Zeta laughed. “No, no I am not. Is that why you flew the red scarf, Wyn?”
He shook his head. “We have some news, and believe we will require more help than transport from the west to the island. However, yes, this is also about Anna. We are going to need her help.”
Mykal’s breath caught in his lungs. He could hardly remember a time when he’d heard his mother’s name spoken. It ignited something inside of him. Blodwyn knew where she was, and it sounded like Zeta did, as well. “Is my mother here?”
Zeta looked at Blodwyn. He nodded.
The governor stood up. “Wait here.”
Mykal’s mouth went dry. He found it difficult to swallow. His eyes followed the governor as she left her office, and waited until the doors closed behind her before he turned his attention to Blodwyn.
There were no words. They both remained silent. And then the doors to the office opened once again, and Mykal got to his feet. Zeta Hobbs was in the threshold for a moment before she stepped aside, and a woman walked in.
Mykal said, “Mother?”
Chapter 14
“Mykal.” Anna’s words came out in a whisper. Her voice was soft, and lyrical. Birds couldn’t sing as lovely as she just whispered. He already longed for her to speak again.
Mykal put out a hand to steady himself. He worried his knees might give out. He felt weaker than after performing magic. He remembered when he the sea serpents poisoned him. He had passed out before slipping into unconsciousness. That was how he felt now, like at any moment his face would rush the ground and he’d not even have the strength to throw his arms out in front to protect his protruding nose from getting flattened.
It was better concentrating on his mother’s voice. Every thought he’d ever had of his mother was of a beautiful woman, but she looked absolutely nothing like what he remembered. In those thoughts, and dreams, he saw what he saw memory depictions of her, but his dreams had cut the reality short. He didn’t want to blink and miss a second of seeing her. Wearing a long, gold gown with black henna inlay designs, she was stunning.
The first thing Mykal noticed was his mother’s sparkling bright brown eyes. They were wet with fresh tears. She walked closer to him with her hands in front of her, as if she wanted to touch him, but was unsure of how he’d react. The closer she came, the more he could see into her eyes. They were filled with both sadness and love. Her hair was deer brown, shiny, and straight. She wore it down over one shoulder. It looked soft, and vibrant. Her face was slender, her features small, but proportionate. Her tiny nose and small lips were between high cheekbones. And as she smiled at him, all of his old thoughts and memories and dreams were altered. He was able to plug the way she actually looked into those moments. He felt something overwhelmingly warm grow inside his chest.
He hugged first, pulling his mother in tight. She felt tense, and unsure about the embrace. Mykal squeezed her until she relaxed, until she finally surrendered to his love and rested her head on his chest. “I never thought I would see you again,” he said.
“What are you doing here?” she said.
Mykal didn’t want to let go, but her words cut. He took a step back, holding her by the arms. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”
“That’s not it,” she said. “Of course I am. I’ve spent your life staying away to keep you safe. If King Nabal ever—”
“I’m a wizard,” he said.
She lowered her eyes. “I thought that might happen. I hoped it wouldn’t. There was a chance your father’s genes would be dominant. As a baby I never detected any magic in you. It’s why I left you with him.”
“You left me with Grandfather.”
Anna shook her head.
“Father went looking for you as soon as you were kidnapped.”
“I wasn’t kidnapped.”
“It looked that way to him. He vowed he’d return with you, promised me and promised Grandfather.”
“And he never found me,” she said.
“He never returned,” Mykal said. He thought he’d always be ready for this moment, prepared to share his entire life with her, with his mother. The words were not so easy to find. He didn’t want to wound her, not with stories about sleepless nights spent wondering about his parents. Not now, anyway. Maybe, not ever.
Anna turned away, as if she saw pain in his eyes.
“I need your help, Mother. A lot has happened the last few months.”
“Is grandfather all right?”
“He was, when last I saw him. Please, sit down. Let me tell you what’s happened; what is about to happen,” Mykal said.
When he finished with a rendition of events, Anna sat quietly, and nodded. Mykal knew it was a lot of information he’d just given her. A lot of it might not have been as shocking to her since she, too, was a wizard. He couldn’t be sure, but neither was he done. “There is one more thing,” he said.
She followed Mykal out of the room. He led her down the hall toward the stairs.
Mykal’s group of friends below still yakked away. Mr. Reed appeared bored with it all. He leaned his back against a marble pillar, head down, face buried in his hands.
“On our way back from the Ironwall Pass, we stopped in the Cicade Forest, again. Uncle Quill needed to explain what happened to his men,” Mykal said. He spoke softly. No one below had yet noticed them standing at the top of the wide staircase. “Although no one had told me, my father was living like a hermit in a one room shack by Lantern Lake.”
“Eadric?” Anna wasn’t asking Mykal. She started down the stairs.
Eadric was in the midst of laughing, but stopped when he heard his name called. He turned around, facing his wife as she stopped halfway down the stairs.
Mykal watched his father run up the stairs, taking them two at a time. “Anna? Anna?”
Eadric locked his wife in his arms. He lifted her in the air. Mykal thought they might spill down the stairs, and almost closed his eyes against the inevitable tragedy. He didn’t close his eyes, and they didn’t tumble.
He watched his parents kiss. Eadric’s hand cupped the back of Anna’s head, his fingers lost inside her hair. And as fast as the kiss started, it ended.
Anna turned around. She held out her hand, silently calling for Mykal to join them.
For all of the power that circulated like current inside him, Mykal felt weak. The three of them hugged.
It seemed impossible, all of them together again. Mykal wondered if he were inside of a dream. It felt too surreal.
“We will never be separated again,” Eadric said, over and over.
Mykal knew two things. The words his father spoke were better than any magic he’d ever performed. With a war coming, promises like that sounded good, but were hollow. Empty.
***
Governor Zeta Hobbs stood at the head of a long table in a large conference room. It was the word she used for the room. Everything about the Isthmian Islands was exotic and strange to Mykal. Just like the outside of her mansion, the inside walls were smooth and covered in different colors. The conference room had bright, white walls. The windows were closed. Long lacy drapes hung in front of the glass. Heavy, blue velvet curtains were drawn open, which allowed for sunlight to filter into the room.
“So, we now believe that King Cordillera is planning a war. In order for him to attack the west, he’s going to have to sail his armada across the sea.” Zeta had changed clothing. She wore tight white pants, and under a light brown vest, a tight fitting white blouse. She wore a belt with a broad cutlass sword on her hip.
Mykal’s mother sat between her son and husband. Under the table she held Mykal’s hand, and kept running her thumb over his knuckles as if she worried it was all a dream and he might vanish at any given second. Across from them sat Blodwyn, Quill, Coil, and the three Archers. Captain Sebastian, Mr. Reed, and Lieutenant Cearl filled in the remaining chairs, while a few other voyagers stood toward the back of the room.
“His other option will be crossing at the foothills of the
Zenith Mountains. We have to assume he will split his forces into two, and utilize both avenues for getting from his side of the sea to the other,” Zeta said.
“Why would he do this?” Sebastian said.
“Why?” Zeta said. “Power, Captain. We believe he wants to become the next emperor. He will use his knights, and magic.”
Sebastian closed his mouth, pursed his lips.
“We know for a fact he already has one sorceress doing his bidding. He has since kidnapped another. And if he is not stopped before the attacks, he may have three more under his command.”
“Three more wizards?” Cearl said.
“That’s right,” Zeta said. “These people have tried warning King Nabal of the imminent attack.”
People grunted, and shrugged.
“As you’ve guessed, that didn’t go over well,” Zeta said.
“Man’s too closed-minded. He rules his land like his grandfathers’ did. Time stands still in the Grey Ashland Realm,” Sebastian said. “So what is our plan, governor?”
“The plan is simple. We need to use one of our smaller ships and get these folks across the sea. They are going to enter the Cordillera’s castle and try to rescue the captured wizard. They will also gather intel and report back to us. In the meantime, we’re going to ready the ships in our fleet. If Cordillera wants to cross the sea with war in mind, it’s a war he’ll get. While his vessels are impressive, the men under his command do not have your training on the water. They do not stand a fighting chance against us.”
“I have a question.” Mr. Reed held a hand in the air. He raised a hand tentative hand in the air, his lack of confidence apparent, if not accentuated by the jerky motions.
“You are not in school,” Zeta said. “Speak your mind.”
“If the Mountain King plans to sail across the sea in order to attack Nabal, then what do we care? Let them fight each other. We don’t live by their decrees. They don’t rule over us. I’m just wondering why you want to get all of us involved in a war between two kingdoms that matter very little to us,” Mr. Reed said.
Zeta Hobbs smiled. Mykal watched her expression closely. He didn’t think the smile was sincere, or warm. And when she finally spoke, he knew it was dripping with sarcasm. “So? You don’t think we should get involved?” she said.
“I don’t see why we are, no,” he said.
“You think we should just let the east kingdom decimate the kingdom on the west?”
“It’s not our fight. I don’t see how it concerns us,” he said.
“Let me see if I can make this simple for you, okay? Try and follow. Now, if I go too fast, or get too far ahead for you to comprehend, raise your hand, all right? Picture King Cordillera occupying the Constantine Realm, fortifying Castle Deed, more men crossing the Zenith and overtaking the Ironwall Pass. Imagine him leaving knights at the Pass, and sending a few to occupy the Eridanus Castle,” she said.
“The Eridanus Kingdom is nothing but ruins,” Mr. Reed said, and looked around the room as if making sure his statement was relevant or just seeking approval.
“True. With it being in ruins, much like Castle Deed, and with the exception of the Pass, do you see anyone giving him any resistance at all?” Zeta said.
There was an audible sigh before Reed said, “I can’t imagine the people at the Ironwall will put up much of a fight.”
Coil dropped a hand onto the table. A loud bang echoed off the walls. Blodwyn patted Coil’s arm, and whispered in his ear.
Zeta Hobbs said, “The question remains.”
“No disrespect meant,” Mr. Reed said. “But I can see him easily occupying those lands.”
“It wouldn’t take much to rebuild the castle. In fact, once the stones are replaced Eridanus will be good as new. The land is rich for farming. Think about it. There may be some resistance if Cordillera gets too close to the Cicade Forest,” Zeta said, looking at Quill and his men. She didn’t say it, but setting the forest on fire from a distance would be an easy way of destroying resources and crushing the spirit of the Archers. “All that would be left is Grey Ashland. So we let Cordillera’s soldiers cross the sea unhindered, and they attack. Who can say who will win for certain, but with magic on his side, Cordillera certainly will have the upper hand.”
“I guess I’m thick.” Mr. Reed shook his head. “I’m still not seeing the part of the story where this is ours to worry about.”
Mykal saw the Captain continually making eye contact with the governor, perhaps annoyed with Mr. Reed? He couldn’t be certain.
“Once Cordillera is in control of all of the land, what last piece of the puzzle is needed to make his new empire complete?” The governor didn’t wait for an answer. “The Isthmian Islands. Of all the land out there, which do you think would be most valuable to him? The Isthmian Islands. What would prevent King Cordillera from the riches he dreams of? We would. Us. This island. Our ships. Our trading routes. That, Mr. Reed, is why we don’t want to be idle and passive and sit back and watch from comfortable chairs a battle between east and west. That, Mr. Reed, is why we will ready our men and get involved. If we can cut out the knees of the Mountain King’s plan, then he won’t have the ability to come running at us. Now, if you don’t have any more stupid questions, I suggest you leave this meeting before I become so annoyed I use my blade to sever from your mouth your useless tongue!”
Mr. Reed sat still for a moment. His eyes were wide open. He looked frozen in place.
“I am not kidding, sir. Leave or I will cut out your tongue!”
This time the man stood up and backed his way out of the room.
One of the Voyagers pulled the door closed.
Zeta Hobbs ran her palms down the side of her pants and released a loud, but short exhale. “Excuse me for the outburst. The boy sometimes just… never mind.” She shook her head, as if clearing away the built up tension. “Now, Sebastian, let’s talk about getting these people to the east banks.”
“I do have one more issue, governor.”
“If it has to do with Mr. Reed, Captain—”
Sebastian held up both hands, and shook his head. “It’s about the Mountain King, ma’am.”
“And what happened last time you encountered him?” Hobbs said.
“Yes. His witch had no problem taking control of our minds. She did it with such ease, I want to know if there is anything we can do in advance to prepare against that kind of a mental attack?” Sebastian said.
The governor looked over at Anna, and Mykal.
Anna’s hands were folded on the table in front of her. She pursed her lips and slowly shook her head. “I’m afraid not. Or, it is not anything I can counter.”
Mykal remembered when the Mountain King and his men attacked them after they fled Castle Deed with the chalice. He understood the men were under a spell, and not acting on their own. Trying not to let his disappointment show, he said, “When the time comes, I am sure we can try something.”
The comment sounded flat, and uninspired. He wished he’d just kept his mouth shut.
“If there is anything else?” Hobbs said. “Okay, then.”
Chapter 15
On the east bank of the islands, with the sun setting, the view of the Muye and Rames Mountains left Mykal speechless. Red and purple clouds painted across darkening skies accented snowcapped peaks like a spectacular painting. None of it looked real, and because of its beauty, Mykal did not want to look away.
Quill instructed the three Archers that had accompanied them to remain with the Voyagers. He wanted them helping with the workload as much as possible. The fear of entering the Osiris Realm with too many men would be dangerous. The fewer the better, actually. Mykal couldn’t tell, but didn’t think the Archers were thrilled about being left behind. They were loyal to Quill, and the need to protect their leader was clearly evident. They followed him everywhere like shadows.
Blodwyn talked more with the governor, and they stood close together. Every once in a while they touched, whethe
r it was her hand on his arm, or his on her wrist. Mykal looked forward to a night by a fire when he could sit back and just let his old friend share all of the details of what was obviously an interesting past.
Mykal’s parents were at the dock, as well. They assisted Refler readying the small ship. He never thought he’d see either of his parents again. Now not only were both back in his life, they were together as a couple. It was kind of amazing. He thought it would feel different. He had his family again, but still felt something was missing. Perhaps it was only because threats of a looming war brought them together, and not simply because they’d returned for him.
It might take time filling the void. Though his grandfather raised and reared, his emotions were raw.
“Take a walk with me,” Blodwyn said.
Mykal spun around. The governor was walking away. “Where to?”
“We need to see an old friend of mine.”
“More old friends?” Mykal said.
“This man, Refler—”
“Refler?”
“He was once a knight.”
“For Nabal? And like the Archers, he deserted?”
“The Archers didn’t desert. Not the way you are thinking. They took a stand against what they thought was wrong, and Nabal fought them on it. You should ask your uncle about how hard it was for him to decide to separate from Grey Ashland,” Blodwyn said. “But my friend, Refler, he was not a knight for King Nabal.”
“He wasn’t? But then—”
Blodwyn smiled. “Refler protected the Cordillera Castle. He knows the ins and outs, if you follow what I’m saying.”
“I do.”
“There are hidden entrances to the castle. The mountains they sit on are filled with caves and catacombs. Many of the passages are heavily guarded. There are some other ways into the castle, however, that are not. It would be impossible for us to find them on our own. Near impossible, anyway. But with Refler…”
They walked along the cobblestone path. Mykal stayed silent. Too many times he’d spoken his thoughts without thinking through the backlash of his words. “I’m sorry I keep saying such idiotic things, like about the Archers being deserters.”
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