Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One)

by Julian Saheed

In the dim light of candelabras, the maze of corridors that the group walked through appeared malevolent and imposing. Christill was not sure if it was the urgency of their situation or the weight on his conscience, but it seemed to him that the walls were closing in around them.

  Elephtheria stayed ahead of the group, peering first around corners to make sure that they were alone and then motioning for the rest of them to follow. Christill's resolve grew weaker with each turn as he realised the seriousness of what he was about to do. More so he found himself wrestling with the guilt that told him he was leading his closest friends into grave danger.

  As they silently walked through a highly furnished passage, Mandigal suddenly grabbed Christill by the arm and stopped him whilst the others moved ahead. He locked eyes with Christill and turned his shoulder so that they were facing each other. "Do not hesitate for a moment. If you believe in your heart that this is what you must do, then make sure that you let nothing stand in your way. Do not give in to remorse or the whims of your conscience for they are simply the minds way of stopping necessary progress."

  "Why are you telling me this?" said Christill, startled by Mandigal's dire tone.

  "I can follow you no longer," the Honour Guard replied. "I have risked much in getting you here, but I have a duty to Feldom that I cannot jeopardise."

  Elephtheria paused at the head of the group. "Is there something that you know?" she asked worriedly.

  Mandigal turned to her and paused for a moment. "The Karmanians have arrived. I can sense their presence in the Citadel already."

  "Are they looking for Christill?" Friedrich asked.

  Mandigal nodded his head then turned his attention once more to Christill. "I do not know what it is that happened to you in that Academy, but I sense in you something of great importance. Stay true to yourself and to the words of your goddess, Nyrune. If what you say is true and she is gone, then you must ensure that nothing happens to the other guardian gods."

  "Surely they will know of what has happened," Christill reckoned.

  "I am sure they will have felt the loss, as have we all, but we do not know if they understand how she was taken," replied Mandigal.

  "Maybe that is why Nyrune wanted you to warn Skiye," Friedrich reasoned.

  "We are wasting time, Christill," Elephtheria urged.

  Christill thanked Mandigal for all that he had done. "I hope we find an answer for you."

  "I am sure of it," Mandigal replied. Then the strange Dargonian made his way along an adjoining corridor, away from the group.

  Christill turned to Vrill who was eyeing the disappearing shadow of Mandigal with suspicious eyes.

  "Can we really trust him?" Vrill asked.

  "I have no doubts on the matter," Christill answered decisively. "Now let us be done with this before we are found."

  "We do not have much further to go," Elephtheria informed them. She then moved to open the door to her left, but it burst open before she had her fingers on the handle. She jumped back and raised her hands as several of the Citadel guards stormed into the room, their weapons held ready.

  Friedrich jumped into action, grabbing a small statue from a nearby table and moving in front of Elephtheria. Heavy footsteps sounded in all directions and within moments they were surrounded by two dozen armed soldiers. Christill moved up to Elephtheria and she grabbed his hand squeezing tightly.

  "I knew that we could not trust him," Vrill spat.

  Christill did not speak. He did not believe that Mandigal had anything to do with this ambush.

  "Make one false move and we will not hesitate to kill you," called a familiar voice from behind them.

  They turned to see Perephine Aldehelm stepping through the line of soldiers. At his heels came King Castaneda and three Karmanian soldiers.

  "What is the meaning of this?" demanded Elephtheria in as powerful a tone as she could manage, given the situation.

  "You dare ask that question," Perephine snorted. "You are in the presence of two Dargonian spies and a deadly fugitive."

  "Hold your tongue swine," Friedrich cursed angrily. "I am royalty."

  Two soldiers moved up to the young Dargonian and raised their weapons to his throat and back.

  "Even royalty knows when to keep its mouth shut, Friedrich Hermagoras," Perephine answered, causing Vrill to step forward aggressively. He was quickly struck at the back of his knees by the butt of a soldier's spear, causing him to drop to the ground.

  "Enough!" yelled Elephtheria. "We have done nothing wrong. You have no evidence to arrest us."

  "Your young friend here...," he replied, pointing at Christill. "Destroyed the Academy of Nyrune. If the Council of Elders did not want him for questioning I would have him executed at once."

  "Take them all to the dungeon," the King ordered in a tired voice. "And make sure that you seal that one's cell to stop him from using his magic to escape."

  Perephine turned to the King and Christill was sickened at the way that he bowed before the weak monarch. "It will be done your majesty. You can retire back to your chambers, I will handle this matter."

  "You have no right to take me into confinement. I have not done anything," Elephtheria called out. "I was forced into this position."

  Perephine cast a hateful glance at Elephtheria but the King spoke before he had a chance to reply. "I do not believe that one of my own advisors would have plotted against my own interest. Especially not Elephtheria," he said. "She will be set free, but she is not to go anywhere without an escort."

  "But your majesty," Perephine begged.

  "My decision is final, Perephine," the King announced. He then turned and left the passage. Christill could see the vexation in Perephine's eyes.

  The Karmanians, who had waited for their chance to speak, now stepped forward. "You are to know that although you are holding these prisoners they are still the property of the Council of Elders," the closest one announced.

  Perephine waved the comment away. "Take them now," he ordered.

  Christill let go of Elephtheria's hand, allowing himself to be bound. He looked at his friend and saw the deep regret etched into her features. "Thank you," he whispered before the soldiers dragged Friedrich, Vrill and him out of the passage and towards the dungeon.

  Elephtheria buried her face in her hands and began to weep. As she stood alone and overcome with sorrow, Perephine walked up to her and placed his hands on her back. He moved his mouth close to her ear and whispered so that only she could hear him.

  "I will make sure that you and that damned boy burn for this," he said spitefully, before following the soldiers towards the Dungeon.

  Helpless and still surrounded by the King's soldiers, Elephtheria dropped to the floor.