The rest of the vacation was spent in silence. Gina hated the fact that they were mad at each other, yet for once she could relax, knowing she was by herself more than before. The time finally came to return back and surprisingly, Gina felt rested. They hiked down the hills back to the city, this time with Gina leading the way and Leyance lagging behind. On returning to the city, Gina was sent straight to training for a long session that the trainers hoped would make up for her absence. Night came, and later sleep, and Leyance never showed his face to her.
Chapter 5
“The First Test”
Light filled Gina’s room. She rubbed her eyes and looked up. Someone was standing next to her bed.
“Leyance…” Gina began, but it was Fheyrhil whom stepped up to her.
“I am sorry to put anymore pressure on you, Your Highness, but an emergency council must be called now,” he reported.
“All right, I’m getting up,” Gina mumbled and rolled out of bed.
Five minutes later, Gina sat next to Fheyrhil in the council room, still in her pajamas. Many members filed in, and, to Gina’s dismay, Leyance was one of them. She avoided looking at him.
“I am sorry to awaken you so early,” Fheyrhil addressed, “but we have terrible news. Last night, while on watch, one of the guards saw an Übel lurking around. The guards captured it, and, fortunately, it cooperated when questioned. The Vice has awakened. He knows that Queen Regina is back. If he is not stopped now before any plan he has is put to action, he will wipe out all the lands. Übels are gathering from all over, coming to him to carry out his orders. He must be stopped now. A small team must be sent to his lands to destroy him. Without him the Übels will have no leader and can be better handled with another strategy. We must act quickly. Queen Regina?” This made Gina jump, and she turned to him.
“Yes?”
“You must lead this team,” he announced.
“What? Lead the team?!” Gina repeated in disbelief.
“Yes, you are the only one with power enough to stop him, you know that. A team will be needed to assist you, but you must destroy him.”
“But I don’t have that power anymore,” she replied.
“Then pray you remember it in time.” At this, Elenzel stood to address Fheyrhil.
“Sir, why should we send a small team if there are many Übels traveling this way? Why not send an entire army?” he inquired.
“We want the advantage of surprise,” Fheyrhil informed. “We want to sneak in through the back door, not drawing attention to ourselves by charging the front gates. No need to start a war we already know we cannot win. Though, we will assemble an army to fight if the plan should fail.”
Leyance then stood, pulling out maps. “We will need these to navigate through the land,” he said. “They show the Shadow as well as all entrances. I’ve informed everyone of this new development and all weaponry and equipment will be made ready soon.”
“Excellent,” Fheyrhil responded. “Leyance too will go. Along with him and Queen Regina, Elenzel, Kien, and Deseré will accompany.”
“Fine,” Gina joined in. “Everyone get ready. We leave at dawn.” Everyone nodded and hurriedly gathered their things. Gina glanced at Fheyrhil who nodded, reading her mind, and left as well. Then she went up to Leyance.
“Don’t go,” she stated.
“Excuse me?”
“You are not going with us,” she repeated. “You seriously think it would be a good idea to go along with someone you love into the worst place you can be? Your feelings for me could get in the way of your job, and I can’t let that happen.”
“My love for you is the exact reason why I am going,” he replied coolly. “I will not lose you again, not if I can help it.”
“I am giving you strict orders. You will not go!” Gina shouted, but Leyance stayed calm at looked her straight in the eyes.
“You forget,” he whispered, “that you once told me not to think of you as Queen. I’m going, and you cannot stop me.”
“We’ll see about that.”
The next morning, the crew was getting ready. It was four o’clock. Gina had informed them that they would leave an hour before dawn. All except Leyance knew of this. She was going to continue to do all in her power to stop him from coming along. Fheyrhil saw this, but neither did nor said anything regarding it. Instead he observed quietly and without judgment. As always, he seemed to know something Gina did not, and this knowledge comforted him.
“Let’s go, everyone. It’s time,” Gina announced. She turned to face Fheyrhil. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let him come.”
“It is your decision, not mine, Your Majesty. Good luck and may blessings be with you always. Are you frightened?” he asked.
“You already know, so why ask?”
“Knowing it and hearing you say it are two entirely different things, Regina,” he shared.
“I’m not frightened, and I’m ready.” This was the truth. For the first time, she was not afraid. In fact, she felt a surge of energy and of courage. Though aware she was entering into certain danger, she welcomed the trip. Perhaps this trip would prove once and for all who she was. Yet, at the same time, Gina shivered at the thought of what price she would have to pay for that knowledge. The queen had died before from this same immorality, and Gina knew she might suffer the same fate. Even knowing this, she still felt strangely unafraid. She was about to live out her fantasies, or so she thought.
Gina mounted her horse with ease among the rest of her company. With one last glance of Nythagié, she rode off through the flower-vined gate, leading the rest. They rode east towards their destination. Through valleys, forests, meadows, and hills they traveled. Gina marveled at the beauty around her, even though it resembled her world.
Around noon, Gina stalled the journey for a break. She sat down in the shade of a great oak tree and spread out the map and a compass she had brought.
“We seem to be traveling in the right direction,” she announced to the others. Deseré came and looked over the papers too. Her long brown hair fell gracefully over them.
“It looks like we should travel about fifteen more miles this direction then turn north,” she said. Gina nodded. Elenzel and Kien were unloading food supplies for a meal when Kien suddenly looked up.
“Queen Regina,” he said urgently.
“What?” she responded, worried by his tone.
“Someone is riding this way very quickly!” he informed her. Gina quickly grabbed her bow and arrows and ran a little way down the hill. She saw the rider approaching to her position, and she prepared to shoot. Closer and closer the stranger came to the boulder which Gina hid behind. It was now or never. She leaped on top of the boulder and steadied her aim. She shot. Yet, the hooded stranger was prepared. With one swift stroke of the sword, the stranger knocked the arrow off its deadly course.
“What are you trying to do? Kill me? Not a good way to deal with your emotions, dear,” the stranger exclaimed and threw off his hood. Elenzel ran up behind her with Kien and Deseré close on his trail. They all stared in shock, but it was Deseré who finally spoke.
“What are you doing here? Queen Regina informed us that you were not coming,” she said, but Leyance only smiled.
“I don’t follow the queen’s orders under an order she gave previously,” he replied.
“The only way we will accomplish our goal is to listen to her, Leyance,” Elenzel countered.
“We need to help her. After all, she doesn’t even remember who she is, so how are we supposed to follow her orders?” Leyance argued.
“Because she is our queen and whether she knows it or not she is doing what is best. Her heart at least remembers being our queen,” Kien added.
“As her heart remembers other things as well,” Leyance said, glancing at Gina who looked at Kien instead, “even if she doesn’t see it yet.”
“Get out, Leyance,” Gina commanded. “I mean it. Ride back to Nythagié. You are not wanted here!”
Leyance leaped off his horse and went straight up to Gina. “That’s where you’re wrong, Gina. You want me here; you know you do. If this is the way you want it to be – fine, but don’t expect me to go along with it. You know why I have to be here, why I have to protect you, why I would do anything for you – except obey your orders.” The others shifted uncomfortably. Quietly and unnoticed, they began to walk back to camp.
“And that’s why you can’t be here!” Gina countered. “You will let your feelings for me get in the way. We have a job to do, one of which could be the difference between life and death. I won’t have someone potentially get us all killed.”
“I am here to prevent people from getting killed not to encourage it.”
“The best way you can prevent it is by leaving!”
“Well, that’s not going to happen, so you better get used to the idea,” Leyance smiled. “I don’t want to fight with you. This is the best way.”
“Best way for you, or for everyone?” Gina snarled.
“For everyone, and especially for you,” Leyance said. He was calmer now. “This trip is going to teach you something about yourself. You no doubt are expecting it. Things happen for a reason. Nothing is coincidental. I’m meant to be here, you’re meant to be here, we all are. You were meant to meet the end of one journey when you last met the Vice. Everything is pre-determined; the prophecies wouldn’t have much worth if it wasn’t. Don’t fight me being here, because before the end, you’ll be thanking your lucky stars that I was.”
Gina was at a lost for words. There was only one thing to do. She sighed.
“Go back to the others, but know you stay without my blessing.” She turned away but then stopped. “I’m in charge, remember that. If you dare question my authority again, you are going home.” She then ran up the hill towards the others. Leyance sighed, mounted his horse and rode up the hill after her.
The next afternoon, the travelers rode, glancing off into the distance. The Shadow lay before their eyes. Not a single guard was in sight.
“Keep your eyes open, for we are bound to meet some new evil soon,” Gina informed the others. “We are already blind in the fact that we don’t know what to expect; don’t be blinded by stupidity too.”
“Do you think it’s a trap?” Elenzel asked.
“I know you’re coming…” Gina stated mechanically, a strange glaze over her eyes.
“What?” Kien inquired.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Yes, you did, Gina. You said ‘I know you’re coming,’” Leyance said worried.
“She said it in a trance. That’s a sign of evil at work, probably coming to reclaim what has escaped,” Deseré informed. “He wants to reclaim you, Queen Regina.”
“Well he won’t get to,” Gina stated.
“We’ll still need to be careful,” Kein stated. He pulled out a map. “There is an entrance to the south-west. It looks like part of a sewage system. We can enter that way relatively undetected.”
“Which is what he’ll expect, but we don’t have a better option.” With that, Gina led the team up the rocky cliff to the sewage entrance. The castle lingered above them, giving them all a foreboding feeling. Still no one was around.
“Listen, I don’t like this silence,” Leyance whispered. They climbed in, and, after walking a little way, they came to a fork in the road. The passage split into two ahead of them. Elenzel was first to speak.
“We should split up, come into the castles at different ends. If one group were to be captured or the route blocked, the other can assist them.”
“Good thinking,” Gina agreed. “Elenzel, you go with…”
“Kien and Deseré,” Leyance interrupted. “I’m going with Gina.”
“I thought I made it clear that I am in charge of this mission, not you,” Gina snapped.
“And I’m not letting you out of my sight,” Leyance countered. “Especially with the way things are. It’s too easy for comfort.” In a huff, Gina hurried down one passage, Leyance following her as she tried to get away. The others took the other route. Silently, Gina and Leyance came to a ladder and climbed up and out into one of the castle’s halls. Something did not seem right.
“Look out!” Leyance screamed suddenly. Gina turned to see five Übels about to fire. Leyance and Gina quickly fired their own arrows and swiftly exposed their swords. Three Übels attacked her, and she blocked and fought with all her might. She had met with these creatures before, but this time she was prepared. She whirled her sword and gave deathly blows to each of them. As the fight raged on, Gina caught a glimpse of a handsome man slithering past all of them to the safety of another hall. His time will come too, Gina thought and brought her attention back to the Übels. One by one, they fell.
“Well at least we know where they were…” Gina began but stopped seeing she was alone, minus the Übel corpses. “Leyance? Leyance! Oh, God!” She ran down the hall straining her eyes and ears for any detection of Leyance. She turned as she heard a noise coming from behind towering double doors to her left. Drawing her sword, she opened the door and looked around her. No one was there, but Gina was still not sure she was alone. Spotting a large wooden cabinet in the center of the far wall, she cautiously approached. With her sword ready, she flung open the doors expecting an Übel to jump out. No one was in the cabinet, but what she found shocked her more than if someone had been. Many of her eyes shone back at her. The cabinet’s shelves displayed many pictures laid out on a deep purple material, pictures of Gina. Lying next to her photographs was a silver knife with an elaborate handle featuring a spider. Gina noticed that dry blood could still be seen on the sharp blade.
“I see you have found your shrine…” Gina spun around ready to fight, but it was too late. The man had a knife to her throat. He reached for her sword and threw it against the wall. “Take off the bow and arrows too.” She did as she was told and tossed them aside. The knife never left her throat. Panic surged through Gina.
“What do you want from me?” she demanded.
“Nothing more than you want from me,” the Vice replied. His face was warped, and scars could be seen where his skin was exposed. He wore a black velvet robe over his black pants and shirt. Gina noticed bloody cuts in his shirt as if his very lifestyle was one filled with destruction and pain.
“And what do I want from you?” Gina continued.
“The enemy’s complete and utter destruction,” he replied coolly.
“Let her go!” Leyance’s voice echoed. Gina and the Vice turned to see that he had indeed just entered the room, sword drawn. Suddenly, three Übels appeared and shot at Leyance. He dodged many, but not all. One lodged itself in his arm.
“Leyance!” Gina screamed.
“Get out of here!” the Vice demanded of the Übels. He held out his arm and out flew sparks, hitting and knocking down two of them. He approached Leyance, dragging Gina by the throat along with him. “I always have more tricks up my sleeves,” he laughed. He then dropped Gina and released sparks in Leyance’s direction. They hit their mark and threw him in the air, causing him to crash down hard onto the stone floor. Yet, this brief moment was enough for Gina. She scrambled to her sword as the Vice watched, chuckling. She grabbed her weapon and jumped up to face her enemy. He, in return extended his arm and a long sword, longer than his arm, shot out of it, into his hand. Gina threw the first swing. The fight broke out. He was a better swordsman than she had anticipated. She glanced sideways at Leyance who lay without moving or showing any signs of life. She ducked to avoid the Vice’s blow and caught him unprepared. Her blow hit hard, but he did not stir. He swung to hit her and as she moved to block he switched directions. His blade sliced her arm.
Gina screamed in pain as blood seeped through her gash. She crumbled against the wall.
“You really think you can beat me?” he asked, laughing crazily.
“I did before,” Gina moaned.
“Why do you say that?” he inquired, throwing sparks her way. They sun
k into her painfully and made her whole body shake. “No one knows what happened that night, except you and me. Oh that’s right, you don’t remember. And you know why my darling? Because of me.” Gina glanced up at him and spoke with much pain surging through her body.
“You?”
“Me. I see you have already found my beloved knife along your pictures. I have hated you ever since you first came to power in Nythagié, hated you so much that it consumed all my thoughts. I knew that I could never become powerful enough to take over this world if you lived. So I devised a plan, genius really. I mobilized my troops so you would come to stop me, for you were the only one who could stop me – but that was then.” Gina’s pain made her weak, but she wouldn’t let him win. She picked up her knife and went to drive it into the Vice, but some invisible force stopped her and threw her backwards.
“How dare you interrupt my story!” he yelled and sent more sparks flying. Gina crashed against the wall. The knife still lay in her hand, but slowly she dropped it. Its sound of contact with the cold stone woke her up as if she had been in some sort of daze. It reminded her of something. She remembered.
“The knife! You did this to me!” she exclaimed, pointing at the scar on her arm, the one she never knew how she had gotten.
“So, you have finally remembered. I knew I was not yet strong enough to destroy you altogether, so I had to delay you, push you out of the way while I gained strength, so I was sure you couldn’t get wind of my plans. So, I mixed a little potion. It would cause you to cease living and to be born again in another life. I wasn’t powerful enough to kill you, so I took what I could. I knew that your devoted people would bring you back, but I’d be strong enough when they did. I dipped that knife into the potion…”
“And stabbed me,” Gina finished. “The result was delayed, and I began to feel life being sucked from me, though the knife had barely scrapped my arm. That’s why I have the scar.”
Metanoia Page 7