by Mara Amberly
“We’ll be alright,” Ariane assured him, as she took one of the bags from him. “They won’t stop us now. I’ll shield us and if need be, Cassia can too.”
***
There were a few difficulties with the spiders on their way through the webbed landscape, but whether because of the manse’s absence or Jarlath’s death, the illusions were breaking down. By the time they reached the other side around dawn, few webs remained and the wooded area looked more like its normal counterparts.
The Sisters of Destiny weren’t far beyond the end of the treeline, and there Cassia, Alexa and Ariane were reunited with the other Sisters – some familiar and others new.
“I can’t believe you made it out alive,” a young woman remarked. She had dark hair a bit like Ariane’s, only shorter.
Knave raised an eyebrow at her tone of surprise. He wondered who this Sister was.
“I’m Sister Ianthe,” she told him by way of introduction. “Like the river.”
“Of course you are,” he told her with a chuckle.
“Ah Sisters,” a woman called out, hurrying over to speak with them. They recognised her as Sister Anya.
“Is it true? Is Jarlath really dead?” She asked joyously of Knave. “If so, you’ve done a great service to the kingdom.”
“All I can tell you is that’s who the cultist claimed to be… or more precisely, it’s who he bragged about being. He bragged a lot,” Knave explained.
“We’re preparing to destroy the compound. We’ve sent in fire mages to light the place up. It’s our recommendation you stay here, but if you want to deal with any stragglers, we would appreciate the help.”
Knave realised there was something they’d forgotten to mention. “You should know that a teenage boy and a woman in a formal dress escaped the compound earlier. They’ve shown themselves to be friendly – as much as I could tell at short notice, and I wouldn’t want to see them killed by mistake. There are some kids living in the town as well. Hiding from the cultists it looks like.”
Sister Anya nodded. “I’ll pass the word along. We can discuss the manse later, as it’s my understanding the dragon still has it?”
“Yeah,” he confessed with a sigh.
“They’re about to launch the attack.”
The Sister stepped away, while Alexa traded glances with Knave.
A huge rumble preceded a massive explosion of flame on the distant hilltop. It seemed no one would escape that massive fireball if they’d had the misfortune of being caught by it.
Knave thought some of the cultists would be out searching for Jarlath; he hoped the leader’s death would prove a massive blow for the cult. The destruction of their stronghold should as well.
Cassia cried as she saw the compound burn in the distance. She’d long craved revenge and it satisfied some of her desire for vengeance, if not justice.
“So what will we need to do now?” Alexa asked of the others, unsure.
“I don’t know what Sister Anya has planned, but we need to get that manse back. You’re the only one who has any real chance of tracking down Malachi. Besides, that dragon likes you,” Cassia pointed out.
“I still feel a connection to him. He hasn’t blocked me out, which is lucky. I can tell you he’s heading toward the Painted Desert, though I’m not certain of where. I promised Jonas that I would accompany him back to the tunnel where we found the people, but I don’t know what became of him.” Alexa was concerned, but she was sure he must’ve gotten out safely.
“If they’re his people who died, I’m certain he’ll find them on his own,” Ariane explained. “We should try to get the manse before anyone else can. The remaining Nemorans are likely to look for it.”
Sister Anya returned, having overheard some of their conversation.
“We’ve managed to retrieve two other manses, which puts us in a much stronger position than we were before. By taking this one out of the Nemorans’ hands, it makes three that they don’t have. The Nemorans can still do a lot of damage, but they won’t destroy the world overnight. Not now.”
A sense of relief washed over those present and Knave resisted the temptation to hug Alexa. Somehow he sensed the senior Sister wouldn’t have understood or approved.
“We want to go after the manse,” Cassia announced. “Alexa can track the dragon’s location. We’ll also need to find the man who recovered it, as it’s my understanding he’s bound its magick?”
Sister Anya’s eyes widened at that. “I didn’t know such magick exists.”
Alexa nodded. “It seems that it does. If we want to use the manse for anything more than as a paperweight, we’ll need to find him. We think we know where he’s going.”
“Keep me apprised,” Sister Anya requested. “We have supplies of food and water, and I’ll assign four more Sisters to accompany you on your journey.”
With that decided, Knave, Alexa, Cassia and Ariane took a well-earned rest. If battle took place in Feidhlim following the compound’s destruction, it never reached them at the camp.
The next morning after the battle was done, they set out on their quest, and with greater hope than they’d felt since trouble had first begun. There was a rightness to things, as though the world was finally falling back into place and regaining its balance.
***
Jonas and Elena Briette had been close enough to Feidhlim to witness the flames in the distance as the cultists’ compound burned. She wiped away tears as they escaped toward the Painted Desert, but they were tears of freedom more than sadness. There were those who she would miss, who were kind to her. She’d never cared much for the slaves, even though they were innocent. She always sensed simmering hatred or desolation from them, even deeper than her own. She would miss Kraven, as she assumed he’d probably been killed in the compound. If only he’d listened to her, he might’ve left too.
“We could’ve waited for the others?” she asked Jonas, after they’d navigated the passage that cut through the spider-infested territory.
“No, we couldn’t have,” he stated with a sense of certainty. “They would want me to unbind the manse so they could use it, and there we’d have a problem. If they found the place where my people were, then we may see them again, but I don’t need them to find my way back there. I’d never forget the way. After all, it’s my home.”
Chapter 22
Cerus was woken from his fitful slumber by the brig door opening. He wasn’t sure if someone was there for him or another prisoner, until a guard approached him in the dim light. Glancing back over his shoulder, he saw that Laurelyn was gone, which was strange because he had no recollection of her leaving. It made him wonder if the water had been drugged.
“Stand up and face this way,” the guard ordered and Cerus reluctantly complied.
He didn’t recognise this guard, but there were many different guards he’d noticed since he’d first been chained in the brig. He was unchained from the post, but the manacles were left on, and a shorter chain attached, which was used to lead him from the brig.
“May I ask where we’re going?” he enquired, squinting at the bright light as he was led outside.
“Judgment time,” the man told him.
Cerus’s stomach squirmed, as he realised they might be about to throw him overboard to drown.
The sailors watched him and Cerus steeled himself, trying to show as little emotion as possible.
The day was a nice one, and he soaked up his vision of the blue sky above in case it was one of his last views of the world. The ship was surrounded by water that was somewhat choppy from the lightly-gusting wind.
“Where are you taking me?” Cerus asked, but his question was soon answered as he was led below-decks, only to a cabin this time. It was a little more ornate than his own on his previous sailing vessel, but Cerus was surprised to see King Merrion standing behind a table on the far side of the cabin. The guard remained beside Cerus, his chain in hand, in case he got any ideas.
“Welcome, Cerus.” King M
errion greeted him in a serious tone.
“I’m surprised to see you, Your Majesty, but pleased.”
Here stood the one man with the power to help him out of this predicament or ensure he died this very day.
“Laurelyn tells me that you’re innocent, which conflicts with some other reports I’ve received. I’m told you tried to attack my guards at the palace.”
Cerus frowned, because he hadn’t tried to attack the guards. Sure, he’d thought about it, but he thought about a great many things. He knew his life might depend on how he responded next.
“I am innocent Sire, though when I spoke to Laurelyn last, she claimed to be serving Nemoran interests.”
The King merely shrugged at that. “She said what needed to be said in order to determine your loyalty, Cerus. That’s all.”
“I see,” Cerus answered, still not entirely convinced, but for now he would accept it.
“I came downstairs from my room and found people unconscious and dying. You told me I should be prepared and that I was. I fought and bested one of the Nemorans, and then I encountered your guards.
At first I was unsure whose side they were on, but I assumed they served you with loyalty, so I allowed them to arrest me. If I’d chosen to attack them, they would not have walked away unscathed. They did. I might not have been able to defeat all of them in combat, but it seemed wiser not to harm any when the guards were needed to fight the enemy. I did nothing wrong and I served you dutifully.”
King Merrion studied Cerus with interest before gesturing with his hand to the guard. “Let the man go.”
Cerus breathed a sigh of relief as the manacles were removed. When the King gestured at a chair urging him to sit, Cerus did so.
“I assumed you were innocent but I needed to hear your explanation. We’re safe on this vessel, while Kalle Demorre Island has fallen for now. Troops have been called in, as well as the respected magickal orders in and near Kalle. They will save those who can be saved, and arrest or kill those enemies they find.
I believe it’s as you said, and the Warriors of the Dusk were trying to maintain a foothold there. Sean Craedon was guilty of high treason. Jason was innocent, though sadly he was killed before the attack began. I knew him for a very long time and I never expected to outlive him.”
Cerus nodded sadly and accepted the King at his word. The man was obviously not opposed to lying at times, but Cerus believed the King about Jason, and King Merrion had just spared Cerus’s life.
“You have my condolences, Sire. Any day is a sad one when you lose a friend.”
A moment passed in silence and the King nodded.
“May I ask where we go from here, Sire?”
“We sail east,” the King told him, “and that’s all I’m at liberty to say for now. In part that’s because we’re still figuring it out ourselves. We have it on good authority that the stronghold of the enemy has recently been destroyed. That means the Nemorans will be on the run and disorganised. It gives us hope and time to prepare.”
Cerus was relieved by that. It was certainly a turnaround from what he’d seen at the palace, where so many people were unconscious or dead, and it seemed the enemy had gained the upper hand.
“I will help you how I can, my King,” Cerus asserted.
King Merrion nodded. “And I will do what I can to help my people.”
Epilogue
The rusty-brown landscape stood out starkly against the cloudless blue sky. Malachi glided through the air currents, though the canvas bag was heavy in his claws. The manse it contained weighed heavier-still on his spirits, but he knew it contained the energy of his mother and at last, no one else could diminish her any more than she already was. He knew she was dead, but the manse still carried a sense of her spirit, where her life energy burned within the stone, as well as that of so many others.
The guardian had bound the stone and severed its magick, so Malachi knew it was safe to steal. No one could draw from its power, even if they were close. It wouldn’t return his mother to her true form, but he had no intention of relinquishing this last part of her – not even for Alexa.
The priestess called to his mind, begging him to return, but Malachi was resolute. Happy, in fact, to have the stone and know no one was in a position to steal it from him.
Much of the ground was barren, with sparse trees and jagged rocks, but he spied a tall hill or a small mountain to the north and hauled the manse to the very top.
There, Malachi set it down and nosed around for a place to build a den.
The hilltop offered views of the surrounding land, so he would be able to tell more easily if anyone approached, and they would have to climb uphill to reach him. He found several cracks in the earth and rocks offering shelter, but a thorough search turned up a small cave that was even better for his purposes.
Malachi carefully set the bag containing the manse at the back of the cave, and after studying it for a time, went in search of water and materials to feather his den.
He had a new home, and in a way, he wasn’t alone anymore. His mother was with him.
Glossary
Places:
Aesteria: The world in which our story takes place. Aesteria is the second planet from the star known as Solinus, and contains seven continents of the known world: Maeridea, Vestus, Kesinia, North Voh and South Voh, Icumari and Marindi. Due to the distances involved, Maeridea has limited interactions and trade with continents other than Vestus, which is around a week’s journey north of Avedon by ship.
Avedon: A large town to the north of Maeridea, Avedon is a shipping port and trade centre. Many goods are distributed from Avedon to the mountain towns in the north of the kingdom. Avedon is also renowned for the friendliness of its people and the beauty of the surrounding coastline.
Eldennaia: A town on the north coast of Maeridea, where Alexa and Cassia lived with their family before joining the Sisters of Destiny. Eldennaia was historically a meeting place for northern tribes in the area. Conflict among the people occurs to this day, such as between the prominent D’orelia and Vengard noble families.
Feidhlim: A relatively modern town that was built over the ruins of an ancient one. The town is now run down and mostly uninhabited. Many houses stand empty, surrounded by the carved statues and eroded archways of times past. Feidhlim is located to the east of The Painted Desert. Its populace has mostly vanished, aside from a cult that resides in a compound of buildings in the town. Their armed soldiers patrol Feidhlim during the day and anyone arrested is taken into the compound. No townsperson is known to have returned. A small number of people, including children, hide out in the town and try to evade capture by the soldiers. Others have left in search of a safer home.
Great Southern Sea: South of the continent and kingdom of Maeridea, the Great Southern Sea reaches from the Bay of Kalle Demorre to the Isle of Blue, and southward. It forms part of Aesteria’s largest body of salt water, the Faros Ocean.
Haledor: A city in central Maeridea, located in the heart of The Painted Desert. Haledor is unlike other cities in the kingdom, because many of the city’s occupants are tribesmen from the surrounding desert who only visit the city to trade, manage tribal politics, or when the weather is uncomfortably hot or cold. There are permanent residents in Haledor and a large proportion of them (around 40 percent) are foreigners. Many of the tribesmen who visit the city or who have lands under its governance choose not to acknowledge King Merrion as their leader and deal only with the city’s Governor, Cerus Arani.
Isle of Blue: A small chain of islands east of Zysa. Inhabited mainly by fishermen and their families, The Isle of Blue also has representatives among the King’s court. One of the King’s advisors, Sean Craedon, was a ship captain born on the Isle of Blue.
Kalle: The capital of the kingdom and country of Maeridea. It isn’t the largest city, but it is one of the most well-known. Kalle sits on the edge of the Bay of Kalle Demorre. It’s a trading hub and attracts many visitors from throughout the kingdom.
Three islands are located in the bay near Kalle – Kalle Demorre Island (also known as The King’s Island), Whiterock Island and Minstrel’s Island. The remains of the Sisters of Destiny’s Temple of Solitude are located in Kalle.
Kalle Demorre Island (aka The King’s Island): This is one of three islands located in the Bay of Kalle Demorre and the closest to the southern coastline of Maeridea. The King’s palace is located there, where King Merrion holds court and receives foreign dignitaries. The island is only a short distance across the water from the city of Kalle.
Kelbani (aka The Free City of Kelbani): A city in the mountains, Kelbani is well-fortified against attack. The city is located on a flat plane between two mountains of the Kelbani range, with the mountains known colloquially as ‘Victory’ and ‘Treachery’. A single pass leads between the mountains to the front gates of the city. Within, the city houses a large population and the Sisters of Destiny’s Temple of Victory can be found there. Kelbani is known as a ‘free city’ because it has historically been a ‘sanctuary’ from the kingdom’s laws. However, the prior leadership chose not to honour its status, and many people were arrested for outstanding warrants. There was an uprising in the city, where the prior leader (a Kallean Governor named Helion DeMere) was overthrown (quite literally). The Kelbani underground installed a new leader sympathetic to their cause and he has reinstated the city’s free status (former Guard Captain Jacob Sutton).
Minstrel’s Island: One of three islands in the Bay of Kalle Demorre. Minstrel’s island is a centre for theatre, recreation, music and the creative arts. The island attracts townspeople who enjoy its entertainments.
Whiterock Island: An island located in the Bay of Kalle Demorre, Whiterock Island is the least-visited of the three islands. It has a distinct rocky landscape and has served as a limestone quarry in the past. The island is mostly uninhabited, though it receives occasional visitors, typically fishermen.
