The Rise of the Dawnstar

by Farah Oomerbhoy

  Once Maggie had revealed who she was, Tristan and Cade looked at her with a mixture of awe and reverence. For an Alkana to reveal her true form to a fae was considered the highest privilege.

  “Where is she taking us?” I whispered to Tristan as the griffins descended into a small clearing deep in the forest.

  “I don’t know. But we need some answers, and the Alkana’s knowledge of all things ancient is vast beyond belief,” Tristan said as we dismounted. “The Alkana are immortal and have been around since the Age of the Ancients. They also have a powerful gift of seeing the future.”

  We came to a cottage hidden among the foliage. It was an exact replica of the cottage where I met Maggie for the first time, during my journey through the Willow Woods in Eldoren. The Alkana flew down from a nearby branch, changing in midair to her old fae lady form, and we followed her inside.

  The hut smelled of lavender and vanilla, familiar and comforting.

  Maggie sat down on a chair by the fire and tried to warm her hands. “Close the door, Prince Tristan.”

  Tristan closed the door behind him and leaned against it with Cade beside him. He never questioned how she knew who he was.

  “Come here, child.” She held out her hand to me. “Be a dear girl and brighten these flames, they seem to have gone cold.”

  I shot a small flame at the fire and it roared to life.

  “Much better,” Magdalene said as I knelt down beside her on the small fur rug. “The draft does make my old bones ache dreadfully.”

  She had told me once that she was over a thousand years old, but I never thought to ask how many years older.

  “But Maggie, if you are an Alkana,” I said, “why were you disguised as Rafe’s nurse when he was young?”

  The Alkana turned her violet eyes on me. “It was imperative that the Prince of Eldoren trusted the fae and had personal ties that would shape his character into the king he is meant to be. It was all a part of a much larger plan.”

  “Which is? The last time we met you told me my destiny was set before I was ever born, and that my choices would determine the fate of all Avalonia.”

  Maggie smiled. “You have a good memory.”

  I smiled back. “It’s not something you are likely to forget.” She might be a mythical bird woman in her true form, but to me she was still Maggie. “So how is Rafe a part of this plan?”

  Maggie chuckled. “I see his impending marriage has not dulled your feelings for Prince Rafael,” she said, flicking a glance at Tristan. “Do you trust them?”

  I looked over at Tristan and Cade where they were leaning against the door. Tristan glared at me.

  I looked away and nodded. “Yes, I trust them.”

  “Good,” said Maggie, leaning back in her chair and joining her hands. “I watched you fight at the temple tonight— you have become a fine warrior, my girl. But I fear the worst is yet to come. Now tell me, what would you like to know?”

  I had so many questions, and they all tumbled out of my mouth at once. “The priestess told me to find Abraxas and destroy the book. What did she mean? Is that actually possible?”

  “Anything is possible,” said the Alkana. “But the magic of the Book of Abraxas prevents it from being destroyed, except by the one who wrote it.”

  “So who was Abraxas?”

  “Abraxas,” answered Maggie, her eyes swirling with silver, “was an Elder Dragon, one of the seven dragons in ancient Avalonian legends.”

  My mouth fell open. “Abraxas was a dragon?”

  Maggie nodded. “The oldest and most powerful of all the Elder Dragons.”

  “But why did Abraxas write the book?”

  “An ancient dragonlord bound Abraxas with powerful magic and compelled him to write down all the knowledge of the Elder Dragons in what we call the Book of Abraxas,” said Maggie. “That is how he released Dragath into this world.”

  “But the dragons are gone. Defeated by Dragath in the demon wars,” I said, glancing at Tristan and stating what I had been told. “How can we destroy the book without Abraxas?”

  Maggie’s eyes turned silver and her voice deepened. It was the voice of the Alkana. “The dragons were indeed defeated by Dragath in the demon wars. But there was one dragon Dragath could not defeat.”

  I gasped. “Abraxas is alive?”

  Maggie nodded. “Yes, the mighty dragon still lives.”

  I opened my mouth to ask another question, but the Alkana raised her hand.

  “Dragath had the book, and the knowledge of magic that could bind Abraxas and take away his powers,” she continued. “Even with the book, Dragath could not kill Abraxas, because that is the one thing not written down anywhere: how to kill him. He deliberately left it out when he wrote the book. So Dragath could only bind him using the power of the book and trap him in a magical prison, just as he trapped the fae in the dagger.”

  “So where is he now? How do I find him?”

  “The ancient magic that binds Abraxas is very complicated, as the Dark Dagger is. Dragath bound the great dragon in a magical prison in between worlds, a fate worse than death for an immortal. The same magic that can break the curse on the dagger can also break the bindings on Abraxas wherever he is and summon him.”

  My eyes widened. “The Dawnstar!” I said, finally understanding what she meant.

  The Alkana smiled, her eyes swirling silver. “Yes, the ancient magic of the Dawnstar is the only way to free Abraxas.”

  Tristan, who had been silent all this time, spoke. “I’ve heard the stories of this ancient weapon Illaria Lightbringer supposedly promised the world, but it is only a myth. No one has ever found it in five thousand years. We cannot search for something that doesn’t exist.”

  The Alkana turned her head to Tristan. “The Dawnstar is real, Prince Tristan. Just because no one has ever found it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

  “Then how do we find it?” I asked. “I don’t even know what this ancient weapon looks like.”

  “Right now we have bigger problems. We don’t have time to run around looking for a weapon that can’t be found,” Tristan interrupted. “Someone is after the Fae Codex, and we need to find out why.”

  Maggie nodded. “Yes, Prince Tristan, you are right. There are difficult times ahead, and all of you must prepare yourselves for the worst.”

  “What do you mean?” The Alkana never seemed to give a straightforward answer. “Why do they want the Codex?”

  “The Codex holds many secrets,” said the Alkana gravely. “But the most important one, the one I believe they are searching for, is the location of the Book of Abraxas.”

  My eyes widened. It all made sense ; that’s why the priestess wanted me to destroy the book. “So whoever is behind the attacks on the temples is probably working for Morgana. They are trying to steal the book?”

  Maggie nodded.

  “Do you know who it is?” I held my breath.

  “No,” said Maggie. “Contrary to popular belief, the Alkana do not know everything. But whoever it is must be powerful enough to hide themselves from me.”

  “Is there anything more you can tell us?” I said. “We need to know where the book is hidden if we are going to protect it.”

  “Go back to the Crystal Castle, Aurora,” said Maggie. “The answers you seek lie there. Your grandmother will need you now more than ever. Morgana is coming and I fear the worst. If she gets her hands on the Book of Abraxas all will be lost.”

  “So are you saying the Book of Abraxas is in the Crystal Castle?”

  “Yes,” said the Alkana, “and so is the person who wants to steal it.”

  It was as if a switch had been flicked in my mind. “The door!” Now it all made sense. “That’s what my grandmother and the elders are hiding behind the door in the catacombs— the Book of Abraxas.”

  Maggie smiled. “Clever girl.”

  “But if someone was searching the catacombs for the door, they must already know it’s there.” I told her about the werewra
iths I had encountered in the library. “Why kill the priestesses for the Codex?”

  “The chamber is protected by powerful magic and the door is sealed by ancient spells,” said Maggie. “Whoever is after the Fae Codex knows that only the Codex can tell you how to open it.”

  “But why does the door have Illaria’s symbol on it?” I asked.

  “According to the Codex, that chamber was once part of a massive stronghold destroyed by Dragath in the demon wars,” said Maggie. “The elders had the Crystal Castle built on top of the ruins of Illaria Lightbringer’s ancient fortress, and hid the Book of Abraxas in the safest place they knew.”

  “Is the Dawnstar there too?” I held my breath. I had to know for sure.

  The Alkana shook her head and her immortal eyes looked weary. “No, child, the Dawnstar is not in Illaria’s chamber.”

  “Then where can I find it?” I urged her to continue.

  “That I cannot reveal. The magic that protects the Dawnstar prevents me from telling you where it is.”

  Tristan stepped forward and addressed the Alkana. “Thank you for your help.” He turned to me. “We must return to the castle immediately, Aurora. There is no more time to waste.”

  We left the southern mountains at dawn and flew back to the capital. The centaur guards opened the doors to the city as we got off the griffins and walked to the castle.

  “Did you know the book was hidden here in the castle?” I said softly to Tristan.

  He shook his head. “I had heard stories of a chamber under the castle which supposedly belonged to Illaria Lightbringer. But that door has not been opened for centuries. The queen and the elders have wards down there to prevent anyone from finding it. I had no idea that’s where the elders were hiding the book.”

  “But I found the door.”

  “I don’t know how you did that,” said Tristan. “We must warn the queen. If someone is after the book we must find out who it is and stop them.”

  The castle was all a-bustle when we got there. House sprites, usually so discreet, were running about helter-skelter getting the palace ready for what looked like another feast, which had obviously been planned at the very last minute. Tristan stopped a house sprite to ask him what was happening, and the little fellow jumped when Tristan put his hand on his shoulder.

  He composed himself. “A feast, your Grace. The Grand Duke, your father, has just arrived. He’s in the throne room with the queen.”

  Tristan swore under his breath and stalked off. I had to run to catch up, and he slowed down enough for me to fall into step with him. I smiled. At least we were making some progress—usually he would have stormed off without a backward glance.

  “You didn’t know your father was coming?”

  Tristan shook his head. “He’s probably heard Izadora has ordered us to marry.”

  “Do you think he will be against it?”

  Tristan shrugged but his shoulders were tense. “I will meet with the dowager first; she will know what is going on. I also need to inform her of what we’ve found out. Go and find Penelope, we will need her help. Meet me in the throne room. We need to speak to Izadora together.”

  I nodded and went looking for Penelope, but she was not in her room. I wondered why the Grand Duke of the Night Court had come to the palace. It obviously wasn’t a scheduled visit. I knew I shouldn’t eavesdrop, but the lure of the secret passage was too much for me to resist.

  I found the loose stone and moved it away, listening in case there was anyone coming up the stairs, then turned the handle. Pushing open the door, I entered the secret passage connecting different parts of the Crystal Castle. I found the place where I could see into the throne room and peered through the stone.

  “My son will not marry that half-breed,” sneered the Grand Duke, crossing his arms as he stood before the queen of the fae.

  Tristan’s father was a powerful man, tall and well built; I could see his warrior stance as he spoke to the queen. His midnight black hair was long and tied at the nape like Tristan and he wore a silver circlet on his head.

  “That half-breed,” said my grandmother, her golden eyes hard, “is my granddaughter. Her powers are equal to that of any High Fae. When she takes off her amulet she is stronger still. You would do well to curb your tongue while in my court. Tristan will marry who I say he will marry. Or have you forgotten our bargain?” She smiled. I knew that smile; the Grand Duke was in trouble.

  Tristan’s father paled visibly, his alabaster skin taut on his high cheekbones. “You will regret this, Izadora.” His eyes narrowed.

  “I regret many things, Kildaren. But I always do what is best for this kingdom. As should you.” My grandmother rose slowly from the throne. “I will announce their betrothal tonight at the feast.”

  I ran back to my room. I had heard enough. I had to talk to Penelope about everything I had found out and meet Tristan in the throne room.

  Penelope was still not in her room. The guards then found me and informed me I had been summoned.

  My grandmother was seated on her throne, a grim expression on her flawless face. Kildaren was gone and the dowager, Tristan, and Penelope were already standing below the steps. I bowed before the queen and her gold eyes flickered as she regarded me.

  “The Codex is gone.” Izadora’s voice was sharp, cold. “Whoever has it knows Elfi’s deepest secrets. If this person is working for Morgana . . .”

  “If this person is working for Morgana,” Penelope interrupted, “they know where the Book of Abraxas is hidden and will be going after it.”

  “Penelope,” said the queen sharply.

  “No, Izadora, Aurora should know the truth. You cannot keep secrets from the ones who must protect the book. I told you this would happen, I told you Morgana would stop at nothing to find it, and you didn’t listen. You thought we had more time, that she would never find a way into Elfi, but she has.”

  “I know that,” snapped the queen, standing up and walking slowly down the three steps toward us. “That is why we cannot wait any longer. Aurora and Tristan’s betrothal must be announced tonight.”

  “Tonight?” I tried to find any excuse to stall it. “Can’t it wait? We have more important things to do than have a feast when someone is after the book.”

  “I have waited too long as it is,” the queen said. “We must prepare the army immediately and move to defend our borders. You must be perceived as one of us, or, as I explained before, the High Fae will not follow you into battle. The Grand Duke of the Night Court is here too, so it must be done now.”

  Tristan was quiet. But I could see the dark swirls forming in his eyes.

  “The feast will begin at sunset.” My grandmother moved her hand in front of her and formed a portal. “Don’t be late.”

  She stepped through it and immediately shut it behind her.

  22

  The Betrothal

  The grand hall was spectacular. Fae balls of light danced over our heads as usual, in time to the music wafting down from the upper gallery where the musicians sat, playing a lilting tune. The High Fae milled about the room, dressed in all their finery, drinking from crystal goblets and dancing, oblivious to the threat of darkness that had fallen over their peaceful kingdom, the darkness that had followed me here.

  The queen was seated on the dais in her customary place. To her right sat the Dowager Duchess and to her left the Grand Duke of the Night Court, Tristan’s father. Power surrounded him and his dark eyes studied me when I walked in.

  Erik stood behind the queen, his long silver hair tied back from his face, his arms crossed and legs slightly apart, seemingly bored. But I knew the lethal power that lay beneath that calm exterior. I had never seen Erik fight, but the way Tristan and Cade spoke about him, I didn’t have to. I could guess why he was the leader of the Elite.

  Penelope was seated at the far end of the table speaking to a council elder. I couldn’t see Tristan anywhere. I was alone as I walked up to the dais and bowed before my grandmother.r />
  I had taken to glamouring my own clothes. The dress I had created was made of dull gold, similar to the one I wore in black but not nearly so revealing. My grandmother raised her eyebrows when she saw what I was wearing and I thought I saw a flash of approval in her eyes.

  I saw Cade leaning against the wall surveying the room. In his fancy clothes he still looked like a warrior. A deep maroon doublet with gold buttons complemented his flaming hair. He was very much of the Night Court, and looked it.

  I walked over to him. “Where’s Tristan?” I looked around. “Eager to see your betrothed?” Cade joked.

  I shrugged. “Just asking.”

  Cade chuckled. “I don’t know, actually. I haven’t seen him. But Skye told me they were going to announce your betrothal tonight.”

  “Maybe he’s not coming. He doesn’t want this marriage any more than I do.”

  “That won’t stop them,” Cade snorted, jerking his head towards the dais where my grandmother and Tristan’s father sat. “Tristan told me why they want you both to marry. It is a strong alliance, and marriages within the High Fae are rarely ever spontaneous. Most of the noble families are very strict about who they marry. It all depends on political alliances.”

  I nodded. Most of the nobility were like that. I knew one day I would have to face this issue, but I never thought it would be so soon.

  My eyes scanned the room. Everyone was here; well, almost everyone. Andromeda had not come, and Aiden was nowhere to be seen either. In fact, there were no Elite here today besides Erik, who was always at the queen’s side, and Tristan and Cade.

  “Cade, where’s Farrell?” Something was wrong. I could feel it nudging at my senses.

  Cade shrugged. “He’s out on patrol—apparently there were some other attacks in the Day Court lands. Aiden took Farrell, Brice and Daran too.”

  I had seen Brice and Daran with Erik; they were much older than Tristan and Cade, part of Izadora’s elite guard.

  That was strange. Why would Aiden need four Elite for a patrol? He and Farrell would have been enough to check out the threat. My grandmother would never send out four Elite unless the threat required so many fire-fae warriors. The last time she sent four of them was to retrieve me from the Drakaar.