We finally made it back to Reytor by dawn and I dropped Sasha off at her shack before going back to my own room across town. She looked unhappy being back, but who could blame her? I felt bad making her come to this decision. I sighed. I still had some decisions to make myself.
I put my horse in the stables before taking my few supplies up to my room on the second floor. I gently dropped my supplies on the floor and sat the vial of fairy remedy on my end table; I barely had getting my boots untied and off before I passed into the land of dreams. Exhaustion's warm arms finally made me pass into her realm.
****
I woke later to see the sun had risen high above the city walls. My eyes then fell on the vial of teal, swirling liquid on my end table. It was the answer to all my problems. No more Rowan or fear of fire jumping from my fingers when someone upset me. I wouldn't be as much of a hazard. It would be safe for Sasha to be around me, but just because it was easy did that make it right? I sighed, rolling over to my back, resting one arm over my eyes. I wanted to curse Ander for choosing to mark me, but without his help I would still be lost. In a way he was like my father. That sent a chill down my spine. He had done everything in his power to make sure I had come into existence. He had chosen me, helped me make sense of my past. He had gone out of his way for me to meet my mother. I sighed.
The gods had been quiet lately. Too quiet. It seemed my prayers weren't meeting their ears. That's when I felt a rush of wind and smelled smoke. Not the kind from a burning building, but from a fireplace. I sat up to see Ander.
"You think I've abandoned you, Jaspen?" he asked in a booming voice. I bowed my head.
"There's been so much bloodshed. I killed Hassan," I whispered.
He chuckled. It made my blood flae.
"You didn't kill Hassan, child. The Raiders did. You killed them. I sent Rowan to aid you. To protect you. Yet, you believe I've abandoned you, that we've abandoned you."
"Forgive me," I whispered. "I just… I assumed when I touched the northern lands I had been abandoned by the gods for I had been exiled."
"We have no bounds, Jaspen. Our power is weaker here, aye. Not as many of you believe in us. They believe in a form of us, yes, but not us. I know that doesn't make sense."
He was right, it didn't make sense, but I couldn't question a god. "You have played a good role here. You've tried to bring balance."
"Isn't that the role of Temille?" I asked.
"As I said before, Jaspen, your life is closely linked with the gods. You are god-touched by Temille, Miria, and me."
Miria was the Goddess of War. It was amazing with so many gods and goddesses touching my life, that it hadn't ripped me apart, especially two that were polar opposites. Miria was a new one to hear of though. How was I touched by her?
"How has Maria touched my life?" I asked.
Ander laughed. "Oh to be mortal and not know the roles of power! You are a natural with an axe She has blessed you with the ability to make weapons and the skill to wield them."
How was that true? I couldn't shoot a bow to save my life.
"I can't shoot a bow…"
"You have to have flaws, Jaspen. If you were perfect, what need of us would you have?"
I guess he had a point. It still surprised me that Ander had shown himself to me so many times.
"How fares Hassan? Do you now?"
"I'm not Zenti, but I assure you, he has found peace. Zenti always took pity on that poor soldier."
That made me feel slightly better. "Thank you."
Ander crossed the room to my bedside and took the vial in his hands. His eyes flared with an angry rage.
"You are planning on taking this? Revoking all my gifts?" he hissed. I bowed my head lower. "I…"
"You selfish mortal," he spat.
I was seeing the more reckless part of Ander. That was my fault. "I have plans for you. You will play a great role, Jaspen."
He broke the vial making it shatter into splinters and the liquid evaporate into blue smoke. There went one vial of it.
"Any more?" he growled.
"In my saddle bag," Imumbled.
I felt like a child again when I had sneaked some food from the market for we were starving at home and been caught by my mother.
He went over and did the same to each and every vial. My quest had been in vain.
"You shouldn't take my gifts for granted, Jaspen. I am a powerful enemy. We have all given you your gifts for a reason. Do not mistrust us," he chided.
He was back to his more stable side. The god had too many sides. "Forgive me," I whispered.
"Trust in us, Jaspen. You will play a vial role."
With that, he evaporated into smoke and was gone. I sighed. I should have known that trying to take a normal route towards normality wouldn't work. I was marked by the God of Chaos after all.