The Coming Dawn Trilogy

by Austen Knowles

  Her emotions spiraled downward, bordering on a deep depression, as she fixated on the loss and her need for her husband. “Come, Ky.” Noelya clutched her hand, drawing her from her dark thoughts. “Your heart is as burdened as mine, and we should let Yulley mourn as she needs, but give her privacy. I know I could have stopped this, but this is how Wyt wanted things to end. Truly it was the best outcome because of his sacrifice. Maybe he didn’t want to see the death of his family, and that is why he chose this path. Stars are very sensitive to death. At least, that is what I’m telling myself.”

  “What do you mean his family dies?” Ky asked, shocked. Wyt wished for Yulley to have a position in the new city and Surv to be a warrior. Why would he choose to die if he had years with them?

  “I know what he told you. He wants his family to enjoy their short time they had left. He didn’t want to say how many deaths would occur before the end. Your own included, but be brave, because you survive. Gods touch you, and a guardian protects you. So, have no fear of the future.”

  They walked beside a small brook. Even in the midst of a melancholy conversation, the soothing sounds filled Ky with peace. Ky wondered if Noelya brought her this way to ease her mind. Noelya, who lived among nature, surely took great pleasure in its calming abilities. Ky’s attention slowly drifted in and out of their conversation as they walked by the consoling waters. Ky focused her gaze and thoughts on the flowing stream as it rippled over rocks.

  “I’m glad I have you alone. I wished to speak with you in private,” Noelya admitted when they were far from elves and warriors. She stopped walking and faced Ky. She reached into a pouch that hung from a loose belt of silver twine, and pulled out a dagger with a glass handle, which was full of a dark blue, ink-like liquid. Noelya smiled as she held it out for Ky. “Dipping into the magical pools at Magamatesh is going to kill Cobaaron. He knows this.”

  “My husband dies?” Ky asked in alarm. She hadn’t recovered from seeing Cobaaron lifeless at the curing pools. News of him dying again was tragic. The prophecy that she once took comfort in, believing their hearts would always keep beating because they shared blood was meaningless. She saw him lifeless twice.

  “Have no fear,” Noelya crooned. “This will help him survive.” Noelya lifted the weapon slightly while speaking, and then placed the iron into Ky’s hand. “You must thrust this in deep, and let the poison enter his body for him to live. Taint his blood with this blade, and all will be well.”

  “I don’t think… I can’t stab my husband with poison. I…I thank you for what you have done for my friend, by blessing her womb, and aiding in pursuing Zevera. You and your partner have done a lot for Cobaaron and I, but I can’t pierce him with poison.” Ky tried to return the dagger, hoping for another way. She had firsthand knowledge of effects from poisonous daggers. She nearly died, and the recovery was agony. She certainly didn’t see how nearly killing him would help him. “There must be another way. Please!”

  “There is no cantrip that will save him. I give your only option. You must stab him. It’s his only chance of survival,” Noelya stressed. “I’ve seen it in a vision. I wondered how you got this dagger, and realized I should give it to you. Tell no one of this, because elves cannot interfere in the world’s affairs or war will ensue. You need to trust me. Your partner will die, if you don’t pierce his side with this the night before he dips in lava. He can’t know about the poison. You will have to do it as he sleeps. He can’t be made aware of the transformation or his body will fight it like an illness, and it will have the opposite effect. The blade numbs. He will never know if you place the blade on his skin first and then strike. I’ll warn you; he will not be the same man when he awakes.”

  “Okay,” Ky muttered, cautiously, but she wasn’t consenting. She turned away from Noelya, falling into a slow stroll. They were both quiet. All Ky could think about was that she didn’t trust secrets, especially for such an important and brutal request. What bothered her most, Noelya vowed the poison dagger was the only way but Ky knew her blood brought him back to life. Noelya couldn’t expect her to unquestionably stab her beloved; the man she lived and breathed for with devotion.

  “Have I told you I read minds?”

  “No,” Ky said without daring to look at her, “but I’ve suspected.”

  “You could try to revive him without using the dagger, but dipping in the pools will strip him of his goodness. He’d be, not a pure Star, but a man burnt, angry and vengeful. I caution you again. Enlightening anyone about this conversation will have consequences. Please trust me. Maybe if you see the damage you do by not listening, you’ll learn to trust me and poison your lover. I’ll leave you here, and hope you’ll consider the dagger.”

  Noelya stopped in front of the room Cobaaron and Ky were staying in while in Opalace. She left Ky after saying she would see her at the feast that night. Ky shut herself into the spacious room for solace.

  She sat on a low bed carved from a thick tree root, which grew from the soft, spongy floor. Leafy willow branches draped the bed and concealed her. Ky stared at the dagger in her hand, as the gravity of what Noelya said set in. The threat that he’d be a changed man if she poisoned him or a bitter man if she didn’t wasn’t positive. She would love him unconditionally even if he changed for the worst, but she wished he’d always be the man she fell in love with.

  Ky shook her head. There was no way she could willingly hurt her husband, but it haunted her that Noelya stressed that it was the only way to save him and transform him into a Star. If it were true, maybe she had no choice but to poison him. But how could she live with herself if something went wrong?

  When the door opened, Ky hastily concealed the dagger under leaves at the foot of the bed, and then slipped out of the draping willow leaves. Cobaaron entered the room, with Huntra prancing behind him and Prism gripping a tuft of his fur.

  “There you are.”

  “Yes, Noelya asked me to walk with her.” Ky met him in the middle of the room, and tried to be positive. Seeing him so soon after news he’d die again, made her even more anxious. She loved him too much to watch his heart stop again.

  “So, you would have time to get ready for the feast?” Cobaaron asked.

  “I’m about to get dressed now.” Ky smiled, trying to mask her emotions, but as she stood looking in his blue eyes, she couldn’t lie. She couldn’t be deceitful. The thought that he could help her make a decision to use the dagger compelled her to say, “No, actually, Noelya asked me to do something, and I’m not sure I can trust her.”

  “You can. She is an elf queen,” Cobaaron assured her, but stressing a guarantee because of her elfish kind didn’t settle the matter for her.

  “She asked me to do something that I’d normally never consider, but she told me I can’t even tell you. It seemed malicious in nature, and I don’t know if I have it in me to do what she asks.”

  “Love, I’m sure it’s not malicious. If she told you not to tell me, then don’t. Do your best to follow her orders. She’s wise, and knows how to direct you. If you don’t trust her, trust me. Do as she says, and don’t speak of this to me anymore.”

  Ky nodded, and took a heavy, deep breath wishing she could confide the entire plan. If he knew the details, he might feel differently. “I do trust you.” With Cobaaron standing in front of her, and seeing him alive and well, she wished nothing more than to keep him as he was. She took the last step between them and dropped her head to his chest.

  Cobaaron wrapped his arms around her. He hugged her until she sighed. “Don’t worry. My brother will not kill you.” He soothed her by smoothing her hair and holding her in a protective embrace. He was the most incredible man, thinking of her yet again, when he was the one staring at death by dipping into lava. Ky couldn’t think of a more horrific way to die. It broke her heart because she wanted this unbelievably caring man to remain as he was, and not worry about searching for the pools, bravely and willingly going to his death.

  “You have no idea ho
w much I love you,” Ky said.

  “I think I do since it’s equal to my own.”

  She leaned away from him, and as she tried to swallow her fear, she got another idea. She would ask Tyrus. He seemed to know Noelya, and he knew magic. He would be certain if the dagger was somehow safe. She definitely wouldn’t stab Cobaaron with a poisonous blade until she was assured that no harm would come to him. Having only Noelya’s word, didn’t feel adequate for such a task. But if Tyrus confirmed what Noelya said, she’d do what needed to be done. She’d do anything for Cobaaron. She simply needed proof.

  He gently brushed his lips against hers, and then kissed her. His tongue parted her lips, and drew across her teeth until she opened her mouth. His kiss became feverish, and Ky welcomed it. They hadn’t had much time alone until they got to Opalace, and she was glad to feel his relaxing touch. She needed it more than ever.

  His kisses became increasingly sensual when he began to nibble along her jaw. She held onto him tighter to keep him close. “I want to make love with you,” Ky whispered, and with no further pleading he took her to the hollow root and with passionate longing, he rocked her until she thought of nothing but pleasing him.

  They later changed in silence, grinning because they were late for the feast, but the time was well spent. He watched her as he rushed to get ready, and then waited as Ky twisted her hair up to hide the matted mess after an afternoon of intimacy. “You can’t tell,” he said once he was dressed and wanting to go.

  “I wish I had a mirror.” Ky patted her head to feel for tangles, and when she was satisfied she added, “Let’s go.”

  The feast took place under an enormous white canvas that hovered with elf magic. The tent floated over a glade, beyond a small bridge above the brook. Willow trees were decorated with seashell chimes and white flowers hanging from their branches. There were knobby wood tables and chairs set up, and women from surrounding cities and a few warriors already occupied nearly all of them.

  Ky wasn’t surprised that the women on the husband hunt were scantily clad. Most wore triangular tops pointed toward their exposed navels, hip-hugging skirts, and small bells in their hair to draw attention. They dressed so much alike, Ky wondered if it was ceremonial attire, possibly for an immediate union.

  Limro and Noelya sat at a long table, while some warriors acted out humorous battles to entertain the crowd with Telling of the Tales. Cobaaron escorted Ky to the head table and they sat next to the elf king and queen. After a short greeting, they continued to watch the warriors enact the skit.

  “This is a reenactment of the king and Lu Lush,” a warrior announced at the beginning of a new play. “Thatcher will portray the beautiful goddess Lu Lush. Try to look past his beard.” The warrior smirked, and his joke garnered chuckles.

  “Oh, I’d much rather see Ky play the role. She’s very good. I’ve seen it,” Limro interjected. “Ky, it’s been a while, but please showcase your talents.”

  Ky stared at Limro; surprised he knew her love of theater. It was unnerving he knew her so well. Ky flushed, hoping he wasn’t reading her mind. Ky loved to act, and despite not knowing the role, she stood and joined the warrior who was the narrator and introduced the play. Ky pressed her lips together in a flat grin with shallow dimples, as she greeted the warrior.

  “I’m Rute,” he said as a quick introduction, and then whispered, “I’ll guide you through the story and instruct you during the play when I can. You don’t love me, but I’m obsessed with you because of your beauty. In the end, you take my sword and kill yourself, and then fall faint. Got it?”

  “I do. It’s improv. I love it.” Delighted to be acting again, Ky grinned at him.

  “I don’t know that word, improv.” Rute gave her an odd look and then turned to the other three at the table. As they began, more people gathered around, and watched because Ky was joining in the Telling of the Tales. Ky loved the pressure, and it wasn’t until the crowd surrounded her that she realized how much she missed acting. She took a breath, feeling the pleasure of being in her element once again.

  “Aha, there is my beautiful partner!” Rute pointed to Ky as he bellowed out for all to hear. He wagged his eyebrows. She acted unimpressed before turning her back, and walking away to avoid him. “She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Maybe that is why I’ve loved her since she was a child. That or perhaps I’m a sick old man,” Rute jested, which got a few snickers from the crowd.

  “I’d say it’s the latter,” Ky spat with loathing.

  Rute froze, and then the corners of his mouth twitched. “Yes, but you are beautiful. Look at you. How can I resist?” Rute rushed her, closing the gap. “I ask you night after night, my Queen, to come to my bed.” He seized her waist. Ky leaned back, disenchanted with his groping. Ky shoved him away hard. “And always the same reply. Where do you go while I search for you?”

  “Far from you,” Ky replied, keeping him at arm’s length, but it was difficult because he was overpowering her. He was very convincing about wanting to sleep with her. Finally she slapped him and he sneered, liking her feistiness.

  “Nevertheless, I find you in the morning, and we,” Rute grinned maliciously, “make up for lost time.” Rute squeezed Ky’s butt, and roughly tugged her to his chest. For a moment, he leaned down as if to kiss her.

  “Rute,” Cobaaron barked his name. “If you think I’ll enjoy watching another man kiss and fondle my partner, you’re mistaken. Skip this part. I’m sure we all see where this leads.”

  “Yes, Chief.” Rute dipped Ky as he whispered, “Take my weapon from my belt, rant about loving another, and then kill yourself. Make the fainting believable if you can.”

  They were words of challenge. Ky wrenched the sword from his belt, and then forced him back. Rute stood, taking a few steps away from her. “You don’t love me. You love the idea of me. If you care for me, you would let me go, knowing I think nothing of you. If you know I leave at night, and the king would surely have spies that follow me, then you know where I go. I have another lover. But you’re cruel, because you separate us. You think of only yourself. I won’t live like this. I won’t be a slave to your heartless love.” Ky put the blade to her neck.

  “No, don’t!” Rute yelled. Without warning two warriors captured her from behind. “Seize her. Don’t let her harm herself.”

  The two warriors were rough, and held her arms, forcing her to drop the sword. “Give her to me, I’ll throw her over my shoulder, and spank her. It will be funny,” a warrior said. The other man let go, but the second Ky had a hand free, she yanked her other wrist out of the grasp of the warrior by wrenching her balled up fist upward with her other hand. She ran for the weapon so she could fake committing suicide and end the play.

  Her fingers were inches from the blade, when a warrior seized her by the hips. He picked her up, spun her around, and then rested her hip uncomfortably on his broad shoulder. He then spanked her. Everyone roared with laughter. Ky’s pride was wounded and she was irritated, though she lay there a moment because the crowd found it hilarious. She rested her chin on her palm, looking bored, only to get a laugh while the warrior spun in a circle so all could see.

  When Ky had enough, she arched her back until her body straightened, hoping she’d be able to slide down his chest. However, the warrior wasn’t releasing her. He griped, “No, you don’t.” He then pressed his hand to her back shoving her into his shoulder, and continued to spank her.

  Ky managed to free a leg, and spun around until she was sitting on his shoulders a little off kilter. She squeezed his neck, and tried to stop the blood flow to his brain to make him pass out.

  The grip that pinned her calf to his chest momentarily loosened. Without thinking, Ky leaned back, making him lose balance. She was upside down when she clutched his belt. With all her strength, she tore her legs free from his grasp, and flipped backward until she landed on her feet.

  Ky stood, but the other warrior ran for her. As he charged, Ky saw the sword a few feet away
, but it was closer to the advancing warrior. With haste, Ky took a few running steps, and then dropped, slid between his legs, and then reached for the blade. Rute, who had not joined the fight, kicked the sword away. She glared at him for stopping her.

  “Did you really think I’d let you kill yourself?” Rute asked, making it known that the men weren’t going to let Ky off easy. Ky kicked Rute’s legs out from under him. When he spun to roll from her, Ky instinctively knew the three spots on his back that would incapacitate him. She somehow knew where to jab, and gouged her finger onto his back three times, where Cobaaron had once pressed her, and Rute instantly passed out.

  The crowd guffawed, and Ky gloated. She saw Tyrus among the warriors laughing loudly. Before she could turn and move on, a warrior attacked Ky. He rolled her onto her back and pinned her, straddling her to make sure she couldn’t move. He was going to restrain her arms, and was about to, but suddenly everything slowed down.

  As Ky watched him start to lean in slow motion, Ky wondered how her body kicked into super speed. Ky bent her legs, putting her feet flat, and then lifted her hips. She yelled because of the strength she needed to hoist him. Then she reached between his thighs, pressing her palms behind the back of his legs, and then slid down in one swift motion. She was still on her back, when her head was by his ankles. She couldn’t believe how easily she managed an escape. More perplexing was how she did it without thinking.

  The warrior stopped, realizing she was no longer under him. Ky stood, and because it worked so well, she pressed the pressure points on the warrior’s back to knock him out.

  The third warrior was charging, still in slow motion. Ky walked to him, touched his back in three different spots, and when he dropped, she made sure his head didn’t smack the ground. When his head rested on the floor, and the fighting was over, Ky stood still until time returned to normal. It took a few heartbeats, but everything slowly caught up, and the silence she heard was instant laughter.