Can I afford to turn down help, even if it’s from her?
He tried not to dwell on the question as they flew. Minutes passed by in slow succession, and Hal found a partially destroyed, abandoned farm to set Karnas down next to. He slid off the dragon and stretched, scanning the grassy hills on the horizon for any approaching threats.
He moved to stand next to Zoria, unsure of what to say, or how to thank her for what she’d done. Her expression was troubled, and her brown hair was messy from the intense wind of the dragon flight.
“Are you okay?” asked Hal.
She shrugged, and then shook her head slightly. “Tessianna will act against my family. It was a stupid thing I just did, even if it was for your sake, master.”
Hal wasn’t sure what to say to that. He considered what he could do for her for a couple of seconds before remembering something.
“I still have a view crystal,” said Hal. “I picked it up from the valkyries Tessianna sent to the homestead. Would it help, if you could use it to contact them?”
“That… would help,” said Zoria. “Thank you.”
Hal handed her the crystal, and she disappeared inside the partially burnt down ranch house for privacy. He headed back toward Karnas, unsure of whether he could afford to take the time to wait. Meldence might already be under attack. He needed to get to Laurel as soon as possible.
“Halrin,” said Cadrian. “What is your plan from here?”
“I don’t see how it concerns you,” said Hal.
“I want to help,” said Cadrian. “I need to help. I don’t have a choice, now that I’ve shown Tessianna my true colors.”
“The only reason I heard you out is because you said Tessianna had hostages,” said Hal. “I’m not interested in having you in my life again. You’re lucky that I’m not trying to kill you right now.”
It felt petty and immature to say out loud, but it was the truth. She’d caused him so much pain, and he’d dreamed of revenge for so many nights.
“I’m sorry,” said Cadrian. “For everything I’ve done.”
Hal was surprised by how much her apology affected him. She’d never apologized to him before, not for what she’d done to his family. Not for anything, really. Her voice had a tremor of emotion to it, and she was meeting his eyes. It made him furious.
“You’re sorry?” asked Hal. “Really? That’s worth less than nothing to me. Cadrian, Elyse, whatever your name is. I don’t care if you’re sorry.”
“I did what I did for my family,” said Cadrian. “For my sisters. I won’t push the point. All that I ask is that you consider what you would have been willing to do… for your family. To protect them. I don’t expect you to forgive me.”
Hal had turned away from her. He could feel pointless tears welling in the corners of his eyes. He felt like a child, his emotions getting the better of him at the worst possible moment. He walked away from her, his anger and frustration refusing to abate even as he climbed onto Karnas’s back.
What right does she have to apologize to me? To try to explain herself… Why?
“Halrin,” called Zoria. She ran over to catch him before he took flight, passing the view crystal up to where he sat.
Hal took a breath, calming himself a little before looking at her. “Is your family okay?”
“They’re fine,” said Zoria. “And they’re going into hiding. Somewhere they’ll be safe.”
“Good,” said Hal.
“What’s your next move?”
Hal hesitated. He wasn’t entirely sure Zoria would be onboard for what he was about to suggest. She still had loyalties, both to her family and her homeland. This wasn’t just about defeating the Empress, but completely changing the very nature of the Upper Realm and its dynamic with the surface.
“I know of a way to end this,” he said. “To bring the Upper Realm down. In a… literal sense.”
“You mean, to crash it into the surface?” Zoria set her hands on her hips, her head already beginning to shake from side to side.
“Not crash it,” said Hal. “Look, I don’t have time to explain right now. If you trust me, and if you would help me, wait here. I need Karnas to be as light as possible to make it the rest of the way back to Meldence as fast as I can. But I’ll come back once I’ve made sure Laurel is safe and explain everything.”
“Hal…” said Zoria. “I… I can’t betray my family.”
“I won’t ask you to,” said Hal. For some reason, he had the sudden urge to glance in Cadrian’s direction. She was watching him carefully, the same way she had during so many of his training sessions. It felt like another lifetime ago. “I’ll be back,” he finished.
Karnas let out a small roar, and Hal tapped him on the neck, signaling him to return to flight. Early morning fog had coalesced in a distinct layer and he took advantage of it, flying Karnas lower and further inward toward Meldence than he would have usually been able to. There wasn’t much distance to cover, and it didn’t take long. Karnas set Hal down on the edge of the city.
“Can you be ready and watching?” asked Hal. “I’m not sure what the situation will be, when we leave.”
“Wait… for you,” said Karnas. “Find… Lolo.”
“I will.” Hal rubbed Karnas’s head, feeling incredibly grateful that the dragon was back on his side.
Karnas took to the air again, and Hal headed for the city wall. He circled around, finding the same crack in the wall that he and Cadrian had initially snuck out through. He doubted that she’d told Tessianna about it, but made a mental note to let the guards or Maxim Cedric know about the chink in the city’s armor, just in case.
Nobody was out on the streets, and it gave the city an eerie, abandoned feel. Hal’s footsteps on the stone pavement seemed like a loud intrusion on the quiet of the morning. Even the soldiers up on the wall and on patrol were silent, though part of it seemed due to the way the fog dampened sound.
He wasn’t stopped or asked any questions on the way into the castle, which was both a concern and a relief. He wasn’t sure the guards would have accepted him for who he was, given how little time he’d spent around Meldence recently, but the fact that they didn’t notice a relative stranger in their midst said something about the quality of their defenses.
It was still early enough that Hal expected to find Laurel in her chambers on the second floor. He wasn’t practiced at navigating the confusing hallways of the castle, but he managed to find it after a few minutes. The door wasn’t locked, and he slipped in without knocking.
Laurel was already up. She was naked, and in the process of toweling herself off. She smiled when she saw Hal, not immediately moving to cover herself. He felt his face flush and turned to look at the wall, trying not to see the afterimage of her small, perky breasts and petite body.
“Sorry,” said Hal.
“It’s alright,” said Laurel. “You’ve seen me naked before, after all.”
He had, and perhaps he needed the reminder. He’d almost let himself fall back into the trap of treating her like Lilith. She wasn’t Lilith, and their relationship had evolved in the time they’d known each other. Laurel gave him another reminder as she walked over, still naked, wrapping her arms around him in a hug from behind. He could feel the points of her nipples pressing into the back of his shirt.
“You broke your promise,” whispered Laurel.
Hal turned around. “Sorry,” he said. “That’s twice I’ve apologized to you in the span of a minute.”
He kissed her, and felt her nude body moving against his. He wanted her, but there was no time, no matter how his arousal tried to justify it.
“Laurel,” he said. “Things are happening fast. The elven army is on the move, headed for Meldence.”
Laurel stiffened against him. She pulled back, managing to look surprisingly confident, and still very naked. Her wet hair fell in loose, blonde locks across her shoulders. She started pulling clothes on, a golden tunic and black leggings she’d set out across her bed.
“How soon will they reach the city?” she asked. She spoke in the voice he’d heard her using with her bodyguard. The voice of Ambassador Ancina, rather than the Laurel he knew and loved.
“I’m not sure,” said Hal. “And that’s not all. I discovered something. Last night, I went with Cadrian to meet with Tessianna, the Empress’s daughter and the commander of their army on the surface.”
Laurel frowned, though Hal wasn’t sure at which part. “By Mystra, Hal, would you put yourself into the enemy’s hands like that?”
“It was necessary,” he said. “And it led me to this.” He pulled out the memory crystal and showed it to her.
“What is that?” asked Laurel.
“I’ll explain to you and Maxim Cedric both,” said Hal. “Is he up? Or can you wake him, if not?”
Laurel nodded. “There’s something you should know. Your brother arrived at the castle with his party late last night.”
My brother? Mauve…
“Where is he?” asked Hal.
“Probably meeting with the Maxim right now,” said Laurel. “Come on.”
CHAPTER 26
Hal waited for Laurel to finish dressing, and then walked beside her as they headed through the castle. He wasn’t as tired as he felt like he should have been, as though the time he’d spent in Jessa’s sanctum had had a rejuvenating effect on him.
True to Laurel’s prediction, they encountered Mauve and the others in his group just before reaching the Maxim’s chamber. Hal froze as he met Mauve’s eyes. He could recognize his old friend, now. Before, the scars and burns had stolen his attention. Now, he could see Mauve’s confident posture, the tiny smile he so often wore on his face, and the way he kept one hand resting on his sword in a classic duelist’s stance.
“Mauve,” said Hal.
“Hal,” said Mauve.
They stared at each other for a few silent seconds, and then both simultaneously pulled the other into a hug. Too much had happened and was happening for them to stay mad at each other.
“I’m sorry,” said Mauve. “The way things went before… I let myself get too angry. It’s been a problem of mine, these past few months.”
“It’s alright,” said Hal. “So much has happened.”
Mauve gripped his shoulder and held his gaze, his expression serious. “I trust you, Halrin. And after speaking with your, uh, what is he called again? Maximus?”
“Maxim,” corrected Laurel.
“Right. I understand more of the situation now.” Mauve gave a quick, grimacing nod. “The dragons are not the real enemy. It’s the elves.”
“It’s not the dragons, or the elves,” said Hal. “Well, it is, but it isn’t. The real enemy is the power imbalance that makes it possible for them to attack our cities without us being able to do the same in return. Mauve… I have a plan that might solve all of this. Will you help me?”
Mauve smiled, but there was more regret in the expression than joy.
“I’m sorry, Halrin,” he said. “I came here on an expedition, not knowing what I’d find. If it were only me, I would agree without hesitation. But I have to think of the others.”
Hal nodded. Mauve’s refusal disappointed him a little, but he’d made the suggestion without really considering it. How would Karnas have reacted to traveling with Mauve, after what had happened between them? He wasn’t sure that he could explain the misunderstanding to the dragon in a way that would have satisfied him.
“I understand,” said Hal.
“I’m leaving with them, Halrin,” said Mauve. “I would give almost anything to stay longer, to catch up with you properly, but I can’t risk their lives.”
Hal nodded. “This won’t be the last time we see each other, old friend.”
“Make that a promise,” said Mauve. “We’ve already run the idea of setting up waypoints across the desert to allow for easier travel between Krestia’s Cradle and the Collected Provinces. When all of this is over, promise me you’ll come back to the Collected Provinces.”
From the corner of Hal’s eye, he noticed Laurel stiffen slightly, the smallest of frowns flashing across her face. It only lasted for an instant, as though she felt guilty about wanting him to stay. Oddly, it almost made Hal want to smile, and sweep her into his arms.
“I will,” said Hal. “But only to visit. I think this land has become more of a home to me, now.”
“I respect that.” Mauve ran a hand over one of the scars running across his hairless scalp. “I wish we had more time. It’s been ages since I’ve practiced the Kye Lornis.”
A grin crept onto Hal’s face. “I think you’d find that I’ve picked up a few moves in the time I’ve been away,” he said. “The maug in Krestia’s Cradle have proved worthy opponents.”
“That sounds like a challenge, Halrin,” said Mauve. “I haven’t fallen off, in case you were wondering.”
“The Kye Lornis circle will be the judge of that,” said Hal.
“Halrin,” said Laurel, setting a hand on his shoulder. “Time is of the essence.”
“…Right.” He looked at Mauve, knowing he had to say goodbye, and not knowing how to say it.
“We’ll see each other again,” said Mauve.
“We will,” Hal echoed.
They clasped hands in parting, and then Hal and Laurel passed by Mauve’s group in the hall. He would see Mauve, his brother, again. And the fact that they’d left it like that, on as good of terms as ever, gave him new strength to draw from.
“He reminds me of you,” said Laurel.
“We aren’t related by blood,” said Hal.
“That’s not what I mean. It’s in the way he stands. You can tell he’s carrying something with him, this hidden weight. But he’s learned to carry it, for himself and for the people around him.”
Her hand closed around Hal’s and she gave an affectionate squeeze. She only let go as they walked up the stairs that led to the door to the Maxim’s bedchamber. The guards recognized her, as they had before, and opened the door without saying a word.
Maxim Cedric looked worse than he had the previous day. He was propped up on pillows, and though his eyes were still alert and intelligent, his breathing was slow and ragged. He still had the strength to smile when he saw Laurel. She rushed across the room to kneel by his bedside, her concern so open on her face that it made Hal’s heart ache in sympathy.
“Ambassador…” said Maxim Cedric. “I was going to call for you.”
“Milord…” whispered Laurel. “Did you get enough sleep?”
“Precious little, I’m afraid,” said Maxim Cedric. “But that’s quite alright.”
He looked past Laurel, nodding as his eyes met Hal’s. “Lord Halrin. Please, come closer. I can tell from the expression on your face that you have brought interesting news with you.”
Hal smiled, feeling uplifted by the Maxim’s kind, almost grandfatherly tone. He walked over to stand a few feet behind Laurel, not wanting to intrude too much on their moment.
“I do,” said Hal. “I met with the leader of the elven invasion. Tessianna, the daughter of Empress Kay.”
Maxim Cedric nodded and gestured for him to continue, more with his shoulder than hand or arm. Hal wasn’t sure how to explain it all to him. Maxim Cedric wasn’t aware of his heartgem, and the exact details of how he’d gone into Jessa’s sanctum to discover the dark secret of the Upper Realm seemed too incredible, even to him.
“I discovered a secret while in her war camp,” said Hal. “Hidden within an ancient crystal artifact. It’s related to the Upper Realm, the home of the elves, and how it manages to elude our reach. It’s possible that if I follow up on it, we can expose our enemies’ homeland and put them into circumstances where they won’t have the ability to attack us without reprisal.”
Maxim Cedric gave a small nod. His expression was one of deep thought, and he took his time considering what he was being told.
“Will your journey be dangerous, then?” asked Maxim Cedric.
Hal hesitated. “Most likely.”
“More dangerous than remaining here in the city?”
“That’s… the other reason why I needed to speak with you,” said Hal. “Tessianna claimed that another attack on Meldence was imminent. It could happen tomorrow, or within the hour. Her soldiers were already on the move when I left, and I don’t know how far along their advance forces may be.”
“I suspected as much,” said the Maxim. “My guards are ready for an attack, and most of the city has been evacuated, outside of those with essential services to offer.”
Maxim Cedric took a deep breath and then let it out slowly. He was a pensive man, and Hal could almost sense what he was thinking. The situation was unfair, and so many people would die pointless deaths.
“Ambassador Ancina,” said Maxim Cedric. “I order you to accompany Lord Halrin on his quest.”
Hal wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but Laurel reacted before he had time to say anything. She shook her head, taking the Maxim’s hand into hers and squeezing it.
“Milord, please,” she said. “I know what you’re trying to do, but it may as well be admitting defeat! The city can hold out. Perhaps I can negotiate with someone on their side or help in another way. My place should be here at your side…”
Hal felt a little slighted by her choice, though he knew it made no sense to be. Part of him had been hoping that she’d jump at the chance to travel with him, the two of them on the road together for however long it took. A chance for them to finally be with each other now that they’d both admitted their true feelings.
That’s a childish way of thinking. We both have our own roles to play…
“I’m ordering you, Ambassador,” said Maxim Cedric. “If you know what I’m trying to do, then you must also understand why it’s necessary.”
“I’m not refusing you as your Ambassador,” Laurel said, in a quiet voice.
Maxim Cedric stared at her, his face creasing with sadness and emotion. He closed his eyes, cleared his throat, and then turned his gaze onto Hal.
Eternal Palace (Sexcraft Chronicles Book 4) Page 14
