by Ben Alderson
“And who is this?” Vianne asked, extending a hand to Illera.
“My partner, Illera,” Emaline said. I smiled her way, humored to see the shock on Illera’s face that Emaline had admitted it aloud. That shock melted to pride as she took Vianne’s hand and shook it back.
“Now we are all acquainted with one another, let us begin,” Hadrian announced, standing above us all. “I have called a meeting with my New Council this morning to discuss the plans we have begun to brew regarding the Druid. Our next steps are beginning to become clear, but it is important we keep Emaline part of this discussions, as she plays a crucial part.”
“I don’t like the sound of this,” Emaline said.
Hadrian filled both Emaline and Illera on all the missing events. Emaline’s entire body shook as I spoke of her Queen and what she’d been through. Even Vianne bowed her head as if trying to block out the details she already knew.
“We can all agree the Druid needs to be stopped, the sooner the better. It has now been a long while of silence for him, which unnerves me. Besides the mishap that happened two days ago, his presence is still missing,” Hadrian said. “I hate to admit this, but it would not surprise me if he is already here. Gordex has the ability to always be steps ahead of us all, so it is smart for us each to not underestimate just what he would do to finally get you, Emaline.”
“Forgive me for pointing out the obvious, but why do we not just kill Marthil? Surely, if we sever one of the four Dragori, the Druid cannot complete the ritual to raise the other druids again?” Emaline said.
“At last.” Simian almost jumped from his chair out of excitement. “Someone else who thinks with a lick of sense.”
I ignored Simian and replied solely to Emaline, “We will not kill Marthil because we are not desperate. Not yet. If we took someone’s life, we are no better than Gordex himself.”
“That, and we have another idea. One that, if planned carefully could work,” Hadrian said, mirroring Illera and Emaline and squeezing my hand.
“Let me guess, this is where I come in.” Emaline crossed her arms across her chest.
“This part will involve you, but I promise what I say next is in no way to put you in deliberate harm. So please, let me explain, then you can ask all the questions you have.”
Emaline waved a hand for him to continue. Her lips paled with tension and cheek bulging as she bit her tongue to stay quiet.
“We know the souls of the long-forgotten druids are locked within the Staff of Light. We also know that it is important for the ritual after the extents Gordex went to retrieve it. Our options, to ensure it does not happen, is we must destroy the Staff. Cutting off his life line to those souls will mean he has lost. Once we do that, we are four against him. Regardless of the Heart Magick.”
“Three of us,” Illera added. “Marthil, from the sounds of it, will never help you. Nor should we expect her to. Not after what she’s done. To Jasrov, to so many others.”
Hearing Jasrov’s name caused the hairs on my arms to stand. Not only did it unearth memories of him dying or his lifeless body walking the halls of Queen Kathine’s palace as a shadowbeing, it also reminded me of Nyah.
“I agree, Illera.” Hadrian flexed his fingers in his lap, enough for me to see just how much his hands were shaking. “We must destroy the Staff of Light, and to do so we must get close to it. We must lure Gordex here, separate him from the Staff so we can destroy it. Then he is all ours to take care of.”
“And just how do I come into this?” Emaline asked, confusion furrowed her brows.
“We need something to lure him here. And there is only one thing he needs with such desperation to possess,” Hadrian explained, eyes flicking between myself and Emaline. “Because you are the only thing standing in his way of raising his kin. Without your magick, he is shooting in the dark.”
Everyone in the room looked to Emaline.
“Emaline, no,” Illera plead before anyone had finally admitted aloud what Hadrian meant.
“You want to use me as the bait?” Emaline asked, her voice calmer than I expected. Her hands tapped across the table but didn’t show signs of strain.
Hadrian nodded, his eyes focused on the floor. I expected Emaline to shout her disagreement and refuse, but the longer the silence grew the more I felt like that was not going to happen.
Finally, she spoke up, voice crystal clear with a hint of excitement audible.
“Your plan makes sense, and that is why I agree to help. But under one condition.”
“Really?” Hadrian spluttered.
I couldn’t stop looking at Illera, whose face was growing rosier by the second.
“One condition,” she repeated.
“What is it?”
Emaline took a breath. “Promise me that you will do everything in your power to keep those I love from getting in his way.”
I knew whom she spoke of. And so did Illera, who swallowed, wincing at her partner’s words.
“I’ve lost enough, and I’m not willing to lose anymore.”
Hadrian’s mouth was slack, his words lost. But he nodded again and agreed silently with Emaline.
“I promise with my entire being that I will do as best as I can,” Hadrian said.
“Then it is agreed,” Kell said. “We lure the Druid to Morgatis, and when he steps foot on my sands—”
“We end him,” the room chorused.
I’D ASKED EMALINE for some company after the council meeting. Hadrian kissed my cheek and waved us off as we left the New Council and began our walk within the quiet of the beach.
Debris amassed along the side of tent walls, slopping like a fresh layering of snow against my home back in Horith. Even the fresh breeze the calm ocean brought was gritty and thick.
I walked beside Emaline on the sea’s edge. We had both stripped our dirtied boots off, discarding them before our walk so our hands would be free. Emaline kicked up splashes of water as she waded through the water, its sapphire embrace reaching up to her ankles like a needy child.
Every now and then a splash would lift up unnaturally high. Without even realizing it Emaline was using her abilities. Her hand would clench and relax, willing the water beneath us to follow her command. But her mind was elsewhere.
“Do you really think this plan is going to work?” Emaline said. She’d just finished telling me of the food. Singing the praises of the spices and baked goods that they’d been brought daily.
“I hope so.” I didn’t want to say yes because it was hard to imagine anything could work. “I can’t see anything else the Druid would want enough to travel across the sea to get it.”
“That is if he isn’t here already.” Emaline mirrored a concern I had already voiced. But there was something distant about his voice when it filled my mind. As if he was far away. It was not as clear as it had been during my time with Gordex in Lilioira. “And what about her? She is being awfully quiet out there.”
I followed Emaline’s finger to the ship that bobbed calmly out of reach of the shore. The sails were down, as well as the anchor that tethered it in place. Even from this distance my eyes could pick up the damage the storm had had on the ship. The hull was dusted in yellows, as well as the piles that covered the portholes on the ship’s side.
“She will be subdued whilst kept away from her element.” A vision of her in a weak state filled my inner vision. My stomach turned, displeased with the thought. “It may sound odd, and believe me, I have not admitted this to any other, but I want to see her. Not because I care for her. There’s something deep down… a part of her damaged beyond repair as a result of her mistreatment. I believe it to be the key to Gordex being able to manipulate her. What if there’s a chance we can get her on our side? Show her kindness, enough that she sees there is more than just hate in this world.”
Emaline raised a hand to block the morning sun as she looked upon Marthil’s prison. “And you truly believe there is a possibility that would work? Someone who has murdered out
of cold blood? Do you really believe she could come around from that? Because if I’m honest, I do not see there being a chance.”
“Maybe there is no turning back for her, no redemption. But Marthil has shown me windows of kindness, brief moments of normality amongst the storm of anger and violence that seems to follow her.”
Emaline turned away from the ship and carried on walking. “And what would that be? Did she give you a nice massage? Did she read you a story during the dark, cold nights you were holed up with them in Lilioira?”
Her sarcasm was palpable, but I didn’t laugh. There was not much room for laughter these days. “I was not well. Marthil supplied me with Forbian when I needed it most.” I rubbed the faded scar across my side as it ached with the memory. “Without it, I wouldn’t have healed as I have now.”
“Forbian? I’ve heard of it before.” Emaline rubbed her chin, gaze lost to the ocean. “Doesn’t it stay in your system for weeks at a time even when the healing properties last only a day or two at most?”
I shrugged. “I believe so.” Jasrov would’ve known the answer.
“So, why did she need to give you it?” Emaline asked, already suspicious.
Maybe my pause gave it away, but Emaline already released a sigh that screamed “I told you” before I even admitted the reason behind Emaline’s kindness.
“Because she stabbed me.”
“Ah, you see. When an act of kindness comes as a result of violence, it cancels it out and becomes meaningless,” Emaline said. “Do not be fooled, Zacriah, I know by now you are smarter than that.”
“What have I done without your insight all this time?” I said, rolling my eyes.
“I was thinking the same thing myself.” Emaline knocked into my shoulder and chuckled, the silver acorn necklace bounced out of the slip of her stained, white tunic. She grabbed it instantly, pushing it back beneath the material and out of sight.
Emaline caught me looking at it. “Do you think Nesta would hate me for falling in love with someone new?”
Her question caught me off guard. “From what you told me about her, I do not think she had the capability to hate you.”
“I didn’t expect it to happen, you know. But Illera, she is so different. Beautiful, open, honest and fiery. She reminds me a lot of Nesta, but on the other hand she is so… new.”
“I guess this time together all alone in the far-off lands of Morgatis has really been good for you both?” I said.
“Well, yes, it has. But I fell for her before we arrived here. Perhaps when we first found her all covered in grime and muck in the Thalas Temple. I knew there was something different,” Emaline said. “She interests me.”
“That explains why you were so territorial.” I peered at Emaline who still clutched onto the acorn necklace, her own gaze glued to the horizon ahead. “I can see that you care for her.”
“I do.” Her reply was simple, short. “She respects me and my choices. Illera listens to me, she understands the way I love and praises it. Being around her is refreshing.”
I rested a hand on her shoulder. “Never did I expect Illera, the girl from home, would ever find such a lucky person as you.”
“I may not have known her from Horith.” Emaline said the name of my town without the need for me to say it. Clearly Illera’s and her conversations had not missed a single detail. “But I do know that she is not the person she was when she left it.”
“We can both agree on that!” Even now, thinking back to how Illera treated others, her coldness, it seemed like I was imagining a different person. “What have you both being doing here to pass the time? If you can’t go near the city, you are limited to what you can do, I guess,” I asked, genuine interest in their events as they knew every detail of what happened with me.
“Lots of walking, even more talking. The first few days we were holed up in that cave of a room, but then we ventured to the top level and explored. Watched the Morthi people from a far. Even spent endless moments training, fighting. Sharpening our skills in case of the worst. Nothing as eventful as what you have been through I am sure.”
“You say that, but I am certain you know a lot more of this land and its people than anyone back at camp does. Knowledge is an important tool. Care to share it with me? I have some interest in this place as well.” So much had happened, and I still knew nothing of what the Morthi guards who we fought could do. Or of the elusive King that was mentioned daily, but never showed up. “What of their powers? The magick I’ve seen is nothing I knew possible before. Even in passing mention from Cristilia, I still didn’t expect it.”
“From what I worked out from passing comments and displays is the Morthi have two magicks unique to their people. Like the Niraen elves can shapeshift and that ability is unique to them—”
“Unless it truly was Gordex who is to blame for that,” I interrupted. “The shifters.”
“Well, for argument sake, let us pretend that each of the three races of elves have different abilities due to the certain blood that keeps them animated. Before the Morthi were driven underground by our Dragori ancestors, or the Air Dragori who single handedly did that, no offence. The Morthi were only supposed to have one power. Blaze Wielder, that is the name given to those who could harness the suns energy. Warriors who could create light and weave it to their own bidding. The power was spread over a minority of the Morthi people. But now, since they live in the dark depths below ground a new power came into existence. They go by the name, Sister Shadows. Only the woman have such abilities.”
I remembered the two who’d greeted us when we arrived in Morgatis. Kell had introduced them as Sister Shadows and I’d not known what that meant.
“Like Cristilia, they have abilities to control, conjure and weave darkness. I don’t know why they got their powers so late, but my guess is Morgatis is a burning desert of sun and fire. Maybe the people never had the opportunity to unlock this power until they no longer dwelled in the light. The only main difference, from what I can see, is the magick is unique to the women of Morgatis. No man has been recorded to have that magick.”
“I want to see this magick again,” I admitted aloud, interested in this new display of power.
“I am sure you will soon enough, now we have agreed to the King’s requests. He should send warriors to help our cause as promised,” Emaline said.
“Their King is another mystery. We cannot see him. I don’t know if that is what makes me suspicious or something else entirely.”
“Do not let your suspicions get in the way of what is needed to be done. There will be plenty of time to request an audience when the fight is over. I know we all want peace after this, but it will take time to rebuild after such destruction and turmoil.”
It didn’t matter that the King would not meet us, only that he was supplying us with soldiers willing to help our fight. By the sounds of it, their magick would be welcomed and praised amongst our lines. It was a power that would help us.
“We have walked far enough.” Emaline turned, the water swirling with her sudden movement. “Any further and we might venture into unwelcome grounds. Doom desert is large and unforgiving. If those towering serpents are out there, what goes to say that something even bigger isn’t?”
“Is that your excuse for actually wanting to return to Illera?” I said, smile on my face.
Emaline shrugged. “You will never know. But, between us, I don’t think I want to stray from her too far. I have seen enough distance between those who love each other. I do not think I could cope with us being separated as you and Hadrian have been.”
“Well, I suppose,” I said, lost to the view for a moment at the mention of Hadrian. “Keep her close. I might stay out here for a little longer and try to communicate with Nyah. Maybe the quiet out here will help me get through to her at once.”
That was part of it. There was another reason I needed to stay away from camp for a moment.
Emaline wrapped me in a hug and squeezed tight. She lifted me
from the floor then plonked me back down. “It is good to see you again, Zacriah. Here’s to hoping we all can stay together again. Don’t tell Illera I told you, but even she worried about you.”
I pulled the most dramatic face I could make, slapped my hand to my chest and gasped. “Illera, worries for me? Now that is a miracle.”
“Exactly.” Emaline punched me sharp in the gut and skipped off towards camp. “I hope you can keep secrets.”
“You have no idea,” I muttered under my breath, turning towards the ship with Marthil was trapped within.
I waited until Emaline was a dot in the distance before I let the beast free. Wings spread from my back, arching in a giant stretch that shivered down my spine. Talons elongated from the tips of my fingers and the warm rush across my forehead warned the growth of my horns.
Then I sprang into the air and flew for the ship, anxious for what state Marthil would be in when I reached her.
NONE OF THE Niraen soldiers stationed on the ship questioned my arrival. My boots touched down first, sand scattering around my feet as my wings cascaded strong pumps of air on the ships deck. The few soldiers whose turn it was to guard the ship gave me the most careless of looks before carrying on with whatever they were doing before I arrived, which seemed to be sleeping on the job.
Some were sprawled out across benches, faces raised to the sun. Others walked past rounds of sand from the storm, not bothering to clean up. There was an air of uncaring about the many stationed here.
I retracted my Dragori form until I was left with rips in my shirt and trousers. For a moment, I longed for the uniform Gordex had created for me. It was made around my ever-changing form. At least I would not need to walk around with such exposure of skin.
There was a strange tugging within the belly of the ship. As if my air recoiled from something it feared. Marthil. I didn’t need to ask where she was being kept. The hum in the air was a trusted answer. Her presence was beneath me, kept in the lower decks were the water was surrounding her from all sides. A prison to keep her powerless. There was no need for the golden cage. Perhaps, with hindsight, it would have given Gordex control to take her over if she was exposed to the gold? At least that was one worry we didn’t need to contemplate.
