by B. A. Scott
“That was very clever of you back there—convincing the King to let Kade come with us,” Kaven told the Sage as they were escorted to Doniel’s chambers. “You thought we were going to get away for a minute, didn’t you?”
“You have merely delayed the inevitable,” Athiux said.
When they arrived at the doors to Doniel’s chamber, the escort spoke to the Erygians.
“Your chambers are down the hall,” he said. “I will take you there now.”
“Thank you,” said Athiux. He leaned in close to Gabrel and Kaven. “I doubt your father will tell you anything with me around,” he said. “So find out what you need to know, then bring the answers to my chamber. If you have any inclination of bolting from the gates, consider your new commitment to the King, ambassadors.”
“Are you finished?” Gabrel spat. The escort led Athiux and Kade away, leaving the brothers alone.
Gabrel pushed open the doors to his father’s chamber. The moment he and Kaven entered, Doniel shot up from his chair. If not for his face, they wouldn’t have recognized him, for he bore the armor of a Captain.
“Oh, thank the Goddesses. Thank the Creator!” Doniel’s voice trembled.
“Father,” Gabrel said as he and Kaven ran to him. The brothers embraced their overwhelmed father like they hadn’t seen him in years.
“My sons. My sons,” Doniel said. “Where’s your brother? Where’s Dareic?”
“He went to Skaelwood,” said Gabrel. “We had to split up.”
“That boy,” Doniel spoke. “Just like his mother.”
They released their embrace, and the brothers took in their father’s appearance.
“And look at you,” Kaven said. “A Captain?”
“Aye,” said Doniel. “It’s been a long time since—” he trailed off as his eyes met with Gabrel’s. “I’m so sorry, my boy,” he said. “Adelyne didn’t make it.”
“I know,” Gabrel said. “I couldn’t save her.”
“You did everything you could,” Doniel tried to console his son.
“But it wasn’t enough,” Gabrel argued. “Everyone told me this would happen. They told me she was dead already. I should have listened, but I didn’t want to believe them.”
“Gabrel,” Kaven said sorrowfully.
“Adelyne never had a chance, Kaven. I could have stayed and been with her at the end. But I left her to die alone. I’ll never forgive myself for that.”
“Adelyne knew you were trying to save her, Gabrel,” said Kaven. “She’d want you to be strong. And now, she’d be so proud of you—that the King has entrusted you with so vital a task.”
Gabrel thought on his brother’s words, not wanting to take them to heart, but knowing they were true.
“What are you talking about?” asked Doniel.
“King Mercer has enlisted us as his newest ambassadors—officially,” Kaven said.
“He did what?” Doniel gasped. “They brought armor here, but they didn’t say why. Sit down, tell me everything.”
“A lot has happened, father,” Gabrel said. “And I’d love to explain everything to you in detail, but before I do, I need you to tell me something.”
“What is it?” asked Doniel.
“I experienced the spirisortium,” Gabrel got to the point. “Erygian blood flows through my veins. How is this possible?”
Doniel stared at his son.
“You—what?” he asked.
“How, father?” Gabrel spoke sternly. “I need to know. Is it just me? Or is it Kaven and Dareic as well? How far back into our family does it go?”
Doniel looked from Kaven to Gabrel, then back again.
“Please,” Gabrel persisted, “tell me.”
Doniel sighed. “It’s just you,” he said finally. Gabrel’s heart skipped a beat. “Your mother—Amarra Spirian was her name. A woman of the Erygian people she was.”
“Where is she now?” Gabrel asked.
“She died,” Doniel answered, “the night you were born.”
“Why have you never told me?”
“To save you the shame of my crime,” Doniel answered. “I hoped you’d never find out.”
“But she was my mother,” Gabrel said. “Don’t you think she would’ve wanted me to know about her?”
“Our hearts were torn about a great many things,” said Doniel. “Even from the moment we met, we knew our love would have to be kept a secret.”
“What happened?” Kaven asked. “How could you maintain a relationship with an Erygian woman?”
“I was a Captain at the time we met,” said Doniel. “Amarra was from one of the high houses of the Erygians. When Mercer made me his ambassador, my duties took me to Allestron often, where I could be with her. Then, the day came that I found out she was with child. We confided in one man—her brother, Cyro Spirian, who was a healer.”
“Spirian,” Gabrel thought out loud. “Where have I heard that name before?”
“It was his idea to quarantine Amarra,” Doniel continued, “and tell the city she’d fallen victim to a terrible sickness beyond the aid of magic. Having confidence in this plan, I returned to Caleton.
Some months later, I received a most unexpected visitor at my chamber door. It was Cyro, burdened with heavy bundles all about him. His face was grave—I never thought it possible for a man with skin so tanned to look so ghostly. But despite his appearance, I was overjoyed to see him, for I knew he would bring news of my beloved. Well, news,” Doniel paused, “he brought. Though, it tore my heart to pieces.
‘Amarra’s dead,’ he told me. ‘There were complications. There was nothing I could have done.’
‘Nothing?’ I said. ‘Nothing?! There had to have been something! She can’t be dead. She can’t be dead!’ I lost control, and ran to the window—that window right over there—screaming her name into the night. Cyro set his bundles upon a cushioned chair, then pulled me away from the window and embraced me.
‘Listen to me, Caladen,’ he said. ‘There is something I must tell you. Before she died, Amarra said she wanted you to know... she never regretted your meeting, not for a single moment. She said that even in her solitude these last months, even in her final breaths, she would have traded a lifetime of joy for just one more hour with you.’
‘I should have been there with her,’ I said. My tears knew no end.
‘She said to tell you she loves you,’ the doctor continued, ‘and that your souls will be reunited one day. She said you gave her happiness—a happiness she never knew before you, and that even though she would not be able to raise him, your son—your Gabrel—would carry her love with him always.’
‘What did you say?’ I asked. ‘My son?’ I feared the child had been lost with her. But a stirring from one of the doctor’s bundles caught my attention. Cyro went over to it, and lifted from a sling of warm blankets, a child.
You were tanned even then, Gabrel, but your hair was so dark, if I had not known your mother was Erygian, there would have been no telling that you were much different from a Human babe. The healer handed you to me, and my, how I saw your mother in you. How I see her in you, even now. My tears moistened your cheeks for the hours that followed as Cyro kept his arm over my shoulder, well into the night.
I retired my services as the King’s ambassador the very next morning. Mercer allowed my departure, understanding my newborn son had no one else to care for him. Yet when I stood before him, I saw no sympathy in his eyes. They burned of betrayal, resentment and anger.”
“Why?” asked Gabrel.
“Mercer was suspicious, Gabrel. Suspicious of you! How could he not be? I was unwed, and never spoke of expecting a child. Nor was I courting anyone publicly. Then, I presented him with you, after being visited the night before by an Erygian healer. I conjured a story, saying you were the illegitimate child of a woman from Trendell. Mercer took my word, but made it clear that it was best for all if I just disappeared.
Needless to say, the day came that I met Ollena. She raised you a
s her own, Gabrel, and gave me two more beautiful boys before her sickness took her. Your mothers were incredible women. Strong, passionate and loving. It pains me that they never got to see you as men.”
“We’re cursed,” said Gabrel. “Everyone we love dies before we do.”
“I never wanted you to know about her,” Doniel said. “I hoped to die, and let my secret die with me. But I admit, my heart is relieved to tell you after all this time.”
“I have a question,” Gabrel said. “Spirian—I swear I’ve heard that name before. But I can’t remember when or where.”
“We heard that name in Allestron,” said Kaven. “Ruvo Spirian, remember? He was the youngest of the Enchanters.”
Gabrel recalled the man. “What did you say Amarra’s brother’s name was?” he asked Doniel.
“Cyro. Cyro Spirian,” Doniel answered. “Ruvo is his son, which would make the two of you—” he trailed off, allowing Gabrel to make the connection on his own.
“That Enchanter was my bloody cousin?!” Gabrel said, running his hands back through his hair.
“You’ve probably got a few more relatives over there you don’t know about,” said Kaven.
“Yes,” Doniel agreed. “Spirian blood traces all the way back to Alakai blood and beyond.”
“Alakai?” Gabrel asked. “As in ‘Lord Daro Alakai?’” Doniel nodded.
“But not Daro’s strain,” he added. “Spirian blood traces back to Daro’s brother—Bayus Alakai—an honorable Erygian, who had not the lust for evil that consumed his brother’s heart.”
“He’s still my ancestor,” Gabrel thought out loud. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, shaking his wits back into place. “I just don’t know what to expect anymore.”
“I know the feeling,” Doniel said. “I never thought this day would come.”
Gabrel suddenly realized that he’d gotten all the information Athiux requested. He looked to Kaven. When their eyes, met, Gabrel glanced toward the door, signaling Kaven to leave.
“Kaven,” said Gabrel. “Do you mind if I have a moment alone with him?”
“Yeah Gabe, sure,” Kaven said. He embraced his brother, and as he did, Gabrel whispered in his ear.
“Give Athiux as little as possible,” he said. “Amarra Spirian—my mother. Already dead. Leave Cyro out of it.”
“I love you too, brother,” said Kaven. “Take all the time you need.” Then, he left the room, leaving Gabrel and Doniel in silence.
“I’m so sorry, Gabrel,” Doniel said. “Every man has his secrets, but mine should always have been shared with you. I know you’re probably very angry with me—”
“There’s something else, father,” Gabrel broke in.
“Something else?” Doniel asked. “My boy, I don’t think I could survive another surprise.”
“No, no, not a surprise,” Gabrel assured him, then reached into the pouch at his belt. “On our return journey,” he said, “we found weapons—powerful, enchanted objects to even the odds against Daro.” He presented the Amulet of Oblivion. “This is one of them. I want you to have it.”
“My son, I’m no amateur swordsman. I can—”
“Please, Father,” Gabrel insisted. “It will protect you.”
“If it will set your mind at ease, my son,” Doniel said, then took the dark amulet from Gabrel’s hand.
“Wear it around your neck, and hide it beneath your armor. Tell no one about it, not even the King.”
Doniel appeared briefly reluctant to the request.
“Why not?” he asked. “What does it do?”
“It’s hard to explain,” Gabrel avoided the question. “Just trust me when I say you’re safer with it than without. So please, please wear it, Father. It’s all I can give to protect you.”
Gabrel watched as his father eyed the Amulet warily.
“Alright, my son,” Doniel said, squeezing his fingers around the furentus. “I’ll wear it for you.”
At that moment, a bell sounded in the distance. The chamber trembled softly. Gabrel’s eyes widened as the low tone rang again, and the realization of what it meant came to him.
“The warning bell,” he said.
“Daro’s army approaches,” Doniel spoke gravely. “The time has come.”
Table of Contents
Chapter 25: The Battle of Caleton
“I have to go now,” Doniel told Gabrel.
“But Kaven’s not back yet,” Gabrel said.
“If I could delay the battle just to say goodbye to him, I would, my son. But the attack is commencing, and my soldiers will need their Captain.”
“He’d want to say goodbye.”
“I know, but he’ll have to understand,” Doniel said, then embraced his son. “Look after your brother.” He paused, and eyed the chamber around him. “We met for the first time in this room, you and I. And now, I leave you in it. I pray it won’t be long before I see you again. May the Goddesses protect you on your journey, Gabrel. I love you, my boy.”
“And I you,” Gabrel told him. Then, Doniel released his embrace, and left the room. Gabrel waited, staring at the doors, hoping his father would come back through them. But he did not, and Gabrel feared he would never see him again.
A few minutes later, Kaven burst into his father’s chambers, knowing it would be the last time he would see Doniel for a great while. But as his eyes searched the room, the only person they found was Gabrel.
“He’s gone,” Gabrel said. “Left at the sound of the bell.”
“He couldn’t stay?” Kaven asked. “He couldn’t stay to say goodbye?”
“Tore him to pieces, but he had to go. He hoped you’d understand.”
“Yeah,” Kaven said. “I do. I just wanted to see him before we left.”
“Right,” Gabrel understood completely. “How’d it go with the Sage?”
“He seemed disappointed, like he expected there to be more—someone still alive to punish. But even so, he’s sending a messenger back to Allestron with everything I told him.”
“And now, I imagine he’s talking to Kade about how to kill me,” Gabrel said. “When to do it. As we’re now the Princess’s escorts, she’ll have to be a bit more cunning. At least you’re off the hook, right?”
“I’ll watch your back, Gabe,” said Kaven. “If she tries anything—”
“Honestly, if Kade wants me dead, I doubt you or I could stop her,” Gabrel said. “But she said she didn’t know if she could go through with it, remember? She’s not like the others, Kaven. Maybe she won’t.”
“Maybe,” said Kaven. “But I’m not taking that gamble. Come on now. Best you hurry with that new armor of yours. We have to get to the Great Hall.”
“Shame,” said Gabrel. “This Erygian armor didn’t come cheap. And I admit, I’ve grown surprisingly fond of it. I’ll put on what the King gave me, but I think I’ll still use a few of these pieces. Human armor with a dash of Erygian. Given everything we just learned, that seems appropriate, doesn’t it?”
“Just hurry,” said Kaven.
Throughout the castle, men, women and children clustered in hallways and meeting rooms, already taking refuge. When Gabrel and Kaven reached the Great Hall, they found the King, his daughter, Athiux and Kade. Additionally, two soldiers and several Aeroli were present as well.
“I didn’t expect us to be back here so soon,” Gabrel told the others as he approached.
“The time has come,” Mercer said for all to hear. Both he and his daughter wore armor. “Gabrel and Kaven, these are Asos and Domini Carthryte,” he motioned to the two soldiers. “Two of our best. They will accompany you.”
“Wait, you’re only giving us two soldiers?” Kaven asked. “That’s all?”
“We’re keeping our number small to avoid drawing attention,” the Princess told him. “A lighter footprint is easier washed away.”
“You must leave at once,” said the King. “My daughter will lead you to the port town of Palthea. When you reach the Crescus River,
take the west branch to the Erygian city of Estimus. After that, I pray they offer you protection on your way to Benevar. Be on your way now, Ayden,” the King told his daughter. “Lead them below.”
The Princess embraced her father.
“You’ll be safe in Benevar,” the King told her.
“If I’m not safe in Caleton, Father, I’ll not be safe anywhere,” Ayden responded.
The Enchantress wrapped her arms around her grandfather.
“How do you plan to survive this?” she asked.
“Alive,” Athiux responded with a smile. But Kade did not seem amused. “Go now,” he said, pushing her from him. “There is no more time, Kade.”
Gabrel watched them warily. When the Sage’s eyes met his own, nothing but the thickest of resentment passed between them.
“This way,” Ayden said. Gabrel turned away, refusing to speak a single word to the Sage.
“Where are you leading us?” Kaven asked as Ayden led them from the Great Hall. “If the city is soon to be surrounded, we can’t so much as walk out the front door.”
“Too true,” Ayden agreed.
“Then where?” asked Kaven.
“Into the catacombs.”
“Fitting,” Gabrel thought out loud, then looked back to Kade, and saw that her hand rested anxiously on the hilt of her sword.
* * * * *
High on the northern battlements of the outermost wall, Doniel watched as Daro’s demons filled the land around Caleton like a swarm of armored insects. In the distance, the sun began to set beneath full, dark gray clouds that promised an inevitable snowstorm.
The Fated Ones flew in formations, then landed upon the earth, joining the ranks of their brethren. Just the same, thousands of Aeroli perched upon the castle and its surrounding walls, gripping the stone with great taloned feet.
“Captain Caladen,” said a soldier, breaking Doniel of his hopeless gaze. “Your orders?”
“Ready spear-bows and catapults,” he answered.
“Do you really think they’ll make a difference?” came another voice.
“They might slow him down,” Doniel answered, then turned to see the question had come from Athiux, who joined him at his side. “Athiux Armastus Amirraden, as I live and breathe!” Doniel exclaimed.
