by Imogen Elvis
The children worked together as if they had been doing this all their lives. Who were they? More of Master Sachio’s army? If so, this would be second nature to them now. But why were they here? Briar narrowed her eyes, trying to make out their faces. The girl at the very edge of the stage, her hands balled into fists, she seemed so familiar. It couldn’t be…
“Ava,” Briar breathed.
Master Sachio hurtled forward, passing the king and the queen, all sense of rank and respect gone as he leaned out over the edge of the balcony. “Stop them.” He looked right to where the song council sat as if expecting them to take some action against the children. But, to a magician, the entire council stayed in their seats, arms folded over their chests. Only the soldiers continued trying to reach the children, as the wind howled, and jets of flame licked towards them, not quite touching the men, but certainly driving them back.
Among all this chaos, the king’s head still drooped on his chest, as if he wasn’t even aware of what was going on around him. Maybe he wasn’t. Perhaps his mind had been forever shattered by Master Sachio’s magic.
Queen Acacia leaned over to him, her fingers closing over his hand, hesitatingly, as if she were afraid of how he would respond to her touch. “Varik?” she said softly. “Our son is in danger. You have to help him.” Tears sparkled in her eyes. “They’re going to kill Levi.”
For a moment, there was no response from the king at all. Then, slowly, his head lifted, and King Varik turned to face his wife. “Levi? He’s here?”
Briar’s heart skipped a beat. He sounded confused, dazed even, but awake. Maybe even a little pleased to hear news of his only child. Certainly not like a man who had sentenced his son to death. He sounded eager to see Kade.
The queen nodded. “They want to execute him.”
“What? I won’t allow it.” The king shot to his feet and sprang to the edge of the balcony, pushing Master Sachio away as he leaned over the railing, roaring at the top of his lungs, “Stop. Do not lay a hand on the prince.”
Instantly, there was silence. Even the children’s songs broke off at the king’s command. Every eye turned to the royal box, where the king stood straight and tall, his face clear for the first time. Even Master Sachio turned to stare at his brother in confusion. Briar’s heart thumped painfully as a jolt of hope ran through her. Could it be that the king had finally broken free of Master Sachio’s influence?
Into the silence, King Varik called out, “Release the prince.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Master Sachio spoke quickly, his voice smooth and persuasive. But, despite his winning smile, his words lacked the oily feeling his magic gave them. “Prince Levi is a traitor. You ordered this execution yourself.”
“Then, I was wrong.” The king gestured to one of the guards standing nearby. “Have the prince released and bring him to me. Anyone who dares to lay a hand on him will lose it. Is that understood?”
“Y-yes, your majesty.” But the guard hesitated for a moment. “What about the children?”
“They are not to be harmed,” the queen cut in smoothly. “Not until we know more.” Her eyes sought King Varik’s. “There has been enough violence today.”
The king met her gaze, and his eyes softened. He nodded. “Do as the queen says.”
The guard bowed and hurried away, beckoning to a couple of his companions to follow him. Below, the children still formed their tight ring around Kade, who knelt on the stage, looking at the confusion around him. The guards still stood on the stairs, weapons drawn, but they made no move towards the children, and for their part, Ava and her companions stayed silent but watchful.
Now the king turned to the queen, completely ignoring Master Sachio, who still hovered at his elbow, as well the guards, both those standing sentry and the ones still holding Briar and Lara captive.
“Acacia.” The king took her hand, helping her to her feet. A frown creased his face, and his eyes were troubled. “I feel like I’ve been asleep.”
“What do you remember?” Queen Acacia said softly. She took both his hands, looking deep into his eyes.
King Varik shook his head, his frown deepening. “I remember…” He trailed off, his eyes roving over the assembly in the royal box, finally settling on Master Sachio. As they did, his face darkened. “I remember everything you’ve done.”
Briar caught Lara’s questioning look and shook her head. She didn’t know what was happening, but the spark of hope in her heart bloomed. The king drew himself up, holding Master Sachio in place with his stare. This felt like change. Maybe Master Sachio’s hold over the world was crumbling at last.
“Do you want to know what I remember?” King Varik stroked the back of his wife’s hand with his thumb, his eyes never leaving Master Sachio’s face. “I remember your words pouring into my ears like poison, twisting my thoughts until I couldn’t tell friend from foe or right from wrong. I remember you suggesting that my own son would plot against me. It all made so much sense when you said it that I never stopped to question if it was true. I remember how much I trusted your council until you could have told me anything and I would have done it. Levi is not the traitor. You are.”
“Varik, listen to me-” Master Sachio’s words faltered. His eyes shifted, glittering with a touch of panic. “You haven’t been well.”
“Maybe not, but I am now.” King Varik turned to the remaining guards. “Arrest this man. Take him away and secure him. Any man who lets him slip free will suffer the same punishment he will face.” The king, it seemed, was not to be so easily swayed. Not now.
“And free these others,” Queen Acacia added. “They are no rebels.”
Reluctantly, the guard let go of Briar. She rubbed her arms where his fingers had dug into her skin, taking a quick step away from him. Beside her, Lara shrugged off her captors’ grasps, baring her teeth at them as they backed away.
“I’m your brother. You know I would never harm you. All I have done is work to protect you and this kingdom.” Master Sachio shook his head. “Please, reconsider.”
“Am I mistaken?” King Varik said, not to Master Sachio but to the queen.
She shook her head, her face hardening as she gazed at the master. “No.”
“Varik-” Master Sachio began.
“Make way. Make way.”
Briar turned as the guards the king had sent before now returned, bringing Kade with them. He paused at the entrance to the royal box, uncharacteristic uncertainness flooding over his bruised face. His eyes moved from Master Sachio, now restrained by guards, to his parents, standing hand in hand. For a moment, his eyes met Briar’s, and a fierce joy washed through her. He was safe. He was free.
“Levi.” The queen stepped towards him, hands outstretched, reaching for him.
“Mother.” Kade took her hands, shy hesitation warring with dawning hope. His eyes softened as he looked at his mother, full of love. “I missed you.”
Queen Acacia threw her arms around her son, pulling him close, leaning her cheek on his shoulder and closing her eyes. “I love you so much.”
Kade hesitated for a moment, before holding her gently, as if he were afraid she might melt away in his hands. A lump formed in Briar’s throat. Kade deserved so much love and happiness.
“Levi.” King Varik took a couple of steps towards him, the same uncertainness and hope that was so evident on Kade’s face now washing over his own. They were so alike, father and son.
“Father.” Kade pulled away from his mother and bowed to the king. He kept his eyes downcast. How difficult it must be to face his father, the same man who had called him a traitor and sentenced him to be executed. Of course, King Varik hadn’t been in control of his mind. Kade knew this. But still, it must be so hard to be in his presence and not to know where he stood with his father.
It took only two steps for the king to reach his son. “I’m so sorry, Levi. Please, forgive me.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” Kade met his father’s eyes. “Of course,
I forgive you.” He stepped forward and hugged his father fiercely. The queen joined them, holding her son and her husband close. A tear traced its way down her cheek. Finally, after everything, they were together again, and it seemed that they might have their own happy ending.
Briar’s smile widened, even as her throat choked up with emotion. There was a surreal feeling about everything as if none of this could be quite real. And yet, there Kade stood, surrounded by his family, held with their love. And somewhere out there, she had Ava, so beautifully alive, so miraculously here.
“You embrace that traitor?” Master Sachio’s mask cracked, and he tugged against the guards, who still only held him loosely as if they didn’t quite believe the king’s accusations. “I kept Kerr safe when you were drooling in your chair. I saved this city when it was being attacked. I protected this country. I am a hero. This boy is nothing.”
“You protected people from a threat you created. That does not make you a hero.” King Varik said. He kept one arm around Kade’s shoulder, and the queen laced her fingers through his, binding them together into a single unit. “But the fault was mine. I wanted to help you, giving you everything I could when you were set aside. I see now that was wrong.” His voiced turned sad. “I should have known better.”
“I should have been the king.” Master Sachio’s eyes were hungry, desperate. “I should be the one on that throne. Not you.”
“It should have been. You’d have made a good king. But you would also have made a good magician. And nothing, it seemed was good enough for you.”
“You don’t deserve the crown.” Metal glinted between Master Sachio’s fingers, as a blade slid from his wide sleeve into his hand.
“No!” Briar hurled herself forward as Master Sachio broke free of the unsuspecting guards, his knife driving straight for the king. She crashed into him, grabbing desperately at his arm, driving the blade off course. Kade pushed his father behind him, stepping between Master Sachio and the king, though he held no weapon of his own.
“Let go.” Master Sachio threw Briar off. Her already unsteady legs gave way, and she fell backwards, cracking the back of her head against the hard stones so hard spots of light flashed before her eyes.
Kade caught Master Sachio’s wrist and twisted until the dagger fell from the master’s fingers. Master Sachio cried out in pain, striking at Kade with his free hand and catching him with a glancing blow on the cheek. The guards rushed forward, grabbing his arm again and wrestling him away from the royal family.
Master Sachio’s hair was dishevelled, falling around his face, and his face twisted into a snarl until he was almost unrecognisable. “I should have killed you myself when I had the chance.”
Kade didn’t even grace him with a look. Instead, he dropped to his knees beside Briar. “Are you hurt?” He took her hand, concern flooding his face.
“I’m alright.” Briar’s head pulsed with pain, and her vision was blurry and still grey around the edges. But Kade’s hands were warm around hers, and he was here, and that was enough. “Ava’s alive,” she whispered to him. “Ava’s alive.”
“I’m so happy for you.” Kade helped her sit up far enough so she could lean her aching head against his shoulder, and held her tight with an arm around her, pulling her close. “We’ll take care of you both, I promise.”
“Take Lord Sachio away and secure him. I will deal with him myself, later.” The king’s eyes were like two chips of stone.
“You can’t do this to me,” Master Sachio cried as the guards marched him away, hauling him along between them. “I’m your brother.”
The king shook his head, and his shoulders drooped. “Not anymore,” he said quietly, turning back to his wife.
Briar leaned her head against Kade’s shoulder, exhaustion flooding through her, as the guards dragged Master Sachio away, still hurling curses at the king. It was over, and all she wanted now was to sleep. “We did it,” she murmured. “We actually did it.”
“I knew you could,” Kade smiled, a proper, warm smile that reached all the way to his eyes. “I knew if anyone could make the plan work, it was you.”
“You should have told me what you were doing.” Briar met his eyes. “You should have trusted me.”
“It was my burden,” Kade said quietly. “I didn’t want to put that on anyone else. But you’re right. I should have trusted you.”
Briar’s eyelids were so heavy, and Kade’s arms were so comforting. She just needed a moment to rest before she faced anything else. A moment to bask in the knowledge that they had done it. To revel in the knowledge that Ava was alive, and so close Briar might finally get to hold her close. It felt so good to win.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
The royal guards rushed the king and queen away into the castle, gathering close around the couple as if anticipating another attack. Too little, too late where Master Sachio was concerned. Briar shuddered every time she thought of how close he had come to taking what he wanted by force.
“You took a terrible risk, novice.” Master Talor pushed through the guards, waving them away as they tried to stop him. His words were sharper than Briar had expected. “What were you thinking?”
Kade shifted. “If it weren’t for Briar, Sachio would still control the king, and everyone else, for that matter.” His voice was every bit as cutting as Master Talor’s, and his arm around Briar’s shoulders tightened.
“It’s alright,” Briar murmured, though it was nice to hear him defending her.
“It was my responsibility.” Master Talor’s voice was so quiet Briar almost didn’t catch the words. Perhaps they weren’t meant for her. “It should have been me.” He cleared his throat. “We’ll take care of Briar. She’ll need to rest and heal. The Order house is the best place for that.”
Rest sounded so good right now. Master Talor never mentioned how tiring using a catcher would be. But did they really have to make the journey to the Order house? Briar would have been happy to stay right here on the floor, so long as Kade stayed with her.
“Alright.” Kade shifted again. “I’m going to pick you up,” he said to Briar. “We’ll get a carriage for you.”
“Wait.” Briar lifted her heavy head. “Ava.” She looked up at Master Talor urgently. “My sister is one of those children down there.”
“We’re taking them to the Order house too. Your sister will be safe. Right now, we’ve got to take care of you too. You can see her soon.”
“It’ll be alright,” Kade said soothingly. “They’ll look after her for you. Ava’s free.”
Kade lifted Briar in his arms and she nestled in closer. She could hear the rhythm of his heartbeat, soothing, reassuring. None of her fears had come true. She hadn’t lost him. Or Ava. She would see Ava just as soon as they both reached the Order house. Her heart warmed at the thought.
One of the guards protested at Kade going anywhere, but Kade gave him a cold stare, and the man backed down immediately. Kade carried Briar into the castle, down some stairs and through a maze of hallways. They were accompanied by a group of guards who cleared a path through the nobles and servants in the corridors. Briar could feel their eyes on her and Kade. But he didn’t seem to notice them. She laid her heavy head on his shoulder and let her eyes fall shut.
They stepped out through a door, and there was a carriage standing by, waiting for them. Master Talor climbed inside and held out his hands. “Pass her to me.”
“You’ll be alright,” Kade murmured. “They’ll take care of you.”
“I’ll be alright.” Briar tried to smile.
Kade passed her into the carriage, settling her gently onto one of the cushioned seats. “Look after her,” he said to Master Talor. “And her sister.”
“They’ll receive the best care.”
Briar turned her head, trying to keep Kade in sight as long as possible until the door closed. The carriage lurched into motion, and Briar fell back against the cushions as the horses broke into a trot, their hooves clacking against the
cobblestones.
Master Talor sat across from her, his brows drawn together, not in anger but thought. The air was heavy with everything that he hadn’t said yet.
“What is it?” Briar asked.
Master Talor ran a hand over his face. “You could have died,” he said finally.
“I had to do it.” Briar let out a tired breath. “It was the only way.”
“I know. But still.” He pressed his lips together and looked away. “Try and stay awake, at least until we reach the Order house. I don’t know what sort of an effect the song catcher will have on you.” Master Talor’s voice darkened with concern.
“I’ll try.” But Briar’s eyelids slid down again even as she spoke.
Master Talor slapped her cheek, hard enough to make it sting. “I said, stay awake. We’ll be there soon.”
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the carriage rumbled past what was left of the wide, spreading oak trees that lined the vast square outside the Order House. Their leaves were withered, and there were holes in their neat rows where some of the old oaks had been completely destroyed. It made Briar’s heart sad to see where the ancient trees had been. Magicians clustered around the remaining trees, their soft songs bringing new life to them.
The carriage came to a halt right outside the door to the Order house. Master Talor helped Briar to her feet, supporting her with a tight grip on her arm as she half climbed, half fell out of the carriage. That single step down to the ground seemed so big. Mistress Arloa met her with hands outstretched, catching Briar as she stumbled down, helping her safely onto the cobblestones. If it weren’t for the hands holding her steady, Briar’s legs would have folded beneath her.
“What happened?” Mistress Arloa’s face creased with worry.