The Coming Dawn Trilogy

by Austen Knowles

  Ky folded her arms, and frowned. Now, not only was she supposed to be stuck in the room, but everyone else was going to be having fun. “I’ll get to go to feasts, too, right?”

  “I don’t think so. The last feast you attended you almost died.”

  “But I can’t sit here all day, every day.”

  “We’ll talk about this later.” Cobaaron turned to Octavos, suppressing a smile. “My partner is still going through mood swings. She’ll have her hissy fit and get over it quickly. Ignore her, or her temper will flair like an unpredictable young stud. This is nothing, really.”

  “Well, at least it’s adequate proof she’s not a witch. If she was a witch she’d put up with you then kill you in your sleep,” Octavos said in humor.

  “How do you all seem to know so much about witches anyway?” Ky asked. Her interest in the conversation piqued and she laid aside her disappointment.

  “It’s our job to know. Even if she’s a witch in hiding, I know. And betrayal of any kind, I would not allow her to live,” Noxis said in a sinister tone. “If we didn’t know them and their ways, we could be killed by them. So, we befriended a witch and learned her ways, but that was a long time ago.”

  “Not long enough,” Octavos murmured.

  “So you knew Oella was a powerful witch? How did you know she was bluffing?” Ky asked Cobaaron.

  “Because there are no weak witches,” Cobaaron said. “They hide it so they can live in cities because either they don’t like to be alone, or wish to try for a child. Otherwise they live out in the wild and don’t care to hide their ways.”

  “But witches can make children without men. Remember the witch from the story,” Ky said.

  “Lots of spells are family secrets, and that witch must have discovered the spell. She will not give up a family spell to save her life. To give away powerful spells would be giving away her display of power among families. The more family secrets of useful spells, the more powerful the healer family or witch is,” Cobaaron explained, as Octavos grunted with a nod as if agreeing. “Witches are all the same inside. They’re prideful. They think being magical means they’re superior to everyone. They resent being told what to do, even if it’s they who offer. Oella, a servant, is no different. She buries her rage until she’s had enough. Then her true nature will emerge, and you will see what she really is. You’ll see a witch’s true nature, and then you will understand. Maybe after that you will see my mercy, too. I’d kill her before her true nature erupts, but I still think she might be useful. But I won’t use her if I don’t have to. I don’t trust her. If she leaves you alone, I’ll try to let her live. But a witch being good for the length of a journey is unlikely.”

  “So, is someone a witch if they show even the smallest signs of magic?”

  “No, it depends on the type of magic. Some magic takes no skill to wield, some magic isn’t evil.” Cobaaron then smiled at Octavos and Noxis, and said, “Ky hasn’t seen a witch’s wicked side. She’s undecided if there’s maliciousness in Oella. She thinks I’m cruel for nearly cutting Oella’s arm off.”

  “I didn’t say that.” Though she did see how repressed women would lash out, especially after being treated cruelly. If men treated women as beneath them, as Cobaaron said, Ky could easily see only women lashing out, which would explain why men would have a reputation of being good while women were vile witches.

  “I’d have done worse,” Noxis admitted. “Threatening to cut her arm was mercy.”

  “No, he knew he had her. I’d have done the same thing,” Octavos said. “The outcome was in his favor.”

  A few minutes later Noxis left the room. Octavos lingered, and it was obvious he had something else to say. “What is it?” Cobaaron queried.

  “We may have a problem with Noxis. He fears witches, as you know,” Octavos said baldly.

  “You think he let Spaci get close to Ky because of the rumors?”

  “So, you thought that, too,” Octavos said. “He’s loyal, maybe to a fault, Cobaaron. This fear is controlling him. He may calm down in a few days. But a brother loving a witch…”

  “Just do your job and we shouldn’t have a problem. Watch him.”

  When Octavos left, Cobaaron went back to reading the archives. Ky lay on the floor next to Huntra, embracing him as he napped. “So, Noxis thinks I’m a witch, too?”

  “I’m not positive one way or the other. But you have me, don’t worry.” Cobaaron smiled.

  “I met someone in the bathhouse that cleaned my clothes with a spell. She told me she’s not a witch, but she knew magic, and she explained it by saying her father was a healer.”

  “Then I suspect that is true.” Cobaaron shrugged; evidently unsure what she found confusing. “It must be Hyun’s daughter.”

  “She offered to clean my clothes, but if she’s a witch in disguise I don’t want her to resent serving me and killing me.”

  “Is her name Ambrosia?”

  “Yes.”

  “She’s Hyun’s daughter. I had no idea she volunteered. She’s a respected healer’s daughter from a long line of honorable family members. She’s not a witch, or she would state she was one.”

  Ky took a deep breath. It seemed that they were all powerful wizards, and they all had the capability of being corrupt. She wasn’t sure she trusted any magical person if they resented being used.

  “Maybe I could give her something in exchange each time. Then maybe she wouldn’t feel I was taking advantage of her.”

  “Do what you wish, love,” Cobaaron said, unconcerned now that he knew the girl. He sat, relaxing on the floor, reading more archives.

  Ky smiled. She wanted to hear him say that he loved her. His rugged warrior-side hadn’t said it, while her confessions of love and devotion were copious. She moved toward him, took the archive, and set it on the floor. Then she had him join her so she could lay over him. She rested her hands on his chest, with their legs and stomachs touching, and she set her chin on top of her locked fingers as she relaxed.

  Cobaaron put his hands behind his head and smiled at her. It wasn’t the first time she had lain on him to get his attention. Capturing his interest with intimacy was something she had done every day for over a week now, just so they could talk and occasionally kiss. Sometimes it led to something more. “Tell me you love me.”

  “I do all the time.”

  “No, you tell me things like you want me close or I make you happy, but you never say I love you.”

  “I do, Ky, more than anything.”

  “Then say it.”

  Cobaaron tugged her up, so she was closer to his face. He lightly kissed her, which was so romantic, she grinned. When he brushed his thumb across her lips he said, “I love you very much.”

  Ky smiled. “I love you, too.”

  “You’re not mad at me for telling you to obey me by staying in this room?”

  “I’ll convince you to take me to the feasts. You can’t work all the time. If you compromise with me on that, I won’t sulk for days until you cave.” She was teasing, but there was probably a shred of truth in that statement.

  “I can probably do that.”

  They stared at each other with small smiles. Then something occurred to her. “Who is the witch that you all befriended?”

  “My brother’s wife, Vi the Vicious.”

  “Tell me about her.”

  “She seemed sweet, just like Oella. She even lived in a city. But her nature was revealed when she got upset when my brother chose to leave to go to war, and they fought. She promised if he left he would never come back to her again. Onor fell on his own sword. And he was one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen. For a warrior to die by accident is a humiliating death. It would be better to go out by drowning, starvation, disease, anything but by your own ineptitude; there is no honor in that. A man’s death says as much about his legacy as the wars he fought. The greatest death is for a warrior to die of old age. It means he was a great warrior to have survived so long. If a man di
es by a woman, well...then we see his weakness. But his own sword, which means fighting was his weakness and he wasn’t a good warrior. She killed him and stole his legacy, so she would always be tied to him as a warrior who loved a witch.”

  “Did they have children?”

  “No. Even witches are barren here.” Cobaaron shook his head. “Some say elves are barren, but they are powerful and easily correct it. I’ve never asked, considering women are very sensitive regarding the subject.”

  He combed her hair with his fingers, and then his hands drifted down her arms as he gently followed the strands down. “I love your glowing skin. You always have this silver dust on you now.” He rubbed her arms. The silver sweat fluffed off her skin, and then floated into the air.

  “I like your messy hair, and your arms. Maybe not in that order.”

  “My arms?”

  “Yeah,” she admitted and caressing the bulging muscles of his inner arm, and then lightly scratched her way to his pecs. “Okay, also your chest. And your abs. You have strong legs and calves, too. Strong calves like yours can be very sexy.” She smiled because she was naming almost all his body parts. “But I have to choose your arms as my favorite.”

  “What about the part I use to make love to you? That isn’t your favorite?” He grinned, knowing full well she professed loving that part of him many times while in bed.

  “That’s a given. I can’t live without that body part,” she confessed.

  “If we’re naming our second favorite trait, your long hair and wide hips are my favorite parts of you. It’s feminine and I like it. It’s a given I love all your curves.”

  Ky beamed. He lifted his head to kiss her. She was sure they were about to make love, but when she began to kiss his neck, he chose another scroll and unrolled the parchment, keeping one arm around her. When she stopped, he said, “No, please keep going.”

  Ky unbuckled his belt, without a single protest from Cobaaron. He even peered over the parchment and watched her wrap her fingers around his partially erect penis. She gently caressed him until he was hard.

  “Is this what you want?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll see how long before you can no longer concentrate.” Ky was delighted; he usually showered her with pleasure.

  “I like the warmth of your touch. I can stand hot things with your blood in me,” Cobaaron groaned. He grasped her hand, having her rub only his head and asked her to shine.

  She brightened her light, but only in her hand. The new ability was a result of her light maturing. She wasn’t sure how she did it; shining was like flexing an invisible muscle that came as easily and naturally as breathing. With no effort, and only mild concentration, she maintained the warmth.

  Amazingly, Cobaaron was able to do the same. His ability manifested after their union; they didn’t understand how his body could glow hot and even combust, but they were certain it had something to do with her magical Star blood.

  Cobaaron groaned when she found the perfect rhythm. He went back to reading scrolls, though his eyes weren’t moving as fast as they were before.

  Suddenly he sat up, and begged her to stop. “Love?”

  “What?” Ky asked, seeing him speed-read. She sat up, and stared, waiting for him to share.

  “This is it,” Cobaaron finally said.

  Her heart leapt into her stomach. She watched him read it again. He brought the parchment closer to his face. When he was finished, his arm fell to his side, and he stared at her with a blank expression. He silently contemplated the scroll with a heavy heart, and then asked, “Do you want to know? If you knew you lived, would you want to read the scroll?”

  “I know now. So, I guess that makes me feel better. Yes.” Ky gasped, covering her mouth at a dreadful thought. “You don’t die, do you? We both live, right?”

  “Of course, love. You would never live if I died.” He kissed her with tenderness for showing concern; he obviously found her inability to cope with death endearing. “But it’s going to be hard. I’ll lose a lot of men. Do you want me to read it?”

  “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “How bad is it?”

  “I’ll read it to you,” he said, and then spoke aloud the written words:

  “Long ago when The land was rich and plenty, a Curse fell on the earth.

  Now, pass to days of darkness, fast forward, the Stars fall like scattered rain;

  And one, she, Will unite with he, a man with a double edged weapon,

  As an unconquerable warrior and an unconquerable reigning king.

  Together they will Bring the light to pass the darkness as once before.

  United at the passing of blood, many times, it keeps them both alive and pure.

  For neither can die if their healing blood bonds and reconciles for fate’s design.

  He will be transformed into a light like the son; his blood of pure silver.

  Once they’ll fight, the walls of Siphrise fall first by the hands of the dead king,

  And with a silent and unseen cry, he snuffs the first of the last three kings.

  Twice they will fight (woe to the foe) who dies next. He’s right to revenge Death.

  His words will curse many, celebrate his ignorance and firm and upright heart.

  Kings will Tremble at the last quake; at the new City of Lights at the end.”

  “So,” Ky mumbled and then nodded. “It is you. You’re an unconquerable warrior. You’re Cobaaron the Unconquerable. United by passing blood many times. You’ve stopped my blood at least five or six times. That’s a lot,” she guessed.

  “I agree. And the last time you didn’t heal as rapidly. I’m sure I got a lot of your blood inside me after that.”

  Cobaaron fell silent, lost in thought as he stared at the prophecy. “But this says he will be transformed into a light like the son. It’s not the sun that shines, but son as in boy. A light like the son?” He paused, while thinking. “This is a lot different than the archive read in the city. I wonder if this is a copy. I wonder if it meant sun. I’ll ponder that. It would be very disturbing if this prophecy was tampered with.”

  “So are you like a Star? Is that why your chest and veins began glowing when we first made love?”

  “Maybe. That would explain why the popping pine didn’t burn me, and I noticed before that I could touch fire. Mild heat doesn’t affect me, but when you went nova and the heat was too intense, it burnt me. But I don’t know Ky. I should consult Wyt on what he’s heard of Star lovers inheriting their qualities. He may know. He is wise in magic, and prophecy.”

  “I only see one glaring flaw. It says our passing of blood keeps them both alive but we shared blood and you died.”

  “Maybe it’s because the union wasn’t complete. At that point I may not have had enough of your blood either. At least we didn’t share blood many times before then. I only recently became a light, as this prophecy labels me. That is all a guess though. My skills are limited in deciphering prophecies. I should consult Wyt.” He read the archive again, and then gave it to Ky. “Look at this. The word death is capitalized.”

  “So, it’s true then? Your story about the Angel of Death is true?” Ky asked.

  Cobaaron shook his head, not sure. “This is incredible; hard to believe. But it seems to have a double meaning.”

  “There is more than one word capitalized. There are six.” Ky pointed out as she laid the archive so they could both look. She read them aloud and in order: “The curse will bring death—tremble.”

  “It’s equally mysterious. Why would it warn twice of death, and really make it an emphasis? It can’t be saying a warrior is coming with a curse. Maybe it is Death that brings a curse of death,” Cobaaron speculated.

  “I’m nearly convinced. There are stranger things in this world.”

  “One thing is very clear. The first fight is in Siphrise. We will have to go there. That is where one of the kings lives. We will have to move fast in order to surprise him; it’s our best hope to catch him
off guard—if we can. This king has gone mad, though. It may be relatively easy to go after him. Honestly, I don’t know what will happen. No one has ever gone after a king to kill him like this, and not declare war. No one has ever gone after the kings. It’s suicide.” He grinned at Ky. “Until you changed me.

  “It’s likely he knows we’re coming, and he’ll see us approach because of your glow. Your light doesn’t softly flicker anymore, but if it goes out you die. Seeing a battle like these described. I don’t know how you’ll survive, but it says you do. Maybe my will for you not to depress easily has made you stronger. Then your character is naturally strong.”

  “The prophesy says your blood keeps me alive.”

  As if he didn’t hear her, he continued. “But you were distraught over Huntra’s death.”

  “But he’s my pet. Your men hate me and think I’m a witch. I’m not attached to anyone here but you and Huntra. I won’t be devastated by their passing.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Do I need to remind you how upset you were after you went nova?”

  “I was adjusting to this world. I’ve never seen death until your fight on stage and then I killed... Of course that was all hard. But I’m fine now. What hasn’t killed me has made me stronger. Anyway, I survived this world so far,” Ky grumbled.

  “Yes, it’s beside the point,” he said. “It’s a long way to Siphrise, and I don’t know how we’ll get there. We can’t march up. He will see us coming. He has scores of magical instruments, and too many ways to stop us. He may even already know the prophecy and has scouted out for a warrior and Star union. It’s possible, considering the numerous night squawkers that were outside the city when we left. It’s not often a Star attempts to leave a city she’s born in or near. And a Star has never traveled alone—even if it was on the back of a snow tiger.

  “If we have a chance to surprise him, I don’t know how it would be done.” He paused and thought as he stared out the black window. “The wind is in our favor, since it has changed to the south where the king lives. We could sail the ships, but we wouldn’t get far before we’d have to walk, and our women are painstakingly slow. No, there has to be another way. Maybe take the women first to a city. The birds are already south; they’ll be coming north in less than a month. So, we couldn’t fly…”