“I’m curious,” King Rinald said. “Answer their questions.”
“Those are Lord Tristeil’s secrets. He never told us. And when he had passed his secrets to his son, Jerrick also kept quiet. We still know nothing of the forest, only that he is able to break the shield,” Lord Braxton answered grudgingly.
“So if Jerrick wasn’t around to break through the shield for his father,” King Rinald said, “how did the thieves get back through when Jerrick had forgotten about his magic ten years ago?”
“Lord Tristeil went to that forest every month and tried to break through with his earth magic,” Braxton answered. “For seven-and-a-half years he failed. Then one day it worked. But he had expended so much of his energy and magic that he was unconscious for an entire day, not even realizing that it had worked.”
“I don’t understand how earth magic would be able break through the shield,” Darian said in awe.
Lord Braxton exhaled boredly and shrugged. “The forest is tied to the earth.”
“That’s all you have?” King Rinald scoffed.
“I don’t know how it works,” Braxton insisted. “Lord Tristeil wasn’t even sure what he had done.”
King Rinald nodded. “I think we’re finished with you both.” He called for the guards and ordered a secure escort for them back to Mageia where they were to be imprisoned. Then he stood and took his chair to the other side of the room where he set it down so he could see everyone. “Well… I don’t think we have any other choice than to ask our new allies to help us,” he said, looking to Desmond, Briahnna, and Liam.
“I know you have been at war with us for wrongly accusing you, and you have every right to refuse us. But we are in desperate need of your new queen,” Rinald said humbly. “I am so sorry, King Desmond. I am sorry for a great many things. But mainly I am sorry for the injustice you have received in the death of your father. We have all been deceived and manipulated. But that is no excuse. You can take what is yours and leave, and I would not begrudge you for it.”
Desmond watched Rinald for a short moment and only nodded at his apology. Then he turned to Briahnna and said, “It is her choice to make.”
Chapter 40
Camp was cleaned up in a day. Desmond ordered most of the men home to Thornhold and kept a contingent to take with them to Mageia. Briahnna had agreed to help her father find the Magiks that Jerrick had hidden.
She stared at the horizon as she heard Desmond walk up beside her with the horses. “We’re ready,” he said, standing beside her. “Are you sure you’ll be able to open the forest?” Briahnna smiled slightly as she closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and looked at Desmond. “No. I’m not sure.” She turned back to the horizon. “I have the same magic as Jerrick…That doesn’t mean I know how to use it.”
“I’ve noticed,” he said. Briahnna glared at him, making him backtrack. “I didn’t mean for it to come out the way it did.” Desmond shook his head. “It wasn’t meant to sound harsh. There’s a lot that I don’t know about you.”
Briahnna nodded. “Ask me anything,” she said earnestly. “I will give you an honest answer. I promise.” Desmond smiled. “I’ll take you up on that. Give me a little time to sort through everything; you may regret it.”
Briahnna shook her head. “I doubt that,” she said. “I’ve been wanting to tell you everything since you gave me the key to the library.” She sighed, “I just don’t know what everything is.”
Desmond looked around. “I’ve been meaning to show you the area where Jerrick…” he stopped. He didn’t quite know how to explain the phenomenon.
Briahnna’s head snapped up. “That’s right!” she exclaimed. “The area where he harnessed the energy to give me. Do we have a little time?”
He nodded, holding out his hand. She took it, and he helped her onto her horse. Desmond jumped up behind her, causing her to yelp. He laughed. “I thought it would be easier to take you rather than have to show you the way.”
Briahnna cleared her throat. “I was there, you know.”
“Yes,” Desmond said. “However, you had a head injury and may have been slightly incoherent. Therefore, the direction may be a little muddled.” His hand tightened around her waist, and she grinned. “Very sound logic,” she said slyly.
“Thank you,” Desmond answered with a slight grin.
Briahnna gasped as they reached the area about ten minutes later. Everything within a twenty-foot radius was completely dead. Briahnna slid off the horse and touched the ground. “He used the earth’s energy,” she said, amazed. She closed her eyes. “I don’t understand. Where did he learn to do these things?” She looked at Desmond. “I’m supposed to be able to do what he does. This?” she gestured to the area around them. “I don’t know how to do this.”
She sat down on a boulder. “Abby says I’m the only one who can stop him.” Desmond sat beside her as she continued. “I realize that she’s right. I do. I just don’t know how.”
Desmond looked up at the distant army marching home to Thornhold. “I don’t believe that.” Briahnna’s head snapped up, and she looked at him questioningly. “I don’t believe that you’re the only one who can stop him. And maybe that’s just vengeance speaking, because I would love to be the one to stop him,” he said, smiling, then he sobered and looked at her square on. “Don’t carry that burden, Ahnna.” He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “We’ll train,” he continued. “You’ll learn how to use your majik to its fullest, and I will help you.”
. . .
They were on their way to Mageia within the hour. Briahnna, Desmond, Liam, and Abigail were riding in the center of Desmond’s men. Forster was coming with them, but Briahnna had not yet been able to see him. He was riding somewhere in the rear as a prisoner. He still hadn’t decided to behave, giving the men lots of difficulty.
Briahnna turned to Desmond when she heard a commotion coming from the back of their small army. “I’m going to go speak with Forster now.”
Desmond’s eyebrows rose. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” He snorted, “The kid’s a force. I had to place eight men around him for this journey.”
Briahnna nodded. “I can imagine. He’s not easily swayed to do what he’s supposed to. But I think he’ll listen to me and settle down.”
Desmond shrugged his shoulders and turned his horse to go with her. When they reached the back of their contingent of men Briahnna stretched forth her hand as a soldier flew from his horse. She softened the ground at his impact and used to wind to pin Forster’s arms together.
Forster eyes shot right to hers. “Traitor!”
Briahnna glared at him. “Is this how you wish to be treated the entire way back to Mageia, Forster?”
“I’m not going back with you!” Forster shot back. “I didn’t choose this! You’re forcing me!”
“Don’t you at least want to return to your family?” Briahnna asked.
Forster clenched his teeth and looked away.
“See?” Briahnna continued. “You want to see them again.”
“Don’t talk to me about my parents!” he screamed. He looked away again. “You don’t know anything,” he said quietly.
Briahnna slipped off of her horse and walked up beside his. “Why don’t you ride with me and tell me about it,” she said softly.
Forster gave her a scathing look. “What do you want to hear first, Princess?” he spat. “That my parents are dead? That his slave traders killed them?” he said, pointing at Desmond. “I don’t have a family!”
“Oh Forster, I’m so sorry!” Briahnna exclaimed.
He snorted and rolled his eyes. “I’m not going back,” he said. “Let me go. I’m going to find Jerrick.”
“Forster, Jerrick is gone,” Briahnna said. “He left. Desmond’s men searched. There was no sign of him. He’s gone.”
“They’re stupid,” Forster said. “I can find him.”
Briahnna scrutinized him. “Do you know where he went?”
Fo
rster looked away. “I can find him,” he said again, almost to himself.
“So you don’t know where he is,” Desmond said matter-of-factly as he walked to stand beside Briahnna.
Forster glared at him. “Does it matter? Even if I did know where he was, I wouldn’t tell you!”
Briahnna tilted her head and watched him for a moment. “Fine. You want to find Jerrick?” he nodded. “Come help me with my task first. If you still feel the need to seek him out, you may go.”
“What task?” Forster asked.
“You have to come with me to find out.”
Forster looked at Desmond. “I’m not doing anything for them.”
“It’s not for them, Forster,” Briahnna said. “It’s for my father. It’s for Mageia.” She paused. “I’ll need all the magiks I can get to help me.”
Forster waited a minute then consented. “Ok. You promise you’ll let me go after?”
“I promise. If you still want to, that is,” Briahnna answered quietly.
. . .
It took them about three-and-a-half weeks to follow the Mageian army back into Mageia. They were planning to go to the capital city, Estreed, to break into the forest shield because that was where they were told Jerrick always did it. And Briahnna’s father insisted that she needed to see her mother before she left again.
Briahnna stood on the outskirts of her family’s palace, realizing that this would no longer be her home. She saw a distant figure running toward them and smiled. She slid off her horse and ran toward her mother.
Adriahnna was crying furiously. “My baby!” she sobbed into Briahnna’s hair. “I didn’t know if I would ever see you again!” She took a step back and looked at Briahnna. “You’ll be taken away again shortly, I hear,” she snorted through her sobs. The Queen had received word through a war runner about what had transpired. “I would have had you trail me, or I would have trained you, had I known you would be a queen!” She was sobbing hysterically at this point. Rinald had finally reached them and took his wife in his arms as she cried.
He pulled away. “Have you gotten any sleep?” he asked as he looked at her bedraggled and sunken eyes.
“Ha!” she exclaimed. “I don’t thing that I have slept for almost two years.”
Rinald nodded and whispered into her ear, “Pull yourself together for just a moment and meet Briahnna’s husband.” Adriahnna sniffed, furiously wiping at her eyes, embarrassment taking over. “King Desmond,” Rinald said as he gestured from Desmond to Adriahnna. “Please meet my wife, Briahnna’s mother, Queen Adriahnna.”
Adriahnna gave a slight curtsy then held out her hand as Desmond kissed it. “Queen Adriahnna,” he said, bowing slightly.
Adriahnna took his face in her hands. “I’m so sorry to hear about your father, Desmond.”
Tears sprang to Desmond’s eyes, he stepped back suddenly, and gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. He turned away and took both his and Briahnna’s horse’s reigns. “Where are the stables that my soldiers and I might take care of our horses?” Rinald gestured to where their stables were located, and Desmond looked at Liam to follow. “Radal,” Desmond commanded; Radal took his place beside Briahnna.
“Desmond,” Briahnna said. “I’m home.” Desmond looked at her when she said home, and she closed her eyes, chiding herself. Then she exhaled. “I’ll be fine.”
Desmond nodded slightly then said, “I realize that. But this is not my home, and he is your guard.”
Briahnna nodded in acquiescence, knowing that he needed to feel she was protected. As she walked back to the palace with her mother and father, she watched Gabriela and her mother reunite with Gabriela’s brother and sister. Briahnna had told Gabriela to go home with them for the little time they had here. They would rest for the night and try to penetrate the forest wall the next day.
Abigail went home for the night, still intent on going back to Thornhold with them. She had kept to herself throughout their journey to Mageia. She rode beside them but never spoke. Briahnna worried the whole way, hoping that Liam’s antics would get some sort of response from her. But Abigail just seemed broken, and nobody knew what to do about it. Desmond told Briahnna that she just needed time. Briahnna wondered if he was also talking about himself as he said it, for he also seemed more and more withdrawn as they slowly made their way into Mageia. Time…so much depended on time.
Chapter 41
Briahnna stood watching the sunset through her window, too many things running through her head to actually relax, when she heard the door open. She looked behind her and saw Desmond, who hadn’t turned as he talked to a household servant.
“Liam is across the hall?” he asked.
“Yes sir,” the servant answered.
Desmond turned and placed his traveling bundle on the floor. “And where might I find–” he stopped when he saw Briahnna watching him curiously. He then looked around realizing where he was and turned to the guard on watch. “Where is Radal?”
“Getting rest before guarding the queen tonight,” the guard answered.
“If everything is well, Your Majesty, I will leave you now,” the servant said. Desmond turned to him, about to say something, when Briahnna was suddenly by his side holding onto the handle of the door. “Thank you. That will be all,” she said, shutting the door behind Desmond with an amused look on her face.
“I can sleep in the room next door,” Desmond said, pointing to the right.
“That’s where Radal is sleeping,” Briahnna answered. Desmond pointed to the left. “My sister,” she answered. “In fact there are no more rooms available this side of the palace. All of my sisters have been awaiting the return of their husbands here.” She paused. “If you would like, I can have a room made up for you in the east wing.”
Desmond shook his head slightly. “No. If you don’t mind, I’ll lay my bedroll on the floor and sleep there.”
“I don’t mind,” Briahnna said. She moved to sit down on her bed and Desmond leaned against the door.
He looked around again, then pointed to a door. “Is that the bathing room?”
“Yes,” Briahnna answered. “Would you like to wash up?” She laughed when he just gave her a look. She stood up and opened the door. Desmond cleared his throat as he stepped in. “Where’s the spigot?”
Briahnna exhaled while opening the window to the bathing chamber. Then she stepped back and extended her arm. Desmond swore, jumping back when water came rushing in through the window and into the bath. He smiled at her and shrugged his shoulders. “That’s convenient.” He felt the water. “Nothing like a good wake up before bedtime,” he commented, grinning as he shivered. Briahnna placed her hand on the bath. He watched the heat waves from her hand warming the water.
“What is that?” he asked.
“It’s almost fire,” Briahnna answered with a slight smile.
He watched her and felt the water after a bit. “Thank you,” he said.
She nodded and stepped out.
. . .
Desmond walked out of the bathing chamber and saw Briahnna lying on her bed, her back to him. He grabbed his bedroll and laid it on the floor beside the bed, grabbed the blankets she had obviously left out for him, and laid down.
“Did you stop by the kitchens for some food before you came to bed?” Briahnna asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “Your father made sure a servant showed us the way, since we missed dinner.”
Briahnna turned over and peered down at him. “Why did you miss dinner?”
Desmond paused. “Being social just didn’t seem appealing.”
Briahnna tilted her head slightly and shrugged. “Probably for the best. My sisters were full of questions.” She placed her head on her pillow where he could no longer see her face. “It was so delightful to answer their questions on my own,” she said sarcastically.
Desmond turned to his side, propped himself up on his elbow, and grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry, Briahnna. I know I’ve been distant and difficult. And I
have to be honest. It’s still hard for me to completely trust you.” Briahnna clenched her jaw and nodded.
“I’m trying. I know that you are, too,” he continued. “But you need to understand. We’ve been traveling to help the people who wrongly accused my father of basically starting a war. And now he’s dead because of this war.”
“But Desmond,” Briahnna interjected, “We have to help them. I’m fairly certain I’m the only one who can.”
“I know that, Ahnna.” He shook his head. “Briahnna,” he corrected. “Which is why I’m trying my hardest to be objective and why I’ve kept my mouth shut almost the entire journey here,” he said with a slight smile.
Briahnna nodded, and he laid back down on his pillow. She kept her hand in his and squeezed. “I’m sorry, Des. I’m sorry for everything,” she said quietly.
. . .
+Briahnna was scared to death. She didn’t know if she would be able to open the forest shield. Darian had scoured the Tristeil estate with some of Rinald’s advisors. They thought there had to be archives somewhere within the house that gave information about the forest since Jerrick was capable of opening it. They had discovered nothing.
She, Desmond, and those they had traveled with were planning to cut through the forest, after they penetrated it, and head to Thornhold on the other side. It would be an ideal shortcut, shaving off weeks of travel…if it worked.
Briahnna had already said goodbye to her mother and sisters. Rinald, some of the elders, and the guards were going to the forest with Briahnna and Desmond so that they could extract those magiks trapped inside. Rinald was leading them to the location in the more populated and run down area of Estreed Lord Kirtzene and Lord Braxton had given him.
When they arrived everybody turned and looked at her. Abigail walked up to Briahnna and stood next to her for a bit before she leaned in and whispered, “Kneel down with me.” Briahnna looked at her, and they both knelt. “After visiting my family, I had to get away for a bit. I walked to the forest near our home,” she said, grabbing Briahnna’s hand and placing it on the ground. “Close your eyes,” Abigail said and waited.
Spirit (Legend of the Dragons Book 1) Page 28