Vengeance: The Umbra Chronicles Book 1

by Grace Martin

  I was doomed. Yup, this was it. I wasn't sure exactly how Umbra would react to my presence, but I had a pretty good idea. She had always been so glad to see me and responded exuberantly to my touch. The last thing I wanted to do was flood the room with light. The King would know at once that I wasn’t Aoife, but the Bach Chwaer, and while Aine might still retain her comfortable room, I would find myself in a prison cell that I would never leave.

  Aine came forward first. Maybe she was giving me time to jump out the window and the thought did occur to me. I had been under the moon last night and I was quite capable of flying away ‒ but I had to get my hands on Umbra first, and if I took her and flew away then I’d find every mage in Camaria following me. Anyway, I still didn't know how to use the Portal and, looking around the books in the King’s study, I was as likely to find the answer here as in Cairnagorn.

  I was surprised to hear Umbra murmur a greeting when Aine took hold of her. She shone a little bit brighter, perhaps, for a moment before returning to her previous brilliance. Aine turned to me and held out the wand.

  I spoke to Umbra in my mind, begging her to stay silent, begging her not to respond. I warned her that it was for my good and if she loved me at all, she would show no sign of it today. I promised that soon, soon, I would take her from this place and we would be together again. I could have sworn I heard her sigh happily at the thought.

  I took the wand. Umbra flared for a moment, then the light in the little crystal at the end of the wand winked out. She went completely dark and even stopped singing for a moment. I could feel the joy vibrating through the silver shaft, but that was invisible to the onlookers.

  Andras laughed, breaking the tension in the room. ‘Well, that proves that, doesn’t it?’ he said. ‘Aoife certainly isn’t the chosen one!’

  The others were gracious enough not to laugh but they all looked relieved. Aine looked confused for a moment but covered it well with a gentle smile.

  ‘I’m not surprised Umbra doesn't like you,’ Andras said as the King put the wand back in the cupboard. ‘Throughout history it has always been notable that Umbra is particular about those for whom she shines. While I like your spirit, Umbra has been notable for her affection for... shall we say, quieter souls?’

  I laughed out loud. The King and Gwydion had looked worried for a moment but then they were relieved that I hadn’t taken offence.

  ‘What can you tell me about this woman, the Bach Chwaer?’ the King asked. He locked the cupboard, but after locking it I noticed that he passed his hand over the surface of the lock and it glowed golden for a moment. He caught me watching him. ‘A protection spell,’ he explained. ‘We have to be sure to protect our greatest treasure. Mere walls and locks would not be sufficient against a determined Meistri spy.’

  I nodded. ‘Of course.’

  ‘Now,’ he continued, ‘my girls, what do you know of the Bach Chwaer imposter?’

  ‘She isn’t an imposter,’ Aine said. ‘I... I have to admit, I don't know exactly who she is, but Mother says she is certain. She says that she knows her, that she has known the Bach Chwaer all her life, that she would trust the Bach Chwaer with her life.’

  ‘I’m not sure I would seek the Empress for a character reference,’ the King murmured and I wondered why he had allowed her to take his kingdom in the first place.

  ‘Emer is a hero,’ Aine went on. ‘She didn’t seek the position of Bach Chwaer, Mother insisted that she take it. Emer always looks out for people weaker than her. She saved hundreds of Camiri children when the dragon first appeared over the Halls of the Young. She ran into burning buildings to save children she had never met, who weren't her people. She defied armed guards to save them. She even killed a dragon!’

  ‘Without a doubt, she is powerful,’ the King mused. ‘Umbra responds too strongly to her presence for her to be anything other than one of the most powerful magi in the world. These heroic actions, if anything, trouble me further. She is clever, perhaps. Such actions quickly win people’s hearts and minds.’

  Aine was staunch in her defence of me. ‘Never once have I heard her seek glory for herself. We were friends and I never even heard her speak about that night at the Halls of the Young. She always cared for people, even when it was hard. She was kinder to me than I deserved. I... I was in a terrible situation and Emer put herself into harm’s way to save me.’ She looked down at the floor in a way that I realised she hadn't done for a while now. ‘She was hurt badly, because of me, but she never said one word to blame me.’

  It had never occurred to me that Aine would blame herself for what happened the night we were captured. I didn’t blame her. I blamed Sir Cai for drawing us away to that evil place. I blamed Maldwyn for riding away, knowing that we would not return. I even blamed myself for using magic that night to fix my dress after Caradoc and I were on the roof. Perhaps if I hadn't wasted my magic on something trivial, I might have had more strength to save us when the scouts grabbed us. I blamed myself for not protecting her.

  I couldn’t say that, could I? I was supposed to be Aoife. So I turned haughty and stuck my nose in the air. ‘Of course she didn’t blame you,’ I said. ‘You were in a terrible situation. What sort of monster would refuse you help? Or blame you for something that was beyond your control?’

  ‘Of course she didn’t blame you,’ Gwydion said, coming around quickly to Aine’s side. For a moment I was jealous, not of Gwydion’s attention, but of Aine’s ability to win protectors with her vulnerability. When I showed vulnerability, life was quick to supply someone who would attack my weak spots.

  Perhaps Aoife was a good fit for me.

  The King turned to me. ‘What was your experience of the Bach Chwaer?’ he asked.

  I sniffed and tossed my head like I’d seen Aoife do in her worst moments. ‘She took my place. How close do you suppose we could get?’ I asked.

  Gwydion’s eyebrows went up but everyone else around the room nodded. Perhaps they weren’t such strangers to ambition after all.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  That night was one of the most comfortable of my life. I fell into sleep as easily as I fell into the feather mattress and both swallowed me whole. I emerged the next morning, bleary eyed from unaccustomed sleep and over-eager to repeat the experience. I’d sat up late into the night, looking through the books in the Dark King's library. Perhaps because he had Umbra herself in a cupboard, he had a particularly broad selection of books about her. I had only heard the barest summaries of her deeds, so I read her exploits one after another, devouring book after book.

  Maybe I looked a mess that morning, because when the others said they were going riding, and I said I’d sooner stay inside and read, they all looked at me sympathetically and said I looked like I needed a rest. They made a fine group when they rode out that morning, Aine, Gwydion and Andras, each of them beautiful, strong and confident that life held no further horrors for them.

  I flew back up to the study. The King was there, as he always seemed to be there, so we shared some quiet company as we read that morning. I was reading yet another book about Umbra when I found what I was looking for. I was so excited that my hands were trembling and I could barely turn the pages. I’d thought I’d find the information in a dry, dusty book that taught advanced magic for the experienced practitioner who no longer needed to keep a bucket of sand nearby to extinguish any accidents. Yet here it was in a story book, telling the reader exactly how Umbra used the Portal. Even I was mentioned in here, although not by name. The book spoke briefly of Umbra’s abiding love for her twin sister.

  I read the passage over and over again. It was such a simple thing, I didn’t have to memorise it, but I kept reading the passage because I could hardly believe it was true.

  Now that I was finally at the moment, was I really ready to go back? To give up this beautiful day, reading with my grandfather? To give up the rest of my family who were radiant when they went out for their ride this morning? To give up, God help me, Caradoc, wait
ing for me back in Rheged?

  Yes.

  I stared at the page. Yes. I would give up all of this to save Elisabeth. If I waited, if I went back to her twenty years older, I would break her heart. I couldn’t do that to her. And the people I loved wouldn’t expect me to.

  The thought nearly brought tears, but I blinked them back.

  The King noticed that I hadn't turned a page for quite some time. ‘Have you fallen asleep over there?’ he teased.

  ‘No, I’m just... very interested in this book.’ I turned over a page for the look of the thing and read the next page, but when it was time to turn another page, I turned back instead of forward and went back to reading and re-reading the passage.

  So, this was my last day in Ce’Branna. I felt a bit sorry that I hadn’t gone out riding with the others. After this, everything was going to get busy and ‒ despite myself ‒ I wanted to share some time with my family. I closed the book and looked up at the King.

  ‘It’s such a nice day,’ I said. ‘Would you mind terribly much if I left you here and went out with the others?’

  His face softened, like he found me dear, which isn’t often how people find me. ‘Of course not, my daughter.’ He came over to me and sat down nearby ‒ not close enough to touch, and I wondered how much Andras had really told him. After all, those six scouts had already been dealt with. Andras had referred to it obliquely this morning and then not said another word about it. Perhaps the King knew exactly why I wasn’t as affectionate as Aine. ‘I understand that you and your sister are very different people, but I hope that in time you will feel safe and happy here in my home.’

  I couldn’t meet his gaze. ‘I know that you will do everything in your power to make us happy,’ I said, which was as much as I could say without lying. ‘If you make my sister happy, then I will be happy. She’s terribly shy, you know. You can walk all over her and break her heart and she won't tell you. You need to be very gentle with her. And I want you to promise me that you’ll let her marry anyone she chooses.’

  The King smiled. ‘And how do I make my Aoife happy?’ he asked.

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ I said, suddenly feeling deeply unhappy. My happiness had never mattered to anyone except Caradoc until today, and now I was leaving. By the time I returned to Elisabeth, he would be dead. I thought of a way to say the truth without arousing suspicion. ‘If I can be with my sister and know that she is safe and happy then I will be happy. That’s all I want.’

  He nodded like I’d answered a question then said, ‘Gwydion told me they would be riding around Mar’Bran. They should be near the pastures there by now. Take a guard with you and you should be able to easily catch them up if you take the south road.’

  ‘I won’t need a guard,’ I said. ‘I won’t even need a road. All I need is an open window.’

  He’d seen me float up to the study that morning, so he probably guessed what I was going to do. He hadn't noticed that Umbra was shining so brightly in her cupboard that light was spilling through the cracks in the door. He opened a window for me.

  I jumped out of it, changing to a falcon as I fell, opening my wings wide to catch the wind from my own magic.

  I found the others quickly and swooped around them a few times to let them know I was there. Aine recognised me somehow and laughed with delight, crying out to the others that I’d joined them. I perched on her saddle horn for part of the way. I also perched on Gwydion’s shoulder, which made him sit up a little straighter. Then I perched on Andras’s head, deliberately messing up his hair and pushing that thick lock down onto his forehead where it so suited Kiaran, until he shooed me away.

  We stopped on a green hillside and ate a picnic lunch. It felt like the sun was going to shine for the rest of my life.

  That night, after everyone else had gone to bed, I got dressed again and made my way back to the study. I didn’t have the key or the spell to open the cupboard, but I was going to find a way to open that door tonight, no matter what.

  I floated up to the top level of the tower. I nearly fell out of the air when I came face to face with Andras, standing guard outside the door. His face was grim, but he didn’t look surprised.

  ‘Today I actually thought you might be Aoife, Emer,’ he said softly. His voice was deeper than usual and I thought I detected hurt. Andras and I had always teetered on the brink between being enemies and friends, but that tone in his voice hurt me, too. ‘I actually thought you might be telling the truth.’

  ‘You should be glad I'm not Aoife,’ I replied, my voice sharper but just as soft in case the King was sleeping in his study. ‘Aoife isn't half as nice as I am, and as you and I know, that’s sure saying something. I may not be the nice one, but I’m not as bad as she is. At least I care about people. Aoife never cared about anybody.’

  ‘I can’t let you in, Bach Chwaer.’

  I floated forward until I had my feet on the solid stone of the landing. ‘I have to get past you, Andras.’

  A nerve ticked in his jaw. ‘Please, Emer. Don’t make me do this.’

  ‘Then stand aside.’

  He saluted me with his sword, just before he attacked.

  Andras meant business. He cared about me. He’d told the truth, the day that I’d met the King: we were practically family. But he was loyal to the King, first and foremost, and if that meant he had to kill me, then he would. He was faster than I thought he’d be, the landing was narrow and my back was to the stairs.

  I had to bring up a shield quickly, and I overreacted. I pushed myself backwards until I toppled down a few stairs.

  And I pushed Andras off the landing.

  Into the void.

  ‘No!’ I cried, and even now, it was still a whisper, even as I tripped backwards and lost my footing.

  Rolling as I fell, I reached a hand down into the void, where Andras was falling. I leaned out far over the edge of the stairs and watched. The winds whipped my hair as I leaned over the stonework. Andras rose back up to meet me on the landing.

  His face was pale and he stepped backwards on shaky legs until he hit the wall. His legs wouldn’t hold him and he slid down the wall. ‘You saved my life,’ he gasped. ‘Why did you do that? What made you do that? You didn’t have to do that!’

  ‘I know I didn’t have to do it, I snapped. ‘Get your breath. We’re not enemies. When we first met, you told me you weren't a monster. I'm not a monster, either. I don't wish the King any harm and I'm not on anyone’s side. I'm here to get my sister.’

  Your sister?’

  I nodded. ‘Umbra. She is my twin sister.’

  ‘But her light went out when you touched her!’

  ‘We’re sisters.’ I shrugged. ‘Sometimes we listen to one another. Once I’ve got Umbra, I’m going back to Rheged to stop the dragon from eating the real Aoife, even though she doesn't deserve it, and then I'm going back through the Portal in Cairnagorn to my own time.’

  'You’re from Umbra’s time?’

  ‘No. I’m actually from the future.’ I let him have a small smile, because anyone who has to think that through deserves some consideration. ‘You’ve seen how much Aine and I are alike ‒ you’ve probably heard the King comment on how much Aine looks like her mother. Well, I look like my mother too, though whether that’s Aine or Aoife, I don’t know. I do know that twenty Winter Solstices from now, Aine saves my life. She’s the Dark Queen by then and she comes to Cairnagorn just in time to save my life. You might tell her that she has an appointment and I’d be much appreciative, even though I won’t be able to thank you until after you’re forty.’

  He laughed a little weakly then, resting his head back against the stone wall. I think it was all too much. I knelt down beside him, because I needed him to pay attention.

  ‘Andras, listen to me. I need Umbra. More than that, she is mine. I have a right to her. I need you to let me in. I won’t hurt the King. He is my grandfather, after all. I will take what is mine and I will leave.’ I paused. ‘And when I’m gone ‒ when
they’re ready to hear it, would you tell them that I wished I could stay?’

  His gaze was intense as it caught mine. He reached out and took my hand. It was a shock. I think it was the first time he’d ever touched me. All we’d been through, and it was the first time he’d even touched my hand. I let him touch me, even curled my fingers around his.

  ‘Stay,’ he whispered.

  I couldn’t look away. ‘Andras…’

  ‘Stay.’

  The lock of hair had fallen across his brow. It drew me like a magnet. I brushed it back with my free hand. He closed his eyes for a moment and drew in a deep breath.

  ‘Emer…’

  ‘I can’t.’ The words were dragged out of me. I wanted to stay, wanted to stay so much that it hurt even to speak. But it mattered so much, so much, that he wanted me to stay. ‘My sister needs me, Andras. You understand that, don’t you? If it wasn’t for her… I would stay. Elisabeth has always been everything to me and I’m all she’s got. You wouldn’t want me to stay if I was the kind of person who would abandon my sister.’

  ‘You’re not what I thought the Bach Chwaer would be.’

  ‘Maybe not.’ Both his hands were holding mine now, examining my hand, stroking my palm gently with callused fingers. His attention was on my hand now. I couldn’t have said no again, not if he was looking at me. ‘I’m not what anyone expected. But I’m who Elisabeth needs me to be. And maybe… maybe I could come back. Once Elisabeth was safe.’ I had to swallow past the lump in my throat and he looked up in time to see the tear that overflowed. ‘If I could bring Elisabeth here, if we could have days like today…’

  Andras wiped away my tear. ‘I’ll need your word on that, Emer.’

  ‘You know I will,’ I whispered. ‘One day, Andras, if I am allowed, I will call Ce’Branna my home.’