The Coming Dawn Trilogy

by Austen Knowles

  Ambrosia reluctantly obeyed. Fire spewed from the room. Tyrus raised the wand, and muttered. A purple flare lit the tip. The fire grew as he chanted, and the purple flame took the shape of a fire-breathing dragon that crawled from the wand. When the dragon reached full-size, most of its body was in the room. Its tail came out of the wand and almost clobbered Cobaaron. Then the dragon flew into Ambrosia’s forest, breathing purple flames. Tyrus continued to mumble until he lowered his wand.

  “You need to seal the door, and trap the two fires together. It shouldn’t take more than an hour.”

  Ambrosia did as he instructed. “I can’t believe you did that.” She grumbled, still disagreeing with Tyrus’s decision to perform dark magic. “If my father…”

  “I wouldn’t have been able to without Zevera’s wand,” Tyrus said, studying it. “We’re lucky an evil witch crafted this. Surely, the evil core made it easier to create the dragon. Or I don’t think I could have.”

  Ambrosia stole the wand, and immediately snapped it in two. She wagged a finger in his face. “My father would have been disappointed in you. I’m disappointed!”

  “Well, you still love me.” Tyrus grinned cockily, and then shrugged a shoulder as if his actions were no big deal.

  “No, I don’t! I haven’t thought about you like that since the city. Before that even! You’re not confessing anything! Even when I was dying you couldn’t lie! I’m serious about giving you the silent treatment. We’re still not on speaking terms!”

  Tyrus suppressed a fleeting smile. Apparently, he didn’t believe her and found her feisty refusal endearing. She rolled her eyes, folded her arms, but let him carry her out of the tower.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  With little more than a request to lower the gates, the guards mindlessly followed Cobaaron’s order. The bridge dropped, and the warriors who defeated Maxis’s army and the black guards entered the castle.

  Within an hour, every guard was shattered to pebbles, and the warriors gathered in the great hall for protection in case the castle turned against them. The stud warriors worried that their women died in the fire. Most volunteered to seek food for their growling hunger, as an excuse to keep busy while they waited. Tyrus kept watch on Ky’s timekeeper, as the fire in Ambrosia’s room died down. He tended to Ambrosia by rubbing her stomach, making it glow. She did her best to ignore his touch, but Tyrus didn’t let her leave his side and insisted she let him, a healer, restore her health.

  “Cobaaron,” Ky rested against his arm to get his attention.

  “Yes?”

  “I’d like to be on the city council. I want to put into law that warriors can unite, and women can’t sleep with several partners to get pregnant. It causes a rift between the men, and jealousy among the women. Warriors act as if they need no one, but it’s not good for men to be alone. Your men need women to come home to. It needs to be acceptable for men to marry; I think warriors would want to bond if they had permission. Women need to be educated that it takes only one man to conceive.”

  “Well, women can, but only if they are descendants of Lu Lush or their womb is blessed,” Ambrosia said, glaring at Tyrus.

  “Love, it’s been tradition for thousands of years for warriors of high rank to disregard women. No one would accept that willingly. Women are a distraction.”

  “But you told me you’re more distracted when we’re separated. Your men need to know love as you have. It gives them a reason to live. You said you didn’t truly start living until you met me. You of all people have to know how wrong this tradition is.”

  “I said that all in private, Ky.” Cobaaron’s lips tightened. He was annoyed she would share what he spoke intimately in private. Then he added, “I can’t change things too quickly. A law like that could cause retaliation among women who want children. They will never choose one man. It’s well known; the same man never impregnates the same woman twice. How I feel isn’t how others may feel. There could be a rebellion over a law that women must choose only one partner. Our population depends on my men breeding new blood, and women need my men to impregnate them or our race would die out. No one is required to do this if they don’t want to.”

  “Well, there should be an option for men to be with only one woman. They should be allowed to bond if they wish. Bonding shouldn’t be a negative concept among warriors.”

  “There are scores of armies around the world. Changing my army wouldn’t accomplish anything. Once we reach the city, I won’t be in charge of these men anymore.”

  “Then make it acceptable now, and ask Tyrus to uphold it. Lead by example. You already are.”

  “I’ll consider it.” Cobaaron held up his hand to stop her from talking, when Ky was about to make another point. “If I make too many changes, my men will continue to fear you’re a witch. Let things move naturally, Ky. I told you I’d think about it. I am not convinced. Even if I asked my men to bond, what woman would abandon her desire for children and an opportunity to be viewed as royalty to live a poor life with one man? My men would have to offer a better life to women desperate to leave their cities. No more on this topic, please. Let me mull this over as a man does, without endless talking.”

  The men returned with food, and a stuffed Huntra. Prism rest on his head, and slept without a care, even as Huntra pranced. Ky had no idea how she got out of the casemate until Ambrosia crooned, “Oh, good! I wondered if I successfully cracked the window open as we left.” As Ky petted Huntra, Ambrosia held out her finger to Prism and pointed out a chipped wing. “She’s hurt, though.”

  “At least she’s alive,” Ky said, and beamed at her druse.

  A warrior dropped a large slab of meat over their fire and a plant that looked like cabbage before dividing a ration of berries for their group, and then he left after giving Cobaaron a bow.

  As Ky ate the sweet berries, Ambrosia put space between Tyrus and her. When he reached for her wound, she snapped, “You’re not healing me! You’re touching me to strengthen the bond. Quit torturing me. You took my blessing! You should have let me die. You have your life as a warrior and I have nothing!”

  Tyrus lifted his hands, forming a solid dome of thick ice around them. Her voice muffled, but she continued to rant.

  “You’re right.” Cobaaron sighed heavily, as he watched Tyrus and Ambrosia’s argument. “I’ve never seen two people argue tirelessly, and I know where it stems. I should make a law that warriors can bond if they wish. Whether or not it’s accepted remains to be seen. I’ll make the announcement once we’re at a city where they can take wives, or there would be fights over the few women who made it alive. If there are no women, I’ll tell my men tonight.”

  Ky grinned, “Thank you.” She kissed him with tiny pecks on his cheek, until he cupped her face, and pressed his mouth to hers.

  “Don’t thank me,” Cobaaron replied, between another soft kiss. “You’re right. My men feel a lot more than they say. I was foolish enough to believe it once, because I was blinded with greed for success. Of course, they all long for something other than fighting.”

  Cobaaron gave her a handful of berries, and Ky ate them while Ambrosia continued to shout. But then he spoke, and after a few words she buried her face in her hands and wept. “Do you think he’s telling her that he passed up his blessing so she could have children?”

  “No. I’m guessing here, but I think he’s still waiting until he’s certain it will be him who sleeps with her. If she ends up pregnant, I won’t be at a loss as to who is the father. I will pretend to know nothing, but hopefully he respects me enough not to keep any secrets.”

  When the meal finished roasting, Ambrosia and Tyrus made a truce. She willingly complied after dinner when Tyrus suggested Ambrosia open her room to see if the magic fire saved lives. Because the four were eager to see survivors, they hurried in when they didn’t feel heat.

  Only a small patch of trees in the back were untouched. Ambrosia sobbed, bitterly depressed that so little escaped damage. Charred carcasses, of both
people and creatures, littered the ground. They slowly walked to the still intact deep-water pond and waterfall. When they stood at the edge, they saw people breathing through straws of waterweeds. Octavos was the first to move. He surfaced and took a greedy breath.

  Cobaaron beamed. “I thought you were dead.”

  “Never,” Octavos said, smirking.

  Tyrus and Cobaaron waded into the water, and helped the women out. Noxis detangled Onya from enchanted weeds that ensnared her ankles. Everyone struggled free, but when they emerged, Cobaaron was pleased that so many survived. Surv was hysterical, and cried now that he was back on land. Yulley comforted him as Wyt praised him as exceedingly brave. But he couldn’t be soothed, and hyperventilated as he clung to Yulley.

  “We have food outside the room. Go eat and recuperate.”

  “No. I don’t want to leave the room.” Yulley turned to Wyt. “There are enough trees left for our family and Athaya. She’s pregnant. Wyt, say something; I don’t want to leave.”

  “It’s okay, Yulley. I heard your request. You can stay, although it’s not as homey as it once was. I’ll have my men carry out the dead.”

  “Mother,” Surv cried, as he tugged on Yulley’s skirt and pointed to the woods.

  They saw three women emerging from the trees. They were soot-covered, and the woman in front limped. Ky recognized the staggering woman as Vergara. The three survivors hurried up to them. The studs entering the room surrounded the three, trying to help. Some comforted the women, hoping to make claims on them, since they were the last available women. Vergara enjoyed the attention. She put her arms around the two strongest men, hobbled and garnered sympathy.

  “My face was burnt. My beauty is all I have. Is it that bad?” Vergara questioned her studs on the verge of tears. “I want to bathe and look at my reflection.” Ky rolled her eyes, finding it ludicrous someone could be so incredibly self-absorbed.

  “You’re lucky to be alive,” Cobaaron observed, but Vergara was unimpressed by his comment.

  She stopped next to him, and replied, “As a woman, I am nothing without my looks. I’d rather be dead than unsightly.”

  Octavos pushed Vergara into the pond. He smirked at Cobaaron. “Now she can see her reflection.”

  Vergara gasped as she surfaced. “How dare you push me?” The other two surviving women rushed to assist Vergara as she continued to threaten.

  “Well, you do have a burn on your forehead. Looks like it will scar,” Noxis said.

  “NO,” Vergara screamed, horrified.

  “You can wear bangs. That would cover the scar, and you will still be beautiful,” Onya said, genuinely trying to console her.

  “Let us worry over more pressing matters,” Wyt interjected, exasperated. “Ky, where is Huntra. We need to find him.”

  “Outside the room.”

  Cobaaron, Octavos, Tyrus, Noxis, Ambrosia, and Ky went with Wyt to search for Huntra. When they found him, Wyt crouched near his small form, and said, “I believe you have something I want.” Huntra shook his head. Prism woke, and flew off his head. “Ky, ask your druse for the stolen object.”

  Ky nodded, remembering. “Is this what we were supposed to find?” Ky asked when Prism unfolded the prophecy and gave it to Ky.

  “What is it?” Cobaaron asked.

  “The rest of the archive,” Wyt replied. “There is a portion you haven’t read.”

  “There’s more?” Cobaaron asked, dismayed.

  “Yes,” Wyt said, as those around listened, when he told Cobaaron to read the archive.

  Cobaaron read aloud:

  “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.

  Blood will flow like rivers. Birds will feast on the dead until the sun comes.

  From Death, the destroying angel, who grew tired of their games, makes noise.

  He rules with her for seven hundred years with no regrets and no war at his walls.

  But none will see the sun’s light if first three things this warrior king must do.

  Kill the mother witch, who would stop At nothing, and he would lose His life.

  Dip in the pool of Magamatesh that Will burn away flesh—be prepared.

  And find the sword that took the first life, which is now lost in plain sight.”

  “The pool of Magamatesh is lava. I’m not a Star, I’d never survive that,” Cobaaron stressed. “I’m not invincible. I know my limits. That is definitely one of them.”

  “You’re to burn away your flesh and you’ll become a Star. But first, you must kill the witch, or she will relentlessly pursue you until you are dead. She has gone to the curing springs. You must follow her now before she decides to bleed herself to be rid of Ky’s blood or dips in the pools. Ky has already spilled Zevera’s blood when she broke her leg. It won’t be long before Zevera realizes this. Her misinterpretation and ignorance is in our favor. Once you have defeated her, you should find the sword in plain sight. The sword is critical. It will bring the curse of death that is clearly important if emphasized in the archive. We must prepare to leave now. There isn’t time to rest, we leave in hours.”

  “The springs are north. We’re very far south. It’s so far away that it would take years to travel there on foot. You speak of impossible things, Wyt.”

  “And the winds are not favorable. We couldn’t fly there,” Noxis added.

  “There is no sea that will take us there,” Octavos said.

  “Plus, we still travel with slow women,” Noxis stressed.

  “So, unless you saw how to get there swiftly,” Cobaaron continued, “we will rest tonight. My men fought honorably, and need to renew their strength. Then we will make our way there. But, it will not be in a hurry. We’ll have to risk her being healed. I no longer desire your advice, Wyt. Not if my wife was captured by Zevera once again in your presence.”

  “I have seen,” Wyt insisted. “Prepare your men. They must gather in Ambrosia’s room, because only a few accompany us. I will go with you to protect your partner. After the curing springs, you can relax and you have my word she will be at your side.”

  Cobaaron squinted, narrowing his eyes on Wyt. If Cobaaron commanded his men, Ky didn’t hear it. But warriors entered Ambrosia’s room, as word spread that no one was permitted to have a campfire. Warriors brought out the dead. Only a few people remained in the great hall with Cobaaron and Ky. Noxis joined his brother, Onya stayed far from him; she was ordered to approach their campfire by Cobaaron when he saw her at another fire. Ram and Parson sat by Ambrosia, and ignored Tyrus’s offer of meat; eating berries by tossing them high in the air and catching them in their mouths.

  “Why haven’t you sealed your union?” Cobaaron asked his brother as everyone else made loud, cheerful conversation to change the gloomy mood.

  Noxis glanced at Onya. “And say what to her?” Noxis shrugged. “She’s always smiling and laughing. What would I have to say that is so funny?” Noxis prodded the fire, and shrugged again.


  “So, you don’t know what to say to her.” Cobaaron tried hard not to laugh at his confession, but then he chuckled loudly. “She’s from a city where they love performances. Serenade her.” Ky cringed, but Cobaaron was clearly teasing his older brother. Noxis stared at Onya, ignorant of Cobaaron’s jesting and asked if he truly thought that was a good idea.

  “Just ask her how she’s doing after all the excitement,” Ky suggested as she tried to keep Noxis from making a fool of himself. Noxis stole a fleeting glimpse of Ky, his eyes full of quiet threats.

  “Surely, brother, since I’m married I can say this with confidence.” Cobaaron grinned. “Sing to her, about her beauty.”

  “She is very beautiful,” Noxis confessed, sounding convinced that Cobaaron’s advice was sound. “I’m not much of a singer, though.”

  “I know, but women are sentimental,” Cobaaron said. “Do it before you lose your nerve, unless you don’t think you can come up with words...”

  “Of course, I can think of words! I’m quick-witted,” Noxis snapped. “Fine!” He stood and cleared his throat before walking around the fire, and the few people who sat around it. Beldor asked Noxis where he was heading.

  “Onya,” Noxis said to get her attention, even though her eyes followed him as he approached her. He took a deep breath to collect his nerve. Then he sang off-key:

  “I know this one woman.

  I know she’s good look’en.

  ’Cause when I look her way,

  I don’t know what to say.

  I’d speak of her beauty,

  Or our bond that’s duty,

  But when I look her way,

  I don’t know what to say.

  I try with all my might,

  To keep her from my sight,