Shattered by Shadows: The Innocence Cycle, Book 1

by J D Abbas

  “It is not our intent to shame or embarrass you.” Celdorn lowered himself into a chair that faced the brothers. “We seek only to find the truth and set things right for Giara and the other children.”

  “Other children?” Lavan’s head snapped up, his eyes filled with fear.

  Celdorn sighed. “Forgive me. I should have explained. We found Giara two days ago in Alsimion near the foothills of the Mangor Mountains. She was with a group of Farak men who had kept her in bondage and...misused her.” Both brothers stared at him in horror. “When questioned, she told us your father sold her to them for the week.”

  “What?” Lavan jumped to his feet, his fists clenched. “Where is he? I’ll kill him myself!”

  “There’s more.” Celdorn motioned for Lavan to sit. “Giara told us there are many people in this area involved in the training and selling of children for sexual purposes. Your parents were in business with them.”

  “Business?” gasped Treymor.

  “There’s an encampment, not far from here, where children are caged and tortured into complying with these perverse adults. Your father helped in this training and subjected Giara to their abuse. Your mother was complicit.” The brothers gawked, looking ill. “Your sister also witnessed your younger brother being assaulted, though he denied it vehemently.”

  “You spoke with Braqor?” Treymor asked.

  “Earlier, here, along with your mother. He denied everything, saying that your father was a good and kind man and that Giara was a liar and a whore.”

  “Braqor would never say that about Giara. He loves her dearly,” Lavan objected.

  “And yet he said it, and your mother agreed. She told us that Giara has been seductive from the time she could walk and would throw herself at your father. I believe the word your brother used to describe her was a nymphet.”

  “I can’t believe what I’m hearing,” Lavan objected. “I’ve never seen my sister behave in any such way.” He looked at Treymor.

  “Nor I,” he agreed. “She’s a good girl, a gentle soul. Though I must admit, I saw that she was troubled and didn’t pursue it. I don’t know why my mother and brother would tell you such things. I can’t believe any of this. If I’d only asked, if I’d only been man enough to stand up to my father.” Treymor hung his head.

  Lavan put his hand on his brother’s back, his eyes on Celdorn. “We all fear our father, if truth be told. And we were happy to leave this place.” Lavan’s gaze dropped to the floor, his expression sad. “But we’ve failed our sister, and you’re right in not openly trusting us. We’ve allowed this to continue and done nothing for her. She must hate us.”

  “On the contrary, she spoke highly of you and is afraid you’ve suffered as well. She feels it is somehow worse for a man to live with.”

  “Will you tell her how sorry we are for—” Lavan’s voice broke. He stopped and covered his face. After a few moments, he rubbed his eyes and tried again. “Will you tell her we’re sorry, and we hope she’ll allow us to see her?”

  “I have more to tell you.” The brothers looked at Celdorn with dismay. “We raided the camp your sister told us about. We found some fifty children being held and abused there. We executed the adults. From what we have been told, your father was among them.”

  “I’m not sorry to hear that,” Treymor said, a bitter edge to his voice.

  “I must also tell you that your mother was executed.”

  “I thought you said you spoke with her here?”

  “We did. She died here.”

  “And Braqor?” Lavan looked desperate.

  “Braqor’s alive and went to his home.”

  “I’m not sure what to feel about my mother. I can’t believe she betrayed Giara like that.”

  “Giara also told us your mother gave her to your father in her stead. Do you think there was jealousy?”

  “My mother put Giara in their bed? This is beyond... I can’t... H-how did Giara endure it?” Lavan stammered. He ran his hand across his beard, tugging at his chin, his eyes closed. “She always thought my mother favored us boys and despised her. My mother was harsh with her, cruel sometimes, but...perhaps you’re right. Perhaps it was jealousy. Giara is beautiful and much more...well-endowed than our mother, who is—was—very plain. Perhaps she felt threatened by her.”

  “Where will my sister go now?” Treymor asked.

  “We’ll make certain she remains safe,” Celdorn replied. “We’re pursuing information on others involved in this illicit business. Giara will be hidden as long as any of those people live.”

  “What can we do to assist you?” Lavan asked.

  “May I ask you about your youngest brother?”

  “Braqor? What do you want to know?”

  “No. I’m speaking of the one born after Giara. She carries deep pain concerning him.”

  “Oh, I’m surprised she even remembers. She was only four at the time. He was stillborn, here in the home. There’s not much more to tell, except that my mother suffered from deep grief for over a year following the loss.”

  Celdorn was puzzled by this. “What about your grandmother? Your father’s mother?”

  “I hate her,” Treymor snapped then looked up in dismay. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that aloud.”

  “Can you say more?”

  “She’s evil, a bitter, angry woman who drinks too much and seems to delight in making others equally miserable.” Lavan gave him a disapproving look. “Well, it’s true.”

  “Giara said she’s involved in the selling of children.”

  “It doesn’t surprise me,” Treymor said. “I hope her judgment is neither swift nor painless.”

  “Treymor! Mind your words,” Lavan said.

  “I’m the outspoken one in the family. Everyone knows it.” Treymor shrugged. “She is what she is. I won’t pretend otherwise.”

  Celdorn smiled to himself. He liked Elena’s brothers. “Then it will cause you no distress to know that she will soon be judged and no longer troubling this world.”

  “You bring much ill news, Lord Celdorn,” Lavan said, his eyes filled with sorrow. “Is there anyone else in my family who’s going to die?”

  “I believe that is all the information I have for you. I’m sorry to meet you under these bitter circumstances. I’ll see what I can do to arrange a visit with your sister, if she’s willing,” Celdorn said. “I am concerned about Braqor, however. I don’t believe it’s in Giara’s best interest to be exposed to him. His words regarding her were nothing short of betrayal. She’d be devastated if she heard them.”

  “I agree,” Lavan replied. “I don’t understand why he spoke as he did, unless he somehow felt threatened by my father into lying.” Lavan shook his head. “Braqor’s a good man, truly he is.”

  A profound silence filled the room. Lavan bent his head and began to weep. Treymor put his arm across his brother’s shoulders and leaned his head against Lavan’s. Celdorn nodded to the guards, and they stepped out.

  Celdorn focused on the far wall, and his thoughts went to Elena. He was grateful she hadn’t been present to hear the words spoken by her mother and Braqor.

  Celdorn’s breath caught. The dimly lit room suddenly became alive with vivid images: the tiny Giara hiding behind the couch, being found by her mother then dragged to the bedroom. Though clearly petrified, the girl didn’t utter a sound or struggle at all. Why didn’t she fight? It was as if she were resigned to her fate. When her father entered, Celdorn shoved the images away, his heart thudding against his ribs. He shook his head to clear it.

  He recalled singing Elena to sleep the night before, and his chest ached at the memory. He wondered if she’d felt bold enough to ask Braiden to do likewise. It was so odd to think he was in her home and she in his. After seeing the things at the encampment and the visions in this home, he was beginning to understand the depth of the torment emanating from her. How he wished he could ease it. If only they could find her father and rid her of that burden. He prayed she
would learn to enjoy the peace Kelach offered, peace she never found in this place.

  Celdorn’s chest grew tighter as tears welled. Suddenly, he couldn’t breathe. Anakh was squeezing him again. You left her with a child guard. She’ll be back in my arms before morning. The words came back to him like a blow to the head.

  He jumped up. “Excuse me for a moment,” Celdorn said to the brothers. He hurried into the hallway and signaled for Haldor and Elbrion to follow. “I don’t want to delay any longer. We need to get back to Elena.” He glanced at the brothers and worked to keep his voice steady.

  “I will give them some time to grieve and then see that they get home,” Haldor said.

  Celdorn nodded and hurried back into the main room. “I must leave on some urgent business, but I’ll make contact with you soon concerning your sister. I’ll see that she receives your messages.” Celdorn bowed slightly and left.

  Haldor walked him to the door. “Our men have brought back some others; they are interrogating them now. When we are done, we will join Tobil’s men in Neldon and clean up what other filth remains.” Haldor’s face was uncharacteristically hard. “We will see you by tomorrow’s eve, at latest.”

  “If there’re no further obstacles. Somehow I doubt that will be the case.”

  Chapter 27

  As Celdorn and Elbrion entered the village proper, they happened upon Mikaelin and his detail, looking exhausted and grim.

  “Lord Celdorn, Elbrion, when did you arrive?” Mikaelin asked.

  “Haldor sent for us a short time ago. We’ve just come from the family homestead.”

  “Did you find the encampment?”

  “Yes. It was as horrific as Elena described, though worse than I was able to imagine. Our men are still there tending to the children. They’ll bring them to the doqajh come morning. We’re on the way to make arrangements now.”

  Elbrion studied Mikaelin and the others, his eyes narrowing. “What did you find?”

  “We were in search of Palazar, and we found him—in bed with his four daughters, on top of the youngest,” Mikaelin spat out with disgust. “He won’t trouble them again.”

  “What did you do with the girls?”

  “We spoke at length with the mother and brothers. They were grateful Palazar was dead. They felt imprisoned by him. He’d threatened to kill them if they ever betrayed him.” Mikaelin rubbed his temple with his thumb. “I believe the children are safe now, but you may question the mother yourself, if you like.”

  “No, Mikaelin, I trust your judgment,” Celdorn assured him. “Are you in pain?”

  “My head feels as if it’s in a vise.” He glanced at Celdorn sideways then focused on Lazhur’s mane, fidgeting with strands of hair. “I hate this business. It stirs up old things.”

  Celdorn knew there was more, but he didn’t pursue it. “I’d like you and two of your men to come with us. The rest of you, report back to Haldor.”

  After they split up, Celdorn brought his stallion alongside Mikaelin’s. Keeping his voice low, he said, “When we’re back at Kelach, you and I need to talk.”

  Mikaelin raised his eyes, and the moonlight reflected off the tears pooling in them. Celdorn felt physically struck by the cavernous pain emanating from the young man. At that moment, he looked so much like the half-starved adolescent who had come to Marach seeking refuge twenty years earlier.

  “I know you had a difficult life before you came to Marach.” Mikaelin looked away. “What happened in Shefali nearly destroyed many of us, but I know little of your story after you left the village and what precipitated your return to Marach.” He paused when he saw Mikaelin shudder. “I’ve watched how disturbed you’ve been since we brought Elena to the keep. I want to know what it is that troubles you so.” Mikaelin looked up at him with wide, terrified eyes but didn’t speak. “It’s important for me to know and understand my men, so I know their limitations.”

  Mikaelin lowered his gaze. “I won’t fail you, Celdorn.”

  “I don’t doubt you, Mikaelin. I do not want to fail you by sending you into situations that may cause damage to you. Do you understand?”

  “Yes... I think so.”

  Celdorn watched as shame enwrapped Mikaelin like a cloak. “I hope you can learn to trust me.”

  “But I do tru—”

  Celdorn held up his hand. “I know, but there are some things that are difficult to trust to anyone outside our own skins; that’s what I meant. Until you are able to do so, I ask only that you tell me if a request I make of you proves too difficult, or if you find yourself overwhelmed. Will you agree to that?”

  “Yes, Celdorn.” He paused, and Celdorn watched him wrestle with himself. “I’m almost at my limit now,” he confessed. “Finding that man on top of his own daughter, ravishing her while the other girls watched, was too much for me. I lost control. I didn’t just execute the man; I beat him to a bloody heap.” Celdorn glanced at Mikaelin’s hands, noticing the swollen and oozing knuckles for the first time. “I’m ashamed I did so in front of the girls, but I couldn’t stop myself. It ignited something in me, and…and I don’t trust myself right now.”

  “I sensed that, which is why I asked you to accompany us. I’d like you to stay close to me until you feel less troubled. If something should happen, and you think you might lose control or are unable to move forward, I will intervene.”

  ~

  Mikaelin wanted to argue, but he knew Celdorn was right. It was a strange comfort to be near him; Celdorn was the closest thing to a father he could remember. His own father was now just a blur in the gray realm of memory, as were the eight years with his family. He knew he’d been happy and safe once, but he couldn’t remember what it felt like.

  Although it was terrifying that Celdorn wanted to know more, it was also a relief that someone was aware of the war raging within. This was one battle he didn’t think he could fight alone.

  ~

  By the time they arrived at the doqajh, it was well past midnight. Accompanied by Elbrion and Mikaelin, Celdorn knocked on the door of the priest’s home while the others waited by the road. A haggard and cross woman answered. Her eyes went wide when she saw the men.

  “Is the priest in?” Celdorn asked.

  The woman focused on Elbrion, looking his luminous form over from head to boot, and her eyes narrowed. She puffed up her tiny five-foot frame like an angry hedgehog. “Of course he’s in; it’s the middle of the night. He’s in his bed.”

  Celdorn worked to keep his voice even, his tone polite. “I’m sorry for the late hour, ma’am, but it’s important we speak with the priest immediately.”

  “Can’t it wait until morning when decent folk conduct their business?”

  Elbrion’s light flared. “Is this how decent folk address the Lord Protector of the Shalamhar, who guards these lands and makes it possible for your doqajh to exist in peace? We have had enough of your impudence. Get the priest at once.” Elbrion waved his hand dismissively. “Or we will find him ourselves.”

  The woman paled and immediately turned to obey.

  Celdorn chuckled and glanced at Elbrion sideways. “It’s not often I see this side of you.”

  “It is not often I am up in the middle of the night dealing with the dregs of humanity and am then met with insolence from a doqajh matron. I am too tired to tolerate petty nuisances.”

  Celdorn smiled but said no more. Even the tormented Mikaelin broke into a grin.

  The woman returned. “The Yadar bids you come in and be seated. He’ll be with you shortly.” She led them into a parlor with a couch and several chairs and motioned for them to sit. She scurried out, not looking up.

  A short time later, an elderly priest still in his night clothes, thinning red hair tousled with sleep, stepped into the room. He was a small man, bent with years, but he inspected them with bright, piercing eyes.

  “It is a rare thing, indeed, to be awakened in the night by the Lord Protector of the Realm accompanied by someone of the Elrodanar race.”
He bowed slightly toward Elbrion. “I assume what brings you here must be of some urgency, for seldom is Lord Celdorn seen in Rhamal and never does he serve as his own emissary.”

  Toreno’s eyes shifted to Mikaelin, and a deep frown darkened his brow.

  “You are astute, Yadar,” Celdorn said. “There are few in these parts who would recognize the Elrodanar.”

  “For few have seen them. I have had the fortune of both seeing and knowing friends of this race during my time in the north. It was a great gift.” He smiled serenely. “My name is Toreno. How may I assist you?” He sat across from Celdorn.

  “This is Elbrion and Mikaelin.” Celdorn gestured toward each in turn. “We come to you with grave business.” He paused, not quite sure where to start. “Recently, we were informed of a dark practice going on in this area.”

  “The selling of young girls?”

  “And boys.” Celdorn stopped himself and studied Toreno. “You knew of this?”

  “No, no, I knew nothing for certain. Only misgivings, suspicions. There are some young women in our village who carry shadows in their souls. I have also seen many strangers pass through with no business to speak of. I have tried to investigate, but none of the girls have been willing to confide in me. If I ask anything, they avoid me thereafter. Had I had any solid information, I would have brought it to your attention.”

  “Do you know a girl named Giara, daughter of Domar?”

  “I do. She is one of the young women to whom I referred. I understand your men were asking about her father’s whereabouts in the village today.”

  Celdorn turned to Elbrion, who had been watching the priest, measuring the man. “How much do I say?”

  “You may speak freely. He is trustworthy. But know any information you give him may leave him in a precarious situation.”

  Celdorn weighed his words as he continued. “We found Giara in the woods far north of here two days ago. She’d been sold to a group of Farak. When we found her, she’d been badly beaten and ravished for days. We tended to her wounds and pressed her for information on how she came to be in that situation.”