by Linda McNabb
Three, two, one… she watched as the moonlight struck the child’s skin and gulped back a small sob. He hadn’t asked to be created or used as a pawn in their plans. Several seconds ticked past and she began to frown. The boy stopped next to her and threw himself on top of Kranos’ chest and wrapped his arms around him.
Rem’s father uttered a faint grunt as the small boy’s weight landed on him. Rem pulled back slightly and the night-shadow turned its head to nudge gently at the boy and lick his face.
‘Who is this boy?’ Felise demanded as she pulled back.
‘He arrived with the queen.’
Rem gulped again as she stared at the Caden-copy who clearly wasn’t a copy at all. The moonlight streamed in the window directly onto the boy and Rem finally realised that she had brought the real boy to the wizards.
Her mind was spinning with what this all meant. Was it a good thing or a bad one? How had it even happened? She had been so careful to make sure she took the copy. Then she remembered the loose rope bracelet. What if it hadn’t been her that forgot to do it up properly? Who else would want the children swapped?
Her mind was reeling as she sat back and saw Caden grinning at her. He looked happy and so sweetly innocent. At that moment she knew she would do everything possible to make sure he got back to his family in Merra.
‘He is breathing better,’ Felise said, staring in amazement as the colour returned to Kranos’ face. Everyone moved closer, even the old man who had stared so disapprovingly and done nothing to help Kranos.
‘Stand aside!’ a loud, commanding voice bellowed. Rem didn’t need to see her to know it was her mother.
Rem looked up as the men parted to let her through. For a brief second their eyes met and the fleeting glare was all Rem needed to know that her mother was furious with her for bringing Kranos to Deek.
Her mother’s expression softened and a tear rolled down her cheek as she gasped and fell to her knees next to Kranos.
‘Why did nobody tell me my husband was unwell? What ails him?’
To anyone else she looked like a distraught wife at the side of her dying beloved husband’s side.
‘He has been poisoned,’ Felise replied.
Mayala looked up and stared at the healer for several seconds. Felise glared back then snapped out. ‘… Your Majesty.’
Caden continued to hug Rem’s father tightly and after a few seconds Kranos coughed and opened his eyes. Caden released his hold and sat on the ground, playfully rubbing noses with the great black cat.
‘Well, it looks as if the poison wasn’t fatal,’ Mayala said, looking for all the world like a relieved wife. ‘Thank goodness my children didn’t have to watch their father die.’
Rem blinked. Her children? Her confused expression went unnoticed by the others watching for they were just as surprised. Rem looked at Caden. He now seemed like a boy in his 9th or 10th year. She guessed Kranos and Mayala must have been on the mainland for at least that long if she was passing Caden off as her son.
Kranos, still a little shaky, was helped to his feet and Mayala supported him on one side. ‘Arianna, you take the other side. Caden, come, we are taking father home.’
Felise looked at Rem in surprise. ‘Arianna, you’ve changed a bit in ten years. Hasn’t she Sufi?’
Rem looked at the blonde girl who was beaming at her and almost jumping up and down with excitement.
‘I thought it was you, but I didn’t want to interrupt Grandma’s work,’ Sufi said, hurrying over to take Rem’s arm.
‘It’s been so long!’ Rem said, knowing she had to respond in some way even though she had no memory of this girl.
Caden leapt up from his play fighting with the night-shadow and rushed to join them. Rem took her place supporting her father with Sufi hanging onto her other arm still. The big cat followed Caden, and Rem hoped that she was the only one to notice how brightly the cat’s green eyes glowed after being near Caden.
As they left the hall Rem heard the young man talking to the older one. ‘Something odd is going on. I can feel that my magic has increased…’
‘Shh… don’t let anyone know or they will try to take it from you!’
She twisted to look back and saw them staring at the unusually bright moon and then at the moonlight shining on their hands. They hadn’t made the connection between Caden and their increased magic and Rem was pleased. She knew they would all be clamouring to get to him if they knew. She frowned as she wondered how she was going to get him away from her mother and back to the mainland. She would have to do it quickly.
A small cloud moved in front of the moon and for a fleeting second it took on the form of a dragon in flight. She gulped as she remembered StarFire and she wondered if she would see the proud white dragon ever again.
They walked slowly down the long corridor. She could hear the others a few paces behind and the steps echoed and made it sound like there were dozens of people.
They reached a long flight of steps and the resemblance to the hall on the other side of the bridge was striking. So much so that as they descended Rem expected to see a landing and more corridors, but she blinked as she saw what really lay ahead.
At the base of the steps was a glass door. It was dark beyond but it was obvious that it wasn’t another room or corridor. The door led outside. The large room above and fancy stairs were obviously just for show. There was no large residence attached.
As they reached the glass door Mayala stopped and pulled away from Kranos. She took hold of Rem’s arm and pulled her away as well, leaving Kranos slightly unsteady.
‘Why did you do that?’ Rem asked in a low, angry tone as she stepped back to support her father again. Felise held Rem back gently and shook her head.
‘It would not do for the people of Deek to see him looking vulnerable and weak. He is their king now that he is back and how can they look up to him if they see him needing help just to walk?’
‘So we explain that he was poisoned…’ Rem suggested in a flat tone and arched one eyebrow as she glared at her mother, making it clear that she knew exactly what had happened.
Mayala’s expression remained blank as if she didn’t care if her daughter knew the truth.
‘Your mother is right,’ Kranos said, pulling himself up taller and taking a deep breath. Caden skipped over and held his hand, smiling up at the older man. Kranos returned the smile then frowned as if something about the boy troubled him. Caden started walking and pulled at Kranos’ hand. Rem’s father took one last deep breath then stepped out confidently with Caden at his side. ‘I can manage.’
The light from the inside of the landing at the base of the stairs had made it impossible to see much of the land outside the door as all she could see was the reflection of their small group. However, as the door opened she had a clear view of her homeland. A cool, early summer breeze washed over her as she stepped out into the darker streets beyond. There were no bright lights nor shiny marble and glass palaces. Instead it looked very similar to the first village they had visited after they crossed through the pass to the east. Here, though, the houses looked to be made of wood and very few people were out and about. Dim lights shone from some of the windows, but mostly it looked as if the entire town was empty!
Those few who were in the streets took only a mild interest in the procession as Mayala led them away from the hall. The streets were dimly lit by burning torches atop poles. A couple carrying a small child walked past one of the torches and the light showed their blank, hopeless expressions. Even the child lay limply against his mother’s shoulder as she carried him and none of them spared more than a glance at Kranos or the others. Their eyes lingered for a little longer on the night-shadow who trailed behind them, his green eyes glowing brightly in the dim surroundings.
Rem hurried her step a little and caught up to her father. She leaned in close and whispered. ‘Are they all sick?’
Kranos shook his head slowly. ‘I’ll explain later,’ he promised.
The road led up a gradual slope that seemed to be winding its way around the island and after a while Rem saw that there were brighter lights ahead. The rundown houses ended and they walked up through a small section of forest. The road was lit by many torches and as they left the forest the view took Rem’s breath away.
Instead of the basic wooden houses that they had seen so far, the ones ahead could only be called mansions, just short of what Rem would have imagined a palace or castle would look like! There were about three dozen houses spread out across the top of the island, each lit up so brightly that the entire area seemed like daylight. There was clearly magic used in creating this section of the island’s houses and Rem frowned at the obvious disparity in living standards between this and those below the forest.
There were people out on the streets here and they were out for gentle strolls in groups. Some had small dogs scurrying around their feet, and further back several plainly-dressed women or men trailed behind.
‘Pretty!’ Caden exclaimed as he pulled on Kranos’ hand to hurry him forward. Kranos was looking much better now but he kept a firm hold on Caden’s hand.
‘Don’t rush off, Caden. There’s plenty of time to see it all tomorrow.’
The first group they passed looked to be several generations of the same family, all walking in a set order of age. The eldest, a man with more wrinkles than hair on his head called a halt to his party and looked surprised to see them. He lifted his old walking stick and pointed it directly at Kranos.
‘So the rumours weren’t true after all,’ he muttered with a hint of distaste in his voice.
‘Rumours, Moris?’ Kranos enquired politely and dipped his head in a small bow to the man and his family. ‘What sort of rumours?’
‘Word just half an hour ago was that you were dead, or at least dying,’ Moris replied bluntly as he peered closer at Kranos. He appeared to be looking for any signs of illness and then made a hurrumping noise and nodded approvingly. ‘I’m pleased to see that they were wrong.’
‘I’m definitely alive,’ Kranos said with a nod.
‘So are the other rumours wrong as well? A little bird told me you had found a Well of Life that would save us all.’ The old man looked at the lack of possessions they carried with disappointment as if expecting there to be a real well in their possession.
‘All will be revealed at the next council meeting, Moris,’ Kranos assured him with a smile.
Moris shrugged as if he hadn’t really expected any information and he waved his walking stick in the air to signal his group to continue their evening stroll along the brightly lit cobbled streets.
Rem lagged behind a few paces as they passed by several houses and followed them up towards the highest one. They didn’t encounter any more groups of walkers but she could see them whispering in the distance and pointing in their direction.
The house they finally arrived at was lit even more brilliantly than the rest and looked much more like a palace than a house. A dozen people hurried out of the doorway and formed two lines to were waiting either side of the huge double doors. One side was clearly servants and the other a wealthy family. Her grandma and Sufi joined the wealthy side and stood politely waiting.
Rem caught up as Kranos stepped forward and shook hands with the oldest man. He had small streaks of grey at his temples that gave away his more advanced years, but apart from that he looked to be in his fourth decade and was an almost identical copy of Kranos.
‘Stavis, it’s good to see you after so long!’ Kranos said, then pulled Stavis into a brief hug. ‘How has my twin brother been all these years?’
Rem stood slightly to the side and let her gaze wander along the group of well-dressed folk. Some of the adults looked less than impressed to see Kranos and his family although they were attempting to hide the fact with fixed smiles as Kranos looked down the line to greet them all.
‘We are delighted to return with the salvation of our race,’ Kranos said, stepping back and taking Caden’s hand again. Rem could see a bead of sweat working its way slowly down her father’s forehead and realised that his good health was mostly an act, even with Caden’s healing life force helping him. He must truly have been almost dead when Caden saved him.
Again, there were polite nods but this time there was a glint of hope, or was it greed, in their eyes.
‘We have had two more children while you were gone. May I present the eldest Sufi, who you knew as a child, and our two boys Fayn and Jemal.’ He pointed down the line where the children each bobbed in turn when their name was called. The younger two wore the same expression that Rem knew she could put forth at a moment’s notice. Silent indifference. It was the mark of the wealthy child, seen and not heard and it was impossible to tell what they were thinking. Stavis put one hand on the shoulder of the elegantly dressed lady next to him. Her golden hair was piled up high in the shape of a fan and was adorned with glittering strands that sparkled in the light. ‘My wife has missed Mayala’s company these past ten years. Isn’t that right, Crella?’
‘Of course. It has been far too long, Mayala,’ Crella replied in a flat tone that didn’t quite hide her sarcasm. ‘I see you have brought a full cat with you.’
Crella knelt and wrapped her arms around the night-shadow as if she were pleased to see him and hugged the great cat for a dozen heartbeats.
It wasn’t until Crella pulled away and stood up that Rem realised what the woman had been doing. The cat’s eyes were now dull and the cat appeared limp and tired. She had drained all of the life-force for herself.
‘I look forward to a long chat,’ Mayala replied with an equally bland voice. It was obvious that the two women had no desire to catch up and were just being polite. Mayala’s eyes flicked to the now depleted life of the night-shadow and she pursed her lips together and flashed an angry look at Crella. After a moment she continued.
‘You’ll remember Arianna, who was also only five when we left,’ she paused ever so briefly to wave her hand at Rem, ‘but Caden, was born over on the mainland.’
There was a collective mutter from Stavis’ family as all eyes took in Rem’s unusual appearance. They looked confused by her, then their gaze fell on the shorter blond-haired boy. Caden grinned back with such a happy smile that most of them couldn’t help but return it. Most of them. Both Stavis and Crella looked mortified.
‘You have a son,’ Stavis said with a gulp.
Kranos looked to be about to reply but Mayala pushed in front of him and picked Caden up. ‘It’s been a long day. Perhaps we might continue this conversation tomorrow?’
‘But of course,’ Stavis responded with a nod, but didn’t quite manage to drag his gaze away from Caden. ‘The announcement of your return yesterday caught us all by surprise, but we have made your house ready for you.’
Rem flicked her gaze to the servants, who were still standing motionless to the left of the doors. She would bet that they were the ones that had made the house ready.
‘Arianna, you may go ahead to your room and rest,’ Mayala said. It was said with a smile of endearment for her daughter but Rem got the message quite clearly from her sharp gaze. It said she had seen quite enough of her for now and wished to be rid of her. Rem remained where she was partially just to annoy her mother.
‘Surely you remember where your own room is?’ Mayala said in a lightly sarcastic tone.
‘It has been ten years, my dear. She was only five,’ Kranos pointed out.
‘I can show you the way,’ Sufi offered with a half-smile.
Rem had no doubt that her short, spiky black hair and tattooed face was scary and it was meant to be. She hadn’t wanted people to talk to her or befriend her and she hadn’t expected anyone to show her any such courtesy.
‘Thank you,’ she replied, trying to return the smile but obviously failed by the expression on Sufi’s face. It was probably more of a grimace than a smile. She didn’t really care as she wouldn’t be here long. She didn’t need to make friends.
Stavis’ family were retreating down the path, followed by several of the servants, but most of the staff remained behind. Rem followed Sufi into the house and tried not to gawk at the elegance and ostentatious decor.
It was hard to remember that it was night with so much light around her. Sufi led her up the stairs and along several corridors then opened one of the doors.
The young girl remained silent as she held the door open for Rem then closed it after they were both inside the room.
‘Thanks,’ Rem sat down on the nearest chair and sank her head into her hands in exhaustion. It had been a nightmare of a few days, well, much longer than that, and she was exhausted.
‘I guess it’s been a long day,’ Sufi said after a brief awkward silence.
Rem took a deep breath and looked up. ‘It certainly has.’
‘I’ll leave you to rest,’ Sufi said as she backed away to the door, seeming like she wanted to say more but unsure if she should.
‘Yes, I would like to be alone,’ Rem replied. ‘Thanks for showing me to my room.’
Rem had already returned to her pose of head in hands by the time the door clicked softly shut and she didn’t look up for quite some time, and then it was only to move over to the bed and throw herself onto it. She fell asleep within several heartbeats and the jumble of the past few days left her alone for a few short hours.
Chapter Three - Remember Remember
Rem wasn’t sure if she was awake or asleep. Her thoughts were jumbled and her mouth was parched. It was bright all around her. Was it day or just the magically lit house?
She could sense someone nearby. Was it Seth? Rem called out to him but there was no response then she fell into another dreamless sleep for what seemed like a lifetime. When she awoke there was silence and, blissfully, darkness around her. Her neck was stiff from sleeping on her stomach and she went to roll over and winced as she realised she had slept fully-dressed and with her sword strapped to her back. The hilt dug into her shoulders and she rolled back to her stomach and groaned slightly.
