"But how will you ferret him out?" Kaden asks.
"I'll search for miracles. Wonders. Something will stand out."
Kaden sighs. "I've tried a similar approach before. There are too many tales. Too few ways to separate fact from fiction."
“It’s a start, at least.” I say, thoughts spinning in my mind. “When is the next Sundering expected?” I ask.
Kaden’s eyes turn dark. “You’ve seen the dragons beyond the Wall. You know what it means.”
“So it’s begun,” I say, finally facing the truth. I'd hoped… for what? More time. That this wouldn't happen just yet. But alas, we must deal with the reality we are given, for true suffering comes from fighting reality.
Kaden nods. “All Ashlords and knights have been summoned to the Wall. They will defend any gates that tear open.”
“Our squadron?” I should be with them. My squad. My friends.
“They are on their way to the South Gate last I heard,” says Kaden.
I'm torn. I need to lead my squad and defend the South Gate, but I also need to find Pike. Fast. Before he sacrifices Kara. But how much time do I even have? A week. A day? An hour?
Except… if he doesn't make the next sacrifice, then the Wall will fall. The dragons will raid all the worlds. Humanity will be devoured.
"Your mind is racing, spinning into dozens of webs," Lord Illian says. "You worry about your choice, and yet even with free will, we cannot escape fate. It is your fate to find Pike. It is what must be to save the Nine Worlds."
I hope this is the right choice, but Illian's words give me confidence. “Take me to the library."
Illian nods, a small smile playing on her lips. “Escort our guests, my son. Then I expect your return. We have preparations of our own to make. The time has come.”
He gives a small bow to his mother, then leads Raven and I out, with Enzo joining us.
We are halfway through the passageway before I dare ask, “What did she mean by preparations?”
Kaden frowns and his face hardens. “While the Sundering is at hand, Nirandel will be in chaos. It is the opportunity the Ashwraiths have been waiting for.”
“Opportunity for what?” I fear I will not like his answer, and I reach for his hand and squeeze it.
“We will make the transition as peaceful as possible. We will target the Emperor and his Shadows. Once they are eliminated, we will demand surrender from the army and the common people. If all goes well, everyone will lay down their arms. Those who wish to stay under our rule, may. Those who wish to leave will have a chance to travel north, to start a new community there.”
It is as I feared. “And what if people don’t lay down their arms?”
“Then much blood will be spilled,” he says somberly.
“How can you do this? Potentially kill hundreds, maybe thousands of people, at a time when the people need defending the most?”
“What would you have us do?”
“If your people helped fight the dragons, helped prevent the Sundering, we could save so many more. Then, you could talk with the Emperor. Show him how you can control your powers. How you helped save this world, and all the worlds. Create peace. Maybe you can get land to call your own.” Even as I say the words I know how pathetic they are. I've seen the long arm of the Emperor, how he abuses those he's meant to care for. He will not stand for any challenge to his rulership.
Kaden glances at me as we walk, his face still hard, but his hand in mine is warm and comforting. “The Emperor annihilated every single High Dragon when they burned his wife. Our kind has murdered children, destroyed entire villages. We had no control of course, without training, but do you think Emperor Titus will care? Do you think anyone will?” He pauses. “No. We tried peace once, long ago, back when the High Dragons reigned. We sent a party to treat with them, to tell them the truth of our ways. The High Dragons agreed to meet, but it was only a trap. They captured our diplomats and sent them to torture. They wanted to know the location of our base, our weakness. As far as I know, everyone one of ours died rather than betray their people. Their bodies were dissected, I heard, studied after their Spirits were killed in their Sanctuaries.”
I'm silent as we continue to walk down the darkened halls, lit only by sporadic torches on the walls.
Kaden shifts his eyes to me, his hand tightening on mine a fraction. “I do not expect you to agree with what we’re doing,” he says, “but I hope you can at least understand. My people have been mistreated for millenniums, living underground like insects, scrapping for food and tools. While Titus and his ilk live in leisure on the backs of others. We will make far better rulers than him. In our world, everyone will have a place to call their own.”
As we pass from the halls, we enter the large chamber where it seems most of this underground world is centered. There are stalls for crafting, small homes for families to live together, and I pay more attention to the details as we walk by this time. I notice swords of obsidian being sharpened. Metal being forged in blue flame.
I glance at Enzo. “How do you feel about all this?”
“Titus, Sylus… their kind must be removed from power. And," he pauses and looks around the darkened space. "It will be nice to look upon the sun once more.”
If that's true for Enzo, who has not been here long, I can only imagine how so many others feel. They are pale, deprived of sunlight, of fresh air, fresh food, space. They have been left here to die, and yet they carved for themselves something more. They were left in their madness, and yet they clawed their way out of it and learned how to control their powers.
While I don't relish war, and this timing is unfortunate, I also understand. There is a wrong that needs righted. Justice is needed for these people. And when I remember what I've learned about the Emperor. The kinds of things he's done. The kind of leader he is, I know this has to be.
It seems the blood of the innocent is always payment for change.
Kaden and Enzo lead us up a tunnel until we reach a dead end. Kaden pulls a lever on the wall and the stone slides away revealing sunlight and grass and trees. I inhale sharply, and the fresh scent of flowers and sun fill me.
We step out and I see that behind us is the mountain of Dragoncliff, which makes sense given that Alon Londal exists below in the catacombs.
Kaden reaches up to brush his thumb along my cheek as he holds my eyes with his. “Enzo and I must return. I wish I could help you search for Pike, help you save Kara—”
I put my hand over the one he has against my cheek. "But you have to do this. I understand. And I would do the same if I were you."
Relief fills his face and he leans in to kiss me.
We let the kiss linger, ignoring Enzo and Raven and the urgent needs that propel us forward. For this one moment, we allow time to stand still.
A tear leaks out of my eye when he pulls away. "We may never see each other again," I whisper, afraid to speak this out loud lest it comes true.
He wipes the tear from my eye. "That won't happen. Look at all we've lived through. We will find each other again. After. Our story isn't over yet, Miss Knightly."
Kaden turns away and leads Enzo back into the catacombs, and I rub my eyes and take a step toward Dragoncliff.
The Sundering is upon us.
Everything is about to change.
It's time to return and finish this.
Dragoncliff is besieged by a flurry of activity when we arrive. Ashknights are loading ballistas on the wall. Anyone who can fight, from Ashlings to Ashlords, are sharpening blades and preparing their weapons. The Charred are visible in larger numbers. Usually they go about their business unseen, but now they are everywhere, helping in tasks that they are not normally called to do.
We see one Ashling cowering behind a shrub, quivering as he sharpens his sword. He's just a kid and clearly not ready to go to war, but today, everyone must fight if needed.
Raven and I find our squad setting up a ballista on the south side as Phoenix calls out commands.
When they see us, they drop everything and run, giving hugs and asking questions over each other. "Are you two well? We heard you were recovering?"
I smile at them. "We're better now. I'd heard you were on your way to the Wall?"
“Change of plans,” says Phoenix. “News came. The dragons broke through the South Gate. The Wall faded in that area and they’ve taken over. They’ll have to pass this way to reach any inhabitable areas, so we’ll make our stand here.”
“Time to put all that training to use,” says Landon.
Phoenix grabs me by the arm and pulls me away from the others. She whispers in my ear. “I’m sorry for what I did… I…”
“It’s alright. I would have done the same for Kaden.”
She probes my soul with her eyes. “You know then… everything?”
I nod. “Raven and I both do. And we won’t tell anyone. Not until the war begins."
Her eyes flick to the dark-haired girl who has her back to us as she looks out toward the Wall. Phoenix nods. “Very well then, you might as well help prepare.”
I turn to everyone. “There’s something else I must do. There is someone I must find.”
“The man who took your daughter,” says Mabel.
"Yes, but there's more to it than any of us knew." I tell them just enough so they understand. So they know that I wouldn't abandon them right now if it weren't urgent. If it didn't mean the fates of the worlds, not just my daughter. I don't betray Lord Illian or her people. That is their secret to reveal when the time is right.
"So… " Zev says. "If we find Pike and throw him in the Wall, problem solved?"
"Basically, yes," I say, grinning at his way with words.
“Then we go with you,” says Bix. “We swore.”
Phoenix balks at this. "You are under my command and right now, we are all needed here, defending the Cliff and the rest of this world. We can't spare anyone right now. I'm sorry."
Landon steps forward. "With respect, Sky is our leader, today and always. We follow her command." They each step forward, flanking Landon, lending their support. "If you want our help in finding Pike, we are yours. If you want us here, we will fight."
My heart feels bruised by such loyalty, when I know I am likely acting on a fool's hope. What are the chances I can find Pike when everyone else has failed? But still, I must try. To save Kara. And to put a stop to the sacrifices permanently and save countless others.
"Thank you," I tell them, but you are needed here. All of Nirandel needs you to defend them from the Sundering. And I need you to keep this castle in one piece or all my work will be for naught.”
They exchange looks, then as one they kneel with swords held point down. "We will do as you command," Landon says.
"Be safe. Be strong. Fight well. You all are more than my squad, you're my family, and I will see you all again when this is over." I make eye contact with each of them and then turn to Phoenix, who's face is unreadable. Her command, which given her rank is hers by right, was just ignored, and she could see that as a great insult. "Please take care of my squad. Lead them well."
I make sure my squad hears my words, so they know I am leaving Phoenix in charge. Phoenix looks relieved, though still annoyed by the exchange. She resumes issuing orders as I turn to leave, and I hope this isn't the last time I see my friends alive.
But it's hard to walk away, and I falter, looking back toward them. Can I really leave them to fight without me? But I know I must stop Pike. I can't fail Kara again. She will die tonight when the moons are at their highest if I don't do this. And it will keep happening. Again and again. No, Pike has to be stopped.
“Go,” says Bix, who sees me hesitate. “We be here waiting for you when you get back.”
“Yes. Those dragons will wish they stayed behind the Wall where they belong,” jokes Landon.
“We’ll beat them,” says Mabel. “Working together.”
Zev shrugs. “By my calculations, I do think the odds are in our favor. Go. Kill Pike and save the Nine Worlds.”
Raven smiles at me, and nods.
With all their blessings, I head for the library. I will find Pike and save Kara before it’s too late.
Forty
Unlikely Allies
When I reach the library, it is empty except for Master Orcael. “What are you doing here?” he asks. “Everyone has been sent to the walls.”
“Special order from Phoenix,” I lie. “She needs me to research something that could help in battle.”
He adjusts his monocle. “Perhaps I may be of some assistance.”
Yes. He could be very helpful. No one knows this library like Master Orcael, and a theory has been forming in my mind, one I'm hoping these books can help prove. I considered what would someone with that much power do? Would they be content living in shadows on another world, stealing kids and training them? Or would they want something more?
Pike has powers beyond anyone. He is likely the strongest person on Nirandel.
So… why not start my research with the strongest person on Nirandel?
Emperor Titus himself.
“I need histories on the emperor,” I say. “Biographies, stories, battle accounts, everything.”
“As you wish,” he says, and in moments he brings me a pile of books. He leaves and returns with more books. Then more. The piles grow beside me as I begin to skim through them.
The Emperor's Shadows have powers that they keep secret. Powers no one else knows about. Abilities that allow them to kill Twin Spirits. This alone could point to the Emperor being Pike. But perhaps he just recruited Pike as one of his Shadows.
But why would someone so powerful be content working under someone else?
Still, I need more definitive proof before I try to confront the Emperor of all Nirandel.
I continue speed reading, and quickly devour passages that describe the Emperor's great feasts. How he outmaneuvered the High Dragons in battle, despite having fewer numbers. That alone is worth pausing for. The High Dragons and the power of the dragons, and greater forces, and yet Titus beat them and then brought the middle class into power after the High Dragons were all dead.
It's a powerful argument for him being Pike, but not entirely conclusive.
And if I'm right, how will I get an audience with the Emperor? Maybe Illian can help, if they are going after the Emperor during the Sundering?
Still, a case could be made Pike is just one of his Shadows. Or none of them. Maybe he prefers to stay out of the way. On another world. Controlling from a distance. How can I possibly understand a mind like his?
I'm so lost in thought, bent over the books that smell of paper and leather and ancient mothballs, that when Master Orcael approaches, I nearly jump out of my seat.
“Perhaps if I knew specifics I could be of more help?” he says.
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose, then stretch my neck and arms. “I’m looking for someone,” I say, trying to explain my situation without giving too much away. “I learned they’re using a false name. Their true identity is secret, but I suspect it may be in one of these books.”
“I see,” the old master says, stroking his beard. “This is going to take a lot of time. I best make some tea.”
He returns with tea for us both, as I keep looking. I sip at the tea and strain my eyes reading through the histories, deciphering headache inducing fonts. Hours pass. The sun begins to set. I feel cloistered within the thick walls of the library. Like I'm in another world. Another life. I try not to think of my friends. Of all the people who could die today. I have to figure out this riddle.
The letters begin swimming before my eyes, no longer making sense. My muscles feel weak and tired. I need to stretch. To think. To get a new perspective and breathe fresh air. I swallow the rest of my tea and head to the balcony where Master Orcael stands, smoking a pipe and looking toward the horizon.
“The Wall of Light shines less brightly than before. There's hardly any of its luminescence left,�
� Master Orcael says as he stares into the distance. “Soon it will be gone completely."
I want to tell him it will be all right. That the wall will be fixed, but I don't know what will happen, and I try not to make promises I can't keep. Instead I say what I believe. “We’ll survive." I pat his arm. "Sunderings have come and gone and yet Dragoncliff remains.”
“Yes,” he says as he chews on his pipe, smoke filling the air. “We remain.”
I’m about to return to my books when something dark appears over the setting sun. A silhouette in the sky. Then another. And another. Dozens of them. Beating wings against the horizon fill the sky with fire and promises of death.
“They are coming,” the master says. “It won’t be long now until the walls are besieged.”
I run back to the books, a panic filling me. I'm out of time. But there’s something I’m missing, something playing on the edge of my mind. I reach for the thought but it flits away, like trying to catch a cloud. Frustrated, I slam my fist into a thick leather tome, tears of anger burning my eyes. If I fail at this, if I don't figure this out, it's all over. Kara's dies and Pike will get away with it. We will continue to war with dragons, sacrificing our lives to defend the worlds. The cycle never ends.
I close my eyes and draw on memories of what my mother taught me when I was young. About slowing my breathing, focusing.
I hear her voice in my head and let myself sink deeper into my mind. My breathing calms. My heart rate slows.
I need to start at the beginning, I realize. The very beginning.
My eyes pop open, and in a frenzy I move books around, looking for the earliest account of the emperor. Before his wife was burned. Before he became a warrior. Before he became a ruler.
Because I've been looking at this all wrong.
I find what I need in a small black book. It's not a historical account like the rest, more like a story. I flip to the first page and begin reading.
"Titus lived a life of solitude, in a manor bestowed to him by relatives long gone. The place had long been in disarray, for he had no guests, and no one to entertain. The nearby villagers ignored him and told tales of Titus and his manor. Some called him an Ashwraith. Others a Corrupted Spirit. Over the years, the tales grew until all the villagers feared Titus
Of Dreams and Dragons Page 33