Enchantress Sacrifice

by Denice Hughes Lewis

We sing to each other, each in our own way. I close my eyes to a vision of lava turning into peaceful mountains, acrid clouds fading to blue. Aru dissolves into what it was in the beginning. Before absorbing the negativity of the people to save itself. Before the anger and anguish, before needing what only I would give.

  In a brilliant flash of light, Aru transforms into the shimmering spirit of the island.

  Chapter Forty-Three: The Reuniting

  I stand in a fading glow and blink. The rift in the ground is healed, as if it had never swallowed hundreds of people. I breathe in the light, grateful to be alive.

  Thunderous cheers ring through the air. The islanders shout and surge toward me.

  “Stand back,” my father shouts. “Make room for the Enchantress.”

  They part and bow as I walk down their pathway. I squirm inside.

  Daniel races through the courtyard ahead of my family. He gazes into my eyes and wraps me in his arms. There is no need for words.

  Bryntar rushes forward, wiping tears from her face. She enfolds us. “I never doubted you.”

  “You are our savior,” Uncle says, bowing.

  “Do not start that again, Uncle.”

  He laughs and hugs me.

  My father turns from the crowd and gets down on one knee. “When you disappeared, I wanted to die.”

  Daniel pulls my father up. “Better stand up. She doesn’t like that worship stuff. Except from me.”

  “What are you talking about?” I ask.

  Daniel winks.

  My father looks at both of us, eyebrows raised. “We must talk, young man.”

  “Uh, oh. Time to learn about fathers, too.”

  A low chant begins from the crowd, growing in volume as we walk toward the Palace. Ice Lord and Kepyr kneel as I pass.

  “Enchantress! Enchantress! Enchantress!”

  Some murmur, some touch the skirt of my ragged gown. Others thank me with their eyes and their hearts.

  “Help the survivors and repair the damages,” my father orders.

  Ice Lord and Kepyr warriors scurry to obey.

  “I want to heal the wounded, Father.”

  “You need to rest,” Bryntar says.

  “I need to heal them.”

  The Council members gather, grim expressions on their faces.

  My father stalks over to them. “Since you chose to execute me, perhaps you should decide who rules before the people choose their own leader.”

  Jyrr stands defiant next to his mother.

  “Get out of my sight,” Father says, “and out of the Palace.” He does not even look at the Lady as he strides past her.

  I gaze into her face. She stands tall, but cannot hide her anger or her dread.

  As I pass the Council members, I say, “Be careful of your choice.” Fear flickers in their eyes. I cannot decide which is greater: their fear of me or fear of losing their power. I shut out their critical feelings.

  A few young Ice Lords struggle to remove the pillar that blocks the entrance into the Palace.

  “Jyrr, come on. You are the strongest,” one says.

  Jyrr scowls, but joins his friends.

  When they finish, the Lady grabs his arm and hustles him away.

  My father watches them leave and stalks inside. He leads us into a small room. “I shall see to food and a room for healing.”

  “Do not trust anyone,” I say.

  “May I go with you?” Uncle asks my father.

  “Who are you?”

  “I am Kydaka.”

  The color drains in my father’s face. “I was told you were dead.” He clasps Uncle’s shoulders. “We have much to talk about.”

  They leave and I collapse into soft cushions. Daniel sits next to me, never releasing my hand.

  “I’m not sure I know what happened, or that I want to,” Daniel says.

  “Where is Aru?” Bryntar asks.

  “The negativity is gone, for now.”

  “I’m just glad you’re safe,” Daniel says.

  “There is no real safety for us on this island.”

  “Ice Lords and Kepyrs will be slow to change their ways,” Bryntar says.

  There is a loud knock on the door.

  A Kepyr servant slips inside and sets a tray down with an array of fruit, nuts and strips of meat.

  “Now you’re talking.” Daniel helps himself.

  “Please show me to the wounded,” I say.

  The servant bows. I grab a piece of fruit and follow her.

  “You need rest,” Bryntar says, following me.

  “I am fine.”

  They insist on going with me. When I enter the room, the silence is deafening. Many of the people with minor burns and abrasions have been treated. I heal those who remain, even though they are suspicious until my fingertips touch them.

  I am almost asleep when Daniel sweeps me off my feet. “You’re going to rest.”

  My father and Uncle stride into the room. “The Council has requested your presence, Elandra.”

  “She’s not going right now,” Daniel says.

  “Are you still the head of the Council?” Bryntar asks.

  “Technically, yes.”

  “Are you not the father of the Enchantress who saved their lives?” Kydaka asks.

  Father smiles.

  I do not want the responsibility of leading these people. I understand the importance of maintaining my father’s position for the changes that have to come for the island. “Tell the Council they will attend me at my convenience. Tomorrow, Father.”

  Daniel grins. “Don’t let me get on the wrong side of you.”

  “Is that possible?” I ask.

  “Not a chance.” He kisses me and I melt in his arms.

  Chapter Forty-Four: The Challenging

  The Palace is quiet as we hurry along the empty corridors to the Council meeting in the morning.

  “We will have a strategic position by arriving before the Council members do,” Father says.

  He pushes open the huge, ornate chamber doors. Grandeur surrounds us—from the heavy tapestries depicting past warriors to the carved wooden chairs inlaid with gold and silver. Jewels encrust goblets that sit on a circular table with seven chairs and a throne.

  “Sit on the throne, Elandra.”

  “No, Father. I will not rule this island. You must, or there will be no change.”

  He hesitates.

  “If not for you, there would be no island,” Uncle says to him.

  “The island needs you,” Bryntar adds. “You know the laws and the people.”

  “Obviously not as much as I should,” Father says.

  “The members are coming,” I say in warning.

  Father sits on the throne. I take the seat next to him. Bryntar, Daniel and Uncle sit on benches along the wall.

  One Council member bursts through the doors. “Ryz-Il. You cannot sit on the throne.”

  “Will you be the one to tell the people I cannot rule, Jaxtyl? The one who was responsible for saving their lives?”

  “It was the Enchantress,” Jaxtyl says.

  “I am responsible for her birth. I suggest you get another chair for the table and sit down.”

  Six Council members hurry inside, their faces grave.

  Jaxtyl spots my family and frowns. “No one is allowed in Council sessions.”

  “These brave people are responsible for saving the Enchantress. She wishes them to stay,” Father says.

  Jaxtyl sneers. “Can she not speak for herself?”

  “I will have no trouble ending your life if necessary,” I say quietly.

  Jaxtyl’s face pales, but I feel his pulsating hatred.

  The Council members hurry to their chairs. Jaxtyl refuses to add a chair and stands, his face turning a dark purple.

  “I do not expect sweeping change to happen overnight,” Father says. “However, the island needs a ruler. I intend to remain in that position until an election can be held by all the people of the island.”

>   “Blasphemy!” Jaxtyl bangs his hands on the table. “Ice Lords rule this island. It has been so for generations. You have no right to change anything.”

  “Do the other members agree?” Father asks.

  I sense a change in the Council and know that two women and three men agree with my father. I lean over and whisper in his ear. “Call for their decision now.”

  “How many of you vote to retain me as temporary ruler?” my father asks.

  Five members tap the table and the sixth one joins in.

  Furious, Jaxtyl yells. “I resign and will fight your efforts of change.”

  “I look forward to it. Your influence will be greatly reduced if you are not on the Council. Please reconsider your decision.”

  Jaxtyl stomps out of the meeting.

  Father looks at each member. “Thank you for your support. There is much to be done.

  I would like to supervise the repairs and must release those healed by the Enchantress. Are there any other decisions we need to consider today?”

  An older woman rises to speak. “Is the Enchantress going to sit on the Council?”

  “I am not staying on the island,” I say. I shut out the feelings that bombard me, surprised at how easy it is now. “It is up to the people to save themselves. For if you do not change your laws and treat everyone on this island as equals, with love and respect, Aru will grow again. I will not be here to save you the next time.”

  The Council member gasp and murmur among themselves.

  This time I do open myself to know what they feel. There is relief, regret and resistance, along with a new sense of purpose. I do not look at my family, for I know they are shocked. My bright spot of hope is Daniel.

  “I ask one thing for myself. I need to use your expert craftsmen to build a ship.” I stride toward the doors. “The island is in your hands, Father.”

  Chapter Forty-Five: The Building

  Daniel, Bryntar and Uncle hurry after me. I am relieved the future of the island rests with my father. I have no doubt he will remain their leader. Uncle closes the doors behind us.

  “How can you leave your home?” Bryntar asks.

  “Home was with you and Taroc. This island will never be my home. I will not be seen as anything but an Enchantress to fear.”

  The turmoil of her feelings crosses her face. “They will come to know you.”

  I take her hands in mine. “You know they will not accept me.”

  She nods her head and shudders. “This island is my home.” She flees down the hall.

  I stare after her. How can I leave Bryntar behind?

  “She will change her mind,” Uncle says.

  “Can you build a ship and craft the instruments you need?” I ask Daniel.

  He cannot hide his excitement. “The basics that I’ll need. With lots of help.”

  “I know many skilled Kepyrs,” Uncle says. “Make your ship large enough for four.”

  “It will take months to build,” Daniel says. “Stocking supplies, training. The ocean is dangerous even for experienced seamen.”

  “Life offers no guarantee, only opportunity for growth,” Uncle says. “When can we start?”

  “I am going to find Bryntar,” I say.

  They continue their enthusiastic conversation.

  It does not take long to realize she has left the Palace. I look for suitable clothes for traveling home. It takes a while to find anyone to help in the aftermath of Aru. I finally secure fur pants, boots and a jacket given to me by a Kepyr servant.

  As I stride down the hall, I meet my father.

  “There you are. The meeting went better than I expected. Tomorrow will be the first time Kepyr leaders and the Ice Lord Council meet together. I would like you to attend.”

  I am torn between wanting to please him and wanting to find Bryntar. “Is it necessary?”

  “I am worried about the stability of the island. I need you.”

  Once again, my destiny seems out of my hands. Not for long.

  . . .

  I do not sleep well and wake up feeling empty and lost. I should be happy that the beast is gone and my family is safe. After so long, fear is a hard habit to break. All I can think about is Bryntar and my uncertain future. I dress and eat quickly to meet my father.

  He greets everyone who enters the Council chambers. The Council, Ice Lord representatives and Kepyr leaders stand, nervous and uncomfortable. Especially when they look at me. I shut out their feelings.

  “I do not want to be here, Father,” I whisper in his ear.

  “I know. Right now, I believe it is the only way to accomplish an immediate change.”

  He takes my hand, sits me on the throne and stands behind me. “Thank you for coming. Please be seated. Since I am still your ruler until the people choose differently, I would like to propose that seven members from the Kepyr tribes be appointed to join the present Council members. Today.”

  Murmurs of dissent as well as cheers echo throughout the room.

  I stand up and the room becomes silent. “I have warned you of the consequences if you do not change. You would be wise to listen to Ryz-IL.”

  One Kepyr warrior rises. “I know of a worthy Kepyr to sit on the Council.”

  I escape as soon as the discussions begin in earnest and search for Daniel. He and Uncle are in a small library.

  Daniel draws pictures of ships. He smiles. “I won’t have all the modern conveniences. We can make a ship to sail us out of here. I am concerned about the invisible barrier that my ship crashed into.”

  “I will speak to my father about that.”

  “There is much to do to prepare besides building the ship,” my uncle says. “Clothes, provisions, deciding when and where to launch. I have never felt so alive.”

  “I need to go home to talk with Bryntar.”

  “Good idea. Do you want me to go with you?” Daniel asks.

  I smile, knowing how he feels. “Build your ship.”

  “I want to stay at your uncle’s village and recruit help.”

  “I will find you, Daniel. Take care of him, Uncle.”

  “With my life.”

  I hug Uncle gratefully. “Then I have no concern.”

  Daniel kisses my cheek. “Be careful.”

  I feel a loss, but do not let it affect my smile. Our futures are complicated now. I search for my father. When he learns of my intentions to leave the city, he insists on accompanying me. “You are needed here, Father.”

  “I will feel better if we ride khorbocks to the edge of the Ice Mountains. I do not trust some of the Ice Lords, especially since Jyrr and his mother have disappeared. Wait for me outside the Palace gates.”

  I gaze across the island toward the Western Seas while Father leads two khorbocks around the wall. One runs away from him and rushes toward me, stopping to nuzzle my neck. My heart swells to be reunited with my faithful khorbock.

  “You know this animal?” Father asks.

  “He saved our lives. I thought he was wild.”

  “Your mother trained him, but set him free.”

  I cannot speak and instead rub the animal’s spotted nose.

  “When Jyrr brought him in, I could say nothing,” Father says.

  We mount and leave the Palace. I am relieved to stop shutting out feelings that are not my own. The mountains glisten in sunlight and I inhale deeply. I ride across the tundra at one with my khorbock. Pounding hooves stop conversation and freedom rushes into me. I want to ride forever. When the green forests stretch across the horizon, my throat constricts with memories of home.

  “I do not want you to leave the island,” Father says when we dismount.

  “I will always be different, feared.”

  “If you leave, I will never see you again. Will never know if you survive.”

  “I feel the same, but what kind of life can I have here?”

  He sighs. “You love the boy.”

  “With everything that I am.”

  “You are both you
ng. It will be very different in the outer world.”

  “I have to take that chance.”

  He smiles and takes the reins from my hands. “Go with care. We will have time to talk before you leave the island.”

  “Will you free the khorbock?”

  “Of course.” He removes the saddle and bridle.

  The khorbock snuffles in my face. I stroke his spotted nose. His great brown eyes stare into mine.

  “Go and be free.”

  He snorts and bounds away.

  I hug my father and run toward the trees, impatient to be home.

  The forest seems bigger in my haste. The rays of sunset turn the trees to gold by the time I reach the vine-covered door. I stop to sense if anyone follows me. Only the sounds of the forest greet me: the breezes, the animals scratching through leaves, the chirping birds. I sneak through shadows and push open the stone door.

  I stagger with the feelings that overwhelm me and realize they are only memories. Hammering draws me forward until I find Bryntar mending a metal wall. She struggles to hold it.

  “This is much harder now that I am not a monster,” she says. “I need to finish the

  repairs to keep out the cold.”

  “And to keep out everything else. Together, we will put it back the way it was.”

  She chokes and resumes her pounding. “It will never be the way it was.”

  Knowing she is not ready to talk, I hold the metal wall and try not to think of life without her.

  Chapter Forty-Six: The Finishing

  I spend many hours devouring the books of Taroc’s life and committing them to memory. The books in his study are unlike those in the library. Some of their titles refer to necromancy, mysticism and the occult arts. I read them and discover two books I want to take with me on the ship: one documenting the Enchanters and Enchantresses that have come before me, and one in a language I cannot decipher. Yet.

  Will Bryntar write about me if she stays behind?

  Rebuilding the walls and floors takes most of our time.

  Bryntar talks little as the days pass and I finally confront her. “When are you going to talk about him?”

  She swallows hard. “What is there to say? He is gone.”