Return of the Crown

by Millie Burns

She struggled to sit up, tears coursing down her pale cheeks. She let them fall. “Connor’s fine,” she whispered. Blade put the water skin in her clammy hands. She took a small sip, fighting to swallow. The contents of her morning meal threatened to come up.

  She tried standing, but Kialgyn nudged her, and she toppled back into Blade’s arms. “Rest, then tell us what happened,” Kialgyn growled, his black nose snuffled around her face. “I sensed great evil surrounding you, but it is gone now.”

  “But we must go. Now,” Ravyn cried. She pushed away from Blade, but he held her tight. She turned her face to his, tears coursing down her cheeks, “My people, the evil things she’s doing.” She shuddered. “We must stop her!”

  “Aye,” growled Kialgyn softly. “I smelt death in the air. Zelera is strong in the Darkness. This encounter weakened you, and you must be strong. She is waiting, waiting for you to fly into her web. If you do not care for yourself, you will be the victim, not the victor.” He nudged her pack at her, and then sat down, his patient blue eyes comforting her. “Eat, drink, and tell us what you saw.”

  Ravyn sighed, leaning against Blade, drawing on his strength for support. “I was talking to Connor. He’s traveling as a healer woman, and he will be waiting for us in The Dancing Bear in Farrier. Connor sensed evil in Veris but couldn’t see behind the Darkness surrounding the castle,” she paused and rubbed her hands along her arms to chase away the shivers. “I thought I could try seeing, maybe get past the Darkness. So, I followed the aural field to Veris and ran into a Darkness so complete,” her voice cracked. “The stench was revolting. I tried turning back, but it surrounded me, suffocating me. Fashioning an aural sword of Light, I slashed at the Darkness,” tears streamed down her face, dripping off her chin. “Pain and anguish overwhelmed me. Hundreds of my people dead, women and children, and Zelera’s evil gloating laughter.” She cringed, fighting for breath. “I couldn’t hold the sword any longer, and I fainted.” Sniffing, she sobbed, “All my people, all those innocent people.”

  Wrapping his arms around her, Blade rocked her gently. “Shhh, Ravyn, shhh. Her time is at an end. We will stop her.” Ravyn snapped up and turned, staring deep into Blade’s green eyes.

  “I remember something else. I sensed rings of Darkness surrounding the castle. Rings of rock, fire, water, and air. They are defenses of some kind.”

  Brushing a lock of black hair off her face, Blade soothed, “Ravyn, time will tell. The Light will give us the answers.”

  “But we don’t have time,” she wailed becoming agitated once more. “We need to get moving. I’ll eat while we ride.” She pushed herself up on unsteady feet.

  Kialgyn and the wolves stepped to the harnesses. Kialgyn stared into Blade’s green eyes as he secured the harness, “She is with us, and yet she is not. I do not sense the Light within her, like before. She is hollow. She must find the Light again. You must help her.”

  “How? I know nothing of working with the Light.”

  “That I do not know, just that you must, or we will lose her to the Darkness.”

  After strapping them in, Blade helped Ravyn back into the sled. Her eyes were still lost in the miasma of Darkness. Blade watched her mechanical movements and vacant expression, and cursed himself for not being able to chase her fears away. All the sword skills in the world would do nothing to fight a shadow.

  The sled started moving, and Blade placed food in Ravyn’s hands. She ate. Her hands took the food to her mouth, and she chewed and swallowed. Her eyes continued to stare off somewhere else, somewhere Blade couldn’t follow. When the bread was gone, her hands lay slack in her lap.

  Blade mixed sleeping herbs in water, encouraging Ravyn to drink every drop. As she started nodding off, Blade murmured in her ear, “Seek the Light, Ravyn. The Light was with you in the Darkness. Let it bring you back to me.”

  “The Light,” she mumbled as sleep overtook her. “I need the Light.”

  Ravyn saw a huge wall burst up before her, built upon the deaths of her people. Each brick entombed an innocent soul. The wall towered over her, casting a long dark shadow. Then a ring of fire erupted. The bodies of her people fueled it. A ring of water filled with the lifeblood of her people splashed down before her, ever expanding. Then a torrential spinning void sprang up before her. As her people were being tortured to death, their screams for mercy created more force and drive, whipping the wind into a frenzy. As she passed each ring, a shimmering trail of her tears marked her path. An ornate dressing mirror loomed before her. Locked beneath the glass were her parents. They hadn’t aged a day since they were stolen from her. As horrifying as it was, it no longer frightened her. Peace settled over her, and the mirror shattered in a million pieces. The Light reflected back at her from all the tiny shards, glowing and growing till it consumed her.

  Connor reached Farrier that same day. Hetty was right. People knew he was coming. A huge crowd waited for him. Some begged for healing, others for news. He aided the very sick, but there were so many of them. As the day wore on, he begged for rest and a meal.

  A young man approached him holding out his arm. “The General is at the Inn and requesting your presence, ma’am.”

  “Take me to him, lad. General Joff shouldn’t be kept waiting.” The crowd backed up, some heading home and some following the healer toward the inn.

  The Dancing Bear was tidy, nestled amidst the town’s shops. Flinging the door wide open, a beaming Joff greeted Connor. “My good woman, please enter and be my guest. The table is set for the noon meal. You’ve travelled many roads, been to many towns, and I’d love to hear your news.”

  “Sir, such a gracious offer cannot be refused. I’ve quite a hunger and thirst to be satisfied as it has indeed been a long road.” Connor bustled ahead of General Joff, his nose drawing him toward the food.

  Inside the common room a table boasted pints of ale, bottles of wine, stews, bread, and a roast pig. The tantalizing aroma tickled Connor’s senses, setting his mouth to water. His grumbling stomach reminded him he hadn’t eaten all day. Connor plopped down and grabbed a pint, slugging down the ale.

  “Ahhhh, that’ll wash away the dust of the road. Now to fill my belly.” Piling a plate to overflowing, he attacked it with vigor. Joff and his men finished eating and then waited for Connor to clear his plate.

  “I’ve never seen a woman with such a healthy appetite before,” Joff quipped, as Connor stuffed a large chunk of bread into his mouth. “But, I guess it helps keep up appearances,” he said poking Connor’s fleshy arm.

  “Ah, yes, appearances,” Connor mumbled around his food. “It also helps fuel the fire, and I’ll need a lot of fuel before the week is out.”

  A young serving maid refilled their mugs with ale. She smiled at Connor. “You may want to save some room, ma’am. There’s a splendid apple crisp cooling in the kitchen.”

  Joff chortled, “She’s got a hollow leg, Jolene. Trust me, she’ll have room.” Turning to Connor, he sobered, “You finish eating, and I’ll start with my news. Men are massing all over Aigerach. People were fleeing Veris in droves until Zelera sealed the gates.” His face hardened. “The atrocities being reported are unspeakable. Zelera fuels the Darkness with the torturous deaths of the people. A wall erupted around the castle a week ago, the bodies of the sacrificed people in every brick. Then a death pyre erupted into a wall of living flame that continues burning, with no signs of slowing. A moat of putrid liquid also lies around the castle. Any living thing touching it dies immediately, and it is some 100 yards across. Lastly, a whirlwind surrounds the walls of the castle, sucking anything close into its swirling maw. Zelera created an army of foul creatures, thousands of unnatural monsters. They were once men, now distorted and rotten through the curse of her Dark Arts.”

  The color drained from Connor’s borrowed face. He closed his eyes, forcing the tears to stay locked away. The food he’d so enjoyed moments before felt like lead, weighing him down. He began massaging his aching temples, trying to rub out the evil images.r />
  “I knew it was bad,” Connor said softly, “but, this. We must get Ravyn into the castle. How, I am not sure, but we must. Ravyn will be here in two days.” Connor stood up, gripping the table’s edge to stay balanced. He turned to Jolene, “I need a room where I will not be disturbed.” He felt old. He let the visage of the plump healer melt away; a tall, grey-haired man emerged. Hiding was no longer necessary. “Prayers to the Light might be prudent,” he said to the men. He then turned to Jolene, following her to a room.

  Jolene took Connor up the stairs, reverently opening the door to a small room. “It’s the quietest room in the Bear, though small. Will it suit you, sir?”

  A faint smile crossed his lips. “It suits me fine, Jolene. Many thanks.” Tossing his pack down on the small table, he then laid down on the soft goose down mattress, folding his arms across his chest. He prayed to the Light for guidance, settling into a trance, staring at a water spot on the ceiling.

  A raven appeared in the blue sky with a great sword clasped in its feet. It was heading toward the light of the sun. A large wall sprang up in front of the bird, but the bird went right over the wall. Fire burst in front of the bird, but it flew straight through, not a feather singed. Water poured from the sky, but the Raven continued flying toward the light. Wind whipped at it, tearing at its feathers, but it continued beating steadily onwards. Darkness consumed it, and it faltered. Battle erupted; bodies littered the ground, friend and foe alike. The Raven fluttered in the Darkness, flitting about unsure where to go.

  Connor was once again staring at the water stain. It looked to him like a sunburst. The Light had answered his prayer, but figuring out the meaning of the vision would take more time. Looking out the tiny window, he realized it was well into the night. The moon glowed softly on the trees. Hunger gnawed at him. He rose, the bed creaking as he pushed against the frame. Time to search out Joff, more roast, and apple crisp.

  The wolves pushed down the mountain, stopping to neither eat nor drink. Blade sat wincing, holding an overfull bladder as long as possible, each jarring bump causing urgent desire for release. A hard bump caused him to poke his head out of the furs pleading, “Can we please stop?”

  Kialgyn slowed, the sled skittered over the icy ground coming to a bumpy stop. “What is it?” he snarled.

  “Nature calls and will not wait any longer,” Blade grimaced. “And, you and the pack need food and water.” Looking about, Blade noticed they were down to the tree line. Taking a deep breath, he relished the oxygen rich air. “Let’s rest a bit.”

  Kialgyn eyed his harness. “It is a good spot for rest.” Blade caught the hint, releasing the wolves from their straps. They headed into the trees to hunt, marking territory as they went.

  The sleeping draught had been effective. Ravyn still slept, snuggled beneath the furs. Blade murmured in her ear, “Wake up, sleepyhead.”

  Blue eyes snapped open. “We can’t stop. We have to keep going. Where are the wolves? Call them back!”

  Blade reached out to brush her cheek, “Rav, the wolves are running themselves to death. They need to eat and rest. We are into the tree line. What Zelera has done cannot be undone.”

  Tears leaked from the blue eyes. She squeezed them shut, trying to blot out the images of death and decay. “I know you’re right,” she stammered, “but, I feel responsible for those people, my people. I let them down. Every mistake I make on this trip, every delay, allows her more time to hurt them.”

  Anger coursed through him, and he slammed his hand against the side of the sled, “No, Ravyn. Zelera is responsible, not you. Don’t you forget that!” His words sounded harsh to his ears, so more gently he added, “You are the Light in this Darkness.” He held out his hand. “We take care of ourselves and the wolves, and then we take care of Zelera. All right?”

  Ravyn took his hand and pulled herself out of the nest of furs. Cold air hit her skin, making her feel alive. Blade was right; she’d allowed the Darkness of her vision on the aural plane to smother the Light within her. Opening the shutters on her soul, she allowed the Light to flood through her. She stood motionless, enraptured, glorying in the beauty of the Light.

  Blade stood mesmerized, watching Ravyn as she stood in the snow with arms raised to the sky. It almost seemed like the sun’s beams danced around her. The shadows seemed to melt away.

  Ravyn lowered her arms. Her blue eyes glimmered with mischief. Bending down she scooped up a handful of snow. She pressed it together making a ball and tossed it at Blade, hitting him on the cheek.

  Astonishment swept across Blade’s face. “Why you,” he blurted, scooping up a handful of snow and tossing it back. Ravyn squealed with laughter as she scooped up more snow. Soon the snowball fight turned into a wrestling match, and they were rolling across the icy white ground.

  Kialgyn emerged from the woods dragging a deer. “Bladders emptied then,” he growled, lips curving in a grin.

  Blade jumped up blushing, “Not yet, I actually forgot about that. Now that you mention it, I really need to go.” He chuckled, tromping off into the trees.

  Sitting up, Ravyn brushed the snow from her trousers. Her cheeks were rosy, and a smile graced her lips. She inhaled the fragrance of the evergreens.

  “You are filled with the Light again,” Kialgyn stated. “The Blade is a good mate for you. I thought maybe we’d lost you after your encounter with the Darkness.”

  “Blade isn’t my mate, Kialgyn; he’s my dearest friend.” Her rosy cheeks turned scarlet.

  “What better mate to go through life with than your best friend? Shera and I have been friends since we were pups at the tit.” He cocked his gray head to the side, studying her.

  “I may not live to have a mate, Kialgyn, but Blade will be my friend till my dying breath.” Her eyes softened, and as she exhaled, she could see her breath in the cold air.

  “Is that not a mate?” Kialgyn rumbled.

  Some tree branches parted, and Ravyn watched Blade emerging from the woods. He was tall and strong, full of confidence. “I suppose it is,” she whispered, rising to her feet. She walked toward the trees to take care of her necessities. She smiled at Blade as she passed him. Her blue eyes sparkled with the Light.

  Blade stared at Ravyn’s retreating back, and then he turned to Kailgyn. “She seems much better, doesn’t she?” he asked while gathering things for a meal.

  “She found the Light again. You are good for her Blade, a true mate.”

  Blade felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny of those wise canine eyes. He loved Ravyn with every fiber of his being, but she was his Princess and his friend.

  “I would do anything for her, Kialgyn. I would give my very life for her.”

  “Aye, and you may have to,” he growled.

  Ravyn was returning from the woods whistling a merry tune Blade recognized from their childhood. “She is the Light though, isn’t she?”

  The pack returned from hunting, and the wolves devoured their meal. Ravyn and Blade ate from their provisions. Blade watched Ravyn consume healthy portions, even having seconds.

  Appetites sated, Kialgyn stood at the straps waiting for harnessing. Ravyn walked over to the large wolf, scratching him behind the ears. “No, good friend, you need rest. You nearly ran yourselves to death earlier. I don’t want you hurting yourselves. I’m so sorry I drove you to this.”

  “Nonsense, we can run all night. There are three more hours of daylight. We should at least use those, and then we can rest.”

  Blade joined Ravyn at her side, “Kialgyn, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get more exercise. I know you’re anxious to get us down so you can return to your clan. But frankly, I’m tired of sitting on my butt, and my legs still feel a bit weak.”

  Ravyn chimed in, “You’ve brought us here so fast. Why, if we leave in the early hours of the morning, we may reach the bottom by nightfall. I could also use a little walk, to stretch my legs.” She peered down the snowy mountain, evergreens thickening into a rich forest in the valley below. “
It’s so beautiful and peaceful here,” she inhaled the chilly air, closing her eyes.

  Kialgyn bowed his head. “If that is what you wish, we will resume our journey before the sun rises tomorrow, when the sky glows with the arrival of the new day.”

  Ravyn smiled at them both, and then walked to the sled. She began rummaging through the furs.

  “Like I said before,” Kialgyn lectured, “You are a good mate for her. A soul mate.”

  “What do you mean?” Blade asked.

  “I mean, you came to me asking for time for you, when we both know you are fully healed. She is the one now who needs this time.” With that said, he turned his back to Blade and settled down to rest with the other wolves.

  Blade turned around to see Ravyn sitting on the ground with the scrying bowl in front of her, drifting off into that other world. Racing to her side, he dropped to his knees, peering into her face. Fear pulsed through his veins.

  Pushing the apprehension away, Ravyn entered the aural plane. She felt freedom as she pushed her thread down to the village nestled at the mountain’s base. The sled would take them a short distance further; the snowline ended about a half day’s sled ride away. Catching a whiff of pine, she spied Connor’s green-gold thread dancing before her. He looked like himself again, and he sat in a small room talking to a man who looked vaguely familiar.

  She tugged at his thread, a little harder than necessary.

  “Joff, a moment please,” Connor said, holding up his hand. “Ravyn is jangling my aural thread; I’d better answer her. The girl has very little patience.”

  General Joff sat back, watching Connor’s eyes glaze into another form of seeing. He’d heard practitioners of the arts could communicate with one another across vast distances, but he’d never seen it happen. Zelera had annihilated most practitioners of the Light when she assumed the crown. Those that escaped had gone into hiding.

  ‘Connor, I recognize that man, but I can’t quite place him. Did you call him Joff?’