‘What’s he doing here?’ Jack asked.
Sloane turned to see who Jack was talking about and was surprised to find her brother being brought from the castellum and led over to where Rhyn and Elyx were standing.
She didn’t bother responding to Jack’s question as she started making her way through the crowd towards Ash. There were two guards on either side of him, but she still didn’t understand why he would have been brought from his room.
‘What are you doing here?’ Sloane asked as she walked up to her brother.
He merely shrugged in response, which didn’t do much to help calm her down. She turned and walked the few steps that separated her from Rhyn and tapped the Unfaih prince on the shoulder.
‘Why is Ash here?’ she asked as he turned to face her.
Rhyn’s eyes looked up and over her shoulder, before focusing back on Sloane. He took her by the arm and led her away several steps. ‘Once Elyx gets to the World of the Woods, he plans to send a scouting party to the rift that lies near the Brakys’ lair,’ he replied, keeping his voice low. ‘They will be able to radio a warning to the human settlement should the Brakys get through. Ash is the only one who knows how to reach the rift from the camp.’
Sloane folded her arms over her chest. ‘And what if he does something to sabotage us?’
‘We won’t give him a chance,’ Rhyn said. His voice was so stern that Sloane worried what they would do to Ash if he did decide to hinder them in any way.
As she looked up and into Rhyn’s eyes, Sloane could see that his concern matched her own, and she believed him. She knew he wouldn’t let her brother betray them again.
‘Are you sure this is going to work?’ Sloane asked, turning to look at the assembled warriors as her hand drifted to rest on the stone that was tucked away in her pocket.
‘It has to,’ he murmured.
It took a while for all of the warriors who were gathered in the courtyard to file out through the huge gates at the entrance to the castellum. The group divided in two, with most of the fighters trekking towards the staircase that would lead them to the rift and into the World of the Woods. There were hundreds of Unfaih warriors going with Elyx, but only a handful accompanying Sloane and Rhyn. Their group was going in the opposite direction, moving across the plateau before taking the steps down to the village and heading to the ravine that lay beyond.
The suns were just becoming visible as they crested the horizon when Sloane emerged from behind the castle walls. She paused to take in the beauty before her. For a moment, she simply breathed in the cold morning air and relished in the way the snow glittered with the warm colour of morning light. There had been many sunrises in her life, but this one seemed different to all those that had come before. She knew it was the start of a day that would change everything and an ominous tendril of fear coiled its way around her heart.
She had always had very little to lose, but now she was surrounded by so many people she cared about. And if she failed to close the rift and stop the Brakys, she could lose every single one of them. As she admired the beauty of the world around her, she came to the hard realisation that the fate of Ellysia and everyone in it rested in her hands.
Sloane clutched at the Oblivion Stone in her pocket, tightening her grip and drawing strength from it until she felt a slight pulse of energy trickle through her hand and up her arm. She wasn’t ready to let go of the new life she had discovered and the people she loved. She’d never been good at failing in life, and she wasn’t about to start now.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Rhyn felt tired as he slogged through the thick layer of fresh snow that covered the plateau. The mental exhaustion of preparing for war was wearing on him. He was trying to protect so many lives, and he could feel the pressure of each and every one of them bearing down upon his shoulders.
He glanced behind him as he drew closer to the steps at the edge of the plateau. The small group of warriors journeying with him were already making their way down the steps to the village. Looking back, Rhyn could see the castellum softly glowing in the distance, and he caught sight of the fighters he’d sent to the World of the Woods snaked in a long line between the castellum walls and the rift, hidden up above in the rock face. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and seared the image into his mind. It was the image of everything he was fighting to protect—his home and his people.
He turned and started down the steps without another backwards glance. He had no time to consider what was behind him. His only focus had to be on what lay ahead.
He was at the back of the group as they made their way towards the village, with some of his stronger warriors taking the lead and a few others marching just in front of Rhyn at the rear. Sloane was up ahead of him with Jack, and every so often Rhyn caught glimpses of her blonde hair through the crowd as they walked. He’d need her to stay close once they reached the ravine. She was crucial to their plan to defeat the Brakys, and he didn’t entirely trust anyone else to keep her safe.
Sloane wasn’t the only loved one Rhyn was worried about. His mother would be well protected in the castellum, but he still felt uneasy about his father going with Elyx. The king had insisted on fighting, and Rhyn had no choice but to submit to his wishes. Even if he didn’t like it, Rhyn understood why his father couldn’t stay back while his warriors went to war. Elyx had the majority of their army with him, so Rhyn hoped that Vas would be well defended. In truth though, he knew that there was no certainty of safety for any of them anymore.
It wasn’t until he reached the valley that Rhyn started to move through the group so he could walk beside Sloane. Kai, Lorian and Jack were all crowded around her as they made their way along the frozen pathway that cut through the snowdrifts near the village. He was glad to see her surrounded by those who would protect her, but he still wanted her close to him once they reached the ravine.
‘You’ve been silent the whole way down,’ Jack said to Sloane, as Rhyn approached.
Sloane shrugged her shoulders. ‘I’ve just been thinking,’ she said.
As if she sensed Rhyn’s presence, she glanced over her shoulder in his direction. He gave her a smile in greeting, but her eyes only crinkled with concern. The look made his stomach drop, and his insides felt cold as he tried to understand what had her so worried. She was always so brave and selfless, but right now she almost looked scared.
Rhyn took several steps towards Sloane, caught her hand and pulled her aside. She looked away as the warriors passed them, continuing along the path that wound through the snowy landscape.
‘What’s wrong?’ Rhyn asked, taking care to keep his voice low.
Sloane let out a breath as she stared at the ground. ‘It’s nothing. I’m being ridiculous,’ she said, with a small shake of her head.
Rhyn touched her chin lightly and lifted it up, so she looked him in the eyes. ‘What is it?’ he asked.
She gave him a sad smile. ‘It’s nothing,’ she said, simply. ‘We’ve got bigger things to worry about.’
‘What is it, Sloane?’ he repeated. ‘You can tell me anything.’
She let out another breath and looked down at his chest, almost as if she were too timid to meet his eyes. ‘I’ve just never had so much to lose,’ she murmured.
She flicked her eyes up to briefly look at him, and Rhyn saw genuine fear in them. Not for herself, but concern that she wouldn’t be able to protect those around her.
‘I’ve always had Rowe,’ she continued. ‘But never friends like the ones I have here; never a life that I’d actually miss. I’ve just found out I have another sister and a grandfather. I want to have time to get to know them better. I want a chance to have a family I actually care about.’
Rhyn could have sworn Sloane’s eyes were welling up, but when she looked at him again, there was no sign of tears. ‘See? It’s nothing.’
‘It’s not nothing at all,’ Rhyn replied. ‘But you’re thinking about it all the wrong way.’
She tilted her head an
d frowned at his words.
‘These aren’t things that you should be scared of losing. Your family, your life and your home are the things that you should fight for with everything you have,’ he said. ‘The thought of losing them should put the kind of fire in your belly that allows you to achieve the impossible. Don’t be scared of losing. Focus on fighting for what is yours.’
Sloane’s gaze started to strengthen as he spoke and she gave him a resolute nod in response.
He lifted a hand to lightly brush her cheek. ‘Everything I’m trying to achieve right now, every journey and every battle, I do for my people. I do it for our way of life and our future. But I also do it for you.’
Her eyes widened at his comment, though he was surprised that it might have shocked her. Their relationship had come so far since they had first met in the World of the Woods, but Sloane was still so guarded about her feelings towards him. Rhyn didn’t need her to say them out loud because deep down he already knew how she felt. He was no longer afraid of his connection to her and no longer felt the need to keep his feelings to himself. He wanted to take each and every chance that presented itself to tell her and show her how much he cared because each time might be his last.
Sloane opened her mouth and closed it again as she attempted to respond. Her lips pursed and a small crease formed between her eyebrows, as though his words had caught her completely off guard. Before she could make any kind of reply, the sound of shouting up ahead caught her attention, and her eyes drifted towards the front of the group.
Rhyn followed her gaze and was surprised to find that Rowe and Esther had joined Jack and the others. For a moment, Rhyn was glad to see them both. He knew they’d spent the night in the village and he was pleased that Sloane was going to get the chance to say goodbye to them before she left. But his relief quickly dissipated when he saw that the two women were arguing with Jack.
Sloane barely paused before she took off towards them. He followed right behind her, knowing that she might not be getting the kind of farewell he had imagined. Rowe was attempting to speak calmly while both Esther and Jack’s voices were raised as they tried to talk over each other.
‘What’s going on here?’ Sloane demanded as she reached them. Rhyn came to stand at her side, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked at Esther, Jack and Rowe. They were arguing like children, and he didn’t know what to make of their disagreement.
‘They’re being crazy!’ Jack said, throwing his hands up in the air.
Rowe was glaring at him, but then she focused her gaze on Sloane. ‘We’re coming with you,’ she said, before shooting another scowl in Jack’s direction. ‘But Jack seems to think he can order us back to the castellum.’
Esther stepped forwards before Sloane could respond. ‘I can fight,’ she said. ‘And Rowe is one of the best archers I’ve seen. This isn’t a debate; we’re coming with you whether Jack likes it or not.’
Sloane looked at her two sisters, her lips tight and her eyes filled with concern. She didn’t seem happy about the situation, but Rhyn didn’t dare step in and say anything. He knew how protective Sloane could be over Rowe, and she’d never forgive him if he tried to intervene.
‘Neither of us wants Rowe in any danger,’ Sloane said softly, turning to look at Jack. ‘But I won’t stand in her way if she wants to help us.’
‘You’re kidding me?’ Jack responded. ‘I thought I could rely on you of all people to back me up on this. We all know how dangerous this is going to be. You really want Rowe to be a part of it?’
Sloane was silent for a moment before she looked at her sister. ‘I want to protect you with everything I have,’ she said. ‘But I’ve learnt from my mistakes, and I’m not going to hold you back if this is what you want. This is your war as much as it is mine, and I don’t think anywhere is safe anymore. Not until we fight to make it safe.’
Rowe smiled at Sloane and nodded, before turning to look at Jack. ‘I’m sorry Jack, I know you’re just trying to look out for me, but I’m coming with you.’
Jack threw his hands up in the air again and stormed off, following the small group of warriors who were still heading towards the ravine. Rowe’s eyes dimmed at his reaction, and her sadness was clearly etched into her expression.
‘He’s just worried,’ Sloane said. Placing an arm around Rowe, Sloane began to lead her sister off down the path. ‘He’ll come around.’
‘I hope so,’ Rowe replied.
Rhyn fell into step behind the two girls, and Esther walked at his side.
‘You’re both sure about this?’ Rhyn asked her.
Esther nodded. ‘This is important to all of us.’
He could see an intense determination in her eyes. There was a fierceness to them that reminded him of Sloane, and Rhyn felt sure that he wouldn’t have to worry about Esther should they need to fight.
They fell silent as they continued to walk towards the massive wall of ice that stretched across the mouth of the ravine. Hints of orange were reflected across the ice in the morning light, and from where Rhyn stood it was almost impossible to see the dark shadows that gathered in the ravine beyond.
Some of his warriors could already be seen making their way through the door at the base of the wall. He didn’t like the idea of taking the ravine to reach the rift. It was narrow and dark, and they would be vulnerable to an ambush. But it was the quickest way to reach the plateau above the Brakys’ lair. The alternative route took days, and they didn’t have a moment to spare if they wanted to disrupt the Captain’s plans.
Rhyn tried to cast his mind to the journey that lay ahead of them as he walked, but he couldn’t stop himself from looking at Esther out of the corner of his eye. He’d only met the woman two days ago, but he could see so much of Sloane in her. They had the same inner strength, and he could see that Esther would do everything in her power to protect her family, just like Sloane.
He couldn’t imagine the kind of life she’d had back on Earth. She had spent centuries on the run and had lost the one person who had shared all that time with her. It must have been incredibly lonely to know the truth about what she was but be unable to share it with anyone. Once they had dealt with the rifts and the Brakys, Rhyn hoped that she would get a chance to start a fresh new life in his world. That’s if any of them got the chance.
‘We had no idea what had happened to this world after the rift closed,’ Esther said, as she stared at the looming wall of ice before them. She turned to Rhyn, a look of sorrow in her eyes. ‘Mother used to tell me how beautiful Ellysia was. She spoke of the flowers that would glow in the night, and of the soft crooning call of the animals each evening. She missed this world and everyone on it so much, and I always dreamed of what it would be like to return.’
She laughed sadly to herself, before waving a hand at the world around her. ‘I never imagined this.’
‘It may not be the world your mother described to you, but Ellysia still has beauty in it. Maybe just not the same as you were expecting,’ Rhyn replied.
Esther nodded. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Perhaps.’
Their pace slowed as they waited for the warriors in front of them to move through the gate in the wall.
‘Do you know much about your father?’ Rhyn asked.
The expression on Esther’s face closed up, and she crossed her arms over her body as she continued to stare straight ahead. ‘Enough to know that if he is still alive, then I would not wish to meet him,’ she replied. ‘Mother did not speak of him often, but when she did, she tended to focus on the man he was when they met rather than the creature he became. The man she loved died the day he drank the Liftsal.’
‘How did your mother know that you wouldn’t turn into a Braky when you drunk the Liftsal?’ he asked, with a quick darting glance in Sloane’s direction.
‘She didn’t know,’ Esther replied before she followed his gaze towards her sister. She shook her head and focused back on him. ‘Sloane asked me if I thought she would turn into one of those cre
atures.’
Rhyn swallowed a tight lump in his throat. ‘And…’ he replied, barely louder than a whisper.
Esther gave him a supportive smile and reached out to pat his arm. ‘There’s nothing to be worried about,’ she said. ‘My father was also human, and I did not turn into a Braky. It’s been weeks since she drank the Liftsal and there hasn’t been any sign of her changing for the worse. I think it’s pretty safe to assume that she’s like me.’
‘Like you?’ Rhyn asked.
Esther nodded. ‘I’m not a Braky, and I’m no longer human, but I’m not quite like an Unfaih either,’ she replied. ‘I was never as fast or as strong as my mother, but my sight at night was far superior, and I had more sensitive hearing. I seem to have some of the strengths of the Brakys, but also the strengths of an Unfaih.’
Rhyn frowned at her explanation, but then considered what Sloane had said and done since she had drunk the Liftsal. She had been able to hear things that he couldn’t, and her sight appeared to be better than his at night. A part of him was too scared to hope that it could be true, but Esther had the same kind of heritage as Sloane, and she was living proof that drinking the Liftsal didn’t necessarily mean a future as a Braky. Could it be true? Could he finally be confident that he wasn’t about to lose the girl he loved more than he thought possible?
‘You truly believe she will be okay?’ Rhyn’s voice was almost a whisper.
Esther nodded, her smile warming with genuine happiness. ‘I truly believe it.’
Rhyn struggled to keep the smile from his face as he looked back at her. For the first time in weeks, he felt like he could breathe again. He wondered why Sloane hadn’t mentioned her conversation with Esther, but they hadn’t had much time alone since their night in the village.
‘You said you weren’t as strong or as fast as your mother,’ Rhyn said to Esther. ‘She was a fighter?’
‘Yes,’ Esther replied, her eyes drifting off into a distant memory. ‘She was one of the best. Where do you think Sloane gets it from?’
The Rift War Page 26