by Ben Hale
Alydian nodded. “I am now.”
The lieutenant ordered his men to lead Alydian’s party to the twisting roadway, and when they reached the top they found a full company of soldiers barring their path. Alydian clenched a fist but the lieutenant stepped to the fore and raised his hands.
“Let them pass.”
“You disobey your orders?” one asked. He drew his sword and turned to Alydian. “You will depart immediately from our shores.”
He glanced to Alydian—and retreated under her gaze. Alydian wrestled with whisper until she could speak. “Did you not witness what happened to your companions?”
The question was innocent enough, but carried a veiled threat that the man wisely heeded. He glanced between the lieutenant and Alydian before finally settling on caution.
“Let them though,” he barked.
“But Captain!” a man protested.
“Do you want to fight her?” the captain demanded. “You heard what she did at Dawnskeep.”
The man swallowed and retreated, the soldiers parting to allow them entry into the village. In their haste none noticed Alydian’s wince except her mother, who placed a hand on her arm. The contact was meant to comfort, but it could not erase Alydian’s memory.
Striding into the breach, Alydian led the way through a makeshift village. Word of their arrival spread quickly, with villagers and refugees lining the street. Most bore expressions of hope on haggard faces, but just as on the beach some expressed fear. Alydian smiled in an effort to extend comfort.
Women held children, their clothes tattered and worn. Many had gaunt and dirty features, their eyes the yearning of the hungry. Those bearing colors of the region labored in scattered gardens, their eyes filling with hope when they spotted Alydian and Elenyr.
“Did Teriah really imprison you?” one asked.
“What happened at Skykeep?” another called.
“Did you kill Oracle Ciana?”
The last speaker bore an expression of condemnation that lingered with Alydian to the fortress, and it took all her strength to keep her emotions from her face. They reached the fortress and made their way through the gates. Apparently deciding that they could not stop Alydian’s party, the guards permitted them through without animosity.
“Duke Senin is expecting you,” one said.
“Because he cannot stop us,” Devkin murmured.
The courtyard was filled with soldiers training. Most came to a halt to stare at Alydian, their scrutiny causing the hackles to rise on Alydian’s neck. But they did not attack. As they entered the keep Elenyr spoke in an undertone.
“Take your time and use your farsight,” she murmured. “And remember that you cannot command obedience. You must create the choice and allow him to make it.”
Alydian nodded, unwilling to voice her uncertainty. Guilt assailed her at her near failure on the beach and she almost asked Elenyr to take her place. But a glance at her mother revealed the answer. Her mother was there to support, not lead.
The keep proved to be a structure of stone and beam. Great chandeliers of antlers hung from the rafters and contained large light orbs. Broad windows allowed natural sunlight to further illuminate, while animal skins and heads adorned the walls.
An older man sat on the throne. Dressed in a Griffin uniform enhanced with a royal purple cloak, he conveyed an aura of authority and strength. His hair had turned silver, as had his goatee, both adding to the appearance of experience. He scowled at their entry.
“I see brutality is not exclusive to the empress oracles,” he said.
“No blood was spilt,” Alydian said, pleased that she kept her anger from her voice. The man was riled, and she worried it would bring whisper out. “Where is Earl Astin?”
“No longer present,” Duke Senin said with a derisive sniff. Then his eyes shifted to Elenyr. “I thought better of you.”
Elenyr inclined her head. “Oracles have always been permitted passage—except by traitors and bandits . . .”
“You are merely tyrants,” he replied, flushing at the veiled accusation. “And you should have obeyed my order, but since you are here, you can hear it from my own lips. This is my country now, and you are not welcome.”
Strike him down . . .
Alydian shoved the urge aside and swept a hand in invitation. “Now that I am here the negotiations can begin.”
“Negotiations?” he asked, puzzled by the shift in conversation. “I do not need to negotiate with Princess Ora.”
“On the contrary,” Alydian said. “There are four distinct parties and I am present to ensure an agreement is reached with all haste.”
“Four—?”
“You have yourself and Princess Ora. But you also have the rebellion and Earl Astin, whose throne you sit upon.”
The man was on his feet. “I do not need your aid in negotiating with anyone.”
“As you order,” Alydian said. “In that case I will remove myself.”
The man contained his surprise and sneered. “And take your fleet of trash—”
“I apologize if I was unclear,” Alydian interrupted. “I will remove myself. The fleet I accompany has an alliance with Princess Ora. That alliance requires them to unite here with Earl Astin and Princess Ora. Since you have refused negotiations, the army will make landfall within the hour.”
She’d bent the truth a little, but she felt it justified. Elenyr bore a smile of satisfaction while Devkin too seemed pleased at her tactic. Duke Senin appeared stunned as Alydian offered a short bow.
“Since you refuse to deal with me, you will deal with them. Good day, Duke Senin. If you survive the day, perhaps I will visit you in prison.”
With that she turned and strode away, peeking into the general’s future when her back was turned. She’d done as Elenyr had suggested and given him a choice. He could either fight the fleet, or allow her to negotiate an alliance. Truthfully, she hoped he’d fight because it would get him killed. She took three steps towards the door before he cried out.
“Wait!”
Alydian turned to find the man descending the steps from the throne. Although he bore a smile on his face, a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead. He stabbed a finger to his guards and they straightened.
“Bring Ora and Astin!”
The soldiers scrambled from the room, their armor clanking in their haste. Duke Senin approached Alydian but came to a halt when Devkin stepped between them. He swallowed and gestured to her.
“You have the wisdom of your mother,” he said, sweeping a hand at her. “But I must ask, why will she not be directing our negotiations?”
He spoke with a tinge of hope, as if expecting Elenyr to be a kinder ally. He even smiled and bowed to Elenyr. But Elenyr demurred to Alydian with a motion and her own smile.
“My daughter is now the high oracle,” she said. “And I’m confident in her ability to broker a treaty.”
Senin’s features tightened, but he kept the scowl from his face. He’d lost everything when the Mage Empire had taken over Griffin, and managed to escape with his forces intact, a feat to be applauded. His ambition and greed aside, he was a man they needed as an ally.
A side door opened and Princess Ora was led into the room, as was Earl Astin. They were close to the same age but Astin appeared older, his features open and earnest. Princess Ora looked much as she had in Alydian’s farsight. Slim and fit, she had a swordsman’s body and the beauty of her mother. Then Alydian noticed the shackles.
Chapter 8: Disloyal
Alydian’s rage exploded and red lightning blossomed on her forearms. She leveled her gaze on Duke Senin and began to raise an arm, whisper bellowing for vengeance. But Devkin stepped before her and caught her wrist, wincing as the lightning cut his flesh.
“Alydian,” he spoke urgently. “Remember your cause.”
She swallowed and clenched her fist, the magic of rage extinguishing as quickly as it had come. Her heart thundering in her chest, she wrestled whisper back to the r
ecesses of her mind and shackled it anew.
Devkin retreated out of view and Alydian realized her outburst had not been noticed. Ora was shouting at Senin, drawing all eyes to her. The guards had moved to restrain her, and during the seconds it took for Alydian to regain control they were not watching.
“High Oracle,” Ora said, straightening in her shackles. “I demand retribution.”
“Release the princess,” Elenyr said, her voice so forceful that the guards obeyed the order.
“I will see you hanged for your betrayal,” Ora spat. “I am the rightful heir to the throne!”
Earl Astin stepped to her side and placed a calming hand on her shoulder. “Duke Senin claimed we were traitors and has us imprisoned,” he said to Alydian.
Alydian’s blood boiled and again whisper came to the fore. She clenched her fist against the surge of rage and did not respond. Elenyr noticed her expression and spoke, giving Alydian time to reign herself.
“Duke Senin, explain yourself.”
“One of my guards caught them plotting,” he said. “I was forced to imprison them.”
“That’s a lie!” Ora shouted.
Alydian raised a hand to forestall another argument. When she spoke her voice carried a timbre that made all present fall silent. “Duke Senin, I am aware of your ambitions but you are also a cautious man. You must understand that the Empire and my former oracle sisters will not be content with their lands. They will expand into this region and you will not be able to stop them. Only united can we end the Mage War.”
“What would you have me do?” Senin asked, sweeping his hands wide. “Fight an unwinnable battle?”
“We already did that,” Devkin said. “And we survived.”
Senin snorted. “I want our kingdom back, but I cannot send my men to war for the sake of my ambition. We can rebuild here and leave them be.”
“It’s my kingdom you are forsaking,” Ora growled, advancing like a charging bull. “And I will free my people.”
“And it’s my region you wish to claim,” Astin said. The guards undid his shackles as well and he stepped to Princess Ora’s side. “My father may be gone, but you have no right to imprison me.”
“I have every right,” Duke Senin snarled, stepping down from the throne to stab a finger at them. “Your father tried to fight and lost many of your meager forces. When I arrived your people were in shambles and on the brink of starvation.”
“Duke Senin,” Elenyr said, “you cannot simply take his lands.”
The general snorted. “This boy cannot control this region any more than Elenyr could her council. His father tried to fight the Empire and died, just like he will. Ora is an outcast princess without a homeland.”
“Your soldiers are Griffin soldiers,” Ora said, striding toward him. “They are mine to command.”
“It’s been a year, princess,” Senin growled. “You carry a title for a land you do not possess. How long can you claim royal blood when your nation is gone?”
“Land or no,” she snapped. “I am still the heir.”
“I’m the king now,” Senin shouted.
Alydian listened to the argument with anger in her heart. Ora was right, but so too was the Duke. He feared for his men and the people, and had no desire for bloodshed. But Ora believed they could win if they stood together, and the Duke would not do so without incentive.
She frowned, realizing that what she was about to do would be manipulative, twisting the circumstances to the most favorable outcome. It was exactly what her mother and the other oracles had done.
“Princess Ora,” Alydian said, interrupting their shouting. “You need Duke Senin to reclaim your kingdom. If you seek to fight Duke Senin, both sides will lose, and ultimately the Empire will be the victor.”
“I’m not going to ally with this bag of dog—”
“Do you wish to free your people?” Alydian asked.
“Of course, but—”
“Then give him an offer for his allegiance.”
She folded her arms. “He is a duke of my kingdom, sworn to uphold my throne. His allegiance has already been given.”
“Be that as it may,” Alydian said, raising a hand to Senin’s retort. “Your kingdom is gone, and if the Empire continues to endure the people will adapt, and all hope of returning you to your throne will be destroyed.”
Anger washed across Princess Ora’s face but ultimately she turned to face Duke Senin and ground out the question. “What is the price of your loyalty?”
Duke Senin’s demeanor changed, the smug expression all but goading a mortal blow. “If we survive, I want half.”
“Of what?” Ora demanded.
“Of Griffin,” he said. “I want the throne.”
The audacious request was met with a shocked silence. Then black fury clouded Ora’s expression and she closed the gap, reaching clawed hands for Senin’s throat. Earl Astin managed to catch her about the waist just in time.
“I’d rather die than see you sit on my father’s throne,” she snarled.
“Without me there is no throne to have,” the duke said.
“This is absurd,” Ora said, rounding on Alydian. “You want me to accept this?”
Hating herself for the answer, Alydian gestured to the duke. “Either give up half your kingdom to him, or lose the whole of it.”
Astin stepped to Ora’s side and spoke in an undertone, but Ora jerked her head. She flashed a look at Elenyr as if she’d betrayed her, and then stomped from the room. In her absence Astin turned to the general.
“She’ll consider your proposal.”
Then he departed. The duke smirked and strode to the throne, but Alydian called out to him.
“That seat is not yours,” she said, a trace of a threat in her tone. “Claiming it now would be unwise.”
The man obviously wanted to argue but the glint of violence in Alydian’s eyes caused him to obey. “Your fleet may land,” he said. “But you’ll still have to pay for the healers.”
Duke Senin’s eyes flicked between them, and he abruptly realized he was not among friends. Scowling, he turned and swept from the room, leaving them alone with the guards. Devkin sighed as he departed.
“The Demon Dwarf has more honor.”
Elenyr smiled sadly. “That’s not saying much.”
“Devkin,” Alydian said, and he paused at the door. “Can you ensure the rebellion is cared for?”
“There’s a stream a few miles southeast from here,” he said. “The elven plant mages can use the trees to build a temporary camp.”
Alydian nodded. “Make sure the wounded are placed in the village. Once they recover they can be moved to the new camp.”
“As you order,” he said, but remained in place.
“I am well,” Alydian said, and noticed his hand was bleeding where the rage had cut his flesh. Grimacing, she stepped to his wrist and healed the wound. “I am well,” she repeated, hoping her tone was reassuring.
He held her gaze for a moment before nodding and slipping from the room. Alone with her mother, Alydian waited for Elenyr to ask about the incident, but she merely waited at her side. Finally Alydian sighed and turned to her mother.
“Does being an oracle always require manipulation?”
“Would Senin have joined without the promise of a kingdom?”
“Never,” Alydian said, her expression disgusted. “He would have fought, and our rebellion would tear itself apart. He has too many loyal to him.”
“Then which is the better fate?” Elenyr asked. “A partial victory or a full defeat?”
Alydian had no answer, but Elenyr seemed to understand. “I’m sorry, daughter. I truly wish I’d had more time to prepare you.”
“I always thought our magic was a blessing,” Alydian said. “Now I’m not so sure.”
Elenyr smiled, but the expression was one of regret. “Oracles have centuries of training which you have not had. Now you must learn in the fire of conflict.”
Alydian s
ighed and turned toward the door. “We must hasten,” she said, “or our forces will not be ready when Teriah arrives.”
“Then it appears our work is just beginning,” Elenyr said.
It took two days for Alydian to convince Ora to relinquish half of her kingdom. Despite the fragile treaty, tensions were rife among the officers of both sides, and it took all of Alydian’s focus to prevent a conflict.
The rebellion fleet needed supplies and healing, for which resources were limited. Plant mages were forced to plant and harvest crops each day just so there would be enough food. Shelter and clothing were also in short supply, and tempers were quick to flare.
Fortunately, the tale of Skykeep served as the greatest balm. Those that had survived the battle were lauded as heroes, with even the mercenaries and thieves receiving accolades. As news spread that the rebellion had formed an alliance with the princess, the tension gradually faded and the people united.
Griffin’s army prepared with all haste for an expected conflict, and battlements were raised across Seascape. Scouts were dispatched south to the Blue River, the border to the Mage Empire. But as the days passed into weeks, the Empire did not arrive.
As the tension mounted Alydian rode with Devkin to the camp close to the river where scouts had reported back. Through her farsight she saw the Empire marching toward them, but there was no sign of Teriah’s forces.
“You found nothing?” Devkin asked the scout.
Alydian and Devkin were in the rapidly growing forest camp on the coastline. The elves were using their magic to shape the trees into homes, the settlement quickly filling with refugees. Trees groaned as they obeyed elven magic, the leaves drifting down onto the table of maps.
“No, High Oracle.” The scout shook his head. “I rode two days into the Empire but found no sign of an army, or even other scouts. Do you wish me to search anew?”
“Yes,” Alydian said.
Devkin nodded. “And send scouts east and north. We must not be caught unawares.”
The scout bowed and departed, and Alydian turned to Devkin. “You think she’ll try to surprise us?”