by CK Dawn
“Who are you talking to, good sir?” he asked and the old man turned back, a slight look of confusion crossing his face before it disappeared.
“No one of importance. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Briggs Villard, gatekeeper of magic and the one you seek. And you are?”
Alixa glanced around at the others in confusion. “I thought you foresaw our arrival? Didn’t you say you knew who we were?”
“I am a legendary keeper of magic, not a mind reader. If you wish me to know who you are, you will have to tell me.” He crossed his arms and huffed their way like they were the ones being difficult.
“I am Trystan Renauld, Prince and Toha of Dreach-Sciene.” Trystan stepped forward.
“Yes, yes, I knew that one.” Brigg’s barked out a laugh.
He moved on, pointing to the next in line. “This is Davion, my second in command, Avery my sword-master, Ciarra, the seer who brought us to you, Alixa Eisner, daughter of the Duke of Isenore and my sister, Rissa---”
“Princess of Dreach-Sciene and daughter of Marissa Kane.” The old man finished for him.
“You mean Marissa Renauld,” Trystan said.
“In the end, yes, but beginnings matter too, and in the beginning, she was a Kane.” The old man stepped forward and peered into Rissa’s face with his bright, beady eyes. He came so close his tufts of gray hair brushed her cheek and she stepped back in alarm. “Yes, I would have recognized you anywhere. You look very much like your mother.” He glanced back over his shoulder at the wall again and snapped at the empty air, “Of course I see it. I’m not blind.”
“He’s stark raving mad,” Davi muttered and for once Alixa tended to agree. The old man pulled his attention back to them once more, a grin splitting his wrinkled cheeks.
“I assure you, Davion second in command, I am quite sane. Sane enough to know I made a mistake when I let my magic slip out and allowed you to find me. Sane enough to know the reason you’ve traveled all this way to seek me out. And sane enough to know that you’re all wasting your time. There is nothing I can or will do to help you.”
Of all the things Alixa had imagined could possibly go wrong, this was not one of them. She thought maybe they wouldn’t find the Tri-Gard member, or worse that he or she had already passed on. Refusing to help them was not something she believed would happen.
“But you are a guardian of Dreach-Sciene,” Alixa countered. “Sworn to protect the realm and its people. You’ve already betrayed the position once by taking the magic away. You owe it to the kingdom and to us to help bring it back. Our lands and our people will not survive much longer without it.”
The little man’s mouth gaped at Alixa’s words like this was the first time he’d heard such a thing. “The magic is gone? How can that be? Who would do such an unspeakable thing?”
What exactly was going on here? Alixa met Trystan’s gaze and was relieved to see he was just as confused.
“You did, Briggs. You and the other Tri-Gard members. You betrayed Dreach-Sciene and the people for King Calis,” Trystan’s voice was soothing as if speaking to a child.
“I did?” The old man stared at Trystan but his gaze was vacant, unfocused as if his attention was turned inwards searching for a reluctant memory. “Yes. I remember. Lonara and I….we did something. I miss her. It would be nice to see her again. But the last time we met, we did something…. something we were forced to do. Ummmm,” his fingertips rubbed at his temples as if willing the memory to the surface. His smile dropped away and he snarled over his shoulder at the unseen presence on the far wall. “Yes, I know what we did. It was that damn Ramsey. He can rot in that hell of a dungeon for all I care. Of course, I’ll help them. Of course---didn’t I just say I would?”
Davi took a step closer to Trystan and whispered out of the corner of his mouth. “Toha, I think we have a problem. I think our Tri-Gard guardian has way too many bats flapping around the old belfry, know what I mean?” He twirled a finger at his temple in emphasis. “I think he’s a lost cause.”
“No.” Trystan shook his head in denial. Taking a step toward the snarling old man, he placed a comforting hand on Brigg’s shoulder. “So, you will accompany us on our mission, Master Briggs? You will help us bring magic back to Dreach-Sciene?”
The man’s snarl dropped away so quickly Alixa thought for a moment she must have imagined it. The wrinkled cheeks stretched into a smile once more as he spread his hands wide, encompassing his guests.
“I most certainly will accompany you. It will be a grand adventure indeed. We must find Lonara. She’ll know what to do.” He clapped his hands once. “Just give me a moment to pack my things.”
He walked over to the table and grabbed a faded red silk bag sitting there. Opening the bag, he removed a white crystal attached to a leather thong. He turned back to them as he placed the leather strap around his neck and the crystal reflected the glow from the lanterns with a thousand tiny prisms of light.
“The Tri-Gard crystal,” Rissa whispered as her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“What?” Davi asked.
“It’s how he still has magic in Dreach-Sciene. The crystals were used to strip the realm of magic.”
“Oh, dearie.” Briggs grinned as he glanced her way. “There is so much more to it than that. Our crystals were also the reason the land had magic in the first place. They kept the balance. Now, no more chatter. Let’s be off.”
“Be off?” Alixa was starting to agree with Davi. This man was nuttier than a bowl of pecans. “Didn’t you want to pack your things? All you’ve taken is that crystal.”
“Ah, yes. Right you are, my dear. There is something I’m forgetting. Now, what is it?” He tapped a dirty finger against his chin, deep in thought. As if suddenly remembering, he straightened his back and pointed Davi’s way. “Yes, of course. I do believe we first need to find a turtle else I’m afraid Gert won’t let you, my boy, leave the swamp alive.” Oblivious to Davi’s gasp of horror, his smile encompassed them all. “Now, who’s up for a turtle hunt?”
Fourteen
“Your Majesty.” Lorelai rose from the bed to wrap her arms around him from behind. The King’s chest was broad and firm from the hours he still spent practicing with his sword. She didn’t know why he persisted in those skills. When it came to war, she doubted very much he would be on the front lines this time. That would fall to his son, the Toha of Dreach-Sciene. “What has your mind so occupied?”
He looked back over his shoulder to meet her eyes, but she was right. His mind was elsewhere.
“That is nothing you need concern yourself with.” He turned to take her into his arms and kissed her solidly.
The frustration began to melt away as he led her back to the bed. The King was a virile man, she’d come to realize. She was many years younger than him, but it didn’t seem to matter so much. She knew what he wanted. His heart would always be with the wife he’d lost, but she wasn’t looking for his heart.
She let her sleeping gown fall to the ground before he pushed her onto the bed once again.
No one said she couldn’t derive pleasure from this mission she’d been tasked with as she awaited her final orders.
They were all soldiers, whether they wanted to be or not. Every single person in both Dreach-Sciene and Dreach-Dhoun would be caught up in the war. It would come at a cost. What separated the true warriors from the weak was the ability to accept that cost.
She’d been accepting it her entire life. And she would do what needed to be done – no matter what that was.
The King’s strong hands moved up her sides and over her shoulders until they were cupping her face. He was such a gentle man and she almost hated betraying him. Almost. She knew the price if she didn’t.
“Marcus,” she groaned.
He stilled for the briefest of moments. She’d never been so informal with him even though they’d been involved in the most personal of relationships for weeks.
“Say it again,” he growled. A plea, not a command.
Interesting, she thought.
“Marcus,” she whispered, stretching up to take his bottom lip between her teeth.
A smile lit up his stern face and she realized how unusual it must be for him to hear his name without the title of King in front of it. Power was a lonely pursuit.
He rolled her over so she was straddling him and her blonde hair fell wildly about her shoulders. He reached up to tug on an errant strand, still smiling in a way she hadn’t seen before. He looked almost … happy.
It looked good on him. He was handsome, but always so severe. When his face softened, he could be any man, not just a king.
She sucked in a breath at the joy that brought her. Getting close to the King was not supposed to mean caring for his well-being, especially when it would only make her final task that much harder.
A tear fell from her eye and confusion clouded his face.
“Lorelai,” he whispered. “Why do you cry?”
Her lips quivered as she forced them to smile. “No reason, Sire.”
His eyes shuttered at her returned formality and Marcus was replaced with the King.
She rolled off of him and he got up, keeping his back to her. “I must be off. I have some duties to perform this morning.”
He got dressed and combed his hair before rushing from the room without a backward glance. Lorelai sighed as she too prepared for the day.
She was still at the castle for her own supposed protection, but her days were long with little to do. Much of her time was spent wandering, taking note of everything she passed in case it proved useful later on.
The stables were one of her favorite destinations. The constant noise was a comfort to her aching conscience. Horses didn’t judge, but sometimes it felt like their large eyes could see right through a lie. One couldn’t hide their true selves from the gentle beasts.
A chestnut mare in the first stall snorted and stamped her foot as Lorelai ran her palm against the curved back.
She looked into the horse’s eyes. “Don’t look at me like that.” She patted the long neck. “It’s not like I have a choice.” The horse jerked her head away and Lorelai sighed. “I know. But loyalty to one’s family means something, too.”
She turned when she heard a horse gallop into the courtyard and went out to see who it was. A girl sat bareback atop her horse. She slid down and asked a nearby stable boy to take the horse. She swiped the hat from her head and a dark braid fell out. “I must see the King.”
When none of the servants responded, Lorelai stepped forward. “I believe he’s in the training yard. I can take you.”
The girl tilted her head in thanks and Lorelai led her to the King. He was sparring with one of his officers. Sweat dripped from his determined face as he stepped forward to deliver what would be a killing move against a real attacker. In practice, it only served to knock the other man on his backside and steal the breath from his lungs. He panted and wheezed until he could finally speak.
“Well fought, Sire.”
The King helped him to his feet and then caught sight of Lorelai. He smiled wide and she thought everyone in attendance must know what she was to him.
“Your Majesty,” she said. “A messenger has arrived for you.”
The dark-haired woman stepped up and bowed. “Sire, I have urgent news.”
“Come,” the King beckoned, accepting his shirt from a nearby servant. “You as well, Lorelai.”
They followed him into the palace to his office. Lord Drake was absent and Lorelai was happy for the reprieve. There was something about the King’s brother that made her skin crawl. He couldn’t be trusted. But then, neither could she.
The King turned back to the Messenger. “Now, what is the urgent matter? Does it have to do with my son? My daughter?”
Lorelai knew the King had been anxious to hear of his children. She thought it endearing how much he loved his children. He truly was a good man. Kind. Loyal. He loved his people. He was the kind of king people followed willingly and that was why she’d been sent.
“In part, Sire.” The Messenger took a breath. “The Duchess of Sona has entrusted me with a simple message for your ears only.” She glanced at Lorelai nervously.
“Speak your message,” the King commanded.
She swallowed hard and met his gaze. “The Toha and princess have completed his mission on Sona successfully.”
A loud breath released from the King and his face relaxed. “Thank the earth.” Then, as if replaying the message in his mind, his back straightened. “Wait … the Princess?”
“Yes, Sire. Princess Rissa was with the Toha when they spoke to the Duchess.”
He closed his eyes for a brief moment. “I should have known.” He sat down, slumping back as resignation washed over him. “You said your message was only in part due to them?”
“I’m a trader, Sire. I travel between the Sona and the villages of Aldorwood and Isenore quite a bit, distributing goods and also …” she stopped speaking.
“Gathering intel for the Duchess.” The King leaned forward. “I understand your role, go on.”
“Usually, we must take the roads because of the size of our wagons rather than the shorter path through the woods to get to the palace. Two days ago, the group I was with was attacked.”
The King pressed his lips together, allowing her to continue.
“They were soldiers wearing the colors of the Duke of Isenore. At first, they came to us saying they were looking for the Lady Alixa. We all know she is rumored to have been kidnapped. We allowed the soldiers to travel with us and make camp with us. In the night, there was a slaughter.”
Lorelai gasped even though she wasn’t all that surprised. Average citizens always took the worst of it in times like these.
The King’s face was an emotionless mask. “How did you get away?”
“I …” She sucked in a breath. “I had set up my things on the edges of our camp. I’m good with a blade and they use me as a lookout for bandits or wild animals. We didn’t expect the attack to come from within the camp. One of the older men yelled to me that I must reach the King seconds before he was cut down. I had my own horse so I took off. I didn’t even have time to saddle him.”
“You were very brave.”
“Bravery has nothing to do with it, Sire. I had to get here to deliver my message, but also to relay what I’ve seen. We weren’t the only ones. I rode along the road for a day and a half after.” She paused and closed her eyes for the briefest of moments. “There were others. Traders. Entertainers. Travelers. Even a few soldiers in the Aldorwood colors. All dead. Sire, the realm’s roads have always been home to bandits, but this is different. You must get out the word that they are no longer safe to travel. What it means for moving supplies to the villages, I don’t know and that frightens me.”
The King sat motionless for a moment. “The forest roads will have to do between here and Whitecap. There are other less known roads through Aldorwood. The villages of Isenore are no longer our problem and we have to hope those people are being supplied by the Duke with what he gets from Dreach-Dhoun.” He puckered his lips as if his own words left a sour taste. “You may go and get a warm meal in the hall.”
The Messenger bowed swiftly and left.
The King rose from his chair and went into the hall to search for one of his officers – a man named Grant. He explained the situation. “Send our swiftest messengers to the villages to post notices about keeping away from the trade roads. Find a scout who can make haste to Isenore in search of Lord Drake. I need him back at the palace and out of that realm. And tell our captains to ready a small force to take care of these invaders. Isenore is now an enemy. Anyone in Aldorwood or Sona wearing their colors will be seen as such.”
Lord Grant left to carry out the King’s orders.
The King marched back into his office, sat down, and lowered his head into his hands.
Lorelai moved behind him and kneaded his neck with her hands.
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��This kingdom could really use its Toha right now,” he said.
“It has a king,” she responded.
“One of the greatest lessons I’ve ever learned is that a king is not everything to the people, nor should he be. This realm needs both of us.” He breathed heavily. “I only hope I have not sent him on a fool’s errand because Dreach-Sciene is falling apart and we could all use a little bit of hope right now.”
She bent to kiss the top of his head and he turned to look at her. The pain swirled in his eyes. He cared about every single one of his people.
And that, she thought, is why he will lose this war.
Lorelai left him to his tasks and went directly to her room. She hadn’t slept in there in a while since the King took comfort in having her in his bed. She pulled out the small stack of parchment she’d procured and a feathered pen.
She began to write.
The Princess Rissa has joined the prince on his quest. They are on schedule. We received word they succeeded in Sona, but nothing since then. I hope you’re still tracking them.
The King has responded to the attacks on the roads as you wished. His messengers are going out now. I will await my final orders.
Forever your loyal subject.
She didn’t sign her name in case the letter was to be intercepted. Rushing towards the stables, she found the man she was looking for. Thom was one of the messengers, but also a part of her uncle’s extensive network in the realm. He would pass the letter off to the next person in the chain.
She pressed the letter into his fingers. “Why did my uncle wish for the people of Dreach-Sciene to stop using the main trade routes?”
Thom considered her for a moment. He’d been a favorite of her uncles and he saw his mission in Dreach-Sciene as a step down.
Her blood boiled at the way his eyes scanned her from head to toe. She pulled her arms in to cover her chest and he snapped his eyes back to her face. He seemed to be considering if she was worth the information, but she was his master’s niece so her questions must be answered.