The Light Unleashed

by Kim Stokely

  Tell them

  They won’t believe me.

  Tell them

  I push myself up from the chair, but motion for the rest to stay seated. “This decision isn’t mine, but Ruahk’s.”

  Geran frowns. “What decision?”

  “Send word to all our soldiers throughout the land. We will meet at the Plains of Sharne in . . .” I wait until the knowledge comes, “three days’ time.”

  Naill stands. “They will not be ready.”

  “It doesn’t matter. They won’t have to fight.”

  Now it’s Naill’s turn to look confused. “What do you mean?”

  My thoughts are empty except for the renewed certainty that the coming battle, although epic, will not be won by my army or the powers I wield. “I am leaving in the morning for the Plains of Sharne. If you want to follow me there, you may. But the only weapon you will need is your faith in Ruahk.”

  Geran jumps up, his cheeks quivering with rage. “Have you lost your mind? Do we need to search again for some Casting of the Mystics that has bewitched you? We cannot beat Braedon’s army with prayers.”

  “Maybe you can’t.” My voice is unwavering. “But I will.”

  After I dismiss my advisors, Geran and Maris spend the next half hour arguing to no avail. I will not be swayed from setting out in the morning to face Lord Braedon and his army of demons.

  Finally, when Geran’s ire has been spent and he looks at me only with the concern of a father desperately worried for the life of his daughter, I take his hands in mine. “Please, try to understand. If you take the time to think about everything that has happened to bring me here, all that you’ve tried to teach me in such a short amount of time, you will know that this is the right course of action. Talk to Noam. He has been given the same message. The battle won’t be won with our armies, but it has something to do with me. A choice I’ll have to make.” I squeeze his fingers. “And it will have everything to do with our faith in Ruahk. We have to believe in his power alone to win. Not our own. His.”

  My father’s eyes well up with tears. I’m not sure whether he is proud, afraid, or still angry. He pulls me into a fierce embrace. “I will spend the night praying that Ruahk will change your mind. If he does not . . . I will be with you at dawn.”

  My grandmother echoes him as she embraces me. “I, too, will see you at dawn.”

  I make my way up to my rooms and sink into the chair by the fireplace, longing for sleep. My eyes might be closed, my body exhausted, but my mind doesn’t rest. While I cling to the knowledge that what I’m doing is right, doubt gnaws at me. What if I’m wrong? What if this is all a trick? What if I’m not brave enough to face these demons . . . what if . . . .

  “Are you ready to undress, Your Majesty?” Tamra whispers, so as not to wake me in case I’ve already dozed off.

  I stir and stretch arms, trying to shake off the litany of worry still dancing in my head. Tamra scowls when someone knocks on the door. “I will tell them you are not receiving visitors.”

  “No. Let them in.” Any distraction is a welcome one tonight. My heart quickens when Quinn and Kyran enter. Quinn left two days ago to secure the protections around the Sanctuary. His eyes are bright, but the grief he carries is evidenced by the deep wrinkles in his brow, the slow pace of his step. He gasps in surprise as I run to hug him. “I’m so glad you’re back safe. And my Uncle Devnet?”

  He returns my embrace. “Is safe as well.”

  “Had the protections around the Sanctuary been broken?”

  “Yes.” He steps back so he can look at me. “Not all, but there were holes in the ancient bans.”

  “Were the Brethren able to repair them?”

  “And strengthen them as well.” He glances toward Kyran. “I have heard about your order to send the women and children there. Do not fear. They will be quite safe.”

  Relief spreads through my jangling nerves with the knowledge they will not have to face any more violence. “Kyran told you about tomorrow then?”

  Quinn nods.

  I hesitate, afraid to ask but needing to know his answer. “Will you come with me?”

  He grabs my hands. “Of course. Kennis would never forgive me if I was not at your side during the battle.”

  “I wish she was here.” My voice trembles.

  “She is always with you.” He leans over to kiss my cheek. “Try to remember that.”

  My attention turns to Kyran, who watches us with a melancholy look. The roguish twinkle in his eyes is clouded with concern. His lips set in a small frown. Although he hides his thoughts from me, I know what he is thinking. “Even Noam couldn’t say for sure what would happen.”

  “Whatever he saw, it will happen soon.”

  I move over so we stand face to face. “I won’t betray you again. Please believe me.”

  A smile replaces his frown. “I do.”

  I don’t want to consider any other alternative even as everything within me screams that Kyran was never worried about betrayal, but of what he might have to sacrifice. I look up at him. “Promise me.”

  “Anything within my power, it is yours.”

  I step close to him. “You won’t sacrifice yourself for me.”

  He draws in a sharp breath.

  “Promise me, Kyran.” When he won’t say it, my fists clutch at his shirt, trying to ground myself to him. Keep him here. “I command it, as your queen. If it somehow comes to that, you won’t do it.”

  “You are my love, my life, and my queen. I will do anything within my power to protect you.” His words only drive home the knowledge that if he is called to die for me, or for Ayden, he will do it. Just as I will. He pulls me close. Holds me tight. His voice, when he speaks, is thick with emotion. “Will you swear to do all you can to win this battle? No matter what my fate?”

  I cannot fathom losing another piece of my heart. How much grief can a person bear in one lifetime? Maybe this isn’t the trial. Or if it is, maybe because you’ve been warned, you can change the outcome.

  He’s keeping me from reading what he believes will happen. But he can’t stop my own imagination from making up horrible scenarios.

  Stop, Alystrine. We do not know tomorrow. But we know the end. We will do all Ruahk requires so that evil will be defeated and you will live to rule a land of peace.

  You will rule with me. By my side. You must.

  We stay together only a moment longer, though I wish for more. Kyran gently pries himself away. “I know you will not sleep tonight, but try. Your body needs rest.” He brushes a strand of hair from my forehead. “Your mind, too. You will need all your strength for the trials ahead.”

  I raise myself to my toes and press my mouth to his, for in this instant, I am thinking only of him. Of being sure he knows that his love has been the only thing to hold me together. And my love for him . . . it has grown deeper and stronger than I ever hoped.

  Kyran answers my kiss with one of his own. As he draws me closer, my mind opens to see what binds us together. Our two silver cords, now so thick and entwined so close, they nearly obscure Ruahk’s band of gold inside them. The unearthly glow, bright like the sun, fills me with peace. Surely, Ruahk would not give us such a love if he meant for one of us to die. He would not be so cruel.

  “I love you,” I whisper as we break apart.

  Kyran jerks as if shocked with electricity. Eyes wide, he looks down at me. “Truly?”

  “Yes.” I grin up at him, so happy I can give him this gift before we face tomorrow. “I love you, Kyran.”

  His eyes brim with tears, but his voice is firm. “Then know this, Alystrine, Queen of Ayden. No matters what happens, I will always love you. Whether on this earth, or in the other realms with Ruahk, my love for you is unending. Hold onto it, draw strength from it, and always remember that there is one who loves you more than life itself.”

  I struggle to hold onto the peace I felt just moments before, but it fades at the sadness in his eyes. He does not think he’ll live through
this trial. “Don’t give up hope, Kyran.”

  It is only when the heavy wooden door to my room shuts behind them and I am left alone that my knees give way and I crumble in front of the hearth. Ruahk, please. I know you can hear me. I don’t know what Noam saw, but I beg you, don’t let Kyran sacrifice himself for me. Don’t let him die.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Gone

  The sun sits on the horizon, a burning globe of crimson. Dark as blood. The morning air is heavy with a coming storm . . . and with fear. It presses down on my shoulders. Fills my lungs. The oppressive tension worsens as more Elders join me at the palace gates. It’s one thing to be promised victory. It’s another to know you will have to face a horde of ancient demons before you win.

  My grandmother watches the sunrise by my side. Her long hair not braided, only tied back. Wisps escape the leather band and dance around her head with the breeze. Kyran leads Braga towards us while a stable boy brings Salaan to me. The gray horse appears a rosy-silver in the early morning light.

  Maris embraces me. “I am so proud of you. Of all you have learned and all you will do.” She kisses my forehead before she takes her place behind the soldiers with the other women of the Elder Council. “Etain and Kennis are proud of you, too.”

  I get onto my horse. I’ve chosen to ride through the city of Uz wearing my crown and royal robes. Kyran rides by my side in his new robes. I’m hoping to look half as impressive to the citizenry of Uz as he does, sitting ramrod straight astride Braga with his maroon cape rippling in the wind.

  An elite guard of ten ride in formation around us. A barrier between us and the rest of our entourage. Their armor gleams as the rising sun hits the polished metal. Four of them carry banners of green emblazoned with a gold lion on its hind legs.

  Geran, Devnet, Quinn, and all the male Elders, about fifty, are next to leave the city. Following them are Naill and the other officers. He informed me that half our armies will meet us in camp tonight outside the city of Cyrene. From there, we will march toward the Plains of Sharne, where the other half of our armies will join us to wait for Braedon and the Mystics.

  Women, most grasping the hands of young children or holding babies in their arms, stand along the cobblestone roads to watch us as we pass, tears streaming down their cheeks. Old men, too, line the way. They keep stoic, not allowing their emotions to overflow like the women. Those boys too big to be restrained, but too young for the army, try to keep up with the horses as we trot through the city.

  I keep my eyes focused on the road ahead and my mind on exuding confidence to those around me. The people of Ayden—Elders, soldiers and Commoners—all need to believe that we can overcome the Mystics. If they don’t have faith, I’m not sure we can win this battle.

  After such an inspiring sunrise, it’s rather disappointing when the sun disappears behind swift moving dark clouds. A steady drizzle chills me by mid-morning and I send word back to Tamra to bring up my oil-skin cloak, as well as Kyran’s. Tamra and Reesa, along with my grandmother and Nitza, walk in back with the wagons filled with tents and supplies. It’s as close to battle as they’ll come . . . hopefully as close as anyone but me will come.

  I try not to let my thoughts get too morbid but it’s difficult with the unending, drenching rain. Glancing over at Kyran, I’m struck at how regal he still looks. Of course, his hair is short while mine now plasters my face and neck. His cape no longer billows, but he still sits tall on Braga. He must feel my stare, because he turns to look at me. His eyes somehow twinkling even in the gloom.

  He reaches across the space between us. “What are you thinking?”

  I take his hand. You know.

  The twinkle fades as his mind reads mine. My fears. My worry. He doesn’t try to send me any thoughts of encouragement. Instead, he tightens his fingers around mine.

  We stop about a half hour later when Tamra arrives with our warmer, dryer cloaks. Kyran holds my waist to help me off my horse. If we were alone, and not being watched by a hundred pairs of eyes, I would kiss him again.

  A slow smile spreads across his face. Remember that thought.

  Tamra peels off my drenched robe and wraps the oil skin around my shoulders. My fingers tremble with cold as I fumble to fasten it around my neck. Kyran changes his cloak with ease before taking my hands in his. Bringing them to his mouth, he blows on them twice, his breath warming my fingertips. Then he briskly rubs his hands over mine, the friction causing them to heat up even more.

  “Thank you.”

  Before he lets them go, he brings my hands to his mouth again, but this time, he kisses them. “My pleasure.”

  We refresh ourselves with a few swallows of water before getting back on our horses. I pray the rain will let up. It’s hard to hold on to faith when nature seems to be sending an omen of doom. We slog through mud for several more hours until a soldier arrives to lead us to where our armies have set up camp for the night.

  A wave of melancholy washes over me as servants and soldiers hurry to set up my tent. The last time I went camping was two years ago with my mom. She’d taken a long weekend off and we’d hiked some of the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire. It had rained then, too.

  My father weaves his way through the maze of people scurrying around me. “Once your tent is up, the Assembly and your generals would like to meet with you to finalize plans.”

  “Just know, they’ll probably change.”

  He lets out a frustrated sigh. “You must stick to the course of action your advisors devise, Alystrine. If you do not, we will have chaos.”

  Kyran comes up behind me and I draw on his presence to remain calm. “And if I don’t follow what Ruahk tells me, we will lose.”

  Geran clenches his jaw but says nothing more before walking away. Kyran turns me around so we stand face to face. “You answered well.”

  “Thank you. I guess I’m learning how to keep my cool.”

  His brows furrow together. “Being cold helps you?”

  I chuckle, glad to have something so silly take my mind off of the future. “It’s an expression we have in the Other World. ‘Keep your cool’ means you don’t let yourself get angry.”

  He nods like he understands, but still looks confused, which makes me laugh harder. I lean my head against his shoulder and watch my tent being raised. It’s huge. Probably fifty feet long and half as wide. Made of thick maroon cloth with gold stripes. Once it’s up and well staked to the ground, Tamra and Reesa rush in with what appear to be bed clothes while some of Naill’s men carry in a table and several wooden stools. My generals and advisors make their way across the soggy field so we can talk.

  Kyran steps toward the tent. “Come, get out of the rain. Your maids should have a brazier going by now. It will be warm inside.”

  A crack of thunder reverberates through my skull, so loud I think a bomb has gone off, but Ayden has no such weapons. I stumble, futilely trying to keep my balance on the rain soaked ground.

  A moment later, I find myself on my back in the mud, looking up at a creature from hell. Even larger than the demon that followed me in the passage, this one must be at least ten feet tall. Although it stands on two fur-covered legs, its face that of a giant wolf with yellow eyes and a snout filled with razor-sharp teeth. With a victorious howl, it reaches one of its giant clawed hands down to what? Grab me or kill me?

  Kyran’s sword slices through its arm, severing it at the elbow. Kyran dodges the beast’s other arm and stabs it in the stomach. I push myself to my knees and point my ring at the creature. “Burn!”

  The demon flails, spins and screams as flames engulf it. It’s then, as it falls to the ground by my side, that I see a Portal. I can’t see a face, but a hand, dark skinned and thick like a man’s, holds out an Elderstone.

  Before I can call the orb’s power, the Portal turns toward Kyran. An instant later, Kyran’s sword flies at me. Instinctively, I raise my arm and create a shield to block it from hitting me. The sword recoils from the purple light engu
lfing me, dropping harmlessly to the ground. I wait a moment longer to see what the Portal will try next. When nothing happens, I let down my shield.

  The demon next to me writhes in agony. I blast him with a bolt from my ring, not out of mercy, but to shut him up. Standing up on trembling legs, I search for the Portal, but he has vanished.

  Letting out a deep sigh of relief, I put my hands on my thighs and lower my head, trying to stop the dizziness threatening to bring me back to my knees. I have never used only the energy in my ring to defeat such a powerful enemy. I reach out for Kyran. “Are you hurt?”

  When he doesn’t take my hand or answer, I look up. He’s not by side.

  He’s not by my tent.

  He’s not on the ground.

  My chest tightens as I spin to search the rest of the camp. Only my father and advisors race to me. Kyran is nowhere to be seen.

  Grief and fury war within me as I realize he’s been taken by the Portal. I search for the passage they took, finding it easily because of the cord that binds Kyran and me together. Focusing my energy, I reach toward it—

  And am yanked back into the mud. My father and Naill hold me down.

  “Let go!” With a pulse of energy, they are thrown several feet away. I seek the passage again but I’m pulled back by other men.

  My rage energizes me enough to throw them off once more. The world spins as I search for the cord. It shifts in and out of focus as I reach toward it. This time, when soldiers force me to the ground, I can only weep in frustration, too tired to even move. “I can save him . . . let me go . . . please . . . let me save him.”

  My father stands before me, panting. Once he is convinced I won’t try to use a passage, he waves at the men. “Let her go.”

  When I stand, my legs crumble beneath me. I land on my knees, next to the smoldering remains of the demon. The stench rising from it is like sulphur and dung. Retching, I start to crawl away but a soldier lifts me up into his arms. For a moment, I think it’s Kyran, but no, this man is pale with brown hair. A choked sob escapes my throat.