Micah looked at him with panic in his eyes, but said nothing.
"He gave this to you." Garren's voice softened as he spoke. "You were accompanied on the journey back here." Garren turned his back to Micah to walk toward the window. He peered through the glass.
Michael was out there. It would take little effort to summon his men and ride out after them. But he couldn't. A rare opportunity to avenge his men and kill his mortal enemy, and yet his feet were frozen to the floor.
Michael's sister.
CHAPTER TWENTY — TWO
THE HEART OF MY PEOPLE
The smell of burning flesh hung in the air. Michael walked back toward the rock where he'd told the boy to stay. They'd rounded up the bodies of the twenty-one men and burned them, burying everything that wasn't consumed in the flames. Several smaller fires had been scattered in various places for the Adorians to burn the blood from their weapons and dispose of their soiled clothing. As Michael walked to where the boy had been, he truly expected him to be gone. As he approached, he saw the boy wasn't only there but was repeating words beneath his breath. Leaning in closer, he realized that it his own words the boy was trying to etch into his memory.
Michael tore a piece of leather from his tunic. He reached for a small piece of burnt wood that had cooled, and handed it to the boy. "Take this and write the words. This has been a dreadful day, you can't be expected to remember anything while dealing with your grief." The boy took the burnt wood and began to scribble Michael's message down. "What name have you been given?" Michael propped one foot on the rock next to him and leaned onto his knee.
"Micah." The boy didn't face him as he answered.
Michael could see the boy was shivering beneath his armor. His clothes were soaked through with blood. After the fight was over, he'd released the boy and watched as he'd wandered for a moment among the fallen men. He stopped when he'd reached Jules's body, and to Michael's surprise, he knelt beside him, weeping. He decided out of respect not to question him as to how he could mourn a man who'd so quickly delivered him to what was supposed to be his end. After allowing it to go on for some time, Michael pulled him to his feet. He'd instructed the boy to wait at the rocks.
Eidolon would be a long journey for any man or Adorian on foot, let alone a young boy fresh from a massacre. He looked around, scanning the crowd for a moment, when Kendall noticed.
"Who is it you need summoned, my Lord?"
"Please tell Jareth and Caedmon that I'm accompanying our young survivor back to Eidolon."
"Alone?" Kendall asked. A voice interrupted them before Michael could say a word in response.
"No. I'll be journeying with him."
Michael turned to see Caedmon and nodded, glad for the company. He was well aware it was risky, if not outright daft, for a sovereign to do such a thing alone, or even with the accompaniment of just one other soldier. Kendall's expression indicated that the fact had not escaped him, either. Yet, something in his gut told him that he needed to. Something about the boy.
Michael mounted his horse and leaned down to help Micah join him; he was about to let go when the boy pulled from Michael's grasp, then turned to race through the trees to an Adorian whose arms were full of clothing to be burned. Michael cantered to him, watching as the boy tenderly pulled a tattered sleeve from the remnants. It was embroidered with a coat of arms that had somehow managed to survive the slaughter without a trace of blood on it. Michael recognized it as the crest on Jules' shield.
He leaned over once again and helped the boy into the saddle in front of him. "You don't have to answer this, but your superior was willing to trade you for his own life — why would you grieve him?" Micah was quiet, and at first Michael suspected pure indoctrination as the root of his apparent loyalty.
"He was my father."
The words fell like stones from Micah's mouth. Michael looked at Caedmon, who'd followed him. They both felt pity for the boy, Ereubinian or not. It was a shame they couldn't take him back to Adoria with them. Michael desperately wanted to, but no Ereubinian could be trusted, no matter how innocent they seemed.
Michael motioned for Caedmon to follow as he dug his heels into his steed, galloping quickly through the remnants of battle and deeper into the woods. It would be better for them to make as much progress as possible in the remaining daylight.
The boy was quiet during most of their ride. Michael leaned down on several occasions to check on him. Finally, once they'd stopped to rest their horses, he had a chance to speak to him.
"I am sorry that you were witness to this. I did not set out on this day intending to — "
The boy's voice was soft and laden with sorrow as he interrupted him. "You had no choice but to do what was best for your people."
Michael felt uneasy hearing Micah's words. It was unlike his lineage to say such things. "You've been taught many things about us, I imagine. Do you believe everything you're told?"
Micah seemed to be choosing his words with care. It was a smart tactic considering that Michael, in his eyes, was the enemy.
"Don't be afraid, you don't have to answer that either. I am just curious what things Eidolon has taught its youth."
"What could I possibly fear you'd do to me if I didn't give you an answer and you'd fancied one mandatory? If you were going to kill me, you'd have done it by now."
Caedmon laughed before Michael could even smile. The boy hadn't meant it to be funny, but it had made brilliant light of Michael's mannerisms. Sometimes he was polite to a fault.
Micah shook his head, irritated, and continued. "We're taught that you purpose to take the Laionai's power for your own. I was told that Adorians are deceitful and weak; that you value your own lives above all else. Your reason for being in Middengard is to gain human sympathies in order to use them against the Goddess."
"Do I seem deceitful to you?" Michael truly hurt for him, for the lies that he'd been taught.
"I don't know you well enough to make that judgment." Micah's voice trembled as he spoke. His eyes were still puffy from crying and he wiped at them.
"What your father did on this day was dishonorable and should prove to you that everything is not as it seems in your world. An Adorian couldn't have even conceived of something like that. We don't enter into bloodshed unless it's forced upon us and…" Michael's voice hitched as he questioned his own reasoning. "Surrender isn't an option for your kind. Jules would have fought to the death."
"What you haven't been told is that three of my Adorians, our own flesh and blood, were mercilessly killed without reason. Your fearless leader, who is worthy of anything but reverence, committed this sin. I've seen him slay much younger youth than you. It is he whom you should fear, not us. We won't harm you. Our purpose in Middengard is to protect those who are not able to protect themselves. Garren would have left you to survive the journey alone and on foot if he had left you alive at all. It's your well-being that leads us through these woods with you, not the words you carry."
For a long while, Micah said nothing. He ate what was given to him from Caedmon's saddlebag and drank from Michael's flask of water. Then, just as they were about to mount and start onward, he spoke. "What is Adoria like?"
"It's much colder, with snow covering the ground most of the year. High mountains and valleys make up the majority of the landscape. No one is in servitude or has any reason to fear our leaders. We value all life, not just those who are deemed worthy. Adoria is bound in duty to protect Middengard because Adoria is not so different. Our sorrows and joys were once very much like that of man."
"Are they different now, your sorrows and joys?"
"Generations of sacrifice have been made for the sake of man. Adoria is a more somber place now than it once was. A burden lies at the heart of my people, the desire for things to become as they once were, for life to be revered again in Eidolon. It, too, was very different once upon a time. I suppose they've neglected to tell you that as well?"
Micah look up at him. "What do you me
an?"
"Eidolon was once a city filled with life. Don't be fooled by the power of the Laionai. You are but a tool for evil's foothold. The Goddess has no interest in the human realm; it's of little consequence to her. What she wants is beyond our borders and she needs the aid of the Laionai to get it. You may be treated as if your lineage is favored, but it will not always be so. Once you've served your purpose, she'll discard you as your people have discarded humans."
"I've been told to not trust any Adorian."
"See for yourself when you return. Go among the humans and you will see traces of their will to survive. You'll have to pay close attention, but when you do, remember my words. Recall the mercy that's been shown to you, and ask yourself if any in your realm would do the same."
Michael had been told by the Braeden that most Ereubinians don't take their first soul until they're sixteen. He guessed the boy to be several years younger, which explained his relative innocence. He hoped Micah would never see that day — that somehow this epic war would come to an end before he was of age. Michael had never felt compassion toward any Ereubinian. Most he regarded with a soldier's distance; they were all just nameless faces on the battlefield. But this boy he could not disregard so easily. Michael had felt it the moment he'd seen Micah, and he still wrestled with the desire to bring the boy back to Adoria instead of returning him to Eidolon.
Their conversation was limited the rest of the way. They finally reached the outermost borders of Eidolon as the last rays of light sank below the horizon. The air was much cooler than he'd anticipated; it almost felt like Adoria. Without second thought, he pulled his cloak from around his shoulders and handed it to Micah. The boy didn't refuse, taking it and wrapping it tightly around his shivering body.
"You should be alright to travel on foot from here. Remember what I've said, all of it. Speak to him and him alone." Michael helped Micah dismount and watched as he started to walk away. The boy was a few yards out when he turned around, staring wordlessly at the two Adorians. Michael couldn't read the expression on his face, but he hoped that something had begun to stir within whatever soul Micah still possessed.
The woods were quiet as Michael and Caedmon journeyed back home. A brief thought passed through his mind that it would be quite possible for Micah to tell Garren that they'd brought him back to Eidolon. It would be a swift ride for a Dragee, leaving them in peril's way until they reached Adorian borders. Michael looked over at Caedmon, motioning for him to pick up the pace.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
TRY NOT TO BREAK YOUR NEW TOY
Tadraem turned from where he'd leaned against the door. He'd heard enough to affirm his suspicions. Michael's sister. He rushed to Aiden's chambers and entered without knocking.
Aiden lay back against the headboard of his bed, his new bride sitting naked, rubbing his feet with oil. She had a bloodied lip and a newly swollen eye.
Tadraem sat on the bed and let his eyes wander over her. "Her name is Sara?"
Aiden nodded.
His mouth watered at the site of her. It had been months since he'd visited the temple and taken care of his physical needs. Still, those vessels were worn out — used. They were nothing like this human, whose innocence was so strong he could almost taste it. He touched the slender column of her neck and then massaged one breast, flicking her nipple with his thumb. Having lost her soul so recently, he could almost feel the fear radiating from her. It pleased him.
"Jules and twenty-one of his men have been slain," Tadraem shifted to rearrange himself, uncomfortable from his erection. "They encountered Adorian forces upon return from Ruiari."
Aiden leaned forward as Tadraem spoke, not the least bit bothered by Tadraem's attentiveness to his new plaything.
"Now is the time for the revenge of yours that I spoke of. I'm sending the remainder of Jules' men, through what will appear to be your authority, into the outer regions with instructions to slay every human that resides in the lesser provinces. We've more than enough of them in the main cities to make up our forces against Adoria, the rest are of little use to us."
Aiden grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from his bedside table, handing it to Tadraem when he'd finished with it.
How is this revenge?
Tadraem tore the paper, letting it float in pieces to the floor. "Your allegiance is to me now, which means you must unquestionably follow what I say. Upon waking tomorrow, you'll find that speech will flow freely past your lips again. Once those who already question Garren's abilities hear of Jules and Garren's failure to avenge him, it will be enough to secure their faith in your commands. Tell no one of this. Garren's forces at large mustn't be aware until after the humans are dead. Then we'll see where Garren's loyalties lie. I believe it to be only a matter of time before his own men turn on him and you will be there waiting to claim their loyalty, having already avenged our fallen by power of the Goddess, your miraculously recovered speech as the proof of it."
Aiden smiled as Tadraem made his way to the door.
"And Aiden… try not to break your new toy. It would be a shame."
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
NOTHING OF IMPORTANCE
"Have you seen Ariana?" Michael approached Jareth from behind, causing him to jump. "You really ought to work on that."
"No. Not in the last few hours. And why be on guard in a protected rea… nevermind."
It had been almost a week since Michael's encounter with Jules. He'd returned home to discover that Duncan had given Ariana yet another weapon, this time a bow and arrows, which both worried and angered him. It would be one thing if it were recreational archery that she fancied, but he had the sinking feeling that she had no intention of using Duncan's gifts for sport.
"I've heard her mention exploring the old world on more than one occasion — don't give me that look Michael, I didn't encourage her."
Michael grimaced. Keeping up with her was going to be the death of him.
"Let her go," Jareth laughed. "She's not a child."
"It's not her age or maturity that concerns me. Has she said anything more of Garren to you?"
Michael hated to ask him this, hearing anything about her attention toward Garren seemed to make Jareth's skin crawl, but Ariana had taken to confiding in Jareth. Michael tried his best to not let it hurt his feelings that she hadn't spoken to him.
"Thank you for reminding me. She's managed to not mention him in over a week." Jareth scowled. "You're going to look for her aren't you? Do you want me to come with you?"
Michael considered it for a minute. "You mean, 'Can I come along pretty please because I'm in love with your sister?' Sure. I could use the company."
"You, my friend, can be an ass sometimes." Jareth stood with a telling grin on his face. "Duncan told her about the entrance near the Aidolis. That might be the first place we try. We aren't going to let her know that we were looking for her, are we?"
"No. If she knows I'm trying to keep an eye on her, she'll be that much harder to manage."
"Has it occurred to you that she might not need managing?"
"Has it occurred to you that my father might have spent her entire lifetime lying about her existence for no reason — no? It hasn't occurred to you because the idea is ludicrous. Thus, her protection has my full attention."
Jareth shrugged. "I'm just saying that perhaps you should consider seeing her as an equal, trust her with your thoughts, your concerns. That's all."
"My equal? You mistake me. That sword I was telling you about? It matches perfectly the description of the fabled sword of Ereubus, said to be hidden just beyond the borders of Arcadia."
Jareth smirked. "You seem to be under the assumption that I stayed awake for ancient human history. Allow me to correct you."
"Jareth, I am not saying these things lightly. That sword took the first human soul and hasn't been seen for nearly three thousand years. She saw Arcadia as it once was — no doubt through the power of holding that very sword. Bronach said a being spoke to her ther
e as though life and death itself rested in her hands. You saw her touch the Aurora stones, and while she thinks it bears no meaning, she's wrong and so are you. She is not my equal. She is worth more than all of us combined and Eidolon knows it."
Jareth seemed to understand this. "We'll need to take a lantern with us."
They reached the entrance to the cave. Jareth turned the wick up on the oil lamp as they descended deeper into the shadow. Michael kept his ears open, hearing nothing but their steps. It was a long way into the old world from that entrance. It did eventually empty into a courtyard, but it was after nearly a mile of darkness. He hoped she had taken Koen with her.
He was grateful for the beast, no one could come near her without its approval; it amazed him. He'd never seen an animal so attentive before.
It was low at first. Michael was in front of Jareth in the narrow opening and motioned with his hand to quiet him. "Lower the flame," he whispered. He heard someone talking ahead of them, and assumed it to be Ariana speaking to Koen. He couldn't make out any words, but it certainly sounded like it could be her.
Light burst the darkness in front of them, so intense that it appeared as though the sun had sunk beneath the ground. It happened so suddenly that it caused Michael to stumble back onto Jareth, who fell to the ground. Michael quickly regained his footing and ran toward the source.
As they approached the end of the tunnel, Jareth grabbed Michael's arm and pulled him back into an alcove. "Wait," he whispered, "look."
Ariana stood with Koen in the center of the immense room. It was hard to tell where the light was coming from. It was shining from every crevice. It appeared similar in color to the aurora stones, but it was much more intense. Jareth put out the flame from his lantern and set it down.
Ariana was speaking, but he couldn't understand the tongue she spoke. She lifted her hand toward the ceiling. A small, rotating ball of light hovered above her palm, growing in brightness as the words left her lips. Michael was speechless. As the light spun faster, a beautiful humming sound started to emanate from the walls around them.
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