Realm of Shadows Trilogy

by Linda McNabb

  ‘Is this some sort of joke…’

  Rem did not reply as she hurried Caden towards him. As she got closer the last shreds of daylight showed up his face and she saw it was the older man who had been in the hall last night.

  ‘It is no joke, Master Kyran,’ Rem said calmly. ‘My brother and I wish to travel to the mainland.’

  ‘Then it is a joke. Nobody can go there, Arianna,’ Master Kyran said with a snort. ‘I shall be telling your father about this.’

  ‘We came just yesterday. What has changed since then?’ Rem asked in a tone that hid her true nerves. They were so close to leaving and yet she had a feeling that something was about to go wrong with their plan.

  Master Kyran reached into his pocket and brought out a dull white stone. ‘This is the moonstone that powers the bridge. It is a spell that my father created and it has all but faded. Any bridge that it created now would only last two heartbeats and those upon it would drop into the nothingness that separates us from the mainland.’

  ‘You wish it to be restored?’ Rem suggested. ‘And then we may cross?’

  ‘You speak as if it were a simple matter, Arianna,’ Master Kyran snorted. ‘It would take the magic of a dozen wizards to do what you suggest. Do you not think we have tried?’

  Rem held her hand out for the stone. ‘If we restore it - may we cross?’ She repeated her offer.

  Master Kyran looked at Rem with sudden interest then cautiously held out the moonstone. ‘If you can do what you say. Perhaps you have been hiding away some store of magic and have been lucky enough not to have had it taken from you.’ He paused, then dropped it into Rem’s palm. ‘Yes, I will send you.’

  Rem closed her fist around the moonstone and smiled. Their freedom was only seconds away.

  ‘One moment, Master Kyran,’ she said as she turned her back to him and pulled Caden in close. She whispered to him as she pressed the stone into his not-so-small hand. ‘Hold this tightly.’

  She did not like drawing yet more magic through Caden, but without it there was no chance of returning him home. Hopefully Eagan would have a way to restore Caden to his younger self by now.

  Caden clutched the stone then gasped as the white light burst through the gaps between his fingers. He opened his fist and the light made them both turn their heads to protect their sight.

  ‘You did it!’ came the faint exclamation from Master Kyran. Rem took the stone back and turned to see the amazed expression on the man’s heavily lined face. She held out the moonstone and he took it with a reverence that surprised her.

  ‘There is enough magic in this to power the bridge for hundreds of years, even if I draw a small amount to restore my youth as well!’ Master Kyran was staring at the stone as if besotted by the glow.

  Rem cleared her throat to get his attention. ‘The bridge? The night is upon us.’

  ‘Ah yes,’ Master Kyran said with a smile. ‘You didn’t say what was so important to return for.’

  ‘It’s to do with a boy,’ Rem said, drawing on the one reason Sufi had so readily accepted.

  ‘A boy?’ the bridge master seemed surprised but shrugged. ‘Your father’s claim of a well of magic must be true after all if he can waste this much magic on a mere human boy.’

  Rem glanced out at the darkening sky and the old man saw her concerned expression.

  ‘Stand back, Arianna,’ he said as he walked over and opened the doors that led to nowhere. ‘This will open the doors at the other end as well.’

  He muttered a few words that Rem didn’t catch and held up the moonstone. It glowed brighter for a second then a silvery mist appeared in front of him and shot out across the sky.

  Rem felt her heart lift. All she had to do was step onto the bridge and Caden would be safe.

  ‘How will I know when you are ready to return?’

  ‘Umm…’ Rem hadn’t thought past their escape and it clearly showed on her face.

  ‘You will be returning? May I see the talisman you brought the magic in?’ Master Kyran asked suddenly, then looked suspiciously at them.

  Rem wished she had thought to put something in her pocket that he might have believed was a talisman. She drew Caden a little closer.

  ‘The well isn’t a thing is it…’ Master Kyran’s gaze fell on Caden. ‘You’re taking the well away?’

  ‘Halt!’

  Rem turned, confused and startled by a sudden loud noise that echoed around the hall. The air was full of shouts and hurried footsteps and a dozen desperate-looking men were rushing towards them.

  ‘They have magic on them somewhere! Take it!’

  Rem backed away and measured the distance to the bridge in her mind. A dozen paces would get them there. She went to pick Caden up then realised that he was no longer the small boy who could be easily lifted and carried away. She grabbed his hand instead and pulled him towards the bridge.

  ‘And get that moonstone too!’

  ‘They must not get the moonstone or the boy!’ Master Kyran shouted.

  Rem grimaced as she realised that the bridge master had given away their secret. Half the men turned towards Caden while the others went after Master Kyran.

  Caden’s face dropped into a frown as he saw the awful intent on the men’s faces. It was the first time Rem had seen the boy look concerned. The innocence of his youth was being destroyed and Rem knew that was something that could not be restored. She pushed him behind her to protect him.

  They had to make it to the bridge! She shoved one man out of the way, but Caden’s hand slipped from hers and she grabbed for him.

  ‘No!’ she heard Caden shout. He sounded afraid. Rem turned and saw him running away, in the wrong direction.

  ‘Caden, come back!’ she yelled. There was no way they could reach the bridge now as their escape had been cut off by more men who were just about to grab Master Kyran.

  Time seemed to slow down as Rem watched a man run into the bridge master. The moonstone was flung from his grasp and it arched out the window. Master Kyran must have had a small amount of magic left within him as he lifted off the floor and attempted to grasp the stone. His momentum, however, sent him out onto the silvery bridge. His hand connected with the stone but only served to knock it further away, sending it soaring well into the sky. The second the old man’s foot touched the silvery mist he blurred and vanished along with the bridge.

  Rem’s mouth dropped open as she saw the brightly glowing moonstone had remained behind. It reached the top of its arc and Rem watched as it dropped away into the darkness. She had no idea if it had fallen into the sea or the void of The Gap.

  Her heart sank. The bridge master and the moonstone were gone. She felt the will to fight leave her as she stared at the men surrounding her. She had her sword and could easily defend both herself and Caden, but to what end? They would still be in Deek and Caden would still grow old before his time. The wizards would regain their powers and invade the mainland again once they found a way across The Gap.

  She wondered if Master Kyran had made it to the other side of the bridge. Even if he did, he had no way to open up another bridge back to Deek.

  She had managed to betray everyone without even trying.

  A second later she was forced to stop wallowing in self-pity when Caden rushed into her arms. He was looking for comfort and protection and Rem wrapped her arms around him. She chastised herself for giving in so easily and went to draw her sword. She would just have to find another way off this island!

  She had barely put her hand on the hilt of her sword when her vision blurred and it felt as if she were being sucked upwards by a strong wind. She held Caden tightly with her other hand then was forced to let go when she fell heavily to the ground. She drew her sword and jumped to her feet, ready to protect Caden.

  She blinked. It was dark all around her and a breeze blew a few drops of rain onto her cheek. How had she managed to get outside? She could see the hall a short distance away and angry men were streaming out of it.

 
; Rem looked down and was relieved to see Caden was with her, but the boy was crouched on the ground with his head tucked into his knees and she could hear him sobbing. Then she noticed another figure in the darkness. Sufi lay on the ground, seemingly unconscious, and barely breathing. Had Sufi used what little magic she had to save them?

  ‘Caden,’ Rem said as she touched the boy gently on his shoulder.

  He looked up, with tears in his eyes, and a sad expression.

  ‘Sufi is hurt, can you help her sit up?’ Rem asked. Caden brushed away his tears and nodded. As he put his arms around Sufi and pulled her upright Rem could see the girl’s colour return to her face and her breathing grew stronger. ‘Sit with her for a few minutes while I work out how to get us home.’

  Caden rested his head on Sufi’s shoulder and seemed to get comfort from her closeness. Rem had meant she wanted to work out how to get off the island but she realised that wasn’t possible tonight. No, she needed to get Caden, and Sufi, back to the upper city for now. It wasn’t safe to be down here any longer.

  Sufi groaned and opened her eyes.

  ‘You saved us?’ Rem queried. It was the only answer but still she asked.

  ‘You’re okay!’ Sufi said, and Rem held up a finger to tell her to keep quiet. ‘I couldn’t think what else to do.’

  ‘How did you know where we were,’ Rem asked.

  ‘I can feel the other necklace and I knew you were down in the lower city so I told Felise that I would be back up in the upper city after I visited one more person. I followed you and I was about to come into the hall when those men rushed in and attacked you.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Rem said simply. Her mind was still whirling with the events of the night and she couldn’t say more without revealing her secrets.

  ‘Why were they attacking you? Were they trying to steal your magic?’

  ‘They were,’ Rem agreed.

  ‘I guessed you were going back to the mainland to see your boy and I wanted to come with you. I’ve never been to the mainland. I thought we were meeting here tomorrow? Did you forget it was tomorrow?’

  Rem didn’t answer and she pulled them all back further into the bushes as a group of men came closer.

  ‘Search the houses down here. They had to have gone somewhere. We have to get hold of the boy. He is the Well of Life.’

  ‘We should probably be getting back to the house.’ Rem tried to divert Sufi’s attention as the girl stared at them both with a growing suspicion.

  ‘The boy… they mean Caden.’ Sufi pushed Caden slightly away and then rubbed her hands together. ‘I feel my magic growing stronger within me. It should be all but gone after such a spell.’

  ‘It’s a long story,’ Rem said in a whisper. ‘Keep your voice down or they’ll find us.’

  ‘So, you were leaving Deek, and taking the Well of Life with you.’ Sufi’s expression hardened into a cold stare. It wasn’t a question, it was an accusation. ‘Were you coming back?’

  ‘I told you. It’s complicated.’ Rem wondered if she should tell Sufi everything. Surely someone as close as Sufi had been to her would understand.

  ‘You would leave your people to die off when magic ran out? I thought we were friends.’

  Sufi’s voice was getting louder and Rem had no choice but to clamp her hand over her friend’s mouth.

  ‘I can explain,’ she replied in a quiet, sad voice.

  Sufi pulled free. She yanked the necklace from her neck and held it up. The words on it glowed golden in the darkness where they hid in the bushes.

  Remember Remember Friends Forever.

  ‘You weren’t even going to say goodbye. We are not friends. Do not speak to me again.’

  Sufi threw the necklace at Rem’s feet and pushed her way out into the street. She glared at several men who looked her way and strode off up the street. The men simply nodded a greeting to her as she passed.

  Rem stared through the branches and watched Sufi vanish up the road. Then she picked up the necklace and put it in her pocket. ‘Come on, Caden. We’ll go back to see Kranos.’

  Caden smiled, he brushed away the last of his tears and followed Rem as she pushed her way through the shrubs until they found a quiet street, then hurried up towards the lights and safety of the upper city.

  Chapter Seven - The Council

  ‘We missed you out walking last night,’ Kranos said at breakfast the next morning.

  ‘I wasn’t feeling well, so we returned home,’ Rem replied, keeping her attention focused on the strange bowl of grains she had been served. It was true, she had been feeling quite ill by the time they returned to the house. She looked over at Caden and saw that the was eating with enthusiasm and didn’t appear troubled by last night’s distress.

  One of the servants entered the room and spoke quietly to Kranos.

  ‘What? Now?’ Kranos asked, looking puzzled. ‘Here?’

  The man nodded and withdrew. Rem heard voices in the hallway, and several of them were raised and angry. They faded as they moved further into the house. Rem was closest to the wall and she leaned back a little so that her head touched it and she could feel the vibrations of raised voices in the next room.

  Kranos pushed his bowl away and stood up. ‘It appears the council wish to meet early. They are all here waiting for me in the drawing room.’

  Rem leaned forward and refocused on her food, not even daring to glance up in case her guilt was obvious to them all. She knew why they had brought the meeting forward. The tale of Caden being the Well of Life would have travelled fast and she was surprised it hadn’t reached them earlier.

  Kranos stood up and walked to the door, then turned back to them. ‘I think we should all be present at this meeting.’

  Rem would rather be anywhere else but there, but she took Caden’s hand and followed Kranos out into the hall. Mayala caught up with her and took Caden’s other hand. Was it to show support for Caden or was she sneakily trying to draw life from him? Rem sighed silently. It was all far too complicated, they should be back on the mainland and halfway to returning Caden home by now.

  The room fell quiet as Kranos entered then it erupted into chaos as everyone spoke at once. Most of them were looking past Kranos and pointing at Caden, who, thankfully, did not seem bothered by it. One old man, who Rem recognised as Moris from the day they arrived, wasn’t saying anything but he looked closely at all of them as if trying to work something out. He settled into a comfortable chair and watched.

  Kranos did not try to yell over the half dozen men, Stavis included, but instead simply stood still and waited for them to quieten down.

  ‘You’ve had a personal well?’

  ‘Is he really your son?’

  ‘Were you going to share the life or not?’

  ‘We heard you tried to leave last night!’

  After several minutes of ignoring their outbursts, the men ran out of steam and simply paced and glared instead.

  ‘Gentlemen,’ Kranos said and stepped back so that he was next to Mayala, Caden and Rem. ‘Yes, young Caden here is the Well of Life.’

  Everyone started talking again and Kranos lifted one hand for silence and waited. When they finally settled again he continued.

  ‘I intended to present him at this afternoon’s council meeting. I wasn’t hiding anything.’

  ‘So when do we get our magic restored? Most of the upper city are living as humans to conserve magic,’ Moris said.

  ‘Soon there won’t be anything to make us different to the lower city. The lights and magical houses built by the ancients are fading and decaying,’ Stavis pointed out. ‘Some of the houses are barely liveable, and nobody has any spare magic to fix them.’

  ‘I’m not making the same mistake as our ancestors,’ a third man said as he shook his head furiously. ‘I won’t be using my last mote of magic ever. I don’t want to turn into a human and become mortal like they did. It’s a wonder that they didn’t know it would happen.’

  ‘I agree, Pelan. Nobody
expects you to deplete your magic entirely.’ Kranos smiled and spoke slowly as if he had all the time in the world, and not an angry crowd of men in front of him. ‘As soon as we work out the fairest way to distribute life to everyone on Deek…’

  ‘Everyone?’ Stavis interrupted. ‘You don’t mean the lower city as well?’

  Kranos nodded. ‘Yes, everyone.’

  ‘What sort of society would we have if everyone is equal?’ Stavis asked.

  Kranos sighed and made no attempt to hide it. ‘I had no idea that the life from the cats was not being distributed equally since I left. Is that why the lower city has had to construct hand-made shacks to live in?’

  Most of those there shuffled and looked away rather than answer but Moris spoke up. ‘The council voted and the decision to withhold magic was carried, 6 to 1. The lower city hasn’t received any life since you left.’

  Rem would be willing to bet anything that the one who voted against the rest of the council was the elderly Moris.

  A dark-skinned man stepped forward and pointed at Caden. ‘I vote we use the life from… the well… to exact revenge on those who banished our ancestors here.’

  ‘I second it!’ Pelan said so quickly that it was obvious that the two had arranged this prior to the meeting. ‘We should vote.’

  Kranos pursed his lips at the change of subject but nodded. ‘It has been raised and seconded, so we must vote. Those in favour of using Caden for revenge raise your hands.’

  Immediately three hands went up. Royd, Pelan, and Stavis.

  ‘But we want some magic for us first,’ Stavis added.

  Moris clutched his walking stick in front of him with both hands and scowled. ‘It would be the end of us.’

  ‘Otrid? Arin?’ Kranos queried the two men who looked uncertain. They looked so much alike that Rem wondered if they were twins - and they were certainly brothers at least. Perhaps twins were common among the wizards. They looked to be about to raise their hands, then shook their heads.

  ‘No, we just want life to go back to how it was,’ Otrid spoke for them both.

  ‘Then it appears I have the casting vote,’ Kranos said. ‘I vote no.’