Wynter Reign

by Emmy R Bennett

  “A ghost. I saw a ghost. When I killed that dark dragon with my arrow, it turned into an evil spirit. Speaking of arrows, where are they?” I peer around and see one of them lying on the ground where I killed the beast the first time and the other a few feet away in the opposite direction.

  I look at Cory to see a few glass shards stuck in his cloak and point. “Guess we know why we’re to wear these cloaks now.” I pluck random shards from my cape as well while retrieving my arrows.

  “It makes sense,” he affirms. “Come on, let’s get Eve and the boy out of here and find out how everyone else fared in this mess.”

  Chapter 8

  Wynter Storm

  The past:

  Ashengale Castle on Dragonscale Island

  We reach the bottom step of a spiral staircase and begin to ascend upward. In some ways, it reminds me of the spiral stairs that led to the basement at Storm River Manor. But these steps are made of polished stone. Flecks of silver reflect from the lighted crystal chandeliers seated in the ceiling. We continue to climb until we reach an opening to a grand hall that’s more like a foyer. There are several staircases leading into different levels. The walls appear to be made of the same polished stone as the floors.

  “This area is the living quarters. Come this way. I’ll show you to your old bedroom. I don’t believe it’s been touched since you left.”

  We cross the open space to the opposite side and ascend more stairs. “Tell me something, is this the home we lived in before we fled? To Washington State, I mean.”

  “Sort of. You lived here in Ashengale City since you were about five years old. When you fell off that rock, near Storm Castle your screams were heard from across the lands. The whole world knew who you were. It opened a conduit to your whereabouts, and Geneviève could only take ten people at a time. Sara instructed Geneviève to bring you here where it would be safe. Along with you, she brought her daughters, Redmae and Rory, as well as Cory, Cole, Casey, and Blair… and a few others, too.”

  “Is this when Sarmira captured Chad and Dad?”

  “Your dad, no, but Chad, yes. Along with Derek and Daniel. Vothule and Sarmira slaughtered most of the kingdom. When they realized you were nowhere to be found, they left Storm Castle in ruins. It took years to rebuild the kingdom.”

  We reach the top of the stairs leading to a hallway, and I follow Aunt Fran as she continues her tale.

  “Once the massacre was over, Nyta immediately went to work, repairing the king and queen, removing their hearts and placing them in coffers.”

  “At one point, Sara’s box was stolen. We’ve managed to recover hers, thanks to you, but Ailbert’s coffer remains missing. And we still are unable to find Isalora’s, too.”

  “Moyer has it somewhere. Keeping it as leverage, no doubt. I have a funny feeling there’s a deeper reason she would want it. I will find out why if it’s the last thing I do.”

  “I wouldn’t put it past her to have it,” my aunt agrees.

  “And what about you, Aunt Fran?”

  “What…this?” she asks, gesturing to her own body. “I’m able to stay solid-looking because I’m on Dragonscale Island, and anyone can see me. If I venture off to go anywhere else, I will turn to spirit form, and only those with the imbued enchantments or wearing certain items can see me. Like what Queen Sara mentioned, of course, there are also those who have the innate ability to see ghosts.”

  “How is that possible? Technically you’re not a ghost. I mean, once someone dies, they are presumed to move on. It’s how life is supposed to work.”

  “I imagine you’re right, Wynter. It’s not exactly a conventional way of life, though, is it?”

  “She also mentioned you would be spared to travel to the plain of the undead this way, as well as protecting the gates to both worlds.”

  “True. But the bigger test at hand is defeating Sarmira.” She gives a side grin, stops, and points. “Here you go.”

  “Wait, Aunt Fran.” I hesitate to say what’s on my mind. “That day I saw you stabbed by the giant, I thought I lost you for good. If I knew then what I know now…I mean, I felt like my heart had been ripped out when you fell.”

  “Wynter, what are you saying?”

  “I’m saying while Isalora is, indeed, my biological mother and holds a special place in my heart, you’re my mom. I can’t bear to lose you again. If what grandmother is saying is true, then I agree with her. I need my mom.”

  I see tears form in her eyes, and she opens her arms and embraces me tightly. “Sweetheart. I get it. I will be okay.” She runs her hands down the back of my hair and then pulls away, saying, “I will be fine. Trust me.” She looks deep into my eyes. “No harm will come to me. I promise.”

  “Promises again,” I say.

  “A promise I know I can keep. Now, enough of the waterworks, go into your room, and tell me what you remember.”

  I veer in the direction of a wooden oval door. It has a loop handle rather than a knob to open it. A key sticks out from the keyhole.

  “Go on, unlock it. What are you waiting for?” she asks.

  I hesitate at first before turning the key. When I hear it unlatch, the door squeaks open and reveals my room on the other side of the threshold. Fran pulls the mechanism from the latch and hands it to me. “Keep it safe. You will use it in the future. It is your portal passport to opening many doors to other realms. Might I suggest putting it on a chain? Perhaps the same one around your neck. Then it, too, will be invisible to the evil lurking.”

  “What do you mean, portal passport?”

  “Well, remember when you were told that the dragongryph eggshells are ground and used in magical recipes for their dragon brothers or sisters?”

  “Yes.”

  “This key holds similar magic. Those doors you saw in the Hall of Secrets, much of them need a key such as this to open them.” Her lips curve into a smile.

  “You’re saying this key will help in my trials?”

  She doesn’t answer me, adding to the mystery, but her silence gives me my answer.

  “Come, reacquaint yourself with your room.” My aunt leads the way first.

  “This room is almost the exact replica as the one I had in Washington. Only bigger,” I say, looking around as I absorb the memories flowing through my head.

  “The nice thing about memory stamps, some things can be similarly duplicated. I tried to make it as comfortable as possible. The furniture is different, of course, but as you can see, the window is also in the same place.”

  “But h-how did you—”

  Fran puts her fingers to her lips. “Don’t think, just enjoy the moment.”

  A vanity sits against a wall near the window with a gold-detailed framed mirror, overlooking the land where a silhouette of Storm Castle resides. I can also see dragons soar in the air, scouting Dragonscale Island territory.

  I pause from the view and continue to look around the room. A four-poster bed sits off to one corner, decorated in my favorite shades of purple, such as lavender, plum, and deep mauve. Two nightstands are on either side, and a trunk rests at the foot of the bed, with a purple and white crochet blanket with lavender accents lying on top.

  “This was my room after I fell. I remember.” My mind swells with memories of how it use to be.

  “Yes,” Fran confirms.

  “I recall Namari sleeping in this room with me, too.” At that time, he wasn’t as large as a full-grown Dragongryph. I walk to the other side of the bed to see his sleeping nest still intact.

  “Occasionally, he will come in through the large window and still sleep in it, I’m told,” Fran says. “He missed you very much. Don’t be surprised if you see him tonight.”

  “Yes, I missed him, too.” I mean, now that I remember him. I turn around to face my aunt. “He isn’t a shifter, is he?”

  “No, I’m afraid not.” She folds her hands. “Dinner is in about thirty minutes. I’ll let you settle and wash up. We have more work to do before your trials begin
tomorrow evening.”

  “Sure, okay.”

  I watch Fran shut the door, and I turn around to take in the lost memories. I’m home.

  I scan my room again. I’m amazed that my bedroom looks exactly like I left it in Washington, except it is much larger. A similar bookshelf rests against the wall housing all my paperbacks, and my desk I did homework on is next to it. I glance out the window to see the moons have joined. The moonlight reflects upon the ocean waters below. Hanging there on the window frame is the labradorite, or at least a replica of the one I had in my faux home. I laugh under my breath. “It’s the little things, isn’t it?” I whisper.

  Even the door to the bathroom is the same. The dresser and closet is filled with clothes, and I glance to the abundance of fluffy pillows on the bed—Charlie. He sits hiding among the soft luxuries of accessories lying on the bedspread. I pick him up. “How did you get here?” I murmur.

  Still clutching the key Fran gave me in my hand, I place it on the chain around my neck. It feels good to be back. Back to a place where I belong. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until now. I grab Charlie off the bed, hug him tight, and recline against the pillows and close my eyes, as I reflect on my life thus far. Ironically, for the first time in a long time, I feel peace, and I want to enjoy the moment.

  A knock at my door startles me from my meditation.

  Chapter 9

  Rory Fernshadow

  The Past:

  Storm Castle Grounds

  I grab the bottle of elixir around my neck without thinking and notice Eve eye it intently. “What is that?”

  Startled, I say, “It's a trinket that was given to me by a friend.” I smile. Do I tell her what it really is? I think about the small battle we had and wonder how I’ll get close enough to Red to pull this off. It’s come down to, “who do we trust,” so no I can’t tell Eve what is truly inside the vial chained around my neck

  “You’re from the Dire bloodline,” she bursts out. “I see it in your eyes.”

  “I really should invest in some contact lenses,” I huff under my breath.

  “You’re fine, I won’t tell anyone, besides, you’re not the only one that has secrets. Although I might caution you, you may want to get contacts,” she teases.

  I laugh, even though it shouldn’t be funny. “Noted.”

  My mind continues to cloud with what ifs. What if we fail? What if the Underworld accomplishes their task? What if we have to face the dark dragon shifters on Earth? Going into the lion’s den doesn’t exactly make me feel all warm and fuzzy. I worry about Red and wonder if it’s too late.

  When we reach the Hall of History, also known as the Storm Castle’s library, I see it empty. “It’s like a ghost town in here,” I whisper. I look up at the catwalk that leads to the Hall of Secrets.

  “We’re to go up there?” Eve asks. “Is Aoes in that room that looks like it’s suspended in the air?”

  I nod. “Yes. That room isn't really floating though, only appears to be. Once you walk along the bridge above, you will be able to see heavy chains are attached from the rafters. We have a meeting scheduled.”

  Kevin, who has been silent most of the way, says, “Cool.” He glides up the spiral staircase.

  “Kevin, wait for us at the top,” Eve says.

  “How old is he?” I ask.

  “Eight.”

  She appears to be distracted by the grand scale of books and the space. “So, you have never been here before?” I ask

  “No. We come from another part of Ladorielle. It took us some time to get to the castle. We had arrived through the gate right before the attack.”

  “Well,” Cory begins, “you’re safe with us. Aoes will know what to do.” He takes his first step to the bridge above our heads and we follow.

  We reach the door to the Hall and it opens automatically. I see many familiar faces, including Thom and Dom. Two dwarves I’ve come to despise for the simple fact they can’t forgive a long-lost mistake my people made a long time ago before I was born. They blame the elves for taking the Sword of Valor and hiding it. The ancient story told to me was that it was taken by a sorceress. She knew of its power and felt if left in the wrong hands, evil would have their way and destroy all good in their path.

  “Who do we have here?” Aoes asks. We cannot see him, but his voice carries through the room.

  Heads turn when we walk across the threshold.

  “This is Eve and her son, Kevin. We found them trying to flee the chaos moments ago. They both come to seek Dragonscale’s protection,” Cory says.

  Aoes becomes visible, and his eyes light up with surprise, saying, “I know who you are.” He comes to bow. “My Lady, it’s been a long time.”

  I can see from the expression on Cory’s face he’s not surprised.

  “My Lady? Who are you, really?” I ask.

  Cory says. “Your face is very familiar, and I read your thoughts, but you’re really good at shielding your mind. At first, I couldn’t place you, but when you started healing the injured, I started to figure it out.” Cory turns to me. “This is Gage’s second daughter, Drena’s sister. The one who was thought to be dead.”

  “What?” My mind wanders, remembering the stories told of the past. There were vivid details of how she died. Either she’s lying, or the legend of her dying story is.

  “Come, please, Eve. Have a seat, so we can all talk and be reacquainted. Perhaps you can shed some light on what happened to you?” Aoes says motioning to a chair.

  I sit across from Thom and his twin brother, instead of sitting next to them. It would not bode well for this meeting. Besides, I like to see my enemies eye to eye. Cory sits next to me.

  Aoes creates a kid’s space for Kevin to occupy his time while the adults begin to converse. “Shall we get on with the meeting? Now that everyone is here,” Aoes begins. “Arryn, will you sound the bell.”

  She bows and her tiger roars. “That’s the bell?” I ask.

  Zak, the Iknes Shaw sitting adjacent to me, says, “Not entirely—” Before he can finish, a loud bell rings, vibrating the very room we’re in.

  Well, that was interesting.

  Aoes sits at the head of the table. “First, may I start by welcoming Eve to our table. It’s a pleasure to see you. Second, we have some unfinished business to catch up on. It appears we were attacked about an hour ago. The dark Underworld has chosen to strike us early, and we were unprepared, as you witnessed. It is imperative now more than ever that we arrange for the approaching Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse at the end of this month.”

  “Master Aoes…if I may?” Eve interrupts. “I fear you’re misguided, with all due respect. I believe those dragons were after me and my son.”

  “What do you mean?” Cory asks.

  “I don’t think it was fate that you and I bumped into each other, and I don’t think the Dark Dragons were after you. Every time I think we have escaped them, Trek riders appear. I’ve used what magic I have left, but I’m nearly drained of energy.”

  The room grows in complete silence. If we heard a pin drop, we would know where it landed.

  “Please continue, My Lady,” Aoes says, intrigued. “What do you know?”

  Eve goes on, saying, “I escaped capture along with my son, Kevin. My gifts allow me to call upon nature to camouflage me from others. But there’s only so much magic I can exhume before I grow tired. The dark dragons came after us this morning. I cast my last cloud shield spell, which allowed us enough time to flee. As you can see, those dark dragons came here. I thought we would be protected. Looks like I was wrong. So, you see, it’s my fault they have attacked Storm Castle.”

  “Interesting indeed,” Aoes says. “Have you made contact with anyone else? I mean, does your family know you’re still alive?”

  “Nobody does. Well, except you people in here now.” She pauses, as though she’s fighting with what to say next. “Has anyone seen my sister, Drena?”

  More silence ensues.

  �
��I see.” Eve bows her head, and tears form in her eyes.

  “Well, it’s assumed she’s dead,” Aoes adds, “but there is no body to prove she’s expired. We haven’t heard from her in years…like you.” Aoes looks at each of us around the table. “It appears that our expected war that is to come once the Blood Moon Eclipse ascends is going to be much bigger than we first thought.” Aoes glances back to Eve. “We must get you to safety, indeed. But first, we must discuss the task at hand—rescuing Redmae and the Storms, held captive at Storm River Manor.”

  “Shouldn’t we wait for the others? A few people are missing,” I say. “I expected to see people such as my mother, Geneviève, along with Jeoffrey, Wynter’s father, and Queen Sara.”

  Aoes chuckles. “My dear, we are all accounted for. Look around. This is your team.” He looks at Eve. “Aside from My Lady, here, and her son.”

  I look to the twins sitting opposite of me. “With all due respect, Master Aoes—”

  “Some things should be left at home. Tiffs settled like men”—he looks at me—"or women. It’s time to forgive the past, don’t you think?” Aoes looks at the three of us. “It was a long time ago, Thom and Dom. She has no control over what her ancestors did.”

  I smile, beaming on the inside. Boom, boys, eat those words. Aoes looks toward me. “And you, it’s time to let go of the anger you hold toward them and their judgments. They, too, are not the ancestors of their past. If we are ever to get Redmae back and the others, we all must learn to work together. It will be our downfall if you don’t.”

  Silence accrues as everyone looks at one another, knowing Aoes is right.

  “Now that, that is settled, shall we move on?” he probes.

  I see others around the table nod, as all eyes focus on the master wizard.

  “Now,” he goes on, “behind me is the portal to the Storm River Manor’s cottage. You may find Isalora waiting on the other side. I did send word to her. She’ll be expecting you. I wouldn’t want a tragic accident, should you surprise her by entering her humble abode.” He chuckles, as though he’s gotten a visual.