Anakari neared the door to Daessar. “As long as you haven’t deceived us, then you will all be safe.”
The symbols glowed bright blue as she approached. She read over the door and reached forward to run her bloodied finger over a symbol in the shape of a dragon. It hummed, pulsing for a moment, before turning white.
“After all this time, he has finally come? Let’s see if you are worthy of Talonsphere,” Anakari said, staring at him. “I have a series of questions for you, and your answers will determine if you live or die.”
Vartan sighed as he looked around with a furrowed brow. “With all my training, you don’t want me to prove my strength? There is nothing for me to fight?”
“It is strength we are testing, just not the way you had imagined. You may discover that your worst enemy is yourself.”
Vartan narrowed his eyes. “Ask what you want of me.”
Anakari laughed, shaking her finger at him. “I will, but there is something you need to know. If you lie to me, the roof lowers. You keep lying, then you will all die.”
This was not at all what he had been expecting. “This is your twisted game. Ask away.”
“Let’s start with something simple. Do you want everyone in this room to die?”
Vartan remained still. “No.”
Everyone looked to the roof, the long spikes reflecting the aqua light. Nothing moved. The door hummed, and a few symbols turned red.
“As I said, that was simple. So, Vartan, do you want to die?”
Vartan leaned toward her. “How the—”
“I know who you are, as Anakari knows who you are. Her thoughts and memories are a library for me to read through. Now, answer the question.”
Vartan searching inside of himself, and the only answers he received were conflicted. Nobody wanted to die, but he was ready to do it to save Marithia. He feared death, but also feared living. The woman he loved was dead, and he wanted to be with her. Death could bring them together.
If I admit that, then why would my companions fight for me?
“I will do what I must, to activate Talonsphere,” he said.
“Our questions cannot be bypassed. Do you, or do you not want to die?” Anakari said.
Sweat rolled down Vartan’s nose. “No.”
The room shook so hard that they struggled to stay on their feet. The ceiling of spikes fell lower, stopping only metres above them.
“Did you think we are weak? I told you, you will all die if you do not tell the truth.”
“Vartan... Don’t worry about what we think. We will follow you, no matter what the answers are. Do you all agree?” Dryden said.
The others nodded and smiled to Vartan.
“Say what you need to say. Nobody will hold it against you,” Yuski said.
Vartan let out a loud sigh. “Helenia is dead. I never wanted to die, but it may be what is needed to activate Talonsphere. If it is, then I have a chance to be with her again. Yes, I want to die.”
The door hummed again, and more of the symbols reddened. The door was almost half full of red symbols. Vartan let out a sigh of relief that they were closer to entering Daessar.
“There we have it. A true answer. The rest of this test is not so much a matter of the right answer, but being true to yourself. Tell me, after recent events, what is your heart’s true desire?” Anakari said.
“Vengeance for those responsible for the deaths of who I care about.”
Most of the door turned red.
“Very good,” Anakari said.
Vartan waited, about to speak, when he heard Dryden and Yuski coughing. The coughing intensified, and they both hunched over, choking. Anakari touched the remaining symbols. As they all reddened, the door rolled open, revealing a barren land on the other side.
A wind blew through the door as Anakari stood in the doorway, blocking the exit. Her words echoed in the room. “You may enter Daessar, but you have to make a choice. Another may accompany you, but one must remain behind. The room will open again, but only once the spikes have reached the floor. Once any three of you have left the room, the door will shut.”
“What the fuck is this? Are you saying that one of them has to die?” Vartan said, reaching for his sword before remembering that fighting is useless.
Damn them.
“Yes. It can even be Anakari who dies and I could walk her back inside, but one must remain. Who do you choose?”
Yuski growled. “This is bullshit!”
“It is what must be done. Sacrifice. There is no other way out of this,” Anakari said.
Dryden approached. “All of you can leave. I will remain behind. It will be an honour to die for all of Marithia.”
Vartan looked to his companions, then grimaced. “Anakari, Yuski... Leave us. Give us a moment.”
Yuski ran to Dryden. “No! You can’t just throw your life away. I will remain behind.”
Dryden shook his head. “I cannot let innocents die on my account. I swore an oath.”
Vartan said, “None of us are innocent anymore.”
Dryden nodded. “This may be true, but my time has come. Just let me do this and go save Marithia.”
Yuski held him. “Thank you, I will never forget this. May we meet among the gods.”
Dryden smiled as she let him go, and they watched her leave. Vartan extended his hand, and Dryden shook it in his firm grip.
“Sir Dryden, walk with me,” Vartan said.
They headed toward the door.
“We have fought together, bled together, and lived together. I will never forget you, old friend.”
They stopped a foot short of the door to Daessar. The entrance to the realm was in the middle of a barren field, but there was a forest in the distance, albeit a small one.
“And I will never forget you, Vartan. You know, I never told anyone this... But I love Queen Andrielle. May as well let it out now, right? Maybe I will meet her, and all of you, in my next life. Now, go.”
Vartan smiled, reached forward, and grabbed Dryden by the shoulders. With all his strength, Vartan threw Dryden into Daessar. “I cannot let any of you die like this. Find Talonsphere and destroy it!”
Their screams died out as the door to Daessar closed firmly shut. Vartan threw his sword to the floor and dropped to his knees, looking up as the shaking room sent the spikes tumbling down.
Helenia, I am coming for you.
He shut his eyes, bracing for the inevitable, and imagining Helenia. He could see her smiling face staring at him. In that moment, he found peace. Death was a doorway to the afterlife, and he was ready to break that door open.
The shaking intensified but abruptly stopped. He exhaled, looking up to see spikes barely above his head. A strange whirring came from the walls, and the spikes retracted. The door to Daessar slid open. Anakari stepped through, and Vartan saw the tear-streaked faces of Yuski and Dryden staring at him with wide eyes.
“You have passed your final test. Now find us, as Talonsphere is waiting for you. Come to the forest. A guide will meet you,” Anakari said, before her eyes returned to normal, and her symbols darkened once more.
Anakari took a step back, shaking her head and looking around like a startled rabbit. “Vartan? What happened?”
Vartan picked up his sword and rose to his feet, taking his first steps into Daessar. He had been ready to die, and it was as if his fears had been stripped from him. “We are in Daessar, and need to find Talonsphere. Follow me.”
Kassina narrowed her eyes at the great castle before them, hiding within the branches of the tree line. They had travelled by the shade of the Blood Red Moon, jumping between Elven Wood trees, taking care to steer clear of Veldrenn’s scouts. Kassina had stayed close to Adela, guiding her through the woods as they checked areas for any enemies. They did not spot any of Shindar’s army. Wherever the Demon of the Underworld had gone, he was nowhere near Greenhaven.
The horizon brightened with signs of a new day dawning. Kassina had once wished for the Blood Red
Moon to appear, and now she was glad to see it drop out of sight. They had found some wild deer along the way, and although the taste was awful, vampires were grateful for feeding.
Am I really doing the right thing? she thought.
The heart beating within her had given her something that she thought she would never have: a chance for a new life. But this new life would be one of her design, and not one written by the hands of ordinary mortals.
She could choose to fight, but her chance to survive would be strongest as an ally with Marithians. With her magic gone, she was still a formidable fighter, but would be unable to stand against dragons, let alone against Shindar.
She leapt to the ground, landing roughly as she stumbled to catch her footing.
My nerves must be getting the better of me.
Saving face, she stood straight and addressed her people. “Now is the time.”
She waited for Adela to catch up to her.
“Are you sure about this?” Adela said.
“We shall see. If this all goes badly, then run as fast as your legs can carry you, and I will follow close behind,” Kassina said, keeping her voice low.
Kassina said, “Follow me!” raising her arms and tucking her hands behind her head.
The lands were swiftly bathed in daylight. She led the vampires toward Greenhaven, and it was not long before a battle horn was blown from within the castle, and the ground shook hard. A line of dragons transformed their scales to reveal themselves, blowing jets of fire. “Kassina, stop! What is the meaning of this?”
Kassina felt the heat of the flames on her skin, and for the first time in longer than she could remember, she sweated and her heart raced. “Nobody move!”
The wide line of vampires behind her, stopped in their tracks, and Adela stood beside her.
“We want to negotiate a truce,” Kassina said.
The largest of the dragons laughed, approaching her. “Why should we believe you, and not kill you where you stand?”
“Because you are peaceful beings, and I can offer Marithians a truce that can benefit us all, and defeat Shindar the betrayer. He left all vampires to die, when he was done with us,” Kassina said.
Another dragon sneered at her. “Karven, she’s lying! This could all be a trick; a distraction for Shindar to attack us where we least expect it.”
Karven snapped, “We would know if he was here. It surprises me, Kassina, that you come here, in daylight. What are your terms?”
“I request an audience with Queen Andrielle to discuss them,” Kassina said.
Karven looked to Greenhaven. “I imagine you have already got her attention. You will understand if we must accompany you, and that your weapons must stay here? If you break this trust, then we will bathe all of you in fire.”
And eradicate the mistake the dragon’s created? Kassina thought.
She heard Karven’s voice echo in her mind. No, my grand-child. If this is truly a path of your redemption, then you must know that you were never a mistake.
Karven leaned forward, sniffing the air. Dragon’s breath, and an unmistakable one. Could it be true? Niesha lives?
Yes.
And was it her that set you on this path?
It was.
Karven lit up, his eyes widening and he spread out his wings before retracting them. Kassina saw tears run down the dragon’s face. “Niesha lives! Praise the gods.”
He turned to a nearby dragon. “Find Nymira, and tell her that our daughter is still with us. She will be overjoyed at the news.”
The nearby dragon nodded and rose into the air, disappearing into the sky as he transformed his scales.
Walk carefully. These are trying times, and I know what it means for you to be touched by Nymira’s dragon’s breath. It seems she truly paid attention to what we taught her. I must admit that I was not sure of this eventuating, but it warms my heart to hears yours beating once more.
“Please, drop your weapons and you may proceed to Greenhaven,” Karven said.
Kassina stared at the King of Dragons. If he was her grandfather, then that made her dragon royalty. She had always imagined that their reaction would be one of condemnation, not acceptance. She dropped her weapons to the floor, hearing other vampires doing the same. She led the way toward Greenhaven.
Karven turned to another fellow dragon. “Fly ahead to Greenhaven and let Queen Andrielle know that this is an act of peace, now.”
The dragon king leaned close to the dragon’s ear, and Kassina saw the messenger dragon’s eyes widen as Karven relayed a secret message.
The dragon launched from the ground, sending a dust cloud spreading out in a circle.
Kassina began her march toward Greenhaven. “Follow me.”
I am glad you decided to change your path, Kassina. I have made Andrielle aware of your changes, Karven said.
Don’t get ahead of yourself. This could be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. Being weak means she can easily kill me, Kassina thought.
Have faith, like I am having in you, Karven said.
The King of Dragons followed closely, and most dragons took to the skies. Kassina waited until the messenger dragon left Greenhaven’s walls, and picked up speed, swiftly covering the separating ground, and slowing when she was within shouting distance of Greenhaven’s walls. She looked up to see a long row of archers keeping her in their sights. Queen Andrielle headed toward her, walking over the lowered drawbridge. A group of knights followed close behind. Andrielle turned to raise a hand at them, and Kassina heard them arguing, but the Queen of the Elves approached her alone. Kassina knew the look in the knights’ eyes. They hated her, and would run her through at the first opportunity.
“Kassina, you are very brave to come here, and you do so under Karven’s protection. This was the last thing I was expecting to happen, but I hardly know what to expect anymore. You seek an audience, and now you have one. Although, there are many who believe I should execute you for your crimes against Marithia—” Andrielle said.
“And what of the crimes against our kind? Against my parents, who were executed for simply loving each other and creating me, as if that was a horrible crime on its own,” Kassina said, baring her fangs, but keeping her hands on her head.
“That was long ago, and still our lands have been terrorised. We have all lost those we love,” Andrielle said, her voice breaking as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “I am sick of it all. I have lost my husband, my daughter, and more Marithians than I can remember. But hear me now, and hear me well... If you mean to harm us, I will never stop fighting. We will resist until our last breath.”
Kassina knew the queen’s pain. She had felt it all those years ago, and for the first time, she could relate to her. “Then let us put our pasts behind us. I have come here in the name of peace, and you are not barbaric enough to murder us like this. I am not proud of my past, or of the things I have done, but I was manipulated... I was created to be who I was, and I am trying... Trying so hard to change. I am sorry for the lives lost at my hand or order.”
Andrielle nodded. “Forgive me if I cannot trust you, but I would be willing to look at you, and all vampires... with fresh eyes. But I must ask, why now?”
“I was awoken to the truth beneath all the lies. We have also lost most of us in this war, and we must stop now. I have seen the end and there will be nothing left. That is not the world I wanted to live in. I want to help Marithians win this war, and to avert the Blood Red Moon. I know Shindar’s secrets, how to defeat him, and what I ask in return is forgiveness from the crown, and for vampires to be recognised as citizens of Marithia,” Kassina said.
“You ask for much. I suppose that the enemy of my enemy... could be a friend. How do you suppose to blend with us, when you treat us as your food?” Andrielle said.
“What I ask is simple. We will never feed from humans again, like the old times when vampires fed from animals. We can return to those times, but with a caveat. Vampires are not to be forbidden from lovi
ng humans, or elves. My parents sacrificed their lives for that love, and if I can change this, then they did not die for nothing. We have the same rights as the rest of you,” Kassina said.
“And what happens to vampires when they break our laws?” Andrielle said.
Kassina narrowed her eyes. “Then they will pay dearly for endangering a new peace. I also ask that I rule my people, helping to enforce the laws that we agree on,” Kassina said.
“There can only be one queen in Marithia. But, so long as you answer to me, then I can live with that. Know that if this is in any way a deception that we will not hesitate in defending ourselves. You will be closely watched, and surrounded by heavy guard,” Andrielle said.
Kassina couldn’t believe she had done it. “That is understandable, and if any vigilantes think they want to kill a vampire, then we will do what we must, but we will not be aggressors. Where do we go from here?”
Andrielle turned to the parapets. “Lower your weapons, please, all of you.”
The elven queen hesitated for a moment, then held out her hand. “We understand each other. We walk into Greenhaven, together. Our people are afraid, and you will help me explain to them that we have new allies, and new citizens of Marithia. There will be much work to do, but we will be very interested in learning everything you know about Shindar.”
Kassina stopped, indicating Adela. “Thank you, Andrielle. This girl, Adela, must accompany me.”
The Queen of the Elves’ eyebrows contorted, but she wore a knowing smile. “I am sure you have your reasons. Adela, you may walk with us.”
Kassina took Andrielle’s hand, finding that both their hands were trembling. They emerged through the main gate to Greenhaven, together.
Chapter 21 : The Final Journey - Part III
“The stories of our lives are told through memories of those who remember us. Do they look back on us favourably, or with jaded eyes?
When our time is over, do we meet the ones who held fate’s cards? Or the pens of our stories are held by another.”
(Kai’En - Marithian Seer)
Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere Page 24
