Shattered Destiny

by West, Shay

  Sloan felt his chest constrict when he saw Keera. His heart skipped a beat as she took a long red curl and placed it between her teeth. He loved Keera's guts, spirit, and fire. That was the part of her that reminded him of Valery. But while Valery was filled with hatred and aligned herself with whomever had power, Keera fought with fierce loyalty to her friends, and she fought on the right side.

  “Perhaps we can help with the rescue.” Forka and the Earth Chosen stood around the crude map of the city drawn in the dirt. Gerok showed them where the castle of the Patriarch and the crude stone jail were located, as well as the entrances into and out of the city, the height of the walls, how many men guarded the towers, and other buildings close by.

  “We will have men here, here, and here.” Gerok pointed to areas that seemed to give a good view of the jail from all sides. “We thought to use the Astrans to render us invisible and use their power to create a distraction.”

  Mark frowned and bent down to get a closer look at the map. “With these positions, you leave yourself open to attack. See?” He pointed to several areas where the enemy could use the buildings and alleyways to sneak up on them unaware. “If you position yourselves as such….” Mark took several pebbles and placed them on the map. “You can watch the jail, and you also have men in an area such that they can now watch your back and sound the alarm if the enemy approaches.”

  Gerok turned his head this way and that, wondering why he hadn't seen it before. “I should have seen the blind sides. Thank you,” he said grudgingly.

  “Now that you have more of us at your disposal, perhaps we can plan a better attack,” Mark said, indicating the rest of the Chosen from Earth and Kromin.

  All of the Chosen gathered around the map and took careful note of the changes in their strategy.

  “Is everyone clear on the plan?” Gerok asked at the end of the meeting. “If you have questions or doubts, now is the time to speak up.” When no one said anything, he nodded. “We leave at first light. We should ready our packs before darkness falls.”

  The Astran Chosen took those from Earth and Kromin and showed them a tent where they could bed down for the night. They then said their good-byes, wanting to spend the night with their families.

  Saemus gave his twin a sidelong glance. She had hardly spoken since arriving, and she looked haggard and worried. Moira sat on Kaelin's shoulder, her eyes half closed, enjoying a quick nap.

  “What's bothering you Kae?”

  Kaelin stopped and looked at her brother, onyx eyes filled with tears. “It's our fault those people are dead. If Fa’ Vel hadn't seen us….” She couldn't finish the sentence. The sobs that she had been holding back burst forth in a wail of anguish. “All those people, dead.”

  Saemus wanted to tell her that she was wrong, that it wasn't their fault, only he could not make himself say the words. The same thought had been growing in his mind since hearing the news from Rome.

  “I wished I had never heard of Master Brok or this blasted destiny! He has ruined everything.” Kaelin's body shook with the force of her crying.

  “It isn't fair to blame Master Brok. He had a duty to perform. He did not know what would happen.”

  Kaelin pulled back and her eyes narrowed in fury. “He shouldn't have been here at all! Why couldn't the Gentrans have figured something else out? It isn't fair that they put this on our shoulders. I never asked for it. I don't want it.” Her voice shook. “And now we're supposed to rush off on some daring rescue. What if more of us get killed? I don't want to die, Saemus. Not for this.”

  “I don't want to die either, Kae. But if the Gentrans are right, we are the only ones that can save everyone.”

  “Oh blast it! You are as bad as they are.” Kaelin left in a huff, unwilling to listen to any more talk of destiny and prophets and their duty. I am removing myself from this mess. I will stay behind and try to help the villages rebuild. The rest of them can just figure out how to save the galaxy without me.

  Kaelin was surprised to come across Keera standing alone, leaning against a tree, gazing out at the children playing in a small clearing. Since the Earth Chosen had arrived, she hadn't left Sloan's side. Keera heard her approach and turned. Her blue eyes were filled with tears.

  “It is so hard to believe that we have been gone for years. I can't believe all the damage that man caused, all because of us,” Keera whispered.

  Kaelin was shocked to hear the girl echo her exact thoughts. “I know. Which is why I'm staying behind,” Kaelin said.

  Keera turned to her, a look of incredulity on her face. “You have to come! We're all in this together.”

  Kaelin was stunned. “But you said that this was our fault. How can you still want to help? I think it best if we leave this destiny nonsense behind. It's gotten people killed.”

  Keera gaped at Kaelin. “You can't be serious. It is more important than ever that we fulfill our destiny! And at the same time put a stop to Fa’ Vel and his men. If we don't, they will just keep killing innocent people. And we can't let that happen.”

  “Well, go off and get yourself killed! See if I care.” Kaelin stormed off, angry at Keera's lack of good sense. She turned abruptly and wandered off into the woods, until the sounds of the makeshift village grew quiet. She found a downed tree and sat. She was shaking with anger. Am I the only one that can see reason? She turned at a noise behind her.

  “Hope I'm not interrupting.” Brad Phillips strode through the woods, wearing leather breeches and a white shirt opened at the top. His long hair was tied back with a piece of leather. He held a sliver of wood between his teeth and grinned at Kaelin.

  She felt herself blush under his scrutiny. She brushed her hair back from her face and straightened her clothes. She bit her lip and blushed more when she realized what she was doing. For some reason, she found it difficult to look into his brown eyes for more than a moment.

  Brad sat down next to Kaelin. “I couldn't help but overhear you and the red-head.”

  “I really don't want to talk about it.” Kaelin looked away, strangely ashamed.

  “Well, that's too bad. We're going to talk about it,” Brad said bluntly. “Why do you fight your destiny?”

  “Because I don't want it!” Kaelin snarled, balling her hands into fists in her lap. Hot tears flowed down her face. “I had a future already planned. It included a rich husband, a big house full of children, a village to proudly serve. And look what good has come of this destiny!” She threw her hands backward, indicating the encampment. “My people have been forced to abandon their homes, not to mention those that have been slaughtered because of us. I wish I had never heard of Master Brok, or my destiny, or any of it!” She stood, too agitated to sit still.

  “Why do you blame yourself for what happened? Put the blame on the men who murdered those people.”

  She turned to Brad. “Fa’ Vel killed those people because of what he saw! He saw us disappear into the rock when we entered the portal. If we hadn't been forced to do that, he wouldn't have seen anything, and he wouldn't have killed those people to get to us.”

  “How can you be sure?” Brad chuckled at her look of incredulity. “I mean, how can you be sure that he wouldn't have killed those people regardless of what he saw? The man followed you for a reason, and it didn't have anything to do with you being Chosen.”

  Kaelin frowned. “He was the one that sold Jon to Queen Cheye. He must have been following us from the moment we left the palace.” She looked at Brad. “But that doesn't mean that he would have killed to find us! Most likely, he would have given up the search and gone back to Siswae empty-handed.”

  Brad shook his head. “But you don't know that for certain. The man must have wanted something from you, or else he would have given you away to the Queen before you ever reached the portal. It's possible that his need to find you would have driven him to kill.”

  “Be that as it may. I still don't fancy fighting my way through Fa’ Vel's men to rescue Master Brok. There are plenty of you
. What difference can one person make?”

  Brad's eyes narrowed. “Have you forgotten the scrolls? One person can make a big difference. Tess’ death has caused much turmoil on Gentra. If you abandon those that need you, just imagine what could happen.”

  Kaelin turned to face Brad, her face suffused with anger. “Don't you dare make me feel guilty! I never wanted any part of this.”

  “Want it or not, you are a part of this,” Brad said softly, moving toward her.

  Kaelin let him put his arms around her. Her first instinct was to fight him, but as soon as she felt his warmth, she leaned against him, her body wracked with sobs. She felt as though the force of her battling emotions would rip her apart.

  He simply held her and stroked her hair, murmuring soothing words. “Grieve for those who are gone. But do not abandon those that are still alive and need you. There is no greater honor than fighting to protect those in need.”

  Kaelin could not say how long she spent wrapped in Brad's arms, but eventually her crying subsided and she reluctantly pulled away. Her eyes were puffy, and she felt drained and numb.

  “When you spoke earlier about protecting those in need…what did you mean?” she asked, her voice hoarse.

  “We Chosen from Earth are part of a group called the Protectors. We fight and protect the Jhinn, a peaceful people trying to raise families in the presence of God. There are two groups that raid the encampment, stealing food and supplies and kidnapping people to take back to their camps for sport.” Brad's eyes narrowed as he spoke of the Horde and the Cowboys. “The Protectors fight the enemy so that the Jhinn can live in relative peace.”

  Kaelin looked at Brad, one eyebrow raised. “It falls to a select few to do the fighting? It seems a little unfair to me. Why don't the people help in the fighting? Maybe if they did, the Horde and the Cowboys would leave them alone.”

  Brad shook his head. “You do not understand. The people do fight when necessary. But they are not fighters. They are farmers. The Protectors all have good fighting skills, and they are proud to use these skills to help protect the Jhinn. Any of the Protectors would gladly give their life to save the Jhinn.”

  “How dangerous is it, being a Protector?”

  “There's always a danger of dying.”

  Kaelin shook her head. “I suppose this destiny thing is pretty easy for you. You're used to fighting.”

  “Of course it isn't easy. The people I care about are in danger.”

  Kaelin met his eyes, sensing a heat behind his words that send her pulse racing.

  “The Protectors do not marry, nor do they father children. If they choose to do so, they have to leave the bunkhouse and live as one of the Jhinn. They can't go on raids or fighting missions. Only a few have left. Protectors serve for life.”

  “Not allowed to marry? That's a shame.” She hoped that he could not see her blush in the deepening dusk.

  Any further talk was cut short by the arrival of Jon Stone, who curtly told the pair that supper was ready. He followed closely behind Kaelin and Brad, anger and resentment growing with each step. Why am I not good enough? What does she see in him? Jon stared daggers at Brad's back, wishing that the man would stumble and make a fool of himself.

  Brad was aware of the boy's animosity and tried to hide a grin. He could remember being young and hopelessly in love. The girl's name was Anette, and she had long blonde hair and big brown eyes and curves that her dowdy dresses did little to hide. Anette knew the effect she had on the boys and used it to get what she wanted, which was usually to avoid some boring chore. A smile here, a bat of an eye there, and a gentle touch was all that she needed to have the boys rushing to fulfill her every whim.

  Brad chuckled at the memory. He had flocked to her, drawn by her milky skin and soft voice. He had been furious when he'd caught her using her charms on another boy. He'd confronted her once, professing his undying love for her, only to have her laugh and claim she wasn't ready for something serious. He had sulked after that and tried to stay away from her, convinced that she would miss him and come calling, but she never did.

  Brad looked to Kaelin and saw that she was aware of the animosity coming from Jon and that she was not happy about it. There were spots of angry red in her cheeks, and her hands balled into fists. I can't blame the boy. She is stunning. There had been other women since Anette, but none had captured his heart enough to make him want to leave the Protectors. When he looked at Kaelin, he saw the possibility of a life that didn't involve endless fighting and danger. A life that revolved around plowing the fields, taking care of livestock, and fathering children.

  The others had gathered in groups around a campfire, awaiting their turn to approach the great bubbling kettle hanging over the fire. He looked to his comrades and felt a spasm of sadness constrict his chest at Tess’ absence. Brad glanced at Sloan and tried to shut down the flash of anger that came next. It did no good to dwell on the past. They had to look to the future.

  ASTRA

  “I DON'T SEE HOW you think that the lot of you can just go marching off to Faerow and rescue Brok.” Rome Collins tried to dissuade the group one last time. He had reluctantly agreed to lend them horses for the journey and had also provided provisions, even though the people living in the mountains could spare none. Winter would soon be upon them, and they would be forced to live on what hunters could kill and what few fruits and vegetables they had remaining.

  Jon, his anger boiling from watching Brad help Kaelin adjust the stirrups on her roan gelding, flicked his hand, smiling at the gasps of disbelief from those that had gathered to see them off as he disappeared from view

  “Fa’ Vel won't know we are there,” Jon said, letting go of his power and coming back into view. He was tired of the man and his doubts. Jon did not relish the thought of a fight with Fa’ Vel and his men, but he wanted to be doing something, anything but sitting here and watching Brad fawn over Kaelin.

  “And why use all of our resources to rescue that old man? He brought this on himself, you know. What are we to do when the snows come?” Raye Fires spoke from just behind Rome, as if using the Village Council leader as a shield.

  Gwen turned to the man, rage evident on her face. “How dare you—” She was interrupted by the murmuring of the crowd, emboldened by Raye's outburst.

  “The man has a point. We have our own kin to look after. It ain't right, sending away good horses and provisions that should remain here,” a voice said, drowned out by shouts of encouragement and agreement.

  Gwen was stunned to see the villagers turn on Master Brok so quickly. She could see that many did not agree with Raye, but they averted their eyes and kept silent.

  “You have your own kin to look after, is that it?” Gwen said, waddling to a stump and crawling up so that she could at least try to see whom she was talking to. “Master Brok has been in our village for more name days than many of you have seen. He has seen to your hurts, healed your sick, tended to your wounded.”

  She whirled and pointed a finger at Raye, shaking with fury. “If it wasn't for Brok, you‘d be dead! He cured you of the sleeping sickness.” Gwen felt vindicated when she saw the man have the decency to blush and look away.

  “And you!” She pointed to a young woman standing nearby, holding the hand of a young child. “Master Brok aided you in your difficult birth. If it wasn't for him, neither one of you would have survived.”

  Gwen continued her tirade, singling out those whom Brok had saved over his long life of serving the village. To Gwen, it no longer mattered that he was from another planet and that he had been in the village under somewhat false pretenses. She realized none of it mattered. The man had served the village as Mystic for many years and had never failed in his duty to look after the spiritual and physical health of those that lived in Heart Stone. Gwen felt tears run down her cheeks when she imagined what Fa’ Vel and his men were doing, and would do, to the man she had come to love and respect.

  Her arguments had the desired effect. The tow
nsfolk stood ashamed before her reminders of Brok's unfailing duty to the village. Gwen turned and was surprised to see all of the Chosen surrounding her. She had not even been aware they had come to stand behind her, lending their numbers and their support to her message. Gwen smiled at Keera, who had tears drying on her freckled cheeks. Keera gave her friend a grin.

  Gwen jumped down off the stump and found Rome Collins standing before her.

  “You are right, of course. But you must understand our position here. I have been appointed the leader of all of those that have come here and it would not be right of me to put them in danger for the sake of one man.” He sighed and rubbed his face, which now held a full beard. His face was heavily lined and he looked exhausted. “I have known most of you since you were born, and I know I should trust you, and yet….” He looked to the other Chosen. “I know that Brok isn't responsible for the things that Fa’ Vel accuses him of, and yet there are strange things that lend credibility to what the mad man says.”

  “Part of what the man says is true.” Saemus came forward, ignoring the scathing looks of Gerok, who feared what the boy was going to tell Rome. “There is danger coming to Astra.”

  “What do you mean? That is what Fa’ Vel has been saying,” Rome said.

  “There is danger coming, but it isn't from Master Brok or us. We are the ones who can stop it. I know it is hard to understand, but you have to trust us. We can't tell you any more, but we promise that we will make things better. We will fix this.”

  “So what do you suggest we do?” Rome asked.

  “Stay here. We will return with Brok and put an end to Fa’ Vel and his men. Then you can all return home,” Saemus said, hoping he sounded more certain than he felt.

  “May the good Spirits guide you and keep you safe on your journey,” Rome said, gripping Saemus’ hand in his own.

  Saemus nodded, not quite trusting himself to speak. He was frightened of the coming fight. He did not delude himself that they would be able to rescue Master Brok without one. The last fight had taken them all completely by surprise, and the Astran Chosen had acted on instinct, not really having the time to think about it. Now they knew what they were walking into, and it made for a much different experience.