Treachery

by E. A. Weston

  “What of this dream, Claudia,” she asks. Her voice is sweet and gentle.

  Shaking my head I can’t speak of what I have seen, it’s horrid and I don’t want the vision again.

  “You must,” she tells me walking closer.

  “It’s too hard,” I whisper. “I don’t have enough magic left in me to help,” I shrug.

  “But you are here, you returned knowing that you will be stronger soon. Tell me,” she coaxes.

  A deep sigh escapes my lips and I sit heavily back on my chair. More tears fall as I try to recall the dream but also try not to. Swallowing my own pain I look at her.

  “I saw a great battle. So many fairies will die,” I sigh. “The princess, she…she.” I can’t manage to form words. “She will be killed and Reagan,” I whisper. “I saw her in a field of grass with blood all over her face and chest with Brokk standing above her, his sword ready to kill.” I choke. “I can’t let this happen,” shaking my head I whisper.

  “It is not in your control Claudia,” she says sadly.

  “Why? I’m a seer I should be able to change my visions,” I shout.

  “I know this has been hard for you Claudia but you were chosen a long time ago to fulfill this destiny. You are stronger than you know,” she smiles at me.

  “This is not hard. Hard is not being able to remove the seer’s stone from the princess. Hard is trying to keep them from becoming close, no, this is impossible. How can I keep them from killing each other?”

  Sobs rip from my throat and my body shakes with the effort. The Goddess moves to my side and gently takes me in her arms. I can feel the magic flow from her into me, filling me up.

  “You shall remove the seer’s stone tomorrow,” she tells me. I can only nod against her shoulder. “I fear time has run out Claudia,” she sighs. My eyes find hers and I gasp at the sadness they hold.

  “Three moons,” she tells me. “You must return in three moons,” with a gentle kiss on my forehead she leaves me. The room feels lonely and cold, now that she is gone. With tears falling from my eyes, I begin the long walk back to the cave entrance.

  How can I watch as my best friend and the princess of my realm turn on each other? There has to be a way to stop it.

  There has to be.

  Chapter 35

  Killian

  * * *

  The sky is beginning to brighten as I swing my sword at the wooden post again and again. My arm feels as if it will fall off but I can’t stop, I won’t stop. After speaking with Durin last night, he told me of the capture and beating of the other scouts in his party. I do not understand how fairies can be so ruthless and callous toward each other, when did this happen?

  The wood splits and splinters into the air as I whack at it over and over. The fairies have become quiet recently. I’m not sure if it’s the training that has tired them out or if the waiting is bringing them down. Perhaps it may be the fact that all of our scouts but one, haven’t returned. The weight of war is heavier than I ever thought it to be. Grabbing my cup, I drink down some water. I can feel the sun now on my bare back as it begins to heat.

  “So this is where you hide?” Avery asks from behind me.

  “I’m not hiding,” I tell him without turning.

  “Of course not,” he scoffs. Walking around to face me he hands me a plate of food, piled high.

  “Are you trying to make me fat Avery?”

  “No, my prince,” he replies attempting to contain his laughing.

  “Shut up,” I smile, taking a seat on the grass and leaning my back against the wall. Taking a bite of the food reminds me that I can’t remember the last time I actually ate a whole meal. The fruit is juicy as I chew, filling my mouth with the sweet taste. Avery is staring at the post I have been attacking.

  “What?” I question.

  “Has it struck back?” he questions.

  Looking at him I wonder what has him in such a funny mood. “Are you well?” I ask.

  “Of course,” he scoffs. “I am very well brother,” he nods.

  I just laugh a little at him, I really did miss him. No one knows me as he does and as a best friend, he is pretty damn good.

  “Any news for me?” I ask.

  “No, nothing important,” he says.

  “Everything is important to me Avery.”

  “So be it,” he sighs. “We have had to cut down an oak to make more staffs and arrows,” he says and I wince. I really hate to cut down a perfectly beautiful tree. “The smith is running out of metal to forge more swords and Tatiana is looking for you,” He smirks at the last part.

  “Oh,” I frown. “You didn’t tell her I was here, did you?” I panic.

  “As much as it would give me joy to see you run away from her, I did not. We don’t have time to play with females,” he tells me.

  “And the fact that I don’t want to, maybe has something to do with it,” I raise my eyebrows at him.

  “A little,” he says.

  “Avery, sometimes I want to hit you,” I tell him.

  “And I, you,” he nods back to me. We both look at each other before laughing. It’s been too long since we have laughed together and it feels good. Avery gathers our plates as he stands.

  “I must return to work,” he sighs. “For not all of us are the prince and can play with his sword,” he teases.

  “It’s called training,” I call out to his retreating form. He barks out a sarcastic laugh before turning the corner and disappearing. Climbing off the grass, I rotate my shoulder and begin to swing my sword again. By the time lunch arrives I am starved and covered in sweat. Lifting the sword, I examine the blade, with a cringe I begin to walk toward the forge.

  “My Prince,” Eitri greets. His smile is broad but his eyes travel to the sword in my hand. “Is it not to your liking?” he asks worriedly.

  “It is perfect Eitri,” I assure him. “However, I have dulled the blade with my training,” I can’t help but feel sorry because he made me such a beautiful weapon.

  “Ah, that is nothing to worry about my prince, I shall have it ready by sunset,” he says reaching out for it. Placing the sword in his hands, I give him smile.

  “Thank you Eitri, for everything,” with a quick nod I leave the hot, stuffy room and walk toward the food.

  My stomach growls loudly when I reach the table making some of the fairies look over at me. Taking a plate, I pile it high with meat and bread. Taking a cup of water, I turn to scan the crowd looking for Avery.

  “He is in his dwelling,” Samiel says from my right.

  “Thank you,” I reply walking over that way.

  Many fairies watch as I move and some of the females whisper as I pass. I can hear many of them giggle then remember that I have no shirt on. Slipping through the door, Avery looks up at me.

  “You smell,” he says.

  “Thanks,” I grin.

  He looks at me for another few minutes before asking, “what of those markings?” he points to my arm and chest.

  “Oh, tattoo’s,” I tell him. “It’s a human thing. Don’t you like them?”

  “I do not know,” he shrugs. “What is the purpose?”

  “Decoration,” I shrug. “This one,” I point to my chest. “Is the royal crest but you already know that,” I look at him. “This one,” I point to my shoulder and arm. “It’s just something I liked,” I tell him.

  “How do they stay after bathing?” he asks looking curiously at them.

  “They are inked onto my skin so they don’t come off,” I tell him.

  “I fear I do not understand.”

  “Well, they use a needle and ink to draw on the skin. The ink sits under the top layer so it will remain forever.”

  Avery looks appalled and sick all at the same time. I can’t help but laugh at him.

  “It will remain for your life?” he asks.

  “Yes, forever and ever,” I grin. “You should go to the human world Avery, maybe I will take you and you can get one too.”

&nb
sp; “Needle? This does not hurt?” he frowns.

  “Yes, Avery, it hurts,” I laugh.

  With a sigh, he looks at me with a dubious expression. We eat our lunch then I go have a bath. The pool is warm and helps relax my shoulder, loosening the muscles I have been overusing. Looking at my arm I eye my tattoo, I know as fairies we don’t mark our skin with ink but I like this and maybe if I survive this battle, I will go back to Faircrest to get another one. This time, though, it will be Reagan’s name over my heart with my parents and sister.

  Climbing out of the water, I dress in a light tunic and pants. My training gear is wet and it really does stink. Outside the sun is lowering on the horizon, walking back to the forge Eitri is waiting with a big smile. Taking my sword, I examine the blade.

  “Thank you Eitri,” I say as I leave. My feet take me toward the forest and I walk along the tree line. My mind is on Reagan again, like always. I want to miss her, I should miss her, but with the bond broken I don’t feel anything. I remember how I felt and that’s what I hold on to because I will feel it again I know I will.

  “Killian! Killian!”

  Turning to look behind me I see Avery half running and half flying at me. His face is bright and his cheeks are red. “Killian,” he calls out with what I can only describe as glee.

  “Avery?”

  “Killian,” he grabs my upper arms then pulls me closer to hug him.

  “Okay, Avery,” I pull back searching his face for any signs of illness.

  “My prince,” he sighs. “You will not believe it,” he smiles at me.

  “Believe what?” Crossing my arms, I watch his face and eyes. They are usually a dark brown but now they almost glow with excitement.

  “Come, Killian. You need to see,” he says. I watch as he jumps into the air flapping his wings. With a roll of my eyes, I join him up in the air.

  “What is it?” I frown looking around.

  “Just wait brother, just wait,” he sighs.

  We are both suspended in the air for a few minutes. My frown grows as I look at him again. He looks like a child on Christmas.

  “Are you sure you are well?” I question him.

  “Oh I am very well,” he nods. His smile grows bigger as he stares over the camp. Turning my head, I look at where he is staring.

  “Goddess,” I gasp.

  “Indeed,” he says.

  My eyes must be deceiving me for at the outer edge of the camp just where the barrier begins there are hundreds of warriors.

  “Avery?” I question with a warning in my tone.

  “They are here to help Killian. Word has spread fast that you have returned. Our brothers have come to help you, our rightful ruler.”

  I have no idea how to react right now, my instinct is to jump for joy, but part of me is cautious. I have been home for many months now so why are these fairies just arriving today? Lowering myself back to the ground I pace a few steps. Avery lands beside me.

  “What is it?”

  “I’m not sure,” I reply. “I wonder why now, Avery. Why have they shown up now?”

  “Word has spread Killian. Orin has been scouting hard and spreading the word of your return,” he says.

  “I know,” I nod. “But I have to admit, I am having a hard time believing that all of them are here to help.”

  “Goddess Killian,” Avery growls. “Is it not enough to have our warrior brothers return to help you fight that you must accuse them of being spies?”

  “I did not accuse them Avery, but it is my job to keep everyone safe. That includes the warriors waiting to enter Tenebrosi,” I tell him.

  He just releases a sigh through his nose as he stares at me. My pacing continues as I contemplate the situation, the fairies at the entrance could all very well be on my side but how do I know for sure.

  “Bring Orin to my dwelling,” I tell Avery before walking away. A few minutes later both of them arrive in my home.

  “My prince,” Orin says as he bows.

  “Orin, I need to know who these fairies are and how they came to know of us.” I tell him.

  “Yes, my prince but many of them have passed the message on secretly. I reported to you after my last scout that I had to convince many of the warriors that you live.”

  “I know what you told me,” I snap. I don’t need him reminding me, I have a good memory. “Tell me how did you evaluate them? How did you prove that each fairy standing at our entrance is on our side?”

  “I have not evaluated each fairy,” he says sounding annoyed.

  “Then you have a job to do,” I dismiss him.

  Avery frowns at me as I resume my pacing. “Killian?”

  “Yes Avery, “ I sigh, rubbing my face.

  “We have an army now and you disrespect them this way?”

  Anger spikes through my veins as I turn to face him, although we are best friends, I am still the prince and my fairies come first.

  “I do not disrespect any fairy,” I growl at him. “Each and every warrior will be evaluated. Then once they are allowed inside, I will talk with each of them. Tell me, Avery, how do propose to feed these warriors? We have barely enough food as it is.”

  “I will send a hunting party up the mountains, they can gather more meat,” he replies.

  “Very well but we both know that they will need to go higher because we have already hunted the animals that are low.”

  “There is nothing to be done, we need food, I will send a party,” he answers with an edge to his voice.

  “Avery,” I sigh. “Please do not fight me on this.”

  “I am not my prince I will do what you ask, as is my job,” he replies.

  “Avery!” I snap at him. “You are doing what you just accused me of. Is that disrespect I hear from you. My brother, the one fairy, that, I trust more than any other. I see my time away has hardened you against me.” Shaking my head, I turn from him.

  “Killian,” he begins.

  “Just leave, send the party, do not send any more than six,” I tell him. I wait until the door closes before slumping to the chair. As the night closes in, three different fairies have come to give me updates and all three have been brisk with their delivery.

  “Where is Avery?” I ask the fourth fairy who seems to look down his nose at me.

  “He is with Orin, evaluating,” he sneers.

  Standing, I look at him before dismissing him. Changing into clean training leathers, I strap my sword to my hip and slide my daggers inside my boots. Stepping outside of my dwelling I see all the looks on the fairies faces. Some of annoyance and some of disgust, which tears at me, my father never once, received such looks from his kingdom.

  Extending my wings to their fullest, I march across the camp toward Avery and Orin. Some fairies bow as I pass and some just look terrified. Reaching Avery, I step in front of him.

  His eyes open wide as he looks at me, “my prince.”

  “Stop with the bullshit,” I snap at him. I know that he doesn’t know what the word means but I can’t help let it slip. Avery frowns at me and Orin just waits.

  “You cannot deliver the update yourself?” I ask.

  “I did not realize you wished me too,” Avery answers warily.

  “Of course, I wished you to Avery. Are you not my second in command?” I question.

  “Yes, forgive me, my prince,” he says and I growl at him.

  Orin’s eyes flash with fear before he steps back a little. Avery, though just stands there looking at me.

  “Have you come to your senses?” I ask him.

  “I have not,” he says but then smirks. “Have you?”

  “Yes, I have,” I reply. “I will leave the camp to evaluate the fairies myself,” I tell him looking over my shoulder.

  “What!” he shouts. “You cannot leave the camp, Killian.”

  “Oh and why not? First you tell me I am disrespecting these warriors by denying entry and now you tell me I cannot leave the camp?”

  “Killian, please,” he h
isses. “Do not leave, Orin is doing an excellent job we will be done in two moons,” he advises.

  “I cannot and will not let them wait out there for two moons,” I reply.

  With a heavy sigh Avery nods, “please be careful,” he mutters. “I lost you once.” He trails off.

  “I will be okay Avery,” reaching out, I grab his arm in a Warriors’ handshake. “Orin, let’s go.” I call to Orin, who has moved back a few paces. Avery walks to the border with me his look of apprehension is what I was expecting. “Avery.”

  “Yes, Killian.”

  “If I am ambushed do not follow me, protect the fairies within the border,” I tell him.

  “Killian, you cannot ask that of me. It is my duty to follow you into battle,” he says.

  “It’s not the battle brother, I fear that hasn’t even begun.”

  With one last nod to him, I step through the magical barrier hiding Tenebrosi from the rest of Avalon to face a sea of fairy warriors.

  A hushed silence falls over them as I walk out further. So far I don’t recognize any of them, which is setting my nerves on end. Orin is close on my right side and we move together into the middle of the crowd. My eyes scan again as murmurs begin that I am here and I have returned. One by one the warriors begin to fall to their knees bowing their heads to me. A feeling of pride swells in my chest but I can’t allow that overtake me right now. I still don’t know if any of these warriors are part of the castle guard sent to kill me or worse, kidnap me.

  As the night moves along, Orin and I move silently through the warriors, evaluating them for loyalty and their allegiance to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see one warrior sleeping under a tree. Walking over, I stop to stare, the others around him quickly kneel and try to nudge him awake. Kicking his foot, he springs up to face me with a menacing look in his eye.

  “It’s been a long time,” I smile. At last, I have found one of my brothers.

  “It’s true,” he looks shocked then quickly kneels before me. “I pledge my sword to you, Prince Killian,” he says. “I pledge to defend the realm against enemies and keep my back to yours.”

  “I accept,” I smile as he stands. We grip each others arm to seal the pledge. “I was hoping to find more of you,” I tell him.