The Crystal Key: An LGBTQ+ Fantasy Series (The Crystalline Chronicles Book 3)

by Blake R. Wolfe

  Your journey is an important one. Let Tephyss guide you and you’ll do things nobody has ever even dreamed of. The stone chose you for a reason. Don’t doubt yourself, and do what you think is right.

  See you again soon,

  -Cyrilo Ironpaw

  Dusk lifted the silver ring off the page and studied it in the dim light. It was simple without any markings on its surface. He slipped it onto his left index finger where it fit snugly. There was a feeling of sadness in the pit of his stomach, but his heart felt as if it was on fire. A renewed sense of purpose flowed through his body, coaxing his spark into a robust flame. He folded the paper and tucked it away. Lifting his right hand he turned it over and undid the strap that concealed the crystal in the back of the leather glove. At that moment he knew that he wouldn’t be selling off the crystal as he originally planned. He knew that he’d hear Tephyss’s voice again when the time was right.

  Seventeen

  The rooms at the inn were comfortable, but their stillness was almost unnerving after weeks at sea. Dusk had grown used to the gentle swaying of the hammocks and found the sensation coming back to him as he laid still in his bed. It made his head spin and his stomach turn. He spent the better part of the night rolling over in his bed, trying to get rid of the feeling until sleep took him at last.

  That night Dusk had a strange dream. He was standing in the middle of a forest, surrounded by the sounds of nature. The trees were lush and full while the ground was littered with green plants and thousands of flowers. Sunlight streamed down to the forest floor, highlighting the bright colors and filling the glen with the sweet scent of wildflowers. Here and there a bee lazily buzzed, collecting pollen for its hive. The distant snap of a tree branch startled Dusk suddenly. He ducked down and hurried over to a wide tree, keeping his back against the trunk. Peeking around the edge in the direction of the sound he saw shapes moving in the distance. They were too far away to make out, but as they passed under the beams of sun they flashed and glittered as if made of glass. He could just make out the bright blue cloth under what he assumed was armor. The figures pushed their way through, swords held at the ready while some carried banners that were too far away to see any details.

  Dusk leaned his head back against the tree, closing his eyes and steadying his breath. When he opened them again he saw Tiernan standing in front of him with the black metal crown sitting atop his head. Dusk cried out, tripping over himself and the underbrush to get away from the madman invading the tranquility of the forest. He fell to the ground, feeling the damp earth and broken plants beneath him. Staring up at Tiernan, he watched as a sly grin spread across his face.

  “You think you’re outside of my reach, but you’re mistaken,” Tiernan chuckled. “I have your scent now. There’s no getting away this time.”

  Dusk pushed himself to his feet, pulling the bow from his shoulders that seemed to have just appeared. He nocked an arrow and pointed it at Tiernan, aiming directly between his eyes. “I’m done with you,” Dusk growled back. “Leave me alone and I’ll let you live.”

  “You are no more a threat to me than a tiny puppy, Dusk. Although it’s adorable you think your growls are scary.”

  “What do you want?”

  “The same thing I’ve always wanted, for you to come and join me.” Tiernan stepped forward, putting himself less than a foot from the arrowhead. “All you need to do is take the crown from Queen Lobelia. After that, I’ll come find you.”

  “How easy, just overthrow the entire royal family of Inahan. A simple task.”

  “You won’t have to overthrow them,” Tiernan sang. “You’ll prove you’re one of them with the eye. Nothing more than long lost kin.”

  Dusk felt his arms growing tired from holding the draw. The tips of his fingers strained against the bowstring, but he wasn’t about to lower his weapon.

  “In the bottom of Castle Calendia there is a chamber that has been sealed for a thousand years. There’s only one way in and you already have the key to opening it.”

  Dusk quickly glanced at his gloved hand. “What’s in it?”

  “Wouldn’t that spoil all the fun?” Tiernan laughed, pushing forward til the arrowhead was pressed against his skull. “Let’s just say you’ll find something there that the queen has wanted for a long time, but it doesn’t belong to her.”

  “I don’t trust you.”

  “That’s probably wise.”

  Dusk hesitated for a moment. “Are you really here?”

  “You know I nearly transported you across an entire country, but you think I couldn't reach out to you in a dream?” Tiernan laughed, placing a hand on his stomach. “Please, even you can’t be that stupid.” He glanced up at Dusk, his dark brown eyes sparkling. “I already know you’re in Watersedge.”

  Dusk gasped, knowing for certain that it was no longer a dream.

  “But you’re just on another errand for me like you always have been.” Tiernan reached up and snatched the bow, ripping it from Dusk’s hands and throwing it to the ground. He grabbed Dusk by the neck and slammed him against a tree, holding him a foot off the ground. “You may think you’re making your own choices, but I’ve got you right where I want you,” he hissed through gritted teeth. “Your newfound freedom is an illusion and you will help me get what I want, one way or another. Betray me again and I will kill everyone in this world that you love, and then use you as a puppet for the rest of your pathetic life.”

  Dusk fought to breathe, but the hand around his throat was like stone, crushing his windpipe. His vision began to tunnel in, the peaceful scene around him shifting at the edges. The plants in the glen withered away and turned brown before catching on fire. The trees lost their leaves and the air was filled with black smoke as flames licked the edges of Tiernan’s cloak.

  “You are nothing but a tool to be used, just like you’ve always been.”

  ◆◆◆

  Dusk woke to see someone standing over him, a dark shape holding him down. He cried out and began to flail, kicking and punching at anything that got near him. Finally, his fist connected with something hard and the dark shape fell backward to the ground. Dusk kicked the blankets off and threw himself out of bed. Running to the wall he scooped up his bow and yanked an arrow from the quiver. Without a second thought, he nocked the arrow and pulled it back, ready to kill whoever was attacking him.

  “Dusk, stop!” a familiar voice cried out.

  He paused but didn’t let the tension out of the bowstring.

  “Dusk, it’s me.”

  It was Lex’s voice.

  As Dusk’s eyes began to adjust to the darkness he saw Lex sprawled across the wooden floor, holding one hand out while the other rubbed the side of his jaw. Dusk felt the strength leave his body as he slowly loosened the bowstring, letting the arrow clatter to the ground. He fell back against the cold wall, sliding down until he was sitting on the floor. Dropping the bow at his side he pulled his knees in close, hugging them to his chest. The dream had seemed so real and his heart was still pounding. He could still feel the fingers around his neck and the flames licking at his skin. Tiernan had been inside his head, there was no denying it.

  But had everything he’d said been true? It was obvious that he hadn’t planned for Dusk to get away back in Emerald Deep, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have another plan now. For a moment Dusk had let himself believe that everything was going right, that he was in control of his own fate, but that was no longer true, if it ever had been. Tiernan was pulling the strings again, even from the other side of the continent. Whatever magic he had found in Alamond was bringing his plans closer and closer to fruition. Dusk only knew that he didn’t want to be part of them, but he wondered if he had a choice. If he chose to ignore Tiernan and go to Greencoast, that could be part of his new plan, unbeknownst to the group. Or maybe he was trying to scare Dusk into running away. Either way, it seemed as if Dusk would be playing into his hand.

  “Dusk?” a soft voice said beside him.

 
; He lifted his head and saw Lex sitting next to him with his back against the wall as well.

  “Are you okay?”

  Dusk shook his head, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. “Tiernan knows where we are.”

  Lex’s face dropped, a look of fear spreading across his features. “Are… are you sure?”

  “That was too real to be a dream,” Dusk murmured, pulling his knees closer. “He said he’s using me, just like he always has been.” His voice caught in his throat as he tilted his head down to rest against his knee. “I thought I got away from them by killing Yarick, but I’m right back where I started.”

  “No you’re not,” Lex whispered, sliding to Dusk’s side and wrapping his arm around his shoulders. “You’re here with Tara and me. He doesn’t have control over you, he’s just trying to scare you.” Lex reached over and pulled Dusk’s chin towards him. “Don’t let him in.”

  “Am I ever going to be free of all of this, Lex?” Dusk sputtered. “I ran from the mines to get away from the torture and somehow all I did was find more.” Dusk looked down at his gloved hand. With an angry growl, he ripped the glove off and threw it across the room, the crystal clinking on the wooden floor. “I wish I’d never found that thing!” he yelled across the room.

  Lex pulled him in tightly, hugging him from the side. “Why don’t you come lay down with me.”

  Dusk pushed himself away. “No. I’m not tired,” he said gruffly. Getting up, he walked over to the chest at the foot of his bed, pulling out his boots and cloak. “I need some time to think. Alone.”

  Throwing the thick fur-lined cloak over his shoulders, Dusk made his way towards the door. He aimed a kick at the glove, sending it flying against the wall before he pulled open the door and slammed it behind him, leaving Lex still sitting on the floor. The tavern was dark as he made his way across the room and out the front door into the streets.

  Outside the sky was just beginning to lighten. The clouds had moved away and the stars were shining down. A sliver of Gartha still shone on the horizon before it slipped away for the day. Dusk trudged his way through the snow, heading for the beach where he’d said goodbye to Cyrilo and Captain Duillearga the night before.

  Dusk plopped himself down in the sand despite the biting wind coming across the water, having stormed his way down the beach for a long while before his legs grew too heavy to keep walking. He hadn’t been honest with Lex- he was exhausted- but he couldn’t be near his friends just then. It was hard to think when Lex was around. Not in a bad way, but it was distracting nonetheless. At least out in the cold he could have some time alone to mull over everything Tiernan had said and what he was going to do about it.

  ◆◆◆

  It was mid-morning by the time Dusk pushed his way through the door of the tavern. His eyes were red and his feet felt like frozen lead in his boots. Each step was harder than the last. Scanning the room he was relieved to find Tara and Lex sitting at a table near the fireplace. Pulling off his cloak he walked over, slumping down into a chair at the table that had been laid out with food. To their credit, neither of them said a word, but they looked on with concern, pausing from their meal.

  “Tiernan knows where we are,” Dusk finally sighed heavily, glancing at Tara.

  “Lex told me what happened,” Tara replied softly, keeping her voice low. “Now that you’ve had your time, what are your thoughts?”

  “I can’t let you two go with me,” Dusk muttered, tilting his head down.

  “Good thing I don’t need your permission,” Tara scoffed. “Did you come up with anything useful while you were out there or was this all a pity party for yourself?”

  “Tara, don’t be like that,” Lex began.

  “No!” Tara slammed her fist on the table, making a couple of people jump nearby. “You listen to me, the both of you. I didn’t travel halfway across the world through danger and bad weather just to be told I’m not needed anymore.” She pushed her plate away and crossed her arms. “I’ve listened to you two bitch and moan for months now, taught you how to fight, and risked my life for this insane trip we’ve been on. And for what?” She glared at Dusk. “For a bad dream to send me packing? I don’t think so.”

  “It wasn’t just a dream-” Dusk started.

  “I don’t care if you got a vision from the gods themselves! Tiernan has no more control over you than he does any other person in the world.” She leaned forward, grabbing Dusk by the collar of his shirt. “You listen to me, you pansy. Everyone has the ability to make their own choices in this life. You can either choose to face your problems, or run from them.” She pulled him closer, her teeth bared. “And so help me if you choose to run, you’ll be playing right into his hands.”

  Dusk fell back into his chair as she let him go. Pushing herself up she grabbed her tankard and drained it in one long gulp before slamming it back on the table.

  “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some information to collect so we can afford the trip to Greencoast. Because that’s where we’re going.”

  Ripping her cloak off the back of the chair, Tara stormed across the room and out into the street. Dusk still sat in his chair lopsided, staring wide-eyed at where Tara had been sitting. Lex was silent, waiting for Dusk to say something. When it became obvious he wasn’t going to, Lex cleared his throat.

  “Dusk, we’re going with you.”

  “Lex, I—”

  “Look, I know this is tough for you. You’ve had it worse than any of us on this trip and you’re the target, true enough.” Lex ran both hands through his blond hair, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. “But you don’t get to make our decisions. No more than Tiernan gets to make yours. Tara is right, you need to face this problem head-on and stop running.” He paused for a moment before he got out of his chair and came around to Dusk, crouching in front of him with a hand on his knee. “Listen Dusk, you know I care for you. It’s because I care that I want to go with you. Yeah, we might be in danger, but each one of us is going to die someday anyhow. If we are going to die, I’d rather do it trying to do some good in the world. Wouldn’t you?”

  Dusk was silent, keeping his eyes turned away from Lex’s. He shifted uncomfortably, playing with the hem of his cloak out of nervousness.

  “You started this journey to find your freedom, but it’s become something bigger than that. I think you have a larger part to play than you want to believe. And while I don’t know what that is, I’m willing to go the distance to find out.” Lex reached out and grabbed Dusk’s hand. “Both Tara and I will be at your side. You don’t have to do this alone.”

  Dusk felt his resolve fade as he slumped forward. Lex reached up and wrapped his arms around him, letting Dusk’s head rest on his shoulder. He knew Lex was right. After everything Cyrilo had said and all that he’d discovered along the way, he knew there was more to the story than just finding a small farm to settle down on. But he had no idea where to start.

  “What do we do?” Dusk murmured into Lex’s shoulder. “I don’t understand any of this and I have no idea where to go next.”

  Lex pushed Dusk upright, holding him by the shoulders. “I don’t know where to go either. For now, why don’t we just focus on getting to Greencoast Port and finding Mirinda? That seems as good a place to start as any.” He sighed, shaking his head. “This sounds silly, but maybe the right path will make itself known to us as we go.”

  Dusk cracked a small smile. “That does sound a little silly.”

  “It’s the best I’ve got for now. Let’s just take it one day at a time.”

  Dusk nodded, leaning back down into Lex’s arms.

  Eighteen

  Tara slapped down a paper with a scratchy illustration on its surface. “Looks like the rumors were true. There’s some kind of monster running around the foothills and picking off villagers who wander too far out of town.”

  Dusk stared down at the drawing, rubbing the sleepiness out of his eyes from his nap. Reaching out, he turned it around and leaned over th
e table to get a better look. Scrawled across the surface was a rough sketch of a large creature standing on four legs. It had thick muscled arms, and fangs that extended beyond its lower jaw. It was entirely black including the long tail that trailed behind it. The eyes, however, were left completely white. Whether that was on purpose or not, Dusk didn’t know, but it was unsettling. And on the bottom of the page in bold numbers, the bounty was listed for felling the beast..

  “Two hundred gold pieces?” Dusk gasped aloud, then forced his voice to a whisper. “We could just buy the whole damn town with that much money.”

  “Not to mention, if word got out about what we’d done, we’d be a target for every bandit this side of the Dorsum Mountains,” Lex added.

  “Good thing we’ll spend a fair amount of it here, shacking up for a month.” Tara took the sheet of paper back, folding it up and sliding it into her pocket. “We’ll have time to stock up and get some weapons made if we need them. Lex has been bitching about his sword for two months and Dusk, you need more arrows.”

  “Are you sure we can handle this thing?” Dusk asked, shaking his head. “That’s a lot of money. I can’t imagine a high price means it’s easy to kill. How many other villagers and idiots has it eaten?”

  “But we’ve got you.” Tara smiled coyly. “One shot from you and it’ll be dead.”

  “I can’t do that around here! What if someone sees me? What if the Circle finds out?”

  “The beast is somewhere in the woods north of town. There won’t be anyone out there to see you, so there’s nothing to worry about. Plus if your dream is true, they already know where we are, so no harm done.”

  “I don’t know how I feel about risking our lives again,” Lex muttered, his fingers playing with the edge of his shirt.

  “There’s not much choice. It’s either this or find a job and good luck doing that in the middle of the winter in a tiny nowhere town. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to camp in the snow for the next month eating nothing but skinny rabbits.” Tara crossed her arms and looked between the pair of them, reading the worried looks on their faces. “Look, we have nothing to worry about. I’ve taken worse missions than this many times and I’m still fine. Even if I have to do all the work myself, I promise not to let you two idiots starve.”