by D N Meinster
The two of them had left Castle Tornis almost immediately following Leidess and Rikki's disappearance. They made a brief stop in front of the King, to inform him of what had happened, and then they took off for the stables. They didn't even wait to hear Halstrom's reaction. Aros regretted this potential slight to the King, but the circumstances didn't allow for them to linger. Neanthal was closer to being released than at any other time in three hundred years. He hoped the King understood.
Mirabelle approached them as soon as they arrived at the stables. Doren told her what had happened to Rikki and she seemed to comprehend every word. Aros didn't know horses were so intelligent. He had been around cows and other livestock most of his life, and he had never considered they were so capable of understanding human speech. Perhaps Mirabelle was special since she was a mage's horse. Whatever the reason, she appeared eager to help, and bolted off the castle grounds as soon as they situated themselves on her back.
Doren took the brunt of the wind and sand, without even attempting to use his shield to block the incoming dust. Aros kept his head ducked behind the Prince, using him as cover as Mirabelle carried onward. There was only one logical destination: the graveyard.
There was no doubt that Rikki and Leidess had both been kidnapped by the resurrected Thalians. Why they took Rikki as well this time was a mystery. Were they concerned by her power? Did they need her for part of their plan? Aros didn't even know why Leidess was taken to begin with, so how was he going to figure out why they needed another?
As they sped by indistinguishable homes and shops, Aros hoped Mirabelle was moving fast enough. They were only guessing that the Thalians took their victims back to the same tomb. If they were wrong, there would be a lot more ground to cover and not enough time. What were they supposed to do if they were wrong? Wait outside the Door until they showed up? There was no way he and Doren could stop all five Thalians by themselves. They needed Hatswick by their side, as well as guardians. Then they would stand a chance.
Aros prayed for Magenine's assistance as they rode on. They needed her help to find Rikki and Leidess, to defeat the Thalians, and to stop Neanthal's return. No one would have wanted to stop Neanthal more than the Goddess. The Beast was the only power great enough to challenge the Goddess' will. He came to Kytheras to subvert Her supremacy, and for ten years he succeeded. Magenine would not want to see that happen again.
"Are you praying?" Aros asked, spitting grains of sand away from his mouth.
"No," Doren said, holding his mouth against his shoulder. "I haven't prayed in a long time."
"You might want to start again," Aros said. "We need all the help we can get."
Doren returned his attention to what was ahead, and Aros hoped the Prince would listen. Magenine needed to hear them, and their prayers would be louder together.
Aros hadn't prayed much since his father died. His mother had given up hope that Magenine cared about them at that point. She even questioned whether the Goddess was real, and if it wasn't all purely a story told to inspire virtue in Kytherans. It was Leidess that kept Her real to Aros. Every time they sat in front of that door, they knew Neanthal was right behind it. And if Neanthal was real, so was the Goddess.
Aros wondered what had stopped Doren from praying. His mother, the Queen, had died long ago. Could her death have led to it? Perhaps the King had something to do with it. Would there ever be a proper time to ask?
After another gander at their surroundings, which had the unmistakable downtrodden look of the Outer despite their blurred appearance, Aros saw a streak of blue down one of the adjacent blocks. "Stop!" he shouted.
Mirabelle came to such an abrupt halt that both he and Doren were tossed from her back. She let out a nay in apology.
Doren brushed sand off himself as he got back on his feet. "Why did you say that?"
"I think I saw one of them," Aros said.
Doren's eyes bulged, and he ripped the shield off his back. "Where?"
Aros withdrew one of his clawblades and beckoned Doren to follow him. They crept back toward the last block, with Mirabelle in tow.
The three of them peeked around the corner and verified what Aros had seen. Standing several yards down the street was the Thalian draped in ancient military garb. His gold buttons glistened in the sun, as did his perspiration from the heavy blue jacket that dated back to the time of Aergo.
Xander was standing in the middle of the empty street, keeping his eyes focused on the crumbling structure before him. Half of its outside wall, as well as most of the roof, had caved. He looked somber, showing no sign that the Thalians had scored a recent victory with the kidnapping of Leidess and Rikki.
Aros took out his second clawblade and eyed Doren. How were they going to approach this? Should they just charge at him?
Doren held up a finger, brought his shield close to his chest, and flung it straight at Xander. Aros charged behind the soaring weapon, with Doren chasing it right behind him.
With one quick motion, Xander removed the narrow blade from his belt and slashed downward upon the incoming shield. It slammed into the sandy ground, right as Aros took a few swings with his own blades.
Xander knocked away both of Aros swords and then let out a heavy sigh. "Do we have to do this now?"
Doren scooped up his shield, preparing to throw it again. "We'll stop if you tell us where Rikki and Leidess are."
"Didn't you just rescue the girl?" Xander asked.
"You took her again," Aros barked.
"Then if I were you, I'd go straight to the Door." Xander gave them a faint smile and returned his sword to his belt.
Aros tilted his head, unsure what to make of the Thalian's instructions. "You might want to keep that out." Didn't he want a fair fight?
"I have no intention of engaging you," Xander said. "I'm fairly tired of all this tomfoolery. I didn't ask to be brought back. I wouldn't have, if given a choice."
Aros kept his blades up, but Xander directed his eyes back onto the ruins on the side of the street. He looked at Doren, who was just as confused by this turn of events.
"Go on," Xander said. "Before you're too late."
Doren put his shield on his back. "I don't get it. You're a Thalian, aren't you?"
"I used to live here," Xander replied, melancholy in every syllable. "I had a wife. I had children. That was a long time ago. Before Neanthal, even. Look at it now." He faced Aros and Doren, his bearded jowls contorted in pain. "Why would I want to come back here when everyone I loved is long gone?"
"To bring back Neanthal?" Aros suggested without thinking.
"Yeah, that's what he assumed when he brought me back," Xander said. "My reputation has deteriorated even further in my absence. But it's not what I intended. I was never a faithful Thalian. To me, King Aergo was always the one true King of Kytheras. But after he died, no one in Kytheras really had a choice. It was either follow Neanthal or watch your family die. I was a soldier in Aergo's army. I was even buried in his uniform." He moved his hand down his jacket, as if to display it for his company. "But I loved my family. I couldn't let them suffer over where my loyalties lied. So when Neanthal took over, I pledged myself to him and joined his cause. Not many other men did this. They either made it to the Twilight Islands, or they sacrificed themselves in the name of Aergo. But I chose to live. I chose to let my family live. And for that, I am brandished a traitor for all of history.
"Do they use my name in history classes now? Is Xander Dowin synonymous with traitor?"
"Can't really remember," Aros muttered.
"But you've been working with the Thalians," Doren accused. "They're going to release Neanthal!"
"I felt obligated," Xander weakly stated. "It's taken me a while to see that I don't have to help them. But I can help you." He looked right into Doren's eyes. "You're the Prince, right?"
Doren nodded.
"Descendant of Aergo. This is my chance to make it up to him." Xander took a slight bow. "My liege."
Doren was c
learly daunted by the gesture and looked to Aros for advice on how to proceed. But Aros had no clue and gave him a shrug.
Xander straightened up before Doren could formulate a response. "The Thalians brought me back thinking I was loyal to Neanthal. They mistook pragmatism for devotion. I will only ever be loyal to Aergo."
"So how do we stop them?" Aros asked.
Xander studied Aros, having expected the question to come from Doren. "By not standing around and chatting with me. Get to the Door and bring an army. Then maybe you'll succeed."
"How are they going to do it?" Doren asked.
"Five keys sealed the Door. Five keys can open it."
"Even if they're replicas?" Aros said.
"Keys can be copied. Even enchanted keys. All they need is the right kind of magic."
"Hatswick and Amelia locked Neanthal away," Doren stated.
"Exactly," Xander said. He checked over both shoulders, ensuring no one else was around. "And fortunately for them, Hatswick is still alive and Amelia's heir is a mage."
"He can't be," the voice said solemnly in Aros' ear. Before Aros could even ponder the words, Xander continued.
"And unfortunately for you, Hatswick is a Thalian. The leader of the Resurrected, in fact."
"No," Doren said without processing Xander's words. "You're lying."
"By the Goddess, my words are true," Xander said.
"Hatswick locked Neanthal away!" Doren shouted. "There is no way he's a Thalian!"
"Minds can change in three hundred years," Xander remarked. "He brought us all back, of that I am certain."
"He saved us from you!" Doren was still yelling.
The voice had anticipated Xander's charge and was in much less denial than Doren. "Blind, blind," it repeated many times before dissipating.
Aros was much more accepting of the information, but he hadn't known the Grand Mage his whole life. He wasn't even certain he existed until a few days go. But this betrayal seemed genuine, from Xander's words to the voice's confirmation. Did he trust the voice? It had been more helpful than detrimental recently, sporadically offering comments and advice as opposed to torturous repetitions. He trusted it more than he ever would Hatswick, at least for now.
"Hatswick has played his role well," Xander said. "But do you see what that got him? He got back Leidess and took Rikki. Both instrumental."
"Why does he need Leidess?" Aros begged, hoping to finally get an answer.
"The Keys are not enough," Xander said. "Leidess is unique. Her soul will bind his corrupt magic and force the Door open."
Aros didn't need Xander to tell him how unique Leidess was. There was not another Kytheran like her. None that had such a soul, and none with which he had such a connection. But to hear him say it felt wrong. She wasn't unique to him, or his Thalian cohorts, because of her love. To them, she had a tangible quality that could be used for nefarious deeds. That was horrific and had to be prevented at all costs.
"Leidess for her soul. Ratch for the Keys. Rikki for Amelia's magic," Doren concluded his list. "And he even gave her Amelia's staff!"
"A perfect recipe for Divine Corruption," Xander lamented.
"Where are they?" Aros cried, beginning to panic.
"I told you," Xander said. "They'll be going to the Door, if they're not there already. Best to bring an army."
"There's no time for that," Doren said. "We'll stop him or die. Will you help us?"
Xander seemed hesitant to go up against his former colleagues. "Well..."
"They outnumber us," Doren stated. "We might stand a chance if you join us. Please. For Aergo."
"Yes," Xander said nodding. "Yes. Let's keep that beast behind that door, shall we?" He withdrew his sword and held it up high, twisting it about to reflect the sunlight in the steel.
Aros was relieved to hear he would help them. If Xander kept his word and they rescued Rikki, there would be four of them altogether. Four against five gave them much better odds than two against six. They could do it. They could stop these Thalians for good.
Xander took a single swing downward, striking the air and scattering nearby sand. He gave Aros and Doren a reassuring grin just before his body made a sudden jolt. The smile was glued on Xander's face while blood started dripping from the sides of his mouth. His eyes glared at them in a state of panic before they glazed over.
Xander fell face first onto the ground, revealing a familiar dagger sticking out of his back.
Chapter Seventeen
The Grand Mage
17 B.N.
Faunli was the least welcoming realm in all of Kytheras. Many of the Fauns resisted Aergo's rule even after their emperor had surrendered in battle. They would disrupt trading missions and attack civilians, creating spheres of chaos in a world that was trending toward peace. The Fauns saw themselves as resistance fighters standing up to a tyrannical monarch, but not one of them had met King Aergo. They did not know the passion in his heart that had driven him to unite Ghumai. They were ignorant and could not see that it was in their best interest to be a part of something larger. Their only desire was to maintain a tradition that had already been toppled. What a bunch of imbeciles.
Hatswick kept his staff at the ready, certain that their task would be interrupted. He kept his dark brown eyes focused on the sprawling hills as they passed by the tiny window. Who knows what troupe may spring from the valleys or pop out of the corn fields. Any moment, this carriage ride could’ve become the target of Faun terrorists.
There was nothing enchanting about a horse-drawn carriage ride through Faunli. The beauty of the landscape could not be appreciated, even though it matched the serenity of Terrastream. Hatswick didn't even want to be in this carriage. It was a waste of time, when they could simply shift to their destination. But the King insisted. Fauns did not like magic, and they were sensitive enough to Kytheran intrusion. Aergo did not want to enrage them any further. Hatswick respected the King and would follow any of his wishes, but their task rendered his point moot. What they were about to do was as upsetting as any magic the Fauns could witness.
How was she so calm? The Grand Mage sat across from him in the carriage, apparently lost in thought. She gave no consideration to the constant threat they were under for being in Faunli. She just sat there, resting her back against the wooden sides, lacking the tense position of the mage accompanying her.
Amelia looked rather beautiful for a woman approaching one hundred and twenty. Her auburn hair was tied in a bun behind her head, leaving her features in plain view. She had pointed eyebrows and thick eyelashes encircling her light blue eyes. There was nary a wrinkle on her pasty skin, and not a sharp edge anywhere on her face. Her ears were high, and her lips were full, and she hardly appeared much older than a teenager. She was dressed in fine white fabric with running green lines adding some color to the cloth. A silver necklace was draped around her neck, while a matching polished staff rested across her lap, not even in her hands.
A trilby hat sat atop Hatswick's head, covering his uncombed jet-black hair. He had grown a rather thick mustache that hid the top of his lips and fell to the sides of his chin. He looked like he could be older than Amelia, though he was actually a couple decades younger. His plaid cloak of black and dark yellow gave the impression of a bumblebee, though the color scheme nearly matched the black and gold of his staff.
Hatswick and Amelia rarely got sent on this sort of mission. These jobs were usually given to lesser mages. But because it was in Faunli, Aergo had requested that the two most powerful mages go. It was obvious to all in Kytheras which mages that meant. Unfortunately, it was also evident who the most powerful mage was.
Amelia was the Grand Mage for a reason. She was more powerful than any that came before her, and any since. She excelled in her abilities before she was even ten years old and had impressed kings ages before Aergo. She had been Grand Mage since she finished her schooling and maintained her position despite the constant turnover in monarchs.
Hatswick envied h
er abilities. He had excelled too, but never at her pace. She was special, and he was solely above average. It was frustrating to be so close to being the best but never making it. Any task he was given was almost certainly Amelia's leftovers. But it was tolerable, especially nowadays, because of the man giving the orders.
Hatswick loved King Aergo more than he loved any person that had ever lived beside him in Ghumai. Aergo was truly the greatest man, greater than himself and certainly greater than Amelia. He lacked a mage's abilities but made up for it with vision and execution. Aergo had truly turned the world around, leading it onto a path of paradise. He had unmatched compassion; a heart that was unlike any other. All the land they could see was Aergo's, and they were all better for it.
Hatswick regretted his jealousy any time he thought of the King. Aergo would not have respected such a quality, nor understood it. The King had gone out of his way to treat him like an equal to the Grand Mage. Such pettiness on Hatswick's behalf was shameful and unnecessary, and he would try to shove such thoughts out of his head as soon as they entered. But he couldn't help them creeping up in this situation. For there she was, the most powerful mage, not even concerned that they could be attacked at any moment. Sure, they could likely handle anything that the Fauns tried, but it was still potentially dangerous, especially for the guardian that was driving the carriage.
The creaking timber wheels of the carriage were the only sound penetrating the air as they spun against the uneven path. Amelia wasn't fond of idle chatter, preferring to maintain her hyper-focused, or unfocused, state. Hatswick would have enjoyed better company, but that was not without its risks. He needed to be completely aware of their surroundings more than he needed to prove how intelligent he was to a companion. Still, it would have been nice if the only voice that broke the silence wasn't the guardian’s. "The village is ahead!" he shouted from the front of their vehicle.
"Does he think we're deaf?" Hatswick posed to Amelia. Despite their wooden enclosure, he could easily hear the ambient noise all about.