Resigned Fate

by West, Shay

  “We must have horses. Walking will take too long,” Jon said.

  “And where will we get the coin? Morden has been more than generous and I refuse to accept any more coin from him. Besides, with the extra men we seem to have acquired,” he said, glancing pointedly at Fe’ Vel and his men, “I’m sure even Morden can’t afford to pay for horses for the lot of us.”

  “Who says we need to pay?”

  Saemus glared at Fa’ Vel. “I refuse to steal horses enough for all of us.”

  “I never said anything about stealing.”

  “Then what exactly did you mean? Can you use your foul magic to conjure some demon steeds for us to ride?”

  Fa’ Vel laughed. “No, I cannot summon demons nor their horses. What I can do is make someone think the small bits of metal I give them are gold or silver.”

  “That’s the same as stealing and I won’t do it,” Saemus said.

  “So you mean for us to walk the whole way to Faerow?” Sloan asked. “I’m not from this world, but I assume that it isn’t a few days journey?”

  “No,” Saemus said.

  “And if we walk we will have to forage for a longer period of time, and we also run the risk of running into brigands and the like?”

  Saemus nodded reluctantly, knowing where Sloan was going.

  “The way I see it, Fa’ Vel’s plan is the only way.”

  Saemus glared at the dark magician who sat with his hands behind his head, looking quite pleased with himself. Seamus hated the idea of relying on the man for anything. It only allowed him to wiggle his way into their good graces. He couldn’t put his finger on it but he knew the Fa’ Vel had some plan other than just accompanying them to see the Patriarch.

  “Are we agreed then?” Sloan looked around the table. “Fa’ Vel, why don’t you and your men see to getting the horses? We’ll gather provisions.”

  Fa’ Vel nodded and left the table, followed closely by his seven men.

  “Maybe I should go with them,” Jon said as he stood.

  Kaelin whirled and faced Jon Stone. “Are you mad? Why would you want to spend time with that man?”

  Jon’s face reddened. “Why do you care who I spend my time with? You’re so busy with him, I’m surprised you notice anything but his face crammed against yours.”

  “How dare you?” Kaelin tossed her napkin on the table and stood so abruptly that her chair toppled over.

  Saemus tried to intervene. “Kae—”

  “Don’t you ‘Kae’ me, as though I’ve done something wrong! I’m only saying what everyone else must be feeling. And let’s not forget he killed those people. Are you really saying you’re okay with Jon spending time with Fa’ Vel?”

  “I’m not a monster!” Jon shouted.

  Kaelin backed away from Jon. “You’re just as bad as he is. I wish we hadn’t rescued you from Queen Cheye.” The girl turned and walked away.

  Brad followed after Kaelin, giving Jon a hard look as he brushed past.

  Jon stood unsteadily and lurched outside, needing to be alone. His eyes followed Kaelin and Brad as they made their way down the busy street. Jon’s jaw clenched and unclenched as he fought the urge to burn the haughty girl to a crisp, or draw from their life forces until their hearts stopped beating, or slice Brad in half with a sword of air.

  Maybe with him out of the picture, I could make her see who I really am, make her love me.

  He grinned as he began pulling the dark magic into himself, melding it with his own life force. He could feel the two opposing magics fighting one another, as incompatible as oil and water. And yet they were different sides of the same coin, tied together, each dependent on the other.

  The rage burned through him when he saw Kaelin melt into the Earthman’s arms, their faces melding into one. As suddenly as the murderous urge had come up on him, it left, along with the power, leaving him empty. Kaelin Barlow would never look on him as anything more than a freak, a beast to be feared and loathed.

  Is she wrong?

  Jon closed his eyes, determined to ignore the voice of the dark magician in his head. He wanted to chase after Kaelin and Brad to explain that he couldn’t help being what he was, that it wasn’t his fault, that all he had wanted to do was help get the group to the ship. He longed to plead with Kaelin to try to understand, so she wouldn’t fear him, or hate him. His hands hurt where he gripped the railing, and hot tears coursed down his cheeks.

  Why don’t you love me?

  ASTRA

  FA’ VEL AND HIS MEN PURCHASED ENOUGH HORSES for all of them, using dark magic to fool the seller into thinking he was getting real gold coin. Saemus swallowed hard, trying to force down the guilt. If we defeat the Mekans, I will return and pay them back.

  “You look like you ate a sour berry,” Fa’ Vel said.

  “I just don’t like the idea of deceiving these people.”

  “The spell will wear off eventually—”

  “That doesn’t make me feel better.”

  Fa’ Vel smirked and moved closer so that only Saemus would hear his words. “Maybe this might: they will die when the Mekans attack. Getting swindled out of a little coin seems petty in comparison, don’t you think?” The man laughed maniacally as he made his way back to the inn.

  Saemus clenched his fists, fighting the urge to burn the man to a crisp. He followed, leaving plenty of distance between himself and the dark magician.

  Once again, Morden came to their aid by using his coin to purchase food and water for the journey. Brad and Sloan loaded up two horses with the provisions.

  “Captain, you do too much,” Saemus said.

  “Nonsense, lad. I’ve seen what’s coming. What am I to do? Return to the Fury and ferry cargo back and forth like nothing happened?”

  “But your men—”

  “My men will watch over my ship. They have orders to sail if need be or run and leave the Fury to her fate if it comes to that. They have more than enough coin to see them through.”

  Morden refused to hear any more on the matter. He moved about the horses, tightening cinches and adjusting stirrups, as well as barking orders as to how to load the saddle bags.

  Morden led the way, setting an easy pace. Saemus followed, more than happy to allow the captain to lead. As they traveled, Saemus tried to figure out what he would say to Mordaen. He had no doubt the others would expect him to tell the Patriarch about the Mekan threat. He hoped the man already knew. If Sheldon had sent birds, they would easily make it to Faerow before the group on horseback. I only hope we can convince him to order the people to flee.

  ***

  Morden called for the group to halt about a mile outside the city gates of Faerow. He led them off the road, taking shelter from the rain in a thick grove of trees. The rain had started at daybreak and hadn’t let up all day. It was a light rain, but after hours of it, they were all soaked to the bone. The trees offered only a little protection but a little was better than nothing.

  “We will rest here awhile before making our way to the city,” Morden said.

  Saemus looked pointedly at Fa’ Vel and his men. “You will remain here.”

  Fa’ Vel bowed mockingly. “As you wish.”

  Captain Morden grunted and huddled under his cloak as he leaned back against the trunk of an enormous pine tree. The rain didn’t bother him. It was more pleasant than being pelted with freezing salt water on a ship rolling beneath your feet.

  He only allowed the group an hour of rest before urging them to saddle up again. “The sooner we reach Faerow, the sooner you will be settled before a roaring fire in the palace of the Patriarch.” At least I hope we will.

  Everyone gave their names to the guard at the gates. Despite the weather, there streets were teeming with people and livestock slogging through the thick oozing mud.

  “I don’t see why we don’t just turn Fa’ Vel over to the soldiers. He deserves whatever punishment Mordaen decides to give him,” Keera said as she spotted several soldiers walking down the street.


  Saemus took a minute to answer. He hated to admit it, but part of him agreed that they should hand the man over to receive his due punishment. However, life was rarely ever that simple.

  “He saved Jon’s life and helped us escape the city. Seems kind of harsh to hand him over after accepting his aid.”

  “What if we just tell the soldiers where to find him? He wouldn’t have to know we told them anything,” Keera said.

  “His powers may be useful in the fight.”

  Keera stared at him for a moment, her jaw working as she fought with what she wanted to say. “If we survive this mess, we hand him over to Mordaen. Fa’ Vel and his ilk must be punished for what they did to all those people.”

  Saemus sighed. “Fine. Whatever you say.”

  Morden stopped in front of the castle. The portcullis was raised and two men stood guard on either side. Several people made their way slowly through the gate, stopping first to speak to the guards, who searched those wanting to meet with the Patriarch.

  “Are you certain Mordaen will remember you?” Morden asked.

  “Quite certain,” Saemus said with more confidence than he felt.

  “Let’s go then.” Morden kicked his horse gently.

  One of the soldiers held up his hands as the group approached. “Leave your mounts here. We’ll house them in the stables while you make your petition,” he said in a bored voice.

  Several stable hands grabbed the reins and held them as the party dismounted. The guards gave them a cursory pat down. They waved them through, already giving their same speech to the next person in line.

  A man appeared out of nowhere and bowed curtly. He then motioned the group to follow. His face was red and his chest heaved with exertion.

  “You will sit where indicated and you will not move until you are called. It is not permitted to roam the halls. If you leave the premises for any reason, your name will be erased from the list and you will have to return tomorrow. You will address the Patriarch as ‘your Grace’. You will ask him your question quickly. You will accept his answer as final and leave quickly. Is that understood?”

  Morden nodded, nudging Saemus to speak to the servant.

  “Ummm...sir, if I may—”

  The man crossed his arms in front if his chest. “Let me guess. You are a personal friend of the Patriarch and want me to take him a message on your behalf, requesting he see you at once, is that right?”

  Saemus gaped. “Well, yes, but it’s true that we know the Patriarch. We helped him regain his castle some time ago—”

  The man sniffed loudly and narrowed his eyes. “I was here during that awful siege. While I don’t recall seeing any of you, if what you say is true, he will want to see you right away.” He stepped up and pointed a finger at Saemus’ chest. “But if you are lying, I will see to it that you spend time in the cells.” He whirled and disappeared around a corner.

  It wasn’t long before the servant came dashing back around the corner, muttering apologies while trying to catch his breath.

  “His Grace will see you immediately. Quickly, quickly!”

  The group followed quickly, though the servant arrived at his destination well before the rest of the group. He threw open the doors and tapped his foot while he waited for everyone to catch up.

  “The Patriarch is waiting for you inside.” The servant left the group to deal with the other petitioners waiting their turn to speak to the Patriarch.

  “Please, please come in. I have ordered refreshments and more chairs to be brought.”

  Mordaen walked toward the group, his arms open in welcome. Though he still looked every inch the powerful aristocrat, the lines on his face and the white in his hair signified a change since they had last seen him. Saemus guessed it must have been the awful tragedy of losing his family to the paranoid delusions of Fa’ Vel and his men. And we have him secreted in the woods outside of town.

  Guilt made Saemus lower his eyes.

  “Your party seems smaller than when we last met,” Mordaen said as he looked over the faces of those arranged in a semi-circle in front of him.

  “We’ve lost several of our comrades, your Grace,” Saemus said as he bowed.

  “Please, there’s no need for that. Without you, I would be rotting away in the prison, if not dead. I should be bowing to you,” the man said.

  Now that he was standing before the Patriarch, Saemus wasn’t sure how to tell him about the Mekans and the destruction they would bring to Astra.

  Mordaen invited them to sit and Saemus was able to stall a little longer while servants poured wine and spiced cider and offered trays with cheese, meats, bread, and various fruits. Mordaen kept the small talk going but Saemus could see he was growing impatient.

  “We actually aren’t here for a nice chat, your Grace. We come with dire tidings from the Eastern Continent,” Saemus said.

  “Would this be in regards to the strange things coming over the Mishrae Hills?”

  Saemus’ eyes widened. “How did you know?”

  “The first birds arrived days ago. I figured the first was a joke, but after a dozen, including one from Sheldon himself, I began to believe that the messages were true. Now that you are here, I have a feeling you’re about to explain what these things are.”

  ***

  The discussion with Mordaen about the Mekans had been exhausting. He’d cancelled all petitions for the rest of the day and given the group his undivided attention. His mood had ranged from incredulity to fearfulness to hostility.

  It had taken Captain Morden backing their story— coupled with the many birds as well as what had occurred with the seers and bone readers, all pointing to the truth, ridiculous and impossible though it sounded—to get Mordaen completely believing what the group had come to tell him.

  Mordaen agreed to send word throughout the countryside for the people to make for the Shadow Mountains, or villages as close to them as they could reach. The Patriarch insisted on the group staying in the palace for the night.

  After freshening up in the baths, the group dined with the Patriarch in the Great Hall. Servants bustled around the table with plates and platters of more food than the whole group could eat in three days.

  The chairs closest to the Patriarch sat empty. Saemus’ heart clenched in pity when he noticed the look of anguish that crossed the man’s face when he gazed at those seats. Seeing that look on Mordaen’s face made Saemus long for his own family. It had been so long since he had seen his mother, father, brothers and little sister.

  What am I going to say to them?

  It would be hard to tell them the truth but they would have to be told, as would everyone else in the Tarrows region. Their villages were the closest to the Shadow Mountains and many of the people fleeing the Mekans would need to seek shelter there. Arrangements would have to be made to accommodate all of the people that would be coming.

  After dinner, most of the group went to their rooms, eager to get a good night’s sleep before their journey to Heart Stone. Saemus lay in bed, trying to put the image of the Mekans crawling over the Mishrae Hills out of his mind.

  ***

  “What do you suppose those two are talking about?” Keera asked.

  Kaelin looked toward Sloan and Brad. The two men were standing with their backs toward the two girls, heads together, and gesturing wildly with their arms.

  “Who knows,” Kaelin said as she rolled her eyes. “We should be in bed since we plan on leaving for home at first light.” Her jaws creaked as she yawned.

  Kaelin was torn. Part of her was ecstatic to see her family again and yet she had changed so much since she’d been gone and the thought made her brain spin. Spending a few weeks on Gentra meant that years had passed here on Astra. It made her frightened to travel through the portal again. What if she returned to find her parents dead?

  Kaelin shook her head. It did no good to let morbid thoughts like that take control. Better to think of happy things.

  Or try to figure o
ut what Sloan and Brad were discussing.

  “Here they come. Pretend like we didn’t notice them,” Keera said.

  She turned toward Kaelin and smiled as though she hadn’t noticed the two men talking just down the hall.

  “What are you two still doing up?” Brad asked as the two of them drew closer to the two girls.

  “Just chatting. You?” Keera asked.

  “Same. Umm...what were you talking about?” Sloan asked.

  “Nothing much, really. Just girl stuff. What about you two?” Kaelin asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

  Brad rubbed his head, face reddening. “Oh you know...just...well, guy stuff.” He looked at Sloan.

  Sloan nodded emphatically. “Just boring guy stuff.”

  Keera narrowed her eyes.

  “Actually, we need to speak with Mordaen before bed. You girls go ahead. We’ll see you in the morning,” Brad said.

  Keera tried to protest but Brad had already pulled Sloan down the hall toward the Patriarch’s personal chamber.

  “Well, if that’s not suspicious, I don’t know what is!” Keera said as she chewed a lock of her red hair.

  “I agree. What could they possibly need to speak to him about?” Kaelin asked.

  Keera shrugged. “I wish I knew.”

  ASTRA

  --THE VOLGONS SHOULD BE ARRIVING SHORTLY--

  --Can’t you give us any better timing that that?-- Saemus asked.

  --It is difficult to give an exact time when we don’t know exact distances. We could fly the ship over—

  --No, we will simply have to wait--

  Saemus relayed the information to the rest of the Chosen and to Forka, the last remaining Guardian. They were seated in the Meadows’ Inn, finishing the last scraps of breakfast. Lily had insisted they all stay at the inn when they had arrived a few days ago. It had taken another couple of days to bring word to the Barlows and Flints in Oak Brooke and Willow Haven that Saemus, Kaelin, and Keera had arrived.

  Word of the arrival of the group had reached Gwen’s parents; they arrived at the inn, breathless and anxious to see their daughter. They looked around the common room, tying in vain to catch a glimpse of her, certain she was behind the rest of the group.