by K.N. Lee
“How could you? This was to save lives. Now I’m going to have to kill every Aurorian in the realm!” He shouted into her face. She didn’t know how much this would cost him. Lilae tried to wrench free.
“I did what I had to. You would have killed them anyway. At least now, the humans will have a chance,” she glared into his eyes. “Are you going to kill me now?”
“No Lilae. I will not kill you. I free myself from you. You will belong to Dragnor now,” he growled at her, flinging her across the room. He wasn’t sure if he meant what he said. A part of him still cared about her, but the bigger part was furious and expecting the worst from Wexcyn. His life meant more than hers.
Dragnor darted over to her body. “No, let the guards take her. This way,” he shouted to the elf while drawing his sword took off after King Ayaden. He couldn’t possibly get away. There would be squads of Mithrani soldiers swarming the palace and courtyard. The noise stopped behind them once they were outside.
Kavien skidded to a stop. Outside was quiet. King Ayaden held a glowing orb. He looked back at the emperor. Kavien thought of all the gifts that Ayaden had just given him. They had been taken back. The North was full of secret treasures. He recognized the orb. He stepped back, putting an arm out to stop Dragnor as well.
Ayaden grinned. “Well, this was a nice little evening. A bit short, but nice nonetheless. I have learned a lot, about you, and your plans, and I believe you now,” he said letting the orb float in the air beside his head. It had a soft blue glow and hovered in the air as if it had a mind of its own. He nodded to the palace. “She is a true Aurorian, through and through.”
“She’ll be dead by morning,” Kavien told him.
Ayaden shrugged. “A true Aurorian will sacrifice themselves for the lives of others. We will make monuments in her honor.”
“Sure, you do that. I’ll deliver her head to the Black Gates.”
Ayaden chuckled. “Just try. You’ll never make it over the frozen plains.”
Kavien tightened his grip on his sword. He knew there was nothing he could do. The orb was like a bomb. It could level the entire palace.
“You do know I will come for you.”
Ayaden nodded. “Sure, you will try. There’s a reason we Northerners keep to ourselves. Perhaps one day you’ll see for yourself. Though I doubt you’ll live to tell the tale.”
“Let me kill him,” Dragnor hissed into Kavien’s ear.
Kavien held a hand out to silence Dragnor. “In time.”
“You can try,” King Ayaden had to have the last word. Kavien hadn’t met someone as cocky as he was. He nodded and watched him be sucked away by the orb. He would be returned to the orbs twin, wherever it was hidden, and far from Kavien’s reach. He realized that he was grinding his teeth and looked to Dragnor.
“She is mine now, right?” Dragnor asked knowingly.
Kavien shook his head. “No, she is mine. I will deal with her, and don’t worry. She will regret what she has done this night.”
Dragnor nodded. He smiled with a mischievous look in his eye. “I’ve trained you well. Show her pain that she will never forget. Just promise me you’ll let me watch as you sever her head. I want to deliver it to the Black Gates myself, I’ve been there once. I can go again.”
Kavien nodded, stalking back into the palace. “I have a better idea. I think it’s time you visit the wise man.” Finally, Kavien was thinking clearly. He had a plan.
“Good boy…”
Dragnor raised an eyebrow. “Who?”
Kavien glanced back. Memories flooded his mind. “The wise man of Stone Edge. The goblin city.”
Chapter 52
Liam could feel the presence of someone standing over him. He rolled over in the soft grass and there she was. Lilae stood there, the sun shining behind her, making her look ethereal. She looked down at him in wonder and shyness. He sat up and looked around. He was back in his dream world.
He swirled around to Lilae and she stepped back, afraid. He ran his hands through his hair. He felt his chest. The stab wound was gone. Sona had dug that dagger deep into his heart.
He finally began to make sense of where they were. The Overworld. He turned to Lilae and she looked up at him yearningly. It had been so long since they had seen each other. He wanted to smooth her soft cheek with his thumb, and kiss her pouty lips. Then, he remembered. He had to get to her as fast as possible. He had no idea how long he was out.
Liam couldn’t let Sona and Wexcyn win. He couldn’t let Sister Eloni harm Lilae.
He finally understood why the Elders had tried to take Sona. They knew of her betrayal before he did and they were helping him. He wished that they would succeed in capturing her.
Liam knew what would happen if he touched Lilae. He also knew that he had to leave and make it back to the real world as quickly as possible. So, he reached for her, to touch her. She pulled away. They both knew what would happen. Her eyes told him that she didn’t want to leave. Not yet. Instead she lay down on the plush grass. She motioned for him to lie beside her. Liam smiled. He knew there wasn’t much time, but he would not deny her this wish. He wanted to stay, just as much as she did.
Liam settled onto the grass beside her, his head only inches away from hers. He rested his hands beside him, his fingers right beside hers. Together, they looked up at the sky. It was a beautiful blue, unlike any he’d seen in their world. Knowing where they were made it even more outstanding. He finally noticed the horizon. He could see the tops of the palaces in which the Ancients lived.
Liam rolled onto his side. He leaned over Lilae and she looked up at him. He’d never wanted to touch someone so much in his life. He held his hand over her face, just above her skin and closed his eyes. He ran his hand down her cheek, imagining that he was touching her. He could almost feel her soft skin. When his eyes opened he saw tears trail down her face. Pools flooded her eyes and he felt his heart break.
She was in pain. He understood. Someone was hurting her. They came here, to heal. He realized how being in the Overworld always healed him both physically and emotionally. He hated to think of what was happening to Lilae right then, as they lay there.
Liam’s jaw tensed. He could linger no more. He had to get to her. Her eyes begged him to stay with her. Instead, Liam leaned over her. He lowered his face above hers. Her lips screamed for his. When their lips touched Liam felt a mighty jolt that sent his entire body into frenzy. His eyes opened and she was still there. She wrapped her arms around his head and he immediately went to hold her to him.
He kissed her. It was real. Just as he expected, they were torn apart by a bright light. At least, this time, he finally got to touch her, even if it was for but a minute.
Liam opened his eyes and found himself gasping for breath. He fought the water until he realized where he was. After choking the water from his lungs, he calmed himself and made the water support him. He was too weak to do more with his power. He wondered how long he had been underwater.
His eyes widened when he realized that he was being watched.
Mermaids taunted him from below its surface, urging him to come deeper with them. He gasped and looked away. He wouldn’t look at them. Their beauty was like a spell. They even sang to him, so alluring that he nearly slowed down. Those crystalline blue eyes were enchanting.
He had gazed into a mermaid’s eyes before when he were just a child, and he had almost been taken away by them. Mermaids were one of the few creatures that existed in all of the realms.
There was a pack of them and they were all perplexed.
No one could resist a mermaid.
Liam had one thing on his mind. He had to find get to Lilae. He took a breath and soared beneath the water’s surface, stunning the mermaids as they observed this. This particular clan had never come in contact with a Tryan.
His body shot through the water at a speed of the fastest fish. They followed him as closely as they could, right at his heels.
“Are you an elf?” One asked h
im softly, swimming on her back beneath him.
“Nonsense, I’ve seen one of those once. They don’t like water.” Another said.
“I didn’t ask you!” she shot back, her voice so childlike and innocent.
Liam was amused by this sudden exchange, stealing a quick glance at them.
They were like a dream. Shrouded in a glittering silver light, there were five of them, the others had grown bored with him and had already returned to their watery home. Each had a different pattern on its tail, and colorful hair. The green haired one who asked what he was seemed to be the youngest.
She stared at him, swimming beside him now.
“Where are you going? There’s nothing this way.”
“Honestly Kiko, he can’t talk underwater. Do you know nothing at all?”
Kiko blew bubbles back at the red haired one.
“Don’t spoil my fun! He is mine by the way!”
He grinned silently. He found it amusing how they bickered like children. Liam glanced down at them, they looked to be young women. He didn’t know much about mermaids. Perhaps they aged like fairies. There was no telling exactly how old they were.
Once again he shot through the water and then returned to the surface for air.
“Ahh, he does need air.”
“He can answer me now,” Kiko said. “Creature, tell me, what are you?”
He chuckled at being called creature. Surprisingly, they were amusing him.
“I am a Tryan.”
“A what?” Kiko asked.
“Hmm, I’ve not heard of such a thing.” The purple haired one joined in the conversation.
“I have,” said the red head.
“You lie,” Kiko taunted. “You just want to pretend that you’re smarter than I Loilo.
“But I am!”
“You just look older, doesn’t mean you know more.”
Loilo blew bubbles at Kiko and swam away in a fuss, disappearing into the darkness below.
It was quiet for a while. Kiko still followed, the others gave up and went home.
He found that he was oddly comforted by her company. He looked to the stars to make sure he was still going in the right direction.
“Tell me where you need to go stranger. Those stars can play tricks on you sometimes,” Kiko told him, her voice soft. “Such tricky little menaces those are.”
“And what are you?”
She laughed at him. “A mermaid of course!”
“Right, a tricky little menace is more like it.”
“We only want friends.”
“And what happens when your ‘friends’ drown after being lured by you?”
Kiko paused. “Only the bad ones drown.”
He glanced at her. She seemed sincere.
“And what about the good ones? The children? The innocent?”
“They learn to breathe water and live happily with us.”
Liam was silent, imagining such a thing. He admitted, when he were a child he would have loved to see a mermaid kingdom. He looked below, hoping that he could catch a glimpse of their kingdom. He knew he couldn’t see such a thing.
The mermaid kingdom was settled upon the very bottom level of the ocean, right on the deepest rocky terrain. It was way too deep for him to see or venture. He admitted, he was too afraid to go that deep, who knows what monsters dwelled there.
“Would you like to visit?” she asked him. “I think you are one of the good ones I do!”
He shook his head, treading through the waves with strong arms. “Not today Kiko, I must find someone.” He wanted to make sure Nani and Rowe were safe, but above all, he didn’t forget why he had set out in the first place. He had to get to Lilae.
“No fair! You know my name, tell me yours now!”
“Liam.”
“Strange name I must say. Lee-ammmm. Quite odd.”
She swam beneath him then to his other side, almost touching him.
“Who are you looking for Lee-ammmm?”
“A girl.”
“Oh, I see! You like her, yes?” Kiko inquired, her large eyes wide. It was amazing how human they looked from the waist up, yet, those eyes were too large and glossy.
“I do,” he answered.
Kiko snickered. “Does she like you?”
“No. Well,” he took his answer back. “I don’t know yet. I think she does. I’m not sure.”
“Humph! Then why find her, let her stay lost!” she exclaimed, her tiny voice getting closer and closer as she swan around him.
He laughed at Kiko’s surprising childlike innocence.
“She will love me one day.” Then he took another breath and went below the water once more.
“Arrogant Tryan named Lee-ammmm,” she teased softly.
He was deep within his own thoughts again and ignored her taunts. “Why are you following me?”
Kiko smiled. “I like you.”
Liam could see the shore far in the distance. “That’s nice,” Liam answered absent mindedly.
“And why not follow you. I did pull you from the sea floor. So, you are mine!”
Liam quickly turned to her. “You saved me?”
Kiko nodded giddily. Her smile widened. “I did.”
“Thank you,” Liam said, feeling an instant respect for her. Ironic that he had always wanted to talk to a real mermaid, he never expected to meet one like this. “Can you lead me to land? I was heading to the Eura barrier. It can’t be too far.”
“Of course, but you must promise that you’ll come and visit my kingdom someday,” she grinned.
Liam couldn’t help returning her grin and gave a nod. “I will. Again, thank you for saving me.”
Kiko laughed. “I knew there was something special about you. I knew it! I can’t wait to tell Loilo!” She swam ahead of him, leading the way.
Chapter 53
The storm was relentless. Lightning lit up the sky with frightening patterns. The thunder shortly followed, clapping loudly above. The wind blew fiercely, large droplets beat down onto Dragnor’s cloaked head. He flew through large droplets of rain, atop his wyvern, Tari. Its shiny black wings cut through the clouds as it soared through the darkness.
Dragnor had traveled all night to this remote fortress. Eura was the human realm, but there were the forgotten races that still dwelt there. They were secretive folk, keeping to their small hidden cities.
Goblins stood guard but Dragnor passed through their patrols unseen. Their keen eyes had missed him as he darted above them, as fast as the wind. The tall tower stretched towards the moon and sat in the center of this town made of labyrinths and circular streets.
The goblin folk slept in their tiny snug holes dug into the labyrinth walls. Dragnor sighed in relief that he made it to the tower doors undetected. He pulled the reins of the wyvern and led it down to the ground. He whispered to the creature and it blended in with the tower walls like a chameleon.
His leather boots sank into a puddle of mud as he stood before the large, thin, tower doors. The wood was ancient, a dark oak, with dulling gray paint that chipped and crumbled. He turned the rusty knob and paused before pushing them open.
The inside of the tower was dimly lit by tall sconces and torches. The entryway was narrow, leading directly to a set of twin stairs. One set led down. The other was separated by a thin, stone wall and led up.
“Don’t linger in the doorway!” Someone yelled at him from the bottom of the staircase that led below, his harsh voice echoing. “Are you deaf? Shut the damn door!”
Dragnor did so, shutting the night wind out. He didn’t waste time in heading down the stairs. The staircase went deep beneath the ground level, so deep that most would grow fearful. But back in Nostfar, his realm, everyone lived underground. He wasn’t afraid, he felt more at home there than he did in the imperial palace. He slept in the dungeons just to remind himself of what it used to be like.
Dragnor crept down the long narrow staircase, following the small trace of light at the bottom. At the l
anding there was a large cluttered room.
“What brings you down here?” the old man crooned. He was bent over a podium, thin spectacles sitting on the bridge of his narrow, bent nose. He looked down at a dilapidated book. “The hour is quite late to be lurking in these woods, swartelf.”
Dragnor paused. The man hadn’t even glanced at him and had known his race. He straightened his shoulders and looked around the cramped room. Tall candelabras lit the room, the flames flickering and swaying although there was no breeze inside. Not a trace. Shelves of books covered the walls almost completely and scrolls littered old dilapidated tables. The old floorboards seemed damp and the air smelled of mildew and mold.
“I need a potion.”
“They always do.” The old man raised a bushy eyebrow and removed the spectacles. His deep set blue eyes were clouded with mucous. “What for?”
Dragnor folded his hands. He didn’t want to touch anything in that foul room. “An Eternal Sleep Potion.”
There was a low chuckle as the man lowered his head and went back to peering at his book. “A fake death potion you mean? You want to put someone into such a deep sleep that those around them think they are dead. What a coward. Why don’t you just kill them?” There was a long pause. “Close the door on your way out. Don’t let the draft in again.”
Dragnor stood his ground. “Make the potion Vaugner, or my master will surely punish you.”
“Oh yes,” Vaugner nodded. “The truth comes out I see. And with threats no less.”
He didn’t bother to lift his gaze, but all humor had left his voice. “I know who your master is.” Vaugner closed the book, dust entering the air, and slowly walked around to a nearby chair. He held his lower back as if it pained him greatly. “You think I can be tricked as easily as the mortals of this world?”
Dragnor watched him curiously. Mortals?
“I’ve been around since the beginning of time. You’re nothing but a Shadow Elf cub to me!” He slumped against the chairs back.
Dragnor’s eyes narrowed. The old man had a sharper tongue than he had expected. “You’ll regret saying that.”