by Candy Crum
“Let Keagan do that. There’s another task I want you to do for me,” Alaric said.
“Yes. Anything, Chieftain,” Aeris replied.
“You say this Arryn girl will be a problem?” the Dark Chieftain asked. Aeris nodded, and Alaric returned the gesture. “Good to know. I believe we have something to distract her with—don’t you?”
Aeris’ eyes widened a bit as a devious smile grew on his face. “Yes, we do. Once we get back to the south, I’ll pay him a little visit.”
With Aeris taking care of Arryn, all Alaric would have to worry about was the others. He had a feeling they wouldn’t be much of a problem once they lost their prized Arcadian druid.
That wasn’t the first time Alaric had heard about the girl, though it was the first time he had heard about her having any kind of real capabilities. He personally knew it had been over ten years since she had seen her father.
It was about time for them to reunite…
3
Being back in her Capitol building office was strange for Amelia. She hadn’t really been gone very long, but it had certainly felt like an eternity, with everything that had happened.
Everyone was attempting to return to their normal lives, but the confusion, the remaining fear, and sadness still permeated the air. Amelia knew it would be quite some time before all of it was gone, but that was why she had begun to make big changes.
Planning for a city council had already brightened spirits. Just knowing it was being formed was comforting to the citizens. No longer would a single person call all the shots. People would have a place to go where they could voice their concerns and even vote for change.
It was the only thing Amelia could think of that would give them the sense that they were free and in control of their own lives. Laws and rules had to be followed, but they had choices—something they had never really had before.
The first thing on her to-do list for the day was, “Speak with Elon.” Not only had he helped her escape the city, he had assisted in the final battle against Scarlett and the remnant with his designs. And after the battle, he had stuck around.
He could have fled, but had instead chosen to stay. It was a decision she respected. She had already decided to pardon him for his actions during the battle against Adrien, but hadn’t yet had the time to sit down and speak to him.
That was a problem she planned to correct that very day.
Though Marie had been promoted to Chancellor, she still acted as Governor Amelia’s assistant until she could move into what had once been Adrien’s office. A lot of work had to be done before that could happen.
First, the basement would need to be completely cleaned out, repainted, and repurposed. Talia had killed at least one student down there that they knew of, but she imagined more had fallen victim. It was horrifying to think about.
The office itself also needed extensive repairs. One entire wall had been blown out when Arryn had left to find evidence of Talia’s being related to Adrien. She had found it, lost it, and found it again when Talia had taken her to the Frozen North and dumped her there to die.
Arryn had attacked Talia to get the letter Adrien had written to his daughter, and had planned to use it to prove her own innocence. She’d had no idea she would stumble upon something even more important—a birth certificate given to her by Talia’s own mother, that had been signed by Adrien himself.
Amelia was now in possession of both of those valuable pieces of parchment, Arryn having given them to her before returning to the Dark Forest. They had been one more thing that had helped Amelia take back the control she needed to get things back to normal in Arcadia.
There was a knock at the door, which brought a smile to her face. It had been a long road, but she believed Elon was ready.
Amelia crossed her office, taking notice of the large blood stain that had sunk deep into the wood, as she still did every time she walked past it. It would have been easy to replace the boards, and she planned to do so as soon as possible, but for the time being she didn’t mind at all. Marie’s office was more important.
She opened the door and smiled again when she saw Marie and Elon standing there. “Your guest of honor has arrived,” Marie said with a wink before heading back to her desk.
“Good morning,” Amelia said, shifting slightly and extending her arm to invite him inside.
“Good morning,” Elon responded, and he made his way over to the chairs in front of her desk, though he didn’t sit.
“It’s okay,” she said. “You can take a seat. I’d like this to be comfortable.”
He eyed her suspiciously as he sat. “You should know that Waylon and I have been working to improve the blast radius on those magitech mines. We are trying to get them a few feet wider. Once we figure out if it can be done without compromising the number of blasts that can be fired without overheating, we can start production again. Whether it can or it can’t, we plan to start soon.”
She smiled and nodded. “Thank you for the update. I really do appreciate it. In fact, I appreciate that work more than you know. It helped save the city. If we hadn’t had those and Cathillian hadn’t forced me into using them when we did, we could have been overrun.”
Elon smiled. “Like we weren’t with the druids and their trees?”
She laughed. “Yes, well, that was necessary. Plus, with a little work, those trees will make great lumber for rebuilding. So, while they tore up the street, they gave us something much better. The road won’t be hard to fix at all.”
Amelia reached for the pitcher on her desk and poured a glass of water for Elon before doing the same for herself.
“Speaking of rocky roads…” She sighed. “I know the one you’ve traveled has been hard for you. With Gregory, with the loss of everything you had—with all of it. It hasn’t been easy.”
“I think we both agree that I deserved what I got. My ignorance and blindness were no excuse. I should have understood when my actions caused Elayne’s death. She didn’t deserve that, and Arryn didn’t deserve to lose her mother. Or her father, though she might still find him.”
“I don’t want to rub salt into old wounds, but I agree. You did deserve what you’ve gotten; maybe even more. But you have also gone to great lengths to fix what you did, as far as the city is concerned. I’ve said it before—I have no power to pardon you on Gregory’s behalf, but I can on the behalf of the city,” she told him, sliding a letter across the desk.
He watched the piece of parchment move toward him with confusion, and Amelia reached out, opening her senses to him. She could feel the fight inside him. Part of him wanted to reach for it, believing it was his salvation. The other part of him wanted to stay far away, not yet believing he had earned it.
“Your work doesn’t have to end here, you know. When I give you this, it doesn’t mean that you’re done. It means that as far as I am concerned, you have repaired the damage you caused. If you don’t feel you have, then why not keep working? You could stay here and continue to find ways to protect the city and better our weapons. You could also travel and find Gregory, maybe help people along the way. There is a lot you can do to continue on your journey to self-redemption.”
Slowly, Elon reached for the piece of parchment and read it. It was a full pardon, written and signed by Amelia, stating that he had gone above and beyond to fix the mistakes he had made not only in the Battle for Arcadia, but even in earlier days.
She felt a wave of emotion as his eyes filled with tears. She looked down at her desk for a moment, and her eyes flashed white. Her mind wandered, brushing his and seeing his most intimate worries.
Elon feared seeing Gregory again. He feared telling him what he had done, and having his son not believe him. Most of all, he feared allowing himself to believe he truly was worthy of what Amelia offered, only to discover that he was wrong when Gregory found him.
Amelia wanted to comfort him. She had never done it before, but she had seen Julianne and some of the mystics in the Temple chan
ge the emotions of their target.
Amelia focused on her deep desire for him to be calm and content and pushed, trying to imagine it traveling outside herself and into him. At first his brows furrowed, but then they relaxed as he sighed and wiped his tears away.
“Thank you, Amelia,” he said. “I’m grateful for the level of confidence you have in me. I don’t yet know what I’ll do, but having your support means more than you’ll ever understand.”
She nodded and offered a smile. “You’re welcome. Let me know what you decide. I’ll do my best to help with whatever it is.”
Taking one last look at the parchment, Elon stood and reached across the desk. Amelia took his hand and shook it before walking him to the door.
Just before he left, he said, “Waylon took on another apprentice. Apparently, he’s had one for quite some time. If I do leave, trust him. Waylon is a good man and can be trusted. The kid seems to be good, too, but I’m sure you’d be able to judge that better than I. The two of them will really make a difference with your new magitech mines.”
With that, he turned to leave, and Amelia wondered exactly what would come next in his journey.
4
Training had gone well, and it was time for a break in the day. Lunch was definitely in order, not only for her, but for all the warriors. They were exhausted, and the younger newcomers’ training would only get harder.
It was Arryn’s turn to get lunch, and she decided to take Corrine with her. It would be a good opportunity to see how she acted with forest creatures and what—if anything—she had been taught about the importance of hunting and the respect that must be shown along the way.
When she returned from the pit, she found Corrine with the Chieftain and the other children. They were gathered around a watermelon patch, and he was showing them how to pick the very best one.
“Arryn!” Corrine called excitedly as Arryn made her way over.
“Well, hello to you, too! Seems you had a good nap. How are you feeling?” she asked.
“I’m okay. We’re about to have some watermelon! I’ve never had it. Is it good?”
Arryn looked at her with wide eyes. “You’ve never had watermelon?”
Corrine shook her head in response.
“Oh, hell. Well, you’re going to love it! But that’ll have to wait just a little bit longer, since I’d like you to help me with something. Is that okay?”
Corrine looked at the other kids, who had picked out a watermelon almost as big as Snow’s head. “How long?”
Arryn laughed. “Not long at all. I’m taking you hunting. That watermelon is for the warriors’ lunch. We spend the day training, and all the physical work really makes us hungry. So, the young children pick the vegetables and fruits and the older kids help prepare them while the warriors go hunting. It’s my turn, and I wanted to take you with me. I’m one of the best hunters we have, so I promise it won’t take long.”
That seemed to satisfy the girl, and her eyes lit up as she ran to tell the other kids she would be back soon. Another little girl, Nayobi, gave Corrine a hug before waving at Arryn.
“Okay, I’m ready!” Corrine chirped as she skipped back.
A few seconds later, Snow arrived, and knelt for them to climb on. Then they were off, Snow running for the border. It took several minutes, but when they got there Arryn dismounted and placed her hands on the ground at its base.
Feeling her magic swell around her, she pushed it toward the barrier, urging the wall of thorns, vines, small trees, and various other plants to separate. The wall was now well over ten feet thick, having been reinforced by order of the Chieftain after several attempts—including a successful one—by the dark druids to enter.
Once the wall had opened, Arryn motioned for Snow to walk through before her, so she could close it after they had passed.
“What are we hunting for?” Corrine asked.
“Deer. They are in abundance here, and we can find them easily while not bothering their numbers. Did you hunt where you came from?” Arryn asked.
Corrine nodded. “I hunted for myself. Kids don’t usually do it, but I kinda had to.”
Arryn cleared her throat and nodded, trying to focus on the land ahead of her. “Okay, then. Well, let’s see what you’ve got.”
The girl seemed excited for the challenge, clapping her hands once before rubbing them together. She put them out in front of her, and her grey-green eyes flashed bright.
Arryn could feel the swell of magic as Corrine searched the immediate area for animals. She was surprised at the distance she could reach, but it wasn’t anything near what one of the children her age in the villages could do. It showed just how strong she was, but if she’d had any training, she would have been capable of so much more.
It wasn’t long before a large buck responded to her call. He leapt into their field of vision before cautiously approaching.
“Good!” Arryn said. “You’re doing great.”
Arryn was about to give her new instructions when she felt the magic begin to twist and become something much darker and colder. The buck cried out as he charged forward, his movements jerky and forced.
He stopped hard, hooves sliding across the ground for a few feet before he cried out again. Arryn was shocked, distracted by what she was seeing and feeling. As the buck lowered his head, prepared to fight the magic and charge again, Arryn snapped out of her daze.
“Corrine!” she shouted. “Stop, stop, stop! You’re hurting him!”
The girl’s eyes widened as she looked up at Arryn with confusion and what appeared to be an added mix of fear and worry.
“What?” she asked, her voice quivering a bit.
Arryn heard the rapid footfalls as the buck charged and realized that when she had told Corrine to stop the girl had done exactly that. She’d dropped her hold entirely. The buck was now enraged, and coming straight for them.
Arryn shoved Corrine out of the way and tried her best to get clear as well, but it was too late. As she jumped to the side, his long antler pierced the left side of her soft belly before throwing her off to the side.
Corrine screamed as Arryn hit the ground hard, then rolled farther out of the way, and climbed to her feet with tears streaming down her face. A loud roar battered their ears as an incredibly pissed-off Snow ran straight for the buck.
“No!” Arryn shouted at both Corrine and Snow. “Stay there! Snow, protect her.”
The girl stopped hard, swallowing as she silently nodded. Snow growled low as she stood between the girl and the buck.
Arryn could hear the large deer snorting as he lowered his head again, preparing to gore Corrine this time. She didn’t want him to be killed, not after he had been subjected to such pain and fear. If she could manage it, she would call on her magic to soothe him—if she could keep Snow from ripping him to shreds for hurting her and threatening the girl.
Groaning, Arryn clutched her side and gritted her teeth as she climbed to her feet with the aid of a small tree. “Hey!” she shouted, getting the buck’s attention.
“Arryn, no!” Corrine screamed, her voice catching in her throat.
Taking a deep breath, Arryn stepped away from the young tree she had used to pull herself up, and her eyes flashed green as the buck ran for her again. She extended her hand in front of her as she pushed with all she had.
“Stop,” she whispered. “Just… stop.”
The buck hesitated for a moment before responding, but managed to stop hard only a few feet in front of her. Had her magic not taken hold as fast or as strongly as it had, she would have been wounded again—or dead.
Arryn heard Corrine’s deep intake of breath but ignored it as she slowly approached the deer, limping with every step.
When she reached him, she placed her hand against his jaw, still pushing her power to him. “Shh… Easy, boy,” she began, wincing as pain radiated through her. “She’s still very young, and just learning. She didn’t mean to hurt you. She stopped when I told her to. Y
ou’re no longer in pain. You’re fine.”
The buck brought his nose to her face, sniffing her a few times before sniffing at her side where he had injured her. She felt a wave of sadness from him when he realized what he had done to her in his rage.
“Shh... Don’t worry about that,” she whispered, stroking his neck. “It’s all okay. I’ll heal. You should go now. You’re free.”
Arryn lowered her hand and stumbled back a few steps, releasing him from her hold. He stood there, staring at her for several moments before turning and running away. Once it was obvious they were out of danger, Arryn fell to her knees, grinding her teeth again as she winced in pain.
Corrine ran across the space between them, coming to a quick stop in front of her. “Arryn,” she whimpered, tears pouring down her face. “I’m so sorry. I was just doing what I always do. It’s all I know how to do. Please forgive me! Don’t send me back there, please!”
Without saying a word—because she was unable to speak right then—Arryn grabbed the girl’s hand and placed it on her open wound. Taking a couple of deep breaths, Arryn croaked, “Heal it.”
Corrine shook her head, wiping her tears with her free hand. “I can’t. I don’t know how.”
“You’re scared… yes?” Arryn said between breaths.
Corrine nodded in response, some of her tight curls that had come loose bouncing around her beautiful face. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“Call your magic.”
Corrine’s eyes flashed bright green again as she looked at Arryn in confusion.
“Your emotions are your greatest weapon, not weakness. The magic you used to grow the bamboo with us…” Arryn groaned deep in her throat as more pain took her. “Call it.”
Corrine once again did as she was told, and Arryn felt the life-bringing magic surrounding her.
“Now push it through your hand into me. All the fear and worry you feel right now, push it out of you and into me.”
Arryn reached out and wiped Corrine’s face as her eyes closed tightly in concentration. It took several excruciating moments, but Arryn finally felt the heat blooming where the girl’s hand touched her skin. Soon, the pain disappeared altogether.
