Two more flashes of light announced the arrival of two more Dayriders, one female, one male.
“You have come to seek out the Order,” the first woman spoke again. “We will hear your words.”
Alex’s eyes widened as she took in the three glowing figures. “You’re the Order?”
“We are indeed,” the male said in a deep but no less serene voice. His eyes were green and silver.
“Please, won’t you have a seat?” offered the second female, a coffee-coloured eye paired with turquoise.
“A seat?” Alex repeated, looking around and wondering if she was supposed to sit on the ground. But then, manifesting from nothing, a cloud grew into existence behind her, right at knee level. Startled, she looked back at the three Dayriders and saw that they too had clouds behind them, and as she watched, they sat on the apparently solid vapour.
Following their lead, Alex sat cautiously, waiting for the moment she would sink through to the floor. But the cloud held her weight, enveloping her like an armchair moulded specifically to her figure. It was ridiculously comfortable against her bruised and beaten body, especially after her stint on the stone slab back at the Obscuria.
“I’d very much like to know how this works,” Alex said, running her uninjured arm across the top of the softness. “And I’d also very much like to take this with me wherever I go.”
Quiet, melodious laughter reached her ears, like harmonious bells shifting in the wind, and she looked up to find the Dayriders watching her with warm amusement.
“Unfortunately, none but our race can call forth the elements in such a way as this,” the male said. “But you are always welcome to visit us here in Graevale and enjoy the benefits of our abilities.”
This all seemed a bit too easy to Alex. Why were they being so nice to her? How had they known she was coming? Why were they, apparently, willing to listen to her?
“You already know who I am,” she said, trying to keep the suspicion from her tone, “but I’m afraid I can’t say the same for you.”
“I am Kaysia, leader of the Dayriders,” said the first woman who had appeared. “These are my seconds who make up the rest of the Order: Xayder”—she nodded towards the male, before motioning towards the female—“and Lidael. We are honoured to meet you, Alexandra Jennings.”
“Um, thank you,” Alex responded. “Can I ask why, exactly? Why you’re honoured, I mean.”
“Because you are a champion for the light,” Kaysia said. “Despite the challenges you have faced, despite the burdens on your shoulders, that light within you shines brightly, like nothing else we’ve ever seen, least of all in a human.”
Alex let that sink in a moment, then admitted, “I’m not sure I follow.”
Another tinkle of bells followed her statement, but this time no one filled her in.
“Please, Alexandra, tell us why you have come,” Kaysia invited.
As succinctly as possible, Alex shared her story and offered her warnings, finishing by asking for their support.
“This coming battle will tip the scales, Alexandra,” Kaysia said, her voice still serene but now holding wisdom beyond Alex’s understanding. “Light or dark, only one can win. This world cannot survive in shades of grey.”
“If Aven seeks to harm us as you believe he will, this is indeed a cause for our concern,” Lidael spoke up. Her tone, like that of her companions, was peaceful and calm—something Alex was coming to recognise as the natural expression of the Dayriders. While the Shadow Walkers were all hard edges and aggression, the lighter race tended towards softness and tranquillity. But given the context of their discussion, Alex found their placid temperaments frustrating. She’d been hoping for a little more concern, more of an instantaneous call to arms.
“We will take all the necessary measures to keep our people safe,” Xayder assured Alex, his colourful eyes holding hers captive. “Your warning is most appreciated.”
That was the first proper offer of gratitude Alex had received from any of the races, and it filled her with hope that not even the pain thrumming through her body could overshadow.
“However…”
“However?” Alex pressed when it became clear Xayder wasn’t saying any more.
It was Kaysia who answered, “I am truly sorry, Alexandra, but we are one half of a whole.”
At Alex’s quizzical look, the leader of the Dayriders explained, “Light is only light because there is an absence of darkness, just as darkness is only darkness because there is an absence of light. Without one, there would be no other. There is no shade without sunshine, no day without night.” Kaysia’s peaceful features became apologetic as she finished, “As such, we can only offer you our support if you first receive it from our brethren.”
Alex closed her eyes tightly as she made sense of the leader’s words. “You’re saying I need to convince the Shadow Walkers first,” she clarified. “If they’re on board, you’re on board.”
“We will indeed join you if they do. Together, we are strong. Divided, however, we cannot prevail,” Kaysia said. “Our first priority is to our city—to Graevale and to the safety of our people dwelling here. If the Shadow Walkers do not agree to rise up against this threat as one, then I’m sorry, Alexandra, but we will not be able to ally ourselves with the humans of this world.”
This was not good news. Mostly because it now meant that both the Dayriders’ and the Shadow Walkers’ alliance relied upon Shirez convincing the elders to allow Alex to fight again. And more, for Alex to actually win that fight. Even then, she only had the promise that they would listen to her warnings, not that they would in any way act.
“Forgive me if this is disrespectful,” Alex said, “but I was under the impression that the Shadow Walkers and Dayriders don’t exactly… get along.”
“When the sun rises, the night flees,” came Xayder’s reply. “Light and dark cannot live in unity. It is a universal fact. And yet, as Kaysia said, neither can exist without the other.”
That appeared to be the only response Alex would be given, but it was enough for her to understand. The two races might not get along—at all—but they had a symbiotic relationship. For reasons beyond Alex’s comprehension, they needed each other to survive. If she wanted the support of the Dayriders, she would need to receive it from the Shadow Walkers as well.
“Leave it with me,” Alex said, standing from her cloud-chair, which disappeared the moment her weight left it. “Hopefully I’ll be able to convince them.” She managed to make her words sound confident and optimistic when she felt anything but.
“It has been a pleasure to meet you, Alexandra,” Lidael said in her unerringly peaceful voice. “I hope we can do so again in the near future.”
With a serene smile, the female disappeared in a flash of light, followed by Xayder after he offered Alex an equally comforting smile and a quiet farewell.