“I’m sorry, I didn’t know anyone was up here. I got a little lost on the way back to my room.”
Axonia smiled. “I understand. When I first married your father and he brought me here, it took me weeks to learn my way around. Come in, I am glad you’re here.”
Selena entered the room and stood on the other side of the table. Something about this situation reminded her of the meeting she’d had with Adrah in a very similar room. Axonia answered her unspoken question immediately.
“This is the Eye of Damu,” she said gesturing toward the bowl.
Selena frowned. “It’s a bowl.”
Axonia laughed. “It is. It was forged from the silver of the first Eye, which was destroyed. It was reshaped and now this bowl serves as the Eye. I was just preparing to look in on Mollac and Queen Eranna. Would you like to join me?”
“I don’t know. The last time I looked into an Eye, I saw something terrible.”
“Yes,” Axonia said with a nod. “It can be that way often. It is a heavy responsibility for the royals of Fallada to bear, being the keepers of the Eyes. However, you must know that nothing you see within the Eye is set in stone. The future is controlled by our present actions, which means that we can change the course of our history with a single step in any direction.”
Wow. Not only was Axonia beautiful, but she was wise as well. What she’d just said sounded like one of Rose’s life lessons. It made her heart swell with that feeling of being at home again.
“Okay,” she said. “Let’s have a look.”
Axonia reached for the silver pitcher and tipped it over the bowl. Crystal clear water filled the bowl and Axonia set the pitcher aside, and waved her hand over the water once. The liquid responded by lifting up to form a dome over the open top of the bowl. It was within the center of this water dome that the vision was shown.
“The iron weapons are being prepared as we speak, my Queen,” said an atrociously ugly and misshapen creature as she hobbled into what looked like Eranna’s bedchamber. The haughty queen was reclined on a black settee draped in a bright yellow nightgown and matching robe, her long, dark hair spilling over the back of the chair and sweeping the floor. Eranna paused, a silver wine goblet inches from her blood red lips. She smiled.
“Excellent. I assume that my army of Minotaurs is ready to march? What of the others?”
“They have come from every corner of Mollac, ready to serve and protect their queen. They will be ready.”
“And the wolves?”
“Awaiting you in the courtyard.”
Eranna rose to a sitting position, stretching her long legs before draining her goblet. “Wonderful. I will address them now.”
Her billowing nightgown and robe fluttered around her ankles as she moved on swift feet down the corridor that led out to the courtyard. The stones glowed nearly blue in the moonlight from their coating of ice and snow. Barren trees surrounded an iced-over fountain and cast their shadows over the icy sculptures of swans frozen over unmoving water. The wolves came in as if drawn to the center of the courtyard by Eranna’s very presence. From the darkness of the night they came; a mass of white, black, and grey fur, sharp claws, gleaming canines dripping saliva and glowing, red eyes, narrowed and fixed upon their leader. At the front of the pack, a large white wolf that Selena recognized as Titus’ father lowered his head in reverence. The other wolves followed suit.
Eranna looked out over them, proud, her chin high as a sinister smile curled at the corners of her lips. She walked forward until she was face to face with the massive Alpha wolf. With a throaty purr of laughter, she reached out and stroked his fur.
“At last, the mighty Alpha Orem, leader of the Awcan wolf pack is mine. You and the other loyal wolf packs have made a very wise decision in serving me. The Day of the Red Dawn approaches in one week’s time, my lovelies. You will join my armies and crush the ranks of those who would rise up under Princess Eladria’s reign.”
Eranna walked through the gathered wolves. They sat on their haunches, eyes locked on her attentively as she waded through them, petting a head here or there, locking eyes with individual wolves and nodding her approval as she inspected them.
“I can see that I have recruited the strongest of the strong, those among your kind who are smart enough to understand survival. As for those who have chosen the other side … ” Eranna shrugged and sighed heavily as if troubled by a heavy burden “ … yes, I know that they are your children, your brothers and sisters, your pack mates. But you will no longer think of them as your family. They are no longer your friends. They are your enemies, and they seek to destroy the kingdom I have built from nothing with my own hands! They seek to steal our victory and protect those insipid creatures from the other side of the wall! They are weak, clouded by their loyalties and attachments. You are above them, stronger, greater. With me as your ruler, you will annihilate them. We will rise above them, a testimony of true strength and superiority!”
At the end of her speech, Eranna threw her arms up into the air as if embracing the universe, her head thrown back dramatically, her hair blowing wildly in the snow-dotted wind. Then the howling began.
It started with Orem, who threw his head back in imitation of Eranna’s theatrical pose and let loose with a spine-tingling howl. The lone note stretched on forever, carried and magnified by the howling of the wind. The other wolves joined in, one by one, and then in groups of two or three. Soon, the entire hoard was singing Eranna’s praises. The dark queen kept her hands lifted, her eyes glowing as red as her wolves and wild with power.
“We march on the eve of the Red Dawn.”
The vision suddenly faded, and the water dome dissolved, leaving nothing but white vapor at the bottom of the silver bowl. Selena’s eyes met Axonia’s over the stone table. Selena was surprised at the serenity still present on her mother’s face. Hadn’t she heard Eranna’s plan of attack, hadn’t she seen those massive wolves, all with the glowing red eyes that hinted at their state of possession?
“You are frightened by what you just saw.”
“Uh, yeah,” Selena snorted. “Why aren’t you?”
“Because I have lived for hundreds of years and have seen the passing of three Red Dawns. They only occur once every one hundred years, you know. They mark a time of strength for our people, a time of rejuvenation. Our power comes to its height the moment the red sun rises and sets the sky on fire. Is it any wonder that Eranna wishes to attack on the eve of this day? She knows as well as I do what the Red Dawn means, what this particular one will cause if she does not defeat us.”
“What are you saying? Are you telling me that Queen Eranna is afraid of me?”
Axonia smiled. “Exactly.”
Selena pressed her fingertips to her forehead, knowing that a headache was in the making. It had been an epically long couple of days.
“What about Orem, Titus’ father? Titus told me that his family was being held hostage. Now Orem is leading Eranna’s wolf death squad? It doesn’t make sense.”
Selena fell back against a stone wall and sank to the floor, running her hands through her hair. Axonia joined her, arranging her skirts primly around her legs as she spoke.
“It is possible that Orem has sacrificed himself for his wife and child. He might even have been told that Titus is dead. I know Orem of the Awcan pack well. If he thinks Titus has died, then he will see no other option. He will do what he must to save his family, which means that his wife and daughter are safe in Goldun.”
“Safe? For how long? It sounds as if this battle on the Day of the Red Dawn will only be the beginning. No one will be safe.”
“Now you see why we need you so badly?”
“I still don’t fully understand.”
Axonia stood and offered Selena her hand. “I know you don’t, but I have something to show you that will clear it all up. Come with me.”
~*~
Chapter Thirteen
“What is this place?”
Selena studi
ed her surroundings in awe, taking in the stone statues and wall-mounted armor and weapons as Axonia led her down the center of a long corridor that served as a gallery.
“This is the war room,” Axonia said. “Thaddeus and Eldalwen will be very irritated with me when they learn I’ve brought you here, when they were so intent on showing it to you themselves, but you need to know the story.”
As they approached the end of the room, Selena gasped at the spectacular statue looming over her. It was made of solid gold, an image of a woman, seated on a throne, wearing a crown of stars and holding a scepter in one hand and an odd-looking staff in the other. Behind her, a mural of the desert covered the entire wall. Unlike the other murals of Damu that seemed so prevalent in the palace, this mural depicted a blood red sun, casting its red over an equally red sky which melted into orange and then yellow at the horizon. Selena approached the statue and reached out to touch the figure’s golden scepter. As its coolness seeped into her fingers, Selena looked up into the lifeless eyes of the statue. Now this woman looked like a warrior. She looked like she was more than capable of leading an army to victory.
“This is Princess Nyioa. She brought the very first Red Dawn, hundreds of years ago.”
“What happened?” Selena asked, unable to tear her gaze away from the image of Nyioa.
“It all occurred by chance, really. It was before the creation of the wall, when our world mingled freely with the world of man. This particular year marked the beginning of our troubles with humans and their constant war making. Damu was a particularly attractive target for those out for profit or power. Our caves produce Fallada’s jewels and precious metals.”
“Is that why everything here is covered in gold?”
Axonia nodded. “Our caves are brimming with it. Our ancestors were constantly at battle to protect it from the humans. It was on one such occasion that the first Red Dawn occurred. According to the legend, our king at the time, King Sirus, was worried that the human forces would overwhelm ours. Many of our people had been killed or captured by those in the human world, and he despaired that they would finally succeed in taking over our lands once and for all. It is said that in his desperation, he underwent a ten day trek in the desert, to the Lucan Rocks.”
“Lucan Rocks? Are those the tall rock formations that I saw in the distance?”
“Yes. The red rock structures are ancient and have been here since the dawn of our world. A band of seers live there, women with the power to cast spells and enchantments.”
“Like Witches?”
Axonia shuddered. “No. Those unsightly creatures that lend their power to Eranna are Witches. These women are a race all their own. Prophets. They are the ones that spoke of the coming of the first Red Dawn. They told King Sirus that every one hundred years, as long as Damu’s eldest royal daughter was seated on her throne and wielding the scepter of power, the Damunians would be blessed with power over the winds. Every one hundred years, our powers would strengthen on the Day of the Red Dawn, marked by a morning sky kissed with a blood red sun. If you hadn’t noticed by now, red is the color of Damu, our royal heritage. It adorns our flag, our temples; it is the color of our people, and every first born daughter of Damu has been blessed with hair as vibrant and red as the Red Dawn.”
“So what happened after Sirus went to the prophets?”
“He returned to Damu full of hope and told the people of the prophecy. On the day that our enemies attacked, Princes Nyioa was seated on her throne, wearing that starry crown and holding that very scepter—the scepter that will soon be yours. The moment the sun touched the horizon, the sky was filled with red light. It is said that the Damunians’ power was so great, they created a massive sandstorm that wiped out the enemy and struck fear into all who would dare to trespass in search of riches or power. And it has been that way every one hundred years since and ever since that day we have been blessed with the power of wind.”
Selena paused, taking this all in. It was fascinating, the history of the people she’d come from. She glanced back up at the statue of Princess Nyioa and felt pride swelling in her chest. In one week’s time, thousands of people were depending on her to fill this girl’s shoes. Her parents, her brother, her sister, who was yet to be found—and of course there was Titus. Her hand curled into a fist at her side.
“What about the other prophecy, the one about the Red Dawn, the storms and earthquakes, the dreams of a dove? Where does that factor in?”
“That prophecy came at our darkest hour,” Axonia answered, tears welling in her eyes. “Not long after you and the other six princesses were lost, the rulers of Fallada—minus Eranna—met at the Lucan Rocks. We went to the prophets for answers, for we could see no hope with the loss of our daughters. King Endroth was distraught, a hollow shell of himself, which allowed Eranna to cast her spell over him not long after. But I am getting ahead of myself. We visited the prophets at the Lucan Rocks. They prophesied the return of you and the other lost girls. They told of a time of strength and vitality in Fallada, a long road, but one that was necessary for Eranna’s defeat. All seven of you must be returned to your thrones, and each one of your restorations will be another blow to her power, the High Princess’ return the final defeat. Eranna will not win, Selena. Thousands of lives are at stake here, including those you love.”
Selena pressed a hand to her quaking stomach as she thought of Rose and Zoe. “If we don’t stop Eranna, she will find a way into the human world.”
Axonia nodded. “Yes, now you understand. She wants to enslave the human race, and that includes your friends, your family.”
“My grandmother,” she said. “She found me in a field seventeen years ago. She found me and she raised me. She’s the only person who’s ever loved me up until now. I have to protect her, I have to protect everyone.”
“You are stronger than you think, my daughter. With your father and brother at your side, you will learn the true extent of your strength. You will be the savior of us all, the savior of the one you love.”
Selena gasped, her eyes widening as Axonia grinned knowingly. “You do love him, don’t you? Titus?”
Tears filled Selena’s eyes and she swiped at them with the back of her hand. “I think I do. I can’t explain this thing that’s happening between us, this connection.”
“The bond of a Werewolf and his mate is a powerful thing. A bond that cannot be broken. Your father and I would be proud to see you take such a husband. The alphas of the Awcan wolf pack are strong, noble, and loyal.”
“Yes, all of those things are true about Titus. But I know that we can’t think about marriage right now. There is so much at stake; not just for me, but for him, too. His father is in trouble and that’s what’s important right now.”
Axonia nodded. “Yes, you’re right. There will be plenty of time for Titus to speak with Eldalwen about an engagement after the Red Dawn has passed, if this is what you truly wish. For now, let us find your father and brother. They will be anxious to begin your training first thing in the morning.”
~*~
Eldalwen and Thaddeus were ecstatic at the news of Selena’s willingness to train for battle. Selena’s father had expressed his excitement with a crushing hug and loud roar of laughter. The three promised to meet immediately after breakfast the following morning in the war room. Selena only hoped she wouldn’t lose her nerve before then.
Now, the palace had gone quiet for the night with everyone gone to bed. Selena was still too restless to sleep, even though she knew tomorrow would be a long day, so she decided to try and use their mental connection to find Titus. She found him in one of the palace towers, standing on the stone balcony. He stood, shirtless and barefoot, in a pair of the loose silk pants characteristic of Damu, the moonlight glinting off of his dark hair and giving it an ethereal bluish tint. He rested his hands on the railing of the balcony, his head bowed and his shoulders bulging with sinewy muscle. Selena felt guilty for not being able to take her eyes off of his naked back whe
n it was obvious that he had a lot on his mind. She tried to still her racing heart before stepping out onto the balcony.
You should be resting, Selena.
She smiled and crossed to stand beside him and covered his hand with hers. “I know, but I wanted to talk to you before I turn in. It’s important.”
Titus turned and reached for her, pulling her into a tight hug and resting his chin on top of her head. “What could be more important than what is about to take place here, one week from today? You might just become the savior of us all, Selena.”
Selena shook her head, half in disbelief and half because his bare skin felt so nice against her cheek. “I thought you believed that the fulfillment of the prophecy was a long shot.”
“It is,” Titus said, “but everything has changed for me now. I may not believe much in prophecy, but I have come to believe in you. I mean, if the Grimm Brothers can find you, then maybe they can find those other lost girls. Maybe all hope isn’t lost after all.”
His arms tightened around her and he trembled. “Maybe there is still hope for my family.”
Selena stiffened, bringing her hands up to his chest and pushing gently. She hated to ruin the moment, but Titus had to know about Orem.
“About your family … ”
Titus’ brow furrowed with worry. “What is it? What do you know?”
“My mother came to me after I left dinner. She showed me the Eye of Damu and we looked in on Eranna in Mollac. Titus, it’s not good.”
He clenched his jaw and sighed. “Just tell me.”
“Your father … he’s … he’s one of them now, possessed by Eranna. She has an army of shifter wolves, some of them may even be from your pack. She has them brainwashed, Titus, their eyes are glowing red just like yours were. She has them breaking all their loyalties to their own kind. When she marches on Damu next week, they’re going to be with her and your father will be at the forefront.”
Daughter of the Red Dawn (The Lost Kingdom of Fallada) Page 16
