by R. T. Cole
She turned to him, smiled, and said, “We’re not married yet, my King. I’m heading to my own bed for the night. I have a long day of plans tomorrow and I need my rest.” She noticed the look on Kelbain’s face and couldn’t tell whether it was sadness or fatigue. Before she closed the door, she said, “Good night.”
On the way down to her chambers, all she could think about was how close she came to being discovered. I should have never read his mind, she thought. It was a thought she immediately shut out, as she made a mental note to try and use the information against Kelbain in the near future. She thought of her sister and Kelbain’s stubbornness to reveal her location. Lamia was older, wiser, and a more powerful Illusionist than she could ever hope to be. The difference between them was that Lamia always seemed to be truly loyal to Kelbain, while Dirce would constantly speak of an eventual betrayal.
“I don’t understand what you see in him, sister,” Dirce had said to Lamia in the past. “Ever since we were given our gifts, he has tried to control what we do in every way…and now I have to marry him,” Dirce had said with disappointment.
“You are not seeing the overall view in this, Dirce. Kelbain is the only one who can lead us, and our people, to victory against the other Houses.” Lamia said. “He’s more powerful than you know, and it would be wise not to underestimate him,” she warned.
Dirce shook her head in disagreement and said, “He may be a Sorcerer, but we’re Illusionists. We have the power to rule Areon, to truly rule it. He’d rather sit on a throne of ashes and rubble.”
Lamia shook her head at the insinuation. “You don’t know what you are saying, little sister,” she said. “This world has oppressed Sages for too long. We’re the future and Kelbain is the answer to our troubles.”
It was Dirce’s turn to shake her head. “I can’t reason with you when you’re so blinded, Lamia. I won’t be controlled. I’m no one’s slave,” she declared. Dirce pointed at her sister and said, “If you won’t stand by me, then you’re just in my way.” She pushed Lamia to the side and walked away.
Dirce recalled her sister trying to speak about the issue further, but chose not to listen. That was the last time they saw each other before Kelbain sent Lamia on her mission. With the way she left things with her sister, as well as being stuck in Zenithor with Kelbain, Dirce was beginning to feel lost. As her anger led her closer to her room, and the comfort of her own bed, she passed by another room on the way, but stopped in the middle of the hall for a moment. She grinned to herself and turned around, walking towards the other door. Stopping in front of it, she knocked.
A moment later, the door swung open and Zane stood in front of Dirce. His eyed grew large as he said, “What are you doing here?”
Dirce smirked and forced her way into the room by pushing him back. “We need to talk, Prince Zane,” she said mockingly as she shut the door behind her.
“Do you know what time of night it is, Dirce? Shouldn’t you be with my father right now?” he asked, still in shock.
She was still smiling when she said, “We’ve had a fight, your father and I.” She started to walk around the room and she soon approached Zane’s bed. “I was on my way back to my room to get some rest, because I’m terribly upset about the whole thing,” she said in a disparaging tone.
Zane studied her for a moment and began to formulate a smile of his own. He rushed over to her, lifted her up, and kissed her lustfully as the two of them embraced.
Once they freed themselves from each other, Dirce asked Zane, “Do you think Kelbain has been fooled?”
“Absolutely,” Zane replied. “He’s too obsessed with you to notice anything out of sorts.”
Dirce kissed him again. “I couldn’t stand to be in there for one more second,” she admitted. “I was afraid your father would start to suspect my deception once I learned of his departure to Karthmere.”
Zane looked down in embarrassment. “I apologize, Dirce. I just found out about it and didn’t have time to tell you.”
“Shh, my love,” Dirce hushed him. “It’s perfectly fine. I threw him off of our trail by bringing up my sister again,” she said with a forced smile.
Zane looked at her with concern. “That couldn’t have been easy. No doubt, my father showed no remorse for all of his secrets. I’m guessing he still didn’t tell you?” he inquired.
Dirce shook her head. This wasn’t something she wanted to go over again, but she felt that Zane deserved to know what happened.
“He’s a coward and a liar,” he reminded her. “He’s also a fool if he thinks that he’s going to live long enough to share his wedding night with you.”
Dirce knew that Zane was bothered by her current relationship with Kelbain. They had gone over it numerous times, but always came back to the conclusion that she would have to stick to her role if they were to succeed. “I’m afraid, Zane. If we go through with this on the wedding night, then everyone will know…”
“What does it matter?” he asked firmly. “His time is over. He thinks that his victory at Woodhaven will rally the people behind him, but they still know of his defeat there all those years ago. The people, the soldiers, all of the other Sages that look to him, will soon look to me,” he claimed. Then, he opened his hands towards Dirce. “To us,” he said.
Dirce wasn’t fully convinced, but she loved it when Zane spoke this way. It lit a fire within her that she never felt before. Even after Lamia attempted to sway her from her thoughts of betraying Kelbain long ago, she had been in a dark place where she thought she’d always be alone. It wasn’t until she was announced as Kelbain’s betrothed that she met Zane. At first, he really did hate her, but she persuaded him to agree with her reasoning very quickly. She smiled as she thought of this, because she never needed to use her power on him; she only needed one closet and five minutes to seduce him. Although it may have started with her using him, they soon fell in love and shared their similar thoughts of how they would rule Zenithor, and eventually, Areon.
They were so close to fulfilling their dream now. Dirce wanted to move the plan forward as soon as possible, but knew to have patience. She smiled at Zane and kissed him again. “I have something else to share with you, my love,” she said. “I know you’ve been hesitant about my desire to use my powers on your father, but I’ve discovered something very interesting,” she teased.
As Zane gained a look of curiosity, Dirce noticed the torches and the lighting in the room. She was already starting to feel better.
Chapter 6
SEPARATE PATHS
The halls of Angelia shone a bright white hue, even without the sunlight. Great men built the castle and took care to put emphasis on the majesty of the structure. While most of the inhabitants of the city had a small place of their own to call home, those who lived in the castle, even servants and cooks, had chambers befitting of Kings within the walls. But, it was even more so for the new master-at-arms.
Andemar had been the only son of Vandal to start a family of his own, and therefore needed the space to accommodate them. When King Victor dedicated an entire wing of the castle to Andemar, his wife, and their children, Andemar refused at first, wanting to live outside the castle among the people. He and his wife had almost moved into a home near the city blacksmith, but his mother, Serena, had convinced them to stay in the castle, making it easier for her to give the children their daily lessons. They ended up with such an enormous amount of space, they drew the envy of Thasus and Rudimere, who joked about starting their own families just to receive their own wing in the castle.
Andemar had just finished his training with the soldiers for the morning and, before starting the next session for the day, headed home to his wife and kids. I can almost smell Maryn’s cooking from here, he mused. A part of him wanted to pay his grandfather a visit today, but he hadn’t seen his family since a day earlier and wanted to spend some time with them before seeing off his brothers later.
Today was the day that Thasus and Rudimere would set ou
t on their journeys, and though Andemar felt happy that they would be doing what they wanted, he also felt sadness that his brothers were leaving. He began to think when, and if, he’d see them again, but immediately snapped out of it; that line of thinking would only lead to dark thoughts. Everyone knew the dangers involved, especially their family, but it doesn’t make it any easier, he thought to himself.
Putting aside his thoughts of goodbyes and farewells, he entered his home, where Maryn was tending to the stew that caused the sweet aroma that Andemar noticed on the way there. He smiled at her, feeling lucky that he could even have that moment to gaze upon her, rather than be exposed to the dangers that his brothers were to encounter.
“Smells good,” he told her.
She smiled back at this. “You don’t have to tell me things I don’t already know.”
Andemar chuckled at the lack of modesty. That was one of the things he loved most about her, as it always made family dinners a joy to be around. His father could be rigid sometimes, but having Maryn at the table brought much-needed levity to any situation. He approached her while she stirred inside the pot and put his arms around her waist, merely resting his chin on her shoulder. She held onto his arms tightly.
“I’m glad you’re home, Andemar,” she told him gently. “The kids have been asking about you all day.”
“I’m here now, Maryn,” he said as he kissed her on the cheek. “I’m sorry that I have to train the men a bit more today. I won’t be able to stay too long.”
She closed her eyes at this and said, “That’s alright. I know you have your duty to your father and the people of this city; I can’t get in the way of that.” She turned around and put her hands on his face, looking into his eyes. “I’m just glad that you’re here.”
Andemar knew she was alluding to the fact that, as master-at-arms, he would not be needed to fight in any battles, except in defense of the city. To this, he had always remembered to remind her that it was possible he would someday be required to fight, but she was happy in the knowledge that it wouldn’t be any time soon. He began to form a sullen look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I’m grateful to my father for assigning me to this position. It’s what I’ve wanted for a long time. I just hope he’s not disappointed in me.”
Maryn shook her head. “Your father is proud of you, Andemar. He understands better than most that a man must always do what’s in the best interest of his family,” she reminded him. “He knew this is what you wanted. I think that has to count for something.”
Andemar smiled back at her once more in agreement. He knew she was right, and he knew why she gave him that reminder. He started to think of his grandfather. His respect for King Victor was unparalleled, and in that regard, he grew up striving to be the kind of hero that he heard his grandfather was legendary for. One day, when he spoke with Victor about the legends that he was a part of, the King made it clear that Andemar should always do what was in the best interest of the family, and that he didn’t have to follow in anyone’s footsteps. This lesson stuck with him through all moments of despair and uncertainty after that.
The sound of clattering footsteps brought him out of the thoughts of his past.
“Father!”
“FATHER!!”
The two small Palidors rushed to their father, hugging him with all of their strength. Anden was a boy of 10, almost 11, who began to grow vertically at an alarming rate. This detail did not escape Andemar and Maryn, as Maryn would constantly make mention of the boy’s height in comparison to her own small stature. Ginesia, who only liked to be called Ginny, was eight years old and, for right now, was very small compared to the others in her family. “One day I’ll be taller than all of you!” she would always proclaim to them. This would get a very hearty laugh from her brother, which would instigate an argument between the two. Andemar would then have to break them up without laughing himself.
He continued to hug them for what felt like an eternity. As he let go, he looked at Ginny and said, “You know, I think you got bigger!”
Ginny looked right at Anden with her eyes widened in excitement. She pointed at him and shouted, “Ha!”
On the opposite side of the castle, in the room that he had spent most of his life, Rudimere prepared for the long journey ahead. He had already visited his father and grandfather, informing them of his departure, and though he wasn’t expecting to feel happy about saying goodbye to them, he never foresaw how hard it would be to leave them. Seeing his grandfather, the King, the legendary King Victor of The Sorcerer’s War, so ill in his own bed, was the hardest sight to behold. But, as always, the King offered great wisdom and advice for Rudi and his companions.
“Watch each others’ backs out there,” he had told Rudi. “You’ll find yourselves becoming more like family the more time you spend together, and that means you should be ready to lay down your lives for each other.”
Rudi hadn’t exactly thought about death when his father assigned him to this task, but his grandfather was always one to speak plainly about such things. Though it may have been more recent, given the King’s situation. Death frightened Rudi to the core, but he knew that his grandfather was right. He grew up with Ashra and Paxton and already considered them to be family, so he began to realize that fighting side-by-side with them would be no different.
His father had said a short farewell, masking his worry and replacing it with a false sense of calm. Rudi was aware of his father’s feelings in the past, but this time was peculiar. His father almost seemed to wave off the danger of the mission, attempting to instill confidence, but Rudi wasn’t fooled.
“I’ll be alright, Father,” Rudi had ensured Vandal.
His father looked at him, glassy-eyed, and embraced him in a fond farewell. Reverting back to the resolute man that he was, Vandal made sure to remind Rudi to pick up his supplies before leaving. Most of the supplies that he would be taking were to be retrieved by the city gates during his group’s departure from Angelia, but he needed to stop in his room one more time to say his own goodbye. After spending so much time in the castle, this was the only world that he had known, but he was finally going to get the chance to help his family, his city and all of Areon. He gathered his sword, his scabbard and some clothes, gave a silent look around the room and was ready to head out.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
The sudden noise at his door startled him out of his moment of remembrance. He wondered who it could be, as he knew that the rest of his family would be waiting for him at the city gates already. Opening the door, he was surprised to see his mother standing in front of him.
“Hello, my son,” she said with a smile edging on both pride and sadness.
“Mother!” Again, Rudimere displayed his surprise.
“May I come in?”
“Of course,” Rudi replied. He moved out of her path, allowing his mother to join him in the room. As he shut the door behind her, she sat down in the wooden chair in the corner by the window. The light shining through the glass panes lit up her brownish-blonde hair, making it appear that her hair was fully blonde. Rudi proceeded to sit down at the edge of his bed, wondering why she was here and not with his brothers at the gates.
“My apologies for disturbing you while you were getting ready to leave, I wanted to see you privately. I just left from saying goodbye to Thasus,” said Serena. Her face now exhibited more of that sadness that Rudi saw when she stood at the door. A few tears began to fall down her cheeks.
Rudi looks into his mother’s eyes and said, “Don’t cry, Mother. This is a good thing. Seeking out the help of the other Lords will benefit all of us.” He saw her nod as he tried to convince her of his reasoning for leaving. He definitely saw the logic in it, but deep down, he still marveled at the thought of going on this mission at all. It was everything he ever dreamed of, and now he was only moments away from living out that same dream. He knew his mother didn’t share in that vision, but that she would go
along with it, as it was Vandal’s orders.
“I know, Rudi,” she admitted. “And I know that you’re a man grown, but this is the first time that you’ve been ordered on a mission such as this.” She reached for his hands and took them into her own. “I want you to be careful,” she cautioned him.
He almost chuckled to himself. Any man knew, especially during times of war and battle, that a mother couldn’t let them leave without saying that. Realizing that this was the fist time she ever had to say it, he took it to heart.
“I will, Mother.” He attempted to lift her spirits a bit and said, “But no need to worry; Ashra and Pax will be with me.”
Serena laughed at this and then pointed her finger at him, saying, “You tell those two to watch your back at all times or I’ll have words with them!”
He laughed as well. “I’ll let them know,” he said with a smirk. Even his mother learned a thing or two from the King.
Her eyes then gaped open, as if she had just remembered something important. “Oh! When you get to Stoneshield, your uncle will be waiting. He should have some more supplies for you, but make sure that he shows some hospitality and feeds the lot of you as well.” Though Serena was younger than her brother by two years, she always found ways to pick at his failings, even if it were lovingly or not.
Rudi smiled again at his mother’s worrisome nature. He knew that his Uncle Marc would treat them well; not only was he Serena’s brother, but he was the Lord of Stoneshield, and had always been the closest ally of Angelia.
“Of course,” Rudi told his mother.
She sighed, taking every second slow before she said goodbye to her son. “I’m going to miss you and your brother so much...” Tears began to slide down her face again, but she quickly wiped them away. She grabbed Rudi’s hands again and said, “Before you go, I have a gift for you.”
He shook his head in modesty at this. “That’s alright, Mother. You didn’t have to...”