Shadows and Embers

by Lindsey Richardson

  "You can't, Leal. If you kill him the White magicians win. We will be exactly what they say we are: monsters," Celestria said, attempting to pull me away.

  Resisting, I gazed at her while watching Christopher in the corner of my eye. "Doesn't he deserve it for what he did to you?"

  She shook her head. "This isn't the way. When you killed Japhet in Belsgar Aldemund proved that violence is in our nature. If you do that again to a man who has surrendered, what are you proving? Please, I beg of you, walk away from this."

  I focused on Christopher, but everything Celestria said was true. We could have been dead by now, but it seemed our opponent held true to his intentions. Even so, I didn't know if I had the strength to lay down my weapon. As if reading my mind, Celestria removed my fingers from the dagger and took it. I realized she was allowing Christopher to walk away without any harm, and for a brief second I wondered if I was a monster for not being able to understand her mercy. Christopher picked up his weapon, turned around, and started walking away further into the forest. Then Celestria wrapped her arm around mine and headed for home. While she might have saved me from making a mistake, nothing could stop the effect Christopher's words left behind. The entire way home I remained silent, worrying that someone was waiting at the house for us.

  I am a monster. I thought, shuddering.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Heroes and Villains

  The world is made up of heroes and villains, but sometimes the two forces collide together. I wasn't certain that I knew where I stood anymore. All that kept me going was Celestria; she was always a light even in the darkest of times. I had to hold myself together for her sake, for the sake of our lives depending on it. Only a sliver of hope was left by the time we reached the house that she did not see me as a ruthless killer. Regardless of her opinion, she handed me the dagger and then opened the front door and stepped inside.

  Alaire was waiting at the bottom of the staircase, though his head was lowered and did not move upon our entrance. My first concern was that someone had entered into the house, but there were maids nearby carrying on with their normal routines. All the same, Celestria rushed toward him and knelt down. After a few moments she giggled and turned her head in my direction.

  "He's asleep," she whispered.

  I chuckled, but now was hardly the time to relax. Christopher knew where we were, and he was expecting us to stay in town. In one too many ways he had the advantage. Everyone in town knew Alaire and I, and they might become suspicious if we were to leave again. On the other hand, though, I had already been warned to leave the area. We were at more of a risk staying than leaving.

  "Wake him up," I murmured.

  She tapped him gently, and once Alaire's eyes were open the first person he looked to was Celestria. He offered a weak smile, though his eyes were still adjusting.

  "The lake was a trap. We were attacked by Christopher," I said, keeping my voice low so the maids wouldn't hear us.

  Alaire's cheeks turned white. "Good god, are you all right? Was anyone injured?"

  "We're fine, but Christopher..." I paused, searching for the right words.

  "Got away," I finished, glancing over at Celestria.

  "Do you think he knows that I'm here?" he asked.

  Celestria raised her brow, and I assumed she had not been informed of Alaire's past with our enemy.

  Cautiously, I explained, "Christopher had offered to work with Alaire at one time. The partnership fell through because Christopher was only seeking information to report back to Aldemund."

  "And you never thought to tell me this?" Celestria asked, facing him with her arms crossed.

  "I never knew you and Christopher would face each other. I'm sorry," he replied.

  She seemed unconvinced, but Alaire wasn't ready to give up. In a more firm voice he said, "It is impossible for me to tell you about everything I've experienced and everyone I've met prior to you. You understand that, don't you?"

  At her silence I took the opportunity to say, "I don't think Christopher knows of your whereabouts. Our priority should be finding out where Christopher is. He must have settled somewhere near here."

  Then an idea struck me. I could leave town for a day or two to track down our enemy while Celestria and Alaire stayed behind. They could watch over the house, and it would also give them time to search Esmour's house more thoroughly. Rostland had found the ring, which meant there could be more that we had missed. I shared my idea out loud, and after everyone agreed, I darted upstairs to pack for the trip. When I entered my room Muta was pacing. I had wondered when he might decide to leave us, but he laid beside the dresser and closed his eyes. I smiled at him; even with powers, he acted as normal as any other cat. Rummaging through the room I found a sack that I could place necessities in. As I searched for items I also grabbed a dagger and a gem from my father's belongings. Perhaps someone could explain the gem's significance to me. There were allies I had in neighboring towns who supported the Dark magicians since someone in their family had once practiced Dark magic.

  Placing the last few items in the sack, I turned around and realized Alaire was standing in the doorway.

  "You'll be returning with me in a day?" he asked.

  Nodding, I replied, "Two days at the most."

  He looked off into the distance, but I didn't know what he was expecting from me. Instead I started walking to the door until his body got in the way and stopped me.

  "Celestria doesn't need another person leaving her life. She's lost her parents, the man she once loved, and almost her own sister. Remember to come back for her," Alaire said.

  "I have no intentions of abandoning either of you. Stay safe, friend," I reassured him.

  Seemingly satisfied, he moved aside and we parted our separate ways. As I made my way downstairs I focused on the task ahead of me. Obtaining information about Christopher would not be easy, and there was chance that if our paths crossed again I would not be returning as soon as I promised. Even so, I was curious to discover what kind of army our enemies were raising. Descending further down the staircase, I noticed Celestria, though her attention was on a vase full of flowers. I considered saying something to her, but remembering Alaire's words, I decided against it. There was no point in saying goodbye when I would be coming back. With one last glance at her I continued forward and opened the front door. There was already a horse waiting outside for me, which I supposed Alaire had requested from one of the servants.

  "Here we go," I sighed, chuckling afterward. I hadn't left yet, and I was already talking to an animal. Perhaps it wasn't the wisest choice to go alone, and though I wondered if Rostland would join me, I couldn't afford to risk it. He still had yet to prove his loyalty, and walking near enemy territory was not the time or place I wanted to test him. There was no doubt he could help us if he truly intended to, but for now he would have to wait.

  With my mind made up, I mounted the horse, gave him a gentle kick and began the journey ahead of me. My father's dagger, which now laid in my sword carrier, oddly enough made me feel a bit safer. If Papa could see the magical world now, what would he think of it? It certainly wasn't what it had once been, and even the humans seemed to have realized that over the years. Just when one power-hungry leader died another rose, and I feared above everything that Christopher had become Aldemund or perhaps someone worst. All the while I kept my focus on the dirt path ahead of me, the one that would lead me away from my hometown once again. I had decided that first I would travel through the forest in the direction Christopher had gone after our battle. The further I traveled from the house, the more I thought about everything I was leaving behind. Though I could not explain it, it felt like that night Alaire and I decided to leave town. Now I was leaving behind the two people I trusted the most, and there was a nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach that if I didn't return I would fail them. Death was no longer a choice; it was a cloaked figure that followed us everyone. One wrong step, one wrong word, and there it was waiting
to take us in its our arms and claim our soul.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Hunting the Prey

  The men in the tavern acted like animals; all raging with a hunger in their eyes. They were gulping down drinks and devouring food as if they had starved for years. However, all of that changed when the door opened and Christopher stepped inside. His men lowered their drinks, though several of them took longer than others. He was aware that their attention was on him now, and just as he expected they had waited for his return. He didn't have to tell them what happened during the fight; the details were of no importance. This was an army he was raising, a war he was ending, and no one would stand in his way. That included the vengeance-seeking magician he had just faced.

  Walking slowly through the tavern, he glanced past the faces for a sign of Jacquette. She was somewhere among the fools, and right now she was the only person he had any interest in speaking with. He wanted to declare war against the Dark magicians as he was standing beside her that way she knew there was no turning back. Loyalty had nothing to do with it; all he had to do was persuade her with a touch or an emotionless kiss on the lips, and she would do exactly as he bid. It was a shame women were such simple-minded creatures, but then again it also made war and love easier to use against one another. After walking past several more tables, he spotted the brunette beauty at a table by herself. Her eyes were swollen underneath, and the closer he stepped the more noticeable her dry lips became.

  “Hello beautiful,” he said, sitting down in the chair across from her at the table.

  Her head sprung up and the light from the candles lit her eyes. She gleamed at him as though suddenly every worry in the world had disappeared.

  “You've returned,” she remarked, sounding relieved. Then with a frown, she added, “Did everything go as you planned? Did Leal meet with you?”

  Cautiously, Christopher changed the subject. “Have I told you how beautiful you are? The moment I left I longed to be with you again. I could not bear leaving you once more, my love, and so I must ask something of you.”

  For a moment she hesitated, and then in a quieter voice she said, “Ask anything of me.”

  The men in the background were murmuring quietly to one another, but there were too many different voices to differentiate between them. However, they were patient in waiting for their mission, and Christopher was pleased that he had control over the situation. It would only be a few minutes longer that they would have to wait, and afterward their true work could begin.

  “Join us in war. The Dark magicians have killed our beloved ones: Aldemund, Fayth, and Japhet are just a few among the hundreds. Come fight with me, and I promise that after the war is over we can live any life that we please,” Christopher purposed, extending out his hand to touch hers.

  “You don't have to finish what Aldemund started. We can leave this behind us now,” she said, though her voice shook.

  He slid his hand away and folded his arms. “Aldemund didn't start this. The war started centuries ago with the first magicians, and now is our time to strike when the Dark magicians are weak.”

  Annoyed with her silence, he tried a more gentle approach.

  “If it were my decision I would start a life with you far away from this madness, but you know as well as I that we do not have such a luxury. I want to protect our people, to stop this bloody war before any more magicians are born into it. Please don't make me beg you,” he said.

  At last she nodded and responded, “I'll stand behind you if this truly be the last war we must face against them.”

  As soon as she was quiet again Christopher stood up and faced his men. They returned their attention to him, and any worries he had minutes ago were gone. This war was theirs, and so long as they fought with their full strength it would be impossible to lose. Even so, Christopher knew there was a risk to overconfidence, but he rested his faith in the trap he had laid for Leal. That boy had enough rage built up from over the years to turn him against everyone he cared about. It was risky to have that much anger with the magic he obtained, and thus far it seemed no one was noticing the warning signs that sooner or later Leal could lose control over his magic.

  Clearing his throat, Christopher addressed the group of men awaiting him. “Gentlemen, on the behalf of the Council I declare war on the Dark magicians. I urge you to spread the word among to our allies quietly. Our greatest strength will be surprise, and we will have them outnumbered. To war, men!”

  “To war!” They all cried in response, raising their flasks in cheer.

  It would not be for long that the men could celebrate. Christopher quickly assembled different groups to tasks, and once that was out of the way everyone began to leave from the tavern. Jacquette stayed behind waiting, though she often did this regardless. There was a frown on her face, and he knew that deep down inside she was having second thoughts about the war. Even so, he was certain he could convince her that they were taking the right actions. After all, the Dark magicians deserved it for the havoc they caused.

  Standing up and approaching him, Jacquette asked, “Do you know if Alaire is alive?”

  He let out a sigh. The last person he wanted to talk about was Alaire. Jacquette had too soft of a heart for him, and perhaps Esmour had trained them too well to remain loyal to their partners. All the same, he decided there could be no harm in telling her the truth.

  “I had hoped he would be dead by now, but alas it is difficult to tell. Several magicians attacked Leal in the cemetery, but he had several hands helping him. It’s possible the fiend still lives,” he said.

  She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his back and holding him closer to her body. He could feel the quick beating of her heart against his body.

  “You have changed since Aldemund’s death. I wouldn’t wish for you to become like him,” she commented, resting her head on his shoulder.

  Christopher took a step back, nearly causing her to lose balance. Then with his back still facing her he retrieved the dagger from his belt. It was sharp, and the point was bloody from earlier when he had been hunting. Hunting the animals was a common practice he took part in during the early hours of the morning. The wild animals would scurry when the noticed someone tracking them down, but when they were alone and everything was quiet they were entirely helpless. The act reminded Christopher of exactly what needed to be done to the Dark magicians. Over the centuries they had been closely followed, always noticing footsteps behind them, but Christopher wasn’t bound to make the same mistakes as his ancestors. He even convinced himself that he would not be like Aldemund, who had been blind to his own downfall.

  Turning the dagger over in his hand, he said, “Aldemund was a great man; there’s no doubting that. As for a magician, though, he had weaknesses like the rest of us. I am not leading a war on revenge; I am leading a war to bring my people to safety.”

  “Even if good people die in the process?” she asked.

  He faced her and waved the dagger in the air. “You have a lot of nerve to question my judgment, considering everything I’ve done for you. What would you have me do, Jacquette? More people will die if I delay this.”

  “Everyone in Destin was unique… Each of us had our own special abilities, and there was something Alaire was hiding from me. Aldemund realized that too, which is exactly why he tried to use you to gather the information. I’m not asking that you stop this war, but heed my warning and watch where you step,” she said calmly.

  Slowly, Christopher lowered his weapon and returned it to the sword carrier. He hadn’t planned on telling her about the other reasons behind him declaring war, but now there seemed to be no way of escaping it. She was the only one with insight into Destin, and if he lost her because of his own pride it could cost them dearly. Over the time they had spent together his feelings had developed to the point where he was no longer faking it when he said “I love you.” This woman was important to him, and perhaps there was no right time to tell her the truth. However, the
truth that was about to unfold would certainly have consequences. It was a secret that had been kept for over twenty years.

  Pushing his hair back, Christopher said, “You might want to sit down before I tell you this.”

  Jacquette raised an eyebrow but did as he suggested. He, on the other hand, remained standing. It terrified him that this day had already crept up on him; it wasn’t meant to have happened so soon.

  “You know me as Christopher Gonson, but that is not the name I was given as a child. I was the firstborn child in the family, but my parents could not accept me. I assume you’ve heard that Dark magicians can only give birth to children with Dark magic, correct?” he asked, fumbling with his hands. Glancing up, he saw Jacquette nod and swallowed the saliva building up in his throat before continuing.

  “My parents had no such luck. They couldn’t believe what I was, but when they explained the situation to the Council everyone was shocked. No one had ever heard of a Light magician born into a family with a long line of Dark magic, but regardless my parents didn’t want to raise me. They were convinced that one day I would turn against them, perhaps even kill them in their sleep.” He paused, letting out a long sigh. The moment he revealed his true identity there was no telling how Jacquette would react. Her face was already full with concern and puzzlement.

  “Wait… what is your name? Who were your parents?” she asked, though the fear in her voice was evident.

  He gulped, knowing that this was the moment everything would fall apart.

  “My name is Cristian Sencler…” He stopped and watched as Jacquette’s concerned turned into pure horror.

  She jumped up from the chair, glancing across the room at the door. There were tears building up in her eyes, but she advanced to where Christopher was and looked directly at him.

  “How dare you?! You walked into my life and tried to tell me how Alaire was a terrible man, but what do you know? That’s your brother; your own blood, and you have done nothing but hurt him,” she shouted.