by ylugin
Ever since Kirill had arrived in Alogrin, several days ago, she had felt his looming presence, like a dark cloud had entered her sanctuary, threatening it with hail and destruction. She had not found the courage to face him again. Perhaps a part of her didn't want to know any more than she already did. All she was certain of was that she didn’t want him here, didn’t want to deal with the hurt he had caused. It was easier to just forget about him, to remain the enemies they had seemed to become.
Now, Lana stood before his door planning to ask him for his help. It made her feel sick to be here, to ask anything of him, to need him.
It is strong of you to do this. To seek help when it is needed and to not let pride overshadow what is best for your people. You are a person I would follow to the end of the world. Ardin’s words entered her mind as if he knew what she was thinking. But Lana had not shared her mind with him, he sometimes simply knew her better than she knew herself.
As if you would have a choice in following me to the end. Lana retorted. She parted her lips, exhaling her deep breath and slowly turned the knob, pushing the door open.
Two small rectangular windows, that were close to the ceiling, dimly lit the room. In the small space, Lana could see a desk, a bookshelf, and a small bed where Kirill sat with a book in his hand. Steel blue eyes were locked on her from the moment the door opened. She took a step in, followed by Ardin and closed the door behind them. The guard outside the door continued looking forward, like a living statue.
“You are leaving.” Lana informed Kirill Dukran.
“After all this hospitality? I am being kicked out?” Kirill spoke lightly, shutting the book in his hands. “What is the matter?” He asked after observing Lana’s obviously troubled demeanor.
“You have a choice to make. When you are outside of this place and back in the woods, you can either leave or you can help me. If you leave you must not come back or you will be killed.” This was not exactly true, Lana had promised that if he chose to leave instead of helping her that he would not live to do so. But if he would help she needed him to choose it without a threat. She needed to know it was his choice to help.
“Help you?”
“A Rami army is heading to Gorthyn. I will be heading there to protect my people.”
“Alone?”
“A handful of others will be joining me.”
“And you want me? As a weapon.”
Kirill placed the book down on the bed and stood. He took a step towards Lana and she took one back away from him, not out of fear but out of distaste for being so close to him. His eyes looked down at the ground.
“I know I have done much wrong by you.” Kirill fell to one knee. “I promise to fight for you, if not as a friend than as a weapon. I will follow you and I swear my allegiance to you, Lana Casteel.”
Lana stared at Kirill with wide green eyes, unable to move. For a Dukran to be on his knee and swearing allegiance, no one would ever believe this. Wordlessly she stared at him until he stood again. Suddenly she found it hard to look him in the eye. What did this gesture mean? Not knowing how to proceed, she simply ignored the entire thing.
“Some men will be here, they will get you to your horse and blindfold you till we get out of Alogrin.” She informed, before rushing out the door.
“See you on the outside.” Lana heard Kirill say as she shut the door behind her.
What was that?
He seemed sincere. Ardin replied.
I don't understand why he is doing this. Maybe Arkhip did something horrible to him? Lana’s mind was racing as her world was flipping upside down.
Whatever his reasons, he is with us. He will be a valuable asset in the next few days but just incase I will keep an eye on him.
Good. Lana turned to Ardin. You ready for this?
Are you?
I don’t think I could ever be.
I am with you no matter what.
And I you.
Lana walked through the halls to the gate with a sense of purpose. As she turned down the hallway she could see Zorin standing by the door with his Great Cat. As Lana got closer she could see Bredin, settled against a door frame, lazily waiting. She hadn’t expected him to join.
“You forgot your sword.” Zorin said as Lana and Ardin approached the gate.
No sooner did Zorin finish his sentence that dust swirled around Lana’s palm and a sword formed in her hand. The corner of her lip tilted up at the ease of the sword’s formation, her head no longer spun from the energy pull of creating one.
Zorin smiled proudly. “You have come far in a short time.”
“I had the best teacher.” Lana replied before turning to Bredin “I must admit, I am a little surprised you are coming.”
Bredin shrugged “It’s not every day I see a princess actually fight her own battle.”
Battle, Lana thought. They were going to battle. She turned back to Zorin “Are you sure you want to do this?” Zorin did not answer so Lana continued. “You are the last Donyerth.”
“No” Zorin cut her off with a raise of his hand. “You are mistaken, there are a few out there with Donyerth blood racing through their veins.”
“But you are a direct decedent.”
“Maybe someone a little less direct will make for a better leader one day.” She didn’t like it, someone like him risking his life when he was a king, sort of. But she couldn’t deny that she needed all the help she could get. Zorin was powerful, skilled, a great asset to have when fighting.
The sound of approaching footsteps pulled Lana’s attention to the hall where Clyte came into view. She was dressed in lightweight golden armor that was made for her body. Weapons hung from her belt and he hair was pulled back in a slick ponytail. She looked fierce, strong, and beautiful.
“You look brutally stunning.” Lana said when Clyte neared.
“Thank you.” She glanced over Lana who wore a cloak and riding outfit, and frowned. “I will have an even more magnificent armor made for you when we return.”
“I would love that.”
A horse approached with Kirill on it’s back, his eyes masked. Tor walked next to Kirill, guiding the horse with a sword attached to his hip.
“You are coming?” Lana gaped. She hadn’t expected to see him.
“Yes” was all Tor replied but she expected more.
“After calling me foolish for doing this?” Her eyes narrowed.
“You are.”
She released an exacerbated sigh. “Then is it not foolish to come?”
“Perhaps. But I have my duty and reasons.”
“To protect people?” She guessed, even though he had basically told her to just let Gorthyn burn?
“Something like that. It is unwise of you to attempt to dissuade me from coming.” He was right, she needed him. Even if she didn’t like him.
Out of the corner of her eye Lana saw Kaiden approaching, the last of their group.
“Lets head out.” She directed.
They all mounted horses and made their way through the tunnels to the outside. Once outside and out of view of the entrance to Alogrin, Kirill was unmasked. Lana took the opportunity to address everyone.
“Thank you all for joining me. Gorthyn is about three days from here. But if we travel through the night, only stopping long enough for the horses to rest I think we can make it in two.” She paused a moment, no one spoke. She turned her attention to Bredin. “Can you send your Aorra ahead to Gorthyn?”
“Oh sure, anything for you, princess.” He replied with a colorful bow from atop his horse.
Lana stared into his brown eyes as fury swirled within her. This was not the time to make jabs at her, to make light of the situation. Her people were in danger, her world crumbling beneath her feet while he joked. She could not stand him and almost wished that he had not come, but as Tor pointed out, to turn away help would be foolish. It was practically funny, three of those who were joining her she didn’t particularly like. Yet here they were, following her into dan
ger.
Bredin’s hawk screeched as it took flight heading into the sky and towards Gorthyn. Without another word, she gave her horse a swift kick and it took off, leading the group with Tor taking the tail end.
Ardin and Zorin’s Great Cat, Dorian, fanned out ahead, making sure the path was clear and safe. Everyone rode in silence. The ride gave Lana time to fret to herself, allowing her troubled mind to run free. She worried about her people, she thought of her mother, of Kaiden, and Garin. Emotions swirled within her, like a whirlwind that she felt incapable of controlling. It swept her up and away into a dark place.
After half the day of riding in silence and alone Lana opened her mind to Ardin, unable to continue facing the inner demons that haunted her. How is it out there?
Quiet. Ardin replied. How are you?
I don’t know. But Lana did know. She was struggling, and even though her Aorra knew that, she did not want to give away just how much. Lana turned her head to see the party that tailed her; Kaiden, Clyte, Zorin, Bredin, Kirill, and Tor. They were following her, willing to fight for her, to possibly die for her. She shuddered.
When I saw The Shade she said I had a splintered fate and that it could somehow influence those fates around me. Do you think I am cursing these people? To follow me? To possibly die for me. Lana winced, at the thought, she could not stomach the possibility of being the reason for the loss of the lives that currently followed her. Even Bredin and Kirill, neither who she was fond of. Yet both were taking a risk to come along.
You are doing what you must to protect your people. It is our duty. These friends that follow you were not forced to but they chose to go. If any lives are lost it is not on you, it was a choice they freely and willingly made. Besides, this group has skills, do not underestimate them.
That was true. She didn’t force any of them to come with her, they chose this on their own. Once again, she looked back over those who followed her.
Lana called out to Bredin. “Has your Aorra caught up to the Rami? How far of a lead do they have?”
“They are about a day ahead of us.” Bredin answered.
She turned back to her riding. If only she could get ahead of the Rami somehow and stop them before they got to the City of Gorthyn. She willed her horse to go faster. The rest of the ride remained silent until the sun began setting.
“We should break.” Lana yelled out to the others as she slowed her stride. Ardin walked the perimeter before joining her. There was a small creek running through the mountain making it a good place to rest the horses. “At dark, by the light of the moon we ride again” She said as the others came closer.
“Bredin, can your Aorra see anything in Gorthyn?”
Bredin gave a nod. “The Rami are there but they aren’t doing anything.” Lana’s eyes grew larger. The Rami had already made it to the city. She wondered how they managed to get there so quickly. Assuming that they must have not stopped for long breaks.
“What do you mean they aren’t doing anything?” Kirill asked.
“They seem to have taken the large stone house, the citizens of Gorthyn seem to be staying inside. The little city is silent.”
“What do you think Garin is doing?” Lana asked Kaiden, hoping that they still had enough time to stop him.
“What is the stone house?” Kaiden answered her with a question of his own. His eyes seemed weary and troubled. The cheerful energy that normally came from him was no more. Instead he was uneasy, alert, and somewhat cold.
“After my mother’s death it was built, a stone fortress so if anything were to happen again in Gorthyn the people and council members were to take cover inside. I have never been inside but they say it is impenetrable, for its small size.” Lana responded.
“If Garin is there then he probably snuck in the town rather quietly and took the building, where he now plots and waits for us. He will most likely not do anything crazy until we arrive but we should get there as soon as possible. If he thinks no one is coming he may just go ahead and set the town ablaze.” Kaiden turned away, taking his horse to the water. Lana watched him walk away. She had never seen him this troubled before. More than anything she wanted to go to him, be with him. But he had hardly looked at her since they left the brown room. As much as she wanted to be near him, that’s not what he needed, not right now.
With a frown she sat down on the ground and leaned against a tree. Letting her eyes close she allowed herself to attempt to rest before they began riding again.
Chapter
Seventeen
Lana squinted at the small town of Gorthyn from the brush, trying to see more than what could be seen by moonlight.
“So, what’s the plan?” Kirill asked, unable to hide the excitement from his voice. This was the type of thing he had been bred to do, what he loved.
“Knock on the closest door. Unless Bredin doesn't mind telling me where the stone safe house is.” Lana replied.
“You serious?” Both Kirill and Bredin asked in unison.
“I do not know where the safe house is.” Lana confirmed, blushing, embarrassed to not know her own town.
“How?” Kirill asked.
“Last time I was here I was a little girl, the town was in ruins and I never retuned.”
“I know where it is.” A voice grumbled from behind Lana.
Eyes turned to Tor.
“You?” Lana was genuinely surprised that Tor would know where to go. “How?”
“I have been here before, long ago.” Tor said, Zorin placed a heavy hand on Tor’s shoulder. Lana observed the act of sympathy between the two. Perhaps she was not the only one with sadness tied to this place.
“Okay. Where is it?” Lana asked.
“We want to enter from here, we will have to walk through some of the streets but it will provide for a better cover than coming from the other side which would put us out in the open.”
“What about the bakery?” Lana asked, biting her lip in thought.
“The bakery?” Tor looked at Lana with judging eyes, as if she was crazy.
“There is a secret entrance to the safe house from the bakery. Only the Casteel family, the baker, and those who built it know about it.”
“There are two bakeries in town.”
“Pick the one farther from the stone house.”
Tor grumbled to himself a moment, scratching his graying head with thick fingers, before telling everyone to follow him. He guided them around the edge of town before turning down one of the allies and heading towards the center.
“Psssst.” A sound came from a near ally.
Everyone stopped in their tracks and turned to see an old hunched over man standing alone in the shadows. He gestured with long thin fingers for them to follow, before disappearing into the darkness. They all stood, for a moment frozen, then Lana took a step towards the dark ally as a large hand went up in front of her. She turned her hard gaze to Tor without a word, waiting for an explanation.
“Is it wise to follow a stranger into a trap? Cuz that sounds stupid to me.” Tor snapped.
“How do you know it is a trap?”
“It could be.”
“Or it could be help. These are my people. I may not have come to Gorthyn since I was a child but I know my people, especially the ones here. They are tough. Most would die before working with a Rami to harm their own. I am going in there.” She shifted, turning her full body to face Tor. Her hands balled into fists at her side, he was going to drive her mad. “And for that matter, who do you think you are? I am grateful that you chose to come here with me and to help these people but you are not my keeper. Why are you constantly against me on everything?”
“I owe it to someone.” Tor replied.
“Owe somewhat what?” She snapped, he hadn’t given her a real answer. “To try and stop me from coming here? To protect me? My Aorra can protect me if I need-” The rest of what she was going to say got caught in her throat as the realization hit her, taking the breath right out of her.
&nbs
p; Lana’s wide green eyes stared intently into Tor’s unexpectedly familiar hazel eyes. The man backed a step away from her, looking away, as if he knew something had clicked in her mind. She stared at him, shocked to not have seen it before. He wasn’t a stranger, she knew him, from when she was but a girl. He was the same, older and hidden under facial scruff, but the same, tall, strong, quiet, stubborn, protective.
“Victor?” The name came from Lana in almost a ghostly whisper.
It made sense now, why Tor had spoken to Lana the way he did, why he was so against her coming to Gorthyn yet willing to go with her. This was the place that Eveline, Lana’s mother, had been killed and Victor was the man who was sworn to protect her. Lana knew this man. There was a time he would have watched over her, when she was young, watching over her and her mother.
Tor turned his hazel eyes back to Lana as her face twisted at the recognition. Tears swelled inside, tears that she pushed away. “I thought you were dead.” She spoke in disbelief.
It was Zorin who replied. “He nearly was, he should have died, but I did what I could and against the odds he pulled through.” Zorin spoke as he put a hand on Tor’s shoulder.
Lana looked at the silver scare on Tor’s neck. Silver, like most things that a Madonian makes. Sometimes, though rare, a Madonian could use their gifts to heal, however it usually left a mark, a silver tint in the scar.
“You’re a healer?” Lana spoke to Zorin.
“In a way, I suppose that I am.”
“But I thought you never left Alogrin?” Lana asked, remembering her first conversation with Zorin and Aria. They had laughed when she asked if they ever left Alogrin. They answered no.
“The one time I had, I found him. It isn’t a pleasant world out here.”
“My mother?” Lana couldn’t say more for fear of breaking down. She wanted to know of her mother, was she alive when he came? Could she have been saved?
Heavily shaking his head, Zorin understood what she was asking.
