The Other Worlds (The Other Worlds Series Book 1)

by M. L. Greye

  “What?” Olinia looked up. She’d been braiding her horse’s mane. “Langorn’s colors are brown and gray. Remember? We saw them in Cree City.”

  “Why are those in green?” Will pointed.

  Olinia turned and grimaced. “Ecknreef.”

  Will blinked, surprised by the Eveon curse. “Who are they?”

  “Kendrens.” She reached out and grabbed Will’s reins, pulling both of their horses to a stop. “We need to get off the road.”

  “Why?” Will frowned, but followed her into the grass. “Aren’t they only after Saerds?”

  “They might ask us questions,” she tossed over her shoulder. “It’ll be easier for us to let them pass without acknowledging our presence.”

  “Oh.” That made sense.

  The grass completely covered the horses, but not them while sitting on top. Will dismounted and Olinia did the same, her eyebrows drawn together. “Why are they even here? Langorn has Eveon blood. It doesn’t fall under Kendren legislation.”

  Will pulled his horse up beside hers. “Listen.”

  Olinia strained her ears. The Kendrens were almost to them now. Olinia knew she and Will should move further away from the road, but her curiosity was stopping her.

  “Gag her, for all I care,” growled a voice in Arthelian. “I’m sick of having to hear her.”

  “Was someone choking?” Will whispered.

  “No,” Olinia laughed. “That’s just Arthelian, the language of the Kendrens. It sounds something awful, doesn’t it?”

  Will leaned up against her back. “Do you understand it?”

  “Yes, I was forced to learn it as a slave. You think it’s bad to listen to? Try speaking it.” She pulled a face. “I hate it. It exhausts your mouth.”

  “You’ll have to teach it to me someday.”

  Olinia grunted. “Find yourself another tutor.”

  “Untie him!” A woman shouted in Arthelian. “You’ve dragged him long enough!”

  “Quiet, woman!” The first voice ordered.

  There was a pause. Then, “I won’t say another word to you for the rest of the trip if you untie him right now.”

  “Done.” The man came into Olinia’s view through the grass. He motioned for the other riders to stop and jumped off his horse. “If you say one more word, then both he and the other one will be dragged the rest of the way.”

  The woman came into view. She was tied to her horse’s saddle. She glanced down at the man. “Not a word.”

  “Cut him loose.” The man stepped out of Olinia’s sight, leaving his horse at the front of the group.

  Olinia glanced up at Will and then over her shoulder to where their horses, Candle and Kae, were grazing. She took Will’s hand and pulled him toward the road. “Come on, let’s get a closer look.”

  “Wait.” He stopped. “They’ll see us.”

  She smiled and snapped. Instantly, she took on the transparent look that she had the first day Will met her. He frowned. “That’s great for you, but what about me?”

  “Look down at yourself,” she replied, still grinning. “Even though you can see through my gifts, I can still use them with you.”

  Will noticed his own form held Olinia’s transparency. He allowed himself to be led beyond the meadow’s edge. “What were they saying?”

  “Something about untying someone.” Olinia glanced at the woman on top of the horse again. At the closer distance, Olinia could make out her features almost perfectly. There was something oddly familiar about the woman’s face – the way the large eyes sat beneath high, dark eyebrows, the curve of her lip, the shape of her nose, the high cheekbones…Olinia’s breath caught, realizing with a start why the woman looked so familiar.

  Will moved up beside her. “What’s wrong?”

  Olinia couldn’t help herself from staring. “She looks just like me. No, she could be me.”

  “Her hair’s darker.”

  “I’m talking about her face,” Olinia retorted. “We could be twins.”

  “You already have a twin.”

  She elbowed him in the stomach. “You know what I meant.”

  He chuckled. “I can see the resemblance, princess.”

  The man Olinia had seen earlier was now at the rear of the group, beside a riderless horse. He turned around back towards the woman. “There. Are you happy now?”

  * * * * * *

  Not until you and your kind are dead. Tiara had a mouthful to throw at the young lieutenant, but she bit her tongue and only nodded. She had no desire to injure Archrin any further, nor she did not want to be the cause of any pain to Legann. He was still suffering from the loss of his family.

  “Good,” Ganin grunted. “We can now make it to Kepleth without me needing to kill myself.”

  Tiara let out a short laugh. If that were all it really took for him to kill himself, she never would have agreed to the trade. Ganin glanced up at the soldier holding Archrin’s horse’s reins. “Bind our traitorous friend and put him back on his horse.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Now for you, Miss Anteal,” Ganin walked through his men to stop beside her, “we have another half day journey ahead of us. I don’t want to hear you during any of it. An hour of your endless nagging is far more than any man deserves.” He turned and retraced his steps to his horse.

  Tiara glared at this retreating back. Lieutenant Ganin Pellen had been the third officer living in Drivian with her. The night Archrin saved her from Foehn, Ganin was sleeping off a drink in his room. After Archrin, Tiara, and Foehn left Graymark, Voiel sent Ganin off to find them to receive punishment for their desertion. Nearly two hours before, Ganin accomplished his task when he and his men overtook Tiara’s group. Archrin and Legann had fought them off best they could, but Archrin, still weak from their encounter at the inn, had collapsed from exhaustion. Tiara was practically useless with a sword and Legann couldn’t win by himself. They were given no choice but to surrender.

  Once Archrin regained consciousness, Ganin found pleasure in dragging Archrin barebacked behind a horse as retribution for his treachery. Tiara was forced to watch, bound both hand and foot to her horse, while Ganin caught her up on Graymark’s current affairs. He then moved to his encounter with Pavn. During his search in the Kepleth world, Ganin ran into the recovering Pavn. Upon discovering Ganin’s quest, Pavn personally requested Ganin bring Tiara to him. So now, Tiara was on her way back to Kepleth to meet up with the Kendren lord. Ganin was just taking his time, enjoying his torture of Archrin. Tiara guessed Ganin had always had some sort of power envy for Archrin and was now happy to relinquish some of his pent-up jealousy.

  Behind Tiara, Archrin let out a low groan. She spun around in her saddle just in time to catch him slide off his horse, landing in a heap on the gravel. At the sight of Archrin’s back, Tiara felt her stomach churn. The soldier beside Archrin let out a string of curses and kicked him in the side.

  “Stop!” Tiara shouted. “Put him up on my horse. He obviously can’t stay up by himself.”

  “You spoke.” Ganin whirled.

  “Legann, please tell Ganin I haven’t said a word to him,” Tiara retorted, staring directly at the lieutenant. “I haven’t broken my bargain.” Tiara returned her attention to the soldier who had kicked Archrin. “Tie his hands around my waist. I’ll hold him up.”

  The soldier looked past Tiara to Ganin. “Do as she says,” Ganin ordered. “For once, she’s said something useful.”

  It took about ten minutes to get Archrin situated. As the men prepared to get moving again, Tiara whispered in Saerdian, “Don’t worry, Archrin. We’ll find a way out of this one.”

  The blood from his chest began to soak the back of her dress. He had rolled onto his chest a few times to relieve the skin on his back. Old sweat mixed with dirt, blood, and gravel formed a paste on most of his face and neck. New sweat trickled down his forehead, creating lines. His mismatched eyes were glazed and distant. Tiara frowned. “I’m so sorry,” she breathed.

 
“For what?” His voice was hoarse.

  “You wouldn’t be here like this if not for me.”

  “You’re right.” He tilted his head down and kissed her forehead. “Thank you. I prefer the change.”

  Tiara’s horse was suddenly yanked forward. Both Tiara and Archrin were jerked backwards. Tiara cried out in pain. The only things keeping them on the horse were her wrists, bound to the saddle. She gritted her teeth as she used what little strength she possessed to pull her and Archrin upright again. Archrin released another groan as his weight sagged over her shoulders.

  “Are you going to be alright, Tiara?”

  She looked up. Legann had been placed alongside her. She nodded once. “I’m going to have to be.”

  * * * * * *

  Every muscle in Archrin’s body ached, his right side worst of all. His back, chest, and areas on his arms felt as if they were on fire. It hurt to breath. He knew he should have phased, but he feared hurting Tiara. In his animal form, he was given to his instincts entirely. As an animal, he might not have recognized Tiara, especially not if he was fighting off Kendrens.

  The corners of Archrin’s mind were caving in, creating holes in his thoughts. Ideas weren’t connecting clearly. Darkness was slowly overtaking his consciousness. The fire was consuming him. Archrin winced with each new shallow intake of breath. He knew Tiara couldn’t carry his weight for long; he would fall off again eventually, and he feared the fall. He wasn’t sure he could survive another one. The fire was enveloping him everywhere, blinding his vision. Inescapable. He hated to be a burden for Tiara, but he had no choice. He was no longer aware of his physical body. The only portion of his being he still had some sort of control over was his mind, and even that was slowly disintegrating. He wished he could help Tiara…

  Archrin’s breathing was uneven and shallow. Tiara grimaced beneath his weight, but she wasn’t about to complain verbally. It would bring Ganin too much joy. She never had truly understood her own physical weakness until now. They had barely traveled a hundred yards and already she was wheezing. It was going to be a very long trip.

  To keep her mind off of the pain in her wrists and legs from holding Archrin upright, as well as her back, wet with Archrin’s blood, Tiara focused her eyes on the road. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to capture her attention. Tall grass on either side of the gravel road for as far as the eye can see with the occasional tree was not helping her to ignore her current plight. But it was better than nothing, so forward her eyes stayed.

  After a few more steps, her vision was given something new. A single man emerged from the grass, stopping in the middle of the road, as if waiting to speak with Ganin. Tiara furrowed her eyebrows, curious. Why would the man wish to speak with a Kendren?

  “Hey there!” The man shouted out as the group grew closer.

  Tiara couldn’t help but stare. The man had yelled in Saerdian to uniformed Kendrens! Tiara’s eyes darted to Ganin. He stiffened, insulted by the man’s impertinence. To prove his indignation, Ganin ignored the man and continued to ride forward past him. But the man wasn’t going to go unseen. He reached out and grabbed Ganin’s reins, pulling his horse to a stop. Ganin’s mouth dropped open, shocked that the man would even attempt such an act. Tiara felt like applauding.

  “Can soldiers really be that rude to ride on by a traveler in distress?” The man asked, using Saerdian again. “Aren’t you supposed to be servants of the people?”

  Ganin gained some composure and glared down at the man silently, too proud to respond. Tiara had to struggle to control herself from laughing. The man seemed oblivious to Kendren protocol, or he was completely disregarding it. At Ganin’s silence, the man turned to another Kendren and pointed towards Ganin. “Can he speak?”

  Tiara faltered. Out came her laughter as Ganin yanked out his sword, pointed at the man’s neck. “How dare you insult me?” He shouted in Arthelian.

  The man only raised an eyebrow. “I can’t understand you,” he replied calmly in Saerdian. “To me, you’re just making noises.”

  Before she had time to realize what she was doing, Tiara called out in Saerdian, “It’s awful stuff, isn’t it?”

  Ganin whirled, his face scarlet, while the man laughed. “A true Saerd. Finally, someone with intelligence. What’s your name, miss?”

  “Tiara Anteal.” She grinned, unable to hide her enjoyment of the man any longer.

  “Why are you tied up, Miss Anteal?”

  Ganin growled, literally, surprising both Tiara and the man. “That is none of your business!” He barked out in Saerdian.

  The man glanced up at Ganin and smiled out the side of his mouth, as if both amused and encouraged by Ganin’s behavior. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Who are you?” Ganin hissed.

  “Will Patten of Ethon, heir to the Key.”

  The following moments flew by in a blur. Immediately after Will introduced himself, three Kendrens slid off their horses. Not by them simply falling off, but by the straps of their saddles being sliced through. As the surprised cries of the Kendrens rang out, Will pulled a sword of blue steel from somewhere behind him. Ganin, who had turned to see what had startled his men, returned his gaze to Will just in time to block Will’s blow. But Will’s blade was stronger than Ganin’s. The strike sliced Ganin’s sword in half as if it were butter. Two more Kendrens fell backwards off their horses in the same fashion as the first three. Then, Legann’s wrists were free. He stared down at his hands in momentary disbelief before catching a sheathed sword that had somehow been tossed to him from one of the startled Kendrens. Legann offered Tiara a glance before tearing off into the mix of Kendrens who were now surrounding Will. Not that Will was in any fatal danger, Tiara noticed. He didn’t seem to be struggling with the four men, including Ganin. In fact, he appeared to be having a splendid time, as if he were dueling with friends. As Legann joined him, the last two Kendrens threw themselves at Will.

  “Can you ride like that or do you need your hands cut free too?” A woman’s voice at her left knee brought Tiara’s head down with a snap. The woman’s sudden appearance and her use of Saerdian wasn’t what startled Tiara, though. No, it was her face. Or, better put, Tiara’s face. The woman was just a lighter haired version of herself!

  “Can you ride while bound to your saddle?” The woman repeated. She didn’t seem at all surprised by Tiara’s shock.

  Tiara found her voice and nodded. “I wouldn’t be able to ride otherwise. He’s too heavy for me to carry without being bound.”

  The woman nodded. She looked no older than Tiara. “Alright, but you won’t be holding onto him for long.” She took a quick glance over her shoulder to where Will and Legann were warding off the last three Kendrens, Ganin one of them. “My name’s Olinia Reien. I’m going to open a portal to Evedon.”

  “Evedon?” Tiara blinked.

  Olinia dug her hand into the air in front of her. A glimmer of light opened up in a straight line where Olinia’s hand had been. She returned her attention to Tiara. “Just ride through and we’ll follow you in a few minutes.”

  “And Legann?” Tiara asked, her eyes darting past Olinia.

  “I’ll make sure he makes it.”

  “Thanks.” Tiara offered Olinia a small smile before urging her horse through the portal.

  Olinia watched Tiara disappear before turning towards Will and Legann. Will was on one knee over Ganin with his sword at Ganin’s throat. Legann stood behind them, panting. The rest of the Kendrens were sprawled out over the gravel. Olinia pulled a face and avoided their dying bodies.

  “Who are you?” Ganin spat out. “What do you want with my prisoners?”

  Will grunted. “They aren’t your prisoners anymore.”

  Ganin glared up at him. “Then, kill me. Pavn will just do it later if you don’t now.”

  “Pavn?” Olinia moved in front of him. “Were you taking them to Pavn?”

  Legann answered for him. “Pavn wants Tiara. She injured him a couple days ago.”<
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  “So, you’re his henchman,” Olinia noted.

  “And you’ve made yourself an enemy to the Kendren lords,” Ganin shot back.

  Olinia smirked. “By blood alone I’m an enemy to the Kendrens.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Allow me to introduce her highness, the princess Olinia Reien of Caprith, heiress of the Other Worlds,” Will said evenly.

  “High Royalty?” Ganin’s eyes looked like they might pop out. “In Langorn?”

  “I have business here,” Olinia shot back. To Will, she said, “I don’t think Tiara can last much longer.”

  Will nodded, smirking at Ganin, “Tell Pavn hello for us.” With that, he smashed the hilt of his sword across the side of Ganin’s head, knocking him out cold.

  * * * * * *

  Sazx leaned forward over his knees, rubbing his temples with his hands. It was late, and he was hours from retiring to his bed. He was in his home, the Captain’s Quarters, in Caprith. Just a few short weeks before it had belonged to Captain Thyrnion. What had happened to those days? He longed for such simplicity again. His dreaded days as Captain were filled with sleepless nights and endless work. For once in his life he wished to be bored.

  As part of his Captain duties, Sazx was sovereign of the Caprith world. Caprith was second only to the Vrenyx in Dagon’s kingdom. It was a world Dagon visited often, whenever desirous of a retreat. In truth, the world was beautiful. Sazx could not blame his lord for visiting, but living there was quite another story. Sazx hated Caprith. Its people were practically impossible to rule, due to the sloppy governance of previous Captains. Once second only to Evedon, Caprith was deeply rooted in Eveon blood. Following in the example set by its leaders, its people were a mix of both Saerds and Eves. Alliances were formed between the two groups, allowing for the restoration of a breed that had not existed since Balinorre. Caprith renewed the Wends.

  Ah, the Wends. Sazx shook his head, aggravated once again with the ignorance of his emperor. When Dagon attacked Caprith and killed his brother for the throne, he became sovereign of a very interesting race. The Wends were neither Saerd nor Eve, yet they could exist as both. They were the gifted of the gifted – the best of the best. What seemed a challenge for an Eve was mere child’s play for a Wend. At the capture of Caprith, the majority of the Wends were small children. Their young minds were still susceptible to change and new ideas. Dagon could have won them over – slowly manipulating them into joining his following. But no, instead he sent them to the Dark. At just the thought of it, Sazx’s body stiffened. He despised the Dark.