The flicker of regret in his dark eyes in that moment, was enough to stop her breath. She reached out to him, her hand on his shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Cayden,” she said softly, understanding in that moment why he had run from Telluris, and had cast aside the responsibility of being head of the Tellurian army. He turned his gaze away from her, eyes drifting to the dark forested greens of the mountain side they traveled.
“What do you suggest I do?” Astrid’s emerald eyes searched his face eagerly, hoping to find the answers she longed for.
“Do you have a way to get to your sister first, to warn her? Is there anything that you can do to give the Tellurian people and the Aequoran people a chance to ready themselves?”
“I may have a way, but if I do this… what if it backfires? What if they march on us? Then my sisters will blame themselves for the very reasons I would blame myself.”
“Sounds like your stuck,” he answered.
“Perhaps, please excuse me. There is something I must do… you must not follow me, do you understand?” she stared at him earnestly, emerald orbs searching his for understanding and recognition.
“As you wish,” he replied.
“Keep the soldiers busy if you must, but do not let them leave this camp. I will return as quickly as I can.”
Cayden nodded to her, and Astrid hurried off into the woods where she could not be seen or followed. She ran far and fast. The underbrush whipped past her, tearing into her bare legs, and across her pale arms, but she ignored the shooting pain roaring through her. She focused on getting as far away as she could so that she could consult her dragon where no one could see her or suspect anything.
When she was confident she was in the clear, she found a spot on the ground to sit.
“Aronus, I know it has been a time since we have talked, but I need you. Please, will you hear me out?”
Aronus appeared immediately, his emerald body glimmering under the setting rays of the sun.
“Astrid, you needn’t even ask.” His grainy dragon voice piercing through the quiet blowing of the trees around them.
“You know what I am going to say?” she wondered, forehead slightly crinkled in curiosity.
“Yes, you wish me to get a message to Svana and Hekla, to warn them that no matter what, the Caelestans soldiers will march on Telluris?”
“Do you think it is the right thing?”
Always confident Astrid, caretaker of her sisters, and wisest of the three, felt the weight of her decision. She knew that this time, it would be no small fight. She was marching into Telluris with a fully trained army by the Caelestan King’s orders. The result would be catastrophic for all.
“I think your own thoughts have told you that this not going to end well, however—” He paused for a moment, his scaly body hovering in the air as he gently flew back and forth.
“However?” she pushed him.
“In this case, I do not think there is any other choice. You have an obligation to the Caelestan King. If you do not fulfill that, or make it appear as if you aren’t trying to fulfill that to the best of your ability, the soldiers would have your head before word even reached the king. The Caelestans do not hesitate when it comes to those they perceive to be traitors.”
“That’s what I am afraid of. So… the best I can do, is warn my sisters and have them prepare their armies?”
Aronus stopped his gentle flittering, his yellowed eyes blinking wide as he stared at her.
“Yes, I will bring word to my dragon brothers. It is the best course of action.” Aronus masked himself, disappearing from sight, and Astrid wondered if he was flying full speed ahead to Lingaria and Speltus.
She hoped he would hurry back, as she needed his magic to fight. Her bow would remain without arrows until he returned. She did have a few she had made in his absence, and she wondered if she should make a few more.
Astrid hurried back to the Caelestan army, seeking out Cayden. When she found him, she smiled wide.
“I deem that you have found a way to get word to your sisters?” he asked, surprise evident in the slightly raised pitch of his voice.
“Indeed, I have,” she answered. “Now, we must make the soldiers set up camp and wait until my contact returns.”
“I think that is a good idea, and while we wait, we can devise a plan of attack.” His cheeks puffed out and the corners of his eyes crinkled in a smile.
“You like to battle?” she wondered aloud.
“There is a certain thrill in the fight. I suppose I am eager because I know that in the end, King Armand will pay the ultimate price. He is the one I seek retribution for. He is the one who has taken so many innocent lives. I do not blame the Tellurian people. They are just products of an unjust and unruly king.”
“You are not wrong,” Astrid replied, and together they walked to the soldiers, gathering them together to discuss how they would infiltrate the Tellurian kingdom.
“My good soldiers, I beg you wait for just a few days. I have a scout who has gone ahead to Telluris. He will return with word as to whether or not the Tellurians suspect that we are marching. This will give us the best possible advantage. Let us devise our battle plan. We know that there are rumors of a dark force in the tall tower of the kingdom,” she spoke, causing the soldiers voices to hum with words of what they should do, and what was to come.
“Please, calm yourselves. My wish is for as little of you to fall as possible. Also, you know that we have no fight with the Aequorans. They will be our allies in this fight, you must remember that. Do not attack them… our battle is with the king of Telluris.”
“How can we be sure that he will even be there? Isn’t he dead?” a soldier asked.
“I have had word that he is very much alive, and will guiding the Tellurian armies,” she lied, knowing that if it was up to Svana, those words would prove to be true.
Her revelation set them talking amongst themselves again.
“Then how do you propose we attack by surprise?” Another soldier had stepped forward from the group, his age showing in the near winter white of his hair, seasoned with gentle shades of gray and the wrinkling around his eyes and mouth.
“That is why I bring this to you. I do not know much of Telluris, and I’m afraid that none of us will blend in well. I suggest we wait until night fall. We can hood ourselves and move in slowly and quietly from the trees. We will have to be as stealthly as a soaring falcon gliding quietly through the night, but if we use the trees to hide us, and move forward little by little, as one, we should be able to be upon them before they know what’s happening. The villages will be asleep, and no one knows that we are coming. We will have the advantage.”
The soldiers began talking among themselves, echoing the plan, and discussing things that could go wrong. Astrid waited patiently while they sorted it out, and when she was confident that they were all on board, she spoke again.
“Soldiers, can we agree that this is the best plan?”
Most nodded in response, with only a few looking none too pleased at the idea.
“We will need scouts to go ahead and make sure that there is no one waiting to attack,” Cayden chimed in, “do we have volunteers?”
“I thought you already had a scout,” one of the Caelestans said.
“One scout won’t be enough,” Cayden said, covering for Astrid. “We’ll need to observe Telluris from many angles.”
A few brave souls stepped forward of their own accord, and Astrid was pleased that they were serving with her. Bravery would help them win the battle against Telluris.
“Thank you, good soldiers. I will take your word for this. For now, let’s set up camp and rest. We march on Telluris in two day’s time. Let us eat our fill, and rest well as we prepare for what is to come.”
A chorus of ‘Ay!’ rose up from the men, as they set to work preparing camp. Astrid looked to the sky, willing that Aronus would return quickly.
44
Svana
Darkness can be h
idden in the shadows. Sometimes it is hard to find the darkness inside of someone, but all you must remember is that shadows cannot hide in the light. If you let your light shine brighter than any shadow, you will find the darkness every time, and you will vanquish it.
Pavrusion, The Infamous, The Eighth Dragon Elder, Ninth Age of Verdil
Hurrying into the king’s chambers, Svana’s heart beat wildly, her adrenaline pumping, and she steeled herself for attack, or worse, to be hauled away by the castle guards. Calm down, Svana, you don’t know that he wants to kill you. She couldn’t stop herself from thinking the worse.
“My King! You are awake, and looking rather well,” she said with a false sense of happiness, fighting back the surprise at seeing his colors returned to normal, his eyes dark, but vibrant.
“Thank you, Svana. I am feeling quite well,” he responded, his voice came as clear as the day she had met him in the throne room.
The whole situation felt off. It felt wrong somehow. Svana knew that Hekla had gone through a great deal to save him, and though Svana had brought back the aquaberry for him, she also knew the king had been as close to death as one could come. However, the man who sat before her, back propped with pillows, cheeks full of life, appeared to be in full health. Svana knew there was no way he should have recovered so fully, so quickly.
“Well, it seems those herbs have had quite a miraculous effect?” Svana asked, pushing for him to offer more information into his miraculous healing.
“I must thank you for saving my life,” the king said kindly, deflecting her question, his eyes still dark as he watched her walk across the floor to his bed.
“I’d love to take credit for your recovery, but I don’t feel that I can. My sister, Hekla, her magic saved you from death. My herbs, well, we have the kingdom of Aequoris to thank for that. The rest of your healing… it’s nearly magical.” Svana raised her eyebrows as her eyes studied him cautiously.
Just tell me what in Verdil happened to you to make you sit before me as if you were never injured.
It does seem uncharacteristic, Lingaria offered.
Can you see anything? Svana asked him.
There was silence in her mind, and she assumed her dragon was attempting to find an answer to the king’s miraculous healing.
“Nonsense, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here,” he responded.
“So, does that mean you are willing to do me a favor in return?” she asked.
“That depends on what it is.”
“Your majesty, I know that you were pushed to a truce so that my sister would save your life,” she said, watching his face.
He blinked at her, as if he had no idea where the conversation was going, but Svana felt that he could read her every thought.
“Anyway, my question is… are you willing to keep that truce? The kingdoms are on edge, awaiting orders. If you call a truce and send word to the other kingdoms… we could rebuild. We could start over.” Svana dared to be hopeful that the newly healed king would be willing to agree to her terms.
His face soured. “That truce was for my self-preservation, surely you’re not so daft as to think that I would keep it once I was well?”
Svana took a step back, thrown off by his sudden change in tone. “My king, my allegiance is to you, but do you not worry about the people? Your people?”
King Armand’s eyes seemed to blank as he stared off in the distance toward the empty wall opposite of the room.
“I cannot keep any alliances with any other race. Only Tellurians are worthy of saving. Only my people will be protected—I will keep them safe,” he said with a monotone voice.
Svana felt a chill up her spine. Something had clearly been off, and now she was sure of it.
“Your majesty, if you march on the kingdoms, they will fight back,” Svana pushed.
“I don’t care. We will kill them. My soldiers will kill them, and I will claim Caelestis and Aequoris for myself.” He stood up off the bed and began pacing the room.
“Your majesty, please do not doubt my loyalty to you, but… you have just recovered. You nearly died.”
“Yes, and now I am well!” he growled angrily.
“I know, and it was my sister that healed you, and myself… who risked my own life to get you that herb. It was no easy task,” she reminded him.
They had just talked about that; how could he forget. Clearly something was wrong.
“Yes, I am aware, but like you said… you can’t take credit for my complete healing.”
“Excuse me?”
Was he completely off his rocker? He had just said that she was the one who healed him, he had thanked her for saving his life. Did he already forget their conversation?
“You’re not the only one,” he said adamantly, then his face paled, as if he had said too much.
“What does that mean? Who healed you? Who takes the credit for your complete healing?” Svana moved her ruby hair out of her face, fighting her emotions to get angry and yell at him. He wasn’t making any sense, and Lingaria hadn’t spoken a word yet about what could be causing his odd behavior.
“I am great at healing. No one can take credit for me.”
He’s talking crazy, what does that even mean?
“No one can take credit for you?” Svana asked. “I don’t think anyone is trying to take credit for you, but with all due respect, your majesty, you did just acknowledge that my sister and I saved you,” she gently reminded him.
“You don’t need to keep saying that! You act as if I owe you!” he yelled loudly, startling her backward.
“No, your majesty, that is not what I meant at all. I simply meant…”
“Silence! You would do well to remember your place.”
Svana closed her mouth, not wishing to anger him more.
“As I was saying,” King Armand continued, “I do not owe anyone. No one can take credit for me. I have my own allies, and they have nothing to do with Caelestis or Aequoris. I have allies of magic, men who can do a great number of things. I don’t need you… or anyone else!” The king was ranting, and though she struggled to catch his attention, his eyes had gone completely black like before.
Svana’s hand itched at her side, clasping the base of her sword hilt as she wondered about unsheathing it. If the king came after her, she would fight back. She had come too far to back down and allow him to take her down. She owed it to all kingdoms to fight back, even if it meant his official death. For the man standing before her was no king of Telluris. He was a poisoned monster and she had to find out what or who had poisoned him.
“Yes, your majesty,” she acquiesced. “Just tell me how I may serve you and your advisor. As I assume it is he of whom you speak?” Her voice softened to syrupy sweet, and she stepped closer to him, dropping to one knee.
It killed her to show fake respect to this soulless version of King Armand. Svana sucked in her breath and put on her best face. She would do what she needed to to get closer to him and his advisor.
Blinking rapidly, the king looked her up and down as if seeing her for the first time.
“Yes, well, just do as I say, and I will have plenty for you to do. Prove yourself, and I will give you more responsibility.”
Svana nodded. “As long as I know that your advisor means only well. If you say he is trustworthy, then I will do as you please,” she said coyly, biting her lip.
She took a few steps closer until she was just a few feet from him reaching out her hand to touch his shoulder.
The king’s eyes softened. “Hmmm,” he murmured, his eyes dropping lower as he noticed her petite feminine from, clad in ruby hued armor. “He is trustworthy, I would stake my life on it,” King Armand said sternly.
“It’s your advisor isn’t it? He’s the magical ally you spoke of. He’s a wizard, isn’t he?” Svana fought to keep her voice light. Wanting the truth, but not wanting to alert the king. Svana hoped to convince him that she could be trusted with the information.
The ki
ng turned away from her, and began pacing again, not answering the question.
“Your majesty?” she softly pushed him to answer. “Your advisor is the dark wizard, isn’t he?”
The king turned abruptly, all softness gone from his face, and any hint of interest completely depleted. His eyes had turned as black as night once more. Svana stepped back, afraid of the repercussion of her question.
At his side, she could see his fists clench tightly. In the next instant, he grabbed his sword, and swung it at her. Svana jumped back, unsheathing her sword and deflecting blow after blow from him. She could feel the magic of Lingaria pulsating through the blade and knew that in an instant she could drive the sword through the King’s heart and end it once and for all.
It’s up to you, Svana. Do as you must, just remember that for every choice there is a repercussion to that choice, king or no king.
“That’s it! It’s over! You are no longer a trusted commander of the king! Get out of Telluris, before I kill you!” King Armand shouted.
“No, your majesty. I am the only one here who is looking out for you, truly looking out for you… except Emmeline,” Svana argued.
He brought his sword over his head, driving it straight down, eyes like charcoal as he focused on the center of her chest. Svana swung her blade around with great effort, the metal clanging like a church bell as it echoed through the room. The king roared, as he rushed after her, the flame of violence burning in his eyes.
She stumbled away and took off running down the hallway toward the staircase.
“Get back here! I’ll kill you!” His voice slithered like the breath of a great monster from the underworld, coming to take her. Though she feared for her life, Svana knew that she had to expose the king for what he really was. No one would believe that he had attacked her, he was just at the brink of death.
“You’re a coward!” she yelled after him. “I helped save you, and now you would kill me—for what?” she said as she yelled over her shoulder, her feet carrying her out into the courtyard.
Dragon Bow Page 28
