Shades of Prophecy

by Tessonja Odette

  33

  RESISTANCE

  Cora

  “Let me get this straight. The humans,” Fanon wrinkled his nose with distaste, “will warn us if Darius arrives in Lela? How can we trust them with such an important duty?”

  I forced myself not to roll my eyes at him from across the table. “If your kind would suffer the indignity of patrolling in the human word, you wouldn’t have to leave it to the humans. Even so, my Royal Force is perfectly capable of doing what needs to be done.”

  “They have to enter the tear to communicate with us,” Etrix said. He didn’t pose it as a question, but I could tell he was concerned, despite his neutral tone.

  “Yes,” I said. “Only a handful of my most secretive soldiers know about the tear and how to enter it. They are under strict orders only to enter the tear in case of emergency.” I met the eyes of the members of the war council—Ailan, Fanon, Etrix, Garot, and a few others I recognized from the tribunal. “If we don’t post Elvan guards on the outside, it is essential we allow human entrance through the tear. It’s the only way we can know if Darius is coming.”

  “I agree with Cora,” Ailan said. “We must allow the humans to enter to give us warning. Even if our Elvan guards would agree to a post in the human world, it is best we leave the task to Cora’s Black Force. They know how to not be seen and will not draw attention like our own guards would.”

  “In addition to the force we have guarding the veil,” I said, “my husband is making great efforts to thwart Darius’ alliance with Norun and keep their army from coming to Lela.”

  “Our efforts will be focused on keeping Darius from entering the veil,” Ailan said. “If he gets in, there will be no stopping him from worldwalking wherever he wants. Therefore we will have our soldiers stationed inside the veil near the tear. At first word that Darius has located the veil, we will enter the human world and fight him there.”

  “How will we kill him before he gets a chance to enter the tear?” asked one of the other Elvan, a male with thick arms and rich, midnight-black skin. “No one was able to defeat him before. Why would this time be any different?”

  “Jasa is right,” Ailan said. “We need to kill Darius before he gets a chance to reach the tear. That is where our secret weapon comes in. Right, Cora?”

  All eyes fell on me. I was surprised at the confidence in Ailan’s voice. Not even she knew the secret I’d been withholding. I reached into the folds of my robe and withdrew the knife, placing it on the table before me. “We have this.”

  Ailan gasped, reaching for the black hilt with trembling fingers. “I haven’t seen this since…”

  “Since you stabbed Darius with it?”

  She met my eyes, expression uncertain. “How is this going to help us?”

  “When you stabbed Darius with this blade, he wasn’t able to worldwalk, right?”

  “Not until he pulled it free,” she said.

  “The same thing happened when he stabbed me with it,” I said. “When he abducted me, he kept me tied up, blade stuck in my shoulder. I wasn’t able to worldwalk away until I pulled it from my flesh.”

  Ailan furrowed her brow, seeming almost disappointed.

  “There’s something special about this blade,” I said. “Darius told me it was made of a rare Elvan metal. If we can arm our forces with weapons made from this metal—arrows, swords, spears—we can keep him from worldwalking. Without that power, he’s no stronger than any of us. We can lay a killing blow on him.”

  “Cora…”

  “I know this can work. Where can we get more weapons like this?”

  Ailan turned to face me. “Cora, this is the only blade of its kind. There are no others like it.”

  My heart sank, but I refused to give up. “What about the metal? Can’t we find more? We must have enough time to forge at least a few more weapons.”

  Ailan shook her head. “This isn’t made from a metal. Darius was wrong, because he didn’t know the truth. I kept it from him.”

  I studied the knife, its iridescent blade shining through crusted blood. “What is it made from then?”

  “Claw. From my mother’s dragon.”

  My mouth hung open. Dragon claw? How? My mind drew up memories of the two weapons I’d once carved from unicorn horn. To make those weapons, I’d stolen horns that had been brutally cut from live unicorns. That method of removal was the only way to keep the unicorn horns from turning to dust after the creatures died. What if dragons were the same way? I shuddered, nausea churning my stomach. “We can’t get more claws, can we?”

  Ailan’s eyes looked haunted as she turned the knife over in her hand. “Berolla nearly killed me with this very claw because of a cruel trick my brother had played. When she realized what had happened, she sacrificed this piece of herself and gifted it to me. The claw was then made into a blade. I never told Darius, because I knew he’d begin to see dragons as something to carve up and exploit.”

  “Is there anything else in El’Ara like this?” I asked. “Anything with properties that could stop a worldwalker?”

  Ailan shrugged. “I don’t even know why this blade works the way it does. Perhaps it only works against worldwalkers because that was the power Darius used against Berolla. Dragons are mysterious creatures. It’s hard enough to understand my own, much less my mother’s.”

  “And your mother’s dragon…”

  Ailan met Fanon’s eyes across the table. He shook his head. “Berolla took Last Breath not long after Satsara died,” he said.

  Ailan sighed. “I figured it was so. I saw no sign of her in the caves.”

  My shoulders slumped as I leaned back in my chair. “So we have one weapon. One shot.”

  “It can still work,” Garot said with a smile, his hopeful voice and twinkling eyes in contrast to the damp mood that had fallen over the rest of us. “Someone needs to get close enough to stab him, then—as Cora said—make the killing blow.”

  “I’ll do it,” Ailan said.

  Fanon glared. “No.”

  She didn’t meet his eyes. “I’m the only one who can. I was the only one strong enough before, and I’m the only one strong enough now. Darius will want to fight me, to end me, so he won’t try to worldwalk away until I am dead. But he won’t get the chance. I will plunge this blade into his heart and take off his head with my sword.”

  Her tone was calm. Cold. Certain.

  Ailan wrapped her hand around the hilt of her knife, knuckles white. “Darius can come. I’ll be ready for him.”

  * * *

  Teryn

  “Stop pacing, Lex. You’ll draw attention,” I said, frowning at Lex’s shadowed form. The night was dark and quiet and would have been serene, if it weren’t for our nerve-wracking mission. I crossed my arms and took a seat on top of the wooden crate—a crate in which dozens of swords were hidden.

  Lex froze, tossing a glance over his shoulder. “Draw attention from whom? Do you see anyone?”

  Lily put a hand on Lex’s shoulder, pulling him closer to the tree the three of us were clustered around. “Teryn’s right. You need to stay calm. Everything is going fine; we have nothing to worry about.”

  Lex grumbled. “It’s you I’m worried about. You shouldn’t be here, Lilylove. We’re on enemy grounds! What if something happens to you?”

  “Nothing will happen,” Lily said. “The guards said they never see anyone this close to the wall on the Norun side. Besides, me being here is the only thing securing my brother’s trust in this operation.”

  “She’s right, Lex,” I said. “After tonight, we’ll gain Lord Orik’s trust, and Lily can stay behind for our future meetings.”

  Lex sighed and leaned against the trunk of the tree. “Fine, I’ll relax.”

  With our return to silence, I scanned the field, watching for movement. Under the boughs of the nearest tree, I could just barely make out the silhouettes of our guards waiting with more crates. But beyond them…was that movement up ahead?

  “I hope Fath
er isn’t smooching Helena right now.” Lex’s voice was heavy with disgust, startling me from my observations.

  I rolled my eyes while Lily swatted Lex on the arm.

  “What?” Lex shrugged. “He seems to really like her. I swear he’s been waiting for me to get out of the castle just so he can fawn all over her without feeling guilty. I’ll meet my bride and consider her. Ha! He barely laid eyes on her before he started acting like a lovesick puppy. It’s gross.”

  “Lex, your father deserves to remarry.” Lily’s annoyed tone made me think this wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation. “He’s been a widower for what, nine years? Just let him—”

  I held out my hand to quiet them as I got to my feet. Now that is definitely movement. A group of shadowed figures emerged onto the field. In the distance, I could hear the subtle pound of horse hooves and wagon wheels.

  “He’s here,” Lily said in an excited whisper. As she hurried toward the figures, the tallest came forward and met her in a hug, while Lex and I followed cautiously behind. Our guards left their hiding place and filed in behind us.

  Lily separated from the hug and faced us, arm linked with the newcomer’s. “Lex, King Teryn, please meet my brother, Lord Orik.”

  “Lord of nothing, she means,” Orik said, bowing. He—as well as his four companions—wore a hooded cloak, keeping most of his face in shadow. From what I could see, the five men looked ragged with tired eyes. Yet their postures were of noble men—noble men who seemed unafraid of moving in the dark. They are no strangers to dealings such as this.

  “Your brother will have his title again, princess,” said the man next to Orik, “once I reclaim my land and my throne.”

  Lily gasped. “King Edowain!” She gave him a deep curtsy, then turned toward me and Lex. “He’s done so much for the resistance. He’s responsible for rallying the other conquered kingdoms.”

  Edowain regarded us, then smiled. “I am pleased to meet our new allies. We’ve spent years trying to arm the resistance, but with all the forges and weaponries in Norun being controlled by the capital, it has been a slow process. What you offer us will finally put our plans into motion.”

  “You can accommodate as discussed in our correspondence?” I asked. “We need to be sure the conquered kingdoms execute the rebellion simultaneously. Norun must fall and leave the legion isolated.”

  Edowain nodded. “You have my word. Give us two weeks.”

  “According to our spies,” Orik said, “the legion is still in the north. Two weeks will put them well within our grasp.”

  Two weeks? I groaned internally, wondering what condition Cora would be in two weeks from now. That is, if I even found her. Alive. I shook darker thoughts from my mind. This is the best I can do. “Very well.”

  “We will send our master smuggler to meet you here every night for the next eight days,” Edowain said, tipping his head toward the wagon that had now pulled to a stop behind them. “That should give him enough time to collect and distribute all of the weapons you’ve provided.”

  A man climbed down from the wagon and approached me and Lex. He was shorter than the men in King Edowain’s retinue, and when he smiled at me, I could see he was missing at least two teeth. With an exaggerated flourish of his hands, he removed his tattered hat and folded into a bow. “Master smuggler, at yer service. You can call me Stone.”

  I took a step back, choking on the repulsive odor that wafted forth. When Stone righted himself, he replaced his hat and winked. A low rumble of laughter moved amongst the rebels.

  Lex heaved, then covered his face with his hands. One of our guards retched behind us, while Lily hid behind her brother. “What in the name of Tomas is that smell?” Lex asked, and for once, I was glad he was less polite than I was. I needed to know too.

  Stone walked to the back of the wagon and lifted a corner of the heavy burlap that covered the bed. The revolting stench filled the air around us, and even the king’s rebels stepped away and turned their heads until the smuggler replaced the cover.

  “Is that…manure?” I asked, breathing through my mouth to no avail.

  Stone gave an innocent shrug. “Ya see, I’m just yer innocent manure merchant, my good man. Yer Majesty, I mean. No need to look in the bed of my wagon. You can clearly smell I’m up to no good.”

  My eyes went wide as I made the connection. “You’re going to transport the weapons…in manure?”

  “It’s a real shit job, I know.” Stone tipped his hat and winked.

  I stared back at him, shocked over both the genius and the repulsiveness of the plan, while Lex burst with poorly stifled laughter.

  “It’s a wonderful idea,” Lily said, wrinkling her nose. “But I am glad this will be my only trip to meet you like this, brother.”

  Orik laughed. “Once Edowain gets his kingdom back, it will be safe for us to visit again. I’m glad I got to see you now. Next time, I think you’ll have a babe in your arms, won’t you?”

  Lily rubbed a hand over her belly, then gave her brother a final hug.

  Edowain waved a hand toward the wagon. “Have your guards bring those weapons, then grab a shovel. We’ve got work to do.” He pulled a cloth over his mouth and nose, securing it at the back of his head. “Next time, you’ll want to bring one of these.”

  34

  ARMOR

  Mareleau

  I crept across the gray soil, past rotting trees with curling, gnarled branches on each side of the path. The wall of mist loomed ahead, and the sun could no longer be seen in the colorless sky above. Before the veil stood rows upon rows of Elvan soldiers, perhaps ten times the amount than the last time I’d been at the veil. Half their rank faced the veil while the other half faced me. The sight of them was unnerving, but I took a deep breath and proceeded forward.

  In unison, the soldiers facing me thrust their spears outward and shouted a warning for me to stop. I pulled my arms tight around Liam, then focused on the soldiers, taking in their distrust, their fear, their alarm and wrapped it around me like a new cloak. There I transformed it, allowing it to morph my bearing into one that should be respected, honored.

  The soldiers didn’t lower their spears as I continued forward, but they didn’t tell me to stop again, either. I heard a few whispering, Edell-Morkara’Elle.

  “Let me through,” I said, authority ringing in my voice. “I am not leaving; I only wish to stand by the veil. You may guard me there, see that I am not harmed.”

  A few of the soldiers exchanged wary glances, and not one lowered his spear.

  I wrapped my power closer around me. Respect me. Honor me. “Did you not hear me? If this command were coming from Ailan, would you ignore her? I am to be given the same respect as she, am I not?”

  One of the soldiers grumbled, then whispered furiously to the men around him, all the while not taking his eyes off me. “You are permitted to do as you wish,” he finally said, “so long as you don’t leave.”

  “Well then,” I said with a pleasant smile, walking up to their masses before they’d even had a chance to right their spears. They scrambled to make way for me, standing aside and leaving a narrow path for me to reach the veil.

  I ignored the eyes I felt burning into me as I approached the wall of mist and folded my legs beneath me. Liam turned his head this way and that, as if fascinated by the gloomy gray. I couldn’t help but smile. I think you may be the only one in the entire world unaffected by all this, sweet one.

  I looked over my shoulder and found the closest soldiers nearly pressed against my back. “Some privacy, please? Five steps back will do, thank you.” Before they could obey, I returned my attention to the veil, hearing grumbles behind me, followed by the shifting of feet and the clanking of armor. With a sigh, I reached my hand to the veil, feeling the cool wall of mist beneath my fingers.

  “Larylis,” I whispered, “I know you can’t hear me, but I also know you’re there.” My throat became tight, and I struggled to bite back tears. “Cora says you insi
st on guarding the tear yourself, which doesn’t surprise me. I wish I could tell you all about what she’s done for us. Did she tell you when the two of you spoke? You’re going to stay with me and Liam in El’Ara. Can you believe it? I’m glad she didn’t give you that letter. I know it would have broken your heart. How many times have I already done that to you?

  “Part of me wishes I could send a new letter to you, telling you about this news, give you something to hope for. But perhaps it’s best you don’t know. Who knows if any of us will even survive what is ahead. When you fight, I don’t want you to fight for me. I don’t want you to protect me. I want you to protect yourself. I don’t want you to worry about what happens to me, because I am going to do whatever it takes to protect Liam. That might put me in danger.

  “Can you accept that? Can you fight and defend yourself without wondering where I am? Without putting yourself in more danger to protect me? Knowing you will be allowed to stay here once everything is over has lifted a weight off my chest. If I die, I can be at peace knowing Liam will have you. That’s why it’s so important for you to protect yourself, not me.”

  I let my hand fall away from the veil and wiped a tear from my cheek. “I know this all sounds grim, but I can’t help but have this on my mind. These preparations have made the threat feel so much more real. I’m supposed to stay under guard with Liam night and day in my room. No less than a dozen guards are posted in the hall at all times. Honestly, I’m not supposed to be here right now, but you know me. I have my way of getting what I want.

  “I know what you’d say—go back to my room and stay under guard. I will. I just wanted to be close to you. I wanted Liam to be close to you. You know, one last time before things get crazy.” I let out an irritated sigh. “I hate not knowing what’s happening out there. I hate not knowing how much time has passed. Darius could be here any moment.”

  My words made me feel cold, and my proximity to the veil took on a new significance. Yes, I was as close to Larylis as I could possibly be, but I was also closer to the threat from outside. With Liam, no less. I stood, a sudden urgency propelling my muscles. “I’ll see you again, my love.” With one final brush of my hand against the veil, I turned and made my way through the sea of soldiers.