Beyond the Bridge

by C D Beaudin

  They rush through the palace, and Awyn leads them to the stairwell they came from. They hurry down the stairs, and Aradon rolls the boulder away. They run through the forest, and out onto the plains, where both the Tanean and Meran army have retreated from, although bodies lie everywhere. But they are distracted by a very familiar figure.

  Revera. And at her feet lies a tied up Sefa.

  “Sefa!” Aradon yells.

  She squirms. “Aradon!”

  He runs faster, drawing his bow.

  “I wouldn’t do that, Besged,” Revera warns.

  He lets the arrow fly, missing Revera

  She smirks. “Very well.” She stomps her boot on Sefa’s chest.

  The crack makes him feel sick, and Sefa slumps. “No!” He falls to his knees, his mouth slack, shock rendering him immobile.

  Revera laughs. “I warned you, Red Warrior!” She looks at Awyn. “And you brought me my prize.” Revera holds out her hand, squeezing her fist shut. The ground under Awyn’s feet starts to rumble and crack. The others are thrown back by an unnatural force and before Awyn can run, she tumbles into the fiery ground.

  “Awyn!” Eldowyn yells.

  Hagard struggles to stand, looking stricken with grief for the princess. “Oh, Princess. Ye was too young. Ye was too young.” He lowers his head, dropping his ax.

  A white light envelops Dreema.

  Eldowyn, Aradon, and Hagard look at him. “Where are you going?” Eldowyn yells.

  There’s no answer, and Dreema is gone, like Kaniel. It all happened so fast—it’s too much. The three of them stand there, stunned.

  “We lost Awyn. It’s over. Mera is doomed,” Eldowyn says.

  Aradon vibrates in anger, clenching his fist, fighting down the feeling of loss over both Awyn and Sefa. “But Mortal is not,” he grinds out. He turns to run toward Revera, and the others follow him. But she laughs, disappearing into thin air. They abruptly stop, and Hagard sighs.

  “Oi, what do we do now?”

  Aradon’s face hardens. “We’re going to get our horses. Then we’re going to save Mortal.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Kepp groans as he wakes up. He coughs, struggling to sit up and leaning against a rock, he opens his eyes, rubbing the back of his head.

  “Ah, my head.” He winces in pain. He looks around. Darkness. Wait, no, there is some light. A hole in the ceiling. Ceiling of what? His eyes widen. “I’m in a hole?”

  His yelling wakes Saine, who is lying not too far from him. “Jeez! Yell a little louder, will you?” He struggles to sit up too, against a dusty wall and looks at Kepp. “We’ve been in here for a day already. You’ve been unconscious the whole time. You know how boring it’s been?”

  Ignoring Saine’s remarks, Kepp smacks his lips. “I’m thirsty. Do we have any water?”

  Saine groans. “Nope.”

  Kepp sighs, and his brow furrows. “Why are we in a hole?”

  “Revera put us in here,” Saine says tiredly.

  Kepp looks around at the brown walls, floor, and ceiling. Dust stings his eyes and nose. The cave is small. And hot. No weapons.

  “So, we’re trapped?” he asks, already knowing the answer.

  Saine closes his eyes. “Yup.”

  Kepp runs his fingers through his hair. “Great. We’re dead,” Kepp admits.

  Saine nods. “Yup.”

  Awyn’s eyes flutter open. Her breathing is heavy and slow. Pain fills her body, and she’s on her stomach. That much she knows. The floor is cold and black. Black, yes, it is black. She winces as she tries to get to her knees. Cold floor. Cold air.

  She sits against a wall, struggling with pain—also black. Her teeth grit as the hurt intensifies. She gets a better look at the room.

  It’s small and reminds her of her old cell. Wait. Her cell. No, it can’t be. She struggles to her feet. Staggering, she looks up, a black ceiling. No, not her cell. There’s a window letting in light. She hobbles over to it, looking out on—

  Desert?

  “How is that possible?” she mutters.

  “Magic.”

  She gasps at the voice. She turns, and a girl sits in the corner of the room. “Who are you?” The girl has dark brown hair, fair skin, and dark blue eyes. Her ears are pointed. “You’re an elf?”

  The girl stands, her ripped purple dress falling to her feet. Awyn looks at her own clothes, noticing for the first time that she too, is in a dress. A light blue one, that matches her eyes. She looks at the girl, her eyes are actually bright violet. The girl is probably a few years older than her.

  “The dress is a courtesy from the sorceress.” She smiles weakly. “I am Adriel.”

  Awyn remembers this name. “Are you a friend of Saine’s?” she asks.

  The girl’s face doesn’t change from the solemnity of it. “I was the love of his life.”

  Awyn feels bad for her. And for Saine. “So, this is where you’ve been all these years. Saine thinks you’re dead,” Awyn says as a tear falls down Adriel’s fair cheek. She wipes it away.

  “So, you must be wondering where you are,” she says. “You fell through the ground. The victims that fall always end up here.”

  “Where is ‘here’?” Awyn asks.

  Adriel sighs. “Nethess.”

  Awyn’s mouth drops open, and tears fill her eyes. She collapses on the floor, sobbing. “No! I was so close! So close!” She buries her face in her hands.

  Adriel stoops down, putting her hand on Awyn’s back. “I’m sorry you didn’t get your kingdom back.”

  Awyn looks up at her in confusion. “How could you possibly know that?”

  “I have the gift of foresight and visions.” She points to the gem on her forehead. “This was given to me at birth, so magic can’t destroy my mind. Foresight is a dangerous gift.”

  Awyn shakes her head, not sure what to say or think. “Everything is taken away from me. Just look at me now. Trapped here.”

  “I have been trapped here for eighteen years.”

  Awyn’s eyebrows crinkle in confusion. “How old are you?”

  Adriel smiles gently. “Old enough. I’m an elf, remember.”

  Awyn sniffs, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

  Adriel leans against the wall. “Revera must have a plan for you yet. She wouldn’t have let you live if she didn’t.”

  “Why did she let you live?” Awyn asks.

  Adriel softly smiles. “My father’s Eye can see the present, and can sometimes grant the powerful visions, but I am her gateway to the future.”

  Awyn looks away from her. “Then what does she want with me?”

  Kepp and Saine cough and choke. The dust is almost suffocating. “Ugh! I can’t take this.” Kepp tries to climb up the wall but slides down.

  Saine groans. “Kepp, stop. That hole is too high for us to climb to. Besides, it’s in the middle of the ceiling. There’s no possible way for us to escape.”

  Kepp sinks back down, sitting against the wall. “Where are we anyway?”

  Saine sighs. “I have no idea. It’s hot, so probably the desert.”

  Kepp’s eyebrows shoot up. “Please tell me you don’t mean—”

  “Oh, yes. I do mean that.”

  “Great. We’re not only trapped in a hole in the desert, but we’re trapped in a cave in the Desert of Asgoreth. We are definitely going to die!” He starts panicking. “We-we’re going to die of thirst first, then die of hunger.”

  “You can't die twice.”

  Kepp ignores Saine’s voice of reason. “The sun is going to scorch us! We’re gonna burn down here, and no one will know it was us!”

  Saine rolls his eyes, clearly fed up with Kepp’s panicking. “Enough! We are not going to die down here!” Saine yells.

  Kepp crosses his arms. “Maybe you don’t remember, but Asgoreth and Radian are a death trap for elves.” Kepp remembers the screams of his kin, the blood coming from his friends’ limp bodies. His own misfortune with his father.

  “Just cal
m down,” Saine says. “And besides, we won’t die of hunger. You’ll die because I’ll kill you, so I can eat your flesh.”

  Kepp is quiet at that sentence. He awkwardly scoots away from Saine, and the blond chuckles. “Don’t worry. We’re both going to die of your endless chatter before I even have a chance to eat you.”

  Kepp looks at his friend. “So comforting, Saine,” he says sarcastically.

  The Plainsman snickers.

  This time it’s Kepp who rolls his eyes.

  “We aren’t going to die, Kepp. And if we do, at least you got to see your brother again.” He sighs sadly. “I will never get to see Adriel again.”

  Kepp scoots back beside Saine. “You will see her again. And I will see Kera again.” Kepp switches from a pessimistic end to an optimistic approach at their inevitable doom. They both lean back, Saine closing his eyes, and Kepp looking at the ceiling.

  I never loved Kera. It was just a charade. But maybe…maybe it was real at one point. No. Stop being such a fool, Kepp. You never loved her and never will…

  One thing’s for sure, he’ll have plenty of time to think about it.

  Adriel watches as Awyn sleeps. She promised to watch over her for a few hours, letting her rest. She hugs her legs, resting her chin on her knees. A sigh leaves her lips, and she thinks of her father, who is doomed a worse life than she is.

  A dragon. He was turned into a dragon by that wretch Revera. He lives on top of Marduth, she has seen this in her dreams. She looks beside her. She knows Awyn’s fate as well but will not tell her. It’s too dark. Besides, the future changes constantly. Every decision affects the outcome of one’s life. But she does know what Revera wants with her.

  And that’s the unusual thing. It’s nothing deadly. At least, not physically.

  Awyn stirs in her sleep, and Adriel sees her sweat. She touches the princess’s forehead, getting a glimpse of her dream. Scalding heat fills Adriel’s hand. She yelps in pain, taking her hand off Awyn’s forehead and shakes her awake.

  “Wake up.” She shakes her harder, but something is fighting her. “Awyn!” The princess opens her eyes. Beads of sweat roll down her face. “Awyn, are you all right?” Adriel asks.

  Dazed, she looks at Adriel. “Um, I-I had a dream.”

  “Yes. It was a nightmare,” Adriel says.

  Awyn clutches her head. “Ah! Leave me alone!” Awyn shouts, tears streaming down her face.

  Adriel checks to see what is happening to Awyn.

  “Do I win? Do I win?” Zyadar’s voice cuts through Awyn’s mind.

  “Yes! Yes! Leave me alone,” Awyn cries out. The dark voice laughs demonically and vanishes. She shudders, her hands covering her ears, her forehead to the marble floor.

  “Awyn?” Adriel puts her hand on her back. Awyn shoots up. “Awyn! Are you all right?”

  “Yes. I…he’s gone.”

  Adriel closes her eyes. She can see every conversation Awyn had with Zyadar. “Awyn, you need to rest. A dark spirit has left you. You must be weak.”

  Awyn smiles in relief. “No. In fact I feel energized. I feel lighter.”

  The joyful expression on her face is spoiled as footsteps approach, and Adriel’s eyes widen. “Revera,” she exclaims, breathlessly.

  The door opens, and Revera walks into the room, her black dress trailing behind her. Her crown of leaves on her head matches her red lips.

  “Hello, girls. I have come to take Awyn for a little tour.”

  Awyn looks at Adriel for assurance, who nods. Awyn stands, about to walk out of the room with Revera.

  “Darling, don’t look so scared! I’m not going to kill you…yet. I just want to talk.”

  Awyn audibly gulps. “Talk?” she squeaks.

  “Yes.”

  The sound of Karak walking through the room meets her ears. He’s approaching the cell that holds her, and he opens the hatch.

  “Hello, Princess.”

  Brega looks up at him, her bone-thin body weak and hurting.

  “Glad to see you doing so well.”

  Brega tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear with a withered hand. “Are you going to kill me now?” she says, almost hopefully.

  “I would never do such a cold thing. I’m here to let you free.”

  Brega’s eyes widen, and Karak drags her out of the cell onto the cold marble floor. Her legs ache as he makes her stand. “Now, I told all of my men that if they killed you, I would in turn kill them. But other than that, you’re free game.” He snickers, and Brega’s eyes widen, realizing that she’s about to be released into a lustful crowd of monsters.

  “No. Please. Don’t make me go out there. Can't you just take me out of Kahzacore? Please?” she begs, dropping to her knees.

  Karak looks down. “As much as I like the look of you begging, you smell terrible.” He kicks her out the doorway, and slams the door, leaving her in the stairwell. The only thing she can do now is go down.

  “Revera, why on earth would I agree to talk with you?” Awyn says.

  Revera scoffs. “I am amused at your boldness. You’re quite the character, Awyn of Mera.” She huffs, a complete contrast to her former statement. “I simply want to tell you the truth about your family, and the lies they hide.”

  Awyn’s jaw tightens. “Why, you snake. Don’t talk about my family like that.” Awyn starts walking into the Black Room.

  “You don’t want to know who your real mother is?”

  Awyn stops in her tracks and turns to Revera. “What are you talking about?” She swallows nervously.

  Revera smirks. “You were not born of late Queen Adara.”

  Awyn starts to shake. “Why would I listen to you?” Her voice is uneven.

  “Because I am your aunt.”

  Awyn’s eyes widen, and she can feel herself blanch, the color leaving her face. “And my sister is Raea.”

  Awyn’s breathing hastens.

  “I’m an elf?”

  It all makes sense now. Why she hasn’t died. Why she was able to hold her ground against elven warriors and Meran soldiers. Why she can hear thoughts.

  She sways. “I’m an elf?” Her words are barely audible.

  “Yes, it is quite unbelievable, isn’t it?”

  Awyn doesn’t hear her. She’s too shocked. She staggers to the railing, catching herself before she falls over. “I’m an elf?” she mutters under her breath.

  “Oh, it isn’t that surprising, is it? How do you think you’ve survived so much? And why you don’t have any scars on that porcelain skin of yours?”

  Awyn looks at her. “You’re my aunt?”

  Revera’s eyes are ruthless. “Yes.” She turns from her. “Although chances are, you inherited more than just your beauty from me.”

  Awyn’s brows furrow. “What are you talking about?”

  Revera turns to her, a brow raised. “You don’t think the darkness that consumes me won’t seek you out as well? You are more naïve than I thought, Awyn.”

  Her eyes widen. “You are lying.”

  The sorceress smiles. “Now, now, I don’t lie to family.” She turns from her, and walks into the Black Room, leaving Awyn alone on the balcony.

  She looks to the moon above, bathing the desert in a silver ghost so breathtaking, it could almost distract her from…everything.

  But within the night, shadows loom. And Awyn begins to understand that no matter how hard she tries…they will never stop trying to consume her.

  Keep reading for an excerpt of Book 2 - now available on Amazon! Special discounted price for limited time…

  Book 2 - Excerpt

  Mortal’s End Trilogy

  Book Two Excerpt

  The Broken Bow

  C. D. Beaudin

  Eldowyn’s foot slips on a loose piece of mountain rock. The valley below is daunting, with twisted and gnarled edges that will make for an ugly death. He looks up at Aradon, the Red Warrior leading their trio up the mountain path.

  “Aradon, are you sure you know what you’re doin
g?” he asks as he looks down, rocks chipping off the cliff, tumbling down the invisible distance to the ground. The deathly drop seems to taunt the three travelers as they edge their way along the thin cliff path, barely four feet across in width.

  “Yes, Eldowyn,” the Red Warrior—and Besged—groans, sounding frustrated.

  Eldowyn’s eyebrows crinkle, still worried. “But are you sure we’re going the right way—”

  Aradon turns around and glares.

  “All we have to do is get to the top of this path! The Wise One will answer our questions, and we can make sure Awyn didn’t die in vain. You’re an elf. Have some fortitude.” He huffs as he turns around. Rocks tumble down the stone face above them, and they cover their heads.

  “Oi! Dese rocks are gettin’ on me nerves!” Hagard the dwarf complains as a rock hits his head hard.

  “Hagard, we’re almost there!” Aradon yells at the front of the group.

  Eldowyn remains skeptical. “Perhaps we should seek out another wizard or Delcah. Surely finding one would be much simpler than climbing this cursed mountain!” he says as he jumps over an open crack in the ledge.

  “Eldowyn, we want the right answers. A wizard or Delcah won’t be of any avail this time! The Wise One picked a safe place to live, at the top of the highest peak of the entire valley for a reason. The fate of Mortal is in the balance!” Aradon says as Eldowyn puts out a hand for Hagard to take, which is then swatted away by the prideful dwarf.

  Eldowyn sighs. “Fine, I trust you. But if this mountain kills us, I will in turn kill you.”

  Aradon glances back at him and raises a challenging eyebrow. The Red Warrior scoffs, turning forward again.

  Hagard manages to jump over the crack, his stocky body landing heavily on the rock, chipping off shale. They hear the residue tumble down the cliff face. But it’s the sound of thunder that warns them a blizzard is coming.

  The wind picks up quickly, and the snow starts falling wickedly. Their cloaks blow in the wind, snapping loudly. They squint, their eyes stinging from the heavy snowfall. The cold is making it hard to breathe, and the wind hurts Eldowyn’s chest.