The Destiny of Amalah

by Thandi Ryan

  ‘What about Adriel and Salwar’s power?’ Rufus asked.

  ‘I am in no doubt that they are powerful, but Adriel fears Salwar and Salwar – as powerful as he is – needs us.’

  ‘Be careful Rakan, we never know where Salwar is,’ Rufus warned.

  ‘I can assure you he is not here,’ Rakan replied. ‘On the rare occasions that I have seen him, I have sensed him first.’

  ‘Why are you telling us this?’ Kenaz asked curiously.

  ‘Are you planning to defy Salwar?’ Waldon asked.

  ‘No…’ Rakan began.

  ‘Really?’ Waldon asked with more askance. ‘Because to me, it sounds as though you are indulging your apparently insatiable quest for power!’

  Rakan glared at Waldon. Since Waldon had seen the vision, he had become at times, a humourless zealot. Unlike Rakan, Waldon cared not for the power and position. Salwar’s aim was Waldon’s aim. Rakan wished Salwar had not shown him the future and he was glad he had not seen it. The here and now was all that mattered for Rakan.

  ‘My motives are irrelevant,’ Rakan said tersely. ‘It is the outcome that matters. I am telling you this because I think we should all be aware of the power we have individually and that as a group – we fear no one – and we need no one. Nothing is out of our grasp but for now, we can follow Salwar and Adriel and for now we should, we do not want to alienate them.’

  ‘Nor should we defy Salwar,’ Waldon said raising his voice. ‘We are fighting to save the future remember.’

  ‘I know,’ Rakan said testily.

  ‘You have set out your plan, who did you have in mind?’ Rufus asked, changing the subject.

  ‘I said by dispensing of two members of the council, one a warrior and one a sorcerer. I believe it should be Raynor and Häkan,’ Rakan answered. ‘By killing Raynor and making it appear that he died by Häkan’s hand.’

  Rakan looked at his three friends slowly and carefully, he made eye contact with each one, keeping his expression blank and unreadable; waiting for one of them to speak.

  ‘Rakan no!’ Waldon objected. ‘Raynor has been a lifelong friend of your fathers and ours.’

  ‘I thought you would stop at nothing?’ Rakan asked.

  ‘I just did not expect it to be so close to home and so soon,’ said Waldon.

  ‘I know but Waldon, we cannot achieve our aim if we hesitate, or if we are reluctant or unwilling to what needs to be done. So I will ask you now, are you with us or not?’

  ‘You know I am,’ said Waldon.

  ‘It must be fore everything and anything – and to the end,’ Rakan warned.

  ‘This is beyond anything we have ever done Rakan,’ Rufus said.

  ‘Are you unwilling to go that far?’ Rakan asked.

  ‘I did not say that friend, I am simply making an observation; all of us have lied and deceived, killed animals and cajoled people and you and I have engaged in dark magic’s for our own end, but none of us have ever taken a human life before and I note that if we do, it will be a line that we have not yet crossed.’

  ‘I have crossed it,’ Rakan admitted. ‘How do you think Gaerwen’s demise occurred? But you are right Rufus it is a line, but to me the line is already a blur. What Salwar is asking of us will undoubtedly involve bloodshed – I can see no other way. I for one knew in my heart and in my mind that a time like this would come and I’m sure, that you all knew that sometime in the future, that this line would come too. Perhaps you wish it had come later but still – you knew it was inevitable.’

  ‘You killed Gaerwen?’ Rufus said in complete surprise.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Why?’ Kenaz asked.

  ‘Because she caught me using dark magic’s in the tower and I was not ready to be exposed.’

  ‘You never said,’ Rufus said slightly offended.

  ‘It was safer that way,’ Rakan replied. ‘If you do not want to go this far, say so now,’ Rakan said looking at the others.

  ‘I knew it was inevitable,’ Waldon said sadly, answering Rakan’s previous question.

  ‘As did I,’ Kenaz said.

  ‘I do not know if it is because the warrior within me possesses the desire to fight, or if it is simply who I am and it is because of what Salwar has shown us and how he has influenced us.’ Waldon continued. ‘But I did know this was inevitable.’

  ‘Do you care?’ Rakan asked.

  ‘Caring is not a luxury I can afford,’ said Waldon.

  ‘I too share the same thoughts as Waldon,’ said Kenaz.

  ‘I too knew this day would come,’ Rufus said. ‘But while I have no desire to kill, I will when necessary.’

  ‘I too have no desire for it,’ Rakan lied; ‘but I will do what needs to be done.’

  ‘Then we are agreed and ready?’ Kenaz said, half asking and half stating.

  ‘Yes, it is agreed,’ Rufus said.

  Another day of the celebrations began in earnest: Michael, Garrick, Häkan, Thaddeus and Raynor attended to their duties and as requested by the Empress, listened for anything that might have brought them closer to finding out what had been affecting the people of Amalah and the eastern nations.

  As night fell; Rakan, Rufus, Waldon and Kenaz went about putting their plan into effect. Kenaz and Waldon spent a short time at Häkan’s side and unbeknown to Häkan; Kenaz skilfully picked his belt and removed his dagger while Waldon distracted him. The two officers left Häkan’s side and met Rakan among the crowded scenes of Amalah City; from there, they went their separate ways and mingled among the crowds, making them selves seen and heard by everyone.

  When the time was right they all disappeared from sight and Rufus, who had began talking with Raynor

  ‘As a fellow sorcerer Raynor, can I confide in you?’ Rufus asked, with his head bowed. ‘I am deeply troubled and I know not what to do.’

  Raynor looked at Rufus and nodded once; ‘of course,’ he replied.

  ‘I need your promise to not tell anyone; especially Garrick or Häkan.’

  ‘May I ask why?’

  ‘It involves Rakan and given that Garrick is his father and Häkan and Garrick are close friends…’

  ‘I am sure,’ Raynor began, trying to reassure Rufus.

  ‘No!’ Rufus said sharply. ‘They cannot know, not yet, not until – well at least one of you have seen,’ Rufus said, feigning panic.

  ‘Alright,’ Raynor said quickly. ‘You have my word.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Rufus said visibly relieved.

  ‘What is going on?’

  ‘Rakan, he is creating a secret order within the Guard. He claims to have seen a prophecy. One where humans become immortal.’ Raynor looked on in disbelief. ‘I swear to you now Raynor, what I speak of is true. He claims to converse with the gods.’

  ‘Surely not,’ and incredulous Rufus answered.

  ‘Tis true and his most trusted are meeting this very hour.’

  ‘Where?’

  ‘In a palace room; I can take you there, we can listen in and you will have proof to take to the Guard Commanders and the Empress. Please,’ Rufus implored. ‘They must be stopped.’

  Raynor wanted to fetch Michael or Häkan but he did not want to scare Rufus away and they needed to know what was transpiring with Rakan and the guard, he reasoned to himself.

  ‘Very well,’ he said, nodding in agreement. ‘Lead the way.’

  Rufus nodded, turned on his hell and Raynor followed.

  Rufus led Raynor to follow Rufus back into the palace and into one of the many rooms and out onto the balcony of that room. It was on the east side of the palace; where nothing ever really happened and so, no one saw Rufus lead the unsuspecting Raynor to his fate. When they got there, Raynor was surprised to see Rakan standing on the balcony looking out.

  ‘What is the meaning of this?’ Raynor asked, indignantly.

  ‘You wanted to know who or what is the root cause of what is going on,’ Rufus said in a mocking tone. ‘Oh dear, did I not mention that I am one of those most tru
sted?’

  ‘You!’ Raynor said, looking at Rakan and Rufus with disgust.

  ‘Yes,’ Rakan said simply; ‘and Rufus, and Waldon and Kenaz.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Destiny, power – and – a much better offer,’ Rakan informed Raynor. ‘Adriel…’

  ‘Adriel,’ Raynor spat with disgust and his heart sank as the men before him had confirmed Michael’s worst fears.

  ‘Yes Adriel,’ Rakan replied calmly.

  ‘He’s using you;’ Raynor said with disdain. ‘Can you not see that?’ he shouted. ‘He only wants you for his own ends.’

  ‘Perhaps, but we too have our own plans,’ Rakan said smoothly.

  ‘And you will fail,’ Raynor said defiantly. ‘Adriel tried these tactics before and he failed.’

  ‘That was then, things are different now,’ Rakan said flippantly; ‘we will succeed this time around, as soon as I get my seat on the council.’

  ‘Ha!’ Raynor snorted. ‘Are you mad? The Empress will never put you on the council Rakan. She suspects that you are at the root of all of this, so if your plan depends on that, then you surely will fail.’

  ‘I disagree,’ Rakan said calmly and coldly

  ‘Really, once I tell her what has transpired this day, you will never sit. Even if the Empress would let you in of her own volition – which she won’t – she cannot in any event, for the council is full and will be for years to come.’

  ‘Now that is where we disagree,’ Rakan said slowly. ‘You see, there are two seats available, or rather, there will be two seats available.’

  ‘Whose?’

  ‘Why yours Raynor,’ Rakan said, with a sadistic smile, as he pulled out Häkan’s dagger from inside of his cloak. ‘And – of course – Häkan’s,’ he continued, as he flashed the dagger of Häkan’s at him. ‘You see you will be dead and Häkan, Häkan will be in a dungeon somewhere at the bottom of the palace for killing you.

  ‘No!’ Raynor gasped in horror.

  ‘Oh yes.’

  Raynor knew when he looked in Rakan’s eyes that Rakan was going to kill him. He knew there could be no reasoning or talking to him and he knew that there would be no mercy, so he attempted to flee. He lashed out, with magic at first, but he was no match for either Rakan or Rufus and they easily defended themselves, so he attempted to fight back physically.

  He went for Rakan, punching him in the face before turning to lash out at Rufus but Rufus was prepared; he ducked when Raynor lashed out at him and froze him on the spot. Rakan, unruffled by the punch in the face that Raynor had delivered to him, strode over to where the frozen Raynor was and stood behind him. He grabbed hold of his clothing at the collar and the lower back and nodded to Rufus, indicating that he should unfreeze him; Rufus complied and as soon as he unfroze, Rakan pulled hard on Raynor’s clothing and threw him back onto the balcony.

  Raynor landed hard on the floor and hit his side on the concrete balcony wall. He winced in pain and gasped for breath simultaneously and when he recovered slightly, he looked at the two men who were determined to kill him. Rakan strode to where he was and roughly picked him up off the floor and onto his feet. Raynor attempted to fight back but he was still no match for Rakan, who easily fended off Raynor’s blows and inflicted his own.

  ‘You are really not a worthy opponent Raynor,’ Rakan said, goading the older man.

  ‘And you are simply not worthy,’ Raynor croaked with contempt.

  ‘Despite your remarks your death will be quick,’ Rakan said, as he drove Häkan’s dagger into Raynor’s chest and as it penetrated his skin and muscle, Rakan let go of the older man and Raynor fell to the ground dying. Just as Raynor was slain, Waldon and Kenaz arrived with Häkan, who saw his friend fall to the ground; a horrified Häkan rushed to his friend’s side and tried to help his friend.

  ‘Raynor,’ he said urgently. ‘Raynor hold on, I will get help,’ Häkan said, as he knelt by his friend’s side.

  ‘Too late Häkan,’ Raynor said weakly. ‘I …’ but then Raynor was gone, his eyes became glazed and fixed and Häkan knew then, that his friend was dead.

  He rolled his friend over and was aghast to see his very own dagger sticking out of his friend’s chest and then, it dawned on him what must have happened. He turned to the four men and looked at them with a mixture of anger and hatred.

  ‘What did you…?’ he asked angrily.

  ‘What I had to,’ Rakan replied, blowing a large amount of dust that was made up of crushed jet, agate and black diamond into Häkan’s face causing the Guard Commander to become rooted to the spot. A satisfied smile passed Rakan’s lips be he commenced his spell:

  ‘With the passing of this hour, you will yield to my power

  forget that which happened this very night,

  sleep now and when you awake,

  wonder if you killed Raynor with your rage and your might.’

  Häkan fell into a deep sleep next to Raynor’s dead body and Waldon stood over him; he paused for a few seconds and then he brought his heavy boot down on to Häkan’s body.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Rakan asked.

  ‘You do want it to look like they had a fight?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Well Häkan does not have a single bruise or scratch on him.’

  ‘Very well.’

  ‘Waldon went about making Häkan look as though he had been in a fight by punching and kicking the unconscious Häkan.

  ‘That’s enough,’ Rakan ordered. ‘Raynor couldn’t fight that well,’ he said, with derision in his voice.

  The four men left the room; Rakan teleported himself and Kenaz to behind a tent in the gardens, while Rufus made himself and Waldon invisible, so that they could make their way to a small room near the Great Hall and once again, the two pairs mingled among the crowds and made themselves seen and heard.

  As time passed, some of the guard who were supposed to report to Häkan became alarmed when they could not find him anywhere. They looked inside and outside of the palace and when there was still no sign of him, they went to Garrick.

  Garrick had not seen his friend lately and nor had he seen Raynor. He wondered where the two men were and he too joined the search, which again turned out to be futile. He gathered twenty of the guard and told them to wait in the guardroom and he then went in search of the Empress, Michael and Thaddeus and requested to meet them in the Empress’s study.

  Garrick wondered whether or not he should ask Kalon to attend as well, he trusted Kalon but he could not afford for Kalon to confront Rakan, or for Rakan to know that they suspected him of anything. Garrick thought things through and in the end decided that Kalon should be in attendance and so he went in search of him and found him with Ellora.

  ‘Hello father.’

  ‘Hello Kalon, hello princess.’

  ‘Hello Garrick,’ Ellora said sweetly.

  ‘I’m sorry to interrupt the two of you but I need to borrow Kalon for a while.’

  ‘What is it father?’

  ‘Well …’ Garrick began.

  ‘Don’t worry Garrick, as long as you promise to return him,’ Ellora said diplomatically.

  ‘I promise princess and thank you.’

  Ellora left the two men alone and made her way to the first floor while Kalon looked at his father questioningly; wanting to know what was troubling his father.

  ‘I will tell you soon, but come with me now,’ Garrick said, as he turned and walked towards the Empress’s study.

  The two men walked quickly and within minutes they were knocking on the door of the Empress’s study and then being invited inside. Garrick and Kalon entered to find the Empress, Michael and Thaddeus already there.

  ‘Good evening Empress, good evening all,’ Garrick said, bowing his head and then acknowledging everyone else, they greeted him back and then Kalon did the same.

  ‘I am intrigued Garrick, why did you bring us here at this hour?’ the Empress asked.

  ‘And why without Häkan and Raynor?’ Michael
asked.

  ‘I bring you here without Häkan and Raynor, because this meeting is about them.’

  ‘Oh?’ the Empress said, slightly alarmed. ‘What about them?’

  ‘They are missing Empress.’

  ‘Since when?’

  ‘At least an hour – Raynor more.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Thaddeus asked.

  ‘Yes. The guard were assigned duties by Häkan, many were to report back to him and when they tried to do so, none of them have been able to find him.’

  ‘Strange indeed,’ Michael said.

  ‘What do you suggest?’ Amara said.

  ‘I have summoned twenty of the guard and they are waiting in the guard room as we speak. I suggest four teams of five to search the entire palace right now. I will lead one team, Kalon another, Michael and Thaddeus if you do not mind, you can lead a team too. We search north, east, south and west of the palace and all of the towers.’

  ‘Very well,’ Amara said, authorising Garrick’s plan. ‘The moment you find them let me know.’

  ‘Yes Empress,’ Garrick replied.

  The four men left the Empress in the study and went to the twenty guards, who were still waiting in the room and when Garrick and the others entered the room all of the guard stood up and acknowledged them. Garrick and the other three men acknowledged them back and Garrick then set about organising teams and despatching them to various parts of the building.

  They searched the palace high and low and it was Kalon’s search party who found the long dead Raynor and the barely conscious Häkan. Kalon rushed into the room to find his father’s oldest friend with Häkan’s dagger in his chest and Häkan’s battered and bruised body, lying beside him.

  ‘Oh dear God,’ Kalon said, deeply disturbed by the sight right before his very eyes. ‘Raynor, Häkan,’ he said, as the full horror of what happened slowly but surely began to sink into his consciousness. ‘Quickly, run and find the other teams. Sergeant,’ he said, pointing to the first soldier. ‘Run and tell my father. Sergeant, run and tell Michael, and corporal Jacobs,’ he said pointing at the third soldier; ‘run and tell Thaddeus. Get them all to meet me back here. In the meantime Corporal Smith, watch over the guard commander and Raynor and do not let anyone in here except the three I speak of and the guard.’