by Jeff Gunzel
From a nearby hill, the humanoid cats watched as Athel was taken away. Sorrowful moans mixed with low rumbling growls echoed all around. Many of their kind had fallen this day, and now they were forced to watch their leader get taken away by those...humans. One by one they turned, stalking back into the forest hoping never to return to this place. Humans were violent, unruly creatures. Best to keep far away from their kind.
* * *
Scanning the beach, Kelus eventually spotted Rheldon standing with his men. With a sigh, he began his slow march towards his inevitable future. Looking out over the battlefield, bodies from all armies lay everywhere, black birds already gorging on the feast. Many of the bodies were nothing more than black ash. Seeing so many fallen, a deep sadness clutched his chest. Even the victors were losers on a day like this. War was not like in the stories. Ugly, sickening, there was no glory to be found here.
What remained of the red army had long since fled the battlefield. There was talk of hunting them down, but Jade ordered against it. Her reasoning was sound. They had lost too many men, and those who remained were weary at best. Let them slither back to the Crimson Empire and face their own people, who would probably brand them traitors.
With his head high, Kelus approached the circle of mounted Tryads. “I am ready,” he said to Rheldon, looking up at the man high on his horse. Kelus held up his wrists, inviting them to tie his hands.
“That won’t be necessary,” Rheldon replied, flipping his blond hair to the opposite shoulder. Despite having just been in a battle, he looked ready to feast at the queen’s table. Clean, hair perfectly groomed... Had a weapon ever touched this man?
“Very well,” said Kelus, lowering his hands. “Shall I ride with one of your men, or follow on foot?” he asked, shuddering at the idea of walking for miles and miles.
“Were you not listening?” said Rheldon, rolling his eyes. “I said that won’t be necessary.” Kelus stared at him unblinkingly. “You were correct,” he admitted, gazing around with a bored look on his face. “You were telling the truth yet I didn’t believe you. A lone man doing all he could to unite the realm, no matter how crazy his claims of war sounded. Shangti owes you everything.”
“But I am bound to you,” Kelus said, unable to keep the hopefulness from his voice. “Takareechi?”
“You are bound to a lie, backed by fool,” Rheldon said, the admission coming with great difficulty. “Please do not misunderstand me. I’m not doing this from the kindness of my heart. The Tryads have their reputation to think about.” He gave Kelus a wink. “I refuse to be the one remembered for holding a war hero to Takareechi. As is my right, I release you of your obligation. It never happened, and we shall never speak of it again.”
With a nudge of his heels, he galloped off along with the rest of the Tryads.
* * *
“I think she’s waking up,” said Berkeni, taking a step back. Athel began to stir, eyes blinking as she groaned softly. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” She blinked a few more times, her slitted eyes focusing on the old man. With a snarl she lunged, arms flaring to her side as the chains rang out, rattling and clanging with each movement. Snapping and snarling, her face was mere inches from his. Promptly, he moved back several more steps.
“This was a bad idea,” said Nima, watching uneasily. “I’ve told you before, the affliction is permanent. You should have let her run off with the rest of those...things. At least there she had a home.”
“She has a home!” Jacob interrupted. “She belongs here with us...here with me.” He eyed the sturdy tree as it shook and rattled with each violent tug, hopeful it would sustain the pounding long enough. “If it doesn’t work she’ll just run off into the forest again. We have nothing to lose.”
Eric put his hand on Jade’s shoulder. “I know you can do this,” he said quietly. “I don’t care if it’s never been done. All you ever do is things that have never been done. Go on then, focus.”
Jade raised her hands as her dy-chita began to glow. Athel snapped and growled, the chains clanging with each swipe of her hands. Suddenly, Athel went stiff, her head snapping back as her arms began to quiver. “I can see it,” said Jade, her eyes glistening with light.
“The seed is part of her now!” Nima protested. “Taking it now is like trying to separate her soul from her body. The attempt alone may kill her!”
“I can feel its presence,” Jade said, grimacing from the strain. Athel began to convulse, her body jolting over and over. “I know where it is!”
“You’re killing her!” Nima shrieked, rushing in to try and interfere. Jacob wrapped his arms around her, stopping her cold.
“She has no memory of who she was,” he said, tears in his eyes. “Everything that made her who she was is gone. Tell me, is she not already dead?” Nima’s mouth worked wordlessly until she was forced to look away. She had no answer for that.
Jade’s hands trembled, the strain on her Chi pushing her limits. Athel convulsed once more before her arms flailed out to the sides. In a crucifix pose, her feet lifted from the ground as she floated upward. Her head tipped back, mouth opening wide. Up from her mouth floated a tiny glowing ball of light, no bigger than a pinhead. But its silvery shine was enough to make everyone squint from the light.
It floated upward, then disintegrated into a mist of silver dust. Athel fell to the ground, along with Jade. Breathing heavily, they both lay on their backs. Eric ran to Jade’s side, kneeling down next to her. “Are you alright?” he asked, helping her to her feet.
“I-I think so,” she panted, turning towards Athel. “Is she— Did it work?”
Jacob approached Athel, kneeling down beside her. He was certainly within range if she decided to turn on him. “Athel, can you hear me?” he asked. Hair draped down over her face, she didn’t move or respond in any way. Once more, his eyes were drawn to the single red bow still in her hair.
Slowly, she wiped the hair from her eyes and looked at him. “Jacob?” she said, confused. “Jacob, where am I? What’s going on?”
He threw his arms around her and held her close, rocking them both back and forth. “You’re home, Athel. You’re home.”
Note from the author:
And so ends our journey. This is the last installment of The Legend of the Gate Keeper series, and I hope I’ve done the series justice. Thank you all for joining me on this adventure! If you would like to keep up with my future works, please consider signing up for my newsletter.
http://eepurl.com/PCipr
I love to hear from fans!
Contact me by email [email protected]
Find me on Twitter
Find me on Facebook
Books by Jeff Gunzel
The Legend of the Gate Keeper Series
The Shadow
Land of Shadows
Siege of Night
Lost Empire
Reborn
The Trials of Ashbarn
End of Days
Tainted Blood Series
A Rip in Time
Of Blood and Blade