by J. A. Comley
“Starla,” Ezira heaved an enormous sigh, “Kyron is no fool. You would be captured long before you could help your friends. You cannot be sure that what you saw your friend holding is even the rest of the amulet. It could be an ordinary necklace.”
Starla remembered Gaby's earlier words.
“So you suggest we give up?” Her voice as harsh as Gaby's had been. “I should just stay here with you and let them die? Or worse, let him turn them into drodemion slaves? Should I just stand by like you and let your precious Kyron destroy another planet, kill thousands more people?” Starla spat, her tone dripping disgust. She hadn't failed to note the sad, but tender way Ezira said his name.
Ezira looked stunned, as if someone had just slapped her. Her eyes flared up with deadly anger, then suddenly went flat and emotionless. Starla felt more afraid by the latter and took a step back.
But Ezira simply turned away and walked over to the window wall, looking out at the stars.
“Starla, you can't go,” Astria said, then quickly continued as her granddaughter turned her furious emerald gaze on her. “Not alone. At least come back to the Royal City. Take some Makhi with you,” she pleaded.
Starla shook her head. She knew that if she returned with Astria there would be many who would want to help. Naleiya would follow her in a heartbeat to save her brother. The Commander would probably not let her wife go alone. And Ezira was right. Kyron was not a fool. This plan didn't have a very promising outlook.
“No, grandmother,” Starla sighed, her voice soothing. “That would be disastrous. The people need everyone that is there. Naleiya must lead the Order. She cannot leave on an errand that could end so terribly. I must go alone.”
Rya snorted. “You're not going anywhere alone. We're coming with you.”
The other Sacrileons all nodded their agreement, except Fey, who kept glancing at Ezira's ridged back.
“This is no time for vengeance,” Ezira said, her voice scathing as she turned from the glass. “Your powers will be needed in—”
“You've just said that without the completed amulet, Galatia doesn't stand a chance,” Gaby interrupted her. “I don't see any better mission to go on.”
“We have to try for it,” Alli added, following Gaby to stand beside Starla, facing the Demilain Creator.
“We may even be able to find our Sacred Stones,” Rya said, joining them.
“Not to mention freeing the most powerful High Lord on record,” Lua added, winking at Starla as she walked over.
Fey sighed. “I don't know you, but you have courage. They are right, Ezira,” she said, taking the two steps that joined her to the group. “This is the best chance we have.”
“Listen to yourselves,” Ezira said, unswayed, her voice cold as ice. “How do you even propose to get to where he is keeping them? He will know the second you all arrive back in Galatia! None of you, not even all of you combined, can match his power. Not with her powers dormant. You will only serve to make him stronger when he kills you or turns you. And you!” She trained her eyes on Starla. “You will be delivering the amulet right into his hands,” she said harshly.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Rya grumbled under her breath. She sounded shaken by the ferocity of Ezira's words.
“You could create Darkness Mantles for us,” Fey said calmly. “That would get us through Abyss Valley undetected. And if we used my Stone to travel, we could enter Galatia undetected.”
“We're not going there with the idea of fighting him,” Alli added when Ezira snarled wordlessly at Fey. “We are trying to give Galatia a fighting chance. Its only chance.”
“I am giving the Star to my grandmother. I will not take it to him.”
Ezira was staring them down, her pointed teeth bared in frustration. “Do you understand how much power I just used saving her life? Then, again, stopping her being ripped apart by the Orb? And you want me to expend still more making Darkness Mantles?”
“Our decision is made, Mistress Ezira,” Starla said, her tone calm and sure. “Your help would be most appreciated, but we leave within the hour, with or without your aid.”
Astria smiled sadly. “You are so much like your mother.” Her tone made it clear that she would not fight Starla on the subject any more. “But you must keep the Star. If things go wrong, you will need it.” Her face looked dejected as she said the words, but behind the sadness, her blue eyes were hard, determined. “Besides, no other may touch it unless they have broken it to their will. Which may not even be possible.”
“Suicidal fools,” Ezira spat. She swept out of the room, flinging the doors open and shut with a wave of her hand.
Starla sat turning over the Star in her hands. The Sacrileons had made her tell them every detail of the chamber she had seen. They thought they knew exactly where her friends were. They were sitting at the table in the central dome, pouring over a map of Galatia, Astria with them as they tried to plan the best routes in and out of all the places that needed evacuating.
Ezira was out among the blanket of stars outside the glass domes. Starla had seen her only briefly before the stardust had obscured her from view.
She was back in her bedroom, changing out of her blood-stained dress into an artfully embroidered top, with a deep V-neckline and matching, skin-tight breeches. The whole outfit was a subdued ash-green, the embroidery black.
The animals had all joined the others, Flek looking odd with his burnt patches of fur, and stubby feather, slowly regrowing.
“Starla?”
She spun on her heel, facing the door as Ezira shut it softly.
“Do you know that drodemion shamans can sense magic?”
Starla nodded, a little thrown by the random question. Then it dawned on her why it was important as Ezira continued.
“They will sense your amulet as soon as you are close enough.”
Starla nodded, remembering the drodemion in the forest.
“Can you help?”
Ezira watched her thoughtfully for a moment. “Yes. I can ensure the amulet will not be detected.”
Starla took it off, holding it out.
Ezira waved her staff and the world went white.
“It is done,” she said, as the brightness faded.
Starla blinked, turning the Star in her hands. It looked the same. The whole spell had taken less than a second.
She looked at Ezira and saw that she had left, the door swinging open.
Shaking her head, Starla pulled on her new black boots and went to join the others, the Star safely around her neck once more.
***
Aimee ruffled her feathers again, squawking in protest.
“You have to go with Astria, Aimee,” Starla said again, her voice kind. “I will feel better knowing that you are safe.”
“The other animals are going with you,” the little sparrowhawk sulked.
“Please?” Starla asked, thinking that it wouldn't do to remind Aimee that the others had magic and special defensive or offensive abilities, while she did not. “Be safe, for me.”
“What about you?” Aimee asked stubbornly, her amber eyes on Starla.
Starla sighed. She knew that Aimee had already thought her dead once before, and it had been hard to bear. Now, she was asking her to potentially bear it again.
“We're ready,” Gaby said, interrupting their conversation.
Every pair of violet eyes shone with resolve as they stood, waiting for Starla to join them.
Starla nodded, touching the Star as she moved away from the glass wall, Aimee still perched on her shoulder.
She couldn't feel the pull of familiarity that she had before, but guessed that Ezira's cloaking spell affected her ability to feel it, too.
Astria had got changed while Starla had spoken of her vision to the Guardians. She was now in a short, white dress, a gold-tinged metal bodice over it, and pale-gold breeches. She had her crown back on and was holding a short, purple wand. Her red belt of seven stars shone in the chamber's ligh
t.
Starla smiled. Whatever else happened, today Galatia would get their Queen back.
“Okay, how are we doing this?” Starla asked, handing a reluctant Aimee over to Astria.
“I can return on my own. An Inagium may always return to the place of their birth. But it requires a great deal of strength and Kyron will know what I have done.”
Starla remembered something that had struck her as odd earlier.
“Grandmother,” it was becoming easier, more natural to call her this, “if you have always been able to communicate with Galatia, why did you not tell anyone that you were still alive?”
Astria smiled regretfully. “When Kyron attacked me in Timiol, I was not in this form. I had used my Spirit-Casting ability. I was transformed into my shield-self.”
Starla's brow furrowed. “Shield-self?”
“Inagium can learn to take many forms. But our shield-self is the one we are born with. It is the one we are strongest as. It amplifies our magical store. However, Kyron's spell trapped me in that form. Ezira saved me. She'd been watching from here, using Fey's Stone. I could not revert form or communicate in any way. I lay, as if unconscious, for months. I only awoke to my true self the morning of the day they brought you in. The first thing Ezira did was tell me who you were. I couldn't leave your bedside after that. I took the time to mentally compare your amulet to my research. To make sure it was real. And you, lying in that bed. I didn't want to leave your side, I could think of nothing else, even when I let them coax me into getting some rest.”
“Why didn't Ezira tell them?”
Astria shrugged. “I guess she had no way of knowing whether I would survive or not. Our shield-selves are untreatable, almost insubstantial. Ezira could feel my life because she is a Demilain Creator, but could not help against the Curse I'd endured.”
Starla bit her tongue to avoid saying anything rude about their hostess and saviour. “And us?” she asked instead, turning to the Guardians.
“Sacrileon Guardians are not affected by the planetary lock-down as long as they are sent by or travelling with Sacrileons from the planets they are leaving and entering,” Rya said, her eyes tight. “Though, if he is paying attention, Kyron will notice. But we're hoping that even if he does, he'll just assume we're heading for the City and not check where exactly it is that we landed.”
“And me?” Starla wondered if calling on her Star would work again.
“I will send you.” Ezira spoke just as Fey opened her mouth. She was back in the room, folds of dark fabric slung over her arm. “All of you. Seeing as you are all intent on suicide, I may as well give you the best chance possible.”
“Do you mean that?” Starla asked, unable to keep her tone completely polite.
Ezira arched a red eyebrow. “I have made Darkness Mantles for you, from the energies of six dying stars. I will send you to Abyss Valley without my brother being aware of it. And,” she turned to Astria, “I have told Queen Valana to join her forces with Galatia's. Just as she has always wanted to do. Trianon's last stand will be held in Galatia. I am sending the entire Aurelian force through as soon as they are prepared. I think you should wait so that I can send you all at the same time. Except you, Astria, of course.”
“Thank you!” Astria beamed. Her heartfelt thanks were echoed by the others. “I must get home and tell them of the coming reinforcements. Among other things.” She smiled at Starla.
Starla also thanked Ezira but she still held herself stiff.
Astria came over and hugged Starla tightly. “Your grandfather, brother and I will be awaiting your return.”
Starla hugged her in response and patted Aimee. Would she see them again, she wondered?
Astria moved three steps back into a circle of light created by Ezira. With Aimee perched on her shoulder, she twirled her wand in two interlinked diamond patterns. A glittering wind surrounded the pair, obscuring their forms. When it cleared, they were gone.
“Our turn,” Gaby said, handing Starla the dark cloak. The others were already wearing theirs. Starla felt a strong wave of deja vu as she looked at the Guardians, all cloaked and waiting to smuggle her into a stronghold.
She took the cloak, momentarily distracted by the insubstantial quality of the material, then turned to Ezira.
“If this is all a suicide mission, then why tell Aurelia's King to go to Galatia. Shouldn't you be trying to do the opposite?”
“I did try to get the opposite to happen. For years. But I will not take people's will away from them as Kyron does.” Ezira looked at Starla thoughtfully. “My duty is to balance out my brother's cruelty. You blame me for wanting to save lives? He is too strong, Starla. If everyone fell back here … it would buy time only. Death is coming, either way. I may as well let the people I was meant to protect choose where they die.”
Starla recoiled from the utter defeat in this powerful creature's voice.
“How—?” Starla shook her head. “If you joined us, joined the fight, I think we could win. You'd at least give us a better chance.”
“No.” A pained edge entered her voice. “I am not strong enough to fight him.”
“You're afraid to die? You won't help us because you're scared you'll lose?” Starla asked, incredulous, even though she understood the fear of death well enough.
Ezira shook her head, her long red hair swinging. “No, Starla, I am scared I will win. He has come here to kill me. He will leave me for last, torturing me with every death, unless I force his hand.” She drew a ragged breath. “I am not afraid of losing. I … he's mine, Starla. My other half, my soul's mirror image. I cannot bring myself to fight him. Not face to face. How could I kill him?”
Starla managed a nod but her mouth remained a thin line.
Ezira pointed her staff at the floor a short way in front of her.
At that moment, a man appeared. He staggered a few steps than regained his balance. His skin was a flawless white, his hair a blueish-black. His ears stood on the top of his head, like a cat's. He bowed.
She lowered her staff.
“Mistress Ezira. General Okano is prepared. The Aurelian Army stands ready. All Aurelians will go to war.”
Starla couldn't help but be side tracked. All Aurelians would go? She asked Lua what he meant.
“The Aurelians are a warrior people. Even the youngest children are trained to carry weapons early and know what to do to help their parents in battle. They carry extra arrows, bandage the wounded, and so on.” She shrugged.
“They also know that if this battle ends in defeat, no one left on Aurelia would be safe anyway,” Alli added grimly.
“Good. Go and join your team at the meeting point,” Ezira told the man. “I will be sending you all shortly.” She handed him a small, black, velvet bag. “For General Okano. Tell him to place it in the Lightless Tree. He has enough time.”
Starla felt her eyes being drawn to the bag. She took an involuntary step forward. She stopped, shaking her head in wonder at her own insatiable curiosity. She held herself still and hoped that whatever Ezira had seen fit to give the General of the Aurelians would in some way be helpful.
The man took the bag and nodded, moving a few steps away to wait. A few moments later, he was gone.
“Ezira has a travel point in Aurelia. If someone magical with a heart free of any intention to harm her steps into it, they will come here, to whichever room she is in,” Gaby said, explaining the man's ability to seemingly pop in and out of existence. “That man was a Nightstalker. Did you notice the eyes?”
Starla had noticed. Before he had turned from Ezira. his eyes had swept the room. His irises had been yellow, which didn't seem all that unusual to her, now, but a thick ring of black had surrounded them. It made had them stand out boldly from their white background.
“Time for you all to leave,” Ezira said, turning back to them. “I am hoping that if Kyron does sense anything, it will only be the larger beam of magic taking the Aurelian army straight to the Royal City, leaving you i
n Abyss Valley undetected.”
“In Abyss Valley? I thought we needed an invitation or magical anomaly?” Starla asked, cocking her head to one side.
“Normally, yes. However, we have all been invited and Kyron, in his arrogance, has not withdrawn the invitation. Your amulet invited the Guardians and you were invited when the magmus took you captive,” Ezira said, waving a pale hand. “Quickly, now.”
The five Sacrileons stepped closer to Ezira. Starla joined them, still wanting to say more to Ezira.
“Sometimes, you have to sacrifice everything,” Starla began. “There are people I know who have had to kill their family and friends because of Kyron. Do you think that was easy? Do you think they thought that they would ever have had the strength to do it?”
Ezira simply stared, her dual-coloured eyes boring into Starla's.
Starla held her gaze.
Ezira began waving her staff in an intricate pattern until a white light appeared above them.
“Good luck,” she said to them all. “Remember your own words when the time comes,” she added to Starla before letting the light descend.
***
Starla spun in a slow circle as the light faded. They were near the border. Behind her, stood the tall, glowing trees of Rainbow Wood. Before her, the heavy, impenetrable black of Abyss Valley.
“Keep your Darkness Mantle closed and the hood up. We will be able to see each other, but his minions shouldn't be able to see us,” Fey said, showing Starla how the deep hood fell forward to completely cover her face. “Oh, but stay away from any flames, just in case.”
“They're flammable?” Starla asked, closing her mantle, finding that she could see through the hood as if it wasn't there.
“No, but every flame in there could potentially be a magmus,” Gaby said, completely hidden in her cloak, Heny beneath it too.
Everyone else's companion was hidden in their mantles too. Fey's loodek, Melor, was as strange as the others to Starla. He looked like a large lizard with royal-blue scales that grew lighter on his belly. He had three long tails, permanently coiled up like springs. His front legs ended in sharp, sickle-shaped claws.
