by Meg Anne
“If you prove yourself untrustworthy, you will taste the wrath of the Storm Forged. There will be no mercy.”
Starshine growled menacingly in response to the thinly veiled threat being aimed at her mistress. The man, finally noticing the Talyrian, seemed to lose a bit of haughtiness. He blinked a few times, not convinced he was seeing things correctly.
“Then it is a good thing we do not seek to harm,” Helena countered.
The man nodded and the storm died completely. In the distance, the cyclone continued to make its way across the horizon but the clouds cleared, and the sun began to shine.
“Welcome to Ebon Isle, Mother of Spirit,” the man said when Helena made it to his side.
“Thank you for agreeing to speak with us, Stormbringer,” she replied, making no move to hide her smile when his eyes widened at her use of his title. He had thought to hide it awhile longer and had not anticipated being found out before he was ready.
A moment of stunned silence passed and he laughed again. “Well met, lady. I should expect nothing less from the Mother’s Vessel. Nor from one with the power to command a Talyrian.”
A deep growl emanated from Starshine and Helena’s smile turned feral. “You don’t know much of the Talyrians nor their queen if you think I have any control over her.”
From where she stood, Helena watched his throat bob as her words sank in. He looked unnerved as he hazarded another glance at Starshine who was now openly snarling at him. In an attempt to divert further insult he said hurriedly, “Please, make yourselves comfortable in my home. You are the welcome guests of Anduin Stormbringer.”
For now. The unspoken words echoed loudly in her mind, reminding her that his extension of friendship was tentative at best, and that they would need to proceed with extreme caution.
Helena smiled her thanks, looking back to convey the need for continued caution with the others. There were a few nods, the warning received, before she turned back to face the man with glowing eyes.
Without another word, Helena and her people followed Anduin as he led them up the hill and into his keep.
Chapter Twelve
The keep was a celebration of the sea and sky, or perhaps it was simply a reflection of the people who lived on the Ebon Isle. Decorated in every shade of blue and green, it felt as though she was moving through the water while the air teased her skin. Helena found it thrilling; her power was eager to come out and play with the magic she could feel surrounding her.
Curious stares met them as they filed one at a time into the massive hall. It was a circular room; the entirety of it comprised of windows, save for where it connected to the hallway they just exited. The room was filled with the Storm Forged. They had the same glowing eyes as their leader, although the shades were every variation of the sea. Some had skin or hair the color of sea foam, others appeared as though they had been painted the deepest shade of indigo. It was both startling and breathtaking. The Storm Forged were every bit as fierce and lovely as the cyclone making its way across the horizon.
Von took his place beside her, his steady gaze reinforcing her calm. Joquil, who had been even more reticent than usual, moved to stand at her other side. Surprised to see him there instead of Darrin or Ronan, she gave him a curious look. His amber eyes were wild, as if he was having a strong emotional reaction that he was trying unsuccessfully to contain.
She placed a hand on his arm, not wanting to voice her concern in the midst of strangers. Joquil continued to meet her gaze, silently conveying a message she did not understand. With a final searching glance, Helena dropped her hand. She would need to make time to speak with him as soon as they were done here.
Ronan and Nial stood beside Von with Serena not far behind them. Darrin and Kragen were behind Helena, Effie almost hidden between them. Timmins stood next to Miranda, both a bit ahead and apart from the rest of the Chosen. It was the traditional spot of the Advisor, or rather, the one who would speak for the group. Not that Helena had any intention of letting someone speak for her. She was mostly just amused by the continued posturing between them. Both of them were trying to take the lead, and neither wanted to concede ground.
The rest of their force had been tasked with finding a place for the wolves, after which they were sent to the barracks to find rooms and rest for the evening. Once the storm had cleared, Starshine had taken to the sky, intent on exploring this new territory.
Knowing that there were none in this room incapable of protecting themselves, Helena released her stranglehold on her power, finally allowing it to rise to the surface as it had been clamoring to do since they’d first set foot on the Isle.
“You have come a great distance to seek an audience, Kiri,” Anduin said, his voice booming throughout the room. “Especially given that the Chosen have no love of those they call the Forsaken.” The silence that followed his words was heavy as the Storm Forged waited for her to tell them what required her to seek out their aid.
“I have. It is time for the Chosen to remember who and what they are. That includes the Storm Forged.”
There were a few outraged hisses; none in this room wanted to be compared to the pampered children of the Mother.
“We have a common enemy, Stormbringer.”
He took a seat, moving like liquid as he slid into it, greatly amused by her words. “And who would dare make an enemy of me?”
“The Corruptor,” Miranda supplied, once again using the title from the prophecy known to all of Elysia’s inhabitants.
His smile fell and his sapphire eyes blazed. “You came all this way to tell me bedtime stories? I have to say, I’m disappointed.” If it weren’t for the way the Stormbringer’s fingers gripped the arms of his chair, Helena would have believed him unaffected.
“I would not waste my time with so foolish a reason, Stormbringer.”
He waved away her words, eyes seeking out his court as he replied, “The Corruptor is no more than a boogeyman. A myth.”
“She has already amassed an army of Shadows.”
Anduin’s laugh was incredulous, but Helena thought she detected a note of hysteria. Whispers rose around them like the shrieking of the wind.
“The only thing Anduin will respect is power, Helena. You have to show him that you are a bigger threat to him and his people than she is.” Von sent her the thought, having already assessed the opponent before them.
“I do not wish to anger him…”
“Trust me, Mira. Show him who you are.”
With that, Helena allowed her magic to run free. Her eyes sparkled with iridescence and her hair fell in long waves down her back before lifting in a breeze no one else could feel. When she spoke again, her voice was layered and harmonious. “Stormbringer.”
Anduin sat up in his chair, startled by the change in the woman before him.
“How did you obtain your title?”
He tilted his head, not expecting the question. “There is no other that can match my power.” There was no arrogance in the answer; he was stating a fact.
“Let us strike a bargain, Stormbringer.”
Intrigued he leaned forward. “What kind of bargain?”
“A test of our power, mine against yours. If I best you, you will ally your people to my cause. If I do not, my people and I will leave here without any ill will or further request.”
The Storm Forged broke into surprised laughter. None of the Chosen reacted; this was not a game to them. They knew Helena was deadly serious.
Seeing that she was not kidding, Anduin’s eyes glowed more brightly. “What you speak of is not done lightly, Kiri. The only time a reigning Stormbringer will fight is to defend their title when a challenge has been placed on the throne. It is a fight to the death. If you were to defeat me, you would obtain the title.” His words clearly conveyed how unlikely such an outcome would be.
“So be it.”
Tension swelled as her words were whispered and repeated throughout the room.
“You seek to challenge me?
” he scoffed. “Do you even know what you ask?”
“Do we have a bargain?” she countered, not wanting to admit that she had absolutely no idea what the hell she was doing. Instinct and Von’s words were all that guided her.
The smile on his face was predatory. “We do, Mother of Spirit. But not tonight. If we are to do this, we will follow as tradition mandates. It will be a true challenge.”
Helena nodded her assent. Excited whispers filled the room.
Rising from his seat, Anduin addressed his people. “A challenger has stepped forward. Tomorrow Aegaeon’s Challenge will commence. Tonight we will feast!”
Cheers erupted around the room, but they were bloodthirsty and frightening. Whatever Aegaeon’s Challenge entailed, it would not be easy. Sensing their dismissal, at least until the feast, Helena and her Circle made their way out of the hall and back toward the suite of rooms that had been set aside for them.
“How was that for power?” Helena asked, her heart racing in her chest. Mother’s tits, what have I just gotten myself into?
“I don’t think it’s exactly what I had in mind,” came the uncertain reply.
Helena spun, causing the others to halt in surprise. “Perhaps you could be a bit more specific next time, Mate!”
Von looked chagrined, which caused Ronan to snicker. Soon Kragen and Serena joined in, the others following suit not long after.
“You think this is funny? Alright wise guy, you are in charge of discovering what the hell I just signed up for, and then figuring out how I avoid getting us all killed tomorrow.”
Ronan nodded, but his eyes were still full of laughter.
“Only you would be laughing at the threat of execution,” she muttered.
He shook his head. “You misunderstand, Hellion. It’s just amusing to see that no matter the situation, some things never change.”
She waved him off, too worried to appreciate his levity. “It doesn’t matter. See what you can find out.”
Still chuckling, he nodded and made for the barracks.
As soon as the door shut behind them and an auditory shield was placed around the room, Helena spun on her Master. “Joquil!” she shouted, causing him to flinch.
His amber eyes lifted from the floor, seeming to shine from the shadow of the alcove he was perched in. Swallowing he asked, “Yes, Kiri?”
“Did you know?”
He paled. “Yes,” he admitted, bowing his head.
“And you didn’t think to warn me?”
“Kiri, I—”
Von moved beside her, scowling while he crossed his arms. Even Timmins looked uneasy as he eyed her Master.
Joquil cleared his throat, unaccustomed to, and uncomfortable with, the attention. “I did extensive research into the lost tribes during my—” he paused for a long moment, seeming to be at a loss for words, “training. I was curious about their magical abilities, and how they differed from those of the Chosen.”
“Wolfshit,” Von said, not buying it. Joquil gave him an assessing glance but did not have a chance to comment before Timmins spoke up.
“Where did you even find any information about the tribes?” he sputtered. “No such texts exist in the archives.” He was beyond displeased that there was yet another person that had more information than he did.
Joquil coughed, an internal debate warring within him.
“What aren’t you telling us, Master?” Helena demanded, her voice layered.
Joquil deflated, his eyes sliding away from hers as he stared at the floor. “When I was younger, a Keeper who was traveling through the Forsaken Territories found my village.”
Helena went entirely still as she processed his words. Joquil was from one of the lost tribes. There was a sharp intake of breath from behind her as one of the others deciphered his words as well, but no one spoke.
“When they found me playing in the back of my father’s market stall, the Keeper stopped in the middle of his conversation with one of the tribe elders to study me. He stepped over and grasped my arm, his touch burning me like a brand.” Joquil’s usually honeyed voice was hoarse as he continued, “I will never forget the way his eyes went out of focus, or the peculiar milky-white hue they turned as they bore into my own. When he spoke, his voice cut like a knife.”
Joquil’s hands were trembling as they ran over his face. “I still remember his words:
* * *
‘The Vessel comes. You must help her bear the Crown of Embers if she has any hope of becoming the Queen of Light. When it’s time, you must submit, giving in to her power completely.
* * *
Your training begins now, young Master, for your prowess will be her guide, and without you she will not find her way. To serve, you must leave the life you know behind. There can be no ties, save the one you have to her.
* * *
Your destiny awaits.’”
* * *
There was a moment of tense silence before Joquil continued, “I left with him that day, arriving in Tigaera to begin my apprenticeship with the retired Circle members. My family saw it as a great honor to be discovered by the Keeper; there were no tears when they said goodbye. It is simply not the way of those born to the twilight.”
“You are from the Forest of Whispers,” Timmins said, recognizing the phrase.
“A Night Stalker!” Darrin whispered in shock.
Joquil looked up, amber eyes burning as he solemnly confirmed, “Yes.”
As the admission left his lips, he held himself stiffly, as if braced for a blow. He was a Master in all four of the five Branches of magic available to him; a rare and considerable accomplishment throughout all of Elysia. There were perhaps only a handful of others that could say the same. The amount of power he could command was astounding, and yet, this confession stripped him of it all. To see him brought so low, all of his quiet dignity laying in tatters at his feet, made Helena’s heart ache and her anger at his omission ebb.
“Why keep it from us?” Helena asked gently.
His laugh was short and brittle. “Never would one of the Forsaken be allowed to enter into the service of a Circle. We are savages not fit to be near any of the Chosen, let alone the Kiri.”
Each bitter word landed like an arrow through Helena’s heart.
“The only way to serve, the only way to fulfill my destiny, was to hide my past. And so I buried it.” His eyes burned with defiant pride. Even after all they had been through together, a part of him still expected to be cast aside with the admission.
Helena was startled by the tear that rolled down her cheek. Joquil’s story was unexpected to say the least. Although, discovering that he was one of the Night Stalkers explained much. His penchant for silence and his ability to quietly fade into the background were two of the most notable.
Speaking over the emotionally charged silence Von asked dryly, “Alright, so you are one of the Stalkers, what does that have to do with the Stormbringer’s challenge?”
Joquil blinked, not expecting the revelation of his lifelong secret to be brushed aside so quickly. Sitting a little straighter he answered, “When I traveled with the Keeper, he told me many things. One night during our journey, we received word about a new Stormbringer ascending. The Keeper explained how the title was earned and told me that a time would come when I would witness it for myself. I had forgotten all about it until we stood before him.” As he said the last he looked again toward Helena, remorse shining in the depths of his eyes.
That explains what happened in the hall then, Helena thought with a sigh. “Do you remember what he told you of the challenge?”
Joquil nodded, his panic flaring again. “I do.”
“And?” Von drawled.
Joquil lifted a brow, matching Von’s bland tone perfectly, “Do you recall the maelstrom just off the coast?”
“No… I must have missed it,” Von replied, deadpan.
Helena shot him a look, but he stared unblinkingly at the Master.
Kragen and Darrin
snickered, both enjoying someone else being at the end of one of Von’s barbed statements, had Ronan been there he would have joined them.
Joquil’s eyes narrowed but the left side of his lip began to curl in amusement. His shoulders relaxed and he crossed his arms mirroring Von’s stance. “Your lack of observation is impressive. I had higher hopes for the Commander of the Daejaran mercenaries.”
Von smirked and Joquil grinned. Helena frowned, her eyes zipping between the two men. What in the Mother… she thought, and then it clicked. By treating him as if he had not just shared his most closely guarded secret, Von had shown Joquil that nothing had changed. Helena snorted with disbelief, Men.
“Okay, now that whatever that was is out of the way…” Helena started.
Joquil cleared his throat, “Right. The maelstrom is the answer.”
Helena blinked and looked at the others thinking she’d missed something. “Remind me of the question.”
“In order to defeat the reigning Stormbringer, and to beat Aegaeon’s Challenge, the one who declared the challenge must summon a storm from the depths of the maelstrom. The cyclone that you saw when we arrived, that was created by Anduin when he ascended.”
“His power has kept it going all this time?” Timmins asked.
“Yes.”
Helena could feel her skin leeching of all color but forced herself not to give in to her panic. “So we must both draw a cyclone from the depths of Aegaeon’s maelstrom?”
“He said that it’s a death match,” Darrin pointed out.
Joquil’s face was grave as he confirmed, “The winner is only declared when their storm overpowers the other. The loser is always swallowed by the storm.”
“Oh.”
Adrenaline sent her pulse roaring in her ears. Feeling her rising panic, Von sent waves of calm and support through their bond.
In theory it seemed simple: call forth a storm more powerful than the other. But having felt the magic pulsing through the air, Helena knew it would require considerable skill to manipulate and then control the forces already at play. She had enough trouble controlling her own power on a good day and now she was supposed to handle someone else’s? Not only that, she was supposed to use it to murder them? Here she was trying to stop people from dying and she’d just inadvertently walked right onto another kind of killing field. The thought was so absurd she wanted to laugh.
