The Rifts of Psyche by Kyle West (popular e readers txt) 📗

watery hell than heaven, they might change their opinion.

He gave them the basics – how the League had identified him as a mage and forced him to go to Volsung. How the Transcends there had exiled him for failing the Trials. That was a bit of a lie, but he didn’t want to get into specifics. He told them a bit of the Isle of Madness, as well as his choice to come to Psyche rather than remain there. All watched him with rapt attention, none so much as the Elders. Captain Fergus from beside the Elders’ chairs didn’t bother hiding his scowl.

“You know the rest. I came down here, killing two wyverns on the way. And now I stand here before you.”

Lucian waited an inordinately long time. The fire crackled, the stream ran, and everyone just watched him, as if waiting for him to break under the pressure. At last, Elder Ytrib broke the silence.

“All that’s very well. Now, how do you think you might best serve the village?”

Now was the chance to make his case. “I’m a hard worker. I won’t complain. I’ll do any task that’s given to me. I’m used to that type of thing, especially from my time as a Novice in the Volsung Academy.”

“And yet the Transcends exiled you.”

“That’s true,” Lucian said. “I made some mistakes. But I believe I’ve learned from them.”

Elder Ytrib held up a hand. “All right, all right. Well, I think you’ve said enough, unless you have anything further to say?”

Lucian felt the tension go out of his shoulders, at least somewhat. His part was done. Now, all he had to do was wait. “I think I’ve said what I wanted to say.”

“Well,” said the heavily pierced woman, “he seems harmless. In need of a hot meal, and it’s not like us to turn someone away, especially when they’ve already given a gift of immense value.”

Lucian assumed she was referring to the wyvern fang Serah had sawn off for him. “I can fight, too. If it comes down to it.”

The Elders stared hard at him, and Lucian knew he had made a mistake by opening his mouth. He had to treat these Elders as if they were Transcends. Do not speak unless spoken to. Of course, he could only hope these Elders didn’t treat him the same way the Spectrum had.

“I concur,” the first woman said, who looked like Vera. “We should give him a chance. See if his story holds up.”

“I also agree,” the youngest of the three women Elders said. She had more black in her hair than gray, along with a plump figure.

That left the two men, who exchanged a glance before one of them broke the silence.

The tall, mournful one with dark skin stroked his beard. “Not an easy thing, to take on someone when things have been so hard. But supposing what he contributes is greater than what he takes, I’m for it.”

“It’s settled, then.” Elder Ytrib stood, and broke into a wide, gap-toothed smile while holding out a hand. “If you’ll join us, Lucian, then welcome to Kiro.”

Lucian approached and took it, feeling a relief such as he had never known. “Thank you, Elder Ytrib. Thank you, Elders.”

“Save your fawning,” the hawkish woman said. “I’m Elder Jalisa. I guess you might call me the village Seer. My gifting is prophecy and Psionics.”

The other Elders introduced themselves. The thin woman with the bone jewelry approached. “And I’m Elder Sina. I’m something of an herbalist. If you’re sick, I’m the one who will treat you.”

Lucian nodded respectfully to both.

The sorrowful-looking man approached. “I’m Elder Erymmo. It’s nice to have a fellow Earther among us.”

“There is no nationality or planetary affiliation among us,” the quiet, portly female Elder said, approaching. “We are one community here and one blood. Now and forevermore.” She favored Lucian with a welcoming smile. “I’m Elder Gia. Elder Ytrib is my husband.”

Elder Ytrib wrapped an arm around her.

The Elders turned, as if of one unit, to include the rest of the assembly. “Come. Let’s feast, and make our new brother, Lucian, welcome.”

Lucian was swarmed. First by the children, who jumped around him like jackrabbits, and then the adults, who gave more sedate introductions.

Once that was done, there was nothing but to join the stream of people entering the meeting hall.

7

Inside, a veritable feast had been spread on a large mat on the floor. It seemed that Lucian had nothing to be afraid of at all. His acceptance had probably been a foregone conclusion. The interior of the meeting hall was spacious and well-lit, containing a large lower floor and a small upper loft made from wood. People took up spots around the food right there on the floor, all laughing and talking.

Kieron grabbed Lucian’s arm. “Come. Sit with us.”

Lucian followed him in a daze. Being around so many people like this was so foreign to his recent experience that he didn’t know how to process it. People were shouting his name, especially the children. It was more noise than he’d dealt with in a long time. More life than he had experienced since . . . well, ever. This would not be one of the more reserved meals at the Volsung Academy, that was for sure.

Lucian sat next to Kieron and tried to ignore the dark-haired daughter that had been eyeing him earlier, who sat next to another young woman, the one she had been walking with toward the bonfire. Next to Kieron sat a pretty middle-aged woman, long and willowy, who watched him with hooded eyes.

“Lucian,” Kieron said. “This is my wife, Julia.”

Lucian wasn’t sure of the mannerisms here, so he nodded his head and smiled. “Pleased to meet you.”

Kieron’s daughter and her friend giggled at that, and Lucian’s cheeks flushed.

“Girls, be kind to our guest,” Julia said, shooting them a look of warning. Her voice was melodic and calming to listen to. “Why don’t you introduce yourselves?”

Kieron’s daughter stifled her giggles long enough to give an answer. Her dark