Riders of the Realm #3

by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

  A short fight with the surprised guards ended with the massive gates sprawling open. Rebel soldiers and angry villagers spilled into the courtyard. “Yes!” Rahkki cheered. Tuni rushed toward the queen’s chambers and proceeded to batter at the locked doors. A stream of rebels protected her. Brauk leaped off Kol’s back to fight soldiers on the ground. His body twirled and his sword hummed, a blur of leather and steel. Kol reared beside him, clobbering Brauk’s enemies.

  Echofrost whinnied to Redfire. “Help Tuni get to the queen. The sooner they root her out the faster this will be over.”

  The copper chestnut nodded and sank toward Tuni.

  “Let’s go,” Rahkki said, squeezing her ribs with his legs.

  But Echofrost broke her dive and hovered, panting. Think first, don’t just react, she told herself. Graystone and Hazelwind joined her. “Your tactic is working,” Graystone nickered. “The Kihlari worry so much about their Riders they can’t fight us properly.”

  They were about to descend upon a group of winged warriors when Echofrost noticed that the courtyard had grown very quiet. “Look,” she whinnied.

  A thundering bray rattled her ears. Hazelwind, Redfire, and Graystone jerked their heads toward the noise. Dewberry and the sky herders had reconnoitered for another pass at the archers. Rahkki loosed a breath.

  The paths of Brauk Stormrunner and Harak Nightseer had finally collided.

  Below him, Rahkki watched Brauk and Harak face off in the courtyard, each man surrounded by his most loyal warriors. Kol trumpeted and Ilan screamed an answering challenge. The two stallions flared their wings and reared. Tuni charged to Brauk’s side, her ferocious eyes locked on Harak. Uncle Darthan joined them, his lean body ready to pounce, but they held back because this was a showdown.

  Sometimes a war shrank to a fight between two leaders, with the winner taking all. If Brauk won, Harak’s forces would submit to his authority. He would control the Sky Guard and Land Guard completely, and through them, the throne. If Harak won, Brauk and the rebels would submit their fates to him. Rahkki licked his lips, which had gone suddenly dry.

  Thaan and Tully circled overhead with Feylah, who remained disguised by her helmet. Only a handful of Harak’s soldiers had seen her earlier and Brauk would signal when it was time to reveal her identity to everyone, but he wanted the tide of battle heartily on his side before he risked exposing their sister.

  “Surrender, General,” Brauk said to Harak. His condescending tone made the title sound ridiculous, and someone snickered.

  Harak grimaced, noticing that some of his own soldiers now stood with Brauk. “My forces outnumber yours, Stormrunner,” he replied.

  Brauk shrugged. “Mice outnumber jaguars, so what?” He flashed his mirthless grin.

  Red fury crawled up Harak’s neck and spread across his face.

  Rahkki guided Sula lower and his heart swelled as Brauk danced on the balls of his feet, twirling their mother’s songsword. The brother who had carried Rahkki on his shoulders, taught him to play stones, and protected him from Lilliam was back, fully restored.

  Tak dropped from the clouds and landed on Rahkki’s saddle. The little dragon watched the two men below, as if he understood that what happened between them was all that mattered now.

  Brauk glanced up, winked at Rahkki, and the hum of his singing blade filled the courtyard. Next he beckoned Harak and taunted him. “Come closer, mouse.”

  The two circled each other in the center of the courtyard, weapons raised. The fighting around them had ceased. Villagers, rebels, and loyalists stood side by side, hopeful that this fight between many could be resolved with a fight between two.

  Blade clashed against blade as Harak and Brauk lunged at the same time. Tuni drew her warriors to the queen’s chamber doors and waited. “The end is near,” Rahkki heard her say to them.

  Harak drove his sword toward Brauk’s chest. Brauk dodged it, trusting his newly healed legs, but Rahkki noticed his brother still wasn’t as quick as he used to be.

  Harak feinted and then stung Brauk’s spine with the flat of his blade, right where Sula had kicked him. “Sa jin,” Brauk cursed. He staggered and then countered with a blunt strike to Harak’s chest. Harak met that with a slice to Brauk’s calf that drew blood.

  Kol let out a ferocious bray and galloped to help his Rider, but Brauk waved the stallion off. If he accepted help, even from his beast, the showdown wouldn’t count as a victory. It had to be equal, one versus one. Brauk lifted his songsword, creating a zinging whine, and cracked it against Harak’s arm, cutting deep. “You’re getting slow, old man,” Brauk taunted.

  “Yeah? You couldn’t beat a one-armed monkey,” Harak jeered.

  Brauk answered with a resounding blow to Harak’s shoulder.

  The Headwind reeled, but countered with a strike to Brauk’s ribs. Rahkki’s brother leaped and spun. The two parried up and down the courtyard, their swords clanging.

  Harak stumbled and Brauk pressed him, hooked Harak’s blade, and sent it spinning away.

  As his sword clanged to the ground, Harak kicked, striking Brauk again in the spine. Brauk crumpled into a lifeless pile.

  “No!” Rahkki screamed. He squeezed Sula and they plummeted toward his brother.

  “Stay back,” Darthan commanded.

  Lightning lit up the courtyard and his brother’s still body. Tears poured from Rahkki’s eyes. The courtyard, the soldiers, and the sky—it all smeared into a muddied blur. Harak drew his dagger and leaped onto Brauk’s back.

  “BRAUK!” Rahkki screamed. Alarmed by the shouting, Tak flapped his wings and shot blue fire into the sky.

  Then a fist rose from the crumpled pile that was Brauk. He drove it straight into Harak’s nose. Blood burst out and streaked the blond man’s face. Brauk rose and shook his head, and Rahkki felt weak with relief. The two men leaped at each other, punching and circling.

  Harak dived in low, but Brauk dodged him and then tackled him. They hit the ground, thrashing like crocodiles, and their helmets rolled off. The sword fight had turned into a brawl.

  Kol pranced around them, muscles quivering. The men traded blows until streaks of blood, welts, and purple bruises appeared on them both. In a moment of breath, Brauk repeated his demand. “Surrender.”

  “Never,” Harak swore.

  No one dared interfere.

  Harak lurched forward, wheezing now. Brauk met him and drove his fist into Harak’s skull. The Headwind dropped to his knees and then onto his back—motionless.

  Stunned silence blanketed the courtyard.

  Brauk nudged Harak with his foot. The man groaned and began to blink. Brauk placed one boot on Harak’s chest and gazed at his clanmates. His golden eyes were bright and shining against his bruised skin.

  Brauk was just about to speak when Harak roused himself and whistled sharply. His stallion, Ilan, who was hovering overhead, dived down and kicked Brauk in the back, flattening him to the ground.

  “Hey!” Tuni roared. And everyone shouted curses at Harak.

  Harak ignored them, leaped on top of Brauk, and flipped him over. Brauk had lost his wind and was struggling to breathe. The blond Headwind leaned over and their eyes locked. Brauk’s jaw muscles fluttered angrily. Harak leaned closer still, his gaze flitting over Brauk’s sweat-sheened skin, swallowing every inch of his enemy. Not a person in the courtyard moved or breathed. “Brauk Stormrunner, you are under arrest, yeah,” Harak snarled.

  Rahkki gasped. “That’s not fair!” Harak had used his stallion to help him win; everyone had seen it. “Tuni?” he cried.

  Just then the wild pinto mare—the one that had twin foals—flew by Harak, coasting like a feather on the breeze. She was the only creature in motion and all eyes turned to her. As she glided past Harak Nightseer, she kicked him soundly in the head. Harak crumpled, knocked out cold.

  Everyone gawked at the pinto. Tak chortled, sounding very satisfied.

  The mare landed and folded her emerald wings. Her arched neck and quizzical exp
ression seemed to say, “What? Someone had to do it.”

  Brauk pushed himself to his feet, having regained his breath. “Sun and stars,” he said to the wild braya. “Thanks for that.”

  Brauk gripped Harak’s arms and yanked him upright. “You are under arrest, yeah,” he said.

  A cheer erupted from the rebels and the villagers. But the joyful noise ended as fast as it began. Lilliam’s private guards threw open her doors and shot arrows at the soldiers holding Harak.

  Brauk and the others threw up their shields. In the confusion, Lilliam’s guards yanked Harak from Brauk’s grip and carried him away to the queen’s quarters. Then they slammed and locked the doors.

  “Sa jin huruk,” Brauk snarled, but quickly regained control of himself. “Harak and Lilliam are trapped,” he shouted. “It’s time to drive the weasels out!”

  The villagers and rebels surged forward, cheering “Down with Lilliam!” The remainder of Harak’s army gathered in confusion.

  Rahkki blanched. Things were suddenly happening too quickly. He guided Sula away from the fortress toward I’Lenna. They had only moments to get her mother out of the fortress before the mob reached her.

  Rahkki urged Sula toward the drainage ditch as thunder rocked the sky. He hoped he wasn’t too late.

  36

  Trapped

  “THERE YOU ARE,” I’LENNA CALLED WHEN SHE saw him. Worry lines etched her face, and Rahkki’s heart twisted.

  “Sorry it took so long,” he said. “The rebels won. They’re on their way to arrest your mother. She and Harak are trapped in her room.”

  “We have to hurry!” I’Lenna whirled and unlocked the grate.

  Rahkki faced Sula and Firo. “We’ll be back,” he said to them. Sula nickered and Rahkki hugged her neck, quick and light. Then he and I’Lenna plunged into the draining water.

  Tak tried to follow them. “No,” Rahkki commanded. “You stay.” Facing Lilliam and Harak in her chamber would be like confronting tigers in their den. Rahkki had no illusions that he and I’Lenna would receive a warm welcome, and the effort of keeping Tak safe would be a distraction.

  The young dragon flew closer, flapping his wings in Rahkki’s face.

  “Stay here!” Rahkki repeated, holding up his hand. Then he and I’Lenna swam into the bowels of the fortress.

  Behind them, Tak glided in circles, exhaling angry puffs of blue smoke. The wild mares kicked off the muddy soil and flew back toward their herd. Rahkki hoped that his hug had not been his and Sula’s final good-bye.

  They traveled up the tunnels and climbed out of the water. “This way,” I’Lenna said. She took Rahkki’s hand. Her palm was cold. When they arrived at the hidden door that led into Lilliam’s chamber they heard voices inside.

  An argument had erupted between Harak and Lilliam. I’Lenna’s sisters, Rayni and Jor, were weeping.

  “Move it, Lilliam,” Harak shouted. “Brauk is right behind me, yeah. Your guards won’t hold him off for long.”

  Lilliam’s response was quieter. “Shh, you’ll wake the baby.”

  Harak’s boots paced. “Brauk fought with a songsword and I recognized it. It belonged to his mother.”

  Silence.

  Harak raised his voice. “Where did he get it, Lil?”

  More silence.

  Harak stopped pacing. His voice went cold and flat. “Darthan sent us a question through one of my soldiers. He wants to know who you burned on Reyella’s funeral pyre. So do I, yeah. Who was it, Lil? Why would Darthan even ask that if it wasn’t his sister?”

  Rahkki and I’Lenna stared at each other, hardly daring to breathe as they eavesdropped.

  There was shuffling and the sound of wood creaking. Harak’s voice, much closer now. “Tell me the truth,” he snarled. “You failed eight years ago, didn’t you? Admit it! You let Reyella get away.”

  Lilliam burst into tears. Rayni and Jor cried harder. I’Lenna clutched Rahkki’s hand and squeezed it as the past reared up like a ghost.

  Brauk must have arrived outside Lilliam’s interior chamber door. From their position in the tunnels, Rahkki and I’Lenna heard him pounding on it.

  “We need to get your family out of there,” Rahkki whispered, nudging her. “Now, I’Lenna. Open the fireplace.”

  She wiped her nose and took a breath. “Yes, okay.” With shaking hands, she tripped an unseen lock using her blackstone necklace, not bothering to hide her actions. So the necklace was a key, Rahkki realized, though he still didn’t understand how it worked. I’Lenna hadn’t inserted it into anything, just slid it across the stone. The secret door popped open, and the two stumbled into Lilliam’s massive, ash-covered hearth.

  Lilliam jerked her head toward them. Her lips parted in shock. She wore a long blue cloak over white riding breeches. Harak was leaning over her, his bruised face red with anger. The baby slept in his cradle and I’Lenna’s sisters were huddled in the corner.

  Harak fell backward at the sight of I’Lenna. He hadn’t seen her during the battle outside. He still thought the dragon had eaten her. “Deathlifter,” he whispered to Rahkki, crediting him for bringing I’Lenna back to life, as he’d seemingly done with the giants.

  Press your advantage; let your legend bloom, the blood of the Pantheress runs through you. Rahkki stepped out of the hearth. “We’ve come to save you,” he said to Lilliam. He refused to acknowledge Harak.

  She sputtered and grimaced. “What?” She had the desperate eyes of a trapped animal.

  I’Lenna rushed past Rahkki to gather her sisters. The baby boy squirmed in his cradle, asleep.

  Outside the chamber, Brauk and the rebels battered on the door with something heavy.

  Lilliam stared past Rahkki at the yawning hole that was once the back of her fireplace and nodded, finally understanding how Reyella had escaped eight years earlier.

  “There are tunnels back there that lead to the jungle,” Rahkki said, pointing. “Go, before my brother breaks down your door.”

  Harak crept toward his knife. “Don’t move,” Rahkki barked, and Harak froze. I’Lenna bundled her sisters into their rain cloaks.

  Lilliam stood up, as straight and proud as her daughter. “I have nowhere to go.”

  “We can live in Daakur,” I’Lenna said.

  We? Rahkki’s gut seized. He hadn’t considered that I’Lenna would go with Lilliam. His eyes searched her face, but I’Lenna didn’t meet his eyes. “Hurry,” she said. “I told Brauk about the tithes. The clan is furious. They’ll kill you.”

  Brauk rammed the wooden door again, and it cracked.

  Lilliam crossed the distance to I’Lenna in one stride and slapped her daughter across the face. “You told on me?”

  I’Lenna’s hand flew to her cheek. Tears gushed from her eyes. She glanced at Harak. “Reyella did escape that night, and she had a child, an heir. Feylah Stormrunner is outside right now. You aren’t the queen, you never really were. This”—she waved at the chamber—“is over!” A red handprint outlined the side of I’Lenna’s face. Her breath came in fast gulps.

  Rahkki glanced from mother to daughter. This wasn’t going well.

  Harak gaped at Lilliam. “You lied to me,” he rasped.

  Brauk slammed the chamber door and it finally broke.

  Harak lunged for his knife. At the same time, Brauk charged into the room.

  37

  The Last Dose

  LILLIAM RACED FOR THE DOOR AT THE SAME time Harak flung his knife at Brauk. It spun across the room, glinting and flashing.

  I’Lenna’s face melted in horror.

  The dagger missed Brauk and struck Lilliam. She dropped to the floor and Rahkki rushed to her side, turning her head up. “Lilliam!”

  Her eyelids fluttered, her lips pursed. I’Lenna raced across the chamber and knelt beside her mother. “Don’t close your eyes! Don’t go to sleep,” I’Lenna cried.

  Darthan and Brauk fell upon the woman, feeling her pulse and assessing the wound.

  Horrified, Harak did not resi
st when Thaan and Tully snatched him by his arms.

  “I need cloth,” Darthan said. Rahkki grabbed a baby blanket and Darthan wrapped it around Lilliam’s wound, staunching the flow of blood. Darthan glanced at I’Lenna.

  “Is she going to be okay?” I’Lenna asked.

  Rahkki doubted that Lilliam was going to be okay. Her lips had already paled to a bluish hue. Her eyes were losing focus. As if they were her last words, Lilliam mumbled the answer to Darthan’s question, “The body I burned on the pyre, it was a pig.”

  Then Rahkki remembered something. “Where is the Queen’s Elixir? We’ll give Lilliam the last dose.”

  I’Lenna wiped her nose. “I gave it to Brauk, remember? He drank it. It’s gone.”

  Rahkki grinned. “No. Ossi has another. We got it in the Wilds.”

  I’Lenna’s lips trembled. “Fetch her!”

  “No time,” Darthan said. “We have to take Lilliam to Ossi!” Darthan lifted I’Lenna’s mother into his arms and they charged out of the chamber.

  When Rahkki and his family burst into the courtyard, carrying the pale body of Queen Lilliam, they found soldiers and clansfolk milling about, waiting. The wild herd had gathered far from the rest and stood together, nickering. All heads turned toward Darthan. All conversation halted.

  “We need help!” Darthan shouted. “Ossi! Where’s Ossi Finn?”

  Ossi shoved through the crowd, a look of shock on her freckled face. “Me?”

  “We need the spider venom,” he explained, holding out his hand.

  Ossi reached into her belted carrying bag, still confused. “This is all we have. It’s Feylah’s dose now. Are you sure you want to use it on Lilliam?”

  Feylah swept her dark hair off her face, her golden eyes round with worry. “Yes, she needs it.”

  The clan noticed Feylah then. Her helmet was off and she faced the crowd, unmistakably a Stormrunner. The silence that rippled through the courtyard was deep, all-encompassing—it was awe, reverence, and disbelief.