Crimson Guard

by Rebecca Challoner

  A melancholy air surrounded us. This could be it. The end. It had been a struggle for us to hold our ground for the last handful of years. But if Etha has a way to eliminate all out powers there was no hope, nothing we would do...

  No. I couldn't accept that. Couldn't give up on the hope of saving our country, of riding the land of violence, poverty, and unlawful killing.

  Straightening my spine, I looked to Volorn, "Volorn, this sound familiar."

  They all looked to me, tense at my statement, "What do you mean?" The King interjected.

  I turned toward him as I relayed, "The first King of Orbain was King Hayesin, as you may know, your highness. What you may not be aware of is King Hayesin was originally a civilian of a country called Vespein. Before he was crowned King of Orbain, he liberated his people, the humans and ceruleans, from the ancients of Vespein when they started using them as slaves and used an artifact to steal their powers."

  The King sat frozen in place as he asked, "When was this?"

  "This was many hundreds of years ago. But it seems the artifact has been found." They all looked at me, even the King, with dejected and lost expressions that caused me to stand and lean against the table and passionately state, "This is not the end. This is not how we lose this war."

  "So what do we do," I snarled at them all. "We now have an advantage, we know that they have an artifact. We know, to an extent, what it does and some history behind it's use. We have now removed one of their moles." I snapped my eyes to Volorn's, showing him my trust in his leadership as I asked, "Now, how do we proceed?"

  Volorn looked at me with an answering spark to my passionate display and turned to his father, "We need to change our battle plans. Immediately. Everything that Wildecrest knew he would have passed on to the enemy. We need to find a way to turn this to our advantage. We will need high power illusionists to cast the illusion that our armies are in the places they're expected to be. In return, we will ambush them. Take them unawares."

  The King studied him, tapping his fingers on the table as he thought through his proposal, "We don't have much higher ground to do so."

  "We will find as much high ground as we can." Volorn shot back, "When we can't we will lore them where we need them. We can spin this to our advantage."

  The King nodded, his face slightly lightening for a moment before asking, "And the artifact? If they bring the artifact and take all our armies powers?"

  "We don't know how powerful the artifact is. It may not be able to remove the whole armies powers." Rema reminded them, "So far Etha has taken single men to experiment on. They haven't tried on groups or armies. It may not be possible."

  "But we don't know that. We have to assume the worst." Averil gently replied, looking guilty for not being more optimistic.

  "We need more information," Axel supplied, rubbing his hand against his six o'clock shadow.

  "We need to remove the threat of the artifact altogether," I chimed back.

  We all nodded, thinking deeply before Axel stated, "We will have to infiltrate Etha. Send someone undercover to find as much information as we can about the artifacts and try to steal the artifact from them."

  We all paused at that. "That would be incredibly dangerous," Averil replied, worrying her lip. "We've just lost Simond, possibly Tam. Can we afford to lose anyone else?"

  Silence descended as we all remembered Simonds murder. It seemed so long ago when in fact it had happened less than a day before. Tam's unknown status, matched with Simonds murder, screamed to me the danger we were all in. The unbeatable image of the Crimson Guard our country had been sold, was breaking.

  But each one of us would fight to the end because, at the end of the day, we were their only hope. We were their greatest weapons and we would fight for the peace of our people.

  "It's Orbain's only hope." I softly answered back, before gathering myself to demand, "Send me."

  Again, all eyes turned to me, Axel quietly whispering to me, "Fawn?"

  I ignored him as I focused on the King, "Send me. As a Mimic, you won't have to worry that anyone can see through an illusion. I can infiltrate areas others can't by changing into animals. Better yet, they won't expect it since I'm the only Mimic in fifty years."

  He studied me back, taking in my clenched fists, the stubborn tilt of my chin and direct gaze. He turned to Volorn, "She has a point."

  It shocked me, that he was deferring to Volorn. As the King, he should be giving the orders and making demands of us. Not deferring to his general, no matter if he was his bastard son.

  Seeing my shock the King gave a tired smile and answered my unvoiced question, "Kovlar knows all your skill sets more than me. Better yet, he is the best General we have seen in generations. I would be stupid not to heed him in his advice in this."

  It took a moment for me to remember that he was talking about Volorn. To remember that Volorn was his last name. And from the warmth of his tone, it was clear that he loved his son, bastard or not.

  "Fawn, Axel, and Rema will go," Volorn announced, breaking through my musings. "Axel has more experience going undercover and as an illusionist, he can help shield you all. As an enchanter, Rema can examine the artifact and tell us more about how it works, if we can destroy it or find a way to negate its effects if for some reason we cannot steal it."

  It made sense, I thought as I looked to Axel and Rema. Both looked grimly determined and I couldn't stop the small disgruntlement I had, flicker through my mind at the idea of spending more time with Rema. But she would be the better choice out of her and Wymar. For all his knowledge, he wasn't as skilled at fighting as Rema and since we would be in the heart of Ethian territory, it may well be needed.

  "I'll send Thorlan and Yvain to find Tam and flush out any of Wildecrest’s traitors," Volorn told his father before turning back to us.

  "Averil, you're to stay in the palace until the King no longer requires you. I'll need you to read all of the councilors minds to make sure they are trustworthy. I don't want this mistake made again."

  Averil made a soft noise of agreement and I almost reminded Volorn that she had already read two people's minds today as well as suffered some blows. But I kept quiet as the King interrupted.

  "Don't do it until your feeling at your best. Until then the palace is on quarantine. No one is getting in or out without my say so. I don't want you to miss a single detail. "

  Averil gave a relieved sigh and the King gave her a small nod before Volorn outlined more of his plan.

  "From there myself and Zan will plan for the oncoming battles. We will find any higher ground we can get and try to plan around every next move they may have. Wymar will be tasked with finding out anything he can about these ancient artifacts and King Hayesin."

  "Fawn, we may need your underground connections for that too. We will need a list of them all and for you to write to them before you go." He commanded and I gave him a nod of confirmation.

  "When would you like us to leave, General?" Axel respectively asked, sensing the shift from friend to his commander.

  A shadow eclipsed his features as he replied, "You all leave in the morning. Everything will be prepared before you wake."

  We all gave a nod of agreement before the King stated, "You have a lot to do, and Orbain's fate in your shoulders. I wish you all the best of luck. You're dismissed."

  Chapter 27

  Axel and I walked out of the palace with a larger weight on our shoulders but with a sense of purpose.

  Volorn decided to remain in the palace for a little while longer to speak to the King and deal with Wildecrest, whilst Averil was shown to a guest chamber. In the morning she would be asked to show all that Wildecrest knew, everything he had told the enemy, as well as interrogate every living soul in the palace. I didn't envy her, or the power she wields, even when it was obvious how useful it was.

  Before we left Volorn had pulled me aside and asked what I wanted to do with Wildecrest. I knew he was asking if I wanted to kill him before I left. />
  After everything I found out, there was a part of me that wanted to. Part of me wanted to return to that cellar and beat him until he was gasping for life, begging me before slitting his throat. But my conscience told me that if I did that, I would turn down a darker path than Tawney wanted me to go. A darker one then I truly wanted to walk. I knew in this war I would eventually do things that would darken my soul, things that I would truly question my morals over. But this was a choice, and I chose not to exact vengeance.

  So I shook my head, opening my mouth to voice my objection when Rema caught my attention.

  Although she was standing still, awaiting her next orders, I could see the barely contained rage she felt at Simond's death. Now that we knew Wildecrest was also the root of his murder, she deserved her revenge just as much as I did. Instead, I told him to offer her the opportunity for vengeance. She needed it just as much as I did.

  The words were barely out of Volorn's mouth before Rema strode straight down to the dungeon, her short hair billowing around her as though her fury took a physical form.

  Maybe I would regret not making that killing blow, one day. But knowing Wildecrest was going to die for the crimes he committed was enough.

  Shortly after we said our goodbyes and made our way out into the night. I was eager to head back to the tower, the events on the day draining on me as I dragged my feet up to the awaiting carriage and threw myself against the padded seats. Axel stepped in moments after, looking as haggard as I did.

  We didn't say anything as the carriage started to sway, telling us the journey back had begun. I just leaned my head back against the carriage wall, letting the steady motion rock me into a light daze when Axel broke the silence.

  "I'm sorry."

  I blinked my eyes open, adjusting my sight to the darkness of the carriage as I replied in surprise, "What are you sorry for?"

  He leaned back against his seat, rubbing the back of his neck, "This wasn't how I planned for our day out to go."

  I let out a clipped half-amused, half disbelieving laugh, "I don't think anyone could have planned this Axel."

  He returned a grim smile, his white teeth shining in my dark before adopting a sincere expression, "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about Volorn sending Simond and Tam to investigate further on Tawney's death."

  I sat there in silence for a moment, trying to sort through the mixed emotions that churned in my stomach at the deception that had made me see red.

  On the one hand, I could understand it. Why get my hopes up if it was nothing? And in the end, it was an ambush, one that had gotten a member of the guard killed and one potentially kidnapped. But on the other... They lied. They gave me the impression that they would share all the knowledge they obtained surrounding Tawney's death. I knew it was petty to hold on to something so minuscule as that, especially after all the knowledge we had found out today. But at the same time...

  I let out a deep sigh, scrubbing my face with my hands before replying, "All things considered, it's lucky I didn't know. Who knows what would have happened to me."

  But Axel continued to studying me in the dark, seeing that small part of anger and distrust that lingered.

  "All the same, I'm sorry," he softly said, remorse colouring his every word.

  I watched him back, taking in his body language and his words. From the beginning, Axel had been kind, understanding. In the end, I couldn't lay the blame on him for this decision.

  "It's okay Axel. I understand." I smiled at him, letting him see I forgave him.

  The carriage rocked up to the tower, slowing down to the door. "Come on, it's been a long day. We both will need our rest for the journey to come."

  Axel gave a sharp nod in agreement before jumping out, holding a hand out for me. I took it as exhaustion hit me, the events of the day truly taking over me and making me beg for some rest.

  But as we walked through the door, the others were waiting. Each face was both solemn and eager. Pleading to know what happened at the palace.

  Axel must have picked up on how bone wary I was because he shooed me up to the stairs, telling me he could take care of it all. That I needed my rest before we go tomorrow.

  I didn't even argue and I hauled myself up the stairs to my room. I barely managed to undress before I tumbled into my bed, my eyes closed and asleep before my head hit the pillow.

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  It felt like only minutes had passed when a knock on the door had me crawling out of bed.

  I opened it to find Wymars red-rimmed eyes and soft smile greet me, "Morning. I brought you some breakfast and orange juice."

  He lifted his arms to show me an assortment of foods on a tray. I opened the door wider and gestured for him to come in, barely containing a jaw cracking yawn.

  "Sorry to wake you so early. But with you leaving in a couple of hours, I wanted to help you prepare." He placed the tray of food onto a chest of draws before reaching into his back pocket. "I also wanted to give you this."

  He pulled out a small, long object that fit comfortably in his hand. I rubbed my eyes a moment, removing the sleep from them before looking again, "You're giving me... A pen?"

  He gave a snort, laughing at my bewildered remark, "Yes, it's a pen. But what you have to learn about me, is that everything I gift to you will never be as it seems."

  "Wymar, it's too early in the morning for you to speak in riddles. What do you mean?" I asked in irritation, my brain still too fuzzed from sleeping.

  He rolled his eyes before pulling out a sheet of paper from my drawer and laying a notebook I didn't realise he had laid on the tray, next to the food.

  "Whenever you use this pen, whatever you write will also be written in this book."

  He demonstrated by drawing a big fat heart on the single sheet of paper, which magically appeared on the front page of the notebook. I moved forward to study what he was doing, half believing I was still dreaming.

  He continued to explain, as though he hadn't just blown my mind already, "If you click this button-" he motioned to a small button at the side of the pen, "-it changes the ink. So when you write in blue, it will go to the General. The last ink, green, is for when you want to send a message Axel or Rema. If you're not altogether, that is."

  I picked up the pen and wrote a simple hello on the sheet of paper, staring in amazement as it also appeared in the notebook beside it. "Wymar, this is incredible! What sort of magic is this?"

  Wymar blushed and shuffled on his feet in discomfort, "This magic comes from my Ethian heritage. I think. Or its something unique to me." Wymar gave a small shrug, "You don't have to worry that shielding will affect it. The shield doesn't recognise the magic as an offensive force, so it leaves the magic alone."

  "But what magic is this Wymar?"

  I gently asked.

  "I... I don't know. It's like a communication type of magic, maybe. This is all I've managed to do with it so far. I used to struggle to get it working over a distance. At first, I could only do it when the notebook was in the same room. But over time I managed to tweak it and now there is no restriction." He bashfully replied, avoiding looking at me in the eye, "It's Ethian magic though. So I don't really talk about it."

  I looked to my friend and seen the shame nearly overcome him. I dropped a hand onto his shoulder and gave it a squeeze, "You're amazing Wymar. You really are."

  He leaned into the touch gratefully and gave me a smile before getting back down to business, "You will need to document everything you find out when you over there Fawn. Every day the General and the King will expect reports. But remember to burn whatever paper write the information down on. You don't want anyone finding out about your deception."

  I gave him a nod of confirmation, "I will Wymar. Don't worry, I'll be careful."

  He bit his lip before enveloping me in a crushing hug, "I know you will. You'll be great. But still, be careful."

  I gripped him back just as tight, taking a deep breath in of e
verything that is Wymar. "I'll miss you. Even though I'll write to you, I'll miss you."

  "I'll miss you too. And look after my sister." I let out a snort of amusement which made him chuckle back, "I know she's hot-headed but she can use someone like you around."

  We both stepped back at the same time, blinking back tears just as Volorn request popped into my head.

  "Oh, I need to write down some contacts for your research into this artifact."

  I turned around and jotted them onto a single piece of paper with my new pen. "This way you have a copy, just in case you somehow lose one."

  "Thanks," he hugged me one last time before stepping back and striding out of the door, shouting over his shoulder, "Volorn said to come down in your Jaeda disguise again. Apparently, you'll need it."