by J. B. Jenn
“He doesn’t want me,” Rosha answered. “Those men think he does. They’re only trying to gain favor with him.”
Trester snorted. “Liar. I was there when he gave the order. He wanted us to bring you back to him. If we weren’t able to do that, we were to kill you.”
“I have no idea why he would have such orders,” Rosha stated. “They must have been made in error. I am not a person he wants. I gave him what he wanted long ago. There’s nothing left for me to give him.”
Rosha remained where she was, readying herself for a confrontation. Even now, with her augmented powers, she wasn’t certain she could take Trester. She had felt his power. It was immense and frightening and she had only seen a portion of it.
“It doesn’t matter. The only thing I know is we have to get you to safety.”
Rosha laughed. “I’m not sure there is any place I would be safe.”
“I think our only option at the moment is the Desert. It’s the closest kingdom to us and if Cascade doesn’t have a king or queen, they won’t be able to help us.”
“You might be their king now,” Rosha pressed.
Trester growled and continued, without answering.
Barend
Barend sat on the deep blue throne with the solid back rising high above him in deep thought. He had just received confirmation of King Delane Stone’s death. It was a relief to know they had succeeded. With the man gone, it was far less likely for Hartland to band together. The other kings weren’t strong enough.
The only way they would be defeated now was if one of King Delane’s sons had survived. All the reports he had received stated they were killed while defending Kenokel. He wished Janessa had died as well. He could see her survival ruining his plans. If the Cascade soldiers gathered behind her, it could be just as dangerous as gathering behind one of her brothers. It was why he had sent men after her. As he hadn’t heard from them, he assumed they had failed.
At least, her brothers were dead, all except one. Barend shook his head. With the third son an unknown, the prophecy of the Wytch King could come to reality. It’d ruin everything they had worked for.
Regardless, Barend allowed a triumphant smile to form. They were so close to succeeding. Until he knew for certain Mercea was under control and all of Delane Stone’s sons were indeed dead, he couldn’t view this as a victory though.
There were too many possibilities to lead to his failure. It was why he and his wife had systematically destroyed those possibilities for the last four years. There was still so much at stake.
With the thought of De’Nae, he scowled, wondering why she still hadn’t contacted him. It felt as if she had betrayed him. Barend snorted. He knew she was the one who had seen to capturing Mercea. Since she hadn’t contacted him yet, he wondered if she had failed. Or worse, had joined Mercea, seeing that as the only outcome for survival.
All he knew was something had happened. If his wife had captured Mercea, she’d have contacted him. She would have come home with their prize. Their plans would be moving forward instead of standing still.
Hartland had to change. They had come too far now, sacrificed too much, to turn tail.
“Have we heard anything about the men who were sent to capture the Servant?” he asked the man who served as his bodyguard. Man was not the word he’d use to describe him anymore.
“Nothing, your Majesty,” the grotesque creature hissed through his forked, black tongue.
Barend gave a heavy sigh. “I suppose it means they failed then.” Barend shook his head again. Without contact, it felt as if their plans were already failing. “Damn it,” he muttered. He turned toward the possessed man, known as a Tharroh, half-human, half-demon. “Send out scouts. Find me information. If they find my wife, tell her to return to me at once.”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
He watched the creature slither across the marble floor. Out of the other servants who were changed into the Tharroh, his appearance had changed the most. His face was still human and his arms were still human, but the rest of him had taken on the appearance of the demon.
If he didn’t need help in succeeding in killing the Old Gods and Their Servants, he’d have never considered such an option for his soldiers. He reminded himself this was a means to an end. Once all Their Servants were dead, it’d be easier to get to Them. Only then Hartland could move forward.
Still, he couldn’t help but give the man a forlorn look. There were small wings on his back and horns sticking out from odd angles all along his body. The once loyal bodyguard had been a good looking man. Now, people ran from him in fear. Barend wondered how much of the man was still left inside the crossbreed.
There were the Tharroh and then there were demons. The demons had used the humans as a host and source of power to take material form on the land. At least, as a Tharroh, the people who had willingly accepted demons into their bodies, were able to keep a part of their former selves. He didn’t know if that was better. He didn’t know if he could look into a mirror and see the monster he had willingly become day after day.
If the rest of Hartland knew what he had done, there would be an army at his gates. They would demand justice for these people. It was why they needed to act soon. It was why De’Nae needed to come home.
With the thought, Barend rose and approached the window in his throne room. The window overlooked the palace grounds at the side of the castle. At one time, it was beautiful, home to lively trees and colorful flowers. Now, they were filled with demons and Tharroh, alike, practicing combat. Everything around them had withered.
Barend stared down at them, wondering if what they wanted was worth all this.
Zavad
Zavad stared at Ogden and Casman. He had heard what they had said, but he found it difficult to believe. All this was over Rosha? There had to be more to it. The woman was insane. He had always thought she would die from one of her various habits. Everyone who knew her, thought it. He didn’t understand why anyone would come for her. Something wasn’t right.
“You can’t be serious. There’s nothing Rosha could tell Barend that would be useful. The woman is a fraud. She doesn’t know a thing. Why take her?”
He watched the two exchange looks before Ogden answered. “There has to be some reason King Barend went through all this trouble for her. It explains the charred bodies found on the bank of Lake Jejdin, your Majesty. Maybe King Barend knows something we don’t. Regardless of how you feel about Rosha, I think it’d be wise if we investigated this further.”
Zavad sucked in a deep breath and sighed it out. “You’re right. King Barend did send people after her. It unsettles me something like this took place in Yul and we had no idea about it. We only stumbled upon it by accident.” Zavad studied the two men for several more moments. “I hate to ask this of you, but in my eyes, you two are the most competent of my would-be soldiers. I need you to investigate this for me. Find the answers we need.”
Ogden was silent for several moments. He stared at the floor and then his gaze rose. “I’ll do it. You know you don’t even have to ask. Just give me a little time with my wife and son.”
“I don’t see how we have a choice,” Casman responded. “Something has happened. Something we don’t understand and has resulted in men dying. However, your Majesty, I don’t know where to look for answers. We could venture into Carthoda, but that would only likely worsen things between us.”
“You’re right,” Zavad said. He stared at the wall a moment before looking back at the man. “However, like you, I believe some of the answers we seek lie within Carthoda. King Barend has caused this. We won’t discover anything staying here. I’m sorry to do this to both of you. This could likely kill one or both of you, but we have to try to understand what’s happening. We can’t protect ourselves against something we don’t understand. Unfortunately, everything points to King Barend. Perhaps it won’t have to go so far as to seek him out. Maybe his people are unhappy and will tell you things which could answer so
me of our more important questions.”
Ogden nodded. “We agree, your Majesty.”
Zavad didn’t answer. When Balla entered the room, she wore a grim look. She looked to the two men who were going to risk their lives for everything. There was genuine fear in her kind, brown eyes.
“Please be careful. I want both of you to return. If it becomes too dangerous, come back. There is no sense in wasting two perfectly good lives.” Both nodded. “We don’t ask this of you lightly. I hope you realize this. It isn’t our way to ask men to die for us. Yul isn’t that sort of kingdom. We value all lives.”
“There is something else we may wish to consider.” Ogden looked to both of them as he played with his wedding ring. He knew Hethera wasn’t going to like what he was about to suggest. When Zavad nodded, he continued. “I want to venture into Kenokel and discover what happened there. It’s a mission for a single person. Otherwise, it’d be too dangerous.”
“Absolutely not.” Balla’s immediate response surprised Zavad. He glanced at her, but her gaze was fixed on Ogden. “The city was destroyed in less than a day. I won’t risk bringing that danger to Lovic.”
“I’m willing to take the risk, my Queen,” Ogden said. “We have to know what we’re dealing with. That danger may come to Lovic or one of the other cities in Yul anyway. Wouldn’t it be better to be prepared?”
Zavad thinned his lips. He reached out and held his wife’s hand. He always took reassurance in the heartbeat he felt through her fingers. Taking in a deep breath, he looked to Ogden and then to Casman. They were both good men who wanted to protect their kingdom and loved ones. He hated it, but he agreed with Ogden. They needed to have all the answers and know how to combat such dangers. Balla sensed what his response was and tightened her grip on his hand. She closed her eyes in regret.
“I think it’s a good idea to better understand what’s happening. So far, Yul has only had but one casualty. I feel that’s about to change. Whatever is happening is going to affect us all. Yul can’t escape this one based on our principles. They’ve already attacked us.” Balla glanced at him. He gave her a sad smile.
Sorrow filled Balla’s brown eyes as she looked toward Ogden and Casman. “Leave in two days. Spread time with your loved ones.”
Galtrand
Although he was close enough to feel the heat from the flames, it felt as if he watched the late king burn from a great distance. His knees felt weak. More than ever, Cascade needed their king. As much as he loved Janessa, he wasn’t certain she could run the kingdom in the middle of this crisis. He wasn’t certain if she was strong enough. The guards who had come with her felt the same. Despite feeling so, they’d stand behind her through it all. She was their Queen now. It was their duty.
His gaze drifted to Janessa, knowing she was probably wishing this was just a nightmare. Even though she and her father hadn’t seen eye to eye on many things, she had still loved him. She had still respected him for the man he was. He knew their relationship was a struggle, but neither of them had ever given up on the other.
King Delane Stone had been an old fashioned man who had believed women belonged in the home. Janessa was a woman who knew she was capable of so much more. On more than one occasion, she had proven her father wrong in public. Every time she had, there was ire in the king’s eyes. She was rarely punished with too harsh of a hand though. Galtrand believed over their time together, Janessa had opened the king’s eyes to what women were capable of.
When he noticed Janessa’s shoulders shaking, he worked his way through the crowd. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She glanced up at him and gave him a small smile. They stood there together until the crowd dispersed. There was nothing left of the king but ashes. From time to time, a slight breeze passed through taking some of the ashes with it.
“We should leave and get you inside. You’re freezing,” Galtrand whispered.
“I want to be with my father for a little longer,”
She stared at the remains of her father. Tears glistened on her cheeks. More than anything Galtrand wished he could comfort her. He wished he could take all her pain away.
Janessa approached the pyre. The flames had died, but the ashes were still warm. She scooped some of them up and placed them in a pouch. She met his eyes once more, giving a faint smile before walking away, trusting him to follow.
When they arrived at her room, he followed her inside. She sat down in a chair facing the ocean. Her face was stony, distraught. As he stood next to her, he placed his hand on her shoulder. He couldn’t focus on the amazing view outside the window. All he could focus on was her. Even in her deep sorrow, she was beautiful.
As he stared at her, he wondered if she could ever love him, or if she even knew how he felt about her. Galtrand stared at her, debating.
“Janessa.” He gave her shoulder an affectionate squeeze.
She turned toward him. Her brilliant blue eyes met his. “What?” Her voice was coarse from the tears still threatening.
Galtrand stared at her for a few more moments before kneeling beside her. “Do you have any idea how I feel about you?”
Janessa looked away, closing her eyes. “Now is not the time for this discussion, Galtrand. I can’t. I just can’t.” She shook her head at him. “I think you should leave.”
“Of course, your Majesty.”
Before he closed the door, he glanced back at her and gave a sad smile.
Maik
After pouring through countless books and scrolls, he had found what he was looking for. The information was in an obscure scroll, but he had found it. Now, it sat on his desk, waiting for him to tell Janessa.
He hadn’t wanted to burden her with such information so shortly after her father died, but he knew he needed to. She had to know what had happened to Kenokel and what had killed her father along with countless others. Without help, there was no way they could deal with the monster. At this point, the only thing they could do was hope it didn’t come their way.
When the door creaked open, he looked over from where he stared out the window from his desk. Janessa stood in the entrance. Maik smiled at her, noting her red, puffy eyes.
She gave him a faint smile in return before sitting down in front of him in a black chair. For a moment, Maik studied her, wishing he could help the grieving pass. He knew from personal experience, grieving never truly passed. There were times he still thought of his parents and missed them.
“I would like to express my condolences to you about the loss of your father again. I wish I could help you through this. I’m not entirely certain how to. Everyone grieves in their own way. All I know is your father was a good man and the entire world will miss him.”
She sat there, fighting back tears, making him feel foolish for saying anything. “Why did you want to see me?” she whispered.
“This, right here.” He picked up the scroll on the desk. “This is the reason I asked to meet with you today, despite everything.” He handed her the scroll, but she refused to take it. “I think it’s better you read it rather than I tell you about it.”
“I can trust you. You wouldn’t have asked me to come unless it was important.”
Maik gave a soft smile. He would have never imagined her saying she could trust him, especially after the way they had first met. He met her brilliant blue eyes again, wishing he could hold her against him all night and let her cry.
“It’s a demon,” he said. Janessa’s thin brow shot up. “I told you to read the scroll first,” he said with a small laugh. “From everything Lord Osrin could tell me, I’ve discovered what attacked Kenokel. It’s not surprising why the city stood no chance against it. This isn’t just any kind of demon. It has a name. It was defeated before by a Servant of the Old Gods.”
“You believe in the Old Gods? They’re nothing more than myth.”
“I don’t think my belief of the Old Gods and the new one are what matters at the moment.”
Janessa gave a small laugh, more like a s
nort. “You’re right, but this is a little hard to follow. A demon? I thought they were just stories parents told their children to scare them.”
Maik sighed. This was going to be more difficult than he had thought. Some people were open to such things. Others, didn’t believe these things could exist. They were the believers in the new, false God. The God who didn’t protect them the way the Old Ones did. He wished he could open everyone’s eyes and allow them to see there were things in this world beyond comprehension. He supposed, in a way, they knew this with their belief of their God.
She grabbed the scroll and rolled it open with care. He watched her as she read, wondering what she was thinking. Maybe after she had read it for herself, she’d understand the severity of their situation.
Demons exist are a darker presence of this world few have ever known or witnessed. The Servants have worked furiously to ensure they are rarely known to the common people. The Servants are our protectors. Without them, these demons will resurface time and time again, destroying everything.
Humans are weak and seek demons to aid in their power. It is unfortunate, but it has been done a few times. There is even a belief out there humans are the cause of demons. That demons never existed before humans were here. I do not know all the answers.
This demon, Urian, has been to Hartland before we ever discovered him. He has caused heartache and death, at least twice before. A Servant by the name of Mercea Stoneshield stopped him in the year 358.
Urian is recognizable by his sheer mass. Don’t let his black bulk make you think he’s slow and easily beaten. His movements are swift and his skin untouchable by man. He has no features. No hair. No ears. No nose. The only things identifiable on him are the horns on top his head and the two horns spiraling down his chin.