Wardens of Archos

by Sarina Langer

  Rachael stood among people she didn’t know, who spoke rapidly in a language she didn’t understand. There were ten of them in total, and eight of them kept running from a small boat by the shore to the temple in the center of the island. The other two appeared to give orders, but she couldn’t—

  No, she could. It was faint, but she understood words here and there.

  Rachael closed her eyes and focused.

  “Fast—ire fallen, must keep—safe!” One of the two men looked to be in charge. His voice was authoritative, but it was shaking, too. He was afraid. Rachael opened her eyes, and looked closer. Only now did she realise the other man who stood with him wasn’t doing anything. He was holding a heavy book, and ticked off things as they were brought in. Rachael wanted to get a closer look, but she couldn’t move. He kept glancing at the sky, as if he expected a thunderstorm to disrupt their work at any moment. The man in charge did the same, but he continued to give orders to his men. There wasn’t a rain cloud in sight, but it was obvious by the frowns on their faces they were worried about something.

  If only she could see what the men were taking to the temple. Its name came to her—The Halls of Reflection.

  The man in charge kept shouting orders, his voice more desperate with every hurried glance at the sky. The words got lost, like she’d stuffed her ears with cotton.

  And then she saw it. In the distance, its dark scales shimmering like rubies under the sun, a dragon was heading in their direction. The man who had kept watch on the skies saw it too, and screamed. He dropped the book in his panic, but didn't bend down to pick it up. He looked too terrified to notice anything save the large predator nearing the island.

  Panic rolled over the men like crashing waves in a storm. They dropped what they were carrying, ignored their supervisor's orders, and ran to the temple.

  They closed the door behind them just as the dragon landed, its heavy legs shaking the ground and sending tremors through her core. Rachael doubted the small temple was strong enough to withstand it, but the dragon didn’t seem interested in them. It had its eyes set on the book.

  Rachael woke with a start, and the pain woke with her. Something sharp had cut into her flesh. Above her, the dark smile of an assassin greeted her.

  Chapter Eight

  Rachael screamed, but the assassin’s hand against her mouth muffled the sound. She looked around for a weapon, but there was nothing sharp in her room. Nothing she could reach.

  The man held up his knife, and Rachael’s eyes stung when she saw blood trickle down his blade. Her blood.

  She’d never been in a situation as hopeless as this before. Even during her last encounter with Cephy she’d been able to move, if not much. Now the assassin's body pressed into the sheets, his legs held hers in place, and the knife by her throat made sure she couldn’t move her head.

  In Blackrock, she’d been able to scream. No one would have come for her then, but it could have scared off the attacker. Now all she needed was the attention of the guards outside her door, and she couldn't alert them.

  The assassin looked to his side, and her eyes followed his. Another assassin held up the tome of Ar’Zac Dar. The assassin with the knife nodded, and his friend dashed for the open window.

  Her killer smiled, and brought down the knife.

  Rachael closed her eyes and held her breath. She prepared herself for the pain, and prayed to whatever god might still have cared about her it would be quick—but the pain didn’t come.

  Instead, desperate screams filled her room. The assassin holding the book was in flames, clawing at the fire to extinguish it.

  The man who had been about to kill her not two heartbeats ago had frozen. His knife was clasped tightly in his hand, the end touching her nightgown.

  The fire died, and the assassin sagged into a bloody heap on her floor. Rachael couldn't suppress a gag from the stench.

  By some miracle, the unharmed book sat on her nightstand.

  What had happened?

  With one heavy thud, the man who had frozen on top of her fell to the floor. Behind him stood Kaida, a terrible expression on her face and her hands still smoking from the fire she’d unleashed. Rachael’s guards, their faces ashen, stood behind the Mist Woman.

  Kaida hurried to Rachael’s side and tore the necklace from Rachael’s neck. The movement yanked her forward, and she rubbed her neck where the chain had cut into her skin.

  “Are you all right? Did he harm you?” Kaida’s eyes flicked to the small cut on Rachael’s neck. She laid her hand on the wound to heal the injury. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”

  Rachael shook her head, too stunned to speak. Without taking her hand off the cut, Kaida turned around to the guards.

  “Get Kiana, and send for Cale. Tell them it is urgent.” Their eyes looked to Rachael for confirmation, and she nodded.

  “Do what she says.” Her voice shook. Did other rulers ever get used to someone trying to kill them every other day? “Where did you come from?” she asked Kaida. “I thought you had gone back to your chambers.”

  “I was on my way when I realised something was not right. I came as fast as I could.” Kaida looked crestfallen. “I apologise, Rachael. These men could have killed you, and I am afraid it is my fault.”

  Kaida took her hand off the wound, and Rachael tested her neck. Her skin was smooth; the injury gone.

  “I don’t understand. How could it be your fault?”

  “Your necklace is filled with a powerful magic. I should have realised it sooner, but I never thought—forgive me, Rachael. I sensed it earlier but I dismissed it. It should have occurred to me that someone had tampered with it.”

  Rachael stared at the pretty blue stone in Kaida’s hands. The necklace had been a gift from a merchant. While Rachael didn’t see the point of jewellery, she was fond of the necklace. The merchant had been from Tramura, but even she had known who Rachael was and had given her the necklace as a sign of her loyalty. Rachael had never owned anything like it, and had worn it to remind her who she was to the people.

  It had never occurred to Rachael that it could be imbued with magic.

  “I think the woman who gave it to me called it a Seer Stone.”

  Kaida nodded. “It is, but someone has corrupted it. Who did you say gave this to you?”

  “Just a merchant in the market. She said it was a present.” The woman had seemed genuine in her wish to help. Had Rachael misjudged her? Even Cale hadn't objected. How could she hope to be a fair queen when she couldn’t judge the character of one merchant correctly?

  “I doubt she was aware what she was handing to you, but I will find out if this was done on purpose.”

  “I don’t understand,” said Rachael. “Why is this necklace so dangerous? What does it have to do with these assassins?”

  “The necklace itself is harmless. A long time ago they were common. The old sorcerers used these to enhance their seeing ability. I did not know any still existed.” A wistful smile danced in Kaida's eyes. “Someone has altered the magic in this stone, and has used it to spy on you.”

  Her blood ran cold. “Someone’s been watching me?”

  In that moment, Kiana and Cale came running into the room.

  Kiana spoke first. “Someone’s been spying on Rachael?”

  Cale’s face had gone pale.

  “I fear so,” said Kaida. “If you allow me, Rachael, I could restore this necklace to its original magic. It is an extraordinary relic; it would be a shame to destroy it.”

  Rachael didn’t want the thing anywhere near her if it was truly responsible for the attempts on her life, but she nodded. Kaida had saved her life twice now. Rachael wanted to trust her.

  Kaida encased the stone within her hands, closed her fingers around it, and whispered something through a small opening between two fingers. A warm, orange glow leaked through the gaps.

  Smiling, Kaida handed it back. “The corruption is gone, and its original magic has returned. Wearing it now may enhance y
our visions, Rachael. It might be better if you do not wear it while you sleep, if this bothers you.”

  Rachael put the necklace back around her neck, and nodded. Her gift still scared her, but she was the Queen of Rifarne now. If what Kaida said was true, then an army of evil was coming their way. Perhaps she could use her gift to stop it from happening. She still couldn't control her magic or feel its presence within her, but maybe the necklace could change that.

  She remembered her last vision, outside the temple. She’d never seen into the past before; had the necklace done that even without Kaida restoring it?

  The hairs on her arms stood on end. She remembered one thing from the vision above all others.

  “Are dragons real?” It seemed ridiculous, but a lot of strange things were happening lately. Perhaps the possibility wasn’t as far-fetched as she thought.

  “Dragons?” Kaida raised an eyebrow. “Wherever have you heard such a tale?”

  “A vision, right before—” Her eyes flashed to the gory heap on the floor. “Before the attack.”

  Cale and Kiana rushed to her side. “Are you saying this Dark One is bringing a dragon?” Kiana asked. She put an arm around Rachael in comfort. Cale’s hand twitched toward hers, and for a brief, wonderful moment she thought he was going to take it. But then he didn’t, and the moment was gone.

  Rachael sighed. “I don’t think so. I think I saw something that happened a long time ago.”

  “Are you sure it was a vision, then?” Cale said. Rachael’s heart jumped. It was the longest he’d spoken to her since she’d killed King Aeric. “Your visions have always shown the future. If you saw the past then perhaps—”

  “No, it was a vision.” It annoyed her that he couldn’t just believe her, like he used to. Or had he ever truly believed her? Maybe it had only ever been an act, to see her on the throne and then get on with his life, without her in it. “I know what I saw. I couldn’t understand the language, but I saw a dragon and it felt like a vision.”

  “Did you recognise the place?” Kiana asked.

  “No, I—” An image covered in scribbles flashed in her mind, and her heart skipped a beat. She did recognise it. Rachael got up and opened the Tome of Ar’Zac Dar. She found the page right away—the one with the temple and the hasty writing all over it. “It was this place, I’m sure of it. There was a man, he wrote this text right here.”

  She ran her fingers over the text. She’d just seen him write this, and now it was here, hundreds of years later. It was as if there was a connection between them. They’d never meet, but she had read his words, like they were a note just for her. Rachael understood the reverence with which Kiana had regarded the tome.

  Kaida took one look at the page, and nodded. “I know it. If you saw this place in a vision something of importance might be hidden there.”

  Kiana frowned. “Something to give us an advantage over the Dark One, you mean?”

  “Yes. We should look. If it truly is important it would not be wise to delay.”

  Rachael nodded. She wouldn’t turn down an advantage when it had presented itself to her so clearly.

  “Stop right there.” Cale stepped between Kaida and Rachael. “You’re not in charge.” He didn't understand why Rachael trusted this sorceress, but he wasn't about to trust a Mist Woman. Mist Women always had ulterior motives—why hadn’t Rachael learned from her experience with Aeron? He was in no rush to repeat everything that had happened. Enough people had died.

  “That truth is not lost on me, Cale Spurling,” said Kaida, a smile on her lips. “But neither are you. Rachael is. All I can do is offer my advice.”

  He had noticed she was always smiling. Was it the confidence in her unnatural abilities, or did she know something they didn't? He worried about how quickly she had impressed Rachael. If Kaida did move to attack her, he’d be powerless to stop her.

  Cale scowled. “You’re not her advisor, either. Kiana is—”

  “I can think for myself!” said Rachael. The sharp edge to her voice hurt. How long had it been since he’d comforted her by the lake? Since she had allowed him to hold her, briefly? It didn't seem real that it had only been a couple of months ago. There was an abyss of regret, unsaid promises, and apologies between them now, and he didn't know if he could cross it. “The temple from my dream is this same temple right here, in this book. It felt like every other vision I’ve ever had, and I think there’s something important there. If Kaida knows how to get there and where it is, I’ll hear what she has to say.”

  “I can tell you where that temple is, too, Rachael.” Cale hated how defensive he sounded, but it couldn't be helped now. He should have been the one whose opinion she trusted more than anyone else’s, but he had ruined that chance. “It’s Temple Isle, just off the coast outside the White City. I sent scouts there a few years back, they found nothing.”

  Rachael glared at him. “My visions have never been pointless. Something’s there, and I’m going.”

  He sighed. Was she arguing because she believed what she was saying, or to spite him? “Then I’m coming with you.” She could hate him if she wanted. He'd take her hatred any day if it meant she was safe. He couldn't let her anger get to him, but she had a way of stripping him of his defences.

  “No, you stay here to look after the castle. Whoever has sent the assassins after me is still here. I want them found. Kaida and Kiana will come with me.”

  The blow hurt, but he wouldn't disagree with her. He was her Sparrow; he would be respectful without question. He’d lost the privilege to challenge her opinion in private.

  Kaida nodded, and Kiana twirled one of her daggers between her fingers with a grin on her lips.

  “As you wish,” said Cale. “Let me send two of my men with you. You’ll need protection.”

  “I have plenty of protection.” Rachael paused, perhaps remembering the attempt on her life and that she wasn’t as safe as she made herself out to be. She sighed.

  “Please?” Was this what she had reduced him to? Pleading? “I’d sleep easier knowing I’m doing what I can to protect you.”

  She didn’t look at him. “How soon can they be ready to leave?”

  “I’ll inform them right away. They’ll be ready to depart when you need them.”

  Rachael looked to Kiana and Kaida. “And you?”

  Kiana grinned, and sheathed her blade. “I’ll go where you go, Rachael. I’m ready.”

  “As am I,” said Kaida.

  “Then it’s decided,” said Rachael. “We’ll leave tomorrow morning. I had this vision for a reason. If there’s something on this island that can help us defeat the Dark One, we’ll need to find it.”

  “If there is nothing else, I will take my leave,” said Kaida. Rachael nodded, and the Mist Woman left.

  He glanced at Kiana, and she understood. “I’ll prepare, too. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She followed Kaida, and shut the door behind her.

  “Why do you trust her?” Cale should have walked out, but he couldn't. He’d yearned to talk to her. Now that they were alone, the temptation was too great. Kaida was a real threat. He couldn't protect Rachael if he didn't know her reasons.

  Rachael didn't look at him, but she didn't move away, either. It was progress. “Because she earned it.”

  “How?”

  Rachael looked up to meet his eyes, and it was all he could do not to back away from her scowl. “You pretend I don't exist, and then when you finally talk to me it's to question my judgement?”

  “I only want to make sure you know what you're doing.”

  “I do. As you've pointed out, Kiana’s my advisor. Or don't you trust her now, either?”

  He should have apologised and walked away. But he couldn't get himself to leave her just yet. He wanted one more moment, no matter how brief, even if all she did was hate him.

  He knew he shouldn’t. He said it anyway. “I should be coming with you tomorrow. You don't know what awaits you on the island, anything could—”

 
; “I have Kiana with me, and a talented Mist Woman who has already saved my life twice. Leave.”

  There were so many things he wanted to tell her. How much he missed her. How much he craved to hold her again. How badly he wanted her to trust him again without secrets between them.

  But her last word had made it clear the days where he could have done any of those things were over.

  Cale bowed. “Your Highness.”

  He turned to leave.

  “Cale, I—”

  There was the same yearning in her voice, too, as painful as his. Or had he imagined it?

  He stopped, but didn't turn around. He was her strength when she couldn't find her own. She mustn’t see his face now.

  The silence was too much. He couldn’t bear it.

  “Be careful.” Her voice came out a strained whisper.

  It wasn't much, but it was better than her hatred. He nodded, and left.

  Chapter Nine

  Arnost Lis flung a heavy vase at the wall and screamed when it shattered. Nothing had gone right since Rifarne had made the witch queen their ruler, and now things had gone from bad to worse.

  The insolence! The audacity! The amulet had done a wonderful job of keeping him informed of her every move, but now he’d lost his advantage. That Midokan crone was trouble, he’d known it from the moment he’d first laid eyes on her. She would pay for her crimes. He would punish her himself.

  But she wasn’t his primary concern. As angry as the crone made him, he needed to stay focused. Getting rid of the witch queen was his top priority—nothing else mattered.

  Apart from him. That blasted Sparrow who couldn’t keep his eyes off her and who would die before any harm could come to her. Cale Spurling had to die, too. He, at least, should be an easy target for his seasoned assassins.

  Arnost Lis took a deep breath in, and did his best to calm his irritated mind. He knew better than to act out of anger. First, he needed a plan. Everything else would fall into place once he had a plan.

  Thanks to his spy he knew the witch queen would leave for Temple Isle in the morning. It couldn't be helped that she’d be out of his reach. He couldn’t accompany her in person, it would rouse suspicion. Instead, he’d paid someone to do it for him. Everyone had a prize, and Arnost Lis had the means to pay any fee. The witch wouldn't suspect a thing until the knife cut her throat. He just needed to bide his time now, and be patient.