by J. B. Jenn
The fire died and he made his way back to his room, thinking about what the demon had told him. Wytches had demon blood running through their veins. Maybe in order for Hartland to accept wytches, they had to understand them better. He doubted people would be more understanding if what the demon had said was true, and there was demon blood flowing through a wytch’s veins. He felt people would fear them more if they learned the truth.
Trester sighed. He wished there was a way to prove it. He had to know.
Arem
He had no idea what he planned to do. His town was vacant. His entire family was dead. Mercea didn’t trust him. Ogden was uncertain about him because of Mercea’s distrust. It frustrated him. He thought he had proved himself on the battlefield.
Not having any plans was one of the reasons he was on the sand outside the palace. He had considered going into Heltarn a few times, but hadn’t. As he’d been there twice already, he knew there was nothing there for him. Arem shook his head. There was nothing for him here either.
He wanted to seek out De’Nae. He wanted to make her pay for everything she had done. But first, he wanted answers. He was curious what had made her want to pose as Rosha, especially for as long as she had. She’d had a chance to take Mercea back at Lake Jejdin. All she would have had to do was kill him. Why hadn’t she?
Arem sighed, shaking his head. There were no answers. De’Nae had them. He doubted she would give her reasons to anyone. Besides, it wasn’t like he could get to De’Nae on his own, even if she was in Dawn Stone. There was an entire army of demons between them.
Being outside, away from all the noise, hadn’t given him any perspective as he had hoped it would. Despite knowing he couldn’t, he wanted to travel with Mercea. He had asked her, although he had already known the answer. She couldn’t trust him. He had promised her to stay in sight at all times. Still, she wouldn’t let him travel with her.
There was only once choice left to him. He needed to use his gifts elsewhere, to help stop this. The border needed him and his magic. He wasn’t helping anyone here. The last thing he had done was heal Trester’s wounds.
He wondered why Mercea hadn’t questioned him about it while they spoke. He knew it was unusual for a wytch to possess the skills of a healer. It was something else he was curious about. His gifts seemed to differ from other wytches. He’d had questions about his unusual gifts since he first discovered he was a wytch.
The soldiers at the gate knew him by sight. They were the ones standing guard when Urian had arrived. The two signaled to the top of the gates. They started to grind open and would only open far enough to allow him to pass through. Arem nodded at them.
“Still trying to gather your thoughts?” the man on the right asked.
“Already gathered them,” Arem answered. “I just need to speak with King Maik and I’ll be on my way.”
The palace felt empty. There were only a few servants in sight. He knew most everyone was still pulling in bodies, identifying the dead and burying them. It was a grisly process. He was grateful he wasn’t part of it. He had already seen too many deaths, had dealt too many himself.
Outside of King Maik’s chambers stood two guards. Their faces were emotionless.
“Will you please inform King Maik, I would like an audience with him?”
One of them nodded and disappeared inside the room for a moment. Arem looked toward the other guard whose hand rested on the hilt of his sword. The other man reappeared and signaled for him to enter.
King Maik sat on the long, black couch, staring at the empty fireplace. Arem stared at the man for a moment. Although he didn’t know the king well, he could see his misery. He could see Maik’s self-loathing that he had survived when his loved one hadn’t. It was something he understood only too well. There was nothing he could do for the man. Maik would have to find his own way.
“Your Majesty.” Arem stepped in front of him and bowed. Maik looked toward him and waved him to continue. Arem saw the disinterest in the man’s sea green eyes. “I would like to fight at the border with your permission. I would like a chance to continue to protect people.”
Maik didn’t look at him again. He continued to stare into the black fireplace. “You may.”
Arem blinked. “That’s it?”
Maik turned an irritated gaze on him. “What more do you want? You asked if you could fight, I gave you permission. You didn’t need my permission for that anyway. Just lend aid where you can.”
Arem gave the man a small bow again. “Thank you, your Majesty.”
Galtrand
Trester had asked him to return to Kenokel. He had agreed, knowing he needed to distance himself. The only way he would ever feel complete again was if he left the place where she had been murdered at. He would never stop thinking of himself as a failure for letting it happen. Seeing the bloodstain in the courtyard was only a reminder of it.
He wanted revenge, but he wasn’t certain how he could go up against someone like De’Nae. He couldn’t even imagine going up against Arem or Trester after seeing what they were capable of.
Galtrand took in a deep breath and sighed it out. He was still a few days from the border. After accepting the orders from Trester, he often thought about abandoning them. He wasn’t certain if he was ready to see the destruction of Kenokel for himself and face another loss. He wondered if there was anything to even salvage in the city.
He could travel to Drakal and hire his sword arm out. Maybe he would even go to the port, Fairvale, and make a living on the sea. His future was full of possibilities. None of them seemed to belong in Cascade. None of them were in the Desert. The only reason he continued toward Kenokel was for Janessa.
Although he knew he couldn’t see the North Gardens Palace, Galtrand looked behind him. He wished this was all part of a nightmare. He wished he’d wake up from it and find Kenokel intact and Janessa still alive. His heart yearned for it.
Up ahead, he saw some of the Desert soldiers who had helped refugees fleeing Cascade. His heart swelled with the thought he’d be home soon. He hoped he could heal there. If not… He set his mouth firm. No. He wouldn’t flee. It wasn’t in him to flee. He had always faced things head on, and he would face this the same way, no matter how difficult.
“Good afternoon!” one of them called to him.
Galtrand noted the man had placed his hand on the hilt of his weapon. He didn’t blame him, not after everything. If word hadn’t come this far, they were still on high alert.
“Hello,” he responded with a nod.
“What brings you this way? Few seek going back into the city.”
“I was sent this way.”
“Unfortunately, we are under orders to not allow anyone into Cascade. It is a war zone. King Maik wishes for no one else to die.”
Galtrand gave a harsh laugh. “The threat has passed. The monster bypassed you and went straight for the North Gardens Palace. I was there for the fight and am now returning home.” The soldier looked unconvinced and moved forward. The sword at Galtrand’s hip slid out of the sheath. “Try it.”
“If you wish to die that’s your business,” the soldier stated, shaking his head.
Galtrand passed the man. He glanced back, hating the fact he was leaving behind all the others to fight King Barend. He knew King Trester was right to send him away. He was a broken man. Right now.
Querra
“Why haven’t they sent anyone?” she asked. “Why haven’t we seen anyone? Does Cascade mean nothing to the royal family? Everything is in tatters. We need someone everyone will follow.”
Eiden wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. She relaxed against his body. It was the only comfort she had here. Even now, her mind would flitter back to the Tharroh. There were times she was bitter about remaining behind. She wished Eiden hadn’t talked her out of it. They were interesting creatures. She needed to know how they would come to affect Hartland. She had so many questions for them. She should have already left to find them.<
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“Querra, we have someone who people already follow. I’ve told you this before. It’s you.”
Querra didn’t answer for a time. “They followed me during the war. I only know about fighting and sending people to their deaths. What do I know about running a kingdom? Nothing. I was born a poor woman and am still a poor woman who lives by her sword.”
She moved away from him. Eiden remained where he was, waiting. He was different now. Always before he would fight against anything she said. Now, he either agreed with her or tried to manipulate her into doing what he thought was right. She wondered if it was because he had almost died. Querra shook her head and left him standing there. She needed some clarity.
Eiden rushed out of the tent after her, catching the inside of her arm. “Where are you going?” he asked. “You aren’t going after them, are you?”
“I need some time alone.” He wouldn’t release her. She met his eyes. “Let go, Eiden,” she said through clenched teeth. “I don’t have to tell you everything.”
Eiden shook his head. “You’re going to go looking for them, aren’t you?”
“What if I am? Things have calmed around here. You can handle things.”
Eiden shook his head at her. “That isn’t the point. It’s still dangerous out there. You shouldn’t go alone.”
“Then come with me.”
“No.”
“Aren’t you at all curious about the Tharroh? What if they aren’t the friendly people we think they are? I would like to be informed before it’s too late. We know next to nothing about them, other than they’re powerful.”
Eiden studied her before heaving out an irritated sigh. He released his hold on her. “Fine. Do whatever you want, regardless of anyone else. You’re going to do it anyway. So selfish.”
She watched him leave. For a moment, she bit her lip in regret and considered racing to his side. No. She had to discover more about those half-demon, half-human people if she could. If she couldn’t discover anything about them after a few weeks, she would return. She wouldn’t leave the Relentless any longer than that. She wondered why Eiden had so little faith in her. It bothered her he thought of her as a selfish person. Querra closed her eyes. Maybe she was.
She took in a deep breath, flaring her nostrils. It didn’t matter what he thought. She would do whatever was necessary. She always did.
Querra glanced back in the direction Eiden had gone. She knew she was doing the right thing. She wished he could see it.
Casman
The wind was flowing past him as he stood just outside of Hethera’s house. He hardly noticed it. He’d been standing there for a while, unable to bring himself to walk up the few steps and knock. He had meant to check on her for the last several days. Every time he thought about it, all he could think about was how Ogden had died and how it was Gray’s fault. Nothing was being done about it. In fact, Lord Osrin had seen fit to promote the idiot. People followed Gray, believing in the nonsense he spewed.
Casman turned away. He couldn’t visit her now. There was too much resentment. It was best to leave things alone. He didn’t need to say the wrong thing and upset her. He knew he would, too. Losing Ogden had, no doubt, shattered her world, though from watching her, it hadn’t seemed like it had.
As he made his way back down the stone path, he heard the door creak open. The sound made him want to run. Instead, he took in a deep breath and turned. Hethera stood in the doorway with a shawl wrapped around her narrow shoulders. He walked toward her.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I should have come sooner. I couldn’t… Please find it within yourself to forgive a coward.”
“Come inside. We need to talk.”
Casman nodded, unable to refuse her. As he stared at her, he couldn’t imagine how she felt. She and Ogden had been so close. Over the years, they had started to become more and more like one person. He had always envied their relationship. He and Sinda, his own wife, had never been close. Most of the time, he looked forward to spending time away from her. One could only take so much yelling.
At times, Casman wondered why he had even married her. More so now than he ever had. When he had first come home after fighting those demons, he had tried to hold her close. She had pulled away and insisted she had to leave. He hadn’t seen her for two days after that. His marriage didn’t feel real. There was no real love between them.
“Please, have a seat. There is something important I have to tell you.”
Casman frowned but did as told. He looked to her. She sat in front of him and smiled. It was a curious behavior for someone who had lost her husband.
“I don’t understand what’s going on.”
“Ogden isn’t dead.”
Casman stared at her for several long moments, blinking. “What do you mean he’s not dead? Has he contacted you?” His heart swelled with hope.
“It’s not something so simple. You may not even believe me, but know, he’s not dead.”
“Perhaps you should try to explain then. He hasn’t come back in all this time, Hethera. After what Gray said happened, I don’t think he could have survived. Don’t do this to yourself. You’ll only make it harder. He’s dead, Hethera.” She raised one of her brows at him. “Hethera, he’s dead. Nothing can bring him back.”
“He survived. He’s alive and well.”
Casman reached across the table and took hold of her hand. “I should have come sooner. I’m sorry.”
She pulled away from him, shaking her head. “You don’t understand.” She fell silent for a moment. “I don’t see how you could though. You don’t know.”
“I don’t know what? You aren’t making any sense.”
“I’m trying to tell you I saw him alive, in my dreams.” Casman frowned. “You don’t have to believe me, but he’s alive. He’s in the Desert right now. He killed the monster which destroyed Kenokel. He’s different now. He’s the Ogden you remember, and yet, he isn’t.”
Casman sucked in a deep breath. “I think maybe it’s time I take you away from Lovic. You need to be somewhere else. Start over.”
“I’m not leaving.” She sighed. “I knew I shouldn’t have told you. I knew you wouldn’t believe me. Ogden always did. He knew I could see things before they happened. He would always come home and say you were right.” She met his eyes. Seriousness sat in hers. “He’s alive, Casman. I wouldn’t lie to you.”
“It’s what Ogden would want, Hethera. He wouldn’t want you here in danger. Please, let me do this for him. Let me do this for you. It might help you in letting him go.”
A knowing smile parted her lips. He pushed his chair back. “We’re safe here. We’re staying. When this is over, Ogden will be here with us again and we’ll be a family once more. For how long, only They know and will show me in time.”
Casman rose. A tingling sensation had spread throughout his entire body. Somehow, he knew she was telling the truth. Ogden was still alive. He met her eyes.
“I believe you,” he whispered.
Mercea
King Maik had agreed to see them. He remained out on his balcony, staring down at the sands, deep in thought. His shoulders were drooped and his thumbs rubbed the railing absent-mindedly.
Mercea stood in the doorway and waited for him to acknowledge their presence. She and Ogden were here for a courtesy visit before they left. Mercea shifted her weight onto her other leg and cleared her throat once more. Maik still didn’t respond.
“Your Majesty?” Mercea asked in a demanding tone. “We must speak with you.”
“What is it?” His gaze never strayed from the sand. “I will hear everything you have to say.”
“Ogden and I are leaving.”
Mercea remained where she was. Ogden approached the king in the following silence. She shook her head, telling herself he would learn. He would learn that others’ problems were not their concern. Their concern was Hartland. Such a young, naïve person, she thought, watching him. She leaned against the doorway, interested
to see how this would turn out.
“Your Majesty,” Ogden said.
“Just tell me what you came to tell me and leave me in peace,” Maik bit out.
“I understand Janessa died,” Ogden said, “but the people of the Desert still need you. They are counting on you to lead them through this. Unfortunately, the war has only begun. You can’t abandon them now because you lost someone you love. The pain will be there for a long time, but you’re going to have to learn to work with it, or the Desert will be lost. More lives will end. I know that isn’t something you want.”
Maik sighed. “Where are you going?” he asked.
“We’re leaving to speak to King Flynn and King Sabin. You won’t need to send those emissaries,” Mercea answered. “We’re going to need help if we’re to fight Carthoda and their demon army. We also need you to send correspondence to Yul and see if they are ready to fight. If they are, it would make Carthoda fight on two fronts, which might be the only thing that could save us.”
Maik nodded. “I thought the same in one of my clearer moments. I wish both of you luck. You’ll need it.”
Ogden looked toward Mercea. “Come on, Ogden. We can’t waste any more time here.”
She watched him leave the king’s chambers. Mercea looked to Maik, hoping he could become the man they needed and find himself again. She, too, grieved for Janessa. Once more, she looked toward the Desert King before she closed the door.
She turned to Ogden.
“You’re going to Golden Valley and will speak with King Sabin. From everything I could gather about him from the soldiers here, he’s a man who is set in his ways. You’re not going to have an easy time convincing him he needs to fight with us. I think showing up and showing him what you’re capable of will help convince him the Gods are real.
“I think he’s an easier man to deal with than King Flynn. At least, from what I’ve heard. I wish you the best of luck, Ogden. This isn’t going to be easy for either of us. When we’ve accomplished what we set out to or realize we can’t, we’ll meet back here.”
