by A J Park
“No, Uncle,” she said firmly. “I chose to do it and, if I had a chance to do it over again, I would do the same thing.”
“Even after everything that’s happened? Look at you,” he exclaimed, standing up and pacing the room. “Look at what’s happened to you. You were nearly killed several times. How can you say that you’d do it again? What could possibly make it worth it?”
“They are beautiful people, Uncle, good-hearted, brave and kind. Galenor would have killed them. How could I stand by and let him do that?”
He nodded. “You did well to save them. I’m proud of you for it.” After a slight pause, he sighed heavily. “There’s more, isn’t there?”
She smiled. She had to tell him, sooner or later. She’d been putting it off, not knowing how he would feel about it. “Yes, there’s more, Uncle.”
“Don’t tell me,” he said shaking his head. “Somehow, in the middle of all this, you fell in love with one of the black-masked men?”
“Yes,” she said.
He sat down and took her hand. “Tell me everything.”
She looked back at him and into her mind came the thought of how it felt when Kalleck’s arms were around her. She felt her cheeks color. Uncle Telthan didn’t need to know exactly everything.
“It has been hard,” she said, “since we parted. I had no idea what was about to happen. There were times when I was alone, times when I thought I was going to die, and many times when I was afraid. I was with people who had completely different customs, a different language. Not many of them can speak Almorian, although Kalleck can.”
Uncle Telthan nodded. “He told me that he spent years learning it, just so he would be able to communicate with me.”
“He did it for his people. He is a great leader, and I think most of them know it, although only a few realize exactly what he’s gone through for them. Our people did a great deal of damage, Uncle. We killed Kalleck’s father and many others of his people.”
“Yes,” the king said sadly. “I can understand why many of them are angry.”
She nodded. “He had every right to be angry. Sometimes, he was. But he was kind to me and to Olthorin, and he treated us as well as he could, even though we were enemies. I understand why he needed to keep me alive, but he didn’t have to be kind. The longer I was with them, the more I wanted to join their people. I believe Kalleck would do anything for me. I love him.”
Uncle Telthan smiled a little sadly. “I knew the days of you saving the first dance for me wouldn’t last forever. And I’ve already watched the way Kalleck cares for you. It’s obvious in everything he does. I can see why you would want to stay with him.”
She pulled him close and hugged him. “Thanks for understanding.”
Shalyrie heard a knock at the door and called, “Come in.”
Telthan got to his feet. “It seems there’s someone else who wants to see you,” he said with a smile.
It was Lorelei. “You’re awake!” she exclaimed, running to Shalyrie and taking her hand.
“I’ll give you girls some time alone,” Telthan said, retiring.
“I would hug you,” Lorelei explained, “but I don’t want to hurt you.”
Shalyrie smiled. “You’re all right! You’re safe! And you’re here. How did you get here?”
“I met the king outside the valley and came here with him,” Lorelei explained. “You were hurt. I… I had to stay with you. I thought you were going to die.”
“Me too,” Shalyrie admitted.
“I don’t know how you survived that day on the bridge. I thought I’d never see you again. And somehow, you talked to them and convinced them to help you and make peace. I thought they had killed you. I would never, never have left you, no matter what. The only reason I did was—”
“What?” Shalyrie asked.
“Your brother threw me off the bridge. Where is Olthorin, by the way?”
“We don’t know where he is, but the king’s men are searching. I hope we’ll find him soon.”
They fell into a worried silence.
“He’ll be all right? They wouldn’t hurt him, would they?” Lorelei asked.
“We hope not,” Shalyrie said. “And we won’t stop looking until we find him. Kalleck will send men to look too. We’ll find him.”
“I hope so.” Lorelei said. “Who could have imagined what this journey would be like when we left Almoria? It’s been…” she paused, at a loss for words.
“I know,” Shalyrie agreed.
CHAPTER 40
Kalleck, Son of Gallidack, First Guardian of the Yalkur
Shalyrie was sleeping again when Kalleck came back. King Telthan was still there, watching over her. Kalleck entered the room quietly and sat down in a chair beside the king.
“How is she?” he asked.
“Better,” the king said.
Kalleck could see how much Telthan cared about her, the love in his eyes when he looked at her. He wouldn’t willingly give her up, not after everything that had happened. He would guard her with all his power. He would never want to let her out of his sight again.
They sat in silence for a long while.
“There is one more thing you want from me, isn’t there?” King Telthan asked finally. It was like he knew exactly what Kalleck had been thinking.
Slowly, Kalleck nodded.
The king didn’t look angry, but he sighed heavily. “I know what you want, and perhaps it is fitting that you desire the most precious treasure in my realm, that which I am least willing to give up, as payment for the wrongs we have done to your people.”
“I would never ask for her in payment,” Kalleck protested. “I love her.”
“You love her,” Telthan said. “But even that would not sway my decision, except for one thing.”
“What is that?” Kalleck asked. He didn’t know what he was going to do if the king didn’t agree, but he wasn’t willing to give Shalyrie up. He needed the goodwill of the sea-king. His people needed it. After all he had done to stop the fighting, he couldn’t afford to start it again now.
The king looked hard at Kalleck. “She is dearer to me than anything in my realm. And I would never lightly agree to give her up, except she loves you too. I wanted to take her home with me, to keep her safe, but she’s not willing to leave you.”
Kalleck felt relief ease the knot in his stomach. She loved him. And she would fight to stay with him. She wouldn’t let the king take her away. Shalyrie. He looked at her beautiful face, still as she slept.
“If I agree to this, you must promise me that you will keep her safe—that you will make her happy.”
Kalleck met his eye. “I promise,” he said. “I give my heart and soul to her. I will do everything I can for her.”
“Will you come with her to visit Almoria? I will commit all my resources to your safety if you do.”
The thought of going into the heart of the sea-folk—traveling by ship, surrounded by Almorians—made him feel very uncomfortable, to say the least. Finally, Kalleck nodded slowly. “When the peace has had time to settle, and we have successfully established our diplomatic contacts, then we will come and visit the land of Shalyrie’s birth. And we will come to Newport as well. I know that you will wish to see her.”
“Yes,” Telthan agreed. “I am not consenting to send her out of my life completely.”
CHAPTER 41
Lady Shalyrie Almorin
Shalyrie woke to see Kellji kneeling beside her bed. Her Yalkur friend took her hand wordlessly.
“Kellji…” Shalyrie’s voice was a broken whisper. “How can you ever forgive me?”
Kellji pulled her close, and they cried.
“If not for me—” Shalyrie began.
“It wasn’t your fault,” Kellji said.
“But you must blame me, somewhere inside. I came back and h
e didn’t, and it was because of me.”
Kellji swallowed and wiped her eyes. “No, Shalyrie. It was because of them. You didn’t cause any of this. And you had no choice in what they did to you. You know they meant to kill him anyway. You couldn’t have done anything differently.”
“I’m so sorry, Kellji!”
They held each other for a long time. Finally, Kellji kissed her forehead and slipped away again.
Shalyrie was lost in her grief until someone took her hand. She looked up to see her uncle. He put his hand on her forehead. “Are you all right?” he asked.
She smiled a little. “Not really,” she said. “I hope you never feel what I feel right now. Sinnar saved my life, and they killed him for it. He was my friend. But Kellji… loved him. I feel like it’s my fault that he didn’t come back.”
“I know what it’s like to feel responsible for someone’s death,” he said. “I’m the king. I’ve sent men out who didn’t come back. In a way, I’m responsible for every one of them. Sometimes, they were my friends.”
Shalyrie took his hand. “It hurts, Uncle.”
CHAPTER 42
Kalleck, Son of Gallidack, First Guardian of the Yalkur
Kalleck went to the room they had given Finn, and met Kern on his way out the door.
“How is he?” Kalleck asked.
“I think he will live,” Kern said. “I don’t know why those sea-folk have such a need to poison people. I hope this is the last time! I’m sure without the Sacred Water, none of you would be alive now. It does more good than any of my skill.”
“Thank you for caring for him,” Kalleck said. “Even though he’s one of them, he saved our lives.”
“Then I’m glad we could save his,” the old man said gruffly. “How is Shalyrie feeling this morning?”
“She’s improving.”
“Good,” Kern said nodding. “I’ll check on her before I go.”
“Thank you, Kern.”
The old man disappeared down the hall and Kalleck entered the room. Finn was lying in the bed, warmly covered.
“May I come in?” Kalleck asked.
“Kalleck? Is that you?” Finn asked raising his head from the pillow and looking into Kalleck’s masked face.
“Yes.” Kalleck sat down in the chair beside the bed.
Finn sank back against the pillow in relief. “I thought you were dead. I thought we were all dead. Is Shalyrie all right?” “It will take her time to recover,” Kalleck said, “but she is safe.”
“That was the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” Finn said. Closing his eyes and shaking his head. “What kind of man would do what he did to her?”
Kalleck sighed. “The worst kind of man there is.”
“I would have killed him,” Finn said seriously. “He deserves it. I still will if I get the chance.”
“He’s already dead,” Kalleck said. “I had to do it. There was nothing else I could do.”
Finn took a deep breath. “I’m glad.”
“Finn, I thank you for your loyalty, not just to Lady Shalyrie, but to me. You saved our lives more than once. And you were faithful to her when it almost cost you your life.”
“I promised the king I would protect her,” Finn said, meeting Kalleck’s eyes frankly.
“You did. She’s safe now.”
Finn looked around the room. “Where am I?”
Kalleck smiled behind his mask. “Welcome to the Hidden City.” It wasn’t as hidden as it had been before the attacks, but that couldn’t be helped now.
“Did your people bring me here?”
“Yes.”
“You saved my life, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you,” Finn said. “I know you must have guessed how I feel about Shalyrie. And even though you saved my life, I would still try to win her love away from you. I would try, except…” Finn shook his head sadly. “She loves you. There’s nothing I could ever do to make her look at me the way she looks at you.”
“I’m sorry, Finn. And I’m very grateful for what you did.”
The Council gathered a week after the battle. They had been scattered, and some of them had been killed or injured.
When they had all arrived, Kalleck came to the council table. Hannal was seated to his right, faithful and steady. Sinnar’s chair had been left empty. Allemi was there, along with Ammur, the two other surviving clan chiefs and Tarkan, as Second Leader of the Hunter Clan. He wasn’t the only second leader present. Dalmar, son of Dalron, Third Leader of the Farmer Clan, was also present, since they had lost both their first and second leaders. They all waited quietly as Kalleck took his seat.
He took a deep breath and paused for a moment before he spoke. “There are no words to describe the effect this war has had on our people,” he said finally. They all looked back at him, and he could see that they shared his feelings. “Each of us has suffered loss. Each clan has been affected. There is no real way to count the cost.” He stopped and stared at Sinnar’s empty chair. There was silence around the table.
He went on. “But we are alive, and our people are safe now. The war is over. The sea-king is here, ready to address this Council. Our intention is to make an agreement for peace. Each of you has a voice in this Council. The sea-king said he would tear down the whole city of Newport if we ask it. What terms shall we ask for?”
They all discussed it back and forth. The Farmer Clan was in favor of having the Almorians leave and never come back. The Iron Clan wanted to see Newport destroyed. However, the Stone Clan didn’t want the buildings of Newport harmed because of the work their people had put into them. The Tanner and Hunter Clans initially wanted to have the Almorians leave, but after some discussion saw the benefit of allowing them to remain.
In the end, they agreed that Newport would remain, that the Almorians would take down Galenor’s bridge, and that no Almorian would cross the river without the permission of the Council. Ambassadors would be appointed on both sides to represent the interests of their people and they would be able to freely come and go.
“Are we ready to meet with him?” Kalleck asked them. Slowly, they nodded. Each of them covered their faces, and Kalleck nodded to one of the guards, who soon returned with the sea-king and his companions. Kalleck and the other council members stood to show their respect.
King Telthan was accompanied by three of his captains, Gareth and, last of all, Shalyrie. She was unquestionably on her feet, upright, and if she walked a little slower than usual, it wasn’t too noticeable.
Karrah was also in attendance. She translated for both Almorians and the Yalkur so that everyone could understand what was said.
“Welcome to the Yalkur Council,” Kalleck said. “Please, sit down.”
They all sat.
“Thank you for your gracious welcome, First Guardian,” King Telthan said. “I am very sorry for the suffering this conflict has caused your people. It has never been our intention to take over the lands claimed by others. As a matter of fact, it’s been my command that any land we occupy should be unsettled. What Galenor did was without my knowledge and certainly without my approval. I know there is no way that I can make up for the harm he has caused to you and your people. He killed your loved ones, stole your lands, and enslaved many of your people, and that was wrong. I am hoping that we can come to a conclusion that restores your faith in Almoria. I am prepared to hear your terms.”
Kalleck nodded. “We agree to leave Newport in your hands, provided that you put the city in the charge of someone who will protect our interests. We will send an ambassador there. He, or she, is to be treated with respect along with all their attendants , and they are to be actively involved with the running of the city. Many of our people were killed there, during that first battle. We want to know where they are buried, and we must be able to freely visit the place to pay our respects.
”
The king nodded in agreement.
Kalleck went on. “The river shall be the boundary of our lands. We will not cross the water in arms, and we will not attack any of your people on the east side. We ask that none of your people cross to our side without the permission of this Council. We reserve the right to defend our lands and any Almorian who comes here without our permission is under a sentence of death. Galenor’s bridge must be completely removed. All his captains, leaders and supporters must be reassigned to other areas of your realm. None of them are to remain in Newport or anywhere nearby. If there are any of our people still captive in Newport, they are to be released at once. We also ask that any artifacts or personal possessions that belong to the Yalkur be returned.”
“Is there anything else?” King Telthan asked.
“No. Only that I also regret the loss of life caused by this conflict. Our peoples are not so different. We wish to go forward as friends.”
“Thank you, First Guardian,” the king said. “I agree to your terms.”
Kalleck looked across the table at Shalyrie, and she smiled.
They wrote out two copies of their treaty, each written in both Yalkur and Almorian, and Kalleck and King Telthan signed them. With the last signature, the onlookers rose to their feet, clapping and cheering.
“It is done then,” Kalleck said, extending his hand to the king. Telthan took it and clasped it warmly. “Tomorrow there will be a celebration of our new peace.”
CHAPTER 43
Lady Shalyrie Almorin
Shalyrie and Lorelei had risen early. One of Kalleck’s men had knocked on the door, and when Shalyrie opened it she saw several trunks and boxes. They were very familiar to her. “How did you…?” she began.
“The sea-king’s men brought these and requested that we bring them to you,” the guard said.
