She did not weep for the wolf or any one thing in particular. She wept for her brother, for Erec and Taite, for the people who had been killed in these woods, for the elophim and the families they had abandoned so long ago, and for the role she had played in their banishment. She wept for all of humanity, the horror and sorrow they were forced to endure on a daily basis. She wept for everyone and everything. But most of all she wept for her own shame. It hurt. She had never cried like this before and the pain was almost unbearable. She wanted to curl up into a ball and just fade away into the ether. She wondered how humans could endure such pain so often. How did Alaric and the other elophim endure it?
Between her sobs, her ear caught the sound of crunching leaves behind her. In a flash Aura was on her feet, spinning to face the intruder, swords drawn and at the ready. When she stopped she saw a little girl leap back with fright. Aura relaxed and sheathed her swords. She recognized the little girl as one she had seen playing with Taite.
“Are you an angel?” the little girl asked.
Aura nodded. “Yes,” she said. The little girl smiled. “What is your name?” Aura asked.
“Tallah,” the girl said.
“It is nice to meet you, Tallah. My name is Aura. Where is everyone?” Aura asked.
Tallah swallowed and looked down at her feet. “Thems that didn’t get killed by the draks and eaten were taken away.”
“How about the elophim? Alaric?”
Tallah shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Aura stepped over to Tallah and knelt down in front of her. “Is anyone else here besides you?” Tallah shook her head and wiped tears from her eyes. “You are friends with Taite, aren’t you?” Tallah nodded. “Taite is safe.” Tallah’s eyes brightened at the news. “I know where she is. Would you like me to take you?”
“Yes, please,” Tallah said as she nodded.
Aura reached down and lifted Tallah up into her arms. “Hold on, small one,” she said and then flapped her wings and slowly rose into the sky. At first Tallah hid her face, having obviously never been that high off the ground before, but as they flew she eventually gained the courage to peek down.
“We’re so high,” she said.
Aura smiled. She flew slowly—slowly for her, anyway. There was no hurry and she did not want to make this poor little girl sick. They soared over Elophborne and eventually into Avonvale. Tallah marveled at the sights. “Everything seems so small,” Tallah said. “No wonder the angels never come down to help us. They can’t see us from way up here.” Aura had to fight back tears. Seeing this poor, abandoned little girl broke her heart.
“Well, I am here, aren’t I?” Aura asked. Tallah smiled at her and nodded.
After a while they arrived at Castle Greynault. Aura circled the castle several times, spiraling downward so as not to alarm the guards by suddenly landing in the courtyard again. She wanted to give them plenty of time to see her and send for Erec.
By the time Aura fluttered down softly to the ground, Erec, Taite, and their cousins were in the courtyard. Aura released Tallah, setting her softly on the ground. Tallah kissed her lightly on the cheek. “Thank you,” she said and then ran to Taite. Taite hugged the little girl excitedly.
“Did you see my wolf, Valko?” she asked. “Is he alright?”
Aura walked over to Taite and knelt down to look her in the eye. “I am sorry, child, but Valko is dead.” Taite’s eyes went wide and tears began to flow from them. “I found him mortally wounded and there was nothing I could do to help. His last words were asking of you. I assured him you were safe and then he died.” Taite flung her arms around Aura’s neck crying onto her shoulder, taking the seraph aback. Erec walked up behind Taite and picked her up in his arms and kissed his little sister.
“Valko died protecting you,” he said. “It was a worthy death. Be thankful that we are safe—that Tallah is safe.” Taite nodded. Erec kissed her again and then set her on the ground. He looked up at Sephene. “Could you take the little girls inside? I’m sure Tallah would like something to eat and they could both use some more sleep.” Sephene nodded and took each girl by the hand leading her back to the castle.
Erec then turned to Aura. “Alaric?” he asked.
“I do not know. Everyone was gone. The little girl said some were killed and others captured and taken away.”
Breston interjected. “The rumors we get filtering down with refugees from the Stromland is that people are taken north as slaves.”
Erec nodded. “I have heard.” He turned back to Aura. “Will you stay with us?”
Aura opened her mouth to decline. She really needed to return to Auraehalis before she was missed, but something inside of her made her agree. In any event, she wanted to search for Alaric. “Alright,” she said. Erec smiled.
“Good,” he said. “I’ve missed you.” Aura returned his smile. “By the way, why don’t you fly that gently when I’m with you?”
“Because whenever I encounter you, we always seem to be in a hurry,” she said without a trace of humor in her voice.
Erec laughed. “That is true.”
Chapter 18
Edward attempted to steady his hand as he drank from his cup of hot tea. The Black Knight stood just a few feet away and his presence made Edward extremely nervous. Griselda sat in a red velvet cushioned chair, her arms wrapped around Geoffrey as he sat on her knee. Edward glanced over at them as he sipped the tea. Geoffrey was too old to sit in his mother’s lap like a little boy, but she continued to baby him. Edward turned back to Rayfen and offered him a cup, but the Black Knight only shook his head.
“So the attack was a success?” Griselda asked.
“Yes,” Rayfen hissed from beneath his skull shaped mask. “The rebels have been wiped out, all food for the drakmere or slaves heading to the Scorched Mountains.”
“Good,” Griselda smiled.
“And I now have what I need,” Rayfen said.
Edward was curious as to what he meant, but was too afraid to ask.
“What about the elves?” Geoffrey asked out of general curiosity.
Rayfen laughed a hoarse cackle. “The elves, as you call them, are dead,” Rayfen said.
“Dead?” Geoffrey asked, somewhat disappointed.
“Yes, young Prince,” Rayfen said as he bent forward, closer to Geoffrey. “They plotted with the rebels to kill your brother and Her Majesty, Empress Andalynn. I could not let them live.”
“Of course, you know what is best, General,” Geoffrey said.
“And Hansel?” Edward asked but did not look at Rayfen. “Was he captured or killed?”
Rayfen turned to Edward. “He has escaped.” Edward turned back to him quickly.
“Escaped?” he said. “But he is the largest threat to my rule—to Her Majesty’s rule.”
“Someone must have warned him that we were coming because his house was empty.” Rayfen turned to go. “The Valestead Prince was in the forest as well.”
“Yes, Erec and his sister, Taite,” Geoffrey said.
“They escaped.” In a flash, Rayfen was face to face with Edward who took a step back spilling hot tea on his hand and letting loose a yelp.
“I shall make a bargain with all of you,” he said. “You shall not inform Anne about the loss of Alexandeon’s children and I shall not tell her my suspicions about who warned Hansel.” Rayfen looked back at Griselda. “Agreed?” he asked. Edward and Griselda both nodded. “Good, because I do not intend to waste time looking for them. I have what I need. Hansel and Alexandeon’s children are mere distractions.” Then in the blink of an eye he was gone, as if he had simply disappeared.
Edward and Griselda breathed a sigh of relief. Then Edward’s eyes went to Geoffrey. He quickly crossed the room and knelt down to look his little brother in the eye. “This has to be a secret,” Edward said. “Do not tell Anne—I mean—Her Majesty that Erec and Taite were there and got away.”
“Why not?”
“Because it will get Lord Rayfen into trouble. You don�
��t want that do you?”
“If he failed, Her Majesty should know,” he said.
“It will also cause her undue worry,” Edward said.
“You want me to lie to her?”
“No,” Griselda and Edward said in unison. “Just don’t bring it up,” Edward said.
“Please, my love,” Griselda added. “For your mother.”
Geoffrey smiled. “Sure. I can keep a secret.”
Edward smiled and then ruffled his brother’s hair. “I knew you could.” Edward straightened and gave his mother a look of relief. He turned back to the table and set his tea down.
“I am going hunting in the morning and you may not see me for a few days,” Edward said.
Geoffrey leapt from his mother’s lap and rushed to Edward’s side. “Take me, Brother, please.”
Edward smiled down at him. “I would Geoffrey, but Mother would skin me alive for taking you away so soon after you arrived.”
Griselda picked up on the hint. “Yes, my darling, we have so much to catch up on.”
“We can catch up later, Mother,” Geoffrey whined. “Please, Edward.”
Edward wrapped his arm around Geoffrey’s neck and put him in a headlock. “Not this time, little Brother,” he said, “but later—I promise.”
Geoffrey pulled his head loose and frowned up at him, but relented. “Alright,” he said, “but before I return to Avonvale, I want to go hunting with you.”
“Very well, before you leave for Avonvale. I promise.”
Geoffrey smiled.
***
Erec sat at the head of the large, oak table. As the rightful King of Avonvale since the death of his father, he was now in command of the forces at Castle Greynault. To his right sat Breston and to his left sat Aura. Sir Stanlas sat to the right of Breston and Sephene, who had insisted on attending this strategy meeting, sat on Aura’s left. Lady Azaleigh sat at the other end of the table and Staphon sat to her right, between her and Sephene.
Breston was explaining the situation with Sir Terrance to Erec. Erec leaned on his right hand, elbow on the arm of his chair as he listened. When Breston was done he sat back and deferred to his cousin.
“I have a difficult time trusting Sir Terrance in this instance,” Erec said.
“Your Majesty, if I may,” Stanlas said and Erec nodded for him to continue. “Lord Breston, Sir Galt, and I were skeptical as well, but he held up his end of the bargain in helping us defeat the drakmere.”
Erec nodded. “I understand that, Sir Stanlas. However, he was Morgan’s father’s champion and has been loyal to Morgan since his father’s death. I have a difficult time believing he has switched sides so easily.”
“He saved my life, Erec,” Sephene said.
“I understand, but…”
Sephene interrupted. She had tears in her eyes. “I was about to be eaten by a drakmere at the command of that whore, Anne, but Sir Terrance saved me. He told me that you were still alive. He arranged for us to defeat the draks when he could have ambushed us and killed us all. He is on our side.”
Erec nodded. “Alright,” he said.
“No,” Aura said. “It is not alright.” All eyes shot to her. “I understand that you want to believe this Sir Terrance has betrayed his King, but the risk is great. It would be a simple trap to set up—to save you on purpose,” she said nodding to Sephene. “To arrange your trust by slaughtering some expendable drakmere. Then while you are marching to Avonvale they will circle around and destroy Castle Greynault.”
Erec’s eyes went wide. “That is a risk. Taite, Sephene, Staphon, and Merdith will be here. Not to mention Aunt Azaleigh.”
Sephene was shaking her head. “No, I am going with you.”
Aura smiled at her and Sephene returned the smile.
“In any event, we must send mother and the children to safety,” Breston said.
Azaleigh laughed. “Where?” she asked. “Where in the Three Realms would we go? The Stromland is razed. Our former allies in Elophborne have betrayed us. Where should we go?”
Erec shot Aura a look and she knew what he wanted. She shook her head. She was not taking anyone to Dracengard.
“The White Fortress is the safest place in the realm,” Stanlas said.
“Yes, but to get there they would have to travel over how many miles of drak controlled territory?” Erec asked. “That is riskier than leaving them here.”
“Exactly,” said Azaleigh. “Besides I have no intention of leaving my home just because of the possibility that someone will invade. That has always been a possibility.”
“And I intend to join the fight,” Staphon said.
Breston shook his head. “That is out of the question, Staphon.”
“Staphon, you are too young,” Azaleigh said.
Staphon set his jaw. “I am fourteen now.”
“Yes, Staphon, but what did Father tell you?” Breston asked. Staphon looked down at the table. “I need you to remain here with mother.” His eyes shot to Azaleigh’s and she fought back tears. “This war has taken two Lords of Greynault already and it may yet take a third. I need you here to become Lord if I die.”
Staphon nodded reluctantly. “Then I shall stay here and not run and hide with the children,” he said firmly.
Breston nodded. “Alright,” he said.
“That leaves the two girls, Taite and Merdith,” Stanlas said.
“Three,” Erec said. “Wherever we send Taite and Merdith, Tallah is going as well. That little girl has seen enough pain and death to last a lifetime.”
Aura smiled at him. She was proud of him for concerning himself with the peasant girl from another kingdom. He would truly be a good king. “I can fly the little ones to the White Fortress safely,” she said.
Erec smiled at her. “Thank you, Aura.”
“But now we should discuss how to handle this situation,” Aura said. She was a general and accustomed to taking command in military matters. “If it is a trap, he shall probably lead you into Avonvale and crush you there. If he were simply to ambush you on the way, why didn’t he do so when he had a chance before?”
“We divide our forces,” Breston suggested. “One group can wait to see what happens.”
“That is well thought,” Stanlas said. “Unless Sir Terrance is being truthful, then we have let him down and may not have sent a large enough force to retake Avonvale.”
“What if we knew another way into the castle?” Erec said. “A secret way. Breston could lead one force into the city as Sir Terrance suggests, and I can lead the other through a secret tunnel.”
Smiles spread across the table. The plan for retaking Avonvale was forming quickly.
Chapter 19
Metatron stood in the center as the nephilim circled around him. He was unarmed, but the nephilim each held a steel-bladed sword. Metatron turned as his eyes darted from person to person. They finally met Dillan’s.
“What are you waiting for?” the seraph asked. “Kill me.”
The nephilim had rehearsed what came next several times. The signal to begin came from Dillan. He raised his sword and feigned an attack from Metatron’s front. Immediately, Terrwyn and Willem sprung forth from behind the seraph.
Ashleen and Eamon dashed to attack Metatron from the sides, but they did not run to where he was, because they could not move quickly enough. Instead they dashed toward Terrwyn and Willem as they knew that was where Metatron would end up. While they distracted Metatron, Dillan was to take him from behind. The execution, however, did not go quite as planned.
Metatron did charge toward Terrwyn and Willem, however, he was even faster than expected and had dispatched with them well before Ashleen and Eamon reached him. He had snatched up Terrwyn, stripped her sword and then threw her into Willem, sending both to the ground. In a flash, he ran back to Dillan and took his sword from him before Terrwyn and Willem had even hit the ground. He ran back to where Ashleen and Eamon were to attack, holding Dillan’s sword and waiting for them. When they
reached him, he easily blocked Ashleen’s blow and then tripped her so that she fell into Eamon, her greater weight collapsing onto him.
Metatron glanced back at Dillan and did not want him to be the only nephilim left standing, even if disarmed. So, he dashed back to Dillan, scooped him up into his arms and carried him back to where the others lay on the stone floor. There he simply dropped Dillan who fell hard with a thud and a yelp.
Metatron stood, arms crossed over his bare chest, staring at the pupils lying at his feet and shook his head. “You have completely missed the point,” the seraph said. “We are not trying to teach you attack strategy, but rather teach you how to move like a seraph. Even if your attack worked and you defeated me, you still would have failed in the lesson.”
Metatron watched them as they stood, dusting themselves off. Each of his students were dressed similarly in boots, pants, and long sleeved shirts. Metatron tilted his head as he had a thought. “Where do I get my power?” he asked. The nephilim glanced at one another, but did not answer. “Have you learned nothing? Where does a seraph’s power come from?”
“The light,” Eamon said.
Metatron smiled at the boy. “Exactly. We absorb the light through our skin. We are created from the light and without light to regenerate ourselves, we would eventually fade away into nothing.” He uncrossed his arms and spread them wide revealing his bare chest. “Thus, we keep much of our skin exposed when not clothed in armor for battle. You, on the other hand, are covered almost completely. Only your faces, necks, and hands are exposed to the light.”
“But we do not need the light to survive,” Willem said. “We eat food and drink water for sustenance.”
“Yes,” Metatron agreed nodding. “Your human side needs food and water. But your seraph side, the side long dormant, requires light.” His eyes surveyed them. Then the corners of his mouth turned up into a smile. “Come,” he said and spun on his heel. The others glanced at one another and shrugged, but followed Metatron.
***
Terrwyn watched as the dracen flew over the sea and wished she were with them. At Metatron’s instruction, she, Dillan, Willem, Ashleen, and Eamon had flown their dracen to a deserted shore of the island outside of any prying eyes. After the dracen had dropped them off, they flew away following Chaundra up and down the coast and over the sea in their own training.
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