“You have my thanks and a favor if you ever need one from me.” He bowed his head.
Madam Lassengre seemed pleased by this and returned the bow. “And what of the duke? I suspect this will be an item requested by the leaders of Mar Thagroth.”
“We will return the Duke of Wrainton to you, Madam Lassengre, if that is what you recommend. I imagine justice will be served at the hands of the leaders of Mar Thagroth. He instigated much of the madness and mayhem these last few months. I tried, without success, to prevent much of what occurred, if that matters much to anyone. I suspect they will judge me vile all the same. At least, I’ve said my peace.”
“You’ve said much, Lord Rigar,” mused the sorceress, “though I’m not sure what to believe and what to discard. But it is beside the point. I will deliver the duke to the king, and I’m sure he will be executed for his crimes. A foul end for a foul man.”
Prince Jondran groaned and shifted in his sleep. He moved as if rising from his slumber. “Elendria?” he whispered, and his eyes opened a crack.
“You should sleep, prince,” said Drevenia, laying a palm on his forehead.
“No, I want to talk to Lady Elendria.” His tone was defiant, and that pleased Elendria and filled her heart with love. She admired the strength of his willpower.
“But, prince, you have been mortally wounded.” Drevenia shook her head. “I won’t be bringing you back from the dead a second time if you fail to rest!”
“I was dead?” Jondran said, his voice shocked. His eyes found Elendria, and a smile came to his face. “You are alive? Thank the gods. He was killing you. I had to do something.”
“You saved my life, Prince Jondran, but it cost you yours.” Elendria squeezed his hands. “Luckily for us, Drevenia was here to return you from the land of the dead.”
“Did I kill Arcturius?” He seemed pained at the idea. “I didn’t want to hurt him. I only wanted to make him stop what he was doing to you.”
“The wizard is alive and will recover just fine; don’t you worry,” said Madam Lassengre. “I will ensure he is returned safely to our camp.”
Lord Rigar turned to Prince Jondran. “And what will you do, prince? Your father and the king should still be safe in Criswall. I insisted on his protection, and luckily, the duke and the boy were amenable.”
Prince Jondran’s face was a mixture of uncertainty and fear. He glanced at Elendria and then back to Madam Lassengre. Before he had a chance to speak, Elendria interrupted him.
“Will you stay with me?” she said. Why did her voice sound so timid and unsure? She wished she could speak with authority, be more commanding. She didn’t want him to go, not again, not after all that had happened. It was only now they were reunited.
“For a time, I suppose I could remain here in Maren Downs, but—”
“It is difficult? You have your duty to your kingdom and your people.” She pursed her lips, certain he would say that. She caught him glancing at Branwenth and noticed the look of disappointment and betrayal on his friend’s face.
“But I think my duty can be best served by staying in Maren Downs for a while, to observe and understand.” The prince’s face brightened. “And of course, I would like to spend time with you. I want you to show me your homeland, the place where you were born and where you grew up. I want to learn.”
Though he seemed embarrassed by the admission, especially in front of her father and the witches, Elendria thought he was adorable.
“I’d like that very much. I hope you can stay for a long while.”
“But I must eventually return to Criswall.” The prince cast eyes at Branwenth, who gave Jondran a grim look.
Branwenth exhaled sharply. “It’s complicated, prince. You’ve attacked Arcturius and interfered—” He cut himself short at Jondran’s frown.
“I will talk with my father. He and the king will listen.”
“I don’t agree. Not unless you go now and beg for mercy. Perhaps, they will be lenient.” Branwenth seemed troubled by the admission.
Prince Jondran looked between Lord Rigar and Elendria, his face conflicted and torn. His eyes were filled with suspicion toward Elendria’s father, but she could see the hope and the love for her as well. There was also a sense of regret in those eyes for what he’d done. This wasn’t going to be easy for him.
“Lord Rigar, what are your intentions for the future? You mentioned you would claim Maren Downs and protect its boundaries, but what will you establish?”
“It will not be a kingdom, as I won’t ever be a king. As radical as it sounds, I plan on ensuring it is for the people, that whatever we do will be for the benefit of the common people. I believe the nobility have too much power and wealth as it is.”
Prince Jondran raised an eyebrow. “Is this the reason you fought against the nobility, to destroy the social order? But if the power does not rest in the nobility, will it rest solely with you? Was this a ploy to gain control of Maren Downs for yourself?”
Elendria was worried whether her father would lash out in anger, but he only seemed amused.
“I’m not sure where power will rest or the kind of government we’ll establish. Perhaps, you can help me to figure it out. There are many ways of governing. I was never particularly good at it and, instead, left the work to others to figure out. My talent always lay in the magical arts and the study of history. But I would like to do something great, something positive for the people.”
Jondran bowed his head. “I am here to listen and learn, though I am still suspicious of your motives, sir. It was not long ago we were enemies, and you were harming this boy in the underbelly of Ravenswood. Tell me, why should we believe you have changed?”
“Don’t judge me based on what happened in Ravenswood. I’m not the same person. Believe it or not, I’ve changed my thinking, and I blame myself for what happened. I will make amends, but I prefer to do so based on my own autonomy. I won’t allow myself to be at the mercy of the northern nobility. If they condemn me as a heretic and a traitor to Mar Thagroth, then so be it. I never considered myself anything but a noble of the old kingdom of Craeven Santh, anyway. Old habits are hard to break.”
Elendria noticed her father’s face held a faint smirk. There was something he wanted by establishing power here in Maren Downs. It wasn’t only out of self-preservation, but out of a desire to accomplish something. What was it? From his words, it didn’t sound terrible; in fact, it sounded in alignment with his thinking all along. Hadn’t he always hated the smugness and inequality of the northern nobility? He was against the aristocracy, in general, she thought. Wasn’t that the idea of the cult of the Lord of the Fallen? That they were there to help the poorest, who were so mistreated by the rulers?
Maybe it was the duke who perverted the whole idea and used the people as fodder for their army. He could have affected the actions of Remi; though under the influence of the demon, it was no wonder the boy would go along with such horrific acts.
Still, her father could have left them, but he didn’t. He could have refused to cast spells and twist humans into monsters, but he didn’t. In fact, he seemed proud of his army of constructs. They brought him power and allowed him to secure all of Maren Downs if he so pleased. Elendria thought he might even be able to conquer more lands if he so chose. She decided to remain wary and watch and listen, as Prince Jondran so wisely cautioned.
“It seems it has come time for us to depart,” said Madam Lassengre. “Is the duke ready for departure?”
“Yes, wait but a moment, please. I have asked for him to be brought here.” Lord Rigar looked toward the sky.
After a minute or so, a flying construct descended from the black night and landed in front of them. It was the most beautiful thing Elendria had ever seen. It stood perhaps twenty feet tall and had the feminine head of a human, the multi-faceted eyes of an insect, and a dull carapace that looked like a mixture between bark and a beetle’s shell. It carried the Duke of Wrainton in two of its four arms as it landed on t
wo legs, standing upright.
The construct’s brilliant, multi-colored wings buzzed, gusting up a soft breeze. They were illuminated by the magical lights. If this was the product of evil, then Elendria decided she had to rethink the idea of good and evil altogether. The creature was magnificent. But she still felt terrible, knowing the production of such a creature had cost a human life.
Or had it? Perhaps, the human part was still somehow alive.
The construct placed the duke on the ground and turned to look at her. Elendria thought she heard something in her mind, a girl’s faint voice asking her a question. But the words were so soft and distant she couldn’t understand a thing. The enraptured moment passed, and the beast pivoted away and buzzed up into the dark sky, disappearing.
“My creation seems enamored with you, Elendria.” Her father gave her a kind smile. “They sometimes do that—connect with people who possess the gift of magic. Did you hear something in your mind?”
Elendria nodded. “A soft voice—a girl’s voice, but it was muddled and too far away to understand the words.”
“Maybe someday you will learn to talk to them. The human part still exists, you know. It is at their core. Perhaps, I can show you how.”
It was so pleasant to hear him offering to teach her. How she had longed to learn of his magic when she was younger, but he had ignored her, favoring male apprentices instead of her. Would this time be different? She hoped it would but remained cautious and skeptical.
The Duke of Wrainton coughed, looking disheveled, as if he had slept out in the forest only to be woken by one of the constructs. His venomous eyes locked on her father. The man looked like he wanted to spit on his face.
“So, you’ve won, have you?” said the duke. “Gotten everything you wanted?”
“We’ve gained peace, instead of the insanity of war you were craving.”
“You’re mad, Lord Rigar.” The duke sneered at him. “I warned the boy to cut you loose, but he refused. It seems Ba’al has a strange fondness for you. And now, you can continue with your insane plan untempered by my wisdom and caution.”
“The world will be better off without you, Duke. In the hands of the northern nobility, you’ll be condemned to death.”
“We’ll see about that. I have a most persuasive tongue.” The old duke chuckled, turning to Elendria. “You’ve reunited with your father? Don’t you find him repulsive and at odds with your conscious? I guess it’s true that the pear doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
He glanced at Remi where the boy was still slumbering. “I see your father has managed to restore the boy to his natural state? What have you done with the spirit of Ba’al, the spirit that once inhabited the boy? Have you abandoned your god?”
“No, Ba’al has abandoned you, Duke.” Lord Rigar glowered at the man. “May you be strangled by the same noose you used so many times to silence your enemies.”
“I was the one who rescued your daughter from that prison, or have you so conveniently forgotten this fact? It was not my noose but the noose of the corrupt nobility of Mar Thagroth. I accept whatever fate awaits me, though I doubt it will be as hideous as you imagine. There are many things I know about you and your plans that I’m sure the leaders of our kingdom will find useful. I’m surprised you’re letting me leave. Why not kill me?”
“There, it is shown clearly, the violent thoughts in your mind.” Elendria’s father scoffed. “I am nothing like you. Go back to your foul, conniving life. Go back to harassing your female servants, go back and suffer in your hell of loneliness. At least, I’ll be free from the sight of you.”
The Duke of Wrainton shook his head, unperturbed, then turned to leave. Madam Lassengre cast a spell, and the earth formed a long walkway down to the bottom. Elendria marveled at her power. The two assassins, who had recovered from some sleeping spell, carried Arcturius away. The duke followed, and Elendria was glad to see him gone. She hoped the king would be brutal with the man. She hoped he would suffer for what he’d done.
Drevenia and Hadara glanced at the duke as he left. “I guess this is goodbye, for now,” said Drevenia.
“I wish it wasn’t.” Elendria pursed her lips, refusing to believe it. She had learned so much from them both.
“It is unfortunate you made the decision you did,” Hadara said. “There is much more I wanted to teach you. Now, I’m afraid I won’t be able to continue your education. It is necessary for us to remain neutral. You will have to find your path in life on your own. But somehow, I believe you will. You have a bright and glorious future ahead of you, Elendria. Never forget that.”
“Thank you, both for helping me. It means everything to me.” She gave them both a hug, realizing she was about to cry. “I wish things had turned out differently. I wish you could stay.”
“No, child, our paths lead us a different direction. But one day, we will meet again.” Drevenia narrowed her eyes in concern. “Goodbye, Lady Elendria. Remember the things we taught you. We’ll keep your miners safe.”
“Give my thanks to them,” said Elendria. “And goodbye to you both. May the gods always smile on you.” And may Nenlil keep you safe, she prayed.
The two turned and stalked away into the night. Elendria felt a pang of regret for the choice she’d made. What if she had done the wrong thing? Maybe she’d been meant to stay with them. How would she ever know?
She looked back and found Branwenth staring at Jondran, but he still looked as if he were leaving.
“I’m going with them,” Branwenth said, his eyes angry and disappointed. “You’ve made the wrong choice, and I’m sorry for it.”
“I did the right thing. He wanted to kill Lady Elendria, and I couldn’t allow it. You were here; you saw what Arcturius was doing. Do you deny that?”
“She opposed him and joined her father. What in the name of all that is sacred are you doing, Jondran? The cultists are our enemy!” Branwenth shouted, face red with anger. “You would join the enemy because of a girl? Would you abandon your family and your kingdom because of her? She did murder Prince Silvren. You saw what she did with your own eyes. And now this? If you take this step, if you stay here with her, there is no coming back. I promise you that. Why are you doing this?”
The two looked like they were ready to fight. Branwenth glared at Jondran as if he didn’t know him anymore.
After a tense moment, the prince scoffed at his friend, and Branwenth stormed off into the night. Madam Lassengre looked perturbed at the conflict but turned and left without a word. Why did she go without saying goodbye?
Elendria chased after the sorceress. “Wait a moment. I need to talk to you about something.”
“Well, what is it? Spit it out. I can’t wait here all day.”
Did the sorceress consider Elendria an enemy? Why was she so terse? “Can you see if Maggie and Lysha want to join me? I’m sure Maggie will want to come, at least. Tell her Remi is here.”
Madam Lassengre paused in contemplation. “I will ask them to choose and will provide an escort if necessary. Goodbye, Lady Elendria. Be careful with your father and this new world he is bent on creating. Not all is as it seems.”
“I will be careful. And thank you, Madam Lassengre, for everything you’ve done. I will never forget it.” Elendria bowed to the old sorceress.
The woman gave her a grim, concerned look, but didn’t say anything in return. With that, she left, leaving Elendria with her thoughts and worries. Had she done the right thing in opposing Arcturius? Or should she have joined the wizard in fighting her father and ending whatever fire had been started here? If she had remained loyal to Mar Thagroth, she could have stayed with Prince Jondran and been blessed by the king and the prince’s father. Now, their future was uncertain. What would the prince do if his father and the king called him a traitor?
“We should all rest,” said Lord Rigar, giving Elendria a look of concern. “Today has been very taxing, both emotionally and physically. And you, most of all, need the rest, Prince Jondran, al
ong with the boy. Come with me. We have tents where you can sleep. We can talk in the morning. I’ll try to answer all your questions.”
One of the constructs—another beautiful creation that looked like a cross between a wolf and a human with a shiny silver fur coat and deep emerald eyes, came to help carry Remi. The boy was lifted into the construct’s strong arms, and Elendria thought she noticed an expression of pity on the thing’s feminine face. There was a living soul still inside, and much of it was human, she believed.
She held Prince Jondran’s hand, and they walked together under the starlit sky, feeling how amazing it was to have him at her side. She needed him to deal with this mess and uncertainty.
If the world was ending, then at least they were together. But perhaps the old world was dying, and a new one was rising in its place.
CHAPTER FORTY
When Elendria woke, she glanced around, looking for Jondran and Remi. They had all fallen asleep together, exhausted by the previous day’s events. She left the tent and luxuriated in the soft sun filtering through the forest. It was the scene she had longed to enjoy and had missed during her time in Criswall. The land of Maren Downs held her heart and wouldn’t let go.
She scanned around, and instead of a military camp, she found a rugged camp with no soldiers, no constructs, and no military leadership whatsoever. The place reminded her of camping in the woods with her father. It was quiet and mostly empty except for the prince sitting on a log with Remi. His hands were stretched out toward a low fire cooking stew in an iron pot.
“You woke without me?” she teased, drawing the prince’s attention. Remi also turned and gave her one of his exuberant grins.
“Elendria? Is it you?” The boy ran over and jumped into her arms. He felt so much lighter than he’d felt before and looked thinner. The experience must have been taxing on his body. What had the demon done to him?
“Thank the gods you’re safe and feeling better. I’m surprised to see you so spry.” Elendria knew it would be hard to talk to him about his experience. She wondered what he remembered.
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