Wardens of Archos

by Sarina Langer

  “How are you feeling?” asked Rachael.

  “My middle is on fire, but it’s better than being dead. I want to walk around, at least a little, but they won’t let me.” By the tired glare she gave Cale, Rachael expected that was his doing as much as the healers'.

  “You need to rest,” said Cale. “Your body needs time to recover.”

  “I won’t rebuild my strength by sitting here getting pampered. I’m not asking to train with you. I just want to walk a few steps.”

  “If you move now, you could undo their work.”

  “We’ll be careful,” said Rachael. “She can lean on us, and we’ll stop if it’s too much.”

  Cale sighed. “Can you sit without the bed frame supporting you?”

  “I think so.” Kiana swung her legs over the side of the bed. Rachael put Kiana’s arm over her shoulder, and Cale did the same on the other side.

  The infirmary was a small room. By the time they had walked full circle and were back by the bed, Kiana was panting.

  “Thank you.” Her voice was strained, but she smiled. “I feel better now.”

  “The healer says you’ll be treated twice a day and should be able to leave again within a week,” said Cale. “If you don’t do anything reckless.”

  “I was careful, wasn’t I? Look.” Kiana raised her shirt just above the cut. It had been bandaged well, but a small, red stain seeped through. “It could be much worse.”

  “We’ll leave once you’re able to walk on your own again,” said Rachael. “It’ll take us a while to get back. You can recover more on the ship.”

  “I know. I just don’t like sitting here doing nothing.”

  “You’re not doing nothing,” said Cale. “You’ve been injured, you’re healing.”

  Kiana scowled. “It feels like nothing. I can barely even feel it.”

  Rachael didn't believe it. She wanted to object, but in that moment the doors flew open and Reeve ran toward them.

  “Thank the Maker you’re here! I’ve been looking all over for you!”

  “What happened?” asked Cale.

  Reeve handed him a note. “We just received a carrier pigeon from Lon. We have to get back.”

  Rachel froze. “What does it say?”

  Cale’s face had turned ashen. He handed her the note.

  “The White City is under attack. The Mothers have come for you.”

  Rachael's legs went weak as she processed the information. The White City was under attack because of her. Innocent people were dying because of her. And she was so far away from it all, unable to help.

  Rachael was shaking, and her vision blurred.

  “But I’m here. We've just fought in the desert, they know I’m not in the White City.”

  “It’s a trap,” said Cale. “They know we’re too well fortified here, but back home? The White Guard don’t know fire will harm them. The Sparrows don’t know how to kill them.” A dark shadow settled in his eyes. “I’m not losing another family.”

  “We wouldn’t get back in time even if we left right now,” said Rachael. “Everyone could be dead by the time we reach the port.”

  “There is one other option.” Rachael and Cale spun around to see Kaida standing in the entrance. “My sisters and I can get you back instantly.”

  “There's a focus point in Rifarne?” asked Kiana. “How have we missed that?”

  “It was disguised, so to speak. Your predecessor, Rachael, did not realise what he had.”

  “And it still works?” asked Rachael.

  “It has not been used in a long time.” Kaida paused. “There is no way to know for certain. I would prefer to test it, but we are out of time.”

  “And if it doesn't work?” asked Cale. “What happens to us?”

  “You will not need to concern yourself with that if it does not.”

  It was clear enough for Rachael. “You said your sisters would need time to recover. Has it been long enough?”

  “No. But there are other Mist Women here, in Paranossa. They may even be able to help us fight.”

  “Then that's the best option,” said Rachael. “Thank you”

  “I'm coming with you,” said Kiana. “They are my family, too.”

  “You're not going anywhere,” said Cale. “You can’t even stand on your own, and you,” he turned to Rachael, “are who they’re after. I won’t deliver you to them.”

  “And if that’s what they want? What if they are trying to get you away from me?”

  “Then you’ll still have the Parashi to protect you.”

  “I don’t need their protection! I cut down more demons than you or Kiana in the ruins!”

  “Maybe, but—”

  “I’m supposed to be your leader, aren’t I? Your Sparrow? That makes them my family, too. And I’m supposed to be their queen. If I stay here, hiding while my people die, I prove everyone who is against me right.”

  “This isn’t about right or wrong, Rachael, it’s about you staying alive. They are waiting for you at the palace. You’d walk straight into their arms. You left Rifarne because it wasn’t save for you, remember? You only came here so they couldn’t find you.”

  “They found me at the ruins anyway, Cale. For all we know, they’re just waiting for you to arrive so they can come here and kill me while I’m alone. I’m coming with you.”

  Cale’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “As you wish. I know you can handle yourself, I just—” He sighed.

  “You can fight by my side. We can protect our family together.”

  He smiled, but it wasn't the boyish grin she longed to see. “That I can do.”

  “I’m not letting you walk into trouble without me,” said Kiana. “I'm coming, too. Like it or not.”

  Cale shook his head. “Absolutely not. The Mothers aren’t after you, you’ll be safe here. We’ll send word once the palace is secured.”

  “But—”

  “No. That’s an order, Kiana.”

  They exchanged glares before Kiana sank into her pillows with an exasperated sigh.

  “How soon can you gather your sisters?” asked Rachael.

  “I will contact them now,” said Kaida. “They will be waiting at the focus point.”

  Rachael turned to Reeve. “You and Ludo will stay here.”

  Reeve nodded. “As you wish.”

  Rachael, Cale, and Kaida hurried through the corridors and streets without looking back. Rachael wasn't comfortable leaving Kiana behind, but it was better this way. Kiana was in no shape to fight, and someone needed to inform Lady Nerine of their leave.

  But Lady Nerine was already waiting by the focus point, together with several Parashi as well as two Mist Women Rachael assumed were Kaida’s sisters. She couldn’t fathom how Kaida had contacted them without leaving their side. It was just another thing to ask about if they survived this invasion.

  “Allow me to send some of my warriors with you. They’ll make a great difference for you.”

  “I can’t accept that,” said Rachael. “They don’t fight for me.” Enough people were dying because of her as it was. She didn't need to add Lady Nerine's people to the list.

  The lady smiled. “I was hoping for a military alliance between Krymistis and Rifarne. You will need more strength in your ranks for the fight ahead. My Parashi will add plenty.”

  “I am afraid that is not possible,” said Kaida. “We appreciate your offer, my lady, but my sisters and I can only transport so many at once, and it will sap their energy to do so.”

  “Then I will send reinforcements by ship.”

  “They would take too long to arrive,” said Cale. “By the time the Parashi get there we’ve either won, or we’re dead.”

  “Thank you, Lady Nerine,” said Rachael. “We do appreciate your offer, but I’m afraid it’s simply not possible.” Despite her reservations, she regretted that they had to turn down the offer. She’d seen what the Parashi could do. Their help would have been invaluable.

  “Then I wish you a
good fight. I look forward to the day when we’ll fight side by side once more.”

  “Me, too.”

  “We need to hurry,” said Cale. For every moment they remained in Paranossa, one of his Sparrows suffered. Anger rose within Rachael. The Sparrows relied on and believed in them. It was time to prove once and for all that her rule wasn’t a mistake born from desperation.

  They stood close together as the Mist Women began their ritual. Rachael closed her eyes, preparing for the rush of colours and speed and hoping the focus point was still active. She dreaded to think what would happen if it wasn’t.

  Someone grasped her hand; Rachael didn’t have time to see who it was before they were flung forward and her feet left the ground.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Rachael drew her sword the instant her feet were on solid ground. Whoever had grabbed hold of her hand before they had left Paranossa had let go.

  There was terror everywhere. The demons were all around them, nefarious shades that slithered closer to them. They didn’t seem to be in any rush—Rachael guessed they knew she was outnumbered. The numbers they had faced at the ruins paled when confronted with the sight before her now. It was like a sea of shadows had washed over her palace. How was she supposed to beat those odds? They had only managed to drive them back in the desert because the Parashi had fought with them. Now...

  “Get ready!” Her voice was stronger than she felt, but this was her home now and she would either take it back or die trying.

  Cale had his own sword drawn and stood ready to fight. Pure, crackling energy waited in Kaida’s hands to be released.

  They didn’t stand a chance, but that didn’t mean she’d make it easy. If the demons wanted her, they would have to fight to take her.

  “What are you doing here?” said Cale. “I ordered you to stay! You’re not well enough to fight!”

  Rachael turned around just in time to see Kiana struggle to her feet.

  “I told you,” said Kiana. “I’m protecting Rachael. I may be weak, but I refuse to let them destroy my home and take my family while I relax in bed across the Far Sea!”

  Cale frowned. “You’re in no condition to—”

  Rachael had enough. “It doesn’t matter now.” Cale and Kiana could argue all they wanted, but it wouldn’t change anything. Kiana was here now, and Rachael wasn’t convinced she stood a better chance than Kiana did in her injured state. When this was over Rachael would demand an explanation from Reeve, but right now there was nothing she could do about it. Either way, there were more demons in the palace than she saw from their position.

  Rachael turned to Kiana, and hoped she sounded authoritative. “Stay alive.”

  Cale placed his hand on Rachael's shoulder. “You, too.”

  Kaida turned to her sisters. “Search the palace. Help where you are needed.” They nodded once, and hurried off.

  Then Kaida flung the first ball of lethal energy at one of the Mothers, and the demon disintegrated before it had the opportunity to scream.

  “We can argue when this is over,” said Kiana. “Right now, we have bigger worries.”

  Rachael couldn’t have agreed more.

  Now that one of the demons was dead, the others took notice. Several of them let out a bloodcurdling scream. A battle cry.

  The Mothers rushed them, but they were ready. Rachael cut one in half, incinerating the demon’s insides. Next to her, Cale and Kiana slashed at the enemy with the same ferocity they had shown in the desert. The demons burnt to ashes at their feet. Kaida rained down angry fire over the horde, and threw yet more balls of concentrated magic at those closer to them.

  But it wasn’t enough. No matter how many they cut down, more emerged. For every demon they killed, another took its place.

  Kiana danced, her twin blades a lethal display of fluidity, but her movements were slower than normal. She was too injured to keep this up for long. Unless they ended this quickly, Kiana would die.

  Cale had noticed it, too. He threw himself into the demons’ midst, taking them out one by one from amongst them where they couldn’t flee. He didn’t have the same grace as Kiana, but he was just as deadly. Thanks to him Rachael had a second to catch her breath. Before her, a wall of burning mist spoke volumes of the damage Cale was inflicting.

  The demons had realised Kaida wasn’t the only danger to them. Their smoky tendrils laced toward them with greater care, mindful of their weapons. Rachael couldn’t just hack into them; they’d find the weak spot in her defence and get to her. She needed to think, but the chaos made that impossible.

  Instead, she relied on her instincts. Her sword cut through a demon in front of her at the same time as she spotted fog swirl up to her right. The blade arced around, slashing through the ethereal arm before its fingers could grip her wrist. A vicious hiss alerted her to another demon to her left. She brought her blade around once more and killed another.

  Kaida raised her arms. “Cover me!”

  Rachael willed her body to go on. Her sword arm was heavy, but there was no sign of the fight stopping anytime soon. If she was tired, Kiana must have been exhausted.

  Rachael could hear Kaida chanting over the angry shrieking of the demons. The words were melodic, ancient, and Rachael drew strength from them. Her instincts took her sword where it needed to go. The blade had come alive, and Rachael allowed it full control. It danced in her hand, burning the demons before Rachael knew they were there.

  Kaida’s voice reached its deadly crescendo. Crackling lightning zapped from one demon to another. Everything it touched it consumed. There was no room for pity.

  For the first time since they had arrived, Rachael saw the other end of the corridor they were in.

  Kiana went to one knee, gasping for air.

  “Are you okay?” asked Rachael.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  Rachael turned to Kaida. “Thank you. If it wasn’t for you—”

  Kaida nodded to a spot ahead of them. Ten more demons entered the corridor. Wide grins spread on their faces when they spotted Rachael.

  Cale was the first to attack. He lunged at the enemy, another ball of deadly energy coming up after him. Rachael darted forward, but stopped. If she left, Kiana would be defenceless.

  “Go!” said Kiana. “They’re in front of you, not behind me!”

  Rachael wanted to argue, but there was no time.

  Her sword joined Cale’s, and together they ended the demons before they could advance farther into the palace. She turned around just in time to see two Mothers come up behind Kiana.

  “Behind you!”

  But Kiana moved too late. The Mothers were already reaching for her.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  The misty tendrils of the demon's claws laced around Kiana’s face. Kiana moved backward, away from the demon, but the second Mother had moved around her and was waiting.

  Rachael ran, followed by Cale, but she knew they were too far away. The demons were toying with her, nothing more.

  The Mother who held Kiana pulled back its arm and turned it into a sword. Despite its ethereal appearance Rachael knew it was solid, every bit as sharp as her own weapon. The demon brought it up, dashed it toward Kiana’s chest—

  and let out a murderous wail when fire ignited in its middle. It was dead within seconds, and two breaths later the second Mother followed.

  Kiana fell to the floor. Rachael reached her and put an arm around her.

  “Did they hurt you?”

  Kiana shook her head.

  “What happened?” asked Cale. “Who killed them?”

  “I did.”

  They spun around to face the voice; a thick, Krymistian accent, singing of the blood its bearer had shed.

  “Get away from her,” said Cale, his voice a dark growl. “Now.”

  Rachael looked from him to the Krymistian woman in confusion. She wasn’t tall, and didn’t have the muscles Cale had. Her daggers were short, and wouldn’t outreach his weapon even if they were
in her hands. Right now, both lay on the ground where the Mothers had stood. Cale could tackle her to the ground, disarm her, and render her helpless within mere moments. She’d saved Kiana’s life.

  But there was something else about her, too. A darkness. A viciousness. A merciless gleam that told Rachael this woman had killed many times, and would do so again without another thought.

  Rachael got to her feet and helped Kiana do the same.

  “Who are you?”

  Cale answered before the woman had the chance. “Desma, was it?” Desma nodded. “This is the woman who poisoned me. She works for Arnost Lis.”

  “I work for my Lady Erimentha, not him.” Her voice was venom as she spat the last part.

  “And Erimentha does his bidding,” said Cale. “It doesn’t change anything.”

  “I’m sorry I poisoned you. He would have suspected my intentions if I hadn't obeyed.”

  Cale was about to speak, but Rachael was faster. She was the queen of this country. She would do the questioning. “Explain yourself.”

  “My Lady Erimentha believes in you as the rightful ruler of this throne. We’re working against Arnost Lis, not for him.” Desma picked up her weapons and blew the ash off their blades. “We want him to fall.”

  “Then surrender your weapons.”

  “In a place full of demons? I’d be stupid to do as you say.”

  “Please believe her, Queen Rachael,” said a quiet voice from the shadows.

  “Elyn?” Rachael couldn’t think what her chambermaid had to do with this. She couldn’t even see the girl. “Where are you?”

  Elyn emerged from the shadows. Rachael couldn’t fathom how she’d managed to blend in this well. A lot had happened in her absence.

  “I’m terribly sorry, Queen Rachael. I worked with Desma and her Lady Erimentha while you were gone. For you.”

  Rachael had no idea how to respond. The girl who stood before her now was the same girl who had poured Rachael’s baths; shy, quiet, and loyal. Yet there was more to her now. The dagger didn’t look right in her hand, but she moved with more confidence. Was this the same girl who was obedient to a fault? Who was only too happy to blend into the background and never stand out? This same girl had spied for her? On Arnost Lis, of all people?