Shadows and Embers

by Lindsey Richardson

  “The window...” I pointed and ran toward it. It was too high that we would be able to jump out of it, but I could lift Celestria up into it and perhaps jump up to reach it for myself. Footsteps were approaching as I pondered on our escape. The moment Celestria was standing next to me I boosted her up, using all of my body strength to lift her. Though I couldn't remember any of what happened during the time we were here, the extra weight on my body did not help with the marks. My bones felt as if they were shaking inside of me ready to snap in half, at any minute.

  “You'll be right behind me?” Celestria asked, grabbing onto the ledge of the window.

  “Yes; get on with it already!” I snapped.

  She lifted herself up, and I collapsed onto the ground. The footsteps were much closer now, but when I glanced up Celestria had already escaped. Nathalie entered into the room, raising her hand and a vine cast out toward me. I whispered a word and she fell back, landing on the shards of ice scattered across the floor. Several of the shards were longer than the others, and when I stood up I could see that the impalement had been fatal. Turning my back on her, I jumped up and grabbed the window ledge. I could only hope that once Celestria and I were reunited she would understand Nathalie was someone I hadn't been able to look the other way for.

  Jumping down from the window, I landed on the grass much sooner than I expected. Celestria stood silently waiting for me, but soon I noticed we were not alone. There was someone approaching, running toward us from the field to our north. As he approached I recognized him as Jolis. Though Celestria made no comment on his return, I prepared for battle and thought of spells I could use once he was closer.

  “Come on, I can take you home,” he called out, waving for us to follow him.

  I stepped forward, though he was still a safe distance from us. “Why would you?”

  “This place has been a prison for Dark magicians in the past. I know the way back to Neutadt. You let me live; now I'm returning the favor,” he replied.

  We started advancing until we were face to face, and I looked into his eyes for some kind of explanation for his sudden change of heart. I was not as easily convinced as my companion that one of Aldemund's former magicians could forgive us. I certainly wasn't willing to forgive him.

  “Leal please...” Celestria said, tugging on my sleeve.

  Jolis revealed a dagger in his belt and handed it over to me. “The Irvine name is familiar in these parts. I remembered hearing stories about your father, and Christopher had mentioned that if we didn't kill you Nathalie's family would. I came here as soon as I could because I feared that she would capture you. Whether you trust me or not, we need to move quickly.”

  Gritting my teeth together, I nodded and he led the way. I placed the dagger in my carrier, and as we walked across the field I visualized in my head how I would tackle him if he made even the slightest indication of attacking us. However, the further we walked the less convinced I was that he had any twisted motive for helping us. There were voices in the far distance, and when I glanced back I could see a small crowd of people outside of the church.

  “Move quickly, I said!” Jolis snapped. “Nathalie's family is large, and they'll fend for that place till it falls into the sea.”

  At that countless arrows starting landing down in the field, all of which nearly missed us. Each hit threatened to come in contact with the skin, and we began running to dodge the attack. There was a forest up ahead, and Jolis explained that we could travel through there to return to Neutadt. The forest would eventually lead us directly into the town. However, the continuous fire of arrows did not stop. One gazed past Jolis, causing him to stop where he was. I nearly ran into him at his sudden stop, and when I approached I could see the scratch across his arm where the arrow made the slightest contact.

  “Come on, we're not dying today,” I said to him, grabbing his arm gently and pushing him onward. We escaped into the forest and did not slow down for anything. Jolis swore we were only a few miles outside of our town, and thus we pursued the path back. All the while I thought about Celestria's wedding, realizing it would be the last event we could ever hold in Neutadt. The town was too dangerous for us to call home anymore, and I had no idea where we would go next. I couldn't think about what it would be like to leave for good and never return, but perhaps we were already taking the first steps. After all we were relying on a White magician to lead us home, and though I hadn't forgotten what Christopher's men did, I could not explain my desire to keep Jolis alive. My conscience could not explain why when the arrow gazed past him I worried he might die. Perhaps I was tired of seeing good men and women die, or perhaps I was naïve enough to hope that Jolis had a good heart.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Save the Last Dance

  Gavril was already outside when we at last reached the house, and he insisted on healing our wounds before anything else. Once inside a maid informed me of a note that had arrived in the morning. I took it as Gavril led us into Celestria's room, which already appeared to be ready for the wedding. There was a wedding gown laid across the bed and white heels on the floor. Everything was in place as if we had never left. Unfolding the note, I read the words “see you at the wedding. Alaire” and sighed in relief.

  “I do not own a wedding dress. Who is this from?” Celestria asked, touching the fabric while Gavril gathered together his material.

  “It was meant to be a dress for the woman my son would one day marry, but Alaire told us about the wedding and sent us to work. I finished the dress and it seemed only right for you to have it,” Mama said from outside the doorway.

  I turned back to her and mouthed the words “thank you.” Though I didn't know what Alaire had planned, I hoped he realized that the wedding could not be a normal one. We needed to leave town as soon as possible, and this event was the only thing delaying that. Regardless, Alaire and Celestria deserved to have their moment. The last wedding I attended hadn't ended well, and it would be nice for a change to see two people brought together by love in a time where war was on the verge of starting.

  “I'll be leaving now,” Jolis said, holding out his hand. “If you need me again I will be in your debt.”

  I shook his hand. “I wish these were times when I could risk it.”

  Even as he left, though, I wondered if he could be another White magician like Grefin. People could have a change of heart, but at the same time my own heart was still unwilling to open up to the idea that we could work alongside our enemies. The world had become a twisted place, and no one was safe to trust their instincts. Even so, the idea of someday trusting Jolis and recruiting him did not sound as ironic as it once may have.

  Gavril informed me that we had been gone for two days, but no one had been able to search for us because of the White magicians patrolling the area. He managed to come up with a lie that Mama believed so she wasn't worried, and instead everyone had spent the time preparing for the wedding. Celestria told him that she remembered being tortured by Nathalie and other strangers, but I had no such recollection. Whatever they did to her might have been harsher on me. Regardless, Gavril promised that he would try to heal the bruising to the best of his abilities. Anything that couldn't be done presently might take several days.

  I left the room and searched my own bedroom for appropriate attire I could wear. Approaching the mirror, I looked over my torn clothes and stripped them off. My chest alone had numerous bruises, some of which I was certain would leave behind permanent scars. Had they tortured us for information or revenge? My memory of any of it was no better than it had been before, but perhaps it was for the best that I did not remember. Celestria seemed to recall the torture she sustained, and it was undoubtedly traumatizing. For the time being it was not my main concern, and with that I snatched up the black pants and white tunic that were sitting on the edge of my dresser. The last touch was combing through my hair and slipping my arms through a light blue vest.

  In the mirror I could see the door opening and Rost
land entered in. He had dressed up for the occasion as well, and his hair hung down loosely extending past his shoulders by the slightest. There was also something he held in his hands that looked like a book, and I gulped at the thought that Nicia had also left behind a journal. I couldn't bear to have both her and Esmour's thoughts floating in my head after they were gone.

  “If it's another journal, burn it,” I said, turning around to face him.

  He snickered. “It's not. These are letters Nicia wrote; she never sent them, but they were meant for you.”

  He held them out, offering them to me, but I shook my head and gestured that they be placed on the bed.

  “I'm not ready to hear her words yet. We'll take them when we leave. You'll come with us, won't you?” I asked.

  Nodding, he replied, “I am entering into this war with you. Like you, I have nothing holding me back.”

  I smiled, though it was painful to think that the one connection we once had was gone. We left the room, and Rostland said he would wait outside for us. Apparently Alaire had spoken to the reverend before he left and arranged to have the wedding in our backyard by the forest so that no one could bother us. The church was the only place the White magicians weren't allowed to patrol or enter, but I felt safer knowing the wedding would happen near the house in case we needed cover. The magicians mostly patrolled exits and entrances to the town, and thus they were not expected to bother us. Gavril also joined Rostland, and as they left I descended down the staircase to wait for Celestria. I wondered when Alaire would arrive, seeing as everyone was rushing to the church as if the wedding was bound to happen at any minute.

  The moment the door to Celestria's room opened, it occurred to me that she had no one to give their blessing. She had told me that Dyanna was the last person left in her family, and there was no father who could give her away. Yet as she descended down the staircase with grace I could not feel ashamed. The wedding dress was long and elegant, and she looked more beautiful than anything I had seen. Her eyes glimmered as she focused on the walls, the pictures, and then lastly me.

  “You're beautiful,” I said.

  She reached the last step and held up her dress to stand beside me. Alaire's cross necklace still hung closely around her neck, and I admired how dedicated she was to wearing it with her at all times. It was like she always had a part of him with her.

  “Is this real? Tell me, have you placed me in this dress or is it a vision? It's come to the point where I cannot tell the difference,” she said. Though her voice was sweet and tender, I was concerned by what she was suggesting. I had nearly forgotten about the visions, and if she couldn't tell the difference between reality and vision it could affect her health.

  “Of course this is real. I promise no one can hurt you now; no matter what the visions say,” I replied, kissing her cheek. I held out my hand to her, and we turned the corner and headed for the back entrance. When we reached the door and I opened it, I was amazed at the outcome of guests. There was a line of people to both sides of us; maids and servants were to the left and everyone else was on the right. I smiled and waved to Gavril, Rostland, and Mama, and then noticed a new set of faces. Celestria released my hand and ran toward an older man, embracing him before he knew how to react. While they laughed at each other, I noticed Daciana was standing next to him along with a younger girl.

  “Leal, it's nice to meet you at last,” the man said, offering his hand to me.

  I shook it and waited for further explanation. Noticing the white gemstone on the collar of his shirt I realized who he was.

  “This is Grefin, Emeria, and Daciana,” Celestria explained, pointing to each of them as she said their name. There was a full smile on her face now; I couldn't remember a time I had seen her light up with such happiness.

  “We've come to fight in the war,” Grefin said quietly.

  Seemingly satisfied with his explanation, Celestria wrapped her arm around mine again and started walking. Having no other choice, I caught up to walk beside her and decided I would ask Grefin for the details later. His involvement in the war could cause unforeseen problems, especially when he was the leader of the Council. On the other hand, it might also mean that his supporters would help and join in. It didn't make me trust him anymore than any of the other White magicians, but he had proven to help my friends in their darkest time of need and for that I was thankful.

  The reverend waited at the end of the line for us, and I realized I had become the man to walk Celestria down the aisle. I released her arm from mine and stood to the side of the reverend. There was no music, since it would only attract unnecessary attention, but the birds were chirping and there was a warm breeze in the air. Celestria stood in front of the reverend, glancing around and waiting for the groom to appear. She waited for him like the minutes passing didn't matter. For her time stood still until he was by her side again. However, for everyone else the anticipation was in their eyes. They shuffled around, murmured to each other, and as more time passed I feared that Alaire wouldn't make it. It would be too risky for us to stand outside forever; we were open targets without any weapons to defend ourselves.

  The breeze blew past us, and the smile on Celestria's face was slowly fading away. She, like everyone else, was beginning to wonder where Alaire was. I glanced back to the forest, expecting him to walk out at any minute, but all I saw were the same trees with their leaves swaying. The minutes continued to pass, and I had half the mindset to search through the forest for any sign of Alaire. In all truth, though, he never said where he would be returning and it was impossible to know at what time. For all we knew we had rushed the wedding, and he could be hours away from arriving.

  The guests turned their heads and began to murmur again. I looked to the right in the direction they were facing, and saw that the man Celestria had been waiting for finally arrived. He carried a rose with him as he advanced, and there was also a blonde haired girl walking beside him. She didn't look familiar, but she wore a slim blue dress and smiled at the sight of Celestria. Picking up her dress, Celestria started running toward them, though she was slowed down by the heels and length of her dress. The young girl and her embraced and started sobbing, and I smiled at Alaire. He had done it; he had reunited the sisters.

  Allowing the girls to have their moment, Alaire approached the reverend and turned to me.

  “How's my wedding?” he asked, winking.

  I chuckled, and then watched as Celestria and Dyanna joined together with everyone else. Once they were closer I could see Dyanna had a similar facial structure to Celestria's, and I wondered how I had ever mistaken her for anyone else. She smiled at me, though I doubted she knew who anyone was, and I returned the gesture. Everyone watched her as she walked down the middle of the line to stand beside Daciana.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered...” the reverend began. His words filled into my head, and when it came time for Alaire to say his vows it finally struck me. Destiny had not stopped them as Esmour thought; they had went against the warnings, and at last they were being united under one name. By being together they could start a family together, and perhaps something positive could come out from the war. If Celestria had a child it would be a Dark magician, and our legacy would have a chance of surviving. Though I doubted it was on their minds, I was overjoyed at the thought of a baby being brought into the world. The magical world needed innocence again, and there would be a time and place for it after the war was over.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife,” the reverend said at last. Alaire unveiled Celestria, titled his head and kissed her.

  “I love you. Through darkness and in light, I will always love you,” he said.

  “As will I,” Celestria replied and kissed him again.

  Everyone cheered and clapped as the new couple spun around and accepted congratulations from the guests. They began to dance, and the lines cleared out of the way to make room. The servants went inside to gather the food while the maids rearranged tables that they had
placed out here earlier. I stayed where I was, watching as pairs formed together to join in on dancing. I laughed at the sight of Gavril offering to dance with my mother, but then frowned again when I saw that Rostland stood alone without anyone. Dyanna approached me and held out her hand.

  “Dance with me?” she asked, blinking her eyes flirtatiously.

  Glancing over at Rostland again, I said, “See that man over there? I bet he hasn't danced for a long time. Would you mind asking him?”

  Shrugging, she skipped away from me and nearly ran into Rostland. I couldn't hear what she said to him, but he smiled and they began to dance.

  Suddenly Celestria danced over to where I was and tugged at my shirt, forcing me to follow her lead.

  “Come on, have some fun,” she said, smiling widely. Alaire released her hands, and I wrapped my arms around her as we swayed back and forth. Perhaps Rostland wasn't the only one who hadn't danced in a while. I couldn't remember the last time I did, but I twirled Celestria around and she continued laughing and smiling all the while. Someone interrupted us, tapping my shoulder.

  “May I have the last dance?” a man's voice asked.

  The man's voice sounded familiar, but I didn't bother taking a look at him. I released Celestria and headed to the table Alaire was sitting at, noticing that he had a map out again.

  Before I made my way to him he stood up with his jaw hanging open. I titled my head at him, trying to understand what was wrong, but he pointed forward. Turning around, I saw that everyone had stopped dancing. The bride stood still with Christopher's hands holding onto her tightly. A spark of magic shot up into the sky, and I stood horrified at the realization that I allowed Christopher to have the last dance.