Keepers of the Crown

by Lydia Redwine

  Joel nodded in agreement. He opened his mouth as if to add something but then hesitated. Cam caught the look and waited until his gaze met hers.

  “You didn’t bring us all the way out here to show us all this, did you?” she asked quietly.

  Joel nodded. “I wanted to talk to you two, just us...and Fiera when we get back.”

  Cam stiffened. “What about?”

  “Let’s walk north a little way more. The ruins extend for some length beyond this point,” Joel said at last. His tone seemed forced as if he was aiming to shake off the weight of the silence that had descended upon the vicinity.

  When exiting the library, Cam peered over the ruins they had already left behind them. So numerous were the fallen buildings that a tingle shuddered up her spine. The Tower of the Watchers was far behind them, the only point above the fallen cities.

  Instead of walking ahead of them, Joel fell into step between Cam and Caleb. “Now, tell me, what are you two and your friend really doing outside of Mirabelle?”

  Cam froze. She glanced at Caleb. Of course, Joel had known they had been lying the night before. “Butdowe trusthim with the truth?” she asked Caleb silently.

  “Do you remember how we said we have a great curiosity of our magic?” Caleb asked at last. Joel nodded. “Well the curiosity is not exactly what it is but rather...where it’s gone. You see, it’s disappeared. It’s been stolen or destroyed for all we know.”

  Joel halted, his eyes widening. “Andyou’regoingto try to get it back.”

  It was not a question but Cam affirmed it with a nod of her own. “Yes, and no. We are searching for someone who may know its whereabouts as well as…” she trailed off, looking again to Caleb.

  “As well as something else the Spirit Followers values very much,” Caleb said at last.

  Joel looked interested. “And what might that be?” he asked quietly. Caleb and Cam were silent for a long moment. Joel shifted in the quietness. “I understand why you may not trust me…”

  “We don't know you,” Cam replied gently.

  Joel was quiet for a time, longer than his companions had kept their mouths sealed. “If it's the Crown of Caelae you’re looking for, I think I can help.”

  Cam and Caleb froze first, glancing at each other with widened eyes and parted lips. Joel’s steps ceased as he looked at both of them in turn. He did not wear a smirk for guessing their quest but nodded in his own affirmation. “What else would the Spirit Followers want? It's all they ever spoke of for years.”

  Cam and Caleb looked at each other questioningly. “But how do you know this?”

  Joel seemed to sense the question. “You see, for years, Watchers and Spirit Followers warned the people of Enboria that if they continued to turn against Elyon, they would be taken by Mingroth. They spoke of a savior to come.”

  “And did they speak of the Crown too?” Caleb queried.

  Joel shook his head. “No, but...when I was young, nearly young enough to not remember, four people passed through our land on their way west. They said that they had come from Mingroth. One of them called himself a Watcher and he spoke of the Crown. They called themselves the Protectors. My father sent them packing for their socalled crazy notions.”

  “Who were they?” Cam breathed.

  “Azariah Rashka, Mishael and Hananiah Edrun, and…Daniel Adriel.”

  The names clanged into Cam’s skull. She had not ceased her steps this time, but slowed, nearly stumbling. The familiarity…

  “Edrun...Adriel,” she said as she whipped her gaze once more to meet Caleb’s.

  “Peter…” he breathed.

  “And Owen! Shael was his father. Wait, did you say Shael and…”

  “Hananiah, yes,” Joel finished.

  “Shael has a sister?”

  Joel nodded. “Yes, and she married Azariah Rashka. They left here and we don’t know what’s happened to them.”

  “Daniel and Shael settled in Mirabelle,” Caleb said quickly.

  “And Azariah and Hana established Nazeria. Which means…”

  “That Owen is the queen’s cousin!” Caleb announced.

  “Hold on. What?” Joel interceded.

  But Cam went on, excitement alighted within her. “Which would make Owen the next heir to the Nazerian throne if Elizabeth’s son were not to take it upon her death.”

  “Does Owen know?” Caleb asked.

  Cam shook her head. “If he did, he would have told me.” Cam turnedto Joel andgraspedhis arm. “Didtheprotectors ever mention someone named Ilea?”

  Joel’s lips parted. “Yes, actually. Theyhad left her behind or something of the sort.”

  “She is who we’re searching for,” Caleb announced.

  Understanding and realization flashed in Joel’s expression. “And you’re looking for her because you believe she knows something about the whereabouts of the Crown.”

  “Exactly,” Cam replied.

  “But...where would you even start? You can’t exactly march into Mingroth and ask the queen.” Joel said after a long minute in which he had quietly reflected on the words Cam and Caleb had spoken.

  Cam froze. Ask the queen…

  Silva…

  “No, we won’t have to do that,” she murmured. “What do you mean?” Caleb asked.

  Cam looked to him. She knew where they could go next, but fear coiled in her stomach. She then looked to Joel. “Remember when we said that part of our company left us?”

  Joel nodded.

  “Well, while that is true, it isn’t even half the story.”

  “Try betrayal,” Caleb said coldly.

  “Try one of them was a prisoner in Mirabelle and had an agenda of his own,” Cam added. “We aren’t the only people looking for Ilea and the Crown, but we’re the only ones doing it for our people instead of for…

  “For whatever hellish destiny Riah Drakon is seeking after,” Caleb finished.

  Joel’s eyes had widened further. His laugh was short and breathy as he raked a hand through his hair. “Sounds like you two have been through adventures I’ve only read about.”

  “You don’t even know,” Caleb muttered. He glanced to Cam. “But what does Riah have to do with any of this?”

  Cam swallowedthefear risingin her chest. “InsideRiah’s bag there was a map and he had circled a place called the Forest of Thorns. Now, that doesn’t mean Ilea is there, but...Riah was going there after we were dead.”

  “But,” Caleb added eagerly, “it could mean he was meeting someone or had some purpose that could help us.”

  “Exactly,” Cam said solemnly. “But that means…”

  “Bringing us closer to Mingroth,” Joel finished. He glanced at Cam and seemed to remember the gravity of his statement. “That queen must have been one hell of a mother.”

  Cam nodded, her mind and body suddenly heavy. Her face was grim when she said, “I’ve been in danger ever since I learned I was a Royal of my homeland. It won’t matter much.” She turned to Caleb. “We should depart as soon as Fiera is healed.”

  “I’m going with you,” Joel said. Cam and Caleb turned slowly to face him.

  Cam glanced at Caleb. “Not a good idea…” Aloud, she said, “But your father…”

  “Can get over it,” Joel cut in. “I need...away from this.” He gestured all around them. Cam looked at Caleb once more, both sifting the idea through their minds.

  At last, Caleb sighed. “Perhaps he should, Cam. Especiallysincehe’s helpedus somuchalready.” Joel’s returning grin was appreciative. “Thank you, Joel, for everything you’ve done so far.”

  Cam understood Joel more than she could express. Leaving Medulla and that house where Silva and Terra and Grandfather still haunted halls and corners…

  It had been a blessing. “I need to send letters,” she blurted out. Caleb and Joel both glanced over their shoulders at her. “To Mirabelle.”

  Caleb noddedin understanding. “Silva is morea threat to our home than ever now.” Cam nodded and swallowed h
ard. Panic rose in her chest.

  “There isn’t anyone for miles to take anything to Mirabelle,” Joel said. His expression bore concern. “Even my brothers…” He shook his head. “I doubt they would take on such a task.”

  Caleb and Cam shared a grim glance. “It would be better to go home, Caleb,” she said quietly. He nodded in grave agreement.

  “Wait,” Joel said at last. “Maybe…one ofmy brothers can take it into the swamplands. There are some who hunt through there. Hunters as far as from Caranthia, Nazeria…”

  “There’s no guarantee word would reach them,” Caleb said.

  Cam looked for a long time between Joel and Caleb. “I hate choosing,” she said at last.

  Joel’s eyes softened and he swept a hand through his hair. “I know.”

  “But…” Cam continued, “it’s worth a shot. That way we head to where Riah was going. We find out as much as we can and hope we can return before Silva makes another move.”

  “Because what is the purpose of going home if we have no defense, no magic?” Caleb added.

  Cam nodded. “If she was the one who took our magic, it won’t matter if they are warned or not.” She choked on her next words. They felt like fire in her throat. “There will beno hope for Mirabelle.”

  Twelve

  The scream severed the silence.

  Riah jerked awake, his mind drifting from the dream plaguing him to find a fresh nightmare before him. They were far off, but the screams seemed to be coming from inside of Riah himself. The sound sliced the air again, and Riah’s hand flew to his ears as he staggered up the stairs to the main deck.

  They were drifting miles off the coast and yet, even at this distance, their forms were enormous. Their wings beat the air as if threatening to bring down the clouds themselves. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled in the distance as if the sky itself were answering to them.

  Riah shuddered. A chill coursed through his body. “They are hungry,” came Leviathan's low voice. Riah spun to see his companion leaning against the rail. His fingers were laced together and his one eye narrowed to view his Shadow Wings.

  “I was inclined to think they were starving,” came Riah’s voice more shakily than he had intended.

  Leviathan did not look amused. “They do not often appear here. They came to me when I needed them at Imber Fel, but before then, these creatures were invisible for centuries.”

  Riah came to Leviathan's side and leaned on the ship’s railing as his companion did. The creatures were numerous. Perhaps twelve of them, and they were circling the waters. “And...now,” Leviathan murmured. At these words, the creatures dove toward the sea, their screams curdling the air around them before they vanished beneath the surface. Riah could not contain the cold that shuddered up his spine.

  And then they were soaring above the waters again, the sea glistening silver and green on their slimy, scaled flesh. Fish the size of Riah himself were thrashing between their teeth. Riah’s eyes widened.

  “Did the Prince create the Shadow Wings?” Riah breathed as he gazed at the winged creatures.

  Leviathan shook his head. “No. Elyon granted them to Lucius when he fell from Caelae to have dominion here. Lucius...can’t create anything.”

  Riah’s brows rose. “What?”

  Leviathan only shrugged. “Elyon won’t let him.”

  “Then how did the Infernal magic come to be? Did Elyon create that too?”

  “I do not know. Either it has always existed or Elyon created it Himself.”

  “I would think Elyon would have created it if it exists at all,” Riah surmised.

  Leviathan turned a narrowed eye to Riah. “But Elyon exists. Who created Him?”

  Riah’s lips parted but no words could be formed. His mind stumbled around the question.

  “And if Elyon and the magic of Caelae, which comes in the form of His spirit, has always existed, why wouldn’t the Infernal magic have always existed as well?”

  Riah shook his head as if to shake the effort it took to even begin wrapping his mind around it. He then released a short laugh. “I find it surprising that you don’t know.”

  Leviathan leveled a glare at him. “Meaning?”

  It was too late back out now. “All I mean is that you seem to know most things about...well, things I don’t know about.”

  Leviathan looked out at the sea again. “There are things I don’t know, oh esteemed Prince of Gnosi. I was human once, you know.”

  Riah bristled at the title, but his curiosity was more prominent than his irritation. “What about...the Vanishing Kings? I read about them in one of the books you gave me but it just mentioned them. Do you know anything about them?”

  Leviathan shifted as if he had been set at unease. “That...event was before my time, actually.”

  Riah scoffed. “Must have been as ancient as one can get.”

  Leviathan nodded before saying, “For five hundred years Lucius fashioned seven keys, one for each of the seven men who claimed themselves kings of the Between Realm. But Lucius, knowing himself to be the true ruler wanted vengeance. He lured them one by one according to their weaknesses and entrapped them in the Court of Curses for their now immortal lives, never to be released.”

  “And where is this Court of Curses at exactly?”

  “Even I do not know the answer to that,” Leviathan said, his voice grim. “And I don’t know that I would wish to know. I would be tempted to find a way to release them. But that would be a fatal mistake.”

  “You, speakingoffatalmistakes?” Riahtriedtosmile,but Leviathan would not share in his amusement.

  “And when Lucius finally locked them within the Court of Curses the rest of the realm just knew that they had...vanished. Gone. Into thin air. Never to be seen again. And the fact that all seven of them went at the same time had them give it a name. The Vanishing of Kings…”

  “And the end of the First Age,” Riah finished.

  Riahremained alone on Leviathan’s ship for the remaining

  days on the sea. When one of Leviathan’s hunched crew members signaled silently from the crow’s nest, another two dropped anchor, and Riah glimpsed pale, yellow light slicing the darkness on the horizon. As the ship drew closer to land, the sky and water melted into lighter tones.

  Shimmers of gold rippled the waters. The sun, although it was pale and fresh in the morning sky, blazed in Riah’s view, for he had not realized how much he had missed this much natural light during their voyage.

  With a jolt, the ship collided with soft land. Riah peered up at a mass of mountains twisting out of sight. They were not snow-capped or gray like the ones found in Gnosi but shadowed as if they had been quenched in fire. Twisting forests had sprung in the ashes and now infested the land.

  Riah didn't think he was breathing.

  Leviathan drew to his side to gaze at thepeaks too. “If we begin presently, we will reach the castle before nightfall.” The Shadow Bearer pointedto an openingin themountains. “We will take that passage. I hope you rested well. The Shadow Wings will not venture into those mountains so we will be on foot.”

  Riah clenched his cloak tighter around himself so that he could be partially shielded from the chilling wind. The sun warmed his face, but despite this, he drew the hood around his hair. He slipped a dagger into each boot and slung a bow and quiver of arrows over his back.

  Leviathan was speaking in a low voice to his crew and then tramping over the sodden ground lining the sea towards the mountains. Riah stood on the ramp of the ship as the crew remounted, passing him with their unblinking stares. “I had a jolly good time with you too,” he muttered as the last of them passed.

  Hoisting his baggage over his shoulder, Riah dismounted off the ship and followed after his guide.

  Even through the narrow ventured in, the sun shone. That funneled through the pass and a shadow blocked the sun. A shadow larger than any sort of cloud.

  And Leviathan kept gliding as if…

  As if the sight above
them was completely normal.

  Riah did not have time to gasp. Had nothing he could do but stand frozen where he was and trail his eyes over the massive creature soaring above him. Even more massive than…“The Shadow Wings,” he breathed. It was white, its silver feathers as long as Riah’s body.

  Riah ducked. The bird’s claws scraped the side of the mountain, the sound horrendous and echoing. The creature halted to fold its massive wings to its sides and turn…

  Turn slowly to eye Riah. Its black, beady eye fixated on the human. Its beak parted to release a shrilling sound. And Riah was sure the creature was larger than the mountain itself. The creature was a mountain. A mountain of strength and pride, glimmering above the pass.

  “Don’t gawk too much. We don’t want to offend the pride of the great Rocs anymore than necessary,” Leviathan said. Riah jumped, the voice right in his ear. The Shadow Bearer slipped two fingers beneath Riah’s chin andmoved it so that his hanging mouth was shut.

  mountain pass that they is...until a rush of wind

  “The Rocs…” Riah echoed. In a hushed tone, he said, “Whydoes it stareatmelikethat?” Hecouldnotrip his eyes from the gaze of the enormous creature.

  “Look,” Leviathan said, his finger pointing below them. Riah looked but only saw the whiteness of the passage floor, so lengthy it seemed to never end. But this part appeared...smoother than their pathhadbeen thus far. “Itstares, Riah, because,” Leviathan said slowly, “you are standing on its egg.”

  Before Riah glimpsed the fortress, he heard the sound of

  rushing and crashing water. The sound seemed to welcome him. It was… “Familiar.” The first glimpse that Riah caught of the fortress was through the line of towering pine trees which they had been walking through for several miles. The sunburst across the sky in a hazy, brilliant orange that muted the blue. This sun gleamed through the forests and mountains which rose as some sort of wall around the castle. The air both smelled and tasted of crisp freshness. Riah was sweating and caked in dirt from their trek through the mountain range. Although he was panting at every turn, Leviathan seemed as though he were merely strolling, as one would leisurely in a garden.