Beyond the Bridge

by C D Beaudin

  A Meran soldier runs toward her, and she turns as he raises his sword. Another blade clashes with his, but it’s not hers. Aradon stabs the man, who falls, clutching his stomach. She’s panting and shaking with adrenaline and fear.

  “Watch your back,” Aradon says as he runs back into the bloody fray.

  Awyn gasps as pain attacks her back, but before the dagger can go in deeper, she jabs her sword over her head and behind her. A startled grunt, and she turns as a tall man crumples, blood spurting from his cut throat. Her face is the last thing he sees as the light fades from his eyes—and Awyn’s shakes increase.

  Footsteps approach, her senses sharpen abruptly, and she dodges as a mace bears down on her. The man chases her, swinging again. Their weapons clash, and Awyn is struggling against his strength. With all her might, she’s trying to keep her footing. But she slips on the grass and lands hard on her stomach, her sword lost.

  She scrambles, seeing the gleam of her blade just ten feet away. The soldier struggles to get past more fighting men. And she dodges boots and weapons that dig into the ground.

  She groans as one Tanean soldier falls, thudding heavily on top of her. Gritting her teeth, she struggles to free herself, vulnerable in this state. But when she manages to break loose, she can’t believe who it is.

  Toccama.

  His heavy, armored body is covered in blood from a chest wound. She shakes violently as she stares into his open eyes. Blue dots march across his forehead, but his blue lips are not painted. She holds his head in her hands, her lips tightening, and her eyes blurring with tears.

  “I am so sorry. Please forgive me,” she cries. “Please forgive me. I am the reason you are here. I am so sorry.” She cries into his chest and looks up in agony as Errek runs over to her.

  “No! Father!” He drops to his knees, and Awyn quickly moves for the grieving son to cry over his dead father. “Father…” The strain in his voice is painful to hear. His breathing is heavy, and angry.

  He looks up, grabs his father’s sword, and charges back into the fray, cutting down five soldiers in less than a minute.

  Awyn’s eyes widen as she realizes she’s still on the ground, and the angry Meran soldier sees her again. She scrambles, crawling frantically to her sword, and as she flips onto her back, he raises his mace. In a flurry, she kicks his shins, and he collapses on the sword she holds.

  She pulls it out of him and takes another breath. Around her, men of both sides fall, blood splattered everywhere. The sound of metal against metal, and the grunts and screams fill her ears.

  So many bodies. So much blood.

  She walks forward in a daze but stops as an arrow passes a foot from her face. Her eyes widen as she jerks back, seeing Saine. A man falls, an arrow through his neck.

  “Maybe shoot closer to my head next time!” she yells over the loud battle.

  Saine shoots her a charming grin, and she rolls her eyes.

  Awyn lurches forward as she feels the sting of a cut along her lower back. “Arghh!” Sharp metal digs into her flesh, and she slides to the ground, twitching as the sword digs into her skin. She’s rolled onto her back by a black boot.

  Borez stands over her, and she winces in pain. “Ah.” She groans again.

  “You know, Princess, I always thought Tamon would make a better king than that big brother of his,” Borez says boldly, but he’s shaking.

  “If you kill me now, this entire kingdom will go to ruin,” she says, breathlessly.

  His shaking turns violent.

  “Don’t let surviving this war turn you into something you are not.”

  Borez grits his teeth, but he collapses on his knees, his sword limp in his hand.

  Awyn doesn’t smile, but she places her hand on his shoulder. “If you wanted to kill me, you would have done it already.”

  He looks into her eyes. “I will fight with you.”

  Awyn smiles, and grabs a small sack hanging on her belt. She digs her fingers in, then proceeds to mark his face with blue paint, two lines under each eye. An indicator that he is not to be killed by the Taneans. He helps her stand, and re-enter the broil but this time, fighting on the same side.

  “Ye know, I really love killin’ tall men!” Hagard shouts as his ax chops into a man’s side, and blood spatters on the grass. He holds his ax over his head, and chants, “Hagard! Hagard! Hagard!”

  Aradon looks over at him, his amusement falling as a man charges at the dwarf. “Hagard! Watch out!”

  The dwarf spins around and with the man only a few feet away, brings his ax down, splitting the man’s head in two.

  “Ooh, dat’s gotta hurt.” Hagard winces as a bit of his brain spills out. “Oh, dat’s just—” Hunching over, he vomits. He wipes his mouth and straightens up. “Nasty.”

  A man comes up behind him, and he smashes his ax back, knocking the man with the head, not the blade. He clutches his stomach again. “Didn’t yer modda teach you not ta beat on a sick dwarf?” Hagard laughs. “Look at dat dent in yer fore’ead. Man, I need some soup. I got me-self a new bowl!” he bellows.

  “Hagard! Stop laughing and start fighting!” Aradon yells as he holds a man up by his face. He knees the man in the stomach, and stabs an arrow into his neck, the blood spraying his face. Aradon drops the soldier on the ground, stepping over him, and takes a deep breath.

  The early afternoon sky above is gray. And the Dark Woods’ trees blow violently in the harsh wind. Black clouds are forming, and thunder booms a few seconds after a jagged strike of lightning cracks across the sky. The first drops of rain fall, then it starts pouring down hard like a waterfall.

  “Great. Now I wish I had worn my cloak,” Aradon groans, but turns at running footsteps—it’s Awyn.

  “Aradon!” Awyn stops in front of him. “We have to work our way into the city, so I can get to Tamon.”

  He looks up to the city. “Awyn, a whole army stands between us and Kevah. And what about Revera?”

  “Aradon, she already ruined our plan by telling Tamon we were coming through the Dark Woods. What else can she possibly do? Besides, I have a way into the palace without going through the city.”

  Another man comes up to them.

  “Dreema!” Aradon exclaims.

  “I agree with our princess, we must complete our mission,” the wizard states.

  Aradon calls Eldowyn and Hagard over and tells them the plan. “We’re going to try to sneak into the palace.” He looks among them. “Where the heck is Saine?”

  The blond hears his name and runs over. “Yes, master?” he says cheekily.

  Aradon glares at him. “We’re going to sneak into the city.” Not waiting for assent or an answer, Aradon starts running toward the Dark Woods.

  They follow, the looming end of the king following them like a shadow.

  The battle rages on as Awyn and the others try to avoid being killed. They now walk along the outskirts of the forest, shielded by the Dark Woods, which are empty of soldiers. No one wants to fight in a death trap, so it’s perfect for sneaking into the city.

  Sounds fill the air. The battle cries, and the screams of the Dalorin. The groans of men being killed. Awyn can almost hear the blood stain the ground. She’s covered in blood, most not her own. Although the now steady rain is washing away its traces but not its memories. Her back aches, but she tries not to think about it.

  “Are you sure there’s an entrance into the palace from the north side of the mountain?” Eldowyn asks.

  “I lived here for eighteen years of my life. Nine, I actually got to go outside. Of course I know where all the passages and secret entrances are. But so does the army, so let’s hurry up,” she whispers. She starts to run again through the deeper woods, until she gets to the base of the mountain. Awyn looks around her cautiously, making sure no Meran soldiers or citizens are watching her. Satisfied no one can see them, she gestures for Aradon to come over. “Help me move this.”

  It’s at that moment they realize it’s a deceptive boulder, a
nd Aradon moves it without strain.

  “Come on.” Awyn walks in, and the rest follow. Aradon closes the boulder behind them. A narrow staircase climbs up, seeming to never end.

  “Dat is a lot o’ stairs!” Hagard exclaims.

  “Well, it’s our safest option. But be prepared for guards when we emerge. The Eye of Aiocille spoils everything.” Awyn grabs the torch that’s always lit and starts climbing.

  Still soaking wet, they slip as they walk up the stone stairs. Dreema coughs, the dust immense. He sneezes over and over again. Awyn stops, turning toward the others behind her. “Can you stop! When we approach the palace, you’ll give our position away,” she whispers.

  “You said yourself they probably already know,” Saine says coldly.

  Awyn glares. “Sorry, being sopping wet makes me agitated.” Her sarcasm is hostile, and she rolls her eyes, groaning in her own irritation. All I want is to stab my sword into Tamon’s chest, and then sleep for a week.

  The stairs end, and beyond a short corridor is a door. Awyn takes a deep breath, and pushes the door slowly, every creak sounds overly loud. She peers into an empty, dark room. “Okay, we’re clear.”

  They walk out of the stairwell into a dusty room filled with cobwebs. “What is this place?” Aradon asks as he covers his mouth and nose, the rest doing the same.

  “It’s a secret room located in the library. I found it when I was playing hide and seek with Neodyn.” She walks over to the only thing in the room—a shelf filled with books, built into the wall. Awyn pushes it, and it opens like a door. Then she walks into an empty library.

  Shelves of all different kinds of books line the walls, all the way up to the high ceiling. A giant chandelier shines brightly in the center of the room, crystals hanging from the gold lining design. Stairs lead up to a second floor, where the balconies connect for the higher books, winding all the way around the circular room.

  Comfortable couches and chairs are grouped in the middle of the room and over by the big window looking out onto the Dark Woods. A large, empty fireplace sits under a wall of various stones.

  “This room looks like it hasn’t been touched for years,” Eldowyn exclaims, looking around.

  “It hasn’t. I came in here frequently, and Neodyn did too. But Tamon doesn’t enjoy the wonders of reading.” Awyn sits on a red sofa. She closes her eyes for a moment, taking a breath, taking a rest. She remembers the feel of this sofa, how she would sit on it for hours, reading about faraway lands. She read about the galaxies, the infinite universe. So many possibilities, so many places to discover. Though, she always had the idea that the world was round, not flat like the books and documents say. But it was just a little girl’s thought.

  “Awyn, we should get going,” Aradon states.

  She sighs, standing up, and sheathing her sword. Taking a deep breath, she says, “Let’s go.”

  They exit the library and enter the hallway. Two guards come charging at them. Aradon takes out his bronze bow and shoots one in the chest, with Eldowyn taking down the other one, both sliding to the marble floor.

  “I’m guessing there will be a lot more where that came from,” Aradon says.

  They hurry down the empty hall. Aradon checks to see if there are any guards in the next corridor. Taking careful aim, another one is shot and dispatched. Gesturing for them to move, they turn the corner, entering the next hallway.

  Awyn bumps into a figure. When she opens her eyes, she sees a familiar face. “Esmeralda!” she whispers, astonished.

  The old woman’s eyes grow wide. “Princess! Oh, how I’ve wished you were still alive.”

  Awyn puts her finger to her lips, indicating for the maid to quiet down.

  Esmeralda looks up at the others. “Who are these fine fellows?”

  “These are my friends. Now, where is Tamon?”

  “Oh, he’s in the throne room with that guard of his.”

  Awyn looks at the others. “Guard?” she asks, looking up at the wizard. Dreema shrugs.

  Turning back to the old woman, she says, “Thank you, Esmeralda.” She hugs her former maid, then they hurry down the hall.

  Awyn turns a corner, not worrying if there are guards. Three come for her. She clashes swords with one, the other two occupied with Saine and Aradon.

  When the guards are cut down, they turn another corner. But Awyn stops in her tracks when she sees who runs down the hall toward them.

  Haywen.

  Awyn, filled with rage, runs at full speed toward him, making his eyes widen. She jumps on him, tackling him to the ground. She pins his shoulders to the ground fiercely, making the guard groan in pain.

  Awyn slaps his face. “You don’t have a right to pain. That would require you to be human!” She slaps him again and brings her lips to his ear. “You will never touch me again,” she whispers.

  She hears a faint chuckle. “It was worth every moment.”

  Awyn vibrates in anger, and she plunges her sword into Haywen’s chest.

  His eyes grow wide, the fear of death stained on his face.

  Awyn peers down into his eyes. “That…was worth every moment.” She pulls the sword from his chest, and stands up, breathing heavily.

  She turns to face the stunned group and lets out a short huff. “Throne room is down there.” She points her sword at a door at the end of the hallway.

  Awyn hesitates when she stands at the door. Every memory, every joy, tear, and pain she’s felt comes flooding back. She closes her eyes, remembering the mission.

  “Awyn, are you okay?” Aradon whispers, touching her shoulder.

  She takes a deep, shaky breath. “Yes.” She bursts through the doors, the surprised Tamon sits on his throne, with his guard in front of him, an arrow in his bow.

  Silence falls over everyone.

  Saine watches Eldowyn’s eyes widen at the familiar face, but then joins him in his surprise. “Kepp?” the elf questions.

  The guard keeps his bow lifted and ready. “Eldowyn,” Kepp says, spite in his voice.

  “I should have expected you’d be here, you traitor!” Eldowyn spits at his brother.

  Kepp lowers his bow. “Really? You should expect—” Kepp’s eyes shift over to Saine who he hasn’t seen in years. “Saine?”

  “Kepp, it’s been a while. Though, I’m not quite happy with the circumstances.”

  Kepp, with disbelief on his face, walks over to his friend, and embraces him in a hug. But the purpose he hides from everyone else. “I am under Revera’s spell,” he whispers.

  Saine’s eyes widen. So, his suspicions are confirmed.

  “But mother has released me. Play along.” Kepp releases his friend.

  “You know, brother, I’m going to have to kill you,” Eldowyn says.

  Kepp scoffs and turns to his brother, in front of the silent, trembling king again. “You couldn’t if you tried. You see my face and all you can see is the brother your father traded for your own life.” He smirks, opening his arms. “Here, try to kill me.”

  Eldowyn shakes, probably angry that his brother is testing him.

  At this challenge, Tamon stands up in protest. “No! You are supposed to protect me!”

  Kepp clenches his teeth. “Shut up!” he yells as he turns. “I want to kill you so badly. But I can’t because then Revera will kill me! So, shut your stupid mouth!” Kepp vibrates with anger, he’s livid.

  Tamon grabs his dagger, throwing it at the elf. It hits Kepp in the chest.

  Eldowyn and Saine rush to him. “Brother!” Eldowyn pulls the dagger out of his chest.

  Kepp looks up at him in pain. His eyes are weak.

  “You know, I may be a traitor, but I am still immortal. You think this dolt had the brains to put an immortal-killing spell on this blade?” He fights for a faint smile. “But since I have the look of a dying man, I’m gonna tell you…I didn’t join Revera willingly.” He closes his eyes, slipping into unconsciousness.

  Eldowyn’s face is wet with tears, and Saine’s head drops
. Aradon, Dreema, Hagard, and Awyn all look at Tamon. But Awyn steps forward, shaking with rage. “You devil!” she yells. “I am going to enjoy seeing the light fade from your eyes.” She starts running up to him but stops when she sees a smirk on his face.

  “You are going to want to think about that after I show you this.” He taps his foot twice, and terrified servants open a door, pushing a tied, familiar figure onto the marble floor, and then hurry to shut the door again.

  Awyn rushes over to the man at the base of the stairs and views the beaten face. “Aradon,” she strains to say.

  The Red Warrior walks over, and when he sees who is lying there, he looks at Tamon. “Why would you capture Kaniel?” he asks, anger and confusion radiating off him.

  Tamon smirks. “Because now I have leverage. You give me the princess, and I will let this wrinkly, gray hag walk free.”

  “I’ll kill you before I let Awyn into your arms,” Aradon says with rage and protectiveness.

  And fear floods Tamon’s face, no doubt realizing Aradon will kill him.

  “You will want to stop your threats,” Tamon says shakily. “I have evil on my side.” He throws another dagger, and it sinks into Kaniel’s back.

  “No!” Aradon shouts. He lets an arrow fly, hitting Tamon in the chest. The king sinks to his knees, blood gushing from his chest.

  Aradon joins Awyn, who kneels over Kaniel. Dreema and Hagard rush over too. “Dreema, do something,” Awyn pleads, tears rushing from her eyes.

  “I can’t. He’s already gone,” Dreema says.

  Awyn weeps, and tears fall down Aradon’s face as well. Kaniel is suddenly enveloped by a bright, white light, and he’s gone.

  The room is silent, Aradon feels the sadness—it’s tangible. No one has the courage to say anything. No one wants to say anything. Kepp has come in and out of consciousness, but he’s slipped out again. Aradon glances at Awyn, the quiet princess clearly no longer able to cry.

  Suddenly Aradon’s head is filled with a large scream. He knows exactly whose it is. “Sefa!” he gasps, panic spearing his gut, and sprints from the room. The others follow, Eldowyn leaving Saine with Kepp.