Up in the tower, Heric was dealing with this situation. It was not hard to get Marina’s attention. She had made herself open to Heric’s life the moment the marriage was announced.
He had only returned to her later that morning. The entire previous night was spent watching over Nikali. As soon as he entered the room she threw herself at him. She greeted him with kisses. He held her in his arms until she was finished. When she was through she looked at him questioningly.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“There’s been a problem,” said Heric.
“What happened? Is everyone okay?”
“No, Alexus is dead.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“But that’s not it. There’s more. We ran into some trouble with the avadons last night. Nikali went overboard.”
“The gladiator? Charos? What did he do?”
“It’s complicated. There’s still a lot to learn about Eluan, and what some of us can do.”
“Heric, what’s the problem?”
“We’re leaving today,” said Heric.
“What?! We still have another week together in Louson.”
“Not anymore,” said Heric. “Some Lousons saw what happened last night. Those who didn’t will see the results of what Nikali did. We are preparing to leave. I need to talk to your father. We feel it’s best if we leave today.”
“I’m not ready to go,” said Marina.
Heric paused for the moment. Thoughts began racing through his head: the main one being if Marina did not go, he still had a chance to be with Abigail.
“I’ll get my things ready,” said Marina. Her words brought Heric back to reality. She kissed him on the lips. Before Heric could acknowledge what she had said, she turned around and headed straight for her closet.
“Does my father know about your plans?”
“No, not yet,” said Heric, still stunned at her change in demeanor.
“Good,” she yelled from the closet. “Let me be the one to break the news to him. Please, let me do it.”
“I have that covered already. Just get ready. We want to go as soon as possible.”
Marina stuck her head around the doorway. “What did Nikali do?”
“He used arcan,” said Heric. “It’s a type of mental power. There are plants that we can eat that give us these abilities.”
“What kind of abilities?”
“Users can move things by just thinking about it. They can connect themselves to other living things- feel what they feel.”
“Like avadons?”
“No, it’s not like that,” said Heric. “I think that is why Alexus did not want it to be mentioned. Only certain people indulge in the arcan lifestyle. It does not represent Eluan. There is nothing to fear.”
“I’m not afraid,” said Marina. “I like it. The avadons have terrorized us for all of history. It’s about time we fought back properly.”
“I’m glad you’re accepting of it,” said Heric. “I still worry that others will not be.”
“You’re right. My father will not like what he hears if he finds out about your cousin. We really do have to leave.”
Marina emerged from the closet. She dragged out a giant bag stuffed to the brim.
“Let’s go,” she said.
Forman had gathered the rest of the Eluan group together outside the stables. Their horses were prepared. Abigail kept to herself on a nearby bench the entire time. She wore a black veil to mourn the death of Alexus. Nikali sat near her. His fury arck was at his feet. He would stroke its scales every so often. Neither of the two spoke. Their silence kept them close to each other. There was no expectation of conversation. They could each rest assured they would not be bothered by the other.
Heric and Marina joined them shortly. Marina beamed with a satisfied smile.
“That seemed easy enough,” Forman said to Heric privately.
“They’re all ready to go?” Heric asked.
“Yes,” said Forman.
“What did you do with Alexus’ body?”
“It’s been buried.”
“Did Abigail see it?” Heric asked.
“No, I didn’t think that would be wise.”
“Good,” agreed Heric. “We’ll have a memorial service when we return to Eluan. Have there been any problems yet?”
“Not yet,” said Forman. “Our sudden travel preparations are causing some heads to turn, though. They’re going to figure it out when they see the avadons by the forest.”
“Marina says King Arraw is not going to like what he finds out.”
“It’s time you spoke with him,” said Forman. “We can’t put it off any longer.” He paused and saw an uncomfortable look on Heric’s face. “What are you afraid of?”
“I just wish Alexus was still around,” admitted Heric. “He would know how to handle this. This isn’t something political that a few smiles and compliments can get around. What Nikali and other arcans can do is seen differently here. It scares them. We kept that from them. Now it seems like a stupid move.”
“It was,” said Forman. “Now we have to deal with it.”
Heric, Forman, and Marina went to the King’s hall. Princess Marina got them in immediately. King Arraw sat on his throne, stunned to see the three of them arriving without an invitation.
“What is the meaning of this, Marina?” her father demanded.
As they approached, Marina looked back at Heric. She nodded her head and signaled him to move a few steps forward. Heric took the lead of the group to address the King. He bowed his greeting.
“King Arraw, I regret to say that it is time for us to take our leave,” said Heric. “Last night’s attack brought up many issues. Alexus and my cousin Nikali were out when the avadons emerged. Nikali was wounded and Alexus was killed. I have not come here to place blame. Our mourning is great though. The rest of my group wishes to return home, and I do not disagree.”
“I see,” said the King. “I heard the reports of Alexus’ death. I am sorry for your loss. Last night was chaotic to say the least. The avadons have not attacked this early before. I was also told that you disobeyed an order from Prince Randall. He told you to stay within the castle walls.”
Heric lowered his head, humbling himself to the King. “I could not sit back and wait for the avadons to fall into the trap. It was a successful strategy, but it would have cost the lives of those remaining in the military fort, plus Nikali. I apologize for any insult that I brought upon your son.”
“You fight with your heart, Heric Caning. I can respect that. You also saved the life of my top general. As a leader I appreciate that. I understand your desire to leave. Your journey has already been riddled with misfortune. You fought on with great strength and patience. You may leave with my best wishes.”
Heric stood up tall. His gambit was almost over. The reports from the forest had not come in yet. He still had a window of opportunity to settle things properly.
“Thank you,” said Heric. “I see great things ahead with our new alliance. We have many opportunities to help each other. Last night is but one example.”
Forman tried to hide his shock. He had not expected Heric to say any more about the night before.
“Why is that?” King Arraw asked.
“Out by the forest you will see a pile of dead avadons. They were killed- their hearts ripped out. Alexus and Nikali were able to do it.”
“How?”
“You have read through our history?” Heric asked.
“Yes.”
“Then you know of arcan?”
“I find it lacking in explanation,” said the King. “Your pages speak of the powers of gods and avadons, but not of the gods themselves. How can you have one without the other?”
“That is beyond even me, Your Highness. I do not write the history books. What I know is what I see. I saw people fighting avadons in a style the Lousons never have, using the powers of the gods. Together we can find a way to put an end to them once and for a
ll.”
King Arraw tightened up in his throne. He grew quieter, but tenser. “You are bold, Heric Caning. Alexus had mentioned arcan before. He could only put on a small display. It amazed me, entertained me, maybe even scared me. He could harness powers only avadons had access to, but he had never shown any ability to ward them off. He could not skip through the air. He could not cause panic in the hearts of my men. Are you implying differently?”
Forman tried to communicate with Heric through only his eyes. He stared him down with all his might, trying to get his attention. Heric stood silent for a moment.
“I... I do not know what I can offer,” said Heric, deflected. “What we know of arcan is limited, but I have seen a powerful sight. My offer is open to the future, a future I wish to share with you.”
“I urge you to not tamper with the powers of the gods,” said King Arraw. “It is how our ancestors defeated the destroyers and what scared the rest of the gods away from our land. You clearly do not know what you have. We will deal with the avadons like men. We will slay them one by one until they are gone from our world.”
“Understood,” said Heric. He lost his confidence. His shoulders slumped lower than before.
“You have my leave,” said the King. “Go honorably before my men chase you out. Return to Eluan the triumphant heir. Learn from your mistakes.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” said Heric. “Good-bye.”
“Good-bye,” replied King Arraw.
Heric and Forman turned to leave. Marina stayed where she was.
“What about me, father?” she asked.
“Good-bye,” he said, and looked away from her.
Marina stood still for another moment. She fought back a tear forming in her eye. She watched as her father signaled for a servant to bring him a drink. He paid no further attention to her.
Heric walked back to her. He put his arm around Marina and turned her around. She pressed into his side as they walked out of the King’s hall.
Nikali and Abigail remained with the horses. The Eluan guards kept to their posts forming a perimeter. Only the guards were chatting. They knew enough not to talk to either Nikali or Abigail. Their gloomy faces and distant eyes meant they were not in the mood for conversation.
“Get out of our way,” came from the distance.
The guards came to attention. They huddled together. In front of them were two figures. They tried to force their way past the Eluan guards. Nikali turned his attention to the commotion.
“We know he’s here,” said the man trying to break through the guards. “I can see him, the avadon man.”
Nikali stood up. His body wobbled from the sudden movement. He had still not fully recovered from the night before. His fury arck came to attention along side him.
“What do you want?” Nikali asked.
“We want our reward,” said the man blocked by the guards.
“For what? Who are you?”
“We saved your life,” said the man.
“Let them through,” said Nikali. He was not hiding any more.
The guards immediately backed up revealing Kastor and Tyeche. They stepped forward coming face to face with Nikali.
“I don’t know who you men are,” said Nikali. “I suggest you leave before you are seriously injured. These guards are highly trained and I see no weapon on either of you. You will not be getting anything from me.”
“It’s not them I’m worried about, avadon,” said Tyeche. “We should sick the arcks on you. You are a curse.”
Nikali bent down to pet his own arck. It cuddled up to receive more of his affection. “I don’t see how any of that will help.”
“We saw what you did last night,” said Kastor. “Heric aims to protect you. He trusts you, but we know the truth.”
“If all you’ve come here to do is insult me then you can leave,” said Nikali. “You are no threat to me. You’re reward will be staying alive.”
Kastor swung his fist. Nikali was too slow to dodge it. He was punched square in the jaw. His body gave out and he collapsed on the ground. The arck growled. It knelt, ready to attack. Nikali scrambled to his knees. He put his arms around his arck, and whispered into its ear. The arck calmed down, embracing his master.
The guards were on Kastor and Tyeche. They held back both men, unwilling to release them.
“I can deal with avadon scum like you any day,” said Kastor.
“Kastor. Effet. What are you doing here?” Heric yelled out. He and the others were just now returning to the group. They could see the fight brewing from yards away.
The two Louson soldiers let down their guard. The Eluans restrained them easily after that.
“Heric Caning, how can you let him roam free like this?” Tyeche asked.
“What I choose to do is my business. Nikali is no threat. Now answer my question, what are you doing here?”
“We’ve been dishonored,” said Kastor. “We broke rank and left with you. On our return, Prince Arraw had us expelled from the Louson Guard. He named us traitors. The avadon man’s head will get us our positions back.”
“You gave us the orders. It’s time for you to pay up now. Give us his head and we’ll be even. It’s the proper price,” said Tyeche.
Heric fumed. “You’re blaming me for what happened to you. You made a choice. A choice I am grateful for, but your actions were your own. Saving a life should not be about what rank you receive or how much money you get for it. You do it because it is the right thing to do. Your friends and allies are in trouble: you save them. They will save you in the future. Instead, you return and criticize my command decisions?”
Marina put her hand on Heric’s shoulder. She came forward. This was the first sign of life since leaving her father’s chambers.
“My brother expelled you from the military?” she asked.
“Yes, Your Highness,” said Kastor.
“Heric, darling, I think there is a solution here,” said Marina. “Let them come with us. They can be my personal guard. After all, they did help you out last night, and I could use some Louson company.”
“Do I have a say in this?” Nikali quipped.
“Not really, no,” said Forman, shutting him down. He walked over to Heric and pulled him aside.
“I hate to say this, but it might be for the best if they came along,” Forman told his friend.
“They do not like arcan. They wanted to kill Nikali,” said Heric.
“They are not looking for murder. They just want security. They are desperate. They will adjust. And if they’re with us they won’t be telling drunken tales of what Nikali did. We can contain this- now.”
Heric turned around to address Kastor and Tyeche. “Your Princess is leaving this land. She now requests personal guards, something to remind her of home. You have seen what Eluans can do. Will you protect your Princess?”
“Yes, sir,” said Kastor. “Nobody will harm her, especially no avadon man.”
Tyeche nodded his head in agreement.
“On your knees.”
Both men did as they were told. Heric pulled out his sword. He struck it to the ground.
“Put your hands on the blade, grab tightly.” The men did. Heric held on to the sword from the handle.
“Do you swear to honor the Eluan Empire, to uphold its way of life, to protect its people, and to protect its land?”
“I swear,” said each man.
Heric began twisting the sword. The blade pierced the men’s hands. Blood trickled down to the ground.
“Do you swear to give your life for Eluan if the time arrives? Do you swear to bleed for the future?”
“I swear,” they each said.
“Now, stand,” said Heric. “Stand as men of Eluan.”
Kastor and Tyeche stood, proud as ever.
“Your eyes will be opened up to a new way of life. Eluan is capable of more than you have seen here in Louson. I suggest you keep your mouths shut and your hearts open. Protect my Empress with your life. S
he is your duty now.”
“Yes, sir,” they said.
“And we will no longer discuss what happened last night. The past is over.”
“Understood, sir,” said Kastor.
“Thank you for this opportunity,” said Tyeche.
“Now, it’s time to get out of here,” said Heric. He wiped off his sword and put it back in its hilt. The men pulled strips of cloth from their garments and wrapped up their bleeding hands.
The group broke up and went to their horses. Kastor and Tyeche went off to find their own.
Heric and Forman got on their horses side-by-side. They were ahead of the group, out of ear shot.
“I hope you know what you’re talking about,” said Heric.
“They were desperate,” said Forman. “I know the type. Their whole life fell apart in one night. They just need to know there is a path they can continue to follow. They’ll shape up. I’ll make sure of it.”
Heric looked back at the group. He stared at Abigail, it broke his heart to see her as depressed as she was, and being unable to comfort her.
“Let’s just get out of here,” said Heric. “The farther we get from here and last night the better. We all need to find a new path to follow.”
Shortly after, the group was off. They left behind the walls of the Louson Kingdom. The journey ahead looked less amazing- less mysterious. They knew what was ahead. It was hardship, but a course they all knew they could survive in the end.
Chapter 30
There was no joy in their return trek. Each day was a quiet one. The group did as they were told by Forman. There were no fury arcks tracking them. Even the weather was on their side.
It wasn’t long before the Louson Kingdom was out of sight. Every day passed by in a sort of blur. Every moment was boring and drew on but looking back it was strange how fast it all went.
The morning finally came that Insabal’s Canyon was ahead of them. They could see its hollow presence stretching across the horizon. They stopped right before the bridge. Across the way, the guard stood to attention, ready to welcome the returning caravan.
Eluan Falls: The Inheritors of the World Page 17