by Zora Marie
As they broke through the trees and thundered past the barn, Zelia realized how much she had missed this place. She thought she would never return here, and now she wished she didn’t have to as she flew past, the icy air stinging her face. They dashed through the town, dodging people here and there. As they climbed the hill to the castle, she clung to Thunder’s mane. Her clothes were stiff with ice and Thunder leapt the stairs to the front gates, bolting through them as they closed. Guards shouted behind him.
“Where is he?” Thunder asked.
“The Throne Room.”
Thunder slowed to a trot as he turned a corner into a majestic hall. Zelia spotted Rogath coming from a side corridor as Linithion, and Skylar approached Yargo’s throne. Adrenaline warmed Zelia, and her shivering subsided.
“Rogath, no! This isn’t you.”
Rogath grabbed Linithion as Zelia bailed from Thunder, slamming into Rogath. They both went sprawling and Rogath sprang on top of her as they came to a stop.
“Zelia? Rogath?” Linithion’s words were breathy as she collapsed to her knees, grasping at her chest.
Time seemed to slow as Zelia fought to dislodge Rogath. She scrambled to Linithion, cradling her. Linithion’s blood burned against her frozen fingers as she tried to stem the bleeding. “No. Help! Yalif! Please!” Zelia screamed, tears streaming down her face. “Just stay with me. I love you. I love you.” She rocked as she repeated the words she hadn’t dared say.
Then Yalif was there, pressing his cloak to Linithion’s wound as someone pulled her away.
“Let them help her,” Skylar whispered as he held her tight.
“No. I… I’m sorry. I never,” something seemed to have snapped back in Rogath and he stumbled over his own words as a guard held him.
“Lock him in his room until we can figure out what is going on,” Yargo commanded.
“Please save her,” Zelia pleaded with Yalif.
“I’ll do what I can,” he assured as he scooped her up. “Yargo, send for my sister.”
Zelia turned to Yargo as he let out a low whistle and a raven flew from the back of his throne and out of the hall. When she looked back to where Yalif had been with Linithion, all that was left was a trail of blood leading deeper into the castle and Zelia shivered, her ice encrusted clothing thawing in the castle’s warmth.
“Find them some dry clothes,” Yargo said. “Zelia, why are you here?”
“I…” she swallowed to stop her shaking voice. “I had to stop him.”
“She’s in the best hands possible,” Skylar whispered as he rubbed her arm, his hold of her having loosened. “We came to warn you and seek your help.”
“You’re an O’Fell?” Yargo asked.
Zelia could feel Skylar nod, and she forced herself to turn away from where they had taken the princess. “They used blood magic to get to Rogath through me and to attack you through me. Vainoff made a block, but it doesn’t always work.”
Yargo edged back from her a little. “Send for Zivu,” he commanded a guard.
“Do you think they’ll save her?”
Yargo turned to her as though to ask who, but he glanced at the blood that stained her hands. “She’s an Elf, so they may.”
She stared down the hall where the blood trailed off. “I would like to be with her when she wakes. If she wakes.” She could feel the tears coming up unbidden and she tried to hold them back.
Zivu studied the trail of blood as she followed it to the throne room, a guard close on her heels. “What’s happened? Why is Rogath locked in his room?”
“He attacked an Elf from Mineria,” Yargo said.
“She is Princess Linithion,” Zelia said.
“What? No, he wouldn’t.”
“I know. They’re using blood magic to manipulate him. To what end I don’t know,” Yargo said.
It was then that a guard returned with clothes for Skylar.
“She still has clothes in her room,” the guard said.
“Do you remember where it is?” Yargo asked Zelia.
Zelia gave a cautious nod. “You left my room?”
“We knew you would return. We just didn’t know it would be so soon or why. Go on, change into something dry and meet us in my study. We’ll talk more there.”
“You can come with me,” Zelia said to Skylar and followed the trail of blood further into the castle. At the end of the first hall she paused, struggling to turn away from the trail of blood and follow the winding halls to the royal chambers. Skylar rested his hand on her shoulder, and she turned to her room. Two guards stood outside of Rogath’s room and she stopped at the door next to his. She paused as she reached for the handle, remembering how she had killed a guard the last time she had been here.
“Are you alright?” Skylar asked.
Zelia nodded as she took a shaky breath. The room seemed to sigh as the door swung open, though she knew it wasn’t because no one else had been there as the room was clean and the bed made. “You can change behind there.” She gestured towards the changing screen, though it was more a formality as they had changed in front of each other on the trail and on the ship. The gold handles of the wardrobe gleamed as she opened the door and to see dresses that hadn’t been there before. She fingered the soft silks and grabbed the one that looked the warmest with its black fur trim.
She wrung her hair out, dropped the belt with her sword, and peeled her boots and socks off as she waited on Skylar to finish. When Skylar came out from behind the screen, tightening his belt around the loose-fitting clothes, she scooped up her clothes and went behind it.
“So, this was your room?” Skylar asked.
“Yes.” She shimmied out of her cold wet clothes and dropped them to the floor, reluctant to discard the familiar Elven garments. She tugged the dry dress over her head and straightened it about herself. It was blue trimmed in gold and the collar was tight around her throat. “Would you tie this?” She asked, turning her back to him.
“A dress?”
“It’s what I have.” She shrugged as he finished and scooped up her belt and sword. With her boots soaked, she opted for a thick pair of socks. She had to be careful to take short steps on the slick smooth stone. She paused at the wardrobe and pulled a warm dress from it. “The study is this way,” she said as she went back the way she had come. She noticed a pair or maids mopping up the trail of blood as she followed it down the hall to the healer’s room. A guard now stood at the door and she stopped in front of him. “Would you give this to Yalif for Linithion? We’re about the same size.” The guard gave her a sorrowful nod as he took the dress. “Thank you.” She stared at the door reluctant to turn from it, but she could feel Skylar waiting behind her. She shook herself and turned to continue down the hall. Another guard stood watch outside the study, and he nodded to them as they entered the room.
Zivu’s foot tapped as she read a great tome that sat on a table near the fireplace. Yargo sat on the couch, watching her, his worry etched across his features. Skylar cleared his throat as he entered, ensuring they knew he was there though Zelia had no doubt they already knew. Zelia crossed the room and sat on the edge of the seat closest to the fire, the warmth blowing from it in waves. Part of her wanted to use her powers and chase the chill from her core faster, but if there was any chance Xander didn’t know she was here, she wanted to keep it that way. Skylar took the seat next to her and Yargo’s gaze shifted to him.
“Tell me what is going on,” Yargo said.
“We confirmed our suspicions that Xander was using blood magic to manipulate Zelia. We also learned that he plans to bring back his wife, a late member of the Guild. He’s been playing this game for centuries, going so far as to create Zelia, and now we don’t know how to stop him. It would seem he wants to kill you, Zivu, and Fregnar so there will be no one to stop him from releasing the dead.”
“The fool.” Ze
lia jumped as Zivu slammed the tome closed and spun on her heels. “He is using forbidden magic. I should have recognized it the day you brought Zelia home.” She paced for a moment before sinking onto the couch next to Yargo.
“Do not blame yourself, dear. We all should have investigated further, but what is done is done. How can we stop them and keep them from doing more harm?”
Zelia fidgeted as she scooted back in the seat, pulling her sock covered feet beneath her. She wasn’t sure what all was needed, but some part of her felt as though she might be a part of what needed undone. If Linithion survived, she had promised she would try to stay here with her.
“We must dismantle the Guild,” Zivu said. “There is no other way, and anyone beyond their normal lifespan will perish.”
“Vainoff,” Zelia breathed his name, but they all looked to her.
“He will not oppose this so long as we don’t leave Mineria undefended. I believe he knew this would be the outcome when he helped us get here,” Skylar said.
Zelia nodded, she knew he was right, but part of her still felt it was wrong. Even when she hadn’t trusted him, he had helped her.
“It is settled then. The Guild is finished. We will gather warriors to station across Mineria until we can put something more permanent in place,” Yargo said. “In the meantime, we need a messenger to send to Fregnar so he will be on guard. That said, I do not have anyone who can go to him and come back at the moment. His people have all returned to him.”
“We have someone, but he hasn’t been there before,” Skylar said.
“Nikolas is in no shape to go anywhere,” Zelia said.
“Nikolas?” Yargo asked.
“He’s a wolfblood, but he is also Fregnar’s son.”
“He has another son?” Yargo asked.
“Leave it for later,” Zivu warned. “What’s wrong with him, dear?”
“Crossing the sea didn’t do him any favors,” Skylar said.
“If that is all that ails Nikolas and he is Fregnar’s son, Fregnar will probably renew him before he sends him back here.”
“I will have Lumid bring him here then and I will have a letter drawn up,” Yargo said.
“I best be the one to bring him here, he has been a bit... nippy lately,” Skylar said.
Zelia elbowed him for his jest.
“I would have you both go to tell them, but...” Yargo trailed off.
“I’m not leaving without Linithion,” Zelia said.
“I thought as much.”
“May I go see how she’s doing?”
“They will let us know,” Yargo assured.
“In the meantime, I need some of your blood to create a block for Rogath.”
“How much?” Zelia asked.
“I will not know until I get started. I will send for you when I’m ready.” Zivu rocked to her feet and left the room.
“So, do I have to go back through the pond?” Skylar asked.
The corners of Yargo’s lips twitched as he held back a smile. “You could, but Lumid can send you back with the bridge. When you are ready to come back just ask, he will be listening.”
“Why couldn’t we have just done that before?” Skylar asked Zelia.
“Because Lumid was not listening for you and she feared Rogath and Xander finding out,” Yargo answered.
Zelia nodded, but she thought she may have been more afraid of the emotions Rogath had been pushing on her than anything. Now, she realized that was not what she should have been fearing as dread gripped her gut, turning her stomach as Linithion lay dying just down the hall. She wanted to lash out with her powers, to make someone pay. But there was no one, and she couldn’t. Skylar seemed to sense the emotions that stirred in her as he laid a hand on her shoulder.
It was then that a guard entered the study.
“Um, the stable boy just bought an Elf up from the pond.”
Yargo rubbed a hand over his face. “Send him in.”
“Donequen would like to come as well, he’s the stable boy sir.”
“Yes, yes, I know who Donequen is. He is a fine young man, send them in.”
Zelia sat up at the mention of the name. He had become a dear friend during her time here. Worry gripped at her again, feelings that still rolled off Rogath causing her to question if he would hate her for leaving as Rog did.
As soon as Donequen stepped into the doorway, catching sight of her, he ran up to her, pulling her to her feet and into a hug. “I thought I’d lost you.” He tensed in her grasp as he remembered where he was. Pulling back, he rubbed his hands over his pants. “Yargo, thank you for letting me come in.” He gave a quick bow. “When I saw Thunder go running past the barn with a rider, I wondered what was going on. By the time I got a horse saddled up, Alrindel came walking across the snow.”
Alrindel’s steps were stiff as he walked to the fireplace, his clothes and cloak crunching with every move. He held Zelia’s frozen cloak in his hands and dropped it by the fire. “I don’t think I’ve seen you move so fast before,” Alrindel said, a shiver going down his spine as he warmed himself by the fire. “Where’s Linithion?”
“Rogath…” Zelia fought back the tears that welled in her eyes and Yargo stood, taking her in his arms.
“We are doing everything we can for her.”
She shook as she fought back the sob that welled just below the surface.
“What happened?” Alrindel asked.
“My son attacked her. She is with our best healers now, healers even better than your father.”
Zelia wiped her tears as she stepped away from Yargo and kept the chair between herself and him. “You shouldn’t be so close to me, that may be what Xander wants.”
The guard entered the room, a bundle of clothes in his arm. “At this rate the men will be naked or smelly tomorrow, but here are some dry clothes for the Elf.”
“Thank you,” Alrindel said, though he was reluctant to leave the warmth of the fire.
“You can change in my room, I’ll show you where it is,” Zelia said.
By the time she had shown Alrindel to her room, a guard appeared, a light crust of snow on the edges of his cloak. “Zivu is ready for you,” he said, and she followed the guard, leaving Alrindel to change.
The guard handed her a cloak and a pair of boots before they went out the side door of the castle. He led her to the open air pavilion where Zivu trailed a finger around the rim of the podium. As Zelia drew near, she realized that where there had been water in the podium before, now there was blood. Warmth radiated from the podium and Zelia felt the knot in the pit of her stomach tighten.
Zivu held out a hand to her, a dagger in her other hand, a bandage wrapped around it. When Zelia hesitated, Zivu flicked her fingers up in a gesture for her to come closer without breaking her silent chant.
You have to do this. For Rogath, Zelia thought, and put her left hand in Zivu’s before she could hesitate again. She flinched as the blade made a shallow cut across her wrist.
Only a few drops of blood fell into the basin and Zivu chanted a little louder, seeming to test the strength of the spell she fought. Zivu stopped and set the dagger on the edge of the podium as she shook her head.
“It needs too much. He knew I wouldn’t—” she broke off, shaking her head.
“No, take as much as you need. If I die, I’ll just come back, but if you do nothing, who will Rogath attack next?”
“We’ll have him guarded,” Zivu said.
“What if he hurts himself? Even if I take a century to come back, I would rather be trapped like that than live knowing I could have saved someone else.” Tears welled up in Zelia’s eyes and she wiped them away with the back of her hand. “But can I see Linithion first?”
Zivu nodded. “I need to speak with Yargo first either way.”
When she returned to the castle,
Zelia found Skylar and Alrindel speaking in a hall.
“What’s wrong?” Alrindel asked, wiping an errant tear from her cheek.
“The spell will take too much. I think Zivu believes it will kill me, or at least it might.”
“So, she won’t do it, right?”
Zelia shook her head. “She wasn’t, but I told her to. I just want to see Linithion first, see that she’ll be okay.” Another tear rolled down her cheek, and she fought the urge to turn and cover her face. Alrindel wrapped her in a hug, and the soft tap of Skylar’s feet echoed down the hall. The fast but even pattern of his step told her he sought to speak with Yargo.
Part of her knew she should try to stop him, but she couldn’t stop the flow of tears. While she feared being trapped, she feared losing Linithion even more. Her mind played twisted tricks on her, making her question if Linithion would even still be there for her when she came back, even if she lived. She hugged her own chest as she choked back a sob, the movement causing her ribs to pull at the metal plate.
With her chest aching, she pulled herself back together. She wanted to see Linithion, but she refused to worry her if she was awake by being a mess. Again she wiped the tears from her face and pulled away from Alrindel. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be, everyone breaks now and then,” Alrindel said, his own words a little strangled as he too held back tears. “No one blames you.”
“It’s not that. I’m sorry I promised we were past this and now I’m turning around and throwing myself at death’s door.”
“I understand, but we need to think this through. Is there any other way?”
“Not that I can see.”
Alrindel nodded and blinked the tears from his eyes. “Go see Linithion, I’ll go talk with Skylar and make sure he isn’t doing anything irrational.”
Zelia forced herself to smile, to repress the emotions long enough to see Linithion. “That would be good. I’ve seen Yargo fight, Skylar wouldn’t last a minute.” The truth in the joke made her feel better as she turned to Yalif’s room.
The guard let her enter the healer’s chambers and an Elf who had to be Yalif’s sister sat slumped in a chair against the wall drained from whatever magic she had used. Yalif was gathering blood soaked rags and tossing them into the hearth. “She’s stable for now,” he said it with his back turned so she couldn’t read his features.