by Dana Gricken
“Who’s The Grand Witch?” Elara asked.
“There’s a legend about a powerful spirit. She’s said to be immortal, wise, and holds all kinds of magical abilities. She’s a messenger for The Source. Apparently, she lived as long ago as Kyros and morphs into younger bodies as time goes by. No one knows if it’s true, of course. It could all be a lie...or, she could be living among us, secretly.”
“So many legends,” Jordaine replied, shaking his head. “I can barely keep up.”
“Is this what Aria wanted me to see?”
“Yes,” Tavia replied, as she and Jordaine both got off of their creatures. “She thought it had an important message for you. For once, I agree with her on something.”
Tavia helped Elara off the steed, and the three walked closer towards the stone. Elara felt the monument calling out to her; drawing her in closer. It was like the universe stopped for a moment and all she could think about was the stone. She had to indulge her desire by running her fingers over the bumpy letters.
Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the stone rumbled from deep beneath the ground and threw Elara backward with a flash of lightning. She fell with a groan and a splash of water, as her back sank into the shallow wetlands of the rainforest.
“Elara!” Tavia hollered, as she ran towards her injured friend. “Jordaine, we have to take her back to the camp! Sheba will know what to do!”
The witches who had been practicing magic nearby were startled by the crash and rushed over to help. Elara’s vision became blurry and the world started to fade. Tavia’s voice trying to comfort her was the last sound Elara heard before she fell unconscious, succumbing to the call of sleep.
DAVID WOKE UP ABRUPTLY after a bucket of freezing cold water was dumped on his head. He coughed up the cold liquid, as his plain clothes became a sopping wet mess. Thinking had become difficult with a painful migraine, and he struggled to remember what had happened.
He opened his eyes slowly and realized he was lying down on a cell floor back in the castle, with his hands and feet tied tightly behind him. He looked up and into the eyes of the fellow Knights surrounding him – his former comrades and friends – and realized just how little he had fit in among the Order. He had never felt so helpless.
The King, as proud and vengeful as ever, walked into the cell. He sneered and shook his head at David disapprovingly, and the former Knight resisted the urge to spit on his boots. From a distance, Prince Fergus watched with a smile.
“Leave us!” The King commanded, and the Knights scurried down the long hallway. Prince Fergus decided to stay and listen from the shadows. “I’m sure you know why you’re here, Sir David. Although, I suppose you’re just David these days.”
“Prince Hadrian betrayed me,” David snarled, and the King chuckled.
“I’m afraid you have it all wrong. My son has no idea you’re here. It was Prince Fergus who overheard your conversation,” The King replied, kneeling down to David’s eye-level. “Tell me why you’ve betrayed me. I need to know.”
“I didn’t betray you. I finally decided to stand up for the oppressed,” David replied, boldly. “And now I see who you really are.”
The King rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed with his answer. “One day, you’ll come to realize that dragons and witches can’t be trusted. I shouldn’t have to remind you about The Fallen. You saw Serenity for yourself. Do you seriously believe they don’t deserve oppression?”
David refused to answer, and so the King continued with his tirade. “It’s unfortunate you’ve chosen this path, but the deed is done. I hope you’re satisfied.”
“What now? What will you do to Prince Hadrian?” David asked, almost afraid to know the answer.
“It’s none of your business. I’ll deal with my son as I see fit. You, however, will pay for your crimes,” The King sighed. “You know, David, I used to think of you as a son. You were my most trusted Knight. I even considered you for the throne many times. Just think about how disappointed your parents will be to hear of your treachery.”
Prince Fergus sneered at what he just heard. Considering a stranger for the throne and not his own flesh and blood? Fergus decided to put an end to it as he walked back towards the prison cell.
“I’m sorry for interrupting, Dad - but I have a request,” Fergus said, and the King turned around with an angry scowl.
“I thought I asked to be left alone with the prisoner?” The King reprimanded as he shook his head. “What is it now, Fergus?”
“A betrayal like this can’t go unpunished. I say we leave David in the Beyondlands. People claim an evil race of orcs called the Orkin lives there, and they’ve been known to eat humans.”
“The Orkin are a silly fairy tale and nothing more. However, the Beyondlands do have many ferocious beasts such as the wildhound,” The King thought about it for a moment. “Yes. That will work.”
David’s eyes widened at just the mention of the name. The Beyondlands were a death sentence. No human could survive there. He kept silent despite this, believing that he had a better chance at escaping than being kept at the castle and executed. Prince Fergus nodded and smiled.
“Excellent choice, Dad. I’ll tell the guards and they’ll prepare right away.”
The King nodded and walked off down the hall, not even bothering to turn back and say goodbye to an old friend. Prince Fergus exited the cell and locked the door behind him with a devilish grin. The electrical wiring sparked on the wall.
“You’re lucky, David,” Fergus taunted, gesturing towards the wires. “If it were up to me, I’d torture you myself. Electricity and water don’t mix very well.”
“Then it’s a good thing you’re not King,” David spat. “Staring at your ugly face would be the worst torture of all.”
“You think you’re funny, don’t you? That bold attitude of yours will fade once you see the Beyondlands. I look forward to seeing pieces of your corpse spread out across the forest,” Fergus replied, smirking. “Good luck, David. You’ll need it.”
David refused to give him the satisfaction of begging for his life. There was nothing more to be said. The Prince ran and caught up to the King who barely paid any attention to him.
“Dad, what will you do with Prince Hadrian?” Fergus asked, hoping it would be terrible. “Doesn’t he deserve a strong punishment?”
“No,” The King replied, firmly.
“No?” Prince Fergus asked, with confusion. “But he betrayed you! He deserves to pay!”
The King turned around and snarled at him. “You will tell no one of Hadrian’s deception. Do you understand?”
Fergus nodded, although he didn’t understand. The King walked towards his office and the blond Prince seethed with anger.
“Foolish man,” Fergus muttered. “Hadrian will get what he deserves soon enough.”
Revelations
Advisor Colrek Fenlan was an impatient, stubborn dragon. As he sat in his dimly-lit cabin, he thought about how loyal he had been to Emperor Zarian – and how little he received in return. If only I were the Emperor, he thought. Things would be much different then.
Silence filled the cabin as Colrek’s wife, Sora, sat across from him. She eyed him cautiously as the clock ticked on the wall.
“Talk to me, Colrek,” She began, sitting forward. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
He was silent as he continued to stare at the blazing fireplace. She sighed and rose to her feet.
“I’m making some lunch. If you’d like to talk, you know where you can find me.”
While opening a kitchen cupboard to find something to eat, a pile of neatly-stacked letters hidden on the very top shelf fell to the floor. She almost didn’t notice them and assumed they were just normal letters until their distinct insignia caught her eye. Its seal was a broken sword, one similar to those used by the Grey Knights, accompanied by fire and a witch’s staff. It was the logo of The Fallen.
She reached to get a better look at them, quickly scanning them over and
couldn’t believe what she was reading. They were addressed to Colrek. She was confused as to why he had such letters until she realized the terrible truth.
The advisor wasn’t just involved in The Fallen – he was their leader, known as The Fallen Lord. She gasped in shock. It explained why he hated humans so much and tried to get rid of the Dragonwitch. She knew she had to rush to Emperor Zarian and tell him the truth.
As she turned around, she found Colrek standing in the kitchen doorframe. He was still and silent, watching her for a moment. His eyes glanced from hers before seeing the letters she held in her hands.
“Those were private letters, Sora,” Colrek said, shaking his head. “I’m sorry you found them.”
Colrek approached her slowly, and Sora realized she had nowhere to run. He was different now. He had a look of evil in his eyes – the look of a murderer.
“You’re a monster,” She snarled. “You’re the reason the Knights believe we’re savages! How can you sleep at night with the blood of innocents on your hands? There were children in Serenity – ones just like Mayliss! You slaughtered them all!”
“I had no choice!” He replied, sharply. “The Grey Knights are getting worse. The Fallen are my solution to our problem. They listen to my concerns. They realize that peace for dragons and witches means a world free of humans! They understand me, unlike the Palarri!”
“Why not just target the Grey Knights?” Sora demanded, angrily. “They’re your enemies! Why does all of humanity have to suffer? Isn’t it similar to how they treat us?”
Colrek shook his head, adamantly. “It’s completely different! The human mindset is the problem! You can kill the Grey Knights, but other humans will rise up against us. It’s inevitable! Humanity’s extinction will be our freedom!”
“How long has this been going on?” Sora asked, befuddled.
“I joined many decades ago. I fought to become their Lord, and did things I’m not proud of. We’ve been working hard for some time, and everything is finally falling in place. Join me, Sora. We can bring peace to our people.”
“No. I can’t let you do this, Colrek,” Sora replied, shaking her head. “The Fallen must be stopped. The others need to know.”
“There’s no stopping this, my love,” He responded, quickly grabbing a nearby kitchen knife and twisting it into her chest.
She gasped and looked down at the weapon, surprised her husband would betray her. As she fell, he caught her and laid her down carefully on the kitchen floor. Blood pooled around her body as tears filled her eyes.
“You won’t get away with this,” She managed to say. “The Dragonwitch will stop you.”
Her body went limp as she took her final breath. Colrek’s eyes brimmed with tears as he held his dead wife. He stood up and realized Mayliss had seen what he had done from the doorway. She looked up at her father with glistening eyes.
“Mayliss!” He called out, approaching her; but she took off, running away into the city.
He decided to let her go and realized there was nothing left for him in Camena. He transitioned and took flight before heading towards the secret base of The Fallen. Things would be different for him now. There was no turning back.
HADRIAN HAD ARRIVED back at the castle a while after the Knights who invaded Merek’s home, having walked the long journey by himself. On the way there, he practiced what he was going to say to his father. One wrong word and they’d arrest him too.
When he finally reached the castle, he found the Knights in the King’s office, telling him what had happened. The King was furious, flipping over tables and cursing them out. Hadrian watched from the doorway, cautiously.
“You allowed the last connection to the girl get away?” The King asked, snarling. “How dare you!”
“It wasn’t our fault, your Majesty!” A Knight replied, nervously. “Prince Hadrian was already at the home when we got there. The man took off on his horse!”
Hadrian entered the King’s office just as the truth was revealed, and he stood tall waiting to defend himself. Better talk fast, he thought.
“If you’re saying I had anything to do with it, I’m afraid you’re wrong,” Hadrian replied, shrugging.
The King said nothing. The displeased look on his face was more than enough words. “Everyone besides my son, get out.”
The Knights cowered out of the room, shutting the chamber door behind them. Prince Hadrian walked over to his father, who had turned to glance at the spitting fireplace.
“I’m sorry that Merek got away, Dad. He snuck outside and stole my only good horse.”
The King turned around, shaking his head. “You can save the innocent act, my son. I know.”
The young Prince was puzzled. “Know? Know what?”
“I know you’ve been helping the dragons and witches. I know that there are secret tunnels somewhere underground.”
Hadrian scoffed. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“That’s enough!” The King bellowed, throwing a stack of documents from the desk onto the floor. “You will stop lying to me right now!”
The Prince was shocked. His father had never taken this tone with him before. Maybe it was the awakening he needed. The room was dead silent before Hadrian laughed. He didn’t know if it was out of fear or relief that the truth was known. He didn’t have to hide who he really was anymore.
“What do you want me to say, Dad?” Hadrian asked. “It’s all true - and the best part about it is that I don’t regret a thing. Did you really think I could stand by and watch as you hurt innocents? As you sentenced a girl to her death because of a stupid mark?”
“You betrayed me, my son. You spit on the image of your mother by helping the abominations who slaughtered her.”
“It was never about betrayal, Dad! It’s always been about doing what’s right! Mom was killed by one witch, not all of them. Get over it!”
The King was silent. It only made Hadrian angrier.
“What’s the point?” Hadrian asked. “You don’t understand. I’m just wasting my breath.”
“What am I going to do with you, my son?” The King asked, sighing. “I’m glad Fergus brought this to my attention. It must’ve been difficult for him to turn on his own brother, but I appreciate his honesty.”
“Fergus knows?” Hadrian asked before he scoffed. “Of course he told you. He’s desperate for your approval, and he hates me. He wouldn’t think twice about throwing me to the wildhounds.”
“Nonsense. He’s your brother and he wants the best for you,” The King replied, shaking his head. “Fergus told me that you sent David on a rescue mission. I want you to know that it was a failed operation. My Knights tortured the witch who admitted the underground tunnels before we killed him. I’ve taken David into custody, and he’ll be stripped of his duty and dealt with severely.”
Hadrian scoffed, angrily. “You can’t ask me why I betrayed you when you continue to do evil things. The dragons and witches aren’t your people. You have no right to treat them like animals!”
“I am the King of Meridian, the largest kingdom in Galea. The power lies with me. I’ll deal with matters as I see fit. However, it doesn’t matter why you betrayed me, my son. You obviously believe you know better than I do when it comes to the dragons and witches. You, much like David, will see just how wrong you are as The Fallen Ones continue to kill and destroy. If you were King, what would you do if they ravaged another city? Give them a stern lecture?”
“The Fallen need to be dealt with, but that doesn’t mean all of their people should pay for it. If anything, we should ally with the dragons and witches to take them down! The Knights are a sad attempt at justice. They don’t represent humanity, and they don’t represent me.”
The King sighed. “Perhaps we don’t represent humanity, but we represent humanity’s best interests. We do what needs to be done, and sometimes that involves bloodshed. You’ll never understand this.”
“It doesn’t have to be the o
nly way, Dad. There’s always a choice. You don’t have to kill dragons and witches.”
“I don’t want to kill them. If I had my way, they would stay away from humanity. If there were no Fallen Ones and the dragons and witches remained in their kingdoms, I wouldn’t harass them. But this is reality, and they’re more dangerous than you realize. When they disobey the law and murder my citizens, they must face the consequences. Did you know that the witch at the bar nearly killed my Knights with magic when they confronted him? They acted in self-defense.”
“Of course he attacked your Knights! They’re afraid of you!” Hadrian spat. “What are you doing with David? I won’t let you hurt him. I accept full responsibility.”
“You’re not in a position to make demands anymore, my son. I’ve decided David will be left in the Beyondlands for his crimes.”
The Prince was shocked. “The Beyondlands? You know the wildhounds will tear him apart! My brother thought of this, didn’t he? Seems like it’s right up his alley. What happens to me now? Will you send me to my death, too?”
The King shook his head. “Although your brother wants a stricter punishment, I refuse to listen to him. You should thank me for this. You’ll be kept in your room for several weeks to realize the pain you’ve caused both me and the Order.”
A group of Knights swarmed the room as Hadrian rolled his eyes. “So I’m being grounded? Excellent. I thank you for your sudden compassion not to throw me to the wildhounds with David.”
Hadrian’s voice was heavy with sarcasm and disgust, but the King wasn’t angry. He still looked at him with love in his eyes.
“Whether you believe it or not, Hadrian, I care about you. No matter what you’ve done, I’ll always protect you. You’re my son, and I love you.”
“I wish you loved everyone else as much as you claim to love me. The world would be a much better place,” Hadrian replied quietly, as the Knights escorted him to his room.