Darden stepped back. He protected himself from any kind of attack the birds might attempt. None came. The birds just swarmed around the area. They circled the two men and the woman still lying in the middle of the beach.
Grifith got to her and knelt down to check on her.
“She’s alive!” he called out to Darden.
Grifith held the woman’s head in her hands as he sat her up. The woman finally stirred. She opened her eyes and looked at her new caretaker.
Grifith looked back into her orange eyes. “Hello. It’s okay. We won’t hurt you. Are you okay?”
Abigail did not say a word. She stared blankly at Grifith.
“Are you hurt?” he asked.
Darden came up to the two of them. The birds were beginning to expand their area and gave the three of them space.
Abigail looked up at Darden. She reeled back in surprise.
“We can help you,” said Grifith.
“What’s wrong with her?” asked Darden.
“I don’t know. She hasn’t said anything.”
“Can you understand us?” Darden asked. “What’s your name?”
Abigail looked at both men. “You survived?”
Grifith and Darden looked at each other. They didn’t know what to make of the mysterious girl.
“Yeah,” said Darden. “Wasn’t that hard.”
“Survived what?” asked Grifith.
“The beginning of the fall of Eluan,” said Abigail.
“We weren’t even there when the Capitol was attacked,” said Darden.
“No,” said Abigail. “At Maryl’s.”
“I think we need to get you out of the sun,” said Grifith.
“We can’t take her with us,” said Darden.
“We can’t leave her out here,” said Grifith.
Darden looked out back at the trail they came from. Then he looked at Grifith and Abigail. Grifith’s pouty face was beginning to emerge.
“This is coming out of your rations,” said Darden, shaking his head in disbelief that he was agreeing to Grifith’s plan. “We can get to town tomorrow and figure out what to do with her then.”
“Thank you,” said Grifith. He turned to Abigail. “Let’s get you up. We’ll get you back to town. What’s your name?”
“Farrah,” Abigail answered. Farrah was her birth name and the only one that rolled off her tongue in the disarray of her thoughts.
“That’s beautiful,” said Grifith.
“Yeah, and I’m sure somebody is missing you,” said Darden.
“No,” said Abigail. “He isn’t missing me anymore. He’s dead.”
“That’s too bad,” said Grifith. “What happened?”
“Eluan fell,” said Abigail.
Chapter 3
Marina hammered her fist against the locked door to her quarters. The sound boomed down through the hallway and cascaded in her ears. Marina’s actions were more out of habit and routine than anything now. Her anger at the situation had long ago dissipated. She was not getting out. Not without Heric’s permission.
She was tended to like a proper royal. Her quarters were five lavish rooms and a balcony. Anything she wanted, she was given. Any food could be brought to her door. Any entertainment could be displayed out her window. She was given the life of exile with luxury.
Many times she had contemplated jumping from the window. But her quarters were in one of the towers of the palace. She would never survive the fall. She didn’t want to die. She just wanted an escape. Even designing a rope to climb out would not give her the distance needed to make it to the ground.
That was when a new idea came to her. She had all the tools she needed to escape. She had utensils, privacy, and all the time in the world.
Once she saw Heric ride out with the Eluan army toward Tcher, Marina began the stages of her plan. She asked for food that required knives and spoons. When she was done with her food she kept as many of the utensils as she could.
Then she asked for music to play outside her window. She wanted to hear loud, booming music that could reach all the way to her window, and be heard across the palace courtyards. On behalf of Marina, concerts outside the palace could be heard for over a mile.
The distraction was all she needed. During the time of the concerts Marina began to dig into the floor of her quarters. The floor was stone, but it was not all one piece. There was mortar between the stone slabs.
Every day she picked away at the solid paste with her tools. Dust and debris scattered around her room, but slowly she was digging into the floor.
She was now several inches deep. The hole she was forming was tucked away in a room far away from the main entrance to her quarters. It could not be seen from the doorway.
Marina had no idea how thick the floor was. Every day there was more stone, but it did not discourage her. She was determined to break free. She would find the end of it before long, she believed.
“Hello,” whispered into Marina’s ear.
Marina jumped back in surprise. She had not heard anybody knock on her door to make their presence known, let alone let them self inside. Multiple times Marina looked all around the room she was in. There was nobody there. She was alone. But the voice felt so close. It was clear as day and she would have sworn she felt the air on the back of her neck. Marina took a deep breath. She was the empress after all. She needed to compose herself.
“Who’s there?” Marina spoke up.
“Charos,” said the whisper.
Marina got to her feet. Once again she circled the room looking for the source of the voice, but despite the disruption she was all alone.
“Charos?” Marina repeated. “You’ve answered my prayers.”
Then the whisper began to chuckle. Marina remained in place. It was no good looking for the presence of one of her gods.
“What is so funny?” Marina asked.
“I’m not here to answer your prayers,” said Charos. “I am here to mock them.”
Marina’s face formed into a frown. In that instant Marina put her guard back up and realized the voice she was speaking to.
“Nikali,” Marina scorned.
“Oh, good, you remember your dear brother-in-law,” laughed Nikali in Marina’s ear. “Rats will fester. The shade is too hot.”
Marina dropped her tools and marched through her prison quarters straight to the main entrance. “I am the Empress of Eluan. I demand you release me now, Nikali. Enough of these games.”
“You’re not the empress anymore.”
Marina fumed. Her hands slammed into the entryway to make her presence known. She stared out the porthole of her door. The hallway was empty.
“Show yourself!” Marina screamed.
Then Nikali slid into view. Marina stepped back in shock. Nikali pressed his face into the porthole of the door. His smile smushed up against the tiny bars and frame of the window.
“Hello, Marina,” said Nikali. “It’s been some time.”
“What are you doing here, Nikali?” Marina asked.
“I don’t really know,” said Nikali. He shrugged when he said this. Marina could see his shoulders pop in and out of view. “The sun sets. The goats eat.”
“You cannot keep me locked up like this!” Marina shouted.
“I won’t,” said Nikali. “I’ve actually given that a lot of thought, you know. I’ve opened my eyes. I can’t explain it, but suddenly you were all I was thinking of. You’ve been here for years now. I’ve known about your family from the very beginning. I killed Alexus. I learned about what your family wanted to do. Yet, I did nothing. Why? Why wasn’t I concerned about you, Marina, my child. What put you in the back of my mind? I don’t know. But not anymore. I took a drink this morning and suddenly it was so clear. I don’t like you. I don’t trust you. And for that I’m going to have you hanged.”
Marina took another step back away from the door. “You wretched swine. What have the demons done to you?”
Nikali’s expression changed. His
eyes tightened and he snarled at Marina. “Charos has opened my eyes. Your own god has betrayed you.”
“The gods watch over all of Louson, including me. They will not betray me.”
“They are not even there,” said Nikali. “I went in search of them. I went into the bowels of oblivion to see my family and thank Charos himself. But they were not there. There was nothing. That is what the gods are. They are nothing!”
“The gods will not show themselves to a demon like yourself,” said Marina.
Nikali laughed. Then he shot back forward. His head slammed against the bars of the porthole. “Don’t you understand? We have the knowledge of arcan. We have the ability. Louson has it, but over here we perfected it. Don’t you see? The gods aren’t hiding. They didn’t leave us. They became us. The gods are in Eluan! We are the gods! I am Charos!”
Marina started shaking her head. She opposed everything Nikali was saying. The gods would never have become what Nikali was. It was not possible.
“You are nothing but a demon,” said Marina. “A follower that will be struck down by the mighty. My family will pierce an arrow into your heart. My father was the greatest demon slayer in Louson. When he learns of what has happened to me and to this empire he will stop at nothing for justice. He will find you, Nikali, and your head will be his trophy for all of Louson to see.”
“Let him come,” said Nikali. “It does not matter to me. You on the other hand will not live to see it. You will answer for crimes against Eluan.”
“I am the empress. I have done nothing against my own country,” defended Marina.
“You are nothing now,” said Nikali. “I know this truth all too well. With Heric down, I am in control. It does not matter anymore who Heric was married to. There has been no child. All that matters is the bloodline, and that belongs to me.
“Your gamble to take over Eluan has failed. Tcher is gone. Louson is far away, and Alexus is dead. You are nothing.”
Marina’s innocent expression transformed into a scowl. She stood up straight. She was no longer hiding from Nikali’s words.
“Alexus loathed this place,” said Marina. “He wanted revenge. He hated your uncle, and he would stop at nothing to ensure that Eluan was ripped from his family’s grasp. He wanted to see a free world again, governed by multiple countries, and Abigail could take the Capitol for him.
“He had been planning it for decades, you know. He groomed Heric to hate the politics of Eluan. All Heric wanted was excitement. Distractions. I could easily offer him that.
“Then there was you. Alexus never pushed you. He never encouraged you to take your rightful spot in the Caning family. He let you wander and drift away.
“But Alexus was a fool. He thought Louson was going to help him with his goals. My father is going to cross the canyon with no bottom, and when he does he will take control of Eluan. There is no leader left standing here. The Eluan people and its army will bow to the King of Louson and applaud as he takes command of the empire.
“It’s even better now with Tcher out of the way. The only thing left are the few avadons in the forest. But you took out the heart of the beasts already. They will be scraps to the demon slayers.
“You and your cousin have graciously prepared Eluan for its new leaders. For that, I thank you, Charos.”
“Is that what you pray for?” Nikali asked.
“Every day,” said Marina. “It’s the future the gods hold for me. Charos works in mysterious ways.”
“I am Charos!” Nikali screamed.
“Then look into my eyes and discover the truth. I know you can. You are a demon. Nothing more. Your tricks are nothing compared to what the real Charos can do. He is manipulating you to ensure that my reign will hold strong.”
Nikali pushed his arcan to reach into Marina’s thoughts. He went in seeking the truth, but instead he was sent swirling through his own fears.
Anxiety wrapped around Nikali’s throat. He saw Heric’s lifeless body getting stabbed over and over by Eluan guards as Marina looked over their shoulders. He saw Marina standing over the balcony of the palace courts as the Louson army marched alongside the Eluan army. He saw the Talons in flames with many of its people near comatose from Tamor Blood burning alive. Throughout all of the horrible vision into the future there was one thing that was missing. One thing that Nikali desperately searched for, but was not there. Nikali was not present.
Finally, Nikali pulled away. He breathed heavily. It took several moments for Nikali to compose himself. He had never felt anything like that before.
“I told you, Nikali,” said Marina with a hint of laughter. “Did you see my future? My family will destroy yours. We are demon slayers. Your tricks are useless against me.”
“I will see you hanged,” said Nikali. “Eluan is mine. It always has been. Your father can cross the canyon with whatever army he has. I will be ready for him. I will present your head as my trophy.
“Nothing will stop me. I am Charos. I am a god!”
Nikali took a drink from his goblet. He began laughing as he spread out his arms to touch both walls in the hallway. Then he turned away from Marina and stumbled off. He let his body waver in every direction to flaunt his freedom of movement.
Once Nikali turned the corner he was gone. Marina was left alone again. She had to be more careful. Digging the hole was more exhausting than she was prepared for. Her guard was down, drawing Nikali’s attention to her. Marina steadied her mind with several deep breaths. She was a demon slayer, and Nikali was a demon.
She grabbed what was left of her last spoon and got back to work on the hole in the floor and her escape from Nikali’s power.
Chapter 4
The first days of Nikali’s reign were well underway. Many of the officials still residing in the Capitol continued on with their duties as if nothing had changed. The Royal Council was bound to the Emperor and the Emperor was bound to the Capitol. They were hurt, but the rest of the world would continue on and so would they.
Nikali sat at the head of the table. The seat was traditionally left for the official Emperor. If the Emperor was not present then the seat would have remained empty. Nikali disregarded that rule and made himself comfortable for the duration of the meeting. His feet were propped up on the grand table that the Royal Council sat around. He was closer to lying down in the chair than he was actually sitting.
The eldest of the Royal Council, Quaet, had to shift his chair a few inches to the right to be away from Nikali’s intrusive feet. He scoffed at the façade of an emperor and kept his gaze on the rest of the ten council members that sat around the table.
The Royal Council was made up of twelve individuals and the Emperor. They were men handpicked by Heric Caning after he was sworn in as the Emperor two years ago. Quaet was the only one kept from Emperor Cyrus’ previous Royal Council. Heric wanted the opinions of the old guard even as he tried to move Eluan into a new direction.
The two empty seats of the Royal Council were at the head of the table on the left and the right of Nikali. Originally, they belonged to Nikali and Heric’s former Confidant, Forman. Forman abandoned his post during the Tcher war and was put in the palace prison for his actions. Quaet saw to that personally.
Now, with Nikali as the new commander of the Royal Council and the Eluan Empire, the council members had to walk on eggshells. They did not know their future place under Nikali’s regime.
The room was quiet. Nikali took a sip from his goblet. He had the palace cooks prepare him his own personal batch of Tamor Blood. The palace had access to the most potent ingredients the Empire could get a hold of. His sip roared through the room of council members as they looked at their new leader with hushed anticipation.
Nikali pursed his lips from the bitter drink. He would have to throw away this batch. It was not good enough. Then he looked down the table at all the council members looking back at him. His stare gazed toward the ceiling. The Royal Council became an afterthought.
“I think we sho
uld begin,” said Quaet. After Quaet broke the silence in the room the rest of the Royal Council began to grumble amongst themselves.
“Nikali,” Quaet said to get the drunken man’s attention.
Nikali blinked back to attention. He looked straight at Quaet. Then as if for the first time noticing Quaet was there, Nikali smiled.
“What?” Nikali asked. His lips were blood red, and his teeth were soon to follow.
“It’s time we started,” said Quaet. “There are issues we need to discuss.”
“Of course, of course,” said Nikali. He waved his hands at the Royal Council to give them the permission to talk. Then he sat up in his throne. He over corrected his posture. Nikali leaned heavily over the table. His arms propped up his head from touching the surface of the table. He widened his eyes to give the look of complete attention to the meeting at hand.
Quaet cleared his throat to gather the attention of the Royal Council. He stood up from his chair to give himself some space to talk.
“It is with a heavy heart I begin my speech with a progress report on our Emperor, Heric Caning. His status has yet to change since arriving from the shores of Tcher. His breathing is minimal and our doctors must force feed him gruel. It will keep him nourished until he wakes up. Henri is working diligently to find a solution to Heric’s problems.”
Quaet gestured at Councilmen Henri when he spoke. Then the Royal Council lowered their heads out of respect for their fallen leader, Heric. After a moment of silence, Quaet continued with his reports.
“Do they know there is no place to retreat to?” asked General Twell. “The Tcher Islands burned into the End Sea. There is nothing left.”
“We can spread that message harder if we must, but I fear it will not be enough,” said Quaet. “As the reports go, many of the Tcher citizens lived on ships just past the shores of the islands. If these Tcher remnants are looking to escape they could possibly just live off the ships from here on out.”
“Let them go,” suggested advisor Marais. “They have been defeated. Their master is dead. They are animals. They cannot offer anything for our people. Put them on boats and send them out to sea. They will surely perish before too long.”
Eluan Falls: A Whisper of Fate Page 2
