The Dark Kingdom (Sage Trilogy, Book 2)

by St. Clair, Julius

  Dominic could barely believe his eyes as she floated gracefully back to the ground, controlling her descent with the colorful winds that surrounded her. Alexander didn’t even bother running.

  “Tell me one thing,” he said nervously. “Just one…how did I break the seal?”

  “You threatened my Kingdom,” Catherine said, reaching out in the blink of an eye and grabbing his dirty collar. “And with Dominic defeated, you gave me no choice. I had to stop you. I couldn’t bear the thought of you escaping or causing any more harm to those I cherish.”

  “The stone…it has that much power?” Alexander said in awe, mesmerized by the display of raw energy surrounding him. “I never thought Keel could be defeated…so easily.”

  “No more talking,” she said as she pulled him close, her face scrunched up in pain like his breath reeked. “I just gave up a month of my life to take out that giant…I won’t waste but a second on you.”

  And with that, she slapped him gently, sending Alexander to sleep. She threw him to the ground as the symbols and tattoos faded. The winds died completely, and her hair curled once more. Catherine gave one little smile to Dominic, and then she suddenly fainted.

  He managed to gather just enough strength to catch her…

  Chapter 3 – Pieces

  “It was a foolish decision,” Arimus said harshly as Catherine refused to bow her head in shame.

  “I did the right thing.”

  “We can sometimes do the right thing the wrong way.”

  “And that was not today,” she said adamantly. James looked around the table nervously as he listened to Catherine and Arimus’ heated exchange. It was weird enough sitting at a grand table in Arimus’ quarters, which he had never seen personally. But it was another spectacle altogether to see Arimus and Catherine at odds with each other. They never argued.

  And then there was the fact that every last Sage in Allay was in attendance, watching the whole ordeal. Not once had they all gathered together. Not for one meeting. There were usually a few missing, off on guard duty or there were classes that needed instruction. But this morning, the Academy, in unprecedented fashion, had not only closed down the school, but sent every last student home. For a place that had the reputation of killing off every student that entered its halls, it must have been a sight to see a mob of recruits returning home, especially in light of recent events.

  But today was an exception. Not since the Siege nearly twenty years ago had a single outsider been seen within the walls of Allay, let alone attacked them. With the village mostly in rubble due to the fires, and the internal safety of its citizens shaken, there was much damage done. With only one Prattlian, one Langoran, and a host of Terrs, Allay had nearly been decimated and brought to its knees. It didn’t need to be said, although every Sage in the room was thinking it. Another attack would almost certainly wipe Allay off the map.

  “Catherine, lifting the ban on the eidolons was unnecessary,” Arimus said. “Especially when we didn’t have a grasp on the situation.”

  “I did it for the good of the Kingdom,” she shouted. “You and Scarlet were off saving the citizens so I had to make a decision.”

  “Chloe and Kyran were with you in the beginning,” Arimus stated. “You should have had one of them accompany you. There was no need to place James or Dominic in unnecessary risk. And thank the Maker that maniac didn’t enter the Academy. No offense, Achan.”

  “None taken,” Achan said shyly. “I was probably more nervous than the recruits. Kept them calm with my songs of brotherhood.”

  “I agree with Catherine’s decision,” Kyran said. “I wouldn’t have left her otherwise.”

  “I second that,” Chloe said as Arimus looked to the two of them in surprise. Suddenly the room got a lot smaller, and it was already cramped as it was. Besides the large wooden table in the middle of the room, the walls were made up of stacked boulders, and the only light came from a few hanging torches on the sides. James couldn’t help but think it looked like a dungeon. And with the eight of them squeezed in, not counting the chairs they had to borrow from other rooms, he had to suck in his stomach just to feel slightly comfortable. He was afraid if he breathed, the place would implode.

  “We keep the identity of the Sages a secret for two very important reasons,” Arimus stated. “To misinform our enemies of our actual number, and to give the villagers peace of mind. Yes, there was chaos and death, but consider my words. Once it was discovered Alexander was at the Academy, we were in the clear. Exposing our power in the courtyard would have still kept the villagers in the dark, and with a clear mind to sleep at night.”

  “And then what would have been said?” Catherine demanded. “They saw Alexander and the giant. What would we tell them? That it was a training exercise? That a hundred Terr somehow collaborated together and decided to scale the castle walls?”

  “How did they get in, anyways?” Chloe asked.

  “The northern wall,” Arimus sighed. “By the castle. You know how that area has been abandoned since the siege. And we rarely guard the north due to how hard it is for an intruder to escape once they’re inside the castle walls. They apparently have been using it as a headquarters of sorts. For a month or so by the looks of it. Scarlet and I each killed thirty Terr.”

  “Says you,” Scarlet spoke up. “I believe I took down thirty five.”

  “Who cares?” Kyran muttered as Scarlet sneered his way.

  “And where were you and the missus hiding when the fires started?”

  “None of your business,” he stated as James raised a hand.

  “Can someone explain to me when it was okay for Kyran and Chloe to be married?”

  “James, now’s not the time,” Arimus sighed as James threw up his hands in reply. His mentor turned back to Catherine.

  “Now the villagers know of us, and so do our enemies if any were watching. Every day we waste from here on out could ruin the element of surprise. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  “Unfortunately, I do,” Catherine said. “But I still stand by my decision. There was no guarantee Alexander was going to be at the Academy when we engaged him.”

  “James and the others could have been killed.”

  “I know,” she said firmly. “But I took that chance. I had to believe they were strong enough. Especially with the journey ahead.”

  “I’m done here,” Arimus said in a stoic manner. “James, Achan, come see me in the courtyard in fifteen minutes, will you?”

  “Sure,” they replied as Arimus looked to Dominic. Dominic bowed his head in shame as he glanced down at his bandages, wrapped tightly around his abdomen. Four broken ribs and a good deal of bruising came from his fight with Keel. Arimus didn’t say another word as he opened the door to his quarters and left, slamming it behind him. Kyran chuckled from beneath his trench coat.

  “Told you he can be just as harsh,” he said as he too left the room. Chloe and Scarlet, the other senior Sages followed, leaving the youth behind. Dominic fidgeted in his chair, debating whether he should leave when Achan spoke up.

  “Catherine, I don’t understand what the big deal was. If the ban wasn’t lifted, we would have been defenseless.”

  “Arimus wants me to consider the bigger picture,” she stated, leaning back. “He put the ban in effect because these eidolons, while very powerful, are still extensions of your soul. And when you’re in battle…if your eidolon edge can’t take the stress…it’s possible for it to break…”

  “And what happens if your eidolon breaks?” James asked.

  “What do you think, idiot?” Dominic shouted, catching them all off guard. “You die!”

  Dominic rose from his chair, kicked it to the back wall in anger and stormed out the door. Catherine sighed, leaning her head in the palms of her hands.

  “What’s wrong with that man?” Achan exclaimed.

  “A broken eidolon,” Catherine said solemnly. “Is exactly how his teacher died.”

  “Who killed him
?” James asked curiously.

  “Dominic did,” Catherine muttered. “The day he released his eidolon. He was trying to block his teacher’s eidolon, and in response he unleashed his own for the first time. Dominic’s sword was so strong upon release, he accidentally killed his proctor…and he’s been putting on a façade ever since. It’s funny…you know he was actually quite sweet before it happened? But that day…turned him into someone I never expected. He lives only for the battle. The challenge. It’s the only thing that keeps him going. He doesn’t want to face his limitations internally…it scares him too much.”

  “I can understand that,” James said truthfully. “I think we’ve all been there.”

  “No reason to act like a jerk,” Achan muttered. “So Catherine, what’s the plan now? Arimus sounded pretty ticked about this.”

  “Our mission to the five Kingdoms counted on one advantage: surprise. For the past two decades the Kingdom of Allay has been a ghost town, keeping ourselves nice and low. The villagers hid out of fear, and we…by choice. See, without any outsiders allowed in, and no displays of power to assess, the other Kingdom’s can’t accurately say how powerful or weak we really are, and people, when unsure, tend to lean on the side of caution. Our plan was to go to the Kingdoms under stealth. Yes, we may be discovered eventually and revealed as Sages, but there’s no way our enemies could know how many were still back at home, defending the Kingdom. Last night may have changed everything. For all we know, Alexander could have had other partners, and if he did, then an unknown party could have been sitting in the background, counting just how many Sages we have and how efficient we really are, which, by all accounts, is not very.”

  “I see now,” Achan sighed. “With us being exposed, there’s the possibility that word will carry over to the other Kingdoms. And they’ll know exactly how fragile our forces really are. They could send an attack and overtake Allay in a day.”

  “Exactly. And part of me knew the risks. Maybe it would have been better if we remained secretive while Arimus assessed the situation first, but I didn’t care then. All I could think about was my people dying. No, I’m sorry. I don’t care if I’m twenty years old and a villager is a hundred. To me, they’re all my children, my responsibility, my duty, and I’ll take their lives over my well-being any day. I couldn’t sit back.”

  “If we hadn’t gone in strong,” James’ voice cracked. “I would have lost more than one friend. As it stands, I’m upset that I had to come back here without giving Korey a proper burial, but…at least Jennings and Leidy are still alive. If the ban was still in effect, if we had taken our time…they wouldn’t be.”

  “I’m sorry you had to experience that, James,” Catherine said sadly. “But I’m afraid that there will be more pain before the healing can truly begin. Though we’ve saved a number of lives, now we’re forced to act quicker than expected.”

  “You’re referring to what Arimus was talking about, aren’t you?”

  “Unfortunately,” she sighed. “In order to have a good chance of success, we still need to keep some element of surprise…which means we’ll be leaving sooner than expected…”

  “How soon?”

  “Tomorrow morning,” she nearly broke down. James shut his eyes at the crack of her voice. This was it…the day they had trained for, but dreaded simultaneously. But nothing could be done to change it. He understood Arimus’ stance. Even if they waited two more weeks, there was a possibility that word would have reached the other Kingdoms by then, and they would be attacked. As Sages, they would be obligated to protect the Kingdom. More lives, including their own could be lost and their forces weakened. They would be fighting a lost cause, and in the end, the ether would not be averted. Salvation would be lost to all simply because they never had the chance to leave…

  They were forced to depart now, before the other Kingdoms learned of the attack. It seemed…Alexander had weakened them more than they thought…

  And James dared not to ask Catherine what would happen to the Allay and its people once they left, if another Kingdom did attack while their Princess and her seven Sages were away…

  “James, we have to go,” Achan said, standing up. “Let’s leave Catherine to her thoughts.”

  “I have to give a speech tonight just after the sun sets,” Catherine stated, leaning back in her chair and staring off into space. “The villagers will still be in the meadow due to their homes being destroyed…I plan on speaking to them from the castle balcony…but until then, after Arimus is done with you…you’re free to do as you please. Say your good-byes. Prepare yourselves…that sort of thing.”

  James couldn’t bear the look on her face. Already burdened by an endless wave of scenarios. She would have no time to prepare for the journey to come.

  “And what about you?” he asked her. Catherine snapped to attention and gave him a warm, but fake smile.

  “I’m going to rest a while.”

  James knew she intended to, though none would come. He wanted to run over and hold her, take her back to his dorm room and let her nuzzle her head into his chest as he caressed her hair and spoke softly into her ear, kiss her forehead and keep her close with his strong arms. But he knew Catherine too well. If anything, he would just get slapped at the proposal. Another time perhaps…

  “We’ll see you later then,” James said as she nodded in their direction. He closed the redwood door behind him and sighed heavily. Achan put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a smirk. They had business to attend to.

  As they walked from Arimus’ room, James tried to remember their way back to the Academy lobby. Apparently, the teachers’ quarters existed behind a fake wall in the room he had spent his first night in at the school. Nestled behind the fireplace that once warmed him was a labyrinth of elaborate twists and turns, leading eventually to a horrific hall of macabre dorm rooms. They had followed Arimus to get there but now he had no clue as to how they were going to get back. He looked to his friend for guidance.

  “Left a bread crumb trail?” James asked.

  “Hardly,” Achan laughed. “But I do have an eidolon.”

  “For someone that hated the idea of becoming a Sage, you sure whip that sword out a lot.”

  “Maybe I’ve gotten used to the job.”

  “Well, lead the way then.”

  Achan began walking down to what seemed like a random hall to James. But Achan took each turn as if he had the floor memorized. James had to know.

  “You didn’t even pull out your eidolon,” James observed. “Yet you know where to go? What gives? Receiving extra training?”

  “Just on my own,” Achan said matter-of-factly. “It started when Arimus gave us that lesson on heightening our senses. Do you remember it?”

  “Of course,” James nodded. “It was one of the coolest lessons we’ve gotten since the classes began. Everything else has been exercise and training drills.”

  “And we were taught to sense things by holding out our eidolon, right? Which makes sense since it’s an extension of us, but then I started thinking of the mission, and I realized that there will be times in which it’s impossible to keep our eidolons out. Especially if we’re supposed to be stealthy.”

  “They are pretty bright.”

  “Exactly, and I’ve heard rumors that an experienced Sage can phase their eidolon out from any part of the body, so I’ve been practicing. See my right hand?”

  James glanced down at Achan’s right palm, pointed directly to the floor and marveled. The tip of his eidolon was sticking out, so slight that it was nearly invisible.

  “Not only can I still sense the world around me, but I can keep my cover. And this is probably great for sneak attacks too. But that’s not all I’ve learned.”

  “You’ve been busy,” James said in awe, feeling a bit of shame for not training in private.

  “You’ve noticed that when we sheath our eidolons, we’re still able to retain our power for a period of time, haven’t you?”

  “I d
id,” James confirmed.

  “With my training and concentration on keeping my eidolon out for long periods of time, I’ve noticed that when I do sheath it, that period of time gets longer and longer, as if my body is slowly adapting to the changes it goes through when the eidolon is exposed.”

  “How long can you retain your power?”

  “Three full minutes,” Achan said through a smile. “Awesome, isn’t it?”

  “Well that settles it,” James said. “Starting today, I’m going to keep my eidolon out at all times.”

  “James, wait –“ Achan pleaded but it was too late. The blinding light streaked across his eyes and he winced as James brought out his full eidolon in the cramped hallway.

  “Geez, can you put that thing away?” Achan groaned. “And it takes practice to only reveal a piece of it. Train in your quarters where you won’t disturb anyone.”

  “Fine,” James said, sheathing it back into his ribs. “But I blame you for keeping me up all night from now on.”

  “This isn’t a competition.”

  “Isn’t it?” James replied. Achan stopped walking and held up a hand in protest.

  “Wait. Are we still talking about Sage training?”

  “Are we?”

  “James, don’t be childish. What’s on your mind?”

  “I want to know where you stand with Catherine.”

  “Are you serious?” Achan asked, taken off guard.

  “Just answer the question.”

  “I’m not pursuing her right now if that’s what you’re asking. It’s not really convenient. Don’t get me wrong, I love her, but we have a mission to prepare for, and she needs to be at the top of her game. I’m not going to start confessing my feelings to her now. She can’t be distracted.”

  “What took you so long to tell her in the first place?”