by J. B. Jenn
He could feel her eyes boring into the back of his head, but he didn’t respond to her. Once he came to the center of the new part of town, all eyes turned toward him.
“We’ll start marching toward Carthoda tomorrow, so we can offer Yul what aid we can in the war. Those of you who are still injured or have young children will stay here. Those of you who can fight, will fight.”
Querra approached him with a triumphant smile. “You mean we’re not going to waste any more time and stay here?”
“Yes. Hartland needs our help.”
“I’ll gather everyone that’s here and send out word to the others, your Majesty.”
Hethera
She was beginning to worry. She hadn’t heard anything from King Adair. She should have by now. He should have had an answer after what she had shown him. If it had been her, she would have been terrified. She would have agreed to help without having to think about it. She didn’t understand how some people could be so hesitant when it came to helping others. If Drakal didn’t help Yul, they would most likely become overwhelmed. Even now, she didn’t know if they would make it in time.
Hethera sighed, pacing her room. Part of her wanted to seek him out and demand an answer, but she knew it wouldn’t do any good. She had already done her part. She had already done all she could. It was up to him to make the right decision.
Stopping, she came to stare out the window at the distant ocean. The skies were gray, reflecting her mood. She stood there watching waves crash against the shore. For the last two days as she waited on the king, it had rained.
Hethera sighed again, deciding to leave the room to wander the palace halls. If she didn’t receive an answer by tomorrow evening, she knew she was going to leave. She wouldn’t waste any more time here. There was nothing else she could do. She hated the feeling of such helplessness.
For the first time, she understood how her husband felt and why he did what he did. Yul needed it to happen.
A soft knock came at the door as she gathered her shawl. She glanced over at it with a frown. None of her guards would bother her. Hope swelled. Maybe it was one of King Adair’s servants summoning her to meet with him. Maybe he had changed his mind and decided to help.
“Enter,” she called.
The door creaked open. Instead of a servant entering her room, King Adair stood there. His strong jaw was set in a firm frown. He met her eyes, but said nothing. Hethera stood there, surprised he would personally come to her chambers.
“Your Majesty,” she said, recalling herself. She gave him a polite bow.
“I…” He hesitated before sighing heavily, gazing into her eyes. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, Lady Hethera.”
She stared at him for a moment, uncertain how to respond. “I’m certain you’ve been thinking about what will happen to Hartland without your aid. After seeing a portion of what I’ve seen, I don’t blame you. No one else has seen this. No one else knows how perilous everything is for us. I shared the information with you, so you might decide to act and save yourself and your kingdom.”
“It’s not what I meant.” His voice took on a meaning which frightened her. “I’ve been thinking about you. You’re an extraordinary woman and I want you to take a place as my second wife.”
Hethera blinked for several moments. “I am already married, your Majesty, but thank you for the offer.” Adair’s look darkened. “If you aren’t here to discuss helping Yul fight off Carthoda, you may leave. If you’ve decided to do nothing, allowing demons to overcome Hartland, I’ve no further business here. I will be leaving.”
“Be my first wife then. Be my queen.”
Hethera sighed heavily. “You aren’t listening to me, your Majesty.” He stepped toward her. “Take one more step and I’ll be forced to defend myself.”
Adair studied her for a moment. “What can you do against me? You don’t know how to fight.”
She watched him waltz toward her. He was right, she couldn’t fight him. She had never learned how. She felt foolish for always delaying Ogden’s wish to teach her how to defend herself. The king grabbed her wrist. She gasped and fell to her knees. When she looked up to him, pleadingly, he smirked at her.
“Please,” she whispered, trying to pry his hand free with her other one. “Don’t do this. This isn’t the way.”
“I tried my way. You refused.”
Hethera cried out as he threw her backwards. As he undid his belt, Hethera scrambled out of the way, frightened. She stared at him, advancing, wondering where her guards were.
There was nowhere to go. The moment he reached out, touching her face, she punched him as hard as she could in the stomach. Although he wasn’t doubled over for long, it was enough for her to escape where he had trapped her. Adair looked at her with narrowed eyes.
“I feel sorry for your wife,” Hethera bit out. “You are not a good man. My husband, a Servant to the Gods, will hear of this.”
His face paled. “Your husband is a Servant?”
“Yes.”
“Is he the one I saw in the visions fighting the demons?”
Hethera nodded.
Adair didn’t move. He studied her as if trying to ascertain if she was telling the truth. When he sat down, she knew he believed her.
“Forgive me.”
“I will not. A man of such character is unforgivable. I will take my leave now. It seems to have been a complete waste of time coming here.”
She went for the door. Adair’s soft voice stopped her from leaving. “You don’t even know why I wanted you as my wife.”
“No, but I can imagine it would be beneficial to know your future and know your possible enemy’s future. That was not the purpose of my visit. My purpose was to show you a possible future of Hartland should you decide to do nothing. You’ve given me your answer. You don’t care what happens as long as you’re safe, and your kingdom has its peace. For that, King Adair, I pity you and the people under your rule.”
She closed the door behind her. The two guards outside of her door were unconscious. She looked back into her room, knowing she had gotten fortunate today.
On their way back to Lovic, she planned to have the guards train her in combat. She would not be a person one could easily overcome. She should have listened Ogden.
Hurrying to one of the guards’ rooms, she explained what had happened. They gathered their belongings and sent two guards to wake the others. They made their way to leave.
“Wait, Lady Hethera,” came Adair’s voice from down the hall. For some reason, she paused and looked back at him. “You will have your soldiers.”
“Good,” she said.
Maik
Although it was early morning, the land was dark. Maik paced his courtyard, waiting for news of the approaching army. What he feared most was he had heard nothing from his scouts. It was the only reason he feared they were an enemy army and not the army led by one of the Servants. He was well aware his men watched him pace back and forth. As his eyes scanned the people in the courtyard, he didn’t see Isol.
“They’re close enough to see,” one of the soldiers shouted from the rampart.
Maik ran up it and took the soldier’s looking glass and watched the army approach. When he zoomed in on the man in front, he grinned and turned back to his soldiers.
“It’s Ogden,” he told them. “They’ll be here by dawn. With the army following the Servant, we’ll be able to push into Carthoda and reach Dawn Stone. If we can coordinate the attack with Yul, we might even win this.”
The feeling filled him with conviction he would see this through. Janessa wouldn’t have died in vain. The feeling of purpose was something he hadn’t thought he’d find again.
Knowing there was an army there helped him see the light ahead, but he was still worried. He hoped Ogden had an explanation for the missing scouts.
He had remained in the courtyard throughout the rest of the night. As he paced, he made plans. He couldn’t shake the feeling of unea
se. The sun was starting to rise when the sound of the gate opening brought his attention to it.
The soldiers remained outside as Ogden entered. Maik frowned. He watched as the new Servant approached him. There was worry all over his face, making Maik more anxious than he had been before.
“We need to talk, your Majesty.” Ogden looked about the courtyard. “In private.”
Maik could see the man was fighting the urge to look back at the soldiers who waited outside of the palace. Some of them were already setting up camp as if Ogden had instructed them they’d be staying there for the night.
“Of course.” Maik started toward the castle, but hesitated. He looked to one of his soldiers. He wore a star on his shoulder signifying he was an officer. “Make sure our guests are taken care of.”
Ogden followed him through the palace, saying nothing. Although Maik didn’t turn to look at him, he imagined a worried face staring at the back of his head. Despite his outward calm appearance, Maik’s heart raced.
Ogden followed Maik inside and took a seat on one of the sofas as Maik poured himself a glass of wine. Turning, he offered one to the Servant, but he declined it. Maik sat down. His sea green eyes were worried. He knew he couldn’t hide it. His eyes were the key to knowing his emotions. At least, that was what Janessa had told him.
“What’s happened?” he asked.
Ogden didn’t answer at first, which only added to the fear. He watched the Servant shift uncomfortably.
“I didn’t want to say anything at first. I struggled with it all the way here as I have no proof. It’s more of a suspicion than anything. A gut feeling, if you will, but it’s one I can’t shake.”
Maik waited for the man to continue. When it became apparent he wasn’t going to, Maik sighed. “Just tell me. Sometimes these things are exactly what they feel like. You are a Servant. You have to trust your instinct, and so do I.”
A somber look settled over Ogden. “I have this feeling it was too easy to obtain an army from King Sabin. Before I left Lansade, it felt wrong. I wasn’t certain what I should do, so I went along with it. Mercea was certain it wouldn’t be easy for me to gain King Sabin’s trust and willingness to help. When he offered it so readily, I took it. I keep getting this uneasy feeling, as if these soldiers are going to betray us. Somehow.” He ran a hand through his hair and heaved a sigh. “Maybe it’s just paranoia speaking. I don’t know, your Majesty.”
Maik didn’t answer for a time. “I believe you, and think you’re right,” he said quietly. “None of my scouts returned to inform me of an army marching this way. I had several posted. When my cousin saw your torches that was the first we knew of your approach. If they were friendly, my scouts would have made it to me. I fear they are dead somewhere in the desert and your soldiers are to blame, probably not all of them. Hopefully, not all of them.”
“What do we do now?” Ogden asked grimly. He looked outside for a moment. “How do we proceed from here? Should we turn them away?”
Maik sat there in distant thought for a time. Ogden rose and paced.
“No,” Maik finally answered. “I don’t think all of them are working against us. I believe there are decent men within those ranks. It’s the reason you accepted the offer. They could still help us, and since we know about the possible betrayal, we can be prepared for it.
“If they were all against us, they would have attacked the palace as soon as the gates were opened. Or, they would have killed you. They didn’t do either. They have plans for something else. We’ll just have to wait to see what they are and meet them when they turn. At least, this way, we know about the attack. Had you never gone, the attack from King Sabin’s soldiers would have come as a complete surprise.”
The room fell into silence again. Maik wondered when these soldiers would betray them. Would it be on King Barend’s doorstep? Would it be when the fighting began?
“Have you heard anything from Mercea?” Ogden asked.
“No.” Maik watched Ogden look to the floor, shaking his head. When the Servant started to leave the room, Maik cleared his throat. Ogden looked back at him. “Is there something I should know?”
“I’m not certain. I keep getting this sense something horrible has happened. It could just be the army. I…” Ogden shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t know how to interpret any of these feelings I’m receiving. I don’t know if the Gods are sending them to me. Maybe Mercea is sending me a signal, saying she’s in danger. I don’t know what the hell is happening.”
“Calm down.” Ogden took in several deep breaths, but the worry in his eyes never changed. “Do you personally feel Mercea is in danger.”
“Yes.”
Maik felt as if his heart had stopped beating for several moments. More than ever, they needed Mercea. Yes, Ogden was a Servant, but he hadn’t been a Servant for long. They were going to have to press forward with or without Mercea before the war got to a point of no return.
“I’ll send some scouts into Horizon. Hopefully, we’ll learn something.” He stared at the Servant for a moment. “You arrived a few weeks sooner than expected. How did that happen?”
Ogden gave him an uneasy smile. “Servant business, your Majesty.”
“You have a horse like Mercea’s, don’t you?”
Ogden gave a small laugh. “Yes.” He studied Maik for a moment before shaking his head. “I’m surprised she shared that with you.”
“I don’t think she had a choice. Things were progressing faster than she thought they would. They still are.”
Mercea
Mercea paced every day, waiting for De’Nae to return. She slammed her fist against the wall. Dust fell down around her. Sliding down against the back of the cell, she hung her head between her knees. She couldn’t believe De’Nae had taken her. Magic wasn’t supposed to touch her. Arem had managed to put her to sleep, and De’Nae had made her powerless. Even the cell was designed to contain her. She couldn’t force her way through the rock or the bars. She had tried so many times.
She didn’t know how long she sat there before she heard a small scuffle in the distance. Her head snapped up and she stared at the bars. When the small girl appeared, Mercea rolled her eyes. The small child’s gray eyes came to rest on her.
“Why must you persist?” Mercea asked from where she sat. “I know you are De’Nae. Why play a pointless game?”
Silence passed between them as they stared at one another. The child produced a key from one of her pockets. Mercea remained where she was, watching the woman, disguised as the small child. De’Nae put the key in the lock and turned it. The moment the lock disengaged, Mercea snorted. It would seem she was free, but she knew better. Whatever the reason for this, she wasn’t going to pass up her chance to kill King Barend and Queen De’Nae. She hoped with their deaths, the demons would disappear. She hoped it hadn’t gone beyond them yet.
“Follow me,” the child whispered as she turned away and made her way back from where she had come.
Mercea stepped out of the cell. Staring at the back of the child’s head, she knew she had to attempt to kill her now. With a snap of De’Nae’s fingers, there would be demons surrounding her. She didn’t plan on giving her a chance.
Before she made it within a foot of the woman, black wispy strands had wrapped themselves around her. She was suspended in midair, unable to do anything. Mercea met De’Nae’s amused eyes.
“Did you really think that would work? Do you not think I know you?”
De’Nae turned her in a slow circle with a twirl of her finger, as if she was studying her for something specific.
“I believe he’ll enjoy you,” she purred, no longer the child.
“Who?”
The woman answered with a short laugh.
Mercea swallowed. She didn’t know what to expect or what was going to happen, but she knew it wasn’t going to be pleasant.
As De’Nae pulled her along using her magic, Mercea started forming plans for when she was able to break free.
She hadn’t failed yet. There had to be some way out of this. She just wasn’t looking hard enough.
Casman
The decision to march on Carthoda hadn’t come lightly. More and more demons were filtering through their borders. They had to make it stop. King Zavad had sent correspondence to King Maik, informing him of their plans. Hopefully, they could coordinate and reach the capital together. Success depended on it.
He could only fathom what they would find there. What would it look like to view a sea of demons who were all eager to kill them? He shuddered at the thought, hoping his imaginings were worse than it would be. After what had happened in Carthoda, when the demons had swarmed him and his men, he had a feeling they weren’t.
Looking out across the soldiers who had gathered, he had never imagined Yul looking like this. Behind him, Lord Osrin cleared his throat loudly. Only half of the soldiers were here. Another quarter was stationed at the border. The other quarter would remain here as protection.
As of yet, they had no word about Drakal. He worried for Hethera. He worried how Ogden would react when he discovered she’d been sent to another kingdom. He had hoped they would have heard something by now. He wanted to give these men good news. He wanted to tell them, they weren’t alone in this fight.
Casman took in a deep breath, allowing his eyes to sweep across their faces, ranging from young to old. They had joined, hoping to save Yul from what had happened to Cascade a few months ago. As he scanned the soldiers, he saw a few women had joined their ranks, too.
“We’ve called you here to inform you, we march north in two days. Say goodbye to your families, your friends, and your homes. There is no way I’m going to stand up here and ensure each of you, you’ll come back to resume your lives. It isn’t practical to claim such things in war. People will die. I might be one of them, but it doesn’t change the fact I’m still marching.
