by J. G. Maltos
It’s pitch black as we enter the hidden passageway. My hand shoots up to hold Zee, who had entered right before me. She wraps a hand around mine. I find that hers is also covered in nervous sweats.
We walk down a pair of steep stairs and head toward a bright light that peeks through at the end of the passageway. I was prepared to see a room full of people waiting to be moved to Aesir camp but the scene in front of us is out of my worst nightmare. Countless bodies fill the floor. Koura looks away from the bodies and looks at me with wide eyes. I feel bile rising from my stomach. Koura sees me and rushes towards me. I hunch over and empty my stomach while he holds my hair back. The stench of iron fills the air.
Rowan stands in shock as the other members walk around him taking in the sight. Small whimpers fill the rooms. Nathaniel steps next to Davina while she cries into her hands. He hesitantly wraps an arm around her shoulders and she accepts his embrace and cries harder into his arms. Nathaniel and Bash look somber but not surprised by what they see. They are soldiers and are used to seeing things as horrid as this.
Zee steps next to Rowan. He looks startled by her presence. “I don’t—”
"Oh, my babies! I sent a message with the last group to not send one this week!" The short lady yells from one of the open rooms. She rushes to Rowan and pulls him to a bone-crushing hug. "But thanks to the crystal you came!" She looks at our group with somber eyes.
"What happened?" Davina asks from Nathaniel's arms. Rowan pulls the woman at arm's length, waiting for an answer. I look around the room at the lifeless bodies that fill the floor. I feel Kouras hand at the curve of my back, forcing my gaze away from the mass murder.
The woman wipes away the tears that streak down her face. “We were working in the mines when this happened.” She pulls her arms inward towards her chest, “This could have been us.”
“How did they find this place? We have been working here for years,” he states.
The woman shakes her head, “I don’t know. But we can't stay here long. They might come back to check if they are any survivors. We are just trying to collect the bodies of those we could find.” Her lip trembled as she looks around, “This was our home.”
Rowan pulls the woman back into his embrace, “I am so glad you are okay.” His shoulders instantly relax at her embrace.
The woman's eyes narrow as they land on the rest of the group, “Who are they?"
Rowan lays an assuring hand on her shoulder. "These are some of Aesir's friends. We are escorting through the kingdom." He glances around the room before lowering his head down by her ear. "Is there somewhere we can speak in private?"
Nina raises an eyebrow at him and gives in to his begging eyes. "Yes, of course, sweetie." She waves a hand over at us. "Follow me."
Nina leads us through the halls. We pass sheet-covered bodies. I grab Koura's hand as we continue to walk. These are the bodies of my people who were trying to find a better life. I try to hold the bile that wants to rise and the stench of iron fills my lungs. Davina's red eyes roam the bodies we pass.
We enter a study-like room. It looks like it's the only place that was not completely torn apart. The woman signals at us to sit down on the rather small couch as she takes a seat behind the desk. "What is going on, Rowan ?"
Rowan remains standing but takes a step toward the woman's desk, signaling towards the men. "These are Frost Kingdom Soldiers. They are here to protect Princess Althea in her journey into the Earth Kingdom."
The woman's eyes widened at the mention of my name. "Princess?" Her gaze darts in between Zee and me, taking in Rowan's words. "So that means, you're-"
Zee gives her a timid smile and shakes her head. "Oh no, ma'am. I'm honored but—-"She pats my leg lightly.
Her eyes widen as they land on me.
I look at her with sympathy, “I am so sorry for your loss, ma’am.”
She inclines her head, “Please call me Nina,” Her back straightens, “It is a great honor to have you here, Princess. Your people have suffered for so long, but now that you are back we finally see hope.”
I try to smile at her but it doesn’t reach my eyes. Having the lives of other people depending on me is a weight on my shoulders I do not want to carry. My father always said our decisions as rulers will always have a ripple effect. But, if we can ride the wave of change without breaking down then we might swim into a peaceful ruling.
“My people have suffered long enough and that is why we are here.” I look at our group.
Koura takes a step forward, “We are here to retrieve something that we think might still be hidden here.”
Nina looks at us with confusion in her eyes, “What is it that you are looking for?”
Rowan takes a step forward, "We need to find the Earth crystal."
Nina looks taken back. "My goodness, what a dangerous task, Did Aesir put you up to this?" she demands, true worry shadowing her face.
"No." He pats her hand that lay on the chair lightly. A weird gesture but I ignore it. "It was my choice."
"Actually," I say cautiously, "I'm the one that needs the crystal." Her motherly stare makes me regret opening my mouth, but I continue. "You see, I have been struggling with controlling my powers ever since escaping the cells." If I am going to involve these people in this crazy task, I want them to know what they are getting themselves into. Lives have been lost already, I don’t want to be held responsible for anymore if I can help it.
Rowan's eyes widened at my confession. I hold my chin higher but I can feel the whole room's gaze on me.
"Oh, sweet child." Nina's voice soothes out and something hitches at my throat at her kindness.
"I'm hoping the crystal could help me. Without control over my powers, I won't be of much use as a princess. My people need me. And I need my powers."
Nina lets out a heavy somber sigh. "I understand, Princess. But the crystal hasn't been seen or heard of since the Lightning Kingdom took over." Dread rises at her news, and she immediately perks up, sensing my disappointment.
"But, it is still within the kingdom's borders. We know that much, we can feel it near. Years ago, a man, Tobias, was said to have seen where it was kept. He was killed not long after, but his family survives him. Perhaps he hinted to them where it could be? Although I doubt they'd keep it in the same place it was discovered."
“That's a start." Koura breathes from behind me, but I don’t respond.
I feel as if the air has been knocked out of me. I have heard that name before but I just can’t remember where. Bash clears his throat, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Would Aesir have known where it was kept? He was the general for the war fleet, after all."
"We had sent an extraction task for the crystal once," Rowan elaborates. "They went, per Aesir's orders, to its last known location. It was a massacre-" Rowan trails off.
"And you want to go walking into one?" Nina tenses again, and I feel a pang of guilt for causing her so much worry. Nina looks at Rowan with pure pain. She walked into her home and found a massacre. I don’t blame her for worrying.
"Mother!" Rowan holds her hands.
I mask my shock. I've been so absorbed with the crystal, I hardly noticed their resemblance. Their eyes are a vibrant green sitting above their matching high cheekbones. Even in the subtleties, their thick eyebrows bunched together in the same way in concern.
"Father devoted his life to finding the crystal. I will finish what he could not. I have to do this. I'll seek out Tobias' family, hopefully, they can give us some direction before we leave." Rowan stands and straightens his shirt.
“I would like to join you.”
“As will I,” Koura says, “You all can go help those covering the bodies while we speak with Tobias' daughter,” he orders. The rest of the group nod and start walking towards the doors.
I turn to Nina. “Thank you for all of your help.”
Nina pulls me into an embrace. Her head turns slightly, “I can feel a shadow following you. Best be careful princess.” She whisper
s into my ear. My heart stops at her words but before I can say anything she releases me and gives me a small smile. “It is a great honor.”
Chapter 16
Koura, Rowan and myself exit the secret home. The stench of iron still fills the home halls. I lift my shirt over my nose but the smell still passes through. The sun has started to rise so we rush towards a few homes down the street where I assume Tobias' daughter lives. Rowan knocks on a beaten-down home. The cold wind causes my hood to fall backward. I quickly catch it and pull it forward.
The door opens and we face a young girl with straight shoulder-length hair. Her hooded eyes look at us in surprise. Rowan inclines his head in respect.
“Hello, my name is Rowan—”
“I know who you are,” she cuts him off. “You are part of the order,” She states.
Rowan shifts where he stands. “May we come inside?”
The girl looks at all of us and steps aside. “Make it quick.”
Rowan nods and steps inside. I walk in and give her a small smile. She turns away with indifference and closes the door behind Koura. Her home is small but well kept. I look around and notice family pictures decorating her mantle.
“We are here to seek information on the Earth crystal,” Rowan says, bringing my attention back to Tobias' daughter.
“Why would you want information? Do you not have spies in every corner of the realm,” she says back as she walks around us and next to her fireplace.
“This is not something we can just go around and ask,” Rowan explains, crossing his arms.
She tilts her head. “I vaguely remember my father losing his life trying to claim the Earth crystal with the information your people gave him.”
Rowan rubs his chin. “I am sorry about your father. I lost my father as well for the same cause. But, that does not mean I am going to stop believing in something he died for. We just want to know any information your father might have told you.”
She turns around and picks up a photo. Her eyes redden as she takes in the photo she is holding in her hands. “My father believed the princess was alive and would restore the kingdom to its magnificent glory. But, I know better.” My breath hitches at her words but I remain silent. I have not introduced myself and I do not plan on telling her who I truly am. She looks at us with fire in her eyes and hands Rowan the photo. “I will not waste my time believing in a fairytale that a princess is going to save us,” she scoffs, “My father may have died for the princess but I will not.”
Rowan hands me the photo and I freeze and stare at the eyes looking back at me within the photo. My world is spinning. I cannot breathe. I cannot think. My hand trembles as I look at the photo. I look back at Tobias' daughter and see her father in her brown eyes. But I also see the effect of what losing her father did to her. What I did to her.
He didn’t die for me. I killed him. He was the last man I fought in the pit before I was rescued. The guards had said his name in passing. My head pounds with the memory of how he died. We fought for what felt like hours. I was growing tired and my blows became slower, less precise. He looked at me with familiarity and pulled my head into a death grip.
He left an obvious opening for my hand to connect on the side of his head. I should have known he let me hit him. I choke back tears as I remember the way he rolled out in front of me. Only one of us could walk out alive. I fall to my feet next to him and close my eyes. I grip the back of his head and the rest is history.
I gasp out as I feel a pair of strong arms shaking me. “Are you okay?!” Koura asks in worry. The vision of Tobias on the floor lingers at the back of my eyes a few seconds longer before it’s completely gone. I just stare at him with tears in my eyes and shake my head. Tobias' daughter stares at me with anger and confusion.
“What is wrong with her?” she asks in a clipped tone. I can’t let myself be angered by her rudeness. I deserve it. I wipe away my tears and hand her back the photo. She snatches it away from my hands.
“He just reminded me of someone I knew,” I force out. I want to tell her that I know him. But I don’t think I have enough courage to tell her how.
His daughter remains silent as she stares down at her father's photo. "There is a secret passage used as an emergency exit for the Elite and the King and Queen. Through the passage lies the entrance for the crystal." She says after a few moments.
Rowan looks at Koura and he nods. “We appreciate you helping us.”
Tobias' daughter's eyes never leave the photo. “I didn’t do it for you. It’s for him.” She whispers more to herself than us.
We excuse ourselves and exit her home. We go back to Nina and the group and inform them of the information we gathered.
Right before we enter the room Koura pulls me aside, “Are you sure you are okay? What happened back there?”
I feel the blood rush away from my face. “I just connected with her pain.” I fib.
Koura's hazel eyes soften and pull me into a hug, “I am here and I am not going anywhere.” I smile within his embrace and pull him closer. After a few minutes, he releases me from his embrace.
“I think we have been gone long enough,” he breathes. I nod and continue after him into the room. The feeling of sadness and guilt settles in my stomach. Tobias' life was not taken in vain. I will fight for him.
Voices fill the room as everyone tries to get a word in on what our plan should be. I remain silent throughout the whole conversation. The weight of Tobias lies heavily in my chest. Zee stands next to me and wraps an arm across my shoulder. I give her a small smile and look back at the group.
“There are many hallways and secret tunnels in that castle. Do you know how long it will take us to go through all of them?” Bash asks.
Davina nods her head. “Yeah, we will be losing time and maybe even people if we go down the wrong hall.”
Koura looks at Zee. “Do you know the passage Tobias might have mentioned?”
She shakes her head. “No. I know I was close to the family but that information was not disclosed to us.”
Rowan looks at me with hard eyes. “Why not ask the princess herself. She is part of the royal family and she should know exactly where it is.”
Koura's eyes narrow. “And you should know how to speak to the princess.”
“Oh, did I speak too harshly?” Rowan mocks. Koura takes a step forward but Nathaniel holds him back.
Nathaniel looks between them two. “Whoa guys, we are all in the same team here.”
"I know where that is," I say, an uneasy weight settling in my stomach. "The night everything happened, I was close to reaching it when someone overtook me." My eyes sting from the memory of that night but I hold them back.
Rowan scoffs, “Great, time wasted.”
My blood starts to boil at his rudeness. Enough is enough. I grind my teeth and take a warning step in front of Rowan, “I say what I want to say. I speak when I want to speak.” I raise my chin, “You do not boss me. It is the other way around. So if you have better things to do than to help. The door is right there, none of us will stop you if you decide to leave.” I turn around and step next to Koura. I look at Koura as he crosses his hands and takes a step forward. Rowan's nose flares but takes a step back.
Koura gives me a crooked smile and looks down at me. “They must have known that would be the first place you'd go. They used you to get to it."
Rowan takes a large shaky breath. “If they got to the stone before we sent out the first team. It means those we sent for the crystal were sent to their death.”
"This was all planned out to the T," Bash adds.
"We will get you the crystal, and we will fight for your kingdom," Rowan says with determination, causing everyone to nod in agreement.
"The next problem at hand now is our size. There are too many of us not to get detected," Koura states, crossing his arms.
“I can stay behind," Davina offers, eyeing the group. She spares a glance at Bash, “Maybe this guy, too. With the unwarranted heavy
security the Lightning Guards are creating, I think it would be better if we stay back and protect the camp."
Bash turns to Koura. "What are your orders, Sir?"
Koura stays silent for a moment but finally agrees. "Davina is right. Both of you could stay behind and keep surveillance in this area."
"Great. Now when are we heading out?" I ask impatiently.
“Now.” Rowan rolls up the map in his hands. "We all need to keep close and act normal. We can't afford to tip any of the guards off if we happen to run into one. They are already on high alert." He walks to the corner of the room, retrieving his weapons and a light jacket before turning to us with a serious face. "The Lightning Guards are ruthless. If you get caught or separated, you'll have to fight tooth and nail until one of us can come back and rescue you. Hopefully, it won't come to that."
"Oh.” Zee cracks her knuckles. "I'm ready to fight tooth and nail regardless. Let's go get that crystal." Rowan turns without another word towards the exit, leaving behind a very disappointed Zee. "What? No 'one, two, three, BREAK'? It's our first mission!" Her appalled expression causes me to laugh as her hand still hangs high in the air.
“One, Two, Team!” Nathaniel slams his palm against Zees’ causing a loud crack. He walks away without a care in the world. I flinch from the noise and the pain that should be burning Zee's hand from Nathaniel's monstrosity of a clap.
“I lost feeling in my hand,” Zee stammers as she brings her hand in toward her chest.
I walk towards her. “You brought this on yourself. Have you seen the size of that man's hand?”
“I should have known,” she pouts.
I grab her by the shoulders. “There there. Let's go.” I rub her shoulders as we walk toward the secret door. I wave a quick goodbye towards Davina and Bash, feeling an ache in my stomach at leaving them behind.
As we leave the broken home behind, we lift our hoods above our heads. The unfamiliar eerie feeling runs up my arm as the wind picks up, almost pushing me towards my forgotten home. I just hope I can stand to watch what's left of it.
