by J. B. Jenn
“I believe we have no other choice. I march to save all the people I know and all the families I don’t. I never imagined a day like this happening, but it is here. There’s no changing it. So, go and enjoy these last days with your loved ones. Tell them you love them. Hold them close. You might not get a chance to do so again. Act like you’re never going to see them again. Let them know how you feel about them. Don’t pretend you’re invincible. If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life is fragile.”
Lord Osrin stepped forward. As always, grimness sat on his face. “Again, we march in two days,” he said sternly. “Be here before sun rise and find your commanders.”
Casman watched them disperse. He wondered how many of them would die.
“Why would you tell them they’re going to die?” Lord Osrin asked, squinting at him. “Do you want them to dessert?”
Casman sighed heavily. “I didn’t see any point in lying to them.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Why pretend they’ll live when they most likely won’t? They haven’t had the same kind of training you and I have had. Guess what? There’s a chance we’ll die, too. This is war.”
“I know this is war, Casman,” Osrin snapped. “I have seen more battles than I care to admit. This is no way to boost morale. I’ll be surprised if they all show up when we’re to march.”
“Maybe they will. Maybe they won’t. People surprise me all the time. Give them a chance to do the same for you.”
Casman left the old man there, staring after him.
Flynn
Ever since De’Nae had departed with Mercea, he had wrestled with the idea of betraying her. If he died and his brother took over, there wouldn’t be much to take over. Demons would rule the land. They would be their servants. Their vessels. Flynn shook his head, disgusted with himself. He had allowed useless fear to control him, and now, she had a Servant. He had never believed in Them before. After seeing Mercea and seeing how different she was from others, he was a little more willing to believe in the Old Gods. He hadn’t believed demons existed either until he had saw them. All of it had happened on the same day.
He had been such a fool. There was only one option left for him. He had to gather his army and march toward Carthoda, hoping they didn’t arrive too late. To ensure they weren’t late, he’d push his soldiers. It wasn’t anything their king wasn’t going to go through alongside them. He had to atone for his mistake.
“You called?” his brother asked as he entered the room.
“Yes. We have things to discuss. If I find you haven’t carried them out exactly as I want, there will be harsh punishment, Aull. I want you to understand that.” Aull nodded, but Flynn wondered how much the man actually believed him. “I’ll be leaving with most of the troops. My son, though only fifteen, will be in charge of the kingdom. He is the rightful heir. If something happens to him while I’m away, I will assume it was you. He has strict orders from me of what is expected of him. Your orders are simply to protect him. If you cannot swear to that in a way I’ll believe, you’ll be marching with me. Do you understand?”
Aull didn’t answer. Instead, he stood there, staring angrily at him.
“Ignore everything I just said then. It’s clear I can’t trust you. You’re coming with me.” Aull started to protest, but Flynn raised a brow, stopping him. “Don’t argue. I am your king first, your brother second, and I’m telling you to come with me.”
Aull ground his teeth. Part of Flynn knew taking his brother with him was dangerous. Aull could kill him out there. In fact, he was certain the man would attempt it if his guards relaxed. Maybe his guards would catch Aull before he succeeded and kill him, ridding him of his headache.
“I must have your answer, brother.”
Aull looked toward him. Anger burned in his eyes. “I don’t have a choice. Why do you need an answer?”
“We all have choices, brother. It’s your choices which have led to this.” He could tell Aull wanted to argue. Perhaps if he was in his place, Flynn would do the same. “What do you say?”
“When do we leave, your Majesty?”
“Tonight. We must hurry.”
“You don’t think that woman will kill you for doing this, do you?”
Flynn laughed. “You probably won’t get that lucky. If you want me dead, you’ll have to do it yourself.” Aull snarled. “We’re needed in the Desert, if not Carthoda itself. We must do our part unless you want to live in a land full of those horrible creatures.”
Aull studied him, not enjoying the aspect of going to war. He had probably imagined staying here, ruling the kingdom while he was gone.
“As you wish, your Majesty. However, I want it to be known this is your fault. Had you never let the woman inside our castle walls, this would have never happened.”
Flynn watched him leave. The man was right in a way, but he didn’t think anyone could keep De’Nae out.
Isol
When he arrived back at the palace, the army was camped outside of it. It had made entering more difficult than he had thought it would be, but he had succeeded. Opening the door to his room, he found his cousin inside, waiting for him.
“Where were you?” his cousin asked, not bothering to move from the chair he sat in.
“It doesn’t matter where I was. Why does it concern you? Also, why are you in my chambers?”
“Valora let me inside.” Maik’s sea green eyes were serious. “It concerns me because we’re the only two heirs to the throne. If I die, you’re it. You’re the king. You have to start thinking ahead.”
Isol laughed. “I didn’t think a friendly army would kill you, Maik.” A troubled look came over his cousin’s face. “They are friendly, aren’t they?”
“So it would seem.” The way he said it, concerned Isol, but he knew the look in his cousin’s green eyes well. He wasn’t going to get an answer. “So, where were you?” Maik asked again.
Isol sighed. “I went to Heltarn.”
Maik’s lips pressed together. “Why?”
“To see what was giving you such nightmares. If you think you could die and I’m going to be king, I have to know what’s happening. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Maik sat there in silence for a long time before answering. “Yes, I agree.”
“With that being said, why do you think the army isn’t friendly?” Isol sat down across from Maik.
“The army might be compromised. Ogden has this feeling something is wrong. It was too easy. Then, there is the fact none of my scouts reported back to me of an army heading this way. All I know is something isn’t right.”
Isol frowned. “Could it be we’re all paranoid about being betrayed? We’re fighting something we didn’t see coming. This is something we don’t entirely understand.”
Maik’s sea green eyes focused on the wall. Isol wished he could help his cousin. It was difficult knowing things were only going to get worse before they got better. He wished he could tell Maik it would work out in the end, that they would succeed.
“I saw what has been giving you such horrible dreams.” When Maik didn’t answer, he continued. “They were atrocious and something I don’t understand. The others have just been demons, hideous creatures, but these were… these were different.”
“Yes, they were,” Maik said sharply. Isol could see his cousin wanted to berate him for placing himself in danger. Instead, he sighed. “We have no answers. I still can’t believe Trester took some of my books. Those books might very well have the answers in them. If we survive this, I’m getting them back, one way or another.”
Isol hid a smile. Even in a time like this, Maik was obsessed about his library. Maik looked toward him, annoyed at his silence.
“If I can prove my theory,” Isol said, “we might not even need those books, cousin. However, I agree, they should be returned on principle alone.”
Maik’s brow show up. “What theory is this?”
“I think they were part human and part demon because the humans were will
ing hosts for the demons. They wanted the demons inside of them. As to why, I have no idea. The very thought of people out there wanting something like that is horrible. It terrifies me. But, it makes sense. Why else would they carry the form of both? We need to find one and ask them.”
“I pray you aren’t right.”
“I keep asking myself why anyone would want to do that to themselves. The only answer I can think of is power.” Isol shook his head. He looked to his cousin. “I feel nothing but sorrow for those kind of people who don’t realize the worth of life. Perhaps what scares me the most is if I hadn’t meant Valora, I may have been tempted by such an offer. I would have done it to gain the throne.”
The room fell into silence.
“When are you marching, cousin?” Isol asked. “I already know my role. I’m to stay here and ensure the Desert has an heir.”
“Tomorrow. I can’t delay any longer. People are dying at the border. Citizens are dying in town. We have to end this. We’re out of time.”
Arem
He had been experimenting with the demon’s blood for over a week now. For days now, he had thought Relyck would come to him and ask him to leave. That he hadn’t was a relief. They all had the same duty. Kill demons. Survive.
Of course, there was the possibility Relyck didn’t know what he was doing. He didn’t want to be asked to leave. He already knew his answer would be no. He wasn’t going to stop, and he wasn’t going to leave. He needed the demon’s blood. He needed to learn how to control the extra power it gave him. It was for everyone’s good he learned.
Arem took in a deep breath, asking himself why it felt so wrong then. He looked toward the other soldiers. Maybe it felt wrong because there was a chance at hurting them. Even though he did it during the middle of the night, away from them, there was still a chance.
He had already killed three of them when the demon had raked his back, mixing their blood together. Sighing, he thought maybe it truly was time for him to part ways. He didn’t want to hurt anyone else.
“Why are you staring at everyone so seriously?”
Arem looked over at the sound of Relyck’s voice. He was hoping to disappear tonight without being noticed. Clearly, that wasn’t going to work. He wondered if Relyck and his men were watching him more closely. It wouldn’t surprise him, not after the first night he’d intentionally tried demon’s blood.
“I’ve been thinking it’s time to leave. I’m dangerous.”
Relyck’s prolonged silence was excruciating. “I know what you’ve been doing during the night,” he said at length. “The only reason I’ve said nothing is because I can see the increased power it gives you. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious if it could help us defeat demons. If that’s the reason you’re leaving, my men and I have already discussed it and decided to let you continue. We need every advantage we can get.”
It wasn’t the answer he had expected. Arem stared at the man for several moments. “Am I more convenient to you now than I was before?” Arem asked.
“Yes, but you’re just as dangerous. Only now, we need that dangerous part of you to survive. We’re all exhausted. I just want us to live and fight for as long as possible. Maybe it’s selfish of me for asking you to save us, so I might see my family again, but that’s what I’m doing. I won’t demand you stay. It’s not like I can make you. I am requesting you do so.”
Arem looked out into the night. “If I’m to stay, I need demon blood.”
“You need it?” Relyck asked.
Arem watched the man raise a brow. “Yes. If you want my power, you have to help supply me with demon’s blood. You know that’s where my power is coming from.”
“You managed to finally control it?”
“Not entirely. There is still a chance of hurting everyone here. Like you said, we need to find a way to survive. The demons keep coming, growing in number. We have to take what the Gods have given us.”
He could see the captain didn’t like it, but he was considering it. Arem thought the man would have dismissed the idea entirely.
“Fine,” Relyck said with heavy resignation. “We’ll help you gather it when we can. However, if gathering it will compromise any of my men, forget it. Is that something we can agree on?”
Arem met the man’s eyes. “Yes, but I want you to know I won’t be staying forever.”
“Where would you even go?” Arem pointed to the east. “Why? One man can’t survive there.”
“Maybe, but I plan on trying to reach King Barend.”
Relyck was silent. Arem wondered what the man was thinking. He hoped they’d be able to gather enough blood, so he could set off on his own. He needed to kill King Barend for what he had done to his sister. The man deserved nothing more than a slow, agonizing death. Just maybe, killing the man would end all of this, or at least give them the time they needed. If he’d been braver, he could have killed King Barend before he had ever met Mercea.
With his anger, fire sprang to his fingertips. The soldiers gasped and took several steps back. Arem blinked. The fire was licking at the ground around him. With a conscious effort, the flames subsided.
“We’ll go with you,” Relyck stated.
“You mean to abandon your post?”
“Yes. If it means killing that bastard and ending this, I’m going with you. My men will come as well. Staying here is doing very little.”
“I suggest we leave immediately then.”
Mercea
De’Nae had brought her to her personal chambers. King Barend was sitting in one of the chairs staring at the globe, glowing an angry orange. His eyes were lifeless. There was a puddle of blood beneath him. Both of his wrists had been slit. Mercea’s golden eyes moved to De’Nae. The woman gave her a sickeningly sweet smile. Mercea hovered beside the king a little longer. It was as if De’Nae was allowing her a better look at the dead man.
“Don’t worry so much, Mercea,” De’Nae said in her smooth voice. “Once the process is complete, you won’t even think about all that has happened or that you failed. You’ll have other, more important plans.”
Mercea’s eyes narrowed. “It won’t take. I have protection against such things.”
De’Nae laughed, throwing back her head. “My dear, you don’t think I can get around all those precious barriers of yours? How do you think my magic works so well against you? I’ve spent my entire life studying the Servants, wishing I could be one of you. Instead, I found something better and a way to defeat you. I don’t need to be a Servant to have power. But you can see that.”
Mercea’s face paled. De’Nae moved her closer to the glass globe. The orange color changed to one of green. Mercea fought back her fear.
“Your Gods should have never rejected me. They’ll pay for what They’ve done.”
“I don’t understand why you’re doing this. What do you gain from this? You already have the power you wanted. What could you possibly gain from giving me to him? He’ll kill you. Let me help you. You can keep the power you have and not destroy Hartland in the process. It doesn’t have to be this way. Don’t let Verite into this world again.”
De’Nae ignored her. Mercea struggled more and more. In response to her struggling, twenty demons appeared in the room. The closest to her, wrapped his clawed hand around her wrist, sinking its sharp talons into her skin. It didn’t make her stop. More demons grabbed her. They all sunk long nails into her. Blood seeped around them. The magical black ropes holding her tightened.
“You won’t get away with this,” Mercea growled, still struggling. Blood seeped down her skin from where the demons’ claws were anchored. “The Gods will take action against you unless you let me help you. I guaranty you won’t survive this otherwise.”
“Oh?” De’Nae laughed looking at Mercea. “It appears the Gods have already tried to take action against me and They failed. They have abandoned you, my dear. Why do you refuse to see this? It’s the only way I can do what I do to you.”
“There are more
Servants. They’ll send more and more after you in groups until you’re dead. You won’t live long.”
“I’m not worried about those Servants. They’ll be dead soon enough. Once they’re dead, we can attack the Gods Themselves! For you see, your Gods are not Gods.”
Mercea screamed in denial. “You can’t do this, De’Nae! How could you possibly want to live in a world full of demons?”
The woman let out a heavy sigh. “I wish you’d just stop talking already. There is no way out of this for you. With all that strength flowing through your veins, you are still powerless against me. Accept your fate. It’ll be easier on you.”
“Never,” Mercea growled through clenched teeth.
De’Nae rolled her eyes and gave a twirl of her finger. Mercea struggled. Nothing she did prevented De’Nae’s control over her.
When her fingertips touched the globe, she could feel the evil presence inside of it. Her entire body convulsed. She was vaguely aware of the woman laughing beside her. If she could escape, she was going to kill her. There was no alternative. She didn’t listen to reason.
As promised, she heard a deep, unpleasant voice inside of her mind. Mercea knew that voice only too well. After all, she had placed Verite in the globe. Don’t worry, little Servant, I’ll make this quick.
Maik
Maik walked across the courtyard as he joined his soldiers for war. It’d take a few weeks to reach the border. With a signal, his second in command ordered the march. Maik turned to look at Isol and gave him a nod, telling him he had his full confidence. He hoped Isol could handle whatever was coming his way. Several times, he told himself his cousin would be fine, nothing would happen. As he left the North Gardens Palace, he wasn’t entirely convinced. If he had learned one thing through this, it was he didn’t know what to expect.
Just as they had left the palace walls behind with the army from Golden Valley in tow, Maik heard a sharp whistle. He paused from atop his horse and scanned the area, past the soldiers.
