by A. R. Wilson
The elf merely grinned. “There is a distinction between entering the labyrinth and journeying through the Inner Kingdom.”
“Oh, here we go. Elves splitting hairs with the blades of their mouth.”
Jurren gave him a sharp look then turned to Azredan. “What was your for reason for entering the Inner Kingdom the previous time?”
Azredan gave his usual grin. “You won’t believe me until you see it for yourself.”
Arkose rolled his eyes and folded his arms. “So, do we proceed?”
“My vision has still not released me.” Kidelar scratched under his chin, his beard coming in thick now. “There may be another attack waiting for us.”
Looking at Jurren, Arkose gave a narrow stare. “What awaits us beyond the gates?”
The burst of information exploded in his mind. On instinct, he reached out to grip something and took hold of Azredan’s shoulder. The elf gave him a calm, knowing look.
"This is the realm of those who have passed.” Jurren’s throat went dry. “The living embodiment of death walks this place.”
Kidelar gripped the sides of his head, and squatted to rest his elbows on his knees. “I think I can see it.”
“Is there a way around?” Arkose craned his neck to look down the length of the wall.
“This is Einiko’s kingdom. Any path we take to avoid one thing, will only lead us to something else.” Jurren closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “We need food and rest before we enter.”
Azredan pointed to a bramble of weeds along the base of the wall. “It isn’t much, but those roots are edible.”
Jurren nodded. “You get first watch, tonight.”
“Are you certain we can risk staying here?” Arkose glanced back the way they had come. “That thing might still be out there.”
“If we don’t take at least some rest, we won’t have the strength to fight what’s coming next.” Jurren propped himself up against the wall. “Don’t suppose you feel like digging me up some grubs among those weeds.”
A smile betrayed the glare forming on Arkose’s face. “I’ll find you a nice, fat, slimy one. The kind that puts hair on your chest.”
CHAPTER 22
Tascana lay on her side, enjoying the peaceful few minutes she had left before Rothar came to signal the beginning of her day. Her fingers traced lazily along her dress, below her navel. She bit her lower lip. Would her son have curly, auburn hair like her and her mother? Or would it be straight and dark blond like her father? He would definitely have blue-green eyes. No doubt about that. And he would be as stubborn as her and Daddy ever were.
Her mouth propped into a smile. She couldn’t help it. For the moment, her son lay safe. Soon she would discover how to use the missing piece against Einiko (who is not a master of anything, including her) and she would escape. Somewhere far from here had to be a place where the horsk dragon couldn’t find her. A land where she could raise her son to be a man of honor and courage. Where they would train to become strong enough to defeat Einiko, and end his reign of terror.
A tear fell from her eye, and she smiled all the more. They were a team. It would take time, but one day they would be a force to reckon with. One day, no one would ever be able to hold either one of them against their will, ever again. She paused her hand, pressing it flat against her belly. That ever-present root anchoring her to pain and fear had finally died. Not shriveled up, as it had done before, but gone. Root, stalk, and all. The only presence within her was the tender, innocence of her son.
No. There was a hint of something else. Something wonderfully strange. The feeling of.... what? Peace? Joy? These words felt like pale descriptions of what caused the fluttering of her heart. Was it love? The image of her mother kneeling in prayer flashed through her mind. That day of the goblin sighting. How many times had Tascana brushed off Mother’s pleas as though the woman were nothing more than a pesky, little sister? And yet, Heluska had never stopped pursuing Tascana’s heart. Always making special meals, offering to help, wanting to know Tascana was safe, going above and beyond with patience and a willingness to understand.
Another tear rolled past her temple. Not of joy, but from the brokenness of profound understanding. Mother had loved her with an unconditional love. Something Tascana never appreciated. Nor had she ever given any hint that she shared the same attachment and affection . Could Tascana pursue with love someone who treated her the same way she had treated Mother?
She clutched her hand atop her belly. Was this why Mother was always so worried? Wondering how to keep her son safe mixed into both a delightful and wrenching experience. Had she misunderstood Mother’s heart so deeply that she saw Heluska’s protection as an attack rather than an act of love? I’m so sorry. Brushing the wetness from her eyes, she sat up. Had to pull herself together. Today she would start a new book. That meant she had to figure out today how to keep from losing the last of her soul in the process.
Three rapid knocks sounded from the door. She invited Rothar in, and thanked him for the meal. Picking at the best pieces to nourish her body, she ate only what she thought would be best for her baby. Her son. He wanted that extra piece of sausage, but she knew a man could not live on sausage alone. Her little guy needed a few more chunks of fruit first.
“You’ve changed.” Jerricoh stood in the doorway with folded arms.
“Hmm?” She had to finish the bite in her mouth before she could say anything.
“The door is left open, you’re eating here rather than over there, you’re hair isn’t brushed. Even your eyes are different.” His brow furrowed above those deep oceans of dark blue.
She grinned. “What greater honor is there than to be his apprentice?”
Would Jerricoh catch the true meaning behind her words? Einiko could only hear what came out of her mouth, not what rolled inside her head. She had to give the appearance of being submissive, for both their sakes. No way could either of those men fathom the greater honor she now pursued.
“The Master saw the cloud of light surround you again. I have assured him the mare is teaching you to love the child so that you will take better care of yourself. Thus, taking better care of his offspring.”
The sting of those last two words lasted only a moment. “Yes, she had taught me well.”
“The Master wishes to see you before you resume your studies.”
Even that phrase could not worry her beyond the initial moment. “If that is his wish, then I will abide by it. May I freshen up, first?”
He nodded, leaning into the doorframe. Moving efficiently, she made herself presentable. Afterward, they walked with her hands wrapped around Jerricoh’s arm. A more natural feeling each time he cocked his elbow at her.
As they waited for the walls to shift in that small room, she took a long, slow inhale. Now that she knew his name, she had to be careful. The mare was her ally, and possibly Jerricoh. In order to keep them close, she had to allow that halfling the illusion of her ignorance.
The stone walls faded to black. Chiseled images documenting the horrors of war leapt all around her. Jerricoh stood dutifully beside her with his standard blank expression.
Einiko’s voice cascaded through the metallic walls, his form not fully coming through. “My, you are beautiful.”
“You are most gracious to say such a thing.” She bowed her head and clasped her hands at her chest.
“You have progressed well since out last meeting.”
Keeping her head bowed, she gave a single nod. “I gave you my word I would strive to be a good pupil.”
“And to protect Jerricoh.” He dragged the name out as though mocking her.
Taking the intended bait, she flipped her gaze to the man in black before closing her eyes again. “Though I know it can never be. Yes.”
The sound of boots clicking against the ground signaled Einiko had entered. She returned to a pose of submission. The sounds of his advance ticked closer. A hand pressed against her stomach. She tensed. Another hand
covered the small of her back. Her shoulders instinctively pulled upward.
“Good. Very good.” He lowered to one knee, staring at her middle. “Everything is as it should be.”
“Yes.” She slit an eye open to watch his movements.
Flaxen hair flowed over his shoulders. A few metal links caused his warrior garb to poke out in odd places as he stayed hunched down. “Such a magnificent specimen.”
Specimen? The choice of words almost caused her to smack him away. Her son a specimen? He was a child. A human being... well, an elven being. And he would live a long, wonderful life far away from this place some day.
Einiko rose to his full height, hovering over her, stomach nearly touching her arms now clutched over her middle. Though she wanted to step away, she knew better.
“What did the mare say to change your attitude so quickly?”
“It is not only the mare.” She swallowed hard, calculating her words. “I have been mediating on this for some time. She merely helped to organize what I already understood.”
“Which is?” The base of his rib cage thumped against her arms from the huff in his question.
“This pregnancy is a child, and he will be beautiful.”
He slid a lock of her hair through his hand. “Indeed it will.”
My son is no ‘it’ you mongrel. She managed to lift her eyes to him and force a grin. Those piercing green emeralds attempted to revive the vine of dread in her gut, and failed.
“Do you comprehend the power within you?” His tone lowered.
“Whatever I possess is but a shadow of your strength. Like a deer who pants for water, I am grateful for every drop you allow me to have.”
He cupped her chin. “And the punishment of forgetting your place?”
Lowering her arms at her sides, she put all energy into softening her gaze. “Though I pray for death, I will never receive it.”
His mouth jerked into a soft chuckle. “You have learned well.”
Letting her go, he stepped away to pace. “Though I am pleased with the results, I do not trust the mare’s intentions.”
She dropped to her knees and held up her hands, palms out, to shield her head. “My loyalty to you has increased because of my time with her. Please, do not take this from me. I still have much to learn to earn the favor you have given me.”
“Favor?”
He seemed to like that one. She smiled inwardly.
“My room is so wonderful. The food you bestow on me is far beyond that which is required. I am treated as a queen in a castle where I am unworthy to live as a slave.” She planted her palms on the floor, hanging her head. Was she taking this too far? “I cherish the title of apprentice you have given to me.”
A moment later, he gripped the back of her head, yanking to force her to look at him. “Then why do I suspect betrayal in your heart?”
“Because you are as shrewd as you are powerful.” He shook the wad of hair in his fist and she cried out. “My heart is loyal to this castle! I choose to stay here of my own freewill.”
He pulled her up by her hair. With every fiber of her being she refused to fight back.
“You are my prisoner!”
“And I thank you!” She fell to the floor at his release. “I thank you for my prison.” Her breath came hard and fast.
Stooping, he placed his fingertips on the ground to gain eye contact with her. “You have grown beyond what I anticipated.”
“You are too kind to see such a thing in me.”
He dug his fingers into her jaw again, pulling her closer. “It is time we started testing your abilities.”
Was it a compliment or a threat?
Einiko stood. “Jerricoh, take her to the library. Cut short her study time by two hours so she may visit the mare. I want that animal incorporated into her daily routine.”
With a bow, Jerricoh put a fist to his chest. “By your command.”
“And I expect the same progress, as though her time were not reduced.”
Tascana swallowed.
“I am certain she is up the challenge, Master.”
Einiko strode away, disappearing into the shadows. The walls thinned until they revealed barren stone. Jerricoh came up beside her and helped her to her feet, then offered her his elbow. This time, he placed a hand on top of hers as she held onto him.
“I’m proud of you, Tascana.”
She grinned, knowing Einiko watched her as they walked away. “I am proud of myself.”
CHAPTER 23
Jurren’s head drooped. Arms extended over his knees, he sat with his back propped against the wall. The eagle women had sent a couple lone attacks during the night. With the coming dawn, he hoped they would finally give up. But where had the bodies of the fallen disappeared to? He knew where they should be, but not a single feather littered the ground. The scars in the dirt testified of the only proof that he didn’t hallucinate the encounters. Part of him wondered if he had dozed off and the horsk dragon came to pick up the scraps. Yet surely if that creature had come this close, it would have tried to carry him. So where were the bodies?
“Are we ever going to get a decent night’s sleep again?” Arkose tugged on his boots.
“Still looking forward to being bored?” Jurren tried to sound amused, but it came out as sarcasm.
“I keep telling myself I’m looking forward to seeing Tascana safe.” His mouth pulled into a slash. Lips twisted as though unwilling to say more.
“What is it?”
He shook his head. “Some things are better left unsaid.”
“You already started the words. Say it.”
“If this is what we face here, then what is Einiko preparing for us when we return home? When we get to Hess-Bren?”
The twitching muscles around Arkose’s eyes spoke the remaining words he didn’t have the heart to speak. They had faced minotaurs, a living Fear, mutated races, a spider woman, eagles with human heads. Not to mention whatever else waited for them in the days ahead. Each obstacle not only gave them a better understanding of their adversary, but also a greater awareness of what the people in Bondurant would face. Should Einiko ever cross the Avian Expanse separating Bondurant from Chlopahn, the consequences were difficult to fathom. No one lived in this land, at least not the way someone yearned to live. Their cities crumbled into a shell of an existence. A life devoid of hope was not worth living.
“We’re going to find that warlock, and we will stop him.” Jurren stood and walked to get a fresh drink of water.
“How can you be sure?”
As he stooped to the spring, he heard Kidelar stirring awake. “I possess the bloodline needed to wield his sword.” More points of awareness spill through his mind. “As I am from the line of the firstborn in that set of twins, my will has dominion over Einiko’s. Once we find the sword, I can end all of this.”
“Each ending initiates a new beginning.” Azredan got up to stretch.
“You elves and your—” Arkose started to say.
“Anything you add to that comment reflects on me.” Jurren walked back to the group.
Arkose’s brow flattened. “... ways of speaking like a wizard.”
“Believe me, it’s more annoying for me than you.” Jurren forced a smile.
“If your intent is to destroy Einiko’s kingdom, you need to understand the risk you take in pursuing such a path.” Azredan took a turn at the spring.
Jurren put away loose items into his pack. “Such as?”
“The sword possesses half of Einiko’s strength. Even if you destroy the sword, and every spell it upholds in this land, you will only take away part of what he is.”
“How do we stop him?”
“I am unsure.”
Arkose jumped to a stand. “How is that even possible?”
After splashing water on his face, Azredan gave Arkose a puzzled look.
“How can you two walk around with all this hidden knowledge being revealed at the most insane moments, and then sit here
and tell me you have no idea how to defeat that monster? Explain that one to me.”
The mocking gestures he made while venting the pent-up frustrations almost made Jurren laugh, and he had to put a hand over his mouth to keep from doing so.
“Jurren?” Azredan tipped his head forward, indicating another elvish lesson.
“Oh, here we go.” Arkose spun and spread out his hands. “Enlighten me.”
He scratched the sides of his face, debating over whether to shave today. It was a more pleasant conversation to have with himself than the one his inner knowing wanted to have. His voice hesitated twice before the words ultimately came out.
“The Ever One only gives to us that which helps most. Had we known what awaited us in this realm before we began, none of us would have had the heart to begin such a quest. It is in the doing that we are prepared for what must be done.”
Arkose’s face didn’t change.
“When the time to defeat Einiko comes, the Ever One will help us with what must be done.” Jurren stood, wishing he had another task to perform to distract him from the fullness of the moment.
“So you’re finally one of them?” Arkose folded his arms.
“Not exactly.”
“Then what exactly?”
Azredan chimed in this time. “Many are called, few are chosen. You have all been called on his quest, but he was chosen from his mother’s womb to see it through to its end. Whether Jurren gives in to the One, or not, does nothing to change the Ever One’s sovereignty on how this journey will ultimately end.”
“If your Ever One is so sovereign, then why did Einiko ever come to power in the first place?”
“For the same reason He allowed that scar on your cheek.”
Arkose put a hand over the place where one of the eagle women left her signature mark.
“You never knew how strong you were until you had no choice but to be strong. Kidelar had no idea he could overcome his paralyzing fears, until he was forced to face them under that cursed cloud. Each of you thought he knew himself until you were pushed to the edge. And now that each of you knows what lies beneath the surface, Kidelar has found his courage and you have found your voice. Would you truly exchange what you went through for a peaceful life, if it meant you had to lose what you’ve gained?”