddess’s Grace. Selene’s eyes opened fully to the world around her. The teacup shattered on the hard wood floor as Selene leapt across the room to Marteen. How was Marteen even walking with that befouled hole in his body? She ripped open his shirt to get a better look. There was a half-inch hole in his shoulder area filled with a foul, black, tarry substance. Lines of black radiated from the wound, as if the substance was leeching into Marteen’s body. Selene swallowed back the bile rising in the back of her throat.

“What is this? What happened to you? What did this to you?”

“It’s ichor,” Rin said.

“What?”

“Demon blood.” Selene stared at Rin in horror.

“You did this to him? On purpose?” Selene thundered. Kurt studied the floor, but Rin defiantly met her eyes. That shocked Selene almost as much as the ichor. Even after Illana, Rin was never able to look Selene in the eye when she was angry.

“It was that or let him die,” Rin answered, “Can you honestly tell me you would’ve wanted me to let him die when there was something I could do to prevent it?” The bite in his words felt like a slap across Selene’s face. She looked back at Marteen. Even after he broke her heart, Selene knew she would have done anything to save him – and she hated herself for it.

“Evil actions cannot be justified by good intentions,” Robar intoned, scowling at Rin.

“Which means you’ve never really had to fight for your good intentions,” Rin replied coldly. Robar’s gaze hardened.

“Your statement underscores mine.”

“Who under the Protector’s Gaze are you to question my actions?"

“I’m a cleric of the Tradition of the Soul, and Selene’s husband,” Robar said, "For both these reasons, I can and will make judgment what you brought into this house.”

“Enough,” Selene said, stopping the argument before it could escalate. Time was short if she was going to save Marteen from being consumed by the corruption and cursed to damnation.

“Robar, go prepare the shrine for the purification and healing rites. Then come back here to help me with Marteen. Kurt, I’ll need your help also.” She turned her gaze on Rin.

“Right now, I need you to stay in the cottage. I can’t have you stepping on my shrine’s sacred grounds.” Rin nodded, as if he expected the command. Selene focused on Marteen. She reached out to the Goddess and felt Grace pour into her. Selene saw the wound apart from the ichor filling it. Carefully placing small strings of Grace into the wound, Selene slowed the ichor’s corruption. Just doing that much taxed Selene’s strength. Purifying and healing the entire wound was going to be one of the most intense and difficult rituals Selene performed in a long time.

“Don’t be too hard on Rin,” Marteen whispered to her as she worked. “He did what he was supposed to do.”

“Do you know what he did to you?” Selene whispered back.

“Yes,” Marteen said. “He kept me alive to get here.”

“If Kurt didn’t get you here in time, your body and soul would be desecrated. You would be torn from the Goddess.”

“Rin’s been working the Badlands. Out there, you do whatever you have to do to survive. Including using things like demon blood. Adapt or die,” Marteen said before erupting into a hacking fit. Selene thought on those words as she continued to work. She assumed Rin went back to the human lands after Illana’s restoration. It was the only real explanation for his complete disappearance. Still, she never thought he would go to the place that drove Marteen to near madness. Maybe living is such a twisted place caused the darkness she sensed in him.

Robar came back into the cottage. Kurt and Robar helped Marteen up and walked him out the back to the shrine. Rin abruptly stood up. Selene’s eyes were drawn to sword and gun belted at his waist. It was so odd to not see a quiver on his hip or a bow in his hand.

“I’ll be outside,” Rin said, “Someone should stand guard in case the Purists sent someone after us.” Selene didn’t know what to say, so she said nothing as he walked out of the cottage. Part of her wanted to go after him and heal all that pain in him. At that moment, Marteen needed her more. Selene prayed to the Goddess to help Rin as she made her way to the shrine.

Eight hours later, Selene walked into her front garden. Selene was exhausted and wanted her bed, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep if she didn’t at least try to help Rin. He was standing next to her flower bed.

“How is he?” Rin asked in a quiet voice.

“Marteen’s resting. We cleansed the ichor and mostly healed the shoulder. It took a lot out of all of us, including Marteen. He should be fine in a day or two,” Selene answered. As she walked over to where Rin was standing, Selene let herself enjoy the cool night breeze. The winds coming down off the mountains were a relief after the hours in the shrine. The rituals were even more intense than she expected. Selene wasn’t sure if Marteen would survive until the last hour. Thankfully, the Goddess acted on Selene’s prayers.

“Damn. I don’t have a day or two. The Purists have a regiment’s worth of troops marching to Lisandra. If those troops are doing a hard march, they could be at the city in a week, give or take a couple of days.” Rin looked up at the night sky as if divining the stars before looking back down to her.

“Tell Kurt to stay here with Marteen. If I leave now, I think I can catch up to them.”

“You don’t need to do that,” Selene said.

“Yes, I do,” Rin replied. Selene gave Rin a knowing smile.

“You’ll see her soon enough,” Selene said. The sudden flash of anger in Rin’s eyes caught her off-guard.

"She is not why I’m doing this.”

“You’re here because of the promise,” Selene answered, “Haven’t you felt your medallion waking up?”

“Yes,” Rin answered, curtly. Selene let the Goddess’s Grace fill her again and took a harder look at Rin. The darkness he was carrying inside was closer to the surface. It had to be related to the promise and Illana. Selene walked over and hugged him gently. It was like embracing a statue at first, but then Rin relaxed.

“You used to get so flustered anytime I touched you,” Selene said, keeping her voice light. She needed to be careful. A misstep could chase him away before she could help him. Goddess, how she wanted to help him.

“I was a kid, and you were the prettiest woman I knew. I wasn’t sure what to do.”

“I know,” Selene said, “It was endearing, and admittedly, a bit flattering.” Selene paused and then decided to make a small push. “Then, you met Illana, and you never looked at me that way again.”

“Can we not talk about her, please?” Rin asked.

“That’s fine, Rin. We don’t have to talk about Illana,” Selene said. She embraced him again.

“Thank you for saving Marteen,” Selene said. “You’re right. I would have done anything to save him in your place.”

“You’re welcome,” Rin said. “As frustrating as he can be…” Rin let the sentence trail off.

“Believe me, I know what you mean. Still, you don’t have to leave tonight, or even in the morning,” Selene said.

“Why?”

“Robar and I can open a gate back to Lisandra," Selene answered. “As soon as Marteen is strong enough, we can go directly to the Crystal Palace.” Rin cocked his head in surprise.

“How can you open a gate?” Rin asked. “I thought after the Daemon War, the knowledge was lost.”

"You’re not the only one who learned new things since the last time we saw each other. Robar and I figured out how to create a gate that can link to an existing gate. Robar figured out the natural magic side while I figured out the Grace component.”

“That is amazing Selene. The sooner we get to Lisandra, the better.”

“We?”

“Kurt says the Capitol Army is training outside the city. They’ll need time to bring them back. I have my own tasks once we get to the capital."

“That does change things,” Selene said, “Marteen can move in a day. He’ll still be recovering, but he should be strong enough to travel. We’ll open the gate at first light the day after tomorrow. Can you wait that long?” Rin just nodded.

“Thank you, Rin. For saving Marteen. And for coming home. We were so worried about you.”

"A week ago, I wouldn’t have cared. I was sure all of you abandoned me when we brought her back to Lisandra. Now I know it wasn’t all of you forgetting me, as much as the Empire taking the rest of you in and leaving me out. Which leaves me very conflicted. I know I should forgive all of you. I want to forgive all of you. I am happy to see all of you. I just can’t get rid of this anger.”

"I’m not trying to stoke that anger, but why can’t you forgive Illana, then? She is not among those who forced you out.”

“Illana is the Empire. It’s why you told us we needed to rescue her from Cull. To save the Protector-damned Empire. What did I get for helping the Empire get back on a path to healing itself?” Rin countered.

Selene bit back her retort. Rin hadn’t been there for the aftermath. He didn’t have to fight the endless political battles with the Diet and the Sacellum day in and day out. He didn’t have to deal with the woman Illana became. Goddess, Selene only managed a year before she allowed herself to be exiled to this little cottage with an arranged marriage to a husband she barely knew. If the rumors she heard were right, the others hadn’t fared as well in her absence.

"I’m sorry we hurt you, and I am so glad you are…back.” Selene didn’t know why she changed the last word.

“I’m glad you came out to talk with me, Selene.” She looked deep into Rin’s eyes.

“You are my friend, and I have precious few of those. I hate seeing you in pain.”

“I’ll survive. I’ve managed the pain this long.” Rin yawned. Selene smiled at him.

“Off to bed with you. Someone else can look out for any Purists until morning.” Rin looked like he might object, but then she gave him the same stern look she used on him when he was younger. Rin chuckled and walked back into the cottage.

Selene looked up into the starry night. It had been a gut-wrenching day. It didn’t help Marteen’s appearance stirred up feelings she thought put away a long time ago. She looked back and thought of Rin. As hard as Selene’s life was since Illana’s return, Rin’s was worse. She couldn’t imagine carrying around that kind of pain and anger for a decade. Her own heartache paled.

Goddess, please indulge me further, and let me heal him, Selene prayed silently. It was one of a hundred prayers Selene sent to her deity on a daily basis. It was not the one she expected to hear an answer.

IT IS NOT YOUR TASK TO HEAL THE HIS HEART, the smooth, powerful voice echoed in Selene’s mind, IT WILL BE YOUR TASK TO GUIDE HIM TO THE ONE WHO WILL HEAL HIM. Selene sank to the soft, cool ground as she felt the Goddess’s presence leave her mind. It would be no use to ask the Goddess what She meant. The Goddess only said what She wanted someone to know – no more and no less.

The next morning, Kurt was waiting for her in the sitting room. The scruffy dwarf was sitting on the couch, holding a mug of coffee. She never understood the fascination with the human drink. Especially when there were more civilized alternatives available. Kurt smiled at her as she stepped into the room.

“Join me?” he asked, motioning to her favorite chair.

“Good morning, Kurt,” Selene said. “Can we talk later? I have a great deal to do.”

“Just a few minutes, please. Indulge an old friend,” Kurt said, “I don’t think we’ll have the time later with you getting ready to open that gate to Lisandra.” She wanted to beg off, but Selene didn’t dare. Not after yesterday. Neither Selene nor Robar would have been able to handle Marteen while he was in the throes of agony, but the burly dwarf had years of experience restraining Marteen.

“How did you know about the gate?” Selene asked.

“I have my ways,” Kurt said, cryptically.

“Rin told you.”

“It’s not fair when you use logic,” Kurt said. Selene chuckled as she dropped down in the chair. She missed the dwarf’s odd sense of humor.

“Why didn’t you tell us that you’d married?” Kurt asked. “All we knew was you left the Sacellum.” Selene was quiet for a long moment. She pondered telling him the whole story. She knew Kurt wouldn’t judge her for being weak.

“It was so hard seeing the two of them happy. Seeing her have what I wanted,” Selene said, “Between dealing with my heartache, dealing with Illana, dealing with Ela, and dealing with the Sacellum, I just couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t be the Selene all of you needed anymore. The Sacellum offered me a way out.” The look in Kurt’s eyes said he knew there was more, but he didn’t press her further. Selene felt even more guilty, but relieved at the same time.

“Well, if we handle things right, the Illana situation will be resolved,” Kurt said, with a conspiratorial air.

“What are you talking about?” Selene asked.

“Rin’s come home,” Kurt answered. Selene waited for Kurt to continue, but the dwarf just looked at her.

“Kurt, have you seen the anger in Rin’s eyes anytime Illana’s name is mentioned?” Selene asked. “Even if Rin didn’t feel that way, I know how much worse Illana’s become since I left. She’ll throw one of her tantrums, he’ll fight back because of that anger, and then she’ll drive him away again. Just like she’s managed to do with pretty much everyone else. I don’t think even Sonya actually deals with her as much as works around her.”

“Selene, you’re the most intelligent of our little band,” Kurt said. “Think about how Illana and Rin acted when they were together and compare that to how they act now. Their personalities radically changed in a very short time. What could cause that?”

“I’m sure there’s an answer, but right now, I’m still too foggy to think through that question,” Selene said.

“Think about it today. I have a hunch, but I would like someone else to confirm what I suspect. I’ll try to talk with you again before we leave for Lisandra.” Selene stood up and gave Kurt a quick hug and peck on his forehead before walking back to the shrine to check on Marteen. Her mind started pulling apart Kurt’s words. She swore under her breath. Damn that dwarf for giving her a problem to solve.

Chapter Ten