Keepers of the Crown

by Lydia Redwine

  Fiera gazed at him with a renewed perspective. “Yes, you’re right,” she said finally in a quiet tone. She felt her face flushing red and so turned away from him.

  Finally, through a ray of light, Fiera spotted a flock of crows. Her arrow whizzed through them, stringing two on one arrow. Caleb shot, quick as lightning, and another came plummeting to the ground. The others dispersed with wild cries.

  Caleb congratulated Fiera on shooting one crow through the eye and catching the second by its wing.

  “I’m pleased we’ve found something, even if crow doesn’t have a favorable taste,” Caleb commented. “I wonder how it would taste if we seasoned it with”

  Fiera interrupted him. "Why are you a Spirit Follower?"

  Caleb looked at her with some surprise. "I believe in Elyon, the creator and His will for my life. I believe I am fallen and I am in great need of His grace and mercy."

  Fiera seemed to consider his words thoughtfully. "What has He ever done for you?"

  Caleb offered a small smile. "Everything," he said in a quiet tone. He glanced down at his arrow which he fiddled between two fingers. Fiera cocked her head but did not ask Caleb to elaborate.

  She began walking again, this time towards the castle along the path. "If Elyon is perfect as Terra told me He was, why does He allow death? Torture? Suffering?”

  Caleb walked behind her, his steps were soft, his voice clear and calm. "To help us grow, mold and shape us." He paused. "I do believe that Elyon is in control of everything, but I also believe that He does not intervene at every moment. He allows us to make our own choices.”

  “Which is why the world is so fragmented sometimes?”

  Caleb nodded.

  Fiera sighed. “We should get back. They'll be wondering what became of us," she told him, locking her gaze with his. He gazed at her for a moment before taking the crows from her and swinging them over his shoulder. He fell into step beside her and with his free hand, slipped his fingers between hers, pressing his palm to her calloused flesh. Fiera's face warmed, but she did not take her hand from his as they returned to the castle.

  After Cam had eaten with the remaining patrons and they had

  gone away singing and juggling, she sought out Ilea. “I need to know more.” Cam had had questions last night but had gone to bed to mourn the fact that they were nowhere closure to finding the Crown. But perhaps now, the Crown wasn’t the only thing she needed to have on her mind. Not after Leviathan and is impending arrival had been mentioned.

  Cam found Ilea perched upon a window sill with her hand extended from the opening to a bough blossomed with lilacs. The woman did not notice Cam’s presence until the latter had approached the sill. In the light of day, even while it was dismal and gray, the woman seemed so graceful. As if she had had centuries practicing how to walk and hold herself, which was probably the truth.

  “How did it happen?” Cam inquired hesitantly, “The marking?”

  Ilea stared for a long time in the direction of Cam, but she did not look at her. Rather, she seemed lost, absentminded. “I made a choice. I took something that was not my own. I relied on my own strength, and it failed me. And then, in a moment of utter loneliness, I drank the marking liquid.”

  “And you’ve regretted it all these years?” Cam asked softly.

  Ilea tilted her head, considering the question. “Yes, at times. But now...I realize it's all a part of Elyon’s plan. I hate it sometimes, butjust think, ifIhadn’t taken it,it wouldhave fallen into another’s hands. The Crown of Caelae may not have ever come to me. Or if it had, it would have stayed in my possession for a very short time.”

  Cam gazed at Ilea for a long moment. She didn’t know what to think. Admiration. Awe. And many other things. “Did you have a family?”

  Ilea smiled sadly. “I birthed twins, actually, a boy and girl. The man I had been bound to, however, under the belief that I had sold my soul for immortal life, had me banished from the quaint community we had built. My children were fifteen then. I never saw any of them again.”

  Cam was surprised to find that Ilea looked neither complacent nor tearful but blank-faced instead. So, she had come to accept that part of her life a long time ago. “Where did you go after you were banished?”

  “My story is long, Camaria. I have been to many places.” Ilea smiled once again and dropped her hand from the lilac bush's bough. She was wearing dark clothing with patches of leather. Her midnight hair was tied into a braid. “I wandered the desert lands for many years and settled from village to village until persons began to suspect me. Eventually, I settled in a clan encampment for about a year after confiding in their leader my secret. He kept me safe until the clan was raided and myself and the other young women were kidnapped.”

  Ilea continued to speak in soft tones as Cam leaned forward in interest. “We sailed across the Scarlet Sea and up a river into the kingdom of Perez.”

  “You must have many stories.”

  “Not as many as you may think. Perhaps as many as one who has lived a normal span of time, for a majority of my life was spent wandering and trying to find my purpose.”

  “Did you discover it?”

  Ilea nodded. “Eventually, yet I still question at times why Elyon has allowed me to live so long.”

  “I myself question my own purpose,” Cam murmured.

  “Don’tweall? We’reonlyhuman,” cameasoftvoice. Both women turned to see Joel who had just appeared in the doorway of the small alcove. His fair hair was tousled above his brow. He peered around one of the pillars at them while his hands were thrust deep into pockets.

  “You say you have magic in your blood. The only magic I have ever come across that which was once in Mirabelle”

  “The Mineral Magic,” Ilea interrupted. Her eyes were trained on Joel as he pulled a stool to sit below the window. “I know little of that magic, having not seen it for myself. I do know, however, that it is between…”

  “Between what?” Cam queried.

  “Between that which is good and that which is evil,” Joel replied simply. “The magic that is of Caelae and that which is of the Infernal Cities. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”

  “Magic destined by Caelae shall last and another fated by Lucius to die,” Ilea murmured, a small smile lifting her lips.

  “One which destroys kingdoms and raises chaos-” Joel started.

  “And another which will destroy shadows and raise a kingdom...you know the song well,” Ilea finished with a smile.

  “My grandfather was a Watcher,” Joel stated.

  “And both of these, Caelae and Infernal, are the only substances which can destroy Mineral Magic?” Cam questioned.

  “Yes, but…” Joel began. “I wouldn't call Caelae a substance. I haven't an inkling as to what the magic truly is...in a physical sense. It's all rather...undefinable, by human standards, anyway.”

  “Knowledge of these powers are beyond human imagination and understanding,” Ilea agreed. “Trust me. I spent hundreds of years attempting to learn their secrets.”

  “We are waiting, now,” Joel murmured after moments of silence had passed between the three. “For Caelae to be unleashed and ignited inside of us. Or so the Watchers say.”

  “At a great sacrifice shall this be, forevermore,” Ilea finished in a somber tone. Cam was convinced then that these words were not another song but what Ilea, Joel, and all the Spirit Followers knew to be true.

  Cam heard her name. The caller was shaking her. The shadows

  in her mind were slowly receding and her vision clearing. Her entire body still felt heavy despite her awakening. Dark blue eyes and an anxious yet familiar expression was peering down at her as hands shook her shoulders. “Cam, look at me.” The calling voice dropped to a soft coaxing. Warm hands were clasped over her arms. “Peter,” she rasped.

  She was still in her chamber where she had fallen asleep beside Fiera hours ago. She caught glimpses of moving figures through the pillars separating the first floo
r into rooms. Peter’s lips melted into a relieved smile. “Peter,” she said again, smiling slightly. It faded, however, when her eyes roved his facial features. His lip was split and a bruise marred his right cheek. Her fingers brushed that bruise lightly as her brows furrowed into a frown.

  “We have to go, Cam. Someone will carry you outside if needed.”

  “You should rest. You’ve had a long journey it seems.” Cam paused, her eyes narrowing. “Why are you here?”

  Something nothing short of sorrow passed over his eyes, darkening the blue of his irises. Cam gripped his arm and searched his expression. “Did you get my letter?”

  Before he could answer, Fiera, Joel, and Caleb were rushing toward her. Ilea was with them. "I don't believe I know you,” Peter said. He cast a glance at Joel. “Or you…”

  "His name is Joel, and he's been with us for a few weeks," Cam explained hurriedly.

  "And her?" Peter gestured towards Ilea.

  "This,” Caleb announced dramatically, “is Ilea, the one of whom we were seeking our entire quest. We found her!"

  Fiera’s eyes narrowed. “Peter has a brain, Caleb.”

  Peter took a moment to behold Ilea. "You're a lot younger than I thought you'd be."

  "Quite the contrary. I am a lot older than you think I am," Ilea stated with a light and airy voice. Peter raised a brow. “Thank you for coming to our rescue. Now that you have, you have completed the deal I made with Camaria and Fiera.” Peter glanced between the three women.

  “We will explain later,” Cam said.

  “Yes, we must leave at once!” Peter rose hurriedly to his feet, pulling Cam up with him.

  Fiera’s face flickered with a fraction of annoyance. “Why must we leave so soon?”

  “And did you receive my letter?” Cam asked again as she tried to stand up.

  Peter looked up, his breathing ragged and unevenly paced. "Yes, we got one. But it came too late.” His next words were but the whisper on a night wind one hears in the echo of slumber. “Mir-Mirabelle is gone.”

  A heavy knock sounded on Elizabeth's chamber door. "Come in." Simeon appeared, looking gaunt and forlorn. "Why are you up at this hour?" The queen questioned, confirming that the time was indeed late into the night.

  "I bring disheartening news, my Queen," Simeon said quietly. "Mirabelle was attacked and utterly destroyed seven days ago. We just received a messenger." Elizabeth's hand dropped from its place upon the back of a chair at the same time as her jaw. She stuttered. "It was...Mingroth, my Queen."

  The queen dropped to the sofa littered in blankets. She allowed the news to wash over her before asking, "Did you consider any means of which we can be of aid?"

  Simeon nodded. "The survivors need a refuge, and we have safe houses in Nazeria. They have sent a company of men and women to rescue hostages in Mingroth but...I fear they could be lost quite soon because of their quest."

  Elizabeth rose, her arms crossed as she went to gaze from her window. She was met with the eyes of night. "If they come here, would our people be under threat?" she questioned at last. The houses below were scattered in clusters. The people slept inside peacefully.

  "I do not believe so, my Queen. The messenger is convinced that they came for the remaining magic..."

  "But their magic was already destroyed."

  "They believe that the Crown is in Mirabelle."

  Elizabeth turned quickly, her widened eyes locking with her advisor’s gaze. "Is it safe, Simeon?"

  "We cannot be sure..."

  “In Mirabelle...all this time. But where?” Elizabeth returned slowly to her seat. "Have the remaining people come here at their earliest convenience. You can send a messenger at dawn."

  "Yes, my Queen." Simeon backed from the room and disappeared into the dark hall.

  The queen prayed for the safety of the Crown. “And let their bones not be left for dead in Mingroth.”

  Cole, Adria, Mista, Amelia, Owen, Saffira...the names bounced

  in Cam's mind. Who had survived? Cam found that she had sunk to the stone floor, staring in shock at the wall. Fiera released a strangled cry. "Silva!" she screamed as if to burst her lungs.

  "When?" Caleb forced out, his voice choked.

  "A week ago," Peter choked out.

  Cam stifled a gasp, tears reaching her eyes. Her eyes and throat stung. Peter’s voice was raspy. "Everything was dark. All species of Shadow Bearers attacked, destroying everything. They came like a black, hissing wind…”Peter buried his head into his hands, and his voice was muffled when he said, “Imber Fel was first to fall and then the Royalty Realm. They moved to the other three from that point simultaneously. I left as soon as possible. We came on a quest to find the Seekers and then rescue those they took…”Peter lookedup, hiseyes rimmedinred. “Thosethey took to Mingroth.”

  Cam stilled, her body suddenly becoming heavy. Her heart started thumping more wildly. “How many did they take?” she asked in a quavering voice. Tears dribbled down her cheeks.

  "We are not certain..."

  Cam was on her feet, next to Peter, grasping his arm. "Did they survive?" She knew the names were in her eyes, in that pleading expression she gave him.

  "The survivors are still behind in the ruins. They're still looking."

  "Looking for what?" Caleb cut in.

  "The Crown of course. That is why we were attacked. They discovered that the Crown is somewhere in Mirabelle."

  "They did not find it?” Caleb followed.

  Peter shook his head. He then hastened to list the survivors that the audience before him knew. Cole, Amelia, Owen, Heiron, Saffira, Lia...

  "What of Adria and Mista?" Fiera and Cam asked in unison. Fiera had been silent up to this moment, but now, her eyes were wide and swimming with fury.

  Peter gulped. "Cam…”

  Cam stared at him for a long moment while he tried to formthewords shealreadyknew. Theyweren’tdead. Silva would not have done that. Not yet. “Peter,” Cam said softly. He simply stood, his eyes wavering with a hundred emotions, and extended a shaking hand.

  “They were taken to Mingroth,” Peter said, his voice so raspy it was something of a whisper.

  Cam nodded at the confirmation. Still, a sinking dread coiled inside of her. Finally, Cam took Peter’s hand and rose on trembling legs. “Let’s go see the others,” he whispered into her hair.

  “I was in Elisium, the garden of Elyon; every precious stone was my covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were my settings and my engravings.”

  -Lucius

  Seventeen

  Everything Cam had done up until this point since the

  previous autumn had been for her sisters. She had warned Mirabelle of Apollyon’s planned revolt to protect them. She had joined the Seekers so that she would see them again and bring magic back into their lives. And now…she had to rescue them from the clutches of their own mother.

  How had they become separated from Amelia? Peter held Cam’s gaze for a long moment before he pried her hands from the parchment and took them in his own. She saw them then. She saw the flickers of the light of torches and heard the dull murmuring of approaching persons.

  Cam’s eyes flickered over them. “Owen…” She hardly heard herself. Hardly felt her own numb legs when she rose and hurried into his arms. Owen stood over her, dirt streaked across his face. He handed off his torch to receive Cam in his arms. He smelled like pine and firewood, all that was familiar to her and all that smelled of Owen. “You’re safe…” she breathed.

  “I couldn’t be more relieved that you were not in Mirabellewhen they attacked,” Owen repliedin a lowvoice. Cam pushed far enough away from him to peer into his face. He looked thinner. Paler. His eyes were swollen and rimmed in red.

  “Where were you?”

  “Adria and I…we were in Imber Fel when your letter came...but it was the only one, and, it was too late…”

  “What became of Adria?” Cam�
��s voice quavered.

  Owen’s expression was grave. “I sawAdria oncewhenshe told me they were coming, and then after...I haven’t seen her since, Cam. And Mista, well I haven't seen her since Adria and I left Medulla.”

  “Where…where is my father?” Cam’s hands were shaking as she grasped at Owen’s cloak.

  “He andAmelia areboth safein Mirabelle. In what is left. They are still searching for the Crown...they can feel it there...somewhere.” Owen ran his hands up and down Cam’s chilled arms, more to comfort her than to warm her. It wasn’t until he had said these words that Cam took notice of the others standing about under the torchlight. There were twelve in total: six men and six women of varying ages older than sixteen as well as she, Ilea, Fiera, Caleb, and Joel as new additions.

  Cam’s eyes widened in alarm. “Owen, where are Saffira and Lia?”

  He gripped her with a comforting hand. “They have gone ahead of us to Mingroth.”

  “Alone?” Cam tore away to examine him for jest.

  Owen nodded. “They are not to act without us. They are just scouting. Making sure it’s safe for our whole company to land. They will assemble a signal we can see from the skies.”

  Mingroth…

  The word clanged inside her, pierced everything she could feel.

  “No...” Cam gasped out. All eyes turned to her. Cam breathed heavily. “No,” she said again, this time the sound shaking and resolved. “She’ll kill them if we do.”

  Owen’s face slackened into something more solemn. “She’ll kill them if we don’t. She wants us to go there, Cam. It’s a trap. She’s hoping we will know the whereabouts of the Crown.”

  “Then why do we bother at all? If it is only to lead us to our deaths?” Caleb countered.

  Silence fell until Fiera said, “So we can put that snake of a queen into her own damned coffin forever.” Her voice was fire and ice, melting any protestations that clamored through the brains of the others around them.