Arrival

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Arrival Page 37

by Charlotte McConaghy


  A dark creature appeared next to them, and he bowed to Jane.

  “These creatures are yours, my lady. They were made for you, and only you. I am the keeper, and I have guarded them for centuries, waiting for you to claim them.”

  “Thank you,” Jane said warmly. “You may go.”

  The Equinox gave a contented sigh, and he drifted away on the wind, his yellow eyes the last part of him to fade.

  Everyone had turned to look at her now, as she carefully climbed onto one of the unicorns.

  “Jane! What are you doing?” Luca asked in alarm.

  “I’m going some place where I can wait. I have to do this. Don’t worry, I will be back very soon,” she said, her smile giving warmth to each of them.

  Then, without another word, the unicorns leapt into the sky, and with them Jane flew into another time and place. One that did not exist in Paragor, or any other world.

  She flew, unhindered by anything but the thought of waiting. No matter how long it took, she would wait for him. She became like a wraith, trapped in her longing. But she was content, for though she could not remember anything else, she could remember Fern’s words to her.

  “Whatever happens tomorrow, Jane, you won’t lose me. I’ll always be here for you. There is more than this life. Remember that.”

  ***

  Emperor Liam of the Kabduh stood with his arms folded over his chest and watched the disappearance of the Bright One into the sky. His brow was furrowed as his gaze swept over the evidence of their victory.

  His brother Lastaam came to stand quietly by his side and together they scrutinised what had happened.

  “You’re not happy,” Lastaam murmured in their own language.

  Liam didn’t reply for some time, but when he did his voice was very low. “We’ve won today. But has anyone given thought to the prophecy?”

  Lastaam didn’t reply, only exhaled deeply, understanding now what plagued his emperor.

  Liam murmured, “Only four were here. Four, when the Great One spoke of six. I fear, brother, that this was not the battle of prophecy. It is not over.”

  ***

  Far below, further even than the chasms of hell, the soul of Leostrial lay as death, waiting, waiting for a time when it could be reborn. It would have sighed, if it could, for they had won the battle, but Paragor had unknowingly returned itself to darkness.

  Characters

  Jane

  Anna

  Mia

  Harry

  Luca

  Jack Six Strangers from Earth, also known as the ‘Bright Ones’

  Table I

  ***

  Uns Lapodis Gaddemar of Amalia King of Uns Lapodis, High King of Paragor

  Columba da Burmia His wife, Queen of Uns Lapodis, originally from Lapis Matyr

  Accolon of Amalia Their son, Prince of Uns Lapodis

  Tomasso of Amalia High Chancellor of Uns Lapodis

  Vezzet of Garia The High Chancellor’s assistant

  Ambrosius of Berla Captain of the Horse

  Blaise A mercenary

  Table II

  ***

  Cynis Witron Cornelius del Sitadel King of Cynis Witron

  Hira del Luglio Queen of Cynis Witron (deceased)

  Fern del Sitadel Cornelius’ son, Prince of Cynis Witron, third Prince of the Elves

  Elixia del Sitadel Daughter of Cornelius and Hira, half-sister of Fern, Princess of Cynis Witron

  Parda del Torr Grape grower, only producer of Torrean ice wine

  Ceridwen del Torr Parda’s wife

  Ria del Torr Their daughter, singer of the company of Mercuro

  Table III

  ***

  Lapis Matyr Altor da Burmia King of Lapis Matyr (deceased)

  Liessen da Burmia Altor’s widow, Queen of Lapis Matyr

  Satine da Burmia The daughter of Altor and Liessen, Princess of Lapis Matyr, lover of Accolon

  Altor da Burmia Satine and Accolon’s son, Prince of Lapis Matyr, named after his grandfather

  Table IV

  ***

  Tirana Darknor Former Emperor of the Kabduh of the Sands of Anuk (deceased)

  Liam Eldest son of Darknor, new Emperor of the Kabduh of the Sands of Anuk

  Sasteem

  Lastaam

  Goran

  Karan Darknor’s younger sons, Liam’s brothers

  Table V

  ***

  Frescana Fey Queen of the Amazonians

  Faraia Amazonian commander of the Fortress on Guanu

  Hella

  Lilina Amazonian warriors

  Table VI

  ***

  Elves Liensenne Queen of the Elvish race

  Silven Her eldest son, Fern’s half-brother, first Prince of the Elves

  Eben Her nephew, Silven and Fern’s cousin, second Prince of the Elves

  Third Prince of the Elves Lost Prince, unnamed and disgraced

  Athena Noblewoman

  Table VII

  ***

  Gods Actaeon King of the Gods

  Danae Queen of the Gods

  Freyja Goddess of Love

  Odin God of War

  Adar God of the Underworld

  Artemis Goddess of the Hunt

  Aegir God of the Sea

  Table VIII

  ***

  Others Leostrial Self-imposed King of Lapis Matyr, second husband of Liessen

  Table IX

 

 

 


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