by A J Park
“I don’t know,” King Telthan said, shaking his head.
“Thank you for taking care of her,” the king said. “Is there anything else you can do for her?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
“Then leave us for a moment.”
Lorelei curtsied and departed.
The king took Shalyrie’s hand.
“What do you know about the poison?” Kalleck asked.
Telthan shook his head. “It is rare, but once in a while someone will accidentally touch one of the sea-stars. That happened to Shalyrie herself as a child. But the venom is so painful that anyone affected looks for treatment immediately. No one has ever waited for days to apply the cure. It would be too painful…” His words trailed off into silence and he looked down at Shalyrie.
“So you don’t know if what Galenor said was true?” Kalleck asked.
“No one has ever deliberately applied the poison. He made it sound as if he had tested it before.” King Telthan shuddered.
“You know of no other way to help her?” Kalleck asked.
Sorrowfully, Telthan shook his head.
“Then we must see if my people can help.”
“Can they do anything we haven’t already tried?” Telthan asked.
“Yes,” Kalleck said. “I need to take her to a place sacred to my people. But I cannot permit you to join us there. Will you trust me in this?”
King Telthan looked at him long and searchingly. Finally, he said, “Yes.”
“Good. Then we have to take her back into the valley. We will go in a moment. I… need to say farewell to my friend.”
“The one who saved her life?”
The First Guardian nodded silently.
Kalleck went back to the place below the stone pillar, where they had found Shalyrie. There were several crumpled forms still where they had fallen. He found Sinnar and knelt beside him.
Sinnar lay on his back with his arms at his sides, and someone, probably Tarkan, had placed a sword in his hand.
Seeing his body again made it real. Kalleck didn’t want it to be real. He wanted it to be a bad dream that he could wake up from to find Sinnar still alive. Angry, stubborn and mean, maybe, but always faithful, always brave. Kalleck bowed his head. Sinnar.
“You did it,” Kalleck said, looking down at Sinnar’s face. He didn’t look angry anymore. He looked peaceful, as if he knew they had accomplished their impossible errand. They had saved their people. “You saved them, Sinnar. You saved all of them. You were… the best of men. You saved my life so many times. And you saved her.”
Kalleck returned to the camp and saw King Telthan waiting for him. The Almorian woman stood beside him. “First Guardian Kalleck,” the king said gesturing to her, “this is Lorelei. She has been Shalyrie’s companion and friend for many years.”
Kalleck nodded to her. “I am grateful for the help you have given us.”
“I would do anything to help Shalyrie,” Lorelei said firmly.
“Then perhaps you would accompany the king to the Hidden City. We will take Shalyrie there, where we hope to find a cure for her fever.”
Lorelei looked at the king and he nodded. “I will come,” she agreed. “If you have some cure for this, I have someone else you must use it on. Follow me.”
They went to another tent and she held the door open. King Telthan and Kalleck went inside. Kalleck recognized the man lying there immediately. “Finn!” He knelt beside the Almorian. There were beads of sweat on his forehead. “Can you hear me, Finn?”
“Kalleck?” Finn muttered. “Don’t let them kill her. Promise me you won’t let them kill her?”
“I promise,” Kalleck said. “Just rest. It will be over soon.”
“He was with you?”
Kalleck nodded. “Until they took us out of the fortress. I didn’t know what had happened to him. I was afraid they had killed him. He stood up to Galenor, told him he was faithful to the king, and you had ordered him to keep her safe. Galenor didn’t like that.”
“I can see that,” King Telthan said.
“He saved our lives,” Kalleck said. “I will have my men bring him with us to the city.”
They went back to their horses. Kalleck helped Telthan mount behind one of the other riders. Two of the king’s soldiers brought Finn, and lifted him into the saddle. One of Kalleck’s men got on behind him and held the sick man, preventing him from falling. Kalleck mounted and the king’s men handed Shalyrie up to him. Lorelei followed close behind Shalyrie and watched as if to make sure she was held securely.
“Will she be all right, riding one of those things?” Lorelei asked Kalleck.
“I will make sure she is,” Kalleck answered. “You must ride too, if you’re coming with us.”
“Me?” She looked at the horses with round eyes.
“We have to get back to the city quickly.”
Lorelei looked at Shalyrie and then squared her shoulders and nodded. “All right.”
Kalleck nodded to one of his men, who dismounted and offered his hand to Lorelei to help her mount. Eventually, she made it up, and the rider got on behind her. “Is this safe?” she exclaimed, looking dubiously at the ground.
“He won’t let you fall,” Kalleck promised.
They rode as fast as they could. Kalleck was sure that Lorelei was not enjoying her first horse ride. He heard an occasional exclamation, even a shriek once as they went down through some rocks. The ride felt long to him as well. Shalyrie still moaned and muttered in her sleep, but she was growing worse, not improving. He could still feel the fever himself, and he was far beyond exhaustion.
The sun sank behind the rim and darkness had fallen by the time they reached the city. The way grew more crowded as they approached. Many of the people who had fled were now returning. There were wagons of wounded riders heading for the shelter of the city. People were searching along the road, looking for loved ones. It was all chaos and confusion. But Kalleck found a company of guards at the gate.
Kalleck addressed the guards in Yalkur. “Where is Kern?”
“I don’t know, First Guardian. There are many wounded,” one of them replied. “They are taking those seriously injured to the Hall. He’s probably there. I’m not sure he actually left the city.”
“Thank you. Please escort the sea-king to the Hall. I will be back soon. He saved all our people. Treat him with the greatest respect. And please take this man with him.” Kalleck pointed to Finn. “He saved my life. Use the sacred water to save his, if we can.”
“As you command, First Guardian.”
Kalleck turned to the king. “These guards will take you to my home where you can wait for me. I ask you to trust me now. I will return with her soon.”
“I don’t want to leave her,” Telthan said reluctantly.
“Where are you taking her?” Lorelei asked uncertainly. “What are you going to do?”
“Lorelei,” King Telthan said. “No more questions now.”
She fell into an unhappy silence.
“It will not be long,” Kalleck assured them.
Telthan still looked as if he wanted to object himself. For a long time, there was no response, but then he nodded in agreement.
Kalleck rode through the dark along the familiar path to the spring. In spite of the earlier battle and clamor, it was silent now, except for the soft footfalls of the horse. It was all over. Galenor was dead, his men captured. The fighting was done. All that was left now was to count the cost.
He looked down at Shalyrie, her features indistinct in the dark. She had truly given everything. She couldn’t die now, not when she had succeeded against all odds. He could see her pale skin in the starlight. She looked so still.
“Please, hold on,” he pleaded.
It didn’t take long to reach the spring. He dismounted and lifted her dow
n, setting her gently on the soft grass beside the water. He moistened a cloth in the spring water and bathed her face with it.
“Shalyrie, Beloved, wake up.”
She opened her eyes and looked up at him. Her eyes were full of terror and pain. “Please, Galenor. I’m so tired, no more. I can’t do it anymore.”
“You can rest soon,” he promised, “but you need to drink this first.” He offered a cup full of spring water and lifted her so she could drink, hoping that the more potent water fresh from the spring would grant her healing.
“I don’t want any…” she protested, turning her face away.
“Please, Beloved. Drink and then you can rest.”
She took a sip.
“That’s right,” he encouraged her, “Drink.”
“It’s good,” she murmured as her eyes closed.
“Yes.” He helped her take another sip, and then another. Slowly, she emptied the cup. He refilled it and gave her more. When she was done, she lay back and her breathing deepened.
“Shalyrie! Can you wake up?”
Slowly, she blinked and looked up at him. “Who are you? Kalleck is dead. I saw him die. And I couldn’t stop it from happening. I can’t bear it! I can’t wake up. Let me go. Let me sleep. It’s so dark now.”
Kalleck looked down at her. “I’m here, Beloved. I’m not dead, and everything is going to be all right.”
“Kalleck? It can’t be…” Her eyes closed again.
“No, Shalyrie. I’m here! Please, come back. Please, wake up.”
“I don’t want to wake up. I’m afraid of Galenor. He’s going to kill us.”
“Galenor is dead,” Kalleck said firmly.
“No… He got away.”
“Not this time. He’s dead.”
She looked up at him trying to make sense of what he had told her. “Is it true? I’m really here with you and Galenor’s dead?”
“It is true. The war is over and everyone is safe now. Galenor is dead.”
“Can you be sure?”
“I saw it. I’m sure. You’ve been dreaming for a long time now, but he can’t hurt you anymore.”
“I was afraid to wake up. It hurt so much. I don’t want to do it anymore. I have no strength left.”
“Drink this, and be strong,” Kalleck said, lifting her again and offering another cup of water.
This time she drank it eagerly. “It’s so good,” she said. “I had forgotten. I forgot everything, except seeing him over and over again in my mind.”
“He’s gone for good, and he’ll never hurt you again. Everything is all right now. You saved all of us.”
She closed her eyes again for a moment, and then looked up blinking. “I see stars,” she murmured. “Where are we?”
“We’re home,” he said. “We’re by the spring.”
“It’s beautiful here.”
He smiled a little then. “I’ve been so worried about you.” He bent close to kiss her cheek.
“Kalleck,” she sighed. “You’re here.”
“I will never leave you,” he promised. “Now drink this, and then have a nice, long sleep.” He put the cup to her lips. She drank obediently and then closed her eyes.
“Kalleck,” she whispered sleepily.
“Yes?”
She smiled slightly without opening her eyes. “Kiss me again.”
He kissed her lightly on the mouth, and she smiled again as she drifted peacefully into sleep.
As she rested on the grass, Kalleck knelt beside the Sacred Spring, drinking as much of the water as he could. He lifted her back onto the horse. His men had stretchers waiting at the gate, and he set her gently in one. He was so tired he wasn’t sure if he could have carried her back up the hill himself. In fact, if not for stubborn pride, he might have let them carry him too.
They met Telthan and Lorelei in the Hall of Guardians. He touched Shalyrie’s face, her hands. “What did you do to her?” he exclaimed. “She’s better. The fever seems lower, and she’s sleeping quietly.”
“She needs more rest,” Kalleck said, ignoring the question. “Follow me, please.”
They went up the stairs to the room that had become hers. Kalleck set her gently on the bed and covered her warmly.
King Telthan knelt beside her and looked at her closely. He touched her forehead again and listened to her breathing. “I don’t know how,” he said, amazed, “but the fever is gone, and she’s breathing deeply now. She looks peaceful.”
CHAPTER 38
Kalleck, Son of Gallidack, First Guardian of the Yalkur
Kalleck woke to the feeling that he’d been asleep for a very long time. His head felt clear and cool now, but every part of his body was stiff and sore. How were the others doing? Hopefully, they were recovering. But, no. Not Sinnar. Sinnar was dead. The memory stung.
Slowly and painfully, Kalleck got up and washed. The skin of his chest and arms was still raw from the sea-star venom, and the cuts on his ribs were tender. The thought of wearing armor now was unbearable. Gingerly, he pulled on a shirt. He found a spare mask and put that on too. It felt good to be clean and in his own clothes again.
He found the sea-king still watching over a sleeping Shalyrie. Kern was there too.
“How is she?” Kalleck asked.
“I believe she is out of danger,” Kern said. “But I’m sure her recovery will be painful.” He looked at Kalleck. “How are you?” He looked into Kalleck’s eyes and felt his skin. “Your fever is almost gone.”
“I’m all right,” Kalleck said. “I’m sure there are others who need your care much more today.”
“Yes, I have much to do. Don’t call me back here unless it’s urgent.”
Kalleck nodded and turned to the king. “What can I get for you? Our hospitality is not what it might have been.”
“I understand, of course,” the king said graciously.
They heard Shalyrie murmur, “Kalleck?” and they both turned to her.
Kalleck took her hand. “I’m here.”
“Is it over?” she asked.
“It’s over,” he said.
Her eyes filled with tears. He understood everything that she felt—relief, joy, gratitude, pain. He wished he could take his mask off. Even though they had forced him to break his traditions, he still wouldn’t break them by choice.
“It’s all over now,” he said, “You don’t have to do anything but rest. We’re all safe now, and your uncle is here.”
“Uncle Telthan?” she turned to look at him. “How did you get here? How did I get here?”
“Don’t worry about that now,” the king said. “How do you feel?”
“Tired and sore,” she said. “Were we in time? Did you stop Galenor’s men?”
“We did. The battle was already going on when we arrived, but we pulled all our people back immediately. The fighting is over,” Telthan assured her.
“I’m so glad,” she whispered, closing her eyes in relief.
She was alive. Kalleck couldn’t take his eyes off her. He had watched as Galenor and his men tortured her. He had been powerless to stop them as they had prepared to kill her. It had been the worst thing he had ever experienced. She had done everything to save his people, almost giving her life.
She looked back at Kalleck. “Did they kill Sinnar? He stopped them from killing me, and I couldn’t help him. I didn’t see what happened to him. Calreth was going to kill me. When he raised the knife, Sinnar knocked him down, and I didn’t see what happened after that.”
“Shalyrie…” Kalleck said.
She stared back at him, trying to deny what he had to tell her. “Your uncle stopped Galenor’s men, but we didn’t get there in time for Sinnar. He is dead.”
“No!” Shalyrie burst into tears. “He could have lived! If he hadn’t saved me, I would be dead now, an
d you could have saved him.”
“It wasn’t your decision,” Kalleck said. “It was his.”
“But he was my friend. I couldn’t do that to him.”
“We did the best we could. We made the best choices we could with what we knew. There’s no way to tell what the outcome would have been if we had done things differently.”
“I know, I know,” Shalyrie said, tears welling in her eyes. “But he’s gone, and I feel like it was my fault.”
“No, Beloved,” Kalleck said gently. “It was Galenor’s fault.”
After she had cried for a while, King Telthan reached out and took her hand from Kalleck. “I’m sorry, Shalyrie,” he said. “You’re so brave and you’ve been through so much, but it’s all over now.”
She nodded. “Did they kill Finn, too?”
“He’s here in the city and being treated for his injuries,” Kalleck assured her.
“I’ll make sure he is rewarded for his help,” Telthan said.
“And the others?” Shalyrie asked urgently. “Is Kellji safe? And your mother? And Hannal and his family?”
“I think they are. But they aren’t back here yet,” Kalleck said. “Many of our people are still on their way to the city. Hannal is alive, but he went west, following the ones who went that way.”
“Can we find out if there is any news?”
“I will go and look for news, but the first thing I needed was news of you,” Kalleck said in Yalkur. “You gave everything. You have my gratitude forever.”
She smiled a little and answered in Yalkur. “Only your gratitude?”
He smiled behind his mask. “You also have my love. Now and always.”
“I love you too,” she murmured.
He could see it in her eyes.
They gave her water and a little food, and then she slept again. When they could see she was deeply asleep, Kalleck looked at the king. “I think we need to speak, will you follow me?”
Kalleck led the king to another room that was used for meetings. He couldn’t use the council room, it was filled with wounded from the battle. He spoke to one of the guards in the hall. “Please find the soldier Gareth and bring him here. He was with the High Priestess. She was on her way back here and should be arriving soon. “Yes, First Guardian,” the man answered, going off down the hall.
