The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice

by Melissa Collins

  Contemplating their options, Okivra tightened his hold on the handle, lifting his gaze to Callum’s in a decisive motion. “We must fight,” he nodded, his hardened expression returning. “Call the men together so we can inform them of what they need to do.”

  “And what is that exactly?” Onuric squinted at his father in confusion. “We have no plan of attack. If we run at the beast without a detailed course of action, we will all end up dead.”

  Edric was grateful for Callum’s steady voice interjecting the conversation. He was always the voice of reason when tensions rose. How he managed to keep a level head at a time like this was unfathomable. “We don’t all have to approach the Avaern. Honestly, it would be unwise of us to try. What we need to focus on is how to distract the beast long enough so that whoever is wielding the weapon can get close enough to strike.”

  “How do you suggest we do that?” Okivra looked him over closely. “The Avaern has proven itself an intelligent creature. It will not be fooled by us standing around waving our arms.”

  “No, I should think not,” Callum chuckled quietly. “There are other factors which need to be considered. A ranged attack would typically be fitting. Were we in Tanispa I would recommend the use of a trebuchet to bypass the strength of the wind and get past its defenses, but that is out of the question given that we have no such weapon available. So what we need to think on is how to hit the beast from a distance. Arrows won’t work. The wind will prevent us from sufficiently creating the distraction we need.”

  Okivra appeared taken in by the suggestion, an approving smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. “The wind can be manipulated,” he stated calmly, turning his body to face Callum directly. “It will be a bit of a chore with the Avaern working against us, but a large enough group of my men could potentially shift the direction of the wind to our advantage. Onuric can lead our warriors in this task if you can command your archers to fire on his call.”

  “It could work,” Callum nodded in agreement. “We would have to fire in bursts. It would drain your men too much if they attempt to fight the Avaern for extended periods of time. We can save energy by shifting it only long enough for the volley. This would allow my soldiers time to reload their bows and prepare for the next shot. Our arrows won’t injure the Avaern, but it will no doubt irritate it. The constant barrage should turn its eye upon us long enough for you to get in close… if it is your intent to bear the weapon.”

  “I am the Chief. It is my duty to bear it,” he replied proudly, rolling his shoulders back to straighten his posture. Snapping his fingers he directed Onuric toward the entrance of the trench, his legs already carrying him forward, the spear clenched tightly in his right hand. “Onuric, see the men into position. I will take cover on the opposite end of the camp to keep out of the Avaern’s view. Captain – I trust you know what to do.”

  Edric stared after Okivra and Onuric. Everyone had their positions determined, ready to go into battle against the Avaern. He’d done is part in helping to retrieve the weapon… so now what? He wasn’t adept enough with a bow to make himself useful to Callum and he was incapable of assisting the Ovatai. He hated the thought of standing around doing nothing. They had come too far for him to go back to being a useless prince. “Callum,” he started, thinking over his words carefully. He wasn’t comfortable with the thought of Callum being at the frontlines. This battle would determine their fate and he didn’t like the odds which continued to stack against them. “What will you do if the Avaern shifts its attack onto our soldiers? It can move faster than us. Our entire army will perish if Okivra cannot get a clear strike.”

  “It’s the unfortunate truth about war. Survival is not a guarantee. Every soldier under my command was aware of that when they signed on for the military. You, however, do not have to place yourself at risk. You should stay here with Ehren. If anything happens, someone will need to bring word to the King and Queen so that my father can prepare the remaining troops in Tanispa.”

  “So I’m just supposed to hide here while you run off and get yourself killed?”

  “My hands are tied, Edric. Unless you’ve taken up lessons in archery while I wasn’t looking, there is nothing more I can ask you to do. Ground troops aren’t necessary for this mission if they cannot use a bow. Those men who are not trained will stay here in the bunker with you and Ehren.”

  “Callum, I am not –”

  “I do not have time to argue. I’m not your superior so I can’t command you to do anything but it is my earnest request that you take my words to heart and do as I ask. Your safety cannot be guaranteed otherwise and if anything happens to you, I will have failed in my role to protect the royal family… and I would prefer not to be remembered in death as a failure. Consider that when making your decision. Now, if you will excuse me, I must see to the troops.”

  Edric stood, mouth agape at Callum’s request. How could he ask him to stay here after everything they’d been through? Callum knew how important this was to him. Still, he also knew that Callum was right. They didn’t need anyone on the battlefield who couldn’t use a bow. While Edric had fired an arrow or two in his time, he hardly considered himself an archer. He’d always taken more to swords and close combat weapons. Learning to fight from a distance had never seemed important. It was too late to rectify that error now.

  Turning around he watched Callum disappear through the entrance of the trench, biting his tongue to keep from shouting for him to stop. All of his plans to keep Callum out of harm’s reach were crumbling faster than he could put them back together. Aiva would never forgive him if he didn’t bring Callum home. And the General…what would he say? His entire family was counting on him and he was powerless to change Callum’s mind. “Damn it!” he exclaimed through gritted teeth, his fists clenched tightly, a sharp pain the only thing he felt where his fingernails cut into the flesh of his palms. He pulled away from the soft touch at his shoulder, lost in his thoughts, unaware of who approached.

  “Edric…” The quiet voice of Neomi brought him back to reality, his head lifting to meet her concerned gaze. She stood there, solemn and erect, her arms outstretched toward him as if to embrace him, afraid he would pull away again. “My father will kill the beast. You should not worry yourself.”

  Silently he scolded himself for avoiding Neomi, his legs moving him toward her without care of who would see them together. It didn’t matter anymore. Onuric knew the truth and the rest of the men were preparing for a battle which was destined to kill them all. No one would have a chance to care whether he laid a hand on the Chief ’s daughter. “I want to believe that, Neomi,” he replied softly, wrapping his arms tenderly around her waist. It was comforting to feel her there. To not be concerned about the consequences. In that moment he just wanted to know he wasn’t alone. “There are other factors that haven’t been discussed,” he shook his head, dejected. “I trust your father to be a skilled fighter and capable of doing what is required, but we should have a plan in case it fails. If he doesn’t reach the Avaern, someone will have to take up the weapon and finish the job. We cannot risk losing the one chance we have at destroying the beast due to contingency. Our victory rests solely on the shoulders of your father and he has no one to back him up.”

  His heart fluttered to feel Neomi’s head pressed against his chest, accepting the warmth of his embrace, the pressure returned by her arms. “I will go to him,” she whispered, holding Edric tightly. “It is the least I can do for my people. And yours.”

  “I’m not comfortable with the thought of you placing yourself in that kind of danger,” he said softly into her hair. “My best friend is already on the frontline and I can do nothing to stop him. I cannot bear the thought of losing you as well.”

  “We are not in a position where we have options to choose from. I have a responsibility to my people in making sure my father succeeds much the same as Callum has a responsibility to your people in guaranteeing the Avaern does not find its way onto Tanispan soil.”


  “Then what is my responsibility? I wasn’t allowed to put myself in danger but you expect me to sit quietly and let you both run into battle?”

  “This is not your fight, Edric. You have done your part. Now you must let us do ours.”

  Grabbing onto her arms Edric carefully pulled her away from him, staring deeply into the roiling blue of her eyes. His emotions were getting the better of him. He’d finally found a woman he could respect and love for her strength of mind and now it was being used against him. She was stubborn. There was no way to talk her out of this if her mind was made up. But she wasn’t taking into account that he could be just as headstrong. “I’m tired of everyone telling me this isn’t my war. It is just as much my fight as everyone else. I love you, Neomi. That alone makes this personal. I have to do everything in my power to protect you and your people today, and in the process it will protect my people in the future. If you are going to your father, then I am going as well. Do not try to stop me.”

  Her face softened, the gentle brush of her hand against his cheek easing the frustration which was building inside. Something about her made him believe that everything would be alright. It was hard to think negatively when she stood before him so confident. Strong. Beautiful. “I will not stop you,” she said quietly, a hint of sadness in her voice, belying the steadiness of her gaze. “If we are going to do anything, we must go now. Once the Avaern is overhead, we will lose our chance to reach my father.”

  He was surprised by her willingness to let him accompany her. It revealed much about her trust in him. A sense of pride came over him to realize that she had faith in his ability to help. And he had every intention of proving that her trust was not misplaced. “Let us go, then,” he nodded. They’d wasted too much time already. It was imperative they get out of the trench and back to the camp. With any luck the wind would aid them in hastening their trip instead of working against them the way it had before.

  They hurried past Ehren, the sound of his protests falling on deaf ears as they made their way into the blizzard once again. Edric’s only concern was being spotted by Callum. But he wouldn’t let his friend stop him. They were running out of time and an argument would just waste more of the precious seconds they didn’t have. The men were already getting into position, Onuric’s loud voice booming across the camp, giving commands to his warriors while Callum arranged the archers a short distance away. Everyone was distracted by their work, allowing Edric and Neomi to cover the ground between the trench and the gate without anyone taking notice. By the time they reached Okivra he was already crouched inside the gate, holding his position behind the wall in wait of the Avaern’s arrival.

  “Neomi, what are you two doing here?” he asked, his tone accusatory, unhappy to see them. Neomi continued forward, beckoning Edric to follow.

  “We thought it would be safer for us to be here in case anything goes wrong,” she stated matter-of-factly, kneeling in the snow beside her father. “I trust you will do what is necessary, but it would be foolish not to have anyone here to help in case the Avaern pushes you back.”

  Another loud shriek pierced through the air, drawing their eyes upward toward the sky. It was closer than before, signaling the Avaern’s rapid approach. They didn’t have much longer before it would be on them. Time seemed to fly, reality passing in a blur until Edric wasn’t sure if he was awake or dreaming. Adrenaline coursed through his limbs, invigorating him despite the fatigue he’d suffered upon their initial return to Nahedu. He was ready for whatever the Avaern would do. This was the moment of truth. If he was going to die, he was going to go down fighting and no one was going to stop him.

  At the sound of the Avaern’s shrill call Okivra unwrapped the coat from the blade of the spear, pausing in admiration of the design. Through the thick curtain of snow a soft light could be seen illuminating the stone, pulsing from the energy trapped within, acting as a sort of beacon in the haze of the blizzard. As the weapon was unveiled the Avaern gave another loud shriek, the sound rattling the ground underfoot. Edric feared that Ewei’s spirit might attempt to prevent them from succeeding, while at the same time he prayed that somewhere inside the Avaern the ancient energy of the shaman might work to help them, counteracting Ewei’s plans. It seemed too much to hope for, but he had to cling to something. The shaman’s energy continued to strengthen the beast. It only made sense that it would somehow maintain some control the way Ewei’s spirit did while trapped inside the weapon.

  From where they were positioned inside the gate Edric watched the first volley of arrows soar through the air toward the monstrous beast as it hovered over the ground. In that instant he stood, frozen in awe at the sight of the creature from their vantage. In Isavo it had been an impressive sight but their distance from it while in the chasm did nothing to reveal the truth of its size. Its long tail swung from side-to-side, slamming into a portion of the wall beside Edric and the others, sending the ice and snow flying in every direction, debris raining down on top of them. A single wave from one of its wings deflected the entire volley, snapping the arrows into pieces as they fell uselessly, landing a distance away from the force of the Avaern’s blow. Before it was in front of them it had been easy to think victory was possible. A simple matter of getting at the Avaern’s chest and dealing the fatal blow. Faced with the beast now, Edric realized the flaw in their plan. The strike wasn’t the largest of their concerns. Okivra would have to bypass the swinging tail and avoid its colossal wings before he could even consider throwing the spear at his target.

  Based on the expression Okivra wore, it was obvious that he was aware of the dangers laid out before him. His arguments against Neomi and Edric coming had ceased, his focus directed on the Avaern. Timing was everything. He couldn’t move while the soldiers fired their arrows or he would place himself at risk of being struck. Still, if he hoped to throw the spear with any accuracy and power, he would have to rely on the Ovatai warriors to shift the wind to his advantage at just the right moment. Onuric was observant. He would know when to signal the archers to fire and when to keep them still. Edric had to remind himself to have faith in the ability of the Ovatai to work together in battle. They were more in tune with one another than any other race he’d ever encountered. It was safer to leave some of the tactics in their hands than to worry himself over something he had no control over.

  Seeing his opening Okivra rose from where he sat in wait, rushing into the battle as the last of the next volley was tossed effortlessly aside by the Avaern. He timed his approach well, waiting until the Avaern’s tail had swiped through the area, clearing a path for him to bypass the first obstacle. Edric’s lungs burned from holding his breath in anticipation, cheering quietly for Okivra to make it. They were so close! A few more steps and he would have the perfect angle for the strike.

  In horrified silence he watched as one of the Avaern’s massive wings extended from its body, catching Okivra in its path. For a moment it was as if time stood still, the handle of the spear flung from his hands, tossed to the ground while his limbs flailed wildly in attempts to break his fall. There was no stopping the momentum, his body soaring through the air, colliding painfully with the icy wall which stood between him and the safety of the abandoned camp where Edric and Neomi remained. A loud crack sounded where he connected with the structure, tumbling limply onto the snow at the base of the wall. Neomi’s cries for her father were drowned out by the wind, her figure quickly moving away from Edric to where Okivra had fallen.

  Edric was surprised by the clarity which remained in his head at the realization of what had occurred. Panic seemed the natural reaction, yet somehow his mind was focused on what they needed to do. His first thought was to check on Okivra’s condition. He wasn’t moving. If he was still alive they would need to move him out of the direct range of the Avaern in order to tend to the injuries he suffered from the blow. A strike from a beast of that size would do significant damage to anyone, regardless of their strength. To chance a second assault would guar
antee his demise.

  He continued forward, his concentration broken at the sight of Neomi veering from her father’s unconscious body, directing her path toward the spear where it lie in the snow. Instinct told him to go after her but he had to keep his emotions out of this. If she wasn’t going to get her father then he would have to. They couldn’t leave him there.

  In the distance he could hear another command ordered from Onuric, the wind shifting with incredible force as another volley of arrows rained down from above. At first Edric felt a brief moment of panic before he was reminded that the Avaern would unknowingly protect them from the projectiles. In a powerful swoop it deflected the arrows, granting Edric a chance to grab Okivra’s arms, careful not to jostle him. He was badly injured. It was dangerous to move him at all in case he suffered fractures to his neck or spine but it seemed worth the risk to get him out of range of the Avaern. The broken section of the wall created an opening close enough for Edric to drag him through. He was deadweight in Edric’s arms, making the distance feel longer than it was. With every step he remained on his guard for the Avaern’s tail to come at them. One hit would take him down. He didn’t want to chance being taken by surprise.

  By the time he reached the crumbled wall he was reminded of how tired his muscles were. It took all of his strength to drag Okivra the last few feet, placing his limp form flat on the ground behind the protection of what remained of the walls. He couldn’t offer any more assistance to him right now. Without the use of his energy, there was nothing he could do to aid in tending Okivra’s wounds, and he was far from qualified in handling injuries of such severity. Callum would be better suited for the task once they were able to get the Avaern under control.

  It was easier said than done. Thinking of the Avaern, he was reminded of Neomi, his heart crashing hard inside his chest at the thought of having left her out there alone. Under his breath he whispered her name, turning from Okivra, his eyes focused straight ahead to where Neomi had gone. Quickly he found his way back to the crumbled wall, stumbling over the chunks of ice in his path.