The Destiny of Amalah

by Thandi Ryan

  ‘Callan Knight…’ Garrick began but before he could go on, Callan cut him off.

  ‘Before you tell me about how much you do not wish to be here in this world, or how you have lost the fight or the will to live – live for Kalon. Think Garrick, if you places were reversed, would you want him to sit here and mope and waste away, day after day pining for you?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘No, you would not. You know that Kalon loved you and it would pain him dearly to see you this way; we both know that is true. Answer me this – do you want his death to have been for nothing? His, Häkan’s, Raynor’s and everyone else’s?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Because if you lie down to die now, it would have been; it would have been in vain. Garrick, we do not honour the dead by dying with them. We honour them by living; by embracing life, a life they would have wanted. So for your son and for all of those who fell, please do not give up and die,’ she begged him. ‘Honour your son’s life and what he sacrificed it for. I know that you feel that you have done all you needed to do in this world,’ she said and Garrick nodded his head slowly. ‘But if your heart still beats and you take breath, then you have not done all that you needed to.’

  ‘Callan…’ Garrick choked.

  ‘Oh Garrick,’ she said warmly.

  Garrick fell into Callan’s arms and she held onto him while he cried and as he cried, he started to grieve and grieve properly for his loss and as he did so he felt a release, he felt released from the bitterness and self pity that had been keeping him prisoner for so long and when he stopped crying, he sat up, wiped his eyes and looked up at Callan.

  ‘Thank you,’ he said gratefully. ‘Thank you for everything.’

  Callan smiled and wasn’t quite sure what to say. Garrick stared at her for a while and Callan was feeling hot under his gaze.

  ‘If there is anything I can do for you Callan Knight,’ he said with conviction.

  ‘You could shave, and perhaps comb your hair,’ she said wryly, trying to lighten the moment.

  Garrick laughed and Callan smiled, slightly unsure of how funny Garrick thought it was and then Garrick laughed some more and broke into a smile.

  ‘And perhaps bathe a bit more often,’ she said and Garrick laughed again. ‘And maybe a bit of scent,’ she added irreverently.

  Garrick laughed even harder and Callan laughed too and before long the two of them were laughing hysterically and Callan continued to tease Garrick about his unkempt state. When the two of them stopped laughing, they eased into a conversation that lasted for a few hours and as time went by, Garrick took Callan into the house and prepared a meal for them both, which they sat down and ate. The two friends talked for a while longer and when it became late and dark, Callan rose to her feet to leave.

  ‘I must go now Garrick,’ she said to him.

  ‘Alright,’ he said warmly. ‘I will see you to your carriage.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  The two of them left the table and walked to the carriage that was waiting for Callan and when she was at the steps, Garrick took hold of her arm and looked at her.

  ‘I am glad you came Callan,’ he said pleasantly. ‘And I thank you for everything you said and did today, I truly do.’

  ‘Will I see you tomorrow at the palace?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Then don’t thank me,’ she said. ‘Having you back is thanks enough,’ she said graciously.

  ‘You are a fine young woman Callan Knight,’ Garrick said genuinely, before he leaned forward and kissed her on both cheeks.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, squeezing his arm and receiving his kisses. ‘Goodnight Garrick,’ she said pleasantly.

  ‘Good night Callan,’ Garrick said fondly.

  Callan walked up the steps and into the carriage and Garrick handed the steps to the horseman. The horseman took the steps and thanked Garrick and then began to drive away. Callan Knight leaned out of the window and waved at Garrick and Garrick waved back and when the carriage was out of sight, Garrick returned to his house.

  When he entered he went to the kitchen and began to clean up, he washed and cleaned and put everything away and when he was done he went to every room in the house and did the same. When he was happy that the whole house was clean and how it should be he bathed himself and went to bed, and when he got into it, he fell into a sound sleep.

  When Garrick awoke the next day, he sat up in bed and thought for a few minutes. He thought of Kalon, Sarah and Ellora and he thought of Callan Knight. He smiled to himself and got out of bed with a new sense of purpose. He made his way to his bathroom and stood in front of the mirror; he looked at his stubble filled face and laughed as he thought of Callan’s remarks; he then turned to the bathtub and lit the fire underneath to warm up the water. He made his way to the kitchen and heated some water for shaving and then took it back to the bathroom. He stood in front of the mirror once again and pulled his shaving blades out; he lathered his face and slowly and carefully, began to shave away the stubble that had been there for a while.

  When he had finished shaving, he stripped naked and got in to the heated bathtub and soaked himself in the pleasantly scented hot water. Garrick felt good in the tub and he sighed with satisfaction as the water gently relaxed his muscles and the oils cleared his head. He sat in the tub for a while, thinking and relaxing and then he washed himself; he scrubbed himself clean and when he finished, he stepped out of the tub and grabbed a towel that was nearby. He wrapped himself in the towel and then tipped the tub over so it was on its side and the water tipped down the large drain.

  He cleaned his bathroom and then made his way back to his bedroom and on the way, he passed both of his sons’ rooms; he stopped at Kalon’s door and peered inside. He stood still for a few moments while he looked in and even though it hurt when he thought of his son, now he was able to smile too when his youngest child came into his mind. He tapped the doorframe a couple of times and then continued to walk to his room.

  When Garrick entered his room he pulled out his uniform and laid it out on the bed, he stared at it for a while and then began to get ready. He moisturised his body, added some scent and then dressed himself; he brushed his hair and tidied himself up and when he was satisfied, he went to look at himself in the full-length mirror. He looked himself up and down and nodded in approval, he picked up his sword and attached it to his uniform and made his way out of the house. He found his horse and placed the saddle on it and when it was secure; he mounted his horse and rode towards the palace.

  When Garrick arrived at the palace, everyone who came across him was surprised but pleased to see him and they welcomed him back warmly. Garrick gave his heartfelt thanks and continued to make his way to the Empress’s study. When he arrived, he stood outside her door, hesitating and when he was ready, he knocked on the door. Garrick heard the Empress call him in and Garrick opened the door and stepped inside. He looked inside to see Amara and Michael working and when they saw him, they rose to their feet and looked at him.

  ‘Garrick!’ Amara said, warmly as she broke into a smile and walked quickly to where he was. ‘It is good to see you,’ she said, as she leaned in and hugged him and then kissed him on both cheeks.

  ‘Empress,’ he said as he hugged her back.

  ‘Garrick, after everything we have been through, I am not your Empress I am your friend, please – call me Amara.’

  ‘Thank you Amara,’ he said touched by the gesture.

  ‘Garrick, my friend,’ Michael said enthusiastically. ‘I am glad you are back – you are back aren’t you?’ Michael asked, making sure that his friend did indeed intend to return.

  ‘Yes I am back.’

  ‘Good,’ Michael said, nodding his head in approval. ‘It is good to see you.’

  ‘And you too,’ Garrick said, hugging his friend. ‘And I am ready to take back command of the guard.’

  ‘There is nothing to take back,’ Amara said. ‘You were always in command,’ she told him.

&nb
sp; ‘Thank you,’ he said appreciatively.

  ‘What made you come back?’ Michael asked.

  ‘I had a visit from Callan Knight,’ Garrick answered.

  ‘She must be very persuasive,’ Amara said.

  ‘Yes she is,’ Garrick agreed.

  ‘Well I am impressed,’ Amara said. ‘I should send her to speak on my behalf in future.’

  The three of them laughed and they sat down to talk, they talked as friends at first and then they returned to business. Michael and Amara told Garrick what had been done and what needed to be done and they went from there. Garrick stood up and went and went to take command of his guard, he returned to his office and then went in search of his remaining officers and from then on in, he worked tirelessly – as did they all.

  That day was the new beginning and from then on in, the light came back. Amalah and the nations were rebuilt, new members of the council were elected and many people returned home for the first time in a long time. Some stayed on at the palace and in the city and some of those who had joined the guard, remained with them and as the days went by, the hurt, grief and anger; turned to love, friendship and hope, and as the nations were on the mend – so were the hearts and minds of the people.

  Michael and Amara remained together and in love and they remained at the palace, leading and working with Garrick. The days passed into weeks and the weeks into months and then a year passed. The minds of the people were at rest and once again, they looked forward as another year passed.

  One mind was not at rest though, in fact it was positively ill at ease and that mind belonged to Dale of Parades. At first, when she was asleep she would have a feeling of foreboding that would remain with her when she awoke. Night after night, she would have the feeling of foreboding in her sleep and then she would have dreams. In her dreams, she would see pictures of time; a time far away from her own and then she would see pictures of that time. For days she would have those dreams and even though they appeared harmless – they troubled her deeply and she did not know why.

  She could do nothing but wait for her dreams to fill in the missing pieces and night after night, she would fill in the same dream: the foreboding, the time, the future and then it came – a flash of Rakan. She woke up in fright and tried to breathe as she brought herself out of her dream. She got out of bed and went to her bathroom and splashed water on her face, she pulled herself together and made her way back to her bedroom. She sat on the edge of her bed and looked at her pillow, not daring to lie down and go back to sleep.

  ‘It cannot be,’ she said to herself. ‘It cannot be; they have gone.’

  When she calmed herself down, she thought things through logically and convinced herself that it could not be and when she felt better; she lay back down on the bed and went back to sleep. As she slept, Dale of Parades saw the dream in full.

  It truly was the future, far from her time. Rakan had broken through his world after all of that time and found his way back to their world. After Rakan came Waldon, then Kenaz and then Bryce, followed by Rufus and Luxor; and the six of them stood tall and powerful in their world. In that time there was no one to stop them; there was no magic, no seers and no great warriors and so the six walked among the earth and conquered it, as they had set out to do all those years ago – in her time. The six stood on top of the world, content with the destruction they had wreaked and they laughed; they laughed hard and they laughed long and then – they laughed at her.

  ‘NO!’ Dale screamed, as she jumped out of bed in fright. ‘No!’ she said again.

  She scrambled to her feet and lit one of the candles that were by her bed. This time, she knew she was not going to return to her bed and sleep, so she got to her feet and lit all of her candles, alighting her room with the flames. She pulled her robe and slippers on and stepped out of her room, she made her way to the kitchens and on the way, a maid stopped her and asked her what she required.

  ‘Some herb tea would be nice,’ Dale said.

  ‘As you wish madam, can I get you anything else madam?’ the maid asked, clearly concerned for Dales health for she looked as white as a sheet.

  ‘No thank you,’ Dale said distantly.

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Please, just the tea, thank you,’ Dale said.

  ‘Very well,’ the maid replied as she turned and made her way back to the kitchen.

  Dale of Parades returned to her room and thought for a while, she had not been there long when maid arrived with her tea.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Dale. ‘That was quick.’

  ‘Pleasure madam,’ the maid replied. ‘If I can get you anything else at all?’

  ‘That’s very kind, but no thank you.’

  ‘Very well then madam, I’ll bid you good morning,’ the young maid said, before she walked away and left Dale alone.

  Dale drank her tea and then began to move around her room. When she could pace no more she took a long hot bath and dressed herself for the day. At first light she went to the kitchens and the cook prepared something for her to eat. She waited patiently until she was sure that the Empress would be up and then she sent a maid to her room. The maid went to Amara’s room and when she got there, Amara and Michael were half dressed. Amara went to her door and opened it and the maid bowed and greeted her.

  ‘What is it?’ Amara asked.

  ‘Dale of Parades has requested to see you urgently Empress,’ the maid said.

  ‘What is wrong?’ Amara asked.

  ‘I do not know,’ the maid replied. ‘She said she wishes to see you, Advisor Michael and the Guard Commander and she said it cannot wait.’

  ‘Very well, I will come and Michael will come with me,’ Amara told her. ‘Send word to Garrick, he is at home.’

  ‘Dale has long since sent the riders.’

  ‘Right,’ Amara said, a little surprised by Dale’s actions. ‘Well thank you.

  ‘If I can be of any further service Empress?’

  ‘No, thank you,’ Amara said pleasantly. ‘Please tell Dale we will be with her shortly and she is to wait in my study,’ Amara said.

  ‘Very well,’ the maid replied and then bowed and walked away.

  Amara closed the door and Michael was at her side.

  ‘I wonder what Dale of Parades wants?’ Amara asked.

  ‘As do I,’ Said Michael.

  ‘We should go to her.’

  ‘Yes we should, but I think we should finish dressing first,’ Michael said, winking and smiling at Amara.

  ‘Oh Michael,’ she said laughing and tapping him on the chest.

  ‘Well we don’t want to frighten the poor woman do we?’ he said, taking hold of her hand and moving closer to her.

  ‘No we don’t,’ Amara said, smiling at him.

  ‘No we don’t,’ he said as he moved in to kiss her.

  Amara wrapped her arms around his neck and the two of them kissed as they leaned against the door. When the kissing stopped, Michael looked down at Amara and a mischievous smile crossed his lips.

  ‘Instead of dressing we could be undressing,’ he said with the same mischievous grin.

  ‘Michael,’ she said coyly. ‘Dale wants us urgently.’

  ‘I want you urgently,’ he said playfully, as he gently pinned her arms against the door.

  ‘Michael,’ she said, looking up at him in a mockingly demure way. ‘You are so bad,’ she said teasing him.

  ‘I know; you make me that way, especially when I want you,’ he said, as he leaned in and kissed her neck.

  Amara felt her body grow hot and she knew if they carried on and Michael continued to kiss her neck, they would not be seeing Dale of Parades any time soon. Amara leaned forward and kissed Michael on the lips and he kissed her back and then she pulled away from him and Michael pouted as she moved away.

  ‘Dale of Parades,’ Amara said reminding him. ‘Remember, she wants to see us urgently,’ she said gently.

  ‘I remember,’ Michael groaned and pulled a face that reminded h
er of a little boy and she laughed softly.

  ‘You’re so sexy when you pout,’ she said kissing him on the lips, before she slid out from in between him and the door and went to get dressed.

  ‘And you’re sexy all the time,’ he said following her.

  The two of them got dressed properly and they made their way down to Amara’s study and when they arrived, they found Garrick and an ashen-faced Dale already waiting for them. Garrick and Dale rose when Amara and Michael entered and the four of them greeted each other and Amara beckoned them over to a group of chairs. The four of them sat down and Dale looked at Amara. Amara looked on at Dale with grave concern, because she had never seen the young woman look so pale.

  ‘What is wrong Dale?’ Amara asked.

  ‘Rakan,’ Dale said, and as she said his name, the other three stopped moving immediately and looked at each other.

  ‘What about him?’ Michael asked.

  ‘He will return from the world we banished him to and enter ours once again,’ Dale answered.

  ‘That cannot be so,’ said Michael. ‘The gods opened the portal that sent him there – how can he possibly return?’ Michael asked in disbelief.

  ‘I know not Michael,’ Dale said. ‘But I know that he will return – he and the five others, they will return.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Amara asked.

  ‘Yes,’ Dale replied.

  ‘When?’ Garrick asked who had remained silent until now.

  The three of them looked at Dale and waited for an answer, not daring to breathe until she spoke.

  ‘Not in our lifetime,’ Dale said.

  ‘Thank god,’ said Garrick, visibly relieved; for he knew he could not fight another war, not one involving his son at any rate.

  ‘So when?’ Amara asked.

  ‘Far into the future,’ Dale answered. ‘We would have long since gone and the world as we know it would have changed beyond recognition.’

  ‘Why the alarm?’ said Michael. ‘Would they too not be dead, or at least very old?

  ‘No. They will look how they looked when we last saw them. For some reason they are ageless; even though it is many years from now, they will be the same.’