The Shattered Moon (A Divine Legacy Book 1)

by Alexander J Wilkinson

He detached the scabbard from his belt and handed it over. Sheaved inside was the silver blade with emerald gemstones.

  “Valour,” she said with a sigh of relief. Grinning, she took it on both hands.

  “A sword’s name has never fit it’s wielder better.”

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Groups of soldiers huddled together. Some handing out water, others helping the wounded. They all seemed exhausted, bloodied, but alive. Shaya and the young king walked through the near silent battlefield. Smoke from the sporadic fires blanketed the place in a white haze. Rowan was limping, Shaya had offered to help him, but he refused. He had said it was important for his people to see him standing tall. Shaya admired him for that.

  It had taken a while for them to get back to shore, the sun was starting to set over the ocean. A deep orange orb slowly sank into the sea behind them. Their worried eyes were scanning the area.

  Where are they? Please let them be alright.

  Every agonising moment that passed made the feeling of dread in Shaya’s stomach grow. It was Rowan who saw them first. He grabbed Shaya by the arm so quickly it made her jump. He said nothing, Shaya followed his gaze. Elle walked with a slight limp, her blade still in one hand, the other arm wrapped around Benjin’s waist, helping him stumble onwards.

  “Uncle Benjin,” Shaya heard herself scream. Her insides jolted as she bounded across the battlefield towards them, followed quickly by Rowan. Ortuskuss and several other soldiers were behind them. Ortuskuss was deep in discussion, flailing his mighty weapon around, clearly regaling the others with his latest war stories.

  “Shaya?” Benjin looked up, “Shaya,” he yelled again, pushing off Elle and letting himself drop to his knees. The young girl jumped into the air and landed with her arms around her uncle’s neck. Elle and Rowan embraced, which then quickly turned into an interrogation on Ellesia’s part.

  “What happened? Are you alright? Where is he? Are you hurt? How many fingers am I holding up?”

  “My girl, my beautiful girl,” Benjin was sobbing “Are you alright? Let me look at you.”

  He brushed her soaking blonde hair from her eyes, tucked it behind her ear and stared at her.

  “I’m fine, Uncle. I’m alright.”

  It was true. Even after the vicious battle, even after death, she felt alright. Dead, she had died, something her mind couldn't process at the moment. It would stay with her, haunt her, but for now, she was just relieved it was all over. An odd sensation was making its way through her body, a feeling she had never experienced before. She couldn’t explain it, she couldn’t explain much of what had happened. It was as if there was something just beneath her skin, shooting its way through her bones. Her muscles ached but at the same time, felt refreshed. She was exhausted but also wide awake, everything she felt was a contradiction.

  “Oh, thank the Goddess you’re safe,” Benjin said kissing her forehead. Shaya and Rowan glanced at each other with a knowing smirk. He didn’t know how right he was.

  “What happened? Ortuskuss stepped forward.

  “Where’s Balrok?” Benjin asked.

  “He’s gone, it’s alright. It’s over.” Shaya said calmly.

  Benjin looked stunned, his mouth hung open. He gazed up at Elle who immediately smiled with relief, grinned even. None of them had seen her smile so broadly before, it was slightly unnerving but infectious. They all beamed at each other. Benjin placed a firm hand on Shaya’s shoulder and shook her gently, an intensely proud smile on his weary face.

  “I knew you could do it,” he said, as a final tear fell. “My girl.”

  Shaya looked down, as embarrassment turned her cheeks pink. She was about to tell her uncle to be quiet when she saw something. Or the lack of something.

  “Your hand,” she suddenly exclaimed as she saw the bandaged stump where her uncle’s left hand should have been.

  “I’m alright,” said Benjin waving his other hand dismissively.

  “But, what happened? We need to get you to a healer.”

  “I forced him to see a medic,” Ellesia interrupted “She gave him some elk root for the pain and dressed the wound.”

  “See, no bother,” Benjin grinned, his words slurring ever so slightly.

  “No bother? Your damn hand is missing.”

  “It’s not missing,” he said with an exhausted smirk “It’s back there,” he nodded over to a heap of dead Krarg “And watch your language, young lady.”

  Shaya shook her head in disbelief. “You’re out of your mind.”

  “You’re not wrong there Shaya,” said Elle.

  A small crowd had gathered around them. Exhausted faces looked on, listening. Relief had rippled through the mass of weary soldiers as the word of Rakmar’s demise spread. Volanti’s, Boaruss and humans held each other up. They shook hands and hugged each other, some broke down into joyful sobs, others cheered.

  “What now?” Asked Shaya looking around the war zone.

  “We go home,” said Rowan.

  “There isn’t much of a home to go back to sire,” Elle sighed.

  “Then we rebuild. We start a new.”

  Elle nodded with a smile “It’s going to be a long journey home,” she said finally sliding her blade back in her scabbard.

  “Then it’s a good job we’ve got a lot of war stories to tell,” smiled Shaya.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  A Restless Heart

  Shaya, Rowan, Benjin and Elle began their long journey east, accompanied by the remaining soldiers. All races had sustained heavy losses, a little more than one hundred were returning home. Even with such loss, spirits were high, the beast was dead, the darkness lifted. They had won.

  They passed through the ruins of Minerva knowing that they had avenged the people that had died there. The marshlands surrounding the dead city were desolate, the remaining Krarg had fled.

  Shaya and Rowan told Benjin and Elle what had happened, everything. They told them about Rakmar killing Shaya, her resurrection and the Goddess’ return. The pair of warriors sat on their horses in silent shock as the two children took it in turns excitedly telling them all the impossible things that had accrued on the island. When they finally finished, Elle didn’t say a word, she just stared soundlessly at Shaya. Every so often she would try to look at the girl’s back, probably to see if any wings were poking out of her armour. Benjin just shook his head in amazement.

  “I told you, you were special kido,” he smiled “I knew it. I mean I had no idea how special, but I knew it.”

  They talked about it the whole way. Both Benjin and Elle had a lot of questions, sadly Shaya had very few answers. A few hours went by, and the army marched into Serran, the closest city to the western shore. They were welcomed by cheers and applause from every person on the streets, from every window and doorway. They were heroes.

  Every pub and tavern were open until dawn broke the next day. An impromptu parade was held the following afternoon in the town square, with music and dancing. Word had spread of Rakmar and his army. The citizens were overwhelmed with relief and happiness at the news of his defeat. The soldiers were waited on hand and foot. They were brought endless plates of food and goblets of every drink under the sun.

  Benjin and some of the other soldiers were taken to see the doctors and healers of the city. The old man had grumbled and moaned until Shaya and Elle shot him a look that would kill a lesser man. He returned a few hours later with fresh bandages, herbs and potions. He had been told not to consume any alcohol while he was taking his medicines. It was less than two minutes before Ortuskuss handed the old man an ale and he poured it down his throat and wiped the white froth from his moustache.

  Shaya sat on a wall underneath the shimmering stars and watched the soldiers. They had fought so bravely in the face of death, now they could finally be able to laugh, joke and smile once again. She had endless enjoyment watching the soldiers try and fail to out drink Ortuskuss and the other Boaruss. Benjin dragged a very irritated Elle up for a dance; she loo
ked as if she would cut off his other hand. To everyone’s amazement (none more than Benjin’s) Elle was as graceful at dancing as she was dangerous with a sword.

  Rowan went around handing out drinks, unintentionally giving his men terrible frights as they desperately tried to hide their drunkenness and stand to attention. He smiled and said things like “Sit down, enjoy yourself,” and “Care for a fifth glass?”

  As grateful as the Serran residents were to the soldiers, no one was more thankful than their king. Every one of them had fought for him, bled for him, in a time of utter darkness, with no guarantee that any of them would see their families again. His gratitude was felt that night, by all. The celebrations continued for two days.

  They said a fond farewell to Aesal’s scouts and the remaining Volanti soldiers. Aesal’s death had hit hard. He had been their leader, and he was instrumental in getting the Monarch and Matriarch to agree to join the battle. They couldn’t have done any of it without him. That decision had cost him his life. His scouts said that he would have been proud to die in service of his king. Rowan thanked them a dozen times and said if there was anything they needed, they had but to ask, and he would see it done. With low, graceful bows the Volanti soldiers said their goodbyes. Soaring into the deep purple dawn of the second day, they flew back to the northern peaks with news of their victory and their loss.

  On the night of the second day, fireworks erupted in bursts of colour above the city. Lighting the cloud covered gloom with blasts of red, green and yellow. The crowds cheered and clapped when they came to an end. Not long after the streets were nearly silent. The tired and very merry soldiers had dragged themselves to bed.

  Shaya and the others remained in the town square, sat under the Serran Tree. It was enormous, reaching higher than the tallest buildings in the city. Its thick trunk was as white as snow, and the leaves were as red as rubies. Shaya sat listening to the quiet calm and the rustling of those crimson leaves. It was the first peace and quiet they had seen in what felt like an eternity. A quiet sort of contentment rested inside each of them. They agreed that it was time to go home.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  The next morning, they said their goodbyes. They were given horses and enough food and drink to last each of them a week. They left to thunderous applause, Ortuskuss being the one they could hear bellowing the loudest. Rowan waved as people threw flowers on the cobbled streets in front of him, pathing his way with a carpet of multi-coloured petals.

  Their journey home was full of laughter and stories. Not even the constant drizzle and the thick grey clouds could dampen their spirits. They stopped at midday to give their horses a rest and have lunch. The smell of the thick slices of Serran bread was enough to make their mouths water. It was brown with crunchy seeds and sweet raisins. Shaya spread a chunky layer of raspberry jam on four pieces and ate them as fast as she could. Benjin and Rowan opened the basket of fresh pastries and dug in. Elle munched on a pork sandwich and fed the horses from the bushel of apples she had been given. Once packed, they were on their way again.

  Home. Soon she would see it again. It felt like years since she had left. She could see Kopi, her mad little moshling. She knew he would jump up and knock her to the floor and slobber all over her. Oddly, she looked forward to it. Soon, she would see Jinx again, she missed her sister. The sprite would probably still be angry with her about not taking her to war. She could give Shaya the silent treatment as much as she liked, Shaya just wanted to be in the same room with her again and tell her all the unbelievable things that had happened since they parted. She could finally sleep in her own bed, she missed her bed, she even missed the squeak of the springs and the musty smell of the old wooden frame.

  As the murk of dusk settled in the air, the four of them saw a familiar sight looming in the distance. The spires of the castle were silhouetted against the pale grey sky. They couldn’t see the extent of the damage from Rakmar’s attack, but it was clear from where they were, that at least one of the towers was no longer standing. They slowed to a crawl as they came to a fork in the road. Left lead north to the castle, right lead south, towards Ki Town, Evergreen Meadow and home.

  Benjin and Elle’s eyes met. The old man gestured to her, and the pair of them slowed their horses and came to a halt. Rowan and Shaya continued and stopped at the split in the path. Rowan breathed heavily and clambered off his horse, followed by Shaya.

  “This isn’t goodbye,” said the young king quickly.

  “I know,” Shaya smiled, even though her heart suddenly began to ache for some reason.

  “Thank you for everything Shaya. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

  “Nor could I.”

  There was a moment of silence until Shaya stepped forward.

  “You show them. You show them all what kind of king you’re going to be.”

  “I will,” he placed a hand on her shoulder “We’ll see each other again, soon.”

  Shaya flashed a white grin, and she pulled him close. They embraced, Shaya sniffed into Rowan’s shoulder, secretly hoping he hadn’t noticed. Finally, they let go. With tears behind their eyes, they turned and walked in separate directions, each pulling their horses by the reins.

  Shaya smiled at Elle who followed the king. The warrior woman smiled back, and as Shaya and Benjin watched, Ellesia and Rowan disappeared around the corner into the blanket of trees. Her uncle placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

  “Come on kido,” he said softly “Let’s go home.”

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Three weeks felt like three months. Time seemed to slow down to an unbearable crawl. Shaya was glad to be home when they finally arrived. They had been greeted with a letter nailed to the front door, it was from Mrs Burtson, the lady Myana had left Kopi with.

  It read,

  Welcome home, I hope you had a nice holiday in Tetra.

  You’ll have someone inside looking forward to seeing you both.

  P.S: You wouldn’t believe what happened to the castle. You’ve missed a lot.

  Polly.

  Holiday? Shaya had scoffed inwardly. Missed a lot? Hardly.

  Myana had apparently told the old dear that Shaya and her uncle had rushed off to visit Tetra. It was certainly more believable than writing,

  Shaya is taking Prince Rowan to speak to an ancient guardian who will turn out to be a God, and Benjin is fighting an army of lizards in the castle.

  Shaya had pulled the door open excitedly to be met with exactly what she expected. She was bowled over by the slobbering moshing. Kopi jumped up and down, barked and ran around in circles before jumping up at Benjin. The place looked the same, the wooden panel floors, the oak coloured furniture. Everything was how she felt it. Then why did it feel so different? Maybe it was her, perhaps she was looking at it through different eyes. She had found Jinx sitting on the window sill in the kitchen. As Shaya thought, Jinx wasn’t best pleased, but after a few tense moments, she quickly relented. She had flown across the room and hugged her friend. Shaya had gently placed a hand around the tiny sprite.

  “I missed you,” they both said together. They giggled and just like that, they were back to their old ways. They had talked until the next morning. They spoke about the big things and the little things, and everything in between. Jinx said that the Krarg that had attacked her in the kitchen must have still been alive. The beast was gone when she had returned, which annoyed her no end.

  Shaya recounted the eerie march through Minerva, the battle on the shoreline and their confrontation with Rakmar. Before their talk became too morbid, Shaya told her friend all about the journey to Serran, the celebrations and the fireworks. Shaya even admitted that the first night they had spent in Serran, she had secretly tried her first ale, courtesy of Ortuskuss. She had hated it.

  When she had finally slid into her own comfy bed, it hadn’t been long before sleep had taken her. She had slept throughout the day and all night. Life seemed to carry on almost as normal after that. Shaya and Benjin had gone t
o Ki Town for supplies, seen Myana at her stall and spoke with her awhile. She told them that Aesal and the other Volanti that had lost their lives had been given a monument in their honour next Song Bird Hall. This made a lump in Shaya’s throat form that she had to swallow down hard.

  The town had been bustling with excitement. The legends were true, the fallen God was real, and he had been defeated. Of course, no one knew about Benjin and Shaya’s part in all of that. They made sure they kept it that way, acting surprised when people stopped them in the streets and told them all about the war that had raged to the west.

  “You missed so much, Greyborn. Bet you didn’t hear much about it over in Tetra, did you?” People had said.

  “You know about the attack at the castle?” they would ask, “Off on holiday while the worlds ending eh Benjin?”

  Little did they know.

  Eyebrows were raised however when people spotted Benjin’s missing hand.

  Benjin took great joy in simply saying, “Farming accident,” and watching their jaws drop.

  Reports and rumours from all over the kingdom poured into town. Lake Coral was apparently back to normal, the water flowed clear once again. Work had already begun on the restoration of Bastion on orders from the soon to be king. No Krarg had been spotted around the swamps to the west for over a week. Their numbers were so few now, they must have fled the land. Gossip flooded the marketplace as usual. Not even the wrath of an evil God could change that.

  Back home Shaya and her uncle tended to the animals and the farm. The grass hadn’t been cut in weeks, and the storm had broken some of the wooden panels in the tool shed. There was work to do, and Benjin and Shaya had to do it. Benjin struggled. His injury stopped him from doing all the things he wanted to. He grumbled about maybe hiring an extra person on the weekends.

  This can’t be it, Shaya found herself thinking on an hourly basis.

  After everything, she couldn’t go back to this. Her life had taken such a drastic shift and to return to what she was doing felt wrong. She felt trapped, suffocated. The walls of her home she had been dreaming of for weeks, suddenly felt like prison bars. She felt like she was going mad. Benjin seemed to slip back into normal life quite quickly, which frustrated her more.