The Edge of Nothing_The Lex Chronicles_Book 1

by Crystal Crawford

  Baram was there, Lex realized. He had been part of the battle the last time this happened.

  Acarius looked up at Amelia with a shocked expression. “It was her,” he said, sounding surprised. He moved toward her. “You did it. It was different this time, because of you.”

  Amelia blinked down at them. “I did...what?” she asked. “I just–“ She swayed a bit.

  Nigel rushed out onto the balcony behind her, steadying her with his arms. “Easy,” he said. He lowered her to sit on the balcony floor. “You still need rest.”

  Amelia sat, but scooted toward the edge of the balcony, looking down at them. “I don’t know what happened,” she said. “I just felt... I felt Lex. I knew he needed me. And the heat inside me, it was – I couldn’t hold it. When I came outside to see what was happening, it just burst out of me. I couldn’t stop it.”

  “Thank the heavens you didn’t, child,” Nigel said, stroking her hair, “or we’d probably all be dead.”

  The Sephram had shifted back to their normal forms and now emerged from the houses covered in whatever blankets or hastily-donned clothes had been nearby. The children followed close behind them, staring at Lex and Amelia.

  Lex glanced at the Sephram children, realizing too many of them now hovered behind adults who were not their parents, those who had taken over protecting them when no one else was left. They had won the battle here, but the cost had been high.

  The Sephram gathered in the courtyard, glancing between Lex and Amelia.

  The healer who had been tending Lytira rushed out from the house. “You can see her now,” she said to Acarius, before hurrying into the door below Amelia’s balcony.

  Acarius raced toward the other house, disappearing inside it.

  In a moment the healer was on the balcony with Amelia, peering into her face. “Come, child,” she said. “Let’s get you downstairs. You need something to drink and eat.”

  She pulled Amelia to her feet, supporting her weight as Nigel moved to Amelia’s other side. The courtyard fell silent, and the sound of them helping Amelia slowly down the stairs echoed from inside the house.

  After a moment Amelia emerged, still supported by Nigel and the healer, but looking less pale than Lex had seen her in a long time. She was clearly still weak, but something about her had changed. She thanked the healer and Nigel and moved away from them, insisting she felt strong enough to stand on her own. She walked toward Lex and stopped in front of him.

  They stared at each other for a moment. Lex wasn’t sure what to say.

  The Sephram moved in around them. “Daughter of power,” one of the Sephram stated. All around Lex and Amelia, Sephram and Alomman men, women, and children dropped to their knees and bowed. Even Baram bowed, his deep voice murmuring “Daughter of power,” as he dipped his face toward the ground.

  Lex glanced at Amelia, who looked suddenly very uncomfortable. “I’m not – I mean, I guess I am, but I don’t even know what I did. You don’t have to do that,” she said to the people. “Really. I’m just… me.”

  The Sephram rose to their feet, and Baram turned toward Amelia and Lex. “Thank you, Sulanashum. Daughter of power.” He nodded to each of them in turn. “Malleck Dross is finally destroyed. Perhaps now the balance will be restored to the land and our people can once again live in peace.” He walked toward the back of the crowd to join the other Alowens.

  What did this mean? Lex wondered. Yes, they had defeated Malleck, but… was that it? Was it done? Would the Worldforce now suddenly snap back into place and everything go back to normal? Even with everything it had cost them, it seemed too easy.

  The Sephram parted, heading off into houses or busying themselves checking on the damage left from the battle. The courtyard was littered with bodies, and the air still hung thick with the smell of fire and blood. Lex thought again, the cost had been high. Perhaps this was the end of it. But something pulled at the back of Lex’s mind, more instinct than memory. This was bigger than just Malleck, he was certain of it. And somehow his family, the Ancients – and Ardis – were at the center of it.

  Nigel emerged from one of the houses, having some kind of animated conversation with the healer, judging by the ferocity of his arm gestures.

  Lex turned to Amelia. “Now he shows up,” he said, giving a small laugh. He didn’t fault Nigel for hiding, not really, but of course it was like him to appear only when all danger had passed.

  Amelia looked confused. “What do you mean?” she asked. “Didn’t you send him?”

  Now it was Lex’s turn to be confused. “Send him where?” he asked.

  “To guard me,” Amelia said. “When I awoke, I was still weak and shaky, but I could hear the battle outside, and I was so scared. Then I looked up and there he was, standing guard at the foot of my bed with a giant sword, like he was ready to murder anyone who came into the room.”

  Oh,” Lex said, his concept of Nigel suddenly shifting.

  A cheer went up from the people still in the courtyard, and Lex turned to see Acarius and Lytira emerging from the other house.

  “You’re okay!” Lex said, moving toward them.

  Lytira nodded. “I reopened a wound and had already lost too much blood,” she said. “That was all. I’m fine.”

  The healer rushed over. “She just needed the wound reclosed and a bit of medicine, but now what she needs is rest. Magical healing can only do so much, you know,” she said, narrowing her eyes at Lytira. “Sometimes what a patient really needs is sleep.”

  “I’ll rest soon,” Lytira said.

  The healer raised her eyebrows.

  “No, really, I will,” Lytira assured her.

  The healer smiled. “That’s right. You will.” Then she turned and walked toward another of the houses.

  “Hey, Acarius,” Baram’s deep voice rang out from over near the barn. “You may want to come here.”

  Acarius glanced at Lex, and Lex knew at once from his face what he was thinking. When had they last seen Mare? Please let Mare be okay, Lex silently pleaded. He raced after Acarius toward the barn.

  Acarius stopped so suddenly that Lex actually bumped into him. In front of them stood Baram, and behind him stood Mare, teeth bared. Behind her, sheltered in a corner where two buildings joined, were the donkey, the other horse… and the lions.

  At the sight of Acarius, Mare closed her lips and lowered her head, and Acarius moved forward. “It’s alright,” he said, stroking her. He turned to Baram. “What…”

  Baram shrugged. “I do not know,” he said. “I found them back here, and she seemed to be… guarding them.”

  Acarius pressed his forehead to Mare’s face. “You crazy horse,” he murmured warmly.

  Mare stepped to the side, and the horse and donkey moved past her and out into the courtyard. Behind her, the lions still crouched, their backs against the wood of the buildings.

  “She was guarding lions?” Lex asked.

  “It’s true, then. The king is dead?” Baram asked Acarius.

  Acarius nodded.

  “The severing of the bond disorients the animals,” Baram explained to Lex. “When a Sephram bonded to a group dies, the whole group suffers. It leaves them weak and disoriented for a while, like recovering from a – what did you call them?” He looked to Acarius but then seemed to remember. “A seizure. But they will be okay, after a bit of rest. They would have been very vulnerable for a time, and with so much commotion to startle them, they may have even attacked some of the people in their confusion. Had that happened, the people would have been forced to slay them. Mare may have saved their lives.”

  “What do we do with them now?” Lex asked. “Will they stay here?”

  Baram shook his head. “I will alert one of the Zeriphathians. They will care for them until they are stronger, then they will be set free. We do not keep captive those who are meant to run wild.” He nodded to Lex, then turned and walked back into the courtyard.

  Lex stared
at Mare in awe, who suddenly turned one large eye toward him and stared right back. The aggression she had held toward him seemed to be gone; now she seemed more curious.

  Acarius stepped back and Mare moved toward Lex, then lowered her head and nosed his shoulder. Surprised, Lex reached up and stroked her face.

  “See?” Acarius said. “She does like you.”

  “Took her long enough,” Lex replied.

  The healer approached, leading Amelia by the hand with Lytira and Nigel in their wake. “I must speak with all of you,” she said.

  Lex turned toward her, eyeing Amelia to see if something was wrong, but Amelia looked okay.

  The healer turned toward him. “Amelia says she feels much better now, and I agree her energy has shifted. It is no longer volatile. But…”

  “But?” Lex asked.

  “What she is, what she can do, it does not lie dormant. There is still an undercurrent, a pressure building. Without understanding what it is, I cannot help her any further. She may soon begin to have attacks again. Her energy is unstable.”

  Amelia shook her head. “No, I’m better. I am. Something about connecting with Lex like I did… it fixed me. I don’t feel the pressure building anymore. I think I’m okay.”

  The healer glanced between them, and apparently giving up on convincing them, turned to Acarius. “I do not understand what’s happening with her powers,” she said. “I have not seen this type of ability before, not even with the other daughter of power. I am bound by duty to be honest about her care, and I do not believe her healed. She will destabilize again. Without help, she will regress. She may become dangerous, and not only to herself.”

  “What do you suggest we do?” Acarius asked.

  “I do not have the answers,” the healer said, “but the Ancients will. This sort of power... they will know its source, and what to do about it. They will know how to help her.”

  “We can’t go to the Ancients,” Acarius said. He turned to Lex. “They’ve wanted you dead for years. If you walk in there, they’ll kill you on sight, and probably Amelia, too.”

  “Wouldn’t it be different, now?” Lytira asked, moving toward them. “He has both proven himself Sulanashum and discovered a daughter of power. He is their prince. Would they not be pleased?”

  Lex looked to Acarius, uncertain why Lytira seemed not to know that the Ancients never wanted the prophecy fulfilled. Behind Lytira, Acarius gave a quick shake of his head.

  Lex turned back to Lytira. “I don’t remember much,” he said, “so I can’t be sure. They may still be angry, and it would be too risky.” Amnesia, Lex thought. Always the perfect cover story.

  Lytira nodded. “You are right. Caution is probably wise,” she said. “Your father has never been reasonable, much like–” She stopped.

  They were all silent for a moment, uncertain what to say. Then Acarius spoke. “I’m sorry about your father, Lyt.”

  She took a deep breath. “I am, too. Despite his flaws, I loved him.”

  “And he loved you,” a woman said, approaching.

  It was the Sephram who had served as Heart in the ceremony. That seemed to Lex to have been years ago. Had it only been hours?

  “Rahmanasha,” the woman said to Lytira, “the remaining elders have gathered, and are calling for you.”

  “Now?” Lytira asked.

  “Now,” the woman nodded.

  Lytira gave Acarius a glance, then followed the woman back toward the palace tower.

  The others looked at each other for a moment, then hurried to catch up. The Heart looked back at them, noticing they were following, but did not turn them away.

  The throne stood empty in the center of the room when they entered, a fact which made Lex’s chest contract. He could have saved the king, if only he had known soon enough what he could do. That was a guilt he would have to carry; he could add it to the growing list. His lack of awareness about himself and his past continued to put others in danger, even now that he knew so much more. How many other things did he still not know?

  A small group of elders, all of them dirty and bruised from battle and clearly having seen better days, stood on either side of the throne. They turned to face the doorway as the group entered, and the Heart squeezed Lytira’s hand before taking her place among the other elders.

  Lytira stepped forward.

  Lex felt suddenly anxious. Was this the final stage of the ceremony? Surely they would reverse Lytira’s banishment, after all that had happened… wouldn’t they?

  He glanced at Acarius, who also looked nervous. That couldn’t be a good sign.

  “Rahmanasha Lytira,” a tall Elder stated, his voice echoing off the wooden walls. “The elders have reached a decision on your ceremony.”

  Lytira bowed her head, seeming ready to accept whatever they had decided.

  “You have yet again endangered our people by bringing enemies to our doorstep, and your actions have resulted in the death of our king.”

  Lytira’s head sank lower.

  “But you have also shown steadfast loyalty to your friends, a fierce faith in the strength of our people, uncommon courage in battle, and a willingness to risk your own life for ours.”

  Lytira looked up. “Then…?” she asked softly.

  “Our people need a new leader, Rahmanasha, and we find no reason to open the ceremony of election to select a new ruling family when we have one of our people’s bravest warriors right here. It is your right to rule, daughter of Rahman. Of course, with your father...” He paused. “Without the king to reverse your banishment first, we will need an accord. Elders from at least one other clan must assent to our decision before it can be final.”

  “We are present,” a voice called from outside the door.

  Lex and Acarius moved back to allow room for a new group of people to enter – Baram and those who had come with him. An old man moved toward them, the very one who had banished Lytira at Alowen. He stepped forward, along with two other men and a woman.

  The Zeriphathian elder who had spoken earlier nodded to him. “Welcome, brothers and sister,” he said.

  The man spoke again. “The elders of Alowen beg forgiveness for overhearing your ceremony.”

  The other elder bowed his head, accepting their apology.

  The elder from Alowen continued. “We assent to the repeal of Ramanasha Lytira’s banishment,” he said, turning toward Lytira. “And to her appointment as Queen of the Sephram- Alomman Alliance.”

  Lytira stared at him. “You do?”

  He nodded. “I am an old man, but I can still admit when I am wrong. You broke our laws, child, and you caused our people much pain. But if the reports I heard from within the city are true, you have also done everything in your power to protect them, in your own way. The spirit of our people is ferocity and honor, and you have demonstrated both.” He turned back to the elders around the throne. “We offer our accord with your decision.”

  Beside him, Lex saw Acarius break into a smile.

  “Lytira, daughter of King Rahman and Aliara the Seer,” the Zeriphathian elder said, “the throne is yours.”

  The Heart moved toward Lytira. “Come, my queen,” she said. “We must conduct the ascension rituals.”

  Lytira glanced back at Acarius, her eyes wide, and he gave her an encouraging smile.

  The Heart led Lytira out through one of the back doors.

  The people dispersed, filtering back out into the courtyard. Lex and Acarius followed, and Nigel approached and pulled Amelia off to the side, talking to her about something.

  “What now?” Lex asked, turning to Acarius.

  Acarius shrugged. “Nothing. The ascension ceremony is private; no one is allowed to witness it.” He stopped. “I’m not even sure what they do. Anyway, that’s it. She’s queen.”

  Something in his voice sounded strange, and Lex turned toward him. “Why don’t you sound happy?” he asked.

  “What do you mean?�
�� Acarius said, forcing a smile.

  “I mean that,” Lex said, pointing at Acarius’ face. “It’s the worst fake smile I’ve ever seen. Did you not want her to be–” He stopped, the truth suddenly hitting him. Lytira being queen meant she would be fully into the world of the Sephram and Alomman, a world in which Acarius had said he didn’t belong. Lex shook his head. “She’s the queen now,” he said. “And you just risked your life for her and for these people. Surely they’ll let you stay here. You did once before, right?”

  Acarius sighed. “It’s not about that,” he said. “Of course I could stay. Lytira’s father was the only one who never wanted me here. But…”

  “But?”

  “But I won’t,” Acarius said.

  Lex blinked. “Why not?”

  “Because she deserves better. She deserves someone who can really protect her, who would make her stronger instead of–” He took a breath. “Instead of a half-blood, like me. The royal line has to be pure, and me being here would only be a complication.” He glanced at Baram, who was talking to a group of the other Sephram, then back to Lex. “I can’t do it, Lex. I can’t stay here and watch.”

  Lex’s heart sank.

  Nigel and Amelia walked toward them. “Why the grumpy faces?” Nigel asked. “Didn’t we just defeat a lord of darkness and his minions and save a whole city?”

  Acarius stared at Nigel for a moment, then sighed. “Yeah, we did.” He gave Nigel a small smile. “I’m glad you survived, you nut. How was it cowering in fear while the rest of us fought the battle?”

  Nigel grinned. “It was quite restful! Besides, I had lovely company.” He winked at Amelia.

  Amelia gaped. “I wasn’t cowering, I was unconscious!”

  “No one said you were, dear,” Nigel said, patting her on the head like a child.

  Amelia’s mouth dropped open.

  A group of Sephram emerged from the tower. “The queen requests you,” one of them said.

  “Me?” Acarius asked.

  “All of you,” the Sephram responded.

  “Oh,” Acarius said. He turned toward the tower, the others following.