The Sentinel's Reign

by Suzanne Rogerson

Outside, the sun was just rising. Brogan wandered through the settlement, not sure what to do with himself as his watch duty didn’t start for several hours. He headed to the livestock area and helped with the feeding and mucking out, glad to lose himself in the familiar physical exertion, though the smells and sounds were an uncomfortable reminder of his own lost farm.

  When he was finished, he grabbed some bread and cheese from a trader and then walked to the stables. He greeted the horses, checking on Biscuit and Starflower’s recovery after the gruelling journey home. They looked perkier after two days of rest and food.

  He stopped to give Bluebell a pat, before he sat with his back against the stable wall and watched the constant motion of valley life below while he ate his bread and cheese.

  The instant he fell idle, images from the nightmare returned. His appetite vanished but he forced himself to keep chewing and swallowing.

  He saw a familiar figure heading in his direction and waved a greeting to the captain.

  Hafender broke into a smile as he sat next to Brogan.

  ‘Nice place to relax,’ the captain said, admiring the view.

  ‘I’m getting in some practice, ready for sitting on my arse all day.’

  Hafender laughed. ‘Yes, I heard you landed watch duty again.’

  Brogan grimaced. ‘Just what I need, more time to think.’

  ‘Well, the Sentinel asked me to check that the mountain passes at our back remain secure. There’s room for one more on my team if you’re looking for a change of scenery.’

  Brogan looked around the valley and felt the oppressive air of doom surrounding the people. ‘I’d love to join you.’

  Hafender patted his shoulder. ‘Good lad. We leave in an hour, enough time for you to pack some things and make your goodbyes.’

  Brogan wondered how Tei would react when they’d only been back in the mountains a couple of days. Then there was Beliss...

  Hafender winked as if sensing his thoughts. ‘Tei’s in the mess hall. Go speak to her while I tell Captain Jaym you won’t be joining his team. I’m sure he won’t be pleased either.’

  Feeling less certain about his need to escape, Brogan headed for the mess hall, hoping Tei and Beliss would understand.

  ***

  ‘Thanks for the company last night,’ Mara said, as they met outside Tei’s dormitory and walked the short distance to the mess hall. Having volunteered once to serve food to those busy with war preparations, they now found themselves helping with the task every day. Tei enjoyed the routine and the feeling of camaraderie it inspired.

  She grinned at her friend. ‘I had a lovely evening and you helped me forget all about Brogan’s venture into the mountains.’

  ‘He’ll be back before you know it.’

  Tei nodded, he’d only been gone two days, but she missed him.

  Mara linked her arm through Tei’s. ‘I’m surprised how much it helped to talk about Rike and Garrick, to remember them and not just think about all that I’ve lost. I bet your ears were ringing afterwards though.’

  ‘I’m still recovering.’ Tei winced, holding her ears. ‘Not really, it was good to reminisce.’ She sighed and then remembered a part of their conversation and sniggered. ‘I still think Petal is the perfect name for a little girl.’

  Mara swatted her arm and looked indignant. ‘I told you, I’m not calling my baby that. You can save it for your own child, though she won’t thank you for it.’

  Tei’s mood turned more serious, talk of babies seemed premature on the eve of civil war, but she wasn’t about to admit that to her pregnant friend. ‘You’re right. It’s a stupid name for a child; maybe I should get a dog instead.’

  They continued to joke through the morning as they served up beef and root vegetable broth to the hungry exiles. Tei glanced along the line of men and woman, surprised to see Thal queuing for food.

  ‘Good morning, Thal.’

  ‘Morning,’ Mara echoed.

  He nodded, but declined the bowl of steaming broth Mara offered him. He attempted a smile, but it didn’t lighten his expression as his gaze fixed on Tei. ‘Let’s find somewhere more private to talk.’

  He headed away before she could protest. Sharing a confused look with Mara, Tei took off her apron and then hurried to catch up with the old man who was already making his way across the crowded mess hall. She felt a pang of reluctance in her belly, guessing by his tone she was in for another lecture.

  Outside in the relative quiet of the settlement, Thal stopped and turned to her. His expression looked anguished in the bright glare of the sun and he checked around them before he spoke. ‘The Sentinel is refusing to leave her room.’

  ‘I guess she’s busy.’

  ‘Don’t be flippant.’ He gave her a withering look. ‘When was the last time you spoke with her?’

  She ran through the conversations in her head; brief angry words were all they had shared in the last few weeks. She shrugged.

  Thal’s look turned darker still and he pulled her into an empty alleyway. He paced the tiny space, filling it with tension and nervous energy, before he rounded on her. ‘I’m worried, Tei, really worried about Callisa. She’s buckling under this burden. She’s withdrawing from us and growing ever more distant from her people. Where’s her Confidante when she’s needed?’ The sudden savageness of his tone stunned Tei.

  ‘I’m not her Confidante…’

  ‘Oh no, my girl.’ He wagged his finger in her face. ‘You don’t get to choose; none of us do. You’re the Sentinel’s Confidante, and she needs you now.’

  ‘I hate her for what she did.’ Tei thought admitting her feelings would reinforce them, but instead she found her eyes welling with tears.

  ‘You don’t hate her. You want to, but you can’t because deep down you know it was a risk worth taking.’

  Tei hung her head as Thal put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

  ‘The guilt is destroying Callisa. She needs to know it was the right decision, no matter the outcome. Most of all, she needs to know you forgive her.’

  ‘Brogan could have died,’ Tei whispered, clinging to the last shred of hatred.

  Thal looked into her eyes. ‘But he didn’t, and we’re all grateful for that.’

  Tei pictured Brogan, remembering the brief touch of his lips on her cheek before she watched him disappear into the mountains with Hafender and his team.

  ‘Callisa needs you.’ Thal’s words broke through her reverie. ‘I’ve seen the two of you together, here and in the Astral Plane. You have the ability to be invincible.’

  Tei laughed, almost choking on her tears. She looked at Thal and realised he was smiling too.

  ‘Truthfully, you can be. The bond forged between Sentinel and Confidante is powerful. You may disagree and fight on occasion, but you will always have that link keeping you both strong.’

  ‘Is that how it was for you with Gohan?’

  Thal looked beyond her as if recalling moments from his past. ‘Let’s just say I didn’t always agree with his choices, but I was always there for him when he needed me.’

  Tei sighed. ‘She didn’t have the nerve to tell me her plan before she announced it in front of everyone.’

  ‘Put yourself in her position, would you have acted any differently?’

  Tei huffed and threw up her hands. ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Then give her another chance, go and see her.’

  ‘Fine, I’ll see her soon then.’

  Thal looked as though he wanted to argue with her. ‘Thank you,’ he said instead.

  As she looked at the Elder, she remembered how he’d been a father figure to her friends, especially Undren. He’d always looked out for her as well, and she’d never shown him her thanks. ‘First, I’d like to buy you a drink.’

  He looked disarmed by the suggestion, and then nodded uncertainly. ‘A drink would be welcome, even at this early hour.’

  As they made to leave the alleyway, Tei paused. ‘Thal?’

  He tu
rned back to her and she saw how the relief on his face had lessened the lines of age.

  ‘Thank you.’ Tei grinned at him and then led the way to Jander’s tavern, the same place Undren had taken her the day they’d made their oaths to each other.

  As they walked the short distance through the settlement, Tei thought over the situation. She suspected Thal had instigated Brogan’s unscheduled departure from the settlement, but for once the interference didn’t bother her. This time it had been the right thing to do.

  ***

  From his vantage point, Brogan could see above the tops of the mountains. He looked back and could make out the settlement by a line of smoke trailing into the air. Shading his eyes from the sun, he picked out the tiny thatched roof of the meeting hall and the shimmer of the lake beyond the green expanse of pine trees. The exiles’ home looked like a speck against the vastness of the mountain range.

  ‘You can really appreciate how vulnerable our position is when you see it from such a height,’ Brogan said, still struggling to catch his breath. The climb to reach the false peak of Mount Malvon had been a physical battle, but the view made the effort worth it.

  Hafender didn’t even look out of breath as he shook his head. ‘You shouldn’t think of Turrak as vulnerable. We may be stuck in the valley, but no army from any direction is going to pull off a successful attack. The valley keeps us safe on all sides.’

  ‘But what will happen to Turrak when the war does come?’ Brogan asked the captain.

  ‘As the Sentinel said, we just have to hold out until winter and then the Assembly will have no choice but to retreat.’ Hafender linked his hands together and flexed his fingers. ‘Ready for the last stage of the climb?’

  Brogan strained his neck to look up at the top of Mount Malvon. ‘I suppose.’

  Hafender grinned and set off.

  The effort needed to climb made conversation impossible. Brogan’s aching fingers demanded all his attention, while the muscles in his legs burned, threatening to buckle and spill him onto the rocks below. Blinking away sweat, Brogan heaved himself up, following the course Hafender set.

  Brogan pictured Tei’s face and felt the familiar pang of longing. Then his foot slipped from under him. Rocks clattered down the sheer cliff face as his fingers curled around the sharp stone, almost cramping as he struggled to regain his footing.

  ‘You alright back there?’ Hafender called down, the rope between them pulling taut as the captain took up the slack.

  ‘Fine,’ Brogan panted. He swallowed fear and forced himself to concentrate on the climb.

  The summit never seemed to draw closer. It was getting harder to breathe. The cold air burned his lungs. Every muscle strained to breaking point, and if he’d had the breath he would have asked to quit, but instead he found himself forced from one torturous handhold to the next.

  A shadow blocked out the sun and Brogan looked up to see Hafender reaching down his hand. The captain hauled him up to the summit.

  ‘You made it, you conquered Mount Malvon.’ Hafender grinned at him. ‘We’re now standing at the highest point in the whole of Turrak.’

  Panting heavily, Brogan sat down, overcome with dizziness.

  Hafender plopped down next to him. ‘I was the same when my dad first brought me up here as a lad.’

  ‘Is that supposed to make me feel better, or worse?’

  Hafender clapped him on the back, making Brogan’s stomach lurch.

  ‘I mean it. You’ve done well for an Assembly man.’

  ‘Thanks, I suppose.’

  Hafender grinned. Brogan was surprised anyone could be in good humour on such a precarious perch.

  ‘When Thal suggested you join my team, I have to admit I had doubts. You’ve proved me wrong again, Brogan. You’re a true fighter, a rare man.’

  ‘I don’t know about that,’ he said quickly.

  The captain stood and surveyed the land. He pointed out the various mountain peaks the other scout teams would be climbing.

  Brogan plucked up courage enough to stand on shaky legs and admired the magnificent range of the Turrak Mountains surrounding him. The sweeping view stole his breath away, and then, beyond the peaks, he glimpsed the beautiful calm vista of the sea.

  ‘The Silent Sea.’ His words were little more than a whisper. ‘I’ve always wanted to visit the sea.’

  ‘One day you’ll get the chance.’

  The reminder of civil war heading their way sobered them both. Hafender pointed out a winding trail leading all the way to the sea. ‘That’s the pass we’re checking. It leads down to a small inlet, but the bay is difficult to navigate from the sea and it’s almost impossible to land more than a rowboat on the slip of beach. Still, it’s one of the access points we check regularly.’

  ‘Tei told me the Sentinel maintains a magical barrier around the entire island.’

  ‘She does and it’s been that way since our ancestors decided to conceal Kalaya from the rest of the world. As far as I know that’s been the case for centuries.’

  ‘And is it a physical barrier, or just an illusion?’

  ‘It’s both, in a way. So when you spotted that ship, it forced us to consider our position from every angle. We need to be on guard, no matter how safe we think we are.’

  Brogan nodded, wondering if Hafender was really as confidant about Kalaya’s safety as he made out. He scanned the sea, enjoying the view, and then strained his eyes for a better look at the distant shapes he spotted on the horizon.

  ‘Look.’ He pointed, hoping the captain would dismiss what his eyes already knew to be true.

  ‘Ships.’ Hafender screwed up his eyes to squint into the sun. ‘There’s what, a dozen of them?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Brogan said, unable to distinguish between the tiny bobbing shapes. Their position didn’t seem to alter, as though they were at anchor and watching Kalaya. Brogan shivered.

  ‘This isn’t a good sign, not good at all,’ Hafender muttered to himself.

  Brogan turned back to the captain. In the weeks he’d known Hafender, it was the first time he’d ever seen fear cloud his steely gaze.

  They both watched the distant specks in silence.

  ‘This mission is over,’ Hafender said, sitting down abruptly. ‘It wouldn’t make sense for a force that big to come at us through the mountains. They’ll wait for the island barrier to fall and then they’ll land in the Bay of Hope.’

  Brogan played over the situation in his mind as he watched the captain prepare for their descent.

  ‘What are we going to do?’

  Hafender paused, and considered the ropes in his hand. Then he looked out to sea where the enemy lay in wait. ‘I don’t know, Brogan. I really don’t know.’

  ***

  Callisa took a deep breath and somehow found a small oasis of calm within her troubled thoughts.

  I hope you have good news. She could sense Hafender hovering on the edge of her consciousness, requesting an audience.

  I’m afraid not, Sentinel.

  Even telepathically, Callisa could picture his handsome face creased in worry. She cursed; glad the captain couldn’t see her expression. He looked upon her with such unfounded awe that to shatter the illusion would hurt them both. Give me your report, Captain.

  There are ships anchored outside Kalaya, a dozen or so. I think they must know about the barrier, and I think they’re waiting for it to fall before they attempt to land in the Bay of Hope.

  Callisa took a moment to absorb his words. Captain, pull your teams back from the mountains. We need your skills here.

  Yes, Sentinel. He answered quickly, but there was something unspoken in his tone.

  Speak your mind, Captain.

  I suggest one group stays to watch the ships and report any movement. We should also station a watch at the Bay of Hope to give us early warning of any activity there.

  Good idea, make the arrangements.

  As you wish, Sentinel.

  Callisa broke the connecti
on and sat back in her chair. It was easy to put on an act in the company of courageous men like Hafender, but alone she couldn’t hide from the truth. She stared at the cold fireplace, too disheartened to use her magic to light it.

  ‘I can’t do this anymore,’ she whispered into the empty room. ‘Gohan, help me.’ She waited, as if expecting him to answer, but silence was the only reply.

  Callisa took a deep breath and then lifted free of her body, allowing her spirit to drift over Turrak. The call of the sea drew her high over the mountain range towards the pulsing light of the barrier magic.

  She saw the distant ships and forced her way closer. The island strained against her efforts but she felt stronger today and fought past its hold to look down upon the foreign ships. There were ten in all; a large fleet to pit against Kalaya’s divided population. She drifted over the crew of each vessel, feeling the dormant magic in a handful of men. Then she felt him - the commander of the fleet.

  Callisa hovered above the man locked away in his cabin, watching him as he bent over the charts filling his desk. His magic was powerful but tainted, shrouded by Rathnor’s blackness. She drew as close as she dared, trying to read the commander’s heart and understand his reasons for wanting to invade her home.

  ‘Who are you?’

  Callisa spun around and faced the spirit of the old man who’d addressed her. She was shocked to realise there was a spirit walker on board, and that a race with such modest magical ability could have one so skilled hidden amongst them. She raised a shield around herself.

  As Callisa opened her mouth to speak, the man backed away as though she’d burnt him. Callisa instinctively reached for the safety of her body.

  It was a mistake. The instant her spirit reconnected with her body, the chains of the island reached out to trap her and she was too exhausted to fight through again.

  Who were these men? Why were they planning to attack Kalaya? What bargain had Rathnor struck with them? So many unanswerable questions.

  Callisa punched the desk, her anger quickly defusing to despair and, in the pits of her depression, her thoughts turned once more to Gohan. She remembered the horrific sight of his wasted body; was she destined to go the same way?

  Callisa glanced at her bony hands; how long would it take? Weeks rather than years?