Everyone’s eyes were shut. This was not unusual. Most people on Malitan kept their eyes closed. Opening one’s eyes could be dangerous; bugs flying, dust, and the sun could all hurt. Besides, the people of Malitan didn’t need eyes to see.
They had enchantments.
It was a wonderful thing. Anyone with the ability to enchant, however small that ability might be, could see the Pyllare in all things. The Pyllare was a thing’s essence, present in people animals, and plants. Even nonliving things, like rocks and water, contained the Pyllare. And the Pyllare could always be seen, even when one’s eyes were closed.
But some were different.
Like Nevin Sylesta. He had no ability to control enchantments. He could not see the Pyllare. He did not contain the Pyllare. Most did not know people like Nevin Sylesta existed. Those who did considered such people abominations.
Nevin Sylesta, or Nev, sighed as he walked down the street, careful to avoid bumping into people. That would start a panic. Whoever he ran into would be too stupid to open their eyes, so he would remain invisible.
Nev was not looking forward to the afternoon. He needed to buy food, which was dangerous. He’d have to get food, slip some money into the store owner’s pocket, and get out, all without anyone touching him or seeing “floating” food. Nev supposed he could always steal food, but he wasn’t a thief! He was an honest man! Just… different.
CRASH! Nev had run into someone. Looking up, he saw the worst thing he could have seen: an Enchanter, opening his eyes.
Enchanter Matteron Pyresti surveyed the man. He looked quite normal. Tall, but unnaturally skinny, all arms and legs. Straw-coloured hair, so stiff and straight it stuck straight up in places. His eyes were hazel, frightened. He wore a sleeveless cotton tunic, loose canvas breeches, a rope belt, and stout leather shoes. Overall, he was quite unremarkable.
But Matteron Pyresti knew better. This was one of those freaks, a human who did not contain the Pyllare. The Enchanter would have to do something about this mutant; this freak could start a panic.
The Enchanter grabbed the man by the scruff of his neck and dragged him to Challant Keep.
Nev was thrown on the dungeon floor. Gasping- the throw had knocked the air out of him- Nev sat up, wincing as the cell door gave a loud clang.
“Come to join me?” a low, female voice asked.
Nev turned around, and saw the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She was an outlander; she had raven-black hair, strangely coloured skin, and very strange eyes. Her eyes weren’t eye-shaped; they were slits, slightly slanted, and dark. Rather than an undyed wool dress, like all the women Nev knew wore, she wore a clinging dress, which left little to the imagination. It was scarlet, and matched Nev’s face at the moment. It wasn’t decent! It showed… too much. Way too much.
But there was something else about her. One thing that made her completely different.
Her eyes were open.
The woman grinned. “You’re eyes are opened too.” She had an odd accent. “I guess you’re like me. Can’t see the magic-glow, can ya?” Nev shook his head. “Pleased to meet ya,” she said, holding out her hand. Nev shook it.
“I’m-”
“Nevin Sylesta?”
“How did you know?”
She pointed to a sign. Nev’s name had been written on it. “Them magic users read our minds, and write down our names,” she explained.
Nev looked at the sign next to his. It said ‘Suilara Kinderkoft’. Nev tried to say her name. “And you’re Sool… Soo-ih… Suhl… How do you say your name?”
“Swee-lar-ah Kin-der-koft. Call me Suilara.”
“Thanks. You can call me Nev.”
Suilara told Nev about the dungeon. In it, the Enchanters kept ‘invisible’ people. Every couple months, they’d take the prisoners out and find uses for them. Most became slaves, but some were kept to test dangerous enchantments on.
Either way, life was about to go from bad to worse.
Then Suilara revealed something else.
“I’ve got an escape plan. But it requires two people. You game?”
Nev nodded. “I have nothing to lose.”
That night, they escaped. Nev pretended to sleep, while Suilara lured the guard in with promises of “favours”. Then Nev jumped up, and hit the guard on the head with a dinner plate they’d hoarded.
Searching the guard, Suilara found the keys; the guard had had the sense to lock the door behind him. She also found a knife, which she held out to Nev. He looked at her in confusion.
“Take it!” she urged.
“But… I don’t think I could use it.”
Suilara sighed, exasperated. Glaring at Nev, she tucked the knife in her boot.
After that, escaping was easy. Their guard had been ordered to keep his eyes open and watch them, but no one else had. Nev and Suilara fled into the night.
They ran for most of the night, exhausted. But they could hear sounds; their escape had been discovered. Finally, too weary to continue, they stopped at the edge of a cliff.
“If they catch us, let’s commit suicide together,” Suilara gasped. Nev looked at her strangely. “Do you want to be a slave?” Nev looked worried, but agreed to do as she said. Neither wanted to go back.
Exhausted, they slept.
Enchanter Matteron Pyresti led his men. They would find the mutants! They had to! The freaks were dangerous!
They would be brought back to Challant Keep, living or dead.
Suilara woke to the sound of hoofs. They had caught up! “Run!” she yelled. Nev woke up, and looked around. Spotting their pursuers, he stood, and dashed off, Suilara behind him.
They ran and ran. Just as Suilara was considering jumping, a jolt in her back knocked her down.
What happened…? It hurt… She was going numb… Was Nev ok…? Was she dying…? Was Nev dying…? If he was, he could join her… He was rather attractive… Was he saying something…? What…?
“Suilara! No! Come back! Suilara!” Dimly, Nev realized he was crying. “Come back!” he sobbed. Suilara just lay there, in a pool of blood. Scarlet, like her dress.
Suddenly, Nev wanted to hurt the man who stuck an arrow in Suilara. Shaking in anger, he found the knife. Spinning, Nev saw the Enchanter. The Enchanter said something, but Nev didn’t listen. He plunged the knife into the man’s chest.
Warm blood spilling over his hand brought Nev to his senses. What had he done? He’d killed someone! How could he live with himself? How? And how could he live without Suilara? Her raven-black hair, her slightly slanted slit eyes, her scarlet dress, her laughing, joking mien…
“I love you, Suilara,” Nev whispered as he leaped off the cliff.