Eluan Falls: A Whisper of Fate

by Dane G. Kroll

  “She is already dying,” said Darden. “She is different. She needs the drink.”

  “I have orders to make sure Farrah does not die,” said the doctor. “You are not giving her anything.”

  Grifith stepped right into the doctor’s face. He was done listening to any of the Myrus soldiers about how to treat Abigail. He had been taking care of her for months now. He knew what was best for her, not them.

  “Let them give her a drink,” said Seres standing at the doorway. He had been listening to the two men argue with his physician. It was time for him to step in.

  “Sir,” said the doctor. “I do not recommend that.”

  “I know,” said Seres, “But we are running out of options. If they are so adamant about the Tamor Blood then we shall try it.”

  “It will kill her,” said the doctor again.

  “I’ve seen more powerful arcan than most have. I’ve traveled across the End Sea in the blink of an eye because of arcan. There is more to it than we have ever known, and maybe they’ve stumbled onto something new. Give Farrah a drink.”

  “Fine,” said the doctor. He stepped aside and let Grifith approach the bedside of Abigail. He popped the cork on his bottle.

  “You’re gonna be okay,” Grifith said to Abigail. “We need you.”

  He gently lifted her head up and put the bottle to Abigail’s lips. Tamor Blood sipped out of the bottle and into Abigail’s mouth. Some of it spilled past her lips and down her chin. Grifith hovered over Abigail’s face. He stared at her comatose orange eyes. The life in her was gone. She wasn’t responding to the Tamor Blood, the bottle, not even him. He started to cry knowing he was losing his miracle friend. He had never felt so alive before meeting her. He just wanted to be near her. His crying escalated. Tears gushed out of him and dripped off his face and onto Abigail’s. Some of the drops started to mix in with the Tamor Blood that drained out of the bottle and into her mouth.

  With no further response Grifith massaged her throat causing it to reflexively swallow the Tamor Blood he was giving her. After a few gulps, Grifith pulled back the bottle and waited. He reached down and gripped Abigail’s hand. He couldn’t stop his crying. He was breaking down at the death of his friend.

  “How long will this take?” the doctor asked.

  “I don’t know,” said Grifith through tears.

  “Usually she retires for the night with a cup of Tamor Blood,” said Darden. “By the morning she is back to normal.”

  “Then we’ll monitor her from here,” said the doctor. “There is nothing else you can do.”

  “I don’t want to leave her,” sobbed Grifith.

  “Very well,” gave in the doctor.

  “Thank you,” said Grifith.

  Grifith tried to smile through his tears, but something else was happening. His face grew numb. He felt light headed. His vision was going black. The room was spinning. He was lucky to be sitting on the ground braced against the bed or he would have fallen over. The numbness started to spread down his body. He could feel its cold reach in every limb. The last bit of feeling was in his hand that was holding Abigail’s.

  Then Abigail began to stir.

  She moaned. Her eyes blinked. A long deep breath boomed in the silent room. Grifith let go of Abigail’s hand. He didn’t have the strength to hold on to her any longer.

  Grifith could not sit up to look at Abigail like everybody else. He was suddenly too weak. The Myrus doctors, Darden, and Seres all circled the two ill fated people before them.

  “What is going on?” Darden asked.

  “Get him to a bed,” ordered the doctor. “Everybody else out.”

  “But what’s happening?” Darden asked again.

  “I don’t know, but Farrah is stirring and that’s a good thing. I will handle it from here.”

  “What about Grifith?” Darden cried out.

  “I’ll look at him too. Just get out of here. I need to work.”

  Seres listened to his physician and escorted the nearly uncontrollable Darden out of the carriage.

  “He will be fine,” said Seres to calm Darden down as they touched ground outside of the carriage. The two men stopped moving as the marching Myrus army passed them.

  “How do you know?” Darden asked.

  “Because like I said before. I’ve seen the power of what arcan can do. They will both be fine. We just have to wait now and get ready.”

  “Ready for what?” Darden asked.

  “You did well today,” said Seres. “You watched over Farrah well. You may have saved her life. You’re going to need to keep that up. There will be more coming from Nikali.”

  Chapter 45

  The palace bathhouse was different. Quaet couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but the situation made him uneasy. It was the smell Quaet thought to himself. The air smelled metallic. His once last haven of relaxation was tainted. There was no other thought that Nikali wasn’t responsible.

  The deeper Quaet walked into the bathhouse the more he noticed it. The smell was getting stronger. It tickled his nose, and eventually the air began to hurt his lungs.

  Quaet looked down at the pools nearest to him. The water was darker than normal. It was just a hint of dark pink. Quaet bent over to take a closer look. The steam that rose up from the water held the metallic smell that Quaet first smelled.

  Around the bathhouse nobody else seemed to notice or mind. Many people relaxed in the waters like nothing was out of the ordinary. Unlike Quaet, they did not see the dangers that Nikali was bringing forth.

  Quaet ended his investigation of the bathhouse and continued on through the room. He had a meeting with Kayl to attend to in their first meeting place. Kayl wanted to meet in the palace this time around.

  The former council member waited for Quaet in the back of the bathhouse. The steam clouded visibility in the area and they could talk a bit more freely. Quaet walked up to him. Kayl was not in the water. He sat on a small bench coming out of the wall with his robe loosely draped around him.

  “Don’t get in the water,” Kayl warned Quaet.

  “I’ve noticed,” said Quaet.

  “I think Tamor Blood is in it,” said Kayl.

  “Nikali will drive this entire city mad,” said Quaet. “If he’s tainted the entire city’s water supply then we’re in worse shape than I thought.”

  “Nikali killed Henri,” Quaet said, changing the subject. “He practically dropped him with the balcony. Before he was run amok, but now he is becoming dangerous to us. He cannot keep going.”

  “I am sorry to hear about Henri,” said Kayl.

  “Don’t be,” said Quaet. “We needed him gone. He was an ally of Nikali’s believe it or not.”

  “One down then,” said Kayl.

  Yes,” said Quaet. “But still the biggest fish to go.”

  “That’s why we have to move quickly,” said Kayl. “Nikali is in disarray right now. Seres was able to dismantle his army. Nikali is weak. When you see the opportunity you need to strike. We need to get Marina out of her prison.”

  “We should strike Nikali directly,” said Quaet. “Marina will aid us. She is stronger than she lets on.”

  “It’s too dangerous,” said Kayl. “We still don’t know what he is capable of. His power-base is weakened. If we unite against him then it will just be him alone, and that will amount to nothing for him.”

  “How do I signal the Suraya?” Quaet asked, moving on to the plan.

  Kayl shifted his robe. He revealed a small black cat resting next to his leg. “After today this cat will be placed with the others roaming the palace for vermin. It won’t be released from their main room until it is time to strike. When you see the opportune moment, go to the cat’s nest and release the black cat. The Suraya will see it and they will go for Marina. You do not have to be there. Understood?”

  “Yes,” said Quaet with irritation. He didn’t need to be watched like a child.

  Then Kayl picked up the cat and put it down on the floor. The c
at hissed at its disturbance. Then it scurried off to wander the bathhouse and later the rest of the palace.

  Kayl got up from his seat once the cat was gone. He stretched and readjusted his robe. “We’re almost there, Quaet. All of our dreams are so close.”

  Quaet nodded his head in agreement. “Just keep your head down, Kayl. This can still slip up. Make sure Seres does his job in Myrus. He’s ambitious. Maybe a little too ambitious.”

  “We’re watching him,” said General Kayl. “We all want the same thing. Soon Eluan will be no more.”

  Then Kayl walked off into the tainted steam of the bathhouse. Quaet waited in the back of the room. He looked at the water again. Maybe just a few minutes in the warm water wouldn’t hurt, Quaet thought. Then he shrugged off the notion. He wasn’t going to give in to Nikali’s gifts. The people were becoming too relaxed to the situation. If this continued on any longer then they wouldn’t care who the emperor was.

  Chapter 46

  The Myrus army marched unopposed through the Eluan Empire back toward their home. The hundreds of Abigail’s followers that survived the battle at Jemn found safety and security within the soldiers’ ranks. Despite exhaustion and worry that shadowed over the two groups there was still enough hope to brighten the day of every traveler. They had just gone through a major victory against Emperor Nikali. Change wasn’t going to be easy, but it was coming.

  In the midst of the army one carriage now held both Abigail and her companion, Grifith. Their health and energy had not fully returned yet, but each day they were getting better. It took two days for Grifith to start eating again. Then another day before he was talking. Abigail was faster in progress. They gave her a regiment of Tamor Blood and after each cup she appeared to grow a little bit stronger.

  After a couple of days on the road, Abigail was strong enough to care for Grifith herself. She asked for privacy from the Myrus soldiers. Seres was kind enough to grant Abigail her wish. Soldiers remained outside the carriage for her protection, but she and Grifith were left alone.

  Through the window of the carriage, Abigail could tell they were getting closer to Myrus. The ground was beginning to sprinkle with jasmine from the mines outside of the city. It sparkled across the horizon and dazzled in Abigail’s eyes.

  “Can you sit up?” Abigail asked Grifith.

  “Maybe later,” Grifith said as he struggled to sit up in his cot.

  “It will be too late then,” said Abigail. She shuffled over to him from her side of the carriage. Abigail put her hand against Grifith’s back and gently pushed him upward so he could sit properly in the seat of the carriage.

  As Grifith sat up Abigail leaned back against the carriage seats. Grifith’s healing was going to take time. Both of theirs were. Abigail was still weak. She couldn’t feel the arcan like she had before the battle. The tingle was gone. She felt near powerless.

  Grifith smiled at the sight of the jasmine mines appearing outside of the carriage. He had never seen anything so beautiful before. Myrus always seemed out of reach for Grifith. He and Darden had lived out east their entire lives. They had always talked about going to Myrus or the Capitol, but money and excuses were always in their way.

  “Thank you,” said Grifith. Then he turned to Abigail to continue. “Thank you for everything. I don’t know why, but ever since I saw you I knew I wanted you in my life somehow. I couldn’t shake it. That’s why I didn’t leave you behind. And look. This is why. You’ve changed our lives. We’re headed to Myrus. We’re a part of something. I can never repay you for that.”

  Abigail smiled back at Grifith like a mother smiles at their innocent child. The battle had cleared Abigail’s mind. Memories were starting to get put in order, and the truth frightened her. There were more than just memories, and dreams. There was fate running through her thoughts. She knew the fates of everybody around her. And it was not good.

  Abigail looked at Grifith. There were not enough words to truly calm Grifith and explain her own gratitude for Grifith and Darden sticking by her side, so she went for the simplest. “You’re welcome.”

  Horns sounded across the dazzling city of Myrus alerting its citizens of their returning commander and his triumphant army. Outside the city walls, the Myrus army began to break apart and form lines directed toward the entry gates.

  Francesco de Seres’ carriage broke through the group and emerged at the head of the line moving towards the gate. They lead a procession of Abigail’s followers that were instructed to continue on inside the city.

  While the carriage moved, Seres exited the back cabin and stepped up to the front station. He stood proud and confidant as he greeted the first sight of his city. His soldiers cheered for their commander as he passed them. Seres waved back at them and congratulated the men that fought bravely for him against the tyrannical Nikali.

  Then the carriage made its way under the Myrus arches and entered the city. Thousands of citizens were already out on the streets to greet their returning champions. They cheered and threw flowers, papers, and anything else they could grab to show their affection for Seres and everything he had done for his new people.

  Myrus was coming to life again and it was all thanks to Francesco de Seres, the End of Days. He represented a new life for not only the people of Myrus, but for those across the empire that were left with nothing after the Tcher War. Myrus was the city of rebirth and a second chance.

  Grifith couldn’t tear away from the window. He looked out at the thousands of people celebrating their arrival. It was glorious enough to bring tears to his eyes. As they traveled down the road, Grifith looked out to only see more people. They were filling in from other streets, all anxious to see the returning army.

  “Are you not going to have a look?” Grifith asked Abigail. She remained relaxed against the back seat of the carriage. Grifith turned to her, but quickly turned back to the city outside. It was too much to look away from.

  “I’m fine,” said Abigail. “I’ve seen the crowds before.”

  “You’ve been to Myrus?” Grifith asked.

  “Yes,” said Abigail. There was no more hesitation for her. She didn’t have to struggle to bring out memories that were hidden behind shadows. She remembered her old life.

  Her recovery not only affected her health, but it brought back everything that was locked away in her mind. She was whole again for the first time in months, and it was a strange world to see clearly. Nikali’s rise to power was nothing but horrifying, and Abigail hoped that Heric was safe. And here she was in the grips of Seres. Though, if she was honest with herself, she hardly knew him. Heric didn’t care for Seres much, Abigail recalled. Neither did Nikali, but he didn’t like anybody that associated with his mother. That was all Abigail really knew, and that was not enough to go on. Heric wasn’t always right, and Nikali was blinded by rage. Abigail was going to have to learn about Seres on her own now.

  The little apprehension that arose from those thoughts Abigail fought down. She had to remind herself that she was in the heart of the Tcher Islands not too long ago. She was untouchable then. She could be again.

  Out amongst the people of Myrus the Blood Beauty, Mareen, watched the procession of Myrus soldiers and new refugees from the east parade through the streets.

  Mareen focused in on one carriage in particular. The lack of presence indicated that it was the one Abigail was traveling in. She had a way to block out an arcan thought invasion. But it would not be enough to protect her or anybody else in the city that thought they could save Abigail from the grips of the Blood Beauties.

  Chapter 47

  Francesco de Seres exited his carriage welcomed by rows of his personal house staff. They all greeted their gracious employer with smiles and bows. Seres walked past them paying little attention.

  It was a stressful trip back to Myrus and even the parade was more tedious than he had wanted. His people were celebrating, but that was only because they didn’t know the truth. His actions against Nikali’s army had declared war
on Eluan. They would retaliate and Seres knew that. He made sure Myrus was properly secured and defended before any of the celebrating began.

  The Red Cast never once disappeared from view of the Myrus army. They were a looming threat that Seres had to take into account every night on their journey. The women never attacked, but it was wearing down his men having to keep an eye out for them.

  Much of the Myrus army was stationed outside of the city walls. The heaviest formations were positioned to the south of Myrus. It was the most logical location for Eluan to make their attack from. That didn’t stop Seres from worrying. Emperor Nikali’s strategies were not logical. The commander of Myrus had to be prepared for anything.

  That was why he risked so much for Abigail. There was no winning in joining with Nikali. The Royal Council bowed to Nikali like sheep to the slaughter. Seres was not going to go that way. He would not kneel to the arcan addicted man-child. Abigail was his salvation. She was already winning over the people, and she had a revolution backing her without even knowing it. All Seres had to do was get her under his control. Her power could tip the scales for Myrus and lead Seres into the one role that few dared dream about in Eluan. Emperor.

  But first Seres needed a moment for himself. He walked through the empty halls of the Senate House of Myrus. It was the first building finished in the restoration of the city, but had yet to be properly occupied. Senators from across Eluan still refused to venture out to Myrus and continue on with their work there. Despite Seres’ development in the past couple of years it was still believed Myrus was a dead city and never coming back.

  As disappointing as the sight of empty halls was, Seres did not grow discouraged. The people were coming to the city. The empire was still in shambles from the Tcher War. Refugees from the Capitol flocked to Myrus last year and still some trickled in as Nikali’s reign over the city grew tighter. Nikali could not hold his people in the Capitol hostage forever. They would revolt or Seres would liberate them himself. The people would cheer his name, and follow Seres wherever he went. It was only a matter of time before the Senators followed.