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Chapter Twenty-Seven: Yxat
Nicos asked Ilyria to bring out the map of the Lost Cities.
"There is nowhere for us to go right now because we need the Lightning Bird to travel to the Between Realms," he said, "And I should like to see what is shown there." He was yawning, "And also to stay awake."
He was able to point out a few places that Ilyria had not learned about in Astrapi’s brief summary of the wars in the metropolises that had become the First War.
“How do you know of these places?” asked Ilyria, “Have you been there?”
Nicos answered so softly, Ilyria almost did not catch his yes.
Ilyria again wanted to know more but Astrapi returned. Nicos carefully rolled up the map. The sky had turned a pale shade of lilac and Ilyria’s heart skipped in her chest. The night was done. Today was the day of Madame Skia’s execution.
Astrapi glanced at Nicos and Thassa but lingered on Ilyria. He tried to smile at her, but she looked away.
“What did you find, Lightning
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Ilyria and the Lightning Bird Chapter Thirty: Mortal Wound
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Ilyria and the Lightning Bird Chapter Thirty-One: Less Than One Full Moon Cycle
The light in the courtyard was a pale mauve and the air was cool. The Between Realm had distorted time but it seemed that an entire day had passed. The day of Madame Skia’s execution. Here stood Madame Skia now though, in front of Ilyria. Ilyria knew it was her and yet she did not look the same. She had been a large woman with double chins and heavy make-up. But this woman was voluptuous, ageless, and entirely free of make-up. Her silver hair lay in curls close to her head. Ilyria remembered the day when Dirk had struck her, how her form had seemed to shift before Ilyria's eyes, the wound Dirk had dealt her healing as she watched. Madame Skia allowed Ilyria to stare, smiling with something like patience. “This is who you really are?” asked Ilyria. “It is who I was,” said Madame Skia, “The other version is who I need to be here, in Idixat, working.” “But why?” Madame Skia linked her arm in Ilyria’s and began walking her toward the dining hall.
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Ilyria woke to a soft hand stroking her hair. She smiled her contentment as her eyelids fluttered open. “Astra- ..” Miasma, who had been leaning over her, pulled back. “Oh,” she said, then she grinned, “You have been dreaming, Kitten.” Ilyria, disappointed and angry at herself for her disappointment, rolled over grumpily. “Go away, Mia.” Instead, Miasma climbed onto the cushion behind her and snuggled into her back. “I love the dream ones the best,” she said with a sigh, “Will you tell me about him?” but before Ilyria could tell her it was none of her business, Miasma had launched into her own story of her dream suitor who was not at all how Ilyria had pictured he would be. She turned back around so she could face Miasma who was happily continuing. She had lain on her back and was gesturing with her hands to show this handsome prince of a man who was short and a little bit round and very hairy and who was just so funny and who adored Miasma, “…and I think wha
Ilyria and the Lightning Bird Chapter Thirty-Three: Lost Cities and Living Relics
“Not who, my sweet,” said Nicos, then laughed when his brother growled at him not to call his woman that. He grew serious again. “Not who. What.” “The relics left by the the old Magoses,” guessed Ilyria, “The parts of themselves that they left behind. Is that it?” “Yes,” said Nicos. “The relics. If the evil Magos …” “Zlo,” said Ilyria. Each time she said its name, it became a little less terrifying to her. It had been a man called Zlo. Men can be defeated. “Yes,” said Nicos, understanding, “Zlo. If Zlo finds these relics, when the Twin Moon rises, he will have absolute control of the unnatural forces. He will have all the power of the old Magoses as well as his own. It will be a fire that consumes everything in its path.” “Enough!” said Madame Skia, rising and shaking out her skirts. “These stories are only terrifying my girls. We have work to do,” she said, “We need to plan our defense.” “But,” said Ilyria, thinking of Dirk slumped in
Ilyria and the Lightning Bird Thirty-Four: The Toad-man and the Prisoner
Ilyria didn’t bother with the ‘how-did-you-do-that?’ questions. Her experiences since she had left her mother’s mansion had shown her that there was so much she did not understand that it was probably better to begin by assuming that anything was possible. The ascetic had arrived in Ilyria's glamour which was simultaneously the street outside the House of Madame Skia in Idixat and Astrapi’s aerie. “What do you want now, ascetic,” said Astrapi. He sounded wary rather than angry. Ilyria looked at him, confused by his reaction but he would not meet her eyes. “The child must come with me,” she said, “There is information about the Mogul’s whereabouts.” “Tell us here,” said Astrapi. “I cannot do that, Lightning Bird and you know why,” said the ascetic. They held out their arm, “Come, Ilyria.” They repeated. Ilyria hesitated. “I have to go,” she said to Astrapi but he was already turning away. “Then go,” he said, striding away and as he did,
Ilyria and the Lightning Bird Chapter Thirty-Five: The Woman in the Desert
Zlo stood aside for her to enter. Ilyria felt numb. What had Madame Skia said? That there were few certainties, all they could do was to stand together and protect each other. Her mother swayed in the hall and Ilyria’s heart could not hold on to the anger she felt for her. Not with true evil standing directly before her. She walked past Zlo into the entrance hall with as much confidence as she could fake. The door clanged shut behind them and Ilyria felt a buzzing under her skin as the enchantment took hold. She tried to concentrate on her mother. She thought she saw her lift her head, the pale and glassy eyes almost-focus on her then slide away. Zlo brushed past her and she shuddered. It stank of Dirk’s rotting flesh which it seemed unable to cast it off. Its own calloused grey hide showed through where Dirk’s skin had stretched too tight or torn. She felt her sanity slip. My mother, she reminded herself, she will know what happened to the traveller. What tr
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