Shard Knight (Echoes Across Time Book 1)

by Ballard, Matthew

Connal shook his head. “I haven’t laid eyes on him since he was an infant.”

  Danielle’s chest tightened. He’d hidden the past to spare her the same pain, and he’d done it alone. “What’s next then? What’s your plan for rescuing him?”

  “It’s Ronan who can rescue us and thousands of Ayralens trapped inside Meranthia. He’s the rightful heir to the throne Danielle. He’s the true king.”

  Connal’s plan crystallized in her head. “I see what you’re scheming.” Her eyes narrowed. “You want to rescue Ronan and install him as king after the Guard kills Pride.”

  Connal winced. “It sounds harsh and calculated when you lay it bare. I want to find Ronan. He’s my son and I love him, but yes, he can put a stop to the whole mess once he’s king.”

  “What if Ronan doesn’t want to rule Meranthia? Maybe he hates his country. As far as he’s aware, Pride killed the only family he’s ever known.”

  “It’s his choice Danielle, but I know your mother and how she raised him. He’ll make the right decision.”

  “What’s your plan?” Danielle said.

  “I’m assembling a team to rendezvous with Tyrell and Ronan. They’ll assassinate Pride and raise Ronan as king.”

  “Are you going?” she said.

  “I want nothing more, but I can’t leave Ayralen with refugees pouring over the border. Pride could send his army against them.” Connal said.

  “Then I’m going.” Danielle said.

  “No. I won’t risk -”

  “It’s not your choice. I know you want to protect me, but he’s my brother. He needs me, and I won’t leave him alone a day longer than necessary. I’ll go alone if you try to stop me.”

  Connal nodded. “I figured you’d react this way. You’re a grown woman, and you’ll do as you please. Not to mention, you’re the strongest young warden in the Guard. Putting my feelings aside, I would’ve picked you for the job anyway.”

  She smiled. “It’s settled then.”

  “It’s settled.”

  Danielle stood and walked to the pond’s muddy bank. She knelt and found just the right stone. She moved with the toss this time, twisting her body the way her father taught. The flat stone skipped the surface four times and nestled into the muddy shoreline on the far bank.

  Reunited

  Merric Pride teetered along the palace corridor supported by his solid silver cane. He paused outside iron double doors and pulled on a circular brass door handle. The thick door shuddered and groaned as it swung outward on creaky hinges.

  At the palace’s core, nestled in weaves of spirit, Elan’s Heart floated at the room’s center. Unlike the jagged shards that imbued magic, Elan’s Heart spun in a perfect sphere. Yellow, blue, and white energy intertwined within its walls in a complex dance of twists and bursts.

  On entering the room, Pride locked his gaze on the sphere, dropped to a knee and bowed his head in reverence. Elan’s Heart, the holiest of relics, represented everything good and pure in Meranthia. Elan’s blessed hand created the sphere and gave the world the gift of magic. It embodied everything he’d fought for and gave his life purpose.

  Aligned in a triangular pattern at points of equal distance from the heart, a triumvirate of shard knights held watch. Each knight represented one of three branches of Meranthian magic, and they remained on duty and alert twenty-four hours a day. The trio’s combined strength provided a nearly invulnerable defense against any thief that tried to steal the realm’s most precious artifact.

  Although the heart received the best defense possible, its power remained dormant and inaccessible. The secrets Elan’s Heart contained remained a mystery to cleric and scholar alike.

  Pride studied Elan’s Heart as it hung in suspension.

  Layers of interlocking spirit shields crafted by the realm’s most powerful shield knights provided its first layer of protection.

  In his role as monarch, Pride held authority to handle the heart any time he wanted. He’d tried countless times, without success, to take the power within him and found his failure humiliating. Unlocking its mysteries had turned into his obsession during the last five years. He believed the secret to immortality lay at its core, although he kept that belief private. Once he held full control of Elan’s power, he could rule Meranthia forever in a way Elan could only dream. He envisioned using its magic to wipe out the Ayralen race forever.

  Pride had never considered the power attainable until a visit from Ambassador James Finn of Ayralen. Ambassador Finn wanted to share information with the queen and gain access to Meranthian documents that could provide leads toward uncovering Lora’s Heart.

  Finn claimed he’d found a bond between Elan’s Heart and Lora’s Heart. Unlike Elan’s Heart, Lora’s Heart remained undiscovered in Ayralen culture, and countless treasure hunters still sought the artifact.

  Finn claimed Lora’s Heart lay buried somewhere within Meranthia itself. He said a pair of rings linked both hearts, but he didn’t know how. Beyond those clues, Pride had gained no further information from Finn despite years of his confinement.

  Lord Randal’s own attempts had uncovered a drawing of a ring, maps, and odd notes left by earlier ancestors. Ancient Meranthian researchers had uncovered the barest handful of details surrounding the rings.

  After Finn had relayed these details, Pride arrested him on charges of heresy. To this day, he remained locked in the palace dungeons. Pride could never find the leverage necessary to pry more details from Finn, but he’d an inkling he might find that leverage today.

  A knock on the iron doors echoed through the chamber disturbing Pride’s reflections.

  “Enter,” Pride said.

  Lord Randal entered the room with an Ayralen woman in front of him. The detention shield surrounding her surged with rippling energy confining her with no hope for escape.

  “I present you the prince’s girlfriend Your Majesty.” Lord Randal bowed with a flourish.

  “He’s no prince.” Pride spat out the words. “He’s an outlaw who belongs cold and dead swinging from the executioner’s noose. Don’t call him that again. Am I clear?” Pride said.

  “My apologies Your Majesty. I won’t repeat the offense,” Lord Randal said.

  “And, I know her identity Niles. I was present in the room when she and her boyfriend tried to kill me. I’m not senile.”

  Lord Randal’s face flushed. “I apologize again Your Majesty.”

  “Leave me with her. You can go,” Pride waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.

  Lord Randal bowed and left the room letting the heavy doors clang shut behind him.

  Pride stared at Rika for several moments, but she refused to meet his eyes. “Lord Randal tells me you’ve been less than cooperative. I’ve been a good host haven’t I? Have I mistreated you in any way?”

  “Besides letting me rot in your filthy dungeon?” Rika said.

  “I can’t have you running around trying to kill me again can I? Another king in my position would’ve already had you executed.”

  Rika stared at him with revulsion etched on her face.

  “You’d almost died from blood loss when we found you. You survived by Elan’s mercy alone, and without my intervention, He wouldn’t have intervened. I don’t want to mistreat you. It’s in your best interest to cooperate.”

  “What’s your full name?” Pride said.

  Rika’s face showed no sign of fear or hesitance. “My name is Rika Tally. I’m an Ayralen citizen.”

  “Why did you and the boy attempt to kill me?” Pride’s voice took on an edge of impatience.

  “I wasn’t with a boy. I was with a man named Ronan Latimer, the rightful king of Meranthia. But, you already know that. You murdered his mother in cold blood.”

  Heat flashed like a geyser behind Pride’s eyes, and he whirled on Rika. “Lies! You’re a dirty Ayralen liar.”

  The three shard knights on duty stood stone faced giving no reaction to the exchange.

  He let the hot anger roll over his bod
y and paused to collect himself. He couldn’t allow this creature to play on his emotions. He controlled the events, not her.

  The room echoed with three loud knocks clanging against the iron doors.

  Pride smiled. Elan knew the right course. “Enter.”

  The iron door creaked open, and a tall thin gray haired man bound by a detention shield staggered into the room ahead of Lord Randal. His wrinkled face appeared haggard and drawn beneath the golden complexion that marked him an Ayralen. He stared downward beaten without bothering to look up.

  “Ah…Ambassador Finn. I’m so glad you could join us.”

  Rika’s eyes widened, and her eyes registered a flicker of suppressed recognition.

  Pride picked up on her reaction and smiled. He now held the lock and key. “Miss Tally do you recognize your Ayralen countryman here?”

  “Of course I recognize him. He came to Meranthia on a diplomatic mission and vanished. The Ayralen Assembly warned anyone traveling abroad of his disappearance and offered a reward for any information that might help the Prime Guardian locate him,” Rika said.

  Finn’s head shot up at the sound of her voice. His mouth fell open, and his lower lip trembled. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen anyone from Ayralen,” Finn’s voice sounded harsh and unused.

  Pride barked out a short laugh of mocking contempt. “The girl means nothing to you? Just another Ayralen?” Pride said. “I think I’ll test that theory.” With a gesture, he flicked his wrist in Rika’s direction, and the shield surrounding her vibrated, constricted, and lit with jagged lines of crackling blue light.

  Rika screamed and dropped to her knees. As the shield compressed, shocking pain lit up every inch of her skin. Her jaw dropped open, and her face twisted into a grimace of agonizing pain.

  “No! Stop hurting her!” Finn lunged for her and screamed as his hand met a wall of blue spirit magic.

  Pride lowered his hand, and the shield returned to its normal color and size.

  Rika pulled in short ragged breaths through clenched teeth and remained on her hands and knees.

  “I’m happy to keep this up,” Pride said. “Can we drop this charade? Or should I keep going?”

  “No! Please don’t hurt her again,” Finn said.

  Rika’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I never stopped looking for you father. I never gave up.”

  Finn’s face sagged. He looked like he’d aged ten years in mere minutes. “Why didn’t you go back to Ayralen Rika? I never wanted this for you.”

  “While I’m all for family reunions, I’m a busy man. Ambassador Finn, I believe it’s time for you to share all you know of Elan’s Heart.” Pride held out his palm and let spirit energy gather. “Where have you hidden Elan’s rings?”

  “I’ve told you, I don’t -”

  The shield surrounding Rika surged to life, and her body convulsed as blue energy crackled around her crawling across her skin as if alive. Her eyes bulged and rolled back in her head. She drifted on the edge of consciousness as her body seized.

  “You’ll kill her Pride. Stop!” Finn said.

  “It’s you killing her Ambassador. I’m willing to let the girl die. You can make it stop.”

  Rika’s mouth hung open as her self-control slipped away.

  Finn’s eyes widened with panic. “Stop and I’ll tell you everything I know. She’s dying.”

  Warmth spread through Pride’s body. Elan had prevailed. He released the ball of spirit in his palm and smiled. He’d brought these dogs to heel.

  Rika’s body went limp as the torrent of energy ceased, and she lay motionless with only the restraining shield holding her in place.

  Pride snapped his fingers and motioned to the shard healer on duty. “Corporal, I need her awake if you please.”

  The knight knelt next to Rika and placed her hand on Rika’s back. A white glow spread from her hand across Rika’s back before enveloping her entire body.

  Rika gasped and snapped her eyes open. She sat back on her knees dazed.

  “Ambassador Finn. If I’m forced to do that again, I won’t stop until she’s dead.”

  Finn nodded. “I’ve seen one ring in Ayralen. I thought I’d find the second ring here in Meranthia.”

  “Fine. Tell me what you know,” Pride said.

  “Father no!” Rika said

  “I won’t let him kill you Rika. Not like this,” Finn said.

  “He’ll kill us both anyway,” Rika said.

  “You’re right about that Miss Finn, but if I receive cooperation from both of you, your death won’t happen today. Perhaps you’ll find salvation in one of our new colonies. Your immediate survival depends on the information I receive. If it satisfies Elan’s curiosity, I’m not without compassion for your plight,” Pride said. “Please proceed Ambassador.”

  “One ring belongs to Danielle Deveaux. She’s the Prime Guardian’s daughter. She wears it on a chain around her neck,” Finn said.

  “Have you shared all your secrets? Anything about Elan’s Heart that you haven’t mentioned? Please be aware, if you lie, I’ll know, and your daughter will pay with her life.”

  Finn’s eyes widened darting from left to right. “I believe the rings interact with Elan’s Heart in some way, but that’s just a theory. That’s all I know. I’ve told you everything,” Finn said.

  Pride glared at Rika. “Miss Finn, your father’s life depends on straight answers to my questions. If you attempt to deceive me in any way, I’ll kill him where he stands. Elan knows, his life no longer serves a purpose.”

  Rika’s face went ashen. “You’re a monster.”

  “Those who follow Elan’s law, I treat with love, kindness, and respect. I confess to upholding Elan’s Word. I’m trying to remove the blight your species has inflicted on our realm.”

  Rika’s jaw clenched. “What do you want to know?”

  Pride put on his best smile. “That’s the spirit! Maybe there is potential for you Miss Finn. I need information about the boy. Where’s he now?”

  “I’ve no idea. I was unconscious when he escaped. Don’t you remember?”

  “Yes, but you must’ve planned an escape.”

  “Ronan and I planned to escape through Gulley’s tomb. We’d made no plans after that. Lord Randal told me Patron Tyrell rescued him which I thank God for.”

  Pride flinched. “Elan is God, and He had no intention of rescuing that vile traitor.” His voice rang with contempt. “Where’s Tyrell? He’s wanted for murdering the queen. Did you concoct this plan with him? Remember, your father’s life depends on the answer.”

  “Ronan thinks Tyrell fled to Ayralen. He assumed Tyrell thought he died in the house fire. I’m sure Tyrell’s appearance surprised him.”

  Pride crossed the room and stood within arm’s reach of Finn. He stretched out his palm and gathered a ball of pure spirit. Pride inched the crackling blue orb toward Finn’s nose until it hummed a hair’s width away.

  Rika’s eyes went wide with shock. “I’ve told you everything. You promised to spare his life.”

  “Remember Miss Finn, if I find out you’ve lied today. I’ll kill you both.”

  Sweat beaded on Finn’s brow, and his body trembled.

  Pride dropped his hand, and the ball dissipated into nothing. “Niles, send the Ambassador and his daughter to the colonies. I have no further use of them.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Lord Randal said.

  A Prince’s Regret

  Eight hundred yards away the six-horned buck took its final drink from the cool mountain stream. It reacted too late, mere moments before impact. Feral instincts that had kept the beast alive, didn’t work against a shard imbued hunter firing a bow from half a mile away.

  The arrow struck the beast broadside just behind its front leg sinking to the arrow’s fletching. The buck whined and gave a brief struggle, but the fatal shot struck true. The deer collapsed after running a few steps.

  As Ronan came on the buck, he drew no satisfaction from the act. He ate or
died, and thought the latter a fitting end. He drew his belt knife and dropped to a knee beside the fallen deer.

  Patron Tyrell crouched next to Ronan bearing his knife and helped with the field dressing. “That was fine shooting Ronan. Clean and quick.”

  Ronan grunted as he worked. He didn’t want or deserve the praise. He could rank dropping a defenseless deer as his highest achievement during his entire dismal life.

  Tyrell went about his business without further conversation. They dragged the deer carcass to the river’s edge and secured it on a rocky overhang letting the blood drain.

  Ronan had forced Tyrell to endure three weeks of silence and one-sided conversation. He didn’t want to talk and needed no reminder of his utter failure. That disastrous night haunted his memories every moment of the day.

  His recklessness and arrogance had placed Rika’s life in jeopardy, or worse, death. Hindsight made the choices that night obvious. She’d followed him because she trusted him. Even though she bled from a wound far more serious than she said, Rika never complained.

  How had he missed the evidence Tyrell left him? His cloak fastener marked the entrance to the passage beneath Gulley’s tomb like a painted arrow, and Ronan had ignored the sign.

  She had urged him to find Tyrell and take a few scant minutes to think about their plan. He’d yelled at her like a fool and plunged ahead running his life on a mixture of rage and revenge. Ronan couldn’t remember a time when he’d ever placed another person ahead of his own selfish desires. Why had she paid for his blind arrogance?

  Tyrell’s cabin lay a day’s walk through the foothills and pine trees of Kipley’s Vale. From there, Freehold lay another three days south. They hadn’t seen another person for days, but a dozen villages surrounding Freehold had posted generous rewards for information leading to their capture or death.

  “Let’s make camp here tonight,” Tyrell said.

  Making camp had turned into a daily ritual. Ronan gathered enough wood to fuel the fire for the entire night while Tyrell prepared camp.

  They worked without speaking each man going about his routine.