Broken Arrow (Darkened Destiny Saga Book 1)

by Azaria M. J. Durant

  “Hello,” I reply glumly.

  “I think,” she says, glancing around, “that I'm going to rename this place.”

  “Really?” I ask, trying not to sound too depressed. “What do you have in mind?”

  “Well,” she says, twisting a ringlet of hair around her finger. “I was thinking something that would keep the name similar, and yet also add my own personal twist to it. What do you think of Quincarnon?”

  “It does have a nice ring to it. What does it mean?”

  “Renewed Arnon,” she replies with an odd smile.

  “That works.”

  I sit back down on the bench and resume staring into a pool of water a few feet away from us. The moonlight shines on the water, and I can hear the lulling sound of the Tireth River rushing through the ravine on the other side of the garden wall.

  “So,” I say, shaking the heaviness from my voice, “how did you escape the snake?”

  “Well,” she says, and I can hear the pride in her voice, “however brave jumping down a snake's throat sounds, it isn't a party once you're inside. I had the knife ready, and I managed to stop my fall somewhere in its throat. But once its jaws were shut, there wasn't enough air for the both of us, so I used the magic radiating off of the firestone to energize myself while I hacked away at anything I could find. It took time, but I finally managed to kill the beast. Then I crawled back up through its throat and out of its mouth.”

  I shudder at the thought.

  “But when I came out,” she continues, pacing now. “I found myself in a dank cave system – the beast’s home, no doubt. When I finally managed to make my way back to the courtyard, you were gone and the entrance was still locked. I wandered through the forest, searching for you, and came across the king communicating with Zeldek. Through them, I learned that you were staying as an honoured guest in the castle, and that Zeldek now knew what we were doing in Arnon. Once the king was gone, I contacted the Master and told him I was alive, and that our escape was all an act to get the arrow for him. My plan was to draw him in so I could end him, and he believed me. All that was left to do was wait for you to come, so I returned to Arnon. I managed to break open the door of the tower, and found the halls of treasure. I followed the passageway from there. When I reached the chamber that you met me in, I had to wait for days.”

  “Yeah, sorry about that.”

  “That's when I met Batuel,” she continues. “I spoke with her through the door, and told her about my problem. She assured me that she would see to it that you would come with final part of the key, and so I continued to wait. It kills me to admit this, but I could do nothing without you there.”

  I try to smile, but the realization that Batuel had been the whispering voice and that she forced the knowledge of my past on me solely to get me back to Arnon weighs me down still more. “Well, it was nice to be needed for once.”

  She watches me for a moment and an uncharacteristic look of understanding passes over her face.

  “I expect I'll be leaving tomorrow,” I say after a moment of awkward silence.

  “Are you sure you want to leave so soon?” she asks. “Because you're welcome to stay here until you have fully rested.”

  Her sudden spurt of generosity is unnerving and I decline easily. “Hamish will be looking for me,” I say. “He'll want me arrested.”

  “Maybe you should tell him the truth,” she says, giving me a reproachful glare.

  “No!” I snap. “He must never know! You must promise me that you will never tell him.”

  She raises an eyebrow. “Alright then, if you're certain it is for the best. But I don't understand why you so freely throw away any opportunity for a better life.”

  “You may someday. But, just like you have your secrets, I also have mine.” I pause, sighing deeply. “Besides, I doubt I will ever enter Valamette again once I am gone.”

  A frown crosses her face. “You're a good person, Ealdred.”

  I look back at her and see sincerity in her eyes. “So are you.”

  With a chuckle, she sits down on the grass at the foot of the bench, sticking her thumbs in the tops of her tall boots. “No, I'm not.”

  “Yes you are,” I insist. “I don’t think that you’re as heartless as you want people to think. Why else would you save Bynvantalyn from those outlaws? There really was nothing in it for you.”

  She shrugs. “I like killing things.”

  “And yet you let some of them live,” I remind her.

  She gives a frustrated growl, her shreds of sympathy evaporating. “You know, there was a reason I came out here, and if you would shut up long enough, I might be able to get to it!”

  “Hmm?”

  “You see, while we were down there, and you asked me what Zeldek wanted with you—”

  “Let me guess,” I interrupt. “You lied to me.”

  She nods, glancing up at me with a hint of a smile. “Technically, I never said anything for certain. I just didn't want to burden you before you helped me with the curse.”

  “Well, try me,” I say, sinking back into my dismal mood. “I doubt that anything could dishearten me any more today.”

  “See, there is this prophecy. I discovered it when I was looking through Zeldek's notes a couple of years ago. It speaks of a half-race warrior who is destined to destroy Zeldek one day and rid Theara of the Aemurel.”

  I look up, startled. “Banner mentioned that same prophecy to me while we were in Buentoak. But he said that he didn't know who it was speaking of.”

  She clicks her tongue. “Apparently you have more than one person lying to you. It seems as if they are all afraid that you are the one that the prophecy speaks of, and I think that's why they have been watching you so closely. I know that's why Zeldek was trying to gain your allegiance. He might even try to strike you off the list if you get too dangerous.”

  I groan. “I was hoping that I could be done with Zeldek after this. Maybe have a bit of peace in my exile.”

  She shakes her head. “If you have his mark, he will never leave you alone. Just remember this, half-wit; no one can escape their destiny, no matter how hard they may try.”

  “I'll remember.”

  “There is another thing. I think I might have figured out what your element is.”

  “What?”

  “Well,” she says, “I have only seen flashes of your magic here and there when it comes out in its colour form of blue light. But you did make something happen once without that. You know – when you exploded the ground of your master's house. Zeldek told me about it.” She rubs her chin thoughtfully. “Of the five key elements, the ones involved were earth, which is Banner's element; air, which was Batuel’s element; lightning, which is that idiot Ulmer's element; and water, which was Sylvia’s element. But she died during the second great war, and the element hasn’t been able to be used since. However, it could be possible that you somehow have been able to gain the use of this element.”

  “You think that my element is water?”

  She shrugs. “It is as likely as any other theory I’ve come up with. It would help if you knew anything about your parents.”

  I look away. “Yes...”

  But even knowing what I know about them, I still can’t figure it out. I don’t know much about Queen Arrosa, but from what I gathered, she was an ordinary princess of Lavylli. And while Bellator mentioned that Leonel’s line had some magical blood in it, that wouldn’t make me half Vaelhyrean. It doesn’t make any sense.

  And to add to that, why is everyone so interested in just me? Hamish is my twin brother, which would make him a half-race too and every bit as powerful as I am. He did hear Batuel’s voice in the halls of treasure, after all...

  “Well?” Bellator’s voice is impatient.

  “Well what?”

  “I said, ‘The only way to know for sure is to try it out’. Weren’t you listening?”

  “Oh... no. Yes. Good idea.”

  I turn to the still waters of the pon
d, and reach my hand out over the lily pads that adorn the surface. I concentrate on the cold sensation and direct it toward the water, picturing what I want it to do. I wait a second, ten seconds. The cold is pounding through my veins before the surface of the pool even begins to ripple, but it isn’t me that’s doing it. Rain has begun to sprinkle from the clouds gathered overhead. Thunder rumbles in the distance. A sphere of blue light surrounds my hand and I know that if I don’t let up now, it might explode again like it did that time in the forest.

  I release my concentration and turn back to Bellator.

  “Nothing,” I say wearily.

  Her lips are pursed into a hard frown. “Interesting. It almost seems...” her voice trails off, and she sinks into her thoughts again.

  “Almost seems...?” I ask.

  “As if you don’t have an element. But that isn’t possible. You need to have either an element or the use of spells to even be able to use magic.” She shakes her head, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. “There must be an element I’m overlooking.”

  “Oh.” I pause, thinking this over. “Well, what about you? What's your element?”

  “Wouldn't you like to know?” she says shortly, and it doesn't take a wizard to know that the subject is closed for further discussion.

  There is a moment of silence as we listen to the music of the crickets in the air and the rain in the leaves.

  “What are you going to do now that you have all of this?” I ask at last.

  “Oh, me?” She smirks to herself. “I am going to join the Counsel of the Lords of Valamette as soon as Hamish is king, and force them into making decisions that will benefit the country instead of their own pocketbooks. I will then proceed to generously give the new king my full support and funding. With my help, Hamish will make the kingdom prosper, and no one will dare say that he is unworthy of his title.”

  I smile. “He'll appreciate that.”

  She raises an eyebrow. “Why are you so concerned about him, anyways?”

  “He's my friend,” I reply without hesitation. “I want to see him succeed.”

  “Then you and I have a common goal once again,” she says with a smile, and I can't help but smile back. “Well,” she adds, “I'd better get some rest.”

  “Goodnight, then, Bellator.”

  She rises to her feet and brushes herself off. Then she starts slowly toward the palace. She halts, and turns back to me. "Oh, and Ealdred," she says.

  “Yes?”

  She pauses, opening her mouth to speak, but closes it again. Then she smiles a little. “…goodnight. Friend.”

  Chapter Forty-Three

  A commotion in the courtyard below my window wakes me the next morning. Yawning, I roll over, and would have gone right back to sleep if I hadn't recognized Hamish's voice. I bolt upright, throw aside my blankets, and rush across the cold stone floor to the window.

  In the courtyard below, Bellator is standing in the centre of the stairs leading to the great door to the palace. The courtyard is full of guards in blue and gold phoenix uniforms. Hamish stands at the foot of the stairs, speaking to her in harsh tones. Something about him has changed since I last saw him, as if he has aged five years in just one day.

  Jambeau is standing behind him, apparently finding the stables very interesting, because that's where his gaze is fixed. His face is badly bruised and he wears a bandage around his head.

  “Where is he?” Hamish demands. “I know that he was here with you!”

  “I have no idea, sire.” Bellator's tone is agreeable, but I can tell that she is getting frustrated. “I told you; after I got you out of there, he ran off without another word to me. Thankfully, he was too frightened to remember the arrow. It is safely in my possession still.”

  The prince doesn't look convinced. “I would trust you with the arrow just as much as I would trust him with it,” he replies coldly. “Now, if you will step aside, we are going to need to search the entirety of your estate until I am satisfied that he is indeed not here. And that includes your vaults.”

  Even from where I stand, I can see her grow tense. But her voice is still as pleasant as before as she replies, “By all means, go right ahead. But if I find that even one coin is missing, you and your men will answer to me.”

  I dodge out of sight of the window, and fly toward my wardrobe. I hurriedly change into a drab outfit and travelling cloak, and strap my dagger to my side. Bellator hasn't yet returned the sword to me since her fight with Leonel, and I doubt that she will.

  Within moments, I hear footsteps rushing about on the level below me, and they soon migrate upstairs. I rush to the window again. The courtyard outside is empty besides the trio of soldiers left to guard the entrance to the palace. They should be easy to slip past.

  I begin to push open the lattice, but then have to duck out of sight again as a dozen more guards come into view from the direction of the stables. I back toward the door, but stop when I hear Hamish's voice ring clearly from downstairs. My heart hammers in my chest.

  I’m trapped.

  The door to my room creaks open, and I let out my breath in relief when I see that it is only Bellator.

  She closes it softly behind her and turns to me.

  “Oh, good! You're up. I was hoping that I didn't have to send you away still dressed in your nightclothes.”

  “They're here for me,” I whisper, shaken. “There's no way out.”

  “There's always a way out.” She looks over her shoulder. “However, seeing as you are now wanted in all of Valamette as a murderer, it won't be so easy getting back in if you ever feel so inclined.”

  When she looks back, her smile is gone, and there is regret in her eyes. “You were right in what you said last night. You will never be able to come back here again. Ever. Even if your sentence is revoked, even if they find out the truth, I doubt that we will ever meet again.” She hesitates. “No, I'll rephrase that; we can't ever meet again.”

  I furrow my brow. “Why not?”

  She glances over her shoulder again. Footsteps have started in the hall outside my door. “When you're around, you make me want to be a better person. You make me feel compelled — no, that's not it. You make me want to do good. And,” she takes a deep breath, “I can't afford to do that. Not with war between the Vaelhyreans coming. Not with conflict between Zandelba and Valamette impending. I have to do what needs to be done without you here being my conscience. I need to live my life without... well, without you.”

  I understand her perfectly, and even though I had been the one to pronounce my banishment first, hearing these words from her hurts. “So now that you're done using me for your own ends, you're just going to throw me away?”

  She nods, but she doesn't wear her usual smirk. “Well, yes.”

  I shake my head and look away.

  “This one service I owe you,” she says, and her voice is unusually gentle. “But it will be the last. The end of it all. The close of our journey together.”

  Tears are forming in my eyes, and I try to block them. I should have known that she hadn’t meant it when she called me her friend. I just wanted so much to mean something to her.

  Bellator takes my left hand, and presses a leather satchel into the gloved palm.

  “Here. Some copper from the vaults. It should last you a while.”

  I shove it into my belt, not wanting to look her in the eye. But I do, and she holds my gaze. Her voice comes so softly that I can barely hear the word.

  “Vanesco.”

  Her hand comes up, her palm out to me. A tear escapes my eye and races down my cheek as everything around me begins to fade away. The carved stone walls shift into a wide, open clearing, and the floor beneath me slopes at my feet, becoming a steep, rocky ravine. The last thing to disappear is her face, and her voice echoes as she says, “Goodbye.”

  I jerk to the present, and look around. Water rushes through the deep ravine before my feet, and I can see a castle sparkling in the sunlight, perched on the opposite
shore from where I stand. The castle of Quincarnon. There is a deep thicket behind me made of huge, red trees, and I know exactly where she sent me: across the gorge to Zandelban soil.

  I feel like I should be panicking, but instead, there is a strange calm inside. Also, loneliness. I am very much alone. But how is that different from usual? Only this time, a wave of happiness mingles with my tears. I may be alone, but I am free to choose my path for the first time in my life.

  As I take my first step into a brave new future, the path ahead grows clearer. There is much danger ahead of me. I can sense it in the air itself. I know that no matter how long it takes, I will have to face Hamish once more. My only hope is that when I do, he will somehow find it in his heart to forgive me.

  But even more pressing is the knowledge that I will have to face Zeldek again. And when that day comes, I have to be ready for him. Even though I know little of the destiny set before me, I can feel it in my heart. I have to do the best that I can to destroy the evil that he creates. Not because I am powerful, or strong, or even brave, but because I have been chosen by the Vaelhyreans.

  I am Elroy.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  T he Master was in a rage. His eyes glowed like hot embers, and his cries of agony could be heard even from the forest beyond the mountain ridge. Smashed pottery, broken glass, burning papers, and charred books scattered the floor of the throne room. A dark liquid splattered in a trail across the red carpet from the doorway to the throne. Upon the throne the Master was slouched, gasping for air, a hand pressed over the wound that still bled on his breast. His armour glinted with blood as black as ebony, and his white hair mingled with it on his breastplate.

  This was the state in which Warrick found his lord as he entered the throne room in response to his summons. He still wore his travelling cloak about him, and his gait, although weary, was as stately as ever. He approached the stairway, and bowed stiffly from the waist.