by Alex Temples
His glass dropped to the ground, shattering into a thousand pieces on the cold marble.
Aelwen turned to look at him, head held high, her expression full of empathy.
Aiden stared at her, waiting silently for an explanation.
“You are part mortal Aiden, you are Tristan were born of a mortal woman. She was from one of the original Keeper lines, and of course, your father was a fae of royal blood.”
Everyone at the table had frozen mid-sentence. They were staring at the interaction between Aiden and Aelwen, all with equal looks of shock on their faces. Tristan was the only one who didn’t look shocked, as he came up behind Aiden to listen to his mother.
“Half mortal?” Aiden’s eyes were filled with a look Aelwen recognized, one she had dreaded seeing in her son’s eyes, for he was her son in every way but one, and she loved him more than he would ever know. She felt a searing pain as the look of betrayal in his eyes threatened to rip her asunder.
Then, she caught Tristan’s gaze, and he nodded his encouragement. He had known. She didn’t know how, but she wasn’t surprised. The acceptance in his eyes was enough to fortify her for the words she had yet to say.
“Yes, Aiden. You and Tristan were the offspring of a mortal called Siani, the mistress to Evrei of Cibola.”
Chapter Forty-One
Aiden
Aiden gaped at his mother in horror. She couldn’t have said what she just said – that he and Tristan were half fae, and descended from the great traitor, Evrei Bane of Cibola.
He examined his mother’s face, saw the truth in it, and turned to Tristan where he was surprised to discover his brother didn’t look at all shocked by the news.
“Tristan? You knew?” It wasn’t a question. It was an accusation. He saw the truth in his brother’s face. He had known. He’d known they were the bastard spawn of a dark fae and he had said nothing.
Aiden backed up, a look of disgust spreading across his face. He glanced towards the table, reading the faces there. Meurig sat still, meeting his gaze plainly. He had known too.
Nia and Eirian stared at him with open concern. They clearly hadn’t known, but now they were looking at him as if he were a monster come to life.
Evrei’s son. He had been able to do the incantation, because he was part mortal. There were a million questions running through his mind. He didn’t know what to do. The urge to flee the room was strong, but his thoughts returned to Brin, who was resting in his room, still in shock after hearing of her father’s death.
He couldn’t run. He was the only one who could help her make her brother well. He willed himself to remain still, closing his eyes until he felt grounded again. When he opened them, Tristan was staring at him, a question in his eyes.
“Brother,” he said, a note of reconciliation in his voice. “I understand why you chose not to say anything to me.”
Tristan looked terribly relieved, the tenseness in his body melting away as he nodded.
Aiden turned to Aelwen, “My queen.” He said it coldly and he could tell it ripped through her. “I will complete the task you’ve charged me with, because I now owe it to Brinmar, who appears also to be a victim of your secrets.”
Aelwen maintained her composure, but Aiden could tell his insult had cut deep.
She inclined her head
“Very well, Aiden. I am glad you see the necessity of continuing your quest for the tablets.”
“Does Brin know of her true origin?” Aiden asked.
It was Tristan who answered. “I told her about her mother.”
Aelwen and Aiden both turned to look at Tristan.
“You knew about her mother? Aelwen asked.
Tristan nodded. “I know much more than you could imagine. There is a benefit to being a shy child. I’ve spent years listening to all of you discuss your secrets.”
He said it with confidence, a wry grin on his face, glancing around the room as he did.
Nia and Eirian looked around, concerned.
Meurig smiled.
Aelwen sighed. “Alright, I suppose everyone should hear the story, so that we are all on the same page, but understand that there are reasons I’ve had to keep things from you. Still, this information doesn’t leave this room. With the exception of Brinmar, you are the only people I trust in this kingdom, until this conflict with the Jin is resolved. Do I have your word you will all keep this in confidence?”
She raised an eyebrow, looking around the room. Each person nodded in turn. Satisfied, Aelwen launched into her tale.
“Everyone is aware of Gethin’s history? His interference with events on earth? The way he has been amassing an army?”
Everyone in the room nodded. Meurig sat silently. He knew all.
Aelwen took a deep breath. “Meurig, would you like to tell the tale?”
Meurig nodded, and began to speak. His aged timbre echoing off the walls as he wove the tale.
“Ever since the goddess allowed the division of earth and Eden, there has been a force, a group of fae who resented this change. They were first led by a very evil fae, called Ver, and now, many years later, they are led by his son, Gethin.”
Meurig cleared his throat and took a sip of amber liquid, just getting warmed up. “Gethin has been gathering an army for almost two thousand years, collecting fae who are tired of the division between the worlds. Most of these people would like to see mortals enslaved again and full blooded fae in control. Particularly those who have been burned by mortals. One of the greatest incidents was the destruction of the first keeper tribe in the Mortal century of 1400.”
Heads bobbed around the room. This was common knowledge, taught to all fae in their primary school years.
Meurig continued.
“After this event, Queen Aelwen, and her king at the time, King Perudur, installed a new breed of keepers, those who were part fae and part man. They had a unique strength that the mortal keepers lacked – limited use of magic. Their use of magic has the potential to become greater than that of many fae, as they possess the power of both worlds.”
Everyone was on the edge of their seats now, this bit of information news to most.
Meurig sipped again from his tea cup.
“These new keepers were left in peace, for a time. For hundreds of years, there was no conflict between the dark and light courts. Each stayed in their own kingdom, in a truce with others. Things remained this way until one night, twenty-five years ago, when one of our own royal court took the leader of the keepers as his mistress.”
Meurig paused.
Aiden and Tristan exchanged a look, knowing to whom he referred.
Meurig cleared his throat. “It was Evrei of Cibola who did this, finding himself in a new marriage, one of duty, to Salacia of Agharti. He was bitter and angry about being forced into this marriage, especially when he loved another.”
Everyone looked around, except Aelwen, who sat with her head held high listening to Meurig.
“He rebelled against this new marriage by taking Mistress Siani as a lover. She was incredibly beautiful and very powerful, not a woman to be challenged, or used. She fell head over heels in love with Evrei, though unfortunately, he did not feel the same way for her. She was just a pawn in the war he waged against the council and King Peredur, who had married the one he loved.”
Aiden, Tristan, Nia and Eirian turned to look at Aelwen, bewilderment on their faces.
She held her head high, meeting their eyes. “It is true. Evrei and I were very much in love, but we had duties to fulfill.” Her voice was sad and distant.
Meurig coughed, taking another drink from his tea.
“Evrei’s seed took root in Siani’s belly. His wife, Salacia, was heartbroken. She had been faithful to him, ever dutiful, even though she was secretly in love with Peredur. The pregnancy was the last straw for Salacia. She went to her lover, King Peredur one night, and demanded he leave Queen Aelwen and run off with her. Peredur also loved her, but he was faithful to his queen, ever a man of d
uty. He turned her away, telling her that she must fulfill her role as Evrei’s wife. He had been her friend since childhood and she listened, returning to Evrei and making his home, readying for the babies, for as you all know, a child of a fae royal is considered the heir, even if they are got by a mistress.”
Aelwen was silent until now. She cleared her throat, placing a hand on Meurig’s hand. He nodded. The next part was hers to tell.
“Peredur and I were happy. We had a marriage based on mutual respect and friendship, though we both longed for another - I for Evrei and he for Salacia. Peredur and I were stronger than them. Evrei was never able to learn to love Salacia instead of me, and Salacia could never forget she wasn’t the only woman in Evrei’s life. It was too apparent her husband was still in love with me, attempting to drown his sorrow over our parting by having Siani as a mistress.”
She nodded to Meurig and he continued.
“Finally, Evrei and Siani’s babies were born – twin boys.” Meurig nodded to Aiden and Tristan.
“Evrei seemed to settle down after the birth. He stopped visiting Siani’s bed. The boys were kept at home with him and Salacia, who was now considered their mother. After the first few months of their life with the boys, Evrei began to fall for Salacia. He regretted that he had treated her so terribly before, and he tried to make up for it, but it was too late.”
Aelwen cleared her throat. “Little did Evrei or I realize at the time, but Peredur had finally given in to Salacia’s advances. My husband had a soft heart and never could watch a woman suffer.” She made a sad noise and Aiden saw a vulnerability in his mother he’d never seen before.
“I was never a soft sort of woman, one that could be taken care of, and I think Peredur needed that. He needed to care for someone weaker than him. He visited Salacia on the nights when Evrei traveled away from Agharti to his ancestral home in Cibola.”
“One night, Evrei was away from Agharti and Peredur was with Salacia. Mistress Siani arrived at the castle, begging to see her babies. Salacia had a soft heart. She felt sorry for Siani. Perceiving her as much of a victim of the antiquated traditions of the realm as she herself was, Salacia let Siani into the castle. It was the greatest mistake she would ever make.”
Aelwen glanced toward her sons, conveying her sadness at having to tell the sad tale.
Aiden remained expressionless, not yet willing to forgive his mother for her deception, and eager to hear the rest of the story, to finally know the story of his parents.
Aelwen accepted this, taking a drink from her martini glass, as if to ready herself for the difficult task ahead.
“Siani waited until they were outside the nursery and Salacia’s back was turned, and then she stabbed her.”
There was a collective intake of breath throughout the room, but Aelwen didn’t pause, needing to get the words out before she lost her courage.
“Siani intended to kidnap her babies and escape, but she didn’t count on Peredur being there. He heard the thud as Salacia fell and rushed towards the nursery. He was met by the sight of Siani rushing into the nursery with a knife. Salacia lay dead on the floor. Peredur ran towards the nursery thinking to prevent Siani from harming the boys. It was then that Evrei walked in. He suspected Salacia had taken a lover and was waiting to catch them in the act.” Aelwen paused, collecting herself.
“Instead, he saw Peredur standing over his wife’s body and with one incantation struck him dead. Evrei opened the doors of the nursery to check on his boys and it was only then he found Siani laying on the ground before their cradles. She had slit her wrists, knowing she would never escape with her babies.”
Aelwen drew in a deep breath. The room was completely silent now. Meurig put a comforting hand on her shoulder, patting her gently. She nodded silently and settled into a chair with her drink, giving the floor to him.
Aiden turned to the old man, eager to hear what had become of his father that night. Meurig cleared his throat and sunk into a chair next to Aelwen, adopting a contemplative expression. He arranged his robes around him before continuing.
“Salacia was not yet dead. Evrei dropped to her side, trying frantically to save her, but it was too late. In her last moments, she revealed the truth of what had happened that night, and he realized he had made a mistake killing Peredur. With Salacia dying in his arms, he stared at the body of the mortal woman who in his eyes had taken not just his wife, but his entire life from him. It was then his hatred for mortals was born. A hatred, it seems was only surpassed by his own self-loathing.”
Meurig’s met Aiden’s eyes.
Aiden looked down.
“Evrei realized it was his selfish actions, his inattention to duty, his own choices that had ultimately led to that fateful night. He knew the deaths of Peredur and Salacia were both on his hands. He gathered the babies and brought them to the Crystal Court, confessing to his crimes and pleading for the Council to retaliate against the mortals for Siani’s actions.” Meurig paused, looking weary. He gave a sad shake of his head. “Of course his request was unreasonable and spoken in grief. We were all devastated by the events of that night, mourning the loss of two of our own.”
“So what did you do?” Aiden asked.
“Evrei Bane of Cibola asked Queen Aelwen to care for his boys and raise them as if they were her own. He thought he was unworthy of the task. He was so filled with grief and rage he did not trust himself to raise the two of you. Aelwen’s daughter, Princess Rosaina was already grown and living in the mortal realm…”
Aelwen interjected. “And I gladly agreed that you and Tristan would be raised as if you were my own sons. Never for a moment have I thought of you as anything but mine. I’ve loved both of you since the day I set eyes on you.” Aelwen said fiercely, stepping forward and grasping Aiden’s hand and then Tristans.
Tristan squeezed his mother’s hand firmly.
Aiden stared into her eyes, seeing the truth in her eyes. He nodded respectfully.
“For that we owe you greatly, mother.”
“You owe me nothing, my son.” Aelwen replied, squeezing his hand.
Emotion welled is his throat and Aiden swallowed, forcing it back.
“You have our loyalty, mother, and our love.” Tristan said. He looked in his brother’s eyes, putting a hand on each of their shoulders, and the little family stood like that for a moment until Aiden broke the silence.
“Where did our father go?”
Meurig glanced to Aelwen and she nodded.
“Evrei Bane vanished that night. For twenty-five years, no one heard a word from him, until nine months ago, when one of our scouts came across information he was working for Gethin.”
Meurig paused and Eirian stepped forward, a quizzical expression on his face.
“Evrei is working with Gethin because he wants to bring down the walls, isn’t he”
Meurig nodded. “Yes, I imagine he believes he has nothing left to lose.” He said, glancing between Aiden and Tristan. “No one who would have him. He carries this old hatred for what Siani did and ostensibly, he wants to extract payment from other mortals.”
Aelwen bowed her head in sorrow.
Aiden and Tristan were silent, trying to digest the fact that the father they’d never known was fighting opposite them in the battle to come.
Nia put her hand on Aelwen’s arm.
Eirian broke the silence. “We must find Gethin. This fact has not changed. If we do not locate him and the keepers, he and Evrei and their Jin army win this battle.” He stared intently at them.
“How do we find him?” Tristan asked.
Meurig cleared his throat. “I think I know where they may be…”
Everyone turned to Meurig and looked at him expectantly. “Where?” Aiden asked.
Meurig shuffled over to the map and hunched over one of the yellowed scrolls Nia had rolled out earlier. His arthritic fingers traced the lines and shapes for several second, before coming to rest on a small red dot.
Aelwen moved to hi
s side and bent over to see where he was pointing.
“You’re sure?” She asked, her bright green eyes meeting his slanted black ones.
Meurig nodded. “As certain as anyone can be. It is a protected location, close enough to Stonehenge they can drop through a quick shifting portal. They would think most have forgotten it, as most in fact have, but I am an old man and remember much.”
“Where is it?” Aiden asked, as he and Tristan both moved to the table to see the map they were looking at.
“This is a map of Europe.” Tristan stated, frowning.
“Europe? They’re in Europe?” Aiden asked incredulously. “Why would they be on in the mortal realm? Don’t you think it’s more likely they’ve gone to the Netherealms?” He asked, tilting his head.
“That would be a natural conclusion, but I imagine that is why they chose to go to earth instead of there. They must have realized the Netherealms is the first place we would look for the Jin.” Aelwen said. She stared off into the distance, across their heads with a most peculiar expression on her face.
“I think Meurig is right.” She said, looking up and meeting Aiden’s eyes. “You must go. Take Brin and Tristan with you. The magic in the earthen atmosphere grows stronger. If we don’t get those tablets back soon, we’ll lose our chance at saving the mortals. Each day, thousands more fall ill. Now Brin’s father… I’m sorry I cannot give you soldiers, but I think a small group has the advantage. Eirian and our troops here will defend Eden against Jin invasion. I’m sure they’ll attack soon.”
She trailed off, looking away with knitted brows and downcast eyes.
Aiden nodded and turned to Tristan. “Are you ready for this?”
Tristan laughed. “I was born ready for this.”
The two brothers said goodbye to their mother. Words were exchanged with the rest of the queen’s council and then they made their way back towards the living suites to find Brin.
Chapter Forty-Two
Somewhere in the Ardennes Mountains
Northern Luxembourg
I crouched near the fire to warm my hands. We’d set up a makeshift camp near the castle we were about to invade.