Glancing around the room a second time, I realized she wasn't with us.
As if reading my thoughts, Daciana said, “Celestria left several days ago. She's in Belsgar fighting Aldemund... or so we hope.”
Before I could further question her whereabouts, Alaire's body started jolting. Daciana jumped up, attempting to work her powers on him. Her hands swirled furiously in the air as she concentrated, but then Alaire stopped moved altogether. He was entire motionless, and my eyes lowered to his chest. I didn't see any movement, but Daciana lowered her hand to his neck and closed her eyes. I waited for her to say something, and when she did not I assumed the worst. How could I let it happen all over again?
“You have to do something. Please...anything?” I begged, holding my hands tightly together enough so that I could feel my bones.
She dropped her head, and along with it she might as well have sunk my heart. There was a lump in my throat, and all I could do was shake my head. I kept thinking that this was a mistake; someone would pay for this accident. Then I thought of Celestria and how her bright green eyes would cloud up at the sight of Alaire. She had already lost her sister, and now I would have to tell her we lost one of our last allies.
“Help...” a quiet voice squeaked.
Daciana and I glanced up to see Alaire with his arm extended out to anyone who would take it. Immediately, Daciana sat beside him and pushed his upper body up so that he was lying against her shoulder.
“I cannot explain it, but no amount of medicine, herbs, or magic could have saved him. His body was cold when I touched him; there wasn't any pulse I could feel,” Daciana said, looking down at Alaire in confusion.
“Where's Celestria?” he asked in a husky voice.
Holding my breath, I waited for Daciana to explain. The lump in my throat still felt like it was pressed firmly against my voice box, taunting me to speak so that I would choke on my own words.
“As far as we know she has remained in Belsgar. Emeria returned a few days ago after suffering brutal injuries, but since then there has been no word from Celestria,” Daciana said calmly, though there was no mistaking the frown across Alaire's face.
“What's in Belsgar?” I asked once silence filled the room again.
At that, Alaire attempted to sit up on his own but quickly fell back into Daciana's arms. He seemed weak, and while I wasn't one to believe in miracles this may be the one exception.
“Aldemund,” Alaire answered, sounding more like himself.
The one name I dreaded, the name I had learned to fear: Aldemund. Alaire's horrified expression said it all, and I couldn't grasp the thought of that beautiful redhead facing a menacing man like Aldemund. No one had to say anything; my mind was already made up. I would go to Belsgar and bring back Celestria before anyone else was injured. Though I had never been to Belsgar, I knew the stories as well as any magician. It was risky, but if Celestria could do it then so could I.
“I have to find her,” I said. Daciana offered a disapproving glance, and at that I added, “Do not patronize me; I know the dangers, but I also know the woman you've sent there. I have lost many, and I'm not about to lose anymore.”
Sighing, Daciana responded, “Muta hasn't left yet; he can take you.”
“Me too,” Alaire coughed.
There was a sense of loneliness in his tone, and I wondered how long he had laid in this bed, fighting for his life. I did not know what Celestria meant to him, but she had saved his life and for that I was grateful. The world was a different place, and with each passing day it threatened to consume magic as we knew it. There was no telling if five Dark magicians could keep our race alive, but I'd rather die fighting than cowering away.
Raising her voice, Daciana remarked, “The fact that you're alive is a miracle I cannot explain. Until I am certain that you're well, I would prefer that you stay here.”
As much as I wanted Alaire to join me, I agreed that his well-being was more important. I would be facing Aldemund on my own, and from how I remembered Celestria's skills, I wasn't certain that her presence would be reassuring.
Stepping closer to the bed, I patted Alaire's back.
Glancing up, he said, “Bring her back to me.”
I repeated those words in my head as I walked out of the room. A black cat was waiting, whom I assumed was Muta. The creatures were far more intelligent than we could comprehend, thus I stood still and let the cat take action. For an instant I looked back into Alarie's room, noticing his pain-filled eyes, and then in a flash it was all gone. The world seemed to be spinning in front of me, but the sudden pain that ran up my spine was a reminder that this was no ordinary traveling experience. There had been rumors several years ago that a muta was the most dangerous way to travel, but they were confirmed safe in moderation.
Abruptly I fell, and when I raised my head from the ground I saw we had arrived. Once I stood up I approached the guards, though they were already deeply involved in conversation. There was mentioning of the Council's annual meeting, and in the distance there were groups of magicians leading the way. Celestria was in the crowd somewhere...unless she had already encountered Aldemund.
Chapter Eighteen
Anchor Over Me
Once I was allowed past the guards, I caught up with the crowd of magicians. There was no time to search for Celestria, and my only hope was being able to find Aldemund before he discovered her. At times the magicians slowed down, but I worked my way past them and remained on task. All the while the small, black cat followed behind me. I didn't expect for him to understand why we were here, yet he stayed close by every step of the way.
Slowly, everyone piled into a courtyard. I could already see the Council at the front, standing in front of a worn down shack. Esmour had always told stories about Belsgar, but it wasn't until now that I realized how shockingly accurate his words had been. Five of the highest ranking magicians stood in front of their alliance, having the ability to send men to war with the snap of their fingers. Of the four men at the front, I was certain I had spotted Aldemund. He had dirty blonde hair and a simple tunic and pants, but he looked strikingly close to Esmour's age.
Turning to a middle-aged man next to me, I asked, “Who are the Council members? I'm not familiar with them.”
“Aldemund, Christopher, Fayth, Ioan, and Petru. You're new here?” he responded.
I faintly nodded, though I was already starting to regret having come without a plan. Christopher was Aldemund's pet, the one who didn't mind a bit of blood on his hands. While I had not met any of them before, I doubted that Celestria had any idea what kind of magicians she was up against.
“Everybody please settle down. Settle down,” Aldemund called out, though the crowd did not silence.
For the slightest moment it seemed like Aldemund was staring directly at me, but then he looked away and started his speech. While he spoke I glanced around at the unfamiliar faces, seeking any sign of Celestria. Suddenly everyone became silent, and then a voice at the front of the crowd spoke.
“Very well said, Aldemund,” the woman's voice said.
Every head turned, and in their minds they were trying to make sense of who the woman was. No one recognized her, but I knew that voice and the fancy dress did not fool me. Celestria laughed at Aldemund's silence like she had already won half of the battle.
His glare was deadly as he said, “I was informed that you were alive, but I thought it was impossible.”
Celestria took a step forward, and I winced at the thought of what he might do to her. It was clear to me now that we wouldn't be able to leave without a fight.
“If you move any closer...” Aldemund began.
Then she advanced again, and I was as shocked as everyone else. When I thought there was nothing else she could do to make it worst, Celestria slapped Aldemund across the face. His cheek turned red, and at the sight of his smirk, I began pushing my way past the magicians in front of me. A majority of them were already backing away, but I could see Aldemund
and Celestria had begun fighting. Now carrying Muta in my hands, I moved quickly through the crowd. I came to an abrupt stop when a woman blocked my path, and the moment I noticed her masculine attire I recognized her. I had hoped that what Esmour told me a year ago had been false information, but there was no doubt that Jacquette was standing in front of me.
“Leal?” she asked with wide eyes and a quivering voice.
“It really is you,” I said, instantly recognized her voice. “You ought to be ashamed to show your filthy face around here.”
Grabbing her arm, I attempted to push her away while shouting Celestria's name.
“I'm not intimidated by you anymore. I will not let you pass,” Jacquette said, slapping my hand away.
“Do you know who runs? Cowards, Jacquette, and that is all you'll ever be remembered as. Look at you, fighting alongside your enemies as if you belong here. You're a mutt with everywhere to hide but no one to care,” I shouted.
Though most of the magicians were a safe distance from the fight, there were more than several who were still being pushed back by a white haired man. There was also another man who had joined the fight, and Aldemund watched with a ruthless smile while Celestria struggled to stay alive. Despite the years I spent listening to stories about Aldemund, I decided I would no longer allow him to frighten me. He was a mortal man; all it took was the right magician to kill him. With that in mind, I dashed past Jacquette while she was distracted talking to the others. I ran into the fight to save a woman I barely knew.
***
The moment I awoke a strange sensation rushed through my body. All I could remember was Aldemund's voice, and then suddenly I had hit the ground. Upon opening my eyes, I could make out the figure of a man. At first I could not recognize him, but once my vision returned I was horrified. Aldemund pushed a frail body beneath him further into the water. The woman was drowning; air bubbles reached the surface as he cackled. Without a second thought, I leaped up and pointed at him.
“Your quarrel is with me, Aldemund,” I said. Though I was still weak, I refused to think about anything but Celestria's safety.
Bring her back to me. Alaire's voice echoed in my head, reminding me of how vulnerable he had been in that bed.
Aldemund twisted his neck around and glared at me. “Oh no, not quite yet. First the beauty dies, and then you have your turn.”
The blood in my body boiled at his every word. Caring less to look at him, I stared down at Celestria. Her body twitched, her arms flailed, but her screams could not be heard. No morals could have stopped me from my next action. Aldemund deserved exactly what I would give him.
“Cirdel lelimer,” I shouted at the top of my lungs.
He grabbed his throat and keeled over, releasing Celestria's body. The blue energy from my dagger illuminated his entire body, and then the darkness began to fade. I approached with caution to be certain that the spell had done its duty. His skin was a hideous gray, and his eyes were rolled back into his head. Stepping over Aldemund, I rushed over to Celestria, who was floating with her head below the water. Quickly, I knelt down beside her and pulled her body up to the surface. She gasped, clutching onto my tunic so tightly that I felt her nails scrapping against my chest.
“Celestria... Oh god...” I whispered in her right ear.
She continued blinking, though I wasn't convinced that she understood anything. Drips of blood leaked from her ghostly-white lips, appearing like she had been drained of everything in her body.
“Stay with me. I'll find you help, dove, even if it's the last thing I do,” I said.
It occurred to me that we were still in the water, but I couldn't bear the thought of moving. Her eyes seemed to be searching for something, yet she looked lost. Abruptly her head dropped, but I carefully held it up with my hand.
“Can you hear me, Celestria?” I asked, caressing her wet neck with my free hand. I gasped, realizing burn marks on her neck and shoulder. My hands shook, and the memory of Rahela's death haunted my mind. Celestria's injuries were far worse than any minor ones I suffered, but I would not lose her now that she was in my arms.
Standing up, I kept my arms around Celestria. Her body was soaked, but there was no comfort I could give her. Muta sat patiently a few feet away, though his eyes darted across the battlefield.
“It'll be okay; I won't let them hurt you,” I whispered, and then whistled for Muta to come along.
As I dragged my feet toward the crowd, a vast amount of sparks lit up one by one above the hands of Fire magicians. Everyone gasped and murmured at the sight of Aldemund, and when I glanced back I realized Christopher lay motionless on the ground as well. I had almost forgotten about him up until now, but he was no threat to us.
Pulling Celestria closer to my body, I said, “Oh god, oh god, oh god...”
There were too many White magicians, and Celestria's life was hanging by a thread. I was no doctor, but I had seen injuries like hers before on the bodies of dead men. I couldn't afford to battle anyone; I had to take her back to Daciana. Looking down at her, I saw her blink and then her eyes close altogether.
“Celestria!” I shouted, feeling clumsily against her neck for a pulse. I could not feel anything, but before I could try again there was another voice.
“He's dead! Aldemund is dead!”
I stopped and shifted my feet slowly. Of all of the people to rush to Aldemund's side, it had been Jacquette. No one asked about Christopher's condition, but the water was gone, which could only mean he was dead as well.
Focusing my attention on the path ahead of me, I started walking again. The crowd grew silent, staring at me. Muta ran ahead of me and then sat in a spot away from the other magicians, seemingly suggesting that he was ready to take us away. Before I joined him I faced the White magicians.
“I killed Aldemund. I killed him because everyone here was too weak to do it. If you want someone to blame, come find me. I promise you, though, this is only the beginning. And if anyone ever touches Celestria again, they will feel the sting of my blade,” I said, though my hands shook.
Then with a nod, I advanced to Muta. No one stopped me, though it occurred to me that any of them could have easily killed me. Their frowns and pitiful stares told their own stories, but I did not care for their pity. Muta circled around me, I stared into the dark eyes of the magicians, and then in a flash the strange lights returned me to Grefin's manor.
I arrived standing inside of Alaire's room. Daciana rushed to me, and then suddenly the words struck me. I had killed Aldemund.
“Celestria!” Alaire's voice broke my concentration.
Despite his condition, Alaire limped to where I stood. He used a cane, but he seemed to have confidence when he moved and looked livelier than when I had first arrived.
“Place her on the bed, Leal. Let me see her injures,” Daciana ordered. She placed her hand on my back and guided me toward the bed.
“Is she dead? What happened?” Alaire started panting.
“Alaire, sit down before you hurt yourself again. And you sir,” she snapped, pointing at me, “Don't move a muscle; I'll need to examine you as well.”
Then she helped me place Celestria on the bed still covered in sweat and blood from Alaire. Celestria lay there motionless with her soaked red hair surrounding her deathly pale face.
Daciana started feeling Celestria's neck and said, “Now tell me what happened.”
I gulped, fully aware that Alaire's eyes remained focused on me now that he sat in the chair beside the bed. He stared at me with his jaw hanging open like I was the one to blame for the harm that had fallen upon her.
“Well... I was fighting one of Aldemund's men, and then Aldemund used a spell that knocked us out. Once I was awake again I realized... Aldemund was drowning Celestria with his own magic,” I explained.
Alaire closed his eyes, shuddering.
“Gentlemen, she's in critical condition. She's still breathing, but she would be dead if she had been under a minute longer.” Daciana m
oved her fingers from Celestria's neck and examined her shoulder.
“Will she l-live?” Alaire asked through gritted teeth.
I saw another drip of blood stream down Celestria's chin. Perhaps Alaire had a right to be upset; if I had been faster...
“If she is able to recover she'll need a stable environment. While I could try to heal her, I'm the only one here with a medical background until Grefin returns. Is there somewhere else she can stay where she'll be safe? With a healer?” Daciana asked. The lines under her eyes were showing again, reminding me all too much of the appearance she had at the thought of Alaire dying.
“I have a healer in Neutadt; she could stay at my house, but the journey—”
She cut me off. “I'll do what I can here, but I'm not risking anything major until she's somewhere stable. There is too much room for error.” Then she added, “The two of you can wait in the hallway.”
“I'm staying here,” Alaire said.
“Not if you have any respect for this girl. I'll need to examine her entire body,” Daciana replied. Looking at me, she asked, “Do you have any wounds?”
“Nothing too serious. I can wait,” I responded, rubbing my aching arm.
I patted Alaire on the shoulder, gesturing that we exit the room. He didn't say anything to me but followed behind nonetheless.
The instant the door closed behind us Alaire pinned himself against the wall. I could hear him sobbing, but I understood the pain he felt. I couldn't even mention Aldemund's death, seeing as I had not grasped the reality of it yet. He had deserved to die for everything he had taken away from us: Rahela, Jacquette, and now Celestria. Now that he was dead I would not let death steal Celestria away.
Letting out a sigh, at last I said, “I killed Aldemund.”
Shadows and Embers Page 14