CHAPTER 29: THE EASTERN SHORE

Like the palace before it, the bridge to the eastern shore of the Crescent Sea was also unfinished. The only sign of its existence was the series of pillars constructed to support it. Nassima examined the pillars with scrutiny and observed how the years and the sea ate away at these structures causing the bricks to crumble and expose the rusted steel at the core of the supports. They leaned and rocked with each slight breeze, fighting to stay upright on their own.

“Norrin, you have to dash over these pillars to reach the shore.” She told him. Norrin acknowledged her instructions with only a slight nod of his head. He looked into the distance, his mind seemingly on another planet.

"I am sorry Norrin for yet another perilous obstacle you will have to overcome." Nassima murmured. But Norrin continued to sit in silence and watch as Nassima floated around the supports. He could tell she was worried about his mental state, and she hoped he could handle the continuous pressure being put upon him. But he was not worried about crossing to the eastern shore, because his mind was occupied with other thoughts. The words of the Azuri Dreven still buzzed in his ear like a bothersome fly. He had a thousand questions running through his head, and he could not tell if his uncertainties were an effect of Dreven’s strange powers, or his own concerns and trust issues.

“It’s all right, I’m ready to go.” He finally replied to Nassima, and proceeded to navigate the supports, the dash-jump now second nature to him.

The engineering plan of the city’s architects ensured the pillars were evenly spaced, so Norrin bounded across them without effort. This allowed time for his mind to wander. Up until the meeting with the Azuri Dreven, Norrin had no difficulties with Nassima. He had no reason not to trust her and her intentions. But Dreven’s speech caused doubts to creep inside his head like shadowy assassins. Would she really keep her word once we find her body? Once she regains her full form there is nothing I can do to hold her to her promises. So, why shouldn’t I just keep these powers for myself? He wondered.

Norrin was so caught up in his musings, that he did not register the sudden shift backwards one of the pillars made as he pushed off. The subtle movement was enough to throw off the timing of his next jump, causing him to miscalculate the distance. He fell short of the subsequent pillar and plummeted towards the deep dark waters below.

“Norrin! No!” Nassima appeared and reached out for Norrin’s flailing arms. Norrin without thinking, grabbed for her outstretched hand and surprising to both of them, was able to catch it and hold on. For a second their eyes connected in confusion and wonder. The moment passed an instant later, as Nassima’s hand once again became intangible, slipping Norrin’s hand through her grasp. However, the brief connection was enough to change Norrin’s trajectory and send his momentum towards the pillar. He gripped a piece of the stone column, then dashed upwards to the solid footing at the top.

Norrin traversed the rest of the pillars with caution and breathed a sigh of relief when he reached the Eastern shore. His head was still spinning from the inexplicable event that occurred, so much so that when Nassima materialized before him, he could no longer contain himself.

“You caught me! I don’t know how, but you did! I felt your hand in mine!” He marveled in disbelief as he tried to touch her again.

“I…I do not understand what happened.” Nassima stammered. She also began an attempt to touch Norrin. But, both were disappointed as she phased through his hands. Norrin then gazed at Nassima. He had so many questions, and the remarkable event which just occurred only brought on more. Before they proceeded, he needed to have some answers.

“I need to talk with you,” Norrin started, the bluntness of the statement highlighting the seriousness of his mood. “I know that snake Dreven attempted to deceive me with his words. I didn’t buy into anything he was saying. But there are still too many unanswered questions in my mind.”

“I understand, Norrin and I told you I will provide answers,” Nassima responded. “But time is of the essence, and we must catch the caravan.”

“No, we must do this now. I have opened my whole life to you. I believe I have the right to know about yours.”

“Your mind would not be able to comprehend the depth of life I have experienced. The vast quantity of my memories will literally burst your brain.”

“Do not dismiss me. That is not what I’m asking,” The frustration in Norrin’s voice began to grow, “I need to know what’s going on between you and the other Azuri. Why is there so much animosity between you?”

Nassima spoke in a calm manner even though she could feel Norrin’s anger rising, “I have said before, it is because the other Azuri are little more than children. It was my duty to clean up after their messes in this world. I also held them responsible for their actions. So, as expected of spoiled insolent children, they ended up resenting me.”

“That doesn’t explain everything Nassima. Dreven and Amaliel both said they were following orders. Whose orders? Who else is responsible for this situation you pulled me in to? How many more Azuri will I have to deal with?”

“I do not know. I am just as eager to find out as you are I promise,” Nassima replied, her voice cracking.

“Dreven said you were set up by the people you helped. Are there others besides the Azuri involved? Humans?”

“I told you already that I don't know!” Nassima again said turning away from him. She was desperate to give Norrin the answers to his questions, only she did not have them. “I cannot remember all that happened Norrin. I have tried…”

“What about the chest then? When the Oracle channeled her words, she said something in your native tongue. Ever since you have been very eager to retrieve the chest. Do you know what’s in it?”

Nassima released a heavy sigh as she answered, “Yes, Tsikki did speak in the language of the Azuri. What she said translated means ‘The solitaire flooded with heart crimson, will concede to the shining star’. I do not know what it means, she may not have used the correct words. But it must have something to do with whatever is in the chest. I am not sure of what the chest holds. But I am certain it is somehow tied to me.”

Norrin’s frustrations lessened, but he still had many more questions he was not getting answered. He could tell that Nassima was being honest about her knowledge of the circumstances surrounding her imprisonment and was searching for answers as much as he was. The best way to resolve everything was to continue to move forward. But he had more that he had to get off his chest.

“This strange game you and the Azuri are playing needs to come to an end,” Norrin asserted. “You say you’re not gods, but your powers have affected the lives of humans throughout our history. Amaliel with her beasts, Dreven with his words, and whatever incident you were involved in, has caused us untold damage, and for what?”

“It is not like that! We have also used our powers to make this world better, for you and for us also.”

“Oh really?” Norrin replied his voice laced with sarcasm. “You really think the world has gotten better because of how you have used your powers? What if I did listen to your orhrin and keep your powers for myself. I could really make this world better! Better than what you all have been doing for sure.”

“Do not say such things Norrin!” Nassima warned.

“Or what?”

Nassima gave Norrin a piercing glare. “Dreven used his enchantment to not only measure you, but to also see how far I would go. He was right, you can take my powers and use them for your own means. Even though, I already warned you that your body cannot contain all of my power and it will eventually destroy you. But if you ignore that warning there is something else you should know. Before my power eventually kills you, the energy of Light’s Reach will drive you mad with bloodlust, which will have grave consequences for the people of this world. So, before I let that happen, I will hasten your death and breakdown your mind, hour by hour and day by day. I would not let you eat, I would not let you sleep, you will not have a moment of rest or reprieve. I would drive you insane until you could not take it anymore. My soul would be lost, but it would be the price I pay to protect my powers and this world. So, you see, if you did take heed to his words I would have no choice. I love you Norrin, but I would kill you.”

“You what?” Norrin gasped. He was properly shaken by Nassima’s very clear threat, but it was her last sentence that threw him for a loop.

“What, what?” Nassima stammered only just realizing her slip.

“Uh, nothing, never mind then,” Norrin replied in a rush, rationalizing that her words maybe just a simple turn of phrase. They were probably meaningless to her, but still what she said was enough to break the tension he felt towards her.

“I want to help you Nassima, but you have to promise me you will fix this! You have to rein in the Azuri, and you must promise to right their wrongs!” Norrin implored.

Norrin never spoken with such directness to anyone. He did not know what gave him the courage to speak to a being who could literally break him without a thought. But after the series of events he experienced, he could no longer be complacent and concerned about only seeing the next sunrise. Nassima was a force that could change the world, and it was now his obligation to make sure that change happened.

“Norrin I… I don’t know how this world became so disordered. Why so many wrongs were allowed to flourish. But, when I find out, I promise you that I will make things right.” Nassima replied, her eyes conveying her sincerity.

Norrin relaxed with a deep sigh. He was not angry with Nassima at all. He was just feeling the true gravitas of the situation he was pulled into. But hope returned to him on the wings of Nassima’s promise.

“We need to get our hands on the chest. This path should lead through the cliffs to the main road. The caravan shouldn’t be too far ahead. When we get that chest, we will get the answers we are looking for.” Norrin declared.

Nassima agreed and the two hurried along the path.