Heric closed the door behind her. He opened the letter. It was Nikali’s familiar handwriting. He had known it since they were children.
Heric,
I know this letter will find you. I have no doubt in your ability to fight in a battle. You could always win in a fight. It’s why my mother never liked you.
I have left. I don’t know when I am coming back, or if I will come back. There are things I need to figure out for myself.
There is so much you need to know. I do not know where to begin. I haven’t gotten all the pieces. I should have told you earlier, but you probably would not have believed me. You probably still will not.
Your father is very ill. He will be dead soon. I trust your reign as Eluan Emperor will be great. Perhaps I shall see it some day.
There was a conspiracy against us. It was orchestrated by Alexus. He had plans to overthrow our family. I do not know how. I do not know why. He died before any of that could be revealed. This is a hard thing to take in- I know. Our teacher, who guided us through life, wanted to lead us to our death.
The Arraws knew about it. Do not trust them.
Somehow Abigail was going to rule. Again, I do not have all the details. Maybe you can ask her about it. Of course, she was a pawn in this as much as any of us.
Use this information wisely, and hopefully never. I bid you my best regards. Until some day.
The night settles. Wind whistles our tune.
Nikali Canning, II
At the very edge of the Eluan Empire, Nikali was alone. He stood at the cliff looking out beyond the map of the known world. At his feet was Insabal’s Canyon. It called to him.
He tied a rope to one of the remaining posts from the now destroyed Alexus Crossing Bridge. The rope flailed into the air and descended down into the mist of the canyon.
Without a further thought, Nikali grabbed hold of the rope and jumped down. He began his journey downward into oblivion.
Heric could have the known world.
Abigail could have the world beyond the map, if she wanted it.
Nikali wanted greater than that.
THE FALL CONTINUES
in
Eluan Falls
The Tides of Utter Undoing
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Eluan Falls: The Inheritors of the World Page 28