by A. Wrighton
“This is a copy of my mother’s last words to me before they killed her. It’s part of a Lythgorian Rune, Alaister. My mother was a Lythgorian Runic.” Kalyna inhaled, extending the silence. “Everything else be damned, I cannot be the Soleran Runic of Prophecy. I’m half Darkling.”
Kalyna waited for Alaister to panic. For him to fear her like she secretly still feared some of the Darkling stories. To hate her. But, Alaister’s eyes did not move. They latched onto hers and took her in. Kalyna could still see herself in his eyes’ reflections.
After a few thick moments, Alaister slipped a small smile. “It makes sense then—”
“You’re a Darkling and a Soul Runic?” Callon stammered. “You’re not going to eat me…are you?”
“As I’ve told you before, Cal,” Kalyna laughed, “you’re far too gangly for my taste.”
“Phew!” Callon paused as he looked at Kalyna solemnly. “You know, I hate to have to start liking Darklings outright. Our secret?”
“For now.”
“Good. Well, that’s one problem solved. Now, what to do about our crazed Commander who just threw out our previous leader’s handbook to defeating the Council? Thoughts?”
Callon and Kalyna both looked to Alaister with the same disgruntled attitude and hopeful expression. Had circumstances been different, Alaister would have laughed.
“I am the High Commander, right?”
“Yes.”
“Of course.”
“Then, we do this my way.”
“Welcome to the Dawn of Defiance, Alaister Paine,” said Synge. A smile crested his aged face as Synge emerged from Ledge’s shadows, where he had stood unnoticed by Beasts or humans. Vee stood by his side, a proud but distant smile on her lips.
“Change of plans then,” Alaister exhaled. “I’m sure the Lythgorians will love it.”
“They seem reasonable enough,” Vee said.
Alaister laughed and ran a hand through his hair.
“We’ll be needing the other Catalysts,” Synge said.
“That and a gift of Riders from the Gods,” Callon muttered.
“Or from the Lythgorians,” Alaister scoffed. “I’d take Riders from the Lythgorians.”
“Wish granted,” Niko Bendran said as he emerged onto the Ledge with Nylan beside him. “My son gave you our allegiance and I will maintain it. Nylan and his Dredth are to remain at your service until your fight is won – but the details will wait. First, we must finish feeding our Beasts and dine ourselves. I rarely think straight when hungry and I am famished as is Islyn.”
“Truer words could not be spoken,” Callon said with a loving pat to his belly. “After you, Kaly.”
Niko waited at the back of the procession by Alaister, until none were within hearing. “You remind me of your father, Commander. You will see—”
“You knew my father?”
“Of him.” Niko gestured towards the growing din of the Great Hall. “Come, let us dine.”
THE GREAT HALL
THE DEN, NORTHERN SOLERAN MOUNTAINS
The Great Hall shone as a thousand stars would. It had never been so illuminated. Every oil and Soleratin Moss lamp was lit sending off a warm, welcoming light. For all of its rock walls and uncut edifices, the Hall shone like the summer night sky and its occupants’ voices clamored with the vitality of the flickering glow.
The Officer’s Table, perpendicular to all the others, overflowed – full for the first time in nearly twenty cycles. Kalyna sat between the Tryns and the Bendrans, isolated from Vee, Synge, Alaister, and his officers. The distance felt cold but welcome after her abrupt confession, though much was left unsaid – unplanned.
The strategic respite was accepted by all warmly.
The Lythgorian Dredths were dispersed amongst every table and the Lythgorians found merriment and pleasure in their new comrades. From the cheer and noise of the Hall, it was as if they had long been allies and gone far too long without a visit. The nightmares and fairy tales were left behind in childhood memories and daydreams. The Hall filled with joyous shouts and laughter that bounced off the fine linens and glimmering metals of the tables. All who heard or partook in it found a strange, spreading grin on their lips.
The Den was finally at capacity.
Alaister looked down the length of the table to Kalyna. She had traded her swamp-kissed dress for a deep purple gown capped by a black beaded empire waist. It was new and bizarre; Alaister had never seen the likes of its design before. His smirk grew. Another mysterious Lythgorian gift lacking reason or explanation and, for once, Alaister let the unanswered urge to know more go. She was a beautiful sight, as usual, and well loved by all who knew her. She was an asset – be her Catalyst or otherwise.
Her heart felt his shudder; Kalyna looked up and grinned. Her copper eyes flared a golden hue along the v-shaped neckline. She did not wear her usual leather cinch nor was her hair plainly kept. Nearby, Vee wore a gown made a warm shade of gold and looked equally foreign. She too, was a spectacle, though a bit better blended into the mixed environment. Now, more than ever, Kalyna looked unusual; she looked as if she was from a world far beyond Solera and Lythgor – far beyond what was known and welcomed.
Kalyna’s nose wrinkled as she cast a displaced shrug to Alaister. She knew, with her gown and hair in a loose updo of cascading spirals, she looked different. But, his pleasing look reassured her. His smiled warmed. She was still their Runic, his to protect.
Lord Tryn eyed the pair, lingering attentions at Alaister just long enough to be too long and peculiar. Lord Tryn smiled a cloaked grimace at Alaister’s perception before returning to his wife’s attentions, his lengthy fingers clutched his bone charms as she spoke beneath the roar of conversations.
“See?” Lady Tryn looked at her husband and secretly pointed to Kalyna. “She reminds me of me…”
“Though younger…”
Lady Tryn scowled. Kalyna reminded her of a younger her – a younger her with unlimited powers. Capabilities. Potential. A younger version of herself that Karina Tryn would have killed to be, just for a moment. “Yes,” Lady Tryn whispered, “We must have her.”
Aiden Tryn nodded, his gaze dutifully acknowledging salutes and bows from across the Great Hall. His fingers tapped his Dragon bone charms with each bow, his lips creeping into a smile. “We will, my Darling,” he said softly. “We will.”
“Excuse me, Lord Tryn? May I ask you something?” Kalyna asked, breaking the tepid silence.
“Of course.”
“How did you know – to find me, I mean? Did you know of the Soleran Prophecy?”
Lady Tryn laughed, a choking gurgle to her voice. “No, Dear.”
“Kai Paine requested our presence should we not hear from him in twenty-five cycles.”
Kalyna slammed back into her chair. “He asked you to wait? Wait – while they herded the Runic Kind to their deaths like livestock to slaughter? You… You could have stopped everything… I don’t—”
“Had we but known what transpired, Kalyna…” Lady Tryn squeezed Kalyna’s hand. “We would have come sooner – but, we did not. Had we but known…”
“Sadly,” Lord Tryn added, “it was… is beyond our control.”
Vee swallowed her own tart disbelief and anger. “What is done is done. At least Kai informed you and asked for assistance. He had a plan… he always did.”
Kalyna exhaled. She was tempted to question Vee’s sudden knowledge of Kai Paine but thought better of the moment. There was enough unspoken contempt about for a hundred souls. She would not add to it. Kalyna looked at the Tryns closely. They were gentle but had a hidden depth to their knowledge. They knew so much more than they would ever admit. Sighing, Kalyna cleared her throat. “So, you believe me when I say I am not—”
“Naturally, Child,” Lord Tryn said. “It is but a small stumble. The Resistance will just have to compose a different plan.”
“Commander Paine already has.” Kalyna’s voice rang harsher than she realized. She exhal
ed, bowed her head, and found a smile. “We are going to find the other Catalysts.”
There was mutual accord in the silence.
“And, we will be there at your side. Literally and figuratively.” Lord Tryn cracked a grin – kinder than what suited his jarring features. “Kalyna, we would like to request that you come study in Lythgor—”
“Her place is here,” Vee said.
Kalyna reeled at Vee’s stout disagreement. Kalyna had been sure at the second of their proposal, that it would be Vee above all others that would rally under the offer. Yet, she defied it – adamantly and without intent of offering explanation.
“She may visit Lythgor, but she belongs here. Her home is here and she will remain here,” Vee affirmed, drawing all the eyes and ears of the Officer’s Table to her declaration. Vee blinked, but said nothing further. The entirety of the table held their breaths for varied reasons of concern.
Lady Tryn bit her lips and smiled. “Then, a brief interlude must be arranged to at least impart you with a few things of use. It is the least we can do considering, Kalyna.” Lady Tryn paused but glanced at none. “The sooner the better, in fact, the offer extends to you as well, Lady Vee.”
Vee nodded. “We can only accept… graciously.”
“Then we are settled. For a short while, you two shall be ours,” Lord Tryn said proudly.
Lady Tryn leaned in close to Kalyna, her bangles jingling as she clasped onto Kalyna’s wrist. “You will enjoy Lythgor immensely, Kalyna. It is in your blood to do so.”
Kalyna knew she nodded, though her focus remained on Alaister. He matched her stare sensing her reluctance. Even he felt hesitation at the offer though refusal was impossibility. They needed the Lythgorians as the Tryns apparently needed to train with Kalyna. It was bigger than any one hesitation now.
“When would they leave?” Alaister asked.
“After we reach an accord. Would you not agree, High Commander Bendran?”
Niko nodded. “Emphatically so, my Lord and Lady. It is with great joy and anticipation that you must visit Miss Kalyna, Lady Vee.” Niko turned to Alaister, who had risen and approached the Lythgorian seats. “Your Runics are Queens of good natures, High Commander Paine. I will personally ensure their safety during their visit.”
“Much obliged, High Commander Bendran,” Alaister said, his grip firmly on the back of Kalyna’s chair. “Their safe passage to Lythgor would allow us to find the remaining Catalysts without putting either in harm’s way. I assume, of course, that by now Kalyna has explained her Prophetic inclination?”
“Dutifully so,” Lord Tryn said. “So then, High Commander Paine, that leaves the question of how you are going to seek out the remaining Catalysts?” Lord Tryn asked at the behest of his wife, whose look of annoyed disturbance dissipated with her widening smile.
“That is a question which must be answered with haste and great minds. Do you have any thoughts, Commander Bendran?” Alaister asked, looking directly at Nylan.
Nylan stammered when his father did not answer for him. Soleran ways were sitting well with Niko Bendran, at least outwardly, which was a welcome break in his rigid demeanor. Nylan exhaled, swallowing a smile. “Is it true that Pyran holds a lovely sort of ball this coming season?”
Alaister nodded. “You have researched us well, Bendran. Queen Maille is the monarch of gossip and with her unrivaled intuitive insight, if anyone has heard anything fitting a Catalyst, it would be Maille.”
“Two Dragons with one boulder,” Nylan said.
“Indeed,” Alaister said firmly. “Thank you, Bendran.”
Niko exhaled and looked to the High Runics. Lord and Lady Tryn eyed each other briefly, and then nodded in unison. Niko pushed back his seat and stood. “Well then...”
“Sir?”
He did not answer. Instead, Niko clinked his goblet with his knife. The metallic ring echoed boldly until the entire Hall settled into an intent silence. Niko scanned all eyes slowly and without comment. When he did finally speak, it was with utter command and undoubted presence.
“It is an honor to be here with such a worthy group of Riders and brave souls. Lythgor stands by you in your struggle, for it is the struggle of all men against oppression. The struggle for freedom against tyranny. The struggle to be. To exist.
“We – the people of Lythgor – as sanctioned by the High Runics and I, High Commander of the Dragonic Forces, are forever more to be considered Solera’s strongest allies and deem it an honor to be considered yours. Effective immediately, Commander Nylan Bendran’s Dredth will remain present and at your service until your able leader, High Commander Paine, dismisses them. The remainder of our forces – Dragonic and Runic – will maintain a standby state of readiness for war. May our battles be well fought and fruitful. May our foes fall at our feet. And may we all enjoy what it is to be free from the seeds of oppression and the talons of evil.”
Nylan stood and saluted in acceptance of the charge. His dark blue gaze turned towards his men, where he instantly received the acknowledging salute of his Dredth’s Riders.
Alaister scanned the eager faces before him. In the glow of the Hall, they looked brilliant. Eager. Alive. His eyes lingered on the copper gaze that matched his intensity. Alaister nodded and then crossed his chest with his right arm parallel to the floor and at the level of his heart in a Soleran Dragonic salute. When Niko Bendran followed suit with a Lythgorian salute, the Hall erupted in celebratory shouts.
From her seat between the towering High Runics and surrounding Dragonic officers, Vee remained sitting. Quiet, but smiling.
For the first time since inception, the Rogues were celebrating an undeniable victory for the Resistance. The canyons surrounding the Den rang with the cheers of success and the promise of possibility. The Rogues now looked to a future they could control and command. A future they could win.
Their time was now.
Allegiance: Dragonics & Runics Part II
Their journey continues...
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Convergence: Dragonics & Runics Part III
Their time has come..
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Vengeance: Dragonics & Runics Part IV
The war will end...
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