Wardens of Archos

by Sarina Langer

  He had been surprised to learn she wasn’t taking Cale with her. His spies told him they had been close before she’d taken the crown, but this was no longer the case. Indifferent as they acted, they still stole infrequent glances at each other. Perhaps he could use the Sparrow’s desires to his advantage.

  He grinned. His plan would need time, and careful strategy. Cale already suspected him of being responsible for the assassination attempts, he couldn't make any rash moves. Perhaps, while the naive queen was gone, he could gain Cale's trust—or pretend to be interested in friendship, at least. It wouldn’t be easy, but when had he ever shied away from a challenge? Once trapped, a Sparrow's bones could be crushed without effort. If Cale’s digging became a problem, he could always act.

  Arnost Lis sat and sighed. His recent setbacks gave him a headache. There was still one other matter he needed to address before his sentimental fool of a wife ruined everything.

  “Erimentha!”

  She sat in a dark corner, hiding behind a book, her eyes watching his every move. His wife was terrified of him, as she should be. Sometimes he wondered why he kept her around. Ever since they’d learned of Rachael’s survival and ascension to royalty, Erimentha had been insufferable. She’d been loyal before, but now he worried her faith was wavering. He couldn't allow that to happen. People with the gift were dangerous; he’d taken precautions to make sure she couldn’t use her taint against him. Perhaps it was time to strengthen the spell he had ordered put on her. She would be more trouble than her expensive choker was worth if she spoke to Rachael in private.

  If it wasn’t for the fact she still stirred his desires like no other woman could, he would have had her killed years ago. But she was beautiful, exotic, and she’d given him a strong son. It was a shame she’d miscarried every other child since, but at least she wasn’t passing on her taint a second time, and he had an heir.

  He never had to question Kleon’s loyalty. Even now he was observing the Sparrows’ training regimen, spying on them for him. It was a small comfort in dark times.

  “Damn it, Erimentha, get over here!”

  She whimpered, but got up and rushed to his side. It seemed she’d lost her mind in recent months; he would have to make sure she didn’t hesitate again. They needed to appear strong and united in this heathen country that allowed poison to run rampant through its veins, or else they were lost.

  “How may I please you?”

  A thin smile showed on his lips. Several ways came to mind, but she needed to earn that pleasure. Tonight, she’d be punished. Erimentha needed to understand his authority wasn’t up for debate. He needed to remind her he was in charge, never her.

  “You’ve embarrassed me in front of the queen. If you were a slave, you would be lying dead among rats right now.”

  Her beautiful frame was shaking. Good. He wanted her scared.

  “I apologise, my lord. I spoke out of line. It won’t happen again.”

  He backhanded her. “You’re damn right it won’t!” It had been a long time since she’d made him lose control over himself in this way. Did she not understand how important this was? Did she want to ruin his every plan? “Do you see what you made me do? Would you prefer it if I failed? Would you prefer it if Tramura fell to the same disease as this filthy country?”

  “No, my lord.”

  “Say it.” Again, she whimpered. “Say it, Erimentha!” She’d been strong once. He should have killed their daughter instead of leaving her in the streets to die by herself.

  “Magic is a taint upon the people. Magic will be purged.” She wept as she said the words, but it only mattered that she said them. He still had some control over her. He could fix her disobedience, too.

  “That’s right. Now get yourself to bed and be ready for me. I won’t be long.” He would give her a moment to collect herself—perhaps he’d been too harsh on her, but he needed his wife beside him. He could not look weak in front of their son, or the other ambassadors and rulers visiting the palace. If he looked frail—if their marriage looked fragile—then Tramura looked weak, too, and he wouldn't allow it.

  Besides, he needed to think about his next steps. Corrupting Cale would take finesse. He couldn’t afford to be clumsy. Cale was his enemy, but he was clever—Arnost Lis had to give him credit where it was due, and Cale was loyal to his witch queen. Arnost Lis would use that besotted look on his face against him.

  Chapter Ten

  Rachael couldn’t tell if the goose bumps on her arms came from the cold morning breeze in the courtyard or from a sense of foreboding. An icy chill filled the palace grounds and invaded her bones. Her mind was set on the task ahead, but last night's argument with Cale still begged for the forefront. Why did it have to turn into a fight? Why did he have to doubt her decisions? She was scared every conversation between them would be like this from now on. Cale had sounded regretful and she wanted to believe he was, but she needed more than that. Cale had left her once; he could do it again. She missed him, despite the broken shards of trust under their bare feet. She wanted to put those pieces back together but she didn’t know how. A fractured whole had to be better than this.

  Rachael focused on the cold touch of the wind on her skin. Maybe she'd figure out what she needed from him by the time they came back, but right now she needed to look ahead and lead. She didn’t know what they were looking for on this island, only that it was important; visions always were. Did abilities develop? Could they grow as people did? Maybe she could ask Kaida about it. If anyone knew anything about magic, it was her.

  Kiana and Kaida stood ready by her side. They had only packed necessities. Kaida was as unreadable as ever, but Kiana toyed with one of her daggers and let it slide and twirl through her fingers. There was a faraway gaze in her eyes and a wistful smile on her lips.

  They turned around when Cale entered the grounds with two men following him. Rachael had seen the man to his left in passing only once, but they hadn’t exchanged words. He scowled at her the same way now he’d done then. She recognised the blonde Sparrow on Cale’s right, too.

  “Rachael, this is Reeve and Ludo. Ludo is a new recruit, but he has skill and I believe he will prove himself as your guard. Reeve here,” Cale turned to the man who was glaring at her, “found you in Blackrock. It’s thanks to him we knew where you were, and that I got to Arlo when I did. He informed us the White Guard had been alerted.”

  Reeve huffed, and Rachael agreed. It had made her uncomfortable when Kiana had told her, in the Sparrow's old hideout, that someone had watched her in Blackrock without her realising it. Rachael had always thought of herself as careful and observant, but in that moment, she had known if Reeve had wanted to kill her, she wouldn’t have had the chance to run. Meeting him now didn't make her feel any better.

  Reeve was taller than Cale, and wore a leather outfit like Kiana’s but without the personal touches. His eyes were hard and calculating, and she guessed he wasn’t happy with his assignment. How could Cale question her judgement and then ask Reeve to go with her? Why not Lon, or Oren?

  She nodded at Reeve, and turned to Ludo. “You helped Oren get rid of the protestor during my coronation. I wanted to thank you.”

  “It was my pleasure, Queen Rachael. Well, not a pleasure exactly, I suppose. I’m sorry it came to that.”

  “No need to apologise, Ludo. And please call me Rachael. All the Sparrows do.”

  Ludo grinned in response.

  Reeve gave her a courteous nod, his eyes digging into hers. Rachael remembered everything Kiana had struggled to teach her over the past few weeks, and returned the gesture. “Thank you for joining us, Reeve.”

  He snorted and glared but stayed quiet.

  Rachael tried not to sigh in frustration and turned her attention back to Ludo. “How long have you been with the Sparrows?”

  Ludo looked a few years older than Cale. Laugh lines marked his face in a soft manner, and the first sign of wrinkles ran across his forehead. Despite that, his grin made him lo
ok younger than Reeve. “Only a couple of weeks, your Highness. I know I’m not as young as your other Sparrows, but I’m a good fighter. I won’t let you down.”

  Rachael turned to Cale. Her stomach turned when their eyes met. “Find out what you can. If you find whoever is responsible for the assassination attempts, deal with them as you see fit.”

  “No interrogation?” said Reeve. “You don’t want to know why they’re doing this?”

  She blushed under his scrutiny, and hated herself for it. “Cale knows what he’s doing. If he believes that—”

  “Cale isn’t the king now, is he? You’re our queen. You’re supposed to lead us.” He glowered. “You can’t even deal with one criminal.”

  Rachael had never been a violent person. She had defended herself when necessary, but she’d never sought the fight or enjoyed it. Right now, she wanted to punch the smug grin off Reeve’s face.

  “Stand down, R—” Cale started, but Kiana was faster.

  “You will not talk like that to your queen.” Rachael had never heard so much authority—so much venom—in Kiana’s voice. “Do you understand?”

  But Reeve was right. She shouldn’t be queen if she expected other people to do her dirty work.

  “I don’t need anyone to speak on my behalf.” Rachael hoped her voice didn't betray her weak knees. “I’m not King Aeric, and I’m definitely not Commander Videl. I may not employ the same ruthless methods they used, but I won’t allow disobedience.”

  Reeve grunted and looked away. Behind Rachael, Kiana chuckled her approval. Even Cale was trying to hide a smile, and gave her a brief nod. After their fight the night before, it was the most wonderful sight. She smiled back, and wished his approval didn't mean so much to her. The exchange was small, but it was a start.

  “The temple has been abandoned for years,” said Cale. “I don’t expect you will run into trouble. This is Ludo’s first assignment, but he can handle himself. Reeve is one of my best Sparrows. Since he found you in Blackrock I thought it important he accompany you.” She sensed there was another reason as well, but that was a fight for another day.

  “We should leave,” said Rachael. “We don’t know what we’re trying to find, or where it is. We only know it’s somewhere on Temple Isle, and it's likely hidden inside the temple itself. We shouldn’t waste any more time.”

  Rachael walked toward the harbour, determined to lead by example this time. Kiana and Kaida followed her without hesitation, Ludo almost skipped along, and Reeve fell in behind them. She tried not to feel Cale’s eyes on her back as he watched her leave.

  Reeve was right. She needed to be strong and merciless when the situation called for it. But she wouldn't be the ruthless tyrant Commander Videl had been, and she wouldn't make the same mistakes King Aeric had made. She wouldn't harm innocents, and she wouldn't fall in with her enemies just to win a war.

  She was the queen of Rifarne. She would stand strong, and protect innocent people rather than slaughter them.

  Chapter Eleven

  Rachael's nerves danced with excitement when her feet touched Temple Isle. She’d never left Rifarne before. Until she’d escaped Blackrock, she’d never even left her hometown. While Temple Isle was part of Rifarne, it might as well have been a different country.

  Their journey had been short, and uneventful. Kiana had taught her more court etiquette, while Kaida had spent much of the trip below deck. She had asked not to be disturbed, and Rachael had left her to it. Reeve had split his time between glaring at her and watching Ludo. His gaze told her to run, but at least she could keep an eye on him this way. A visible enemy was only half as dangerous.

  Temple Isle was small; only broken remnants of its former beauty remained. The old cobblestones which had marked a clear path once were cracked and uneven. Nature had retaken much of the scattered structures, but the stone wasn't so overgrown Rachael couldn’t make out details. Time and weather had faded much of it, but here and there she made out intricate carvings in the ancient walls.

  The Halls of Reflection sat at the centre of the island. They still stood proud and watchful, and had retained much of their beauty. The walls were cracked in places, the designs had grown faint, and several of the smaller attached statues had broken off. Despite all that they were still beautiful. Their walls were made from the same white chalk as the White Palace.

  “How do we get inside?” asked Rachael. The heavy doors looked brittle. She didn’t want to cause the temple to crumble after it had survived for so long, but they had to get inside somehow. The men she’d seen in her vision had been desperate to seal what they had brought inside the walls. There had to be a way that wouldn't damage it further.

  “Allow me,” said Kaida. She placed her hands on the stone, and whispered to it in a language Rachael didn't understand. A short moment later, the door shifted and left a gap large enough to climb through.

  Reeve snorted and mumbled something angry under his breath. Kiana grinned. Ludo looked like he’d observed a miracle, the stunned shine of awe in his eyes.

  “Is this not normal?” asked Rachael. She was surprised by their reactions. Many Sparrows had the gift. She’d thought the other members would have seen it used on occasion, or that Cale even incorporated it in their training.

  “Not as such,” said Kiana. “All gifted can draw on their source to play with the elements, but it takes skill to move something as rooted as rock. Or whole buildings.”

  “It is only a door,” said Kaida. “Not much skill is required to move something meant to be moved, but this door had been enchanted to stay shut. I admit it took more skill than most gifted possess.”

  Rachael couldn’t tell if Kaida was simply stating the truth, or showing off. She’d thought Kaida to be above such things, but then she didn’t know the woman all that well.

  “Thank you,” said Rachael. “Let’s go.”

  It was dark inside the temple, and clammy moisture made the air cool. Blue flames ignited in Kaida’s hands and lit up the wall scones lining the room.

  Its age was even more obvious than it had been on the outside. The architecture was different from the other buildings in Rifarne, the resemblance to the White Palace gone. Leftover drapery adorned the walls and arches. Their decayed fabric reminded Rachael of her old, hole-ridden blanket. The colours were faded, and the rock around them had cracked in several places. Roots had eaten through the rock, and moss had grown in the darker corners.

  Reeve leaned against a wall next to the entrance, while Rachael and the others looked around. Kiana inspected every shadow. Ludo’s mouth was agape while he took in his ancient surroundings.

  It was Kaida’s reaction that left Rachael speechless. She had walked up to one of the banners, and held its remains in one hand. A wistful smile regarded what was left of the colours and ancient symbols stitched into the fabric. Rachael remembered her saying she was old, but how old was she? Old enough to have been alive when this temple had still seen scholars and pilgrims? Kaida's fingers traced the outlines of the embroidered symbols, her touch gentle.

  “Do you recognise this?” asked Rachael.

  “I do.” Kaida didn’t look up when she spoke. Her eyes had clouded with memories. “I have spent many years studying history, and have spent a large part of my studies on the old magic. I know this banner from paintings and drawings only, but to see it for myself… This banner—this whole temple—was around before the war that buried the old magic in time. All this was here when magic was an accepted part of the Northern Reaches. So many secrets have been lost, but this banner prevails. Does that not astound you?”

  Rachael swallowed. She’d seen the country Rifarne used to be herself in her vision, and the magic that used to flow through its people. The beauty of it.

  She’d wanted to be accepted in society. She’d tried to understand her gift, which—according to everyone she had talked to—was unique to her. This temple and its colours were a living memory to everything the war had destroyed. Her magic was the s
ame. Her gift was a remnant of the old days also.

  “It does.”

  Kaida smiled and drew her hand away from the fabric. “We should proceed. Did your vision show you where the people went?”

  “No. I only saw them come in here, but I don’t know where they went after they entered.”

  “Then we should split up,” said Kaida.

  “I’m not leaving Rachael’s side.” Kiana drew a dagger.

  Kaida nodded and turned to Reeve, who hadn’t left his spot at the wall. It was unnerving how well he blended into the darkness. Rachael had to squint to notice more than faint outlines.

  “I will be fine on my own,” said Kaida. “Reeve, take Ludo with you. I can give you—”

  “I don't take orders from you.” It scared Rachael how quickly he could move. Within seconds he had joined them. “And I don’t need to team up. I’ll be fine on my own as well.”

  “Ludo is a new recruit,” said Rachael, hoping to save the situation before it escalated. “You’re the senior Sparrow, Reeve. I’m sure Ludo would appreciate the opportunity to learn from you.”

  “I’d prefer to go together,” said Ludo. “I don’t know what I’m looking for, and this place makes me paranoid.”

  “Then it’s decided,” said Rachael before Reeve could complain. “I’ll go with Kiana, Kaida will go on her own, and Reeve will take Ludo.”

  “How will we know if one of you finds something?” asked Kiana.

  “With this.” Kaida held five glowing spheres out to them, small enough to fit into any pocket. A faint blue glow emanated from them. “If you find something, whisper your name into the sphere. Our orbs will warm to the touch, and lead the others to you. They will find their siblings no matter how deep we go, as long as we do not leave this island.”