Age of Valor: Blood Purge

by D. E. Morris

  The shop keeper looked at her with uncertainty. “Do you want me to go with you?”

  “No.” She handed him the reins and the dagger she'd taken. “Thank you, though. I think we have this well in hand.” She started out of the woods but paused before her cover was broken, turning back to the man. “Inform the other Keepers. It seems they may be called out of retirement sooner rather than later.”

  “Be safe, my lady.”

  Nodding, she slipped out of the forest and hurried across the clearing to Connor's side. “Time to go,” she told him quietly. He needed no other instruction. Nyx and Connor were so well in tune that all he had to do was raise a fist and she leaped from her rock to land on the shore behind him with a shuddering of the earth. Her slitted eyes stayed on the hunters and her teeth were bared. Her concentration broke only for a moment when Connor turned to mount her as though she was seeking to make sure he was all right. He pat her with brief affection between the eyes, then helped Lilia up behind Rowan before climbing up himself.

  “We're too much weight,” Rowan said quietly.

  “Not for what I have planned,” Connor told her.

  One of the hunters took a step forward, his movements slow as though he could sneak up on the group. Nyx saw him and opened her maw in a roar. The sound was so loud that it knocked the man back and sent the others rushing to calm the horses that had already begun retreating into the woods. “Let's go!” Connor commanded. The dragon beat her wings, grunting her displeasure at the extra weight she wasn't used to carrying. They rose high, the wind from her departure blowing up loose grass and branches. Connor gripped Nyx tightly with his thighs and leaned to the right, making her bank in the same direction. They moved forward over the water, then promptly landed on the shore on the opposite side of the small lake.

  Connor waited for Lilia to slide down before climbing to his feet on Nyx's back. He waved to the hunters from the faraway shore, then cupped his hands around his lips and yelled to them. “Well would you look at that! Suddenly we find ourselves in Alybaen, and you know how they feel about foreigners hunting in their lands.” The girls laughed and watched as the hunters grumbled and turned away to melt into the shadows of the forest, defeated.

  “What's the matter?” Connor further taunted. “Don't fancy a swim?”

  “Come on,” Lilia chuckled. “Let's go home.”

  Rowan looked in the direction of the older girl's voice. “Did you get my dress?”

  Instead of answering, Lilia only sighed. She prepared herself to shift but stopped when she saw the shop keeper emerge from the woods. She lifted her hand both in greeting and in thanks, eliciting the same reaction from him.

  “Who's that?” Connor asked.

  “A friend,” Lilia answered simply.

  “Did anyone else notice that rock in the middle of the lake?”

  Rowan's question made the other two look first to her, then to the water before them. The giant boulder upon which she and Nyx had been watching the hunters looked completely different from the Alybaenian shore than it did from the Cierian side. From where they stood now, they could see the cave carved out of the base of the stone and the two that were parallel above it.

  “It looks like...” Connor tilted his head, studying the bumps and ridges that curved above the top two caverns and the way water trickled from the higher openings down the face of the rock.

  Lilia blinked, walking closer to the edge of the lake. “It looks like someone crying.” It was as though a giant had fallen into the middle of the deep pool of water with nothing but his bald head left showing. His mouth was open and the ridges above what could have been eyes were drawn together in sorrow. Cheekbones and a nose looked to have been carved, but the stone itself was smooth enough to have been eroded by powerful waves that didn't exist this far inland.

  “That's not natural,” Rowan said. As an afterthought, she frowned. “Is it?”

  Connor shook his head. “Not even close. Can you see inside?”

  Rowan's eyes narrowed. “Somewhat. There's moss everywhere, but it's thinner and dead higher up. It's hollow besides that. Nothing in there.”

  “And below?” Lilia asked.

  “Nothing. It's just a head. The lake isn't deep in that part.”

  Lilia and Connor looked at one another. “Any ideas?” she asked.

  Instead of answering, he crouched down on Nyx's back to reach into one of the saddlebags on her side. After shuffling around the contents within, he pulled out his map. Using Rowan's back as a flat surface, he unrolled the parchment to study the continents. His finger trailed over the land masses, pausing when he reached the body of water they stood before. “It's one of the stars.”

  “Really?” Rowan sat up so quickly that she almost pushed the map into her brother's face, gaining her a dirty look she couldn't see. “From Misuzu's map or yours?”

  “Mine. Which means something.”

  “What does it mean?” Lilia asked.

  Connor's sure attitude deflated a fraction. “I don't know. We should get back to Altaine so I can talk to Killian.”

  “So, we can talk to Killian,” Lilia corrected. “And I agree. Straight home, then?”

  “Nyx can make it. Can you?”

  “Don't worry about me. If I get tired, I'll hitch a ride.” Light began gathering around her as she began to shift. “Let's get moving.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ashlynn took a slow sip of her tea and looked out to the eastern horizon. It felt as though she had been living in some alternate universe for the past week. With no one new allowed on the grounds and no one allowed to leave, a quiet tension had fallen over them. Though they were in a beautiful castle with everything one could want, it was little more than a pretty prison. After seeking to use their forced seclusion to try to gain favor with those of higher station, many settled in with their families to ride out the time before they would be allowed to travel again. This kept the castle eerily quiet for the past two days. Far fewer courtiers sought her out for favor or conversation, leaving Ashlynn much more freedom than she was accustomed to having.

  “Tea on the veranda?” A familiar low, soothing voice made Ashlynn look up in surprise, drawing a smile from the lips of the dark-skinned man coming down the sunny covered walkway. “Do you drink anything else these days?”

  Ashlynn looked down at the delicate cup in her hands. “A years old habit. Little else calms me as this tea does.” She returned her gaze to her friend. “How are you, Badru? I imagine you and Cavalon are feeling quite restless.”

  “Indeed. May I sit?” She nodded and he took up the other chair at her small table. “Perhaps I should try some of that tea. I have seen Cailin enjoying it as well.”

  Neither of them spoke again for several minutes. The sun was high and there were few clouds on the horizon making it easier to see far beyond the castle grounds. Badru watched a small group of birds as they made their way across the sky, and Ashlynn watched him, curious.

  “You know that neither of you has to stay, right?”

  “We know.”

  “Yet you choose to stay.”

  He fixed her with a calm gaze. “We do.”

  “Why?”

  “We have our reasons.”

  Ashlynn set her cup down. “And what is yours?”

  He took a deep breath in, his good nature dampening as his lips curved downward. “I could go home, certainly, but what use would I be there? The discord concerning Gaels and dragons has not yet reached the Sandlands. My family is still safe. I am of much more use here, where there is imminent danger concerning my kindred. I believe Cavalon feels much the same way.”

  Ashlynn let her attention wander as another subject that needed to be discussed came to mind. “Jaryn and I spoke about...” She paused, pursing her lips. “...a great many things last night. We have decided to call in representatives from every lesser Sinessian kingdom to go over what has been happening. Yes, we had them stand with us during the games, but it is clear that n
ot every lesser royal has a grip on their citizens if lynchings and blood lettings are taking place. They need to know, without any question, where Altaine stands on this issue and that their stance on the matter should be one in the same whether they chose to stand with us or not. We will not tolerate deviance and neither should they.”

  The wrinkles on Badru's brow deepened. “Is that a wise action to take at the moment? How well do you know the lesser royals? Can all of them be trusted?”

  “I know we need to wait until Killian feels it is safe to resume normal activities and that the faces of those who attacked that family are still unknown, but to sit here and do nothing as we have been for the past seven days has made me feel far too helpless. It is time to take control again. This is my country. These people are my people. All of them. If I am not doing everything in my power to protect them, then I do not deserve the crown on my head.” Despite the gravity with which Ashlynn spoke, Badru looked at her with such tender affection that she scowled at him. “What?”

  “You make me miss your mother sometimes.”

  It was impossible not to soften at his words. Looking down, she allowed herself a small smile. “Is that a compliment?”

  “Of the highest kind.” He sighed quietly. “I did not know her as well as most of the others, but your passion, above every other quality you shared with her, is what brings her face to mind. She so desired a world where people, Gaels, dragons...all of them could live in harmony and without fear of one another.”

  “Is it strange to miss her even if I don't remember her?”

  “Not at all.” He took a moment before turning his attention outward once more. “Back to the subject at hand. If my opinion counts for anything, I think you must take great care and caution in whom you invite here for a while yet. You are quite vulnerable, as is your son. Perhaps once we are given our freedom again, it would be better to send out people you can trust as you have done with Rowan, Prince Connor, and Lady Lilia.”

  She gave a pensive nod. “There are seven lesser kingdoms, though one still remains loyal to Braemar and falls to Nuala's rule, despite being on Sinessian ground. I could send Cavalon...”

  “But he will not be sent forth as a messenger,” Badru provided, “and his tongue cannot be trusted if he is met with opposition.”

  “Exactly.” She tapped a finger to her chin. “Jaryn and I will discuss who would be best to send forth. Since we would be hand picking them, I may send them while our gates are still closed. The longer we sit here and wait, the greater the chance of this happening again and word of a purge spreading.”

  “That is the most important thing to keep under control.” He leaned forward in his seat, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked at Ashlynn. “What of your own purge? Are you still so eager to go through with it?”

  Her lips twisted. “I wouldn't say I was ever eager, only that I knew it was necessary.” She sighed through her nose. “There is a large part of me that wants to continue to put it off because of my own fear of the procedure itself. I know what it feels like to die and it's terrifying. If I didn't get close enough to death to lose my Element completely last time, what will it feel like to die enough to sever that tie? And what about Lochlainn? I want to keep him safe and protect him from everything it means to be an Elemental for as long as I can.” She tilted her head. “On the other hand, I worry that pushing the inevitable back even farther would lead to losing the Element all together.”

  “Given enough thought, fear can be found almost anywhere.”

  “I know. Believe me, I know. I talk myself in circles trying to decide upon the best course of action. It's times like this that I wish I could see the future so I could be certain of my choices.” It was also times like these that made her wonder about Brigid, the strange woman who had visited her before. She seemed to have keen insight into the future that Ashlynn didn't understand. The words she'd spoken always sounded like riddles that needed to be figured out. She appeared out of nowhere, and though her honesty always made Ashlynn a little anxious over what was to come, her presence was never anything but calming.

  As far as Ashlynn knew, she was the only one to have spoken with Brigid. Years ago, after the incident at the Isle of Contest, others had seen the pale woman as she brought tea to a weak and bedridden Ashlynn. For whatever reason, she had been unremarkable to Jaryn aside from the way she spoke to baby Lochlainn in such a familiar manner. It made her wonder if the woman was even real at times, or if she was someone only Ashlynn could see.

  “Can I tell you something I haven't told anyone else besides Jaryn?” Badru turned his face toward her, a brow quirked in curiosity. “There's a woman...I've spoken to her only twice. I don't know if she's an angel, someone I can trust, or someone I need to take great care in trusting, but she seems to know things...things that have not yet happened.” Though Badru said nothing, he nodded as though he understood, prompting Ashlynn to continue. “After Zarra died, after I lost my baby and Jaryn left for Ibays, she came to me. It was the middle of the night and I had gone wandering because I couldn't sleep, and when I returned to my rooms, she was there. She made time stop somehow. My girls were asleep in my bed, yet we spoke in normal voices and they did not stir.” Once more he nodded, and Ashlynn narrowed her eyes at him. “You know her.”

  “She has come to me before as well,” he admitted. “Her name is Brigid.”

  “Yes!”

  “I have seen her infrequently myself, but she came to me when I, too, was in despair. It may be that which draws her to us.”

  Ashlynn felt such a relief wash over her, knowing someone else had seen her and that she hadn't just imagined it all. “I have never known anyone as gentle or as kind as she is.”

  “When we spoke of Malevolence and Benevolence that day, I wondered if she was Merrik's opposite.”

  Nodding slowly, Ashlynn pursed her lips. “If he is Malevolence, as we all seem to agree he likely is, it would make sense that his opposite Element would come forth as well.”

  “Cavalon told me of a woman he and Nuala had seen at Bás when they went to explore the city after it had been destroyed. I believe that woman was Brigid.” He sat back in his seat. “I wonder if she has revealed herself to any other Elemental.”

  “I met her only after I had lost my abilities.”

  “But your Element is dormant, not gone. You are still considered to be one of us.” Soft, he added, “You will always be one of us.”

  Ashlynn made no comment but instead suggested, “We should ask Luella and Misuzu if they have seen Brigid.”

  “And Rowan. She may not be able to see, but I am certain if we described her, she would know Brigid instantly if she has met her in the past.” Curious, Badru asked, “What did she say to you?”

  “Goodness...it's been at least five years since I've seen her. I don't remember much of it, but I do remember she said that we would have several years of peace before we would have to worry about fighting again. Perhaps our definitions of 'several' differ, but I was hoping not to have to worry about anything as big as this until my son was a little older.”

  Badru shrugged. “The future is subjective, even to one who has been gifted as Brigid has been. Only the Giver can truly know the future. Though there have been times in history where He has deigned to share a quick glimpse of it with certain individuals, most of the time, the true future is not for us to know. Brigid's visions may come to pass and they may not. I believe she sees the outcome of situations as they stand in present time. Our choices affect and change what she sees, as well as the end result.”

  Ashlynn ran a finger around the rim of her empty teacup. “I wonder what Merrik's gifts are, if he truly is Malevolence. Each opposite pairing of the Elementals has opposing powers. If Brigid can see the future, it stands to reason that he can see the past.”

  “I do not plan on ever getting close enough to him to ask,” huffed Badru. “He is responsible for Nealie's death, as well as Mei Xing and all the others we lost in the battle
here. If I should ever come face to face with him, he will not live long enough to do so much as mutter a single world, let alone answer any questions.”

  “Perhaps we can ask Brigid if one of us ever sees her again.” Badru nodded, silent. Rising to her feet, Ashlynn looked out across the courtyard below, searching for a lighter subject. Men and women in armor patrolled in a constant cycle, making sure every inch of Altaine was guarded. She'd seen Cailin pass by earlier as she trained new castle employees. Killian and Niam made their way slowly across the courtyard on the backs of horses. They appeared to be in the middle of an animated conversation – at least, Niam was animated, Killian looked ahead as they progressed, stoic as ever.

  “So many new people,” said Ashlynn softly. “I cannot express how grateful I am to have Cailin and Killian taking charge of the new guard.”

  “They have good instincts,” Badru agreed, joining her at the wall. “It is well that Killian has found his place here. For a time, we wondered if you would murder him in his sleep.”

  “For a time, I thought I would, too,” she admitted easily. “But like Cai, he has become an integral part of our daily lives.”

  Badru looked from one man to the other. “And what of this young one riding beside him?”

  “I don't know. Jaryn took a special interest in him and invited him back to Altaine.”

  A smirk tugged at the corners of Badru's lips. “Jaryn would not be Jaryn if he did not.”

  “Niam's father is one of the lesser royals and he's been helpful already in bringing us information from his father's kingdom. It is our fortune that he is more loyal to the high kingdom than to a father that has hardly any love for him at all.”

  As though sensing eyes on him, Killian lifted his gaze to where Badru and Ashlynn stood, Niam soon following suit. The younger man gave as deep of a bow as he could manage from the back of his horse, drawing a quiet snort from Killian.

  “What?” Niam asked. “Do you not always bow before your queen?”