by Kailin Gow
Rose strained to listen in on his thoughts. But she felt nothing. Had Logan put up his mental block against her once again?
“Very well,” Logan said slowly. “I believe you.” He turned to Rose. “Your magic is strong,” he said, with a curious shaking in his voice. “The magic of true Fey.” He gave her a bitter smile. “I would have helped if I could have done, of course – but you know us Wolves. Our magic isn't strong enough for that.” He turned his face from her and she could not see his pain. “But one question remains, Rose. If the Sorceress has left Alistair's body – where is she now?”
Chapter 18
But before the others could respond to Logan's question, a terrible shake began to make the mountains tremble. Stones began to tumble down the mountainside in an avalanche; the sky lit up with bolts of lightning, accompanied by savage rolling thunder. The group looked up in horror. What was going on?
“Look!” Rose cried, as several small cracks began to appear in the mountainside. Cracks leading down into darkness, into a deep and dank cave. Rose craned her neck closer to see in, and gasped at what she saw. Familiar shadows were emerging from the deep – witches and banshees, even Giants were making their way from the depths. Rose's heart stood still. She knew these figures well. These were the Dark Hordes.
“But how...” Rose whispered.
Alistair looked devastated. “It's my fault,” he said, his voice shaking, “if I hadn't read that book, we wouldn't have unleashed the Sorceress, and now she's free to unleash the Dark Hordes once again.”
“We'll have to fight them off,” Logan said gruffly.
“We're outnumbered!” Shasta exclaimed. “We wouldn't hold them off for long, even if we were fighting at full strength.” She shuddered as her eyes focused on the figures coming towards them. Last time, it had been she that summoned them – and only by returning them to the depths had she been able to attain some measure of redemption. But now she watched that redemption fall apart, shatter in a single moment. All that they had sought to do was destroyed in an instant. The Sorceress was back – ready to destroy Feyland.
“We'll need help,” said Logan, frowning. He leaped forward and raised his face upwards to the sky, howling furiously. His howl was soon echoed by hundreds, and then thousands, of others – the howl of all the wolves who had heard his heroic cry. He turned to Rodney and Shasta. “We'll need Summer and Winter knights, as many as we can muster. Can you do that?”
“We can try,” said Rodney, but his face betrayed his uncertainty.
Shasta touched her necklace, her mother's heirloom. Immediately it began burning bright – brighter than anything Rose had ever seen. The blue jewel was like a beacon, calling for help, summoning all of Feyland.
“The suns,” Logan said. “We need to do something to resurrect them. Otherwise the Dark Hordes will just come back. Without the suns, it's useless. We'll be able to fight off a few soldiers, but we won't be able to keep the Dark Hordes back forever. The Sorceress is clever.” Alistair and Rose looked at one another. They both knew in their hearts how strong the Sorceress's magic could be – after all, Alistair had experienced it. This was no child's game, no quest for a young up-and-coming knight to cut his teeth on. This was war – a war harder even than the darkest days of the Fey battle. So far, it seemed, the Sorceress had only been playing with them, lulling them into a false sense of security. Now she was ready to fight, and to kill them all. After all, had she not managed to bring down not just one sun, but two? Plunge all of Feyland into darkness? What made them think that they would be able to resist her?”
“Some of the Sorceress's knowledge stayed with me,” Alistair said slowly, “when she left. When she was in me, she could control my thoughts – but I could also hear hers. And I know what she's most afraid of. She's afraid of those suns – of their magic. A magic that can only be created by the combination of all the magic in Feyland itself. The very magic that keeps Feyland going from day to day.”
“The Sorceress!” Rose said suddenly, so suddenly it even surprised herself. “She's been lying to us. Thinking that she was there in Alistair. Thinking it was her in Panthea. But these are just spirits she sends forth – parts of herself. Not the whole, real thing.”
Alistair and Logan turned to Rose in surprise. “How do you know that?” Logan furrowed his brow.
“I...I don't know...” Rose fumbled for her words. “When I was reading the book aloud back there – something happened. Something that let me free Alistair. Something that gave me...all of a sudden, it's like I know things. Know her.”
“The book made you feel things?”
“I felt it!” Rose nodded. “The book – it's like it spoke to me or something. It's not just a normal book. It was forged by the very magic of the Sorceress herself. You see, all of those appearances we've seen so far – they're not real. They're only shadows that come from her. Because that's one of her titles. The Sorceress is called the Queen of Shadows – she uses these shadow-selves to split her soul apart and appear in hundreds of places at once, creating terror and chaos without ever risking being there in person. We haven't even met her yet – even though she knows us.” Rose sighed. “Her powers are so strong – stronger than we ever thought possible. All that we've seen – those are the powers of her shadows, nothing more. The book warned about this, about her wrath. She's using these shadows to test us – waiting for the right moment to show up.” She looked around. The Dark Hordes were getting closer.
Rodney and Shasta had joined hands, and a flame-colored light appeared from their union. It was the light of Summer, which Rodney was controlling, using his love for Shasta to channel his magic into a single, strong cone of light. Strong enough, they hoped, to lure the Summer Knights towards them. They could hear the trumpeting of horns in the distance – the sound, Rose knew, of the Winter Knights' approach. They had seen Shasta's blue light and were now on their way. Their wings were strong, Rose knew – they would not have to walk as she and the others had done, but would be able to fly to the mountain. Already she could hear the beating of wings in the air. The howls of wolves, too, betrayed another arrival: that of Logan's pack.
Rose recognized the woman at the head of the wolves. This was Josephine, Logan's cousin and friend, and a leader of one of the most powerful Wolf clans. Someone who wasn't to be trifled with. Rose couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as Josephine, glorious and gorgeous in her power, shook her tawny mane, her muscular arms rippling as she howled in response to Logan's call. With women like that among the Wolves, Rose thought, why did Logan ever look among the Fey for his love?
“We're ready for action!” Josephine said, bounding over to Logan. “What's the problem?”
“It's worse than we thought,” Logan sighed. “The Hordes. Somehow they're back. The Sorceress...”
“Then the stories are real.” Josephine looked grim. “We've heard rumors before now, but we weren't sure. So many stories floating...”
“The Sorceress is back,” said Logan. “And she's sent forth the Hordes.”
But they were interrupted by another set of trumpets. This time the approaching figures were not wolves but fairies – a whole host of familiar faces. In the sky Rose could make out the glorious wings of Feyland's finest fighters – the silvery blue of Winter and the fiery gold of Summer alike. At the head of the army flew Breena and Kian, their faces serious and determined, their wings splendid as they illuminated the dark sky. Rose could make out other familiar faces – Barnaby, other knights she knew from the Summer and Winter Courts – but it was the sight of Breena and Kian that warmed her most. The two of them had fought back the Hordes once before – why should they not be able to do it again? They were the Frost Fire knights – the most powerful fairies in all of Feyland.
Rose noticed how Logan bounded to his feet at the sight of Breena, his face shining with happiness and love. She bit back her envy. Now isn't the time, she told herself. Not now. But there was no doubt in her mind that Logan's love for Breena was as s
trong as ever. Why should she be surprised, she told herself bitterly? Had she thought that during this adventure, during their quest, he had begun to wean himself off from this love? Never.
“We came as quickly as we could,” said Kian. “The symbol of Frost Fire – blue and gold light – was enough to lure us in.”
Blue and gold light. The magic they had used to free Alistair! No wonder they had gotten here so quickly, Rose thought.
“We were in the middle of a diplomatic meeting with the Pixies,” said Breena. “Not as far as we might have been. The Pixies' palace isn't too far off from here.”
“Negotiating.” Delano stepped up behind Breena, his voice light with irony. “It appears our Breena hasn't lost her touch since becoming Queen.” He tried to keep his tone jocular, but Rose saw the longing in his eyes. So, he too was in love with Breena. Rose smiled bitterly. The Pixie King and the Fairy Queen – what a combination! But Delano's mournful expression vanished and was replaced with a more business-like countenance. “Is it the Hordes? Are they back?”
He was answered by the roaring of the mountain. It cracked from side to side with a loud rumbling, and the gang could see more figures emerge from the shadows within.
“We've found the suns,” said Logan, pointing to the charcoal balls that lay in the middle of the pit. “But right now they're pretty useless. We'll need to use all of Feyland's magic to restore the suns.”
“So, this is all that's left of our beloved suns...” Delano scowled as he approached the crater. “So, this is what has become of all that we hold or held dear. Yes, you're right – it would be difficult to restore them from this state. Even impossible. We'd need great magic – not just fairy magic, mind you, but Pixie skill as well. The ancient magic of Feyland, that came before the division of its creatures into different tribes of creature.”
“Whatever magic we need,” said Shasta, “we'd better use it pretty quickly” She drew her sword, breathing in deeply. “They're coming closer.” As she spoke, one of the Dark Hordes – an enormous Minotaur – swooped down upon their camp, neatly goring one of the Centaurs – arrived with the Fey – with its tusks.
“Get back!” cried Kian, brandishing his sword. But as he stabbed the Minotaur, he looked back in horror. His sword had gone clean through the creature, which seemed to have transformed into mere shadow. “They've attained new power,” he cried. “It's not safe, get back!”
“Rose!” Breena cried, rushing towards them, “Alistair! You have to use your magic. You two are the most powerful magicians in Feyland – you know what to do. We need to restore the suns; it's the only way. We can't fight them off the normal way – without the suns, we'll be slaughtered!”
Rose and Alistair approached the crater, reciting all the spells they knew. They concentrated their Summer energy on the suns, and saw that a few pale sparks were emerging from the lifeless balls of sun.
“It's not enough,” cried Rose. “We need all of you to do it with us – Summer, Winter Fey, Pixie Wolf – everything together...come on!”
But she looked up in horror as she saw what had retarded the rest. Another crack had appeared in the opposing mountain – one far larger than the one in the mountain nearest them. Rose shuddered in terror. More Hordes were approaching – each more fearsome than the last. They were truly outnumbered.
Chapter 19
The battle was raging all around them. Kian and Breena quickly found that the Dark Hordes could only attack when they had taken material form – their shadowy selves, though unable to be killed, could also not kill – and this realization allowed them to survive a little longer than they had feared. Kian was able to wave his sword into the air, slashing the wind, and by so doing force the Hordes back to some degree. But they knew it was hopeless. Even Rose knew it, as she hurriedly chanted the same spells over and over, willing something more than sparks to appear in the suns. She and Alistair were holding hands, now, their connection stronger than ever as the pulse of fairy magic ran through them both. Breena and Delano, Rose noted, were fighting back to back, warding off the Dark Hordes together. She remembered bitterly that Delano had once been her enemy and theirs – like Shasta, he had helped to bring the Dark Hordes into the world. But now he was redeemed, fighting along Breena as – if not a lover – then nevertheless a friend, an ally to all Fairy kind. Rose looked up to see Rodney and Shasta fighting alongside the other Frost Fire knights, expressions of determination on her face. Logan too was some distance off, fighting with Josephine against a coterie of banshees whose screeches made Rose's ears bleed.
“It's just the two of us then,” Rose said shakily. She knew that as long as the others were distracted by the fighting, they would not be able to join the circle – the magic would never work.
“Don't lose heart,” said Alistair. “We're so close. We've made it all the way out here to find the suns. The Sorceress – she's desperate now. She knows how close we are – how close we are to restoring the suns and destroying her power forever. She knows – that's why she's doing this. She's scared. We've scared her. We have to hold on to that.” The suns were getting a bit brighter now, glowing a faint but unmistakable shade of red, growing in size. Rose's heart leaped. Could their magic be working?
“We need more people,” said Rose. “Even if it means stopping fighting – we need Breena.” She rushed to Breena's side, whispering the plan in her ear. “Right now it's more important to have magicians than fighters – we need anyone with magic to use it – now.” Rose saw Breena look up at Kian – a knowing look passed between them. Telepathy, Rose thought. Rodney and Shasta too communicated in the same way, and Rose felt a pang. Telepathy was the provenance of lovers, she knew – but hadn't she felt that same connection with Logan? Whatever it was, it certainly was gone now.
Delano, Breena, and the others approached the circle.
“You need to give your magic to the suns,” said Rose. “Just hold our hands and focus. Pixie magic, Fey magic – all together. We need to tap into the ancient magic of Feyland.”
“We wolves don’t have that magic to give,” Logan said grimly. “We’ll fight them off while you restore the suns. Now go!”
“Not alone!” Breena cried. “It'll be a bloodbath.”
Logan said nothing, but only nodded as he walked off to join Josephine and their wolves. It was a suicide move, Rose knew, her heart stopping as she cast her eyes over Logan's firm and stiff expression. Sacrificing himself to keep them safe enough to perform the magic. Tears sprang to her eyes.
“We have to start now,” Alistair pulled at her hand.
They all held hands, Rose and Alistair leading them as they gave over the power of their magic to the suns. Slowly the suns began burning brighter – not only with the red glow of summer but also with the silver of winter and the green color of the pixies, growing in size. Rainbow-colored flames began to lap at the balls of charcoal – flames that shone with magic.
Out of the corner of her eye Rose could see the wolves fighting a losing battle against the Dark Hordes, their red blood staining the earth as one by one, they dropped to the ground, dying in the service of the cause.
Is this what always happens? Rose wondered. The wolves – dying for the Fey? She was awestruck by their bravery.
“Keep fighting!” Logan was calling out. “Don't hang back. If we die, we die in the service of Feyland. We have to hold them off until the suns are restored or everyone in Feyland, dies.” His wolves howled in assent – they too were brave enough to sacrifice their lives, not just for Breena, but for all of Feyland.
Now Logan was on the front line – the next to fight the Hordes, the next to be slaughtered...
“No!” Rose whispered. “Please, no...”
But to her surprise a female figure pushed Logan out of the way, receiving a Minotaur's horn straight in the stomach: a killing blow. “No!” It was Logan's turn to cry aloud in agony. Rose watched as Josephine crumpled to the ground, an expression of stern defiance on her face. Her relief at Lo
gan's survival mingled with her pain: Josephine had sacrificed her life for her cousin. Would Rose have been as brave, she wondered?
But there was no time to look back now. She and the other Fey were chanting aloud, chanting words that Rose spoke, that seemed to come not from Rose's conscious mind but from the depths of her being, shaking her to the core. Words in a tongue she did not know and could not understand – a power that went beyond her own knowledge, her own understanding.
And suddenly the balls of light were glowing brighter – the multi-colored flames pouring into the core of the suns. They began to rise from their position in the crater, growing larger and larger as they floated upwards, their penetrating rays shining forth over the Dark Hordes.
“It's working...” Rose whispered. “We're doing it...” As she spoke these words, she was gripped with an intense burning warmth that radiated through her entire body until it shot forth a single pure white flame, reaching up to hit the core of the suns. It was the final flame that was needed to ignite the suns once again.
