The Coming Dawn Trilogy

by Austen Knowles

  “I’m confident Hyun has truth serum in his cupboard,” Tyrus added.

  “Of course he loves you,” Ambrosia stressed. “The union makes sure there is love. A second union would persuade him to love you with greater need. Maybe wait a few days to bond with him, and the love will be there.”

  Onya was satisfied, but snapped: “I am still unhappy with you, Noxis. I refuse to bond with you fully until you grovel properly!” As she spoke Cobaaron slit both of their hands, making them bond.

  “He will shower you with gifts,” Octavos said. “I suggest you go to the castle and find a room in the council wing, unless you want to send your brother to recruit more warriors.”

  “No,” Cobaaron said. “This is my brother’s home.”

  “Thank you,” Noxis said to Cobaaron. “I will prove I’m still as loyal to you as I have always been.”

  “Let’s hope your loyalty to me extends to that which is mine,” Cobaaron asserted. “I’m a Star now, Noxis. My life is bound to my partner’s. If you kill her, you kill me as well. I’ll say it again, Noxis. She’s a Star, and not a witch.”

  “I haven’t done anything, except be loyal,” Noxis protested. “But you have completely changed.”

  “Bond with Onya and you will understand!” Octavos roared. “Mother of pearl, Noxis! Read the prophecy, if you don’t understand.”

  “I have read it a hundred times. Not everyone can understand prophecies. That archive is lost to me. I’ll bond with Onya when she’s not mad.”

  “Then take your partner to the castle and then work on the fortified wall. We’re waiting for traders, and don’t need any more women out here,” Octavos ordered. Noxis nodded, and gave Cobaaron one last unsettling look, before leading Onya away. “He’s not pleased to see you’ve changed. If the archives are incomprehensible, then there is a reason he can’t understand it. He has hardened his heart to your new destiny. After the traders come, I will shop with Athaya to send Onya gifts from him or they will never bond.”

  “Why aren’t you sending him away?” Tyrus asked, confused by Cobaaron’s decision.

  “Ky wants him here,” Cobaaron said. “She would rather him fear her than hate her.”

  “I dreamt he harmed her. A woman in white came. She had features like Lu Lush,” Ambrosia said, lost in thought. “It was a strange dream, and I traveled between realms. I don’t necessarily trust it.”

  “Look! The traders are coming.” Tyrus pointed to large carriages wheeling their way.

  “Luanda is with them. That’s her tumbrel,” Ambrosia said.

  “Surround Athaya. Don’t let the traders speak with her. They deal only with us men.” Cobaaron motioned for the warriors to encircle and protect Athaya. Cobaaron gripped Ky’s hand reassuringly as he added, “If there is an honest trader among them, that person can buy and sell in our city in the future.”

  They watched as several carriages slowly rolled to a stop, and the drivers walked the last few feet.

  One of the two women was Luanda, holding a small black cat. With black teeth and mismatched eyes, she appeared as wild as when Ky last saw her. Her evil stare bored into her. Luanda’s gaze made Ky uneasy, but her slow, crazed movement expressed a haunting evil possessed her. The rest were a rough, brutish bunch of men, looking as mad and wicked as Luanda. They smelled like they hadn’t bathed in years; the stench of earth and mold nauseated Ky.

  “Where is Cobaaron the King?” a trader demanded.

  “I am Cobaaron. You have come to trade but not all of you will be allowed to enter my city walls. None of you shall pass without first swearing an oath to the city.”

  “City walls can’t keep good traders out, especially walls that aren’t fully built.” Luanda suddenly snapped her gaze onto Ambrosia. Tyrus immediately stepped between them. “Your lover is protective of you, Ambrosia.” Luanda sneered, exposing her rotting teeth, and then crooked her neck to gaze passed Tyrus. “Though, if I had a child in my womb, my lover would be protective, too.”

  Her words made everyone glance at Ambrosia in surprise. Ram and Parson abandoned Athaya to protect their friend. “Oh, you weren’t keeping that a secret until after the tournament, were you?” Luanda mockingly pouted. Without warning, she chucked the black cat at Tyrus, but before the feline landed, it hissed and vanished into black smoke. Ambrosia gasped.

  Ky instinctively reached a protective arm out toward her friend. Ky truly hated all witches. “I want her child,” Luanda said to Tyrus. “Her womb is blessed. She will have another. I have seen all this in a dream. What do you want in exchange for the child?”

  “Our child isn’t for sale,” Tyrus glared. He then pressed the matter at hand, adding, “We’re here to know who will pledge allegiance to the Crown under a magical bond of loyalty. Only fair men will have passage.”

  “I’ll make the pledge under a magical bond,” a trader said, stepping forward. He was a big, tall man, with long hair pulled into a ponytail. His nose was red from too much liquor, and he stunk of body odor. “But in all honesty, I’m a wanted man for gambling debts.”

  “And your name?” Cobaaron queried.

  “Therm,” the trader said. “If you allow me to sell in your city, Your Majesty, I will give you a golden russux-ox trinket for your treasury.”

  “I have enough gold,” Cobaaron declined. “I’ve been chief to the largest army for too long and I’m wealthy beyond measure. There is no trader fee in this city beyond a tax that will apply when you enter, leave, and sell. But I require no gold, only that you make the pledge of fair trade.”

  “I’ll be honest toward your people. I’ll make the pledge.” Therm nodded his head in agreement.

  “I’ll make the pledge as well,” Luanda offered quickly. “In return, I’ll rebuild the streets leading to the castle. With a wave of my wand I could have the city built, too.”

  “I could do that,” Tyrus stated. “But the city would crumble only years after my death if it was built by magic. If I lived as long as you, Luanda the Weird, it would instantly collapse.”

  “I have magical instruments that would make this city strong,” Luanda countered. “Those do not depend on the death of the user.”

  “We don’t require a payment. Only honest people,” Cobaaron reiterated. “You’re not an honest person, Luanda. I wouldn’t give a witch access to my city even if I was desperate.”

  “You think you’re so much better than me. You have no magic ability,” Luanda snapped.

  “And yet I’ve killed more witches than you.”

  Luanda hissed. She stared at him, evidently sizing him up. As if distracted, her eyes darted to Ky. “You, sweet Ky,” Luanda cooed.

  “Don’t talk to her!” Cobaaron growled, stepping between them.

  “I cannot harm her.” Luanda hurried to get her words out. Then she smiled, pleasantly. “Ky, sweet Ky, I have a tonic that could wipe away your troubles. A man is seeking to kill you, and with one drop he wouldn’t pursue you,” Luanda the Weird opened her hand and manifested a black bottle, “and will abandon his need to protect his brother. You could tell him where to go, and he would never return. All I ask for is the name of your child. I dreamed about you. You fascinate me and I want to help you.”

  “Don’t tell her,” Ambrosia cried. “All dark magic has a price. Don’t consent!”

  “Shut up, little girl!” Luanda hissed at Ambrosia but then focused her attention on Ky and returned to her sweet tone. “It’s a protective name. It would protect your child, and mine one day. But the name is great. Share it. That is all I ask, sweet Ky. All you have to do is take this tonic, and say your child’s name.”

  “Don’t tell her,” Ambrosia demanded.

  “She doesn’t want your evil tonic,” Cobaaron spoke, and shielded Ky with his body.

  “How do you know? She fears death like everyone else. She worries about Noxis taking her life. It’s her that has a killer lurking in the castle, planning to stab her. That is brave for you to say, because you don’t have death ha
unting you,” Luanda spat.

  “I love my partner. You have no idea what haunts me.”

  “Sweet Ky,” Luanda tilted her head to peer around Cobaaron, “it’s only a name. We can both have this protective name. The peculiar thing about protected names is the giver must freely and willingly say the name for it to be passed. I know the name, have heard it in my dreams, but you must speak it. You would lose nothing, but gain peace of mind, and I’d have a child that is as unconquerable as your dear partner.” Luanda’s eyes flashed a swirling red, and she spoke of her child’s greatness. The sight sent chills down Ky’s spine and scared her enough to voice her refusal.

  “Never!” Ky blurted out.

  “Then I’ll cast a spell on Noxis, making him even hungrier for your death!” Luanda bellowed. “You will regret refusing me!” Then in a puff of black smoke, Luanda and her carriage disappeared.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The weeklong festival began in a few hours, which accompanied the eagerly anticipated crowning of the king and queen. They put off the engagement a few days, because warriors flooded into the city bringing new citizens and Stars, and men needed to build day and night. Cobaaron’s Lighting Ceremony was in a week, which would begin another week of celebrating.

  When the growing plea reached Cobaaron’s ears for a feast, he asked Ky to instruct Byn, the castle’s staff manager, to prepare for the event that night. And with a flick of Ambrosia’s wand, long crystal tables and chairs in the great hall were richly decorated.

  Everything was prepared to perfection. Servants adorned Cobaaron and Ky for the investiture in attire fit for royalty. If Cobaaron was anxious about the crowning, Ky couldn’t tell. They walked between two long rows of warriors to the council chamber. Once they passed, the formation fell behind them.

  In the assembly room, thousands of guests gathered, and those not in the room congregated in the city center for their first glimpse of Cobaaron and Ky as king and queen.

  Usually, Ky wasn’t nervous around crowds. She loved to perform, but once again, like her Lighting Ceremony, she wore a heavy dress that made her uneasy. Ky stood on a small, square platform where she hovered magically because of the dress’s weight and shape. The gown was traditional. Odd customs forced her to carry a lantern as a sign of righteous leadership, and a cricket in a folded parchment that meant she would enfold her spouse with wise ruler ship.

  According to tradition, Cobaaron carried a staff, and a potted mandrake that symbolized he’d nurture and grow the city with mindful concern. They were almost to the doors when Cobaaron asked, “Are you ready?”

  “I’m not thrilled to stand for six hours as the council is formed. I might faint.” Ky met his eye, and then added, “I’m ready.”

  The doors opened and the crowd quieted as they moved toward the front. A large, unfolded book leaned against the wall. A man dressed in a tasseled white robe appeared ready to read entire passages, after which they’d signed the last page as their oath. The city seal, a Star-crystal lamp Cobaaron wore as a ring, would imprint near their signatures. As a constant display of their solemn vow, the book would never shut until the day they died.

  Two golden, long-feathered quills lying on white velvet pillows were ceremoniously brought in. The quills possessed magical powers, knowing if the writer had honest intentions, or hid corrupt motives. If the ink disappeared, the position would be given to another because the person’s heart was impure. That applied to Cobaaron and Ky, too.

  The man with the tassels read aloud for all to hear, “Do you Cobaaron and you Ky swear faithful and true allegiance to the City of Lights according to law, and do right to all manner of people, without fear or favor, affection or ill will? Do you declare that you will discharge the responsibilities required by the council and faithfully serve those whom you represent?”

  The man read cover to cover, his voice carrying loudly throughout the council chamber. Ky tensely waited after signing something of such importance. Her nerves were shot, and the last few minutes she wasn’t even listening. Cobaaron was calm, and wrote his name in silver ink. When he finished, he held out the quill, pleased to share the responsibility with her. With her stomach in knots, Ky took the quill and signed her name. She was surprised the quill warmed as she wrote, then cooled as silver ink glistened on the page. To her relief, her name remained next to Cobaaron’s. The ink smoldered, but the book shuddered and the vapors wisped away.

  The man in white then invited anyone who wished to join the council to print his or her name in the book, holding out the second quill. Yulley was the first to approach, and astonishingly her ink was red. Ky then realized Cobaaron and she took a blood oath, and so was everyone else as Octavos, Noxis, Ambrosia, and Vergara also wrote their names. Then unfamiliar warriors approached the book, and made their mark. Eight new Stars also signed.

  When the last few men jotted down their name and stepped away, Cobaaron poured blue wax onto the corner of the book, and pressed his signet ring into it. Some signatures disappeared. Not surprisingly, Vergara’s was first to fade. To the brothers’ disappointment, Noxis’s disappeared. Other washed out as well, until fifty-one council members were confirmed.

  There was a murmur as men grumbled over their withdrawal. Before the room was quiet again, the official boomed: “The king has his council, and the reign of King Cobaaron begins!”

  The ceremony was far from over, as the members pledged to uphold the law. When the room cleared and only the council remained, the first meeting began. Hours later, Cobaaron and Ky stood on the balcony as the governing king and queen.

  Careful not to move her lips, she said, “I intend to dance all night in celebration.” Cobaaron and she waved to the crowd.

  “As long as every other night, we can sneak out, because, trust me, we’ll get sick of being around crowds after two weeks of nonstop feasts.”

  “I’m pregnant. I’ll be exhausted by the end of the evening,” Ky confessed. “That sounds good.”

  “Let’s go down to the feast.” Cobaaron held out his hand for her, which got cheers from the crowd. They waved one last time.

  “Now that we are royalty, and you are pregnant, I want for nothing. I could even live in this dark world forever, and be happy, Ky.” Cobaaron smiled. “You make me happy. I love you very much,” he whispered with emphasis, “my Queen.”

  “You could have kissed me out on the balcony,” Ky teased.

  “They will have to see our first kiss as royalty later tonight, because I fully intend to do more in private first.”

  “We can’t. We have a feast, and people are heading there now,” Ky said, though she kissed him passionately. They didn’t rush, ignoring their obligation. She told him she loved him, and when he repeated it, he seduced her with his confession; his words were an aphrodisiac. With her bulky dress on, and Cobaaron’s pants around his ankles, they consummated their rule as king and queen while she was up against the wall. Their loving was playfully vigorous and exceedingly erotic.

  When they finally arrived at the great hall, the man who officiated the signing had changed, and now announced the guests. Though there was a line, Cobaaron and Ky were announced immediately, and ushered to the head table that faced the citizens.

  “You did an excellent job here. Thank you for helping my partner,” Cobaaron praised Ambrosia when they took their seats next to Octavos, Athaya, Tyrus, and Ambrosia. He was looking at the enchanted trees decorated with tinsel when Ambrosia thanked him. “And congratulations for making it onto the council.”

  They chatted while the room slowly filled. An hour passed, before Octavos leaned toward Cobaaron. “Make your speech, Cobaaron. We’re all starving.” Octavos smirked before adding, “Make it short, too. We’ve heard enough longwinded speeches today.”

  “Have you ever known me to be loquacious?” Cobaaron countered.

  “Only when you’re bellyaching,” Octavos said sarcastically.

  Cobaaron laughed loudly at Octavos’s comment, and then stood. Cobaaron li
fted his goblet and waited for the citizens to do the same. “I’ve asked my men to imagine a world where our children play outside under a bright sky and in golden fields without a hint of danger or darkness. Picture a blue sea alive with beauty, a sky full of songbirds, and dwellers of the earth that live among us in peace. I envision a world of tranquility, and a world where the three kings are unknown. I invite you all to dream with me, and together we will make this vision a reality.”

  When Cobaaron sat, and citizens cheered, Noxis, from three seats away, said, “I’m starting to feel left behind. You always used to bring me along. Now, I’m not even on your council. What is to happen to me now?”

  “You used to speak openly, and you won’t even admit you think my wife is a witch. In spite of that, everything points to you hiding it from me. You tell me what is to happen to you, Noxis. How can I trust the man who doesn’t care for my wife when I’m in love with her?” Cobaaron questioned.

  “I admit...” Noxis struggled. “I…question...I feel she has a hold on you...I don’t see my brother anymore. Nothing about you is the same. But my loyalty is unwavering. You are my brother! That will never change. I would never do anything that would put you at risk. I’ll prove my loyalty to you again!”

  “Times are changing, Noxis. I should lock you in a dungeon until you complete your union with Onya.” Octavos clapped him on the back. “You simply refuse to understand. Your prejudice drives your fear, your fear clouds your judgment, and your judgment is what drives you to refuse change. It’s not Cobaaron who pushes you away. He said it himself; you used to be frank. What happened to you? The three of us have never held anything back, but bossed each other around with complaints. It’s molded us into better men. Which is why I must ask, where is Onya?”

  “She’s going to sing with a few other women,” Noxis grumbled. “And we have completed the union. I didn’t want to be insanely jealous and asked her to sleep with me right away. Forgive me for not obeying you sooner, Cobaaron. Surely you understand how I could fear this change, and rebel. We never used to tolerate women in our company. My partner would’ve been one of those women we despised because she slept with studs. I fight hard not to despise her, but I have followed your order.”