As the doors to the castle opened, the hum drifted into silence. The fidgeting stopped and the crowd became still.
Greer’s light emerged well before he did, as well as that of the other two Guardians.
The crowd leaned forward expectantly.
Greer spoke, his voice amplified louder than a normal man. “Nolan Trividar has declined to take the throne.”
After a shocked silence, a curse rang out, followed by a chorus of others. Hostility spread like flames. Greer held out his hand, and the crowd grew reluctantly silent. Greer waited until the last complaint dribbled away before he spoke.
“However, Lord Trividar has chosen your king. He is one who led you once, and recently led the army who won this day. I present to you Emery Cadogan, the new king of Adamah.”
Emery stepped forward, and a swell of angry voices greeted him.
Alec placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, his heartbeat increasing. He could take quite a few of them, if he needed to, though his injuries would slow him. Maybe Emery was right about the shortest reign ever. Alec tightened his grip and flared his Speed, and then a strange calm fell over him.
And it wasn’t just Alec, the entire courtyard relaxed. Fists fell limp and the angry voices faltered. Alec scanned the crowd, confused yet calmed. Then he saw Emery; the light of Empathy blazed brightly from him. His eyes roved the crowd, soothing them. Emery was good.
“I know you were expecting someone else,” Emery said. “Frankly, I expected someone else as well. But it seems our fates have taken a different path.
“I don’t come to you with vast powers, except to sense your happiness or pain.” He hesitated. “And perhaps refocus you, when needed. But I know what you have endured. I have been there myself.”
A murmur in the crowd swelled and then calmed again.
Emery walked along the landing, hands behind his back. His stained and torn clothes looked as if they’d been worn for a week. His tangled hair hung in his dirty, thin face. Even with this haggard appearance, he looked like a king.
Emery continued, “For the past six years I have gathered many who had the same goal as myself: to use our Shay powers to better ourselves and our world, and to live free of the king’s tyranny and control. We have strived to be as normal as we can, to love and to laugh, to live life, and to better the lives of our fellow man.
“Together, we can continue this goal. We can make Adamah safe and build a land where the Rol’dan lead and protect. Not because the people fear us, but because they respect us. If you will have me, I will repair this land. Starting with our own hearts, the healing of Adamah can begin.”
There was silence, then a few grumbled protests. But the murmuring dimmed as a solitary soldier pushed through the crowd. Alec recognized him, had met him before. The first time was at the Trial of Awakening—he’d healed Alec more than he wished to remember. The second time was the day the coward stood and watched while General Trividar killed him.
Tiohan climbed the steps, his shoulders hunched with age. When he reached Emery, he slowly lowered himself to one knee.
“I will serve you,” Tiohan said, “with whatever years I have left to serve, Your Majesty.”
The crowd mumbled, all with varied states of emotional highs and lows.
Emery touched his graying head. “Tiohan, it’s good to see you.”
The old man smiled. “I’m very glad to see you.”
Gradually, they approached, each bowing on one knee. Emery touched them, his eyes flaring violet. They didn’t deserve him.
Alec pulled in a deep breath and scanned the crowd, still seeing scowling faces. Groups held back, clustered together as they whispered. Hopefully, they would appreciate him … eventually.
Hakan’s barrel chest appeared, pressing into Alec’s face in a bone-crushing hug. When he finally released him, the cut on Alec’s face screamed.
“Did you ever see such a beautiful thing?” Hakan sniffed and brushed away a tear. “And I’m so proud of you too, my boy. You took out that general, all on your own.”
Alec stiffened, his face still blazing. He’d only won because Kael had stopped fighting.
“He was the best swordsman in the land,” Hakan said. “I guess you get the title now, eh? It’s not like it’s unexpected …” He snuffled again, his tears welling up. “Though I’m sad Taryn is gone, I’m happy to see you again.” His eyes crinkled into a sad smile. “You know, if Taryn hadn’t done what she did, none of this would’ve happened.”
Alec stared at Hakan. “W-what did you say?”
“Well, you’d be dead, and Taryn would still be trying to get back to the village or Galva. Nolan wouldn’t have known about our capture and, more than likely, Emery and me and Meg would all be dead too.” He sniffed. “Taryn was such a sweet lass.”
Alec’s vision shifted. He hadn’t considered it that way. Not only had Taryn given her life because she cared for Alec, but because it was the only way to save the others. She wasn’t fast enough to reach Nolan and the village in time. But Alec was.
Alec shuddered as his stomach turned. Crows, what a decision! She’d known exactly what was at stake. Taryn was the real hero. Alec sniffed back tears. He’d spilled so many in the past two days, he didn’t know how they could still come.
The line in front of Emery grew.
Alec snorted. Rol’dan. A whole army full of murdering Rol’dan. And Emery was trying to salvage them, trying to save them, trying to unite an army of filth. Alec scanned the soldiers’ faces, searching, trying to dredge his buried memories. Was his mother’s murderer still here? He’d blocked out the details; he could hardly remember. Years of hatred bubbled to the surface, and he despised them all over again. He had promised Nolan he’d stay, but he couldn’t. Not now. Not so close to all these nightforsaken Rol’dan. Not for Emery. Not even for Nolan. He needed some space, some time to get away.
Alec rubbed the bag’s strap around his neck, reminding him of Nolan’s request. Nolan’s eyes were so kind when he’d asked, it made Alec’s stomach turn. Why did he have to be so kind? I killed his brother, for Brim’s sake, and he still treats me like a best friend? It would be better if I just got away from him.
But first, Nolan wanted Alec to combine the stones—whatever that meant. Well, he couldn’t. The urgency of leaving pressed on him too much. Nolan would just have to do it himself. Stepping off his perch, he headed toward the castle.
“Where you going, lad?” Hakan asked.
“I have to give Nolan something.” Before I go.
The castle was quiet without the Rol’dan, and probably smelled better too. It would probably take a while for Emery to talk to them all, and the castle would be flooded by their foul stench again. He stepped through the large throne room doors and froze.
Nolan squatted next to Kael’s body. The fabric of the corpse’s shirt was ripped away, revealing a bare patch of death-pale skin. Nolan’s hand rested on Kael’s chest, his fingertips spread apart as his green light of Healing glowed.
Alec gasped; his heart twisted. “Nolan! NO!”
Nolan’s head snapped up and their eyes met.
Flaring his Speed, Alec raced toward him. But after only two steps, every muscle in Alec’s body jerked to a sudden stop.
Nolan stood, his hand held out and violet light blazing from his eyes. Alec struggled, trying to move anything, but he couldn’t. Crows, he couldn’t. Nolan was so strong now. Why did he have to be so strong?
“You shouldn’t be here,” Nolan said, his voice breaking.
Alec tried to speak, but his lips wouldn’t move. Don’t do this, Nolan. Don’t do this.
“I have to,” Nolan said, as if he were trying to convince himself. “I’ve sensed the Rol’dan; they won’t follow Emery without Kael. Adamah is in danger. Emery is in danger. If Emery can do anything to help, he’ll need Kael.”
Nolan was worth more than all the selfish, dimwitted people of Adamah. They could all rot in the Darkness as far as Alec was concerned.
Alec’s mind screamed. Even his tears seem stuck, unable to escape. Nolan! Don’t!
With hesitation, Nolan removed his hand, stepped away, and went back to Kael. He took a deep, stuttering breath and looked at Alec one last time. “Goodbye.”
Nolan’s eyes glowed green, at first dim and then brighter. His hands trembled as he laid them on his brother’s chest. His head jerked backward, and he gritted his teeth, holding back a scream before he let loose a series of choked cries that stabbed Alec’s soul. A spot of blood grew on Nolan’s chest, increasing and soaking through.
Alec panted, his heart thundering. He didn’t want to watch, but he couldn’t turn his head. The battle with Kael replayed in his mind, except this time, Alec pushed his sword into Nolan instead of Kael.
Kael’s hand twitched at the same time as a muscle twitched in Alec’s arm. If he could just get free, he could break the connection and stop this madness. Nolan’s hold lessened little by little, and Alec’s voice finally broke free.
“Nolan!” Alec screamed. “By Brim … no, no, NO!” He strained, moving his head ever so slightly. Alec pulled harder against the bonds.
Kael twitched.
The binding weakened again, and Alec could almost move his arm.
And all at once the binding fell.
Alec collapsed.
Nolan crumpled.
And Kael’s back arched. He grabbed his chest and gasped like one who had been underwater for much too long. He rolled to one side, clutched his stomach, and retched.
The world around Alec slowed. He staggered to Nolan and fell to his knees. Nolan wasn’t moving; brown hair sprawled around his head. Alec turned him over and blue eyes stared into nothing. Sticking his head to Nolan’s chest, warm blood smeared across Alec’s cheek. He listened for the heartbeat that was no longer there. Gripping the front of Nolan’s tunic, Alec shook him as hard as he could.
“Nolan!” He couldn’t be dead.
“Let him go, lad,” a voice said.
Alec looked up. Hakan, Emery, and Greer had arrived—probably from hearing all the commotion. They stared, their faces pale and painted with shock. Hakan’s red eyes were moist.
Alec let go and Nolan crumpled. Then a hand touched Nolan’s head. It was Kael. Alec didn’t know how to react. At first he considered blocking Kael, refusing to let him see Nolan. But the expression in Kael’s eyes—the surprise and utter disbelief—Alec knew far too well.
“Please tell me,” Kael said, his hoarse voice above a whisper, “that Nolan didn’t have the power to heal.” His face pleaded. “Please tell me.”
Alec could only nod.
Kael released a stuttering sob, scooted in closer, and pulled Nolan’s head into his lap.
Alec withdrew to the wall, turning away. But morbid curiosity brought him to watch again.
Kael stroked Nolan’s hair gently. He wiped the torn sleeve of his tunic across his eyes and sniffed. “What in Darkness were you doing, Nolan? Everything was as it should’ve been.”
“He made his own choice,” Greer said.
Kael’s head jerked up. He tried to jump to his feet, but his legs were too weak and he fell. Greer offered his hand to help him, but Kael dragged himself away.
“I’m sorry for startling you. Allow me to introduce myself.”
“W-what are you?”
Greer bowed slightly. “Greer is what I am called. But in the years past, when we walked freely among man, we were called Guardians.”
Kael’s eyes found Emery and then drifted to the circlet on his head. “Where’s Alcandor?”
“Imprisoned and powerless,” Greer answered.
“He’s fallen?” Kael ran a hand over his chin, a mannerism quite similar to Nolan’s. “How?”
Greer smiled. “Nolan defeated him.”
Kael choked out a laugh. “Little brother, you have surprised me more in the last few months than our whole lifetime.”
For the first time, Alec couldn’t help but notice how familiar Kael’s eyes were. However, the sparkle Nolan’s held wasn’t there. Instead, they held sadness and fear.
Alec reached into the bag—Nolan’s bag—and grabbed the Stone of Speed. He recognized it by the way it pulsed in his palm. He withdrew it and handed it to Kael. “Hold this. It will bring back your strength.”
Kael hesitated and then took the stone. As soon as his hand wrapped around it, the color returned to his face. He gawked at it and rolled it around in his palm. “What magic is this?”
“One which Nolan brought back to us,” Alec said, trying to keep his voice from breaking. “If it weren’t for him, these stones would still be lost.” Alec glanced at Malik, “Well, perhaps all but one.”
They all mourned. Even Kael. For a moment, there were no Guardians. There were no traitors. And there weren’t even any Rol’dan. They were all Nolan’s friends and family. And they missed him. Whether they agreed with his decision, or even liked each other, it didn’t matter. For those few minutes, they were unified.
A purple cloak, looking as if it had belonged to the king, sat crumpled in a heap. Alec lifted the heavy cloth; it was soft to the touch. With a quick upward jerk, he let the exquisite fabric flutter downward and cover Nolan’s body.
After a long while, Emery left with the Guardians. He had to finish what he’d started outside. The others soon followed.
Alec sat next to Nolan after all others were gone, still trying to fathom Nolan’s decision. Alec’s world had been uprooted. My best friend and Taryn, both dead.
Alec rocked back and forth. He had no direction. No purpose. No real reason to live. The only thing keeping him from falling on his sword was dishonoring Taryn’s sacrifice.
Nolan’s bag slipped from Alec’s shoulder. He stopped rocking and studied the worn leather. Memories of Nolan flooded into his mind. He cried again and then stopped abruptly. He flared his Speed, clutching the bag to his side. He wouldn’t forget Nolan and what he’d requested before he died.
Try to love Kael.
Join the stones.
One request would be much easier than the other. Right now, General Trividar was the last thing Alec wanted to look at, let alone love. Yet, for Nolan, Alec would try to do both.
For now, Alec would start with the stones.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
IT TOOK HOURS for the crowd to clear. Rol’dan after stupid Rol’dan came forward, and Emery was as kind to the last one as he was to the first.
Kael put on a good show, too—arrogant and pompous as ever. And every person who touched him acted as if he were some sort of god. They had probably never seen anyone resurrected by a Healing Shay before, especially in the selfish Rol’dan army. Alec snorted. He wondered what those same people would think if they knew another resurrected person stood a few steps away.
Finally, all the Rol’dan cleared. Some returned to their barracks, some took posts on the wall (probably out of habit), and others went outside the great walls to clean the battlefield.
While Emery and the others retreated to the castle, Alec made for the dome. He climbed the stone steps as a cold breeze whisked through the air—winter would be coming soon. The waves lapped, spraying sea foam onto the rocks bordering Faylinn. For the first time, Alec saw the sea.
He inhaled sharply. By Brim, it was beautiful! Nolan had told him about the sea, had shared his love of it with Alec. He’d even told Alec he would take him there, someday. But Alec would never see it with Nolan. He lingered, staring at the waves, all the while thinking of his friend. Alec swallowed a lump in his throat and then pulled his eyes from the waters to his task at the top of the dome.
When he reached the top, he p
eered into the throne room and stared at the strange vision below: three massive, glowing warriors, a king in rags, and a body forgotten on the floor. It was surreal, as if all of this had never happened, and Alec watched a long and very tiresome dream from someone’s overactive imagination.
He grabbed the metal bars, crawling toward the middle of the dome. He took care not to make any movements that would send him down next to Nolan on the floor. When he reached the center, Alec pulled out the first stone. He studied it, wondering if he needed to put it in a special order. Maybe he’d put them all in only to have to rearrange them a second, third, or fourth time. No matter how long it took, Alec would get the job done.
He slid the stone into the crevice and carefully inserted the others, clicking one on top of another, until the last, smooth stone joined the others with no space to spare.
When Alec reentered the throne room, Emery, Kael, and the Guardians circled the spot where the colored images flickered. Lines of orange, blue, red, purple, gold, and green interchanged and disappeared again.
“It’s the clouds,” Alec said. However, no one listened to him. They all focused on the indistinct letters on the floor.
“Remarkable,” Greer said. “After escorting the stones for so many years, I had no idea this would happen when they were joined.”
“What does it say?” Kael asked. “It doesn’t make much sense.”
“There isn’t enough light,” Emery answered.
Time passed more slowly than usual. Finally, the dark clouds parted and a beam of light shone, revealing a message. They all stared in confusion at the foreign symbols. They meant nothing.
“Greer, do you recognize this?” Emery asked.
“It’s the ancient text. I am unable to read it.”
“What about the other Guardians?”
“No,” Greer answered. “None of us can read.”
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