He leaned close to me, wearing a snicker. "If I gave you a knife now, would you kill me, Cyric?"
My throat got thicker than it already was, my brows dipped low, and I couldn't stop them.
Lox's smile came in a breath. His lips moved close to my ear. "I want you to remember how weak you are. I want it to be the last thing you remember." He pulled away from me, locking his eyes to mine. My nose burned fiercer than ever, to the point that I was sure my eyes must be watering, but I tried to stay still. I could feel my breath rising with every heart-beat. But like when I had my nightmares, I thought of Ellia.
Lox turned in a circle. "This will be the end of traitorous soldiers," Lox announced. "Today will serve as a lesson to all of you. Lieutenant Dracla will be the first to taste the punishment that will befall those that defy the new rule of Akadia."
He stepped back from the center of the platform, towards the edge of the crowd. And for a moment there was uncertain silence. Then there was a single pound. It sounded distant, and might have been dismissible if not for the shutter it had caused in the granted mountain. Immediately the crowd began to look down, and amongst themselves. I worried that one or more of the behemoths had been captured, but then the pound came again, and this time it was accompanied by a scrape.
Attention turned to the hole of the largest cave. An opening across the platform from me. The pounds continued, getting louder and more often with scrapes. Then I heard the first screech.
My mind was far ahead of me. All I could do was try to keep my shaking body tempered enough to keep me standing.
There was a large crash from within the cave. And soldiers backed further to the edges of the platform. I saw a hundred memories. Great wings, blocking out the sun. Claws as wide as a man's body. I saw their speed. And the way they broke through the air. I saw a black dragon with a purple sheen, hunting deer through the forests when it was just a child. I remembered the way she screeched when I came near, and how Ellia used to pet its scales and wash her, musing about how beautiful she would be once she was grown.
By the time I surfaced from my memories, a claw had emerged from the blackness of the cave. And then there was a snout, spilling gusts of steam. And then violet eyes glowed.
There was barely a moment for the crowd to react to this, before the dragon threw its head back and gave a loud cry. After that it slammed itself forward, taking in half the platform and emerging completely from the cave before it was yanked back by chains bound on its neck. Akadians cried out and jumped back. Lox wore a grin. The dragon dug its claws in after the yank. She was two times the size that she had been, not nearly as large as Sarx, Savras's male dragon, but her claws metallic and razor-edged. Her fangs were long and sharp. More chains bound her legs—though she didn't look anymore to be resisting. Lox had his full concentration on her. He stood between her and the crowd, still out of her reach.
I could hardly believe my eyes. I didn't know whether I was more scared, or more angry. I had hoped, that, even though I'd been struck down, that she had somehow escaped and flown away. I'd hoped it even when it hadn't been read amongst my crimes. I hadn't been able to bear the thought that I hadn't given Ellia back her most precious dragon.
She craned her head back and screeched in the air again, then it snapped directly down, eyes locking on me.
Lox yelled out something. But I couldn't hear what it was. Shouts followed his words though. Shouts from the others around. I noticed Slark as I took a step backwards, moving to the front edge of the ledge. I noticed him because he stood to the left of the high section, just where Ellia would have been for my father, at his death, if the situation was mirrored. And his eyes were almost as bright. And he wore the same pitying frown she had.
I wanted to be strong more than anything, but I felt like a child all over again. I backed away some steps, while the cheering of the crowd continued, and even Lox moved away from the dragon.
Her teeth were bared, and her form was tense. She was trained on me now. As she loped closer, right then left, there was a point where I realized it was actually perfect. It was actually better like this. Kraehe had, at one time or another been, or maybe even still was, bonded to Ellia. In a way, it was like Ellia was here with me. Even like she was killing me. I didn't want to die, but if I had to, and I got to pick who would kill me, it would be Ellia—if only because it meant I'd be with her until the last moment.
It was strange. But even through years of living in the same Keep, even though miles and oceans separated us, even though I probably wouldn't ever see her again. I felt like I was closer to Ellia now than I ever had been before. Maybe there was a physical barrier, but the other things that had kept us apart for our whole lives, that I'd made or caused to keep us apart, were gone to me. I wasn't afraid if I wasn't good enough for her, and I didn't care what I had done wrong. If anything would make up for what I'd done, it would be dying, right? So even though I knew there wasn't enough I could do to win her back, it didn't matter anymore. If I saw her now, if I was with her now, I knew what I'd do, and that was as close as I could ever remember being.
Kraehe was near enough that my neck was strained up to look at her. I actually thought in my head that I was scared. I thought to Ellia that I was scared. Adrenaline surged through my body, making it impossible not to shake, and I'd never breathed so hard. The behemoths' cavern was some yards away at my back, but my chains had reached their end. The sun kept Kraehe shimmering a brilliant rainbow of dark colors.
She threw a glance over her shoulder, screeching for the last time at nothing in particular. And then she stretched her neck to me. And I knew what she would do next. I clenched my fists tight and locked down on my jaw. Her nostrils dipped down, then she opened her mouth.
I thought it was a long-shot, but on the off chances that: Ellia had been right and Tosch really was a granted animal; that he'd survived the behemoths' escape, and that he and I had some ability to communicate, I told him to find a way to tell Ellia that I loved her, and that I was sorry, and I didn't want her to forget me, even if it made life harder for her.
I saw the orange flames forming in Kraehe's throat, and then I closed my eyes tight and wished myself away.
And so it came true.
Chapter Seven
ELLIA:
"No Minstrel, I was serious about that line," I laughed.
The pint-sized gnome gave me a frown, as we climbed up to the complex.
"Listen... Once dear Winstrum won the war, he didn't know what it all was for. So he bought some land to grow fresh fruit, and he also learned to play the flute."
Minstrel was already shaking his head. "What farmer grows only fruit? Certainly not one from Gilgatrox. Also, you can't end the whole tale with the mention of a flute, not unless it's comedic. No, it should be something like: Once dear Winstrum won the war, he didn't know what it all was for, So he bought himself a grand estate, for planting season he would wait. A maiden caught his eye as well, the moment she his gaze befell, his soul was drawn to play the lyre, and from thus on his aims reached higher. Free from war, dear Winstrum. He preferred life free from war."
"Minstrel," I exclaimed, my voice a complaint. "I thought you said you couldn't write. I wouldn't have ventured to offer you a suggestion otherwise."
"I wouldn't like to lose your suggestions, lady Ellia. They inspire me to go on. Perhaps tonight you could assist me with a tale I'd like to write about the White Tigers."
"If I do, I'm keeping my mouth sealed. I can't imagine what I'd say to rhyme with tiger." I lifted my brow as I ducked a branch, almost to the Warrior's pavilion. "But you could use white and fight together. Since the white tigers are so fond of fighting."
"Tigers white, they like to fight," he mused.
"They might decide to use it as a battle chant."
Minstrel and I broke into laughter at our own silliness, or perhaps the silliness of the concept, and I was paying so little attention to my direction that I crashed into Gael just as he called my name.
<
br /> "Oh. I'm sorry, Gael."
He straightened me out by the shoulders, putting very little distance between us before speaking. "Finally. You're needed in the Warrior's Chamber. Lucian's been calling for you."
"Lucian?" I repeated.
"Don't worry. We've just gotten word from the north. There's a meeting with all the Warriors. Something about Nain."
"Nain?"
His mouth flipped to a smile, though it was humored enough to make me think it was because of my repetition of names, rather than for our shared joy. "Yes, Nain. Now, come along. It's already started."
"Can Minstrel come too?" I asked.
Gael cocked his head. "I'm not even allowed in. Just First orders, and Lucian. But he can wait outside with me..... If you like Minstrel, minstrel?" He glanced at the gnome.
"These small ears are abler than you might suppose," he sang. "I'd gladly wait and hear what I can."
"I'll show you to my best spot for it, then," Gael said, and then he put a hand on my back and prodded us on.
When we got to the Warriors Chamber, there were Yanartian Warriors crowding into the entrance, along with chimera, and it only took a quick glance to tell that more than first order warriors were entering. Gael had led us up from another side, but he nodded down to the spectacle. "Look's like we might be able to watch after all," he told Minstrel. But he ushered me through the door first. It opened up to a small alcove that didn't extend for very long before breaking into the Warrior's chamber. We were far off to the side, surrounded closely by wood, but the whole of the Warriors' were set in their places around and below us. The rest of the chamber was filled, even clogging the room beyond, all a bustle with an excited loudness. I couldn't tell if anything had been said yet.
As soon as I'd walked in to the front of our viewing space, I saw Lucian beside me. He stood with his arms crossed, beside the beginning row of first-order Warriors. Even against his usually staid demeanor in such ordeals, I could see a fire behind his eyes that told me it must truly be something amazing.
"I can't quite spot the chamber," Minstrel complained, hopping at the half-wall that surrounded our space.
Lucian looked over just then. His ruddy eyes flicked from Minstrel, to me, then over Gael, then back to me. He swallowed before tipping his chin up. "Where have you been?"
"Minstrel and I just got back from the mountain. What's going on?"
I asked this and then absently reached down to pick Minstrel up to see better, but before I could, Gael hefted him up and set him on the wall. It was the same cut of wood that connected to the warrior's bench, further on around the room. We were at the farthest end of it.
"Better?" asked Gael.
Minstrel nodded and sat, letting his legs fall over the edge of the side. Gael released him, then leaned forward over the wall on his elbows.
I looked back at Lucian, still waiting for his response, but he bent down to a question from one of the first-order Warriors. I took a quick scan of the room and saw Amalia almost opposite me, in one of the seats behind the bench. And I saw Estrid, just one among the crowd, but distinguished by her black hair. But the person that I was really looking for, I couldn't spot.
"Where's Selkie?" I asked Gael.
He shook his head, cluelessly.
I bit my lip and turned to Lucian, but before I could try and get his attention, Elminster stood up, raising his arms as he did so. He wasn't the only Warrior to be standing, but at this gesture, the chamber quieted.
"Those who've only just entered, please be patient to wait for the news. Most here have only heard the beginnings of it ourselves, and we're all very anxious to attend the full tale."
Elminster's slow voice, for once, in the tumult of the chamber, didn't seem so absurd.
Alec Scarn gave him a bow, and Elminster lowered his arms. The chamber had gone some semblance of quiet. Alec stretched a hand down to the shoulder of a warrior that stood below him, just past the bench, at the floor of the chamber. The man was flushed, with unkempt hair, and frenzy mingled with exhaustion to his features. When he spoke, everyone listened, and his words came with gasps. "I'm Palcus of the second order. I've been stationed in Selket. That's where I bring word. This bit I've said, but," he took a breath, and then went on, now wearing a smile, "Yesterday we were approached by a man coming from the west. He rode an Akadian steed, so we thought he'd be a soldier, but on closer approach it was none other than prince Nain of Karatel." Some of the room broke into gasps, mostly those at the back. I felt my eyes lighting, and my mouth lifting at the edges. I used the pause to lean over the railing towards Lucian and call him closer. Once his ear was bent to me, I spoke. "Where's Selkie?"
He craned back wearing a loose smile. "She's already left for Selket. She went as soon as we heard. Nain was hurt so he couldn't fly here."
"Is he—"
"He'll be fine. No lost limbs or anything."
My smile grew wide, while Lucian turned back to the speaker, and I felt great appreciation that he made it a point to learn such details.
"Selkie's already on her way to see him," I whispered to Minstrel.
He whooped at the news, and even Gael smiled.
Then a question rose above the other sounds.
"How did he get free from Akadia?"
All the chamber grew quiet, as it was likely the question that everyone wanted answered.
"That's not the first of it," the Warrior told us. "Before Nain had come, we'd gotten word, from our spies in Karatel—that something had happened in the despotized city. First, that Prince Nain had been freed. And even more incredible, that the granted animals of Akadia, the behemoths, had been released into the desert." The astonishment in the chamber was palpable, even from the first-order warriors, leading me to guess they hadn't heard this part. The speaker went on to dead silence. "But we weren't sure of it, of course. It seemed too good to accept. I can assume most all of you know by now, that the Akadians have been using the behemoths to work their mines, so it didn't make sense that they could have released them. We went about confirming the news, but before our scouts had even returned, Nain arrived. And he himself confirmed its truth. Prince Nain was there when the behemoths were released. He was part to their exit; it's when he made his escape. And it wasn't Malatos Lox that allowed it. The Behemoths were set free against his will. Against the will of Akadia. Apparently it all happened within a night, and along with Nain, and old commander of Akadia was set free. The commander before Scanth, by the name of Tarful. He was replaced only just before the war began, and sent underground for treason, though Nain informed us that it was all a ruse."
Amalia caught my attention with a glance at this mention, and I should have been thinking of her. I'd told her about the subject not long after I'd returned from my captivity. I hadn't thought it important for all the Warriors to know (I hadn't wanted to because of Cyric's part in it), but I'd told her to let her know that Molec hadn't simply gone back on his treaty against Karatel, that he had—whether it meant that it wasn't his fault or not—been tricked by Lox to do it. I'd left it for her to decide, whether she would tell Lucian or the other Warriors.... But this was not what I was thinking of. My mind was repeating Tarful's name over and over, like I had the names of the other victims of Cyric's assassinations, the night I'd intended to kill him.
I thought of Tarful, and I thought of Nain, and I thought of the behemoths. And realizing they were the three individuals I would most wish—each for their respective reasons—to be free from Akadia, my heart was beating faster.
Nain had been imprisoned.
Tarful had been imprisoned.
The behemoths had been imprisoned.
Lox had not wished any of them free.
There was one piece of the puzzle missing.
"Upon Nain's word, we went to scout the behemoths ourselves. I've seen them with my own eyes. Some have moved to the west towards Carba. Others have settled in the fields between the forests of Shaundakul and the desert."
"But h
ow did it all happen?" Lodan Falster voiced, echoing the cries of others throughout the room. My own heart's exclamation.
The Warrior looked at Lodan. Then he narrowed, his features twisting to a shocked, almost disbelieving frown. "Strangest of all," he said. By now my ears were drowning in the sound of my heart beats. And I grabbed the ledge of the railing, leaning. "It was an Akadian Lieutenant." The speaker blinked, as if still doubting his own words. "It was one of Lox's Lieutenants."
I closed my eyes tight, clenching my teeth to keep still. But I must not have been able to abandon my sight for very long, because I saw Lucian turn to look at me, and I saw Minstrel turn to look at me, and Amalia. The three that were the only ones that knew about Cyric. There was also a fourth presence, distant, but in my surge of emotion, she'd felt me, and I'd felt her enough to know that she was headed down from the mountain now.
"Do you have his name?" someone shouted. And I only realized when the crowd glanced towards us that it had been Gael. I also recalled that since he'd been the one to see me save Cyric, and even inform Lucian about our exchange, that it was possible he guessed the hypothesis too.
I couldn't look away from the speaker, who swallowed thickly, then answered as if unwilling. "Lieutenant Dracla."
Some of the chamber made no response, but others showed great reaction. The first-order Warriors, especially, no doubt because so many of them had fought in the largest battles, and in the far north, where Cyric had so often been. Alec and Lodan shared a glance. Baraduce dropped the one of his brows that still showed; though, it had been almost completely narrowed before.
"Impossible," one of the warriors from the crowd shouted.
The speaker shook his head. "Nain confirmed it. He told us that it was Dracla who had freed him from his prison, and freed Tarful, and he'd made the plan that freed the behemoths."
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