They waited in the hall and let me walk in alone.
I did it slowly, preparing myself like Ruby said and saw him laying on the bed. At least it had to be him. I could barely recognize him at first. The bruises and cuts that covered his face caused it to look disfigured and I rushed over to his side with a pit of worry aching in my stomach. “Father?”
He slowly opened his eyes as much as he could but could only get one of them open. “Adele.”
“Who did this to you?” I looked him over almost in tears to see all of his wounds. I was even more saddened but filling with rage towards who was responsible.
He took a gasp of air like he was having a flashback and only said one word. “Zayden.”
My mind was going to the mention of that name. I heard it before. Everyone has. “Zayden? Of the Great Seni Fighters? I will revenge your honor, father.”
I bowed my head to turn away but my father grabbed my arm with what strength he had. “Adele. No one has ever stopped them before. It can’t be done. They are too strong.”
“It has yet to be proven who’s stronger, father. I will not allow this to go unanswered. You know that.”
“But I’ve seen them and I know what they are capable of. You cannot win with pure bravery. It’s a miracle that I got away with my life at all. They don’t take prisoners. This country can’t afford to lose you and I can’t afford to lose you, not like that.”
I remained silent. He knew what I was and knew that I was strong but he’s always seen me as a child. Since my mother died when I was young, he has always been protective of me. I guess he believed the Great Seni Fighters were stronger and he felt he had to protect me from them. I could understand why.
“What shall you have me do?”
“Let the Queen decide the right path. It’s not up to you. Wait until she makes it so.”
“Very well, father. You must rest now.” I put my hand over his face and closed his eye. I wanted him to rest to get through this.
He laid still and was breathing more calmly. I didn’t want to but I left the room with my eyes down on the floor, trying my hardest to close the door quietly behind me.
“So?” Jaylyn asked.
“Where’s Ryon?”
“He went to tell Trever. How bad is he?”
I sighed and hated even saying it. “Bad.”
“Damn Senians!” Ruby bursts out in anger to think that we weren’t there to stop it. I was thinking it too. We always seemed to be a step behind them. “They must be punished!”
“They will be but the Queen has to decide it. For now we have our own part or Jaylyn does.” She shifted her eyes to me and looked worried. “I know that I said we shouldn’t use our gifts around others but he needs you right now and I need you to do it. The quicker he heals, the quicker the Queen can make her decision and we all know what it will be. She’s been waiting for something like this to happen too. It’s time we know for sure.”
It would be us. We were the Queen’s Assassins.
“All right, Adele. I’ll do it. Right now I don’t really care what others think about it either. He’s the only one that can tell her what happened.”
I nodded in return and all we could do now was wait for the perfect time.
Darkness. That was it.
We used the cover of night while the manor slept and snuck down into my father’s room. It was dark except for the light coming in through the windows from the moon and we could see him laying on the large bed in the center of the room.
Jaylyn took a deep breath, seeming nervous and tucked her blonde curls behind her ears. She slowly took off his blankets so she could see the wounds while Ruby and I could only stand by and watch. This was something only she could do but we had to be careful and make sure no one saw her do it.
She put her hand on my father’s forehead and was able to get a sense of his injuries. She looked up at me with worry because there were so many but I merely nodded and she started with the deep wound on his side. She put her hand over it and her bright green eyes had begun to glow, filling the room with even more light. This was a sign that it was working and we remained to wait in silence.
My father started to move half way through and Jaylyn immediately stopped. Her eyes faded and we all held our breaths in hopes that he wasn’t waking. He would surely disapprove of our method of fixing things. He knew what each of us possessed but never wanted us using our gifts where it would affect the thoughts of others in a negative way and bring up questions, possibly exposing us. That was something he always made sure we were careful about and even now we had to be.
He moved around for just a second longer then stopped and Jaylyn looked to me. I nodded and signaled for her to continue.
She worked on any internal damage she might have sensed before moving to the injuries on his face. From what I saw, he was lucky to have survived the journey home but I was glad he did, not just because he’s my father but this meant we would finally get the meeting we’ve anticipated over the years. Everyone has heard the stories of the Great Seni Fighters and their greatness but I wanted to show them ours and who really owned this world.
Chapter 4
General Balwin
I woke in a completely different state from the day before. I felt normal again. I touched my face. Strange. I could no longer feel signs of my wounds. It didn’t make sense. I got out of bed and walked over to the mirror to see for myself. I couldn’t believe what I saw. Nothing looked wrong with me.
I looked at the bloody bandage on my side but felt no pain. I unwrapped it and the wound was gone. It was like none of it ever happened but I knew better. I could never forget.
“Jaylyn.”
I tried to remember the night. I remembered seeing blurry images of the girls at my bedside and thought it was just a dream but after seeing myself now, I realized that it wasn’t. Adele has gotten Jaylyn to heal me for sure. I should have known she would have done something like this but now it could cause problems as to how I recovered so quickly.
I reached for the bandage and wiped it on my face, getting some of the blood to discolor patches of my skin so I appeared bruised again. Clothing would cover up everything else and I got myself prepared to see the Queen.
I was sure that was Adele’s intent and part of me was saying it was the right one. I knew the Queen would be furious just with the news and I was the only one who could speak the true details.
She sat with a look of disdain on her face as I entered into her presence in the throne room and got down on both knees in front of her. “What do you have to say for yourself, General? Your humiliating failure has cast a bad shadow over this country. Explain your actions.”
“I have not the words to describe my sincere apologies, your majesty, as we were unprepared for the recent events and I regret allowing three men to wipe out an entire company of your soldiers.”
“Three men? It was only three men?”
“Yes, your majesty. I stayed to confirm it. It was the Great Seni Fighters, led by Prince Zayden.”
The Queen sounded disgusted with this news. “Rebels. Your defeat cannot go unanswered.”
“What shall you have me do?”
“You? Nothing. You’re suspended from your duties as of now.”
I was instantly full of rage but said nothing. I didn’t want to make things worse for myself and lowered my head as a gesture of bowing. “As you wish.”
“Actually, I have one last duty for you.”
“Name it.” I quickly looked up with solid words.
“I want you to assemble the Kalu Assassins and send them into the mountains.”
Worry overcame me and I tried to protect my family. “But your majesty!”
Arianna held up her hand and I had no choice but to hold my tongue from making matters any worse. “Aleksander, I know she is your daughter but she and her team are the best and it’s about time to know who possesses the dominant force. Their meeting is inevitable. You know this. Will you not do your du
ty to your country, not even for me?”
I was silent and put my head down with an even more silent sigh.
“Do this and I’ll retract your suspension. Your record will be wiped clean of your humiliating defeat. You shall once again redeem your honor.”
I knew what I had to do. I had to send them out on the dangerous road of the mountains to face Zayden because I knew whether I wanted to or not, she would have them go anyway.
“Done. You have my word.”
“Good. Send them out immediately.”
I got to my feet, bowing my head one last time.
I rode a bit more slowly on my way back to the manor just thinking of what could happen. My whole world and everything I cared about could be taken away by having to do this one thing.
I still didn’t want to.
Adele was my life and Jaylyn and Ruby had become like daughters to me over the years they’ve spent together. Sending them to their deaths was something I didn’t want to do. I had to make absolutely sure that Adele knew what she would be up against.
I was alone to place my horse back in the stables with another minute to think but the moment I walked inside the manor, Adele was eagerly awaiting my arrival to hear the news. “What did the Queen say?”
The look in her eye was anxious and I tried getting to it slowly. “First of all, what you did was unacceptable.”
“I’m sorry, father. I just had to.”
“I understand but you know how hard it’s going to be for me? You’re lucky no one asked about it.”
“You faked it well.”
I touched my face where the dried blood smears tightened the skin. “You gave me no choice.”
“So?” She asked, getting back on the subject with an innocent voice like a child. “How did it go?”
It would seem I couldn’t put it off any longer and knew I had no choice but give her the orders. “Get your gear and gather your team. She wants you to track down the Great Seni Fighters.”
“Are we to engage?”
“You’re Assassins.” I hesitated to get out my next words. “Take them out.”
Adele nodded and turned to leave.
“Adele.”
My voice stopped her. “Yes?”
I was hesitant to let my worry show and came up with something else to say. “Make sure you’re back before the banquet. I know the Queen is expecting you to be there.”
“Don’t worry, father. That’s weeks away and we shouldn’t even have to leave the country. We’ll be back before then.”
“Also, it’d be best for you to travel on foot. The sound of horses carries too swiftly through the mountains and you will need the element of surprise on your side. That’s where I failed.”
“Father—”
“Remember what I said about them. This will be your most difficult mission yet. Let us hope Fate favors you and the others on this journey as I will. Good luck.”
She smiled her mother’s smile and left.
I watched her walk away, thinking of how Cynthia would have reacted to me letting her go and it only saddened me more.
It was done, my part that is. Now it was up to them to make the next move and I feared for it more than anything.
“You did well, Aleks.”
I looked up and Trever was in the doorway of the dining room, his eyes blazing with approval.
“That doesn’t make me feel better about it.”
“They will be watched. Everything is going exactly the way it needs to.”
He was right but as a father, I still worried.
Chapter 5
Adele
My heart was pumping so fast with the news. I went straight through the manor to the courtyard where Ruby and Jaylyn were waiting for word. “We have orders from the Queen.”
“Yes! It’s payback time!” Ruby said in excitement, ready to take on any challenger.
Jaylyn smiled at her reaction and felt just as glad. “This will be a refreshment. We haven’t killed anyone in a while.”
I nodded in agreement. That’s all I could do.
“We’ve been ready for this.” Ruby smiled.
“I know. Let’s get our gear. We leave right away.”
We eagerly walked inside to our service room where we kept all of our weapons and other battle gear. We changed into our winter Assassin attire and equipped ourselves with a few daggers, along with our specialty weapons that we designed.
We looked ready now as any Assassin would and set out to leave.
Despite what my father had suggested, we took our horses. Taking this whole trip on foot would have just been too hard on us. We travelled for several days and stopped off at the last farm in the north before reaching the mountains.
“Thank you for holding our horses.” I said to the stable master. “We have to be stealthy from here.”
“No problem at all.” He replied. “We’re happy to do it.”
“We’ll be back in a few days but if it takes longer than that—” I paused, not really wanting to show worry about not returning. “It just means we had to go in farther.”
“I’m confident you’ll succeed. Good luck.”
We left the farm and began to head even more north where no one ever travels. These lands are basically forbidden because it’s so close to Seni but that’s exactly where we needed to go.
Our journey would seem long now that we’re on foot but this is what my father wanted. I at least had to respect that. I remembered what he said about them and only continued to wonder just what we were going to be up against. We’ve never even come close to a visual encounter of the Great Seni Fighters before and it just made me wonder more.
“My father spoke briefly of our targets. He says this will be our most difficult mission to come.”
“We’ve anticipated this meeting but we’ve never lost a challenge.” Jaylyn said.
Ruby noticed I didn’t respond with agreeing confidence and looked over. “Adele, are you having doubts?”
“No.” I snatched to hide my worry. “I was just telling you what I already know. My father is the only one to ever face them and live. We all know this will be our biggest test.”
“You have every right to be worried.” Ruby placed her hand on my right shoulder for a moment of comfort but I didn’t find any in it. “The path ahead for us remains dark as we don’t know what Fate has in store but we always manage to return.”
“That’s what makes us so good.” Jaylyn said.
“I know. We’ll find them and when we do I will restore my father’s honor by taking out Zayden. He’s the one I want.”
“Zayden? Isn’t he the Prince?”
“Yes, I suppose he is.”
“This isn’t going to affect your killing royalty rule is it?” Ruby asked.
“Not this time. This time it’s personal.”
They smiled at my devotion to the mission but Jaylyn quickly took the smile off her face with another question. “Aren’t they considered to be the first generation of Great Seni Fighters?”
“Yes. They’re the first of their kind.”
“And they’ve only been around for about five years?”
“Yes. Since adulthood, I imagine. Just as long as us.”
“Then wouldn’t that make them young like us?”
“What are you getting at, Jaylyn?” Ruby asked.
“Well, all we know about them is their skill but what if they happen to be—you know—attractive? I don’t think I’ll be able to kill them if they are. It would be wrong. Wouldn’t it?”
Ruby and I shared a glance and I sighed. “We don’t have a choice. We have orders. They’re a threat and all threats need to be taken care of no matter their appearance. Let’s just get it done no matter what, okay?”
Jaylyn put her head down with a long disappointing sigh. “You only say that because you’ve seen the one you want to be with.”
“What do you mean? Ryon?”
“No. You know what I mean, Adele. The one from y
our dream.”
Just hearing her say it lowered my mood. “That’s not true. I could never be with him. He’s of Senian blood, remember?”
“Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t want to.”
I sighed again, really getting annoyed about this conversation. “Not in this life. Besides, I don’t know a thing about him, just that I’ve killed someone close to him. How could anyone look passed that even if we were to meet on common ground?”
They stilled their voices and left it alone. Finally. I most certainly didn’t want to carry it on. They were just bringing my mood even lower than it already was by doing it. We need to stay strong and we all knew it. We’ve been waiting for this for years and have finally gotten the chance to welcome it. I wouldn’t have it ruined with hopeless mentioning of him.
Chapter 6
Troy
Winter was coming to an end but it never seemed so in the midst of the mountains. It was always winter here; always cold. Our fire barely kept us alive. We’d have to stay awake all night, taking shifts to sleep when it was daylight. That was the only way but we’ve still been restless. Our thirst for conflict just waiting for someone to pass was slowly molding into something worse.
“It sure is taking them a long time.” Darius sat on a fallen log, kicking rocks at his feet as a sign that his patience was running thin. Our time here never seemed it would have an end. These rocks we sat around were turning into home and none of us liked it.
“Don’t worry, some will come.” Zayden said. “You can’t expect them to race to their deaths.” He turned his head back west through the pass and placed his hand on the ground, looking into the dark with darkness in his eyes. “Troy, scout ahead again. I feel something but it’s weak. It could just be an animal but you better check. We want no surprises.”
I respectfully nodded to the order. I greatly trusted in Zayden’s unique ability to sense vibrations around him; a gift perhaps but through an unknown source. He’s just always had it with no explanation as to why. We never really needed to ask, not even him but it was helpful at times and so I listened.
Aligning Stars (Fate's Intent Book 1) Page 2
