The Carnelian Tyranny: Savino’s Revenge

by Cheryl Koevoet

  Slipping quietly between the two guards, Marisa crept forward until she was standing directly behind Darian. His tall, broad frame towered over her, blocking her view of Savino who stood directly in front of him.

  Garon please be with me. Give me strength.

  “Did you not imagine things turning out like this when we played together as boys?” He stepped closer, meeting Darian’s eyes mockingly. “No? Well I did. I always knew that someday I would defeat you.”

  Moving her head slightly to see Savino turn away to ascend the steps to the throne, she sprang into action now that the window of opportunity had opened. Slipping her hands around Darian’s waist, she felt him flinch. Then she stood on her tiptoes, kissing the back of his neck softly and smiling to herself as he responded with a shudder.

  “It’s me, Darian,” she whispered in his ear in English. “And now it’s my turn to save you. Don’t move until I give the signal. Oh, and by the way, I love you.”

  Leaning out just enough to meet his gaze, she kissed his cheek, her heart fluttering with joy when she saw the love and relief mirrored in his eyes.

  Darian’s soul trembled with joy as he fought to maintain his stoic expression. A renewed sense of purpose coursed through him now that he knew for certain she was alive. She and Talvan were obviously planning something, but he needed to stay alert for whenever she gave the signal. In the midst of his quiet rejoicing, he listened to Savino drone on.

  “I am feeling rather nostalgic and perhaps, somewhere, I am also sorry that things are ending this way. After all, we are family. And you have been a most formidable foe, Darian Fiore.”

  She moved her hand around his waist, feeling for the manacles that bound his hands together. Pressing the key into his palm, she kissed his ear tenderly. All of the hairs on his body stood on end.

  He watched her creep silently toward Savino, stopping just a few paces from where he sat on the throne. She wiped the beads of sweat dotting her forehead and paused, waiting for the right moment.

  Darian stood perfectly still, feeling for the small indentation on his manacles. As the key found its hole and his fingers turned it in the lock, he smiled ever so slightly to himself.

  “But in my heart I knew that I would rule Crocetta and Abbadon someday,” he drawled. “I had always hoped that I wouldn’t have to kill you to do it. And what a pity that Maraya is not here to witness your tragic end.”

  She squeezed the Ambrogia stone in the palm of her hand and then raised it to her lips, kissing it softly. She lifted the amulet from her head, becoming instantly visible to everyone in the room.

  “The tragic end I’m here to see is yours, Savino!”

  Savino jumped to his feet, raising a hand to stop the warriors who had already drawn their weapons.

  “Well, I must say that I am extremely surprised to see you here. And pleased, I might add,” he purred. “How remarkable that you have managed to survive in spite of the overwhelming odds. Perhaps you would make a worthy queen for me after all, hmm?”

  She smiled wryly at him. “I’ll never be yours, Savino. Not if you were the last man on Carnelia.”

  “Pity, but that is your choice. So, it appears that we shall have two executions today.” He rubbed his hands together. “The two lovers dying next to one another—how poetic. Shall we get on with it?”

  Sneaking a glance at Darian and noting his position, she rubbed her fingers on the stone one last time before tossing it high into the air. “Darian—catch!” she shouted in English.

  The manacles fell from his hands, clanging loudly as they hit the floor. With lightning-fast reflexes, he reached up and caught the amulet, slipping it around his neck before the others knew what was happening. Instantly invisible, he jumped out of the way just in time before two guards crashed into one another.

  Talvan unsheathed his sword and sprinted to the rear of the room, slamming the oaken door of the Knight’s Hall and bolting it shut just as more guards appeared. The men outside in the corridor pounded and shouted but Talvan ignored them, concentrating on the two warriors inside the hall.

  Cowering in the far corner, Gaspar searched for a weapon, but he could find none. Raniero unsheathed his sword, holding it in front of him in a defensive position.

  Marisa backed up against the wall, praying that Darian and Talvan would be able to defeat them. Succumbing to her sickness, she slid down the wall and sat on the stone floor.

  Amidst the clashing and clanging of swords from Talvan fighting his own men, Darian moved around the left flank in search of a weapon. Finding none, he moved up behind one of them and slammed his elbow with as much force as he could muster into the warrior’s midsection. As the soldier doubled over in pain, he knocked the sword from the man’s hand and grabbed it up off the floor.

  At that moment, the other soldier sliced into Talvan’s thigh with his sword. The copper-haired warrior screamed in pain, falling backward onto the ground. The soldier raised his sword in the air, but Darian rushed forward to stab him in the back before he could plunge it into Talvan. The lifeless body of the soldier slumped to the floor, unmoving.

  The other warrior who was just recovering from Darian’s blow whipped his head around in a panic as if being chased by a ghost. His face scrunched up in agony as he fell to the ground, stabbed through the heart by Darian’s sword.

  “Stop!” Savino hollered. “Stop now or she is dead!”

  Darian stopped abruptly, his eyes darting to his cousin.

  Savino was backed up against the wall, using Marisa as a shield and holding a dagger to her throat.

  Darian hesitated, hearing Eman’s voice in his head that was asking him the same question from their visit.

  What if you were called to sacrifice that which is most dear to you in the world for the greater good?

  He recalled his response:

  I would hope I never have to do that, but, if it came down to it, I would have no choice but to make the sacrifice.

  “Cousin, if you do not show yourself now, I shall kill her.”

  His mind and heart fought each other in the worst kind of battle. He could kill his cousin right now and end his tyrannical reign. But she was in the way. Savino would kill her the moment Darian made his move. Could he abandon her for the good of the kingdom? He had thought that he had lost her forever, but she was alive!

  “This is your last chance!” Savino shouted his warning.

  Darian paused, glancing down at the pulsing color of the stone. He had told Eman that he would have no choice but to sacrifice that which was most dear to him for the greater good. But, now that he had a choice, he could not bear to lose her again and could not sacrifice her for the sake of the kingdom.

  He looked up at her sadly as his fingers closed around the amulet, slowly lifting it up from around his neck.

  “No, Darian!” she cried, shaking her head. “Don’t!”

  “Forgive me, Maraya,” he whispered.

  Just as he was about to pull it over his head, Marisa slammed her elbow hard against Savino’s ribs. While he was doubled over in pain, she spun around, knocking the weapon from his hand. In the blink of an eye, she reached under her skirt and removed her own dagger from its holster, plunging it deep into his chest.

  “That was for Eman!” she cried loudly.

  Blood soaked through his tunic as the realization of what she had done was reflected in his eyes. The life in him floated out of his body, and he slumped to the ground. In that instant, an earth-shattering sonic boom sent a giant shockwave rippling through the city, rattling the citadel’s foundations to their very core.

  The instant Savino’s body hit the floor, Marisa felt a sharp, stabbing pain in the region of her heart, and her legs buckled under. The ground trembled beneath their feet as a massive earthquake caused the glass panes to vibrate in their frames. She covered her head with her arms as loose bits of rock and mortar fell to the floor. The swords rattled noisily against the stone wall until one of them finally came loose, clanging loudl
y as it hit the ground.

  With a look of panic etched onto his face, Gaspar jumped up, disappearing through a small door.

  “Drop your cloak of concealment or she dies!” Raniero shouted as he held Marisa tightly against him, his sword resting on her throat.

  Darian glanced down at Savino’s lifeless body sprawled out across the floor, the dagger still sticking up from his chest. Further away, Talvan lay helpless on the stone floor, still alive, but quivering in a pool of his own blood.

  He was out of options.

  He ripped the amulet from his neck and tossed it into the far corner of the hall. When Raniero’s eyes locked on his, he knew he was visible once again.

  “Drop it!”

  Darian released his grip, his jaw clenching in anger as his sword clanged loudly to the floor.

  “Well, killing Savino was much easier than I had anticipated,” Raniero said, smiling. “And, when you are both dead, then I shall finally become king, thanks to Marino!”

  Marisa and Darian exchanged sad glances.

  “What a shame to kill such a beautiful young woman—especially one who looks so much like my Elyse. Do you know that she and I loved each other?”

  “She didn’t love you, you monster,” she cried, railing against him. “You killed her!”

  Raniero gripped her tighter. “No, I did not! I loved your mother. I would never have done anything to hurt her!”

  “You murdered her and made it look like a suicide!”

  “No! I did not kill her! She—”

  His face scrunched up in horror as he looked down and saw the bloody point of a sword sticking out from his right shoulder. He released his grip on her, touching instead the bloody blade protruding through him. Collapsing onto his knees, he fell over onto his side.

  Slowly Loris moved into view, his eyes seething. He withdrew Domenico’s broadsword from Raniero’s shoulder, keeping it pointed at him as he removed the Ambrogia stone from his neck. He bent over and stared coldly into his uncle’s eyes, sizing up the man who had betrayed his entire family.

  “And that was for our mother, Queen Elyse!”

  Darian ran over to Marisa, embracing her tightly as his heart exploded with emotion. Feeling her slip from consciousness, he lowered himself to the floor and laid her against him, stroking her hot, sweaty cheeks as his eyes quickly sought Loris.

  “Squire, go get help. Hurry.”

  Loris ran over to the large oaken door and unbolted it, running out into the corridor just as Savino’s warriors rushed in to see what had happened. After briefly surveying the hall, they turned to Darian questioningly.

  “Remove the bodies of Savino and Lord Raniero, then take the other two warriors out and bury them as well,” he commanded, still holding Marisa in his arms.

  The warrior paused. “The king is dead? Did you kill him?”

  “Yes, the king is dead. And no, I did not kill him.” He nodded toward Marisa. “She did.”

  “But, Sire, I do not understand.”

  “Princess Maraya is the true Supreme Ruler.”

  “Yes—that I understand. But, to beg your pardon, Sire, where is the body of Lord Raniero?”

  Darian glanced over where Loris’ uncle had fallen.

  Gone.

  CHAPTER 39

  RESTORATION

  Celino stared out across the water at the sunset as they approached Crocetta harbor, the cold wind biting his cheeks as it blew across his face. He was familiar with the warning signs of a heart attack, and the pain he had been experiencing since a few days before was worrying him. He had felt a powerful electric shock in his chest just as strong as if someone had used a defibrillator on him. When he saw King Bertoldo strolling across the deck, he walked over to speak with him.

  “I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but do you have a doctor on board?” he asked. “I think I may have had a heart attack.”

  Bertoldo’s eyes narrowed at his. “Strange that you should mention it, but—”

  “Hey!” a man shouted from the crow’s nest. “What is that out there? Do you see that?”

  Several members of the crew ran to the starboard, leaning out over the railing. Chattering and pointing at something between the blue-sailed ships of Bertoldo’s flotilla, they rubbed their eyes and then peered out again at the incredible sight.

  “Well, I’ll be a son-of-a-gun,” Celino said, smiling.

  Marisa was in the middle of a pleasant dream. Darian’s lips were pressed against hers, kissing her softly. It feels so real, she thought. Were they dead? Maybe they were in heaven together.

  If this is heaven, I like it.

  “Are you awake, Maraya?” Someone was stroking her hand.

  Her eyelids fluttered open to see Darian’s scraggly face hovering inches above hers. She raised her hand to his cheek, feeling the bushiness of his beard. “You need to shave,” she said in a daze.

  “She will be all right,” he said, chuckling. “I believe the fever has finally broken.”

  “Darian?” she asked questioningly.

  “You have been asleep for two days, my love.”

  “Marisa,” Matilda said in a soft voice. “You are going to be fine. Just rest for now; you must get better for your coronation.”

  “Coronation?”

  “Here, take one of your small white wonders,” Darian said, handing her an aspirin.

  She took the pill and lifted the cup of water to her lips. Her throat felt parched as she swallowed long gulps of the cool water. Glancing around the room, she saw that they were in Darian’s chambers and a wave of relief washed over her as she realized they were finally out of danger.

  There was a soft knock at the door. Matilda rose to open it. Hushed voices whispered in the corridor. A moment later, Matilda returned to her bedside.

  “Who was that?”

  “Someone I think you will be eager to see.”

  “Hey, Sis!”

  “Mark! When did you get back? Where’s Celino?”

  “We docked about a half hour ago and you’re never gonna believe what’s happened!” Mark grinned at her. “King Bertoldo has sent his entire fleet, but it looks as if we’re too late. Did we miss all the action?”

  She smiled. “Yeah, you kinda did.”

  “Did Adalina return with you?” Darian asked.

  Mark shook his head. “Naw, Celino made her stay back in Terracina. He said we’d send for her as soon as everything was safe and back to normal here.”

  “Where is Celino?”

  Mark shrugged. “Beats me. But he said he was coming to the castle later.”

  “How did you convince him to let you come?” she asked.

  He grinned sheepishly. “I was a stowaway.”

  There was another knock at the door. Darian stood up to open it, returning shortly with a lanky young man. “Marisa and Mark, there is someone here that I would like for you to meet,” he announced. “This is your brother, Marino Fiore. Otherwise known as Loris.”

  “Brother?” Mark echoed.

  Marisa held her hand out to Loris, raising up on her elbow and patting a place on the bed next to her. As he took her hand, she gazed into the eyes that reminded her instantly of their father’s.

  “Welcome to the family, Loris Marino.”

  She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Mark joined in from behind to form a group hug. Something about the three of them being reunited after so many years touched her deep down into her soul. At last, the missing piece of their family’s puzzle had finally been fitted into place.

  “I have always wanted siblings,” Loris said, smiling.

  Cinzia, Arrie, Tino and Alessio burst into the room and rushed over to the bed. There were hugs all around until Helena noticed her daughter was missing. “But where is Adalina?”

  “She’s safe in Terracina,” Mark said. “We can send for her any time.”

  Noticing the lost look on Loris’ face, Marisa interrupted the reunion to make an announcement. “Uncle Al, Aunt Cinzia, Helena
and Tino, I would like to introduce you to our youngest brother, Prince Marino Fiore. Also known as Loris.”

  Alessio looked at him in wonder. “Young man, I am your uncle—your real uncle.” He pulled him in, wrapping him in a tight bear hug.

  “This shall require a little getting used to,” Loris said, visibly overcome by emotion.

  “Hmm, where have I heard that before?” Marisa joked.

  Alessio smiled tearfully, amazed to see his youngest nephew after all these years. “Dear boy, you are the spitting image of your father. And me, of course.”

  “Let us give the princess some time to rest,” Darian said. “I have arranged a meal for us in a few hours. Let us all take some time and then meet back for an early dinner.”

  As they filed out of the room, he pulled Mark aside. “I need to speak to King Bertoldo. Will you take me to him?”

  “Sure,” Mark said. “Follow me.”

  Darian leaned down to kiss her. “I shall be back soon.”

  “You’d better.” Happy that he was back home alive, she promised herself that she would never complain about anything ever again.

  After the fleet had docked, Bertoldo’s army marched up through the city, prepared to retake the citadel, but most of the remaining warriors had already deserted the moment they heard that their leader was dead. In the two days since King Savino’s death, much of the order had already been restored.

  But there was still one important mission to fulfill that was weighing heavily on Darian’s mind, and he knew he would have no peace until it had been completed. And so when Mark escorted King Bertoldo into the Crimson Antechamber, Darian rose to greet the allied monarch with every ounce of gratitude he had.

  “Your Majesty, I just cannot begin to thank you enough for coming to our aid.”

  “Your Highness, I am most happy to be of assistance.” Bertoldo smiled warmly at him. “Any excuse to get me out of the comfort of my palace makes me happy,” he added, chuckling.

  “Your palace is beautiful enough to make any king envious.”

  “Perhaps, while I am here, we can carry out those long overdue discussions on an alliance between Crocetta and Terracina?” Bertoldo suggested with a wink.