The Coming Dawn Trilogy

by Austen Knowles

  “Your chief,” Cobaaron replied. “No one touches Ky, or I won’t hesitate to fight you even to death. Let us pass. I am king.”

  “Go get Tyrus,” the same warrior commanded another. “If you’re truly Cobaaron, Tyrus has a test for you.”

  Without protest, they remained where they were. Tyrus didn’t approach alone. He was with Octavos, Ambrosia, Ram, and Parson while Beldor, X-avor, and Edom were on their heels.

  “Ky!” Ambrosia beamed, obviously as happy to see Ky as she was to see Ambrosia. “You took a long time getting here. I began to fret, but Tyrus was sure you were fine.”

  “I thought you were dead,” Octavos said, grinning.

  “Never,” Cobaaron replied in jest.

  Tyrus blew white dust onto them, and when nothing happened, he happily chortled. “You’re gold, Chief, when I thought you would be green.” Tyrus smirked.

  Ambrosia rushed to Ky, squeezing her into a hug. “I was beginning to think something happened. Maybe you took the wrong sword or the lava...”

  “We took longer because Ky is with child,” Cobaaron bragged. “We hadn’t decided to conceive, but she has been blessed.”

  “That’s...incredible,” Octavos said in an airy breath, and stared at Ky in amazement. Everyone gaped at her as if a miracle had occurred, maybe because it was unbelievably astonishing. “I didn’t even know that was possible. You two are clearly touched by the gods.”

  “The castle is lit; there is a Star here. Who came to the city, and how many are here?” Cobaaron asked to anyone who would answer.

  “Airia from Gem City was here before we arrived. Sayd recruited her easily, he says,” Beldor replied.

  “Where is my brother?”

  “He came back alone, saying the Spiran brothers would be here a day behind him,” Tyrus disclosed. “He came back without fulfilling the bond, or his woman, so I sent him to fetch her. He left her in Kellkota. The Spiran brothers did bring their army. They have already sworn an oath to follow you as their king and dedicated their service to you and your army.”

  “Well, I’ll be king but not chief for very much longer. Let’s hope they follow the new chief, young Tyrus. We’ll wait until more men come, and in the mean time, we’ll plan the tournament for my predecessor. May the best man win.” Cobaaron glanced at Tyrus, smiling.

  “Come. We have your room ready. I’m sure you’re tired,” Ambrosia said to Ky, and then asked, “Where is Huntra?”

  “He’s gone,” Cobaaron answered for Ky so quickly, he clearly didn’t want her to have to speak of the loss.

  Ambrosia cupped her mouth. “That poor animal! He died? What happened?” After Cobaaron explained, Ambrosia said, “Well, that answers my question how he saw us when we were in another realm, but I’m still sorry.”

  “Well I have Taja now,” Ky said, but at the moment Taja was lagging behind, scavenging for food.

  They walked as a group toward the city; the white light began to have a hint of teal. The stone shone brighter the closer they got to the castle. Slowly Ky realized that she and Cobaaron were lighting the stone. The sky too brightened with increasing teal instead of white as she observed from a distance. It looked more like the sky Ky knew from her dream.

  Tyrus explained that the village was being rebuilt brick-by-brick, and after reconstruction, he would increase the city’s protection with magic. But he didn’t recommend building the city with charms because it would fall to ruin the moment he died, or years after, if he didn’t live to be an old man.

  When they entered the village, Ky was surprised to see a portion already housed new settlers. Both women who partnered with warriors and some habitants of the Gem City had homes. Former Gem City civilians proudly displayed gem-encrusted trees in honor of their origins, and lay rocks with their families’ names in front of their houses like welcome mats.

  A silver reflective orb slowly spun which rotated by the water from a fountain in the city square. Ky could see herself walking upside down from within the ball, though she wasn’t a Star. She was Kylie within the sphere, and Cobaaron resembled Aaron, except broader, more muscular, and years older. She supposed it was their appearance before their bond changed each other.

  “It’s a useless protection because traitors would already be in the city. See? Everyone is exposed for who they really are within the presence of the torn veil,” Ambrosia said.

  “There are several things we will do to magically protect the city,” Tyrus interjected. “Once we build an outer colony with taller bulwarks, we’ll have a shield over the entire city and walls that not even dragon fire can shatter.” Tyrus touched Ambrosia’s arm and then suggested, “Why don’t you take Ky to her sleeping quarters. There are still things we should discuss with Cobaaron.”

  Ambrosia nodded, and led her to the castle. As she approached, the teal light brightened. When Ky walked through the doors, the castle twinkled with intensified light because of her presence. “Isn’t this great?” Ambrosia exclaimed as Ky blinked at the wall. Ambrosia stopped to let Ky peer at the mesmerizing stone. On closer inspection, there were floating sparkles inside the crystal. “Imagine how beautiful it will be when all the Stars are here. With so much light, Tyrus thinks the moon will shine like a sun, and that might be how the light returns. The castle already brightens the sky above. If you ask me, it will take more than Stars here to return the heavens to its former glory. The sky went dark before all the Stars left. Tyrus doesn’t credit the old stories as I do. I guess we’ll wait and see.” Ambrosia seemed excited to see the prophecy was being fulfilled, and coming to pass in her lifetime. Or maybe she was thrilled to see Ky.

  “All I know that is this castle is incredibly beautiful.” Ky, only partially listening, watched the falling glitter. “Do you see that? It’s like at the City of Sterlings when I made light rain down.”

  “Yes, you’re doing it. Airia lit the castle white when she got here. You added these specks, and it looks almost blue now. It’s beautiful, Ky. It’s amazing you do that without trying.”

  “But she does it effortlessly,” a familiar voice spoke behind them. Ambrosia and Ky spun, seeing Airia amble toward them. “I knew you had it in you, my Queen,” Airia gloated. “You made Cobaaron your partner, and now look at this. The City of Lights is being rebuilt and the light will soon be restored. The Stars that come will have an entire wing, as before, like in the old design. I made sure that young stud upheld that previous honor.”

  “Tyrus is not a stud,” Ambrosia corrected Airia. “The council and staff have a wing, too. I’m going to apply for council, because Tyrus saw the future and he will be stationed here. I hope he is right. He’s a better seer than I am.”

  “I’ll show you to your room, if you wish,” Airia offered. “I was going to the village to welcome the newcomers. We received a message boat that three Stars should be arriving shortly. One brings his entire city. This castle will be even brighter. I want to be part of the welcoming committee.”

  “I’ll take the queen, Airia.”

  “Of course.” Airia took a deep breath. “To think, none of this would have happened if I didn’t suggest you pursue Cobaaron. And it was me who was curious about the connection of a Star and a chief.”

  Before another word was spoken, Cobaaron appeared with his entourage. He paused the moment he saw Airia. She bowed. “Airia, I’m pleased you were able to make it to the city. I trust you have made yourself at home.”

  “I have. Thank you, my King.” Airia’s disposition toward Cobaaron had changed dramatically. Now that he was king, she was respectful. This annoyed Ky. Airia’s esteem was too late. Where was this respect in Gem City? Airia thought highly of herself and little of others.

  “I trust you’re aware that council and Stars don’t reign here, only the king and his queen.”

  “I follow the king who restores light, not to rule him. I was wrong to speak disrespectfully, but surely you see my logic. Even now, you wouldn’t have someone inferior speak to you as if they knew bette
r. That is what I was doing in Gem City. I knew what was best for my city, and as king you know what is best for yours.”

  “I hope you aren’t seeking council membership. I dislike the way you treat your inferiors,” Cobaaron replied. With a glance to his men, he waved them forward and then spoke to Ky. “We’re going to be in court. I shouldn’t be long, so don’t go to sleep. We will eat together and rest well tonight.”

  They departed, and Ambrosia and Ky went up a couple flights of stairs before they headed down a long bright corridor. They walked slowly, and Ky was glad that Ambrosia wasn’t in a hurry.

  Ambrosia showed her into a huge chamber; the round, crystal fireplace in the center burned a brilliant blue flame from glowing teal crystals. The furniture was of the same crystal, but white sheers covered a four-poster bed. The room was full of strange and unfamiliar furniture.

  “I’ve been bored and took the liberty of decorating. Especially the council wing where Tyrus and I will be staying when we’re here.” Ambrosia touched what had the shape of a baby grand piano, but then a Caribbean-blue waterfall splashed from a small hole before seeping into the floor. “This helps you fall asleep. Touch it to activate the waterfall. At least the sound helps me.”

  “What does your room look like? A forest?”

  “In the castle?” Ambrosia smirked. “My room is similar to this, but on a smaller scale. My hidden forest is smaller, too. It’s large enough for the animals. I have little magical warriors again, and they conceal the castle. They made it invisible, and moved the location; I have no idea where it is these days.” Ambrosia sounded amused by their cleverness. “Can I tell you something, if you swear not to breathe a word about it until the tournament is over?”

  “You can tell me anything, Ambrosia. You’re my best friend; you’re my only friend.” She sat on a crystal, box chair, but it sprung open to reveal a chest of folded clothes.

  “I’m with child, Ky. Can you believe it? Tyrus promised we’d try once we got here, but later he decided he couldn’t wait. Noelya’s blessing worked. We conceived on the way here. We think it happened when we stopped at Fire Stone City to make the warriors in the living water.”

  “Ambrosia, I’m thrilled for you!” Ky hugged her. “I know how much you wanted this. I’m so happy for you both. And we’re pregnant together!”

  “It’s great, isn’t it? I couldn’t believe Cobaaron said you conceived! I wanted to tell you then, but…this is why I’m stuck remodeling the castle. Tyrus worries about me getting hurt. I swear he thinks I’m made of glass these days.” Ambrosia waved Ky to an enormous balcony. As they walked out together, Ambrosia said, “And look at this view!”

  The glow of the castle and the tall lanterns lit the village below. Warriors and citizens who had wives were rebuilding the city, making homes for themselves, while the unmated warriors built the protective wall around the city. They worked under the light blue sky, and for a moment, it felt like summer.

  “Isn’t it beautiful? Have you ever seen anything like it?” Ambrosia asked mesmerized. Ky had, but not for a long time, and she was equally impressed by the sight. She couldn’t believe how overwhelmed she was at seeing blue sky again. The sight was splendid and uplifting. She glowed brighter because of her joy. “This entire journey has been worth the walk, just to see the heavens lit by the Star-crystal,” Ambrosia breathed with awe.

  “Star-crystal is astonishing,” Ky crooned in wonderment. They stared, enjoying the sight in silence. The sky was remarkable, and not a trace of darkness. She wondered the familiar blue would remain with the new light at breaking dawn. With optimism, she believed so.

  A few minutes later Ky glanced down to the horizon. She squinted when she spotted twinkling yellow, green, and red lights. “It looks like Airia was right. More Stars come.”

  “You’ll hold a feast, won’t you? I’m sure there will be even more people and Stars that arrive by that time. I loved that about the City of Sterlings. There were always reasons to celebrate, and you need festivities in times like these. Especially now that war is inevitable, it will bring hope,” Ambrosia begged.

  “I loved that about the City of Sterlings, too; all the music, food, and dancing. But I don’t know the first thing about arranging a feast,” Ky said, hesitant to promise.

  “I can do that. I can transform the great hall in seconds. It will give me something to do. This reminds me...” Ambrosia opened her room, and caught her wand. She then pointed it at Ky’s small box. The gem that Noelya made Cobaaron flew from the small opening. A seven-foot-tall Star-crystal staff grew under the gem. Then Cobaaron’s sword came out. A static ball enclosed the weapon, and it drifted to hover in the corner of the room. Ambrosia warned, “Once Cobaaron puts his hand into the electric sphere to activate it, don’t touch it. The magic will kill anyone who tries to steal it.”

  “Okay.”

  Then Ambrosia took out Ky’s dream jar. “What’s this?” Ambrosia asked, inspecting it.

  “It’s the dream of my old life.” Within the jar, Kylie studied in her college library with Aaron beside her. “It’s a gift from Cobaaron.” Ky pointed out Aaron, and added, “Cobaaron and I think this is him.”

  “Here,” Ambrosia swished her wand. The jar floated midair, and the castle wall crackled as it protruded, forming an enormous frame. The jar drifted behind the casing, and her dream came in focus. It was like watching episodes of her old life on a large-screened television. “There. Now you can always see it. I heard that once your dream fades, you’re reborn, sometimes as someone else. I’ll be interested if it repeats or you take on a new life.”

  “Can I hear them?”

  “I could research that. But offhand, I don’t know a spell for that.”

  “I like that it’s practically life-size,” Ky said without exaggerating before thanking Ambrosia. “You can see all the way back to the elevator now.”

  Ambrosia had no idea what Ky was talking about, and sniggered as Ky spoke gibberish about elevators. “Do you need this stuff?” Ambrosia asked when she took everything else out of her box, and pointed to her endless jerky, never-ending water flask, and all the other creature comforts she had on her journey.

  “I hope not! I never want to travel again. I feel like I’ve been camping for a year. I want this to be my home and feel settled here, especially now that I’m pregnant. I simply want to relax for a month and take a deep breath; this is almost over. You can have the jerky and flask to start building your collection of magical things again. You can have the silver box, too, since I don’t have a druse anymore.”

  “Normally a healer would never take back their gift, but my forest is rife with druix and they would like the home hanging on a branch. How about I store it in my room for you? Then I won’t feel bad. But the flask and jerky would be a perfect start to a new collection.”

  “You can store the box permanently.”

  Ambrosia pointed her wand at the gifts and they whooshed into her room. “I’ll give them back if you have to leave. Let’s hope you don’t ever depart from the City of Lights. You’re with child and will have a small one soon.”

  “We both will.” Ky touched her stomach but looked at Ambrosia’s belly that barely showed. “I’m almost four months, I think.”

  “I’m two months along.” Ambrosia glowed. “So, eight more to go.”

  “Don’t you mean seven? Eight months would be a total of ten.”

  When Ambrosia was adamant pregnancy lasted ten months, she added, “I guess children mature slower here.”

  “That would explain why the warriors look so young when I know they are really old,” Ky laughed, “like Noxis.” Ambrosia snickered.

  The door of the chamber opened, and Cobaaron came into the room accompanied by Tyrus with Taja following. “I’ll leave you until tomorrow morning,” Ambrosia said, falling next to her husband’s side.

  “I told Cobaaron if he needs his room changed, you would do it, Ambrosia,” Tyrus said when she held his hand.

  “I
can’t think of anything now,” Cobaaron said, “except my own bathhouse.” Ambrosia enspelled the tall, Star-crystal doors, which opened revealing a bathhouse with rippling Caribbean-blue water. Satisfied, Cobaaron dismissed them, as a handmaiden came in carrying a large tray of food.

  Ambrosia snagged a few sandraberries as she left. The small buffet was set on the low hearth. The handmaiden poured tall flutes of blue juice, and mentioned she would be back in awhile.

  “No need. We’ll leave the uneaten food in the hall when we’re done,” Cobaaron said, and she left shortly after that.

  Cobaaron and Ky sat around the circular fire pit, and exchanged smiles and soft laughs. Ky was pleased to finally be at a place she now called home, and she was content in the fact that she loved the City of Lights more than any other she visited. Her radiant skin shone, expressing her delight.

  “Have you noticed I contribute gold specks in the crystal?” Cobaaron asked as she picked at creamy bread cooked with meat and vegetables.

  “No,” Ky peered at the crystal floor, noticing the large shimmering flecks of gold.

  “What do you think of the castle?”

  “I love it!”

  Cobaaron leaned forward to kiss her. “Good. I’m glad you’re happy. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” Ky grinned.

  Taja interrupted their light kisses when she tipped Cobaaron’s plate and the contents splattered. “At least she’ll eat until it’s picked up.” Cobaaron nodded toward his sword. “Did Ambrosia do that?”

  “She forgot to tell you, but you need to put your hand into the static ball protecting your sword.”

  “Oh?” He stood, went to the electric orb, withdrew the weapon from the protective sphere, and then asked, “What does this do?”

  “Now no one can steal it, or they’ll die if they try.”

  He put it back, filled another plate, and ate. There was a few seconds pause, before Cobaaron hinted, “Athaya is due to deliver within the month.” He gazed at her, and she got the impression he was waiting for her to follow his meaning. When she shrugged, he added, “She is very depressed lately. She doesn’t get along well with Vergara, Sula, or Nolia, I certainly don’t blame her, and Yulley is shy and hard to draw out. Plus Yulley still grieves her husband. Octavos asked me if you would make her feel at home.”