“Are you going?” Ashley asked.
Alivia did not raise her eyes and when she spoke the trio heard venom in her voice. “No. I have been requested to remain behind in the Tower, along with a select few instructors. Despite my experience fighting the creature, despite my power, they treat me as if I am too delicate to fight.”
So that explained the anger. She wanted to fight. Did she blame them somehow for holding her back?
“Alivia, we don’t mind if you go,” Jason said. “We can suspend classes until you get back or something. Don’t let us stand in your way.”
“It’s too late,” Alivia said. “The decision has been made, there is no room for discussion. We will meet back here tomorrow - I need some time alone.”
Jason and the others gathered their things and left the room. Once the door closed, Ashley spoke. “I think it’s time we returned to the tavern. This has to be connected to what caused Dawyn to leave so abruptly.”
“I agree,” Jason said. He reached out to touch the part of his mind that was linked to Bridgette. Bridgette? Can you hear me?
A few moments passed, but then came the reply. Yes, I can. What is it?
Something important has happened. Can you meet us at the Dancing Mare?
Silence, then, I will be there.
***
Alivia watched as the door of the training room closed, then closed her eyes to hold back tears. Why had the archmages dictated that she would remain behind? Had she not proved herself during the hunt for Lord Garik? Her power was greater than all but the most powerful of masters and would be invaluable on the battlefield. To command her to remain behind to oversee the remaining instructors and continue training her students seemed shortsighted to her.
After a few minutes, Alivia exited the room and found herself striding toward her parents’ chamber. She made no eye contact with any mages she passed. Her footfalls echoed down the long halls, pounding in her ears.
At last, she arrived at her parents’ rooms. She steeled herself at the door, straightening her back and wiping away tears. She pressed the ringer. A few moments passed, and the door slid open. Her mother stood in the doorway. “Alivia! It’s so good to see you, darling. What brings you here?” She stepped forward to embrace her daughter.
“Hello, mother,” Alivia replied. “It is good to see you as well.” She leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ve come to speak with you about something important.”
Her mother stepped back and looked Alivia up and down. “Well come in, darling. Your father is at a meeting, but he should be home soon. I was just making dinner.” She led Alivia further into the main receiving room of their chambers. Her mother and father had moved to these chambers from their much larger family chambers after their children had grown and moved out. “Have you eaten? You’re welcome to stay for dinner.”
“No, I’ve lost my appetite.”
Her mother resumed stirring a pot of stew, sprinkling herbs and spices into it and tasting. “What is it you wanted to discuss?”
“Have you heard the news about the fall of the Haguesfort?”
Her mother did not meet her eyes. She simply continued stirring. “Yes, I have. It is tragic.”
“Are you and father going north with the rest of the mages?”
“Yes, our presence has been requested.”
“I was asked to remain behind. Did you know that?”
“I…did,” her mother admitted. “Your father and I were there when the decision was made regarding those who would go and those who would remain behind. I take it you are upset by the archmages’ decision?”
Of course she was upset. She was furious. Couldn’t her mother see that? “Yes, I am,” was all she said.
“Alivia, the decision was made for the good of the Tower. In the absence of so many masters and mageguards, the instructors will need oversight. Not only that, you have under your tutelage three of the most promising students the Tower has seen in nearly a millennium. It is better for you to remain here.”
“But I have faced these creatures! I know how to fight them, I can be a great asset on the battlefield. Why can’t anyone see that?”
“I’m sorry, my dear, but the decision is out of our hands.”
“I have to go,” Alivia said. Standing, she marched to the door and, without saying another word to her mother, left.
Chapter 36 - Thoughts
There they go, Bridgette thought as she watched from atop one the northeast towers. Having shifted onto the tower, she was able to sit without distraction and watch as the combined might of the army of Tar Ebon and the mages from the Tower of the Seven Stars trailed north. The banners of every color indicated soldiers from the prominent noble houses, while the largest banner, bearing the crest of the royal family, indicated the location of the king and his retinue. Trailing behind the army came the supply chain, consisting of the supplies necessary to support a prolonged march into the northern steppes.
Two weeks had passed since word spread about the fall of the Haguesfort. A meeting held at the Dancing Mare between Dawyn and the others had revealed that none of them would be traveling north with the army. Knowing her brother, Bridgette knew he had been furious with the decision. His anger had abated only slightly since then, and had been rekindled that very morning, leading to Dawyn slamming doors and snapping at his companions. Even Anwyn had kept her distance.
Her reason for coming to the top of the tower had been two-fold, with watching the army depart being secondary. Her thoughts drifted to Jason. During the past few weeks they talked at length, testing the bond they both shared. Distance, at least in the vicinity of Tar Ebon, seemed to be no barrier. She had gone to the ridge on the east side of the city, beyond the walls, while he had gone to the docks. The communication between them had been instant and without any impact on clarity.
Bridgette found herself taking a liking to the man. The spark of life and kindness in him that stayed her hand that fateful night in the king’s antechamber had grown more evident in the time since then, and seemed to be infecting Bridgette. She felt herself continuing to guard her thoughts, however. Garik had treated her with kindness at times too, but it had all been a visage to manipulate her into doing his bidding. She didn’t believe Jason would act in such a way - he seemed to genuinely care about her - but still she guarded her own feelings and stepped carefully.
Are you there? she asked toward the point of light at the corner of her consciousness where she knew the link to Jason resided.
Always, came the reply. What’s up?
She smiled at the slang he used. It reminded her of her own time on Earth, which seemed so long ago. She wondered if she and Jason would have ever met on Earth, if they had not been brought to this world. Probably not, considering the fact they were two among billions and an ocean separated them.
The army just left. Are you training?
Yes, I’m here with John and Ashley and Alivia. Alivia looks unhappy.
Hasn’t she been unhappy for the past two weeks?
Yes, but she seems even more unhappy today, like a thundercloud indoors. We’re stepping on eggshells over here.
You have it easy, Bridgette thought to herself, breaking her concentration away from the link for a moment. Stepping on eggshells was an understatement where Garik had been concerned. One wrong move, one disobeyed instruction, even moving too slow, could result in extra work, fierce beatings or starvation as punishment. A pouting mage was nothing compared to him.
I’m sure you’ll survive, was all she said. She had learned that sarcasm could not be conveyed easily through the link, as there was no tone of voice to the communication. There was, however, the conveyance of emotion. She conveyed amusement along with the words, hoping to make it clear that she was not worried about his survival and amused at his current circumstances.
What are you doing tonight? he asked.
She thought for a moment. She could tell him that she was busy, but what purpose would that serve? Wa
s she ready to start spending more time with him? It’s not like he had asked her out on a date, yet. I don’t have anything planned. Why?
I just thought perhaps we could go for a walk down by the docks, or outside of the city or something.
Are you asking me out on a date?
Well, uh, nervousness flowed through the link, sort of. I think it would be a good way for us to get to know one another better. I mean, we’re going to be linked for life. It would probably be a good idea to be on friendly terms.
Alright, I’ll go out with you tonight. Meet me at the Dancing Mare common room this evening.
Great! Excitement replaced nervousness, causing Bridgette to smile in turn. This could be fun, she thought to herself.
Chapter 37 - Devastation
“They’ve spotted them,” the queen said, causing John to sit up straighter. He, Ashley, Jason, Dawyn, Bridgette, Alivia and Anwyn, along with other nobles, the ranger-general and Coryn, had been summoned to the palace at the request of the queen to hear a first-hand account of how the battle against the Krai’kesh army went.
“The creatures are grouping up. There are so many of them. The king is ordering his pikemen to form ranks. Archers are preparing to fire. The mages are standing by and the cavalry are on the flanks, ready to charge.” The queen’s voice sounded distant, without inflection, as if she were reading a story or repeating words written in a letter. In fact, she was using her link to the king to relay what he was seeing and thinking to those assembled in the palace.
“The Krai’kesh, they are charging. The king has ordered the archers to fire. The first volley is away, the arrows - are ineffective. One or two creatures have fallen, but it has made no noticeable difference. He is ordering a second volley.”
“The mages are being ordered to attack. They are launching fireballs and throwing a barrage of stones.” Her eyes went wide. “The fireballs have disappeared! The stones have fallen out of the sky! The king is shouting for answers from the mages. The mages claim their magic hit some sort of barrier which dissolved their spells. They are trying again.” A few moments passed. “It has happened again - the spells dissolved. Panic is spreading through the ranks - the men are becoming nervous. The creatures are not slowing. The king is riding forward, shouting encouragement.”
John watched the expressions of the others in the room. Dawyn’s face was a stone mask, his lips tight, his eyes focused only on the queen. John had come to know him well enough to realize he was very concerned. Beside Dawyn, Anwyn clutched his arm, her expression grim.
Next to John, Ashley met his gaze, her eyes wide. Words were not needed to know that she was scared. Jason stared off toward the north, his gaze unfocused. Bridgette wore a similar expression, so John assumed they were communicating through their link.
Alivia had been pacing at the start of the battle, but froze at the mention of magic failing to strike the enemy. “This can’t be right,” John heard her mutter. “I was able to strike the creature with magic, what is going on?” No one answered.
“The creatures have reached the front line of pikes. They are slamming into the pikes. By the Founders, the line is bowing inward! Men are flying into the air, there’s blood everywhere! The king has ordered the cavalry to strike the flanks. The cavalry have charged. They are being repulsed - the creatures are tearing them apart! The pikemen are being torn into. Some creatures are dropping, but too few.
“The mages are still trying to use their magic - it continues to dissolve - they are shouting frantically that there must be some sort of field around the Krai’kesh army. Wait, there’s a crystal in the center of the army, being carried aloft by several creatures.
“By the Founders, a giant creature, at least three times as tall as the tallest man! It is crushing dozens of men at a time!
“Men are starting to flee. They are dropping their weapons and fleeing. The creatures move too quickly - they are stabbing the men in the back as they flee. The cavalry have been swallowed by the enemy army. The Shadow Watch Guards are urging the king to retreat. He is refusing - stubborn man. Please retreat, my husband,” her spoken plea to her husband, likely repeated through the link between them, broke John’s heart to hear. He could only imagine that he would feel the same if it were Ashley out there.
“The king is charging forward, his Guards are following. He has engaged the creatures. He has killed one! He’s killed another! Some of the fleeing men are joining up with the king’s retinue and turning to fight. The creatures are flanking them. They’re surrounded! The large creature is approaching the king and his men. It has broken the lines. Shadow Watch Guards are moving forward, trying to strike at it. It’s no use. The massive creature is swinging. The king-,” her commentary on the status of the fight was cut short as her head snapped back, her eyes opened wide and she emitted a loud, ear-piercing shriek before clutching her chest and collapsing to the stone floor.
“Mother!” Coryn shouted as she rushed forward. Anwyn detached herself from Dawyn and rushed forward as well, followed by Alivia. The nobles gathered near the rear of the chamber gasped. John exchanged helpless glances with Ashley and Jason. Dawyn’s expression had not changed, though John thought he saw him wipe a tear from his eye.
Anwyn moved Coryn aside with a gentle push and her hand went to the queen’s neck, where she felt for a pulse. Moving her hands, she laid them on the queen’s chest. Her back was to John and the others, but he knew she would have her eyes closed. She was still for several seconds before speaking. “I am not feeling a heartbeat or a pulse. Starting compressions.” She began pushing on the queen’s chest, performing CPR, John realized. After several rounds of compressions and breaths, she stopped. “Nothing,” she muttered. “Let me try magic.” She raised her hands and began to chant in the ancient druid tongue.
Mages and druids used different systems of magic, so John could see nothing of what she was doing, but he closed his eyes and called upon his magic. The world expanded around him as his mind flowed from his body. Focusing on the body of the queen, John moved his consciousness to encompass the queen’s body. He allowed his senses to penetrate the skin and delve deeper. He focused on the chest area, then on the heart. It was not beating. As he watched, he felt pulses of energy flooding the chest cavity, splashing against the heart like waves on a beach. It’s Anwyn, trying to electrocute the heart to get it beating again, John realized. She was pulling energy from the air somehow, in a way different than mages - more primordial somehow - and focusing it. Moving on from the chest region, John expanded his awareness across the rest of the body. He knew very little about the human body, so he did not expect to find the cause of the queen’s collapse - death - but still he searched. He searched last in the brain, and there he saw it. Her brain was hemorrhaging. A part of her brain had burst, filling the skull with fluid. The link, John thought. When the king died, the link must have shattered, or self-destructed. Remembering how Jason had described the link as an implant of some kind, John could believe that the implant within the queen’s brain might have self-destructed when the implant it was linked to - the king’s - became inactive.
Pulling his mind back, he spoke. “She’s received damage to her brain. I suspect it was from when the king died and the link was severed. I don’t think there’s anything that can be done.”
Coryn shot him a glare, not wanting to hear that her mother was beyond saving.
“Let me try,” Alivia said. Kneeling opposite Anwyn, she stared at the body and her eyes began to glow white. John could see energy flowing from her into the body, the corpse, John corrected himself grimly, of the queen. He considered delving once again into the body of the queen, to see what Alivia was doing, but decided not to. He could look if Alivia saved her.
After several minutes, Alivia’s eyes opened. She shook her head and stood. “John is right, there’s nothing that can be done. She’s gone. I’m sorry, Coryn.”
Tears that had been held back by a firm composure flowed as Coryn sobbed. Anwyn stood and
tried to comfort her, but Coryn motioned for her to stay back and moved away.
John saw tears in Ashley’s eyes as she cried. He blinked against his own set of tears, and watched the nobles for their reactions in between frantic blinks.
Most of the nobles had tears in their eyes - men and women both. Some stared to the north, as if searching for signs of the battle that had taken place hundreds of leagues away. Others looked down, not wanting to meet the eyes of their fellow nobles or the princess. As the king’s eldest daughter, Coryn would assume the throne and become queen of Tar Ebon. John wasn’t sure about succession laws, but he thought that was how it worked.
Dawyn cleared his throat and confirmed John’s thoughts. “My queen, we must make preparations for the defense of the city and for the defeat of the Krai’kesh army.”
“Defeat?” one of the nobles, a dark-haired man with a pointy nose, asked. “They just defeated our entire army, plus the majority of our mages. Pray tell how you expect us to defeat them?”
“That was not the only army on the continent,” Dawyn replied. “Things look bleak, and they are about to become more bleak, but hope is not lost. We must act soon, however, or it may be too late. The fate of the world rests on the decisions we make today.”
“Can’t you see the queen is mourning the death of her mother?” a plump noblewoman with her hair pinned up asked. “She should not be bothered with such-,” she was cut off as the queen raised her hand to silence her.
“Dawyn is right, Lady Alviarin,” Coryn said. She wiped at her face with a sleeve of her shirt. “To delay in making plans is to invite destruction into the city. There will be a time for mourning, make no mistake, but first we must turn our attention on surviving to mourn. Take one hour to mourn the loss of soldiers, loved ones and subjects of the kingdom, then we shall all meet in the king’s - in my antechamber, to make plans. You are all dismissed. Dawyn, please remain for a moment.”
The Shadow Trilogy Complete Box Set Page 35
