by Ben Alderson
“Please?” Mathril’s voice crackled.
I didn’t miss the slight squint of the Druid’s eyes as he looked at Marthil. Then, to my surprise, he replied.
“Please.”
Marthil nodded and moved for the door, flexing the wings on her back. In the light of the throne room, I got a better look at her. The surface of her wings was grey, like the face of a mountain, curtains of leather and spikes. Her horns reminded me of antlers, tall and imposing with many protrusions. Marthil embodied her element.
“And if they put up a fight?” Marthil called over her shoulder.
“If they try and stop you, grind them all.”
Marthil cracked a smile. “Oh I will.” The floor groaned with her excitement.
Emaline cried in discomfort, clearly wanting to stop her, but the power of the Staff kept her down.
Marthil’s large wings began to pump, and she lifted into the air. Raising a clawed hand, the throne was ripped from the ground until it hovered at Marthil’s side. She threw it effortlessly towards the window until it shattered and rained glass over the room. Then she flew into the night, disappearing to complete the Druid’s deed.
“Please…” Queen Kathine pleaded, her body shaking as she held her bow. “Do not harm my people.”
“Kathine, enlighten me as to why would I bring harm to those who now belong to me? You are mistaken. I will treat them in ways you have never dreamed. They will help me take this world back and reclaim the legacy that their ancestors worked hard to eradicate.”
“Druid,” I shouted, trying to wiggle into a sitting position. “As long as we are alive we will work against you, do you understand?”
“Oh, be quiet, boy. Your voice is grating on my nerves.” He moved the Staff in my direction and flicked it down. Instantly, my voice was pulled from my body, rendering me speechless.
“And you will now refer to me as King. King Gordex. Is that clear? It goes for you all.”
Gordex. A name that registered in the back of my mind.
Like the chime of a bell, realization of where I had heard it slammed into me.
Gallion’s mentioned the Druid Gordex who was the leader of the keep in the mountains. But it was not possible, he should have died. Even after years, the Druid before me looked no older than me. A child.
“You hide behind a name that is not yours,” Queen Kathine said.
“Not hide, no. Thrive. My father’s name is mine to claim since your grandmother was the one who drove him to his death. Isn’t that right, Kathine?” Gordex sang. He walked to where she kneeled and bent down. Pressing the knotted crown of the Staff on the Queen’s shoulder. “Now, call me King and I will spare you.”
“Only in death will I refer to you in such a way,” Queen Kathine seethed.
Gordex’s face morphed into pleasure as the lob of phlegm splashed against his dark robes.
“Act like the woman you are, not a common slob,” he jibbed.
“I am no woman; I am a Queen.”
On cue, a blade flew from behind the Queen and aimed straight for Gordex. A blur of silver embedded up to the hilt in the Druid’s chest.
The next moments happened in slow motion.
Nyah flipped over the kneeling Queen and landed in the room. Gordex glanced down at the dagger then up at the girl who threw it. His lips curled and turned white. Spit linked his lips as his mouth opened in a pained shout.
Nyah took three bounding leaps toward the Druid and slammed her hand onto his head.
Her eyes rolled into her hair line and the Druid’s turned coal black. His body seized, and hands tensed as they battled mentally.
The Staff clattered to the floor, releasing us from its hold. Queen Kathine sprang from the ground and ran for Cristilia, who was cowering in the corner of the room. Before she reached her, Cristilia faded into the shadow of the room, practically rolling into a portal she opened to escape. A string of curses slipped from the Queen’s lips.
Emaline reached Illera and stood above her, readying to fight anyone that came close.
“Slam your hands on the ground as hard as you can.” Queen Kathine stood above me. “Break the stone that binds them.”
Her face was blotched red, but her crown had stayed in place.
I tried breaking the stone bindings Marthil had encased my wrists with, but I couldn’t. Over and over I slammed them down against the marble floor, and with each hit, pain shot up my arms.
Nyah made a noise; her face showed pain. Whatever was happening between her and the Druid Gordex was coming to an end. I could taste it in the back of my throat, copper like blood.
A noise in their direction started as a purr and built into a deafening roar. The entire room shook. I lost my balance and spilled to the floor, landing inches from Jasrov and Bell’s lifeless forms. My head rang, and my vision blurred. As I came to, I saw the Druid standing above Nyah who was on the floor beneath him, Staff pinned down on her chest.
Red blood leaked from her nose and ears. Dust covered us all as the earthquake settled. Once the noise dulled, I could hear the screams of the city. Panicked cries that sang across the world.
Gordex was breathless from Nyah’s mental attack, but showed no signs of physical damage. Beside the blade embedded in his chest, he paid it no mind. Not until he pulled it free and threw it to the ground. I expected to see blood, but only black shadow spilled from the gash until it closed entirely.
“Your resistance is wasted; the city is mine.”
I DIDN’T QUESTION Gordex when a group of shadowbeings strolled into the throne room. Covered in golden blood, their vacant eyes were dazed as their puppeteer gave them orders.
We were kneeled in a line and bound in ties and chains. It was pointless to fight against their strength. Illera was awake, a trail of red blood dampened her hair line and tinged her blond hair ruby. She was disoriented and panicked when she shifted back into her elven form and a shadowbeing waited above her. She tried to kick out, but he lifted her effortlessly from the ground and brought her into line.
Emaline tried to comfort her, but her tied arms made it difficult. I could see her burning desire to reach out and console Illera.
Queen Kathine had been gagged, stopping her relentless attempts at conversation with the Druid. Although, I wouldn’t call her screaming and slurs conversation.
Gordex did not speak to us. He only spoke to his shadowbeings, then to Marthil, who walked through the broken doors of the throne room like it was her own.
“The gates are down. The city is trapped,” Marthil said, wings held close into her strong back.
“From the sounds of the city, you had some fun…” Gordex laughed, echoing the screams beyond the windows.
“They tried to stop me, so I ground them all.” Marthil smiled, clicking her knuckles together.
It made sense as to who these shadowbeings had been. I looked at them again, noticing their Alorian uniforms, which were mangled and covered in dirt. Guards of the gate who Marthil had killed and allowed Gordex to raise as his own. Then my eyes landed on one guard, Rowan. Her eyes seeped shadows, as if her body was hollow. A cavern of empty darkness. Her mouth was slack, and her skin held a pale hue. She had guided us into this city she once protected. Now, she is the very thing she fought so gallantly to stop.
If only my hands were free, I could have used my magick to expel the shadow from their bodies like I had in the temple.
“Fetch me the Prince of Flames. I think it is time you meet your other sibling.” Gordex waved a hand.
“I do not like fire, Druid. Send someone else.” Marthil disregarded his command.
There was something about her willingness to refuse him that gave me hope.
“No, my dear, he will no longer be a problem. Bring him to me,” Gordex commanded again.
Marthil bowed her head and left. As she walked away, she passed two shadowbeings who pulled Jasrov’s and Bell’s bodies and discarded them to the corner of the room. I could hear Nyah’s heavy snivels as sh
e watched on.
As if her reaction annoyed Gordex, he turned on her sharply.
“Enough of that! If I sense any of you talking again, I will rip your throats out,” he growled.
But Nyah had not spoken? I glanced up and noticed Queen Kathine look away. They must have shared a silent word through their link.
Knowing Marthil had gone for Hadrian, my heart picked up its speed. I held out hope Gallion would be with him, ready to protect him as he promised. But I had seen Marthil’s magick and knew Gallion would fail under her power. And what of the Queen’s wife and children? Where were they? If only I could communicate with Nyah, she would have an idea how to get out of this. At least I hoped.
“Why…” Queen Kathine muttered, spitting out the cloth that gagged her.
Gordex released a sigh. “I have been waiting for someone to ask me that. For years, I have played the answer over in my mind, rehearsing it so it’s perfect. Why you ask? Why not? Was it not your people who band together to destroy mine? Killing the history and memory of the Druids, as if it a just act. I have one word that captures all of my emotions. Revenge. I have waited in the shadows of this vile world for years, waiting for the time when I can avenge my people. My family. And finally, the birth of the Dragori signaled the start of my own quest.”
He paced before our line, hands twirling as he told his tale.
Gordex was right, the treatment of his people was unkind. Even I could see that. This was our punishment for our ancestors’ actions.
“Is there not a way we can live in harmony? Bring forth a new time of Druids and elves?” Queen Kathine pleaded.
“Oh, Kathine, we are beyond that. I am truly the last left. In an ideal world, I may have accepted, but you are years too late.”
“Then why all of this?” I spoke up, trying to make sense.
“It is time I bring the Druids back into this world. My people have learned from their past mistakes. Giving life to the Dragori, their creation, allowed the Goddess to take them from us. So I will not give them life, I will raise them in death. A council of five; and I think I may have found my first member.” Gordex gazed towards Jasrov’s body.
“No,” Nyah screamed, trying to stand.
“Quiet!” Gordex shouted louder and raised the Staff.
“One vital part of history your people removed was the mention of the element spirit. With the combined powers of the four Dragori, this Staff will hold their powers and allow me to work against your precious Goddess. I already have two souls, all I need is the final two.”
He looked to Emaline and me.
“With your Heart Magick, I will finally restore the trapped souls of my ancestors and give them new bodies. Powerful bodies.”
“Impossible,” Queen Kathine muttered.
“Not entirely.” Cristilia faded through shadow back into the room. Her courage refreshed as she saw us all bound.
“You…” Illera growled.
“Yes, me.” Cristilia bowed. “Zacriah, being untouched by heartmagick, you were able to bring down the cursed barrier of the Keep.”
“Thus, allowing myself and Marthil inside,” Gordex added.
“The Staff of Light is no tool for the elves, no. It was a prison our ancestors created to keep the souls of the Druids they slew trapped inside.”
“And now you have it…” Queen Kathine whispered, eyes wide in defeat.
“We have the power to raise them once more.” Gordex words were final.
The entire room chilled as the Druid’s plans were revealed. After the weeks of guessing his motivation, I would never have thought of this.
“When evening greets us tomorrow, I will raise my brothers and sisters and create a new world where the scales of power finally tip toward the druids. And the best part is that you have no way of stopping me.”
Thunder clashed outside the smashed wall. A burst of light that illuminated the horror of the world beyond. A world that was going to change. Forever.
*
AS WE WERE dragged through the torn halls of the palace, I could see the blush pinks of dawn. We were pulled in a line, each with two shadowbeings holding us to stop our attempts to escape. We passed through an open pavilion that gave way to the view of a city in smoke. Queen Kathine was in front of me, and her shoulders shook as she took in the destruction of the city. The air was tainted with blood and destruction.
At first, I didn’t know where we were being taken to. Cristilia was guiding us, her white skirt stained as she floated over rubble. We didn’t stop moving until we took steps down into the belly of the palace. It was dark and smelled rank. I knew the atmosphere of a prison even without visiting one before. The smooth stone walls were replaced with rough brick and the floor became uneven and damp.
“One in a cell.” Cristilia turned for us, gesturing to the line of rusted cages that nestled in a row at the side of the dark room.
“For you,” Cristilia said as Emaline passed. In a flash movement something was wrapped around her wrist. No. My mind grew cold with panic. No.
The gold band clipped easily around her thick wrist, stilling any chance of her using her magick. “That will keep you quiet. I even have one for you, Zacriah. I have heard you are well versed with these accessories.”
“Why would you do this?”
I tried to pull away, but Cristilia spun me around, so my back faced her. I felt her touch on my arm, then the heavy weight of the gold band as she clipped it around my wrist.
“The Druid promised safety for my sister. I would do anything for her. Know that I believed he would not harm anyone. But, as long as she is safe, he can have his way with the rest of you. Part of me feels sorry, but then again, why would I? Only you should me kindness, Zacriah. The rest of you can burn.”
I was pushed forward and stumbled toward an open cell. As I passed through, the gate slammed shut behind me, and Cristilia had her face pressed between two bars. Her eyes were wild.
“Once the gold has time to work away at you, your Heart Magick will be free. Soon, the Druid will raise his army, and the need for you and your Dragori siblings will be no more,” she sneered.
She turned away, but I fought out my words through the draining of my strength.
“And your twin? Will you allow the Gordex to dispose of her when he no longer has need for her?”
Cristilia stopped walking away. In that moment, I could sense the weak chain in her armor.
She didn’t respond. Instead, she waved to the shadowbeings and said, “If they talk, cause them pain.” Then she swept up the dark stairs and left us each locked in our own prison of silence.
WE KEPT QUIET for a grand total of a few seconds. Emaline began screaming, and Queen Kathine’s fist connected with the stone wall at the back of her cell. Over and over she punched, until her knuckles shredded. But she didn’t stop. Nyah was silent with her eyes closed, and Illera was trying to still Emaline’s angered shouts. If Emaline was feeling the same as I, then the tingling discomfort in her wrist was growing. I could feel the energy and magick being drained from me once again.
I saw the guarding shadowbeings move and tried to warn the group, but I was too late. They faded through the bars of our cell like ghosts. The noises silenced as they grew close, and I shied away as one raised an Alorian steel dagger to my arm.
Once the cell blocks were silent again, they turned and left.
I closed my eyes and risked my next move. If Gordex was close, he would sense it. But what more could he do to me? He already expressed his need for the Dragori for the evening. He wouldn’t kill me before then, I knew it.
Tell me Gallion made it out.
He has.
Thank the Goddess, I thought. And he took Hadrian with him?
He did. Her answers were short. I could feel the sadness in her voice.
I wanted to scream with pleasure. I could only imagine how Gordex and Marthil would react when they found Hadrian missing.
I hate to burst your bubble, but Gordex has Hadri
an’s soul. I have seen his plans, with Hadrian’s vacant body, here or not. It will still happen.
My mood dampened. Nyah was right; Gordex had shown me the orb concealed in his robes. If that truly was Hadrian’s soul, we were in more trouble than I realized.
I am sorry.
Don’t be.
Jasrov sacrificed himself, Nyah. He was so brave. You would have been proud.
I am—will always be proud of him. He was not a fighter, but his strength came from something much more than using a sword or fighting.
I could feel her presence as it shied away from mine.
You really cared for him, didn’t you?
I do.
She shut off from me, her awareness severed mine so hard I stumbled back into myself. Her refusal to regard in him in past tense broke my heart.
Without light, it was difficult to keep track of time. It felt like I’d been in this cell for hours by the time I heard steps coming down the stairs. The gold band had driven me to exhaustion, and my throat felt as if I’d swallowed a handful of glass. I barely had enough energy to look up to see the small figure that slipped into the cell room unnoticed by the guards.
I rolled over on the floor, looking to the rest of our group, and no one else seemed to notice our guest. Crawling on all fours, I dragged myself towards the bars of my cell, trying to get a better look. Nyah noticed me and whispered to catch my attention, but I was too caught up in the small shadow behind the guards to look back.
Tiv. Flame light from a hanging lantern close to him reflected off his impish face for a moment, then he disappeared in the dark again. I heard the rattle of metal, then watched the two guards drop to the ground.
I watched the two bodies struggle to stand. The floor beneath them was covered in ice. It glistened like flecks of glitter beneath the hanging flames. Pure, silver ice coated the floor.
“Tiv,” I said as he jumped over the shadowbeing’s reaching hands.
“Tiv is here to rescue you.”
I released a breath of relief.
