Palatinii Cycle

by G'vonni Avner

  She wasn’t even sure why, but she felt like there was something that she couldn’t trust about him. But the Queen trusted him without a doubt and insisted that he was one of her strongest and most loyal servants. While this offended Sabrina, she still knew her place in the palace, and Ariah couldn’t compete with her. Still, something was unnerving about him.

  Next to Ariah were his assistants. Other than the two humans who sat by him, the rest of his men were gnomes or otherwise almost-human creatures, but with long noses that resembled twigs or ears that pointed like a cat’s. Other than not being heir to the throne, Ariah was equal in rank to Sabrina, though she had still not discovered what he had done to earn that honor.

  By Sabrina’s side were two vacant chairs which would be occupied by two of her best friends, both female. They were her most loyal and trusted assistants. Men who were part of her army occupied the rest of the chairs. Gargoyle-looking creatures occupied the last two chairs.

  The room stood silent. The lights gave off an eerie presence. Though the room was brightly lit, it looked dark because it sat below sea level and its flickering candle flames threw shadows across the room.

  “Sabrina,” someone called from the door while walking in. Sabrina looked up and saw Mia, her oldest friend, and servant walking towards her, along with Emily following behind. Emily gave a slim, courteous smile before they both took their seats. Their expressions were duly solemn.

  Mia was pale and had blonde hair that curled down to her tailbone. Her eyes were dark, and her face was lightly freckled.

  “Now that we have all decided to show up,” the Queen said in a harsh tone. Everyone stood up. “Let us begin now. Take your seats.”

  Queen Nayara didn’t sound angry, annoyed, or the least bit frustrated, nevertheless, her tone made Mia flush pink. Emily would have, but her dark skin hid the redness in her face. Sabrina gave them quick looks of disapproval, and then turned her attention back to the Queen, but not before noticing the slight smirk on Ariah’s face.

  There was the sound of scraping chairs as everyone took their seats and the room once again fell into silence while they waited for their queen to speak.

  “I have called you here tonight because it is time for us to make our move,” the Queen said. “We have waited long enough. For the longest time, I have been searching for something that will help us win this war and end the Palatinii once and for all. This something is called Oscurilina.”

  “What is Oscurilina?”

  The Queen turned her attention to the man who spoke. He was sitting at Sabrina’s side, near the other end of the table.

  “Do not interrupt me again.”

  The man looked down. Nayara glared at him for a moment longer before continuing to speak.

  “Oscurilina lies in an eternal sleep deep within the Colinth Mountain which is heavily protected by the guardians of Oasi. I have already acquired what I need to awaken her. All that is left is for us to attack and take the city by force,” Nayara said.

  No one dared to speak. Sabrina’s eyes darted to the back of the room, praying that her men would stay silent. They did. Though she was sure that, just like herself, they wanted to know who Oscurilina was.

  “I don’t believe that anyone here knows who Oscurilina is,” spoke the Queen. “All I wish to give time to, for now, is to tell you she is more known as the Shadow of the Universe.”

  A slight disappointment rippled through the room. The story of the Shadow of the Universe was well known, and never proven, so it was believed to be just a fairy tale. If Nayara noticed the disappointment, she chose to ignore it.

  “What will we be doing with her?” Ariah asked.

  Nayara looked at him and smiled. In her mind, Sabrina scoffed, having hoped that she would tell him off for speaking out of turn.

  “When we awaken her she will be released,” she answered. “I have the magic necessary to trap her into obeying only me. From there, we must unleash her true power before we are ready to conquer this world.”

  “So the legends are true then,” Ariah asked. “That fairies are real. That they exist?”

  “Of course,” Nayara said. “They have existed for millennia, eons even. There is no need for me to give any of you a history lesson of it. You can learn about it yourselves.”

  “But of course, My Queen,” Ariah responded with perfect etiquette.

  “We will travel to Oasi soon,” Nayara said. “The journey is long, and we must be well prepared. We will have to fight, but our numbers are larger and stronger. I do not doubt that we can accomplish this, but we will not be without losses. Do remember that those who cannot win were never good enough to be part of who and what we are.”

  “How will we be traveling?” Sabrina asked.

  “We will take three ships down the river and sail across the ocean. This is the fastest route. The waters near Oasi are watched, and they will have time to prepare for our arrival. Let them. They may be strong, but nothing can stop our force.”

  “Aren’t the leaders and warriors of Oasi old? That advantage alone should win us the battle,” Emily said.

  “Never underestimate age, Emily,” the Queen warned. “Do that, and it will be the cause of your demise.”

  Emily looked abashed. Sabrina had the urge to slap her across the face.

  “After we have won Oasi and have sent the city crumbling, with their leaders surrendering or dead, we will enter Colinth Mountain and unleash Oscurilina. I expect my army to keep watch over the city and keep order.”

  Some of the men and creatures down the table nodded.

  “Is Oscurilina a fairy?” Mia asked.

  A sharp shiver stung Sabrina’s back while Ariah smirked from across the table. She didn’t understand why her two most devoted servants asked such stupid questions at the worst times.

  Nayara, if annoyed, still answered patiently.

  “Yes,” she said. “And she is so very old. Yet she happens to be the strongest being in the universe. An example of how old-age doesn’t mean one isn’t strong.”

  Emily knew that she was being spoken to, even if it was indirectly.

  Nayara looked around and then called to the last gnome at the end of the table, on Ariah’s side. “Moogert, fetch me the map.”

  The gnome obliged and ran out of the room. The candles flickered and cracked loudly in the silence that followed while they waited for his return.

  “Good,” the Queen said as he handed her the map which was about as tall as he was. The Queen stood from her chair, unrolled the map and spread it on the table.

  “These black lines show the route that we will take,” the Queen explained. “When we arrive, we will give them a chance to surrender. They will not accept. This is the point at which we invade their city and take it by force. Once the city is ours, and their ruling governors are dead, we will rebuild our new one so that the world knows who is in charge.”

  The map showed the entirety of Narque, though not nearly as detailed and exquisite as what Katie had drawn. Nayara was not aware of that map. Very few people were. The map the Queen had was impressively laid out as it was drawn only in black.

  “After we have released Oscurilina, we will make our way across Narque. We will conquer cities as we go, but our main objective is to unbound Oscurilina completely so that we have her full power. The only question left standing is: who will accompany me while I set forth to free Oscurilina?”

  The room went silent, more so than it had before when Moogert went to fetch the Queen her map. Sabrina was holding her breath.

  “Sabrina,” the Queen said suddenly, almost making her jump. “I will need you to stay in Oasi and ensure we secure the city. You are heir to the throne and thus I must leave you in command.”

  Sabrina hid her dismay as she thought the Queen was going to bring her along. “I expected that,” she replied, with dignity and pride. She let out her breath. “I couldn’t have wished for anything more than to do that.”

  “Of course,” the Queen sai
d. “Then who do you suggest to go with me?”

  Sabrina looked around as if she were deciding who to choose, though she already had someone in mind.

  “I think Emily should go with you,” Sabrina said.

  “Why?”

  “Because Emily has spied on Katie and the Dimes family for four years. She even faked her death so well that Katie believes nothing else.”

  “For once that isn’t a bad idea,” Ariah spoke so suddenly this time Sabrina did jump a bit. He took notice but ignored it to keep his stature while speaking with the Queen. “Sabrina is right. Emily has proven to be useful and more than able to handle any task given, despite other reasons to believe otherwise.”

  Sabrina was surprised at Ariah’s agreement but didn’t appreciate his blow on her servant.

  “Correct,” Sabrina said. “Emily did exactly what I did back when I was set to spy on the Dimes family. I dare say that she even did it better than I.”

  Nayara smiled and let out a small, honest chuckle. “You are correct, Sabrina, but yet still have so much to learn.”

  Sabrina didn’t know what to say, so she gulped instead, immediately regretting it when she caught Ariah staring at her.

  “Your offer is both intelligent and tempting, yet simultaneously fool-hearted and selfish,” the Queen replied. “I assure you that you shall miss no part of the awakening of Oscurilina.”

  Sabrina stayed silent.

  “Emily is to be at your side, along with Mia, and at your command,” Nayara stated. “The reasons for this should be obvious enough.”

  “Of course,” Sabrina answered. “I should have suggested it myself.”

  “No matter,” the Queen replied. “It shows your eagerness and loyalty. It also shows me that you aren’t ready to take the throne. Though I do not doubt your abilities.”

  Sabrina nodded.

  The Queen turned to Ariah and said, “Ariah will be joining me when I release Oscurilina. We leave in two days.” She now spoke to the whole room. “Be prepared.”

  The Queen walked out of the room, though her powerful cold presence remained. Slowly, the others left the chamber. Sabrina held Mia and Emily back.

  “Why were you both late?” she asked, annoyed. “You made me look bad.”

  “Sorry, Sabrina,” Emily replied. “It was my fault. Mia had to remind me we were meeting.”

  “I don’t think they made you look bad,” Ariah said, walking up to Sabrina. “You do that all by yourself. You don’t know it because of who you are.”

  Sabrina tensed. Few people knew that she was the Queen’s daughter.

  “Give us the room,” Sabrina ordered Emily and Mia. “And don’t be late when we leave.”

  Emily and Mia nodded and quickly walked out.

  “Is there a reason you insist on disrespecting me?”

  Ariah shrugged. “Where would you get that idea?” He started walking towards the door.

  Sabrina walked around the table. “I will not stand for it each time you argue with me or smirk in my face.”

  Ariah turned around and stared at her. He crossed his arms and then looked around to ensure no one else was in the room. “Fine words and threat by Princess Sabrina. I’m actually shaking. You are something special, aren’t you?”

  “Shut up,” Sabrina said. “Don’t mock me.”

  “When someone asks a question they expect an answer,” Ariah said. “And that’s what I gave you.”

  “They expect an answer, not someone to be rude about it,” Sabrina replied.

  Ariah laughed and walked up to Sabrina. “Do you think any of us play nice?” Sabrina forced herself not to take steps backward. “We are preparing to take down one of the most powerful cities Narque has ever had, and we are going to do it with ease and no second thoughts. If you’re looking for nice people, you are on the wrong side.”

  “Do you doubt the Queen’s intentions?” Sabrina questioned, spite clear in her voice.

  The next thing Sabrina knew was that she was flying across the table and slamming into the wall behind before crumpling to the floor. Painfully, she looked up and saw Ariah walking towards her. He lashed out his hand and a wave of fire flew towards her. Sabrina rolled out of the way, the flame narrowly missing her.

  “Do not question my loyalty,” he growled. Ariah stared down at her. “Next time this will hurt a lot more, I promise you that.”

  “You think you can threaten me?” Sabrina asked, breathing heavily. She spread her hand out like a fan and sent her nails out like blades towards Ariah’s ankles.

  A momentary look of pain flashed on Ariah’s face before he set his legs on fire, burning the blades that had stuck into his skin. The fire died when it had done its job. He then looked at Sabrina with such hatred he could see her fear grow in her eyes.

  “You’re scared of me,” he said. He then kicked her across the face, causing her body to flip around and leaving a slight burn on her cheek.

  “You’re a pathetic asset to the Queen,” he said. “I don’t trust you, and I will be there to take you down when you let her down the most.” He walked away.

  “I will not let you get away with this,” she called out.

  Ariah didn’t turn back but laughed. “What are you going to do? Cry to mommy?”

  With that, he left the room.

  9

  Voices of the Shrine

  Tyson wasn’t very happy with Katie. He didn’t talk or look at her their whole way back to the hotel but led the way at a quick pace. Katie knew that he was upset, but walked on as if she hadn’t done anything, which she hadn’t. When they got back to the hotel, Tyson slowed down. Cyrus walked passed him and went up the stairs. Katie followed, stealing a glance at Tyson, who didn’t return it.

  When Katie got to her room, she had barely opened the door and walked in before Tyson barged in, slamming the door shut behind him.

  “What the hell are you thinking?” he asked her, raising his voice so loud Katie swore she could feel the nightstand shake. “You can’t promise some random dude to go on a suicide mission to go find some, s-stupid ghost—and—bring her back or something!”

  Katie glared at him. It was her turn to yell. “Well, I just did! And you’re welcome for helping us get what we came for! So now there’s nothing you can do about it.”

  “Oh yeah?” Tyson asked, jerking his head and raising an eyebrow. “Maybe so. But you can break your promise, that’s what you can do. Break your promise.” He said his last sentence calmly as if he were out of breath.

  The door opened and closed behind Cyrus as he entered the room.

  “So sorry to interrupt,” he said. “I didn’t want to bother you two, but I thought I heard some talking.”

  “Not a problem,” Katie said. “We’re done here. Close the door on your way out.”

  Tyson stared at Katie with contempt before leaving back to his room. Cyrus didn’t follow him.

  When the door closed, Katie collapsed on her bed and began to cry. Cyrus exhaled through his nose and sat on the edge of the bed.

  “I know I can’t—can’t find Hammond’s daughter, or even if I could it would probably be dangerous, but I thought the right thing to do was p-promise.” She sniffed for a rather long time, compared to other sniffs. “Tyson is all mad at me now and—and I don’t even t-think I can d-do it.” She kept speaking through several more sniffs.