Mark if Destiny

by K. T. Webb

  “We will focus on disarming them before we do anything lethal. If we can subdue them, we may be able to reduce the number of casualties,” Varya suggested.

  Honor nodded. “Gray and his archers are staying on higher ground. They will try to pick them off before they reach us. They, too, have been instructed to wound first and kill only if necessary.”

  Each returned to their individual battalions as the disorganized marching grew closer. They did not have much time before the macabre army arrived. Honor was bracing herself for the fight when a hand wrapped around her upper arm. She whirled around to find Justice, Renata, and Maris standing behind her.

  “We need to take advantage of this distraction to get you in the castle. The Makt will believe you are too preoccupied to infiltrate the castle walls. It is the perfect time to lead a team inside,” Justice whispered urgently.

  Honor shook her head. “No. You have no idea how many people are coming our way. Not just people, innocent people. They do not appear to have any control over their own bodies. They are marching toward possible death and may outnumber us.”

  “They are right, Honor,” Harcos rubbed his body gently against her leg.

  “Harcos! You have seen what I saw. We have to stay here. They need us,” Honor argued.

  “No. We all knew what we signed up for. We are prepared to face whatever is coming. None of it will matter if you do not get to the King and complete your mission,” Maris told her.

  Honor wanted to scream. She was tired of everyone telling her what was best, but she was also tired of them being right. It was an infuriating position to be in, knowing she would do whatever it took to fulfill the destiny given to her by the wild magic of Alderwood. Nothing would stop her, not even her pride.

  “Fine, but who can we spare to go with me? I know I will not be able to hold off all the Makt soldiers on my own,” Honor conceded.

  “The Gildi will go,” Harcos insisted.

  “What? No! We need them here.” Honor was shocked he would even suggest leaving the others without the protection of the canthion warriors.

  “Harcos is right. The canthions are not built to fight against people they cannot kill. Even a scratch from a canthion could kill a human if it goes too deep,” Renata reminded her.

  “And the human partners will not be left behind. Once they build that connection, they will want to fight side by side,” Harcos explained. “Or, at least most of them are not as stubborn as you are, Honor.”

  Honor rolled her eyes at his jab. She did not have time for his constant reminder that she was not the typical member of the Gildi. She already knew. Honor closed her eyes for a moment before giving in.

  “Okay. But I think Varya and the woldigos need to come with us. They have excellent night vision and are vicious warriors.” When Harcos wrinkled his nose in response, Honor waved her hands impatiently. “What are we waiting for?”

  Harcos bounded off to the Gildi. It took no convincing for them to follow him. Every one of them wore a solemn expression. They were prepared to fight. Rowan saw the commotion and came to her side.

  “What is happening?” Rowen asked.

  “Rowan, the Gildi are infiltrating the castle while the rest of the army battles the civilian puppets. We cannot miss this opportunity. And before you ask, you cannot go with us. You will be needed here, please trust me.”

  The last thing she wanted was for any of those she truly loved, other than Harcos, to witness her killing the king. It was likely to be intensely personal even if she did not want it to be. Surprisingly, Rowan did not argue. He pulled her close, kissed her deeply, and returned to the other practitioners who had finished healing the wounded. Agony lanced through her as her mind considered that it may be the last time she saw him. She shook the thoughts. If she hoped to survive, there could be no such considerations.

  Without another word, she turned and led the Gildi in the opposite direction of the approaching civilians. They would round the castle wall and enter from the east side. According to information provided by Ash—if it was accurate—that was the entrance that led to the stables. From there, they should be a twisted staircase to the tower and a bridge connecting to the main hall. She knew from her visions, the throne room was set behind two large golden doors at the front of that hall. It seemed the quickest and easiest way to get to their destination. They must only avoid as much contact with the Makt as possible.

  In the darkness of the city, it was difficult to tell if there were other threats lurking in the shadows that may impede their progress. The Gildi moved silently around the last building that kept them from approaching the castle. As it came into sight, Honor noticed the torches lit along the top of the wall. Flickering flames cast terrifying shadows as the army of civilians funneled toward the alleys where the Resistance members held ground.

  Arrows began to rain down on them, striking the assailants in legs and shoulders. Gray had trained the archers well. People began to fall, writhing in pain. The curved castle wall did nothing for the view as they followed it away from the main square. Soon, the only evidence of the nearby battle was the sound of sword play in the night.

  Harcos and the other canthions could see well at night, but it was nothing compared to the woldigo pack that accompanied Varya. Honor allowed them to take the lead as she and the Gildi fell in line behind. The creatures led them directly to the door they were seeking. No one jumped out to attack them on their way which led Honor to believe the onslaught would begin once they entered the castle walls. Scuffling footsteps sounded behind them and every member of the Gildi turned in unison, prepared to attack.

  “It is the princess,” Varya announced in a hushed, even tone.

  “Legacy? What are you doing?” Honor hissed.

  “We came to help,” Renata whispered as they joined the group.

  Honor groaned in frustration. “Why do you insist on putting yourself in more danger than necessary, Legacy?”

  “I am supposed to be here. I know it. I have seen it,” she insisted.

  The certainty in her voice caused Honor to roll her eyes once more. “Fine. But you had better stay near Varya. She and the woldigo pack can protect you.”

  One of the furry beasts approached Legacy, sniffing her with great curiosity. Honor tensed as she recalled her own encounter with one of the creatures. She was ready to strike the animal down if it showed any inclination to attack. To her surprise, the woldigo pressed its head against Legacy’s hand. Her sister kneeled in front of the animal and gently ran her hands over its thick fur. The animal pressed against her the way Harcos often did with Honor.

  “He has chosen you. Interesting,” Varya related.

  “Why is it interesting?” Legacy asked Varya.

  “Because he is their alpha. Where he goes, they go. It looks like you have earned yourself a woldigo pack,” Varya replied with a tone of awe.

  “Oh, I am so sorry. They are your pack, are they not? I did not mean to lead them from you,” Legacy sounded truly remorseful.

  Varya shook her head. “I never intended to claim them. I only wanted to help them find their place. It looks like they have.”

  Honor had no idea what was happening. At that moment, all she really cared about was that her sisters newfound connection with the woldigo pack meant she would be fiercely protected as they attacked the castle. Varya still stuck close to Legacy, prepared to sacrifice herself for their future Queen. Renata also stayed close, as though she sensed the danger they were facing and could not bring herself to leave the only daughter she had ever known.

  Harcos led them around the curved wall until they met with an archway. Once inside the alcove, Honor was able to see the locked wooden door that kept them out. How were they supposed to break down a door without drawing attention to themselves? As though anticipating the need for a distraction, two canthions who had lost their partners in battle turned and scaled the castle wall with little effort.

  “Follow me.” Harcos led them back outside the alco
ve and instructed them to wait in a line along the wall on either side of the archway.

  They waited for what seemed like an eternity until a shout of surprise rang through the air. The sounds that followed were something from a nightmare Honor never wanted to relive. Growls and howls of pain erupted into the night air. In all the commotion, one of the fleeing Makt soldiers flung the door open and burst outside the castle walls. His uniform was glistening with what Honor assumed was blood. A soldier from the Gildi swiftly sliced into the enemy; he fell to the ground in a heap.

  The door was now open, but the Makt had been alerted to their arrival. They had to work quickly if they wanted to sneak past any of the soldiers waiting for them.

  Honor and Harcos led the charge as they poured through the archway. The two canthion warriors had done a lot of damage in the few minutes they were inside the stone walls. No less than twenty Makt soldiers lay in pieces around the courtyard by the stables. To her relief, Honor spotted both canthions, both unharmed.

  A clamoring echoed through the stairway they were meant to take. Honor and the three other humans exchanged a look as though confirming each was ready for the onslaught. They caught soldiers as they poured from the staircase. A relentless onslaught of shouting Makt charged forward. They were cut down as they came. Finally, it felt as though the Resistance was gaining the upper hand.

  Chapter 26

  “They keep coming, if we stay here, we may never reach the throne room!” Legacy called over the sound of the fight.

  “Then it is time to take the fight to them. Follow me!” Honor commanded.

  Honor charged forward, swinging her sword as she climbed the stairs. Any enemies left standing were taken out by the Gildi behind her. Once at the top of the stairs, she wasted no time rushing the bridge.

  Makt soldiers stood ready for a fight, but the canthion and woldigo onslaught that swarmed around Honor and the other humans in her entourage came as a surprise. With her enemies falling left and right, Honor continued to combat her way through anyone that remained standing. Even with the Shadow Mages on their side, they were no match for the power and might of the Kingdom of Creatures.

  From their high vantage point, Honor spotted the rest of the Resistance in the throes of battle down in the streets. Bodies littered the ground, but many seemed to be alive. She could not spend time observing the fight below as they faced their own battle on the bridge. Honor followed Harcos’ mental instruction and pushed past the soldiers who still tried desperately to fight off the beasts attacking them.

  When they finally crashed through the doorway on the other side, Honor was expecting to find a large room filled with Makt soldiers waiting to unleash the next wave of defense. Instead, the air shifted, Honor found herself facing the looming figures of the Shadow Mages once again. The difference was, this time she was not alone. All four humans now faced them; only Honor and Renata seemed to have a grip on where they were and the danger that stood before them.

  “You have fought valiantly,” they applauded in their creepy discordant voices.

  “The battle is not yet done. I have yet to face your pet, King Junius.” Honor lifted her chin in an attempt to show them she was not afraid.

  “We see you have brought friends along, including our dear sister,” the tone dripped with disdain.

  “Release us at once! You have lost your right to wield the wild magic, you will be stopped!” Renata bellowed.

  “Do not let yourselves be fooled by our power-hungry sister. She would have you believe we are the ones who first seized the power for ourselves. In reality, she was prepared to claim it all.”

  Honor knew they would use any tactic available to sway her to their side. She was not willing to let them taint her view of Renata. The oracle was far from perfect, but she was not power hungry. Their accusations were unfounded. Based on what Honor had heard and witnessed first-hand, the Shadow Mages were the greater evil hiding behind those they manipulated for their own means. King Junius thought he was in control, but even with him out of the picture, the Shadow Mages would still lurk in the background, searching for their next pawn.

  “Who is this we sense? Is there yet another child of our dear king?”

  Honor’s blood ran cold. Of course, they had not yet determined who Legacy was. She had been hidden from them. Now that they knew who she was, there was no way they would let that detail slip away. Honor stepped in front of her sister, prepared to protect her from the temptations their enemies were likely to send her way.

  “This is your last chance, Honor. Join us and we will grant all your desires. We know you do not want to kill the king. Let us do it for you. We can kill anyone who stands in your way.”

  In Honor’s mind, she saw flashes of dead bodies. Junius. Legacy. Renata. Harcos. Justice. Varya. Soren. Agnar. Maris. Gray. Rowan. Everyone she loved who would try to stop her from turning her back on her destiny would die. But the Shadow Mages made it all seem necessary. Somewhere, far away, a hand slipped into her own. That hand held her firmly on the ground in more ways than one. Honor squeezed. She needed reassurance that someone was with her. The hand returned her gesture. Legacy.

  Honor was immediately pulled back to reality as she violently pushed the horrifying mental images away. The Shadow Mages seemed disoriented from the force of her refusal. Honor and Legacy continued to hold hands. Waves of light rolled off them, shoving the Shadow Mages further away. As the sound of their screams echoed through the air, they disappeared. Their group found themselves standing in the main hall, surrounded by some very confused creatures.

  “They took you again,” Harcos growled.

  Honor offered him a brief nod. She was not entirely sure what had just happened. Had they somehow defeated the Shadow Mages?

  “They will be back,” Renata said, visibly shaken by the interaction. “Your bond, and the wild magic that flows strongly through the two of you, has weakened them temporarily, but they will rebound.”

  Honor expected it would be too easy for them to have conquered something so powerful with so little effort. If they were weakened, they would not be able to warn Junius that he has another child. Now was the time to strike. Honor took a few confident steps toward the golden doors that protected the throne room.

  Everything she had done since receiving her mark had led her to this moment. Honor wondered if she had been on this path since the day she was conceived. There was no true way of knowing when Alderwood had chosen her to be the catalyst for the revolution. It could very well have begun with her mother. Anything was possible with the wild magic.

  She felt the others close behind, but this was something she had to do alone.

  “You cannot come with me,” she said without turning to face them.

  “What if there are more soldiers behind that door?” Legacy objected.

  Honor shook her head. “There will only be one person behind that door. I may not know him, but I know he was relying on the Shadow Mages to protect him here. He would have sent all the Makt forces to dispose of us. He never planned on anyone but me reaching this door, and he does not see me as a threat.”

  Harcos wanted to go with her, she felt him pushing against her resolve. She turned to him and kneeled in front of her partner. “If you go with me, you will be tempted to end this for me. We both know that cannot happen. I must face my father alone.”

  He relented at her words. Honor turned once more to face the doors that were at least double her height. She reached for the handle and pulled. Honor was careful to slip through the door without allowing anyone in the throne room to see those waiting for her in the hall. Once inside, she turned to face the long aisle runner leading directly to the thrones from her visions.

  Seated upon the throne, she saw a frail old man. Now that both of his children had reached adulthood, his aging process was nearly complete. It seemed too easy for her to take the life of this shell of the monster he had once been. Honor drew one of her daggers and approached the throne with an air of confid
ence.

  “I knew you would come. It was a surprise when I was told you were a girl.” His voice shook with age.

  “Oh? And why is that? Were you so certain only a man could rule Alderwood that you thought it impossible you would sire a female child?” Honor did not even try to hide the disdain from her voice.

  “Come along then, Legacy. Do what you must. This is how I got the throne after all.”

  Honor smirked. He still had no idea who she truly was. He had no idea there were two daughters. He had no idea she wanted nothing to do with his throne.

  “Why do you smile like that? Come do as you must to claim your crown. It will not be yours for long. The Shadow Mages will see to that.”

  Honor continued to walk toward the man who was partially responsible for her birth, for Legacy’s birth. When she finally stood directly in front of him, it was clear the man was in no condition to fight her. In fact, he appeared to have no inclination to fight what was coming. It was then that Honor decided she would let him in on a little secret.

  “I do not want your throne. I have no use for your crown other than to place it atop the head of your other child.”

  He gasped. “My son?”

  Honor was slightly annoyed that he was so obsessed with the idea that Legacy would be a boy. “No, my sister. You have two daughters, Junius. You murdered Legacy’s mother while she was still with child, but the oracle saw to it that the baby lived.”

  Confusion and fury fought to dominate his expression. “I could have sworn that girl from the north was the mother of the child who would kill me and take my throne. I was told Legacy was her name. If what you say is true, and she is the bastard I meant to destroy when her mother showed up with a bulbous growth in her midsection, then you must be the one I have been searching for.”

  Honor was disgusted by the way he described his pregnant mistress. Were women so disposable to him that he had no feeling toward them whatsoever? “I am not the baby you tried to kill, but I am your child just the same.”