by L. R. W. Lee
He’s not smiling at my impending demise?
“Andy,” MiniMe called to him, offering up a memory: a dimly lit earthen cavern. Six steps ascended a circular white stone platform at its center. The ceiling rose into the darkness.
Our testing at Giant’s Ring.
“Yes. Watch.”
Yara stood before a throne made of highly polished white marble inlaid with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. To its left, a chaise with ornate scrollwork that glittered gold. To its right, a roughly hewn wood table with five warped planks forming its uneven rectangular top. It had taken the princess only a moment to choose the option representing humility and self-sacrifice. She’d climbed atop the rickety table and lay down, closing her eyes, trusting her sacrifice would benefit her land and not be in vain.
Andy’s stomach lurched. He’d never forget that moment.
He rose.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Willing and Poured Out
Andy stopped before Mom and Father. “I’m willing.”
“Son.” Father grabbed him and sandwiched him with Mom.
“You can’t,” Imogenia implored. “This can’t be happening.”
“It’s the only way,” Andy reminded.
Tears wet Mermin’s face as he joined the group hug.
“Let’s get this over with.” Andy ducked under the wizard’s arm. He stopped briefly to give Alden and Hannah hugs. He caught Razen’s eye, nodded, then lay facedown near the cauldron.
I can’t believe he’s the one to kill me.
Had the situation been different, the seeming injustice would have ignited Andy’s anger. But the magnitude of the circumstance doused any potential for flames.
Father, Mom, and Mermin collapsed next to him. Razen stood opposite with his hand on the hilt of his dagger.
“Majesty,” Razen croaked. “I’m so sorry.”
“No, I am,” Father’s voice cracked. “It’s my fault.”
Andy took a deep breath. “I’m ready.” Yara, I’ll come find you!
He heard the sound of metal on leather as Razen drew the weapon from its sheath. Out of the corner of his eye he watched the bird-man raise it above his head. The knife trembled in his clenched hands. Razen closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, then brought the knife down.
Just before the blade connected with Andy’s back, Father yelled, “Razen, stop! This is Mount Mur Eyah. Provision shall be made! I am that provision.”
No one had time to process Father’s declaration, for Hannah yelled, “The bellicose! It’s coming!”
Andy scrambled up as human and centaur cries echoed from the cave entrance, accompanied by a loud, feral roar. The furry, panther-like creature knocked Razen aside—black goo oozed where arrows protruded from its arms and back. It had the marks of a crazed porcupine.
Razen screeched as the beast’s acid touch burned him, leaving a bright white mark on his arm. He grabbed for the bleached skin as the soldiers drew weapons and centaurs stumbled into the cave.
Methuselah!
“Stay away!” Captain Ladilas commanded, causing everyone to back away.
Dagger raised, the bellicose took a flying leap as it reached Andy, its open mouth dripping saliva from long canines.
Andy stepped left as soon as the beast committed to its leap. His follow-up blow missed the back of the creature’s head, however. Andy pivoted. Just as the menace prepared to touch down, its foot caught the top of the cauldron.
“No!” A chorus rose as the kettle rocked then rolled, belching its contents across the ground. No one dared step forward to halt its disgorgement.
The bellicose somersaulted to a stop and bounded up. A rain of arrows commenced as Andy and the creature circled. The soldiers and centaurs took care to avoid hitting Andy as they delivered round after round of projectiles to the creature’s legs, feet, midsection, and head.
Andy held Methuselah, making an eight pattern as he continued sidestepping on the balls of his feet. He hoped it was just a matter of time before the bellicose succumbed. But with the beast looking like a pincushion and showing no signs of faltering, his faith wavered.
“No need to attack, Andy,” Chieftain Cedrica coached in an even tone, as if reading his thoughts.
“Wait it out. You have the advantage,” Captain Ladilas added.
“Patience is the key,” Father encouraged.
The bellicose belted out a vicious snarl and lunged. Andy barely dodged as it swiped its dagger.
The circle of warriors split and re-formed around the pair’s new position, and the shower of arrows resumed.
The bellicose wasted no time. It charged, but Andy guessed its next move and again avoided contact. This time, however, the creature left its midsection exposed as it passed him, and Andy took advantage. Methuselah bit into its oozing flesh.
The bellicose stumbled and Methuselah struck again.
The creature let out a pained growl before collapsing forward onto the arrows jutting from its body.
Andy unleashed his blade on its neck and put the beast out of its misery.
Soldiers and centaurs pointed their weapons at the still form and Andy bent over, panting as exclamations and sighs of relief filled the cave.
Then, like butter in a hot pan, the bellicose’s body began bubbling, melting, and emitting a noxious stench. Centaur and human alike threw arms over noses, gasping for breathable air.
It took several minutes, but the creature finally dissolved, leaving only a heap of featherless arrow shafts scattered like pickup sticks. As the foe vanished, its stench dissipated. A white silhouette marked the ground it had touched.
“It’s never stunk things up like that before,” Andy observed. “Why now?”
“No!” Hannah’s cry cut Andy’s questioning short. She pointed at the overturned cauldron and its scattered contents. The ground had absorbed the liquid ingredients. Those gathered stared in horror as realization dawned: The curse would not be broken, at least not by the potion.
“What are we going to do now?” Alden despaired.
“Imogenia,” Mom called. “Only you can lift the curse now.”
The spirit drifted to her queen and considered. “Kaysan.” She looked at her brother. “Before that thing attacked, you said something.”
“Yes, Imogenia. I offered my life as the substitute for Andy’s. This is Mount Mur Eyah. If provision can truly be made, I can’t think of a better time.”
Her translucent frame leaned forward. “You’d do that? You’d sacrifice yourself to atone for your crime against me?”
Father locked eyes with his sister and in a tender voice said, “Imogenia, I love you. You’ve refused to believe that, but it’s true. I’ve told you how sorry I am more times than I can count, but you won’t forgive me. What I did was evil, and given the opportunity, I would have willingly offered myself, but I never had that choice.”
Imogenia drew her hands to her mouth and whispered, “You really have repented.”
Father dropped his head. “Thank you for believing me.”
The spirit choked, “I’ve made a mess of things. Laying the curse on the land destroyed the troika’s power and enabled Abaddon to gain control in the first place.”
“No, Imogenia,” Mom objected. “That happened when Kaysan murdered you. Enough could have, should have, would have—we must be rid of the curse in order to defeat Abaddon. It’s up to you.”
“But if I… You realize what you’re saying, my queen?”
Mom looked to Father and Mermin who nodded.
“I do. We will die, but in giving our lives, our nation will be rid of the curse and stand a chance against Abaddon. Now go. Remove the curse.”
Tears welled up in Andy’s eyes and his heart groaned as Imogenia drifted out of the cave. She glanced back over her shoulder with uncertainty in her eyes before disappearing.
Losing Yara had put a permanent ache in Andy’s chest, but the pain of this moment was without compare. He had hoped the years of knowing, of anticipating, would make
this hour easier, but it was not to be. He hugged himself and dropped to the floor. His heart shattered.
Mom, Father, and Mermin fell beside Andy and hugged him as he sobbed. The pain was beyond excruciating—it felt like arrows struck his chest. This morphed into bolts of energy as more intense stabs shredded his emotions. Deeper, more profound pain replaced this. Then loss. Despair. Nothingness. Through it all, the trio hugged Andy tight, willing calm and peace. His breathing spasmed and he choked it down. Grief made it impossible to breathe.
“Breathe, Andy,” Mom coached as she rubbed his back like when he was little.
It took several minutes but Andy finally took a deep breath and pulled back from the comfort of their embrace. He felt completely spent. Father offered him his handkerchief and Andy wiped his face.
Mom brought her hand to his cheek. “Andy, I love you more than you’ll ever know,” she choked out as their eyes met. “You know what’s about to happen, but this isn’t the end. Never think of it as that. This is a new beginning for you and for Oomaldee. Remember when I told you I’d lived long enough?”
Andy nodded.
“I meant it.”
“And I agree,” Father said, pulling Andy’s chin toward him. “You and I had a similar conversation, remember? Five hundred years is enough for one lifetime.”
Mermin nodded.
“Son, you know how much I love you. I have never been so proud of you as I am right now.” Father pondered for a moment, then shared, “After so many years, I assumed I would never bear an heir. But then you entered my life. I didn’t even know you were my son, but my affection for you grew.” He chuckled. “Remember when you kept slipping and saying grand?”
Andy forced a smile. “Yeah, I thought you were my great-grandfather. I never in my wildest imagination guessed the truth that you are my father.”
Father patted Andy’s chest. “I love you, Son.”
“I know you do. I love you too.” Andy leaned in and hugged Father again, drawing tears from the man. Andy savored the embrace. To cram everything you most love about a person into one gesture… I never want to forget how this feels.
“Mom.” Andy moved back to her and held her tight. She rubbed his back then clung to him. Andy knew she was crying too. This will probably be the last time I get to hug her. The thought made him hold her all the tighter, stuffing all the feelings he held for her in the few remaining moments they had together. She and she alone was Mom, the one who comforted when he had a rough day, the one who accepted him despite his imperfections, the one he talked to when he needed honest advice. She was all this and more. He hugged her tighter.
I have to be strong. The thought came several minutes later. He sat back and swallowed hard. He caught Mom’s, then Father’s moist eyes and nodded. Their return nods told him they understood he knew what he needed to do. He took a deep breath and stood.
Hannah and Alden quickly enveloped Andy, giving Father, Mom, and Mermin the opportunity to say their good-byes to the others. Mom and Mermin engaged Jayden and Elmina in conversation. Father called Razen over. Andy assumed he was giving him final instructions, but the bird-man soon started shaking his head violently. “No, Majesty!”
How can he say no to the King?
Razen’s face took on a tortured look, and seconds later he turned cold eyes on Father. Without warning, the bird-man drew his dagger and plunged the blade into Father’s chest. Father grabbed for the weapon as he slumped to the floor.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
No!
Horror sprang to Andy’s face. He didn’t remember falling asleep, but he knew this had to be a nightmare. Things like this didn’t happen in real life. But when screams rose as Razen shifted into his bird form and fled the cave, he couldn’t deny the truth.
“Stop him!” Captain Ladilas commanded, racing after. The soldiers sped out of the cave on his heels.
Mom, Andy, and Mermin converged on Father, who clutched at his chest. Andy pulled the dagger out and tossed it aside. Blood poured from the wound and Andy pressed down, trying to stanch the flow.
Mom and Mermin were in tears. “What would possess him?” Mom quaked.
Mermin couldn’t get words out despite repeated attempts. He took to rocking where he knelt beside Mom.
“Why?” Mom murmured.
Despite Andy’s desperate measures, Father’s eyes took on a lifeless stare minutes later.
“He’s gone,” Captain Ladilas reported, returning with the other soldiers.
Hannah sobbing against Alden’s chest drew Andy’s attention. He sat back on his haunches and stared at his bloodied hands. “Father, you said Razen is a man of honor and virtue? With all due respect, no. He’s exactly who I thought all along. Abaddon is his master.” Andy clenched his teeth. “Razen, from this day forward until the day you die, you better be looking over your shoulder, because I will avenge my father.”
Sergeant Hammond and Captain Ladilas each drew a fist to their hearts. The gesture rippled through the human and centaur ranks encircling the devastation. Lord Jayden and Lady Elmina bowed their heads.
Before words could break the moment, Mom and Mermin slumped like dominoes at Father’s side.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Bended Knee
Andy sucked in a deep breath, spread his arms wide, and collapsed on top of the lifeless bodies. He didn’t know how he could have any tears left, but new sobbing overwhelmed him and wave upon wave of tremors rocked his frame.
Years of building tension came to a head—gut-wrenching denial preceded begrudging recognition. Andy had never fully accepted their fates. But they had. Now here they lay, motionless, surrendered. Andy’s fight flowed out of him, the choice to accept or to continue resisting, gone.
When Andy finally pulled back, he put a bloodied hand to Father’s eyes and closed them. A peaceful look graced the man’s features. If a puddle of red had not stained the front of his tunic, you’d think he was dreaming. Mom had relaxed and looked like she was listening attentively to something Father shared. For his part, Mermin looked like he was preparing to rise and launch into action on behalf of his best friends one more time.
They’re gone. Mom. Father. Mermin. I’m not ready. I’ll never be ready. Excruciating emptiness filled Andy.
Shock at all that had so quickly transpired held onlookers in place until Andy rose in a daze.
Captain Ladilas took a knee and bowed. “My king.”
The title jolted Andy.
Alden, Hannah, and each company member followed the captain’s lead.
I’m now king. It felt hollow. He’d never wanted this.
Andy scanned the circle of bowed heads, searched the gazes of the rigid centaurs, as power passed unbidden from one generation to the next.
“They need you to lead them,” MiniMe encouraged a minute later when Andy had still not uttered a word.
But I don’t know what to say.
“Say what’s on your heart, like you did when you restored Oomaldee’s center. Give them courage. You’re ready for this.”
Andy took a deep breath. “Rise.”
Once his subjects stood, Andy addressed them: “We feel each other’s pain. We grieve together. There will be those who attack us as we mourn, but we cannot allow them to discourage us. Despite our pain, we will fight. Of the many lessons I learned from my father, I love this one most: success comes from responsibility, diligence, and dignity. And this is exactly the strategy we will use to defeat our enemies. We have been responsible—we have prepared for this fight. We will be diligent in our war against Abaddon and all who oppose us, never stopping until our enemy has been utterly defeated. Our cause is just and dignified—we will retake our home and establish a kingdom where each and every one of our citizens feels safe and prospers. This is my pledge to you.”
As the final words fell from Andy’s lips, Imogenia floated into the cave. Seeing the dead, she drifted to where Mom lay, then knelt and ran a hand over Mom’s cheek. “I guess you know the Committe
e on Afterlife Affairs approved my request. I waited a few minutes to make sure they arrived safely at the Terminal before returning.”
“You saw them?” Andy asked, his voice rising.
“Officials wouldn’t let me talk to them, but they were in the decision line when I left.”
“Decision line?” Hannah questioned.
“It’s where you decide where you want to go next: Peace Paradise, Hades, Unclaimed Baggage, the Unfinished Business Office, Guest Services, Employment Office, or the Waiting Area. At least, those were my options.”
The notion brought shifting among listeners, uneasy with talk of the afterlife.
Andy’s mind whirred. “Is the fog gone?” he asked Imogenia.
The spirit nodded, sending a ripple through the onlookers.
“I’ve no doubt Razen told Abaddon everything, Captain. If we wait until daylight, we’ll have difficulty getting back with all the zolt he’ll have running around,” Andy reasoned.
Ladilas nodded.
“We leave now. Walking down the mountain is easier and faster than climbing up. Without the fog, we’ll have the light of the moon to help us.”
“We could be halfway home before the sun rises,” the captain estimated.
“My troops will escort you,” Lord Jayden offered. “You need help with the bodies and—”
Jax stepped forward. “It would be my honor to bear your loved ones.”
“Likewise,” Houston joined in, tipping his hat.
Twyford echoed the same.
“You honor me, Lord Jayden. All of you,” Andy said. “Thank you for your kindness. I will never forget it.”
“It’s decided.” The captain issued a flurry of orders.
Jayden patted Andy’s shoulder. “You have a great task before you. We will support you in any way we can. You must not fail.” Lady Elmina leaned in to embrace Andy.
Within minutes eleven humans and a dozen centaurs emerged into the moonlight.
“Safe journey,” Jayden bid as he, his mate, and their guard separated from them.
