by T. C. Edge
Her rebuke is quickly drowned, and a flinch of grief lifts in her eyes.
“Oh…right. Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” I smile sympathetically.
I know, though she barely knew Zander, his death has been felt by her too. She liked him quite a lot, and it seemed to me that they had romantic feelings for one another. I suppose now, we’ll never know.
“So, what are you doing here, Tess? How did you know I was out here?”
“A hunch,” she says. “I don’t like the idea of you wandering out there alone.”
“It’s fine. I need it sometimes. You know, the solitude.”
“I understand,” she whispers. “But enough of that now. Let’s go home.”
Home, now, is an apartment, or series of apartments, within a fairly centrally located block at the core of Inner Haven. It may only be temporary, but for now it’s giving refuge to all of us from the academy, as well as Adryan.
We live together, the two of us and Tess, with Brenda across the hall, and the kids all bunched together behind several more doors. So far, they’ve been rather enjoying the change from the musty halls and dorms of the academy. It lights my heart to see them beginning to emerge from all this mostly unscathed.
Getting into the jeep, we begin driving back through the streets, the north mostly unaffected by the fighting. Tess, newly acquainted with driving stick, has a little trouble getting us there smoothly.
“I’m still learning,” she says as she stalls for the fifth time.
I merely shake my head and smile, enjoying the rather erratic ride.
By some miracle, we reach the central streets without suffering any minor bump, and Tess pulls up outside the block. We get out and step into the foyer, and standing in the centre I see two men who look quite out of place within the blank and pristinely polished interior.
Side by side, Rhoth and West stand, dressed in their full regalia of pelts and furs, and with necklaces positively weighed down by a new collection of fangs from recent conquests. They step towards me, as if they’ve been waiting, and both of them smile wide.
“Well, about time,” says Rhoth with a grin, looking towards Tess.
She shrugs.
“She only just got back. What was I supposed to do, go out there and find her?”
“I’m merely teasing, girl. We are happy to wait for Brie.”
I look at Tess.
“You’ll get used to Rhoth’s ways,” I say. Then I look at him. “You’re waiting for me? Why?”
He steps closer, and takes my hand. Opening my palm, he places an object to my skin. He withdraws his hand and I see a necklace, just like his, with several claws and teeth attached.
“For you, Brie,” he smiles. “All true warriors of the Fangs need one.”
I clench the necklace tight, and look upon the teeth and claws, those of wolves and bears and other such beasts. I look up at him, and then over to West, whose eyes swerve from me to Tess, so shy in the company of girls.
“I…I don’t know what to say, Rhoth. Thank you so much. Thank you both.”
“You are one of us now, Brie. You are Brie of the Nameless, and of the Fangs. You will always be welcome within our tribe.”
He bows his head, and takes a little step back. I feel that this is more than just a visit to drop off this wonderful gift.
“You’re leaving?” I ask.
Rhoth nods.
“It is time for the Fangs to return to the wilds. We do not belong in this city.”
I feel a pinch of sorrow.
“Where will you go?” I ask softly.
“To the mountains,” he says. “The fires spread far, and destroyed our woods, but they will return in time. But for now, we go to Kervan and the Roosters. The flames never reached that high.”
“So they’re safe? Their village is OK?”
He nods.
“They are untouched, and welcome us. You, of course, are always welcome too. You and your friends,” he smiles, looking at Tess.
Again, I notice West’s eyes drop a little as Tess looks at him.
“You could stay,” says Tess, to both of them. “Stay a little while.”
Rhoth shakes his head.
“The road to the mountains will take time. We must leave now, before night comes.”
He steps towards me and draws me into a long hug.
“Always welcome, Brie,” he whispers. “Always.”
He pulls away, and West tentatively steps towards me.
“You will…visit?” he asks.
“Of course, West. I’ll come visit soon.”
He smiles, and I pull him into a long hug too, his furs soft to my skin. Then I release him, and with a final bow, both men, adopted father and son, move back out of the hall and into the afternoon light.
Tess returns to my side.
“They’re nicer than they look,” she says. “It’s a shame they couldn’t stay a bit longer…”
I turn to look at her.
“So that’s why you came to get me? So we could say goodbye to each other?”
She half nods, half shrugs, and then takes the necklace from my hands. She inspects it before reaching around and tying it behind my neck.
“Brie the Fang,” she whispers. “It kinda suits you.”
I look down at the shiny new teeth and claws, hanging on my chest.
Yeah…it kinda does.
We head for the lift, and click the button for our floor, most of the way up towards the summit. We share the building with many others, a good mixture of people displaced from their homes. It is my grandmother’s vision come true in a microcosm. Only time will reveal whether the entire city will follow suit.
We reach our floor and move down the corridor, chatting casually as we go. It’s nice to relax with Tess again, to spend time with my best friend. We even manage to laugh as we speak of old times, growing more skilled by the day at sidestepping topics that will only lead to tears.
Sometimes they come, from me or her, but we’re always there together to get each other through. And I have Brenda too. And Adryan. And Drum and my grandmother, and many others besides. I am, in so many ways, one of the luckiest girls I know. And despite the horrors, I have to count myself blessed.
Our apartment is simple, as all such abodes in Inner Haven are. Yet already, Tess has taken to adding colour and her own embellishments. I tell her we may only be here temporarily, but she doesn’t seem to care.
“A day, a week, a month, it doesn’t matter,” she always says. “However long I live here, it’s going to look pretty.”
She’s done a good job, the place far more pleasant than our room at the academy, or anywhere else I’ve spent time since.
As we enter, I find Adryan absent. That’s no surprise, busy as he’s been lately as he continues at my grandmother’s side. His role in the war, though important, will pale in comparison to his task now. To help regrow the city, to merge its peoples together. His previous work in the High Tower, working in the Institute of Human Relations, will now make him one of the most prominent figures in this new world.
It will keep him occupied, too, his days long and our time together short. We spend our nights locked tight, sometimes whispering and sometimes in silence. But always, being in his arms helps shield me from my demons. And each day that passes, my love for him grows, helping to fill the void that exists inside me.
I move straight for the kitchen, and pour a glass of water. Tess hurries off to her room before turning. She drapes her eyes over me.
“Maybe you should take a shower,” she says.
I look at my clothes, and see that they’re a bit grubby from my trek.
“Later,” I say.
I see her looking at me for a moment as I take a seat in the living room, falling into a comfortable chair. It’s a curse, sometimes, of my advanced peripheral vision. I never miss anything, even if I want to.
“What, Tess?” I ask, turning back to her.
“Oh, nothing.” She still looks at me.
“Um…actually, there was one thing.”
“Yes?”
“Erm, Brenda, she wanted to see you. Something about…um, I forget.”
“Something about what, Tess?”
She crunches her brow and looks to the ceiling.
“It’s slipped my mind. Best go see her.”
Her eyes drop to me. I frown.
“You’re being weird,” I say.
“Brie…just go see her. Do us all a favour.”
I sit back into the chair, and then manage to peel myself off it, though not on my own. Tess is right there, pulling me to my feet.
“What the…”
“She wants to see you, Brie. Don’t keep her waiting,” says Tess.
I stumble to my feet.
“Fine. Jeez…”
I catch her smiling as we leave the room, and walk right across the corridor. I knock, shaking my head. I’m fairly sure I hear a shuffling sound behind, and a round of shushing, but can’t be sure. Then the door opens, and my old guardian looks at me, appearing slightly flushed.
“Ah…Brie, what a pleasant surprise,” she says, her voice sounding somewhat artificial.
“So, you wanted to see me, Brenda?”
“Yes, yes, come this way.”
She ushers me in. Tess follows. I enter the middle of the room, and the door shuts. And then, as I look back at Brenda and Tess, and see the grins appearing on their faces, a whole host of voices shout at once, and a crowd of figures leap from hidden perches.
“SURPRISE!” they all shout.
I feel my heart lurch inside me, and turn to see a bunch of people all flinging their arms into the air, and materialising as if from nowhere. My eyes scan as my pulse spikes and then quickly fades, and seeing my nearest and dearest friends and family, a smile works its way onto my face.
There before me, I see Adryan, and my grandmother, and Drum and Abby. I see all the kids from the academy, including Brandon, and Sophie too, holding a plate of snacks. And next to her, standing on crutches, I see Rycard, his left eye winking, and I see Titus too, so large he dwarfs even Drum, and Commander Burns with a twinkle in his eye. I see so many people I care for, all gathered here for me, and once again, they all shout out, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
The greeting leaves me speechless for a moment. Speechless because of the gesture, and how lovely it is. Yet slightly paralysed too by thoughts of Zander, who should be here with me, celebrating his birthday too.
As I stand there, stunned, Brenda comes forward, and a mingling of voices begins to spread through the room. She looks at me, drawing my eye to her alone.
“I know it’s hardly the time to celebrate. I know you probably don’t want to right now. But you need this, Brie. And it’s not just for you. It’s for us all. We need to remember the lighter side of things.”
A tear sweeps down my face at her words. Just one, quickly discarded from my body and joined by no more. I smile, and she cups her palm to my cheek.
“You’re so beautiful, Brie. And still only just 19. You have a life ahead of you, a wonderful one. Let’s celebrate that. Let’s celebrate the fact that we’re all here, together, looking forward to a bright future.”
Her words are quite rare for such a woman, embittered by her past and with such a strong streak of pessimism flowing through her. But sometimes, she just knows what to say. And above all others here, she knows me to my core.
I hug her, and without speaking, she knows I agree.
Then she lets go, and turns.
“Now, let’s eat, drink, and be merry!” she calls out to the gathering.
A round of agreement issues from the entire assembly, and drinks are passed around, and food is eaten. We talk in groups, and laugh where we can, and I watch people I never would have expected to meet, drawn together by a mutual desire to craft a positive future.
The hours pass, and the night marches on. I laugh as Titus plays with the children, so many times larger than they all are. I smile longingly at Adryan as he joins in, so good with the younger ones, and think of how great a father he’ll make. I chuckle to myself as I see my grandmother and guardian, the two old ladies, sitting at the table drinking whiskey, the two becoming fast friends and sharing old war stories.
I look upon it all, and imagine that this was all I wanted. When everything was falling apart around me, I often got through it by imagining such a scene. And though my brother isn’t here, and other friends have been lost, I can only think how fortunate I am, we all are, to be here together.
And as I watch it all with a smile on my face, Abby comes to my side. She looks up with her sweet face, her backpack held in her arms.
“Hey, Abs, what you got there?” I ask.
She smiles and reaches out.
“It’s for you,” she says sweetly. “I had no wrapping paper. So I just used the bag.”
I frown and take hold of it.
“Aw, Abs, you got me something? You shouldn’t have, sweetheart.”
She nods hurriedly as I begin to unzip the bag. I look inside, and find a pad, and pull it out and before my eyes.
I look at Abby, who gazes up at me in hope, and then my eyes scan the front of the book as they begin to go misty.
I see her wonderful art, and know she’s been hard at work on another comic. I see me, made to look like a hero, but this time it’s not her alongside me, but another.
A man, who looks so similar, standing beside me as we strike heroic poses.
And at the top, above the picture, it simply reads…
Queen-Brie and Zander the Mighty…the twins who saved the world.
THE END
Next Up
Well, we have reached the end of this journey. Thank you so much for coming along for the ride. I dearly hope you enjoyed it, and if so, I’d love for you to leave a quick review, telling me your thoughts. Feel free to spread the word to family and friends too if you think they’d enjoy it.
If you haven’t yet read Kira’s spinoff - The Warrior Race - then you can pick that up here. Next, I’ll be working on the sequel to that story, after which I’ll most likely focus on a new series.
And of course, if you want to know EXACTLY when any new book I release comes out, feel free to sign up to my newsletter by clicking here.
By doing so, you’ll also get access to the first book in The Watchers Series (The Watchers of Eden) completely free of charge, as well as a short story that’s only available to those who join my list.
Thank you so much for being a loyal reader.
All the very best,
Toby
Author Notes
Written 21st August 2017
First of all, thank you so very much for reading all the way to the end. The ride was a wonderful one for me, and I had such a good time writing this series. Hopefully you felt quite similar :)
If so, then you’ll probably have taken a look at Kira’s spinoff, The Warrior Race. That will now be my focus, and hopefully the sequel - The Red Warrior - will be out soon. Depending on when you’re reading this, it may already be available.
Now, I found writing this book harder than all the others. I suppose, if you were the sentimental type, you could say that I was having a hard time letting go of the characters. That is partly true, but most of all I wanted to wrap things up well, and to do justice to the various major characters we’ve seen develop. As such, it took me a little while longer trying to craft a suitable climax and ending. I hope it satisfied you, and perhaps surprised you a little as well.
Zander’s death was quite hard to write, I’ll be honest. When you spend so much time with a character, one you’ve grown quite fond of, writing their death scene can be a struggle. Some of you may be disappointed he fell, and a large part of me wanted to keep him alive. I had, in fact, two versions of the ending, one where he lived, and one where he died. In the end, even though plenty of characters were killed, I believe I needed one of the primary protagonists to fall. After all, in such desperate circumstances, it would have b
een overly fortunate for all of Brie’s major loved ones to live through it all.
Cromwell’s fate was also a tricky one. I enjoyed developing him as a character, and given my proclivities for ‘pantsing’ (for those of you who don’t know, this merely refers to the method of writing without developing a full outline/plot first. Personally, I tend to develop the story as I go, rather than plan out exactly where it’s headed) I was never sure exactly how his journey would conclude.
I try to develop characters who have layers and shades of grey. As such, the good guys can do bad things, and the bad guys can do good. This is something that George R.R. Martin talks about, and it certainly rings true in life. The concept of ‘evil’ is a tricky one, and the bad guys from one perspective are almost always the good guys from another.
So, when it comes to Cromwell, I never saw him as evil per se. Adryan refers to it himself, in fact, as do others through the series. From his perspective, and given his emotional disability, his actions preceding and during the books have been quite justified. Yet, from the viewpoint of Brie and her allies, what he does is despicable.
Breaking him free of his emotional constraints at the end was, I thought, an interesting way to bring things together. Perhaps you’ll agree, perhaps not. Some might have wished to see him get his comeuppance for all he did, for Brie to perhaps be the one to finish him off. But I considered that too easy, and too obvious. I wanted some ambiguity to the ending, and really, Cromwell realising what he was, that he was the monster of the story, and having to live with that shame and guilt, is perhaps a more befitting end for the character.
The ending, I guess, is bittersweet. When a series involves so much fighting and war, there’s always going to be significant loss, and juggling that with an ending that has some optimism is, I think, important. I didn’t want to finish it off with Brie grieving over Zander’s death, and wrote the scene with her birthday party to show that, while he’s in her thoughts, life goes on, and she has a great deal to live for.