SOUL BORN - Kevin James Breaux
Transcription
SOUL BORN - Kevin James Breaux
Page |1 Soul Born - Reborn Edition Published By: Kevin James Breaux www.kevinbreaux.com Soul Born and Soul Born - Reborn Edition Copyright © Kevin James Breaux 2009-2016 Soul Born Cover Art Copyright © Dan Dos Santos 2010 All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written consent or permission of the author. All persons, places, and events in this book are fictions and any resemblance to actual persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. Cover Artist: Dan Dos Santos Cover Design: Kevin James Breaux Editor: Gretchen Stelter * 2016 - This is a free copy for the fans to read and enjoy. Not for resale. Page |2 Acknowledgements: I would like to acknowledge all the people who have read the original version of Soul Born and taken time to give me feedback good or bad. I appreciate the time and support everyone has spent. This book has been a work in progress for many years. It helped start my career as a writer and it has helped me make many friends. I would also like to thank all the future readers of the Soul Born Saga and my other books to be released. Write Makes Might! Kevin James Breaux Page |3 Page |4 SOUL BORN Reborn Edition By Kevin James Breaux Page |5 Prologue The snap of a stick echoed in the ears of the young elven woman as she fled through the murky midnight forest, her pale violet eyes like those of a predatory bird: searching and endlessly scanning her surroundings. In this chase, however, she was the prey. Two days ago, by sheer misfortune, she had crossed paths with a hunting party of her people’s greatest rivals— lizard men. The alligator-headed lizard men were on the brink of extinction after many summers of bloody conflict with the elves, making them all the more dangerous when encountered. After having run for two straight days, Tala had exhausted all of her people’s tricks to escape pursuit. The lizard men were closing in on her. Page |6 So tired she was seeing things in the shadows behind every tree, Tala recklessly ran through the forest, no longer attempting to cover her tracks. She had lost everything: her belongings, her friends, and her family. It seemed fitting, that on this night, she would lose her life too. Dry mouthed and thirsty, she ran in the direction of a lake, having spotted the glitter of moonlight reflecting off its surface between the trees. She knew the lizard men were close; she could smell them—the scent of decaying flora coated their scales. Nevertheless, she stopped, kneeling by the lake to drink. After gulping down a few mouthfuls, Tala froze, spilling a handful of water down her chin. She remained motionless, afraid that even breathing would alert her hunters. Through the willow trees encircling the small lake, her keen hearing caught a noise coming from the opposite shore. Tala had never heard a lizard man speak, but her tribal elders recounted their language as a collection of hissing sounds—not unlike a snake with tongue–clicks added for emphasis. The young elven woman stood up slowly and backed away from the water, one foot at a time. Right before her eyes, the bushes spread open suddenly and out lumbered one of the Page |7 hunters. His back hunched as he moved. She could see his dorsal spikes flare up, as though he was about to attack. She whirled around to sprint away from her assailant but came face-to-face with two more lizard men who had crept up behind her in silence. Her shriek of terror was cut short when something small and round hit the back of her head. She pawed through her yellow-green hair until she found a wet spot. Her vision began to blur as it read the tragic story upon her crimson fingertips. Unable to control her legs, she fell to the soft ground near the edge of the lake, blearily staring up into the black sky as the lizard men approached her. She could hear them hissing and clicking at each other in a rhythm that she could tell was filled with joy. Why wouldn’t they celebrate? They finally caught their dinner. Out of the corner of her watering eye, she saw the three-clawed toes and dewclaw of one of the lizard men settle into the earth beside her head. In desperation, she wrapped her arm around the beast-man’s scaly leg. While the strength drained from her, she attempted to knock the hunter backward, but her efforts only earned her a jarring blow to the side of the head. The impact of the lizard Page |8 man’s wooden staff left a salty taste in her mouth and made the world spin. Few lived to tell the tale of the lizard men’s feeding ritual, but one elf in her tribe had: Arol. The elder had spun a tale not unlike the one she was living now. Chased, wounded, and caught: the hunters bit off his right arm before he was rescued. No one will save me. They are going to eat me alive. The young woman squeezed her eyes shut, well aware that even if she had kept them open, she would not have seen much more than a blur. She may have been powerless before her attackers, and too badly hurt to fight, but that did not mean she was willing to watch herself be eaten. The edge of a stone blade cut lightly into her hip, and her body tensed up. The end was coming—the lizard men were stripping her of her clothes just as Arol had described in his horrifying tale. Her sense of defenselessness became crushing when her skirt was torn from her hips. The thought of one of the lizard men sinking his teeth into the meat of her thigh sent a wave of terror through her body, and it escaped in a scratchy scream. A cold, clawed hand brushed against her face and shoved something dry into her mouth to silence her. She Page |9 gagged, familiar with the taste of leather—no doubt a scrap from her own skirt. I don’t want to die. Claws pierced her blouse, digging ever so lightly into her skin before dragging themselves across each of her breasts, tearing away the last bits of her attire. The same fear that sealed her eyes now opened them. Blurry and dark, she could not see much of anything until she focused on her own image in the reflective surface of a lizard man’s chest scales. Hypnotized by the reflection, she watched her naked body vibrate with panic. Something warm and sticky struck her leg, but before she could look down, she felt something else smack against her chest and move across her collar bone. Tala gazed down her nose and was met with the sight of a long, thin, pink tongue attached to her body, trailing saliva. She tried again to struggle but two great weights pinned her arms down. Her eyelids fluttered as she fell into a swoon, but then an ominously stern voice cut through the darkness. “Leave the girl alone, lizard men of the Garhut-tu tribe. The elf will not be your meal this evening.” Could one of my former tribesmen come to save me? “Leave now, and seek your sustenance elsewhere. This is your final warning.” The voice, which the half-conscious elf now identified as female, spoke loud and clear. P a g e | 10 Suddenly free of the weight on her arms, Tala sat up and blinked her eyes slowly. For a moment, all she saw was the darkness of night painted over the trees and bushes near the path; then, all shapes and colors washed away in the most brilliant flash of pure white light she had ever seen. When her eyes cleared, she watched one of the lizard men stumble back into view. In almost slow motion, the creature moved, hissing in agony as his body slowly crumbled like dry soil and blew away in the wind. She turned her head against a formidable, spiking pain in her neck. “Tala Silver Wolf.” The young elf finally laid eyes on the owner of the powerful voice. “Y-yes?” “I have been waiting for you.” P a g e | 11 Chapter 1 Commencement He was much heavier than he looked, but then again unconscious bodies always were misleading. Opal was learning as she went—this was a lesson her aching muscles would remind her of for days to come. She would have called upon her magic to carry the man, but a powerful spell would be required to finally put her plan into motion. Opal took one last long look at her project after laying his head down in the mossy forest grass. Karn was the man of her dreams, and she could not wait to love him and to be loved by him. This will work, she told herself for the thousandth time. This will work. Wispy light, like thin, pink mist, formed around both of their heads. She was the key that unlocked the jumbled mess inside his mind. Without her, he would be useless to P a g e | 12 the others. I made sure of it, my love. I had to or risk my… our well-being. Opal knew the magical energy that filled her body had its limits, but she had not yet reached them. At times, she felt so powerful, she thought she could move the world—this was not one of those times. She had taxed her body over the past two days with little sleep and nourishment to replenish it. It was not the magic that ebbed; it was her body. Opal needed rest desperately. A sour sensation in her stomach made her want to retch, as the spell she cast ended. With a look to the sky, Opal calculated. Karn will wake up when the sun is directly above the treetops; there’s just enough time for a quick meal and a short slumber. She staggered off toward her cabin until she heard a fatigued voice emerge from behind her. “Mage, you’ve taken your last breath!” Like a howling animal, the man’s shout tore the peaceful quiet from the forest around her. The old man, clearly born of elf blood as could be seen by his tall, pointed ears and angular brow, continued to scream as he charged with sword held high. As to where he had come from, Opal had no idea. Her thoughts were P a g e | 13 dominated by only one thing: Could all my work be cut short by the rusty blade of a stranger’s long sword? Opal ducked under his initial swing and called for a defensive spell, a magical shield, but no sooner had the spell begun to form when it oddly vanished. She felt warm and faint. Without the ability to concentrate, my power is worthless. “Your kind has set ruin to our world. Today, I will cleanse this forest with your blood!” With her hands and feet in the grass, Opal scrambled for cover like a panicked animal. As her head spun, she could hear the words of the High Council echo inside her mind. She would not allow them the satisfaction of being right. Not now, not ever. At risk of succumbing to unconsciousness, Opal stood her ground against her assailant. The old man seemed as exhausted as she was, breathing heavily and sweating profusely, but in his eyes was an energy she had never seen before. This man is going to kill me or die trying. He should have run her through with his sword when he lunged forward, but Opal had created a small portal in front of her body, one large enough to protect her from chest to groin. When his sword and arm entered the crackling violet vortex, she snapped the portal shut, and P a g e | 14 transported the metal and flesh to a location in the southern sea. He fell into her, the stump of his bleeding arm ramming into her belly. The impact knocked her backward, and everything went dark. When she opened her eyes, she did not know how much time had passed. What happened? Where is he? She remembered a fight, but its conclusion was unclear. Her beige dress was covered in blood. She cast her eyes toward Karn and sighed in relief. He was still asleep. My plan has not yet been spoiled. She got up slowly, her eyes finding the elven man lying motionless behind her. His wound–his missing arm– should’ve killed him but had not. Somehow, the old man was still breathing, his chest rising and falling in rapid succession. Opal visually examined the man for other weapons but found none. In fact, the man had nothing apart the rags he wore for clothes. Who is he? she wondered. Why would he come here? Now? Her curiosity came to a quick end when she saw his eyes flutter, working to open. Opal snatched up a rock and squeezed it so tight in her hand that she felt its corners dig into her flesh. With P a g e | 15 a swing similar to when she pounded bread, she smashed the man’s nose and then bashed in his teeth. Over and over, she slammed the rock into the man’s face, until her arm was coated to the elbow in gore. When there was nothing left but grass and mud, she stopped and inhaled her first breath in she did not know how long. It’s over, she told herself. No. It’s all set to begin. Opal shook her head in disgust and disappointment. She would have to remove the body first and clean herself up. After tossing the rock to the side, she grabbed the man by his ankles. Lifeless bodies are so much heavier than they look. P a g e | 16 Chapter 2 Birth The screams of wounded men deafened him as he opened his eyes to the blinding glare of sunlight off a damaged shield. Were it not for the echo of his own breath in his ears, he would have believed himself to be nothing more than the soul of a warrior, floating off, on its way to the cherished afterlife. Yet he was alive, even though chaos had surrounded him on all sides. The enemy’s cavalry charge had decimated his troops and scattered the few men still alive and on their feet. To his left were thirteen of his luckier soldiers, unharmed and ready for combat. To his right, a fog of thick dust swirled around the horses that passed through his lines. He tried to ignore the cries of wounded men behind him but could not. When he turned, he saw the ruins of a small town P a g e | 17 coughing black smoke up into the pale blue sky. My home. Gone. Another group of men, all wearing familiar black-andpurple sigils, rushed to his side. They screamed and pointed in the direction of the dust cloud. He might have heard their words if not for a new sound, one that would have made his heart jump from his chest had it not been caged by thick plates of armor. Enemy foot soldiers advanced through the dust cloud in five long combat lines, all pounding the flats of their weapons against their shields as they marched. The warrior forcibly shed his fear with a blood-chilling howl. He raised his axe above his head, then slammed its handle down against the left breast of his armor. As he rushed the front line of enemy soldiers, he saw his comrades out of the corner of his eye. Although greatly outnumbered, those who could still grip a weapon joined. Unlike his own men, the enemy soldiers wore the cleanest armor and tabards he had ever seen—a detail he employed to fuel his rage. As he engaged his first combatant, he ordered his men to soil as many of the pretty kingdom soldiers as they could before giving their lives up to the god of war. Kill them all. P a g e | 18 His axe was an extension of his hatred for the enemy, as it crashed down, splitting the helmet of one man before burying itself in the leg of another. With his shield braced to his shoulder, he rammed his way into the crowd of opponents in a savage rage. His men liked to call it a death wish, but he simply preferred to fight surrounded, where every swing of his axe would strike a body that stood against him. Madly slicing high and low, he dispatched man after man. Blood splashed around him, painting friend and foe alike. A crushing blow shook his frame. Delivered to the small of his back in the form of a war hammer, the impact jarred his whole body forward. As he turned to face his attacker, he was stabbed in his shoulder. For several blinks, his vision blurred, giving two rival soldiers the opportunity to grab his arms, while another, much smaller, man aimed his sword at his belly. The enemy had him. Even as the thin, flat blade pierced his stomach, he growled with fury, spitting blood on one of the men holding him. His enemies tightened their grips, but the warrior still broke free. He reversed the hold the soldier on his left had, and shoved him into the path of the shorter man’s bloody sword. His flesh-shield bought him only the briefest P a g e | 19 respite, as the glimmer of sharp weapons sparkled in every direction. “Kill you all!” After only one staggering step, his legs buckled and he fell headlong onto the soft earth. He fought to stand, gripping the loose soil as he pushed up. But his strength, like his life, faded with each drop of blood that spilled from his body. He could hear his foes cheer—a final sign that his forces were defeated. As the world around him faded to nothing, he heard one last cheer: “Death to the warlord!” *** Karn opened his eyes in astonishment. He hadn’t known what to expect—certainly not a deep autumn forest, pine trees so tall he had to tilt his head all the way back to see the tops surrounding him. As he sat on the soft bluegreen grass, Karn’s heavy heart raced. He tried to make sense of the last thing he remembered. A battle, blood, death—it seemed so familiar. He tried to disregard the images as nothing more than a dream, but they seemed hauntingly real. He spotted an old lumberjack’s axe nearby, its wooden handle wrapped in leather so thin and dry it looked as if it would crumble at a touch. Is this axe the reason why I’m P a g e | 20 here in the forest? Picking it up, Karn gauged its weight. He thought back to the axe from his daydream: large and sharp, with runes etched into its blade and down its steel handle. The war axe from his dream, he recalled, felt right at home gripped in his hand. But this chopping axe felt as foreign as the land surrounding him. Karn swung the axe at the tree as he imagined a lumberjack would. The blade buried itself in the soft bark with a thud. Still gripping the handle, Karn shook his head. No, this is not the feeling I remember. He tugged the axe free while sequences from his memories flashed in his head. I didn’t sink my axe into trees–I sunk it into men: enemies of my kin. Although he told himself the visions that flooded his mind were only a dream, the fury of battle still built up inside him. Karn gnashed his teeth, swung the axe over his head, and released it on the tree in a slicing motion. The vibration of the strike up his forearm felt good, so he swung again and again. Slivers of dry bark flew from the tree, soon replaced by the splatter of gooey sap from fresh, green wood. Engrossed in his attack, Karn did not hear the crunch of dry leaves beneath approaching feet. It was not until the person shouted that he ceased his assault. P a g e | 21 “Karn! What are you doing?” A young woman stood only fifteen feet away. Upon seeing her, Karn’s violent mood instantly washed away. As he looked her up and down, he noted her style of dress. It was different from most of the young ladies of his kingdom’s court. She wore a blouse and a skirt, not unlike a commoner or farmer, yet hers were noticeably cleaner than most. Her body was tall and lean, which he felt agreed well with the style of her garb. Karn recognized her long, wavy, red hair. He remembered the cream-colored skin of her face and the sharp upturn of her lips. He was sure he knew this young woman intimately, but no matter how hard he tried to remember, her name escaped him. “You’ve been resting in my father’s cabin for almost five days. This morning when I rose, you were gone. I was scared to death,” the young woman said, her voice shaky. “I woke up out here.” He shrugged. “You’re still recovering from your injuries, my dearest love. You shouldn’t be running about the forest.” As the woman drew closer, Karn could see her eyes. Not only were they filled with concern, but her irises were two different colors: one blue, one green. The sight caused something to flicker deep in his memory. P a g e | 22 “Opal,” he announced. “Your parents gave you that nickname when you were seven summer cycles old because your eyes turned two different colors.” “Yes, Karn.” Karn tried to make sense of his current situation, but there were no answers in his mind, no recollections to call from, nothing more than a wall of emptiness that stretched on forever both horizontally and vertically. “What happened to me? How did I get out here?” Opal stepped up to Karn. Standing nearly chest to chest with him, she reached up and placed her hand on his shoulder. She gazed deep into his eyes and was silent for a moment before speaking. “Are you having trouble remembering?” Opal brushed her warm fingertips across his temple. “You remember me, don’t you?” Karn called upon his memory again, this time discovering dozens of recollections–times he and Opal spent together. “You and I are lovers; we hope to raise a family together one day.” “Yes, we’re lovers.” Opal spoke shyly as she stepped around him to the tree he had been savagely hacking. P a g e | 23 “Why do I feel so lost?” He shook his head with frustration. Karn thought back and found more memories of Opal. While these moments appeared with ease, he strained to catch even the smallest fragments of time he had spent alone or with others. “I belong somewhere…” Karn rubbed his head. “Do not pressure yourself, Karn,” Opal said as she stared at the deep gashes in the tree. “You were wounded in the invasion; you suffered a grave head wound and should have died. You’re very fortunate the horse I gifted you was trained to return here if lost.” Karn stepped to her side in time to hear the words trickle from her crimson lips. His heart sank into his stomach and his body felt cold. For a moment, he feared that his feet were going to float up off the ground, toppling him over. “Invasion?” Opal distanced herself from Karn, and waved her hands around in a circular motion. From her palms, an orange colored smoke sprayed and took the shape of an oblong window. This is impossible… No, I remember this. This is magic. Opal’s magic. P a g e | 24 Inside the smoky frame was a vision unlike any Karn remembered. The image, not dissimilar from an oil painting, was soft and slightly blurry, which caused him to squint. As he stared in amazement, Opal began to speak. “Weiden’s Rise was ambushed by a marauding warlord. Outnumbered, she fell quickly, but not before her generals issued two poignant commands.” As she spoke, the scene inside the smoky frame changed, like pages turning in a book. Images of his kingdom with an enormous army besieging its gates brought back the violent feeling he had had only moments ago. “Your father, one of the kingdom’s highest ranking generals, ordered you and the cavalry under your command to protect the citizens of Weiden’s Rise as they fled via a secret tunnel. Another unit of cavalry, led by the king’s brother, was dispatched to engage the enemy and distract them from your egress.” “I remember this,” Karn whispered as the images shifted from one static scene to the next, displaying exactly what Opal described. “The king’s brother tried but could not keep the attention of the enemy. Their scouts discovered the tunnel’s mouth. Before you could lead all the citizens from the tunnel, into the forest, the enemy dispatched its P a g e | 25 fastest riders, a legion mixed of horse archers and light cavalry.” Karn recognized the next scene—it was him and his men surrounded by the women and children of Weiden’s Rise. As her magic summoned the image, he gasped. No… I failed… The citizens he had been ordered to protect were running in fright, some injured while others lay dead, pierced by many arrows. He spotted himself in the picture, fighting off the enemy’s cavalry while using his horse to defend a fleeing family. “Refusing to retreat even when it was clear your efforts were futile, you and your men saved hundreds, Karn.” “I was run through…” Karn said, recalling his dream. “No,” Opal quickly replied. “As you raced to the forest’s edge to rescue a group of children, you rode directly into a group of twenty enemy cavalry. Karn, you saved those children, but not without a cost. You were struck down by a war hammer.” The last image Karn saw was that of himself slumped over his horse. His blood had painted streaks down his face as well as the flanks of his mount. “You found me?” he said, as the orange smoke dissipated and blew away in the cool fall breeze. P a g e | 26 “Yes, when I returned from my studies, I found you lying unconscious, your horse watching over you. You looked half-dead.” Opal paused to catch her breath. “I used my magic to heal you, but your wounds were severe, the worst I have ever tended to.” Opal’s story had made him anxious, he was now sweating, his brow soaked. He could see the concern in her eyes. She watches me so closely. Am I still ill… or does she fear me? “Calm yourself, my love.” “I cannot.” Karn’s anger swelled as he thought of his father, defeated and most likely dead at the hand of this nameless warlord. “You know my training, as a court healer has given me a keen eye to the conditions of man,” Opal said softly. “That vein in your neck, it only pulses when you are angry.” “My kingdom conquered!” Karn growled. “My family dead!” “Karn, please, don’t allow yourself to be overcome with these emotions–not when there’s so much you can still achieve.” P a g e | 27 “Still achieve? Why? Does the warlord remain in Weiden’s Rise?” Karn asked, his mind racing. Opal placed her hand on his chest and looked deep into his eyes. Her proximity made him uncomfortable, so he glanced away, all but missing the flash of magical energy that emanated from her eyes: green and blue, matching the color of each iris. “You cannot confront the warlord alone. You need my help,” Opal said clearly and slowly. “Allow me to take you to my teachers at the High Council; they can aid us in this coming conflict.” “I need help.” “Yes.” Opal nodded. “Very well, let us seek out your teachers.” Opal smiled before she leaned in and gave Karn a brief kiss on the lips. “I need you to rest first. Can you rest for me?” “I can.” “Good. We’ll make the journey later tonight.” “Good. Until then I will rest.” *** Opal watched Karn turn and march off in the direction she had come from, as if guided by an invisible breadcrumb trail to the location of her cabin. Once he disappeared P a g e | 28 from view, she shifted her attention to the shadows painting the trees around her. “All clear,” she said confidently. From high above, near the tops of the great pines of the forest, the man she called her teacher lowered himself slowly. Malek was her head trainer and the overseer of her special mission. In his late sixties, Malek stood tall and thin, covered in the formal mage’s robes that only the instructors of the High Council were permitted to wear. He ran his hand through his tight-cropped white hair, scratching lightly, then down his cheek to his thick goatee. When he spoke, he did so in a deep, commanding voice. “You must pay closer attention to your surroundings, fledgling.” “What? I—” “It has been less than a week since we enchanted him with the Ancient Warlord’s Soul spell. This boy here might be our last chance to defeat our enemy. There’s no room for childish mistakes.” “You think I don’t know that?” Opal said impatiently, crossing her arms. The old mage gave her the same look he always gave her when her rebellious nature flared. Using his long, ornate P a g e | 29 staff like a cane, he walked toward the tree that Karn had assaulted. Opal watched her teacher examine the cuts. He no doubt realizes just how deep they are now. Karn is much stronger than they ever imagined. “Fascinating,” he said after he cleared his throat. “However, it remains obvious to me that he requires much battle testing.” “I agree.” “Very well then. Ferry him to the fortress, so we can evaluate his abilities appropriately…” The old man paused to glare at Opal. “As we do all our students.” “I already convinced him that he needs to visit the High Council in search of aid,” Opal replied, smirking. “We will be there later tonight, and then you may do as you wish, Malek.” “I always do as I wish, fledgling.” P a g e | 30 Chapter 3 Deception Karn awoke suddenly, with a yell. He sat up in bed and touched the back of his head, running his hand down his neck and then to his shoulders, searching for a wound. He fully expected to find blood, or at the very least a tender bruise, and was puzzled when his seeking hands discovered nothing but nappy, tangled hair. The wooden floor of Opal’s cabin felt foreign beneath his feet as he stepped slowly from the bed. Once upright, he lumbered for a few shaky footsteps before he reached an old, silver mirror hanging on the wall. When he peered into the ornate, hand-carved mirror, he was stunned by the reflection. What returned his gaze was a face he almost did not recall as his own. Perhaps it was because his brown P a g e | 31 hair, normally tied back, hung untidily down past his shoulders, and his beard had become scraggly and unkempt. Once again, he tried to piece together the events that led up to this strange day, but the fog inside his head was still too thick. Karn shuffled out of the small bedroom into the main room, which was a combination of kitchen and workshop. He took a long look around, but all he saw seemed unfamiliar. Tiny bottles cluttered the countertops and shelves, some labeled with names of herbs while others were filled with unidentified fluids. A wreath of dried lilac hung over a window across from him and a basket of assorted fruit sat on the kitchen table. A stout-looking door led to the same woodland scene from that morning. As Karn peered through the doorway, he spied Opal sitting on the verdant earth. “Karn, you’re awake,” she said as she stood and brushed grass from her wrinkled skirt. “What happened to me?” he asked. She darted to him and wrapped her arms around his wide chest. “You fell asleep, my love,” she whispered in his ear. “Let’s go inside. We need to prepare for our trip to the High Council’s fortress.” The moment she released her grip, he felt oddly compelled to speak. “I remember being a soldier enlisted in P a g e | 32 the army of Weiden’s Rise. I remember you and my father, yet there are still giant holes in my past. Opal, do you think your teachers could restore my memory with their magic?” “You worry too much, my love. Even if little by little, I’m sure your memories, like your wounds, will heal over time.” Karn snatched her hand even as she turned away from him; he needed answers. “How old am I? How long have we been lovers? Opal, I cannot remember my mother’s name, let alone what my—” “You are twenty-five summers old, and I’m twenty-one,” she stated, peeling his hand off her wrist. “Your mother’s name was… Elizabeth.” Opal stepped around Karn and into the cabin, but he lingered outside. Birds sang all around him while the scent of flowers floated through the trees. This place, its abundant serenity–it relaxes me. I could stay here forever… but I need vengeance first. “I need my gear, Opal,” Karn said as he joined her in the cabin. “Gear?” “My packs, armor, shield, sword—my gear.” “Yes, of course. Follow me.” P a g e | 33 Karn followed Opal to a storage closet at the rear of the kitchen. After opening it, she pointed to a stack of wooden crates. On each crate, a name was scrawled in grey chalk. One crate was labeled with her mother’s name, the second with her father’s, and the last one with Karn’s. Karn picked up the crate, immediately noticing its lack of heaviness when he carried it to the dining table. Karn’s chest filled with trepidation. When he finally pulled open the lid, he was struck with a wave of nausea. Is this all that remains of my life: a sword, a buckler, boots, a small bag of coins, and an empty pack? There has to be more. Karn lifted the sword out of the crate and took a long look at it. The chiseled iron hilt was one-and-one-half hands long. Weiden’s Rise’s symbol, a serpent with heads at both ends, was engraved on the handle with the words “Strength, Loyalty, Cavalry” just below. Oddly, the scabbard did not match the sword; instead, it was plain, hardened leather, devoid of design. Not wasting another moment, Karn strapped the sword to his belt and then placed the buckler shield in his pack. *** Opal paced the floor behind him, desperately searching for answers to his inevitable questions. You-you prepared P a g e | 34 for this moment, Opal. Don’t allow your nerves to undo you. She fiddled with a jar of red moon leaves, an herb she collected for healing purposes. Hopefully, he has not noticed your tension. You’re stronger than this. You’re better— “Opal, where’s my armor?” he asked, lacing his boots. Deafened by the thousands of words jumbled inside her head, she did not respond at first. When he repeated himself, his words struck her like stones. “Opal, what did you do with my armor?” “Y-you were mortally wounded, Karn!” Her voice rose as she stared down at the jars, unwilling to make eye contact with him as she lied. “I couldn’t… I couldn’t unhook the latches to your armor, so I used my magic to remove it.” “Then it’s here?” Karn stood up. “Someplace?” “No, Karn, it’s not.” Opal slammed her fist onto the counter before her. “I was panicked… I dissolved it off you. It’s gone—destroyed.” When she finished speaking, the cabin went quiet. Opal crossed her arms and shifted her weight from one foot to the other, swaying her hips. The sun seemed to crawl a full degree across the sky before Karn moved, striding steadily across the room in complete silence. When he gripped Opal’s hips in his big P a g e | 35 hands, her arms jerked nervously and knocked a jar of herbs off the counter. It shattered on the hard wooden floor, its contents scattering at their feet. Opal gazed down at the mess but caught Karn’s eyes locked keenly onto her body. “There’s no time for this,” she squeaked, sensing his intent. Opal pushed back from Karn’s arms. She planted one foot firmly into the spilled herbs, her bootheel slipped, and she tumbled backward to her seat. Red faced, she stood quickly and brushed the brittle remains of the leaves from her. “We need to go.” “We need to go,” he repeated, but in his tone she heard no real intention of leaving. Karn seized Opal by the belt of her skirt and then pulled her hard into a tight embrace. A sour taste entered her mouth as her heart pounded heavily. She had long desired this moment, so much so that she felt like her insides were about to explode. Opal could not bring herself to look him in the eye, so she moved her hands up and down his body as she gave into passion. His rough hands tilted her chin up. Opal saw his eyes shortly before her breath was stolen by a forceful kiss. The heat of his body against hers and the saltiness of his P a g e | 36 mouth further excited her. Before she knew it, Karn had gathered both her hands in one of his. Arms pinned high above her head, Opal danced on the tips of her toes. “Karn?” She held eye contact with him until he ran his other hand down her neck, past her bosom, to the strings on her blouse. He fumbled to untie them, eventually opting to yank the blouse down to reveal her breasts. “Karn?” He ran his palm back and forth over her chest. Opal was unsure what would come next and shuddered in desire and anticipation. When Karn at long last squeezed her breasts, it was with a firmness that started off hard but softened by the time he reached her nipples. Intoxicated with desire, Opal wanted to scream just to expel the energy that had built inside her. She struggled to free her hands, and when they were loose, she pounced on Karn and pulled his shirt off in one quick tug. While she gazed upon his handsome face, she ran her hands down his chiseled stomach to his leather pants and then hooked them around the top of the garment. “Do you love me?” she whispered, her forehead pressed to his lips. “I always have.” P a g e | 37 “That, Karn, was exactly what I needed to hear.” Opal tilted her head back, her mouth nearly in contact with his. When Opal paused, Karn took charge. He kissed her with his lips parted, as if to devour her soft skin little by little. Pants off, he unhooked her skirt and yanked it roughly to the ground. I’m ready for this, she thought as she took his manhood in hand. I’m ready. “I’m ready for you, Karn.” Opal released a shuddering gasp as Karn entered her. After the initial pain, her body tingled and she wanted more. Her thoughts rang out with words she was too shy to speak. Deeper, Karn. I want you deeper inside me. Back pinned against the counter, Opal lifted her leg and wrapped it around his waist. Each thrust felt better than the one before. Opal prayed the sensation would never stop, just build and build until she could no longer endure it. Time was lost to her, and when the blissful feeling came to a sudden halt, it did so with a powerful spike of pleasure that made her entire body quake. As she collapsed into him, she thought, You are mine now, Karn. All mine. *** Uncomfortable with the silence in the room as she dressed, Opal listed a collection of items for Karn to P a g e | 38 gather in the kitchen while she escaped to pack her bag in the adjoining room. She took her time stuffing her knapsack with the few items she had wanted to ferry back to her room at the High Council, all the while consumed by the thoughts of what she had just done. She could not remember the last time she felt this joyful, and she was sure of one thing: her life had finally taken a step in the right direction. But the idea also frightened her worse than anything—even worse than the invading warlord. Happiness, after all these years, has come with a price. Are you still willing to pay it, Opal? Anxiety gripped her heart and a flood of concerns filled her head. Am I doing the right thing? She breathed in slowly, calming her nerves. “Ready?” she asked as she reentered the kitchen. “Ready.” Opal walked out into the night air and dropped her bag. The portal spell she was about to call upon was one taught to all second-level magic students, and was the only way she knew of in and out of the mages’s fortress. Being in her fourth level of study, it was little more than a reflex, but her cluttered mind made it more of a chore. Karn, she thought as she gazed at him and then down at her blouse. He tore my clothing and made love to me like a… P a g e | 39 like a barbarian. I-I wish there was someone-anyone to talk to. Who can I talk to about this? Eyes closed, Opal pushed out all her aberrant thoughts. With a practiced breath, Opal drew deep upon the powers that resided inside her and summoned the portal to the High Council’s fortress. The already dark sky grew murky, dabs of purple outlining the black clouds that rolled across the horizon. A chill wind gusted through the forest. It lapped at Opal’s bare arms as purple sheet lightning filled the sky. She turned again to face Karn. She wanted to observe his reaction to her spell and was not surprised to spot his eyes wide with amazement. Through the pulsating glow of her magic, Opal saw him speaking, but the loud whistle of wind snatched up the words before they reached her. Slowly, she raised her arms above her head and channeled the energy she had built into a ball of light that hovered before her. The orb of magical energy crackled and opened like a giant mouth, its aperture a pit of darkness that swallowed everything around—from passing moths to the dry leaves that rested atop the grass. “Opal!” Karn shouted. Opal walked around the portal and smiled as she said, “Time to go.” P a g e | 40 “I thought it swallowed you too,” he said. “Is it safe?” “You’ve seen me open and use portals for many months now.” “I don’t recall ever seeing such a thing before in my life.” Karn pointed at the portal, which shook in a way that made the mouth appear as if it were breathing. “It looks almost as if it’s alive.” Opal tugged on his belt. “You know I would never harm you with any of my magic, Karn.” “I know.” “Good. We need to hurry, my love.” Hand in hand, they stepped through the portal to the other side: the High Council of Mages’s mountaintop fortress. P a g e | 41 Chapter 4 Return I hope I haven’t made a dire mistake, Opal thought when she considered how odd Karn might find the place and how many new questions he may have. Behind them, the portal snapped shut, a pile of dirt and a hazy cloud of violet smoke left in its wake. “Are we here?” Karn asked as he languidly stepped toward the half-wall perimeter of the large stone balcony he stood upon. Opal watched Karn through slitted eyes as he turned around and tilted his head backward to take in the full extent of the large, stone structure built into the side of the mountain. The mages’ fortress was partially constructed of carved stone blocks, similar to the keeps and castles found across the land. The remainder of the fortress P a g e | 42 appeared to be molded from the rock from the mountain, sharing its rough angles and mossy color. Further up, more interesting details could be discovered. The fortress’s highest towers were painted a stark shade of white, reminiscent of the snow-covered mountain peaks. “Looks like snow.” Karn pointed to the tall towers. Opal laughed. “The ancient archmages designed the fortress so that, when seen from afar, it would blend into the side of the mountain.” “So this whole place was created by magic?” “Yes.” “Where does all this magical power come from? I mean, it has to come from someplace, right?” Opal had often wondered that herself, but it was information the archmages never fully divulged. They only ever said that it was a precious secret that they could not divulge to students. Embarrassed and frustrated that she couldn’t answer Karn, Opal changed the subject. “We must hurry. The warlord could be on the move. There’s no time to waste.” “Right.” Opal guided Karn through a stone archway into a long tunnel that led to the main chambers of the school section P a g e | 43 of the High Council’s fortress. Malek halted their steps before they had gone no more than twenty feet into the tunnel. Startled, Opal jumped back and bumped into Karn. Where did Malek come from? I-I didn’t sense him. Karn stepped around Opal, and she watched him tense and fill with raw reserves of strength. Hand outstretched, palm flat, Karn drew his sword and shouted, “Halt!” Opal froze, as she watched Malek pay Karn no mind and continue to move toward them at a measured pace. Karn’s going to kill him. When the two men reached each other, and Karn’s palm pressed against the old man’s chest, Malek finally acknowledged him. Malek put his hand on Karn’s face and murmured a spell Opal had never heard before. A puff of thick yellow dust shot from Malek’s palm. At first, the dust cloud only caused Karn to wince, but as soon as he inhaled, his knees buckled. Opal screamed when she saw Karn’s head bounce back and forth, his body sway. “Malek, stop!” she scolded her teacher. Karn stumbled forward and fell, his body slamming into the rough stone floor like a sack of grain. Opal squealed and threw herself down beside him. “What did you do, Malek?” P a g e | 44 “I put the boy to sleep. You see, fledgling, there’s been a small change in plans,” he announced. “The archmages and I feel your decision to bring him here was… unwise.” Red-faced with anger, Opal spit out her next words. “You knew I was bringing him here! You agreed with it! You— ” “Young one,” he said, with a shake of his head. “There’s no need to further the ruse. Simply use your charm spells to convince him that your trip here was a success.” “I thought you wanted to battle test him, Malek,” Opal grumbled as she stroked Karn’s hair. “Summon lizard men or perhaps some trolls; have him battle them outside your father’s cabin. That should be all the testing required.” Opal brushed away the hair that had fallen in her face. She repeated a rhyme her father had taught her when she was a young girl to calm her nerves. Most instances it worked, but this time, Malek’s blatant disrespect was too much to wash away with childish rhymes. As her instructor turned his back, Opal’s eyes flashed green and blue. She called upon a spell she’d learned a long time ago and mentally prepared herself to strike out at her teacher. I will see you dead, Malek. P a g e | 45 Before she could launch her rage-driven assault, a mousy voice spoke from the balcony behind her. “Opal? I knew I sensed you were back.” It was Elizabeth, her oldest friend. Up from the flagstone floor came a spout of water. As the fountain grew in size, it bulged in the middle. The protuberance wobbled up into the air, defying gravity. Upon reaching Opal’s height, it stopped and held eerily still. As Opal drew closer, she pointed a finger at the blob of water and then pressed the digit directly into it. Suddenly, the water fell to the ground, and from within it, a young woman emerged. Soaked from head to toe, Elizabeth smirked at her friend whose index finger rested directly on the tip of her nose. “How do you always do that?” Elizabeth giggled. “I’m a good guesser,” Opal said with a smirk. “I see you still haven’t figured a way around the inevitable wetness of your water transportation spell.” “The Water Conduit.” Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, I still end up soaked every time.” “Which is better than ending up all covered in dirt!” they both said at the same time. P a g e | 46 Elizabeth added, “I haven’t practiced the Earth Conduit spell in nearly as many weeks as it’s been since I last saw you.” Opal wrapped her arms around her friend. “I missed you.” “And I have yet to figure out my Wind Conduit spell,” Elizabeth said as they hugged. “Perhaps you could help me?” “You’re much more powerful than I am, Elizabeth,” Opal said. “You’ll perfect it soon enough.” “More powerful than you? Not likely!” A few cycles younger than Opal, Elizabeth had joined the High Council just over three summers previously, at fifteen. Being the only two members of their discipline of magic gave the young women insights into each other’s lives few could understand—which made for instant friendship. Like Opal, Elizabeth was a geomancer, one who channeled magic from nature. Elizabeth was able to cast spells over and over again, all day long, as the amount of power she was able to store seemed limitless. This would have made her the top student, unseating Opal—if it were not for her limited mental capacity. Growing up with physically abusive parents had wounded her so deeply that her mind shut out many things, including the ability to learn offensive spells. Regardless, the other students thought Elizabeth P a g e | 47 knew how to use at least one offensive spell—the fireball— because it had been a sudden and unexplained fire that destroyed her parent’s house the night before she joined the High Council. “My repertoire is so limited compared to yours,” Elizabeth said. “That’s why you always get the special assignments.” She peeked over Opal’s shoulder at Karn, lying on the floor. “Is that him?” “It is,” Opal laughed. “Can I—” “Take a closer look?” Opal interrupted. Halfway to Karn, Elizabeth turned around. “Can I touch him?” She knelt beside Karn. Elizabeth’s long blonde hair, which normally swung above her knees, spilled to the floor, some strands brushed Karn’s chest as she ran her small, soft hands across his face. “He is good-looking,” Elizabeth remarked with amazement. “I told you.” “I cannot believe I’m touching him, the man you have loved for so long.” Elizabeth looked sullen. “I witnessed Malek put him to sleep. Is he being punished?” P a g e | 48 Elizabeth walked back to Opal, a concerned look on her face. Taking her friend’s hand in hers, Opal sighed loudly. “No, I think I am.” P a g e | 49 Chapter 5 Enactment Bright candlelight blurred as it swirled around the darkened room. Karn’s head felt heavy against the stone on which it rested. Words overlapped like the tunes of a dozen minstrels singing different songs. A searing heat touched his feet yet did not burn his flesh. Instead, it transformed into a sense of power—pure, unrefined power. Karn could not identify the bizarre sensation, but he did not panic. Whatever it was, he felt it was right. I will be… I am fine. Slowly, the spinning candlelight stopped, and he was once again able to see. It was a mixed blessing. Gaunt faces emerged from the blur, until the room was full of them. A sea of transparent beings surrounded him, their faces more detailed than their bodies. Karn could not P a g e | 50 hear them; their once-loud drone had faded to whispers. Who are they? he wondered. The fortress—these must be the mages, he concluded. They must be performing a spell on me. They must be restoring my memory; I will be… I am fine. Eventually, Karn could clearly see a dozen men in the crowd, but none of them were dressed as he imagined mages would; instead, each man looked distinctly like a soldier. In fact, he realized, they wore armor and held weapons. Suddenly, the crowd lurched forward. Karn spotted someone different as they moved. The slender body of a woman stood out among the muscle and metal. She was as grey as the others, but her hair stood out: a stark white contrasting the black around her. When the soldiers drew close enough to touch him, he lost track of the wraithlike woman—nothing more than wispy bodies and pallid faces filled his view. Dozens—no hundreds—of hands stretched out in his direction. Karn tensed up, fearful that these things—these ghosts—would harm him with their inhuman touch. “What do you want? What have you done to me?” Karn spotted a larger man through the crowd. The big man’s armor was thicker and blockier than Karn had ever seen, and his face was hidden within an oversized, full helmet. P a g e | 51 “Who are you?” The masses parted as the man moved; soon he stood at Karn’s side. “What are you waiting for?” Karn challenged. “Do what you have come to do.” The large man plunged his vaporous hand deep into Karn’s chest, and terrified, Karn closed his eyes and screamed. *** “Don’t touch me!” Hands up, he recoiled. “What?” Opal’s face took focus. A look of concern marked her attractive features. Something’s wrong, he thought. I shouldn’t be here. I… “You’re fine, Karn.” Opal’s smooth voice calmed him. “Everything’s fine.” Karn’s eyes fluttered and darted around. The small pond outside Opal’s cabin. He felt lost. How… how did I get here? “What happened? What are we doing?” “Resting and talking about the future,” Opal said calmly as she wrapped her arms around him. “No, I mean what are we doing here? How did we get here?” P a g e | 52 “Karn, we just returned from the High Council’s fortress. We were talking. You were telling me about a spell the mages cast on you.” Opal nodded, her eyes wide. “Then you suddenly grew very quiet.” Karn pondered the vision in his head. “I saw a group of people. I-I think they were ghosts.” He watched Opal grimace before she leaned her head on his shoulder and allowed her long, silky red hair to spill over his chest. “What else do you remember?” “Nothing.” Karn was not ready to talk about it. He was still too frightened and confused. “Mostly, I remember lots of people standing around, surrounding me. There were candles and chanting too,” he said sullenly. “You need to stop your worrying, my love. Stop your worrying and concentrate on the future.” “Our future?” Opal laughed out loud. “Yes. Our future… and the future of the land. We’ll travel to Weiden’s Rise and investigate her fall tomorrow. The High Council said it is empty, but perhaps there are clues to be found—information such as where the invading warlord travels to next.” “Tomorrow?” “Yes, Karn. Tomorrow.” P a g e | 53 *** The next morning, Karn crept carefully out of bed so not to wake his lover and to allow himself a moment to prepare for the journey alone. He had not slept well; his mind had raced with concerns all night. He gazed back at Opal, in bed. Those sheets, so frilly and bright pink. They are entirely unbefitting a soldier. No wonder I couldn’t sleep. His mind settled on his biggest concern. This trip could be dangerous. I cannot risk Opal’s life. Regardless of her power, it’s best to leave her here. Karn stared ponderously at her. Opal was beautiful, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her skin was soft, and her lips were as red and plump as strawberries. He wished he could stay with her, but there was a nagging sensation deep within him that made him feel like he needed to be elsewhere. He knew he was wasting time but had become entranced. She’s so… The way her crimson hair lay across her pale face slowly reminded him of bloody claw marks. He sighed and blinked the sight away. The gods give me a bad omen. “I must go alone,” Karn whispered softly as he brushed the hair out of her face. “I will return soon. I promise.” *** P a g e | 54 After nearly an entire morning’s walk, Weiden’s Rise appeared to Karn across a vast, slumberous valley of grass and wildflowers. The fortress was built upon a hill and was the oldest standing structure in all of Illyia—built more than four centuries ago, the mighty walls of Weiden’s Rise outlasted ages of sieges, thanks to the efforts of dedicated and skilled masons. Known for her high towers and hilltop location, Weiden’s Rise Castle itself was rather small, built from a pale granite that lent its towers an ominous appearance against dark, stormy skies. Of the eight towers, four stood twice the height of the castle itself, giving the occupants a clear view of the southern sea. A broad curtain wall surrounded both the keep and its courtyard. Inside the courtyard were two matching fountains, one on the east side, the other on the west. A path of polished stone bisected the court, continuing to a small, stone terrace. Karn remembered it all vividly. Rarely did the King of Weiden’s Rise order the castle’s main gates closed—they were always open to the town laid out in front of the castle and the many visitors who came. The town of Weiden’s Rise was of average size compared to the other towns of Illyia. Most of the homes were P a g e | 55 constructed of wood, though some of the oldest homes were built of the same stone used to construct the castle. The town grew around the castle in a ring, the outermost of which was comprised of farms. Most noticeable of the town’s designs was the single road that led in and out of Weiden’s Rise, and stretched north to their closest ally of some hundred cycles, the kingdom of Joa’Ta. Karn stared at Weiden’s Rise Castle. He determined at least two of its many towers were in ruins, likely the result of powerful siege weapons. As he drew closer, the destruction became even more painfully clear. With each step through the tall green grass, his anger grew. His eyes widened as he consumed the full scale of what had transpired. By the time he was within three hundred yards of the town walls, his steady walk had become a sprint. Karn needed answers. Weiden’s Rise’s gate and east wall had been completely demolished. Even the stone debris left behind was ground into small, gray-brown chunks. Karn leapt through one of the gaping holes in the city wall and easily cleared a pile of broken, charred stone. “How’s this possible?” he muttered in shock. He scanned the damaged town until he found the burnt husk of a familiar building: the stables. The sight of the P a g e | 56 tall building burnt nearly to the ground reminded him of a time long ago when he was only a squire. Although somewhat hazily, Karn remembered the days when his only responsibility was to brush and feed Weiden’s Rise’s cavalry steeds. *** Late one night, when the only men awake were those assigned to patrol the battlements, Karn slept soundly in the stable loft. He stirred under his blanket as he woke, and comprehended the scent that had roused him: smoke. As he peered over the edge of the loft, he saw nothing but yellow-orange flames. He shouted for help; he knew the stables would not withstand a blaze like this. A wall of fire formed below, separating him from the cavalry horses. The horses whinnied and kicked to free themselves from their bonds. It was too late. Karn turned to the loft’s small window, open only feet from him. He could easily climb down to safety if he wanted to. Instead, he jumped into the fire. Karn landed on the hay, rolling to his feet and moving quickly away from the flames. His heart pounded so loudly it drowned out the sounds of the terrified horses as they fought to free themselves. With all the strength he could muster, Karn shoved the double doors of the stable open, P a g e | 57 which released a thick pillar of black smoke from within the building. With a breath of fresh air in his lungs, he scrambled across the stable, to the horses closest to the fire and cut them free with his dagger. As Karn freed the fifth horse, he looked back at the others that would not make it. A deep sadness squeezed his heart. He was scared he might be held responsible. The already repulsive taste of burned hay in his mouth turned sour. He wished he could do more. He paused to scan the stables before leaving, and in that instant, a support beam collapsed and the stable’s roof gave way. Terror held his feet in place. A beam twice the size of his entire body struck his arm, a glancing blow but one that broke the bone easily. Through bleary eyes, Karn watched a crowd of guards enter the stables. Most carried buckets of water, while one soldier, a man Karn knew well, scooped him from the singed hay and carried him to safety. Although he begged to be put down, the soldier did not listen and instead rushed him through town. Soon, two more soldiers joined him, then three more. Karn looked around at the men’s faces through the tears in his eyes. As large as Weiden’s Rise’s army was, he knew them all; these men were P a g e | 58 the Third Cavalry and the horses he’d saved belonged to them. In little time, the soldiers arrived at the healer’s home. Karn grimaced and grunted, his teeth grit; the throbbing pain of his broken arm had steadily intensified. When the door to the healer’s home finally opened, a skinny, red-haired girl invited them in, and to his surprise, his pain suddenly ebbed. She was magnetic. The most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Only a few summers younger than he, she brimmed with life from head to toe. When the healer entered the room, Karn’s eyes did not leave the blushing girl. The old man explained that resetting the broken bone would be painful, but Karn did not answer. All his focus was on her, and when she reached out to take his hand she finally introduced herself. Her name was Opal. *** The memory only made his chest tighten worse with great agony at the sight of his home: a place of beauty now razed by a warlord Opal hadn’t been able to name. Dozens and dozens of buildings had been burned and demolished. Only chunks of blackened, broken wood sat where once beloved homes of peaceful families stood proudly. Grass, P a g e | 59 formerly crisp and green, had been turned grayish-black. My home is rubble and ash. Absorbed in examining the still remains of the town, Karn was startled by a distant crowing. The cries of a myriad of blackbirds suddenly filled the air as they flew in and out of the center of town, where a statue of the first monarch of Weiden’s Rise had once stood. The statue had been destroyed, like everything else, and a freshly constructed gallows sat in its place. In one noose hung the rotting corpse of a man, a general in Weiden’s Rise’s army. The birds swarmed the gallows, picking at the dead man’s flesh. The sight sickened and enraged Karn. He picked up and threw a stone, scattering the birds over the dusty horizon. As they disappeared, voices in the distance could be heard. While seeking a place to hide on the outside of the city wall, Karn admonished himself. I alerted guards, a garrison no doubt left behind to catch stragglers and thieves. He peeked through a moss-covered crack in the stone wall and took his first close look at Weiden’s Rise Castle. It had fared better than he had thought. Two of the castle’s main towers had been truncated nearly halfway up, P a g e | 60 and the gate showed obvious signs of battering ram attack. Otherwise, the place stood tall and strong. The castle is in too good of condition to simply abandon. Wait, the general left to rot in the hangman’s noose… who was he? The realization that that man could be his father kicked him in the gut. Weiden’s Rise had many generals. He could be any one of them… still. I need to know. Karn tried to stay quiet as he crept through the debris. In the distance, he heard men speaking—orders being given and passed down the ranks. Any doubt he may have had as to whether these men were enemy soldiers had answered itself. No soldier of Weiden’s Rise would leave one of their generals hanging for the birds to devour, and no simple bandit would care if others were around. When Karn reached the gallows, he inhaled and held a deep breath of air, rubbed his eyes, and looked up at the dead man. The birds and other scavengers had picked most of the flesh from the face of the corpse. Exposed muscles were all that was left. Long, straggly hair hung limp from the head; its style, length, and color fitted the image Karn had of his father before the battle and reinforced his fears. He climbed the gallows to take a closer look. P a g e | 61 “You there!” a man screamed as Karn planted his foot on the third stair. “Halt, rogue!” another man shouted. Karn counted five men, all dressed in full armor, long metal spears gripped in their hands. Sword drawn, he climbed to the top stair of the gallows. Better to defend from here, he thought. A tremor of energy built in his shoulders and shot down both his arms. He flexed until he felt his leathers constrict. Awash with newfound confidence, Karn was positive that these five men could not best him. I will kill them all. “The looter thinks high ground will save him, Robertus,” one of the men said. “I’ll show this boy just how wrong he is.” The first man hurried up the stairs, rushing into combat. Your last mistake, bastard. Karn swung his sword with precision, slicing the attacker’s throat so deeply that his head nearly separated from his neck. He shoved the body over the side of the open stairs and eyed his next assailant, who, after seeing the fate dealt his comrade, slowed his onrush up the stairs and raised his spear in a more careful, defensive guard. P a g e | 62 Karn waited for the man to strike out at him, and then, with lightning-fast speed, wrapped his arm over it. “Got you,” Karn said as he pinned the spear’s shaft tight to his side and slid himself forward along its length. Karn drove his sword into the man’s chest and continued to push until his hand was soaked with gore. Kill them all. Jumping, he left his strategically safer location atop the platform, and landed on the debris-cluttered ground. “This was my home!” He snatched up a fallen man’s shield, braced it, and slammed hard into the next advancing soldier. Karn redirected the faltering man back into the next approaching one; a clash of metal against metal rang out, piercing the sky as the two fell hard to the ground. Karn released a bloodcurdling cry as he sliced the arm off one of the men. A fine mist of blood coated the soldier’s face, as he gawked in fear. Lost in a wild rage, Karn swung his sword down into the one-armed man’s leg, hacking a giant chunk of flesh off before striking again and again. Blood sprayed from both the wounds and splattered from the edge of Karn’s sword. The injured soldier howled, his cries filled with hell-born P a g e | 63 terror. After another dozen swings of his sword, the injured man’s screams finally ceased; Karn had finished him. Horrified by such an act of brutality, the two soldiers who remained turned to flee. Karn dropped his sword and shield and grabbed an abandoned spear. His body moved from muscle memory, as if he traced ghostly steps of long past training. Drawing his arm back, he tensed his muscles and then snapped forward—leg, hip, and arm. The spear sailed through the sky and then descended upon the two soldiers. In a sharp scrape of metal, the spear struck the man on the left and passed entirely through his body, into the earth beneath. Karn cheered. He had pinned the man instantly to the ground. I need another spear, he thought, but by the time he found one, it was too late; his last foe was gone. *** Karn continued through town. He wanted to get a glimpse inside the castle’s interior, and hoped that there might be a hint to the identity of the enemy warlord inside. Coming upon the remains of a damaged yet still standing home, he hid in the shadows of one wall. Karn listened to his surroundings. There was no sound of alarm, no clatter of armored men mobilizing; he heard nothing. P a g e | 64 As he cautiously stepped around the wall, a wooden club smashed against his shoulder, the force slamming him hard to the grass. He tried to push himself up, but before he could stand, there was another strike and his surroundings swirled, jerking him swiftly down into unconsciousness. P a g e | 65 Chapter 6 Caught Muffled sounds seeped slowly into his cotton-filled head. Karn wrestled with his eyes until they finally opened. Physical senses returned as gradually as his vision. First an awareness of motion, I’m sliding, he thought. Reminiscent of the times he had sledded down the snowcovered hills of Weiden’s Rise as a young boy, Karn felt as if he was gliding on his back. Yet that pleasant memory faded as he came to another realization; I’m lying on a stone floor. When he tried to reach up to massage his pounding head, he discovered his arms and his legs were bound tightly. His muscles jerked in panic. He thrashed around, but his efforts were useless against the thick ropes. P a g e | 66 Realizing it was futile, he stopped struggling and looked around. Drug by his feet, he gazed down his body and finally took a good long look at the two large men who had him. With beards that hung straggly and matted past their waists and a padding of animal pelts and thick leather covering their bodies, it was hard to tell if the eyewatering stench of filth that emanated from them was body odor or the stink of badly cured hides. Karn turned his head in search of clean air, but kept one eye on the big men. Men as tall as trees. It made a childhood tale come to mind. “You’re giants,” Karn croaked. “Frozen Mountain Giants, boy. We guard,” the large man grumbled in a deep, cracking voice. When the two guards reached the bottom of the steps, they stopped at a large steel door and one giant unlocked the door with a key around his neck. The dungeon was far larger than Karn had imagined it would be: twenty seven-by-seven cells, as best as he could tell. Five torches lit the damp and musky room. Surprisingly, there was very little dirt to be seen with the exception of loose gravel coating the floor. A single cot, no more than a rough frame of old rusting metal, P a g e | 67 resided in each of the cells. Is this to be my new home? he wondered until he saw what else was down there. Inside the first tiny cell was a creature Karn had never laid eyes on before. It had the head of a wolf with a large bipedal body covered with thick, brown, spiky fur. The being wore chest armor made of fragments of old, dented plate armor pieced together on a leather vest. Covering its waist and legs was a pair of torn leather pants coated with dry, flaking dirt. The moment the guards passed it, the creature jumped to its feet and began to shake the bars of its cell wildly, foam spraying from its mouth as it snarled. “Shut up! Stupid, stupid, dog man!” the first guard yelled. The dog man, or whatever it was, paid the guard no heed and continued to bark and growl. When the guards reached the fifth cell in, they cut the ropes binding Karn’s hands and legs. Karn had only a scant moment to stand and rub his wrists before the closest giant shoved him into the cell and slammed the bars shut. “When I get out of this cage, I’m going to kill you all!” Karn shouted. The guards locked the cell and, laughing, stomped loudly out of the dungeon. P a g e | 68 It took a moment for Karn to calm himself and release the bars in front of him. When he finally did, he sat down on the rusty cot and grunted loudly in aggravation. His wrists bled, his back was sore, but worst of all his head ached, but not from pain—from bewilderment and frustration. Captured. So easily. If I’m such a great soldier, why do I feel so useless, powerless? But his anger was quickly overpowered by sadness. With his fingers pressed firmly to his brow, he thought. What’s wrong with me? I wanted to protect her and now… now, I wish Opal was here. She would know what to do. At that moment, the doors to the prison creaked open. The wolf creature growled, a sound Karn found eerily human and inhuman at the same time. The sound of metal on metal rang sharply through the room as the beast rattled his cage door. The commotion unnerved Karn so much that he jumped to his feet. Pressed to his bars, he watched the guards as they closed the steel door behind a young woman. The girl, clearly a slave, wore a black silk wrap that spun around her body in a way that kept her covered, yet in the right light showed off every inch of her as if she was naked. As the woman drew closer, he could see just how attractive she was. Her hair, he marveled, it’s as blue as the ocean, her eyes silver as coins. She must be an elf. P a g e | 69 The woman approached the cell that held the beast, her pace and movements filled with confidence. Without hesitation, the woman kneeled and slid one of the plates she carried under the wolf creature’s barred cell door. Once the food was in his cell, she stood back up and stepped closer to the bars. Karn watched in awe as the beast tore at the raw meat with its razor-sharp teeth. Blood splattered onto the ground around the cage and even sprayed across the woman, but she did not flinch or move away. With a quick, smooth movement, she reached into the cell and petted the fearsome creature on its nose. “Are you crazy?” His words went unanswered for a moment. “You could’ve lost an arm doing that,” Karn stated. “I was there,” the elf whispered. “What?” “I was there when Mustaffa subdued this wonderful creature. He put up a valiant fight. How did you fare?” she asked as she walked across the dungeon to Karn. “Mustaffa,” Karn repeated aloud. “I know your name now.” The slave girl handed Karn his food and paused. “You’re new,” she said as her eyes moved up and down his body. P a g e | 70 “I put up a bold fight too.” “Humans… Owners of such bad timing, one and all.” She shook her head. Karn pressed his face against the metal bars and whispered, “Bad timing?” “Yours? The worst, I’m afraid. See, Mustaffa’s army began their march toward Joa’Ta last night. But the man himself stayed behind with his garrison for one reason; he plans to personally execute his last prisoner.” “You mean that monster?” “He’s no monster,” she sharply corrected him. “He’s a warrior like you, and now you two heroes will share the same fate. Pity… Mustaffa hangs all the good men.” With the words hardly out of her mouth, the huge metal doors of the dungeon flew open and startled them all. “Enough talk, elf! Feed them. Go back to group after,” one of the giant men ordered. “Enjoy your meal,” muttered the girl. She may have only meant to hand him his meal for the night, but the slave had also delivered news that left a sour taste in his mouth. Stunned, Karn watched the exotic beauty walk away with a saunter that he thought may be intended to mock him in P a g e | 71 some way. Opal was right, he thought. I never should’ve come here alone. I need help. P a g e | 72 Chapter 7 Trapped Opal awoke late that morning with a sense of dread gnawing at her heart. Just as she was trained to, she used a small locator spell targeted on Karn. It hummed in her ear at a steady pace, and would grow faster as she drew near him. When the hum faded, she knew he was gone and the deep sensation of anxiety that she woke with became obvious. He’s left for Weiden’s Rise without me. After dressing hastily, Opal ran out the door of her father’s cabin without even shutting it. Deep down, she knew if she did not find Karn quickly, if he was killed, there would be no reason to return home. As much as his life is in my hands, mine is now solely in his. *** P a g e | 73 Opal traversed the uneven terrain of the thick forest between her cabin and the valley below Weiden’s Rise faster than she had ever before. As she emerged from the forest’s shadows, she saw three wild horses in the distance. The smallest was dirty white with dark brown spots. The spotted horse lumbered around, grazing, still wearing a saddle. Opal assumed he was abandoned during the battle. With a quick look around, Opal sat her packs down and recalled a simple spell she had learned long ago, during her first month at the High Council. The spell was designed so that humans could communicate with animals, and Opal had mastered it with ease. Eyes closed, she concentrated on the horse. The wind picked up, whipping the ends of her red hair into her face. Across the field, a small blue halo of mist, like a miniature rain cloud, formed over the horse’s head. The horse whinnied and perked up. After shaking its head, it spun around in two circles and then looked directly at her. With a casual wave, Opal summoned the horse to her side. “I need a ride into town,” Opal said as she gazed into the horse’s caring eyes. When the horse lowered its head in acceptance, she patted it gently, her hand shaking with her nerves. Calm yourself. Let go of your worries, she told herself. P a g e | 74 Opal mounted with ease. “Would you please keep watch for danger too?” She whispered to the horse, who nodded in response. The spotted horse trotted across the field. It was not long until Opal reached her destination: the ruins of Weiden’s Rise. The town appeared quiet, no sign of man or beast except a few birds that flew about. “If I use anything other than the weakest of magics, the archmages will sense it,” she whispered to the horse when she realized the tight spot she had put herself in. Her ears suddenly filled with a sharp whistling sound. Opal turned, but it was too late. A stinging sensation bit deep beneath her ribs. She pawed at her side frantically in search of what had struck her until her hands found a tiny, feathered dart. Her fingers began to go numb as they plucked the thing from her skin. Heal the wound; cast out whatever poison covers the dart’s steely point before… But it was too late. Opal’s eyes fluttered back into her head, and her body dropped to the ground. P a g e | 75 Chapter 8 Held Inside the large throne room of Weiden’s Rise Castle sat the warlord known as Mustaffa. He had dispatched his army ahead of him, secretly hoping to draw one specific man back into a trap: Morwik, brother of Garik, the former Ruler of Weiden’s Rise. Mustaffa had ordered his men to search the dead and throw each corpse into a pyre at the far end of town. When the last body was piled upon the heap and the brother of the monarch had not been found, Mustaffa’s need for retribution became an obsession. He had killed each member of the royal family himself—queen, prince, princess, and king—yet it was the brother, Morwik, who had escaped and took Mustaffa’s left eye with him. The warlord stroked the stubble of his unshaven face as a group of guards entered the room. Standing between him P a g e | 76 and the guards was a collection of beautiful slave girls, all adorned in colorful silk wraps. Mustaffa prided himself on his ability to keep the most exotic women of each land he subjugated. His hobby began with the first kingdom he had conquered many, many summers ago. It was an ancient desert empire, suffering from both a devastating plague and the inevitable civil unrest that followed. When he vanquished that kingdom, he took sovereignty over its lands and much more; he also took the deceased leader’s youngest daughter. Now the oldest woman in his harem, the dark-skinned beauty was still as lovely as the day he stole her from her dying family. Mustaffa looked across the room at her; her body was slender and smooth, toned and simply flawless. His eyes slid down her long form to her right hand, where it rested on her hip. She was missing her smallest finger, his standard mark of punishment and a clear identifier to all that she was his property. Mustaffa smiled; it was through her that he had learned how to tame all of his future slaves. As the guards walked through the sea of languid, perfumed women, they held their heads high and kept eye contact only with their lord. When they reached Mustaffa, P a g e | 77 they bowed and held silent until the captain delivered a note. “Well…” Mustaffa laughed. “Dark elves, always capitalizing.” “Yes, sir, we’ll tell him to dispose of the prisoner,” the guard replied. “No. On the contrary, Captain. Bring him and his captive to me.” The captain bowed sharply and then signaled to a pair of guards who stood at attention in the doorway. They bowed back and swiftly exited the room. It was only a brief moment before the guards returned, watchfully ushering in another man, a dark elf. The dark elf wore black leather armor and a black robe. Combined with his deep tan complexion, his somber clothing made him a shadowy form. When he approached Mustaffa, he did so with an air of insolence, his thumbs tucked into his sword belt. Mustaffa knew that the elf’s face, although hidden by the cloak, wore an arrogant smile. “Vorlick,” Mustaffa stated. “They said a dark elf caught a woman outside of my town. They neglected to tell me it was you.” “Your humans lack the attention to detail they need to protect you, my lord. That’s why you need more of my kin in P a g e | 78 your ranks.” The elf’s response was enough to make one of the younger guards gasp. “We shall see.” Mustaffa ignored the elf’s contemptuous manner. “So, tell me, what have you brought me today, Vorlick?” “A mage.” Mustaffa’s face clouded. The warlord was a tall and muscular man—a commanding presence that his troops feared and respected. If it were not for the lines in his face and his receding hairline, few would have guessed he was in his early fifties. Vorlick stepped back as Mustaffa rose. “Bring it to me now!” Mustaffa commanded. Vorlick bowed and waved his hand to the guards that stood at the entryway. Orders were exchanged, and soon two more guards entered the room, dragging a young woman by her armpits. Her red hair snapped like a fiery whip as she kicked and struggled, but the woman could not free herself. “Let go of me, you bastards!” Opal screamed. Whispers crawled across the throne room before Mustaffa spoke again. “This is your mage, Vorlick?” “Yes, sir. I watched her use her powers to enchant a horse outside the forest,” the dark elf answered. P a g e | 79 “I’ve seen many mages, Vorlick. This woman, she does not resemble their kind,” Mustaffa rumbled as he sat back down. “I know better than to lie to you, my lord.” Mustaffa merely grunted. He took a long look at Opal, who glared back at him. “Remove her rags,” the warlord said with a lazy wave of his arm. One of the guards took her wrists in his hands and raised them above his head. He was a large man, tall enough that he lifted her to her tiptoes. She fought for her footing, but her toes danced on the slippery marble floor. “Hurry up,” Mustaffa ordered. *** The guard standing to Opal’s left, an older man with a deep scar on his chin, stepped in front of her. His breath smelled sour, but that was not what made her wince; it was what he held in his hand that scared her: a long, shiny dagger. He promptly began to slice the clothing from her body. Opal struggled frantically until the blade scratched her thigh. Instantly, her muscles tensed so tightly they quivered; and while the guard sheared off the last pieces of her clothing, he took every opportunity to fondle her. P a g e | 80 “You bastards,” she whispered. When released by the large guard’s vicelike grip, Opal dropped back to the ground, her feet flat slapping the hard, glossy stone floor. Powerless before her enemy, fear squeezed Opal’s breath from her lungs. She stood, nude and motionless, held in Mustaffa’s unrelenting gaze. Opal huffed like a frightened animal, drawing only short and shallow breaths. I feel so weak… So strange… The elf poisoned me. I need to heal. I need to cast a spell— escape. Whereas her magic once overflowed from her, she now felt empty. All she could do was stare in disbelief at the one man she hoped to never face in her life. Although afraid to look at him, she was more afraid to look away. Opal took in the details of the man, first following the wavy, shiny patterns of the formal armor that covered his arms down to his bare hands. Her fear receded briefly as she noticed red splotchy marks on the warlord’s left hand. Burns. The sight of his wounds distracted her, but when Mustaffa spoke again, the reality of her circumstances crashed back down upon her, full force. “You… you are no mage,” Mustaffa concluded after he looked her up and down again. “The mages of Illyia wear a P a g e | 81 crude tattoo of interlocking circles, one on top of two. You, peasant, bear no such mark.” Not only had the guards taken her clothing, but now Mustaffa had stripped her of her confidence. His words—or is it the poison?—made her nauseous. Opal may not have wanted to look guilty, but she had to know, so she turned her head slowly and stole a peek at her arm. To her surprise, the tattoo that had been a part of her body for so long was gone. Her mouth fell open, but she shut it with a snap. No. No matter what, do not say anything. “Mage or not, she’s quite stunning,” Mustaffa said, grinning lasciviously at her. “Vorlick, you were right to bring her to me. She’ll make a fine addition to my collection.” “Lord, what if she uses her magic against you?” the dark elf asked as he stepped forward. Opal gripped the cold marble floor of Weiden’s Rise’s throne room with her toes as the flat side of the dark elf’s long, thin blade pressed across her throat. Slowly, he turned the dagger’s edge over and slid it gently side to side. He’s going to kill me and there’s nothing I can do to stop him. “Even if this beggar… or whore was a mage, Vorlick,” Mustaffa boomed, “she would be powerless before me.” P a g e | 82 Mustaffa reached underneath his chest armor and retrieved an amulet. Its ruby-encrusted design sparkled even in the dimly lit room. Opal watched Mustaffa admire it. He ran his fingers over the oval gem and down the back side of the basket-like base. “You see this fine ornament?” Mustaffa held it up for Vorlick to see. “A mage fashioned this for me a long time ago. It dispels magic in my presence. So I assure you, my friend, with this in my possession, no user of magic can raise a hand against me.” “I didn’t know, lord.” Vorlick bowed. Opal’s stomach churned, ice filling her belly. Does the Council know of this amulet? she wondered. Was this one of the reasons why they didn’t want to risk a direct attack on the warlord? She looked at her arm again, relief mixing with her fears. If Mustaffa’s amulet dispelled magic, the tattoo which marked her as a mage was also hidden; the amulet had just saved her life too. “Leave me to my work!” Mustaffa commanded. Vorlick exited the throne room, followed by several of Mustaffa’s guards. Opal was suddenly left alone before Mustaffa and his harem. P a g e | 83 In that moment, more than escape, Opal simply wished she could cover herself. Scared out of her wits, she dared not budge. Opal tried to focus but she couldn’t. In all her time as a healer in the kingdom of Weiden’s Rise, she had never once set foot inside the throne room of the castle. To her surprise, it was much larger than she ever would have guessed. “I’ve had enough of her for now. Take her away!” Opal’s heart jumped into her throat as she watched Mustaffa wave his hand toward a guard, the older man who had disrobed her. Before she could venture a guess as to what was going to happen, the old man grabbed her and drug her from the room. In the adjoining chamber, torchlight danced across the water of a fifteen by twenty foot pool. Shortly after she caught the scent of lilac in the air, the old guard shoved her. The shock of the cold water compounded her fear and enraged her. When Opal breached the surface of the pool, she was greeted with the hearty laughter of a room full of her enemies. She wanted to kill the old guard who pushed her in. She wanted to kill them all, especially Mustaffa— but his amulet was still affecting her magical powers. P a g e | 84 Opal took her time swimming to the edge of the pool, all the while watching the old guard as he left the room. She pushed herself up against the edge of the pool as several slave girls funneled into the room. They moved as if they were free to go wherever they pleased, but it was obvious by the number of guards around that they were not. One girl caught Opal’s attention more than the others by flashing a large smile. What does she have to be so happy about? One woman was moving directly toward her. She was very pretty, with delicate features. The closer she came to Opal, the more flawless she seemed. When she reached Opal, she knelt leisurely. “I’ve been part of our lord’s harem for longer than I can count,” she said with a husky voice. “He treats us… He treats us well. I’ll fetch you something to wear. Please wait here.” Opal tried once more to shut it all out and return to purpose. I need to find Karn. If I was so easily caught, then perhaps so was he. “Wear this,” the slave said as she returned with a long silk garment. “This? How is this any better than nothing at all?” Opal asked, as she pulled herself from the water. P a g e | 85 Just as they were finished wrapping Opal in silk, the friendly slave girl scurried off with a look of dread on her face. From out of the milling women, a dignified and very beautiful elven woman approached. “You must be the new girl,” she said. “Until you arrived, I was the new girl.” “I’m not new. I’m trapped,” Opal whispered as she stared at the woman’s exotic blue hair. “Mmm. Well, you may call me Raven, new girl.” “You’re not listening, Raven. I have to get out—” “During my first days here, I got in a fight with another girl. She was… about your size.” Raven looked Opal up and down before adding, “I killed her.” “What?” Opal gasped. “How? Why?” “You have to take charge of every situation you face.” Opal's eyes grew wide. “Try not to worry too much. You’ll be fine.” Raven paused. “Tell me… how many summers are you?” “Uh, twenty-one.” “It’s a good age for breeding, right? I’m told that those lucky enough to bear Mustaffa children are freed.” Opal broke into tears. “Easy, new girl,” Raven warned. “You don’t want to draw any more attention to yourself, do you?” P a g e | 86 “No. You don’t understand. I came searching for—” Before Opal could finish, Mustaffa entered the room. He whipped his dark blue cape around and faced them. His gaze traveled up and down Opal’s wet body. She knew that the damp silk clung to her curves, and she saw the look of lust in his eye. Mustaffa, our enemy. If I wished it, I could reach out and touch him. It was a fact that both excited and terrified her. After all the meetings, planning, and discussions she had had with her instructors, it was she, a student, who was close enough to the enemy to strike him down. Close up, his face showed much wear, with many distinct lines. His hair had receded to the top of his head, where only short and stubbly ones covered his crown. A black leather patch covered his left eye socket, but a jagged red mark peeked out from the top and bottom of it. The wound still heals. Unable to take her eyes off him, Opal watched Mustaffa point directly at her. His gaze held a certain seriousness, an icy blue stare that felt like death’s own. “I was wrong,” he stated. “I have not had enough of you tonight. In fact, I have decided that it’s your time, baby bird.” Opal took a step back and shook her head. P a g e | 87 “Wait, my desert sultan. I thought I was your favorite.” Raven called out to Mustaffa, who barely glanced at her. “You’ve had many chances; now it’s time for my new girl,” he said, still pointing at Opal. “I wish to see myself in those pretty eyes while I conquer her.” Raven slunk over to Mustaffa and pressed her thinly clothed form against his cold, hard armor. “Humans are so plain. I’m your exotic one.” She stood on tiptoe so she could kiss and then slowly lick the line of his jaw. The warlord smiled as he reached down to caress her. “How can I say no to such an eager participant? There will be plenty of time for the baby bird later.” “Plenty of time.” “Let us go.” Mustaffa wrapped his outstretched arm around Raven. “I need you now.” “My lord has made another wise choice.” Raven nodded at Opal. “You there, guard, make sure this new one delivers the prisoners their dinner tonight. I would not want them to starve.” Opal stared in disbelief as Mustaffa and Raven walked away, both chuckling. What now? P a g e | 88 Chapter 9 Prisoners Later in the night, Opal descended the stairs to the dungeon juggling two platters of food. A warm stew of vegetables splashed against the sides of the one bowl as she moved hastily. Nervous, Opal stared at the stew. It made no sense why her enemy would feed his prisoners so well. Stew, bread, and ale—this is a meal suitable for soldiers, not prisoners. More confusing than that was the thick chunk of raw meat she carried along with the stew. What could possibly be in the dungeon that would eat this? As she stepped down from the last stair, her arm tingled. When she glanced over, she stopped walking. This cannot be. Her eyes widened as the High Council of Mage’s tattoo began to magically redraw itself onto her upper arm. Shocked, she stared at the interlocking circle symbol until P a g e | 89 it finished rematerializing. Opal knew what it meant: she was out of the range of Mustaffa’s magic-sapping amulet. It meant she could use her magic again. A metallic rattle got her attention in time for her to watch one of the two giant men who guarded the dungeon’s door insert his key. Opal stepped into the room cautiously. What she saw first, she never would have imagined. The captive wolf creature sat up in his cell and inhaled deeply, tilting his head back to the ceiling. Opal smiled; the snorting emitted by the beast was a loud and almost comical sound. She gazed upon him like any other caged animal she might study. As she stared, the wolf creature dropped his head. The hair on his body stood on end, like thousands of grey spikes. Slowly, the creature lowered itself closer to the ground. His movement… unmistakably intelligent, Opal thought. Locked in a stare with the beast’s shiny black eyes, Opal did not expect it to suddenly lunge forward, and she held stubbornly still as it repeatedly clapped its clawed-hand on the stone floor. “You better feed him,” a voice said. “Oh! Yes,” Opal answered. As she slid the plate of raw meat she carried under the bars to the wolf beast, the voice, now unmistakably familiar, called out again. “Opal?” P a g e | 90 Opal whipped to the side, and there was Karn. She lost her grip on the bowl of food in her hand, its contents spilling to the floor. “Karn!” The shock of seeing him numbed her body, and froze her feet in place. Before she could stir, the dungeon doors were thrown open. The two giants who guarded the dungeon paced uneasily. One giant wore a look of obvious distaste while the second smirked. “Looks like you scared another slave girl with that ugly mug of yours!” the smiling giant laughed. “Quiet!” the other giant bellowed. “You, play thing. You leave now.” Opal did as she was told and scurried out of the room, not looking back, even when she heard the wolf beast begin to howl. “Enjoy your dinners,” the one giant laughed. At the top of the stairs, Opal paused. Although she wanted nothing more than to rush back down to the prison and rescue Karn, she couldn’t. Her mage’s mark was once again gone, her powers suppressed by Mustaffa’s amulet. I’ll have to wait. But when I feel my powers return… then we’ll escape this place together, Karn. *** P a g e | 91 Opal spent the remainder of the night hiding amongst Mustaffa’s harem. She kept quiet, stayed still, and tried her hardest to blend in, yet her mind blazed with fear. Never would she have imagined being trapped within the stone walls of her former home—and caught by the man she sought to kill no less. Opal stared out a window as the night sky slowly turned a shade of reddish-orange. She kept watch for the slave girl who took her place in Mustaffa’s bedchamber. Why would a stranger protect me? Her curiosity did not allow her mind to stop. When she finally spotted Raven reentering the room, Opal saw that the woman had a clear and sultry swing to her hips. The beautiful elf even ran her hands through her hair, tossing it while winking at one of Mustaffa’s younger guards. What is she doing? Opal broke into a cold sweat. How can Raven look so well? Opal imagined the elf would look hurt, or at least miserable after being forced to spend the night with the warlord. Instead, a playful smirk painted the woman’s face as she cut a crooked path through the harem. “New girl,” Raven called out as she approached the pillar Opal hid behind. Opal kept quiet. P a g e | 92 “Did you feed the prisoners?” Raven called out again. “I tried,” Opal whispered, while she flapped her hands in a manner meant to get Raven to lower her voice. “Did you find what you were seeking?” “What?” Opal was shaken by the elf’s casually delivered question. “What do you know?” “In less than one day, two people were captured sneaking into this dead place. I figured there must be a connection between the soldier boy and the lady mage,” Raven said as she pointed. Opal’s heart dropped. “Don’t use that word here!” “You have nothing to be afraid of, mage. Our enemies will not learn your secret from me.” “I-I don’t understand why you’re doing any of this.” Opal spoke quickly, terrified Mustaffa would enter the room at any moment. “I desire only to help you.” “Why?” “We all have reasons for what we do,” Raven said sharply. “Just know this, those prisoners only get one final meal before they are executed this afternoon. One final meal.” P a g e | 93 Chapter 10 Waiting Karn sat on his metal bed and stared out past the bars of his cell. He focused on the jagged cracks in the stone wall across the corridor. It had become so still and quiet in the prison that even the air felt stale. Karn worked his situation over and over, but there was no plausible way to escape. Frustration had created a ball of pent up energy inside him that he needed to expel. As his nerves and anger grew to a head, he felt his heart race. Unable to restrain his feelings any longer, he yelled at the top of his lungs until his voice gave out. To Karn’s surprise, the wolf creature, which had stayed so silent he had forgotten he was there, replied with his own deep howl. Startled at first, Karn found comfort in the creature’s answering wail. As the wolf-man continued keening, Karn screamed again, P a g e | 94 this time matching the beast. Their combined voices rang out, a sickening duet of anger and despair rising into the air. “Did you see her?” Karn asked. “Did you see that redhaired woman? That was Opal. She’s come to free me.” She’s here. Opal’s here. So why didn’t she use her magic to free me? He paced his cell, only able to take a few steps before being forced to turn around. No… She’s not here to rescue me; she’s just as trapped as I am. The thought heated Karn’s blood further. I have to help her. I have to protect her, but as long as I’m stuck in this cell, there’s nothing I can do. “Nothing!” he shouted. Karn’s nerves had given birth to a foul monster inside his mind. An unrelenting beast that he wrestled with over and over. He could not rid his thoughts of the decayed corpse swinging in the gallows at the center of town, and now he saw two other bodies there—his and Opal’s. Suddenly tired, Karn lay back down on his cot. His stomach growled. So hungry… “If she comes back, I hope she brings more food…” Karn mused aloud. “I wonder when—” “Soon, boy.” P a g e | 95 “What? Who said that?” Karn sat up. He must have somehow missed a third prisoner locked away in one of the cages or perhaps one was brought in during the middle of the night as he slept—it was the only reasonable answer. At that moment, the steel door to the dungeon came crashing down and slid across the room until it stopped directly in front of him. The sharp echo of metal scraping against stone prompted Karn to jump to his cell bars. Thick white vapors rose from a hole in the steel door and floated up to the ceiling before dissipating. “Who’s there?” One of the giants stumbled wearily into the room. His knees buckled before he fell backward, and landed heavily upon the door. The noise rattled Karn’s empty stomach, and soon after the stench of burnt flesh filled his nose. “Gah,” Karn coughed and covered his mouth. He watched the giant’s body convulse, and when it stopped, he could see that the large man’s chest bore a cavernous hole that matched the one made in the door. “Disgusting.” Karn stared at the husk that had been the giant man’s body; he was unable to tear his eyes away. He grimaced at both the sight of the oozing wound and the smell that P a g e | 96 accompanied it. The wolf-creature began to stir. He’s obviously aroused by the smell of fresh gore. A loud slapping pierced the air and the body of a girl dressed in harem silks flew into the room and crashed into the wall not far from where Karn’s cell was. Pressed against the wall, the girl remained motionless a moment before she slowly lifted her head, and through her curtain of red hair, Karn saw her snarl. “Opal!” He reached toward her, stretching his arm as far as he could to touch his lover. Useless. I can’t reach her. There’s nothing I can do. Karn watched as the second guard lumbered into the room. The giant’s face burned red with rage. The large man rumbled forward, his arms and his fingers hooked downward. “Opal use your magic! Fight back!” She’s not moving. Karn slammed his palms into the cage door. “Free me so I can fight!” he said. “Opal, get me out of here now so I can fight!” P a g e | 97 Chapter 11 Effects Opal pushed herself away from the wall and dropped into a fighting position. She hoped that while her powers recharged, her stance might intimidate the guard; it clearly did not. The giant continued to approach her, a grin slowly forming on his bearded face. “Stay away from her, you fat bastard!” Karn yelled from his cell. “Stay away!” Opal watched the giant turn his large head toward Karn and chuckle. Then, as he continued forward, he turned and looked directly at the wolf man. Opal saw exactly what the giant had; the wolf creature shook his cell door, and it rattled louder and louder by the moment. Something sounds loose. CLANK! P a g e | 98 The vibrations stopped and the wolf creature’s cage door broke open. He was free. Almost too fast for Opal to comprehend, the beast lunged across the dungeon floor and sunk his claws and teeth into the stunned giant. Blood poured from the guard’s throat like a frothy, crimson waterfall. Opal smiled, but only briefly; she didn’t know whether the beast would attack her next. She crept cautiously toward Karn’s cell, not wanting to disturb the wolf creature’s meal or draw attention to herself as a possible next course. “You never should have come here alone,” Opal whispered as she reached Karn. They embraced through the bars, he replied. “You never should have come alone.” Opal smiled and pressed her body hard up against the bars. “I’m here to free you, Karn.” “You aren’t hurt?” “Do I look hurt?” Karn sighed in relief. “That was you? You burned that hole in the giant?” Karn pointed. Opal turned; it was her first long look at the carnage she was responsible for. She told herself she should be P a g e | 99 disgusted by the blood and viscera, but she couldn’t be. Deep inside, Opal felt a great deal of pride about the power she commanded this day. “I summoned a strong spell, one I’ve never used before. I fear I may be too weak to channel again. As is, I feel like I barely have enough energy in me to transport the two of us home.” A deep grumble came from the middle of the room, “Flee now or die, mage.” The wolf creature slowly faced them and took a step forward. Opal and Karn could see the giant’s neck now. It was torn to shreds; little more than strings of muscle remained connecting the big man’s head and shoulders. “I am Zian,” the wolf man said as blood dripped from his frothing mouth, which he wiped at with his already soaked forearm. Opal gawked at the beast, eyes wide with amazement. “I recognize that voice,” Karn said. “Do you, human?” Karn reached through the bars and embraced Opal. As if his arms alone can protect me. When his grip tightened, Opal felt her heart race against his bulging forearm. “I will not harm you,” the beast said. “Why would I harm the one who freed me, mage?” P a g e | 100 “You’re…” Karn paused. “What are you?” “My people are called jackalwere, and yes, human, today I am your ally,” Zian growled. Opal anxiously whispered over her shoulder to Karn, “There’s no more time to waste. Mustaffa could be coming, and if he’s here, my magic will fade.” “Then quick, use your powers to open the cell door,” Karn suggested. Opal brushed her hand against the bars of Karn’s cell, leaving an orange glow on the metal where she touched it. “Give it a push.” Karn took a step back to examine the bars. After staring at them a moment, he took two more full steps back and then shoved at the bars with all his strength. The bars shattered upon impact and rained down on the ground like a bag of spilled coins. “Mage…” Opal turned back to the wolf creature. “What do you want from me?” “Just know this, mage. I will rip Mustaffa’s heart clean from his body,” he clenched his fist as he stated. “Will you?” “But first—” Zian’s ears perked up, and he turned his head to the door, his nose twitching. P a g e | 101 Without warning, he bolted out of the room and up the stairs. Only seconds later, the distant screams of terrified soldiers echoed from above. It’s time to move. “We have to leave now.” Opal began to cast her spell. Eyes closed, she concentrated on the location of her cabin. When she raised her arms above her head, the sparkle of bright and colorful light shone in her eyes. A gust of wind blew down the stairs and into the room, extinguishing all the torches at once. As the room darkened, an eerie, dark-purple light emanated from two swirling orbs of energy that had formed in Opal’s palms. When the energy in Opal’s hands began to grow in size, she lowered her arms. “What are these things?” Opal looked at Karn. He watched as the orbs of light collided with one another and then opened into a large, crackling vortex of magical energy. “Is that a portal? Why does it look so different than the others?” Karn shouted over the noise of her magic and the wind. Opal agreed; it did look different. The portal had grown as large as the room. It’s become a whirlpool of violet light… one that drains into a black abyss. He’s right to be afraid. I’ve never seen a portal look like this. What have I done wrong? P a g e | 102 Opal wrapped her slender fingers around Karn’s wrist and gave it a sturdy tug as she stared into the rumbling mouth of the portal. She told herself it was harmless, but there was no discounting that this eerie vortex matched the hellish visions of her worst nightmares, the ones where her magic failed her. Opal glanced at Karn. She was beginning to feel weak. Her body shuddered, and sweat rolled down her brow directly into her fluttering eyes. Her legs suddenly buckled, and she fell toward the swirling energy. As Karn stepped forward to catch her, the portal expanded and the two stepped in together. A flash of dull purple light enveloped their bodies and they were instantly transported into the forest not far from her father’s cabin. “Amazing,” Karn exhaled. “I have to be honest, I was a little worried.” “I told you…” Opal drew her shaking hands to her head. “My magic will never hurt you.” “Opal, are you well?” Karn asked. “I just need rest,” she answered, not fully certain if that would help or not. P a g e | 103 Chapter 12 Testing While Opal rested, Karn wandered the forest. Once more, an invisible force pulled at him. There was no denying it. He felt like he was being torn in two. After searching through the woods outside the cabin, Karn had found the axe he had woken next to the other day. He stared at the blade, held it up, and twisted it around. Images from the past flashed in his head, hundreds of acts of violence. All brutally enacted by him. “Karn?” Opal’s voice came from behind him. Karn looked to his lover. She stood with her arms wrapped around herself. “You should be resting,” he said, and then tossed the axe back into the grass. P a g e | 104 “I’m better now.” She slowly walked to him. “I figured you might return to this spot.” “I was just thinking about—” A shrill howl erupted from the forest, interrupting Karn. He spun toward the sound, which had come from beyond the cabin in the direction of Weiden’s Rise. As he scanned the shadowy trees for the source of the dreadful sound, he held Opal behind him with one hand. The forest had become suddenly, painfully still. It seemed even the wind had stopped, the leaves no longer rustling in the trees. Without warning, a flock of blackbirds burst out of the foliage around the cabin, and flew in strict formation toward the sun. “Stay behind me.” *** Opal felt Karn’s arm pulsate with strength as it held her back. When she took a better look, she saw that the muscles in his arm had grown taut. Veins which once hid under the skin were now pushed to the surface and throbbing. Opal watched Karn’s shoulders roll up and listened to his breathing become louder and stronger with each steady huff. The spell’s working. He’s ready. “Do you have any weapons in the cabin?” “Just an old hunter’s bow.” P a g e | 105 “I lost my sword.” The tone of Karn’s voice took a serious dip. Opal reached out hesitantly and tapped the back of Karn’s sword hand. “Use this,” she said. A thick black mass covered Opal’s arm. As if made from the darkest, thickest oil, it ran slowly from her hand to his. “Don’t be afraid, Karn.” Once the substance covered Karn’s hand, he examined it. “Your magic will not hurt me,” he said as he rolled his hand over and over, looking at both sides. Opal smiled at his comment as she watched the oil run rapidly across his wrist. Its speed increased, shooting out to his fingertips. Then, with a flash of yellow light, the black oil blasted outward from his hand and took the shape of a long sword. “You made me a sword.” Karn’s eyes grow wide with amazement, an excited grin on his face. He shook his hand, tested the weight of the new blade, and then swung it up and over his head. “It feels perfect.” Opal admired the sword, pleased with her efforts, but before she could have him test it, another howl rang out. P a g e | 106 “Opal?” “Go.” Karn ran off toward the cabin at full speed; it was difficult for Opal to keep up, and when a glimmer of armor caught her eye, she stopped. Slumped next to a tree, covered nearly head to toe with blood, was the wolf creature, Zian. To his left stood Raven, the elven woman. Behind them, in the shadows of the trees, were a least ten more women. The beast’s freed the harem… Why would he? Opal wondered. Unless… Did he kill Mustaffa? The crowd of women looked as though they had taken a trip through hell; they were splattered with blood and their somber faces were flushed and framed with sweatmatted hair. Opal would not have been able to identify them as slaves in Mustaffa’s harem had she not been there with them only hours ago. She and Karn approached the group slowly. As Opal got closer, she could see that at least half the women bore fresh injuries. One pale girl gasped for air as she clutched a terrible gash in her shoulder that looked to Opal to be a mortal wound. “How did you find us?” Karn’s voice rose as he pointed with his sword. “What do you want?” For Opal, it was hard to tell if Raven’s look of impatient frustration was because her outfit was torn to P a g e | 107 shreds—barely keeping her decent—or because she preferred the life she had had in captivity. “What do you expect to do with your one sword when the lot of us have just faced a hundred or more?” Raven asked angrily. “Karn,” Opal called. “This woman helped me when I was captured.” “Why did you come here?” Karn asked again. “Stand down, Captain.” Opal spoke sternly but in a tone low enough for just him to hear as she approached. Karn shot an annoyed glance at Opal; nevertheless, he lowered his weapon and relaxed his stance. “How did you find us?” Opal asked the group. “How do you think, girl?” Zian snapped. “Your scent is all over this forest.” His piercing red eyes made her squirm; she liked his glare even less than the archmages’. “Why?” “For your help.” “With a powerful mage like you, we could crush the warlord Mustaffa’s army,” Raven said. “I cannot face him.” Opal shook her head. “Mustaffa is protected from all magic by the amulet he wears. You’ve seen it; you’ve slept with the man.” P a g e | 108 Raven grumbled. “I only did what I had to.” “The time for arguing has passed.” Zian’s nose was pointed up as he faced Karn. “Human, you were a soldier, right? Human soldiers always have plans. What’s yours?” “My plan to face the man or his army?” answered Karn. “I need… we all need time to think.” “Karn, let me help,” Opal whispered. Karn nodded back to her and she quickly went to work. First, Opal ordered the slaves with lesser injuries to wash up at the pond. Then she told the others, starting with the ones most grievously wounded, to lie down. “I can heal you all. Just hold still.” One girl, no older than Opal herself, stood wearily, her arm limp at her side. A deep wound in her shoulder showed a white glint of bone amid the red ruin. A thick stream of blood had coursed all the way down her arm to the tips of her fingers. Colorless, Opal knew the girl was close to bleeding to death. “Can you lie down?” Opal noticed the girl’s deep green eyes were glazed and unresponsive, and when she snapped her fingers thrice in front of the young woman’s face, it elicited no response. “She’s been in this state since we entered the forest. I had to help her walk,” another slave girl said. P a g e | 109 Opal shifted her gaze to the woman speaking and saw that she was slightly bent over, her hands tight against the side of her waist. “I was cut. I have no idea how or when,” she said calmly, almost apologetically. “There was total chaos when Zian entered the throne room.” With very little thought or preparation, Opal summoned a healing spell. Her eyes flashed while she stared at the dangling arm; the way it hung lifelessly at the girl’s side made Opal recall the very first time she used magic. A time she had to heal herself. “Don’t worry. I will not hurt you,” Opal told the injured women. When laying her hands on the woman with the shoulder injury, Opal knew how close to death she was. She had felt that sensation before… and liked it. Opal found it intoxicating. It was a rare awareness of life that she imagined few ever experienced—Opal imagined the feeling as two people connected by a nearly invisible line of thread, soul to soul. Perhaps, she considered in that moment, that when bearing a child, a woman might experience such a sensation as this. I can only hope to know one day. P a g e | 110 A sinister smile parted her lips. Opal turned her face away from the others long enough to clear it. She had not felt this way only when healing someone with mortal wounds; there were other times—though she would not admit that to herself now. I’m no longer that person, she told herself. “Hold her!” Opal called out, sensing her patient was about to jerk. One of the girls braced her friend until Opal was done sealing the wound. “Good. Take her inside and lay her down; she needs to rest,” Opal said and then turned back to the bent over girl. “Let me see your side.” “I’m fine. It’s not deep. Zian did all the fighting.” The girl removed her hands from the wound. “He needs your services more than I do.” “Fine, but keep pressure on it,” Opal said, and then went toward the wolf-man. “Back off, mage.” He bared his teeth at Opal. “Aren’t you hurt? Can I heal you?” “Human magic is for humans,” he grumbled. “Good magic is good magic, for humans or… your kind.” Zian growled and walked away. Opal shook her head as she realized there was no use trying to persuade him. He P a g e | 111 was not the first to refuse magical aid. I’ll never understand why people are so afraid of healing spells. Frustrated and no longer wanting to spend her time addressing each woman, Opal cast a blanket spell which went to work healing the entire group. She had done this once before, but only in training and with fewer people. Arms up, the red glow, which normally adhered to her hands as she cast, instead rose up from the ground beneath each of the harem girls. The spell mended them all instantly, as if wiping the cuts and bruises clean from their bodies. A collective gasp came from the group. Yet it was not the sound of their surprise which rang in Opal’s ears; it was an aggravated growl that came from the hunched jackalwere. He too had been healed by the spell, whether he liked it or not. “Sorry!” she called out. “I only meant to heal the girls.” He glowered at her. “I will let it go. Only this once.” “Opal?” Karn called from inside the cabin. “Can you join us inside?” “Be right there.” P a g e | 112 Chapter 13 Unplanned Raven sat at Opal’s old, square dining table. She propped her feet up onto the corner of the table and tucked her torn garments underneath her armpits to keep covered. When Karn made eye contact with her, she spoke. “You like what you see?” Karn looked at Opal as she entered the cabin and said, “Can you heal her?” He nodded at the elf woman, whose forearm had a deep, bleeding gash. “Of course.” Karn finally sat down across from Raven. He placed the sword Opal had created for him across his lap; it was light and he swore it was warm to the touch. He leaned forward and rubbed his face with one hand. What the hell do I do now? P a g e | 113 Through his fingers, he watched Raven smile as Opal’s hands began to glow red. The bright light flickered into his eyes, so he closed them. “That’s very bright, Opal.” “Sorry. Look away a second. You’ll be fine.” When he opened his eyes again, Opal had placed her hands next to Raven’s elbow. “Tingles,” Raven said. Opal moved her hands from Raven’s elbow to her shoulder. In less time than it took for Karn to ask Raven if she thought they had been followed, the elven woman’s arm had been fully healed. “Truly amazing…” Raven said. “I’ll fetch you a dress.” Opal smiled as she went into the bedroom. “You two can talk.” “I only want to know if you were followed.” Raven shrugged. “Fine, then could you excuse us a moment, please?” Karn tried his best not to allow his frustration to take over. “I need to bathe anyway.” Raven shed the remains of her slave attire like a coiled up snake, piling them where sat. She exited the cabin with a swing of her hips. Karn knew he shouldn’t P a g e | 114 stare but continued to watch her until she joined Zian at the pond. “Karn?” Opal called to him from the adjoining room. “What are you thinking?” “I think we need to get to the kingdom of Joa'Ta.” “That may be a problem. Mustaffa’s army marches there now.” “Perhaps you can transport us,” Karn said. “No. I cannot transport myself someplace I’ve never been,” Opal said as she returned to the room, her voice laced with frustration. “Not only do I have no idea where Joa’Ta is, but I also have no clue what its surroundings are. It’s dangerous, Karn. I could open a portal inside a tree, a fence, or the side of a building.” “It’s worth the risk!” Karn pounded his fist into the table. “We’d die…” A burst of laughter from outside interrupted them. They stepped outside, and watched Raven, who had waded waist deep into the pond, using her cupped hands to splash Zian as he paced back and forth along the bank. “I cannot believe this,” Karn said as he stared. Opal pushed past Karn and approached Raven, who had left off teasing the wolf-man to swim into the pond. P a g e | 115 “These should fit you,” Opal told Raven as she placed several dresses on the grassy bank. “You are most kind.” Raven smiled. “Are you ladies hungry?” Opal asked the group. Zian answered first. “I’ll find something suitable for us all.” And with a snarl, he loped off into the forest. *** Not long after night fall, two of Mustaffa’s former slaves presented a meal for the group: a stew, containing the meat of six rabbits Zian had caught, with chopped carrots and celery Opal had grown in her garden. Karn and Opal had discussed their options reaching Joa’Ta to such a length that they were sick of the topic and kept quiet throughout the meal. Zian, Raven, and the other girls sat around the pond. Their chatter had nearly become a song of celebration, a praise to newfound freedom. Not hungry, Opal pushed her dinner bowl to the side and abruptly excused herself. “What’s wrong?” Karn followed her out the door of the cabin, catching her as she shed her first tear. “I’m scared.” “Let’s walk,” Karn suggested. Opal nodded. As they walked, her flow of tears slowed, and she focused on a spell. P a g e | 116 “What are you doing?” Karn asked, as he watched her cup her hands and move them around as if molding clay. “Do you like fireflies? I love fireflies.” The cracks in between Opal’s fingers glowed dully as her hands seemed to siphon the light around them. Opal raised her cupped hands to her mouth and whispered softly, “Fly.” She opened her hands in a blossoming motion, and hundreds of tiny fireflies were released. Each radiated a tiny yellow beam in the darkened sky, lighting the immediate area. “Incredible,” Karn breathed. “Is there no end to your talents?” “Many ends, I’m afraid,” she said, and hung her head a moment. Karn took her hands, and Opal welcomed it; his were warm and fought off the chill she felt. “Seeing Mustaffa for myself, fighting his men, it all made me realize something,” Opal said as they both sat down on a felled tree. “This is much bigger than you and I. How am I supposed to fight a man who wears an amulet that dispels magic?” “Listen to yourself, Opal—he’s simply a man. He can be hurt like any other.” P a g e | 117 “I’m glad you feel that way, but what of our future?” Opal paused. “What will be left for our life after all this death?” “What are you suggesting?” “We could leave. Run away.” Opal’s eyes widened with hope, yet Karn grimaced in disgust, as if her suggestion soured his stomach. She watched as he struggled to pick words. She expected to hear him say no, but she was not longer listening, now fixated on a dull orange glow that flickered in the distance, just beyond her cabin. It slowly stretched left to right, as far as her eyes could see. This was too muted to be a forest fire, she thought, but something about it still seemed eerily threatening. “What is that?” Karn pointed. Opal realized exactly what she was looking at: torches. Soldiers approach. So large in number they do not care if they are spotted. “No. No, no, no, no!” Opal screamed. P a g e | 118 Chapter 14 Penetrate Zian’s howl was the final proof that something was very wrong. Karn reacted instantly, running toward the cabin as fast as he could. As he drew closer, he watched the wolf-man creep out of the building on all fours, his head bobbing slightly as he swung it from side to side, inhaling through his nose. His pace slowed as he watched the jackalwere press his ear to the ground. “How many?” Karn asked Zian with a cold stare at the tree line. “Thirty or more heavily armored men marching slowly, with about twenty lightly armored men supporting them,” Zian answered as he lifted his head slowly from the soft ground. P a g e | 119 “Karn, your sword!” Raven yelled from the door of the cabin. “We’re too greatly outnumbered,” Karn said to Zian. “Humans, you all speak when you should be readying yourself for a fight,” the beast said as he dug his feet into the ground. Karn looked through the open door to Opal’s cabin. Mustaffa’s harem girls had fled inside except for Raven, who ran around collecting things. Or is she stealing? Karn wondered. Whose side is she really on? Twenty of Mustaffa’s foot soldiers emerged from the shadow-soaked woods. They marched in a loose line while drumming their swords against their shields. The thunderous sound of metal pounding on metal was unsettling, but Karn and Zian held their ground. When the drumming stopped, an eerie silence took over. Suddenly, several dozen flaming arrows whistled over the heads of the foot soldiers, lighting up the night sky, their target painfully obvious. Many of the arrows struck trees, but it was the ones which hit their mark that gripped the group’s attention. Fire spread quickly across the cabin’s exterior burning a bright red-orange. Karn saw one arrow sail through a window, a flash of light from within the cabin followed, and a thick gray P a g e | 120 smoke began to exit. Soon everyone hidden inside will be forced to evacuate. “The girls,” Zian growled. “I know. We need to draw the enemy’s attention away from the cabin. Follow me!” Karn yelled. Karn’s muscles tightened and throbbed. Suddenly, he shot off, a streak of motion away from the cabin. *** Their diversion succeeded in pulling the attention of Mustaffa’s foot soldiers away from the cabin long enough for Raven and the other girls to slip out. As Raven darted from the cabin, she skewered one of the enemy soldiers through the neck with an kitchen knife. Blood poured onto her hands, and she spat on the soldier. “I swear to kill a dozen more of you cowards!” The other women scattered into the forest, screaming as they fled the enemy. A second volley of flaming arrows lit the night sky and then descended on the cabin and the fleeing noncombants. One of Mustaffa’s former slaves had not fled; panicked, she stood waving her arms and shouting that she surrendered. An enemy soldier unhooked a small axe from his belt, balanced the weapon in his hand, and then threw it at the surrendering girl. The axe struck her, cracking her P a g e | 121 breastbone in two. As she fell, dying, her screams of fear and pain echoed in the dark forest. Opal sprinted the last feet toward the smoldering cabin but Raven grabbed her as she passed by. “There’s only death in that direction! We have to flee this way!” Raven shouted as Opal struggled against her grip. Opal watched the smoke rise from the cabin climbing as high as some of the tallest treetops. She knew she needed water to combat the blaze. Summoning large amounts of the precious element has never been one of my strengths, she thought. If only Elizabeth were… Wait. No, I don’t need to summon water. I have plenty right here. Opal concentrated on the pond. She focused on its entirety and then raised her arms slowly. As she did, the water bubbled, mimicking the motion of her arms. Soon, the entire pond floated into the air. Opal eased the water over the roof of the cabin and dropped her arms to her sides. The moisture poured over her home with such force that it created a waterfall effect and knocked down some of the enemy warriors who had just emerged from the forest. While the enemy soldiers recovered from Opal’s magical inundation, Karn exploded from the darkness, howling with a berserk rage. Sword raised high above his head, he thundered toward the startled soldiers, decapitating one P a g e | 122 and then slicing open the belly of another. A slave to his own momentum, Karn rammed his shoulder against another opponent, knocking the man to the ground. Zian simultaneously dropped from the treetops, like a vulture descending on its prey, his arms outstretched, and easily ensnared three armored men. Once on the ground, Zian tore out their throats one after another; they were dead before they knew what hit them. Opal joined the fight. She summoned the winds that blew through the forest and used her magic to spin the gusts around her home until the smoke and vapors were cleared away. Then, she pointed her hands at the soldiers who had amassed before Karn and Zian, and guided the growing winds down upon the enemy. Scattered and unsure which direction they should defend, the men in this wave of Mustaffa’s legion fell easily to Zian’s and Karn’s rapid assault. Time and again, Zian launched himself into a line of advancing soldiers while Karn circled to the side and flanked them. Opal watched as Karn spotted one of the harem girls as she ran a disoriented foot soldier through with a sword and then shrieked with mad joy. “Zian, a few of the girls have taken up arms!” he yelled. P a g e | 123 The jackalwere snarled. “They’ll get themselves killed!” “Regroup!” an enemy officer yelled from the tree line as he appeared with another ten soldiers. As the enemy attempted to regroup, Opal watched the three girls who had picked up weapons quickly become surrounded. Karn fought hard and fast to get to their aid, risking his own safety with each step. He rapidly closed the distance, but Mustaffa’s men had easily disarmed the unskilled women, and grabbed them from behind. Karn swung his sword, but he was too late. Opal’s eyes filled with horror as he watched the three defenseless women have their throats slit. Without hesitating, Karn plunged his sword straight through one of the dying girls and into the soldier who had murdered her. Withdrawing it, he caught the girl’s body as it fell into him. The rounded end of a light mace slammed into his side. The soldier’s strike spun Karn around, and he lost his footing on the moist ground. As he fell, Opal’s ears filled with Zian’s howl. I have to do something… I have to do something now. P a g e | 124 Tiny brush fires flashed across the forest and illuminated enemy and ally alike. Opal watched from afar as Karn stood up, his arm wrapped around his ribs. She knew he was injured, most likely with some severity. More of Mustaffa’s men arrived and surrounded him. Opal winced as Karn barely managed to raise his sword to parry a soldier’s hand axe before another soldier’s sword sliced him. He can’t take much more… Another strike and his left foot slid out from under him. The jarring impact knocked his sword free and out of reach. “No,” she breathed. A chill of pure horror overwhelmed Opal. Her heart burned. She clenched her hands until blood trickled to the ground. She screamed as a sword-wielding man closed in on Karn. All of a sudden, black smoke, as thick as fog, enveloped the tiny battlefield. Raven grabbed Opal’s arm and shook it. “We’ve got to get out of here. Now!” Opal ignored her. She closed her eyes as her body began to radiate a deep-golden glow. Raven’s grip on her arm loosened when a blood-chilling scream shot up from the battlefield. “What’s happening? Opal? Opal! Speak to me!” Raven screamed over the cries from the forest. P a g e | 125 As the fog cleared, Opal opened her eyes. In every spot where one of Mustaffa’s soldiers had been, a young pine sapling now stood. One of the smallest trees leaned toward Karn, who appeared mesmerized by it. Opal blinked and reappeared at Karn’s side, startling him further. “How did you do that?” As if she had been there all along, she grabbed him and rubbed her hands all over his body in search of injury. When she reached the side he had been struck in during the fight, he gasped and jerked away. “You’re hurt.” Opal pulled his leather shirt up over his head abruptly and further examined the damage. As she ran her sweaty, bleeding hand over his ribs, she realized three were broken. Karn grabbed her hand and pulled it away from his body, but the sight of her blood stopped him. Together they examined the crescent-shaped marks on her palm, made by her own nails. “Your hand.” “Never mind my hand.” Opal pulled her hand away. “You have broken ribs.” “Tell me, did your magic turn these men into… into trees?” Karn sounded bewildered. P a g e | 126 “They were going to kill you,” Opal answered as she looked around at what was left of the attackers. “I must have channeled the energy of the forest. I really don’t know what happened.” “You don’t know?” Raven asked, as she walked from sapling to sapling. “No.” The trees that had been soldiers were strong and hearty saplings between five and six feet tall. All but one tree stood high, branches to the sky. One sapling had been broken in two. Its roots were still in the ground but it rose up to a height of only three feet before it ended in splintered wood. Only an arm’s length away was the remainder of the tree, from mid trunk to the tips of its thin branches. Sap formed a trail from the felled half to a spot next to Opal’s smoldering cabin. “Over here,” Raven said as she followed the droplets. “What is it?” Opal asked. “Zian?” Raven called out. “Is he hurt?” Karn asked as he moved to get a look. “What pains you?” Raven asked softly. Opal glanced in their direction as he spoke. P a g e | 127 “Such dark magic… it tears at nature.” Zian huffed and panted as he sat curled into a ball like a terrified child. “Do you elves feel it too?” “You know we do,” Raven answered, and then looked back making eye contact with Opal. “Stop,” Malek’s voice boomed from above. The old mage floated down from the pitch-black sky. He set himself on the ground directly in front of Karn and Opal. That smug look… Opal felt her hands form fists. She sensed a surge in the magical energies around her, a web of power? I’m caught. As she looked around, she realized it was quite the opposite. Opal was not caught in the net; everyone else was. Malek, her teacher, had cast a powerful temporal spell. It slowed time around him to such an infinitesimal pace that it froze everyone in place but himself and Opal. She had seen him do it once before. Opal groaned and crossed her arms. “They saw you.” “No. My appearance here will be nothing more than a flicker of color in their eyes,” Malek replied. Opal sighed; she hated listening to him boast. “How long have you been here?” “There was great alarm when the archmages sensed your powers suddenly fade and disappear. We all assumed you were dead.” P a g e | 128 “We?” Opal huffed. “So you came looking for me?” “Indeed, shortly before the archmages felt your powers surge back into existence. Since I was already here, I decided to stay and—” “Spy on me?” “Evaluate you.” Malek paused. “Then step aside and allow me to do my duty.” “More soldiers approach, and our weapon is… damaged. I see no other option but to ferry you back home,” Malek concluded as he raised his staff then planted it firmly into the ground. “No. I faced Mustaffa. I can find a solution here,” Opal said, but her words were swallowed by a crackling sound she knew well. You bastard. P a g e | 129 Chapter 15 History The sudden change in scenery startled everyone. It was as if their eyes closed on a forest and reopened to mountains. Mystified, they examined their new surroundings. Karn recognized this as the place he had been only days ago, but could not fathom how or why they had returned. He looked for Opal in the crowd of milling people but could not find her. Raven approached him, the entire time breathing deeply through her nose, her head tilted back. When she passed Zian, Karn used his sword as a crutch to stand, grunting the entire time. Who is that? An opening in the crowd finally revealed Opal. In front of her was a man Karn had never seen before. The old man wore a robe marked with symbols not unlike the tattoo Opal bore on her arm. Is he one of her teachers? P a g e | 130 The longer Karn watched her, the more irritated Opal appeared—and the more heated his blood became. Karn prepared to call the elderly man out, but before he could say anything, Zian howled in distress. His bloodcurdling yell startled everyone, including the mage. As Zian’s cry faded, he stepped to Karn’s side, nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with him. “This is the mountain range far north of your human kingdom of Kel Tora,” Zian said as he continued to look around. “How can you tell?” Karn asked. Zian sniffed the air. “Close to home,” he muttered. “Raven, you all right?” Karn asked. “Thanks to you warriors, I’m fine,” she said as she too looked around. “Good, please see to the condition of the other girls. I know I saw at least three cut down during the battle.” “And you?” Raven replied. “I have to protect Opal,” Karn said as he approached her and her teacher. “Opal, are you okay?” “Yes.” “Why are we here?” P a g e | 131 “Well, we… I… there was no other option,” Opal replied as she faced Karn, but not before she fired off one last scowl at her teacher. “I saw no portal.” “There was none. Malek transported us.” Opal pointed at the mage. “Who are you? Why are we here?” Karn demanded. “Time is too valuable to waste it clucking like chickens,” Malek held, ignoring Karn’s challenge. “Much has transpired and all the information must be shared with the High Council.” “The High Council?” Karn asked. “Fledgling, you must follow me. The others are waiting,” Malek ordered. “Stop!” Karn shouted, raising his sword. “Karn, I’ll be fine. We need their help,” Opal said, looking into his eyes. “I’ll be fine.” Karn nodded reluctantly and lowered his weapon as Opal and the old mage passed through a large, stone archway and were gone. Zian growled. “That’s how I feel,” Karn said with a gaze back at the jackalwere. “Mages…” P a g e | 132 “I don’t trust him.” Karn frowned. “Your lack of trust is wise, human.” Zian nodded. He continued to pace the large terrace of the mages’ fortress, his ears shifting up and down, side to side, as they took in every little sound. “Powers such as these should not be in the hands of such humans,” he said with a snarl. “Don’t waste your time, Zian. Humans cannot feel the damage magic does to nature like we do,” Raven said as she bandaged one of the slave girl’s wounds. “No human should wield magic. None.” Karn heard her words, but he did not process them. All he could do was focus on a knowing deep inside him that was twisting tighter and tighter. Opal’s in danger. Raven placed her hand on Karn’s arm, urging him to sheath his sword. Although they had just met the day before, her presence had a calming effect on him. In her softest voice, she told Karn to relax and helped him sit on the stone floor. Once he was comfortable, she sat down behind him to rub his shoulders. Karn could not deny it; her sweaty hands felt good on his sore neck, and the relief allowed him a moment to relax. “You have a good touch,” he told her. “I’ve been in Mustaffa’s harem since he first set foot on our lands,” Raven explained while she rubbed the back of P a g e | 133 Karn’s neck. “I-I had the opportunity for plenty of training.” “It pleases me that you are free.” Karn hung his head to relax his muscles. “I intend to please you even further… with a little bit of information about the man you wish to defeat.” “Like what?” Karn perked up. Raven slid herself around to face Karn. She placed her hands on his legs and leaned in to speak. “Mustaffa has history with these mages. That is why he desires so fervently to destroy them,” Raven said. Karn’s brow crinkled in confusion. “He referred to these men as ‘evil incarnate,’” Raven said, as she unconsciously played with her blue hair. “I once heard him vow that he would see every mage on the island of Illyia suffer at his hands.” A rush of nervous energy shot through Karn’s body. He stood, stepped away from the elf, and took a deep breath. “Mustaffa blames the mages for his burns,” Raven said. “Burns?” Karn turned to her. “Yes, his left arm, shoulder, and leg were seriously burned. Bad scars and constant pain still remain.” Raven moved closer to Karn and spoke softly. “He obsesses day and P a g e | 134 night about these mages; he even has nightmares about them.” “He forced himself on you, didn’t he?” Karn clenched his fist until his knuckles cracked. Raven answered his question in an emotionless monotone. “No. I gave myself willingly and quickly became his favorite…” Karn’s face turned sour. “Why?” “I’m no soldier. As a matter of fact, I was a craftsman. I worked with the skins my tribe’s hunters would collect. I’m just a simple elf caught in the middle of a foolish human war. I did what I had to do to survive.” “You should have fought.” “Fought?” Raven crossed her arms. “I fought! My entire family fought, but what good could a family of peaceful craftsmen do against an army of hired killers? I watched helplessly as his soldiers destroyed my entire village. They killed everyone. One by one, my family fell to that man. My father, my mother, and my two sisters—they all died fighting him. Then Mustaffa held his blade to my throat, the same blade that dripped with my family’s lifeblood. As it began to cut into my skin, I begged him to stop. I told him I would do anything. Over and over again I told him.” “I’m sorry.” P a g e | 135 Raven took a long breath. “I gave myself to him right there for the first time. Right there, among the bodies of my family. When he was done, I asked him to keep me. I became the first of his Illyian harem.” Stunned, Karn mouthed, “That sick bastard.” “You should know this: survival is sometimes about fighting, sometimes about surrendering, and then there are those rare times when survival is about dying.” P a g e | 136 Chapter 16 Associations Opal followed Malek down the sparsely decorated hallways of the mage’s fortress. Being nestled in the mountainside and with many open portholes and breezeways, the high winds whipped in and pushed at her back. Opal wrapped her arms around herself, but not because of the biting chill in the air; she was struggling to contain her anger and she could do it no longer. “This task is mine! By bringing him back here you are jeopardizing everything!” Opal’s face heated as she snapped at her teacher. “The High Council Archmages and I—” “The High Council Archmages what?” Opal sneered. “Must I remind you that the Rook is our last chance at defeating the warlord?” P a g e | 137 Opal sneered. “I know, and I want Karn to defeat Mustaffa as much as you do. More so now that I’ve suffered a great deal of humiliation at his hands,” she said. “Karn.” Malek laughed. “Please, Opal, there’s no need to continue your charade with me. Call him by his title.” Opal stopped, and when she did, Malek stopped too. She waited for him to look at her and when he did, she clearly said two words: “The Rook.” “You will report all that has transpired to the High Council Archmages,” Malek ordered her. Another moment passed in silence. “And while you are here,” he said at last, “the archmages may desire to add to your training.” “What?” Opal was shocked. My actions are proof enough of my skill. “Relax, fiery one. Remember you’re still a student here, and all students need to work on their spells.” “Wonderful,” Opal answered sarcastically. “What of Kar-the Rook? He has broken ribs. He needs immediate attention.” “I agree the wounded bear can be more dangerous than the healthy one,” Malek said as pointed to the meeting room door. “They will have your answers.” *** P a g e | 138 Deep within the fortress, inside a room few knew existed, five ancient men sat at a mystical floating table. Candles burned with an eerie flickering green light, yet shadows devoured the perimeter of the room making it impossible to tell how large it was. Malek bowed to the High Council Archmages then presented Opal to them as he entered. The old men whispered as they stared at her. Opal never liked the way their eyes felt on her. It was a deep, hunger-filled gaze. But hungry for what? she wondered. Although enchanted, the long rectangular table was old and splintered. Whenever Opal sat at it, she could not help but wonder why the High Council did not fix it, purchase, or create a new one. The seats were no better, hard and wobbly if not sat upon correctly. Today, the most important seat was unattended, the seat of the High Council of Mages’ Supreme Archmage. Opal had never met him, only his council of five. She knew their names but preferred to remember them by nicknames she created when she joined just over four summers ago. All the way to the left, wearing traditional robes like Malek, was Stinger. She called him that because a hive of bees attacked him long ago during a training exercise she and a few other young mages attended. She had spent P a g e | 139 much of her time under his watch before being assigned to study with Malek. Next to him was Limper. Limper was a short, round man, and possibly the youngest member of the council, although in his mid to late sixties. He wore traditional brown robes too, although his always seemed cleaner than the others. Opal called him Limper for obvious reasons. Although he never told her the cause of his accident, other students passed around rumors. The most common among the students was that Limper was severely burned by a magical fire many summer cycles ago, when he was just a student. The High Council Supreme Archmage’s seat separated Limper and Stinger’s brother, a man Opal called Whistler because he constantly did so. No matter what was being done, he whistled through it. Even now, as Opal stood before the High Council, she listened to the man’s chipper tune. His habit made her smile. Next to Whistler was the man Opal called Justice. Opal’s father used to say that justice was blind. Opal had heard this adage so often it stuck in her head. When she met the blind archmage of the High Council his nickname fell right into place. Justice was the main speaker of the group, his voice clear and strong. P a g e | 140 A large grey owl accompanied him at all times; it was his familiar. The owl was beautiful, with an air of intelligence that Opal found eerie. Whenever she entered the room, the owl turned its attention to her. Even now, it rested atop its wooden perch just a few feet behind his master. Opal often wondered if it acted as Justice’s eyes. Does it give him a view of what is happening? Even if from an inhuman perspective? To the far right was Dusk. Opal rarely saw Dusk and had never seen his face. He wore a dark magician’s robe that blended into the shadows around him. It was very unusual to see him during the day. There were rumors amongst her peers that he was undead. If Opal had believed in such a dark and melancholy thing, she might have agreed. Being the head instructor of offensive spells, Opal’s interactions with the man had been very limited. She was not a battle mage; she was a healer. The High Council of Mages consisted of twenty-three members, only two of who were women, and both were students. Primarily trained as healers, the two young women were not taken as seriously as the men were. This never sat well with Opal. As a result of her jealousy, she borrowed her instructors spell books to learn as much as she could. P a g e | 141 It was through one of the stolen books that Opal had discovered the High Council’s plan to cast the Ancient Warlord’s Soul spell. A spell that did what the archmages could not, it created life but not from nothing. It needed two elements: a soul and a body. Caught in thought, Opal was snapped back to the reality of the present by Justice’s booming voice. “Opal, it has only been days since you began your assignment and already there have been setbacks. I must admit, we are all concerned that you may not be the right person for this task.” Justice waved his arms as he spoke. Embarrassment and anger warred inside Opal. Jumbled together, the two made her want to scream, to erupt in a shout so loud that everyone and everything in the room would be blown over by the gale force of her voice. “Setbacks? Where you see setbacks, I see progress!” Opal replied. “You let him be captured by the forces we wish him to destroy,” Justice pointed as she said. “How is that progress?” “He left of his own accord to seek out Mustaffa. Is that not what you wished him to do?” “Indeed, but all he succeeded in doing was bringing the enemy’s army down upon your precious little home.” P a g e | 142 Opal clenched her fists; she wished she could do more than pound the table before her. “Until today, not one of you knew how he would handle battle,” Opal said. “I saw him fight. Power flows through his body. The Rook is not only a vicious combatant, but a fearless one.” Malek tried to hush her, but it only made her shut him out entirely. “Opal, the Rook must believe the lie in order for our plan to succeed,” Stinger said as he shook his head. “His presence here jeopardizes that.” “Not my fault!” Opal stomped her feet. “That was Malek’s poor judgment. He never should have transported us all to the fortress. Malek made the wrong decision.” “Never mind that pettiness,” Dusk interjected. “If you claim progress, then tell us of it, girl.” Opal was surprised by Dusk’s interruption almost as much as Justice was, but she prayed that the High Council would leave her to her plan. “Remember our singular goal is to defeat the warlord,” Justice continued. Opal took a moment to compose herself, then replied. “I know and I have seen Mustaffa with my own eyes.” P a g e | 143 A collection of gasps and exclamations of surprise were heard before Opal continued. “When the Rook disappeared, I assumed he went to find the enemy. While attempting to reconnect with him, I too was caught. It was then that I was brought before the warlord Mustaffa.” “What did you do?” Stinger asked. “Did you attack him?” “I wanted to strike him down, of course, but I could not access my power. Mustaffa wears a special amulet that dispels all magic around him. I was… defenseless before him.” “So the amulet is real.” Dusk spoke softly as he traded looks with Stinger. “My theory is confirmed.” “When I got far enough away from him and his amulet, I was able to escape with the Rook. It was later, when the warlord’s army attacked us, that I witnessed firsthand the destructive might the Rook wields. He and the beast from Weiden’s Rise’s jail killed dozens of men before we were forced to flee.” “This is good news!” Limper cheered. “The Rook will kill the warlord!” “As long as Opal is more careful,” Justice interrupted. “We cannot risk another mistake.” P a g e | 144 There was another silence in the room. “You are dismissed, fledgling,” Malek said. “I need to relay the information I gathered while evaluating you and the Rook.” Opal exhaled deeply. She was glad to be excused, even though it best to stay long enough to ensure they would not change her original plan. “What would you like me to tell the Rook, Malek?” “Why ask me? This is your task, Opal, remember?” As Opal passed Malek, she stared into his old face. Something about his dark eyes and their minute size bothered her. More and more, Opal was finding it hard to trust her teacher. Her instincts told her Malek would do whatever was needed to raise his status to archmage of the High Council. *** Lost in thought, the walk back to the landing went quickly, and before Opal knew it, she was there. In the narrow tunnel that led outside, she spotted Zian. The wolf man appeared to be waiting for her, his intense gaze similar to that of the archmages. What is his aim? she wondered. As she passed him, Opal thought she heard him sniffing. Apprehensive, she kept moving and did her best to P a g e | 145 ignore his sensory invasion. Does he know? she thought. Can he smell deception, like a wild dog smells fear? “Opal,” Karn said, “I’ve been talking with Raven, and she has some very disconcerting information about the mages and Mustaffa.” Opal thought her heart might stop. Has he learned the truth? Her eyes darted to each of the people before her: Karn, Raven, and the other girls. The only one she could not see was Zian, but she knew he was somewhere behind her. Is this a trap? Are they distracting me from Zian’s attack? Dozens of possibilities flooded her mind. “Mustaffa desires these mages dead above all else,” Raven explained. A chill shot down to Opal’s toes. “He blames these men for his past wounds. I’ve seen his burns up close; trust me when I say they are very bad.” “His hand,” Opal recalled. “His hand, arm, and shoulder.” Raven ran her hand up her own arm. One of the older harem slaves, a woman who had introduced herself as Lillian at Opal’s cabin, suddenly spoke up. P a g e | 146 “How could these mages be responsible for his burns?” Lillian asked. “He’s had those scars since the day he stole me from my family.” “All that time and he never told you?” Raven sounded surprised. “I didn’t always succumb to his desire. I fought him for many months. He cut off three of my fingers.” Lillian held up her left hand. “He broke my arm once. It took time, but I learned to separate myself from… to lose myself.” Opal saw a flicker of jealousy in Raven’s eyes before the elf spoke. “Being his bedmate allowed me the opportunity to listen to the man’s mumblings as he slept,” she said. “Mustaffa hates these men. He curses one called the supreme mage for exiling him to the desert.” “The desert? What desert?” Karn asked. “There are no deserts in Illyia.” “My lands.” Lillian said. Opal wished she could say something, but she could not risk it. No matter what, she could not drop the masquerade. Lucky for her, Zian said what she was thinking. “Exiled…” the jackalwere mumbled, moving out from behind Opal. “Could the warlord be Illyian born?” P a g e | 147 Opal exhaled in relief as Zian distanced himself from her. “That would certainly explain his knowledge of our lands.” Raven nodded. “I always thought he was from my land, the island long south of here,” said Lillian, sounding uncertain. Without warning, Malek’s disembodied voice boomed, “Sleep now.” “Did you just hear…” The words were stopped before Raven could finish; the group, except for Opal, fell asleep. The spell was less effective on Zian; though rendered sleepy, he remained awake while the group was magically transported into rooms inside the mages’ fortress. In the blink of an eye, Opal found herself standing alone in a small room. She recognized the room as a vacant student bedroom by its décor: a bed, a desk, and a chair. Opal had a chamber just like this one, but hers was decorated. “Why have you placed me here?” Opal yelled, knowing from past experience that there was always at least one High Council Archmage listening. When there was no response, Opal stepped to the door and turned its handle. The door clicked with a sound she P a g e | 148 knew meant it was unlocked, but the door itself did not budge. She concentrated on the door, summoning a magic spell she learned ages ago. The spell washed the color from her vision, leaving only shades of grey. Moments later, a single color emerged: a green hue that outlined the door where it met the doorframe. Opal’s suspicions were right; the mages had used their powers to seal her inside the room, but why? She paced the tight space, wall to door, her mind stuck between two things. Did the mages previously know Mustaffa? And if so, who was he to them? In her jumbled brain, only one thing was clear: a growing sense of mistrust. P a g e | 149 Chapter 17 Splinter Opal stood deep in a dark forest. She was surrounded by moss-covered, wilting trees. The ground was moist from a recent rain, and the air was thick with humidity. She scanned the area, curious and confused why she was in such a place so late at night. Before she could uncover an answer, a woman’s terror-filled scream pierced the night, quickly followed by the heavy sound of several dozen armored war horses. When Opal twisted around, she saw the woman racing toward her in the distance. She wore garments so torn and dirty they were nearly unrecognizable as clothing. Her face—distorted by a look of horrific fear—disguised her identity. P a g e | 150 As she drew nearer, her pursuers also came into view, a squad of knights clad in heavy armor and bearing blueand-white pennants. The horseback soldiers relentlessly pursued the woman as she zigzagged through the dense forest. Opal knew it was only a matter of moments before they overcame her. She found herself unable to move, unable to act. She wanted to help, but all she could do was be witness to the event. Opal watched, helpless, as the woman stopped fleeing and turned to face her pursuers. No, what are you doing? Keep running! You can’t fight them. The woman stood defiantly as the knights slowed their approach. To Opal’s surprise, the young woman raised her arms, in attack. The woman’s thin limbs erupted with a thick, purple energy which shot out at the two closest horsemen. When the magical substance struck the two horsemen, the woman lifted her arms higher. The two soldiers were encased in the energy and levitated above their mounts with a sudden jerking motion. They struggled to free themselves yet were trapped, like worms caught between a child’s fingers. In a practiced movement, the young woman spread her arms out and then slapped her two hands together. The floating men mirrored her motion and P a g e | 151 suddenly collided with such force that fused them and their armor together into a single ball of metal and gore. Four new horsemen rode past the hunk of metal that encased the broken and battered limbs of what remained of their fallen friends. Opal screamed. But the young woman did not hear her warning. Instead, Opal watched her raise her arms again. A wave of yellow energy erupted toward the horsemen, but it was too late—they were already upon her. The two closest soldiers slashed out at her. Opal shrieked in horror as the girl fell first to her knees, then face to the ground. She watched as the young woman’s body convulsed, life rapidly draining from it. I should have helped her. As Opal stood there, a sick chill filled her belly. Suddenly, one of the soldiers pointed directly at her and shouted a command that was indecipherable, nevertheless clear as day in meaning. She was next. Her heart thumped so loudly in her ears that it drowned out the sounds of the charging horses. Opal tried to think of a spell, one that would protect her from these savage men, but nothing came to mind. Her focus was gone and her mind was blank. It felt as if all her training had vanished. Opal looked down to her hands. Glow, damn you, P a g e | 152 glow, but there was nothing but empty, pale skin. As she tilted her head up, the flash of a sword filled her vision. THUNK! *** Opal awoke with a terrified scream. Her eyes frantically flicked around the room seeking some sort of salvation. When she spotted the door, she launched herself out of bed with a deep breath, and dashed across the small room. The force of her body flung the door open wide, but the edge of the doorframe caught her right foot. Opal fell, crashing shoulder first into the locked door across the hall from her. On the cold floor of the silent corridor, her fear quickly waned. The forest, the soldiers, and the girl—it was all a dream—a nightmare. Opal wandered down the hall, clueless to her exact location in the sprawling fortress. Frustrated, she stopped and called out to the mages using her mind. <Yes, young one, I’m here,> Malek said within her mind. <Where am I? Where’s Karn?> Opal’s frustration was mounting. <Worry not about the Rook. He and his companions are still here.> She sighed with relief. P a g e | 153 <You should know this, Opal: Our leaders are deciding whether to pass your task on to another student.> “What? No!” Opal shouted aloud. “I demand to speak with the Supreme Archmage!” <You can do no such thing,> Malek replied. <Only I control Karn!> Malek did not answer, and the growing silence only made Opal angrier. <The archmages wish to test you. Simply find your way back to the meeting room while avoiding notice by any creatures you many encounter. Pass this test and they will grant you your meeting.> <Creatures?> Opal repeated, uneasy at the vagueness of Malek’s instructions. <Hurry. They are waiting.> Opal searched the twisting hallways, trying to get her bearings. Each hallway looked the same as the last, without any identifiable sign to her exact location. She entered a dark corridor that had no end, no staircase leading to another floor, just another bend that led to yet another identical hallway. Bewildered, she stopped walking. Opal thought she knew the mages’ fortress well. Yet now, she felt distinctly like she was walking aimlessly in circles. When she returned to Malek’s instructions, she P a g e | 154 realized he said to find the meeting room but never specified how. As Opal concentrated on a portal spell, mystical energy formed in her hands. The glowing purple sphere grew in size as it did in power. Soon, Opal opened her arms wide and cast it out several feet before her. The motion caused a sharp pain in her shoulder and reminded her of her recent fall. Before the swirling purple lights of the portal, and without the slightest thought or word, she began to heal herself. The bright red glow from her hand shone into her eyes. Opal blinked back tears and when she was again able to focus she saw a stone statue of an armor-clad warrior carrying a sword and shield blocking her way. Opal had never seen a statue like this one. Instead of smooth or chiseled stone, like an artisan would use, it appeared to be made of the same rock as the mountain, rough chunks of dirty stone with sharp edges. As she examined it further, she noticed areas of the rock were still moist with mud and others that were thinly covered with darkgreen moss. Fascinated by the mysterious angles of the statue’s face, Opal reached up and ran her palm over them. P a g e | 155 “So odd,” Opal said aloud. Could this thing be part of my test? Why? Perhaps it would frighten the younger students, but I’ve seen and faced worse. As she went to move away a rapidly approaching sword suddenly appeared before her. Reactively, Opal magically summoned a magical shield. A thick green fluid materialized in front of her just as the weapon struck. It saved her from the sword’s razor-sharp slice, but not the force of its collision. The impact knocked her to the cold stone floor where she slid into something behind her. Opal’s anger spiked. Do not think; react. Fight back. However livid she was, she knew she was injured. As Opal smeared her sweat from her hand with the fresh blood from her wounds, she felt several deep lacerations. The temperature of the room seemed to elevate as she gazed at her bloodstained fingertips. Past her blurring hand, she spotted the statue take a step toward her. Opal marveled at its combination of inhuman and human qualities. Although seemingly solid stone, it moved as any man would, shifting its weight, swinging its hips, and lifting its feet. Its pace was steady. Entranced, Opal sat and watched as the stone shifted, broke, and then reformed, as it mended itself with each P a g e | 156 step forward. Once again in striking distance, the stone soldier raised the sword it held in its hand. Opal’s mind flashed back to the moment she had killed the giant outside Weiden’s Rise’s prison, and instantly, her hands began to radiate with the same amber aura. Before she could even point, a thick beam shot out, blasting through the stone warrior. Hundreds of small chunks of rock spilled from the statue to the floor in front of her, but before she could recover, two cold, rock hands grabbed her shoulders and lifted her from the ground. “Off me!” Opal tilted her head back as she rose from the ground. Impossible, she thought. Not another one? With every muscle in her worn-out body, she struggled to free herself from the thing’s tight grasp. The crunch of rock in the stone soldier’s arms grew louder as it lifted over its head. It means to throw me… “Karn!” Opal screamed just before being pitched headfirst down the hall. There was a peaceful sensation of weightlessness—just a flash of time, a second where Opal thought she might be okay, right before she fell hard to her back. The force tumbled her end over end and snapped her collarbone in two. Vessels in her shoulder exploded into action, pumping blood P a g e | 157 out of the fresh wound, where a broken end of bone jutted from her flesh. Opal wrenched in pain as her body seized, and her pale skin flared to a shade of red that nearly matched her hair. A scream punched through her clenched teeth. She felt as if every nerve in her body was about to erupt with volcanic pressure. As the stone warrior approached Opal, her twisted body unraveled and her chest no longer rose and fell with the beat of life. P a g e | 158 Chapter 18 Fragment Copious blood pooled near Opal’s head; the living-rock solider had won. Slowly, the stone that was fused together to form its body crumbled away. At first, only small rocks shed from the torso, but then the stone man’s arm fell to the ground, followed by his leg breaking off at the hip. Upon impact with the floor, his entire body shattered into pieces that no longer resembled anything other than a pile of rubble. Moments later, Malek and the five archmages stepped out from around the bend in the hallway. “She fell quite easily to your golem, Malek,” Justice said as they approached Opal’s body. Dusk grumbled. “She lacks offensive training. I told you all that I should’ve begun training her long ago.” P a g e | 159 “I suppose it proves her powers are not as great as they seemed when we sensed them surge earlier,” Stinger said, smirking. “This one had such potential.” Limper sighed, looking sad to see a student defeated. “Shall we have Max take her place now?” The mages formed a semicircle around Opal. Regardless of the fact that Opal had claimed to be the only one able to control the Rook, Dusk had stood in opposition to the others. “Enough time and energy has been wasted on… this.” The dark mage nodded in her direction. “Are you saying we should release the Rook without guidance, hmm? We paired them for a reason. Do you think he’ll just leave without her?” Justice argued. “Have we not traveled down this dangerous road before?” “We did not pair them,” Dusk said. “She chose him.” “It was our idea.” “When the Supreme Archmage finds out that we killed her, he’ll have our heads!” Stinger’s smirk had changed into a look of fear as he backed away from Opal’s broken body. “Then maybe we should raise her from the dead, before it’s too late.” Limper’s voice shook. P a g e | 160 “Do not expect me to waste my energy on this failure.” Dusk turned away from the group and walked back in the direction from which they had come. “Then might I make another suggestion?” Malek asked. “Is there not another young girl, the one imprisoned below? She who uses her magic to take on the guise of others? That girl, would she not be more… susceptible to our management?” “You don’t know what you’re suggesting, Malek,” Dusk said from down the hall. “I think I understand,” Limper whispered. “Malek suggests a ruse.” “Yes, a ruse that would allow one to fulfill another’s responsibilities.” Justice pointed to Opal as blood continued trickling from her wounds. Malek smiled and nodded. “Good then. Are we all agreed?” Justice asked. “Agreed,” Dusk, Limper, Whistler, and Stinger chimed. “I’ll summon a servant imp to clean up this mess while we finalize our new plan,” Malek stated. Once in full agreement, the group moved on, leaving Malek alone with Opal’s broken body. He stared down at her for an instant, reminiscing about all the times she had questioned his orders. The longer he thought about it, the P a g e | 161 more obvious his true feelings for her became. He hated her. He hated her youth, hated her abilities, and most of all, he hated her arrogance. As he took one last look at her, he smiled thinly. “Rot,” he said before he spat in her face and walked away. *** Just as Malek exited the hallway, Karn rounded the opposite end. He was shocked by what he saw. Opal was motionless on the stone floor, blood pooling around her head and shoulders. Karn dashed down the hallway, slid to his knees beside her, and cradled Opal’s limp body. He rocked her back and forth as he imagined what must have happened. They killed her. “Those sick bastards!” Karn cried. Karn drew Opal’s lifeless body tightly to his chest. As he brushed Opal’s hair back, a dull orange and red glow pulsed from her body. It grew in strength, lighting the dark hallway as it pushed her body free from his grip. Karn backed away and watched in awe as the red-orange energy lifted her from the ground, upright. Then, before his eyes, the magical force began to fix her terrible wounds. The broken bones in her shoulder meshed back together before they sunk back into her body. Impossible, P a g e | 162 he thought as Opal’s torn flesh sealed itself. Her shoulder looks as though it was never harmed. Suddenly, Opal lifted her head and opened her eyes. When she did, the magical aura vanished and the hallway went dark. “It worked,” she whispered between deep, labored breaths. “Nearly killed me…” “Opal?” Karn asked softly. P a g e | 163 Chapter 19 Crack Opal did not look at Karn when he spoke; her vision was locked on the shimmering red pool of blood. She could not stop staring at the viscous fluid that she knew had come from her wounds. A chill ran down her spine. Such an amount—the human body only holds so much. Opal had seen her share of men die from blood loss. “Opal?” Karn said again. Hesitantly, Opal tried to cover herself. The damage to her clothes—the exposure only added to the discomfort and growing weakness she felt. With a loud sigh, she gazed down at herself. “Opal!” P a g e | 164 Opal finally looked at Karn. He stood there with such a look of utter bewilderment on his face, that she had to ask. “What did you see?” “You looked dead!” “What did you see?” she repeated. “I just got here. I-I saw your teacher, that old goatfaced bastard.” “What did you see?” “I saw him walking away from you. I thought he killed you.” “He—” Opal began to speak. “What happened? How are you alive?” Karn asked, wrapping his arms around her. “Why did he do this to you?” A tiny giggle echoed from a distant hallway. Opal had heard stories of the imps summoned by the mages to clean the castle, but she had never seen one before. When she first joined the council, she and another student stayed awake night after night hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the imps, but all they got for their effort were sleepless nights and dark circles under their eyes. “I need you to go back to your room and hide,” Opal said, pushing Karn away from her. P a g e | 165 “No. We need to get out of here. You need to get out of here.” Tired and in no mood to argue, Opal called once more upon the charm spell she had used to control Karn. Her voice lowered and she told him again: “Go to your room. Wait for me.” “Go to my room, wait,” Karn repeated in a similar tone, then turned and walked away. Exhausted, a single word popped into Opal’s mind. “Illusion?” she whispered to herself. Before Opal could prepare a spell, her body began to glow orange. She raised her hands, palm up, curious to the magic’s origin. I have not cast a spell yet. How is this possible? When the normal tingle of magic washed over her body, she was stunned. Her spell was working itself without her guidance. She heard more giggles; the imp was getting closer. But her body had also begun to change. Amazed, she watched as her skin turned gray and brown, like the stones behind her. Her flesh had turned to rock. Gently, she ran her hand down her side. It felt warm and sweaty beneath her hand as it rose and fell with her every breath. This must be the illusion spell I was preparing to cast, but I had not finished it yet. P a g e | 166 Moments later a small, red-skinned creature marched around the corner of the hallway. At first glance, he appeared almost human, like a walking red baby. He’s wearing a diaper… Yet, as it came closer to Opal, it became less human and more devilish. Its head was much larger than a child’s, and its chunky arms were muscular and out of proportion. Although the imp moved quickly, walking barefoot across the stone floor, it swung its hips, apparently having to put a lot of effort into walking. Is it another creation of the mages? Opal wondered. Or is it yet another race unknown to man, like the jackalwere? The little red imp carried a human-sized broom over his shoulder and a cloth sack in his left hand. As it began to clean up the broken stone on the floor, it giggled and turned around. There, protruding from its diaper was a tiny red tail. The hook-shaped tail wiggled back and forth to the imp’s laughter. Opal smiled as she watched this creature, only a foot tall, use a broom that was almost four feet long. While observing the imp, the mages’ fortress had suddenly grown warmer. When she tried to wipe sweat out of her eyes, she realized it was not the fortress that was hot; it was her. The room began to spin. In a blink of the P a g e | 167 eye, Opal had fallen to the floor. The sound of her collapse alerted the tiny groundskeeper, yet he seemed unsurprised by her appearance. Opal’s consciousness greyed as her illusion faded, and just before everything went black, the giggling imp grabbed her by the foot and began to drag her down the hall. P a g e | 168 Chapter 20 Alive “Alive,” the imp declared in a short huff as he opened the door. Seated in their dark meeting room, the archmages all whipped toward the imp. “Opal is alive?” Stinger gasped. “By some means do you think the girl healed her own wounds? She never showed such aptitude when I trained her.” “Perhaps we were hasty in our judgment.” Limper replied. Dusk stood and announced that he would cast a small spell to determine Opal’s health. “Interesting. Could her powers be so innate, they cast themselves to repair her as a natural defense?” Dusk revealed his findings. P a g e | 169 “Perhaps I haven’t given her enough credit. Let us rethink our use for this one and come to a decision in the morning,” Justice said. “Agreed.” The archmages placed Opal in a room where she could rest and recuperate, yet when they used their combined magic to teleport her, their hold on the slumber spell that embraced Raven, Zian, and the rest of the harem women loosened for a moment. *** Zian awoke with a sudden jolt. He instantly, leapt across the room to the small, stone window; its wooden shutters were wide open. His mind and senses, which were normally in tune with nature, were tangled between now and the moments before the archmages put him to sleep. His inner rage, which he worked hard to keep in check, now swelled to proportions even he did not know were possible. Zian turned and found the door, his heartbeat thumping. He drew back his arm and, with one massive stroke, broke down the wooden door before him. With a gleam of red in his eye and the anticipation of blood on his tongue, he bolted from the room. *** P a g e | 170 The archmages had adjourned for the day. All had retired to their rooms except one. Stinger wandered off toward the room Raven had been placed in. Quietly creeping down the hallway, Stinger unexpectedly came eye to eye with Zian. “No!” A flash of yellow mystical energy lit up the hall, but Zian was too fast. His teeth fastened into the mage’s throat and the man immediately fell limp. Blood poured down, over the old mages robes as Zian threw his lifeless body into the wall. The force of the impact was so great Zian could hear the archmage’s brittle spine shatter against the stone. *** The remainder of the archmages could sense their companion’s fear. They rushed to his aid—some teleported, others flew—but it was too late. One of their own was dead. Their grief lasted only a moment before Malek arrived. “I sensed something was wrong.” “This is not good,” Dusk stated. “The beast man—his kind is far too resistant magic. I cannot be sure which spells will harm him.” P a g e | 171 “They’ve always posed a great threat to us,” Justice said, speaking almost directly to his owl. “Curse their blessing from Mother Nature!” “That’s all unconfirmed, worthless legend,” Malek interjected. “Have any of you fought one of their kind? No? Well, I transported him here. I can transport him out.” “You see? We can overcome this together,” Limper said to Dusk. “The details do not concern me. All that matters is that we need to expel this disease from our home before it does any more harm,” Dusk replied and then grumbled. “Agreed,” the others said. The archmages joined hands, yet the absence of one of their five left a void in their circle. They turned to the only other man standing in the room: Malek. “It seems that you have proven your worth to us, Malek,” Justice stated. “Join us?” “The Supreme Archmage will be pleased to have you join us.” Limper added. “Do you think I would actually turn down such a honor within the High Council?” Malek answered as he joined hands with the others. The circle was once again completed. *** P a g e | 172 The archmages reconvened in Opal’s room and surrounded her minuscule bed as if it were their meeting table. She was unconscious, still as a sleeping baby before the group. “The plan has been corrupted. Let us sever the ties before anything else happens,” Malek said. “She’s too hard to control, always has been.” “No, too much has transpired. Too many have died,” Justice said. “She’s one of us and has as much to lose as we do. I have a plan.” He cast a spell to awaken Opal, but not before Dusk erased her most recent memories. As the group anxiously waited for her to regain consciousness, Malek paced. “What happened?” Opal whispered, her mouth dry and a look of surprise on her face. “Why are you all here? In my room?” “There was an accident during your training, Opal. We had to heal you.” “I was hurt?” “Yes. And while you recovered, we discussed the issues at length. Opal, we have come to an agreement to replace you in your task,” Justice explained. “No!” “No?” Malek echoed her. “We will simply erase the Rook’s memory and start anew.” P a g e | 173 “No. It’s too late,” Opal announced. “I-I cast a protection spell on him… Back when we escaped Mustaffa’s prison. My spell will shield him from all harmful magic with the exception of mine.” “You did what?” Malek shouted. “How could you cast such a spell?” Dusk demanded. “Where did you learn it?” “You’ve made a dire mistake!” Malek turned red with anger. The little room swirled with emotions until Justice spoke. “We’ll let you continue with your task and give you a chance to prove this new measure of power you claim to have.” “How?” “Kill the jackalwere.” Opal stood. She smoothed down the wrinkles of her tattered, gore-soaked clothing and then stated clearly, “I’ll do no such thing.” “Watch your tone, fledgling!” Malek said. “Remember your place!” “Remember yours!” Opal poked Malek in the chest. “I should cast you out for your impudence!” P a g e | 174 “I have a better idea. You all want proof? Allow me to supply you with final proof of my abilities. And allow me to show the Supreme Archmage that it is I who should be the next archmage, not Malek.” “This is absurd,” Malek cried out. “You’re a lowly student.” Justice scowled at Malek before he spoke. “Please go on.” “I suggest a contest of power, mine versus Malek’s.” Limper looked excited, his cheeks flushed. “A contest?” “There has not been a contest of power for many, many generations,” Dusk said and then shook his head. “Do you even understand the implications of such a request?” Malek’s hands shook. “You were not trained in combat, Opal,” Justice added. “Not formally.” “My books!” Dusk’s voice, so filled with anger, hit a high pitch. “Finally, the weasel stealing my books has been revealed!” “I invoke my rights to a sapping contest.” “Sapping contest?” Malek laughed. “Those are nothing more than rumors among the youngest of our students. No such contest has ever been held.” P a g e | 175 Opal rolled her eyes. “If I win, the Supreme Archmage will raise me to archmage status. Then there will be no further interference, and I will be allowed to complete my task. My task. If Malek wins, he may drain me of my powers and cast me out of the High Council forever.” When Opal was done, the room plummeted into sudden silence. The archmages traded looks, some of which read as disturbed, others as fascinated. They spoke to each other in whispers, but Opal could not hear them. When Justice at last spoke, it was to ask a single question. “What say you, Malek?” Malek turned to Opal. “I have listened to your selfrighteous, overconfident words all day, student. I accept your challenge. I accept because it is past time you were expelled from this school.” “So be it,” Justice announced. “The contest will be held—” “Right now,” Opal interjected. Malek sneered. “Fine by me, fledgling.” P a g e | 176 Chapter 21 Graduation Opal stood with arms crossed. She awaited her opponent at the opposite end of the hallway in which she had nearly lost her life earlier. She had surprised her teachers today, but no more than they had surprised her. Opal could still hear their faint words in her head; they had somehow seeped through her unconsciousness. Malek betrayed her trust; she could sense it. He’s made bold moves to become an archmage, and it feels as if he’s walked over my back doing so. She sighed. As long as it’s not my grave… I may need help. Charcoal grey smoke blew through an open window. Opal watched as it clouded the opposite end of the hallway. It was Malek—not the man, but his magic; she had witnessed the signs of his pompous transportation spell before. A useless P a g e | 177 formality. Opal also knew that while the smoke was hanging in the air, he would not be able to see her or cast another spell. This is my best chance. Opal thought before she used her magic to call out to Karn’s mind. <Karn, I need you. The old mage has attacked me. Come now!> No sooner had the smoke billowed forth than it dissipated, and her opponent was revealed in its wake. Malek stood with staff in hand, a look more serious than Opal had ever remembered seeing on his face. Have I made a mistake? *** Karn opened his eyes and stood. His sudden motion startled Raven who had been calling out his name and snapping her fingers in his face. Karn watched Raven stumble and fall backward, but he snatched her failing arm and held her up before she hit the ground. “Karn, you scared me!” “I was waiting for Opal.” “I’ve got news for you. We have to find her, Zian, and the others now right now. There’s a dead mage out there and I’m not staying to find out who or what killed him,” Raven nearly shouted. P a g e | 178 Still holding her arm, Karn drug Raven out of the room. “I know where she is, follow me.” “Follow?” Raven said as she tried to pull herself free. “Do I have a choice?” Within the labyrinth of hallways that was the mages’ fortress, Karn searched for Opal. It seemed that each turn led to another long hallway and each hallway hindered them with a new set of locked doors. With each step, Raven’s breathing grew faster, her anxiety intensified—Karn would’ve swore it was tangible. “How are your ribs? Can you fight?” Raven asked as they walked down another passageway. “Better. I’m beginning to think that they are not even broken.” “So you can fight?” “Yes, of course,” he said before suddenly stopping. “Stay here, Raven.” “Okay.” Karn nodded and then broke into a sprint. *** Malek whipped around, his magical staff pointed at Opal as he pivoted. A glowing yellow sphere grew from the tip, aimed directly at her. P a g e | 179 “Defiance!” he yelled at Opal. Opal did not move. She stood her ground across the thirty some feet that separated them. She held a similar glowing ball of light in her hands. When the light at the end of his staff grew to the size of a melon, Opal could see him whisper to it. He’s going to fire it at me… now. The golden, flickering sphere lit up the hallway as it shot toward her. She dove to the fortress floor, the heat of the sphere sizzled across her legs. Close, she thought. “Never again.” She jumped to her feet, and heaved her weapon spell at Malek. “You think you can copy my entire repertoire of spells, fledgling?” he shouted. Malek pointed his staff at the incoming ball, the ornamental end absorbing it and then firing a new beam of pulsating yellow-colored force back at her. Opal cast a shield spell, which encased her in a bubble of thick jade-colored energy. The force of Malek’s spell pushed against her with such pressure that, even with her shield present, she felt as if the air was punched out of her lungs. Malek’s not just trying to best me—he’s trying to kill me. Opal summoned a reserve of power she did not realize she had until a few days ago. After she visualized it, she P a g e | 180 reshaped her shield into a flat square that stretched to the edges of the hallway—wall to wall and floor to ceiling. Then, with all her power, she forced the shield toward Malek. Karn appeared behind Malek, and distracted, Opal’s magic began to fizzle. Malek’s attack to her shield was becoming more dangerous by the moment. “No!” Karn shouted. Opal’s shield abruptly faded away, and when it did, Malek’s yellow beam of energy struck her directly in the chest, lifting her off her feet and slamming her into the ceiling before dropping her face-first to the floor. “You’re nothing! Worthless! Pathetic!” His insults hurt worse than his attack. Enraged, Opal pushed past the dizziness that overcame her and swiftly rose to her feet. Without hesitation, she summoned a pair of the burning beams of light she had used to attack the jail keepers with and fired them at Malek. “Karn, you’re weaponless!” Raven shouted as she ran up behind him. “I have to do something,” Karn yelled back. “You can’t get any closer. You’ll be struck down by their magic.” P a g e | 181 Opal took her eyes off her opponent for only a second, and when she looked back, he had created his own magical shield. Malek deflected the beams, which burned two holes into the wall beside him. The fortress trembled and stones that had stood in place for centuries cracked and fell from the ceiling. Opal watched Karn and Raven drop, their footing lost during the quake. Feeling weak, Opal thought before she collapsed onto her hands and knees. Malek approached, his smug look told her what he was thinking—he believes he’s won. But Opal recalled a series of spells she had read in one of Dusk’s books. As she remembered the incantations, her hands began to radiate with a dull mud-colored energy. “Yield, student!” Opal turned her hands over, and the large brown spheres broke into dozens smaller ones that were no larger than marbles. She rolled them to the ground before Malek’s feet as he took his final steps toward her. “You have so much to learn.” Malek laughed as he watched the brown balls fall through the cracks in the floor in front of him. “Pity you will never get the chance.” Malek planted his staff in the ground, and it flashed with bright and colorful light. Opal covered her eyes. She P a g e | 182 could hear each breath she took echo in her mind. She expected the sensation of her magical energies being drained to be an excruciatingly painful experience, and when she felt nothing, she uncovered one eye with curiosity. To her surprise, Malek was otherwise occupied. Bright green, ivy-like roots were rapidly growing from the cracks in the floor and tying themselves around his feet and legs. He tried to break them with the end of his staff, but the strange plants were too robust. The more he struggled, the larger the magical roots grew, becoming stronger with each passing moment. Up to her knees again, Opal kept an ever-watchful eye on the old mage, until a final surge broke him free of her spell. “You’ll pay for this!” he screamed in her face. From the tip of Malek’s staff a pitch-black force formed. Opal had never seen powers materialize in such a way but had heard rumors from other students that black energy signaled death magic. <Now, Karn.> “You’ll never hurt her again, mage!” The sound of his voice made Opal’s heart leap, and she watched as Karn wrapped his arms around the old man. “Now you die!” P a g e | 183 Malek’s smug face turn gaunt with fear and it made her smile. There’s nothing you can do. There’s no way you’ll risk damaging the council’s best weapon. <I win, Malek.> “You can’t,” Malek groaned as he struggled to free himself. “Let me, Karn,” she whispered, staying her lover’s hand. Opal drew her hand to her lips, and then sprayed a yellow-brown mist over Malek that clung to his skin and clothing. Malek shrieked as the top layer of his skin dried up and turned a pale ash color. Side by side, Karn and Opal watched as the once-powerful mage fell to the floor and a swirling tornado of pulsating magical energy rose from his back and promptly dissipated into the air around them. “No, you filthy cur… you mustn’t do this to me.” Malek breathed heavily as he struggled to stand. “You-you’re only a student…” “I’ve graduated,” Opal said softly. Karn pressed down on the back of the old mage’s neck, holding the evil man in place until he ceased to move—Malek was finally finished. “Where did all this blood come from?” Karn asked, his attention on Opal. “It’s mine, but I’m fine,” she replied wearily. P a g e | 184 Karn demanded to know what happened to her as he led her away from the mage’s body. “Please, my love, we must leave now,” Opal said as she took one last look at Malek, crumpled on the ground like a pile of old discarded clothes. “This way.” Karn pulled her down the hallway. “Raven?” he called out. Her voice came from the darkness of the hallway. “Zian’s out there. He’s freed the girls. He’s moving fast. Heading for the mountains, I’d wager,” Raven explained. “Good,” Karn replied. “Now how do we—” “Easy,” Opal answered. Opal raised her hands over her head and cupped them together at their apex. A bright violet glow leaked from between her fingers. When she opened her hands, particles of energy sprinkled down over Karn, Raven, and herself, and in less than a finger snap’s time the group transported away. They were in the forest below the mages’ mountaintop fortress. Obviously disoriented, Karn and Raven looked around, but before she could tell them where they were, Opal collapsed into Karn’s arms. “Something’s wrong!” P a g e | 185 Karn brushed the hair from her eyes and felt her head. His hand’s are like ice. Opal felt her eyes roll back; then her body jerked violently. As Karn placed her gently upon the soft grass, she reopened her eyes and drew a deep gasping breath. “I-I feel horrible, like death’s hand is on my chest.” “Are you hurt?” Karn asked, concerned. “I’m not sure…” Opal groaned. “W-we best get far away from here.” “Those bastards. What have they done to you?” Karn said between clenched teeth as he helped her back to her feet. “Where’s Raven?” Opal asked instead of answering. “Raven!” Karn shouted. “I have to follow Zian,” Raven shouted from the trees where she had walked off too. “He needs me. He saved my life once. I owe him.” “Wait!” Opal’s shout shrunk into a series of coughs. “Let her go.” Karn dropped his head down in frustration. “Let her go…” P a g e | 186 Chapter 22 Exodus Much later that night, Karn and Opal shuffled along a dirt road. It was the first sign of civilization they had found since they’d left the High Council’s training fields at the base of the mountain. The strange fever that gripped Opal’s body had yet to break, and as a result, she felt extremely weak. For Opal, each step was a battle with pain. Her body was coated with blood from the day before, her clothes ripped and stained. Disgusting, she thought as she ran her hand through her hair, which was limp, knotted, and greasy. With her arms wrapped tightly around her stomach, Opal attempted to conceal the signs of hunger that now nagged her. She did not want to add to Karn’s concerns. P a g e | 187 Karn stared at the dirt path as he walked beside Opal. She could sense his worry and she could have listened in on his thoughts with a small spell, but she was afraid it would be too much for her to handle at the moment. Instead, Opal watched Karn’s lips as they mouthed words so lightly spoken that the gusting winds took before she could hear. She knew that he was troubled, but she had never seen him like this before. How long has it been since he’s acknowledged me? It was late, well past midnight—Opal could tell by the stars– when they came to the gates of a large town. The entrance was open, as if the inhabitants had nothing to fear. Opal sighed. How is it possible for anyone to feel safe now? “There’s likely to be a tavern here,” Karn whispered. “I don’t have any coin. Do you?” “Where would I keep it?” she answered. *** For the first time since they left the fortress, Karn took a good, long look at Opal. Her clothing was tattered, her blouse bloodstained, and her left breast exposed through a jagged tear. Her skirt hung wilted around her waist, matted and creased. It was the only part of her garb that was not completely ruined with blood. P a g e | 188 Her hands… Karn watched as they quaked. She’s trembling. Is she sick? Even her shoulder, which was exposed through another tear, was shaking. Karn rubbed the caked blood off of her collarbone, her skin was freezing cold. “Your skin feels like ice.” “This cold northern air…” Opal said softly in response. “My clothes have been reduced to rags, as you can plainly see.” He stared at her pale face as she spoke. The longer he looked, the more Opal’s visage looked like those men whom he had seen dying on the battlefield. “We need to find you someplace to rest, right away.” “Thank you,” she whispered weakly. As they entered the town, Karn looked it over. It may not have been as large as Weiden’s Rise’s town, but it was still quite sizeable. Normally, villages this big would have a castle or stronghold, at least tall stone walls for protection. This one does not. I count four stone watchtowers, one at each corner. Combined with a half-built wooden fence… What do they hope to stop? Coyotes? Wolves at best? As they walked around, he realized the place was not in such good condition. Karn’s mood matched what he saw and P a g e | 189 became even more grim as he noticed that the buildings on the west side of the town were in ruins. Whatever destroyed those buildings did so a long time ago, Karn concluded. Thick moss and ivy covers what must have been the original shops and homes. On the other hand, the buildings on the opposite side of town were clean and newly built. “Do you smell that?” Opal asked. Karn could smell wood burning. “Follow me.” In the middle of the town square stood a large, sprawling elm tree, stretching high above the tallest buildings in town. Although a magnificent tree, some of its branches hung down low to the ground, with leaves that were shriveled and dead. “That tree, I sense—” “There.” Karn interrupted Opal. He hurried forward, Opal in tow, until he reached the door of the inn. “I guess I could steal…” “No, sell this.” Opal opened her hand; in her palm, a rough green gem sparkled. “Where did you get that?” “I picked up a stone at the gate and used a spell to transform it. It’s not real. Hurry though; it can be unstable. Sometimes the stones will crumble.” P a g e | 190 Karn nodded. “Just wait here and don’t do anything, okay?” Opal coughed as she nodded her acceptance. “I’ll be right back.” When Karn opened the door, he was enveloped by a wave of warm air that carried the smell of hot food upon it. He stepped in and took one last quick look over his shoulder at Opal. The building was larger inside than it appeared from the outside. At first glance, Karn could see a bar on the right and at least eight square tables on the left. There even appeared to be another room in the back. Something’s wrong, but what? Four elven warriors were seated at a table off to the side. The men quietly drank their ale. They look like hunters, Karn thought, but still decided to keep an attentive eye on them. “Are you the owner?” Karn asked, as he laid eyes on a tall and very skinny man behind the bar. The man looked up from the rim of a wooden tankard he cleaned with his towel. “Why yes, yes, I am the owner. Welcome to the First Inn of New Maejika,” he said. “Good. Innkeeper, I need a room for the night.” “Certainly.” “Can I trade you this?” P a g e | 191 “Is that—” “A rare gem, yes.” Karn interrupted. “Where did you find it?” the innkeeper asked as he inspected it excitedly. “Do we have a trade or must I take my business elsewhere?” “Not in this town.” Karn bit down on his growing anger. He drew in a deep breath and held it. “Do we have a trade or not?” “Of course.” Karn clarified. “Two nights lodging and food for me and my companion.” “Very well.” Karn crossed his arms. “Good.” The innkeeper turned to a pile of crudely made iron keys that were stacked carelessly on a shelf. He shoved the keys around until he found the one he needed. “Here’s your key—room four, upstairs,” he said as he tossed it to Karn. Karn hurried, throwing open the door with a stiff arm and stepping outside impatiently. Opal was curled up in a near fetal position on a patch of hay adjacent to the door, shivering violently. Without a word, Karn scooped her up and reentered the inn. P a g e | 192 “Innkeeper, send bath water to my room,” he ordered, forestalling any questions from the skinny man. “Right away.” With Opal in his arms, Karn marched past the onlookers. He ignored the eyes and focused only on his objective. Once at their room, Karn opened the door and took a peek inside. The space was small, not much bigger than the rooms inside the mages’ fortress. The floors were wooden, a welcome change from the cold stone floors and the dirt road his feet had trod all day. Most importantly, the room was clean. At its center was a large bed, big enough for two. Across from the bed sat a small desk, two chairs, and a bookcase filled with books. The titles of several books caught his attention: Magic’s Mysteries, Mages and Magic, and Profitable Magic. Who do these books belong to? The innkeeper? Might the man hold some degree of magical power himself? Could he detect the spell Opal used on the gem? There’s no time to worry about all that now. Karn laid Opal down on the bed and then stretched. “No. I’ll dirty the linen,” she moaned as she pulled herself into a sitting position. “What have we become?” Karn asked as he sat beside her. P a g e | 193 Opal rested her head on his shoulder and began to weep. Karn could barely stand to see her cry. Her tears grated his already frayed nerves so much that he stood up, walked across the room to the door, and paused. “Damn it!” Karn broke the silence with a shout and a strike to the wall that made a loud blunt crash. Opal lifted her head and looked directly at him. Their eyes connected, and when they did, the throbbing in his hand ceased. “Did you just punch the wall?” “I swear I’ll kill each and every one of them myself!” Karn proclaimed. “Who?” “The damned mages! I will cleave their—” “Karn, stop. Your hand’s bleeding.” Opal pointed. A light tap on the door cut the tension. Karn threw open the door. Two young men dressed as servants, and a wooden tub awaited him. “Your bath, sir,” one said. “We’ll go fetch the water.” “Good. Be quick.” The men deposited the tub inside and hurried out, returning in a few moments with four large buckets of P a g e | 194 steaming hot water which they emptied as fast as they could. Karn shook his head, exhaled, and then returned his attention to Opal. As he opened his mouth to speak, he realized she had slumped over, fast asleep. “Opal, the bathwater’s here.” “I’m too tired. Let me sleep,” she muttered, and then rolled herself over to her stomach. The effects of a very long day pushed Karn. I’m done being courteous. “Have it your way,” he said, and with a quick, hard yank, ripped the skirt from her hips. Karn tore the remaining shreds of clothing from Opal’s body, then lifted her limp form up and into the tub. The warm water burned the open scrapes on Karn’s knuckles and caused Opal to moan. What stirs me so badly that I feel the need to fight, even now? Karn asked himself as he stepped back and watched Opal. Shouldn’t I feel more compassion? This is my lover and she’s clearly exhausted. Karn watched Opal hang her arms over the sides of the old tub, her fingertips brushing the dirty floor. I should help her. Karn knelt behind her, and moved her long red hair to the side so he could clean her back. With a crude brush in P a g e | 195 hand, he gently scrubbed and washed away the filth on her flesh. When he was sure he had finished, he lifted her up and gently placed her on the bed. So much had transpired that Karn’s head felt full. Tired, but not ready for sleep, he sat on the bed beside her, watching, checking every once in a while to be sure she was still breathing. *** Morning seemed to come quickly. Karn woke to find Opal curled up next to him, still deep asleep. Careful not to wake her, he slipped out of bed and crossed the room to the window. The day was cool and sunny. Autumn grips these northern regions of Illyia more tightly than our homelands to the south. A sudden gust of wind blew in, catching the shutters and slamming them into the stone wall with a booming crash. Opal blinked awake. “Good morning.” She yawned and stretched. “Almost afternoon,” Karn corrected her as he leaned in closer to look her in the face. “Are you well?” “Very much so.” Opal smiled. “You were seriously ill yesterday after the fight. And you looked no better than a corpse last night.” P a g e | 196 “How many living, breathing corpses do you know, my love?” Opal sat up in bed, grinning. “Just you,” Karn answered, matching her grin. “Are you sure you’re well?” “With the exception of being so hungry my stomach has twisted into a knot, I’m fine.” “Well then, Lady Corpse, let us go scare up some food.” P a g e | 197 Chapter 23 Paintings A short while later, Opal and Karn sat at a corner table in the inn’s public room. They ate like starving animals after a fresh kill; as quickly as food could be delivered, it was devoured. After Karn shoveled the last helping of eggs off his plate, he wiped his plate clean with a piece of bread and belched magnificently. Opal would have laughed at his impolite table manners if it were not for the fact she had buried her face in her food too. When the final crumb was eaten and the remains cleared from the table, Opal leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you for the new clothes,” she said as she brushed her hand across her chest to remove any crumbs that might have settled there. P a g e | 198 They were the cheapest clothes that New Maejika had to offer, no different from what most of the townsfolk wore. They reminded her of clothes she had worn in the past, a lifetime ago… “This seems to be a fairly popular spot,” Karn said after a quick look around. Opal agreed. Since the moment they had sat down, she had noticed dozens of townsfolk come and go. An interesting variety of people called New Maejika their home. Karn told her how he had seen elves the night before, and they had already seen a few others today. Most fascinating were the paintings that adorned the inn’s walls. As far as she could tell, each painting displayed some sort of fantastical event. While Karn told her about a dream he had the night before, she stared at the closest painting. When her eyes focused on the brush strokes, she realized what all the paintings had in common. “Magic.” “Speaking of which, Opal, I have a favor to ask,” Karn said as he took her hand. “What? Anything.” “Try not to use any magic here unless you absolutely have to,” Karn whispered as he gripped her hand. “No magic?” P a g e | 199 Karn quickly hushed her, bewildering Opal. “There are at least a dozen books about magic in our room.” “Like these paintings.” Opal nodded her head at the painting closest to them. “Shit.” Karn murmured. “I had not realized. I bet these people here know about the council.” Opal did not know how to respond. There had never been any mention of this town, or any town, so near the fortress. Not when I joined. Not while I studied or worked with the archmages. Opal tapped her fist on the table as she thought. Nothing was ever said. Obviously, the council didn’t want the students to know about this place. But why? Could it have been for our protection? Or their’s? Either way, it simply added to the distrust and anger that grew inside her. “Karn, I—” “I just don’t want to draw attention to us.” “Very well.” “Excuse me, kind sir, madam,” the innkeeper interrupted as he approached. “May I sit?” Karn motioned to the empty chair at the table, which the innkeeper promptly took a seat in. P a g e | 200 “My name is Redhu, Rali Redhu. I just wanted to say that it’s nice to see milady up and looking much healthier than when she arrived last night.” Opal smiled and nodded. “What do you want, innkeeper?” Karn asked. “Well, as a matter of fact, I came to warn milady,” Rali said, dropping his voice to a whisper. Opal saw Karn’s muscles tighten. She prayed this conversation did not take a bad turn. Karn grumbled. “Watch your mouth, innkeeper.” “Your quarrel is not with me, traveler.” The cadaverous innkeeper motioned with his hand to the two elves who sat behind him at the bar. “Your problem is with them.” Opal and Karn looked past their host, across the busy tavern to the pair of elves. Clearly warriors, the two were heavily armed, and wore scale mail chest plates, shields strapped to their backs, and long swords at their belts. “They came in late last night and have been sitting like a pair of statues at my bar ever since.” “Hunters?” Opal gasped as the realization settled in. “Who are they, Opal?” Karn asked. “Mage hunters,” Rali answered softly. P a g e | 201 “How?” Opal choked out a single word, her memory flashing to the man she killed with a rock, outside her cabin. The innkeeper leaned closer to Opal and Karn, who followed suit. He whispered to them again, and while he spoke, he reached for Opal’s arm. “I saw your mark last night.” Opal pushed back from the innkeeper, her chair grinding across the stone floor hard and making a shrill screeching sound. Both of the elves turned and looked directly at her, but only for a moment—just long enough to make uncomfortable eye contact. “On your right arm, I saw the mark,” Rali said, as he tapped his own arm to show where he had seen Opal’s tattoo. “What do you want with me?” Opal asked in a tight voice. “She’s not what you think.” Karn’s voice was a deep, stern growl. “The mages have not made their presence known here in New Maejika since the clash. Now, I must know… why have they sent an emissary?” “Clash? They never told me about a clash,” Opal said without thinking. P a g e | 202 Karn’s eyes burned a hole straight through her. She instantly knew her impetuous comment was a mistake. Especially when the innkeeper sat back with an air of satisfaction. “One would think a young mage like you would know her own history, particularly the events of the clash, only thirty summers ago,” he said. Opal shook her head. You’re trapped, Opal. Attack— create a diversion long enough to escape. This might be your last chance; the only choice. Nevertheless, her curiosity stalemated her fear and she could not move, not yet. “We’re just traveling through your town, so please let us be. We don’t want trouble,” Karn said. “No doubt on your way to Spire Anguish?” the man asked, excitement in his voice. “Spire Anguish?” Karn and Opal said in unison. “Oh my,” said Rali, as he slumped back in his seat, clearly perplexed. “Can it be possible that you know nothing of both the clash and the tower?” Opal shook her head again, not wanting to speak. “If you have come to New Maejika by accident, I would thank the fates, my young friends,” Rali said, and then stood. “We have a saying here: boredom is easily conquered P a g e | 203 by reading a good book.” He looked meaningfully at them, each in turn. “Sadly so few who live here can read.” “Thank you,” Opal said, breathless, hoping the man would leave. “We best go.” “Agreed.” Karn took Opal’s hand and wasted no time escorting her out of the busy tavern. In order to think, she was going to need a break from the noise, commotion, and especially Rali Redhu, the odd innkeeper. *** Once outside, they stopped dead in their tracks. The town overflowed with life. The loud drumming of hammers rang in their ears as men rushed about, carrying supplies to the stores currently under construction. The chime of weapons pierced the air as young men practiced their swordplay and young women giggled, while they watched their champions from a safe distance. Karn drew a deep breath. The cool fall air was revitalizing and calmed his nerves slightly. Opal, on the other hand, sighed. She was staring at the dying tree in the middle of the town. He led her toward it, down the same path they followed last night. P a g e | 204 “Opal, what’s—” Karn began but something collided with his leg. “Sorry, mister,” squeaked a little voice from below. By the time Karn looked down, the child who had crashed into him had already picked himself up and run off. “Be more careful where you run.” When Karn looked up, he saw Opal had left his side and moved closer to the giant elm tree. As he watched her, Karn began to feel oddly nostalgic. What is this heaviness in my heart? Karn wondered. He thought of Weiden’s Rise and his family. Such loss. Why am I here? I should be elsewhere. Time seemed to slow as the two elves from the bar strolled across his path, between him and Opal. An older human soldier accompanied them now. The timing, the placement—it all struck Karn as odd. Elven mage hunters, he thought. I’ve never heard of elves hunting mages. Elves hunt deer, rabbits, and wolves, but mages? Why would they? He took a long look at the elves, focusing less on their weapons and armor and more on their features and gestures. The two elves had their faces marked red and black with war paint—it made them look even more dangerous. They look alert-at the ready. Karn swiftly moved closer toward Opal. P a g e | 205 “It was once a mighty elm standing proud watch over this town,” an elder woman was telling Opal as he approached. “The children played under its shade,” she said in a quavering voice. “I’m sure they did.” The old woman’s head was shaved and hundreds of deep wrinkles etched lines of pain in her face. “Many a first kiss was shared under this tree. Now it dies. No one knows why.” “Such a shame.” Opal stepped closer to the tree. “Time takes its toll, young one.” The old woman’s head bobbed as she spoke. Opal smiled in response, but then her face began to slowly scrunch up. “I sense something foreign,” said Opal as her nose twitched. “A blight. There’s a blight poisoning this tree. I can feel it.” “Don’t be silly, girl. All things must die eventually. Perhaps you are too young to understand.” When Opal patted the tree’s trunk, Karn saw her eyes emit a fiery glow. “Opal, don’t!” Karn shouted. The old woman cried out in alarm. Opal’s entire body flashed with a red aura that grew brighter and brighter. P a g e | 206 Karn froze in panic. This is not happening, he thought as he watched nearly everyone in the area turn to Opal’s spell casting. Karn scanned his surroundings for the elves. They had passed Opal by. They’re circling around, he realized. They’re watching. Everyone’s watching. “Opal…” Karn began, but just then the tree moved. The elm tree’s limbs shook for an instant then stretched up rapidly to the sun. The old and dying bark peeled from the tree’s trunk to reveal thick new skin below. A cool breeze whipped through the town, and the new healthy branches rattled, yet not a single leaf fell. Karn listened to the growing crowd murmur in wonder. This situation was getting dangerous. Karn hooked his hand around her arm, and quickly pushed her past the stunned onlookers. “I told you no—” he began. “Stand down, mage!” As they turned slowly toward the speaker, Karn watched the bystanders fall back, away from the impending danger. Not ten feet away, the two elven warriors stood, bows raised, aimed at Opal’s chest. “Stay back. I’ll handle this,” Karn whispered. P a g e | 207 Opal seemed not to hear him. She moved her hands and fingers as though she were controlling a puppet—and perhaps she was because the elm matched her motions, and when she sliced her hand through the air, the tree lashed out at the elves with one of its thick branches. Now’s my chance. Karn leapt forward and grabbed the sword of the closest elf while he was off balance. The whistle of an arrow zipped by Karn’s ear and into the crowd behind him; he heard it strike meat. “Die!” Karn charged the elf that shot the arrow, wildly swinging the sword. When the blade struck the archer’s longbow, the bow shattered, but before Karn could swing again, the second elf grabbed him from behind and threw him to the ground. Weapons drawn, the two elven warriors waited for Karn to stand. “Get up, mage lover!” one of the elves snarled. P a g e | 208 Chapter 24 Slice Opal watched Karn from behind the tree. He’s hurt. She moved around the tree for a better look, and the blade of a polearm sliced across her belly. The pain intense, Opal doubled over and let out a childlike cry, running her hand across the bleeding wound. As far as she could tell, it had only ripped her clothes and scored her skin lightly. So why does it burn me to the core? When the pain spiked, her knees buckled. “This is just a taste of the agony I will deliver to you and your whole kind, mage!” her tall, middle-aged attacker stated. “It burns!” Opal cried as she looked up into her assailant’s face. Through the pain, she dimly realized that he looked familiar. P a g e | 209 “Healer Opal?” the man asked in astonishment. “Make… it… stop!” Opal moaned. Who is this man? She could not think through the pain. “By the fallen King of Weiden’s Rise, it is you!” Only several feet away, on the other side of the tree, Opal spied one of the elves cautiously approaching Karn to check his condition. When he was close enough to touch him, Karn whipped around, square to his attacker, and used his hand to chop up between the elf’s legs. The elven mage hunter howled in pain as he fell backward, his manhood protected by his hands. The cry prompted the lean man standing over Opal to act. “Cease your attack!” he shouted to the second elf, who was aiming an arrow at Karn. “Cease your attack! They’re not, I repeat, not our enemies!” “Not our enemies? She’s a mage! And this fool protects her!” the elf yelled as he drew back his bow string. “She’s a healer, not one of our targets,” the lean man said as he looked down at her. “I know her.” “Help me… please…” Opal moaned loudly. <Karn, I need you.> P a g e | 210 Chapter 25 Acquaintances Karn had restrained his impulse to attack the elves and shifted his attention to the man giving the orders. The echo of his own breaths pounded like drums in his head. Opal’s voice broke through his rage. When he saw Opal, subdued at his enemy’s feet, his eyes focused narrowly on her. She rocked back and forth on her knees, wincing in pain and clutching her stomach. “You bastard!” Karn yelled. “I’ll rip you apart!” Karn sprinted toward Opal’s polearm-wielding attacker, the long sword he had appropriated raised high over his head. Just as Karn drew close enough to strike, the blurry symbols on his opponent’s battle-worn armor became clear: green and white. The markings of Weiden’s Rise’s elite. P a g e | 211 Karn managed to slow himself and shift his strike, but he was still moving too quickly to avoid slamming into the man. The force of the collision knocked Karn’s opponent to the ground. As he huffed in air like a wild animal, Karn positioned himself between the older man and Opal. A flash of colorful light made him glance away from his target and down toward Opal. She’s okay. Her hands glow red; she’s healing. Ensnared by the sight, Karn watched as the lacerations on Opal’s belly magically sealed themselves. “Please lower your weapons, everyone,” the man begged as he lifted himself gingerly from the ground. “S-Sadok? Sadok of Weiden’s Rise?” Opal called out to her attacker. “You do recognize me,” Sadok cheered. “Karn, you can relax. This man is an ally.” Opal clutched her stomach and slowly regained her feet. Karn grumbled. “An ally? I find that hard to believe.” He relaxed himself only slightly as he peered at the elves. “He’s an officer in Weiden’s Rise’s army,” Opal explained, placing her hand on Karn’s arm and looking him deep in the eyes. “We’re safe now.” Karn looked away. “Know this: If you cross us again, I will disembowel you where you stand.” P a g e | 212 “Yes, yes, yes,” Sadok said, as he nodded wearily. He looked around at the crowd. “We’d best go someplace less public. There’s obviously much to discuss.” Sadok led the group toward a small building across from Rali’s establishment and strolled through the pub’s double doors as if the fight outside had not even occurred. He yelled to a barmaid for a round of ale with a familiarity that made it seem like he did this every day. Once they were all seated, Karn turned his attention to Opal and placed his hand on her stomach where her dress was cut. “Are you hurt?” he asked tenderly. “I’m fine,” she answered. “Even though the burning sensation has yet to completely leave my belly…” Sadok propped his polearm against the chair beside him, and Karn shifted his attention back to the man. “Who are you?” he asked impatiently. “Sadok, last of Weiden’s Rise elite guard,” he answered as he pointed to the sigils on his armor. “Who might you be?” “Captain of the Weiden’s Rise first cavalry division.” Karn leaned forward in his seat to speak. “How the hell do you know him, Opal?” P a g e | 213 “Ages ago, I used my magic to heal a grievous leg wound Sadok suffered. He was one of my first patients when I was Weiden’s Rise’s apprentice healer,” Opal explained. “Then some months later, you used your magic to save my son,” Sadok further clarified as he ran a hand through his short, spiky hair. Opal smiled. “I remember,” she said. “It was wonderful, being able to cure your son’s disease.” “An honorable accomplishment,” he agreed. As they chatted, the serving wench brought the ale and placed a mug before each person at the table before hastily scurrying off. “Why did you attack us?” Karn asked, uncomfortable with listening to the two reminisce. “How does an officer in the Weiden’s Rise army end up here?” “I was on assignment guarding diplomats in Kel Tora,” Sadok said after a pull of ale. “Three months ago the Duke of Kel Tora invited my family to visit and tour his castle. While traveling home, we had just crossed the border from Kel Tora to Maulen… we were ambushed by marauding lizard men. I was wounded and woke up days later in an elven village just south of the Bay of Illyia.” “What happened to your family?” P a g e | 214 “Killed by the lizard men,” Sadok said emotionlessly, his soldier’s resolve intact. Opal gasped. “My condolences,” Karn murmured. Sadok nodded once, shortly. “While I recovered from my wounds, news reached the elven village that Weiden’s Rise had fallen. I saw no reason why I should return home. Nothing remains there for me but memories. The elves saved me, so in turn I have joined their cause,” he finished calmly. “Hunting mages?” Opal blurted, shocked. One of the eleves, whose attention had wandered during the conversation, now leaned forward. “Townsfolk gathering outside,” he whispered to Sadok. Sadok cursed. “They witnessed you use your magic, Opal. The word’s already spread.” “I was only—” “Opal, say no more!” Karn hissed as he seized her arm in a firm grip. “Silence.” “There’s an assembly of mages living in the northern mountains, beings of pure evil. They must be destroyed,” Sadok said. “Oh, that we know. In fact, we just came from there,” Karn replied. P a g e | 215 The information clearly took Sadok by surprise. “What? Tell me you are not in league with those evil men, Opal.” Opal held silent. “Just a night ago, she defeated one,” Karn said. Sadok leaned over the table until his face was only inches from both Karn and Opal. “You say that not only have you been to their home, but you actually fought one of them?” “Ye-es,” Opal answered. Sadok stood up, raising his arms in victory. “Bless us all!” Dropping back down into his seat, he smiled. “Is that what you are doing here? Have I found an ally in you?” “I’m afraid our goals are different,” Opal said. “Karn and I are seeking aid in the battle against the invading warlord.” Silence took over the table a moment. Sadok looked stern. With a quick motion, he snatched up his mug of ale, drank down the dregs, and then slammed it on the table. Once more, Sadok stood abruptly, and then bowed to Opal before saying, “Good luck, my friends.” “What? Wait. Why are you leaving?” Karn asked. “I have pressing responsibilities and I must take the information you have given me straight to my colleagues,” P a g e | 216 Sadok said over his shoulder as he pushed through the crowd to the bar, where he dropped several pieces of gold. After hesitating a moment, Sadok crossed the crowded room back to the table. He bent low and whispered to them both. “The elves and I have set up camp at Spire Anguish. I suggest you visit it sometime soon. It holds the key to this region, especially when in need of unlocking clues that involve both the mages and this invading warlord.” “Clues? What kind of clues?” Opal asked. Sadok turned and walked toward the exit accompanied by the surly elves. “See for yourself when you come, Opal.” P a g e | 217 Chapter 26 Crowds Karn took Opal’s hand and helped her up from her chair. She wanted desperately to leave, but the crowd of townsfolk had become so thick that it appeared impossible to push through it. “The crowd deepens,” Karn observed. “I’m scared.” “I’ll get you out of here.” Karn led Opal toward the door, but as soon as they stepped away from their table, the curious people of New Maejika swarmed around her. All at once, a volley of questions and demands emerged from the crowd. “Do a spell!” “Make me young again!” “Please, heal my child!” P a g e | 218 “Make me wealthy!” “Show us your powers!” As Opal demurred, the crowd’s mood quickly changed. People pushed and shoved each other in their attempts to move closer to her. The jostling of shoulders against shoulders created a swaying motion akin to a ship rocking atop restless waves. When Opal felt a hand latch on to her arm, she reacted without thought. Thick, green translucent magical energy emerged from her fingertips, enveloping her hands. She looked up at Karn; she knew full well that if she did not do something, events would rapidly turn bad. “Divide!” she screamed over their voices. In the time it took her to say the word, the grassgreen energy that surrounded her hands leaped out past Karn’s shoulders. With an outward wave of her arms similar to a swimmer’s breaststroke, the green walls of magical energy forcefully parted the crowd. Amongst the crowd’s expressions of shock and surprise, Opal heard Karn grumble with anger. He grabbed her, pulling her through the townspeople toward the door. After they exited, Opal looked back at the mob. She had never imagined such a response to her magic. The townsfolk’s’ eager eyes on her made her uncomfortable, she felt violated. “That was not necessary. I was ready to—” Karn began. P a g e | 219 “Ready to what? Fight each and every one of them?” Opal finished, annoyed. “How would that have been any better?” “I hate crowds,” Karn stated bluntly as they hurried across the empty town square. “Find us supplies,” Opal sternly said. “I need to go back to our room.” “Not alone you’re not,” he declared with a shake of his head. “I’ll be fine,” Opal said, gazing deep in his eyes. “Very well.” Karn sounded dubious but turned away. Opal waited until Karn had completely disappeared into a mass of people before she made her move. Many eyes hungrily watched her every motion. There was no way to get back to the inn without being surrounded by strangers. She hurried toward a group of grain silos and ducked quickly behind them. No sooner was she completely out of sight of the villagers than Opal went to work casting a minor spell. It was one she had used only once before, when she’d read it from one of Dusk’s stolen spell books. Nevertheless, she had to try it again now. She pointed her fingers to the ground and a dull orange energy pierced the dirt at her heels like burrowing earthworms. Abruptly, the orange aura shot back up to the P a g e | 220 top of her head, and washed her in its blinding blaze like fire gliding across oil. Opal blinked and then looked down at herself, finding only empty air. Her arms, legs, body— all was gone. I’m invisible. Opal thanked the gods and ran off to the inn. *** On the second floor of the inn, Opal witnessed her arms and legs suddenly wink back into view as the spell came to an abrupt end. Her torso, however, remained unseen. As she approached the door to their room, she prayed no one could see her in this strange state. Disembodied arms and legs floating down a hallway would be cause for alarm, even for the more intoxicated patrons. When she crossed the threshold into her room, she drew a deep breath and released it with a long sigh. I made it. I’m safe. But why is my magic faltering? Why now? In the quiet room, Opal thought back on her basics of magic. Long ago, she was taught that, with her magic being rooted in nature, part of all that surrounded, even herself, she could channel her power with just a simple thought. For the most part that was correct, but she hated to admit that, unlike her masters, she was not in total control of her abilities. Mistakes were sometimes made and those often produced an unfortunate and unwanted aftermath. P a g e | 221 Since my powers manifested, I’ve seen many side effects of magic: gusts of wind, an occasional downpour of rain… even a flash of lightning. All acts of nature. Opal paced the room. My power has always been strong, dependable, unwavering… until lately. What has changed? Opal magically ignited a candle, blew it out, and ignited it again. I’ve never fought my power. Not like Elisabeth has. No, I’m happy to have it and I’m glad its source is nature. What a dreadful thing, having to carry around a staff or amulet, like so many of the other mages who require talismans to channel their powers. Is that my fate? Am I going to need to store power in some old wooden staff before I use it? Clearing her mind, Opal fixed her eyes on one of the books on the bookshelf: The People’s History of New Maejika. She snatched the book by its spine and quickly scanned it for some sort of clue to what Sadok had mentioned. There’s just too much information, too many eyewitness reports of fantastic events. Most had probably been falsified. She realized she would need to read the book to find any answers. Curse this town. A few hours later, Opal was stunned by the information she was uncovering. P a g e | 222 The history of New Maejika had touched the lives of every man, woman, and child living there. Not a single person remained unaffected. Many of the citizens of New Maejika imagined a time would come when a mage would once again set foot on their soil, yet their feelings were mixed. Some welcomed the possibilities, while others feared what that day might bring. The People’s History of New Maejika described a time just over thirty summers ago that challenged everything she had learned from the High Council. This new information was yet another indication that the High Council was not who they claimed to be. The mountains erupted and glowed red like the setting sun on the day the mages’ house divided. Eight mages came down from the mountains to walk in the valley below. The sun rose the following morning upon a new construction, a white marble tower, stretching high up to the stars… She frowned. Eight mages? Were any of them the archmages of the High Council? Opal read on until she reached a passage that spoke of a local warlord the “upstart” mages had recruited. His name was well known by the townsfolk who suffered from his continuous raids and murders: Naraboo. P a g e | 223 The text stated that the warlord Naraboo disappeared from the region only to reappear several weeks later, changed in many ways. Severe burns covered one side of the warlord’s body, yet his life force was strong. His soldiers rushed him to a healer in New Maejika. The healer, who was a traditional herbalist, did what he could to heal Naraboo’s burns, but he remained scarred. Opal lost her grip on the book, which seemed to fall to the ground in slow motion. Her stomach churned, and she vomited out the nearby window. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and knelt to retrieve the book. “Naraboo is Mustaffa.” Opal had to say the words aloud to believe them herself. The events she read inside the dusty book were terrifyingly familiar. To Opal, it sounded as if the upstart mages were using Mustaffa as a pawn against the other mages in the mountains. If that’s true, then Mustaffa might be heading directly to the High Council for revenge. Opal tried to rationalize what she had read. She wanted to believe that the archmages had not told her this because it was false, or perhaps they wanted to spare her the extra anxiety during her task. Too afraid to confront the council directly, she decided her best interests lay in searching of more clues P a g e | 224 at Spire Anguish. If these stories of Naraboo were true, she knew there would be valuable information inside the tower, and there was no way she would return to the council before getting it. The sound of the door opening startled her. She had not expected Karn to return so soon. “I found supplies,” he announced. “I see.” Karn placed a leather backpack and a cloth sack on the floor as he entered. Opal heard the sound of metal against metal as they settled upon the stone. She watched him closely. He seems to be content and calm enough—that will change if the information in these books is accurate, she thought. “Opal, I need to tell you something important,” Karn said, taking her hand in his. “What is it?” Opal returned his sincere look with a puzzled one. “Tomorrow, I leave for Spire Anguish,” he announced. “I need you to stay here, locked in this room where it’s safe, until I return.” Opal was shocked by the irony. She had intended to tell Karn the same thing, that she was going to the tower P a g e | 225 tomorrow; she could not help but wonder what prompted him to come to the same conclusion. “My primary objective is to seek an alliance with Sadok and his men. Perhaps Sadok will divulge a few of those clues he hinted at too,” he said and then paused a moment. “As I said before, I want you to stay here in New Maejika.” “Absolutely not.” Karn stepped away from her and shouted. “It’s too dangerous!” “I can protect myself!” Opal snapped. She watched Karn try to settle his nerves, taking three loud, deep breaths before speaking again. “Please listen to me. It’s for the best.” “You would rather leave me here? In this insane town? Alone?” She deliberately played on his concern for her. “I want to help you.” He scowled. “My decision is final.” Karn stood his ground with a solemn look Opal had only seen when he fought. “You should rest. You look a bit… unwell.” She watched as he crossed the room to the window and gazed out it. A large group of townsfolk were moving toward the large elm tree in the center of town. When she stepped closer to get a better look, Karn closed the shutters. Does P a g e | 226 he mean to keep the outside from me, or me from the outside? “Please rest, Opal, okay?” he begged. Karn shifted his eyes to the floor and sat with his back against the wall. I should rest. I should rest, because I’ll be going to that tower tomorrow. Opal crawled into bed and curled up like a cat, finally allowing the day’s stress to best her. I do feel a little ill, but more mentally than physically. Drifting to sleep, she saw flashes of memories of her time with the High Council. Moments both good and bad. P a g e | 227 Chapter 27 Max The room was quiet, filled with a stillness that only occurs during that brief time between late night and early morning, when both nocturnal and diurnal creatures are at rest. It was during that tranquility that the door to Karn and Opal’s room flew open suddenly. The unexpected crash startled them awake, Opal’s nails sinking into Karn’s bare back. Karn’s warrior senses snapped him instantly alert, but Opal appeared to be caught in a moment of mind-numbing shock. Framed by the luminosity of the hallway was a young man adorned in flashy red and gold robes. As he stood there, his clothing flickered by the light of the hallway torches. P a g e | 228 “Opal, you dim-witted bitch! You dare to steal my mentor’s powers and for that, and many more mistakes, you will die tonight!” the man declared. Opal sat up, wrapped the bed sheet around her, and jumped out of bed. “You fool. You have no idea what’s really happening!” Karn rolled out of bed and snatched his sword from the floor. “No weapons, Rook!” the mage said. When the young mage pointed at Karn’s sword, a thick green pulse of light knocked the weapon out of his hand to the opposite side of the room. “Who are you?” “Who am I, you ask? I am Maximilian Lance, the newest Archmage of the High Council,” he said, his eyes fixed tightly on Opal. “Archmage?” Opal scoffed as she stepped from the bed. “What are you talking about?” “It’s simple, Opal. First, I sap your powers and kill you. Then I return to the council and have them raise my rank,” Maximilian explained. “You’ll be killing no one!” Karn launched himself at Maximilian. P a g e | 229 “Karn, you have to get out of here!” Opal summoned a portal to Karn’s side as she leapt toward him. She intercepted Karn and redirected him with a shove into the swirling energy of the small portal. Off balance, Karn could not help but stumble into the blinding purple light. As he blinked, the world became his new location, but there was an instant when he was able to cast his eyes on Opal—just long enough to see her turn toward her challenger with the same look in her eyes that she had had when she fought Malek. “Opal!” He shut his eyes against an intense flash of light, and when he reopened them, they focused on a patch of tall grass next to a crossroads, at the edge of a large empty field. “No!” he howled as the portal closed. “This cannot be happening!” Karn cursed for several moments before he looked around at the field of tall grass for some hint of his location, spying a group of wooden signs beside the dirt road. WHOOSH. P a g e | 230 Without warning, the vortex returned. It opened up like a pair of large purple lips and spit out his clothing, armor, weapons, and supplies before it slammed shut again. He swore he could hear Opal’s voice through the crackling sounds the portal made. If she had time to send me my gear, he thought, then she must be safe. Karn knew Opal could take care of herself. You’re powerful; it’s your naiveté that worries me most. I pray you know what you are doing, Opal. After he dressed and armored himself in the chainmail he had traded for the day before, Karn made for the signs. The sun shone across the fields so strongly it forced him to squint. Karn guessed that when Opal transported him away from the danger she had placed him on the path to Spire Anguish, but when he stepped up to the old wooden signs, he realized just how wrong that assumption was. The signs were labeled in four directions: north to New Maejika, east to the Tri-Towns, west to the Village of Binopp, and south to Kel Tora. He tried to visualize the distance from where he was back to New Maejika or forward to Kel Tora, yet both locations felt leagues away. If only I had my horse. P a g e | 231 Chapter 28 Enlightenment Overnight, New Maejika’s Inn had become the most popular site in town. The small bar overflowed with customers—all there with hopes of encountering the enchantress who had hidden herself away upstairs. Anticipation had combined with thirst. Soon moods dipped and a stale air of edginess overcame the citizens of New Maejika. By early morning, the tavern had become a dangerously unstable place. The innkeeper doubled his security to help keep order, and with the exception of a fight between two drunken men, things had not erupted. Most of the townsfolk hovered around the bar a few hours before stumbling out the door minus some coins. But it was the few more curious individuals who drank slowly, and gossiped with their P a g e | 232 neighbors until the morning that worried the innkeeper most. Shortly after sunrise, a loud crash came from upstairs. The noise got everyone’s attention and the bar grew suddenly quiet. It was not long until a woman’s screams echoed down the stairs—bouncing like a child’s toy. “Was that her? Was that the woman mage?” a man yelled, as he pointed toward where the sound came from. “It must be,” another man answered, as he backed away from the bar. “Be quiet!” hissed the innkeeper, Rali Redhu. “Listen!” The wind outside gusted, rattling the shutters. Startled by the racket, many of the patrons looked toward the windows, but those unable to peel their gazes off the ceiling, witnessed a flash of violet light that seeped through the cracks. “What’s happening, Rali?” an older male patron asked as he looked around. “I don’t know, Andre.” Suddenly, a loud rumble of thunder shook the inn, followed by a sound no one would ever forget. It began as a low continuous moan and escalated within moments into a P a g e | 233 horrific howl. A cluster of popping sounds followed, but ended abruptly with a disgustingly wet noise. “That sounded like… like—” Rali began. “Like a rock dropped into a deep puddle of mud.” “Not a rock, Rali, a boulder.” “By the gods, what was that?” a scared patron screamed. “What caused that?” “I’m getting out of here,” someone else announced as he ran toward the door. “What do we do?” one of the barmaids asked Rali, who could only shrug. “Was that her?” Another patron pointed to the ceiling. “That sound?” “She’s going to kill all of us!” The innkeeper walked to the stairs and peered up cautiously. “Be quiet!” Rali demanded. “Quiet!” Most of the remaining patrons ran outside in a panic, but a few of the bravest—or most foolhardy—stayed behind, gripped as much by fear as curiosity. Once Rali settled the crowd, he called to the upstairs. “Miss, are you well?” Time passed slowly before a woman’s voice replied, “I’m fine. I’ll be down shortly.” P a g e | 234 Rali jumped back from the stairs, as if frightened. His overreaction prompted two of the remaining customers to scurry out the door before anything else could transpire. “I’m truly sorry about the mess I caused,” Opal called out before she stepped into view. “Perhaps this will help.” At her feet, masked by shadows, was an object the innkeeper could not discern. Opal pushed the thing into view with her foot and then kicked it down the stairs. The innkeeper’s stomach heaved as he realized the object was a partially dismembered corpse. The head, which was still connected to a small chunk of neck and shoulder, tumbled down the stairs slowly, splashes of blood left behind. When the head finally thumped on the bottom step, it flashed an odd golden hue before it broke into a thousand pieces. Chimes rang out as the pieces rolled across the floor like a wave of water, eventually making contact with the wall and Rali Redhu’s feet. He looked down in horrified fascination, fully expecting to see tiny bits of flesh and bone. To his astonishment, there were only perfect shiny, gold coins. “This cannot be,” the innkeeper mumbled to himself. “Gold!” a woman screamed. While some of the last few remaining customers ran away from Opal’s display of power, others dove to the P a g e | 235 ground, and shoved as many coins as they could into their pockets. As Opal descended the stairs into the bar, she ran her hands through her long red hair, then smoothed and straightened her dress. “Will this be enough coin to cover cleaning and repairs?” Rali stood with his mouth agape, mesmerized. “Rali?” she called out. “Repairs? I should think so.” His voice shook. “What happened up there?” one of the more courageous male patrons called from behind a turned over table. She did not reply. She only smiled as she crossed the room. With her finger pointed at the open door, magical energy from the spell she was casting shot out with a flash that startled everyone. The purple beam of light crackled as it held upon the door and formed a swirling vortex just outside. “What is that?” a woman whispered. “Show us more,” a drunkard shouted. “Show us more.” Opal exited the inn without hesitation and once outside, she stepped through the portal and vanished. P a g e | 236 Chapter 29 Visions The portal transported her to a dew-covered grassy plain just over the hill from the mysterious Spire Anguish. Opal was thrilled with her luck, she had transported herself here nearly blind, having only studied some crude maps she found in the books in her room. “Nothing can stop me.” She drew in a breath of fresh air; she felt incredible. Opal briefly imagined ruling New Maejika; she could become Illyia’s first mage queen. The people would worship her, and all she would have to do is what came naturally to her: use her magic. Her daydream faded quickly when she thought of Maximilian. Surely Max was acting alone. He must’ve attacked me because he actually believed the ruse intended P a g e | 237 for Karn. He must have thought that I had rebelled against the High Council. Opal wondered, if he was so easily fooled, who else might consider me an enemy of the council now? As much as that thought worried her, it was the other possibility that chilled her to the core. Could the archmages have tricked Maximilian into believing I was their foe? Opal did not know what to think. She knew one thing for sure: the lies were getting more complicated by the day, so much so it was hard to discern the truth. This is why I’m here. Opal’s mind was set, more answers awaited at her fingertips, all she had to do was go to investigate the tower. At first, Opal could only stare at the white tower in amazement as it sparkled in the light of the rising sun. She had never seen a structure so large in her life. It seemed like it could pierce the heavens with its needlelike peak. She thought of the histories she had read. The tower had apparently been constructed overnight. This structure was not built by the hands of masons; it was created by potent magic. Very potent magic. Opal jogged toward the massive structure, anxiously pondering what secrets might be stored inside. As she drew closer, she felt powerful waves of magical energy emanating P a g e | 238 from it. The closer she got to it, the stronger the energy, making it harder and harder for her to concentrate. As she looked around, she noticed that even the flora seemed affected by the magical resonance, growing higher and stronger closer to the white stone. Sunflowers that would normally grow to a height of four or five feet during the summer stood double that height now. Opal was so distracted by the sight that she hardly acknowledged the elves who exited the tower’s gates to intercept her. “Halt,” a lithe elven man yelled as he dashed toward her. “How did you arrive here?” “You heard him, answer now!” another elf yelled as he pointed his drawn sword. The sight of the irate mage hunters frightened the words from her mouth. She tried to answer, but the one elf’s screams frightened her. “Answer!” “Is she the one responsible for that glow on the horizon?” a third elf called out as he passed the gate. “I—” Opal started. “Answer now!” The screaming elf raised his weapon to her throat. The last elf to approach her kept silent, as he circled her. P a g e | 239 “She’s mage filth,” he stated. “Time to die, mage!” Opal dove into the tall grass, and disappeared into the dense tangle. Despite her efforts to crawl away, the three elves caught her quickly. Overwhelmed and unwilling to use her magic just yet, Opal gave in and allowed them to restrain her. “Rider coming!” another elf announced from one of the higher reaches of Spire Anguish. “It’s Sadok!” Sadok’s horse galloped at high speed toward Spire Anguish. As he closed the distance, the elves and Opal could hear what he was repeatedly yelling: “Joa’Ta is under siege!” “No…” one of the elves breathed. “Sadok!” Opal called. “Tell them to let me go!” Sadok dismounted his horse a few feet from the group. Covered in the dirt of hard travel, he brushed off his chest and legs, creating small clouds of dust. The look on his face was a mixture of disapproval and distress. Opal was not sure if his next words would be a command for the mage hunters to execute her or to release her. “Let her go,” Sadok finally said. “A warning, Lady Opal: for now I will trust you, but if you give me any reason to question that trust, I will slay you myself.” P a g e | 240 “What?” “You should never have left the service of our king, Opal. Perhaps you’ll explain to me someday where you went after you disappeared.” “I—” “Let’s not mince words at the moment. Joa’Ta’s under siege and will most likely fall,” Sadok interrupted. “How long?” one of the elves behind Opal asked as he sheathed his sword. “I’m not sure.” “So what I read is true. Mustaffa and the Warlord Naraboo are one and the same,” Opal blurted out. “Indeed,” Sadok replied looking over her shoulder. He paused to run his hand through his short hair, freeing the dirt that had settled there during his ride. “Tell me… why did you come here, Opal?” “You said there were answers here. I came to find them,” Opal replied, her gaze on the tower. “Then by all means, enter.” Opal followed Sadok, all while being surrounded at by half a dozen mage hunters. As the group walked to the main gate, Opal wondered if she should have not come to the tower alone—or at all. But I must know what’s inside. Once again her curiosity and impatience jeopardized her safety. P a g e | 241 When she crossed the bridge into the tower, any negative thoughts about visiting Spire Anguish were wiped away. Amazed by how the inside of the tower glimmered, Opal wondered how it was lit. It was so bright that the elves who walked in front of her had to shade their eyes when they entered. It’s like another sun exists within this structure. How can that be? A symbol had been painted prevalently on the floor of the entranceway. Initially it seemed to be the symbol of the High Council—interlocking circles in the form of a pyramid—yet when Opal’s eyes stayed on it, its true shape revealed itself. This symbol was of three C’s, each interlocking through the back arch in a pyramid. It was as if the designer took the High Council’s emblem and broke it open on the side of each circle. “Astounding, is it not?” Intrigued by the symbol and enthralled by the same energy she had felt from outside, Sadok’s words were lost on Opal. As she walked, her skin tingled; her best guess was that her body had begun to store the magic given off by the tower. But how? Why? What is this place? Suddenly, the energizing shiver that traveled through her body spiked with an irrepressible, burning tremor. Opal P a g e | 242 began to quake uncontrollably. She raised her hand to her forehead, her eyes lost focus, and her vision dimmed. Suddenly, her physical sensation melted away, and Opal was left with just sight and sound. For the briefest moment, she swore she could see herself falling backward to the ground. How is this possible? <You are one of them and yet you are not,> a voice said in her mind like a distant echo. When she opened her eyes, it was to total darkness; a place devoid of sound and temperature. Opal did the only thing she could think of; she answered. <What’s happening to me?> <A spell was cast by the combined powers of the upstart mages,> the voice explained. <It was meant to enlighten the dark members of the High Council. It is this spell which has stripped your soul from your body and delivered you here.> <What? Where?> <The past.> The answers only brought up more questions. <I came only to seek answers. I suspect the High Council is betraying me. I need to know who they really are and why they have kept the truth from me,> Opal explained. <Open your eyes to the truth.> P a g e | 243 Opal blinked and was standing in a circle, hand-inhand with a large group of young mages she had never seen before. When she looked around, she thought she must be in a dream. A strange haziness touched everything she saw. Then time seemed to speed up. Soon her surroundings were little more than a blur and even though it all felt odd, her senses told her it was real. The circle of mages began to chant, and although Opal did not know what they were summoning, the words of the incantation spilled from her mouth in sync with everyone else. The ground around her rumbled and began to shake violently before splitting in half inside the circle. From the hole in the earth emerged a great white needle of coarse stone. When the young mages intensified their chanting, Opal could feel their energy, like her own, as it drained fast from her body. She hung her head in exhaustion while the enormous white stone grew straight toward the heavens with such speed that it whistled as it cut through the air. The circle of mages released hands and, in unison, stepping back as the stone widened. With each breath Opal took, the monolith grew taller, wider, and greater. She could hear a middle-aged mage across from her speaking, although he was hidden from view by the magical P a g e | 244 rock. He rallied the young mages for one last spell. Opal felt the magic pulsate around her, and funnel through the circle to the older man, who aimed it into the massive white stone. Before her eyes, the stone took shape. Opal gasped. The mile-high tower—I’m witness to its birth. This is the spire. In a blink, she found herself surrounded by the blackness once more. Opal cringed when the voice called out to her again; she wasn’t ready. This time, it directed her to witness a second and much more deadly birth. She was in the field outside the tower. Nearby stood the same young mages she had seen moments ago. Reaching to one another, they formed another circle. She ran to and locked hands with the others, her eyes settling on the center of the circle, where a man lay sprawled out and seemingly unconscious. Time itself seemed to stop as Opal realized the man before her was none other than Mustaffa. She wanted to flee, but her body would not answer her mind’s desire. The middle-aged mage who had led the spell at the tower began casting another spell. “A soul for a soul. A man of the present becomes a man of the past. An ancient warlord is reborn.” P a g e | 245 No. Those words were familiar to her. This isn’t possible, she thought. Unable to look away from the unconscious warlord, she watched his body begin to glow with an unnatural black aura. As much as she wanted the words that rang in her ears to be different, they were exactly the ones spoken when the High Council enchanted Karn with the powers he now possessed. She felt her body weaken; she was barely able to hold herself erect. One of the young mages fell forward to the ground. Feeling faint, Opal watched the warlord suddenly move. He stood swiftly and stared down at the fallen mage. Good lord, no. Opal gagged, as the taste of bile filled her throat. What have I done? Her surroundings faded to black. Opal rubbed her eyes, anxious to wash away the vision of Mustaffa’s transformation. Reality flickered, and she found herself once again standing on Lightning Field, the section of land at the base of the High Council’s home where the archmages trained their pupils. Men shouted, horses squealed—Mustaffa, now enhanced with the magical energy of the Warlord’s Soul Spell, moved his army into place. He had two of the archmages surrounded. As Opal watched in terror, the embattled mages unleashed their counter attack. Flames shot out in all directions. The warlord’s men burned like twigs before the P a g e | 246 raging forest fire that was the combined magical might of the two archmages. Those who survived had little choice other than to beat a hasty retreat. After another blink of time and space, Opal found herself alone in the middle of a city. Is this New Maejika? The town before half of its buildings were ruined? Screams ricocheted through the town. Voices filled with panic and fear buffeted her as she watched the men who had attacked the mages flood the quiet town. Their weapons, armor, and skin were charred from the mystic fires they had faced. As the men passed her on their way into the center of town, Opal spotted Mustaffa. No longer commanding his troops, he lay among the injured atop a rickety old wagon. Opal moved closer and grimaced at the severity of his wounds. Mustaffa’s armor and clothes were ruined, charred so badly that one side was simply melted away. The smell of burnt flesh pervaded her nose and filled her lungs until she coughed violently. “No…” A bizarre yet overwhelming sense of sadness crippled Opal. The man she had feared more than any other lay before her, moaning in pain from burns that covered nearly half his body… and she wanted to save him. P a g e | 247 The sky above darkened, turning a deep shade of violet. Opal recognized the signs of strong magic being summoned. Lightning bolts showered from the sky, while boulder-sized hail crashed down upon the buildings. Opal took to her heels into the nearby forest, where, once under the tree’s canopy, she turned to watch. The two archmages who had been assaulted earlier had just arrived, obviously in search of Mustaffa. They hope to finish what the warlord started. To her surprise, three of the young upstarts also appeared through small portals. As they stepped forth, the town became an unlikely battlefield. Explosions rocked the place, throwing dirt and dust into the stagnant air. Their colorful spells flashed across the night sky until dawn when the battle was over and the town of New Maejika was demolished. Again, the landscape around her faded away, and the timeless void returned. When she heard the mysterious disembodied voice, she wanted to ask it a hundred questions, but it spoke first. <The three upstart mages sacrificed their lives so they could steal away their warlord.> <Why?> P a g e | 248 <He was created to be used as an instrument in the High Council’s destruction.> <Was it the upstarts who created his amulet?> Opal asked. <His time had come,> the voice said, not answering the question directly. <He amassed an army unlike any ever seen. Dark elves, giants, and lizard men alike joined his cause. As he marched north, the High Council of Mages formulated a plan that would forever change the shape of Illyia. Now, see this final chapter of your past.> A sudden burst of light painted itself into a familiar setting. She stood on the balcony of the High Council’s mountaintop fortress. Everyone was present. Opal marveled at the sight of the archmages she grew up training with. Their faces, younger and significantly less worn, amused her: Justice, Dusk, Whistler, and Stinger—But where, she wondered, is Limper? But she forgot the question as the High Council mages formed a circle. She knew they were about to cast a spell, and the possibilities frightened her. Again, as in the prior visions of the past, she joined the group, yet no one was chanting yet. Breaking the circle was one, much older mage. His appearance stole the breath from her lungs. He… he can be only be one man—the Supreme Archmage. His robes P a g e | 249 were pitch-black, with symbols that seemed to blur in her dreamy vision. Black magical energy swirled around him and crackled loudly with each step. When he spoke, his voice thundered. He’s so powerful. I never would have dreamed… As he summoned the spell, magical energy drained from the circle of Council members. The sensation instantly sickened Opal. She could feel her skin drying as the moisture was sucked out of it. Tiny hairline cracks drew lines like lightning down her exposed arms. Through bleary eyes, she witnessed the mages around the circle age noticeably, as if time had sped up, a decade passing with each breath. Opal watched in horror as the hair of one of the older mages across from her blew off his head in thick clumps, spreading into the sky on the wind. Spikes of severe pain radiated in her wrists and hands, and became a tearing sensation that drew her attention down to her fingernails. They’re growing like a cat’s claws. She looked at the man she thought was the Supreme Archmage for some sort of clue as to what was happening. “More,” the old mage yelled as the energy that he siphoned from the group charged his body. One by one, the mages from the High Council dropped out of the circle, collapsing into dusty heaps. Opal realized that she could die—then the spell ceased, and a P a g e | 250 small backlash of energy knocked her to the ground. Too weak to move, she stared into the darkening sky as the Supreme Archmage spoke. “Your sacrifices will not be in vain. I now have the energy needed to transport the upstarts’ warrior away from this land.” Opal cocked her head to the side and watched as the Supreme Archmage levitated to the edge of the balcony. A whirlwind of purple-black energy surrounded him, and blew his robes around like he was in a summer storm. A dozen or so balls of energy formed to the size of a fist and interpenetrated his body, as if his flesh were made of the same force. Opal watched in amazement as the Supreme Archmage fired the pulsating magical power from his body, out of his chest, straight into the heavens. When the stream of dark energy disappeared into the sky, the old mage fell to his knees. Is it possible? Even as powerful as he has become, that a spell could exhaust him? Everything went black. Opal expected the distant voice to explain what had she witnessed. She waited, but there were no more words just—building pain. P a g e | 251 Chapter 30 Stung Opal’s body convulsed violently, she moaned gutturally, and her eyes rolled back into her head. Sadok threw his polearm to the ground and dropped to his knees to aid her. When he wrapped his hands around her to lift her into his lap, his eyes widened with surprise. “By the gods! Get me some cool water and towels. She’s burning up!” Sadok ordered. One of the elves rushed off while Sadok ordered the others to stand back. Sadok had seen many kinds of wounds in his time as a soldier. Some caused fevers that left a man’s body shaking uncontrollably but never had he seen such a reaction for no apparent reason. As he sat with Opal’s shuddering body across his lap, Sadok thought about his actions. Being a strategist, Sadok could not help but P a g e | 252 come to the conclusion that leading a mage to a structure built by other powerful mages might not have been the best decision. “Easy, Opal,” Sadok soothed as he applied his knowledge of basic healing. He sensed her temperature drop slightly with the application of cool towels, so he tried to wake her. “Opal, do you hear me?” Opal’s limbs continued to flap about, veins in her head protruding so far they looked as though they might pop. “She bears no wound to mend! I don’t know how to stop this!” Sadok said. As he watched, he saw Opal’s face slowly turn a deep shade of red. “She’s going to die,” he said softly as a drop of crimson blood trickled from her nose. “Let her die,” an elf with a badly scarred face urged. “I will not, Dahl.” “She’s a worthless mage, Sadok!” “Sir, perhaps we should get her outside?” suggested the elf who had fetched the water and towels. “A good idea, Keswick.” Sadok carried her out through the front gate of the tower and her body slowly relaxed as he bore her further from the building. He gently lowered P a g e | 253 her onto the soft grass, then returned the cool towel to her head. “What happened?” Keswick inquired. “Magic corrupts her filthy body,” Dalh replied. Sadok stared at Opal. He noticed that she wore the same dress as yesterday, but the tears and bloodstains were gone. She must have magically repaired them, he thought. Her talents have grown, since last I saw her, but how? Has magic corrupted her? Something peeked out from underneath her right sleeve. Carefully, he reached over her, rolled it up, and turned her arm over. “See, I told you! She bears the mark!” Dahl pointed her tattoo out to the others. “The mark—she’s one of them. I knew it,” one of the elves who first confronted her said from the back of the crowd. Dahl drew his dirk and pointed it at her. “She intended to fool us. And now she dies.” “Wait!” Sadok shouted, holding out his arms in an attempt to stay all the weapons aimed at Opal. “She’s a spy! We must kill her now!” Dahl shouted back. “No!” P a g e | 254 Sadok stood up, and the elves who surrounded him took a step back. He knew his face was heated, but by the way his men looked at him, he imagined it was red as well. Sadok stepped to the one man who had not moved, Dahl, and shoved him to the ground. “Stand down!” Gasps and a soft murmur of eleven words surrounded him, but he did not know what they meant. “You dare—” “Dahl, damn you, listen to me. She holds the answers we need to destroy these mages. She does. We can still use her to get to them,” Sadok said. “Nonsensical human logic!” the angry elf said as he quickly returned to his feet and raised his sword. “We destroy mages; it is as simple as that!” “No it’s not,” Sadok replied as he shook his head. “Not yet.” *** While Sadok argued with the mage hunters, Opal fought to regain consciousness. As she awoke, her thoughts were of what had just transpired. She sat up slowly and rubbed her head with both hands. She heard a scream—which startled her—she knew it did not belong to the disembodied voice. “Stand down! I gave no command to attack!” Sadok ordered. P a g e | 255 The blades of a half-dozen swords were pointed down at her, but she felt no fear. “I’m in charge here, Dahl, my authority speaks for itself. I’ll handle this.” Sadok turned to Opal and offered his hand. “Tired,” was all Opal felt like saying. Sadok helped her up and braced her as she regained her balance. When she felt sturdy on her feet, she gave him a nod. “Opal, what happened to you?” She rubbed her temples, the bridge of her nose and then her eyes. She felt like she had just awoken from a nightmare and right into another. “I think there was a magical trap… one set to attack only mages.” “It nearly killed you.” Sadok’s blunt response made her heat race. “To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how I survived it,” she replied, her hands still shaking with tremors. “It felt like I did die.” “Why didn’t you die?” Dahl grumbled. Opal glared at him. She was about to retort when she noticed that more people had appeared. There must have been P a g e | 256 thirty or more mage hunters, all heavily armed and decorated with war paint. “Tell us, mage!” an angry elf demanded. “Let her speak,” another said. “She may have information we can use.” “Thank you.” “Keswick.” “Thank you, Keswick.” Opal nodded. “I didn’t die because I believe I was meant to see something. Just moments ago, I witnessed the history of this tower and the warlord Mustaffa…” Opal nervously admitted. “While you were unconscious?” Dahl groaned. “I told you, she means to trick us.” “Let her finish!” Sadok ordered. “The tower’s creation, Mustaffa’s rebirth, and his defeat by the archmages of the High Council—I watched them happen. And the last thing I saw was an immensely powerful spell being cast, one aimed at Mustaffa and his army.” “What else?” someone shouted from the crowd. “I’m not sure,” Opal hedged. She needed to protect herself. “It’s fading so quickly. I’m not sure what spell was being used, but it was meant to stop him. I’m just… I’m not exactly sure how.” Sadok patted her back. P a g e | 257 “I will tell you how.” He paused. “The mages summoned a magical portal so large it swallowed him, his army, and a chunk of the earth under his feet. Mustaffa’s arrogance had not prepared him for such a ploy, so to the mages, the spell was a success.” A group of elves chuckled. “But it wasn’t,” Dahl added. “You see, Opal, the spell did not do as they planned. With all their magical might, they made one massive mistake,” Sadok said. “I… We all imagine their intentions were to drop the warlord in the middle of the Southern Sea. Well, not knowing what exists outside Illyia, those fools transported him directly onto a desert continent, instead of the open waters where he and his army would have drowned.” “Your foul power took a bite out of our land, but Mother Nature answered your insolence by creating the now fertile Crater Lake,” an older elf said haughtily. Opal shrugged her shoulders. What the hell is he talking about? “Crater Lake. The lake south of the Northern Mountains,” Sadok explained. “This body of water now resides where the transportation spell took place.” “Such a price, and they failed.” P a g e | 258 “They did.” The thought of it all scared her. If the combined might of the High Council Archmages and the Supreme could not defeat the warlord, then how can Karn and I do it alone? “Sadok, if you know so much about Mustaffa, why not stand against him?” Opal asked. “Think about what you are saying, Opal,” Sadok said as he took a step away from her. “What? Mustaffa must be stopped.” “And we intend to stop him.” “Good.” Opal felt relived. “How?” “The mage is blind,” Dahl joked. The crowd shared a laugh as Sadok explained further. “Opal, the warlord has returned for only one reason. He seeks revenge against the mages who defeated him long ago.” Opal shook her head, “I understand that now.” “He wants to kill the mages. And so do we…” Sadok left his statement open for interpretation. It took her a moment. “If you kill all the mages first—” “If we kill them first, he’ll have no reason to continue his march north.” Opal stared at him in disbelief. He had finally revealed his motive. And it made sense. P a g e | 259 “Death to the mages!” the elves cheered. Opal froze as the scarred elf rallied his fellow mage hunters. “What say you, Opal? Care to join us?” Sadok asked. “J-join you?” “All you need to do is tell us how to get to your fortress in the mountains,” Sadok said in a coaxing tone. “Better yet, show us. Take us.” “My fortress?” The elves had grown in numbers again, as if multiplying each time she gazed at them. Their “death to the mages” chant continued, louder and louder until it echoed in her ears. “Tell us! Tell us now!” Dahl demanded. “Death to mages! Death to mages! Death to mages!” rang out. Opal shut her eyes, hoping to trick the elves into thinking she was exhausted from the day’s events, and attempted to concentrate on a spell. As hard as she tried, the echoing words “death to mages” invaded her mind. It felt like forever before she could clear her mind enough to think. Once free of the external distractions, she conjured a transportation spell. The same swirling purple vortex that placed her in the field not long ago appeared behind P a g e | 260 her in a flash of bright light that momentarily blinded Sadok and his militia. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m truly sorry.” Opal scurried into the portal and instantly whisked herself away from Spire Anguish. P a g e | 261 Chapter 31 Return Vermilion sunlight poured in through the many windows of the fortress and burned blocks of light across the floor and up the wall to half of Opal’s height. She walked steadily down the hallway that led to the High Council’s meeting room. The glare from the sun caused her to squint, but not even that discomfort would break her concentration on the presence she felt. There’s a foreign tension in the air, one steeped in dread. This feels wrong; I pray I’m not making a mistake here… Opal walked up to the old wooden door of the High Council meeting room and pushed it open without hesitation. I’m ready, she thought. Inside, Opal found an empty room— the archmages were gone. As she walked around the room, the disembodied voice of Justice cracked the silence. P a g e | 262 <Why have you returned, Opal?> <I seek answers,> Opal replied. It felt as if she had echoed those same words all day. <Answers to what?> Justice impatiently demanded. <For starters, why did Maximilian attack me?> <Apparently, the young man witnessed your duel with Malek. We were unaware he had left, until we sensed a surge of magic as you two fought.> With each word from Justice, Opal’s anxiety grew. Her fists clenched at her hips and she felt the need to strike at something growing stronger and stronger. <Where is everyone?> <Here and there.> Justice’s sarcastic, cryptic answer made her roll her eyes. <I need to meet with the Supreme Archmage.> Opal slammed the High Council’s meeting room door shut behind her as she left the room. <The Supreme Archmage is not one to grant meetings with students.> “I’m not a student!” Opal snapped, screaming her words instead of thinking them. A moment of silence passed as Opal waited for Justice to reprimanded her. P a g e | 263 <Return Maximilian to life, and I will see that you get a meeting,> Justice replied. “What?” Opal threw her hands to her sides. <Even if I had that level of power, it would take days to perfect such a spell, and then cast it.> <Then might I suggest you go to your room and begin posthaste?> When his voice fell silent, she had the feeling his presence had departed, too. He’s gone… Bastard. *** There was only one place outside her father’s cabin, which now lay in ruin, that Opal considered home and that was the tiny room assigned to her inside the mage’s fortress. Over many months, Opal had brought more and more plants from the forest into her small space. Today, when she entered her room, she smiled. She laughed at the sight of abundant greenery in the otherwise dull grey stone structure. I’ve done well here. Pine trees, roses, ferns, sunflowers—I have them all. I just wish I could figure how to coat the stone floor in thick grass. Inside her living quarters was every piece of her past as a student in the council, from her first mage’s robes to scrolls she had been given to study by her current teachers. But as she looked at them now she realized the P a g e | 264 items she once cherished as trophies of her excellent work had become reminders of past mistakes. Opal stood at the corner of the bed, next to a grouping of tall sunflowers. I’ve never done a spell like this before… She closed her eyes and concentrated on a means of resurrecting her rival from the dead. Minuscule spheres of red and black energy rose from the floor and began to grow in size. Sweat streamed down her face as her breathing became shallow. The orbs traveled faster and faster, swirling around her body until they blurred into a single beam of dark red light. Then, without warning, the cone of light shot out through the window and across the dusk-darkened sky. While Opal welcomed a deep breath into her lungs, her tired eyes fluttered and the room spun out of control. Unable to hold her weakened body up any longer, she stumbled to the bed and fell unconscious. *** A red flash of light illuminated the sky above the sleeping town of New Maejika. The inn, which had been a center of excitement for most of the day, had finally quieted down, and the bar was closed for the night. Inside, torches burned as Rali Redhu and a few others worked diligently to clean up the mess left behind by Opal’s violent magic. P a g e | 265 This was not the first time the innkeeper had to mop up blood after a fight, but this was the first time he had seen so much blood that the wooden floor itself was stained red. Gore nearly ankle deep soaked the floorboards and was splattered on the walls and ceiling outside the room the mage stayed in on the inn’s second floor. It was all the innkeeper could do to keep from retching at the sight of the chunks of flesh that littered his hallway. While wringing blood from his mop, a dark crimson light illuminated the hallway like the morning sun and then promptly faded. Rali looked around for the source until his eyes fixed on a bucket of viscera that sat against one wall. As the innkeeper watched, he realized the blood and gore slowly drained, as if there was a hole at the bottom. The stress has finally gotten to me, Rali thought, wiping his brow with a clean towel. With the back of his hand, he felt his head for a temperature. I’m fine. Rali closed his eyes a moment and sobbed as images of guts and bone flashed before his mind’s eye. When he heard an odd squishing sound, he reopened them. To his horrific surprise, the gore, which once covered nearly every inch of the hallway, bubbled and oozed, moving, blob-like, about the hall as if it had a mind of its own. He would have screamed had the air not escaped his lungs. All he could do P a g e | 266 was gasp in terror as he watched the stuff concentrate itself into a large puddle a few feet in front of him. “Heavens save me,” he whispered. Once the last drop of blood shot across the floor to join the newly formed puddle, the mass began to take on a shape. It stretched up to Rali’s height with a gurgle like boiling stew. Unable to look away, he gawked as the mass pumped into the shape of limbs, then flowed and condensed into the shape of a man’s torso. In a moment that he would not be able to describe as anything less than an unholy miracle, Rali witnessed what was once no more than pools of blood and chunks of flesh form the shape of a fully grown man. Rali lost his grip on the mop he held in his hand, and it fell backward toward the floor. His knees followed, buckling as his legs turned to noodles under the weight of his tall body and fell back to the floor, nearly fainting. Through unfocused eyes, he watched the blood-man quickly develop a cover of tan skin, as if poured on from above. Nausea rapidly overcame him and forced what little food he had eaten that day to spill across the floor. Thinking this moment could not get any worse, he wiped his mouth clean and witnessed something even more shocking—the monstrosity stood up and looked right at him. P a g e | 267 “Will kill. Will kill them all,” it said before it hobbled into a room and sealed the door behind itself. *** High atop the mountains north of New Maejika, Opal awoke. She yawned and stretched, a beam of light catching the corner of her eye. She stood with a wobble and then walked to the window of her little bedroom. As she stared down at the peaceful stillness of the open meadow, a voice drilled into her head. <Opal?> Justice’s voice greeted her with an annoyed twang. Startled, she grimaced. <The spell’s done,> she replied to Justice with her mind. <I trust it worked.> <What?> Justice exclaimed. <If you restored Maximilian’s life, where is he?> <My spell resurrected him where he died. I did what you asked. I never promised to ferry the bastard home,> Opal thought flatly. <We… Yes, we can sense him Opal; he’s alive. Now, reveal to me how this is possible. Only a night has passed.> Only a night, Opal thought as she felt her heart skip with surprise and excitement. How is that possible? Wait, P a g e | 268 is this another one of their tricks, or do I truly have access to such power? <He’s alive. Now, may I meet with the Supreme Archmage?> A moment of silence passed. Opal paced as she waited for his response. She could only imagine what the council was discussing in private, and the limitless possibilities both frightened and annoyed her. <Preparations will be made. I will contact you soon.> P a g e | 269 Chapter 32 Supreme Opal sat in silence. Like a predatory cat, her near meditative state was as relaxing as sleep, but it also allowed her to use a small spell to keep track of the other mages in the fortress. She reached out to Karn with her thoughts. Opal could almost feel him, see him, and smell him as if he was there with her. Wherever he was, she was worried about him. She could feel his emotional presence and sense he was exhausted. Just as she focused her thoughts into a message for him, she realized somebody was watching her. Before she had even opened her eyes, she lashed out with a silver dagger she had hidden in her bed. Nothing? The room’s empty. “Damn imps!” Opal grumbled. “They’ve probably been watching me all damn day.” P a g e | 270 “No, enchantress, it’s not the imps you sensed,” a gruff voice came from the window. Zian sat perched on the windowsill. The hair on his forearms and back stood on end and his legs were covered in dirt. He hunched his back, then hopped into the room and approached Opal. The sunlight shining through the window at his back cast a deep shadow over his face but did not hide his piercing red eyes. He’s a monster. “Zian, you—” “What are you doing here?” His voice was suspicious. “They’ll sense you.” “No, they will not. I’ve performed a ritual called the Sacra-Retu. It enables me to hide my presence from mystical beings,” he explained as he leaned toward her. “I sensed you.” “Not magically,” he growled. “You heard me. Again, what are you doing here?” “Please, don’t get the wrong idea, Zian,” she whispered, as she backed away from him. “I’m here to uncover the truth.” “I smell your lies,” he hissed. “Lies? No. I discovered that Mustaffa is in fact a warlord called Naraboo from this region.” She spoke quickly, hoping to convince him otherwise. “If I regain P a g e | 271 their trust, I may be able to learn more about Mustaffa and what exactly is happening here.” “They are evil, that’s all you need to know, girl,” Zian stated as he stared in her eyes. She had not known him long, but she was sure that Zian was not a conversationalist. The beast man only spoke when he had to, and in this moment, he had said much. And still, Opal felt a strange comfort when he talked; she hoped that as long as she could keep him engaged, he was no threat. “Where’s Raven?” Opal asked. “I took her into the mountains.” “Took her?” “To hide during the coming apocalypse.” Zian paced the floor. “Apocalypse?” “War is the way of humans, and this war is going to destroy us all.” He pointed at Opal with his clawed finger. “How would you know that?” Opal’s mouth grew dry as she spoke. “My people are in tune with nature, girl. We have sensed our world dying for some time now. The elves can sense it too.” Zian huffed and drew a deep breath as he turned toward the window. “Between the unnatural magic you P a g e | 272 mages wield and the madman’s invasion, there’ll be nothing left of this land. Nothing left for our children.” “What?” Opal raised an eyebrow. “I’m ready to strike. Together we can bring down this perverted house of evil,” Zian said over his shoulder. “This is your last chance; you must choose a side, girl.” With those words hardly past his doglike lips, he jumped through the open window. Dismayed by what Zian had said, she sat back down on the bed and drew her legs to her chest with a deep breath. Lost in thought, she barely noticed the remainder of the day passing. Before she knew it, it was late and archmages’ had summoned her. Justice instructed her to meet him outside the High Council meeting room right away, so she teleported herself there and found the man standing statue-still with an impassive look upon his face. “He awaits you inside,” Justice said, folding his arms. Opal was somewhat surprised. I never imagined being granted a one-on-one meeting. In that moment, as she pushed the door open, she wondered if the Supreme Archmage even existed. Maybe he had died long ago during the conflict between the two factions. Could this all be an elaborate trap? she thought, a chill running down her spine. She P a g e | 273 recalled seeing the Supreme Archmage from afar months ago, while she studied with her classmates. Perhaps what I saw was only an illusion created by one of the archmages. Could their manipulations run so deep? But seated at the center of the meeting room table was the man himself, the ruler and rumored founder of the High Council of Mages. He was older than she had imagined, at least five times her age. At first glance, he seemed to be no more than brittle bones draped in loose, wrinkled skin. The sight made her think back to when she was a child. Opal remembered her father taking her to a festival in Weiden’s Rise. It was shortly after a plague had passed and the survivors were celebrating. They dressed in dark colors and wore animal bones in their hair. Opal vividly remembered a large doll that someone had made from old clothes and hay, like a scarecrow, hanging from a rope attached to a staff. The man who carried it made the thing wiggle and jump when he approached Opal. Instead of fearing it, Opal remembered laughing. With that, the Supreme Archmage lost his role as an authority figure and became nothing more than a doll of a dried up corpse in her eyes. Opal smiled and tried not to P a g e | 274 laugh, but the urge was irresistible. She stifled a short giggle and introduced herself. The Supreme Archmage raised his hand to stop her from saying any more. “I know you, child. I know the names of all my students.” His old voice rattled. “Shall we?” “Please.” He cleared his throat and began. “The former rulers of the High Council planned to conquer Illyia with a warlord they created. This became a single point of conflict, a catalyst that formed a rift amongst the council. You see, Opal, in the past, there were those who felt that our role should be as healers and caregivers to the high monarchs. Others felt that it should be us who ruled and given the respect that we deserved. The once combined factions of white and dark magics split, with no compromise. There was no warning, no plan; it just happened. One day the sun rose and welcomed the dawn of a revolution.” The Supreme Archmage paused to catch his breath and drink from a small wooden mug that sat before him. “Mages fought all over our home, from basement to the tops of the towers. Young and old, experienced, and novice— they all clashed over their ideals.” “How many lives were lost?” Opal asked, but he did not answer directly. P a g e | 275 “It was a sad day,” he continued. “A bloody day that forever will be marked in our history as not only dismal, but the very moment that changed our way of studying the magical arts.” Opal nodded. “During the battle, a small group of mages, ones that would eventually be referred to as the upstarts, fled the fortress. These rebels stole away into the night with many of the council’s scrolls and earliest magic books. Among the stolen scrolls was the one containing the Ancient Warlord’s Soul spell,” the Supreme Archmage explained. “Mustaffa,” Opal stated matter of factly. The Supreme Archmage paused again to catch his breath. Opal thought he seemed taken aback by her assumption, but the old man was hard to read. “So you know some of our history, do you?” “New Maejika has many books chronicling the regions past. After reading one, I visited Spire Anguish,” Opal admitted. “Did you really, young one?” The old mage rubbed his dry face. “Well, the white tower is an amazing sight, is it not?” Opal looked across the table at the leader of the High Council and considered telling him the truth: that she had P a g e | 276 entered the tower and seen some of what had happened through visions. She wanted to inform him that she had even seen him, his role in it all. Instead, she decided to keep it all to herself and see what else she could learn first. “Elven mage hunters inhabit Spire Anguish now. I couldn’t enter it even if I wanted to,” she lied, nervous that he might sense her dishonesty. “A word of advice, my young student: Stay out of the tower. The mage hunters are of little concern to a powerful conjurer. The true threat is a mystical trap set to instantly kill our kind.” “A trap? Was it set by one of the mages who survived the rebellion?” Opal asked, thinking of the one upstart mage who had looked familiar. “A well-thought-out deduction. Yes, it was set by one of the upstarts. In fact, it was cast by the same individual who stole the scroll containing the Ancient Warlord’s Soul spell.” Opal started to see more of the once invisible ties from the past to the present as if laid out before her like an intricate map. It was beginning to take shape, when out of the blue, Opal realized who the familiar-looking upstart mage had been. He was the man she had known as Limper. P a g e | 277 His leg, Opal thought. Limper’s leg was burned long ago in an accident and like Mustaffa’s burns, it was a wound that has never properly healed. “Mustaffa was created by mages, and now he seeks to destroy them all. Ironic, is it not? But what son does not want to take his father’s place?” The Supreme Archmage chuckled. “He’s furious and he’s coming here for revenge,” Opal said. “How can you laugh?” “I have complete faith that your boy, the Rook, will stop him before he reaches the north, Opal. Don’t you?” Opal now had a better idea of why they referred to Karn as “the Rook.” To these men, life was nothing more than a giant game of chess. The man she loved was nothing more to her teachers than a disposable piece to move into battle before their enemies. They are solely responsible for this war, and they are not even going to fight in it. “Come to think of it, where is the Rook now?” “Karn—the Rook is on his way to Kel Tora to seek allies.” “Very good. While he travels, we would like to test your new skills. It seems you have become more powerful as of late,” the Supreme Archmage said, as he folded his hands P a g e | 278 on the table before him. “Powerful enough to even defeat Malek in a duel.” “I—” “You sapped Malek’s powers, Opal.” “Yes, I did.” “And what were you supposed to do with them?” “I…” Opal paused to answer. “I was—” “You were supposed to absorb them. That was your order, and yet you allowed Malek’s magical power to dissipate into the ether.” “Why would I want to ingest his poison?” Opal answered. The man smiled. “A bold statement, one befitting our next archmage.” “What? Me?” Her jaw dropped. Could it be that the archmages have finally noticed my worth? Am I truly being invited to join them? “Go, Opal, succeed in this one last test as a student. Prove to your former teachers that you no longer need them.” Eyes wide, Opal nodded and slowly walked from the room. Despite her elation, she felt confident she had not given away the fact that she had learned much more from the tower than even the Supreme Archmage suspected. Opal P a g e | 279 brushed a few strands of red, wispy hair from her face as she sped down the hallway. Justice was now joined by Malek. With no desire to engage either man, Opal looked away as she passed them. “I nearly died. I hope you’re pleased,” Malek said as she passed, and she felt his eyes burn into her. “Very,” she said without pause. “This is not over.” Although Opal did not want to say another word to the man, she stopped and turned around. Caught up in her own world, she had forgotten about the other students. She had spent so much time worrying about herself that she had pushed away everyone else. As she stood there, she wondered if the other students were being manipulated too. Do any of them have a clue as to what is happening? She assumed the other students of the High Council, like herself until recently, were unaware of the seriousness of Mustaffa’s invasion or that mage hunters existed, men determined to slaughter their kind. I should warn everyone, Opal thought, but first she would need to find a way to speak with them in private. “Where are all the other students?” Opal asked, feeling the weight of Malek’s eyes still on her. P a g e | 280 “Do not worry about them. They’ll remain safe here in our stronghold until these hostilities are over. Are you ready to return to training?” “Tomorrow,” Opal answered. “One meeting with our leader and the bitch thinks she’s no longer a student.” She heard Malek’s grumble to Justice, and it only made her smile bigger. “We shall see what Horus thinks after her next session,” Justice replied. Opal could not have been happier with Justice’s selection of a trainer. Horus was the man she called Limper. “Tell Horus that I look forward to seeing him tomorrow.” P a g e | 281 Chapter 33 Repercussions Opal returned to her quarters, her thoughts in the past. She wished she could gaze back into her life. She wanted to assess the time she had spent at the council and clearly identify when the archmages had first lied to her, but she could not. Her obsession with finding the truth had reached a sudden crashing end, and the answers were worse than the questions. Opal opened her door and entered her dark room. I just want to sleep. She brushed against something coarse and warm—alive—and fear seized her. The door slammed shut behind her, and Zian’s gruff voice pierced the tense silence. “We need to talk.” P a g e | 282 “Zian! Gods, you startled… Why must you sneak up on me?” “Because I can, girl.” Opal concentrated on the lamp in her room and lit it with a magical red flame. Zian dashed away from her as if startled and peered out the open window before he gazed at her again; his mistrust worried her all the more. “What’s wrong?” Zian looked more doglike than usual. His ears were turned back and flattened against his head, and the hair on the back of his neck stood sharply on end like a thousand tiny spikes. “There are repercussions to everything you do in life, girl,” he stated. “A simple yes or no can shape the world around you.” “I don’t understand—” Zian growled. “You mages feel that you can do whatever you please, but you are gravely mistaken.” “What are you saying?” She had never heard him speak so angrily and philosophically. “Shut up and listen,” Zian rumbled, taking a single step toward her. P a g e | 283 “I’m sorry,” Opal apologized, but she was only partially sincere—and also distracted by the possibility of punishment. “Zian, I’m sorry.” “Do not apologize to me,” Zian huffed. “Go to New Maejika. See what you have created.” His hind legs tensed, and with a sudden spring, he launched himself through the window. Opal rushed across her bedroom to watch him, curious. When she poked her head out the window, only a gust of wind and a rustle of leaves on the landing below remained. Zian’s quick, she thought, and his messages usually puzzling… but not this time. This visit had a clear purpose. And that scared her. *** Opal set off for New Maejika before dawn. She transported herself out to the farthest edge of the fields where the mages trained, then walked the rest of the way to town to clear her head. She had been awakened in the middle of the night by a passing thunderstorm, which had left the grass slightly damp. The moisture in the air combined with the odor of decaying leaves, the scent redolent of the end of autumn. Her walk was quiet and peaceful, which allowed her a contentment she had not felt in many days. Perhaps things will be better. P a g e | 284 *** After a time, she approached the same row of trees she remembered from when she and Karn walked through the night. The pines acted as a wall and obscured the side of town. As she drew near the end of the line of trees, the faint yet ominous odor of burnt wood tickled her nostrils. Then it was gone, taken away by the wind. She had been so caught up in thought, that she had not noticed the lack of sound: no birds chirping, no chopping of wood, no lowing of cows. There was no sound. She hastened her steps as she moved past the last tree and welcomed a full view of the town. The town was still, so Opal stopped at the entrance. “Where is everyone?” she asked herself, bewildered. Opal wandered down the path that led directly through the center of New Maejika, her eyes and ears searching for life. Careful not to make too much noise, she avoided broken glass, pieces of wood, and other debris that curiously littered the dirt road. Cottages that had sung with life were now silent, and the pungent odor that overcame her outside of town grew stronger and thicker with each step. Opal tilted her head back, inhaled deeply, and followed the scent until she found its source. No, this cannot be. P a g e | 285 The once beautiful First Inn of New Maejika had been reduced to a charred husk. Only two vertical beams still stood in the right corner of the smoldering remains, a melted carcass of a stove in another. “You bastard,” Opal said under her breath when she realized the source of all this destruction—Maximilian. “You arrogant bastard.” She walked the perimeter of the inn, and, she saw the twisted, charred remains of at least half a dozen people scattered through the debris. “No, no, no, no… no!” she cried. Opal fell to her knees sobbing. Her mind flooded with memories of the days when she was a court healer. I used to help people. I used to heal people. Now what? She wanted to scream out to Zian, ask him why he had sent her here, but she knew he was not to blame. The tragedy of what she witnessed steadily filled her with a new level of anger, one that demanded action. Opal reached into the ash and pulled out a foot-long piece of charred wood. Whipping around in a rage, she heaved the debris over her head. The wood exploded into a puff of ash as it hit a bush; a flock of black birds crowed as they were frightened from some nearby trees. Their flight caught Opal’s eye for an instant, and when she looked back down, she caught a P a g e | 286 glimpse of someone or something dashing between two cottages to her far left. At first, she assumed it was Zian, and she tried to reach out to him with her mind, but there was no response. <Zian, I know you hear me!> Opal stood silently looking from side to side. She wiped the tears out of her eyes, only to smear trails of wet ash down her red face. SNAP! Opal spun around toward the sound of a dry twig breaking. A small child ran out from behind one of the small cottages toward the town’s square. Without hesitating, Opal took off in pursuit. She ran as fast as she could, gaining on the child with every stride. As she drew closer she could tell the child was a young boy, seven or eight at most. “Wait!” she yelled. The young boy looked back at her as he desperately tried to escape. “Don’t hurt me,” he cried—he appeared terrified. Just when she was close enough to grab the child’s shoulder, a sharp stomach cramp lanced through her. The pain was so strong she doubled over and clenched her side. P a g e | 287 Not wanting the boy to escape, Opal cast a spell to stop him before he reached the thick tree line. A bright pulsating ball of plum-colored light appeared in her left hand. She quickly raised her arm and aimed it at the running child. Without warning, the tingling feeling which frequently accompanied the use of her magic struck hard. In the past, the sensation had come in small waves, a shiver across her skin or a tingle at her breast. This time the feeling rumbled down her body, and shot out every limb. Caught between the stomach cramp and the intense, full-body shiver, she lost concentration. The spell fired from her hand at lightning speed, pelting the child squarely between his shoulders as he ran away. The child disappeared into a puff of violet smoke, only to reappear no more than five feet in front of Opal. As Opal had hoped, his momentum threw him forward, and he stumbled right into her open arms. “No!” the child screamed. “Let go!” “Calm down.” Opal held him in a tight embrace. “I won’t hurt you, sweetie.” The boy cried out in fear as he squirmed in her arms. “You’re safe. I’m a healer,” Opal said softly. “I’m here to help.” P a g e | 288 The boy calmed slightly. “Do all healers wear war paint?” he asked tremulously. “War paint?” Opal said, puzzled. “You’re here to save us?” The child smiled. Opal let the little boy go and promptly realized that the pain in her stomach had vanished. As her mind ticked over the possible reasons for her sudden illness, the boy continued. “Mommy and Daddy left without Granddad, so I came back to get him. Shh! He’s sleeping,” the boy said, nearly hyperventilating. “Where are your parents?” Opal interrupted. But he could not or would not tell. Opal took his tiny hand in hers and asked him to escort her in the direction of his grandfather. Right away, the boy led her back through town not far from where the inn was located. It was a quaint-looking cabin, small, but large enough to house a family. When Opal peeked in, she feared and expected the worst. Nevertheless was still shocked by what she found. The little boy’s grandfather lay on the floor inside. The cabin itself was torn apart. Old clothes, books, and cookware cluttered the floor. Opal wanted to believe that the reason it looked this way was because the family had fled the town in haste, but she knew P a g e | 289 better. The smell in the air—there’s blood here. The cabin had been looted. “Come with me.” Opal led the little boy away from the cabin and told him to wait while she went back inside. “Will you show me a trick?” he asked. “Yes, but only if you stay right here for a bit,” Opal said, and then pointed to a spot on the ground. “Really? Okay!” He plopped down on the ground and began picking the grass around him. “Hurry.” “I will.” Opal cautiously reentered the house. She crept into the main room toward the body of the little boy’s grandfather. I should use a spell: a shield, some light, a weapon—no. That… intense feeling that came with the last spell I cast… I’m not sure I can handle it right now. After a quick inspection of the corpse, Opal determined that the man had been stabbed. She glanced at the partially open bedroom door in the corner of the room. Is someone there? The old man’s eyes held her attention; they had rolled back in his head and the veins in his neck had popped out. Opal had seen eyes likes this before. He died in extreme pain. She looked at the open bedroom door again and had a sober thought. If his killer remains, I might too. P a g e | 290 She crossed his arms over his chest, stood up, and peeked at the partially open door. The fear of what might lay beyond it gripped her so tightly that she was reluctant to move, and yet she was irresistibly drawn toward it. The looters had been thorough. They had emptied every cabinet, barrel, and chest onto the floor. Opal threaded her way through the clutter toward the bedroom. Once in front of the door, she thrust it open. The back room was empty. It seemed as if the looters had stolen every last item of use, even the bedding. Such chaos, Opal thought, and it’s all my fault. I should’ve considered the repercussions before resurrecting a hotheaded amateur like Max. As Opal staggered out of the cabin, the child looked up at her, guileless. “Is he awake yet?” “No, not yet,” she said. “Oh,” the little boy replied, disappointed, then, brightening, “Show me a trick?” “Look… I’m sorry but…” Opal began, but was interrupted by a woman’s scream. “Timothy!” “Mommy?” the little boy yelled as he jumped to his feet. P a g e | 291 Three elderly men in dirt-stained farmer’s clothing appeared between two of the neighboring cabins. The men held their ground in a tight line, as if they waited for a command to attack. Their angry faces were much more threatening than the rusty pitchforks they bore. “Mommy?” the little boy called out again. Instinctively, Opal stepped in front of the boy placing herself between him and the irate men. Some time had passed and no one moved, until a frantic-looking woman pushed her way beyond the three men. “Timothy!” she screamed. “Mommy!” The little boy dashed around Opal to his mother, latching himself to her leg. “It’s okay, baby. Mommy’s here,” the woman soothed. “Mommy, this woman was helping me wake grandfather. She’s a healer.” The woman had not stopped examining Opal since she arrived. And now Opal followed the woman’s eyes as they moved up and down her body several times, before finally coming to rest on her face. “You look more like some rich whore than a healer,” the woman said. “Of course, whores use squashed berries not dirt to highlight their faces.” P a g e | 292 Opal quickly wiped her face, discovering the smeared ash on her cheeks. “Mommy, she’s a magical healer,” Timmy snapped. “Timmy, do not speak like that.” “Actually, I am,” Opal interrupted. One of the men spoke up. “I thought she looked familiar. I saw her in the bar two nights ago. Damn, it’s her! She’s the one!” Pitchforks were now aimed by the men. Opal could feel them directed at her heart. The woman lifted up her child as she glared at Opal. The guilt that had nagged at Opal since she entered the town suddenly crashed back upon her tenfold. There was no need to talk, or use her magic to read their emotions; she could clearly read what they were thinking in their gestures, and it turned her stomach. “You’re responsible for all of this!” one of the men yelled, waving his pitchfork at her. “Not me,” Opal replied. “It was the other—” “The man you destroyed was somehow recreated—returned to life. He was screaming in pain, so a few of us tried to help him…” Opal did not have to listen to the rest; she knew how the story would end. By the appearance of the town, Maximilian must have been filled with fury, and when he P a g e | 293 regained his powers, he had unleashed them upon his surroundings with an earth-shattering force. “I’m not like him,” Opal stated, waving her hands chest height. “I’m not responsible for his actions.” “Oh, well then, if you’re so bleeding different, then you should’ve protected us!” another man yelled, his voice quivering. “So many lives lost and why? Why?” the woman sobbed. The mother’s tears gnawed at Opal’s heart; she wanted to vomit. It was not so long ago when my duty was to help the injured, now I’m responsible for so many casualties. How did this happen? she asked herself. When did I become so heartless? Opal mumbled an apology as she fled, once again through a small portal that magically transported her to the mages’ fortress. The deluge of confusion and sadness she had felt for days had quickly twisted into seething anger, and the result was a piercing headache. Opal wanted to lash out at the archmages but could not. Her emotions were being pulled in two directions: total disgust for the way the Council toyed with life enraged her, yet underneath all the hatred she felt gratitude, because without the council, she would not have learned to protect herself. P a g e | 294 Not long after she set foot on the cold stone floor of the fortress, Archmage Justice contacted her. They must have been tracking my movements; she expected no less. Still, the tone of Justice’s impatient and superior tone irked her. <Report immediately to the training fields, Opal.> <I’ll be right there.> <You better be.> Opal ground her teeth through each syllable. With a deep breath, she focused on not allowing her emotions to control her actions. This is exactly what I want. Now is my chance. P a g e | 295 Chapter 34 Discovery Below the fortress on the Lightning Field, Opal practiced her spells. It was a routine she thought she had outgrown months ago. Practice, lecture, and practice again, all while being bombarded by the constant dialogue of the archmage she nicknamed Limper. “You’re only limited by your own creativity, Opal,” Limper continued. She smirked and crossed her arms over her chest. If he only knew… “Now let us recap. I have placed a bottle in this field—” the archmage began. “Over there, five or six steps from that tree trunk,” she said without hesitation. The archmage looked amazed briefly. P a g e | 296 “You’re very fortunate, Opal. You don’t have to depend on skills most of us have to. But how can you cast a spell you have never even imagined before?” Limper asked sincerely. Opal shrugged, too busy trying to formulate the best way to ask her question to respond. It was the sense that she had already waited too long that made her spit out, “Are you the last upstart mage?” Limper froze a moment. When he finally moved again, it was to wipe his brow and face with a handkerchief he carried in the sleeve of his robe. As he shook his head with what appeared to be surprise and frustration, he sat down on a tree stump. Opal waited patiently for the old mage to speak. As she stared at him, she realized the look on his sad, old face said more than any words could. “You are,” she blurted out. “Yes, I am,” Limper admitted, nodding solemnly. “Then the rest of the archmages are survivors of the dark mage faction,” Opal concluded, the last piece of the puzzle falling in place. “Yes,” he said softly. Opal paced back and forth in front of him, her mind churning. “I was inside Spire Anguish. I saw the message.” P a g e | 297 “No, you couldn’t have seen my message,” Limper said. “That spell was designed to kill any form of evil that entered.” “Oh, it hurt,” Opal confessed as she motioned to her head. “But as you can see, I’m still alive.” “That you are.” “Come to think of it, those who now dwell in the tower may have actually saved my life by pulling me out.” Limper stood and hobbled toward Opal until he was only a few steps away from her. “You started your career with the High Council as a healer, if my memory serves me, correct?” “Yes,” Opal replied. “How could I have been so blind?” Limper muttered. “Your powers originate from nature. Of course, this must mean… you’re not one of them.” Opal did not fully understand what the old archmage was implying. How could I be responsible for such dreadful things, she thought, if my powers are derived from all that is good in nature? “Have you not heard of my accomplishments these recent months? More than once, I have chosen death over life.” P a g e | 298 “The archmages have been seducing you with the dark magical arts since you joined, young Opal. That’s how they shape you in their image of pure evil.” Opal’s stomach flip-flopped—she felt like she could be sick at any moment. She understood it all but could hardly believe any of it. How, she wondered, how could I have allowed this to happen? How could I be charmed and entranced by the foulest of magic? A sour taste overcame her mouth as she realized that, while blind to their purpose, she had handed these wicked men the one person she loved more than any other: Karn. The old mage continued to speak, but he may as well have been talking to himself. Opal closed her eyes and turned away. Don’t let him see you like this. Show power, not weakness. The mounting winds whipped her silky red hair up over her head. A bright yellow-brown aura enveloped her body and nearly lifted her off the ground. Opal threw out her arms and screamed at the top of her lungs. Instantly, the ground in front of her began to tremble and crack. Grass shot out into the wind and small chunks of dirt and rock exploded. The earth rumbled all around her, yet she stood still before the destruction. Then, like a bolt of lightning, the earthquake at her feet crossed the field toward the distant P a g e | 299 tree line. Moments later, trees toppled with thunderous crashes. As the wind died, so did Opal’s throaty scream. She opened her eyes slowly and finally cast a glance at Limper. “What was that?” the archmage shouted. Opal grumbled her response. “Ages of anger.” While Opal enjoyed the results of her vented frustration, Justice and his owl familiar appeared through a portal similar to one of her own. “Impressive.” Limper’s old, dry, face went pale at the sight of his fellow archmage. Opal understood. Justice’s sudden arrival no doubt meant trouble for both of them. “Horus, for the record, we all knew you would eventually fold. My question is: Why now? We need to be at full strength. The warlord comes to kill us all, and you weaken us by telling this one the truth!” Justice’s voice was filled with scorn. “I’m done with all of you!” Opal screamed the moment Justice finished speaking. “I will not aid you twisted old bastards anymore!” “Really? And what makes you think you can prevent us from forcing you?” Justice replied, his owl taking off from his shoulder. P a g e | 300 “I can—” Opal started. “Quiet!” Justice’s voice invaded her mind and body. It stole away her voice and held her statue still. While Justice walked toward her, taking his time, a smile formed on his crumpled old face. Desperate to free herself from the mage’s spell, Opal’s body shivered and new, unpolluted rage grew within her. When Justice drew close enough to touch her, he reached out toward her belly. “Opal, you’re with child,” he surmised as his shriveled fingers brushed against her stomach. At first, she did not hear his words. All of her senses focused on his hand as it rested upon her stomach. At that moment, she felt complete and utter disgust, as if that one emotion was all she had, all she breathed and consumed. Her body tensed and the hairs on her arm stood on end. The air near her body crackled; then deep inside her, a golden-green bubble of magical energy formed and began to grow outward. It pushed Justice slowly and gently away from her. Apparently dumbfounded, he fought to stand his ground. Then, the bubble retracted slightly and flexed outward with a flash of blinding light that scared away Justice’s owl. P a g e | 301 When the bubble struck Justice’s body, he burst, his bloody insides splattering far across Lightning Field. As he died his silence spell faded. The bubble rapidly dissolved, and Opal stepped away from the blood-soaked grass toward the other archmage. “You!” She pointed at Limper, who stared in disbelief. “Wh-what?” Her heart leaped in joy at the fear in his tone. “Whose side are you on? Don’t lie to me or I’ll kill you, I swear it!” Opal shouted, her teeth bared like a rabid animal. “I have been and always will be an upstart,” he announced proudly. “Then get as far away from this place as you can.” “Your child, it—” “Gods help me, speak another word and you die.” Opal half expected the remainder of the mages of the High Council to rain down upon her like a cataclysmic storm. Yet nothing disturbed the field’s customary calmness and tranquility. Where are they? Why haven’t they come? “Go now,” she said calmly. “Goodbye then,” Limper whispered before he vanished down into the ground, swallowed by the earth at his feet. P a g e | 302 Once Limper was gone, Opal realized that what she had done had set events into motion. She had made a decision, one that would shape her life forever. “Zian!” she screamed as she lifted her face to the sky. “I’ve chosen!” P a g e | 303 Chapter 35 Assault Opal teleported herself back into the mages’ stronghold directly outside the High Council’s meeting room. She took a few deep breaths and shoved the big wooden double doors open. They slammed into the wall with a resonating thud that she imagined rumbled throughout the entire fortress. Opal did not know what to expect, but she never would have anticipated what she found. The High Council Supreme Archmage sat slumped over the table, his skin charred and still smoking. The smoldering carcasses of two other mages, most likely students by the markings on their robes, lay on the floor side by side. The stench of scorched flesh started to overcome her. Opal staggered backward out of the room and, choking, rushed to the first open window she could find. P a g e | 304 “Zian?” she called out. “Are you here?” As she waited for a response, she thought of the beast man. He would’ve gutted them. He wouldn’t have set them ablaze. Before her head could clear, she heard something approaching. She looked down the hallway and saw Zian, his body so low to the ground that his bared fangs nearly scraped the stone floor. “Zian! It’s me, Opal!” she yelled for fear he would attack. “I just tore out the throat of that horrid whistling man,” Zian huffed. “It was much more satisfying than I had anticipated.” “You did what?” she blurted, shocked. “You killed Whistler?” “How many have you destroyed?” Zian asked, peering over his shoulder, his nose twitching. “I killed one in the field,” Opal answered. The death toll did not add up. “And the one I discovered in your room?” He pointed with his snout. “In my room?” She shook her head. “No. I didn’t kill anyone in my room.” Opal could not fathom what was P a g e | 305 happening, and the possibilities scared her more than the archmages themselves did. “Who’s killing them?” “There are many scents present, but none out of the ordinary.” Zian sniffed the air. “Could Mustaffa be here?” Opal watched Zian’s ears perk up as his head slowly rose. Zian turned to her and moved suddenly. His touch was soft at first. What is he— Opal found herself suddenly on the floor, shoved nearly five feet by the beast man. Before she could ask why, a huge beam of bright magical energy shot through the wall where she had stood only moments before. As thick as two oak trees, the beam left a gaping hole in the wall, where it exited the fortress. The sound of melting stone hissed like snakes as white vapor rose from the damage. “Quick, follow me, girl,” Zian commanded as he bolted off down the hallway away from the smoking hole. Opal hated when he called her girl. The way he pronounced the word sounded like nothing more than a growl. Today it seemed even less human than normal. Perhaps, she thought, he’s still angry with me over what transpired at New Maejika. Opal ran as fast as she could but lagged behind, unable to keep up with Zian’s catlike speed. When Zian P a g e | 306 stopped, a chill shot down her spine. She knew without asking that Zian had found a target. When she reached him, she heard what he was listening to. “Zian, wait… That voice,” Opal observed. “Yes, it belongs to that bastard Maximilian.” Opal peered around the corner just in time to watch Max raise his hands against her friend Elizabeth. A scream built in her lungs, but the pounding of her heart barricaded it in her chest. Opal watched her friend transform herself into water and was relieved for just a moment before she witnessed the unthinkable. As Elizabeth began to melt into the floor, Max emitted a pulsating flash of blinding energy. The amber-colored radiance burned through Elizabeth instantly, evaporating her water form into steam. Elizabeth did not cry out in pain; she went bravely to her death. The sight made Opal’s heart want to burst through her chest. Her friend’s murder—by a man Opal could have left dead—made her boil with rage. With great effort she choked back a frenzy-filled howl and stepped into view. Gritting her teeth, she stood eye to eye with the man who had so callously killed someone she loved. “Opal, how good to see you.” P a g e | 307 It was not until he spoke that she realized the left side of his face was damaged; his brow scarred, his cheek sunken in, and the side of his jaw missing. “What happened to your face?” “You did. But I forgive you.” Max traced his fingers down his ruined face. “I will find a way to heal this soon.” “I did this?” “Oh, Opal,” Max said cheerfully. “We have so much to talk about, you and I.” He opened his arms as if to welcome her with a hug. He’s smiling. That asshole is smiling. Opal forced herself to move. “Imagine my surprise when you murdered—what do you call him? Yes, Justice,” Max said offhandedly. “I never would’ve guessed it. Good work.” “Guessed what?” “Guessed that the warlord had gotten to you too,” Max said, as he continued to approach her. “Mind you, I’m only serving him to get my mother back. Then I will kill him too.” “You’re working for Mustaffa?” she gasped. “Is he here?” P a g e | 308 “No, dear Opal, he’s not here. But if he were, he would commend me for my work,” Maximilian boasted, wiping his chin where drool spilled from his damaged mouth. “Let me guess. He caught your precious lover and told you he would set him free if you helped?” Opal wanted to say something, to condemn him, but bit her tongue instead. “I just wish the warlord would’ve sent me some sort of warning that you would be coming to aid me. I was in the middle of a meeting with the Supreme Archmage and two other students when he sensed your attack. You should’ve seen the look on his face when he realized that you had betrayed him. It was almost as horrified as the look he gave me when I burned the skin from his dried up, old body.” Max chuckled. Twisted bastard. He’s truly amused by his wicked deeds. I hate myself for it, but I have felt the same for my accomplishments. Max was now a few feet from Opal, looking her directly in the eye. “Such a pity. After what you did to me; how you left me…” he shivered. “I was so looking forward to killing you. Yet as much as it sickens me, I have to admit… I may need your help. Even with my powers amplified, I cannot possibly kill them all alone.” His words echoed in her head. “Powers amplified?” P a g e | 309 “Oh, I assumed he amplified yours too.” Bemused, Maximilian looked at Opal. Opal could not answer. Although she had tried her best to avoid it, her eyes had fallen to the wet spot on the floor that was all that remained of her friend Elizabeth. “You see,” Maximilian began, “The warlord forced a powerful mage from his continent to create a few magical items to aid in his war against the council.” He waved his hand. “This ring augments my powers for as long as I wear it.” “Max, why would the man who is at war with the High Council give a member of it something to amplify his powers?” Opal asked suspiciously. “Perhaps he’s an even bigger fool than we all imagined,” Max answered airily. Once again, Maximilian began to pace, this time passing her while he finished gloating. As he moved, a strange sensation made Opal’s skin crawl. Her intuition said he was going to attack. She blinked her eyes, during which an image of him spinning around, his hands engulfed in sunlike fire, filled her mind. Opal tensed up and prepared to react. When she heard the heels of his boots plant firmly on the stone floor, Opal spun just in time to catch her rival P a g e | 310 as he too turned. As she had foreseen, Max’s hands were glowing as he summoned an offensive spell. Instantly, the sharp points of a thick, golden substance that Opal could only identify as living-growing crystal sprang forth from his hands. The sparkling crystal was aimed at her. Had it not been for her precognition, she would not have been prepared to protect herself. Fortunately, Opal materialized a thick jade-colored energy barrier between herself and Max. Most of the spikes struck the magical barrier hard, biting deeply into it. A few spikes redirected themselves after they struck the shield, and hit the floor of the fortress creating large holes. Opal wanted to run, but she knew the barrier she had created would disintegrate if she did not use her powers to maintain it. As she peered through the transparent, magical wall, Opal could see Max pushing forward, yelling the entire time. His enraged screams were drowned out by the noise of his spell, something that sounded like a hundred horse-drawn wagons speeding across the open plains. Opal strained to keep the barrier intact, but began to lose her concentration. Her faltering allowed one tiny spike to break through, and it nearly stabbed the bare flesh of her shoulder. There was no other option but to retreat before it was too late. P a g e | 311 When Opal turned to cast a portal spell, the unyielding force of Maximilian’s magical spikes began to drill effortlessly through her shield, and it broke. Opal’s portal opened just a half a step away. As she shakily pivoted back to her damaged shield, her eyes widened with horror. Three small spikes whistled toward her like arrows. One spike struck her hard, piercing her stomach just below the navel and the force drove Opal back and through the portal, only to redeposit her directly behind her assailant. Too weak to attack, she stood frozen, blood leaking through her fingers as she covered the wound with her hands. *** Zian’s nostrils flared at the sweet scent of blood. From his position down the hallway, he saw that Opal was badly wounded. He knew he had been wrong to allow her to go into battle alone, but he also knew he could not risk rushing in to attack this powerful boy, as he had done with the older, slower mages. Such a move could be fatal, and there are many tasks to complete. Girl, you may not have defeated the enemy, but you have distracted him perfectly. Zian crept in low, behind the arrogant young mage. He was so close he could almost taste Max’s sweat as it dried on his warm flesh. When there was no chance he could miss P a g e | 312 his target, Zian lunged and sunk his teeth hard into the young magician’s left arm. Got you. Zian thrashed his head around, shredding Max’s flesh. Ravenous, he clenched his frothing jaws down further into the bone. Maximilian was no longer in command of his attack. The magical spikes from his right hand continued springing forward, drilling into the walls, ceiling, and floor, damaging the fortress beyond repair. Zian controlled himself, but only for a second—only long enough to look at Opal, who was lying face down on the cold stone floor, gazing up at him with teary eyes. Fluids so dark they no longer looked like blood pooled under her stomach and drained into the tiny cracks of the old stone floor. “Zian,” she choked out. The sound of Max’s arm cracking and tearing free inside Zian’s powerful jaws was nearly as loud as the building’s rumbling. Max howled in sobbing pain as he spun around and around, and then abruptly passed out. Zian tossed the limb to the floor, and watched it roll into a fissure and disappear. “Gone,” he grumbled. “Zian…” P a g e | 313 He could read her pain; it throbbed deeply in her chest and sent tremors down her kicking legs. The young mage worked desperately to mend herself, but Zian did not see the light of a cast spell. Nothing was happening. BOOM. Zian jumped over another large crack in the floor, almost landing on Opal. “Stir yourself, girl! This building collapses,” he growled. “By the bright gods, Zian… I think I’m dying,” Opal whimpered, nearly swooning. “I will not let you die, girl. You still have importance to this world.” Zian scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder, glancing back at his enemy, who was motionless on the floor. The jackalwere wanted to go back and finish him off, but there was no time. All he could do was growl with frustration. Zian sped down the hall in the direction of the High Council’s meeting room. He planned to exit the fortress through the hole created by the blast that had nearly hit him and Opal earlier. When he reached the opening, he stood at its gaping mouth and stared down at the rocky ledge below. The P a g e | 314 crumbling foundation’s vibrations rumbled down the side of the mountain, and made it as unstable as the fortress itself. Zian felt his nerves falter as he focused on the debris as it rolled down the mountainside along with loose dirt and gravel. As much as he wanted to jump, he knew to traverse such loose terrain would be impossible while carrying Opal. He mentally retraced every step he had taken. The stairs—they are my best means for escape. As he bolted toward the staircase at the end of the hall, a portion of the outer wall buckled and created a wave of motion that flung him into the opposite wall. Zian lost his footing, dropped to his knees, and skidded several feet, further tearing the dirty, old pantaloons he wore. “We’re too late,” Opal whispered with an eerie calm. The ground shook so hard he was unable to stand, so he crawled halfway down the hallway, refusing to give up. It was not until he passed three more rooms that he could get his footing again. His ears snapped up as he heard a distant scream ahead. To his surprise, a mage not much older than Opal clung to the doorway of the last room in the hall. Even with Zian’s acute hearing, he could hardly understand the man’s voice as it called out to him. P a g e | 315 “Thank the gods, another survivor! Come here, beast!” Zian hated these humans so much they made his skin crawl. He ignored the man’s cries as he continued to trudge down the hallway with Opal hanging limply over his shoulder, but the mage persisted. “She must live!” the young man shouted as he grabbed Zian’s furry arm. “The future! The future!” “Let go of my arm, mage, or I’ll tear open your belly and dine on your guts,” Zian growled as he continued forward. “You’ll never make it down the stairs; my home will come down upon you before you reach the bottom.” Zian paused. His instinct told him to drop the girl and save himself, but he knew such cowardice was not an option. Swallowing his pride, the jackalwere snarled, “Aid us, then.” “Follow me.” “Follow,” Zian echoed under his breath. The fortress’s quaking became more and more violent. It felt as if he was in the belly of a wounded animal during its death throes; there was little time left. He entered a room as the mage sat down on the floor next to a fallen bookcase and overturned chair. White-faced, the young mage instructed Zian to set Opal down and sit. P a g e | 316 “I’ve been a student here as long as she has, but I have nowhere near her power. I cannot transport us to safety, but I can construct a shield around the three of us, one that should be strong enough to protect us from the building as it collapses.” “Should be?” Zian asked. He did not want to trust the mage. “I’m betting all of our lives on it. That and much, much more,” he said with a humorlessly chuckle. “You see, my mother was an elf. I know what is coming…” “Help,” Opal moaned as she awoke. “Relax, girl,” Zian snapped, and then turned to the student. “You speak of the future, mage. If you wish to see yours, pray she survives this.” The mage pulled an old tarnished, bronze scepter out of his robes and pressed it to his lips, whispering to himself. As thick jade-colored substance began flowing up from the floor and formed a tight ball around all three of them. Inside it, the mage instructed Zian to sit still and hold Opal tight. Fist-sized chunks of stone fell from the ceiling of the small room, striking the mystical shield with little effect. One after another, more stones rained down upon the barrier, but it held strong against the crumbling castle… P a g e | 317 until suddenly the fortress lurched to the side and began shaking harder than Zian had imagined possible. “Mage, hold the shield!” Pillars snapped and support beams shattered. Stone that had held up to ages of stress exploded into dust as the giant fortress collapsed. Large masses of rock slammed into the shield, some bouncing off while others slid to the side. Soon, the bubble that encased them was completely entombed in rubble. Zian howled in agitation. Although the feeling of being imprisoned was uncomfortable, he did not take his eyes off the young mage, not even to blink. The strain of holding up the shield took its toll on the man. Zian watched each drop of sweat pour down the magician’s creased brow. “Hold the shield!” Zian growled. The shaking had stopped, and the space around them grew eerily quiet. “We have survived!” the mage said, looking up into Zian’s eyes. “Quiet. Listen.” Zian’s ears tilted back and forth. The side of the mountain where the fortress was situated began to rumble. As the earth shifted, dirt slid, and the remains of the mages’ home began tumbling down the mountain. At first the bubble-shaped shield only glided P a g e | 318 slowly. As the debris that was covering the shield broke free, a tiny section of the bubble near Zian turned transparent. The mage groaned, desperately concentrating to keep the barrier intact, but in a flash, Zian could see what was causing their movement: a massive landslide headed directly toward a cliff. “Lords, no!” the mage screamed. Zian broke eye contact with the boy long enough to turn and see the cliff as they slid off it. Their bodies bounced around the claustrophobic bubble as they rolled down the mountain. In no time, they had become tangled together. Elbows collided with shoulders, knees with heads. After witnessing the mage’s foot strike Opal’s chest, Zian wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to keep her safe. “Do something!” he growled in pain. “I cannot hold the spell much longer! I’m too weak!” “Mage!” The shield crashed into the rocks at the bottom of the mountain with such force that it burst, sending the occupants spinning through the air like rag dolls and scattering them across the field. P a g e | 319 Chapter 36 Empty Opal landed clear of the rocks on a soft mound of moist grass. When she fully awoke, she stayed on her back, staring at the cloudless blue sky. She had grown numb to the pain in her stomach and was strangely comfortable lying there. A distant rumble made her look at the top of the mountain. The remains of what was once her home burned, prompting her to move away and seek safety. Opal stood slowly, tucking her untidy crimson hair behind her ears as she looked around. Debris from the fortress was everywhere: stone, chunks of wood, glass from broken windows, even scrolls from the mages’ rooms. Out of the corner of her eye, Opal spotted a sparkle of light reflecting off of a piece of metal: Zian’s plate mail. He’s covered in old books and the remains of what could be a bookcase. The P a g e | 320 beast man’s tough. I can see him breathing from here… though he’s clearly unconscious. When Opal took a step in Zian’s direction, she felt something sticky between her thighs. She gazed down at the blood still seeping from the puncture wound in her belly. Slowly, her eyes traveled further down, finding that the skirt she wore was soaked in dark blood. With hands that were equally covered, she reached down between her legs. So much blood, she thought, as her eyes continued down her legs. A thick stream of red crept toward her knees. Opal held her breath and prayed, then yanked up her skirt completely to reveal a shade of red so dark it was nearly black. “No!” Opal’s dry voice cracked. With the realization of the severity of her wounds came the pain, a sensation worse than any cramp she had ever endured. Lightheadedness and nausea overcame her, throwing her off balance. Please, no, she thought as she fell over backward. Tears streaked down her face as she lay convulsing in the grass. When the pain finally peaked, it did so with a sharp ripping sensation that made her grit her teeth so hard she thought they might crack. Opal wanted to die. *** P a g e | 321 She was unsure how much time had passed since the pain subsided and could not understand why death had not claimed her. The only thing she was sure of was that the sun was down and air smelled cool and fresh. Opal blinked her eyes open and peered down at her chest. What is this? she thought as she pinched the fabric of her blouse, now torn into strips and roughly wrapped around her torso. Homemade bandages? “Hello?” she said, her mouth dry as a desert. There was no response. She tried to sit, but the pain prevented it. After a few deep breaths, Opal rolled to her side and pushed herself up to sitting. She determined she was alone, but she still felt compelled to call out again. “Hello?” Nothing. “Zian?” Nothing. “Anyone?” Still nothing. I’ve failed. I’ve ruined everything. Karn, I need you. Where are you? Where are you? She fixated on Kel Tora, and before she knew it, a swirl of purple radiance formed directly in front of her. This portal will take me there, but it’s been many summers P a g e | 322 since I’ve been to Kel Tora. Opal tried as hard as she could but could not clearly recall the layout of the town. Instead, she focused on a spot outside the town, where her family had once attended a farmer’s fair. Exhausted, she rallied just enough strength to crawl across the grass and through the portal. P a g e | 323 Chapter 37 Another While he traversed the road like any common wayfarer, Karn had fallen in with another traveler, a man called Morwik. Morwik did not speak much. He appeared to be focused on something so very important that it would not allow for conversation. Clearly a refugee of some war-torn land, Morwik wore a high-ranking soldier’s armor but carried no sign, symbol, or crest. Although Karn asked, and told him of his own misfortune at the hands of the invading warlord, Morwik offered no clues to his own origin. After a day of footsore travel, they came upon stables in a small village known to Morwik that were willing to sell them two horses. It being easier to ride, Karn thought it might allow for better conversation, but Morwik was no more communicative. After four long days of arduous, fast- P a g e | 324 paced riding, Karn and Morwik reached the outskirts of Kel Tora. The town was surrounded by a crude wooden wall that seemed to have been built in a rush, given its poor craftsmanship and shoddy design. Morwik had explained that Kel Tora’s monarch, a flashy man often referred to only as “the duke,” had also built a series of watchtowers a few leagues to the south. Karn stared curiously at their outlines in the distance, stark against the bright afternoon sun. “The signs of a thorough defense, outside of a town so beautifully decorated for peace… they feel painfully out of place,” Karn said to Morwik. The town of Kel Tora itself was large and nearly encircled Kel Tora castle. It was much larger than Karn had imagined. This place, I’ve never seen the likes, Karn thought. Massive. I hope this duke has an army that matches its size. “We best hurry,” Morwik said. They urged their mounts forward, eager to arrive. As they drew closer, Morwik spotted a gate and a group of guards who were busy inspecting travelers as they entered. “Good, this will work to our advantage. We should be meeting with the duke in no time,” Morwik said. P a g e | 325 Karn brushed dirt and grass from himself after he dismounted. Although he was feeling impatient, he took the reins of his and Morwik’s horses, and waited while his new ally spoke to the guards. “Men.” Morwik nodded in military fashion as he approached them. “Sir,” one replied. Karn watched as Morwik spoke words he never would have expected. “I am Morwik Cordenz, brother of the King of Weiden’s Rise. I seek a meeting with the Duke Essex of Kel Tora.” Morwik raised his hand to display his royal ring. The guards stared at his hand, then at each other. “Sir, you bear no royal seal,” the polite guard responded. Morwik’s face grew dark. “Blast! I recall now. I removed Weiden’s Rise’s marks in order to remain incognito as I traveled,” he said. “And I must have lost the wretched thing. You must excuse me, the ride here was demanding. Summon the duke; he knows who I am.” “You’re going to have to come with us, sir,” the guard said as he seized Morwik’s arm. “I swear by the gods, I am one of Weiden’s Rise’s Royal family!” P a g e | 326 Karn watched as the guards surrounded Morwik. The desire to fight heated Karn’s blood. The urge was strong, despite the fact that these were nominally his allies. His knuckles turned white as his grip on his sword tightened. But as he prepared to draw his weapon, a hooded figure bumped into him. Karn’s attention was now split. He pivoted toward the hooded man and enough sunlight shone into the hood to reveal the curves of a feminine mouth. Curious, Karn’s eyes moved down the figure to a pair of smooth, bare legs that slipped out from under the hooded cloak with each step. A woman? Morwik and the guards were gone, vanished into a sea of busy townsfolk when Karn was distracted. At that moment, Karn noticed that his perception seemed askew. His eyes were slightly out of focus and sounds were muffled. Riding fatigue, he figured and dismissed the feeling. “Can I help you?” a new guard asked as Karn approached. “I wish to enter the town,” Karn said, glancing around. “All we ask is that you state your intent.” Karn said the first words that came to mind, “seeking allies.” P a g e | 327 “Seeking allies?” The guard repeated. “Allies for what?” “The war.” “I see. Well, if it’s allies you desire, friend, join Kel Tora’s army,” the guard suggested. “Next!” Karn nodded, then led the two horses through the gate. Once inside, he noticed that the northeastern part of town, where he had entered, was devoid of homes. It contained only several barracks and an ironworker’s shop. He turned northwest, toward an area consisting mostly of a large garden that stretched directly up to the castle’s outer wall. He followed the narrow street south, into the main part of town until overwhelmed by the noise. There were people everywhere, more people than he could even dream of counting. He had seen crowds in Weiden’s Rise before, but never of this magnitude. It appeared as if the populace of three towns were squeezed into this one. Could Kel Tora be harboring the survivors of the other fallen lands? Karn wondered. He pushed on through the town in a nearly somnolent state of overwhelmed senses. What do I do now? Karn figured his best bet was to reconnect with the only person there that he knew. *** P a g e | 328 Deep within Kel Tora’s tall castle sat Duke Essex, the monarch of Kel Tora. The duke was a strong, handsome man, draped in the finest garments and jewelry. His good looks and elegance were matched by his skills in public speaking. He was often found in town socializing with his people, but this only frustrated the single female population of Kel Tora, as the duke refused to select a consort. Now in his mid-thirties, Duke Essex had recently celebrated his tenth summer governing the kingdom of Kel Tora. Well known for his ideals of leadership, honesty, and integrity, the duke had ushered a new age of prosperity into Kel Tora. Although he reigned in a time of relative peace and happiness, the duke was well read in the ways of war and battle strategy. He had collected every book Kel Tora had to offer on the topic during his young adulthood, and his passing hobby had transformed into one of his leading pastimes. Little did he know he would get to put his studies to use on a grand scale. Eight of the duke’s most trusted guards stood careful watch over him in his throne room. Two flanked him while two more guarded the main door and another pair watched over the side entrance. The last two guards stood at the ready on either side of the room. The sounds of birds chirping flitted in through an open window in the throne P a g e | 329 room, and if it were not for their cheery song, the room would have been painfully silent. The large throne room was decorated with the finest collection of art in the region. Duke Essex had long been considered one of the continent’s biggest collectors. The paintings he owned depicted the myth and history of the land. He stood now staring at one of the paintings. Each time he looked, he swore he found a new detail or nuance he’d never seen before. His favorite painting depicted a tournament with seven knights sword fighting. “The Seven Swords of Chaos Legend,” the duke remarked to his advisor, General Leward, who stood beside him. “Yes, sir,” General Leward responded as he suppressed a yawn. General Leward was the duke’s oldest and most trusted friend—a tall, skinny man with blonde hair nearly as light as the duke’s. They had met long ago as students of Illyia’s master swordsman, Kade. Although separated in age by several summers, their complementary skills had them partnered in many training exercises. They had soon become close friends, and when the duke was honored as monarch of Kel Tora, he had insisted his old friend become his chief military advisor. P a g e | 330 “I never put much faith in that myth,” Duke Essex said. “Why not? You’ve seen proof the swords exist.” “Oh, I agree the swords exist and they are powerful weapons, but cursed? I highly doubt that. The only metal I know of that can corrupt a man is gold,” the duke explained. “You may be right,” General Leward allowed. “Now this painting over here,” Duke Essex said as he walked to another painting. “This is a painting of the mermaids that live in the seas surrounding our lands. It explains why no man has successfully sailed from continent to continent.” “I don’t understand, sir,” said Leward. “Well, the mermaids are said to be so beautiful that no man can resist them—” “Now, I highly doubt that,” General Leward laughed. “No woman will be the death of me.” As the duke turned to face General Leward, his red, flamboyant cape snapped like a whip. “You’ll never see me sailing that deep into the ocean,” he said with a chuckle. “I always enjoyed sailing. Perhaps one day I’ll prove you wrong and reach the deepest oceans,” General Leward replied. P a g e | 331 “By all means do, old friend,” Duke Essex chuckled as he patted General Leward’s shoulder. The next canvas depicted a man surrounded by blue light with fire burning the trees around him. Its artistic style was rough, with brush strokes that were much more savage than the other works in the collection. “That one…” The duke smiled. “That one was a gift from one of our new elven friends. How could I not accept such a rarity, General?” “It’s very different than your normal choices, sir.” “Not at all. The painter told me this depicts a legend of her people, like many of these other paintings represent such tales among ours.” The duke waved his hand around the room before sitting down. “Did you know that most elves believe a terrible battle is coming? One so massive and so devastating that it’s destined to change the world as we know it? Perhaps they are right. Perhaps that time is now.” A harried looking man-at-arms rushed into the room. “Sir, dreadful news!” he stated. “Approach.” “We’ve received a relay of news from our scouts that Joa’Ta has fallen. Few survivors have been scattered.” Duke Essex and Leward exchanged grim glances. “Sad tidings,” murmured the duke, his eyes stinging with tears. P a g e | 332 Not only was Kel Tora close allies with both Weiden’s Rise and Joa’ta, but he was also personal friends with both their monarchs. Frustrated that others fought and died protecting Illyia in the south while he sat idle in the north, the duke sighed as he slouched back in his chair. As he dwelled on an uncertain future, the Captain of Kel Tora’s Guard entered the room with two of his men. “Captain, do you have any information for me regarding the abnormal lights that were seen in the forest just outside of town several nights ago?” “Yes, sir, the rangers you sent into the forest have reported all clear. No signs of fire. If there were spies in the woods, they left no trace of their existence.” “Then I ask, what caused that bright glow?” The duke’s voice was filled with tired frustration. “May I speak openly, sir?” the captain asked. Duke Essex waved his hand, a signal for the man to speak quickly. “In my opinion, sir, it may have been the woman that we discovered in the forest. It may be wise to wake her and—” “She’s ill. We’ll grant her time to heal and give her proper hospitality until she’s well enough to answer our P a g e | 333 questions.” The duke rubbed his face. “I know what you’re implying, and besides, have you ever met a mage? Let alone one that young, Captain? I have not.” “Understood, sir.” The captain smirked. “Mmm. Now, have you brought me any other news?” “A wayfarer who appeared at the gate was jailed not long ago. He claimed to be part of Weiden’s Rise’s royal family yet bears no mark or proof.” Duke Essex perked up and pushed forward in his seat. “Eh? Describe him.” The captain described the man as tall with dark hair and skin and blue eyes. “Blue eyes, you say?” Duke Essex repeated. “Yes, sir.” “Bring him to me. There’s an off chance he is who he claims to be.” “Right away, sir.” The guards exited, accompanied by General Leward. The duke turned his attention to a sword rack that hung on the wall. The rack contained five brilliant swords, Kel Tora’s most recent treasure. Few knew of their legend, and even less knew of their existence in Kel Tora. They were a guarded secret and the duke harbored the P a g e | 334 uncomfortable knowledge that at least one of these special swords was now in the hands of the enemy warlord. It was not long ago—only a week after its fall—that one of Weiden’s Rise’s elite knights had arrived in Kel Tora bearing the seal of their king and these five swords. Morwik entrusted them to me; he knew I would keep them safe. As a collector himself, it had been obvious to him that procuring these swords had become Morwik’s passion. It makes perfect sense that Morwik would come to Kel Tora—not only to fortify our alliance, but also to confirm that these treasures arrived safely. A messenger hastened in. “Sir, the captain of the guard will arrive soon with the two men.” “Two men?” “Yes, sir, the man who claimed to be part of Weiden’s Rise’s royal family and his associate.” “In our current situation, we should not be having such security problems.” “Yes, sir.” Moments later, the captain of the guard entered the throne room and bowed deeply. Duke Essex impatiently waved him in. Additional guards ushered in the two prisoners, one struggling the entire way while the other walked calmly. P a g e | 335 Duke Essex recognized the stressed man instantly. “Blessed God of the harvest!” he exclaimed, as his heart nearly jumped out of his chest. “Morwik! Release him now!” The captain of the guard sheepishly cut the ropes binding Morwik’s wrists and then nodded to the man, a gesture of respect. “Thank you, my friend,” Morwik said, rubbing his hands together to get the circulation going. “Is this your man, Morwik?” Duke Essex pointed at Karn. “Indeed he is,” Morwik replied. “As it turns out, Karn here is one of my brother’s finest officers.” “Morwik, I’m so relieved that you are alive,” Duke Essex said as the guards freed Karn. “I’m sorry to say I don’t recognize your comrade.” “Sir, this is Karn, Captain in Weiden’s Rise first cavalry. He led one of our cavalry divisions when it protected the citizens’ escape from town. He’s the reason there were so many survivors from our lands,” Morwik explained. Karn bowed as Morwik and the duke spoke. “Morwik’s friend Karn, you are my friend now as well. Moreover, anyone who would risk his life to save the lives P a g e | 336 of innocents is fully welcome in my home,” Duke Essex stated as he rose from his seat. Karn cleared his throat. “Thank you, sir.” “Why did you imprison these men?” The duke turned his attention to the Captain of the Guard. The captain blinked. “His claim to be Weiden’s Rise royalty could not be confirmed. We had no choice but to consider him a spy.” “I daresay one can’t be too careful when confronted with such claims. I’m sorry, General Cordenz.” The duke looked sharply at the hapless guardsman, who slipped out of the room as unobtrusively as possible. Morwik approached Duke Essex with his hand outstretched. “Please, sir, call me Morwik. General Cordenz died when Weiden’s Rise fell.” Duke Essex nodded; he truly understood his old ally’s words. “My lord, I came here to seek your aid against the warlord,” Karn interjected. “We need to rally the northern lands against him.” “Agreed! Gentlemen, now that we’re going to serve together, I insist you honor me by joining Kel Tora as ranking officers.” He paused. “I need a moment of privacy with my guests. Please excuse us.” P a g e | 337 Duke Essex waited patiently for all of the guards to file out of his throne room before he continued. “I received your package,” he whispered as he approached Morwik and Karn. “I noticed the moment I entered the room.” Morwik smiled. “Thank the gods. Five long summer cycles of questing—hard work I feared was lost.” “Only my generals and personal guards know these swords exist here.” “You have my highest gratitude for keeping the treasures of Weiden’s Rise safe.” “I must admit, they are phenomenal,” Duke Essex said, as he ran his hand across the closest sword’s hilt. “Phenomenal not only in looks, but also in the immense power they hold. Have you felt it—a tingle in the palm of your hand when you grip the hilt?” Morwik pointed to the swords. “If these swords are that powerful, then perhaps we should use them against Mustaffa,” Karn suggested. “Indeed yes, Karn.” Duke Essex smiled, filled with a new energy. “We could distribute them among the three of us and my highest ranking generals. Imagine the advantage these swords could give us against the enemy!” P a g e | 338 “I’m not certain if that’s a wise idea,” Morwik said. “I’m concerned about the curse that’s attached to their legend.” Essex laughed. “Fear not, Morwik. There’s no curse! They could not be in safer hands. Speaking of hands, which one would you like to carry at your side?” Morwik and Karn stared at the swords a second before they each pointed at the one they preferred. “Good choices, my friends.” “And you, my lord?” Morwik asked, as he tested his new sword’s balance. Duke Essex reached out and took the largest sword by its hilt, lifted it, and then swung it over his head. “Perfection,” he declared. “It feels at home in my hand.” He laughed again. “This calls for a celebration.” “I don’t understand.” Karn frowned. “Why, an informal gathering to announce my two newest generals, of course. I’ll invite my highest-ranking officers to the great hall tonight, and we shall toast to a new beginning. Tomorrow the sun rises on a new Kel Tora, one that will defeat Mustaffa!” The duke could see it in their eyes. His charismatic voice had stoked a fire in Morwik and Karn. P a g e | 339 Chapter 38 Her That night, the Duke of Kel Tora hosted a small, casual gathering inside the castle’s great hall, a place normally set aside for political and military meetings. Tonight it roared with the sounds of merriment and song. Every available high-ranking officer in Kel Tora’s army attended to pay proper respect to Morwik and Karn. After a quick announcement of Kel Tora’s two newest officers, the festivities began. Karn and Morwik sat at a small table in the corner. The day had progressed quickly and had left them both with the sensation that time was flying by. “Generals in Kel Tora’s army,” Morwik repeated as he twisted the ring the duke had given him to signify his new rank. “My brother would—” P a g e | 340 “Sir, why didn’t you say anything on the road?” Karn interrupted. “What?” Morwik looked up from his ring. “Why didn’t you tell me you were the king’s brother?” Karn impressed. “I would’ve liked to have known that sooner.” “You didn’t recognize me?” “No—” “No one does anymore.” Morwik chuckled to himself. “I was away so long, people forgot about me.” “So you didn’t tell me to protect yourself?” Karn asked. “Was that why?” “What do you think?” He was smart to do so. We are at war. But even gone as long as he says he was, I should’ve remembered him. “Was my decision wise?” Morwik asked. “Yes, sir, it was. And I appreciate the promotion, but I’m a soldier, not a leader. I—we should be preparing for war, not wasting time celebrating,” Karn protested. “Relax, take a moment for yourself.” Morwik took another drink. “As you can plainly see, I certainly plan to.” Karn saw no reason not to follow suit. P a g e | 341 “The duke was right. With you here, many of Weiden’s Rise’s refugees will take up arms. All you have to do is talk to them.” “Hard work, best suited for the diplomats,” Morwik mumbled and then nodded over the rim of his mug. Karn followed his gaze to a lissome, elven dancer who undulated through the crowd. Her costume consisted of a tiny, purple silk wrap around her chest and a skirt made of a dozen colorful veils. As she walked, the torchlight caressed her body and made her skin sparkle with every little bounce of her breasts. It’s as if the gods themselves sculpted her, Karn thought. Her hair, I’ve never seen the likes—truly exotic: light yellow-green. It complements her pale violet eyes. As she drew close enough to speak to Karn, the scent of wild flowers blew over and tantalizing him. “Greetings, gentlemen. My name is Tala. Duke Essex sent me to entertain you.” She paused and looked into each of their eyes in turn. “His most very special guests.” Tala’s sultry voice made Karn’s heart skip a beat. “Remind me to thank him later,” Karn said under his breath to Morwik. Tala bent over in front of Karn and gave him a clear view of her deliciously rounded breasts. Then, with a P a g e | 342 smooth, deliberate motion, she placed her hands on his knees and leaned in to brush her cheek against his. “You can thank me later, hero,” she whispered into his ear. There was a spark of blue light, and he blinked against it as a tingle of energy shot through his legs where she leaned against them. The tingling flowed through his body, up to his heart. What’s this, this thing that feels like it’s drilling into my very being-my soul? I feel… I feel… When it passed, Karn looked to Morwik for his reaction, but it was obvious that he had not notice anything amiss. “I’m empty. Go get me another mug, lovely one,” Morwik ordered her. “If that’s your pleasure,” Tala replied without breaking eye contact with Karn. “It is.” Tala took Morwik’s mug from his shaky hand with a wink and a smile, and then sauntered off into the crowd, her hips rolling. “Did you see that flash? That… What the hell? What’s happening here?” Karn rattled off but Morwik had drifted off with the motion of the room. P a g e | 343 As Karn caught his breath, a new sensation began as a slight pain in the bridge of his nose, then moved on to a deep throb in his eyes sockets. The feeling quickly developed into the sensation of a dozen burning daggers poking into his brain. The sensation peaked and then suddenly disappeared, and with it went all the memories of the strange tingle and the flash of light he had just felt. “You say something, Karn?” “Oh. Yes, sir, she reminds me of someone I met before, I swear it,” Karn replied as he rubbed his eyes. “Lucky you then, I say. She’s very attractive, but Mustaffa’s lifeblood on my sword is the only thing I desire,” Morwik said in a loud voice, pounding his fist on the table, spilling the remainder of the ale in Karn’s mug. Karn looked at him, surprised. I don’t know you well, Morwik, but I know this, yours is a temper to be feared. “Look, Karn—the duke,” Morwik said with a nod in Essex’s direction. Karn jumped up from his seat and politely bowed. Morwik followed but more slowly, his hand on the back of his chair for balance. “Karn, Morwik. You know there’s a time for bowing, and this is not it,” the duke said with a wave of his hand. P a g e | 344 “My lord,” said Karn. “Forgive my curiosity, but I must ask. Did you order an elven girl to dance for us?” “Elves… A summer ago they would not have set foot in the castle and they only came into town once in a great while. The invitation was always open, mind you, but they never accepted. Now look at them. More elves leave the forest to seek refuge within my kingdom each day. Some have even become soldiers in my army.” “So you did send her?” “Oh, yes. Beautiful isn’t she? Of course, all elven women are beautiful,” he said laughing. “Tala has been a dancer in my court since she came to Kel Tora… about six months ago, I’d say.” At that moment, Tala appeared, carrying two mugs of ale. She slid by the duke, brushing herself against him as she passed. “Be wary of this one. She’s wild, untamed,” Duke Essex said good naturedly. “Enjoy your drinks.” With a quick turn and snap of his cape, he was gone, back to mingle with the other partygoers. Morwik moved unsteadily. “I must excuse myself for the night and find a room that spins less than this one.” Snatching up both mugs, Morwik bowed to the beautiful elf woman and departed. Karn watched Morwik stumble through P a g e | 345 the room toward the exit. All this noise… Perhaps, Morwik has the right idea. He rubbed his eyes and the bridge of his nose. “Are you leaving now too?” Tala asked, her voice filled with disappointment. “I believe so.” Karn stretched. “I need rest.” “Then we can leave together.” Tala smiled and gazed deep into his eyes. Taken aback, Karn raised his hands as if to physically hold her back. “I understand Duke Essex paid you to entertain me, but your dancing was enough. Go enjoy the remainder of the party.” “I was not paid,” Tala said, tossing her hair. “Excuse me?” “I was not paid to entertain you. I volunteered.” Tala moved in close and touched his chest. “Why?” Karn asked. “Even the sprawling city of Kel Tora gets dull. I heard that you were new and exciting.” “Thanks, but I cannot—” Karn began, taking a step back. P a g e | 346 “Cannot what? Go for a short walk with a girl who would hear a tale or two of the outside world?” Tala cocked her head to the side. “Please?” She’s stunning. And what harm would it do to simply talk. “Very well,” Karn acquiesced. Tala took his hand and led him quickly through the castle to the courtyard. When the cool fall air met his bare arms, he shivered. “Are you cold?” Tala asked sweetly. “It was very warm inside, with all the guests and the roaring fires.” Karn stole a glimpse of her glistening tan skin, much of which was visible. “I’m fine. You?” “Cold? Me? Not at all,” she answered, stopping to pull her sweat-damped, yellow-green hair back to reveal her pointed ears. “You don’t know much about elves do you?” “I’m ashamed to say that I don’t,” Karn admitted. “Did you know we age differently than humans do?” she asked strolling toward the center of the courtyard. Karn shook his head. I should know more. Elves no longer hide in the forests. They’ve become a prominent force in our lands, no longer a mystery. “Well, we do,” she continued as she skipped ahead. “During childhood and adolescence, we mature quickly, but afterward, during early adulthood, we slow down.” P a g e | 347 “So, how many summers are you?” Karn asked hesitantly. “In human summers?” she questioned without looking back. “I guess.” “Sixteen, nearly seventeen.” Tala looked back at him. Karn stopped dead in his tracks. “That young?” Tala walked back to him and hooked her arm around his. She nudged him to walk was she spoke, and his feet began to shuffle forward. “Elves also see farther and better in the dark.” “No wonder your people won the war against the lizard men.” Tala pointed to a moonlit stretch of castle wall where a large fallen tree lay. They walked in silence toward the wall and then sat down on the trunk of the tree. Karn drew a deep breath and wiped his brow. He was much more comfortable now that he was sitting outside, away from the commotion, and his nervousness had passed. Tala was easy to talk to—friendly, charming, and beautiful. They sat, chatting about the stars and their designs in the sky until they were interrupted by two guards on a shift change. “Tala? That you?” one guard called out. P a g e | 348 Tala dropped her eyes to the ground and kept quiet. As the guards drew closer, Karn sensed a deep tension in the air. “Tala, what’s wrong? What? Not talking to me anymore?” The guard kicked her foot lightly. “Go away, Eric,” Tala stated coldly. “So, Tala, is this tonight’s job?” Eric pointed to Karn. “No!” Tala replied. “Do you two have posts you should be guarding?” Karn interrupted. “Listen to him,” the other guard murmured to his friend. “Don’t make us bleed you. Now, leave…” Eric ordered, as he reached for her wrist. “Me and Tala here have some unfinished business.” “I don’t think Duke Essex would be pleased if he found your posts unmanned,” Karn stated as he stood and placed his hand on his sword. Unconsciously, Karn tapped the royal ring the duke had given him against the hilt of his sword. One guard completely ignored the chime, but the other looked directly at it. “Eric—” the observant guard called to his friend. P a g e | 349 “Take care of this moron for me,” Eric directed, giving Tala a look that Karn knew meant trouble. “Please, don’t,” Tala whimpered. “Eric, you’re making a big—” the other guard begged, but before he could finish his sentence, Karn brandished a dagger, and had it to Eric’s throat. With his other hand, he drew his sword and pointed at the other guard. “Look at my hand! Do you see the ring?” Karn asked. “Y-yes.” Eric’s voice shook. “Duke Essex awarded me that ring this very afternoon,” Karn continued. “Do you know what it means?” “Yes, sir!” “Then go to your damned posts now!” Karn yelled. Roused by the noise, dogs from town began to bark and guards rushed from their assigned posts. Eric and his friend quickly bowed and ran off to their posts. Karn let out a frustrated grunt, turning to Tala as five new guards approached. He quickly dismissed them with an order and a flash of the royal ring. “Look”—he returned his attention to Tala—“it’s late. Go home.” “Home? No. I’ll slumber in the forest tonight,” Tala replied meekly. “In the forest?” Karn repeated, surprised. “Alone?” P a g e | 350 Tala smiled and pointed at her ears again. *** Later that night, Karn lay in a warm, soft bed. Kel Tora Castle’s guest bedrooms were furnished better than any place he had ever stayed before. The room had a tub, two tables, a full-size mirror, an armoire, and two queen-sized beds fitted with the best silk sheets in the region. Hanging on the walls were tapestries that seemed to be as old as the castle itself. Their colors had faded and were somewhat obscured by a thin coating of dust, but they looked exquisite nonetheless. Karn had never seen so much art before arriving in Kel Tora. It was becoming obvious that the duke had both good taste and the coin to afford his hobby. When Karn rolled over to extinguish the last candle in the room, he caught a glimpse of the body of the young woman he had invited to share his room, the soft amber candlelight cascading over her supple curves. “Thank you,” Tala whispered. “You’re welcome,” he replied sleepily. “Had you not been there to protect me, Eric would’ve hurt me again.” “Hurt you?” “He… he forced himself on me.” P a g e | 351 Her words stabbed at his heart. After a deep breath, Karn asked, “Were you raped?” “Yes.” Her voice quivered. “Shortly after I made Kel Tora my home.” “Did you report this crime to Duke Essex or his officers?” “No. Humans don’t want to be bothered by the concerns of elves.” “The duke—” “It was before I met Duke Essex,” she explained as she began to cry. “How-how did this happen?” Karn feared the answer as much as he needed to hear it. Tala wept loudly. He could feel her body shaking under the sheets. I shouldn’t have asked. “Tala, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.” “It’s… not your… fault,” she spit out between sobs. After a time, she calmed down, then told Karn the story. “I made the mistake of bathing in one of the fountains the royal garden. It was early one morning, and I didn’t think I would get caught, so I disrobed and jumped in. I dunked my head under the water and when I came back up, I saw the duke standing on his balcony. He must’ve been watching me for a while, because by the time I got dressed, P a g e | 352 the guards were there. The captain of the guard and two others took me straight to prison. They said it was for trespassing and defiling the royal gardens.” Tala paused, frowning. “I was only supposed to be in the prison for two days,” she went on. “Toward the end of the second day, Eric was on guard duty. That night he beat me, and after that… I screamed and tried to fight him, but no one came to help me. I hoped someone would set me free the next day, but no one did. There was even a time that I feared they wouldn’t feed me. When a guard finally brought me a meal, I begged him to let me out, but he ignored me.” Tala told her story softly. Karn breathed, “those bastards.” “Once again, that filth Eric came on duty and shortly afterward, he tried his best to physically ruin me. He told me that I might as well give in, because he was going to see to it that I never got out.” Tala began crying again. Unsure what else to do, Karn got out of bed and walked over to her. He knelt down beside her and held her hand in both of his. “How long did this continue?” Karn asked. “Three days. I found out later that Duke Essex had inquired about me and that’s why I was finally set free.” P a g e | 353 “Why did you stay in Kel Tora?” “Duke Essex offered me a job. Anyway, I will not let what happened destroy my new life.” “Well, we have to do something,” Karn said angrily. “Tomorrow, during my meeting, I’ll inform him. I’ll see that—” “No! This is not your problem; it’s mine.” “Problem? This must be taken care of.” Karn squeezed her hand. “Eric, that bastard, must pay for his crimes.” “He will,” Tala said as she pulled her hand from his. “You have a war to worry about; please get some rest.” Tala stared deeply into his eyes for a few seconds, and then leaned over and blew out the last candle. After a few calming breaths, Karn returned to his bed. He tossed in his sheets, and finally stilled, listening for hints to whether or not she was still crying. All he could hear was the sound of the wind as it blew through the cracks of one of the partially open windows. Karn peered across the dark room, he could just barely make out the details of her face. Her eyes were closed and her lips puckered in a pouting shape. It’s hard to believe someone would want to hurt you. How could one of Kel Tora’s men defile such a precious girl? The mere thought enraged and left him filled with the need to do something. As he P a g e | 354 opened his mouth to ask her if he could comfort her, Tala spoke. “I’ll be fine, Karn.” P a g e | 355 Chapter 39 Misconception As Karn fled, shoulder to shoulder with the twenty odd soldiers under his command, he realized his folly. He had grown overconfident over the past few days and allowed himself to become complacent. He had given the enemy time to send a fake caravan into his trap and set their own ambush. “Run! Hurry! To the trees!” Karn shouted as he sprinted toward the tree line. “They’re going to cut us down! Dark elves are the best archers in the lands,” one of the elves working in Kel Tora’s service shouted. Karn ordered his men to scatter as they raced back to safety. Over his shoulder, he watched the dark elf archers raise their bows in unison, their slow movements displaying P a g e | 356 an eerie patience. He could not hear the arrows as they launched into the sky, but their presence high above looked like a rolling storm cloud—one that he knew would soon rain down upon him. “Run!” Three and a half days ago, Karn had gotten his wish: Duke Essex had granted him a group of twenty-five soldiers and five elven rangers to raid the enemy’s supply lines. Their primary objective was to slow down Mustaffa in order to give Maulen and Kel Tora more time to train their troops and to prepare for the coming battles. First, Karn chartered the fastest sailboats in Kel Tora’s small harbor, and then he pointed them southeast. Once they had inserted themselves behind the enemy lines, Karn’s squad’s first foray was highly successful. Before the day was out, the squad had raided two forward scouting crews that were traveling north, in the direction of Maulen. One crew carried supplies: grain and rice— necessities for any army. But that was then. Now, Karn wondered how he could have been so stupid. Why didn’t I move the squad away from here? Why does this location feel like the best spot to fish for more supply groups to slaughter? P a g e | 357 A few moments ago, what looked like an easy target had suddenly transformed before his eyes. They had cast aside their long riding cloaks and exposed the weapons and armor of trained archers. The image froze in his head; this mistake could be his last. The sound of armor colliding with the moist earth brought him back to the present. Seven of his men dropped before his eyes. Karn was so close to the trees he could smell their sweet fragrance. I must reach the trees. I must live through this blunder, fight again, succeed again. But victory was not all that mattered. Karn’s honor would not allow him to abandon his men. With a grunt and growl, Karn turned back into the barrage of arrows and latched onto the arm of a wounded soldier. As he dragged the man toward the edge of the forest, a speeding arrow grazed his temple. The shock of the cut stole Karn’s breath. Dazed, he reached up to the wound in time for it to peel open. “Do not falter!” a soldier shouted from the tree line. Without warning, one of Kel Tora’s officers, a man named Damas, emerged from the tree line and grabbed the wounded soldier’s other arm to help Karn get him to safety. “Thank you.” Karn nodded to Damas. P a g e | 358 As the rain of arrows slowly tapered off, another arrow struck Karn just before he reached the sanctuary of the trees. It drove straight through his chain mail into his right shoulder. The pain was excruciating, causing Karn’s eyes to water and dropping him to his knees. He howled as he fell first to his hands, then went completely prone in the tall grass. Damas handed the wounded soldier off to two other men in the raiding party and without hesitation ventured back to help Karn. As Damas reached him, Karn realized the arrow barrage had ceased. “Can you stand, sir?” Damas asked as he placed an arm under Karn’s good shoulder to support his weight. “Yes,” he grunted through clenched teeth. Tala, who had hid in the forest the entire time, leapt out from behind a thick tree trunk to offer Karn additional aid. He looked at her, then glanced back at the dark elves, who had begun a full-scale charge. This is the exact thing I had hoped to avoid. Why did I give in to her persistence? “I’ll be okay, Damas, just get out of here!” Karn commanded as he tried to stand tall. “What shall we do?” Damas’s face was pale, but his voice remained steady. “Remember what I told you to do if we were overcome?” P a g e | 359 The soldier stared at the elves as they drew closer. “Damas! There’s no time for this! Do you remember?” Karn screamed. “Split up,” he answered quietly. “Yes, regroup in two days. Now go!” Damas rushed off toward the other soldiers, relaying the message as he moved. Karn could only partially hear his words, but he knew they relayed his orders. Damas is a good officer. “Karn!” Tala shouted, tugging on his injured right arm to get his attention. The sudden movement shot an agonizing wave of pain down his arm. He grunted through the throbbing and looked at Tala, who was waiting anxiously. “We have to go now!” she urged. Her hand glided down from his arm to his wrist, where she gently clasped his hand. After another quick tug she began to run away from the other Kel Tora soldiers. Karn watched until the soldiers under his command had all disappeared and then began to follow Tala. I shouldn’t have let her come, he thought as he ran as fast as his body would let him, but Tala’s lead continued to grow. She bounds gracefully across the uneven terrain like a fawn, he thought as he watched her enviously. Only P a g e | 360 an elf could run so lithely. Then came a much more sickening realization. If she can run so quickly and quietly, then so can the dark elves chasing us. “Tala, keep running!” he shouted. Tala veered off to the right, alongside a ridge that ran over the top of a flood plain twenty-five or thirty feet down. Karn tried to keep up with her, but he had to slow down to catch his breath. Sweat poured down into his eyes and he closed them to wipe his brow. When he reopened them, the world around him began to toss back and forth like a boat on rough seas. With each step, the world spun quicker and quicker. Colors swirled together, and grass that was once green turned blue and brown. He looked back to see if the dark elves were close behind, but the act of twisting around caused him to lose his balance and stumble. Blind to his surroundings, he staggered over the ledge. It felt like he fell forever, and when he landed, it was abrupt and hard. He touched down face-first only ten feet from the water. The crash, like a punch in the gut, forced a wheezing cough out. Overwhelmed by his injuries, his body momentarily shut down. *** Tala’s acute hearing alerted her to Karn’s sudden absence. She stopped and twisted around to look for him. P a g e | 361 Where is he? she thought. Trees were all she could see. The dark elves are not far behind us. Could they have caught Karn? Was that what I heard? Was that his dying breath? Her heart fluttered as her mind conjured the images of Karn’s possible death. A twig snapped and Tala reacted instantly. She jumped up to a low branch on a still-leafy tree, pulled herself up, and then climbed into the foliage. She prayed that it was thick enough to hide her light frame. From her new vantage point, she spotted Karn lying motionless near the stream below. Without thinking, she leapt back to the ground and slid down the dirt ridge toward the flood plain. Once she reached it, she sprinted to Karn’s side. “Karn?” she called out as she shook him. He responded with a deep, guttural moan. “Thank the gods.” Although relieved that he was still alive, Tala knew they would both be dead in moments unless she did something quickly. So she grabbed his armor by the shoulders and started to drag him upward to the ridge. “Come on,” she huffed. “You humans… always insist on wearing the heaviest armor.” P a g e | 362 She hid Karn in a shallow hollow of the ridge and glanced around. It would not take a skilled tracker to trace the marks that Karn left as he tumbled down the hill. They’ll expect a body. Damn. She fumbled with the strap that fastened Karn’s shield to his back, climbing on top of him. She barely cleared the low ceiling of the shallow cavelike opening with her head. Tala held her breath. This is taking too much time. Hurriedly, she pulled Karn into a seated position, took his shield off, and threw it carelessly to the side. From the moment she saw him lying near the water, struck by an enemy arrow, she knew exactly what she had to do. With both hands, she tugged firmly on his chest armor; she hoped to remove it without wasting any more time unhooking it. When the chain mail finally slipped off Karn’s chest, the arrow was torn out of its shallow home in his flesh and fell to the ground behind him. Stupid. How could I be so stupid? Her grip loosened and Tala watched Karn fall back to the ground, as lifeless as a ragdoll. She gasped, suddenly remembering to breathe. There’s no time, she told herself, no time to apologize or worry. Tala pulled Karn’s armor over her leather top, which was nearly the same color as the light leather armor he P a g e | 363 wore. She whispered an old elven prayer and stepped out from under the stony overhang, looking nervously up toward the ridge. As she snatched up Karn’s shield, Tala felt a moment of slight relief. You’ve faced worse than this, she reflected as she tucked her long yellow-green hair under the armor and strapped on his shield. “How do I look?” she whispered to Karn and covered up her ears with loose hair. “I can do this.” Raised during the elf and lizard men wars, Tala knew how to cover her trail. While walking carefully backward toward the stream, she brushed loose dirt over the tracks she had made. Not far from the water, Tala spotted the broken end of the arrow that had struck Karn. She snatched it up. Once the tracks were gone, she stole one last look at the ridge. No sign of the enemy. Time to go. Slowly, Tala waded into the water. It was colder than she expected; the chill punched her in the stomach with its abruptness. She would have liked to jump right out of the water, but she knew she couldn’t; she would have to suffer it if she wanted to survive. Waist deep in the water, Tala jammed the broken arrow end into the chain links of the armor over her shoulder and laid herself on top of the water, arms outstretched, face down. P a g e | 364 After a few seconds of stillness, Tala carefully peeked out of the water just enough to breathe. The river’s cold water lapped at her long elven ears, yet she could faintly hear the chatter of the dark elves in the distance. “—water, sir!” one of the dark elves said. “Dead?” another elf answered with stiff authority. “Yes, sir, floating face-first.” “Was he hit?” “Arrow to the shoulder.” “That makes seven. These poison tipped arrows…” the dark elf commander boasted. “Should we—” “Deprive some animal of a good meal? No. Leave him.” The weight of the armor had finally become too much for Tala to bear. She tried to keep afloat, but could not use her arms and legs to tread water or the masquerade would be ruined. She drew a deep breath before she completely sunk. A strong current continued to push her forward even after she struck the bottom. The icy water numbed her hands as she tried to unhook the chain mail. Suddenly, the sobering realization that she was going to drown entered her thoughts. Then, her body collided with something hard, and what little air that remaining in her lungs was forced out. She turned over in the water and saw P a g e | 365 the object she had crashed into—a downed tree lying half in the stream. Tala flailed around, in search of something to grab on to. Her right hand hooked on to a thick branch, and with every ounce of strength, she yanked herself up out of the water. Tala’s lungs worked overtime as she pulled herself to the shore and crawled out of the water. She wanted to collapse, but she slowly built up the willpower to stand. “Dark elves,” Tala coughed. “Hate them.” Exhausted, Tala returned to Karn. She dropped his armor and shield at his feet. Tala gazed at his chain mail and remembered his wound. He was struck by one of the arrows… and it was poisoned. Tala prepared for the worst, but was relieved to find only a small puncture wound in his back. After gently rolling Karn to his side, she crawled out of the shallow cave that sheltered them. Poison… Tala knew exactly which kind the dark elves had used. It was a natural toxin found in the venom sacks of the orange-backed toad. For dozens of summers, the dark elves had used a less potent version of this exact poison to hunt large prey. Almost ten summers ago, a group of dark elves had employed the orange-backed toad’s venom to contaminate Tala’s tribe’s water supply. At full strength, P a g e | 366 the poison debilitated its target with severe fevers that quickly led to paranoia and delirium, and was followed by death. Many elves in her tribe fell victim to the contaminated water before an antidote was discovered—among those who died were her father and brother. It was a time in her life Tala would not soon forget. Every detail was burned in her mind, from the smell of the dead, to the look of hopeful concern on the faces of her tribe’s elders when they ordered five hunters into the deep swamps to observe the toads. Tala remembered two whole days passing before the hunters returned with good news: the toads had a natural enemy—the common water snake. Although the water snake’s venom was not harmful to humans or elves, it incapacitated the toads long enough for the snakes to eat them. After the elders heard the hunters’ observations, they sent them out immediately to catch water snakes. Tala recalled the day the hunters returned with the snakes. Each man carried a leather bag of snakes into her village. Their arms and legs were decorated with snakebites, but they showed no signs of pain—only pride. The elders combined the water snake’s venom with a medicinal root used to cure most ailments. It was a success. The fevers broke over the course of a day while P a g e | 367 the other symptoms slowly tapered off. Sadly, it was too late for her family. Tala stared at the stream, which only moments before had nearly taken her life. Its motion had a hypnotizing effect on her as she stood in deep thought. She knew there was something she had forgotten. Moments later, the glare of the setting sun on the water broke her out of the trance. The temperature had dropped when the sun set. She shivered. These wet clothes will do me no good… “They are nocturnal! The water snakes are nocturnal!” She began to search for the root needed to create an antivenom. As she crawled back into the shallow cave, she heard Karn speak. “Opal?” “No… Karn, it’s Tala,” she whispered as she leaned in over him. “Cold, so c-cold…” Karn said between labored breaths. “Who is Opal?” “Why am I so cold?” he asked calmly, his eyes closed. “Don’t move. I’ll make us a fire.” Tala touched Karn’s chest to comfort him. After taking a moment to examine him, Tala crawled back outside to collect firewood. She was not gone long, and when she returned, Karn was convulsing. Shocked, she dropped the wood in her arms. P a g e | 368 “Gods, no!” She straddled him and pinned his shoulders to the ground. Her elven strength was more than a match for Karn in his weakened condition, but his body continued to jerk beneath her. Over time, his body calmed, and when Tala thought it was safe, she removed her tight grip on his shoulders and reached up with both hands to brush the yellow-green strands of hair out of her eyes. When she started to shift her weight off him, his hand gently clasped her ankle. “Don’t leave me,” Karn murmured. “How do you feel?” “Numb all over.” “It’s the poison. Don’t worry, Karn. I’ll make you an antidote,” Tala whispered softly as she felt his head for a fever. “Use magic,” he whimpered, then coughed. “What?” Tala asked, confused. She sat back down on him and patted his chest with an open hand. A smile pulled at her lips, as he started to wave her hand back and forth with gestures she thought a magician would use. “Boom, whush. Whush, boom!” Tala mimicked the sounds of magic, as if she was telling a fairy-tale to a child. “I’m dying,” Karn announced, painfully calm. P a g e | 369 Tala looked down at him, worried. Not only was the life of the one person she could call a friend in the balance, but also the life of the man she believed would become one of the land’s greatest heroes. Deep down, Tala knew she was betting his future on whether or not she could make the antidote, and if it would even work. “Don’t worry, Karn. I’ll save you.” *** It had taken Tala longer than she had planned to collect the ingredients and prepare the antidote. She prayed her memory served her well and that she had not forgotten any detail. She smiled as she crawled back into the tiny cave that sheltered Karn. This is going to work, she thought, until she found him lying face down and motionless in the dirt. “No!” Tala shrieked as she rolled him over to his back. “Not after all the work I’ve done. Not after all I have sacrificed. You will not die on me!” She held her hand near his nose and mouth. Each moment passed with no sign. The word breathe echoed over and over in her head as she waited for the tiniest sign of life. Then, when she finally felt a slight exhalation across her palm, she nearly mistook it for her own. P a g e | 370 “There’s still time,” she proclaimed as she administered the cure. “Don’t give up on me! Don’t give up!” *** The night passed slowly, as Tala watched Karn toss and turn in his sleep. She was exhausted but could not rest until she knew his fever had broken. When the sun finally rose, Tala found herself staring blankly at the river from inside the shallow cave. When she realized Karn was finally sleeping soundly, she decided to take a moment to refresh herself. She stretched her arms high above her head as she strolled to the river. Water spilled from her cupped hands as she splashed her face twice. She laughed as the image of herself dressed as a tribal healer appeared in her mind. What would my tribe think of me now? When she returned to the nook, Karn was awake and sitting up, leaning against the cave’s inner wall. “How are you feeling?” she asked softly, as she crawled over to him. “Not entirely sure,” he answered, clearly confused. “Well, you’ve been through much today, so please, stay still and rest,” Tala explained as she sat near him. P a g e | 371 Karn turned his head and they stared into each other’s eyes a moment before he said, “Thank you for saving me, Tala. I owe you.” P a g e | 372 Chapter 40 Imprudence Two days after the ambush, Karn and Tala arrived at the thick forest outside the small town of Burning Dawn. This location was his squad’s rendezvous point, not only due to the fact that it was a neutral town, but because it was not too far from where they had landed on the southeast corner of the Bay of Illyia. “Damas,” Karn called out to the anxious officer. “Good morning, sir. Glad to see you are well.” Damas smiled. “Is this everyone, Damas?” He took the man’s hand as he counted ten of Kel Tora’s soldiers. “No, sir. Four more men and the five elven rangers are surveying the town,” Damas reported. P a g e | 373 Karn turned to Tala. He placed one hand on her shoulder and pivoted behind her. “Please explain why,” Karn said, still looking at Tala. “One of the men overheard a pair of old farmers complaining about foreign soldiers. Turns out one of Mustaffa’s top generals, the very bastard who leads the forward troops, has frequented the brothel in town the last two nights.” “Really? Will he be returning tonight?” Karn asked, then peeled his eyes off Tala to look at Damas. “Yes, sir.” “Good work, Damas. Do we know anything else? How many guards?” Damas cracked a smile. “That’s why I sent the men to survey the town.” The pause after Damas’s words made everyone very tense. Karn stood behind Tala. Her stance had changed from strong to demure as each second passed. Karn placed his hands on her hips, causing her to jump. He leaned over her shoulder and whispered softly in her ear. “Sir?” Damas asked. “This is why we are here, away from our family and friends. Our job is to slow down Mustaffa’s momentum at every chance. This, here. This may just be our best chance. P a g e | 374 Let us go to Burning Dawn and kill ourselves a bloated enemy general,” Karn declared. With the exception of Damas and Tala, everyone cheered. Karn eyed Damas, the man waited until the excited soldiers began to mill about before he approached Tala. “Is he well?” Damas asked. “He seems off.” “With the exception of nearly dying a few days ago, I would say he’s fine,” Tala answered, smiling at Karn. “Just a bit unsteady on his feet.” “I’m concerned that the stress—” “Don’t worry. I’m here to make sure he stays on his path. He just needs some rest,” she countered as she walked away. *** It took nearly the remainder of the day to walk to Burning Dawn, which was plenty of time for Karn and Damas to formulate a strategy. The most crucial detail of the plan was the number of guards in Mustaffa’s general’s entourage. Burning Dawn was a very small settlement, that seemed to have just enough homes, farms, and shops to support itself, but poverty still governed this small town, which was outside the aid of the four major kingdoms. Nonetheless, its barrenness made it seem quaint. P a g e | 375 Outside Burning Dawn, behind a thick row of thorny brush, the four soldiers and five elves that Damas had dispatched to gather information waited. “He’s called Gregor the Hunter,” the soldier in charge of the surveillance, Cole, explained after Damas asked for a report. “He travels with a group of fourteen guards. We’re told that once inside the town, the guards break into groups. Two of the guards watch the town entrance while two patrol each direction’s perimeter. The remaining guards wait outside the brothel.” “Good work, Cole.” Damas patted the soldier’s shoulder. “Thank you.” Cole nodded. “The brothel’s owner was a big help. He told us this town has been under Maulen’s thumb for months, so he’s glad to be of aid to Kel Tora.” “Is he? He will he aid us?” Karn repeated. “That changes everything.” Karn divided his own squad into smaller groups. Even Tala had a job, which seemed to surprise Damas nearly as much as it did her. Karn had fashioned a flag out of a torn piece of cloth and a thick branch. After he handed it to Tala, he said, “Your job is to climb to the top of the tallest building in the center of town and watch for my P a g e | 376 signal. When you see it, wave that flag to alert the other groups to commence their attack.” Karn sent everyone to their positions, but Damas approached Karn. “Sir, is it wise to give her such an important job? It would be more logical to send one of our men. Perhaps one of the enlisted elves—” “Listen, Damas, she is an elf. Her senses and reflexes are better than the two of us combined,” Karn interrupted. “Perhaps, but she’s—” “What, Damas?” Karn’s voice lowered. “Your answer better be extraordinary.” “I remember her from home, sir. She may be one of the duke’s favorites, but she’s…” Damas paused. “I still cannot fathom why you brought her.” Karn paced; he needed to expel his nervous energy. “Had I not brought her, the guards in Kel Tora would have killed her in my absence.” “What?” A look of shock painted Damas’s face. “Sir, you may not be aware of this because you are new to my lands, but Kel Tora has only the best of the best in her guard ranks.” “You tell that to Tala. It was one of Kel Tora’s best who raped her,” Karn said. P a g e | 377 Stunned, Damas did not speak another word. “Now take your place,” Karn ordered sternly. “Sir!” *** Caught up in preparations, the members of Kel Tora’s raiding party barely noticed when the sporadic rain began to fall steadier. It was a persistent downpour by the time Gregor the Hunter arrived. Karn and his companions watched while the enemy general entered the town on foot, his long strides making the soaking wet pelts that covered his shoulders rise up and down like a galloping bull. Under the thick furs, Gregor was covered in the darkest plate armor Karn had ever seen. Its shade was so deep and black it nearly matched the night sky. Karn watched the big man march through the town as if he owned it. The rain cascaded down Karn’s unshaven face, yet the only things that moved were his eyes as they followed the enemy general. His attention quickly became fixated on the large battle-axe strapped to Gregor’s back as it chimed against his armor with every step. Gregor’s guards trailed behind him in three tight rows. When he reached the middle of town they branched off in each direction: two north, two south, two east, two west, just as Cole had said. When the general reached the P a g e | 378 brothel, only four guards remained. The man paused outside the brothel door and looked around. When his eyes paused on the center of town, Karn’s heart fluttered. He’s seen Tala. He must have. Karn’s muscles tightened, and with a sudden burst of speed, he bolted out of the bushes toward the enemy. “General Karn! What the hell are you doing?” one of the soldiers called out in a hushed voice as Karn ran. “By the gods, what’s he thinking? This is not part of the plan.” Another one of the soldier’s voices cracked with fear. “Signal the attack!” Karn glimpsed back in time to see two of Kel Tora’s soldiers scamper off through the brush toward the city’s entrance while another waved to Tala to start the attack. Karn looked up at her; her eyes were locked on him. She missed the soldier’s signal. Damn it all. “General, a rogue soldier!” one of the guard’s shouted. Karn watched Gregor lower his gaze. He spotted her, Karn thought. I knew it. The rain had made the ground soft and muddy, which made it hard for Karn to keep his balance, but he did not care. His mind burned with desire for the enemy general’s blood. P a g e | 379 As he drew nearer, Gregor’s guards formed a wedge in front of their leader. A strategically sound formation. I’ll have to go through them all to get to my target. With scant space left, Karn saw Tala’s arm pop up and wave the flag. Karn screamed a battle cry as he closed the space to the enemy. He threw two daggers from his belt, but the general’s guards had raised their shields. Seconds before he reached the guards, Karn drew his weapon—the sword bestowed upon him by Duke Essex—and he plunged it deep into the belly of the guard who stood at the point of the wedge. Karn turned to the side and threw his weight, shoulder first, into the guard on the right, knocking him to the wet ground. The abrupt stop caused Karn’s feet to slip out from under him, and sent him sailing to the earth below. Gregor the Hunter erupted in deep, guttural laughter. Anxious to fight, he shoved the guards aside and brandished his massive battle-axe. “You’re almost as wild as the beasts whose pelts I wear on my shoulders, young lad. It’s fitting you will share their fate,” Gregor bellowed as he reinforced his grip on his battle-axe. P a g e | 380 Gregor eyed him and took aim like he was no more than defenseless prey. When the enemy general raised his battleaxe high over his head, Karn reacted. He grabbed the wet handle of one of the daggers he had thrown and shot to his feet with a speed he did not realize he possessed. The dagger’s muddy blade sliced open Gregor’s neck and splattered blood over Karn’s face and chest. Gregor’s arms dropped, and the weight of the axe’s descent broke Gregor’s right arm at the elbow as it crashed over Karn’s shoulder. When Karn felt the bone snap, he stepped behind the general and planted the dagger in the man’s chest. “You miserable bastard!” one of the general’s guards yelled, as he prepared to engage Karn. Just as the enemy guards approached him, the door to the brothel flew open, and two of Kel Tora’s soldiers rushed out. One of Karn’s squad drove his sword deep into the chest of the nearest guard, while the other tackled the last opponent. In a matter of seconds, Kel Tora’s soldiers surrounded the brothel from every direction. Damas and his men were the last to reach the spot. Karn instantly noticed that Damas’s armor had a fresh slice on its left side, but the man did not show any signs of being wounded. “Are there any casualties?” Damas yelled. P a g e | 381 “No, sir,” one soldier answered. “Archers, yes or no, did you hit your targets?” The three elves who had acted as archers confirmed their kills. “My squad completed its task,” Damas announced. “Squads two and three report!” “All present, and we got ourselves a little prisoner too,” the soldier who had wrestled the guard down answered. “Who are you people?” the enemy guard asked. “Don’t you know—” One of squad struck the prisoner unconscious. “Shut up,” he said afterwards. “Your plan was a success, sir,” Damas said to Karn. “May I ask? Why did you rush the General?” Tala had sheepishly exited the brothel during their conversation, and she caught Karn’s eyes before he spoke. “Gregor spotted Tala. I was only doing what was necessary to prevent her from being harmed.” “I see.” Damas nodded. “We have some time, Damas. Some time before Mustaffa sends scouts to look for our general here,” Karn surmised, and then kicked Gregor’s body. “You.” Damas motioned to two of his men. “Clean up this mess.” P a g e | 382 “Hold. Take all their weapons and clean up their armor,” Karn added. “Let’s celebrate a job well done.” “Food and drinks are on me!” the brothel owner yelled from an upstairs window. Kel Tora’s soldiers cheered as they filed into the brothel. The last soldier called back to Karn, who was face to face with Tala. “Are you coming in, sir?” “Not right now,” Karn replied as the rain began a downpour. “Later.” P a g e | 383 Chapter 41 Needs Karn’s eyes began to slowly wander down Tala’s body, from the wet hair that clung to her neck, to the diamond raindrops that trickled down between her breasts. She watched his eyes follow the curves of her legs from her hips all the way down to her feet. “You desire me?” Tala asked, sultry. “Yes,” Karn said under his breath. “How badly?” She ran a finger across her breasts. Karn grunted an inaudible response. “Well, if you’re going to sound like a fertile animal,” Tala said, “then you are just going to have to chase me like one too.” With that, she sprinted off. Just as she was about to clear the trees, she gazed back to see how closely Karn pursued her, yet he was P a g e | 384 nowhere to be seen. She stopped and turned completely around. Her eyes widened and her ears perked up almost like a cat’s. Her senses told her exactly where he was, and that he slowly closed in on her. Yet, instead of fleeing, she pretended to be clueless. “Karn? Where are you?” Tala called out. He emerged seconds later from the forest behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Although she had allowed herself to be caught, she was not ready to give in entirely without a fight. Tala shifted her weight and threw her head down. Her wet hair snapped like a whip as she freed herself from Karn’s grasp. In a blink, Karn was on her again, spinning her around to face him. They embraced and kissed passionately. “Karn,” she chirped after she pulled away and caressed his face. “Can we go to the inn?” *** Karn got a room in Burning Dawn’s Wanderer’s Inn. It may have been the only inn in town, but its rooms were large and each one came with its own fireplace. After building a small fire, Karn removed his wet, muddy clothes. He sat down in front of the fire and allowed the heat to dry his body. He called out to Tala, who sat on the windowsill nude, her legs swinging back and forth in the P a g e | 385 rain. When their eyes met, she hopped off the ledge and crossed the room. In front of Karn, she lowered herself slowly onto his lap. Tala’s hair spilled into Karn’s face, but that did not prevent him from moving closer to her. He kissed Tala softly on the lips a few times, then pulled back to stare deeply into her violet eyes. When he brushed her long, glowing hair back from her face, he grazed her pointy ears with the tips of his fingers. Chills shot down Tala’s spine, and she squirmed and let out a little sigh. With a little body language and a tiny push, Tala instructed him to lay back, relax, and enjoy her. P a g e | 386 Chapter 42 Deviation The sun rose too quickly for Karn; his sleep-numbed body was too comfortable to move. Deep down, he knew he had no choice. Rainbow snapperfish are easiest to catch in the morning, and they won’t wait till noon for my lazy bones. That—he smiled as he thought—and if I don’t get up now, my little early bird-girl will be in to wake me. Karn rolled over expecting to see his beautiful wife, Margeaux lying next to him. He loved the way her blonde hair curled overnight and enjoyed twirling it between his fingers as he awoke. When he finally wrested himself free of sleep, he opened his eyes to unfamiliar surroundings. “Margeaux?” Karn called out. “Margeaux?” P a g e | 387 As his initial panic waned, his mind cleared. I remember where I am now, he thought. And I remember what I was doing here. Karn dallied in bed a moment as he tried his best to make sense of things. He knew he should be happy, but he could not shake the sensation that he had suffered a great loss. Why do I feel such heavy sorrow? Was it the dream? As he thought harder, Opal came to mind. I’ve hardly had a chance to think about her in days, not since arriving in Kel Tora. So many pressing matters. Or… He began to speculate if his dream and the loss he felt was tied to the guilt he should be feeling for betraying Opal. Oddly enough, Opal felt like a distant memory—an old lover from days gone by. “Tala,” Karn shouted, hoping she was near. When there was no response, he pushed himself out of bed and lumbered over to a mirror that hung on the wall opposite him. It had been a long time since he really looked at himself carefully, and he found that his long brown hair had become knotted and his facial hair was unkempt. I look dreadful. How could anyone be attracted to this? he thought. After he vigorously rubbed the sleep from his eyes, he picked up a bowl of water and razor from the floor, and placed them on the table in front of the mirror. P a g e | 388 Still warm, he thought as he splashed his face. Tala must have left this only a little while ago. He was admiring himself in the mirror after meticulously trimming his beard, when he began to feel strangely faint. His stomach churned, his legs buckled, and he fell, spilling the bowl of water on the ground. His head crashed into the table and split the skin above his right eye. It should have hurt, but an odd sensation, unlike any he had ever experienced, overwhelmed him. It felt as if the very life essence that once coursed through his body was suddenly being siphoned out. As much as he wanted to fight, there was nothing he could do to stop it. This-this is my end. Karn tried to stand, but his limbs felt like they were made of the heaviest stone. Just when he was sure he was going to slip away, a wave of strength jolted him up, and just as quickly as he had felt sick, he returned to feeling well. *** A little later that morning, Karn sat on a large stone near the edge of town. He needed to put his perplexing morning behind him, so he diligently worked on repairing his armor. Karn merged plates of Gregor’s armor over the right and left breast of his chainmail. The noise of the P a g e | 389 metal smith’s hammer against the armor echoed through the small town. Tala skipped through the dirt streets over to Karn like a playful child. And when she stopped in front of him, she mischievously kicked his foot. “I brought you a gift,” she said, and reached out, placing a homemade necklace in his hand. Karn took the necklace and looked carefully at it. It was made of twined vines and a collection of wooden beads and polished pebbles. She made this… Karn peered up through his hair at Tala, who had an identical necklace around her neck. “What is it?” he asked, as he examined the necklace. “It’s an elven tradition. If a woman chooses to take a mate, she will go out in the forest and make two necklaces. As long as we wear these, it signifies that the two of us are joined as lifemates,” Tala explained, stepping closer and straddling him. She closed in for a kiss. “Oh, how did you get this?” she asked, gently touching the injury on his head. “I fell,” Karn stated. “It’s nothing.” “Does it still hurt?” He looked up into her pale violet eyes. They are the most alive things I’ve ever seen. They glow in the sunlight P a g e | 390 and gaze back at me with complete love and trust. I cannot remember ever receiving such a look from Opal. “Something very, very strange happened to me this morning,” Karn admitted while he stroked her leg. “What?” “I had a dream,” Karn said, its peculiar effects still stung. “Tala, it felt very real.” “What was it about?” Tala asked, her full attention on him. “I felt like I was waking to a strict routine. You know, one I had followed for many, many months—even years. When I rolled over, I expected to be greeted by a blonde woman. I think she may have been my wife,” Karn explained. “Please continue,” Tala said. “When I opened my eyes, she was not there. I was so sad, like I lost something-everything,” Karn continued. “It’s baffling.” “Have you ever been married?” Karn began to answer, but hesitated, unsure of himself. After his dream, he felt as though he should answer yes. “No.” “Good then,” Tala answered with a smile. “In my opinion, you most likely need more rest, soldier.” P a g e | 391 Tala promptly tied the necklace around his neck and wrapped her arms around him. At first, Karn just sat there and let her hug him without reciprocating. When she pulled back and looked deep in his eyes, she smelled like wild flowers—she always smells that way. Her soft hair brushed against his cheek on a cool breeze that caressed them both. As Tala opened her mouth to say something, she was interrupted by Damas. “General!” Karn rose suddenly, knocking Tala to the ground. “What is it, Damas?” “We have news.” Damas’s voice was taut with dread. “Mustaffa is preparing to lay siege to Maulen.” Karn turned to Tala, who had clambered to her feet and now stood next to him. “He’s moving fast,” he said. “He must not have rested his army after the Joa’Ta siege,” Damas said thoughtfully. “What should we do, sir?” “Duke Essex gave me strict orders to bring in any prisoners that we may be able to gather information from, so I’m returning to Kel Tora. What do you want to do, Damas?” Damas was startled. “Perhaps, I should take some of the men to Maulen and aid her,” he answered. P a g e | 392 “Opting for battle, eh? Sounds like you have made your decision.” “Yes, I have,” Damas answered. “Then go to Maulen and aid the women and children. Help them escape Mustaffa and reach safety.” “Yes, sir!” “Cole and the elves are returning with me,” Karn stated, then pointed to the young officer who was sharpening his sword nearby. “I’ll gather the other soldiers and leave right away, sir,” Damas replied with a nod. “Be sure you keep an eye open for sympathizers, refugees, or anyone who may be able to help. When we’ve beaten Mustaffa, you and I will toast his death.” Damas shook Karn’s hand and then ran to the soldiers who were now under his command. Karn waited a moment before he turned his gaze to Tala, who had been silent throughout the entire exchange. “When do we leave?” she asked with a smile. “Now.” P a g e | 393 Chapter 43 Temporarily Kel Tora’s rangers had returned some days ago from a scouting mission with the near-lifeless body of a woman. They had discovered her unconscious not far from where a mysterious blue light had been reported. She was gravely wounded and her clothes had been reduced to rags. She was lucky they found her—and that Duke Essex’s curiosity was piqued by her. He ordered his men to take her straight to the royal healers; he wanted to keep her close. Rumors of magic spread through the ranks, and if by chance this woman was a mage, as so many of his men speculated, Duke Essex wanted to be the first to know. The duke would not say this to his generals or aids, but secretly, he hoped the wounded woman wielded magical P a g e | 394 powers. He knew someone who wielded such force would be a great aid in the coming war. Duke Essex’s visit to the unknown woman’s bedside had become a part of his routine; he checked on her morning and night. The royal healers were pleased to report that a warm skin tone had returned, but the duke was still deeply concerned that she had remained unconscious. Several nights ago, as the castle was still, the woman awoke. Her body had begun to spasm, and one of the traditional healers who watched over her had alerted a royal guard. Duke Essex wasted no time dressing after his guard informed him; he simply covered himself with a thick deerskin robe and rushed to his healer’s room. He reached the woman’s bedside as the tips of her toes were brushing the stone floor for the first time. Duke Essex feared her weakened muscles might falter, but instead, her posture shifted and the woman, who had looked as if she were going to die just a few days ago, stood clear-eyed, tall, and strong before him. While he looked deep into her puzzled gaze, the duke introduced himself slowly. “Madam, you are in the kingdom of Kel Tora. I am her monarch, Duke Ethan Essex.” P a g e | 395 “So much blood,” the woman whispered, her eyes at work, panning the room from side to side. “Madam, do you know your name? Do you have any clue as to how you arrived outside my town?” “Zian? Karn?” she mumbled as she took her first small step forward. “I don’t understand… How did this happen?” “Her wounds have left her delirious, sir,” one of the traditional healers said. “Karn?” Duke Essex said ponderously. Duke Essex watched the woman’s shoulders roll forward and her knees begin to buckle. He acted quickly with a slide across the room that showed such grace it seemed his feet did not touch the ground. He scooped up under her limp body and saved her from collapsing on the hard floor. After taking a moment to look her in the eye, to search for some hint of magical power, he helped her into a chair. “Thank you.” She seemed surprised to hear her own voice. “You are very welcome…” *** How much time had passed since she last spoke she did not know. Opal felt as if she had fallen asleep again, nodded off. But that can’t be right, she thought, I’m awake. I’m… P a g e | 396 “Opal. My name is Opal.” “Opal,” the duke repeated. “It’s good to finally meet you, Opal. I am Duke Essex of Kel Tora.” Her mind jerked back to her fight with Maximilian. Her skin crawled and she shuddered. She saw the spike enter her flesh again and remembered the pain as if it were new. Her mind’s eye faded to black, then pulsed red and back to black before finally shifting to the moment she had transported herself to Kel Tora. I made it. I made it. “You’re Kel Tora’s ruler?” “Yes.” “I came here in search of my friend,” she said, as more memories returned. “Karn. Did Karn come here seeking an alliance?” Duke Essex looked away at one of his healers and then to his guards. He looked bothered, and Opal was unsure why. “Well, Opal, I would gladly tell you, but first I require a small bit of information from you.” “Karn and I are lovers. He and I have chosen to stand against the warlord Naraboo.” Opal felt her impatience grow and was sure it was obvious in her tone of voice. “Naraboo? The petty warlord that used to terrorize this region ages ago?” “He goes by the name Mustaffa now.” P a g e | 397 “What?” The duke stepped back in alarm. “How did you come by this information?” “How?” Opal shook her head and then touched where she had been wounded. “The hard way. I know this because I’m a mage, and he seeks to destroy all mages.” “He seeks to conquer all of Illyia, mage and non-mage alike,” the duke said grimly. Opal nodded, her eyes drifting to the new skirt on her hips. She gazed curiously at the garment, her eyes moving up her body to her shoulder. I’m wearing new clothing. “What happened to my clothes?” “What do you remember?” Duke Essex asked with a grimace on his face. Opal tried to remember. “Blood… so much blood,” she repeated. “Yes, you were hurt badly. As a matter of fact, you owe whoever tended that wound of yours, because it was that person who truly saved your life.” He pointed at her stomach. A phantom pain shot through her belly where the wound had been. Again she could feel the spike drill into her flesh; she shuddered and coughed. “Was I with child?” Opal solemnly asked the duke, and then the healer who stood in the back of the room. P a g e | 398 “I don’t know.” The healer shrugged. “I think… I think I lost Karn’s baby.” A tear ran down her cheek as she spoke. “You have my deepest condolences.” Duke Essex offered his hand to Opal, but she did not take it. “Gods, what have I done?” She began crying, trembling violently. Opal dropped to her knees on the floor, the weight that had ridden her shoulders for so long finally breaking her. At first, she merely covered her eyes, but as the sorrow grew, so did her anger. Her rage built to a head, and she slammed her palms onto the floor and released a deep, pain-filled howl. “Opal?” “What?” she snapped. “Please, let me take you to one of my guest rooms where you can rest and continue to heal. Then, when you are ready to talk, you may seek me out.” P a g e | 399 Chapter 44 Surprises Two days after being told to rest in one of the finest guest rooms in Kel Tora castle, four guards came to retrieve Opal. Ushered to the throne room, she was surprised to be introduced as the enchantress Opal and was overwhelmed with the room’s beauty. Opal had never seen such splendor before—not in Weiden’s Rise and certainly not in the mages’ fortress. The longer she stayed in Kel Tora, the more she began to notice that ordinary objects, such as goblets and mirrors, seemed to shine and sparkle more intensely. All that had been lackluster and dull in her life suddenly had color. I’ve been living in the mages’ gray world for far too long. I’d almost forgotten how beautiful vibrant colors are. In Kel P a g e | 400 Tora, everything had color. I could get used to living here. The duke spoke among his advisors as she approached the throne. There was a panic in the air that clashed with the calm exquisiteness that surrounded her. Opal would have enjoyed taking a moment to sort all she felt and saw, but that was not her fate. As she panned the room, she read the minds of the guards who stood at attention, their eyes glued to her. I am not a guest here. When the duke turned his attention to Opal, his gaze felt heavy. They want something from me and I’m not sure they are going to ask. “Maulen is at war! Mustaffa’s army is mere days away from our borders. If you have information that could help us against him, I pray you tell it to me now,” the duke demanded. His tone scared her. “I’m sorry, my lord.” Opal’s voice shook as she spoke. “There’s much that I know, some of which I’ll regret telling you, and some of which you may not want to hear.” “Enchantress, please start at the beginning and allow me that judgment.” Opal told the duke everything she knew about the enemy warlord, including her connection to the High Council. Yet, despite all the truths she spoke, she could not bear to P a g e | 401 reveal Karn’s origins. As she drew to a conclusion, the lightheadedness she felt while admitting her sins began to clear. She knew Duke Essex must have been shocked by much of what she disclosed. “Crater Lake?” Duke Essex repeated, surprised by the connection of the school of mages to the invading warlord. “Yes, the entire spread of flatland was transported away.” Opal motioned with her hands. “So the warlord Naraboo returns for vengeance?” The duke cupped his hands together as he looked at his advisors. “Yes.” “Why can’t you mages stop him? Your leaders must have access to massive power.” “The bastard wears an amulet that nullifies magic.” Opal did not know whether to laugh or cry. “And, as far as I know, most, if not all, of the archmages of the High Council are dead.” “What did she just say?” one of the Kel Tora’s advisors interjected, shocked. “I think they are all dead. There was a betrayal,” Opal admitted. Duke Essex’s face crumpled. “Is that what led to your arrival here, Opal?” P a g e | 402 “I fought the traitor and lost.” Opal clenched her hands into fists. “My sympathy will have to come later. For now, I need to know, once and for all: will you aid Kel Tora, Opal?” Opal thought hard for a moment. This war had taken enough from her. She wanted nothing more than to escape, but a nagging feeling of remorse for New Maejika remained. She needed to repay them, and perhaps her aid in this war was all she could give. “I will help you, sir, but remember that my magical powers cannot harm Mustaffa directly.” “Not to worry. There are many other ways to utilize your skills,” Duke Essex answered. “And other ways that he can be harmed. You may return to your quarters, Opal. We’ll alert you when Karn returns.” He bowed to Opal and then nodded to his guards. Before she realized what was happening, guards from each side of the room had boxed her in. “We’ll escort you back to your room,” one of the guards stated politely but firmly. “I can find my way.” “I regret, Enchantress, that we have our orders.” When Opal did not move, a cold, steel-gloved hand wrapped itself around her arm. “Please come with us,” the guard spoke more sternly. P a g e | 403 As the guard shifted his weight to push Opal forward, a blast of purple light shot up from the cracks in the castle floor, enveloping her. Each of the four guards covered their eyes, and when they uncovered them, Opal had vanished. *** The next morning, Opal ventured out of her room filled with churning emotions. Max ruined everything. That worthless fool. He should never have attacked me. I-I never should’ve brought him back. Why did I do that? Was it because I thought I couldn’t? Or was it because I wanted to see if I could? I wanted to prove myself to the archmages and now look… they’re all dead… they’re all dead because of me. Karn? Where are you? Why can’t I sense you? Opal had requested her old clothes be returned; she needed to know what had happened after she was wounded. She needed a face she could trust and that face belonged to Zian. Opal could not help but worry about the jackalwere. Where did he go? Is he watching me from some hidden vantage? She clenched a torn piece of her old, soiled dress in her right hand as she walked through the castle. Two P a g e | 404 guards shadowed her the entire time, a constant reminder that she was yet to be fully trusted. Once outside the town’s gates, Opal turned and walked about forty paces. She picked up the first broken piece of tree branch she saw and with a swift spiking motion, pierced the tattered cloth of her ruined garment with the stick. Finally, she planted the stick in the ground. Right away, a strong wind lifted the ripped piece of cloth up in the air like a flag. Opal smiled. She knew that if Zian were nearby, he would definitely smell the cloth and find her now. As she stared off into the distant forest, she wondered what was happening. Karn’s out there somewhere, alone, fighting to save the lands from Naraboo. Opal knew she should never have let him go without her. All that work and now she had no clue if he was even alive. Perhaps my charm spells have worn off. Maybe he’s remembered his life prior to the Ancient Warlord’s Soul spell… prior to me. Either way, she yearned for him as strongly as she did when they had first met. “I need you here, Karn. Come back to me,” Opal repeated over and over, accidentally triggering a spell. Rain clouds, which had been quiescent in the sky, seemed to roll over and tumbled down toward the path in P a g e | 405 front of Kel Tora. Opal watched, through tired eyes, as the clouds changed to shades of deep purple and formed a massive magical portal right in front of her. She was shocked. Is this my doing? Or is someone else casting this spell? Her heart seized. Who will come out of this portal? Will it be one of the archmages? Could it be Max? Suddenly, seven people on horseback stampeded through the portal and rode past her toward Kel Tora. The two guards accompanying Opal leapt back as the torrent of energy the riders generated rumbled past them. The guards stood dumbfounded by the sight. Another soldier, who watched from atop the town walls, called down to them. “It’s the raiding party!” “Amazing!” the older of the two guards shouted. “How did they get here?” the other asked. “How did they do that? Did she do that?” “Who was that?” Opal asked. “That appears to be the remainder of our raiding party,” the older guard answered. “Raiding party?” she asked. “There must’ve been heavy casualties because they were thirty men strong when they departed,” the older guard added grimly. P a g e | 406 Opal was caught in a struggle between her emotions and fears. She ached to flee Kel Tora and her responsibilities. It shouldn’t be that difficult to find a place to hide from the coming war. I’ll travel to the northernmost uninhabited mountains. Yes, they might be a good, safe place to live. Opal started to jog back to the town gates when one of the riders rode back and stopped directly in front of her. The bright sun shone over his shoulder, and Opal had to squint in order to look at him. The man towered over her, and his identity was a mystery, due to the old tattered scarf wrapped around his head and face. She stepped back when he lifted his leg over the horse and slid to the ground in a puff of dirt and dust. “You?” The man reached up and unwrapped the scarf. Opal screamed with joy when she heard his voice, and lunged forward. “You used your magic to transport us here? You have no clue how much time you just saved us,” Karn said. “I transported you?” Opal did not understand how it was possible. “You have my thanks. Now tell me, why are you here?” “I love you,” she sobbed. Her words seemed to make him squirm uncomfortably. “Are you well?” P a g e | 407 “So much has happened,” she muttered through tears. “We have to talk.” Karn agreed, but only after important business; first he had to speak with Duke Essex. He promised to return to her later in the day, then mounted his horse and abruptly rode off. Rattled, Opal stood and watched him return to the castle. Something’s changed. Something’s wrong. P a g e | 408 Chapter 45 Change Duke Essex met Karn halfway between the entrance to the throne room and the throne. He was clearly excited by Karn’s return, and greeted him with a handshake and a hug, his actions made Karn feel more like family than an officer in the duke’s army. Before he spoke, Karn turned and dismissed the remainder of the raiding party, including Tala, who had waited for him at the threshold of the throne room. “You each have my thanks and will be rewarded for your hard work and service.” Duke Essex’s voice cut through the air. Karn stood silently, waiting for the duke to return to his throne before he properly addressed him. P a g e | 409 “It’s very good to see you, yet I’m afraid I have unsettling news that may spoil your return, Karn. But first, I hope you have some good news for me.” “I do, sir,” Karn answered. “As you well know, I captured and brought back one of Mustaffa’s men for questioning.” The duke nodded. “While away, my squad and I engaged and destroyed two supply groups. Most importantly, we killed one of Mustaffa’s forward generals.” “Excellent work.” Duke Essex applauded. “There’s more, sir. I regret to inform you we lost a few men in an ambush, one which nearly claimed me as well.” “An unfortunate side of war, my friend. Their families will be compensated for their loss.” The duke hurried the conversation along. “Anything else?” “Before setting forth to return to Kel Tora, I dispatched men to aid Maulen.” Duke Essex stood. “You did what?” “Your Lordship, I’m unsure whether or not this will slow Mustaffa’s march, but I instructed Damas to help protect the innocent families.” “You…” Duke Essex struggled to form his words. “You’re a good man, Karn. I’m often referred to as a diplomat, but P a g e | 410 in these trying times, I cannot say I would’ve made the same decision.” “Thank you, sir.” He nodded. “Unfortunately, Karn, we have no way of telling if your hard work has slowed Mustaffa’s march at all. Still, I’m sure your efforts will prove worthwhile.” “Thank you.” Duke Essex waved Karn closer. “Now, I must share my news. Shortly after you left, my rangers found your paramour, the enchantress Opal, in the forest outside the town.” Karn was not surprised, since he had seen Opal moments ago. “I hear rumor that it was her magic which brought you home so quickly, but there’s something I must tell you.” The duke paused. “I regret to inform you that when we found her, Karn, she was gravely wounded.” “Wounded how?” Karn’s voice cracked with concern. “She had suffered many injures: the most severe, a belly wound that… my friend. Karn. She lost her baby.” Karn was instantly overcome. Hot flashes shot across his body as his heart was stabbed by terrible guilt. It’s my fault her-our baby is dead… my fault for leaving her. Karn wanted to scream—to throw his sword across the room— P a g e | 411 but anger gripped him so tightly he could not even move. The duke apologized over and over before he finally dismissed Karn, ordering him to go and see Opal. Karn turned and walked away in a fog. He found Tala leaning against the wall. She’s been waiting for me. Thisshe only complicates things. Tala perked up and hurried toward him. As she drew closer, he could see his tension mirrored in her eyes. “Karn?” Her head was cocked to the side like a confused child. “Tala, I need to be alone tonight.” Karn did not know how else to say it. “Some time—” “Say no more,” she quickly interrupted. “I need to resolve a few things before we head out again anyway. Oh, and a moonlight bath in the lake would be nice too.” Karn took her hands in his and made her promise to be careful before saying goodbye for the night. He watched her walk away until she turned the corner at the end of the long hallway. Once she was out of sight, Karn took a deep breath, steadied his nerves, and went directly to Opal. *** The walk through the castle was too quick to allow him time to sort out his feelings. Karn considered standing outside Opal’s door for a few minutes, mulling over his P a g e | 412 thoughts, but they had become as rotten as a bad tooth and deserved the same attention. Make it quick; get it over with, Karn thought. Without a knock to announce himself, Karn pushed the door open, and when he came face to face with Opal, she exploded in tears. “You should’ve said something to me earlier.” Karn took her in his arms and held her tight. “I was so sure you would hate me. I-I know how you want to raise a family, and I failed you by letting this happen,” Opal cried. “You didn’t fail me.” “Our child is dead!” she cried loudly. Her words ushered in images of a small blonde child. He could see the girl as if she stood in front of him, her tiny hand reaching out to his. She was the most beautiful little girl he had ever seen. Her long hair had a slight curl that was messy from the wind. She looked at Karn with something he had never seen before—complete and pure love. Karn barely registered Opal’s presence as he looked at the child. The beautiful little girl turned her head and peered over her shoulder, then turned fully away. Without warning, she bolted like a rabbit. Across the room in an instant, she ran straight to the outer wall and vanished through it. P a g e | 413 Karn reached out to the child to call her name, but as soon as the words formed, he forgot them. “Karn, speak to me,” Opal begged. Karn was at a loss for words. “Sorry. I’m so sorry.” The vision of the child was hauntingly familiar, like the dream he’d had. Who are they; this woman and child? Before Karn could order his thoughts, Opal grabbed his arm. “I need you to give me another child Karn, right now,” she said into his face. “No,” Karn argued. “You need time to recuperate and I have a war to fight.” “I’m fine.” Karn watched Opal’s eyes flash. She’s drawing on her magical energy. “What are you doing?” he asked. “I’m fine, Karn.” Her voice dropped. “You’re… fine,” Karn responded. Opal unhooked his belt, and placed it and his scabbard on the floor. After she removed his dusty chainmail and leather shirt, she paused. “This is new. What is it?” Opal said, tugging on the necklace Tala had fashioned for him. Karn’s mind, which had gone strangely empty, suddenly focused on Tala. A smile turned the corner of his mouth up, P a g e | 414 until he forced it flat. “One of the elves in my raiding party made it for me. It’s for good luck,” he lied. “Oh, well, we need luck. Let us lay together.” “Opal, I have things I must—” “Join me in bed. Now.” “I will join you in bed.” Karn blew out the candles before he finished undressing. Opal awaited him in bed. Opal is my everything. I must give her another child. Then, I must destroy Mustaffa. *** The next morning Karn lay in bed, eyes glued to the wooden supports in the stone ceiling. I feel nothing. Most obvious to him, was the emptiness that existed where there had once been a swell of love. As he sat up, he realized Opal was awake too. “You will tell Duke Essex that you need a day to spend with me,” Opal said in deep monotone voice. “I’m sorry, Opal, but I can’t.” She looked startled and repeated herself, louder this time. “You will tell the duke that you need a day to spend with me.” “I said no.” P a g e | 415 “What do you mean, no?” Karn rolled out of bed and quickly gathered his clothes. The anger in her voice helped spur his action. “I need to leave now. I’ll… I-I don’t know,” Karn mumbled as he dressed. “Karn, you can’t go. Stay.” “I must go.” “If you go, who will I…” Karn did not hear what remained of her statement, as he stepped out of the room and closed the door. P a g e | 416 Chapter 46 Plans As Karn walked through Kel Tora’s courtyard, he noticed a small group of soldiers in the royal garden. They were huddled in a tight formation. Curious, Karn moved closer until he could step just inside the small crowd. To his surprise, the object of these soldiers’ attention was Tala, the same person he sought. To Karn, it appeared as if the young elf had fallen asleep in Duke Essex’s private garden alongside a patch of pansies that had just begun to shrivel in the cold weather. Tala was wrapped in an old blanket that covered all but her right leg, which had slipped out from under the covering and exposed her thigh and the side of her buttocks. “I’ve been watching her for most of the morning,” said a powerfully built tall man. “Most of the elves slept P a g e | 417 outside the castle last night, but this one found it fit to sleep here. Should I arrest her, sir?” “N-no, Lieutenant…” Karn waited for the soldier who was about the same age as him to reveal his name. “Lieutenant Hart, sir.” The officer saluted. The remainder of soldiers promptly left as, one by one, they realized a general was present. “Lieutenant Hart, you did the right thing. As a matter of fact, she’s with me,” Karn said, with a nod in Tala’s direction. “May I speak openly, General?” Hart asked as he looked around. “Of course.” “You are a lucky man, and many of my soldiers would agree.” Hart spoke seriously. “She’s beautiful, no doubt,” Karn agreed while he watched her sleep on the small bed of grass. “Yes, sir, there’s that, and the fact that she’s still alive and in one piece after last night.” “What happened last night?” Karn’s voice matched Hart’s serious tone. “You—you have not heard the news?” Lieutenant Hart paused, stroked his blonde goatee, and removed his chain mail hood while he glanced about a moment. “We found a P a g e | 418 guard murdered last night,” Hart finally said. “He was nearly eviscerated.” “Deep claw wounds?” Karn replied. “That or perhaps two small hooked daggers, but the savagery does suggest a beast.” Images of Zian tearing up the giant that guarded the jail in Weiden’s Rise flashed through Karn’s mind. Zian could have been responsible, but why would he attack one of Kel Tora's soldiers without provocation? Karn looked past the town walls to the forest and stared at every little movement. Are you out there, Zian? “I could take you to the body, sir,” Lieutenant Hart offered. “That’s not necessary. I have to take care of this young lady and a few other chores. By the way, Hart, I want you and your men to consider yourselves under my charge now.” “Yes, sir!” “I’ll meet with you a little later.” Karn saluted. Karn knelt by Tala’s head so he could whisper in her ear. His warm breath and gentle voice woke her peacefully, one eye opening before the other. “Good morning,” she squeaked. “Good morning.” P a g e | 419 Tala sat up and stretched toward the golden sun with a long yawn. If it was not for Karn’s quick thinking and fast hands, she would have slid out of the horse blanket like a snake shedding its skin. She laughed then jumped up to test Karn’s reflexes. “You’re fast today, hero.” She said with a smile. “I have to be fast around you.” He smiled back. Karn escorted Tala back to her small cabin deep inside the town. Never having been there before, he did not know what to expect. When they arrived, Tala alerted him to her housemate. “You live with someone?” “Yes, an old widow of one of Kel Tora’s forgotten soldiers,” Tala explained. “She tends to act like my mother when I’m home.” Tala knocked before she opened the wooden door to her home. The cabin was small and consisted of only one room. In total, the space was no larger than the guest room Karn stayed in within Kel Tora’s castle. With an uncharacteristically timid voice, Tala asked Karn to wait outside, and she shut the door gently behind her. Karn wondered why she was not living in the forest villages with the other elves, but there was something the duke said that stuck with him. She is wild, perhaps too P a g e | 420 wild to be at ease in a small village. With countless questions still ablaze in his mind, Tala emerged from the cabin dressed and ready to go. “Tala, I must know something. When I first met you, the duke he—” “What did he tell you?” Tala’s normally playful air became suddenly still and serious. “Not much, but he hinted that you were not allowed to return to your tribe, and I’ve noticed the other elves around town do not acknowledge you.” She swung her head down and looked away, taking a few steps ahead of Karn before she answered. “Someone died because of me. My best friend, Evey, the chieftain’s daughter,” Tala admitted solemnly. Karn ushered her to a table outside a wood craftsman’s shop on the outskirts of the town. They sat down and she continued her story. “She had become… smitten with me… and I guess I had feelings for her too. She was as stunning as a sparkling waterfall, Karn, with long silver hair, and light pink eyes that could warm the coldest heart.” Tala paused. “Although we hid our feelings, people started to spread rumors about us.” “Did you love her?” P a g e | 421 Tala looked up from the table, where she had locked her eyes, just long enough to answer him. “I love the trees, the grass, the rain; I love all things in nature.” “Oh.” “One autumn day, we were caught by one of the chieftain’s guards. We were only embracing. Luckily for us, her father dismissed it as a young woman’s playfulness.” A wistful smile turned up Tala’s lips. “A week or so later, though, the chieftain himself found us lying together. Mortified by what he saw as sickening he threatened both Evey’s life and mine.” Karn listened to every word, caught up in the clearly visible hurt in Tala’s eyes. “I figured the only solution would be for me to leave the village. So I told him I would go away if he spared both our lives. He agreed and I was to be exiled immediately.” Tala sighed, and her bottom lip quivered. “I’m so sorry, Tala. You must’ve been devastated.” Karn took her hand across the wooden table they sat at. “I packed my belongings and as I was walking out of the village, I overheard one of the hunters say that she had killed herself.” Tala’s voice shook. “But I don’t believe that.” “Do you think she was murdered?” P a g e | 422 Tala began to cry. “I do.” “I’m so sorry.” Karn gently squeezed her hand; he wanted to take away her pain. “You are the only person I’ve ever shared that with.” Tala’s tears slowed and she spoke softly. “You wanted to know why the elves you see around here do not talk to me? I’ve been marked as an outcast and… well, being with you doesn’t help, Karn. Elven men disapprove of elven women mating with humans.” “I had no idea.” Karn shook his head. “I don’t regret my choice. I’m very pleased we are together. It’s been such a long time since someone genuinely cared about me.” “I—wait.” Karn’s heard something in the distance. “There’s something happening in town.” Its normal buzz seemed to escalate, and hanging in the air was an eerie tension unlike anything Karn had ever sensed. “I feel it too,” Tala said, her eyes going wide. “What is it?” Karn’s eyebrows tilted with the query. “Something’s dreadfully wrong.” Tala shivered. Karn watched nervously as Tala stood up, her elven ears perking up and tilting back forty-five degrees. She began to look around like a skittish deer while cringing P a g e | 423 into the shelter of her body. Suddenly, her eyes frantically turned to the heavens, and the sky opened, dumping hail. Ice crystals the size of chestnuts fell fast and hard all around them. Tala grabbed Karn’s arm and led him, running, in the direction of a tavern. Once under the eaves that shielded the entrance, the two stopped and turned around. They watched as townspeople scurried to seek shelter from the savage barrage of hail. Those unlucky enough to be struck by the ice chunks yelped in pain. Blood from a head wound poured down one woman’s face as her husband helped her to safety. Children all over town cried for their mothers as they were pelted by the overwhelming ice storm. One child caught Karn’s attention: a little girl with pale blonde hair sat crying on the ground, unprotected and seemingly too terrified to move. She seemed to be the only one that had not been rushed off to safety. “Karn, look!” Tala pointed at the child. “I see her. Stay here. I’ll go.” The ground was so littered with small ice balls, that any movement was hazardous. Karn stepped carefully, raised his shield over his head, and then dashed out to the child. Upon reaching her, Karn scooped her up and quickly turned back to Tala, who was distracted by something in the P a g e | 424 distance. Karn tried to follow her gaze in the direction of the castle, but his vision, although exceptional, was poor in comparison with hers. “Safe and sound,” Karn said after he returned to Tala with the little girl. The little girl looked up at Karn and smiled. The sight made Karn think of the ghost of the girl he had seen yesterday. Her name formed in his mouth once again, “Sabrina!” Although her ears twitched in response to Karn’s voice, Tala’s attention had not strayed from the sky above the castle. “Karn, I pray you witnessed what I just did. Tell me you saw two people… two people flying.” “What? No.” He feared the worst. “Yes, they flew into one of the chambers in the castle’s west wing, perhaps the throne room,” she said. “A few moments later, they flew out again.” “Mages!” Karn growled. “Mages? In Kel Tora castle?” Karn glared at the castle, his anger rising. “I intend to find out what these mages want once and for all!” “Karn, you must be careful,” Tala said, clasping his arm. “These are evil men who can will you dead with a thought.” P a g e | 425 Karn ignored her worry, instructed her to stay back, and ran off toward the castle. His mind narrowed on the possible reasons Opal, or any other mage, could have had business with the duke. Did they come for an alliance, or is this an attack? Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the flutter of yellow-green hair. When he glanced over, Tala was there. “I’m going with you,” she said firmly. He had heard that tone in her voice before. He knew better than to even try to dissuade her. With a sigh, he said, “Very well, you go ahead.” She nodded and sprinted off through the crowds of people milling about town, who were still trying to make sense of the strange hailstorm. As he watched her run, he felt extremely clumsy, especially when he bumped into the people Tala so effortlessly passed by. Look at her, he thought. She navigates her way through these crowds as if she has a precognition of when people are about to move and where they are moving to. Although it only took a few moments for them to jog to the castle and get to the throne room, Karn was winded. He passed the royal guards confidently with just a wave of his hand. P a g e | 426 “Karn! I’m glad you are here. We need to talk—alone,” Duke Essex bellowed, motioning for Tala to be escorted out. When she was gone, Karn spoke. “What happened here?” “Lady Opal requested an audience when suddenly a man flew in through the window.” “Another mage?” Karn asked. “Yes, carrying an ornamental staff,” Duke Essex explained. “What was said?” “He said he had come to beg me to call off the soldiers I had sent to the mountains, where he and the other mages lived. He wanted a truce between us. Then he mumbled something about losing control of their pawn and promptly flew out the window.” “Opal followed him?” Karn asked, but he already knew the answer. “Yes. Karn, I fear the enchantress may end up in trouble. I don’t have soldiers in the mountains, but all know of the rogues who dwell there.” “She can take care of herself,” Karn stated bluntly. After a moment to think, Duke Essex replied, “Aren’t you concerned for her—” P a g e | 427 Karn raised his voice. “We have more important things to worry about now, like this war.” “I agree, however—” “My lord, I have a plan. It’s risky, but it could work. First, I need information from someone within Mustaffa’s ranks.” “Our prisoner?” Duke Essex smiled wolfishly. Karn nodded and returned the smile. P a g e | 428 Chapter 47 Homeland Deep beneath the guards’ quarters, in the west side of Kel Tora castle, was the prison. In the spirit of Kel Tora, the prison was kept as clean as its great hall. Duke Essex told Karn that his prisoners liked to tell tale of how the bars were made of silver and twinkled when the sun shone in. Karn took the duke’s comment as a joke, until he saw just how clean the space. “Bastards! I’m not telling you anything!” Gregor’s man spat. The senior prison guard considered him stonily. “You have a choice, fellow. You either die down here when Mustaffa attacks, or we release you just prior to his invasion, give you a fighting chance.” “Strike him,” Karn instructed the senior guard. P a g e | 429 “Do what, sir?” The guard looked at Duke Essex for clarification, but the duke merely nodded once, and kept silent, and out of view. “Make a fist and strike him,” Karn ordered again. “I’ve never struck a prisoner, sir. In all my time as a guard, I’ve never had to. Not only do our laws prohibit it, but to strike an unarmed man—” “This man would kill you, your wife, and your children if given the chance,” Karn stated coldly. “Would you?” “You’re damned right I would.” The guard drove his fist straight into the bridge of the prisoner’s nose. “Was that satisfactory, sir?” the senior guard asked. To his credit, the prisoner did not cry out. Blood streamed down his face when he spat in anger, “Bastard! Our land’s laws forbid torture of prisoners of war.” Karn paused and then looked at the duke. Although not a word was spoken, each man knew what the other thought. “Our land’s laws?” Karn asked. The prisoner’s voice turned sullen. “I was born in a fishing village not far from where Mustaffa’s ships landed. Lived there all my life. When he arrived, there was no P a g e | 430 choice: join him or die. He executed everyone—my father, my mother, my sisters—and then burned all our homes.” “And all that makes you loyal to Mustaffa?” Karn questioned. “You wouldn’t understand, living here in shiny Kel Tora. There was nothing left. I was hungry… things are better now. Better under his rule—” A series of violent coughs that splattered blood down onto his lap, halted the prisoner’s speech. “You uncaring scoundrel!” Duke Essex shouted as he stepped into the prisoner’s eyeline. The prisoner’s face went pale white. “You’re sick!” the duke raged. “He kills your family and given the choice fight or serve, you serve.” “I know you,” the prisoner proclaimed. “I must be pretty damn important for you to be here.” “You? No, you’re nothing but a rabid animal,” Duke Essex said, and then promptly turned his back on the prisoner. “My lord?” Karn asked. “What do you want to do with this rabid animal?” “Kill him,” Duke Essex ordered as he walked out the prison. “Make it as painful as you can.” P a g e | 431 “What? No,” Mustaffa’s man pleaded. “Don’t kill me! I’ll talk!” Karn shot a quick glance across the room at Duke Essex, who stood once more out of the prisoner’s line of sight. The duke smiled and then nodded. *** A little while later, an eerie silence cloaked Kel Tora’s throne room. Duke Essex waited impatiently for Karn to return with the information, and prayed it would be good news. At long last, Karn stormed in, Lieutenant Hart at his side. “General, good news, I hope,” Duke Essex said by way of greeting. “Bad news.” “Tell me,” he sighed. “We discovered that Mustaffa travels near the head of his army, yet not far enough ahead that we could isolate him from his soldiers.” “Blast!” Duke Essex rubbed his head. “Well, perhaps it’s for the better.” “Sir, this doesn’t change the fact that we’re going into battle.” Karn nodded. “And I have a new plan.” P a g e | 432 “General, if you want to throw away your life, I cannot stop you,” Duke Essex said. “But the lives of my soldiers are a different affair. Right, Lieutenant Hart?” “Sir.” Lieutenant Hart bowed. “How do you feel about suicide, Lieutenant?” he asked. “My unit and I agree that our lives are a small price to pay for the freedom of Kel Tora and her families.” “Brave.” Duke Essex scowled. “Very well. You have my full support and I wish you success.” After a long pause, he continued, “Before you leave, I would like the two of you to join me for a formal dinner. Kel Tora will host one last celebration before this dreadful war reaches us.” P a g e | 433 Chapter 48 Reality After sorting out his thoughts, Karn returned to his room—and Tala. When he entered, she was sitting on the floor in the middle of the room, feeding grapes to a small grey squirrel. Both the squirrel’s ears and Tala’s were perked up. Tala giggled as she looked at Karn and tossed a grape at his armored chest. It bounced and fell to the floor, where the squirrel scurried off to retrieve it. “Nice squirrel.” “Thanks. He came through the window around nightfall. I thought it would be kind to share my snack with him.” “Sorry I’ve been so long. Are you hungry?” “Not terribly. Elves can live on air and sunshine if they need to,” she added, then gave him an arch look. P a g e | 434 Too consumed with his own thoughts to care whether or not that was a joke, Karn sat on the side of the bed and flopped backward, lying down. Tala crawled across the floor to his side and whispered, “This war is taking its toll on you, lover.” She rubbed his leg. “Care to go for a walk?” “That… yes, that might be nice.” *** Tala dragged Karn through the maze of hallways, eventually exiting near the royal garden. There were few things Tala enjoyed more than the brisk night air; it infused her with energy, and Karn swore he could feel it tingle in her hand as he held it in his. “So what happened today?” Tala’s asked. “Can we talk about that later?” Karn shook his head. “To be honest, I’d rather talk about us.” “Oh, really?” Tala smiled and paused at a row of red daffodils to smell them. “Where do you swim at night, Tala?” “You want to go swimming?” “Why not?” Karn shrugged. “Well, there’s a small lake in the forest.” She pointed. “There’s a deep, slow-flowing stream nearby too.” “Where did you go last night?” P a g e | 435 Tala took a deep breath before she answered, “The lake.” “Then take me to your lake.” *** The forest seemed darker than usual that night and grew even darker with every step they took. As soon as they were away from the glow of the city’s lights, Tala stepped off the dirt path. Karn followed, amazed by how well she could traverse the deep forest terrain in the murky shadows. If it were not for her, he knew he would have tripped on the uneven ground. Karn was just about to ask her how she moved so surefooted when he caught a glimpse of her ears shimmering in the moonlight. She’s an elf. That’s the answer. “What bothers you so deeply, that I can hear your mind at work?” Karn laughed before he answered, “There’s just so much I don’t know about you, Tala.” “Exciting, I know. Just think about it: we have the rest of our lives to discover each other.” The rest of our lives, Karn thought. How long might that be? We could both be dead in only a few days. Oddly enough, it was the first time since he awakened from his P a g e | 436 injuries after Weiden’s Rise’s invasion that he had even contemplated death. It gave him the chills. Karn took a slow, deep breath. “Tala, I was just curious… do you have any children?” “No. I’m too young.” “Oh.” Karn felt dense. “How old are elves when they normally… have children?” “In human or elven summer cycles?” she asked with a smirk. “I’m serious.” “Such a strange question, General Karn,” she replied in a sarcastic military fashion. “Well, elves normally don’t have children until they are a few summers older than I am now.” “Because of your age.” “Because of population,” Tala answered. “In theory, we could outnumber humans in only ten or twenty summers. Yet we would never do that because of nature’s balance.” “Here you had me thinking it was not possible.” “Anything’s possible.” She smiled. “We’re getting close to the lake. Can you hear the water?” Karn listened carefully. He could hear owls, alerting one another of danger, insects, and the wind rustling the autumn leaves. But he couldn’t hear any water. P a g e | 437 “No.” “Look ahead.” Tala pointed. A dozen or more weeping willows encircled a lake that must have been close to ten times the size of Kel Tora’s fountain. The willows’ drooping branches hung down low, their tips in the water as a child would dip their toes on a warm day. An azure glow rose from the water and painted the trees. At first, Karn thought it was the moon’s reflection off the water, but as he looked closer, he realized that the glow he saw was not on top of the water but, bizarrely, underneath it. “Do you see that?” His voice was loud with excitement. “See what?” Tala asked. “The water’s glowing.” Karn pointed as he stepped back away from the oddity. “You can see the glow?” Tala’s voice spiked with surprise. “Yes! What the hell is it?” Karn reached for his sword, but Tala stayed his hand. “Humans are not supposed to be able to see that.” “See what?” Tala did not answer. She cocked her head and walked in a circle around him. Her gaze went up and down as she P a g e | 438 moved. Karn knew that look; she was carefully examining him. But for what? he wondered. What’s happening? Once she completed her fourth circle, she stepped decisively to the water’s edge. “Tala.” She ignored him and continued on, kneeling down by the water and scooping some into her hands. “Tala?” Karn called again as she carried the water to him. “What do you see in this water, Karn?” Karn looked at the water. To his surprise, it lay still and dark, not at all like the water that lapped the lakeshore behind her. “Nothing. I see nothing.” “What do you see now?” Tala turned her back to Karn and threw the cupped water from her hands back into the lake. As the water arched in the air, it started to shine, and then, just before it splashed into the lake, it sparkled with a dazzling blue light that vanished upon hitting the water. “That… that was beautiful.” He smiled. “Tala, I—” “Karn, look at me. Humans are not supposed to be able to perceive this.” P a g e | 439 “You said that already,” Karn acknowledged. “What is it? Is this some sort of elf magic?” “No!” she said sharply. “Not magic!” “Then what?” “I’ve shared with you many elven mysteries, but this is one of nature’s most precious secrets.” She paused and laughed. “You know. I’m happy you can see this. I am. It only proves further what I’ve known since we met. It proves that you’re a good man, Karn.” “Thanks,” he muttered, not sure how to respond. “I want to tell you something more.” Tala stomped her foot and grunted with clear frustration. “Gah. I’m afraid to, but why should I be? We’re lifemates. I should be allowed to tell you anything. I-just promise me, what I share with you here you’ll never tell anyone else.” “Of course, Tala.” Karn watched her return to the edge of the lake and sit down. She carefully took off her boots and set them beside her. “A long time ago, there were many more creatures in this land. Dozens more than the ones you humans have documented.” Tala looked up to the sky and drew and deep breath, which she pushed out through her pursed lips. “As you well know, humans are the most destructive of all P a g e | 440 animals. They don’t share nature; they exploit it. The human population grew and grew, displacing the other races, which gradually died off. One race that survived along with the elves and other forest creatures were the fairies.” “Fairies?” Karn whispered to himself. He had heard children’s stories, but never thought any of them were true. “Humans became quickly fascinated by what they referred to as Little Flower Children. You all tried to keep fairies as pets.” “I’m sorry…” “Fairy-kind was nearly extinct when they finally went into hiding. And as the days and weeks passed, Mother Nature came to their rescue. She helped them adapt to their surroundings. She aided the fairies until at last they became invisible to the human eye.” “Is that—” “They adapt so well to their environment that they actually become one with it,” Tala explained. “The water, that glow you see is from a fairy’s wings.” Karn could not contain his surprise. “Amazing!” “Everything your eyes see… every day is amazing. Nature alone is a marvel most humans take for granted. Learn to respect it and it will open up to you.” P a g e | 441 He watched as Tala sprung to her feet, then pulled off her brown leather dress with one steady motion. “What are you doing?” Karn asked. “Going for a swim, remember?” “In that?” he pointed at the lake. “Of course. It’s only water,” she said. Karn sat down next to her boots and watched as she dove into the water. A heartbeat later, she rose to the surface near the middle of the small lake. “I love this lake,” she called happily to him. Something about the way the water glimmered made Tala look even more beautiful than usual. The odd underwater glow highlighted her naked body, and made it easy to see her swim. Tala swam like a fish—fast and confident. Karn watched her dive deep, almost out of sight, only to dart, moments later, to the surface and back down again. “Join me,” she cooed. “What?” “Is my bare body not invitation enough, Nathan?” Tala called from the water, raking her hair from her face. Nathan? Who is Nathan? “What did you say?” he asked her. “I asked you to join me, lover.” “No. Did you call me Nathan?” P a g e | 442 “What?” she yelled back as the water splashed at her ears. “Did you call me Nathan?” “I cannot hear you! Swim out here if you want to talk to me.” Karn stripped down and dove in. The moment he hit the water he thrashed about like a child who had never swam before, and soon after jumped right back out. Over the chatter of his teeth, he heard Tala howl with laughter. “Sorry.” She laughed so hard she could barely speak. “I forgot to tell…” “You forgot to tell me…” “Yes,” she laughed. “I forgot to tell you that the water was very, very cold.” “I should—” “You should what?” She tilted her head back. “You can’t catch me in here.” “Then come out…” Karn’s words died in his mouth. Before his eyes, what looked to be a young woman yet one foot tall, emerged from the center of the lake. Although unprepared for the sight, Karn was sure this was none other than the fairy Tala mentioned. P a g e | 443 The tiny creature flew high above the water and circled the lake once. When she flew by Karn, his skin tingled. “No. No. No!” Tala called out as she swam frantically to the edge of the lake. Tala dressed as the fairy circled, slowing down to hover only a few inches in front of them. At that point, Karn could finally see her. A sense of pure tranquility washed over him. She’s beautiful. The little being had pale-blue hair that was long and wavy. So tiny, he thought. So fragile, like a humming bird. As he stared, he realized the fairy wore nothing, save for a silver ribbon that slithered around her body as if it were alive. He felt as if he should look away, but then she darted directly in front of Tala. Although full of awe, Karn was still stunned when the fairy finally spoke. To him, it sounded like a dozen children all whispering at the same moment, yet slightly out of sync. He could not understand her language, but Tala listened intently. She knows the fairy’s tongue? When Tala replied, Karn was astounded and looked at her in bewilderment. She-something’s wrong, he thought as he watched Tala’s mood turn melancholy. “Why tonight?” Tala whined. P a g e | 444 The fairy’s voice grew louder when Tala spoke in the human tongue, scolding and harsh. “Yes, I do,” Tala replied to the fairy. “Well, it happened, and I’m happy it did!” “Tala?” Karn called out to her hesitantly. “Not tonight. Tonight was going to be special.” Karn looked back and forth between the two as they argued. He wished he knew what was being said; Tala was angrier now than he had ever seen her. “I’ve done everything you asked me to do for the past thirteen months! Please, not tonight.” The fairy’s voice stopped, and the silence left in its wake was staggering. “What’s going on, Tala?” Before she could reply, the fairy spoke again. “Greetings,” came a birdlike yet commanding voice. Karn looked to Tala for answers. “Karn, this is Drae’Qu.” “Greetings, Drae’Qu.” “I am pleased that Tala brought you to my home. There is much you need to know before you confront the warlord Naraboo, or as you humans refer to him, Mustaffa.” “How do you know all this?” P a g e | 445 “I exist as Mother Nature’s conduit. I know much of this region, including your past… Nathan.” There was that name again, Karn thought, though this time it sounded much more familiar to him. “Nathan?” The fairy buzzed over to Karn, hovering so close to his face that he flinched. He expected the glow of her wings to warm his skin, but there was only the cool night breeze as Drae’Qu’s glow faded slightly. “Please, Drae’Qu,” Tala pleaded one last time. “Please, not tonight.” P a g e | 446 Chapter 49 Ruined Tala knew what was coming next. Drae’Qu’s going to ruin everything. Tala’s chest tightened and she felt like she was falling. She took Karn’s hand in hers and held it firm against her heart. As Drae’Qu spoke, Karn’s knuckles turned pink and then white in Tala’s grip. “For many generations, the mages from the northern mountains have labored to conquer Illyia.” I can’t breathe. Tala gasped. It feels like I’m drowning. Again… “Those mages,” Karn groaned. “I hate them.” “It seems that you and the warlord Naraboo have much more in common then we imagined.” When Drae’Qu said this, her eyes briefly shifted to Tala. P a g e | 447 “What are you saying?” Karn looked puzzled as he looked to Tala. “What’s she saying, Tala?” Tala did not answer; she knew it was not her turn to speak. “What I am saying is that you have been the mages’ pawn for several months now.” Drae’Qu’s voice sliced through the silence. “You lie.” “I only speak the truth.” The fairy crossed her arms. “It is you who exist as a lie, Nathan.” Tala gasped for air; the overload of emotions made her choke. She had not felt like this in years. With a tear in her eye and a tiny frown on her face, she mouthed, “I’m sorry.” “No. This cannot be true.” Drae’Qu emitted a small pulse of light, pulling their attention back to her. “Do you remember Margeaux?” she asked. “The dream…” Karn scowled. “How do you know about that?” “Not a dream—a wife, Nathan. Margeaux belongs to your true past.” “Wait. I don’t understand. What does this mean?” Karn said to Tala. P a g e | 448 Tala closed her eyes and tried to escape the moment. She’s going to show him, and he’s not going to understand. She’s ruining everything. “I can show you your past, help you understand your present, and even prepare you for your future. First, I need two things from you.” “What do you need?” Tala wanted to speak up, but she knew she couldn’t. She had made promises that she could not break. No, Karn. Don’t make the same mistake I did. “The first one will be far easier than the second,” Drae’Qu teased as she flew off toward the center of the lake. Karn had lost his patience. “Enough riddles!” “I need your allegiance and your trust,” came Drae’Qu’s small voice from across the water; she sounded as accustomed to command as the Duke of Kel Tora. Once again, Karn looked to Tala for help, this time she answered, coldly, “You can trust her.” “Fine, my trust? You have it. My allegiance, though? Explain to whom.” “To the goddess: Mother Nature. Promise you will fight against evil as long as you live.” P a g e | 449 “I’m a soldier of honor. I have always fought against evil, and I’ll continue to do so until the moment I die.” Tala hung her head and released Karn’s hand. She sighed. This could have ended differently. “Good. Come closer to the water,” Drae’Qu said, waving him forward. As Karn moved toward the shore, a chill crept across Tala’s back. She staggered back a step, and wrapped her arms around herself. I never should’ve brought you here… was all she thought. P a g e | 450 Chapter 50 Broke “Gaze upon your true past, Nathan.” The water in front of Karn turned bright blue, and then, slowly, other colors emerged. Red, yellow, and white all appeared until finally the ripples calmed and an image appeared. Karn had seen many astounding sights before, many this very night, but he never imagined that he would gaze into the water like a window into the past. He recognized himself right away, but not as the soldier he thought he remembered. He was dressed as a common fisherman. His reflection had shorter hair and he was sans both his beard and seemingly a few months of wear. He watched himself walk down a path into a town he could not identify. The buildings looked somewhat familiar, structures made entirely of wood and twine; yet as hard as P a g e | 451 he tried, Karn could not name this underdeveloped town at the sea’s edge. Karn watched as the vision of his younger self walked contentedly through town. He waved to everyone who he passed. Karn wrung his hands as tiny details—like the feel of the leather-handled fishing rod against his palms, the smell of the caught fish, and the sensation of pride in a good day’s work—returned to him. Just as Karn became comfortable with the vision of himself, he spotted something unnerving: the blonde child from the vision he had. “S-Sabrina?” he whispered to himself. Karn stared as the beautiful girl ran to his double and embraced him. His eyes filled with tears. As he wiped them away, he saw another person approach his past self, a tall, slender blonde woman. My god, it’s her, Karn thought as he laid his eyes on Margeaux. “I dreamed of her,” Karn breathed, as he watched her kiss him. “This is a dream?” “Not a dream. This is your past. The sum of fewer months than—” “I-I was a soldier in Weiden’s Rise’s cavalry until the attack,” Karn interrupted. “I fought…” P a g e | 452 “That is what they made you believe. The truth is that you were a simple fisherman with a loving family.” Her words make no sense… But then, Karn felt the memories he thought were reality begin to wash away. The truth was uncovered. Who am I? He closed his eyes and shook his head. He still had no full sense of a past life. Was I really a fisherman? Was this my family? “The mages cast a very strong spell on you. In fact, it was the very same spell they used on the warlord Naraboo,” Drae’Qu explained. “The spell takes the captured soul of a warlord from long ago and imprints it on the target. All his skills become the target’s, and so does his thirst for blood.” “This…” Karn opened his eyes and uttered in disbelief, “This cannot be.” “Later, the mages enchanted you again. They gave you increased strength and further used their corrupt magic to suppress your actual memory. They replaced your true past with one they fabricated.” “No!” Karn shouted as he stepped into the water in front of him and put an end to the images that rippled atop the water. “How could they have done all this without Opal knowing?” “Nathan—” P a g e | 453 “My name is Karn.” “Nathan, tell me when you met Opal,” Drae’Qu demanded. “Opal and I grew up together in Weiden’s Rise…” Karn trailed off a moment. “No, wait, no, Margeaux and I grew up together in a little fishing town called—” “The village of Werr Nax,” Drae’Qu finished for him. “Werr Nax,” he echoed solemnly. “You see, Nathan, the mages needed to keep one of their own close to you at all times. That person would not only act as a guard but would maintain magical control over you to keep your true memories buried deeply. That mage was Opal.” Opal, he repeated in his head. Karn would have been surprised; he would have felt deeply betrayed, but his feelings for Opal had all but vanished. When he thought about her now, he felt only emptiness and now a growing distrust. She betrayed me. “Why would she do this to me?” he whispered. “I thought she—” “She lied to you. However, yours and Opal’s pasts are indeed intertwined.” Karn closed his eyes again. He tried to clear his head, make sense of something, anything. “How?” P a g e | 454 “From the time you were a young boy, your family and her family did business together, trading goods. Each spring and fall, your fathers would meet. Do you remember your trips with your father?” “Yes.” Karn pondered his childhood. “I went with him for many seasons before… before he died.” “It was during one of those trips that you met Opal.” Karn opened his eyes and smiled. “I do remember one of the men my father traded with bringing his daughter with him during our meetings.” Karn concentrated, trying to remember details. “She was skinny, with long braids.” “Opal harbored a secret affection for you from the day she first laid eyes on you, Nathan, but you ignored her. Through the many trips, as you helped your father with his trade, you paid no mind to her advances. Sick with dejection and anger, Opal left home.” Karn rubbed his eyes with frustration. Enough, he thought as he turned and walked back to where Tala stood silently. “All this?” Karn waved his hands up in the air. “Am I to believe all this is because I ignored some shy little girl when I was a child myself?” “I’m afraid so, Karn.” P a g e | 455 He kicked the water and shouted, “I want to remember everything! I want to know what was done to me!” “Calm yourself. I told you the mages cast powerful magic on you,” Drae’Qu continued. “You are fortunate that your soul can be saved.” “Saved? If this soul spell is so damned powerful, then how did I break free of it?” Karn grumbled, looking at Tala. “I am free of it, right?” Tala’s shoulders slumped further and she averted her eyes. Karn did not like what her body language conveyed. “Tala—” Drae’Qu began, confirming his suspicions. “Tala,” Karn interrupted. “Did you have something to do with this too?” he asked. “Nathan, Tala helped me aid in your recovery,” Drae’Qu explained. “Did you?” he asked her. The fairy’s birdlike voice rose to a shrill level. “Nathan?” “What?” “Look at me. Listen to me,” Drae’Qu said as she pointed at him. “It was known to me that you would travel to the human kingdom of Kel Tora to seek allies. So I prepared a solution. I enchanted Tala’s body with a cure, one that would dispel the mage’s domination over you. When P a g e | 456 she touched you, it removed their enthrallment. Mother Nature’s magic may be slow at times, but soon it will purge you of all the mages’ lies and restore your reality.” Karn’s thoughts were muddled. He was overwhelmed by everything Drae’Qu had told him. He worked to push all the jumbled thoughts out. Dump them to the floor, then start over, pick up only the things you need. Just like you were taught—taught by your father. Your true father. Father, wife, family—they were words that stuck like thorns painfully in his heart. “My family… What happened to them?” Karn tried once more to regain eye contact with Tala and even whispered her name, but she refused to look up. “What happened to Margeaux and my child, Drae’Qu?” “They were killed,” Drae’Qu stated, not a hint of emotion in her voice. Karn dropped to his knees in the water; he felt numb all over. He was sad, but did not cry. He was angry, but he did not scream. The rustle of Tala behind him distracted him. Does she know this all already, or is this news to her as well? Did she know and not tell me the truth? “Damn it. Show me. Show me what happened! Show me their deaths!” Karn demanded. P a g e | 457 “The pain you feel… it is dampened by anger. Do not think this is your fault; it is not. It is the mage’s soul spell that muddles your emotions and turns your melancholy to rage.” “Enough. Show me.” The fairy fluttered back some. “Very well, but you have my warning.” The waters of the lake swirled and turned other shades of color again. Slowly, a new image arose from the ripples. Nestled comfortably amongst trees was the small fishing village of Werr Nax. No more than a collection of wooden shacks, the place seemed too simple to be the birth of such violent beginnings. It was late at night and the village itself was still, draped in pure darkness. Outside a group of six small homes, a magical portal peeled opened. The portal lit the town like the morning sun, but the purple light did not shine for long. After two mages stepped out from the whirlpool of light, it vanished. Karn recognized the magic— and both mages. One was the old mage he saw defeated only weeks ago, a man named Malek. The other, who stood brazenly at his side wearing a hooded robe marked with intertwined circles, was Opal. P a g e | 458 After a nod at Opal, Malek raised his staff to the wooden door of the cabin, which Karn recognized as his old home. The door crept open and the two entered without hesitation. Moments later, Karn saw himself walk from the back of the room, seemingly half-awake. Surprised by the intruders, he reached for a club kept alongside his fishing gear. Karn watched himself cross the room toward Malek and Opal, the makeshift weapon held high in the air. But before he could attack, the old mage waved his staff, and Karn fell lifeless into Malek’s thin arms. This can’t be true. This can’t be happening. As Karn watched the past events, his chest filled with anxiety. If I could only transport myself back there. I could fight them. I could protect my family. Karn fantasized about killing Malek; he imagined his arm around the old man’s frail neck, but before his fantasy could reach a satisfying end, the old mage disappeared in a puff of smoke, absconding with the mirror image of Karn. “Bastard.” Although Malek had left, Opal still stood in his home. A sour sensation dropped into Karn’s stomach—he guessed what would happen next. “No, no, no…” P a g e | 459 Drae’Qu’s image of Opal stepped into the back room of Karn’s cabin and found Karn’s wife and daughter, huddled together in a corner behind a small bed and clothes trunk. Margeaux opened her mouth in a scream, but the fairy’s mystical image produced no sound. Still, Karn did not have to hear the words to know what was said. He could tell by her hand gestures and the desperate look in her eyes. She’s begging for our daughter’s life. Karn watched Opal raise her hands to her face, gently touching her thumbs and index fingers together in a diamond formation that framed her forehead. Dark red sparkles of light formed around the room and fluttered toward Opal’s hands like tiny fireflies. As the sparkles grew in number, the tiny lights joined together and formed one big one. Then, with a smooth and practiced move, Opal separated her hands and pushed them toward Margeaux and Sabrina. The red glow shot out in the form of a thick beam of concentrated light, enveloping Karn’s family. “No!” Karn shouted as he watched the light turn from a dark red to a orange-red. At first, he could not tell what the spell had done, besides irradiate them in a deep vermillion glow. Perhaps he was wrong; maybe Opal was not there to harm them, but to protect them instead. The red aura always ushers healing. P a g e | 460 Karn looked at his family and then back to Opal. She had stood still since she cast the spell, but she suddenly stirred. She lifted her hands and formed the same diamond shape over her forehead. Karn watched as Margeaux’s slim body shook with a sudden violent convulsion. Her arms flailed to her sides then up to her head, where they clawed at her own skin. His daughter, Sabrina, suffered from the same seizures and fell face-first onto the hardwood floor. Margeaux’s hair had begun to change from blonde to white, and when her hands finally dropped down from her face, they revealed deep bleeding red claw marks. “By the gods, what’s she doing to them?” Karn shouted. Drae’Qu crossed her arms. “Opal is stealing their life force,” she stated. “Behold.” Opal drew her hands back close to her chest and the orange-red glow shot back to her. The motion whipped back the bodies of Opal’s victims, flipping Sabrina onto her back and bending Margeaux over until her spine snapped. “Stop!” Karn yelled, but nothing could be done. Opal’s body glowed the same color as her victims had, but unlike them, she reveled in the spell. As Opal basked in the life energy she had stolen from Karn’s family, Margeaux struggled to aid her daughter. She tried to move, P a g e | 461 but only her left arm seemed to work. She drug her broken body to the side, just enough to face her daughter. A murky despair was written all over Margeaux’s face when she laid eyes on her daughter’s ashen skin and her once-beautiful blonde hair, which was now white and mostly gone. Sabrina’s cheeks, which had only moments before been full and rosy, were now colorless and sunken in. Sabrina. Margeaux… He held back his tears. It was obvious to Karn that what little life Margeaux had left had been torn from her body with the realization that their daughter was dead. Karn watched as Opal ran her hands down the front of her body to straighten her robes. Like a predator, she moved closer and took one last look at her prey. Does she feel any remorse? Any at all? Karn watched in disbelief as Opal walked out of the cabin. Before she closed the door, she snapped her fingers. A minuscule dancing flame popped into existence in her hand. She smiled. She must enjoy this. The killing. She’s sick—but before he could finish the thought, she tossed the bright red fire inside and close the door behind her. “Enough,” Karn spoke plainly. “So be it.” P a g e | 462 Karn’s stomach flopped like a fish out of water. He would have vomited had he eaten that day; instead, he dry heaved for a second. “She burned the cabin.” Karn’s voice cracked with anger as he moved back and forth. “Yes, and with it what the mages thought would be any proof of your former life.” Karn pounded his fists into the wet mud at the water’s edge. “I trusted that lying bitch. Protected her,” he cried. “When I find her, I will shove my blade down her throat until she chokes on her own lifeblood!” “This war is your priority. You must—” “You expect me to let the death of my family go unavenged?” “No, Nathan,” Drae’Qu interrupted. “There are others who seek to destroy her. Her death is their task. She will get what she deserves. I promise.” “Others?” Drae’Qu buzzed closer. “Naraboo, like you, has had his life ruined by the mages. Exiled ages ago, he has returned and now marches directly north to the mages’ home. He has destroyed each kingdom in his way, killed countless families, and if he succeeds in defeating the mages once P a g e | 463 and for all, there will be scant few left who can stop him from conquering the whole island.” “I am not like him,” Karn said. “And I will see Opal pay for what she has done to me.” The fairy shook her head. “Tala, is there anything you need before I retire?” “No, you’ve done enough,” Tala grumbled. “Very well. I have given you much tonight, Nathan. Return tomorrow if you need more.” Drae’Qu darted out to the center of the quiet water and dove straight down into the darkness. Moments later, the glow of her wings illuminated the lake, as they had earlier. Tala whispered, “My deepest apologies. I-I know all too well how you feel.” Karn turned to Tala, the look of a stumbling drunkard on his tired face. “Why me?” “Fate,” Tala answered flatly. P a g e | 464 Chapter 51 Reunion Opal had been sure Malek was dead; seeing him now made her blood boil. She tightened her fist until her knuckles began to crack. What was I thinking? Chasing one of his students across the skies; no idea where he was going… I never wanted to return here. Although it was dark out, Opal could clearly see the debris spilled across the tall grass. Something burned atop the mountain, illuminating everything. Being there filled Opal with an odd sense of déjà vu. It feels like I was just here, in this stone-cluttered field yesterday. Before Malek could say anything, Opal sized him up. She imagined a spell, one that would set him ablaze from the inside out, burn his skin off and turn it to a fine ash. He was her enemy—in fact, all mages were now. He’s P a g e | 465 ruined my life, and he should die for that. So why don’t I kill him? Why don’t I rend the flesh from his bones? “I thought you were dead,” Opal said calmly to Malek. “All of you.” “Nearly,” the mage she had chased whispered. “We escaped before the collapse. Max had—” “What do you want from me? Why did you seek me out? Make it good; you’ve already wasted enough of my time.” As she spoke, her eyes fixed once more on the remains of the fortress on top of the mountain. This time, the sight told her a different story. From what she could make out, the structure was split in half, with the surviving portion—the side that housed the students—still in relatively good shape. “Did anyone else survive? Any of the other students?” “Five of us ferried ten of the younger students out during the assault. It pains me to tell you this, Opal, but Elizabeth was killed in the attack,” the student said. The volcano inside Opal’s chest rumbled with each word. “I know… I saw her die.” “Then you faced Maximilian with his amplified powers and survived,” Malek finally said. “You’ve become a very powerful mage, Opal. You could easily subdue what remains P a g e | 466 of the High Council, but I have come to warn you of one thing before you do.” “Make it quick, Malek,” Opal snapped. “Girl, there’s so little you know of the High Council, an entity that has been here for over five hundred summers,” Malek replied. “And?” Opal goaded. “Do you see that glow of light up there? That is no fire.” “Looks like a portal.” “It’s no portal either. There are things buried deep inside the basement of the fortress. Things only the archmages knew of. That is one of them, something only our Supreme Leader knew the purpose of.” “And?” “And now it sits exposed to the elements and anyone brave enough to climb to the peak of our mountain.” Although Malek’s words chilled her to the core, Opal would not show him fear. “Your point?” “You cannot destroy powers as strong as the High Council’s without repercussions, Opal.” “Is that what you wanted to warn me about?” Opal crossed her arms and widened her stance. She drew a deep breath and looked directly at Malek. P a g e | 467 “No.” He sighed and looked away. “I realize you feel slighted by the High Council. Much of what Horus told you was true, but there are important details he did not share. Our kind, our abilities are only passed on from mother to child. Don’t you see, Opal? Only a woman who has magical powers within herself can bear a child with the same powers.” “More lies?” “Why do you think we take such interest in the female students within the High Council? You are our future.” “My mother was no—” “She was, Opal. I knew her well,” Malek interrupted. Opal stepped back. Malek’s words shook her. Phantom cramps pierced her stomach. I’ve lost Karn’s baby. A child that would have been a mage… like me. “We need to protect you and the child.” Malek pointed at her belly. “Protect my child?” Opal repeated his words, as she tried to make sense of them. “You carry a child bred from a man enchanted with a warlord’s soul,” the student added. “Unrefined power will certainly surge through his child’s body like blood flows through our veins.” P a g e | 468 Truth or lies, Opal was more surprised that Malek was unaware of her loss. “Our kind faces extinction. Your child could be a new beginning.” “Just stop, Malek. Stop talking!” Opal snapped. A moment of silence passed as Opal walked around in a small circle. She glanced at the two men and then the top of the fortress. She looked back in the direction of Kel Tora, thinking of what had happened there. “Opal, regarding the Rook,” Malek said, changing the topic. “Weakened as we are, the spells we cast on him—” “Will he remember everything?” Opal’s heart skipped at the thought. “In time he will. He may already have. Face to face contact with him now could have a dangerous outcome.” Opal stomped her foot on the wet grass as she put her fists on her hips. How did I lose control? How did I let everything become so muddied? Opal looked at the two men, a lust for blood on her tongue. Them… they made this mess. They should pay for it. “Opal, you cannot deny that these lands will be conquered unless we mages do something. Our enemy still needs to be stopped.” P a g e | 469 Opal held silent while she tried to push her rage back down, cage it up, and control her thoughts. When she was ready to speak she said, “Do not! Do not assume that I’ve rejoined the High Council.” Opal pointed a finger at both men. “What should I do?” “Rest. The battle to come will require most of your energy. Follow us; we have a secret lair you’ll be safe in until the time arrives to strike.” Malek sounded as friendly as she had ever heard him. Unnerved by his words, Opal took another step back. She knew the mages had limitless resources when it came to treachery. This could be just another one of their plans to manipulate or worse, ambush me, Opal thought with another look around. I need to take control. “I will return to Kel Tora.” “What? What is so important that you would risk all to return to a kingdom that has mage hunters in their ranks, Opal?” “I formed a relationship with the Duke of Kel Tora, and he has resources-supplies for me.” “We should let her go,” the student urged Malek. “Be mindful of danger, Opal; it exists in many forms.” “Meet us tomorrow night.” Malek’s face bore a clear look of disappointment. P a g e | 470 Opal nodded. Her mind was already set to summon a magical portal. A powerful gust of wind rumbled down from the mountains; it held a wintery chill that made her shiver. Debris from the mages’ home blew in a circle around the magical portal as it opened. Opal made eye contact with Malek one last time, in effort to read the man’s intentions. He has death in his eyes. He cannot be trusted, but who else do I have? Once the portal was fully open, she stepped backward through it and promptly transported herself away. P a g e | 471 Chapter 52 Unavoidable Outside Kel Tora’s tall iron gates, on the moonlit dirt path that led to town, Tala tugged at Karn’s arm and asked him to stop walking a moment. He had been silent much of the way back while Tala wrestled with the decision to tell him something very important. She had finally raised enough courage. “You need to know something else,” Tala said sheepishly. “More bad news?” Karn stopped and sighed loudly. “No, not bad news—a secret I want to share with you.” Tala moved around in front of him. “I’m flattered, but—” “Karn, it’s important.” She raised her voice. P a g e | 472 “Important, Tala? Important is knowing what my real name is!” Karn snapped. Tala stood still. She stared deep into his eyes until he relaxed. When his irritation waned, she spoke again. “You are what your actions speak, Karn.” Karn plopped down on top of a rotten tree stump, placed his head in his hands, and rested his elbows on his knees. “My actions? I’m having trouble telling which memories are real.” She knelt down in front of him and ran her hand through his hair. “I’m sorry this happened. I wish we could’ve simply gone for a swim and made love to the gray owl’s cry tonight,” Tala whispered in his ear. Karn looked up, nose to nose with Tala. “You mean you did not take me to that lake to meet the fairy?” “No, no, no.” Tala shook her head so hard her hair whipped into his face. “How can I trust you?” Stunned, Tala frowned. “You are my lifemate, Karn. My life for you, as your life for me.” Tala gripped her elven necklace. “And the fairy?” P a g e | 473 “It is true, I have done the fairy’s clandestine biddings, but I love you, which is why I want to tell you my secret.” “Go ahead.” Karn exhaled noisily, rubbing his head. Tala sat down on the dirt path, crossed her legs, and straightened her back. She drew a deep breath then exhaled it at a measured pace. You can do this… “I’ve been having the same dream since I was very young. Almost every night, over and over again,” Tala began. “One day, as a child, I had what the elders refer to as a waking dream: a vision. It came to me while I was swimming with a group of other children. Atop a mound of broken wood and stone, I saw a tall, dark man. He was glowing with a bright blue, magical aura. I saw the lands of Illyia smoldering around him, from the southern shores to the northern mountains. Many others have had the dream, Karn, but none the vision. These dreams have become a legend amongst the elves, fairies, and other of nature’s kindred. But the vision…” A moment passed before Karn said anything, and when he did, it was with a harsh seriousness that frightened Tala. “My wife and daughter are dead. The memories of a life I felt were real are lies. My life has been ruined—ruined P a g e | 474 twice over. Right now, I’m unable to feel anything other than revulsion and fury.” “Then use it,” Tala stated firmly. “Oh, yes. From now on, I am going to utilize my rage to destroy Mustaffa. You know why, Tala? Because this war is all I have left.” Karn stood and stretched his legs. “No, that’s not all you have, Karn,” she said, tearing up. “You have me, and together we could have a child that would usher peace to this land.” “If we survive.” “We will.” “I hope you’re right, Tala.” Karn sighed. “Now let’s go. Many preparations need to be made.” After he helped her to her feet, he briskly walked off toward Kel Tora’s gate. Tala held back and watched him as left, her eyes fixed on his back. After he was a dozen or more steps away, Tala spoke softly, as if she were still having a conversation him. Carefully, she recited the very words Drae’Qu had spoke to her many months ago. “The victors of this war will be rewarded with many spoils, but not all will be in the form of gold or jeweled treasure. One will a child. And that child will have a unique bloodline and powers unlike any other human.” P a g e | 475 Chapter 53 Preparations Karn rose with the sun and spent all morning preparing with Lieutenant Hart and his men. By the midday, he was ready to reveal the details of his new strategy, a plan that required subterfuge, guile, and a lot of luck. Shoulder to shoulder, in a tight circle with his men, Karn began to sketch his plan in the earth with his tip of his sword. “We leave Kel Tora and race directly toward Mustaffa’s army, which by now should be marching in our direction.” Three of the veterans in Lieutenant Hart’s squad hooted a short cheer before Karn continued. “Here we are.” He pointed with his sword. “Here are the Kel Tora’s watchtowers. Beyond the watchtowers is a tree line that spreads far across the valley. There are many breaks in the forest, but only one large enough to fit P a g e | 476 an entire army through. To one side of that is a steep rise. I believe that Mustaffa will funnel his troops through there, instead of climbing the hill.” Karn carved an X in the ground. “This is where we’ll infiltrate Mustaffa’s army.” Karn looked up from the crude map. “One advantage we have is the lack of consistency in Mustaffa’s soldiers’ uniform. The ranks wear patch-worked and salvaged armor. Some wear full Weiden’s Rise mail and I assume, by now, they may even carry Joa’Ta’s and Maulen’s royal crest. That being said, we’ll need to blend in by wearing armor other than our own. We ride with them the remainder of the day and we attack at night, right within their ranks.” Lieutenant Hart stepped from the circle to the dirt map. “When they camp, we’ll set fires, and cause as much damage as possible. We have to act as fast as we can. Every move matters.” “If we succeed, Kel Tora should have enough time to move its army here.” Karn pointed to a spot on the dirt map. “Our goal is to distract the enemy, break their lines, and kill as many officers as possible.” Another holler rose from the group. P a g e | 477 “If the enemy is unable to get the majority of their army through the forest to the plains, Duke Essex may have a chance.” “Even with the aid of three neighboring elven tribes and farmers from two northern villages, we’re still outnumbered nearly three to one,” Lieutenant Hart added. “So we need to get this done right.” “Who better than this group of men to achieve the impossible?” The soldiers cheered. Karn knew he had their respect. While he listened to the soldiers’ celebration, Karn felt a deep sense of regret. Hart’s unit is made up of good men, all of whom I could be responsible for leading straight to their deaths. Why should a fisherman believe he’s capable of leading soldiers into battle? If they knew who I really was, they would probably have me hung. Karn remembered what Tala had said last night: I am what my actions speak. She best be right. “Sir, is there any way we can sneak oil into the camp? Perhaps if we brought enough oil, we might be able to create a wall of fire,” one of Hart’s soldiers suggested. “Great idea. Each man will carry two water skins, one filled with water and the other with oil,” Lieutenant Hart ordered. P a g e | 478 “Good then.” Karn congratulated them on their hard work and sent them on their way. He did not want to risk having anyone of them see the doubt that was in his heart. “Dismissed!” Lieutenant Hart echoed Karn’s order before he bowed and headed off into town himself. *** Karn returned to his room in the Kel Tora castle to prepare for the formal dinner Duke Essex was hosting. Sweat moistened his brow and soaked his armpits. The way his heart raced, he would have thought tonight was the battle, not a party. Karn paced the room until a knock rattled his mind and the door. When he opened it, he found a young guard who looked as anxious as he felt. The guard delivered an armful of packages from the ever-gracious duke and promptly left. The leather bags contained formal attire from Essex’s personal collection, tailored to perfection for Karn. I guess this is what I’m going to wear to the celebration. In one bag was a new set of first-rate leather boots. In all his life, Karn could not recall ever seeing a finer pair. This a very special gift. I hope I’m worth it. Karn dressed quickly. As he laced his boots, Tala entered, adorned in another of the duke’s presents: a gorgeous gown, clearly made of the best fabrics. The gown P a g e | 479 was so bright white and pristine that it shimmered even in the dimly lit room. The white dress flowed down her legs like the waves that caress the south shores and the neckline revealed just enough of her cleavage to shock the stiff upper-class women. Karn smiled. Tala loves this. I’ve never seen her so happy. He watched her spin around on one toe. She’s showing off and she should—she looks amazing. “So what do you think?” Tala ran to the mirror and pulled her hair up over her head. “Should I wear my hair up, like a human noble woman would?” “Well—” Karn began. “Or down like an elf?” Tala interrupted, hurrying back to Karn. “I think you should wear it up tonight, so you can show off your new necklace,” Karn stated. “What new necklace?” she asked. “The one I bought you this afternoon.” Tala ran back to Karn and tackled him in an embrace that was so tight it squeezed the breath out of him. He worked an arm free and slid his hand under the bed sheets where he had hidden a pearl necklace. He held it up to her, so they both could admire its exquisite shine. P a g e | 480 “Since your tradition is to give your mate a necklace, I thought you might appreciate this.” “Pearls? Only nobles own pearl necklaces,” Tala said in a hushed voice, eyes wide, clearly shocked by the gift. “During training today, I reflected on what you said last night,” Karn explained. “The more I thought about it, the more I realized you were right. My past is either dead or full of memories I cannot trust. I refuse to dwell on it any longer. Yesterday, I believed I was only capable of hate, but that’s not true. Since we met, I have felt true love.” Karn instructed Tala to sit up so he could put the necklace on her. With the words hardly out of his mouth, she jumped up to her feet, spun around, and dropped herself onto his lap. “Where do you get all this energy?” he asked. Once he hooked the necklace around her neck, she dashed off to the mirror to take a look. “I am so beautiful!” Karn laughed harder than he expected in that moment of high anxiety. “Do you think Duke Essex and everyone else will accept me?” Tala turned serious. P a g e | 481 “Of course,” Karn answered immediately. “He sent you this beautiful gown, didn’t he?” “Yes.” Tala eyes shimmered. “Are we good? “We are great.” “Good, then. We should finish readying ourselves for dinner.” P a g e | 482 Chapter 54 Celebration Duke Essex held his celebrations in a formal ballroom that was only used for the most special occasions, the last being his post coronation. When Karn and Tala arrived, two guards adorned in royal plate armor ushered them in. The guards announced them to the other guests who stood around, discussing the war and chatting about old times. Both Karn’s and Tala’s mouths fell open as they marveled at the elegance of the ballroom. Dressed with the rarest silk draperies and artistic tapestries, the formal hall was decorated in a style that mirrored the throne room of the castle but was much more elegant. Karn’s eyes moved around the space until they fell upon the enormous banquet table directly in the center of the room. The table was massive, easily seating thirty or more people. As he looked closer, he determined that the table was made entirely of P a g e | 483 bronze. Outlining the grand piece of furniture, inlaid among the etched designs, were precious gems that sparkled with and cast reflections around the room. As Karn walked toward the center of the ballroom a large fireplace grabbed his attention. An intensely bright fire burned inside it. Its warmth drew him in and relaxed him. “Look, Karn.” Tala pointed at a stained glass skylight that depicted a white-haired angel hovering, arms outstretched, over a battlefield cluttered with fallen soldiers. Beautiful. The art’s message was not lost on him. If angels are real, and they come to usher heroes from the battlefields, then they will be called upon soon—very soon. They threaded their way through the small crowd of guests. Tala entertained him with her knowledge of the generals’ names. She pointed out two of the duke’s newest generals who stood with Duke Essex and Lieutenant Hart, telling tales of a past battle. “We all suffered great losses that day,” the older general remarked. “Karn, we were just talking about…” Duke Essex’s face lit up as Karn and Tala approached. “Well, well, look at you.” “Duke Essex. Gentlemen.” Karn nodded. P a g e | 484 “Tala, you look ravishing in that dress.” Duke Essex smiled, his attention solely on her. “Only an elf could wear a dress like that,” one of the generals remarked under his breath. Tala bowed slowly at the waist to the duke, and then greeted the other generals with a warm smile. It was obvious to all that she knew the Duke of Kel Tora’s high standards of beauty and appreciated his remark. “Do you think wearing my hair up like this makes my ears look big?” Tala asked coyly, while she twirled a loose strand of her yellow-green hair. Duke Essex looked to Karn, and Karn looked back, then together they laughed at Tala’s comment. “Such a charming young girl you are, Tala.” Duke Essex sighed. “Karn, let me introduce you to General Wolfrum and General Silver. General Silver, you may remember that Karn here was a former officer in Weiden’s Rise cavalry division.” Karn shook General Silver’s hand, knowing full well that that part of his life was a lie. “I’m sorry, sir, my memory’s not what it used to be.” “No harm. There’s much of my past that I wish to forget,” Karn replied. P a g e | 485 “General Wolfrum here was an officer in Joa’Ta’s army until Mustaffa invaded,” Duke Essex explained. “That dishonorable bastard took my king, my family, and my friends,” Wolfrum huffed. “I plan on winning this next battle or dying with my hands around Mustaffa’s throat.” “The line for Mustaffa’s life is a long one, sir,” Lieutenant Hart said. Karn took part in the conversation for only a few moments before he excused himself. The room was beginning to get stuffy, so he followed a cool night breeze out to the balcony and directly to the stone railing that guarded the ledge. Outside, the gentle wind was the coldest he had felt that season and carried upon it a hint of dampness. With his head tilted back, Karn inhaled deeply through his nose. “Humans,” a contemptuous, gruff voice came from the darkness. Zian emerged from the shadows only a few feet away on a ledge. His greyish-brown hair pointed back at sharp angles like hundreds of tiny spikes. “Smells like rain,” Karn observed as he motioned with a hand outstretched. “How’s Raven, Zian?” P a g e | 486 “She rests in the mountains with what’s left of my kin.” Zian gazed angrily at the crowds of people inside the room. “I knew our paths would cross again, Zian. I knew you could not stay away from this fight,” Karn teased a trifle smugly. “It’s in my blood, human, just as much as it’s in your soul,” Zian growled. Karn shot a suspicious look at the jackalwere. “Youyou know about me? What was done to me?” Karn asked. “Yes.” “How?” Karn spread his hands in bewilderment. Zian’s head bobbed up and down, as he tried to get a better look at something in the distance. “The same way you do.” Karn ran his hand down his face and drew a deep breath. How long, he wondered, how long has Zian known? Karn looked over his shoulder as a young guard approached. Probably only five summers younger than Karn, the guard walked with total confidence to Karn’s side where he took a long look into the field below the balcony and glanced around, missing the jackalwere in the deep shadow. Zian knows how to avoid detection. “Everything satisfactory out here, sir?” P a g e | 487 “Of course, return to your rounds,” Karn responded. The young guard nodded and promptly walked off. “You play your part well, boy.” Zian’s voice cut the silence like a knife. “Did you come here for the party or do you have a plan to defeat Mustaffa?” Karn asked. Zian did not respond; all Karn could hear was the jackalwere’s breathing as it grew deeper and heavier. “Zian?” At last the jackalwere replied, “My plan is to strike at the most chaotic moment. When you need me, human, I’ll be there.” The wind picked up, whipping leaves across the balcony’s cobblestones. A drop of rain struck Karn’s shoulder, then another tapped his hand. “Good plan.” “You smell different.” Karn turned to the shadows that Zian hid in and chuckled. “What kind of comment is that, Zian?” “Something has changed your scent,” Zian growled. “Maybe I smell like elf?” Karn returned sarcastically, and laughed. Zian grumbled something under his breath before he jumped to the ground below. Karn’s eyes followed him as he P a g e | 488 bolted toward the tree line and vanished into the darkness. A clatter of heels made Karn turn in time to see Tala stroll out of the ballroom and onto the balcony. He agreed with Duke Essex: she did look extraordinarily lovely tonight. She had a glow that could not be extinguished. As she drew closer to him, her smile turned to a rather seductive grin. “Do you like what you see, good sir?” Tala said, mimicking an upper-class woman’s tone. “Very much.” “I hope you do not mind, good sir, but I was planning on changing my attire before I attend our private party later tonight.” “We wouldn’t want to ruin your nice new dress.” Karn was excited by the possibilities. “Come, dear lady—let us dance.” Serene harp and cello music filled the ballroom. “I seem to remember having been a fairly good dancer,” he said lightly, leading her out onto the floor. One song ended and another began, over and over. Karn lost himself in the moment. “This music… this night…” Tala looked deep into his eyes. “It’s like there’s nothing to be concerned with in the land. It feels like freedom.” P a g e | 489 “I feel it too.” Another three songs passed before Duke Essex cut in to dance with Tala. Karn nodded and took the duke’s former dance partner, General Silver’s daughter, for a dance. She was sixteen summers old at most, but oddly enough she had not looked as young while she was in the duke’s arms. Although quite pretty, she was painfully shy. Every attempt Karn made to look his young dance partner in the eye failed. She simply would not engage him. Her blue eyes darted around the room, and she seemed like a lost puppy. This dance will last forever, he thought and as soon as it was over, Karn politely excused himself and walked over to the duke’s table. Karn sat down, his breathing labored, and snatched up a mug of ale as he settled back in the seat, but was interrupted by General Silver before he could drink. The general placed his hand on Karn’s shoulder and spoke softly. “Although my daughter hates these formal engagements, I’ve never seen her smile as much as she is now.” “Sir?” Karn sat up straighter. “It appears she has a crush on you, my new friend.” General Silver pointed at his daughter, who was staring at Karn but quickly looked away when they looked toward her. P a g e | 490 “I, w-well…” Karn began nervously. “Tala and I…” The general smiled. “If you ever change your mind about the elf, sweet little thing though she may be, I would be honored to give you my daughter’s hand in marriage. It’s good to stick with your own kind, you know.” “Generous, but, uh…” Karn searched for words, wishing Tala was there to save him. “Just keep it in mind, son.” General Silver removed his hand from Karn’s shoulder, patted him on the back, and walked off. Karn downed his mug of ale quickly and exhaled a long breath. The night had taken a sudden turn, and he felt as if it slowed down right before his eyes. A fire built inside him, as if the battle he was about to face called his name. His need for conflict grew. He could feel his heart speed up, his breathing increase. Karn could see the veins in his wrist and arm pulse. I need to fight. Sweat beaded at his brow as he searched for a reason why he felt like smashing something. Karn closed his eyes and thought about the ocean. He took slow breaths and tried to control his anger. Whatever this was, it was not him—it has to be the spell cast on me. Before he could catch his breath, Tala dropped down into the seat beside him. She picked up a glass of water, sipped P a g e | 491 from it, then poured a little on her hand to wipe over her brow. While she fanned her neck and chest with a cloth napkin, she turned to Karn. “That girl really likes you.” Karn shot her a look of aggravation, and then replied, “Not you too.” “Duke Essex is a good dancer. I’m actually sweating, see?” Tala pointed down to her cleavage, where the sweat sparkled like tiny diamonds. The sight distracted him. “How come when you sweat it sparkles?” “Elven secret,” she replied, her index finger pressed to her lip. Karn tried not to laugh but could not help himself. Tala had a way of lightening tense moments like no one else. A break in the music caught his attention. Duke Essex raised his voice over the crowd and motioned for everyone to be seated as he approached his seat at the head of the long table and raised a glass of wine. After a moment of silence, he spoke two words that whipped the nobles and soldiers into a frenzy: “To Kel Tora!” “Kel Tora!” the crowd thundered. When the crowd’s cheers died down, he spoke again. P a g e | 492 “To victory!” Karn could not help but jump to his feet and stand tall. “To victory!” he shouted along with the rest. Even Tala stood to echo the cry. The time of battle was finally there. Karn could feel it, and he was sure every officer and noblemen in the ballroom felt it too. “Kel Tora will not fall in the coming days! So long as I live, this great castle will remain standing,” General Silver boasted. “That goes for me too!” Lieutenant Hart added. “Karn, you may be new to the court of Kel Tora, but you are just as vital to our coming triumph. What say you?” “I have no doubt that Kel Tora will defeat Mustaffa,” Karn announced, pausing to allow the cheers to die down. “Her men are strong. I have personally witnessed their resolve in battle.” The crowd bellowed its resolve louder. “One month from tonight, I will stand in Kel Tora with my new bride, Tala, and our lands will once again be safe!” “Bravo!” Lieutenant Hart shouted. Karn nodded to Tala, who was at work waving off tears. “When this war is over, we will reshape the continent in Kel Tora’s image!” Duke Essex cheered. “Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow we fight!” P a g e | 493 “Fight!” “Fight!” “Fight!” P a g e | 494 Chapter 55 Rejections Opal awoke late in the afternoon. She had not meant to sleep the entire day, but using her magic to fly about Illyia the day before had left her exhausted. As she dressed, she returned to a thought that had bothered her throughout the night. Why has my magical energies waxed and waned so much these past few days? Opal feared it was tied to the loss of her baby. You’re better than this, better than some common student scared of their own powers. But Opal was scared. The unknowing manifestation of a transportation spell was a dangerous and worrisome thing. She had brought Karn, and a group of soldiers, to her without meaning to. She could have easily done the same with bandits or the enemy. The thought chilled her blood. P a g e | 495 To make matter worse, when she returned to Kel Tora last night, her portal spell had deposited her in the center of town instead of inside the room in the castle she had aimed for. She had startled a pair of drunkards so badly one pissed himself. With a hard swallow, she considered that she could’ve transported herself into a number of spots that would have been more than embarrassing; they would have been fatal. Once composed, Opal exited her room at the inn and walked down the stairs to the ground floor to reimburse the owner for the night. Hunger twisted her stomach in knots. When, she wondered, was the last time I sat for a meal? “Innkeeper, can you add in the cost of a meal to what I owe you for the room? I’m starving.” “Sure thing, my lovely,” the old stout innkeeper agreed, then shuffled off toward the kitchen. Opal took a quick look around the inn. With the exception of herself, the innkeeper, and two Kel Tora guards that were posted there, the place was deserted. Intrigued, Opal bent over the bar and yelled into the adjoining kitchen. “Where is everyone?” “Big celebration at the castle. Even us non-soldier types were invited to rally outside on the east grounds,” the innkeeper responded. P a g e | 496 Sadness filled Opal’s chest. Had things gone as she planned, she would have been at the pinnacle of that festivity, hand-in-hand with Karn. Instead, events had her in hiding, an outcast again. “I should be there,” Opal muttered as she clenched her fist. “The rally, dear?” The innkeeper had come back with a bowl of hot stew. “There’ll be plenty of time after your meal, young lady.” “No, I should be at the celebration inside,” Opal corrected him. “Oh, really?” His voice rose with interest. “This was my chance to finally get the respect and notice I deserved. I was to become famous,” Opal said. “Famous, you say?” The innkeeper placed a saltcellar beside the bowl. Opal snatched it up, shaking it angrily into the stew. “Yes.” He looked her in the eye. “So tell me, what happened? Why are you here instead of there?” Opal shoveled two huge, overfull spoonfuls of stew into her mouth. The meal was satisfying; it felt as if she had not eaten in a week. The food warmed her body, and it brought a hint of a smile to her face. “This is really good,” she exclaimed with sincerity. P a g e | 497 “My stew is well-known throughout the kingdom of Kel Tora,” the innkeeper boasted. Opal nodded. “Sometimes it’s the little things,” she said to the innkeeper before she placed another big spoonful of food into her mouth. She chewed and swallowed. “In the past, I failed to recognize the little things. My sights were so fixed on the grand scale, the outcome of months of work, that I failed to recognize the little parts that make up the whole.” “I’m sorry to hear that,” the innkeeper said. “No, it’s I who should be sorry. It was my fault. I was so blinded by my desires that I neglected to see that I was being used. Even now, even now, I try to justify it,” Opal said, and then laughed ruefully. The old innkeeper scratched his dry face. “Justify what?” Opal paused a moment as she considered the words she was about to speak. There’s no reason not to tell this man. Unburdening herself might alleviate some of the pain she felt. “Justify the great evil I am responsible for.” Opal scooped a large piece of meat from the stew, as the innkeeper shot a look over her shoulder to the two Kel Tora guards. She knew the guards had heard every word, but she had said nothing incriminating. She was sure that as P a g e | 498 city guards, they had heard their share of boasts before; of course this was different. Freed of a small measure of shame, Opal continued, “I barely remember the day when I could count how many people I had killed on one hand. Now both my hands and feet are not enough. I have truly lost count.” “What are you saying?” the innkeeper blurted. “I wager that when you first saw me, you painted me as just another simple, harmless woman sitting at your bar.” “Simple, no. A woman as comely as you should not be described as simple.” “Another pretty face in the crowd,” Opal guessed. “My beauty has always been my advantage and my curse.” “You must excuse my curiosity, but you said you’ve killed many people.” The innkeeper began to stammer. “H-how could you have k-killed…” Opal raised her eyes from her meal. With measured pace, she positioned her spoon to the right of her bowl. She sat up, propped her right elbow on the bar and pointed her index and middle fingers toward the wooden ceiling. “This is how,” Opal sighed as her hand erupted in a yellow glow that resembled a bright burning torch. “You see, I’m a mage. A wicked one.” P a g e | 499 Before Opal could lower her arm, one of the guards grabbed her shoulder. The man’s hand surprised her and triggered the spell she was casting. The yellow glow burst forth from her hand and shot straight through the ceiling and then the roof of the inn. “By the great gods!” the innkeeper screeched over the crack of wood. First, debris from the damaged ceiling showered down upon the bar and floor; then the ceiling cracked, and a much larger hole opened. The roof was caving in, and its weight was too much for the second floor to handle. “Cease your attack or we’ll be forced to stop you!” the guard who grabbed Opal’s shoulder yelled over the crash of the falling debris. “It was an accident!” The inn itself shrieked as its support beams cracked. Opal wasn’t sure how she knew it, but she was sure it wouldn’t be long before the entire place collapsed. Regardless of her recent concerns about transporting herself, Opal closed her eyes and blinked instantly out of the inn, to the room inside the castle she had been staying in. A gust of displaced air made her stumble, and before she could be sure she was where she wanted to be, she heard someone cough. P a g e | 500 “Who’s there?” Opal cried out, disoriented. “Do you always draw attention to yourself like that?” a voice asked dryly. “Show yourself.” “Oh, I imagine you had a proper reason to destroy that inn,” the voice said, getting more familiar with each word. Opal’s eyes focused on the mage she called Limper, seated comfortably upon her bed in Kel Tora’s guest room. He wore a fancy new white robe with red sigils, like the ones she had seen at the tower. Yet that was not the only new thing. The old mage looked slightly younger—as if ten summers had been shed off his body like dead skin. As Opal stepped closer, she could feel a surge of magical energy around him. “Malek didn’t tell me you were back in the fold,” Opal confessed. “He didn’t tell me you were even alive.” “Malek? No, I’m afraid you are confused. I didn’t rejoin the dark mages… not as you have.” “Do not assume you know me!” Opal’s raged, her eyes flashing blue and green. “I just want to get Karn back!” “That’s exactly why I came to speak with you.” “What can you promise me that Malek has not already?” Opal placed her hands firmly on her hips. “His soul.” P a g e | 501 His words struck her like a punch in the gut and took as long to recover from. “Do you threaten me or offer me a solution?” “The battle is nearly here. There is no assurance your dear Karn will survive it, but there is a way to protect his soul.” Opal stepped forward. “Tell me—how?” “No. First, you must promise me that from this day forward you will travel the path of a benevolent mage.” Opal shook her head. “I fear I’m too corrupt for that.” The old mage stood and straightened his robes. Gripped tightly in his left hand, by its frayed drawstring, was a small leather pouch. It swayed back and forth as he approached her. “There’s still salvation for you. The days of pure and dark mages will die with my generation. You will be the first of a new kind, one evenly balanced between good and evil.” Opal did not care about his words; only his solution mattered to her. “Tell me what to do.” “Take this.” The mage pulled an old scroll wrapped in red and white ribbon from the pouch. “It’s a gift. I brought it from Spire Anguish.” Opal took the gift without question. P a g e | 502 “Go ahead, examine it.” He smiled. Opal tore off the ribbon and unraveled the scroll as fast as she could. Once opened, the parchment emitted a tiny blue flash, but she was too engrossed in its contents to question it. As she read the scroll’s words, she realized just how important they were. “A body can be healed, but a soul cannot be saved once death occurs. Opal, you must understand that there’s a strong possibility that the Rook will die in combat,” he explained. “I will not allow it.” “Have you not thought of the variables? This is war. The Rook was designed to fight his way directly to Naraboo at any cost. How many soldiers do you think it will take to overcome him?” “I just assumed—” Opal’s shoulders slumped as the old mage interrupted her. “You thought they would meet one-on-one in some legendary sword fight?” Opal sighed. “Why are you doing this?” “Because only you have the cache of power needed to fight in this final battle. Only you can aid him. Furthermore, if the warlord Naraboo is defeated, you will P a g e | 503 have, in effect, saved us all. Why not offer you this gift as a reward?” His words made sense; they were exactly what she needed to hear. “I’ll go to the battle, and I’ll fight.” “Then there’s hope yet,” Limper whispered. “When the fight’s over, if need be, I’ll use this spell to save him,” Opal declared. “I’m ready.” P a g e | 504 Chapter 56 Incursion Beside Karn, on the mount of one of Mustaffa’s former officer’s, was Tala. She had tried her hardest to disguise herself as a young man. She wore a suit of scale armor, which helped to cover up all hints of her female form. She donned a forged steel helmet that enclosed most of her face, and kept her yellow-green hair tucked safely away. The rocking motion of the horse rattled her loosely fitting armor and drew the occasional glance in her direction from the surrounding men. Although she kept her head down, every once in a while when Karn would gaze at her, he would catch a glimpse of her lips, a smile so bright that even in this precarious moment, he could not help but return it. Everything has gone as planned, he thought and then reminded himself to breathe. But uncertainty nagged him P a g e | 505 deeply. Even an hour ago, when a whistle and a hand gesture dispersed his team of thirty-five soldiers through the forest’s edge, he wondered if this plan was the best for the situation. With another glance at Tala, Karn felt his stomach knot. She lied to me, he thought. I know she did. Elven tradition? I doubt one exists where it’s the lifemate’s responsibility to go to battle with their man. I should not have let her come. Try as he might to ignore his fears of imminent doom, he felt that these were his last days, and he did not want to spend them alone. Karn gripped and re-gripped his horse’s reigns. This is not the time to question yourself. Everything has gone as planned. Mustaffa led his army straight into the gap between the dense forest and steep hillside. And just as you assumed, his soldiers broke ranks to enter the forest to relieve themselves. Karn looked forward again. He did not want to be caught staring at Tala by the enemy soldiers that surrounded them. It would be a dead giveaway. It all seems too easy. Within the span of an hour, my entire squad has infiltrated Mustaffa’s army. Karn closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. Too easy. P a g e | 506 They rode quietly through the forest until sunset. Karn kept a surreptitious watch on the enemy around them, looking for any sign that their ruse had failed. He knew he may not have been a soldier before he was enchanted, but he was observant. As Karn scanned the crowd of soldiers, he came to several interesting conclusions. One, the enemy footmen were divided. Two-thirds marched behind him, and one-third marched in front. Karn stared forward into their massive numbers, one man blurring into the next with each step. After a time, he realized that the footmen marched in an eerie dead silence. Either Mustaffa has an extremely disciplined army or one that fears him immensely. I wish I knew where the man himself rode. I’d give anything— “Perhaps we could send one of our troops to scout ahead for… the target,” Lieutenant Hart whispered as he rode up beside Karn, as if reading his thoughts. “Nothing would make me happier, but it’s too risky,” Karn said out of the side of his mouth. “I’ve been studying Mustaffa’s troop movements. Except for small repositioning and breaks to relieve themselves, very few of the cavalry even shift position. As a matter of fact, I think it’s only their generals who ride from front to back and so on.” P a g e | 507 “Such formality for an informal army,” Lieutenant Hart replied. “Another thing. Our reports of other races, giants and lizard men, I’ve seen no likes.” “Agreed.” “I know firsthand there’s at least one full squad of dark elves in Mustaffa’s employ.” When Karn said this to Lieutenant Hart, Tala spoke up. “I don’t think there are any dark elves here, not now.” “Eh?” “I’m certain I would sense them,” Tala explained. “Anything else you care to share with us?” Karn asked impatiently. “A small troop of lizard men are following us, but they are far downwind.” Tala wrinkled her nose. One of the elves in Karn’s squad signaled Lieutenant Hart. Karn had already spotted what the elf was attempting to warn them about; a rider approached from the front of the army. “Light the torches! Quicken your pace! March faster! We camp soon!” Mustaffa’s general barked out commands as he passed. “It’s time.” Lieutenant Hart nodded. P a g e | 508 “Tell everyone to follow orders when we set up camp, then regroup afterward,” Karn instructed. *** When the entire army stopped its march, the commanding officers instructed the divisions to their chores. Although it had been a long, nervous ride, Kel Tora’s squad blended perfectly into Mustaffa’s ranks. They were good soldiers, and they followed Mustaffa’s officer’s orders just as well if not better than most of the enemy leader’s own troops. Karn, along with more than half of Kel Tora’s crew, received orders to tend to the horses, whereas Lieutenant Hart and two of the elves that accompanied them were told to gather firewood from the tree line. While Karn secured the horses for the night, he tried his best to keep an eye on his squad. Unfortunately, his own plan made it nearly impossible to do so, because Kel Tora’s men blended so well into the enemy ranks. Each time he looked away, he lost track of one of them. He sighed and tried to calm himself. Everything has gone as planned. No need to worry, he thought as he stared down at the knot he tied. Everyone’s doing their best, even Tala. I just wish I knew where she was… Karn finished his duties, and although it might have seemed like an eternity, it really did not take him very P a g e | 509 long. As he scanned the crowd, he watched a group of five soldiers rush to action. Their sudden motion spiked his nerves, but it was not an attack; the men only went to the aid of others who were struggling to hoist the canvas of a commanding officer’s tent. Karn stared so long that his eyes began to blur. There were thousands of soldiers, and they all moved about with purpose. It made him feel hazy, almost mesmerized by the motion. He was so caught up in it all, he nearly missed a signal from one of his men. Lieutenant Hart had finally returned to the campground, his arms full of firewood. Karn saw Hart tap his forearm with his fist—the signal that meant he was with other soldiers from the squad. Karn answered with a nod, and then rubbed his eyes. He wanted a head count. As Lieutenant Hart piled up the wood, he took a moment to hold up three sticks. Good, Karn thought, three more men accounted for. One by one, members of the raiding party returned to the spot designated by Lieutenant Hart. As one of the elves in the raiding party approached, he signaled Karn with a melodic whistle—Tala’s whereabouts were known. Relieved, Karn watched her and another elf approach with water. Thank the gods she’s safe. P a g e | 510 “I followed her,” the elf reported quietly. “I knew you would want her watched.” “You have my thanks.” “That’s not all. While at the tree line, I decided to climb up and take a look. It appears that only one-third of Mustaffa’s army has passed through the tightest part of the valley between the forest and hillside. We are almost outside.” Karn slouched some, as a group of four enemy cavalrymen walked by. “Our plan is working well,” he said when they had passed. “Our fires may be able to block off part of the army. We have to coordinate our escape perfectly though or we’ll be separated from Kel Tora’s forces.” The enemy troops had begun to queue up at the mess tents for their supper, so it was easier for Karn and the others to talk freely. After he dismissed the elf, Karn walked to the campfire where Lieutenant Hart and Tala stood. “Remind me, why did I allow you to come along?” Karn whispered to Tala from behind. “Because you cannot live another moment separated from me?” He smirked. “True.” P a g e | 511 Lieutenant Hart circled the fire, while motioning to Karn and the rest of the squad to be seated. Ten of Kel Tora’s soldiers went to the mess tent to get food for the rest of the party, which sat patiently. “I have to admit, sir, although this is moving smoothly, I’m still scared to death,” one of Kel Tora’s men said to Lieutenant Hart. “As am I,” Hart replied. “Just remember, as long as we follow our plan, we should all be fine.” “Food’s not bad,” the oldest man in the squad joked as he returned to the group, his mouth full. Karn looked around the fire for the elf that had accompanied Tala earlier, but he was gone. “We’re missing an elven soldier,” Karn whispered to Lieutenant Hart. “Probably pissing,” Lieutenant Hart guessed. “No, he’s signaling someone again,” Tala stated, obviously unaware she was saying something shocking. “From that tree,” she added with a point. One of the other elves from the group slapped down Tala’s hand, then glared at her. “Signaling?” Lieutenant Hart hissed. “Who could he be signaling?” Karn asked as he leaned in toward Tala. P a g e | 512 “Quiet, traitor,” said the elf who had slapped her hand. “Quiet yourself,” she snapped. To Karn, she added, “It’s an old elven trick. You have nothing to fear; only other elves would notice it.” Lieutenant Hart raised his sword slowly and aimed it at the elf. “I will tolerate no lies,” he said calmly but coldly. “Speak up.” “Atop that hill, there’s a small group of my people,” the elf revealed, with a angry glare at Tala. “Why risk what we are working for to signal your people? Why is this so important?” Karn asked, not sure what to expect. “Who are they?” The elf averted his eyes. “Hunters.” “Hunters? Hunting what?” Lieutenant Hart interjected. Tala shrugged. “I guess we’re not the only uninvited guests in this valley.” The elf who had spoken only moments before looked around the group a moment before he fixed his eyes on Karn. His deep stare added to Tala’s words only took Karn a moment to decipher. Mages. “Mage hunters. You mean the mages are here too, don’t you?” “The outcome of this battle—” P a g e | 513 “Is a big concern of theirs,” Karn finished. “Damn them.” “Lieutenant Hart, if the legendary mages have come down from the mountain, what side of the battle have they chosen?” asked a young soldier. “I’m not sure.” Hart turned to Karn. “What do you think, General?” The men around the fire grew silent as they looked at Karn. They want an answer. What answer do I give them? The truth, a lie, or one of the hundreds of possibilities in between. It’s now or never… “Their own.” Karn felt it was the best answer at the moment. Over the course of fifteen minutes, Karn quickly explained what he knew of the High Council of Mages. He told the squad the abridged story and held back the fact that he had been their pawn. To be safe, he avoided mentioning Opal at all. As Karn finished his tale, one of Mustaffa’s officers approached the group and heartily slapped Tala on the shoulder. “You men fight well!” he drunkenly bellowed and continued on to the next group. Tala grumbled. Karn could not tell what she was saying; it sounded like another language. P a g e | 514 “Are you okay?” he asked. “I’m tired, dressed in silly human armor, manhandled by some cretin, and it might rain… What do you think?” she replied. “Did you say rain?” “Yes,” she sighed. Karn turned to Lieutenant Hart, who was explaining strategy to two of the younger men, but a sudden cry rang out from the front of the army. A calm silence followed until a second, closer cry was heard, with yet another even closer after. Then, like a wave crashing upon the shore, the sound of armored men on the move overwhelmed Karn’s ears. “What the hell’s happening?” one of Mustaffa’s soldiers screamed from a short distance. An officer rode up from the front, his white horse kicking dirt in every direction. His shout sounded like the howl of a distressed animal and alerted every soldier in the area of the news. “Kel Tora’s army has been spotted on rapid advance toward our position! They’ll be upon us soon. Ready yourselves to march! Double pace!” Karn froze; things were moving much too quickly now. P a g e | 515 “This is not good,” Lieutenant Hart grumbled. “Duke Essex has been spotted already. We haven’t started our attack yet.” The cool breeze made Karn shudder. His eyes dropped to his feet; for a second, he thought they had sunk into the ground, that ivy-thick, thorny, brown veins had curled up his legs. He lifted his foot and shook it. His muscles ached and an odd sting in his stomach grew stronger. The pain was joined by another, and another, and soon Karn felt as if he was being pierced by a dozen blades. I died… I remember dying… “General?” Karn heard him but did not reply. It was all he could do just to look up. “General Karn?” “We cannot let the enemy army funnel through the pass— we must act now,” Karn said. He paused for only a moment before he shouted, “Go!” P a g e | 516 Chapter 57 Baited Without realizing it, Tala ran farther forward than any of the others in the squad, much farther then she should have. Soon, she found herself at the back corner of an officer’s tent. She poured out half the oil in her flask, and then reached into a pouch she carried at her hip for her flint and tinder. Before she could light the fire, there were heavy footsteps behind her. As she turned, she felt a breeze brush against her face. Before she even saw it, she felt the large knuckles of a massive hand crack against her cheek. The force knocked her helmet off and spun her body around twice. She landed on her back, her legs spread toward her attacker. Dazed, through bleary, tear-filled eyes, she could see the silhouette of a giant man. P a g e | 517 “Is that the best you can do, you big idiot?” she managed to say before spitting blood. Tala had never seen a giant before and was shocked. His beard hung halfway down his chest, crudely knotted on the end with a piece of frayed twine. He stood nearly twice the size of a normal man. He must weigh as much as three horses, Tala thought when she saw how deeply his feet had sunk into the wet, soft ground. As the giant cracked the knuckles of his huge right hand, Tala’s eyes centered on his black-toothed grin. “Let me show you my best, you miserable—” The giant never finished his words. Tala watched as the gleaming point of a sword emerged from his gut. The tip of the blade withdrew suddenly, and Tala’s gaze jumped up to the giant’s bewildered face. It seemed he was just as shocked as she was. The pain hasn’t even registered on his face. Before the giant could face his attacker, Tala caught a glimpse of another flash of light, and finally saw the man whose sword produced it. “Karn…” she wanted to cry when she saw him. Karn jumped up from behind the giant and, with a one mighty swing of his sword, lopped off the big man’s head. P a g e | 518 “Are you hurt?” Karn inquired as he sidestepped the giant’s falling body. He offered her his hand, glancing around for any onlookers. When she moved her hand from her mouth, she revealed the seriousness of the wound. I’m hurt worse than I feel—she could see it in his eyes. Her bottom lip was split open, swollen and bloodied. It felt like she had been kicked by a horse. “You cut that giant’s head off,” Tala mumbled through the pain. “He was going to—” “I did what I had to.” Karn’s voice was harsh, yet his actions were kind. “I never should’ve brought you.” He leaned in to examine Tala’s lip. “It’s amazing what a woman can convince a man to do for her after a night filled with passionate lovemaking.” Tala tried to smile past her injury. Karn didn’t look amused. “We need to do what we came here for, and then get the hell out of here.” He lit the fire where Tala had spilled out her oil, picked up the helmet she had worn earlier, and showed it to her. It was cracked down the side. How did I survive that? It looks like a mace struck me. Karn shook his head in disbelief. “I’m shocked that the giant didn’t knock your head clean off your body. P a g e | 519 You’re a lucky girl,” he told, tucking her hair into the ruined helmet. “We best go.” “Yes, we best.” Tala nodded and then sprinted off. He’s ready. I can see it in his eyes now—in his soul. P a g e | 520 Chapter 58 Braves As Karn followed Tala, he spotted fires in every direction. It’s working. Some of Mustaffa’s troops dashed into the forest to fetch water from a nearby stream while others fought the fires with what little liquid they had in their water skins. Others tried to evacuate additional soldiers and supplies before the fires spread. The orchestrated confusion quickly turned into complete chaos. Everything seemed so perfect, until Karn spotted Lieutenant Hart and the others fleeing toward him. “Three of my soldiers were caught! We’ve been exposed!” Lieutenant Hart shouted. “To the forest!” Karn ordered. “We cannot! It’s blocked! We have no choice but to advance through their ranks,” Lieutenant Hart added. P a g e | 521 “We’ll never make it!” one of the squad’s younger soldiers yelled, his face drawn in fear. “We must try! Go!” Karn barked. “Go!” A small cadre of enemy soldiers emerged from the chaos. A tall, heavily armored officer, who appeared to be their leader, pointed directly to Lieutenant Hart’s position with his sword. “They’re coming!” Hart cried out. “Run!” “Stop those men!” the officer yelled. “What is your plan?” Lieutenant Hart asked as ran up to Karn. “We fight our way to the tree line!” Karn drew his sword with a roar. “You three elves protect Tala. Get her clear of all this.” “Yes, sir.” Twenty or more enemy soldiers answered the officer’s call and quickly advanced on Karn’s squad. Joa’Ta’s blue falcon and Weiden’s Rise’s green-and-white star coat of arms marked many of the soldiers that rushed in to engage them. Even in this moment, Karn knew it would be hard for the men of Kel Tora to ignore the symbols that represented the vast number of allies and friends in this war. P a g e | 522 Karn spied his men. They reacted differently, but all fought with increased resolve. They know what they must do now. I know what I must do now. Karn tensed into a defensive crouch as the mounted officer approached at full speed. With sword upraised, he held his strike until the officer circled close enough. Karn’s sword flashed out and cut clean through the rider’s leg, severing it and opening the horse’s rib cage as well. The horse bucked, then crashed into three enemy foot soldiers who advanced. Karn watched Lieutenant Hart and five of his soldiers push toward the tree line as the remainder of the retreating raiders protected their flanks and rear. The sounds of troop movement and close combat were loud, but through them Karn heard distant cries of terror and realized what was about to happen. Karn buried his sword in the chest of an inexperienced enemy soldier, then hooked the back of the man’s head in his hand, forcing it hard to the ground. He glanced toward the forest. There… there they are. Like fireflies, more than a dozen pairs of red eyes lit up at the forest’s shadowy edge. “Stand fast, men! We have company!” Karn shouted. P a g e | 523 Following Karn’s order, a mob of jackalweres emerged from the forest. The beast-men dashed past Karn’s position on all fours, and when they collided with Mustaffa’s men, the jackalwere cut through them as if they were unarmed and inexperienced. They bite and claw with such terrible savagery, Karn thought watching. I almost feel bad for the enemy. Almost. The members of Kel Tora’s raiding party raised their shields in defense and held their ground. Some watched as Mustaffa’s troops were torn and ripped by the jackalweres’ strong claws and knife-sharp teeth, while others looked away from the brutal sight. Karn stood with sword and shield at his sides. He grinned as he watched the elves set to protect Tala reach the forest, where he knew she would be safe. “By the blessed gods, General Karn, what are these things?” yelled a young member of the squad. “I’ve never seen such monsters!” “They’re jackalweres,” Karn answered. “And they may look monstrous, but they’re our allies.” Karn spotted Zian as he fought the last two soldiers that remained nearby. The wolf-man had torn the arm off of one man and was wildly clubbing the other with it. Once both soldiers were dead, Zian turned his attention to Karn. P a g e | 524 The burly jackalwere tossed the limb aside and approached the raiding party in lumbering manner. With each step, his weight shifted and his head bobbed up and down. When he was close enough, he raised his furry snout and placed it only inches from Karn’s face. “It’s good to see you, Zian,” Karn said calmly, his hand outstretched. “I see you have… disarmed the enemy…” Zian inhaled deeply, taking in Karn’s scent, and then reached past Karn’s hand to his chest, where he thumped on it three times with his own open hand, making a woofing noise. It took Karn a moment to realize the jackalwere was laughing at his “disarmed” comment. “Sir?” one of Lieutenant Hart’s soldiers interjected. “Everything,” said Karn with a grin, “is good and fine.” Zian’s head whipped to the right, his nose pointed toward the narrowest part of the gully between the forest and the hillside. Karn reached out to Zian’s plate armorclad shoulder and grasped it tightly for a moment. “I’ll wager Mustaffa is just on the other side,” Karn offered. “I know he is.” Zian tilted his head back and sniffed rapidly. “Get your men to safety. Mustaffa’s mine!” P a g e | 525 Zian hunkered down until both hands touched the ground; then, in the blink of an eye, he bolted off in Mustaffa’s direction. Karn watched as many of the other jackalweres likewise dropped to all fours and joined Zian’s charge. Soon they had all vanished into the gully. Karn’s eyebrows lifted as an idea popped into his head. “We have to act now!” he shouted to his men. “Here is your choice. Escape to the safety of the forest and rejoin Kel Tora’s army as it attacks—” “Or what, sir?” Lieutenant Hart interrupted. “Or follow the wake of destruction those jackalweres are going to cause, straight to the heart of the enemy— Mustaffa himself!” “That’s suicide. Even if we do make it to Mustaffa and kill him, how will we escape?” “Hart, I have faith in Kel Tora. Her army will save us,” Karn answered. “Make your decision now. Time’s running out.” The sights and sounds of the last battle the warlord’s soul had experienced were clear in Karn’s mind now. He remembered it all; he understood everything. The warlord saw his home destroyed. He gave his all to the very end. Had he owned another drop of blood in his veins, he would have shed it in combat, shoulder to shoulder with his P a g e | 526 brothers. Had he had a second life to give, he would have traded it for the lives of the people he loved. Karn felt his heart flutter when he took a deep breath. He does have a second life to give: mine. Without another word, he sprinted off after Zian and his kin. But from behind him, out of the silence, he heard Hart shout. “For Kel Tora!” P a g e | 527 Chapter 59 War Mustaffa’s army, even the small part that had pushed through the narrow pass, was massive; however, Karn’s firesetting tactic and the attack of the beast-men had disorganized it. Hundreds of enemy soldiers met Karn’s eyes. They swarm like a sea of worker ants around crumbs on the ground. The soldiers moved in every direction—some rushed to rejoin their units in preparation for the battle against Kel Tora’s approaching army, others ran frantically about in attempt to put out the fires. Several more simply stood about, panicked and confused in the onset of battle. Zian’s jackalweres cut a swath through the befuddled ranks of Mustaffa’s men with little effort. Broken bodies, severed limbs, and a fine mist of blood in the night air was left in their wake. P a g e | 528 Karn ran as fast as his tired body would allow, but it felt impossible to catch up with Zian and his kin, even when they slowed down to engage the enemy. Those men they did not kill, they left mortally wounded and stunned. Blood poured down the body of a young pikeman’s body. He was no more than a boy. He’s shocked-unaware of the fatal injury he’s just sustained from the claws of that one jackalwere. Karn approached him and, with a quick swing of his sword, cleaved the young pikeman’s head from his body. He kept moving, but out of the corner of his eye, he watched as the boy’s body convulsed before it fell over. For the first time since he started his dash through the gully, Karn stopped and spun around. He feared he would see the tunnel Zian had ripped through the enemy soldiers collapsing behind him into a mass of angry footmen. Instead, he saw Lieutenant Hart and what was left of Kel Tora’s squad. At the center of their charge, leading the way, was Tala. Karn waited for her to catch up, and to his further dismay, she had removed her armor and was unarmed. She stood out like a thin ray of sunshine that had pierced a sky full of thick storm clouds and she looked just as fragile. P a g e | 529 One young, beautiful woman surrounded by hate and death. Karn wished she would have stayed out of danger, but he understood now. That simply was not in her nature. As she stepped up to Karn, she slid a foot under a fallen soldier’s pike and flipped it into her hand in one smooth motion. “What are you standing around for? We have to keep moving. Your time is now, hero,” Tala urged. Karn did not answer. He simply nodded, turned, and started to run again. Lieutenant Hart and the remainder of the squad had almost caught up. Their disguises were good, so good that at times, it was hard to tell whose side they were on. As he ran, he fixated on the first dead jackalwere he had seen. Then he spotted a second and a third. Even Zian’s savage warriors are falling under the sheer number of enemy troops. “How many of those beasts are there?” Lieutenant Hart yelled to Karn. “I’m not sure. It’s too dark and they move too fast to tell.” “We’re almost at the opening!” Tala shouted. P a g e | 530 Karn turned about, Mustaffa’s men were in disarray and cutoff. It was the advantage Kel Tora needed. If all continues as planned, Kel Tora’s soldiers will engage Mustaffa’s army soon. We can win this. We’re going to win this. Suddenly, Mustaffa’s men began to hold their ground and the noise of battle that rang in Karn’s ears dropped to almost nothing. He laid eyes on Zian. He and a group of other jackalweres paced aggressively; only a few feet in front of them was a line of giant men. “They must be Mustaffa’s personal guards,” Tala said between her teeth. “Do you know how to use that?” Karn motioned to the pike with his sword. “I prefer daggers.” “Fine, but can you use a pike, Tala?” “Worry not, my love. I have killed before,” Tala answered with a nod. “All elves have.” Karn turned to Lieutenant Hart and ordered him and his men to protect Tala. “Hold fast. Defend her.” “From everyone?” Lieutenant Hart replied. P a g e | 531 Karn saw the enemy that pursued them; they too had come to a halt a safe distance from the giants and jackalweres. Something’s wrong. Karn spun around. We’re surrounded. “Hold here,” he said, approaching Zian for counsel. “Like we have a choice?” Hart griped. As Karn drew closer, he could put a number to the jackalwere that paced back and forth and growled at Mustaffa’s big men. There were fifteen counting Zian, more than twice the number of giants. “Zian, why did we stop? We’ve allowed ourselves to be surrounded. What’s wrong?” “These giants,” Zian grumbled. “They belong to a mountain-dwelling tribe. They were once our allies.” “What the hell are they doing here, in league with Mustaffa?” “It has been long rumored that several families were exiled along with Naraboo ages ago,” Zian stated coldly. Not once did he shift his eyes off his opponents. “Zian, listen to me. It no longer matters who these men once were. It only matters who they are now.” “Odd, coming from you.” P a g e | 532 “Damn it, Zian! We fight or we die!” Karn exclaimed. “Fight or not, you will die tonight, mage pawn!” a deep voice bellowed. Mustaffa himself stepped out from behind the row of colossal guards; his sudden appearance seized the attention of everyone in the area. Karn’s eyes locked on the man. It seemed Mustaffa stood seven feet tall, almost equal in power to the giants beside him. Although he looked to be in his fifties, with the exception of his bald head and weatherworn face, the warlord showed few signs of old age. He wore thick, heavy armor. The plates were as black as the night sky and seemed to absorb what little firelight touched him. Atop his shoulders sat large spiked pauldrons, making them look as wide as an anvil. The anxiety that had been buried inside Karn from the first moment he laid eyes on the conquered town of Weiden’s Rise suddenly resurfaced. Just like the warlord that possessed him, Karn saw his home in ruins. Fear began to dominate him. It felt like it was rising from his feet to his legs, through his body. Karn felt as if he might collapse. “What do they call you, boy?” Mustaffa’s voice made him jump. P a g e | 533 Karn stepped through the jackalwere ranks, just as Mustaffa had moved through his men, and planted his feet firmly on the ground before he announced himself. “My name is Karn.” “Karn?” Mustaffa laughed. “Are you so sure that’s your name?” “I—” “I had an identity such as yours, Karn.” Mustaffa interrupted and then shouted. “Before the mages ruined my life.” P a g e | 534 Chapter 60 Strike Above the battleground, high atop the hillside’s peak, unnoticed by the soldiers below, a vortex of purple light appeared. Gusts of wind blew leaves over the side of the crest as Opal stepped through the magical portal. Not far from where the portal opened stood Malek, Dusk, and the same unfamiliar student Opal had chased across Illyia the other day. Are these the last remaining Archmages of the High Council? Opal wore a new cloak that neither matched the High Council’s markings nor those of the upstarts. She had made a statement she hoped was clear: This was her time; she was an archmage; she was in charge. P a g e | 535 Before she said anything, she bowed to all three men, and then gazed down the hill at the army below. “We were concerned. You never returned to us the other day. We thought you had changed your mind,” Dusk said. “No, I simply changed the rules, which I will be doing often from now on,” Opal answered. “Changed the rules?” the nameless mage asked. “How—” “As your new leader.” “What?” Malek’s jaw dropped. “Words can be saved for later; this is a time for action,” Dusk answered her boasts. A hushed moment passed as all four stared down at Mustaffa’s vast army and the approach of Kel Tora’s forces. For all her bravado, Opal felt small in comparison. But it was not those thousands she had to deal with first; it was only these three. “Opal, look at them.” Malek pointed. “So many men will die today, and do any of them even have a clue as to why?” “Kel Tora is no match for an army this large,” Opal said in a tone of voice that was as callous as Malek’s. “There! Look—an opening in the warlord’s formations!” Dusk said, and then chanted a small rhyme that created a floating eye. The eye, which appeared above his hand on a small cloud of thick smoke, was almost twice the size of a P a g e | 536 human eye. After he instructed the floating eye, Dusk released it, and a little cloud of smoke rose from his hand. Opal watched it float down toward the field, directly to where the forest opened up. “Where’s Karn?” she anxiously asked. “Is he leading Kel Tora’s forces?” “There. The Rook is there, at the opening between this hill and the forest. He’s found Naraboo!” Dusk exclaimed. “He’s surrounded by the enemy,” the nameless mage added. “Did the fool think he could take them on all alone?” Malek’s old voice crackled with disgust. As Opal concentrated on a spell, wind raced through the gully, the storm clouds dark. Moments later, the heavens opened and rain poured down on the poised armies. “Cover your eyes,” Opal said as her body pulsated with a bright yellow aura that grew stronger and stronger with each passing moment. Hands above her head, Opal spread out her fingers, then, suddenly, she cast them back down at the enemy army with a blood-curdling scream. A massive lightning bolt, the width of ten oak trees, exploded from the murky clouds in the sky, illuminating the battlefield as it hurtled down. *** P a g e | 537 Tala stared at the sky, her eyes widening, and without a thought, she tackled Karn. Mustaffa gazed up indifferently just as a thunderous roar rattled the field and the forest. A gigantic bolt of lightning sped toward him, the night sky transformed into day, but when it was within fifty feet of him, a magical barrier flickered into view. The dome encased Mustaffa and protected everyone within a fifty-foot radius. BOOM. The shield rattled and shimmered a translucent green just before it flashed brightly and reflected the thunderbolt back in several hundred smaller branches of crackling energy that blasted in all directions, many of which struck Mustaffa’s troops. The lightning burned clean through the armored men, killing dozens instantly. Numerous smaller bolts blasted the wet ground, and sent electrical shocks through the grass from soldier to soldier, through the metal each man carried. In an instant of total bedlam, hundreds of troops were thrown backward from the force, while others shook with violent convulsions before they fell to the ground, dead. When it was over, thick acrid smoke filled the air. It was nearly impossible to see. P a g e | 538 A strong gust of fresh air blew across the field and slowly cleared the thick smoke. Tala could finally survey the damage; the lightning had taken a nearly immeasurable toll. The once-green grass had been singed to blackened ash for several hundred feet. There was no way to count the dead; if asked, Tala would have said there was only one man who need die today—but he was safe. Mustaffa lived. P a g e | 539 Chapter 61 Struck Opal collapsed to the ground, hyperventilating. The energy pouring out of her through such an extremely powerful spell and the shock of seeing her attack on Mustaffa fail, despite its effect on his men, had devastated her. As she lay on the ground, she gasped for air. He cannot be harmed by magic, she dimly realized. Blinded by the rage that had built up inside her for days, Opal had forgotten the warlord’s magic-dispelling amulet. “Now! Use your spell to transfer her magical essence to us!” Malek yelled to Dusk. Malek’s treacherous machinations had finally come to fruition. Four jagged beams of black energy emanated from Dusk’s hands, struck Opal’s chest, and latched on to her like wiggling leeches. P a g e | 540 “You’re too powerful to control, Opal, so there’s really only one option left, right, brothers?” Malek said “Steal her powers and destroy her,” the nameless mage answered. “I was on the cusp of becoming the most powerful archmage in the history of the High Council! And you, a mere student, dared to ruin me!” Malek leaned toward. “Today, I kill you for embarrassing me!” “I yearn to taste her youthful lifeblood first,” Dusk exclaimed. “Stay your hand until I have had my chance.” “You destroyed the High Council, Opal! You did!” Malek spat at her. “We gave you the knowledge to use your powers, and you turned them against us!” “Yes, and now your boundless energy will be ours.” The nameless mage shook with excitement. “We will be reborn!” Opal’s head began to spin. Not even the chilly, autumn air could cool her fever. Weakened, she tipped over onto her back. Her legs felt like mush; nevertheless, she tried to use them to push herself toward the ledge of the hilltop. As Dusk blasted her with the next stage of his spell, Opal reached out to Karn with her mind, but once again she felt the enchanted amulet dispel her magic. I have failed you. I failed myself. P a g e | 541 Dusk’s evil spell pervaded Opal’s body. She felt it reach into the deepest core of her soul and siphon the magical energy from her, but the magic worked slowly, and it would take some time before she was entirely drained of her powers. Look at them, my energy surging through their bodies; they look intoxicated. Bastards. It reminded Opal of how she felt when she had stolen the life from Karn’s wife. It was enthralling. And before it ended, it washed away all the other physical sensations. She understood both sides of the spell now; and for a moment, Opal agreed that she deserved just this. As she lay there, helpless, her eyes grew dim. She felt her life slip away as a cold numbness took over. As her world went black, she heard a faint murderous cry. At that moment, just before her senses completely faded, she heard Sadok the mage hunter yell an order. His archers launched a volley of arrows at the three old mages before he charged in, wielding his polearm. Ensnared in their own spell, the mages were unable to defend themselves enough as Sadok swung his polearm with precision. He sliced open and gored Dusk. The old mage coughed dark brown blood down the front of his robes as he gripped his belly. P a g e | 542 Opal watched two arrows strike Malek, one deep in his shoulder, the other in his thigh. When Malek looked for an escape, he came face to face with the student. Six arrows protruded from the man’s chest, and a seventh was lodged deep in his throat. He looked confused. When the spell finally broke, Malek was free to move. Although the pain must have been terrible, he tried to flee, nearly tripping over the body of his colleague. Sadok lowered his arm and signaled his archers to fire a second volley at their target. Opal flinched as three arrows pierced Malek’s back in a neat triangle before a final arrow penetrated his other shoulder, burying itself deep in the muscle and bone. The impact knocked him to his knees, and he began to crawl, in a last attempt to escape. Sadok pushed Dusk’s body from his polearm with a foot and calmly approached Malek. “Your time in this world is over, you sick abomination!” Sadok proclaimed. Opal watched him, now only a blur of shadows to her, raise his weapon over his head, aim, and impale Malek through the back. P a g e | 543 Chapter 62 Inner Opal’s eyes would not open. She was surrounded by limitless black. This is it. I’m dying. She accepted it. She felt calm, warm, and numb, until a cold wind whistled in her ear, its touch chilling her cheek. In the distance were muffled voices, but she did not care what they said. As she lay motionless in the soft grass, her thoughts went one last time to Karn. She loved him and hoped that he would forgive her. P a g e | 544 Chapter 63 War II Karn’s ears popped as he slowly stood. His first sight was Lieutenant Hart, who appeared to be no less surprised at finding himself alive than Karn was. While he coughed and choked on the scent of burned flesh, he took a long look around. It seemed that every last man on the battlefield, ally and foe, was staggered by the devastation caused by massive lightning bolt. Fear combined with uncertainty, the sum of which was panic. This was no natural occurrence. No. This was the mages. He could sense it in his body and soul. Karn looked for Mustaffa. The man was standing, wiping the sweat from his brow with his cape. He was unharmed but clearly shaken by the assault. P a g e | 545 “You should’ve fled when you had the chance.” Karn pulled Tala to her feet and instructed her to perform a quick head count. “All of Lieutenant Hart’s soldiers survived. You realize that was not Mother Nature’s doing it—” “Look at Zian.” Zian and the other jackalweres had crept forward and now stood mere feet from the giants. He’s taking advantage of the chaos. Zian suddenly leapt forward, sprinted past the giants, and aimed himself like an arrow, right at Mustaffa. “Zian! No!” Karn shouted. The beast-man lunged at Mustaffa with an unearthly cry, but the warlord showed no fear, lashing out with his weapon with equal speed. The sword cut into Zian’s flesh and the jackalwere fell hard to the ground with a wet thump. Karn and Tala both screamed in shock. “You pathetic dog. You thought you could kill me?” Mustaffa asked, knocking the beast-man with his foot. Two jackalweres quickly attended to Zian. As they carried him off and Mustaffa laughed contemptuously, Tala pointed to the warlord’s jeweled amulet clutched in Zian’s hand. P a g e | 546 “Look, Karn. He took the amulet. Zian took Mustaffa’s amulet.” Karn didn’t care about the amulet. All he saw was a loyal ally being dragged off the battlefield while the other jackalweres milled about anxiously. The sight enraged him. This is my fate. Not theirs, Karn thought, drawing his sword and pointing it at Mustaffa. A flash of memory from the warlord’s soul overlapped with his and filled his mind. In that instant, Karn learned something about the savage warrior he shared his fate with. There was nothing the ancient warlord enjoyed more than a bloody fight. He often surrounded himself with his enemy just so that he could fully unleash his fury. Karn felt the yearning for blood too—his muscles tensed, his concentration sharpened, and his desire to kill quadrupled. “I’m going to take your other eye, and after that, I will carve you in two!” Karn shouted, and then commanded Lieutenant Hart and his squad to attack. “Not today, boy!” Mustaffa commanded his giant guards to fight. Three of the giants promptly engaged Lieutenant Hart’s soldiers. Each man fought hard, attempting to protect himself and his comrades. Yet every swing of a giant’s club P a g e | 547 or oversized battle-axe knocked down one of Kel Tora’s soldiers. Outmuscled, the men buckled, one after the other, under the force of the enemy. Karn wanted Mustaffa, but he rushed to the aid of Kel Tora’s men first. He jumped up and swung high at one giant’s head. The massive man, already engaged by two of Kel Tora’s soldiers, parried Karn’s attack with his colossal club. Nevertheless, Karn swung again and again and again. “Die,” he screamed, each time he pressed forward. Karn’s attack had forced the giant to give up ground, his body teetering back with every blow. When the moment Karn had been waiting for finally appeared and the tiring giant’s guard dropped, he was ready. On an upward strike, Karn’s sword cleaved the monstrous man’s thick club in half and sliced through his body from stomach to chin. Wounded and losing his footing, the giant warrior tried to defend himself from Karn’s press, windmilling his arms to regain his balance. Karn leapt forward, parried the remainder of his adversary’s weapon to the side, and drove his sword through the gigantic man’s thick neck. “Die!” Karn shouted, withdrawing his sword and sidestepping as the giant fell forward, dead. P a g e | 548 Who’s left? Who’s alive? After another quick head count, he made out that Lieutenant Hart and nine of his soldiers still stood, but so did one of the gigantic enemies. Karn searched for Tala, spotting her behind a trio of jackalweres who remained on the battlefield. She’s alive. He breathed a sigh of relief as he turned to face Mustaffa again. The man had not moved an inch during the fight. Arms crossed, Mustaffa laughed. “Can you not see, boy? You and I are the same; we’ve both been wronged by these wicked mages.” “Then go! Fight the mages!” Karn shouted. “Why must you destroy Illyia in the process?” Mustaffa’s face turned red. “That’s what they created me for. I cannot quench my thirst for conquest, just as I imagine you cannot ease your craving for vengeance. You see, we are the same.” “I’m nothing like you!” Karn bellowed, taking another step forward. “Oh? Need I remind you of your wife and child, Nathan?” Mustaffa’s words halted Karn’s advance. It seemed as if the world itself stopped. “What? How—how did you know?” P a g e | 549 “Does it really matter? Isn’t killing those who ruined your life more important?” Mustaffa asked, his voice a deep rumble. “I—” A small cavalry unit erupted on to the scene. The unit of fifty or more men had broken through the side of the enemy lines and flanked them, quickly overwhelming the last of Mustaffa’s guard. The unexpected aid could not have arrived at a better time, as Lieutenant Hart and his soldiers were clearly exhausted. “Thank the gods of battle!” Lieutenant Hart gasped as he bent over, hands on his knees. “Morwik’s unit!” one of Kel Tora’s soldiers cried from his defensive position. “You’ll all die today, and for what reason?” Mustaffa asked as Karn’s attention returned to him. “Enough talk!” Karn eased forward again, closing the distance between them. “The elf?” Mustaffa smiled. “You fight because of her? How sweet.” “I’ll have your bald head, you fucking bastard!” Karn leapt. Mustaffa moved into a defensive posture with shocking speed but he was not fast enough. Karn’s sword cut his left P a g e | 550 arm to the bone. It hung limp and dead at his side, but Mustaffa seemed unaffected by the wound and struck Karn across the face with the fist that clutched his weapon. Dazed, Karn stepped back, swinging wildly at Mustaffa, who raised his jagged sword in an equally strong swing. The two swords locked together with a loud clang as the men strained to push themselves apart. “She’s using you, Nathan!” Mustaffa yelled in Karn’s face. “That fetching young elf maiden of yours.” “You,” Karn grumbled. “Do not so much as look at her.” P a g e | 551 Chapter 64 War III Tala heard every word the two men spoke. There was no denying it; this moment brought an end to her past and determined her future. Tala watched Karn kick Mustaffa’s leg, which buckled, causing the warlord to stagger back a few steps. No, I can end this. Tala lifted her pike. I can be the master of my own fate. She prepared to throw it, but a high-pitched whistle startled her. As Tala turned, she spotted an arrow in flight. She jerked the pike in her hands, deflecting the speeding projectile directly into her thigh. Tala swore in her native tongue as the pain ripped through her leg. “Archers!” one of Hart’s squad screamed. P a g e | 552 “Get Tala off the battlefield now!” Lieutenant Hart ordered two of his men. As one soldier lifted Tala from the ground an arrow drilled through his neck. Blood splattered onto Tala’s face as the dying man spilled her to the grass. When the second soldier turned to help, she saw dozens and dozens of arrows that cluttered the sky. “Run!” the soldier screamed before abandoning her. Pinned under the dead soldier, Tala did not have time to escape. Instead, she wrenched the shield from the dead man’s hand and slid her legs free, positioning the shield over her curled-up body. Lieutenant Hart knelt beside her just before the arrows struck, adding his shield to hers. Tala looked into Lieutenant Hart’s eyes as the arrows rained down on them. The drum of steel arrowheads against the iron of Kel Tora’s shields was overwhelmingly loud, but Tala saw no evidence of fear on his face. Tala peeked out from under the shields when the deluge stopped; Karn and Mustaffa fought on, each man trading blows over and over, neither giving an inch. “The mages created you after I rebelled,” Mustaffa said, his voice grating. “I was a warlord before and after the transformation! You cannot best me, fisherman!” “Die!” Karn swung his sword wildly at Mustaffa. P a g e | 553 Even with one arm, Mustaffa was able to parry the attack, following it with a kick to Karn’s belly that forced Karn to fall forward past him. “They called you Rook, after the game piece, but you were nothing more than a pawn,” Mustaffa mocked. Tala sneered, imagining Karn’s reaction. “You’re more of a monster than the mages are,” Karn grunted as he stood. Tala heard Lieutenant Hart order his and Morwik’s men to move on Mustaffa. He’s smart. He knows the enemy archers will not fire on us if were too close to their leader. Sadly, this will not save us from the hundreds of footmen who now approach. Tala grasped the shaft of the arrow sticking out of her leg. With a quick twist of her wrist, she broke it in half, what remained inside her leg quivering. Gnashing her teeth, she pulled the shaft through and howled in pain. Blood had stained her leather pant leg down to her boot. The leg felt numb. This is a bad wound. I have to stop the bleeding, but there’s no time. She looked at the enemy soldiers, Kel Tora’s men who fought them off, and Karn and Mustaffa. It was obvious to her that the two were exhausted. P a g e | 554 “Morwik’s men will hold off the enemy, but not long. We must choose now,” Lieutenant Hart observed. “Go now, or stay and fight.” “We can overtake Mustaffa!” a veteran shouted, energized and ready to fight. Tala could see that Karn and Mustaffa were too evenly matched, and she knew that Hart and his soldiers could easily tip the scales in Karn’s advantage. But the outcome of this battle needed to be decided between the two men: the most fit will be deemed worthy to survive. “No!” Tala said. “It’s almost over. Let Karn finish it.” She nearly regretted her words, as Karn’s attacks had become slow and sloppy, but Mustaffa’s parries were weak and less effective as well. The two men chopped at each other until neither could raise their weapon. The warlord cradled his dead arm with his good one while Karn hunched over at the waist, gasping. “Here they come. Ready yourselves!” Hart shouted. Tala refused to look back. If the enemy was to overcome Kel Tora’s men and reach her, she would rather not know. She would rather keep her eyes forward on the future than back on the past. “Fight Karn! You can win this.” P a g e | 555 Both men seemed to prepare for one final clash. Karn wiped the blood and sweat drenched hair from his face, while Mustaffa slid a hand over his head. Each man straightened their stance a moment before they charged, swords poised to strike. Mud churned up around them as their feet dug deep in the chewed up ground. Karn let out a war cry that joined Mustaffa’s bottomless yell. Tala swore the ground shook as the two warriors collided. Sword struck shield, fist hit armor, and shoulder braced shoulder. The two men were a blur, seemingly blended together. Tala watched closely, and even her elven vision, which normally allowed her to slow down movements too fast for human senses to comprehend, was put to the test. Karn lunged into Mustaffa sideways and with such speed that the older man could not defend himself. Tala gasped. Karn’s sword plunged deep into the belly of the warlord and once there, Karn yanked his blade up to his foe’s throat, freeing it from his body at the neck. Blood sprayed out in every direction as Mustaffa fell face forward to the ground. A rush of air filled Tala’s lungs. She felt herself stagger back, almost collapsing. He did it. He’s put an end to my past. Her whole body began to shake. P a g e | 556 Karn’s name was cheered all around her. Tala smiled but did not celebrate. She knew the day was far from finished. “Lieutenant Hart, we cannot hold this. Get your men to safety. We all need to withdraw now!” Morwik ordered as he rode up to them on his horse. “Understood.” Tala limped past the bodies of the dead giants to Karn’s side. She took his hand in hers, looked into his eyes, and kissed his cheek. He did not say a word. He simply reached up and ran his hand through her hair to the back of her neck and smiled. “We need to leave. Are you able to run?” Tala asked, her voice full of concern. “I’ll be right behind you.” P a g e | 557 Chapter 65 Ended Opal awoke gradually. Her eyes adjusted to the moonlight and fixed onto Malek’s corpse only twenty feet from her. His mouth was open as if to scream, but instead of words, thick blood oozed out. As Opal gazed into his blank eyes, her memory returned. She could not fathom why she was still alive. She pushed herself up slowly, still drained from the spell the archmages had used on her. As she rolled over, she was startled to find Sadok seated nearby. “Sadok?” Her voice cracked. “Opal, by the blessed gods, you’re alive?” He sounded both shocked and astonished. “What happened?” “I thought you dead.” Sadok smiled. “No. Not yet.” P a g e | 558 “Your plan worked. We ambushed and killed the three mages with no losses.” “The battle?” “It looks like your friend defeated Mustaffa in single combat.” Sadok helped Opal into a more comfortable position. Opal turned toward the battlefield and retched. Malek’s spell had done untold damage, but there was no time to worry about it. “Karn? Is he alive?” she asked, wiping her face. “Yes, but not for long if he doesn’t make a run for those trees.” Sadok pointed. Opal panicked, still unable to focus on the battlefield below. “What?” “Enemy soldiers approach him from three different directions. He needs to get to safety right now. I fear he may not make it.” Opal thought back to her talk with Limper the other night. “A body can be healed, but a soul cannot be saved once death occurs,” Opal repeated as she remembered it. “What is that, Opal?” “I must save him, Sadok.” P a g e | 559 Too weak to stand, Opal crossed her legs and tried to sit up straight. She cleared her mind and visualized the scroll. She had memorized the words for the spell her former instructor had given her. As she recalled them, one by one, the overwhelming urge to use and complete the spell invaded her mind. Panic-stricken and unable to control herself, she followed through, and what little strength she had mustered was quickly sapped. As soon as the spell was completed, she fainted back into the tall grass. *** On the battlefield, Karn had knelt down beside Mustaffa and whispered to the man’s body. “I’m not like you. After this battle, I’m finished. My only desire is to raise a family and go back to being a fisherman again. And now that you’re dead, I can do just that.” Tala had only managed to distance herself several dozen feet, skipping and hopping on her bad leg, when she heard Karn’s send off to the enemy. She turned back, to yell at him to move, when she spotted something strange. Tiny black and orange sparks of light swirled up from the grass and leaves beneath Karn and Mustaffa’s body. The lights, no bigger than pebbles, increased in size as they floated upward and, began to spin around Karn. P a g e | 560 A sense of danger pervaded all of Tala’s senses and pushed a scream out of her mouth. Hardly able to keep on her feet, she limped to Karn’s side as the lights spun so fast that they began to blur together into a dark orange. “Karn!” she shrieked as she reached out to him. The lights that spun around him had formed an impenetrable translucent cylinder. Tala watched as Karn realized he had been captured, once again, by the mages. “Release me!” Karn pounded his fists against the barrier. When nothing happened, his anger shifted to fear. “Tala,” he yelled through the barrier. “What is this? What’s happening to me?” “I don’t know!” The cylinder of light stretched up, then retracted into Karn. Instantly, his body erupted into a magical dark orange light as if he had been set on fire. But the aura did not burn. No longer trapped, Karn took a weakened step forward. “Oh no! Karn, no!” Tala groaned as she reached out to him. Karn dropped hard to his knees, the dark orange glow still shedding from his body. Tala could hear his labored breathing. “I love you,” she cried. P a g e | 561 “I love you too,” he gasped in response. “I need to tell you something.” “Tala, I-I can barely see you…” He reached out to her, but he tipped over to his side. “Why… why’s this happening to me?” “I don’t know,” she cried. Tala picked up his head and rested it on her lap as she knelt before him. She stroked his hair and spoke softly into his ear. “I was going to tell you later, my love. I just realized a few days ago myself… You’ve given me a child. You’re a part of me now, inside me; our love is one.” “You’ll make a beautiful, wonderful mother.” Karn’s voice cracked and grew fainter with each word; his body tensed and shook violently. Tala watched as his face strained and turned red with pain. She wrapped her arms around him tighter, hoping her strength was enough to protect him from the seizure. Tala did not need heightened senses or a connection with Mother Nature to know it would not be long till death stole him away. When Karn went limp in her arms and his last breath escaped through his mouth and nose, the aura that surrounded his body vanished. Tala sobbed, her body shaking P a g e | 562 and her muscles tensing tight. The hurt inside her built, and her rage compounded with each breath. The pain of a lifetime of strife finally reached an explosive end. “Drae’Qu!” P a g e | 563 Chapter 66 Departure Karn’s squad had done their job well. Mustaffa’s army had been slowed enough that Kel Tora’s troops were able to get into position outside the forest. Kel Tora’s battle formations easily subdued the enemy squads that had been forced through the small opening between the forest and hills. With the loss of their leader, the enemy suffered a period of mass confusion until the higher generals regained composure. During the disarray, Kel Tora’s leaders ordered two elven divisions into the forest to flank the enemy and fire arrows into their ranks. In the time gained by this tactic, Kel Tora was able to seize one last advantage. Unlike any of the other lands Mustaffa’s armies had besieged, Kel Tora had working catapults. P a g e | 564 The battle lasted until the middle of the following morning. When the conflict finally ended, the once-lavish green strip of land was stained red with blood. Over ten thousand men had lost their lives and almost three thousand more lay wounded. At the mouth of the gully’s opening, between the steep hills and the forest, bodies were stacked almost three deep. Fires burned sporadically across the battlefield with red-grey smoke billowing up past the highest treetops. There was a heavy, damp chill in the air that foreshadowed the coming of winter. Opal had awoken gradually. Atop the hill, she gazed up at the tiny flakes of snow that swirled down from the heavens. Her mind struggled to clear the fog that continued to pollute her head. When her eyes at long last focused, the sun stung them. Opal rolled over and stared out at the battlefield. Before, it was filled with men, and now, it was filled with bodies. By the gods, they’re all dead. Such carnage. Did anyone survive this? Before Opal tested her legs, she tested her magic. With just a simple thought, clear, sparkling water appeared in her cupped hands. As she finished the first, she created P a g e | 565 a second handful of water, and then a third. She felt as if she had not drank for days. Before she finished the third handful, she remembered what she had done. Karn’s dead. She spit out the water in her mouth and separated her hands. Karn’s really dead… Opal opened a portal and crawled through it as fast as she could. In a blink, she was deposited on the field that was beforehand beneath her. Once on the battlefield, she stumbled through the piles of the dead searching for Karn. The smell was horrible; a mixture of blood, burnt flesh, and smoke crept up her nostrils. If it were not for the sheer panic that controlled her body, Opal would have vomited at the gruesome sights she saw. Bodies and parts of bodies covered the field. It will take me days to sort through them all in an attempt to find one man, she thought. Hours passed. Blood stained her feet and legs, up to her knees, and she still had not found Karn. Off in the distance, past the opening to the field, Opal spied a group of men apparently doing exactly what she was: sorting through the dead. Opal transported herself to them through another portal. The men seemed less than surprised by the purple vortex when it opened and Opal stepped through it. She P a g e | 566 recognized some of them—Kel Tora’s generals and advisors. As she looked about, she came eye to eye with Duke Essex and his royal guards. It appeared that the duke had fought at the front of this battle. His armor was dented. A slice open the side, and his fine silk cape was tattered and bloody. Yet, when Opal stepped up to the monarch, he bowed to her as if he were at a formal function. “Lady Opal, I must say, I’m delighted to see you.” “Have you seen Karn?” Opal asked frantically. “Opal, I want you to know that we owe this victory, in part, to you. Your magical lightning bolts destroyed hundreds of Mustaffa’s men and scared off equally as many.” Opal blinked. She only saw the spell as a failure since it had missed Mustaffa. Duke Essex’s words of assurance helped ease her heart but only for the briefest moment. “My lord, have you seen Karn?” “My deepest condolences, Opal.” Duke Essex bowed his head. “Witnesses say he was felled shortly after defeating Mustaffa.” A sick feeling twisted Opal’s stomach into a knot. She needed to find his body and repair it before she returned his soul to it. I know Karn will love me again. When he P a g e | 567 sees what I did. The duke will tell him, and he will understand. He will love me. “Where is he?” she asked impatiently. “Opal, I’m afraid I have no clue where Karn’s body is,” Duke Essex replied. “I do,” another soldier said as he approached. “Lieutenant Hart,” the duke said. “Good to see you. You look to have fared well.” “I’m alive.” “I am pleased.” Duke Essex nodded. “So what say you?” “Karn… The elf took his body off the battlefield before the battle ended,” Lieutenant Hart explained. “She said something about taking him to a lake outside of Kel Tora.” “Elf?” Opal did not understand. “Yes. Tala, his lover.” “Lieutenant Hart—” Duke Essex began. “No—I…” Opal summoned a portal behind her. “I have to go.” The purple glare from the magical vortex lit up the falling snowflakes, making them sparkle. The wind surged, whipping the flakes through the gully and across the battlefield until the portal closed, and Opal was gone. *** P a g e | 568 Now at Kel Tora’s gates, Opal ran into the town. She called out, pleading for help from anyone who would listen. Someone had to know where the lake was, but no one would answer her. She cast another spell, one that located things, and Opal quickly pinpointed a nearby body of water. Opal sprinted out of town, her heart in her throat. She followed the pull of her spell, straight down the path away from town, and into the forest. The lake is not far. She prayed she was not too late. There’s still time to return Karn’s soul to his body. I know there is. When she finally arrived at the shore, she spotted a beautiful elven woman, her arms crossed, still as a statue, along the water’s edge. This must be her. This must be Tala… A small fire burned on a wooden platform in the middle of the lake, as Opal navigated the tall weeds that surrounded the small body of water. The firelight flickered, growing dark as the makeshift raft broke up. Opal used what little energy she had left to conjure a simple spell that lit up the lake and its surrounding area with a pale yellow light. Tala’s voice cracked as she announced, “You’re too late.” P a g e | 569 As Opal approached the water’s edge, the young elf looked away, but not before Opal could see that she was crying. “What have you done?” Opal snapped as her eyes fixed on what used to be the platform in the middle of the lake; the pieces started to sink. She knew exactly what the elf had done, but she wanted to hear her say it. “We were lifemates,” Tala said. “You had no right to burn his body!” Opal lashed out, enraged. “We were lifemates.” Tala showed Opal her necklace. “It is my right, human, my right to give him a proper warrior’s burial.” The realization that all was lost was too much for Opal to handle. Her heart twisted into a pounding mass of misery. And then it hit her. Opal felt as if she had been tricked into taking Karn’s life. Those bastards, they used Karn to kill Mustaffa and me to rid themselves of Karn. Opal dropped to her knees and began to sob deeply. “I could’ve resurrected him,” she cried heavily. “I wanted to help him.” “Help him? You-you murdered his family.” “What?” No one outside of the High Council should have known that. “Who are you?” P a g e | 570 “Your kind stole his soul. I gave him life and love when you offered him nothing but death.” Tala’s words struck her like a biting snake. “I was going to bring him back to life,” Opal repeated as she wept. “A life you stole from him? No, I’ll make sure his memory never dies,” Tala whispered placing her hand on her stomach. Tala walked away to a tree that stood tall at the path to the lake, reached up into a crook that was not much higher than her head, and grabbed the leather scabbard of Karn’s sword. She tucked the weapon safely under her arm and walked off in the direction of Kel Tora. Opal did nothing to stop her. “I hate this land!” Opal screamed in grief-filled rage. “I hate it!” Opal pounded her fists over and over again in the moist soil. Exhausted, she buried her head in her arms and curled into a ball. She prayed for the numbness to come. She welcomed it, not matter its form—even death. Little did she know, that deep within her, grew a new spark of life. THE END P a g e | 571 Copyright © Kevin James Breaux 2009-2016 P a g e | 572 Biography Kevin James Breaux is an award-winning author and artist. His professional writing credits span over seven years and include short stories and novels. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the Erotic Authors Association. Writing is his business. Write Makes Might!© site: www.kevinbreaux.com twitter: @kevinbreaux Kevin is represented by Marisa A. Corvisiero the founder of the Corvisiero Literary Agency. site: www.corvisieroagency.com e-mail: [email protected] twitter: @mcorvisiero P a g e | 573 Awards and Accolades SOUL BORN was awarded 1st place in the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll 2010. "Kevin Breaux has a unique style: bold, funny, aggressive and dynamic. SOUL BORN is a rollicking high fantasy adventure!" --NY Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry, author of The King of Plagues and Rot & Ruin. "There's a TON of great imagery in the book to pull from, But Opal definitely steals the show. I think she is such a visually evocative character, that'd it'd be a shame not to make the cover about her and her magic." --Dan Dos Santos. "With Soul Born, Kevin James Breaux carves out his own fresh turf in the world of dark high fantasy." --Gregory Frost, author of SHADOWBRIDGE "Soul Born is a fascinating chronicle of the battle between good and evil, the forces of nature pitted against the corruptive elements of excessive power." - Bitten By Books ""Soul Born" is a fast paced and fun world of fantasy, highly recommended reading." - Midwest Book Review "Soul Born is a fantastic page-turning beginning to author Kevin Breaux’s fantasy trilogy." - Douglas Cobb, Book Spot Central