I turned around and yanked on the handle and quickly found it was locked. I resorted to pounding on the door for her to let me back in.
“Embrosine, open the door!” I screamed, my fists stinging from the impact against the thick wood. I hated that she had just sacrificed herself for me, again. Yet, I knew I was powerless against Obsidian, and I knew I couldn’t help her. When this reality set in, my hands stilled, and I began thinking of her last demands. I could find Sunn and get her to safety. This was the only reasoning that allowed me to get to my feet. I blinked back the tears from my eyes and hefted my skirt up to my knees. Swallowing my panic, I forced my limbs to move and started at a run down the hallway in search of Sunn.
THIRTY-ONE
I searched everywhere, my heart rate increasing and my fear multiplying with every corner that proved to be vacant. When I did find her, the relief flooded through my entire body. She was in the reading nook I’d found her in only days before. Her red hair was sprawled out over the edge and she was looking up at the ceiling.
“Sunn, get down from there. We have to go.” I could hear the shaking in my voice, and she looked down at me confused.
“Where are we going?” she asked. I tugged on her hand until she finally jumped down from the reading nook.
“The castle is under attack. We have to get you to the docks.” Sunn’s face turned pale, and I could see the panic mimicked in her expression.
“But, what about my mother?” I took her by the arm and began leading her down the hallway. Every corner I turned, I felt my heart jump, hoping no one would be waiting for us. I knew at any moment one of Obsidian’s men could be lurking in the shadows, and the thought of what would happen if they stumbled upon us caused every nerve in my body to pulse with vivid fear.
“I know you’re scared, Sunn, but you're just going to have to trust me.” We stopped in my room for a moment, and my hands grabbed frantically for my saddlebag. I began stuffing anything I could think of into it: my mother's book, the set of daggers Oli had gifted to me earlier that day as a means to protect myself, and a blanket from the bed. The last things I managed to get my hands on were two shawls from the closet, and I wrapped one around Sunn, then myself.
I knew we could probably use many other things, but we were out of time. I hurried out the door with Sunn, hoping I’d grabbed enough to get us by. When we made it safely down the stairs, we stepped onto the main floor and started down the hallway. I could see the doors to the ballroom and debated on warning the others, but I worried that if I hesitated now, that we might never get the chance to escape again.
Just as I was contemplating my decision, a sudden commotion erupted from inside the ballroom and the guards that stood outside the doors quickly ran inside to help. Terrified screams echoed down the corridor and off the castle ceilings. Before Sunn could look back I turned in the opposite direction and began running to the one of the hidden exit doors. We had just gone over the castle’s escape routes the other day, per King Knadian’s request, and never had I been more grateful.
“Sabeara, what is happening?” Sunn’s voice quivered with fear. She was trying to look back but I forced our feet to move faster, tugging her along after me.
“Don’t look back, Sunn. Just keep running.” My voice was empty of all emotions. I didn’t have the heart to tell her about her mother fighting Obsidian, or that the ballroom was being raided. The adrenaline was pumping inside my veins, screaming at me to get her to safety.
When we successfully made it out one of the side doors, we started in the direction of the stables and luckily arrived unnoticed. The moment we stepped into the barn, I searched for a horse we could travel with. The first stall housed a beautiful dapple gray, and my hands shook trying to open the stall latch. Finally getting the door open, I bridled the horse and quickly helped Sunn onto its back.
“Which direction are the docks, Sunn?” I climbed up in front of her, and her arms wound around my waist.
“That way.” Sunn pointed into the trees behind the castle, the opposite direction from the city of Ethydon. I kicked the horse into a run, not allowing myself to be afraid when we slipped into the black forest—its thick, ominous embrace enveloping us.
We galloped for many hours trying to distance ourselves from the castle. It was only when I finally felt we had gotten a safe distance away that I gave the horse a rest and slowed to a walk. It was quiet, the only sound the steed’s panting breaths, coming out in white puffs in the frigid night.
My mind wandered to Obsidian's words, and what he had said about us being related. And gradually the memories were beginning to surface in little flashes as I traveled. They began with Obsidian and I, running together as children and playing games around the castle. Then slowly they would shift to the day that he left with his father.
His father– don’t know why I didn’t remember before. He was a tall thin man with black hair and bright blue eyes that had a striking resemblance to my mother's. I couldn’t remember his name. I knew they were siblings, and it was almost too much to comprehend we were family. It had been so long ago when Obsidian and his father had come to the castle, I could barely remember the encounter. I wracked my brain for the reasoning behind Obsidians anger and couldn’t help but wonder what had happened that had caused such dissension.
“I don’t want to leave,” Sunn said quietly from behind me, snapping me from my thoughts.
“You’ll be safer on the Isles,” I tried to reason with her.
“I know, but I don’t want to leave Ethydon.”
I imagined Sunn being raised on the Isles, everything she’d ever known an ocean away.
“Maybe the Isles will be better than you think.” I wanted to be positive, but I knew I would’ve been just as defiant and afraid if I’d been sent away for my safety.
“Maybe, but, Sabeara, I want to be like you and stay and help with the curse.”
I was surprised when she revealed this. I never imagined anyone wanting to be like me.
“Well, I’m not going to be doing much. I’ll be in Ethydon, probably reading books and maybe finding another token if I’m lucky.”
“If I was able to find the artifacts, I would want to go to see different kingdoms and lands and fight battles.” I could hear the excitement in her voice.
“It's dangerous, especially when you don’t have powers.”
“I know that,” she said defensively. I realized I probably would have replied in such a way if I had been her age. “Even if it was dangerous, I would still want to be a warrior.”
Sunn’s words struck a chord inside of me. I had been locked away for so long, the idea of escaping seemed blissful. I craved adventure, and most of all, I wanted to be gifted enough to help. I wanted to be the one going into battle, as reckless as it sounded. I wanted to make a difference. I felt that I couldn’t when I was sitting at home in the castle. Sunn’s words stayed with me, tempting my already erratic thoughts.
“Look up ahead.” I noticed a break in the vast pines. We emerged from the tree line and we seemed to be high on the hills, nearly into the mountains now. There was a lookout point and we could see the city and the castle in the distance. I gazed out at the scene below and dread surged through me.
In the distance where Aveladon used to be, bright lights emerged into the Ethydon kingdom. At first, I thought it might be another fire, but when my eyes adjusted, I saw they were actually thousands of soldiers. It was the Obscurum Army, and they were headed right for Ethydon. I knew this would mean a bloody battle, and I couldn’t imagine there would be many survivors. Aveladon was outnumbered even with Ethydon on our side.
“Is that an army?” Sunn asked fearfully from behind me. I didn’t reply; we both knew the answer. I turned us back into the trees, unsuccessfully trying to push away my worries for those I loved. Clenching my jaw, I set my eyes determinedly on the path ahead and pressed on toward the ocean.
I COULD HEAR Sunn yawn from behind me and knew she was falling asleep. We stopped
for the night, and together we rummaged around the forest constructing a bed of pine needles big enough for the two of us. We curled up together underneath the blanket I had stolen from the castle, but it did little to keep out the cold. Quickly, Sunn curled into my side for warmth, her shivers subsiding.
“I’m scared, Sabeara,” she mumbled sleepily, and I was surprised to find her still awake.
“What can I do to make you less scared?” I asked, closing my eyes.
Sunn didn’t seem like the type to get afraid. After that day I rescued her from the horse, I knew she was a daring, vibrant young woman. But at that moment it was as if she were a young child again. I wanted to do the same thing, curl up and have someone hold me. My mind was exhausted from the emotional turmoil and the long journey had made my body weak with fatigue. But I knew I didn’t have a guardian to protect me now. And neither did Sunn. I was suddenly the oldest, most experienced person in the situation, and I felt obligated to protect her.
“Will you sing to me?”
I paused for a moment at her unusual request.
“I don’t know any songs to sing.” It wasn’t exactly true—one song in particular came into my head.
“Please,” she asked again. “My mother used to sing to me when I was afraid or scared. I think it will help.” Hearing her talk about her mother was what finally made me give in to her request.
“All right, but it’s not going to be good.”
She didn’t protest and just snuggled in closer to me. I sighed and thought back to the lullaby Mid had sung to me in Ethydon. Memories filled my head of his talented fingers playing across the guitar strings, and his harmonic voice. I hadn’t realized until recalling the memory, how tightly I had been holding onto it.
Close your eyes, child oh child.
You are not alone.
You're safe here In my arms.
Rest your head, child oh child.
Sunn sighed and a small smile came to her lips. I continued, seeing she was satisfied with my attempt.
The sun will rise, the sun will rise.
Let the sun rise, let it rise.
Rest your head child oh child.
You’re not afraid.
You're brave here in my arms.
Memories of Mid's voice singing the same words carried their way into my wounded heart. I let them linger for a moment and allowed myself to imagine his eyes, his skin, his soft lips. His presence overwhelmed me and quelled my fears until finally, I fell asleep.
THIRTY-TWO
The following morning we stumbled upon the village. A sign reading “Seaporte” in delicate black letters was the first indication we were close to the docks. I could see the ocean in the distance. The morning horizon shimmered as it reflected off the water's edge. Small bungalows with straw roofs dotted the sandy streets, each home and little shop constructed with rotting walls and withered wooden doors. Many people wandered about with wagons and wheelbarrows carrying fish, crabs, oysters, and all sorts of sea fare. The air smelled salty, and it was a delicious tropical aroma that made my stomach growl.
I halted our horse outside a fish shop and peered into the storefront window. Inside was a woman chopping up the slimy creatures on a cutting board. She was humming to herself.
“Excuse me, would you mind pointing me in the direction of the docks?” I asked her.
She looked up, flashing a toothless smile when she saw me. “Just keep going down the road, dear. The harbor is straight ahead.”
I thanked her and returned to Sunn, who was feeding the dapple gray a bunch of sea grass.
“Come on, Sunn. This way.” We continued through the village, the brown and green flags waving to us merrily from the bungalow roofs. We got a couple of prurient glances from the townsfolk, but nothing was said as we passed through.
The tall ships in the distance weren’t hard to miss. They had vast poles, with stark white sails that whipped in the ocean winds. There were dozens of them docked on the harbor. Many sailors were working, anchoring or transporting goods in and out of the big ships.
I didn’t know which one would be taking Sunn to the Isles and I felt uncertain what to do next. Luckily someone recognized us and I heard someone call out Sunn’s name.
“Sunn!”
At first, I didn’t know whose voice it was. There were so many people moving about the harbor, I could barely see through the hordes of people. Eventually, a man dressed in a soldier uniform and a brown cloak pushed his way through the crowd. When he neared us, he effortlessly picked up Sunn into a hug and twirled her around in his arms.
“Father,” she sobbed, and she held onto him, clutching him tightly.
I watched shyly from the side at their little reunion, feeling like I was intruding on something private.
He let her down after a moment, but still held her close. He brushed her wild carmine hair from her eyes and gazed at her like she was the only person in the universe.
“You’ve grown,” he said to her.
“I’m not a kid anymore father.” She good-naturedly brushed his hands away from her face.
Embrosine’s husband was very handsome. He had a head of honey blond hair and mesmerizing cobalt blue eyes. He was tall, very tan, and built like a soldier. When he noticed me standing off to the side, he released Sunn and came over to grasp my hands firmly in his big calloused ones.
“Hello, my name is Ashelor. I am Sunn’s father.”
“Sabeara Aigoviel,” I replied shyly.
“Thank you for bringing her.” There was a pained look in his eyes.
“The battle has begun then?” he asked and looked over at Sunn with increased worry.
“This village is not safe,” I advised.
He nodded in understanding. “My soldiers are going to fortify the village and help evacuate soon.”
“I better be heading back. I need to let everyone at the castle know she made it safely,” I said, and when Sunn looked over at me, her green eyes had tears in them. She ran to me and hugged me tightly.
“Sabeara, I won’t forget you.”
I stroked her bright red curls, trying not to get emotional.
“I won’t forget you either, Sunn.” I wanted to tell her everything was going to be fine, but I didn’t know that.
“Thank you again for bringing her to me.” Ashelor turned toward the docks, and I let Sunn go, watching her and her father walk back through the throngs of people toward the ships.
I stood in the crowd for a moment, watching them disappear. I was alone despite being surrounded by people. I could feel the emptiness now as I stood there without Sunn by my side. I watched the ocean water slosh up onto the dock and seep into the cracked wooden crevices. I had never seen the ocean before and it was truly a masterpiece. It was hard to enjoy its beauty though, knowing what was happening back in Ethydon. I stared at the glittering waves, and the sun bouncing off its glossy surface until I knew I needed to start back again.
My horse was waiting patiently for me when I returned. I grabbed the reigns and was about to place my foot in the stirrup when I noticed my saddle bag had fallen. All of my belongings, including my mother's book, had become haphazardly sprawled out on the white sand.
I looked at my mother's book half-submerged beneath the tiny glistening pebbles. It was open to the page with the final battle scene. The dragon with its fiery breath had his body curled around one of the castle's turrets and was trying to destroy the princess and her army. The princess was fighting back against the dragon king and was using her magical amulet. With the book turned upside down the scene looked much different. It was almost as if the fire was coming from the princess’s amulet instead, and she was aiming her flame directly at the castle. Something inside me stirred at the sight of the image.
The things Sunn had said to me the night before filled the back of my mind, and it was as if the very words were shouting at me to listen. Standing there I wondered, Had I been reading the story all wrong?
Maybe I wasn’t supposed
to be the princess after all. Maybe I was supposed to be the dragon.
I TRADED one of my daggers with one of the village women, who gave me food rations and a place to stay for the night. The little room had barely enough space to move, taken up by a small cot with a meager old pillow and quilt. But I wasn’t about to complain and thanked the woman for her generosity.
I swallowed down a couple of pieces of bread with cheese and even forced down a strip of raw fish. I crawled into the small cot as the sun left the sky and by the light of a small candle, settled back against the wall to read. I opened my mother's book and unhooked the amulet from around my neck. I took several hours examining the token and the story in front of me. The amulet was now glowing blue and I could only assume it was because I’d touched Embrosine in the music room.
My nagging suspicions continued to berate me. I knew it was crazy to assume that I had a bigger role in breaking the curse. But something in me was reluctant to return to Ethydon. I didn’t want to see the heartbreaking remains of what used to be the kingdom. I feared if everyone I loved was even still alive. Vivid memories of being back in the Obscurum camp and Obsidian nearly crushing the heart of one of his men, filled my head. I could only hope they made it to safety and that Embrosine hadn’t succumbed to Obsidians vile gift.
Obsidian was a whole other problem that pulsed in the back of my head and every time I tried to figure out the feud of our connected past, I began to get a headache.
There were several things that I knew for sure. One, he was my cousin and long ago we had played together as children. I assumed we must’ve been close, maybe even friends. Second, his father was related to me somehow. I couldn’t remember his name, but I could clearly see his face and knew his eyes were nearly identical to my mother’s. And third, something my family had done caused Obsidian and his father to be very angry, enough to join Obscurum and attack our kingdom.
Granted (Granted Series Book 1) Page 24
