“Never will my army follow a disgusting mutt like you. You are only wasting your time, for the one to win this puerile fight will be me.” He lashed his sword like a strike of lightning, hitting my collarbone down to the end of my breastplate. I bit down hard on my lip to keep from crying out in anguish.
“Of course they won’t follow me, they’re not meant to. Without you standing in the way, kingship will fall back to Döron, and we both already know he’s someone the army will follow,” I quickly replied. Understanding flashed in his eyes, but it was immediately replaced by anger.
Suddenly, he let out a holler of pain, and our attention was pulled to the wolf sinking its fangs into the head of his Fëa, ending its life once and for all. Aglar, with an explosion of rage, sliced at me with that biting steel yet again, and I just barely managed to sidestep it. He yelled a string of Elvish, but my focus was bent on staying alive.
My dagger was nothing compared to his weapon, but my real sword was taken away from me when I had been apprehended by Ohtar in the woods. Ender and I hadn’t had an opportunity to look for weapons after we had escaped, and we both knew it would’ve been pointless anyway. We had expected that I’d be captured by the Lassaira army, so any weapons on me would’ve been confiscated immediately, resulting in wasted time and efforts finding them in the first place.
And we absolutely had no time and energy to waste.
But that meant I would be walking into a vicious battle unarmed. Like I had said, I had known I had been riding to my doom by coming here. The problem was I had no other choice but to do it regardless.
I thought of Mycah and how much I needed to feel his skin gliding against my own. Another image of him gripped my chest—his darker-than-night hair had shifted in the wind as his blue eyes slowly blinked up to captivate mine…
A new wave of determination erupted from my belly, and using the wolf’s strength as an example, I roared as I dove forward toward Aglar’s ankles, skimming below the swing of his mighty blade. I sliced my humble dagger along the backs of his knees, sending him curling to the polished wood below. His kneecaps pounded against the surface roughly, and I immediately pounced onto his back. I took my tiny blade to his throat and pulled his head back by his long, cornsilk hair. I would do anything for the ones I loved, even if it meant opening up the crown for Döron to take back.
The door to the throne room burst open with a loud crack. The army with unwavering loyalty to their king shouted in anger as they ran toward us—a thunderous stampede of fear for the beloved royal on his deathbed.
A loud scream of terror from within the crowd ripped through my concentration mid-kill, leaving the best part undone. But the chaos that followed was what kept me silent. My eyes roved the sea of people, looking for the reason that triggered the sudden screams and frightened faces. It was my grandmother. At the sound of her cries, I turned around and collided into bitter understanding.
My grandfather was behind me, stabbed through with a beautiful elven sword held by one of the guards coming to Aglar’s defense. The lethal act had been meant for me, but Döron put himself in harm’s way and took the damage instead.
“What have you done?!” the question to the elven soldier left my throat before I could even comprehend that it happened.
“Forgive me,” he choked on the words that he said painfully to Döron. “I did not intend—”
“I know, my son,” Döron whispered as he slid to the ground. His wolf Fëa whimpered in agony next to him.
I foolishly let the situation distract me—my hold on Aglar unconsciously loosened. He threw me up over his head, and I landed on my back with a loud bang. All the air in my lungs was knocked out of me, and I struggled for several seconds to breathe. He wrapped his hot, long fingers around my neck and squeezed with all his strength like he was trying to pop off the head of a Barbie. I clawed at his hands, my legs flailing and kicking. The murderous fire in his eyes that stared wickedly into mine sent a convulsion racking through my entire body.
“You were supposed to die that day along with her. Your life should have been snuffed out by my own two hands the same way that whore’s was. I can now correct that mistake once and for all,” he groaned through gritted teeth. His veins protruded through his milky skin at his temples and neck. As my desperate lungs burned for oxygen, I would have sworn my heartbeat that pounded in my eardrums matched the rhythm of Aglar’s own pulsing capillaries.
His crazed eyes drilled into mine. Pure joy and satisfaction were as mighty flames dancing within them. Lissë poured into me as much strength as she could give. I continued to struggle with consciousness while kicking and mauling the nasty elf, but the high-pitched cries of the wolf’s pain sent me over the edge.
Oh, god. I couldn’t stand it. The very sound mutilated my own bones, tugging on my heartstrings.
And I needed it to stop. Now.
“Thank you…” I started to choke out somehow, my voice and words barely audible. The change in Aglar’s expression was instantaneous. The happiness turned to bitter disgust and confusion as to why I would be thanking him for my death. “Thank you…for making…this…so easy…to do.”
I jammed my pinky fingers violently, almost to the extent of breaking them, into the holes of Aglar’s pointy ears. He screamed in torment as his hands loosened their grip around my neck just slightly, but it was enough for me. Without even trying to breathe yet, I begged my lungs to hold out just a few moments more as I rocketed my body into his torso like a torpedo, sending us sliding backward toward my fallen dagger. I snatched it up instantly, and without even a pause or a half-second’s delay I plunged it deep into the elf’s heart.
Chapter Four
~Naminé~
“A Truth Seeker?” Rydan questioned with uncertainty. “So like, a living, walking lie detector or something? How does that even work?”
“I suppose that is how you could word it.” I thought over his phrasing and had to agree. “Yes, actually that is exactly right. He bears the ability to acutely detect a lie in a person should they speak it, for he is never wrong. I had heard murmurings of him prior to our acquaintance.”
A female walked up to us with assured steps and spat at our feet before voicing a string of insults in our native tongue. I was grateful Rydan did not understand our language and was spared from hearing the horrible things she called us. I did my best to ignore her, as did Rydan, until she departed around the corner and we resumed our conversation.
“But you really think he might be a good guy? What do you think he wants? Why would he want to know a secret passageway into the dungeons? It doesn’t make sense, unless maybe he plans on bailing us out. That’d be…amazing.” Rydan’s questions came one after the other, and I heard in him a new vigor of hope that I had feared had been lost shortly after our capture.
“I do not know for certain, but I cannot help giving way to even the smallest bit of hope,” I began. I recalled the moment once more, turning the memory over in my mind. It had been the only minute I had felt safe during that frightening situation. “There was something in the way his Fëa behaved near me. I felt comforted by him. I perhaps even felt as if he recognized within me the virtue of our cause, if that were possible. One cannot say, Rydan. I do not want to expect a rescue by him and then it result in disappointment for us. However, as you said, I am unable to comprehend another scenario as to why he would need an obscure path into the dungeons.”
Another citizen drew near, and we quickly shut our mouths in wait to be alone again. This time, he threw a rock that hit Rydan square in the lip. I gasped in horror and worried for him. “Are you hurt? Oh, yes, I do believe you’re starting to bleed.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.” He spat blood onto the ground. “Just keep ignoring them. They have no idea how stupid they are.”
“Yes, it is certainly best to ignore them.”
“Anyway, to go back to what you were saying about that truth guy, well, hope is the only thing we’ve got. So, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to beli
eve he might try and get us out of here, even if it doesn’t come true.” From my peripheral vision, he appeared to take a strong breath before speaking again. “And look, even if it doesn’t, I’m going to be by your side every step of the way. Whatever it is Ohtar throws at us, you will always have me here with you. That has to be better than doing it alone. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you, Naminé, you know that. But…I also can’t imagine my life without you now that I’ve had you in it. If we can’t escape out of this sinking ship, I can honestly say that I’m glad I’m going down with you.”
Raindrops landed on my head, and a quiet rumble of thunder echoed within the walls of the castle courtyard. Since our captivity, storms continued to roll in and out on a frequent basis.
I turned to look my prince in the eye. “Rydan, I could not agree more with you. I truly feel the exact same way. I do not wish for a single hair on your head to be harmed, but if we were to die, I, too, am satisfied that we will be together rather than it happen with us apart.” I squinted from the harder pouring of rain, but did not let it silence me. “I do not regret what I have done or the actions that led me to this shaming post. I do not feel a bit of shame at all. I am proud, in fact. I am proud to be here by your side, even if we are to die, for it would be a most honorable death—maintaining our loyalty to our one true king.”
He smiled at me—a most beautiful, stunning smile that accentuated his already over-abundantly handsome features. My heart fluttered its wings, and I felt a heat rise to my cheeks. My eyes left his, a bit of embarrassment creeping up on me. I was thankful for the cover of rain, for he should not have noticed my reddened face through it.
I lifted my gaze to the sky and let the drops of water cleanse my surely dirty appearance. In that moment, I wished for my brother, mother, and father to have had the opportunity to feel the rain. Oh, how I worried for them. I had not seen them since my return, and my heart ached over it.
Ohtar did not consider them conspirators with King Remycah, therefore did not force them to stand outside all day to be ridiculed. I was grateful he did not condemn them the same level of punishment as my own, for their crimes were not as grave. Though despite being sentenced for execution along with me, at least they were spared the brutality Rydan and I had to endure. The less they had to suffer gave me a small bit of peace.
“You okay?” Rydan’s ravaged, parched voice echoed into me from his place afar. It was almost time for Ohtar’s entertainment to begin. A sickening ploy veiled by false pretenses to discover King Remycah’s greatest strengths, skills, and agility. But above all else, his every weakness.
“I am. You need not worry for me, Rydan.” I turned to provide a small smile to prove I was genuine. “We must devote all our concern and grace to Remycah, for he is in need of it most.”
“I know, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be worried over how you’re doing either way,” he replied.
A loud horn signaled the games were about to start, and I held my breath to keep my heart steady. How anyone could derive entertainment from such a vile, barbaric sport was beyond my ability to understand. It did not fail to twist my stomach into knots with a constant threat of losing the contents there. Not that I had been given much in way of food. I at times would almost welcome the release of the disgusting stew that we were forced to consume. It did not sit well with me, but it was all we had.
Surrounded by ample guards, Remycah appeared with his head held high as he was led into position. It did not take long for the devil Ohtar to show himself and claim his seat on the stolen throne that I learned had been set up outside for these specific occasions.
With another resounding blast of the horn upon Ohtar’s order, the game was set into motion. Stomping that would shake the hearts of even the bravest men caused the foundation below our feet to tremble. A monstrous troll covered in chains and restraints was corralled into the square that Remycah waited in.
Set loose, the troll immediately broke into a sprint and advanced to Remycah’s position. I begged my eyes to look away, for I could not bear to witness his suffering, and yet it remained impossible. I had to know the outcome.
A last minute duck out of the way kept Remycah safe, but my insides were screaming nonetheless. The troll was quick to swing his hefty fists in every direction that he could, as long as it was aimed at Remycah’s body.
This was the third fight Ohtar had forced Remycah to be in, for he derived great pleasure from watching Remycah’s torment. And even more, he enjoyed forcing Rydan and me to watch it alongside him, knowing how much it grieved us.
Yet most of all, I had another suspicion. Ohtar hadn't had the opportunity of acquiring knowledge of all of Remycah’s hidden talents and skills. With his gifts suppressed, these so-called games would allow Ohtar to discover what Remycah was capable of without them. In turn, Ohtar would learn what skills and power he would be inheriting upon Remycah’s death.
Additionally, through the shine of paranoia in his beady eyes, Rydan and I surmised Ohtar was frightened. For he knew Remycah’s Royal Guardian was on the loose. We had no doubt Ohtar suspected he would be faced with Remycah in one-on-one combat in the near future.
“Why doesn’t Ohtar just kill Mycah now? And us too for that matter. Why wait? Why take that risk if he’s so afraid Ender will get to him first?” Rydan inquired.
“Ohtar can’t kill Remycah now. No one can. He can be beaten, tortured, pushed past the limit that would normally kill a person. But Remycah will not die. Neither will we. His blood—our blood—now belongs to the Hunter’s Moon. Once a life has been promised to it, it will be protected and unable to die before it rises. The more lives sacrificed to the Hunter’s Moon, the more power one gains. Though, I suspect Ohtar did not expect Ender and Nariella to escape. It changes things. It changes everything.
“If Ohtar should succeed in killing all of us the moment that moon rises, he will be unstoppable. He will inherit all of our powers and abilities. However, if he should fail, the moon will disown him for an entire year’s worth of time. His strength will be weakened. His connection to our precious light, extinguished. He will suffer greatly until the next rise of the Hunter’s Moon and be most vulnerable, for any who should succeed in taking his life instead during that year will be granted untold power. It is the most sacred moon of the Isil’Elda, for it is the only time when it is in the sky for the entire night, and the Isil love the light of the moon and stars greatest of all.”
“Great. So all we need to do is not die that night, and instead, kill Ohtar,” he scoffed.
“We will be weakened to the point of pain once that moon begins to rise, as our veil of protection would have been lifted, and will not cease until it sets. It will be much too easy for Ohtar…for anyone…to kill us. I do not hold to hope that we will get far, should we somehow manage to escape Ohtar’s wrath.” I shuddered, knowing our survival was impossible. The Hunter’s Moon was much too powerful. One did not break his vow if promised a death, for the curse of the Hunter’s Moon would surely make him pay. A legend the Isil’Elda lived by for millennia. And the more deaths received on this night, the more the people would be rewarded with prosperity and untold happiness. And oh how did our suffering kingdom crave happiness.
“Hmm,” Rydan groaned, a twinkle in his silver eyes. “Sounds like you need to get to know me better, Naminé. The first thing you’re going to learn is that I will never give up. I’m going to protect you. And I’m going to save you. You’ll see.”
My eyes reached his, and what I found there slowed my anxious heart and comforted my racking nerves, for it was bare honesty. And in this moment, I did believe him. Somehow, we would be saved.
Jeers and cheers from the crowd accompanied each action that Remycah and the troll made, drawing my attention back to the sport. The people seemed to enjoy moments most when Remycah would barely miss death by a single hair on his head, even though they knew as well as I did that he could not die. Nevertheless, it seemed they enjoyed witnessing his torment a
s much as Ohtar did.
And it sickened me greatly. Rydan and I were devastated upon the discovery of the first round of games. Ohtar made it known that we were to be brought out from our prison cells and placed before the square so that we would be forced to watch the one we gave our allegiance to be beaten, shamed, and suffer miserably as our own form of punishment.
Rydan had spit in Ohtar’s face, which resulted in a firm beating as consequence. I had begged for him to remain studious and quiet, for fear that Ohtar would torture him past his point of consciousness, just because he could. We were all at his mercy, and it did not bode well for us to needlessly upset him further.
My eyes stayed solely focused on the movements of Remycah. I was confident that he suspected Ohtar’s secret plan, and therefore I wondered how difficult it was for him to battle beastly monstrosities without giving away his tactics and weaknesses. I prayed he was able to do so while keeping himself from too much pain.
Remycah slid in between the troll’s legs swiftly before resuming a standing position. He leapt onto the creature’s back and pulled the heavy chains that dangled from his arms up and around the neck. Severe struggle was visible in his face and muscles of his arms as he did his best to choke the troll to death. It reached for Remycah, flailing its arms wildly as it ran forward. Try as it might, it could not break free from his hold, and not long later, the vile being moaned and grunted before crashing face first into the solid stone below. Remycah had jumped from his shoulders and wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.
A collision of cheering and yelling followed the performance, and I finally breathed a sigh of relief. He managed to endure yet again.
Chapter Five
~Nari~
An outburst of angry cries hit me full-force, along with a dozen of the king’s guard. They captured me swiftly and violently, yelling in Elvish and slamming me against the far back wall. A searing pain, like a thousand razorblades licking my skin, ignited on the left side of my neck. I tried to place my hand over the wound I must have received during my battle with Aglar, but my hands were pinned by the soldiers. My bloody, matted hair that had fallen out of its tie stuck to my neck, making the pain worse.
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