Lorrek turned to her. “You are welcome to fly if you wish.” Then he fixed his gaze on Anelm. “Thank you for this.”
“If you want them, come and find me. Leave Cuskelom alone...”
Later that day, all gathered to bid the two farewell. Theran hugged his little brother tight then let him go. Heldon stepped up with a bittersweet smile on his face and embraced Lorrek. Letting him go, he stepped back beside Erita, whose hand Lorrek took and kissed. He then shook Therth’s hand, wishing him the best, and then he paused at Vixen—uncertain how to bid her farewell. Finally, he decided to say nothing but merely bowed his head to her, showing her his deep gratitude for her, and he turned to Caleth and Anelm, giving both of them a curt, respectful nod.
At last, he turned on his heel and entered the ship he had named Eldrila. He found Radella in the pilot seat ready to go. Once he was settled in, she smiled at him then shifted her gaze to stare out the viewscreen as she channelled her magic into the ship.
It lifted off the ground. Everyone outside stepped further back, lifting their hands to shield their face from the wind. They strained as they watched the ship alter its direction in midair, and then it blasted away, leaving everyone feeling a little empty.
“This is my final warning.”
Signed,
Prince Lorrek of Cuskelom,
Mage of the Realm,
Keeper of the World Orbs
Once he finished reading the letter, Felhelm carefully folded it and set his gaze on Heldon. “You deceived us.”
Heldon smiled. “Now you will leave Cuskelom. If you return, you will immediately be imprisoned and never allowed to be released.”
Felhelm stepped up to him, causing Theran, Therth, and Vixen to reach for their weapons, which sparked Reven and Draben to unsheathe their handblades. Felhelm saw their reaction, and he acknowledged it with a nod, but he set his gaze upon Heldon. “You don’t understand what is at stake. You don’t know the greater war we fight.”
“You’re right.” Heldon nodded, never breaking eye contact with Felhelm. “I don’t, but I don’t care. This is my home. This is my kingdom, my people, and I will protect them. You. Will. Leave.”
Felhelm narrowed his eyes and shifted his jaw, but he thinned his lips and stepped back. “Your Majesty.” He bowed to him then glanced over his shoulder to the others. “Let’s go.” And he touched the handblade on his wrist, teleporting away.
Draben looked at the others, gave them an uneasy smile, then teleported after Felhelm.
Reven hesitated, staring at each of them. She admired their courage, so she bowed to them. When she straightened, she locked eyes with Vixen. They would talk another time. But for now, Reven reached over to her now-bracelet form of the handblade on her wrist, and teleported out.
As soon as they were gone, Heldon let out a huge sigh of relief. He hadn’t been sure that it would work.
Theran placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder and gave a squeeze. Now it was all in Lorrek’s hands. They wondered if they would ever see him again, but all they could do now was wait.
Epilogue
A few months later, Reven appeared in a corridor of the Cuskelom palace. She quickly moved to a wall and looked both ways to make sure no one had seen her. If someone spotted her—and caught her—she was looking at life in prison, and she wasn’t interested in that. But there was someone she needed to talk to. Peering around the corner, she saw no one, so she touched her bracelet and teleported to the end of the hall.
Again and again she teleported short distances until she finally came to a closed door. Taking a deep breath, she teleported inside.
And she froze as soon as she appeared in the room.
A black blade rested against her throat.
Reven lifted her hands slowly. “Vixen, I need to talk with you.”
Vixen maintained her hold on Reven from behind her and held her blade at her throat. She spoke calmly. “Should I alert King Heldon to your presence here? Or should I just kill you now?”
“I need your help,” Reven tried to reason with her.
“I don’t care to help.”
Reven lifted her gaze to the ceiling, thinned her lips, and made her decision. She was tired of not even being given a chance. Her handblade scaled a gauntlet over her hand, and Reven quickly reached up, grabbed Vixen’s blade from her throat, and proceeded to throw Vixen over her shoulder, sending her crashing to the ground.
Reven watched as Vixen tucked and rolled to her feet, landing in a lowered stance, and Reven also lowered her stand but spread her hands out, trying to show she meant peace. “Listen. My superiors have issued an order sending every available thymord to hunt down Lorrek. They are scouring every galaxy to find him, and they don’t care if they have to kill him.”
Hearing this, Vixen chuckled a little and shook her head, relaxing her stance a little. “If you want your World Orbs that badly, then you shouldn’t kill him. He’s the only one with access to the World Orbs he’s pocketed away, and if you kill him, you’ll never see those orbs again.”
“See? This is why we need you.” Reven straightened from her crouched position. “You know these things about him. We don’t.”
Vixen gave her a sharp look. “I’m not going to help you. Besides, I spent a decade searching for Lorrek, and when I finally found him, he ran my own dagger through my chest. You’re not going to find him. Anyone who gets close to him, he will kill, so you should just leave him be.”
“I agree with you,” Reven said quickly to keep Vixen from turning away from her. When the assassin eyed her curiously, Reven went on, “Personally, I agree with you, but nobody else does. If you help me find him, maybe we can negotiate with him—come to some kind of compromise that will keep people from being killed.”
At this, Vixen paused and regarded the thymord. She tilted her head to a side, and a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “You’re on your own, aren’t you? Your superiors don’t know you’re here.”
Reven glimpsed around as if expecting one of them to teleport in, but she nodded at Vixen. “I respect you. I respect Lorrek. I’m glad he’s not dead, and I felt horrible when he was...initially killed by that Anicocina. We owe all of you a great debt for taming the power of Rykeldan. You did what we were never fully able to do, even though we don’t understand how you did it. Of course, none of this matters. The thymords are absolutely determined to get all the World Orbs back, and Lorrek is standing in the way. It’s very dangerous—for everyone involved. I’ve seen how powerful Lorrek is and how loyal he is, but I also know how stubborn the thymords are. They will not rest until they’ve stopped him. He won’t listen to us. He will only toy with us, but he’ll listen to you. Please, I’m just trying to save lives and prevent full-out wars that will span entire galaxies. We’re not the only ones who want the World Orbs.”
For a long moment, Vixen stared at Reven. She didn’t understand everything the thymord was saying, but she sensed the sincerity in her voice. Now that she considered it, she had wanted to leave Cuskelom, wanted to strike out on her own, wanted to get away from everything that held her to the past, and she wanted to explore new places. This could be that opportunity. She weighed the options in her mind like she weighed the blade in her hand.
Finally, she sheathed the blade in her vest. “If I agree, none of the other thymords are to know I’m tracking him.”
Reven nodded. “They won’t know.”
“You are the only one I am willing to communicate with. If anyone else tries to intervene, I will abandon the mission.”
“Agreed.”
Vixen eyed her. “How do I know I can trust you?”
Reven shrugged and stretched out her hand to shake on the deal. “Because I’m trusting you.”
Vixen looked at the offered hand then up at Reven’s face. She reached out and grasped the hand in a firm handshake. “I’m going to need a ship.”
Reven smiled.
Bonus Scene 1
Vixen packed her bags in
her chamber in Cuskelom while she still tried to comprehend what she had agreed to—traveling the stars, chasing after Lorrek. She wasn’t sure which was more unbelievable—that she was going to travel beyond this world and to other ones, or that she was going to chase after Lorrek again after spending a decade doing so with Theran.
She shook her head, trying to leave the past in the past. It would be nice to get away from everything and maybe even start a new life far from this world. She didn’t know what the future held, but she sensed it wouldn’t be boring.
A gale of wind swept in, and Vixen lifted her gaze to the ceiling, recognizing the magic. “Papa. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised you’ve come.” Then she turned around and was surprised to see her mother there. “Mama?” She raised her brows and was immediately engulfed in a hug from her mother. “What are you two doing here?”
Sirros crossed his arms as he looked at his daughter. “We were informed that you had returned, yet you can imagine our disappointment that you didn’t come and see us.”
Vixen frowned and shook her head when as she resumed folding her clothes. “It’s been a little chaotic around here lately. I had to help get Princess Mordora back in her right mind, and had to stop an ancient kelliph king from destroying all of humanity on this world, and helped turned those statues back into flesh.” She put the clothes in a bag. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”
Nyvera watched her daughter pack and narrowed her eyes. “Where are you going?”
“Going to find Lorrek.”
“What? Why?” Nyvera furrowed her brows. “He’s the one who almost killed you!”
“Yes, I know, but he wasn’t in his right mind at the time. And besides, I got him back. I stabbed him when he stabbed me. We’re even.”
Sirros placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder to keep her calm, and he addressed their daughter. “Why are you going after Lorrek?”
“Because.” Vixen finally straightened and looked at her parents. She tried to decide how much she should tell them because she was worried if she told them too much the Thymords might try to intervene, using what ties she had to their advantage. However, she also knew her parents were quite relentless, so she should probably stop them before they even began.
Sighing, she sat on the edge of her bed. “There are very powerful people hunting down Lorrek. He’s on the run, traveling to different worlds because he is trying to keep them away from Cuskelom. He has something they want, and they’ve asked me to help them find him since I know him.”
“And you will kill him when you find him?” Nyvera crossed her arms.
Vixen gave her mother a look. “No, I will not.”
“But he almost killed you!”
“Well, he already died.”
Nyvera paused and frowned. “What?”
Vixen shook her head. “It’s...difficult to explain. Anyway, I am going after him because I don’t want the thymords to get him first. Otherwise, things will get complicated.”
“Why does it matter what happens to him? He betrayed our alliance with Cuskelom by personally hunting you down and trying to kill you. He deserves none of your respect or sympathy.”
Vixen pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes as she exhaled slowly. Her parents just didn’t seem to understand. When Lorrek had stabbed her, she returned the favor, and that was what restored Lorrek’s memory. Yes, Vixen had already been too far gone, and had Radella not intervened and taken her to Elloi, she would have died, but she hadn’t. Instead, she had lived, and Lorrek actually apologized to her, going so far as to allow Vixen to punch him. Though Lorrek still had his own issues that needed resolving, he was still concerned for the well being of those closest to him, willingly putting his life in danger for them. She remembered the moment she saw the Anicocina rip Lorrek’s heart right out of his chest. The memory itself was heart-stopping, even this long after the fact.
But then Lorrek came back. He had stayed in Elloi for a year as well and had accidentally gotten an extra life too. Vixen was grateful for that, but Lorrek seemed content to live while still putting others first. That was when he took all the World Orbs from Cuskelom and told the thymords to, ‘Come and find me’.”
Vixen knew her parents wouldn’t understand, and truth be told, she didn’t have the time to explain. Instead, she rose to her feet. “You have to trust me. I know what I’m doing. I won’t be home for a long while, but I will come home. If you ever need me though, I’m sure Papa can use his magic to contact me.” She nodded to him. “I need to go.”
Sirros pressed his lips together in a tight line, but then he gave a curt nod. “Well then, you’re not going alone.” He marched to the door and yanked it open, startling Jaegar, who stood on the other side and wasn’t expecting such an abrupt entrance. Sirros gave the younger mage a stern look. “Jaegar, you will accompany my daughter on her space-faring travels.”
“I...what?” Jaegar tried to comprehend everything being told to him. First, Sirros trusted him to protect his daughter, a very resourceful and renowned assassin in her own right, and secondly, Vixen was going to travel beyond this world. Jaegar gave Vixen a thoroughly confused look.
Vixen growled and crossed her arms, rooting her feet where she stood. “I don’t need a protector.”
“And I don’t care what you say.” Sirros turned back around to her. “Jaegar has been trained by one of the best, and he has magic. If Lorrek or any other magic user lays a hand on you again, he will kill them.” He then looked back at Jaegar, locking eyes with him. “And I do mean kill.”
Jaegar swallowed but pulled back his shoulders and gave a curt nod of his head. “Understood, sir.”
“Good.” Sirros turned to his daughter. “This is the only way I will let you go after that lunatic.”
Vixen took a deep breath and grounded her teeth. She knew there was nothing she could say to change her father’s mind, so she didn’t even try. Instead, she marched right up to Jaegar until she was right in his face. “Very well, but if you get in my way, I will stab you.” She took a step back, gesturing to the black vest she wore. “And these blades will drain you of your magic.”
“Well, if you must stab me, can you stab me with this instead?” Jaegar reached behind his back, unsheathed a blade, and then presented it to her.
Vixen paused, taking in the sight of the unique blade with a beautifully curved hilt. She frowned because she had never seen metal like that, and she stepped forward to further inspect the gray blade. “What metal is this?”
“Meteorite.” Jaegar let her take it from him, and then he tucked his hands behind his back. “It was a gift from my father, so it means much to me, but if you must stab me, I really prefer you stab me with that. I rather like having my magic.”
Vixen eyed the dagger, tested its balance, and decided she liked how it felt in her hand. “Very well, but this doesn’t change things. Don’t get in my way, and do as I say, and all will be well. Understood? Good. We are leaving. Mama, Papa, it was good to see you, but unfortunately I must go.” She bowed to both of them and then went to her bed and picked up her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. She fastened her eyes on Jaegar. “Are you ready?”
He was nowhere near ready, and all of this had been completely unexpected, but he was always up for an adventure. He smiled at her before fixing his gaze upon Sirros. “Sir, you may want to inform my father of these developments. I’m sure he won’t mind, but he would want to know where I will be going.” Then he offered his arm to Vixen and grinned at her. “Shall we leave?”
She just glared at him then marched past him.
Jaegar watched her go then gave her parents’ a quizzical look.
Nyvera smiled as she approached the young man, and she placed her hand on his shoulder. “Good luck. You’ll need it.” With that, she walked past him.
Jaegar frowned even more, and Sirros chuckled as he regarded the man standing before him. He couldn’t think of much to say by way of encouragement, so he said the only thing he c
ould think of. “Jaegar.” He waited until the young man locked eyes with him, and then Sirros smiled. “Don’t get stabbed.” With that, he left the room.
Jaegar stared at the empty room, wondering what exactly he had gotten himself into. Of all the training his father had put him through, none of it had prepared him for this.
Bonus Scene 2
Caleth slipped out of the palace of Athorim, lifted his hood over his head, and took a walk in the dark streets of the city. He needed some time to himself because the recent events regarding Rykeldan had reminded him of a part of his life he had buried long ago back when he was known as Perenden.
Back then he had been ambitious. He had known that his sister, Therina, would eventually marry Rykeldan and become Queen of the Kelliphs, and that would rise their family’s status greatly. While Therina prepared for her role, Perenden also prepared by asserting himself in the royal court. He and his wife, Lyrillind, became a familiar face even before Therina was presented to the court. The transition into Therina’s time as queen should have been smooth, but Perenden chided himself for not keeping a closer eye on Rykeldan.
He hadn’t known Rykeldan had done anything wrong, but Therina had. Soulbounds knew these things instinctively, and the moment Therina met Rykeldan she immediately confronted him, shocking everyone in the court and humiliating Rykeldan.
Everything else that followed was a nightmare, but somehow Perenden had managed to maintain his position in court despite his sister’s actions and eventual exile. He used this position to his advantage to help Therina, trying to slowly show people how she was right and how their society needed to fundamentally change.
He had made vast advancements in this cause when Therina finally made her move. He thought she was going to force Rykeldan to abdicate and take the throne for herself, but that didn’t happen. He wasn’t exactly sure what had happened, but all he knew was that the humans were suddenly armed with a weapon that could permanently kill a kelliph, and they were ruthless.
The Chronicles of Lorrek Box Set Page 110
