Jakobe crawled faster. The beast was tall, and Jakobe was able to crawl underneath it. Jakobe rolled over to his belly and withdrew a dagger. The underside of the creature’s scales looked much softer. Jakobe positioned himself under the creature’s throat and shoved the dagger upward.
A loud squeal pierced the battle cries as the beast frantically thrust its head from side to side. Jakobe swung the sword next, cutting the beast down at its legs. The Toverak stopped moving and collapsed. Jakobe’s eyes winded as he realized he was still directly under the beast. Everything went black.
Jakobe opened his eyes and gasped for air. He shook his head from side to side, trying to figure out where he was. He laid on a makeshift bed created from straw and pine needles. His head spun as he sat up and looked around.
Soldiers sat all around him, rubbing their hands together as they looked at a fire. Jakobe’s hand went to his hilt.
“Relax,” came a soothing, familiar voice.
Jakobe glanced to his left and saw Eloise sitting by the fire. She had several scars across her face, but her wounds had been cleaned. She didn’t look concerned about the soldiers all around them.
The captain walked over and sat next to Jakobe.
“Welcome back,” the captain said.
“Thank you… what happened?”
“You foolishly took on the Toverak by yourself, or rather, you were foolish enough to slide under the giant creature and stab it in its weak spot.”
Jakobe rubbed his eyebrows. It all was coming back to him. This man next to him had been his enemy earlier that day, and now they had defeated a Toverak together side by side.
“Well, whatever everyone else was doing wasn’t working.”
The captain chuckled and patted his hand onto Jakobe’s shoulder.
“I remember there being two Toveraks,” Jakobe said.
“Your lady friend here killed the other. She’s skilled with a crossbow.”
Jakobe tilted his head.
Eloise grinned. “All I had to do was wait for the creature to rear its head upward when the other soldiers were attacking it. Especially after seeing how you’d taken out the other one.”
Jakobe clenched his eyes closed and shook his head. This was all too much for him this day.
“So, I told you I would hear you out after the battle. What have you to say about the king and the red witch?” the captain asked.
“First,” Jakobe said. “What is your name?”
“Captain Telvidius,” he said.
Jakobe’s eyes widened as he recognized the name. “You were in the recent battle with Svana, weren’t you?”
Telvidius nodded. “She convinced me to fight alongside her. But soon after, the king lost his trust in her.”
“The king isn’t the same person anymore,” Jakobe said.
“What do you mean? Is he dead?”
Jakobe shook his head. “No, he’s finally alive.”
Telvidius frowned. “What do you speak of.”
“A dark wizard was controlling him. It’s why he’s been so bloodthirsty for power over the last decade. He wasn’t like this when he first took over the throne. Something changed.”
Telvidius scrunched his lips. “You’re young. Many kings thirst for power when they take over. I don’t see how he’s any different than the others.”
Jakobe’s eyes widened. “You don’t see how he was much worse? He shattered the alliance between the kingdoms.”
“Aye, he did.”
“No matter,” Jakobe said. “What is important is he’s returned to his normal self. He no longer craves the power he once did.”
“And the red witch?”
“She is no witch,” Jakobe said through clenched teeth.
“I wouldn’t be so sure. I’ve seen some of the things she’s done.”
“She is not an enemy of Telluris. She’s never been an enemy of Telluris. In fact, it is because of her that the king is back to his old self. It is because of her that the dark wizard is dead.”
“You seem to have a lot of passion for her,” Telvidius said.
“She has a kind heart, and a kind soul. There is nothing sinister inside of her. Only good.”
“I wish I could take you at your word. After all, you did save me and most of my men from the Toveraks. But sadly, I can’t take anyone at their word these days. I will return to Telluris and find out for myself.”
Jakobe nodded. “I understand. How many… did you lose?”
Telvidius rubbed his eyes for a full minute before he sighed. “Four good men.”
“I’m sorry,” Jakobe said.
Telvidius shrugged. “It’s all part of being a captain.”
“What’s that smell?” Jakobe asked, his stomach rumbling.
“We didn’t want the Toverak to go to waste. Are you hungry?” Telvidius asked.
Jakobe wrinkled his nose. “I don’t know…”
Talvidius laughed. “Don’t worry, while they’re terrifying beasts, they’re delicious.”
They really are. Please save me some, Lingaria said into his mind.
Jakobe huffed a chuckle.
10
Hekla
Fear can conquer the bravest man. It can bring him down to his knees. For the man who could stand up to anything—he still has a weakness. An enemy cannot find that weakness. It is often hidden or buried deep. However, a friend can find it, and if a friend turns on him, he will utilize that weakness. And the bravest man you ever met will fall. He will become the weakest man you’ve ever seen. All it takes is one swift betrayal.
Voadria, The Life Giver, First Dragon Elder, Second Age of Verdil
Hekla stood at the edge of the sea, her blue hair blowing in the gentle breeze. The image of Svana’s pale face, eyes closed etched into her brain. The feeling of failure that lingered, as she wasn’t able to save her permeated every scope of her thoughts. She fought to push out the unwelcome feelings so she could focus on the water kingdom. Hekla didn’t yet feel ready. All she really wanted to do was curl up in her sister’s arms. She was the youngest, and often she still wished she were a child. Though, she knew people were depending on her. It was hard to hold all that weight on her shoulders.
Jetevius walked up beside her and put his hand on her back. Hekla shifted away from his touch as she turned to look at him. His light-green skin was dry, and the gills on his neck flinched. It was clear he needed water. Aequorans couldn’t spend too much time outside of the sea. The ones on the islands survived because of the large waves that crashed over the islands several times a day.
“Jetevius, you can continue without me. I’m not yet ready,” Hekla said.
“I will be by your side,” he responded.
“You need the water. Don’t stay in this dry climate on my account. The last thing I need is for you to melt on me.”
He chuckled. “Melt, I will not.”
Hekla pressed her lips tightly together as she stared at the sunrise. It was a new day, a day full of adventure. Hekla used to crave adventure. She’d been bored at Volican all the time, but now that she had her adventure, she wanted to go back. Hekla wanted to return home. The volcano was safe. Their island was safe. There were no responsibilities. Now, she had an entire race depending on her. And only half of them knew it… the other half, hated her.
“What are you waiting for?” Jetevius asked.
“I don’t want to face the king. I’m not ready.”
Jetevius tilted his head, his emerald eyes sparkling. “Why? You bring great news. The Tellurian king has been restored. He wishes peace.”
“Do you really believe King Renault will desire peace?”
Jetevius was silent.
“I don’t. I believe he will use this as an opportunity to strike Telluris.”
Jetevius’s lips pressed tight together. “I imagine you’re right.”
“What are we going to do if he refuses an alliance?” she asked.
“Kill him,” a voice said from behind them.
“We cannot kill a king,” Hekla said, taken aback by his sudden abrasiveness. She had come to respect the commanding, but wise nature of the man. And it felt so unlike him to say something so cold.
“We must kill the king. If he continues to seek treasure over the good of his people—then we need a new leader.”
There was no arguing that logic, it was the very thing she knew would have to be done all along, but until this very moment, she had held out hope that King Renault could change. Hekla opened her mouth as if she wanted to argue, but she shut it and rubbed her forehead.
“Hekla,” Ecthelion said, “I appreciate you looking for a diplomatic way out of this. And perhaps there is one, but you must realize that if there isn’t. If the king won’t change his mind… he will need to be eliminated. We will need someone new in his place. And I’m not alone in thinking that it should be you.”
“What do I know about running a kingdom?” This was the very thing she had worried about, the one thing she had battled all along on the road. “I do not have the experience, or the wisdom to do so, Ecthelion.” Even if was told to me from the very beginning, Palladin had to know he was making a mistake.
“No king or queen knows how to run a kingdom when they are first appointed. But I will tell you this—” He pointed at her with his webbed index finger. “You are what the Aequorans need. You care. You want what’s best for everyone. You are selfless. You are more a queen now than Renault has ever been a leader.”
“What if it’s not him?” she asked.
Ecthelion tilted his head. “Elaborate.”
“What if he’s possessed like King Armand was? Didn’t you say he was once a good man? Didn’t you say he once loved his wife? Wasn’t it you who said he snapped one day?”
“That is true—” The man did not seem amused with her disregard for being Queen. Nor did he seem interested in listening to what she had to say about the king being controlled. His features immediately distorted, and she could tell he listened, but he wanted nothing to do with what she was telling him.
“Then can’t it also be true that he’s being controlled? What if there’s another dark wizard? Or what if it was the same dark wizard who controlled King Armand? What if when we return, he’s back to his normal self?”
Ecthelion frowned. “I doubt it,” he said, brushing off what she had said, but when she crossed her arms indignantly, he added “but we can at least try, I suppose.”
“Will you come with me?” Hekla asked.
“To the chamber of the man who wants me dead? Do you think I have a death wish?”
“I’m weak,” Hekla admitted.
Ecthelion and Jetevius looked at her with concern. “You are a noble fighter, you can hold your own with him,” Jetevius encouraged her.
“I mean, everything that’s happened over the last week has taken its toll on me. I’m weak, I’m exhausted, and I’m not yet ready to deal with the king. I have used so much magic for healing and fighting, that I have little remaining. If I go to him and demand an alliance with Telluris, and if he opposes me, I don’t know if I can fight him.”
That seemed to get through to them.
“I will stand with you,” Jetevius said.
Ecthelion glanced down. He frowned and could not look at Hekla. “I’m sorry. I cannot risk my life like that. Especially if you’re weak.”
“What if seeing you will snap him out of it? What if us having an alliance with the Tellurians, and seeing you again, his old friend, what if it wakes him up?” Hekla asked.
“And what if it doesn’t?” Ecthelion countered.
Hekla bit her lip. “We have to try.”
“You want to believe that everyone has good in them, Hekla. But let me tell you something, not everyone does! Sometimes good people fall, and sometimes no matter what you do, you cannot persuade them to return,” Ecthelion said, panting as he did so, he scrunched his eyebrows, his mouth turned slightly downward.
“I have to believe people are better than that,” she countered, not believing what she was hearing.
“Believe without me, I’m not coming.” Ecthelion crossed his arms.
“You have allies, Hekla. A lot more than you think. I will pass the word around, and we won’t be going into the heart of Aquarius alone. Do not fear. We will have allies.”
“Thank you, Jetevius,” Hekla said.
“I will wait for you outside the city,” Ecthelion said. “I will do what I can to make your passage out easier.”
“My passage out?” Hekla asked.
“When the king doesn’t listen to reason, and attacks, I will help you escape. It’s the best I can do.” He maintained his steely demeanor, but she could see the concern in his eyes even as he fought it.
Hekla nodded. “I understand. And, thank you.”
She leaned in and kissed his forehead. She saw his stone demeanor melt under her small token of affection, and his cheeks slightly darkened. Hekla knew it was a lot to ask him to come with her. She had her suspicions that he would refuse. Hekla didn’t fault him for it. He was brave once, but after all he witnessed from the king, he was scared. A lot of people feared the king. Hekla couldn’t blame any of them. So much blood had been spilled at the king’s hand, innocent lives taken.
It was time for things to change. And if the change had to come through her; so be it. She would do everything she could to turn the water kingdom around. The people she had met, like Luna. Dear Luna. They were good people. And they deserved so much better. If the king wouldn’t give it to them, Hekla would.
11
Astrid
It is fear that builds in a man’s heart that often blocks us from the greatest good we have ever known. To discover something greater, we must tear down those walls and embrace the destiny that awaits each of us, even if our feet are shaking, and we must take our next steps in blind faith. That is the path that turns weakness into strength and dread into achievement.
Airlyoth, The Warrior, Second Dragon Elder, Third Age of Verdil
Astrid turned away from the Caelestans, agitated by Quimby's responses and cold attitude toward Cayden. She turned her back and began walking away, holding her bow tightly in her hand. It didn't matter what the king said, she would fight him if she had to. Anger spurred her forward quickly, and she blocked out the sounds around her.
"Astrid!" Cayden called to her. She shook her head, not wanting to stop and turn around. "Astrid!" he called again, "don't let your pride get the best of you," he cautioned her, finally catching up.
Astrid could feel her eyes burning and fought back the emotions that welled up.
"Holy crow, you're stubborn! Stop!" Cayden shouted.
She finally stopped, and turned to face him, having put enough space between them and Quimby.
"I'm not stubborn! He had no right to act like that! He knows me better than anyone. He has been there from the first moment I stepped foot here. He was there when I was given my first order to defeat the Tellurian armies that camped at the base of the sky kingdom steps, so for him not to trust me, it's just--" Astrid couldn't place her finger on all the emotions she was feeling. Shattered trust, betrayal, hurt, and so many more. She rubbed her eyebrows as frustration took over.
"I get it, Astrid. You deserve his confidence, it's not about the fact that he didn't want me here. It's about the fact that everything he said indicates that he doesn't trust you, right?" He placed his hand on her shoulder, and she closed her eyes.
"After all this time, everything I have fought through. I have done all that was requested of me, and he still..."
"Astrid, it's all right. I am not offended. He just wants to keep his people safe, that's all. I can't guarantee that I wouldn't do the same thing. I'm the enemy in his eyes, it's fine," he spoke calmly, unfazed by the exchange.
"No, that would work if it was anyone
else. It's me though. I have sacrificed so much for them. My sister lays dying, and instead of being by her side, I'm here with you, trying to show my loyalty to the Caelestan kingdom. As I always do." Her head drooped, and she shook it in defeat.
His hand dropped from her shoulder, to her hand, and he tugged at it gently.
"Come on, I know it'll be all right. Perhaps we can hold off on going to visit the king? Instead, let us go back to Quimby, and the rest of your people. They're going to need you, and you're going to need them." He strode back toward the Caelestans, and with her hand in his, she allowed herself to be pulled reluctantly along.
No one had moved a muscle in the minutes that she had left. Quimby's eyes watched Cayden's and Astrid’s every step. Astrid could feel the distrust like a dark blanket settling over them, and she hated it.
"Ahem," Cayden cleared his throat, allowing her to withdraw for the moment so she could figure out what she wanted to say. "Caelestans, Quimby, I realize that my presence here may be unexpected and worrisome to some of you. I understand. I am an outsider, but not just from here. I am an outsider from my own lands as well. My king, though reformed, has caused irreparable damage. His rule has ensured that no one in all the lands could possibly trust us, and I understand why. He can never bring back the loved ones that he stole from you. He can never return your king's son to him. What he has done, it will live on forever, in not just your heart and mine, but also in his. He must live with what he’s done. However, I ask of you, that if we are to make a better future for us, for our young ones who will take over our lands at some point, we must again learn to trust one another."
"No! We will never give our trust to the Tellurians!" Quimby yelled out.
"Quimby, please... allow me my piece," Cayden pleaded. The man didn't say anything else, and so he continued, "I do not ask you to trust them all at once, that would be dangerous. There are still many who would follow the laws and commands of the man who was once king, the man who contained such darkness that no one could reason with him. Those Tellurians, they cannot be trusted, and you must be cautious… always. The problem we face is so much more than just who sits on the throne. It lies in the hearts of each of us, does that make sense?"
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