This was worse than Cornell. Or maybe it wasn’t. The man’s brain would never work properly again. PanSofia would never breathe again.
Juliska looked at her hands.
She had done this.
Taken her mentor’s life.
“It’s the only way. The only way to keep you safe.”
But now what? There was a dead woman lying here, with signs of a struggle. They’d be able to trace the magic if they discovered her too soon. And Juliska would have no choice but to flee as everyone would know she was a murderer.
A murderer.
A murderer.
I’m a murderer.
She calmed herself. Taking a few deep breaths.
No. Not a murderer, her mind deluded flatly.
A protector. Protecting my son.
She got up and cleaned and dried herself off.
She looked over at the lifeless body of her mentor.
So much death.
It almost held no meaning anymore.
They’d all die eventually… well, not her. And not her son. If he was immortal.
He had to be, right?
“Look at how powerful you are, still in the womb.” She marveled at his abilities.
Did she ask Tanzea for help, or Fazendiin again? She felt so helpless, needing others to clean up her messes.
“No. I can do this. Tanzea showed me how.” The woman had been teaching Juliska how to cover her tracks, clean out unwanted traces of magic. She just needed to be thorough and focus.
As calmness and acceptance came over her, a plan began to formulate in her mind.
A way to cover this up. A way everyone would believe that she was still their hero and champion. The Svoda loved her. To a fault. She could do no wrong. They’d believe just about anything she told them. Especially as First Seer to the Banon.
She looked around at the mess. Her intentions clear in her mind.
Juliska removed the signs of a Firemancer being here. She removed the scorch marks from the walls. All traces of magic that could be tracked back to her in any way. She left the mess the water and battle had made. Left the signs of struggle. But walked around and around removing all traces of her own presence.
Lastly, she reached into a pocket and grabbed her bottle of tonic. She drank it, to make sure her pregnancy was hidden once again. At least she’d been smart enough to keep that handy. It was her most prized possession right now.
She stepped to the front door and gathered herself before leaving. She’d been here much longer than she’d anticipated and Ian Crane was still waiting in a carriage out on the road. She was grateful the driveway so long, and the ocean behind them. It was sure to have kept the battle within the confines of the house. The driver could not have heard anything.
Juliska opened the door and exited just like she would have any other day. She stepped with as quick a gait as possible being that she was pregnant, and met Ian leaning against the carriage.
“I’m so sorry. That took so much longer than I thought it would.”
“As I said, not a problem at all. Glad to oblige.” He took her hand and helped her into the carriage.
She heard nothing in his tone, or saw nothing in his demeanor that indicated he’d heard anything unusual.
“Ian, please take me back to the office,” she explained as he got situated to drive her.
“Another late night?” he tossed back with a grin and wink.
“I’m afraid so. I have to call an emergency meeting I’m afraid. No one’s going to be happy with me.”
He didn’t question why.
“I’ll get you back fast as I can then.” The carriage lurched forward, taking them back to the Banon’s office. On the way, Juliska grabbed a handful of leaves and sent off messages to the Banon, the Viancourt (including Tanzea) and the head of the Balaton, Arnon Jacoby.
The entire drive, Ian kept his actions completely normal.
Something quite horrible had just happened. So unbelievable. He’d seen it with his own eyes and didn’t believe it. Juliska Blackwell had killed PanSofia… he’d heard a scream and got concerned. He’d walked up to the house and caught them in a window…
The question now… what did he do about it?
He had no idea what the fight was over, but the outcome was clear.
Ian thought of his son, Ivan. Just four years old. His safety came first, especially since his wife had died. But how did he ensure his son’s safety? Come clean about the terrible crime he’d just witnessed. Or keep it to himself.
They arrived back at the Banon’s office and he still didn’t know what to do.
He helped her out of the carriage and bade her a goodnight.
“Just holler if anyone needs me,” he called out as she slipped inside the building.
“Yes. Thank you, Ian.”
He took his carriage and drove it into the stable around the block, and parked it. He needed a few minutes to think. Freely. His conscious shouted for him to tell the Balaton. Explain all he’d seen. But knowing what Juliska was capable of frightened him. And he feared by confessing he’d be putting him and his son in danger.
“Isabella would do what’s right,” he whispered to himself. He could almost hear her voice now, giving him hell for even thinking of keeping such a crime to himself. But who to tell? This was a serious accusation, and he had no actual proof. Only his word against hers. He just had no idea who to trust.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“I’m sorry to call you all back so soon after leaving. But I’ve had a vision,” claimed Juliska. “One I fear may come true if we do not take action right away.”
“Explain,” spoke the Banon seriously.
She sighed, taking a determined breath. “I’m sorry, this is difficult for me to tell everyone.” She took a long pause. “I fear for the life of my mentor, PanSofia.”
“What have you seen?” asked the Banon.
“A murder.”
There were gasps.
“An accidental murder, but a life taken nonetheless.”
“By whom?” asked Arnon.
“Yes, who?” repeated the Banon. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to take the life of our dear PanSofia.”
Juliska stalled for a second. “Amelia Cobb,” she revealed. There was a round of gasps and a secret little thrill squeezing Juliska’s heart. It was time for her sister to pay…
“Amelia is many things,” said Arnon. “But a murderer? Are you certain of this?”
“Sadly, yes. Amelia breaks into my mentor’s home, claiming she can help her with something. Or get something for her. I’m sorry, the vision wasn’t clear on exactly what this was. But PanSofia refuses and a battle breaks out. Amelia is defending herself, PanSofia is winning, but Amelia falls, accidentally shooting off a spell that hits PanSofia… and she dies.” Juliska wiped a tear from her eye.
“Oh dear,” said the Banon, looking pale. He’d has his confrontations with PanSofia as of late, but wished no ill will on the woman. “Amelia is turning into a much larger problem than I hoped. We will need to deal with this situation quickly, before anyone gets hurt. Or killed.” He turned to Arnon.
“I’ll get to PanSofia’s right away,” he said before the Banon even spoke it. “But I cannot arrest someone for a crime they have not yet committed,” he reminded. He popped out to grab a few other Balaton and protect the seer before this attack could happen.
“Oh this is terrible,” said the Banon. The Viancourt mumbled their agreement. “I will go to PanSofia’s myself and explain. We all know how stubborn she can be.” Everyone chuckled at that. “Good work Juliska. And thank you for calling the emergency meeting. This definitely could not wait until morning.”
“I knew you’d agree,” she stated.
“Is there anything else in this vision?” asked Tanzea, fulfilling her job as a Viancourt member.
“No. That’s it. I wish I could have seen what Amelia was after, unfortunately, I did not.”
“PanSofia’s lif
e is much more important,” he comforted. The Banon stood to leave. The Viancourt departed, all whispering to each other in regards of what to do about the Amelia problem. Juliska caught a gaze from Tanzea. The woman knew something was up and gave her the slightest nod, indicating her knowledge of this.
She might smell like mothballs, but she was sharp and missed nothing.
The Banon caught Juliska on his way out of the room.
“Go home now and rest. We can take care of this. Don’t worry, we’ll protect your mentor and make sure this vision does not come true.”
“Thank you. I know you will. This vision did wear me out a little. I think I will call it a night.”
“Good. Good. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He looked at Juliska with such reverence she almost lost her composure for a moment.
Almost done, she chastised herself. Just get out of here and get home.
The Banon left. By the time he arrived at PanSofia’s, the Balaton would already have found her, dead.
The room was empty except for Tanzea.
“She found out and threatened to turn me in,” Juliska muttered flatly.
“It’s handled?”
“Yes.”
The woman gave her a curt nod and went off to play her part.
#
Amelia Cobb was wanted for murder.
A murder she claimed she did not commit.
A murder her followers claimed she did not commit. Some had even come forward and spoken to the Banon on her behalf, claiming it impossible as Amelia had been with them and not at the seer’s home.
The Banon threatened to arrest them all for aiding a known criminal. And called them out, giving them twenty-four hours to turn Amelia over to the authorities, or he would permit the use of deadly force. He’d had enough.
So had they. That night Amelia and her followers attacked the fortress and took it over.
They were extremely careful not to hurt anyone, and allowed the Balaton stationed at the fortress to leave, freely.
The fortress was at the most eastern corner of the island, and there was just one road leading to it. It was surrounded by water on both sides. The fortress served as a watchtower, and was also where visitors arrived onto, or departed from, the island. It was not used often. But lately it had been used most by Kanda Macawi. And their takeover imprisoned her on the island. With time, she could create a magical portal to get home. She hoped it would not come to that, and this conflict could be settled peacefully.
Banon Havelock had called her in to be a moderator between him and Amelia. A neutral party, being that the Tunkapog liked to remain so in the issues of others.
About a third of the island’s population remained loyal to Amelia. And to her innocence. And to getting off the island. They wanted a chance at a new life, and now was the time. They would not wait any longer.
Amelia claimed she did not want to hurt anyone, but that she and her followers would not release control of the fortress until they were permitted to leave. She also warned if they were attacked, they would defend themselves.
So now, it was another day of emergency meetings.
Juliska was due in just a few weeks. Her nerves were on high alert and Tanzea kept a close eye on her.
The Banon wanted to call a state of emergency on the island. And he wanted Amelia to pay for her crime, but the need to protect those loyal to him and the Svoda way of life came first. He was leaning towards allowing Amelia to leave before a war broke out and more innocent lives were lost.
But there had to be rules. Considerations. Warnings.
It wasn’t as simple as the door is open, leave.
After much debate, they decided on:
Those who leave cannot return.
Those who leave cannot have any contact with anyone they leave behind.
All ties will be severed.
With a strong caution…
If you choose to live a lifestyle that reveals magic to the world, and endangers others in the magical community, prepare for a war. You will have many enemies. Possibly including your own friends and family.
It was a frightening concept. And took many hours of heated discussion.
Was there no way to appeal to Amelia and her followers? Nothing they could be offered in exchange for stopping this craziness?
Juliska answered for them all. “Amelia has made up her mind. She will not back down. I honestly do not believe she wants violence, but she is willing, if even by accident.” She reminded them of PanSofia. “If this situation lingers, tempers will flare. Battles will break out. People will get hurt. And killed.”
“My thoughts and fears exactly,” agreed the Banon sharply.
“But shouldn’t Amelia be left behind, to pay for her crimes?” one of the Viancourt asked. “Let the others go.”
The Banon raised his hands, asking for silence.
“We’ve already been over this, and over this. They will not leave her behind.” His voice was shaking a bit, his face red with anger.
Everyone went quiet.
He stood to address them all but when he opened his mouth to speak, leaned forward, clutching at his chest.
“Sir?” questioned Tanzea.
“I’m fine.” He didn’t look fine. He pushed his chair back and stumbled.
Juliska reached out to steady him. “We need a doctor,” she called out.
A Balaton popped out and was back in just a few seconds with a doctor, looking shocked at the sudden surprise relocation.
“Sorry Dr. Stamm, The Banon needs help.”
The doctor, a man around thirty, rushed over to the Banon.
“Let’s get him onto the table.” They hurried to clear it and get him laid out. It was not easy; he was a larger rotund man.
The Banon would not release Juliska’s hand. She grasped it firmly, looking into his eyes, telling him he’d be okay. But his breaths were coming out labored.
“Take me back to my office,” ordered Dr. Stamm. “I need supplies.”
The Balaton popped out with the doctor in tow.
The Banon tried to speak but with great difficulty.
“If I don’t make it…” he stopped.
Everyone edged as close as possible, unsure how to help, or what was wrong.
“Sir?” questioned Tanzea.
“Jul… Juliska…” he murmured. “Must take my place.”
Juliska gasped and shook her head. “Wh-what? No.”
“Yes. Please… you must.”
She looked up at the others, dumbstruck. No one knew what to think, but they’d always agreed to a previous Banon’s wishes when it came to picking a new leader. She was qualified to deal with Amelia, but as Banon? And a seer had never been named Banon before. Or someone so young.
Juliska felt the Banon’s grasp weaken and peered back down at him. His eyes begged for her answer.
“Okay,” she nodded. “I will. Only until you return, or peace is restored and someone proper can be found.”
With this peace of mind, the Banon’s eyes rolled up in his head. Dr. Stamm and the Balaton popped back in. He set in to working on the Banon, trying to get him stable.
“He’s unconscious. But breathing. I can’t be certain yet, but my first guess is he’s been poisoned.”
Everyone gasped. Then looked around at each other. Who would do such a thing?
“It will take time to figure out what kind of potion was used.” He looked at Tanzea. “I’d appreciate your assistance on this, Vian Chase.”
“Of course you may have it.”
“Someone order a carriage. His state is too fragile to pop him to the hospital.”
In minutes, the Banon was on his way, Tanzea, the Balaton and the Doctor all screaming toward the hospital to save his life.
This left a stunned Juliska Blackwell, a couple other Viancourt members and Kanda Macawi sitting around the table, in silence trying to catch their breath. Arnon was not in attendance as he was overseeing a special guard at the Fortress’ entrance, to make s
ure that Amelia or her followers didn’t try anything.
After a few minutes, one of the Court members named Darius Hadrian stood up and addressed Juliska.
“You must be sworn in. Even if it is just in the interim until Banon Havelock returns.”
Her eyes widened.
“Um. Okay.” She did not sound certain.
He smiled kindly at her.
“I have full confidence in the Banon’s decision. You are the right choice in this time of unrest. In the interest of keeping peace, I implore you to accept.”
She looked at the others. They each smiled compassionately and nodded their agreement. So she stood up and nervously took the oath.
“I, Juliska Blackwell, do solemnly promise to uphold the laws and do all within my power to protect our people.”
And just like that, it was done.
Juliska was the Banon of the Svoda.
There was no time for mourning or worry over the Banon’s prognosis.
The Balaton would pursue who had poisoned him.
It was decided that the Banon’s office was no longer safe. And until the Balaton had done a proper investigation, they’d meet elsewhere. Someone suggested the school and it was quickly agreed upon that this would become their temporary quarters.
Juliska had a short amount of time to deal with the Amelia situation developing at the fortress. And put forth an agreement acceptable to everyone… most likely the one they’d just agreed to under Banon Havelock.
And then somehow, in a few short weeks, she would have to find time to give birth and hide her son.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Tanzea Chase uncovered the draped mirror in her basement.
Fazendiin’s face looked back at her, eagerly awaiting her report.
“Well?”
“Done. The Banon passed away this morning. He spent two days in a coma. They suspect he was poisoned, but they’ll never track it farther than that.”
“Excellent.”
“It does come in handy to be the criminal and the one investigating the crime.”
Fazendiin could not agree more. “And Juliska has been sworn in?”
Forsaken (The Seer's Apprentice, The Pearl Dragon, and The Devoted Ghost) (A Fated Fantasy Quest Adventure Book 8) Page 29
