by Bridie Blake
She gripped her sword and walked quickly to the gate, Rando by her side. She asked the sisters to move aside and let her through the opening. They hesitated but did so when she glared at them with fierce eyes. She came to a halt when she saw the man and woman in question.
“What are you doing here?”
“We could ask you the same question,” Chae replied and jumped out of his saddle.
“Come in!” She cried. “You look exhausted.”
They followed her inside and handed their horses over to Keane, who had rushed over when he saw it was safe.
“Stand down,” Madoc said when he saw who accompanied Tempani.
The men were slow to put their weapons away.
Tempani marched over to them. “When your commander tells you to stand down, he means it,” she barked. They hung their heads but did as they were told.
“Commander?” Madoc whispered in her ear.
“I thought it fitting to give you a title,” she whispered back. “I need to inform the others that we have guests. I doubt they’ll be pleased.”
He bowed to her and then turned to Chae and clapped him on the back.
“We got here as soon as we could. Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” He asked.
“Come and eat, and we’ll explain everything. Trust me, you’ll want to be sitting when you hear our tales.”
Chae and Dahlia sat in silence as Madoc finished telling them just what exactly was going on. The whole story. Dahlia gripped Chae’s hand, but he was in shock and didn’t realize that her fingernails were digging into his skin. They jumped when Colbert and Darby burst into the room.
“What a pleasant surprise this is,” Darby said, trying but failing to make his voice light.
“You’ve told them!” Colbert cried. “I knew we couldn’t trust you, but Tempani insisted. It’s all over.”
“Now hold on a moment,” Madoc said dangerously and rose from his seat. “Do not start with me Colbert. We’re all in this together. You think just because I’m noble I don’t understand what’s going on in this kingdom?”
“You live a lie, Madoc. People don’t know you’re Kalaowin.”
Madoc growled and grabbed the healer by his collar, pinning him against the wall. His large frame shook as anger coursed through him. Colbert gasped for breath and flailed his legs at the bigger man, trying to drive him back.
“Now this won’t do,” Tempani sighed when she walked into the room. Madoc yelped and drew his arms away from Colbert, allowing him to get free.
“What did you do?”
“Stung your hands. Run them under some cold water and you’ll be fine,” she said. “Now, do you think you two can just pretend to get along for my sake?”
Colbert extended his hand. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m just on edge at the moment. If we’re found out, they’ll go after Leandra too.”
Madoc shook his hand and then gave him a friendly pat on the back. “I understand.”
The three turned when they heard the scraping of chairs. Tempani looked down. Dahlia was in a deep curtsey, her hand on her heart.
“Dahlia, what are you doing?”
“I felt you that day you used your magic. I felt it in my bones, but I didn’t know it was you or I would have rushed to your side,” she whispered. “I have been waiting for this day to come as my ancestors have waited before me. I will follow you where you lead.”
Tempani picked up Dahlia’s hand and pulled her to her feet and into a hug. “Never bow to me again. Ever,” she said.
“Papa’s going to be furious,” Chae muttered. “And Nic. He doesn’t know, does he?”
Tempani pulled herself free of Dahlia’s grasp and crossed the room to her brother. She knelt before him and clasped his hands in hers. “Nic doesn’t know. I can’t afford him to know just yet. Not until we are ready to make a stand.”
“And how will you make this stand? With bloodshed?”
“We have no other choice.”
“Yes you do,” he said. “Come back with me now and marry Nic. Then maybe as queen you can start to fix these things.”
“No, I can’t. You know that any queen this kingdom’s had is useless. They have no voice,” she said bitterly. “Marrying Nic won’t do our cause any good.”
“He will change things if you give him reason to.”
“He won’t. None of them have ever changed anything!” She threw her arms in the air. “Hallam has too much control over him. And he’s made it clear I will never be queen. I need to do this my way.”
“The only way you are going to succeed is through a war, and many lives will be lost in that case. Is that what you want?”
Tempani jumped to her feet. “Take a look around. We’re already at war!”
“What you’re doing is treason.”
“Chae, stop it,” Madoc warned.
“You’ve all filled her head with these tales of greatness but have you thought about how she’s going to achieve this greatness? You will kill a lot of people in the process. Our friends, Madoc. You’ll be killing our friends.”
“Chae, I need your support,” Tempani pleaded. “Please.”
“I want to, but I don’t know if I can.”
Everybody stood by silently as they watched brother and sister stare at one another. Desperation in both of their eyes.
“I need to think,” he whispered.
“All right.” She nodded, tears bright in her eyes. “We will give you space.” She ushered everyone out of the room and then stopped at the door. “I love you Chae. Whatever you decide, that won’t change.”
He sighed. “I love you too.”
—
Hallam lounged in the chair as he watched his brother pace his study. The king looked tired. He had been holed up in Parliament all day discussing the situation in the city. And it had not gone well.
“Now they’re not happy with Princess Naleeni. First the other girl and now this one,” he cried. “Do they not want Nicolass to marry at all?”
“The commoners are at it again?” Hallam barely disguised the boredom from his voice. The way his brother ranted about the commoners and the Kalaowins and everything else wrong with the kingdom grated on his nerves. Wimarc never did anything to fix the problem. If he were king, he would have put a stop to this a long time ago. The solution was simple.
“We received reports from the northern border that they are refusing to work.”
“And what are their overlords doing about the problem?”
“Appealing to me for help.” Wimarc stopped pacing and faced his younger brother. “This needs to be squashed, but it’s a very precarious situation. Darby has been warning me of this for years.”
Hallam snorted and rolled his eyes. “Darby is weak when it comes to the lower classes and now so are you. You indulge them.”
“Indulge them?” He scoffed. “I do no such thing.”
“Then send your army into the city and put a stop to their riots once and for all.”
“I’ll have to run it past the Parliament first. Get their backing before I do anything.”
Hallam sighed and rose to his feet, downing his brandy. “Of course, you do.”
—
Dahlia linked her arm through Tempani’s as they strolled around the grounds, Tilaw running alongside them as he chased after butterflies. The sisters were busy tending to the garden and worked in silence as they dug with their bare hands, treasuring the earth the Gods blessed them with.
“The city is a shambles,” Dahlia said, her voice soft. Tempani was beginning to notice that when anyone spoke of troubles in the kingdom it was done in hushed, fearful tones. One day that would stop, and people would be free to speak their minds. “The commoners are terrified that things will get worse for them with a Galen queen.”
“Have they made an announcement?” She asked but wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear the answer.
Dahlia shook her head and squeezed Tempani’s hand. “Nic is trying to delay thing
s as long as possible. He still holds out hope that you’ll come back and agree to marry him.”
“Sometimes I think maybe it would be easier to just marry him and try to change things that way.”
Dahlia sighed sadly. “It would be impossible. You know that. Even if you did marry him now, his father isn’t going anywhere soon and the people of this kingdom won’t wait for that to happen. And who is to say that Nic won’t rule as his ancestors have before him.”
“You’re right,” she said. “I can’t help but think it will be impossible either way.” She stopped walking and turned to face her friend. “How am I going to unite two races that despise one another?”
Dahlia placed her hands on Tempani’s shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “Because they both believe in you. You just need to make them believe in each other.”
“And then what happens? We attack the city? Kill our friends?”
“No,” Dahlia said. “We hope that King Wimarc has enough sense to change things.”
She wanted to believe Dahlia, but she knew there would be a battle. It would only be a matter of when. She knew they were doing the right thing, but the thought of fighting an army led by her father made her heart ache. They were not close and were never going to be but still, she didn’t want to see him lose his life in this war. And what about Nic? Would he fight? If Tempani won, what would happen to him?
“So, how long have you been in love with my brother?” Tempani asked, desperate to clear her mind of her thoughts.
Dahlia blushed. “Is it that obvious?”
“Just a little.”
Dahlia smiled, her face glowing with happiness. “He’s wonderful,” she breathed.
“So why all the secrecy?” Tempani asked.
“It’s difficult,” she said. “Chae has worked hard to prove himself at court and they accept him but only to a certain extent. If we went public with our courtship…”
Tempani nodded. “I understand. Believe me.”
“And that’s why things need to change. Why should two people who love each other so dearly have to skulk around? I want to shout my feelings from the highest mountain,” she giggled.
Tempani wrapped her arm around her shoulders and hugged her friend to her. “Then that is what you must do. You will get your happily ever after with my brother.”
—
The scream pierced the palace walls, startling everyone from their slumber. Nic grappled for his sword, and in the short time it had taken him to dress himself, Dagan had arrived. The man was sweating, panting heavily, as he’d taken the stairs at record speed.
“What’s going on?” Nic asked as they rushed out the door.
Dagan shook his head and urged Nic to hurry as they broke into a run. The panic rose in Nic’s chest. He knew something was wrong. That scream had not only pierced the walls, it had sent a dagger through his heart. It was his mother.
He pushed people out of his way as they ran down the flight of stairs that led to his parents’ chambers. Members of the King’s Guard milled around, barking orders. The Chief Healer appeared at the door, his face drawn. The man looked at the prince, tears in his brown eyes.
Nic took a deep breath and walked in. There was a small crowd gathered around the bed, most of whom wept quietly. They parted when they noticed him, allowing him to step closer. His father lay there, a deep gash in his neck, his eyes wide and unmoving. But that wasn’t what tore a hole in his heart. It was his mother. Her pale face streaked with tears, her blonde hair falling down her waist as she cowered on the floor. Her deep wails carried through the room. She lay there, not as a queen, but as a woman with a broken heart. Teddy was beside her, trying to console her, but she didn’t appear to notice his presence.
Teddy looked up at Nic, his eyes showing no signs of sadness or surprise. Nic thought he noticed a look of relief pass his brother’s face, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
He noticed movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to see Hallam entering the room from Wimarc’s study. He motioned for Nic to come.
“What happened?” Nic asked as he reached his uncle’s side. He had managed to sound calm and focused, but on the inside he was anything but.
“An assassin,” Hallam whispered. “We have him subdued in the study.”
Nic nodded and swept past his uncle into the study. A Kalaowin man stood, his eyes focused on the wall in front of him. The left side of his face was badly scarred. Around him, members of the King’s Guard watched him, their swords pointed at his heart.
Lord Ricton stood in the corner, his eyes trained on the assassin. He didn’t bow or even acknowledge Nic’s presence.
“Stand down,” Nic ordered.
The men hesitated, their eyes darting to Hallam.
“I am your prince,” Nic said calmly. “Stand down.”
The man didn’t move an inch as the Guard backed away from him. Not even a blink. Nic had heard of this happening. Of Kalaowins showing no fear in the face of death. Nic stood in his line of sight and met his blank, dark eyes.
“You have committed the worst crime known to this kingdom,” Nic said slowly, unsure if the man could even understand a word he was saying. “There is only one punishment for regicide.”
The man’s eyes remained on Nic’s as he spoke, but they showed no fear.
“You will be taken before the Master Priest,” he said. “You will be sentenced to death.” Nic turned to the Guard. “Take him to the dungeon. I will summon the Master Priest.”
He was at the door when he heard the man speak. His voice was soft as he spoke in perfect Kamari. “In the name of Tempani our queen, you’re next.”
Nic froze. And then he heard the sound of a blade swishing through the air before it pierced the heart of the man, and he fell to the ground. Hallam pushed his foot against the man and pulled his sword free from his body.
Nic glared at Hallam. “What have you done?”
“What needed to be done.” He handed his bloodied sword to one of the Guard. “Clean my sword.” He pushed Nic towards the door. “Your kingdom awaits, King Nicolass.”
—
Tempani gasped as she woke suddenly, her hair sticking to her sweaty face. Her hands trembled as she pushed it out of her eyes. She’d had a nightmare again, but for the first time it hadn’t been about her mother. She couldn’t remember the finer details of it but there had been blood. Lots of it.
She tried to close her eyes and drift back to sleep, but the moment her lids closed she saw the blood again, gushing from a man’s neck. She shivered. It felt so real. Like she was seeing a real wound. And it had been fatal.
She threw on some breeches and thrust her feet into a pair of boots. If she couldn’t sleep, she might as well make herself useful. She buttoned her shirt as she trudged out into the warm night. She loved the mild summer nights. They reminded her of happier times back on Amarill with her family, taking late night swims in the lake when it was too hot to sleep.
The infirmary was quiet. She nodded to the sister on duty and was met with a small smile in return. When this girl had been a novice she had given Tempani nothing but frowns and glares of contempt, but now with her commitment to the Greater Gods complete, her prejudices had been surrendered.
Tempani went to the first bed and checked on the little girl with the broken leg. She placed her hand on her limb and closed her eyes, opening her mind to the broken limb. The bone was almost completely healed. She pushed a sliver of her magic into the fracture.
She moved onto the man with the burning fever and fought off as much of the infection as she could and then sent him into a deeper slumber. She moved from bed to bed, applying her magic where possible. Her strength waned but she pushed on, desperate to erase the image of her nightmare.
She stumbled as she approached the next bed and was caught by a pair of soft hands. She was helped to a spare bed and collapsed onto it, her breathing haggard.
“Drink this,” Bhatia ordered and thrust a nasty sm
elling concoction into her hands.
Tempani pushed it away, the bile rising in her throat at the stench.
“Trust me,” Bhatia said and helped her pour it through her lips.
Tempani instantly felt better as the liquid trickled down her throat. Her head cleared, and she was able to sit upright. “Thank you,” she mumbled.
“Mother Chennai said I have a knack with medicines.”
“You need to work on the taste.”
Bhatia shrugged, clearly not amused. “It does the trick. That’s what counts.”
Tempani gulped down some water and wiped her mouth. “What are you doing here so late anyway?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
Tempani shivered despite the heat. “I had a nightmare and couldn’t sleep.”
Bhatia raised her eyebrows at the girl, and Tempani could only guess what she was thinking. Did she think she was childish for being scared of a dream? Weak? She wouldn’t blame her if she did.
“I hate the night,” she said quietly. “Every time it comes I expect him to arrive.”
Tempani watched her closely. She wondered what it must be like for her. To feel like she has no one to turn to. To think it’s fine for a man to do what he did because of what she does for a living. She was in awe of Bhatia’s strength.
“So what do you do?”
“I come in here. It’s the only place I feel safe.”
“Who is he?” Tempani asked. “I will make him pay.”
Bhatia raised her head and stared into Tempani’s eyes. “I fight my own battles,” she said. “And he will suffer at my hands only.”
Tempani nodded and got to her feet. “I should go rest.”
Bhatia watched her go and found herself calling out to her. “If you can’t sleep, come see me. I have a potion that will help you.”
—
“My dear Tryphena, you must pull yourself together,” Hallam said as he stroked the back of her head. “The court needs to see your face in this time of mourning.”
She looked up at him through teary eyes. “I need to mourn with my family. Not the court.”
He knelt beside her. “They mourn for their beloved king. Seeing their precious queen, even for a moment, will do the world of good. We need to show them that we will get through this. That our family is strong.”