Enol’s expression was unreadable, and the stubborn set of his lips told the king that he was not going to be giving him a response.
The king sighed, “The prophecy has been fulfilled, that is why you are back. The light has broken forth. Will you not tell me where it is so that I can do the will of El!”
Enol sighed, “No, I will not. You know it is not your own to harvest, but El will provide his direction accordingly.”
Dartan’s eyes widened, “what do you mean? I am the king, who else must he direct?”
“A time is coming Walden, when the light of El will shine on all who will have it. When the curse of darkness upon the land of Saharia is broken, all will be free, but you are not the man who will usher in this time.”
Dartan’s eyes widened, “what does that mean?”
Enol sighed, “it means that we have found a new way to El, a way that is open to each and every person, from each and every tribe. When that happens, it will be Aldor’s role to see that that truth, that the light of El shines brightly in Saharia.”
The king’s eyes lit up with excitement, “and under my reign, what a way to be remembered.”
Enol’s eyes hardened unexpectedly, “No,” he said, “You will not be the one to usher in this time. For you have been weighed by El and he has found you lacking. Your corruption runs deep and the darkness you have welcomed casts a dark shadow over your reign. El honours you by keeping your bloodline on the throne, but you Walden of Stone, will not live to see it.”
Walden’s eyes grew cold, “I will not? How dare you! I am king!”
Enol stood still, his expression unreadable, unmoved by the king’s outburst.
“Who is to say that you hear from El? Who is to say that you are not playing us all for fools. You expect me to believe that this light is real, that it can instantly change the way things have always been? Yet you will not show me where it is.”
“It is not what you believe, no matter what you believe the gift of El will continue to be available for those who seek it. And whether you find it or not, soon enough it will be impossible to hide.”
“Well, you may be respected among the people, but I am feared. I am their king, and you will not speak a word of this to the people of Aldor nor to the council.”
He turned to leave just as Enol’s voice slowed his steps.
“You have grown drunk with power, and your distance from El has you threading a treacherous path. You are fearless and have placed the power given to you above him who gave it to you. But to you I say this, you have been judged. You will live to see your son take the throne, and in that day, you will be too feeble to even lift the crown upon his head. In that day you will groan and writhe in pain and eagerly desire death, but you will only close your eyes after you see the first born of the new way in this very kingdom. It is then that you will remember the God you once honoured.”
The king’s glare held all the murderous hate a man could harbour in his heart. He then turned on his heel and stomped out of the temple. Enol turned to his right and sighed.
“Come on out son,” he said.
A young man stepped out from behind the stone pillar, a younger reflection of the man who had just stormed out of the temple. His kind grey eyes were somber with despair.
“Did you mean what you said?” he asked.
Enol regarded him compassionately, “I only speak what I must.”
He extended his hand, a thin brown arm sticking out from a tattered robe. The lad took the offered hand and the old man guided him toward the altar.
“Did you know that I was here?” he asked.
The old man shook his head, “but I hoped. How much of it did you hear?”
The young prince twisted his lips, “all of it.”
“Good, then I do not need to tell you again what is required of you.”
“But I do not understand…”
The old man cut him off with his commanding eyes, “You will.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Kalgary sighed, he had lived to see Enol’s judgement on his father come to past. He had watched for years while his father fought to keep the throne from him, he had even poisoned his own half-sister against him, exposing her to things that led to her own destruction, forcing the king, their father to exile her from Aldor, only to form an alliance with her for a brief time because they both despised his affections for the Nerubians. But surely as Enol had said, the king grew feeble and by the time Kalgary was to be crowned as king his father was too weak to lift the crown upon his head.
By that time Ruby and Topaz were two years old and still being kept away from the public eye. It was not until he had visited his father in his final hours did he find out that his Ruby had snuck into her grandfather’s bed chamber without her head piece. His father was too weak and tortured to be furious, but he knew what his son had done.
“She is one of them,” he had said feebly.
“She is,” Kalgary had admitted, “you thought you had killed them all, but El preserved her. I have no doubt that he has a great purpose in store for her.”
“You have defied me at every turn, since you let that prophet fill your head with nonsense. I have not found that light and you never will because it is not real. Soon you will realize that I was right.”
“I choose to trust El father; your actions have not reflected his ways in any way. Enol’s words have never failed to come to pass, look at you, dying proof of his authenticity. You are my father and I am your son and I will never forget that, but I will never be a king like you.”
The king had smiled, “she will be the end of you, you know,” his father had said, “that child, she will be the end of you.”
“If my end means the fulfillment of El’s will, then I welcome it,” Kalgary had said.
Moments later his father had died, just as Enol said he would. By the next year Kalgary had drafted the refugee decree. Captives from other tribes and kingdoms who were made to be slaves under his father’s ruling could now pay off their debts and apply for refugee status. Allowing them to work and live freely in Aldor as long as they kept its laws, followed the customs in service to El and accepted their own limitations. Slowly Aldor started taking shape into the kingdom of refuge it was today, with people come from far and wide to know the safety that El provides. But since Enol had left after his meeting with his father, he had never returned to Aldor and another prophet had not arisen since.
Kalgary knew that the people were becoming discouraged and he knew that their defenses against the darkness was weakening. If they did not find the light source soon, Aldor would fall apart but he trusted that El would not forsake his people. The king sighed, he knew that this was not the best time to wage war against anyone, especially Dravia.
“Bring them all home El, and I beg you to direct us to your light. Until then show me what to do about Ruby. You directed me to her and you gave my wife and I wisdom to protect her. Now what shall I do at this point with the life that you have entrusted me with?”
CHAPTER 29
“B
e careful with him!" Ruby cried, watching in horror as Deswald dangled over the shoulder of one of their captors.
The soldier that held her captive, shoved her hard, "silence!" He growled.
She glared at him, clamping down on a rude response. As they entered the throne room, her heart did a panicked dip and her gaze darted to Evra. The spy who was with them had not stood a chance against their cruel attackers, her stomach churned as what happened in the tunnel flashed before her.
Before all the Dravian soldiers had come into view she had known they were no match for them, but the spy was brave, and she fought well, taking two of them with her. But the soldiers were merciless; to them her life was worth nothing. Another life destroyed because of Ruby’s actions, they had not even gotten her name. A lone tear escaped the corner of Ruby's eyes and she swiped it away quickly. This was all her fault, all of it. This woman, this stranger, lost her life because of her rash choices. She lifted
her eyes to Deswald's unconscious body, she remembered what he had said, about believing in her ability to do what she was called to. She doubted herself for a moment and look how many people were paying for it. The heavy gold framed doors swung open and they were ushered in. Thin, scaly looking creatures stood around the throne, grinning maniacally. Ruby averted her eyes, they were the creatures of nightmares. The rude soldier shoved her forward and stomped her in the back, so that she doubled forward unto her knees before the cruel prince.
“Do you want to lose that foot!” the prince screamed.
The soldier shrunk back, fear and confusion on his face, “ssssorry your majesty,” he stammered.
The prince turned to Ruby now, who was kneeling before him, looking up at him with rage in her eyes.
"Well, well, well," he crooned, and brought his hands together in slow taunting applause.
"I have underestimated you princess.”
Ruby lifted her eyes to his, the cruelty in them burning into her, but she refused to look away. She refused to back down, to let him believe that he had won.
"What do you want from me?" she demanded through clenched teeth, “I told you I want nothing to do with you.”
He chuckled, "what makes you think I want anything from you?"
Ruby glared at him, "because if you did not, you would let me escape or had your men kill me. Yet here I am."
The cruel smirk on his face disappeared and raw anger took its place, "you are right princess, there are many things I could use you for, but very little I want from you," in his eyes flashed a skin crawling hunger.
He stalked to his golden throne and perched himself gracefully on it, "I could use you for leverage, revenge, information," he leaned his head to the side, "entertainment. But I guess the better question to ask is, what do you want from me princess?"
Ruby followed his not so subtle gaze to her lifeless guard. She had not noticed when she had entered but Serin was in the room, glowering at her. Deswald lay at his feet, his skin now an ashy hint of blue. This was her fault and so it needed to be her sacrifice, not Deswald's.
She looked up at the prince now, "you are right. I want the antidote for your brand of poison."
The prince smirked, then it evolved into a cackle that didn't suit his youthful face, "oh my dear Ruby you are delicious."
He arose from his throne and walked toward her, where she was still on her knees and offered her his hand. Ruby swallowed her disgust and took it, allowing him to lift her to her feet.
"Heart to hearts do not ever interest me, but I do love making deals," he smiled.
Ruby's heart thudded in her chest, "what do you want? I have no time for games," she blurted, wincing at the desperation in her voice.
The prince, still holding her gaze, reached up and pulled a cord from around his neck, and dangled a tiny vial before her.
"Your antidote my princess."
It took all of her restraint not to dive forward and snatch it from his hand.
"How do I know it is what you say?" she asked.
She turned to look at Evra for confirmation, but by the way the woman was staring at it, she did not appear to have any idea if it was what he claimed it to be.
The prince chuckled, "because Serin can tell you."
All eyes turned upon Serin, his expression was unreadable as he stepped over Deswald while rolling up his sleeves.
"That night I faced the prince for you," he started, "he poisoned me with a dark powder and threw me into a dark room. I thought it was nothing but a ploy to frighten me but by midnight I realized that there was more to it than I thought. Chills wracked my body, and pain unlike anything I have ever felt consumed me. Black vein-like markings crawled up my arms toward my heart and I knew that I was seconds from death." Ruby watched in horror at the crack like scars running up his arms.
"So he made a deal," the prince interjected, looking overly pleased with himself as he returned to his royal seat.
He dangled the vial before her, "his life, in exchange for his loyal service. See his blood is now poison and I am the only one capable of keeping it from killing him."
Ruby's eyes went to Serin's, why didn’t he tell her that. If this was all there was to it, then surely, he could have found a way out of it.
"The scars remain," Serin said, "as a reminder of the deal I made for my life. But I got more than I thought Ruby, I also got clarity and saw things for what they really are. I saw you for who you really are," his dark eyes burned with hatred.
“And now I realize even more that what I thought was a curse, is also a source of power. See before I stabbed Deswald with my blade I dipped it in my blood from wounds he gave me.”
Ruby felt a chill sidle up her spine, it was Serin’s blood that had done this to Deswald. As if in response to her thoughts he released an agonized groan and turned unto his back. Evra ran to him despite the soldiers attempt to restrain her.
"Leave her," the prince commanded, "his life now rests in the hands of his dear princess."
As he said this, Ruby remembered again how much Deswald believed in her, how there were others who believed in her as well. She so wanted to prove to them that they were right for doing so.
"This antidote can permanently reverse the effects of this?” she asked.
“Yes,” the prince replied.
“His blood would not be poison like Serin’s?”
The prince shrugged, “it should not, I deliberately did what I did to Serin, this is more like a virus your friend has. Serin has become stronger and wiser, whereas your friend will simply die.”
“What do you want in return?"
The prince smiled, cruel pleasure lighting up his face, "what I have always wanted, your hand… with your father’s ring on it. But now I guess I will just settle for your hand. It gets awfully lonely here sometimes,” he glared at his grotesque companions.
“My father’s ring?” she shook her head, “Like I told Serin, I never got it. I left before he gave it to me. Why the interest?”
“Oh, to be honest any ring with the royal signet will do. Everyone knows that only the most sacred of stones, forged in the fires of El will do for the royal offspring of the king. The truth is that I have other means of getting what I want.”
The prince extended his pale ringed hand, “So what say you princess? Stay with me and your soldier lives, sit beside me on this… tiny throne my father made for my mother before he put her away like a common thief.”
“Why me?” she cried, “you can have your pick of women, who would faun all over you.”
The prince waved his hand from where he sat on the throne, and her head covering fell away, revealing the secret beneath it. Ruby gasped and the room suddenly went quiet, Ruby lowered her gaze.
“I was right, I was right,” one of the ugly looking creatures shouted in a shrill voice as he leapt from one bony leg to the next. But everyone was preoccupied with Ruby, even Serin was staring at her. It was odd that she seemed to be the only one who noticed the ugly creatures.
“Oh my apologies,” the prince teased, “was that supposed to be a secret?”
Ruby swallowed hard, her eyes brimming with tears of rage, she was growing to passionately despise this man.
“You do not even know how special you are, do you? Your father kept you all to himself, just like he kept those precious stones. He thinks they will protect him and his precious kingdom, but a day is coming when he will cry out to me for mercy. Do you want to be on the winning side and never have to hide who you are again, or would you rather kneel and plead for your life with the rest of them?”
She did not fully understand what the prince was saying, he had an odd way of rambling on about things she did not understand. There was one thing she did know, and it was that Deswald did not deserve to die because of her reckless decision. As she parted her lips to reply, a voice boomed in the silence.
“At last, I have found it!”
They all turned around to find a man standing before
the open door, legs apart, one hand on his hip while the other held up a half empty bottle. He was dressed in an elaborate tunic and was grinning widely at them as he fought to stay upright. The man blinked, and his grin morphed into a pleased smile.
“Well well…” he slurred, “I was looking for a place to relieve myself but… seems like I have found the real party. Wait till I tell the others…” the man made a full circle before he started walking back towards the door.
“Stop right there!” the prince commanded, just as one of his men stepped into the drunkard’s path, one hand on his sword threateningly. The man turned around.
“Is there a problem officer,” he snickered at his own drunken attempt at humour, he was still clueless of what he had walked into.
“Do you know who you are speaking to, I should have you executed.”
The man frowned, lifted his finger and wagged it at the prince, "No no,” he said, “No need to get violent during this festive season."
Suddenly another guard burst through the door of the throne room, breathless and sweaty. By now the prince’s eyes were bulging with rage.
“What is this!” he erupted, “does no one respect my throne room? No one dared barge in here without my father’s permission!”
The room went quiet, with Ruby and Evra exchanging looks over Deswald’s shaking body. They both knew that he was running out of time.
“Please your majesty, it is only because there is a situation that requires your immediate attention,” the guard pleaded, his own panic reddening his lighter skin.
“What is it?” the prince asked through gritted teeth.
“The barracks… it is on fire.”
The prince’s eyes widened, “Is the package secure?”
The man nodded, “yes your majesty so far. But the fire is spreading quickly, and I am afraid we may never get it under control. The it needs to be moved immediately.”
The prince growled and stomped towards the door.
“Wait please!” Ruby pleaded, “the antidote.” The prince paused long enough to glance down at her through his long lashes, a disgusted frown on his impeccable face. And without another word proceeded to leave the room. As he neared the door, he yanked the chain from around his neck and tossed it to Serin.
Kingdom of Refuge (Gemstone Royals Book 1) Page 25
