by M. L. Greye
My shortcomings became a frequent topic with him and my father. He was not about to let his elder brother have the throne that should really be for him. My brother was far from through with me. A mere matter of birth order would not stop him.
By the time I was nineteen, my brother had gained almost half of Balinorre as his support. The remainder was loyal to me. This changed Balinorre. It was no longer the united kingdom it had once been. This was the beginning of its fall. It was then, on the brink of civil war, that I realized my life was taking a drastic turn – that what I had planned for my future could very well only be a part of my dreams. I was being forced into a feud I had never wanted. Somehow, during the turns of my youth, I had missed the foreshadowing of my brother’s desires. I was only then discovering the true nature of his character. And the truth was leaving me betrayed and hurt. My brother had been my confidant, my ally, and my closest friend. With the arousal of his hatred for me, I was stripped of that companionship. For the first time, in my life, I was alone.
The Fraers must have had their eyes on me, though, because I was not left friendless for long. I can still remember the day I first met him – November twelfth. I was out riding by myself. I was just outside of Balinorre’s walls when he and my horse came face to face. I nearly ran him over. We both were equally surprised to see each other.
He was my age. Well, to tell you the truth, he was actually three months my senior. He was from a world that at the time had been unknown to me. It was his eyes that drew my attention. They were a shade I still have yet to find among the Other Worlds. They were the color of a dreary sky, changing in depth depending on his mood. But they were, more often than not, a storm gray.
His name was Trenton Alridge.
Will stared at the page, stunned. He read the words over again inside his head. Trenton? In the Other Worlds?
“What’s wrong, Will?”
“Here,” he offered her the scroll, “does that really say Trenton Alridge?”
Taking it from him, Olinia dropped her eyes to where he pointed. She nodded. “Why? Do you know him?”
Will leaned his head back against the wall and shut his eyes. “Trenton is my great-grandfather.”
“What?” Olinia squeaked. “He knew my father?”
“If that’s what it says,” Will replied, opening his eyes. “You read now.”
It was easy getting close to Trenton. He was almost as desperate for a friend as I was. He somehow had walked through a portal to our realm, a realm completely different than the one he had been raised in. Our customs and beliefs were foreign to him. I had to introduce him to everything, including topics that I had assumed to be common knowledge. He was a quick learner, though. He sucked up the information I offered as if it were water. I never repeated myself either. Trenton’s memory was unbelievably accurate.
After a few weeks, I acquainted Trenton with my brother and my brother’s betrothed. Her name was Tyra Ellowen, and Trenton was smitten. His problem was that she was not only my brother’s future wife; she was also an Eve. Trenton was our equivalent of a Saerd. Yet their difference in breed did not matter to Trenton. He quickly fell in love with her.
For three months Trenton challenged my brother regarding Tyra, marking himself as my brother’s enemy. My brother would pull her away from Trenton, but each attempt was short-lived. Trenton was determined to be near her, and Tyra had slowly formed an opinion of her own. She was a young Eve, only seventeen. During those three months, her eyes were opened to my brother’s true character and the naïveté of her choice. She realized she had misjudged my brother. He was not the man she had made him to be in her mind. Trenton, on the other hand, was everything she expected him to be. She released my brother for Trenton, leaving my brother infuriated. Not long after, my brother attacked Balinorre.
He came from the nearby forest of Trevalon, his followers standing as his army. Trenton and I led my warriors out to meet him. We met in a bloody clash. My men fought bravely, but even with their great courage, they were slowly pushed back. Trenton and I soon realized there was no hope for Balinorre. My brother would overthrow us and use Balinorre’s fortress as his own. Thus, it had to be evacuated and then destroyed. I stayed with the battle while Trenton rode back to the city to warn my father’s people.
Olinia stopped as a sudden jolt of pain shot through right her arm and turned into the same burning she’d felt earlier. She cried out in pain, dropping the scroll onto her lap, as she clutched her arm to her chest.
“Princess?” Will crouched beside her.
“I have to Globe.”
He blinked. “Globe?”
“Yes,” she nodded once and gripped onto his arm with her good hand, “I’m taking you with me.”
Before he could reply, she waved her burning hand in front of her eyes. The bluish, silver light she had grown used to erupted outward, filling the entire room. It did not last long. Almost instantly, the light gave way to the new scene, to what was calling her.
It was the courtyard of a fortress. A man stood in the center of it atop the front wheel of a wagon full of hay. He was surrounded by people of all different ages. Will was beside her on the stone floor. He stood, pulling Olinia up with him.
“Bring only what you will need to get you to your home worlds!” The man shouted in Eveon. “Leave the rest!”
Will stiffened. “That’s Trenton.”
A large man to their right called out, “Leave our possessions?”
Trenton nodded. “Anything that’s too big for you to carry. They will only slow you down.”
“But Balinorre is our home,” cried an elderly woman with bundles in her arms. “It has been for generations.”
“But it wasn’t always,” Trenton replied. “You must return to the lands of your ancestors. Balinorre must be deserted. Grab only what you need and go!”
As the crowd began to hurry out in separate directions, Olinia watched Trenton jump to the ground. She was close enough to see the resemblance he shared with Will – the same eyes, same golden hair.
“Trenton!”
Olinia whirled as an Eveon maiden pushed her way through the collection of bodies in the courtyard. Trenton met her halfway, placing himself directly in front of Olinia and Will. Olinia eyed the young Eve, taking in the telltale black hair and dark blue eyes.
“Tyra!” Trenton embraced the Eve. “Where’s Leia?”
“With my brothers,” she answered. “She begged me not to find you.”
Trenton grunted. “Your sister is smart. You have to go back to Evedon.”
“My home is Balinorre, not Evedon. I can fight to save it.”
Trenton cradled her face between his hands. “The city is being evacuated, Tyra. The only way to save Balinorre is to destroy it. We can’t let it be captured. It has to be destroyed!”
“How?” Tyra frowned. “Its very walls are infused with the gifts of the thousands who have inhabited it.”
“I don’t know what Legann plans on doing.” He kissed her forehead. “Help as many as you can to get out of the city, and then leave to Evedon. I’ll see you there, alright?”
She nodded, her eyes distant.
Trenton must have noticed the look in them. “Tyra, don’t do anything rash. Let Legann take care of this.”
“I can help.”
“You can help by evacuating Balinorre,” he retorted. “Promise me you won’t-”
“Trenton, I can-”
“No, Tyra.” He cut her off. “I know you too well. If you start, you won’t stop until it’s finished, even if it kills you.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “Helping us fight Dagon would most likely kill you.”
“I’m not afraid to die.”
“That’s because I’m afraid enough for the both of us,” Trenton replied dryly. “I’m not about to let you die when I could have prevented it.” He bent his head and kissed her softly. “Promise me you’ll return to Evedon, Tyra. Promise me you won’t try to fight Dagon.”
“Alrig
ht,” Tyra nodded once, “I promise.”
They kissed again before Trenton released her. Olinia watched as they separated, heading off in different directions through the crowd. Olinia blinked. “Which one do we follow?”
“Trenton is probably going back to the battlefield,” Will answered. “So my vote’s to follow Tyra.”
Olinia frowned. “If you’re worried about me and a battlefield, you’re wasting your time. I’m not afraid of gore.”
Will chuckled as he grabbed her hand and began to pull her forward, chasing after Tyra. “I don’t believe you.”
“And why is that?” Olinia shot back.
“You seem like the type that wavers at the sight of blood.”
Olinia grunted. “Have you even seen me near blood?”
“Have you been near blood?”
“Does my own count?”
“No.”
Will heard Olinia grumble something beneath her breath. He knew he was right. Olinia was better off as far from the battle as possible. Tyra was the right course to follow, but unfortunately for Will, he was having difficulty finding her. She was faster than he’d expected. He wasn’t seeing her in the crowd, and the road he was dragging Olinia along was almost to its end – its end being a high stone wall. Will glanced up at the tall townhouses lining the street. Tyra must have ducked into one of them.
“Look, there she is.” Olinia grabbed hold of his arm, pulling him to a stop. She pointed up at one of the parapets.
He glimpsed Tyra standing at its edge, dangling a thin, black cord between her fingers. At the cord’s center, Will managed to make out a single, dark blue gem, encased in a silver ring. Olinia suddenly dug her fingernails into his arm. He turned in surprise.
“That’s a Crystal Gem.”
“A what?”
“We have to get up there.” Olinia whirled toward the townhouse, shoving her way through the few locals of Balinorre that stood in her way.
Will stumbled to keep up with her. She was already inside by the time he reached the home’s front steps. As he pushed open one of the two front doors, he spotted Olinia making her way up the front staircase. “Wait up, princess!”
“Run,” was her quick reply as she passed the second floor and began the steps to the third.
“Run,” Will muttered before dashing after her.
He barely made it to the third floor in time to see Olinia disappear into one of the rooms across the hall. Will shook his head, letting out a short curse beneath his breath as he raced towards the room as well. He burst through the door and found himself beside Olinia, on the same veranda she had pointed to. The door hadn’t led to a room after all. He glanced down at Olinia, panting. Her gaze was locked on the two figures in front of them.
“You shouldn’t have done that, Tyra.” The woman’s shaky voice brought Will’s head around.
There, at the railing, Tyra stood hunched over. A young, dark-haired woman was at Tyra’s side, partially keeping her on her feet.
“I had to, Leia,” Tyra breathed, yanking the Crystal Gem from around her neck. Will stared at it, surprised that it was no longer the dark blue he’d seen earlier – it was now glowing cerulean. “It’s the only way to destroy Balinorre.”
Will frowned. “What is that thing?”
“The Gem sucks the gifts of an Eve into its center,” Olinia answered without turning. “It makes Eves into Saerds.”
“Where do they come from?”
She shrugged. “I think it’s a creation of the Velvitors, another one of their devices.”
“Trenton told you not to do anything,” Leia warned.
Tyra grunted. “Trenton does not own me. Besides, it’s all over now. I made my choice.” She smiled slightly. “Now he has no reason to return to his world without me.”
Leia’s mouth dropped. “Do you honestly intend to leave the Other Worlds? Ethons are not like us, Tyra.”
“Do you really think that matters to me?” She asked softly. “Not even Andin could keep me away from him.”
“I still don’t see how that justifies you removing your gifts.”
Tyra looked down at the lit up necklace in her hand. “I doubt Legann has any real plan to destroy the city. Using the Gem is the best option.”
“And how do you intend on using it?”
“The same way Princess Clea destroyed the Hortenge Forest,” Tyra retorted.
Will exchanged a quick glance with Olinia. “Who’s Clea?”
“I don’t know.” Olinia shrugged. “It’s probably some lost Balnorrean legend.”
“Princess Clea?” Leia frowned. “Does anyone really know how she did that? Or if it’s even true?”
“It’s all a matter of the mind,” Tyra replied. “You have to will the captured gifts to do your bidding.” She glanced down over the balcony’s edge. “You have to leave now, Leia. When I destroy the city, the portals will close.”
“Are you sure it’s empty?”
“We are the last few left.” Tyra nodded. “I can feel how barren Balinorre has become. I’ll meet you in Evedon.”
Will raised an eyebrow. “The city’s empty already?”
“We’re Globing,” Olinia told him. “Time doesn’t pass the same for us as it did for them. It’s probably been a few hours since Tyra saw Trenton in the courtyard.”
“Oh, Tyra!” Leia embraced her sister. “Don’t kill yourself. Please, don’t go so far as to kill yourself.”
“I’m not going to kill myself. I’m only going to demolish Balinorre.”
“You act as if it will be easy.”
“Do I?” Tyra stepped back and grasped Leia’s hands. “Right now I’m terrified.”
“Just remember the courageous are never fearless.”
“I’ll try.”
“I love you, Tyra. Please be careful.”
“Don’t worry.” Tyra hugged her again. “I’ll be seeing you in Evedon.”
“Then I’ll be waiting.” With that, Leia released her sister and turned toward the veranda’s door, moving past Will and Olinia on her way out.
Once Leia was gone, Tyra glanced back out to the city. She took a deep breath and then slowly raised her hands above her head, clasping the Crystal Gem between her fingers. Suddenly, a beam of bluish light shot out into the gray sky. It hit a point just below the thick layer of clouds and began to spread over the expanse of Balinorre, creating a dark blue bowl over the city. Will couldn’t help but stare at the strange force field. He felt as if he were in a movie. After a moment, he peeled his eyes away from the sky, shifting his gaze to Tyra. She was pale and trembling. The giant bowl was draining her. She looked as if she was about to collapse.
A deafening clap of thunder erupted out from where Tyra stood, causing both Will and Olinia to drop to their knees, hands covering their ears. The steady stream of light from the Gem to the sky ended as the thunder reverberated through the city, lasting much longer than Will expected it should. The Gem darkened and hung limp against Tyra’s fingers. She moaned softly as her arms slumped to her side, her body still shaking. Then she fell, collapsing into a heap on the floor.
Will turned to Olinia. She opened her mouth, but before she got the chance to let anything out, another round of thunder ruptured through the city, leaving Will’s ears ringing once more. He looked upward as if to find the source for the roar, and found the bowl was disappearing. The edges were rising back to the central point. The strange blue light was evaporating from the sky. Once the edges reached the central point, a soundless flash of lightning forked outward over the city. It was as if someone had reversed the storm, playing the thunder first and then the lightning. And suddenly the ground began to shake.
Olinia cried out as she fell forward onto her hands. “What’s happening?”
“It’s an earthquake,” Will shouted over the new noise.
“It’s a what?”
“I think Tyra had something to do with this. I think it’s how she planned on destroying Balinorre.”
&nbs
p; “How will this destroy it?”
“By crumbling the buildings.” He began to push himself to his feet.
“Then, we’ve got to go.”
He extended his hand to help Olinia up. “What about Tyra?”
“There’s nothing we can do. We’re only witnessing scenes that have already happened. We’re not really here.”
“Then, why are we struggling to stay on our feet?”
“Let’s just call it really vivid imagery,” she returned dryly.
“Tyra!”
The familiar voice made both Will and Olinia whirl just as Trenton burst onto the balcony. How had he known Tyra was in trouble?
Trenton closed the distance between him and the Eve. “Tyra?” He gently rolled her onto her back. “Tyra, please, answer me.”
Her eyes fluttered open. “Trenton? How did you know I was here?”
“I saw the strange light and knew it was you.” Trenton replied, frowning. “Did I not make myself clear when I said not to do anything? Or were you simply not listening?”
Tyra pulled a face. “I wasn’t listening.”
“I figured as much. You broke a promise.”
“No, I didn’t do a thing to fight Dagon, and I fully intend on returning to Evedon.”
“Then, why were you lying here in the midst of a tumult of your creating?” Trenton retorted.
“Because I can’t move. I’m too weak to even stand.”
Trenton swore beneath his breath and stood, lifting Tyra up with him. “Do you realize if I hadn’t come you would have been crushed?”
“Do you realize if we don’t leave now we both will be crushed?” Tyra shot back. “You can criticize me later.”
