Keepers of the Crown

by Lydia Redwine

  Riah’s brow creased. “The Prince?”

  Leviathan nodded. “Our master, the Prince of the Between Realm.”

  “Prince...” Riah echoed as he straightened and turned to face the master of the ship fully. “Tell me why it is that you are the most powerful Shadow Bearer. Is it true? My father said as much, but I always assumed it was because he was terrified of you.”

  Leviathan’s lips twisted into a grin. “And he should have been terrified.” He paused, flicking his eye out over the pitch expanse of water. He laced his long fingers together and began to speak at length. “I did not know my full potential until the Prince found me. I was born on cliff edges bordering this sea to the far east. My parents were both of my race, but not in the normal way.”

  Leviathan paused, his fingers twitching slightly. “They weren’t born into their powers. Gifted, rather. Something that is very rare even among the Shadow Bearers. Possessing both powers of fire and air has made me as powerful as any of the Shedim, and perhaps more with my more innate knowledge of human nature, for I am part human.”

  Leviathan's eyes flicked to Riah, hardened iron in his gaze. “My parents were slaughtered by a group of hunters. Humans. I was young when the Prince took me to his home and trained me to use my powers. For years, I begged to return home. Finally, he allowed me to build my fortress on this sea. We will not be visiting it anytime soon, but it exists. Over the next many years, I align myself with the Shadow Wings and became their appointed lord.”

  “Why ishecalledtheprince,though? Andsince whenhas anyone been ruler over our realm?” Riah interjected. A prince, a ruler...that he didn’t know about.

  “Most of you humans are oblivious to his existence. But Lucius was appointed by Elyon himself to rule this realm. Not the people. But space,” Leviathan replied. “He’s even made himself a crown and has taken an island in the north as his main territory.” A ruler that everyone knew of was one thing, but a ruler who was nearly invisible, however…

  Riah shuddered, not caring one bit that his companion noticed.

  “At the time of Lucius’ making me his ally, I began experimenting with the Infernal Magic and the Markings. I created liquified forms of magic, which, when drunk, marks the person who took the substance. I discovered that my experiment worked when Ilea, as I have told you, was accidentally dosed.”

  Riah allowed silence to pass between them for a long moment. Finally, his lips parted to speak. “I find it strange that you tell all of this to me now as if I were a friend.”

  Leviathan’s sharp laugh sliced the air. “Ihave no friends. I have allies, masters, servants, and armies. You are to be one of the Seven if you succeed. You will then be both a servant and ally. I tell you a portion of my eternal story now so that you may picture the sacrifice it takes to fulfill the destiny you have chosen.”

  “Your parents’ deaths were not your sacrifice.”

  “I sacrificed my innocence when I cut the fingers from the children of those men and stuffed them down their throats. I sacrificed everything when I carved out their eyes and threw them into the sea. My sacrifice was in displaying their bones about the tree they had hung my parents from. And when I brought their heads to the Prince on platters of their own fat…” Leviathan trailed off, his breath coming fast through gritted teeth. He had turned fully on Riah with blazing eyes. “I was fifteen then. Just a babe in my years.”

  Riah held Leviathan’s stare with eyes just as cold. “Our sacrifices come in diverging forms. I have made mine.”

  Leviathan shouted mockingly at him as Riah turned on his heel to stalk away. “And what menial sacrifices have the good prince made?”

  Riah walked slowly back to his cabin. “I never went back for her,” Riah thought. “Andnow she will remain in the forestin her insanity forever. And Saff…” he brushed the thought away and slammed the cabin door behind him. He half hoped that Leviathan had heard his thoughts. His heart thudded with a dull, gradually growing ache as he beheld his painting on the wall. His eyes burned when the tears slid to his cheeks. Angrily, Riah wiped them away. “I vow now to never allowthe past to become my weakness.”

  “In that day Elyon with his great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.”

  -Song of the Watchers

  Eleven

  Cam had always known Silva to still be alive.

  She was a shadow in every corner, at every turn in a maze. “No one actually saw the body. She was clever enough to escape. She should have died.” But she had never imagined her to be a...queen. And her father had destroyed Enboria. “Queen of poison, fitting name. That’s what Fiera will say.” The thought passed through her mind matter of factly, but everything else inside of her was numb with shock. Except the horror now writhing in her stomach.

  “Cam? Are you okay?” Joel asked, his expression full of concern. Cam slumped to the floor, burying her face in her hands. And Mirabelle...was even more in danger than she had first thought it to be.

  “Silva Briar?” Cam forced herself to ask around the stone in her throat.

  Joel shookhishead. “Not Briar. Andel, althoughthat part is normally left out.”

  Cam gripped Joel’s arm as he pulled her up. “Joel…Silva raised me.”

  Joel’s jaw dropped, and he stumbled back against the balcony doors. “Y-you didn’t come from Mirabelle like you said, then?”

  Cam shook her head vigorously. “No, no, we did come from Mirabelle.”

  Joel’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop from their sockets. “H-how…?” Joel faltered.

  “All those years she was gone, remember your father telling me that? She was in Mirabelle!” Her voice rose as her heart thumped wildly. The pieces fell together, but her mind could not decipher reasons. Joel’s fingers gripped at her arm, and he swallowed hard.

  “You can’t tell my father this,” he said quietly, evenly. Cam glances up at him and found that his eyes were now swimming with concern. “Even if you have proof you are from Mirabelle. He must not know.”

  She shivered at the thought as Joel released her arm. “And you will keep this from him?” Cam whispered.

  Joel nodded. “Yes...but, I want to help.”

  “With what?”

  “Whatever quest you’reon. Even ifmy help is getting you out of here before my father learns anything.”

  “We should leave. Soon,” Cam said quickly. “As soon as my sister is better”

  “No,” Joel said sharply.

  Cam’s eyes widened. She edged away from him. “Why not? Why would you keep me here?”

  Joel’s expression softened. “He will suspect. Stay a day or two after your sister is healed. I have more to show you that could help. Possibly.”

  Cam frowned for a moment more, her eyes narrowed at the young man. “Fine,” she breathed. “But I’ll be watching you. And whenever you and I go, Caleb comes too.” But then she thought of Fiera. “I must tell Fiera that she can’t reveal anything.”

  “He will question you when he can,” Joel said, breaking into her thoughts. “He wants Fiera at meal tonight with both you and Caleb.” Cam stiffened. “If you say anything…”

  Joel did not flinch but raised his hands defensively. “I don’t want to say, ‘I’m on your side,’ because, well...that’s what the bad man says but…”

  “But why?” Cam challenged. “You don’t even know us.”

  Joel’s eyes were hungry and swimming with emotion. “I want out.”

  Outside of the tower, was a circle of trees which hung almost

  to the ground. Within this circle was a slab of stone. Belle asked Cam to set it with everything they would need to eat with. “We will have a more celebratory dinner in honor of your sister regaining health,” she said.

  Cam smiled. “Even if Erland is a snake, maybe Belle isn’t…”

  Cam sat between Fiera and Caleb that night with Joel across from her. Candles were lit about
the table due to the slowly sinking sun. While the conversation was mainly small and merry, Erland finally glanced at Cam, Caleb, and Fiera in turn. “Tell me why you left Mirabelle,” he demanded.

  “Mirabelle’s magic is of great curiosity to us,” Caleb said at last.

  “Good answer so far,” Cam thought.

  Erlandfrowned. “Youleft theplace your magic is sourced in order to learn more about your magic?”

  Caleb nodded and maintained a hearty voice. “A group of seven called the Seekers departed from Mirabelle in search of peoplewhomayknowmoreabout magic. Err…peoplewhoknew of the Mineral Magic before settling in Mirabelle.”

  “It feels like months since I’ve been in Mirabelle.” Cam glanced back at Erland. She squeezed her fingers into fists in her lap. Were there even people outside of Mirabelle who knew of their magic? But the blank expressions on the faces surrounding them, Cam thought not.

  “Seven?” Belle asked quietly.

  Cam swallowed. “Four of our group...left us.” Reluctantly, she explained vaguely. “Some of them weren’t dedicated to our cause for the same reasons. So, we split ways.”

  “Where and when did this occur?” Belle inquired, concern now etched into her countenance.

  “A few days ago in the marshlands,” Cam answered.

  She could feel Erland’s steely gaze upon her. When she dared to glance at him, she found his eyes narrowed. “And was she injured in the process?” He motioned toward Fiera.

  Fiera’s brow lifted, and Cam knew she was fighting to hide her disdain. “Yes,” was all Fiera said.

  “And why,” Erland continued with another bite of his food, “Did your companions leave you?”

  Cam hesitated. “Because of...of my reputation in Mirabelle. You see, as I’ve said before, my father is a Spirit Follower, and there are some at home who don’t approve.” Cam fought to keep her voice calm. “Which is true enough.”

  Fiera added in a dry tone, “Their leader is insane, blazing in his ambitions just like my mother.” Cam tried not to wince. She had yet to inform Fiera about Silva. With Fiera still in the house healing with Belle and the children around...she hadn’t wanted to say anything. She had whispered it to Caleb outside the tower.

  “Oh, yes,” he had begun grimly, “Tell our hosts that the daughter of the king that destroyed their entire homeland raised you. Seems smart.”

  “But Fiera…” Cam had protested.

  “Send a letter, Cam,” was all Caleb had said.

  “How?” The question was still bearing down on her. There was no one to send a letter with. And if they returned to Mirabelle now, they could only warn the people. And to do what? Flee? They had no magic and only a small army to protect them.

  Cam was drawn back to the present. “Your mother?” Erland was inquiring.

  Cam reached quickly to squeeze Fiera’s hand. Squeezed it hard enough to almost hurt. Fiera jerked and frowned at her sister. “Yes, our mother who...you know, was...not quite right in the head.”

  Cam tried to breathe. Joel was looking at his plate. “It killed her,” Cam lied with a forced sort of sadness.

  But a new fear was gripping her.

  Silva had weakened Mirabelle on purpose. She would no doubt make an attack. It would make sense that she was the one to damage the magic and power of Mirabelle. She knew where it was. She had been planning on how to destroy it all these years while pretending to be a Realm leader and faithful mother. She aligned herself with Apollyon, not for his schemes, but for her own. A revolt or even a war would weaken Mirabelle further, allowing her more convenience to strike and destroy.

  “I have to send word to Mirabelle,” Cam thought. It was strange that she learned of these schemes first and then ran off to warn her people.

  “If you want more information on your magic,” Erland said at last with an overly long drawn out sigh, “my suggestion would be to travel further south. To the land of the Ferox.”

  Cam’s brow creased, not knowing to whom he referred. “Wildings,” Joel clarified. “They live in the woodlands.”

  “And have more insane notions about magic than even your people,” Erland added dryly. “They’re your only chance. Though, I don’t see why you bother.”

  “Thank you,” Caleb said before Cam could interject. “We will remain a fewdays moreif that is alright with you.” Heforced a smile. “We have found your home...quite pleasant.” Belle smiled, but Erland remained steely-eyed.

  “Perhaps Joel here can give you a tour of the ruins. Many interesting spots are to be found. And if you go to the king’s library, you might find something about magic there.” Even Joel seemed interested in his father’s proposal.

  “Tomorrow morning, if you want,” he said.

  Cam nodded. “Anything to get away from here. But first...I must send word to my father.” She glanced up at Joel. “And you are the key.”

  “So, what exactly is the history of this library? I’ve only heard

  of the ones in Caranthia that they keep locked up,” Caleb said. His eyes were narrowed in his survey of the ruins before them. Cam picked her way over jutting boulders and masses of stone that had once been great structures. Carvings could be seen in some of them. Long forgotten histories, she supposed. The wind was blowing through the stones. It was a quiet wind. One which whispered songs of the ancients that once roamed these lands.

  Joel was ahead of them, his eyes fixated on a structure that stood above the rest. It was intact in a way that most of the others were not. “It was named after the king who built it. Ashurban. He was perhaps one of the first kings of Enboria, and after his death, the library remained locked. Like the ones in Caranthia.”

  “Then how-” Caleb began. Joel finished , “It didn’t open until Andel stormedit. They took most of the works. Including most of the tablets of the epics.”

  Cam’s eyes widened. “The epics...do they truly exist? I’ve seen them referenced in other works but…”

  Joel shrugged. “Ask those in Mingroth. Though some...they still exist in thelibrary. Or, at least, what is left ofit.” The three drew near to the mass of stone that formed a sagging square. “This was once just a part of the castle itself. But the rest fell. For whatever reason, the library stood. Only to decay year after year…”

  A curtain, tattered and torn, was rippling in the breeze. Joel pushed it aside and stepped into the dim interior. Cam ventured too, only to be hit with the musty smell of dust and moisture. She heard a cough, followed by Joel’s voiceoncemore. “It hasn’t been cleaned up in a while, as you can see.”

  “Except I can’t see,” Caleb murmured.

  But Cam’s vision was adjusting. Small, round openings were set high in the interior of the space, allowing dim light to filter through. As her eyes became more accustomed to the darkness, her mouth dropped.

  Most stories she had read had been penned on parchment and bound with leather. Made in Caranthia and Mirabelle and Nazeria. But here…

  Stone tablets littered broken shelves and cracked floors. Decaying trunks overflowed with them. She bent to the floor, her fingers skimming one. The dust shifted beneath her touch as she fingered the carvings. “They’re so faded,” she murmured.

  “So old…” Caleb echoed. And his voice was an echo, for he stood on the other side of the room, his eyes roving the shelves. Caleb turned to Joel who stood with hands in his pockets. “What sort of king was Ashurban?”

  “One I am glad to have never lived under,” Joel said quietly. A peacefulness was about his body, but his features wavered. He shifted. “He was cruel to his people and enemies alike. A brutal warrior who thought literary strength must be attained as much as physical. He believed in a world where the greatest works would be gathered.” Joel waved his hand about the vicinity. “He stole and threatened and ravaged kingdoms to collect these. Only to lock them up forever.”

  Caleb’s brows furrowed. “But if he was king and fought his enemies as I have heard, how did he have time to care about all this? All these
stories.”

  Joel tilted his head, his face pensive. Cam gazed at him from her sitting position on the floor. A tablet was still in her lap. “Because he wasn’t supposed to be king. His brother was, but when his brother died, it became his duty. But before that, he had time to indulge in reading and writing.”

  Cam peered once more at the slab of stone before her. The carvings were unlike anything she had ever seen. Slashes and dots arrayed before her. Figures as harsh as perhaps they had been spoken. But there were more. And the tongues varied. “I suppose if you knew the ancient kingdoms, you could determine which tablets came from where,” Caleb surmised aloud.

  Joel nodded. “He collected songs written to the gods of other places, scripts on healing products and war strategies, incantations, poetry, and, of course, stories.”

  “Were there any good stories left?” Cam asked cheerily.

  Joel smiled. “Yes, some. Like the story of the creature who was half god and half man and befriended a creature they said the gods sent to punish him for being cruel to his people.”

  “Like Ashurban,” Cam said.

  Joel shrugged. “Perhaps that is why Ashurban collected the story. But I doubt he saw his own cruelty.”

  “Isn’t that thestory where thehero goes to find the secret to eternal life?” she asked.

  Joel nodded. “And avoids the advances of a goddess, defeats a wild bull, survives a flood. And more.”

  “Sounds like a neat person,” Caleb said, his lips splitting into a grin. “Like me.”

  Cam shook her head, her lips twitching. “You may have had your heroic moments, Caleb, but they aren't the kind we find on stone tablets hundreds of years later.”

  Caleb shrugged. “How do you know? Hundreds of years have yet to pass.”

  Joel’s laughter rung through the space. It echoed off the walls. Cam couldn't help but smile at the sound.

  “This is neat and all, but this atmosphere makes mewant to curl up and think horrid things,” Cam said at last.