“Yes.” Hasain’s weak voice lifted for the first time. He looked as exhausted as the others. “There wasn’t enough time or manpower to bring his body back. May The Two forgive us.”
The wind blew cold across the barren courtyard. Gib shuddered. It felt as if they stood on the very edge of the world.
“Chhaya, keep vigil.” Koal’s voice was resilient despite his injury. “For one of your children comes.” Gib lowered his head and closed his eyes as he and the others joined in. “Our hearts are heavy as our brother crosses the veil today.” He’d heard the death rite issued before, but it stung his throat to say the words himself. He hadn’t had to utter it since his own father had been laid to rest.
The wind, still blustering gusts of ice and snow, was the only sound to betray the silence that followed.
“What happened?” King Rishi demanded at long last, breaking the quiet. Additional healers and soldiers began to pour into the courtyard as he spoke.
Koal frowned. “They made me an offer I had to refuse. When I told them we were leaving, they decided they were going to miss me and implored I stay.”
One corner of the King’s mouth curled upward, the first glimpse of a smile Gib had witnessed in ages. The scowl the King had sported a moment before quickly resurfaced. “You look terrible. Marc, get over here.”
Liro was sitting up now, still holding whatever bauble it was he had around his neck. When Marc rose, the mage offered no resistance. Koal, on the other hand, openly balked.
“Chhaya’s bane, Koal!” the dean huffed. “You’ve been impaled. Liro’s fine. Let me look at you.”
Koal groaned. “I’m not dead yet.” He winced when Marc peeled back a layer of armor and fabric. “It didn’t even hurt much until now.”
Marc chuckled. “Adrenaline. That’ll fade soon enough. Let’s get you inside. I need proper light and none of us need to stand out here to catch our deaths.”
“Like the lot of you in your pretty little slippers?” Koal gasped when Marc touched a tender spot.
“If I lose my toes to frostbite, I’m holding you accountable.” King Rishi finally left Koal’s side but froze when he seemed to notice something new. His voice went cold. “Wait. Who are our—guests?”
Following the King’s gaze, Gib watched as a cluster of royal guardsmen circled the two strangers he’d hardly noticed earlier. A young man and woman, probably around the same age as he and Joel, trembled as they huddled close together. Their strange silken garments confirmed they must have come through the portal with the Ardenian envoys. Gib clenched his jaw. What were two Imperials doing here?
Koal cleared his throat. “They’re friends of Joel’s. He vouched for them, and I must admit, we wouldn’t have made it back without their help.” When King Rishi gave the seneschal a cross glare, he only squared his good shoulder and set his mouth in a firm line. “I can say no more on the matter. You’ll have to question Joel. Just—do so gently.”
Frowning, the King swept over, and despite knowing this had nothing to do with him, Gib couldn’t help but pull away as the ruler loomed above them. Joel, however, lifted his vacant eyes. His unfocused stare passed straight through the King.
“Joel Adelwijn, explain yourself,” King Rishi demanded in a firm tone.
Joel’s mouth moved, but the only thing to come out was another sob. He closed his lips, swallowed audibly, and tried again. He got the same result. After another miserable attempt, all he could do was retch and weep. “I’m sorry.”
King Rishi’s features lost their harsh edge. Gib watched, transfixed, as the King dropped to one knee and offered a hand. “Sit up. Get out of the snow.”
Joel wiped at his tears but did as he was instructed. Taking the offered hand, he managed to pull himself into a sitting position. The King tipped Joel’s chin up, examining his bruising nose. “Do you need a healer?”
“N–no.” Joel wavered in his spot, and Gib reached out to help stabilize him.
King Rishi also set a hand on the young mage’s shoulder. “Tell me what happened.”
Joel’s vacant eyes flitted around the courtyard. Even in the low light, Gib could tell Joel was scared and confused. He turned his dazed expression back to the King and launched into frantic mumbling. “We weren’t safe. Kirk came to warn us! If they hadn’t led us, we would have died! I almost—they shot at me, but Cenric—”
Gib’s head spun. What? How was he supposed to put any of that together?
The King’s squint suggested he was at the same loss. He nodded, reassuring Joel, and spoke in a low, soothing tone. “Breathe, Joel. Calm yourself.” While Joel tried to pull himself together, King Rishi turned to look over his shoulder at the two Imperials. “Are they the ones who helped?”
“Yes.” Joel looked down at his hands and shuddered violently. Gib tried to rub some warmth into the mage’s back. “I’m sorry, Unc—Highness. Father told me not to. I know it was a risk to bring them, but—but they’d have been killed!”
King Rishi’s expression was bare and open. His eyes glimmered as he laid a free hand over Joel’s. “You did what you felt was right. No apologies are to be made for that.” Letting out a deep sigh, the ruler stood. “Come then. On your feet.” He lifted Joel by his forearms, and Gib scrambled to support the mage from behind.
As soon as they were standing, a healer approached and began to examine Joel’s nose. Gib stayed with Joel to make sure he didn’t collapse. Attention so dedicated to Joel, Gib didn’t even see Hasain make an approach.
“How’s Joel? Is he all right?” Hasain asked through chattering teeth.
The King put an arm around his son’s shoulders. “He’ll be fine. How are you?”
“Koal saw to it that I was kept safe.” Hasain’s voice was uneven, and he covered his face with one hand. “I failed him in return. I thought I could keep the shield up until we got through the portal, but when Joel was in trouble, I couldn’t keep the magic going. I’m not as brave or strong as you’ve taught me to be.”
Gib winced. He couldn’t imagine how bad it must have been for both Joel and Hasain to be so shaken. What had happened for Koal to be shot and Cenric killed?
“As long as you did all you could, you didn’t fail.” The King’s steadfast voice was reassuring. “Now tell me, what do you know of these two?”
Hasain followed his father’s gaze toward the Imperial youths. They huddled together, trying to ward off the cold, but their light garb did them no favors. Hasain sighed. “Kirk was one of our attendants. Joel grew to trust him over the course of our stay. The girl is his sister, Kenisha. She helped us, too.”
“And this Kirk was the one to inform you of the danger?”
Hasain opened his mouth to respond, but Koal beat him to it. “He came to us in our suite.” The seneschal cradled his left arm as Marc worked tirelessly in the low light. “We’d all be dead if not for his tip off, Rishi.”
The other healers were swarming now, bringing torches and supplies. Gib watched as two young men helped Liro stand and led him toward the palace.
Gib patted Joel’s shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get inside.” Joel didn’t respond other than to shuffle along beside him.
Koal made slow progress in the same direction. He didn’t say anything, but Gib could tell the man’s injured shoulder was beginning to hurt. His voice lacked its typical eloquence as he spoke to King Rishi. “And you were right. There’s definitely something wrong with Emperor Sarpedon. He looks like he’s our age.”
King Rishi narrowed his eyes. “He’s been our age since I was a child.”
“They were pushing for a marriage alliance with Gudrin.” Koal winced as he walked. Marc and the King slowed their paces to stay beside him. “Prince Alerio apparently has no intent to take his father’s crown.”
Aodan had been quiet for quite some time until then. Rushing over to walk with them, his face pulled into a crimson sneer. “Well, he sure as hell ain’t marryin’ Gudrin either!”
Koal nodded. “Yes. That was on
e of the offers I had to refuse. Several times.” The King and his bodyguard went quiet, and Gib could all but feel the rage rolling off them.
The palace gate loomed ahead. Gib was anxious to get Joel inside, but Koal came to a stop so the rest of them stopped as well. Hasain muttered something in the seneschal’s ear, and he nodded gravely. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “There’s one more thing. Aodan, you may want to go check in on your cousins.”
Aodan’s brow furrowed. “In the mountains?”
“Yes. There may have been one at the arena.”
“A cousin? You’re sure?”
Hasain’s voice trembled. “We’re sure. We all saw it.”
“That could mean there’s trouble in the mountains,” King Rishi muttered, sounding as though he was thinking out loud rather than addressing the others.
Gib frowned. What sort of trouble? Did this have to do with the Northern Empire as well? He wanted to stay and find out more, but the healer attending to Joel was beckoning him toward the palace. Gib loosened his grip on his companion’s arm but instantly Joel tightened his. Their eyes met and even though not a single word was exchanged, Gib knew he needed to follow his companion. He’d be able to ask Koal or Marc for more information later. Joel needed him now, and Gib wasn’t going to let him down.
The grief welled in Joel’s chest, threatening to bleed into his very soul. He retched on a wet sob and clamped his mouth shut. No more tears. I’ve already cried enough.
Five days had passed since they’d escaped the Northern Empire. Five days since they’d fallen through the portal into the snow. Five days since Cenric—
Joel rubbed his damp eyes with the back of his hand. A log crackled in the hearth behind him and he winced. The haunting sound roused atrocious memories and sent him careening back to the moment when he’d lost control of the shield. He hadn’t been able to hold off the onslaught of Imperial magic long enough. The shield had shattered. His father had taken an arrow to the shoulder. Cenric had died. All because of him.
It’s my fault. I needed to be stronger. I needed to hold on. I failed him.
Cenric’s funeral had taken place earlier that morning. The bitter winter air had been easier to confront than the faces of the deceased envoy’s family. Seeing the tears stream down Cerys Leal’s cheeks as she mourned the loss of her husband had been enough to undo Joel. His heart fissured completely when Gara and Nia broke down into inconsolable sobs. Nage Nessuno held Nia while she cried, offering his fiancé support. Cenric wouldn’t be there to see her marry. He wouldn’t be able to watch with prideful eyes as Gara graduated Academy. Two young girls had lost their father, and Joel knew there were no words he could offer to ease the pain.
He pulled his legs tight against his chest and closed his eyes, listening to the roar of the fire. The warmth of the Adelwijn sitting room offered no comfort as his mind continued to linger on the burial ceremony. Joel blinked back tears. Cenric couldn’t even be laid to rest. They prepared a beautiful marble tomb, but his family had no chance to say their final goodbyes. There hadn’t been a body to bury. Having no knowledge of what those wicked bastards in the Northern Empire had done with his remains was the worst part. Rash anger surged in Joel’s blood. If they defiled Cenric’s body, he’d somehow make them pay.
I should have found a way to bring his body with us. I should have gone back for him. Joel’s lower lip quivered despite his best effort to keep it still. He knew he wasn’t thinking rationally. There hadn’t been time to go back, but even admitting the fact did nothing to lessen the guilt. I made the call to leave the city. Everything that happened was my fault. I should have been the one to die.
Nearly silent footsteps filtered down the corridor as someone drew near. Hastily, Joel wiped his eyes dry and pulled himself together. He didn’t need anyone treading lightly around him or bestowing stares of pity. Mother has been treating me like I’m a cracked plate. Father too. He sniffled. Maybe they were right. Perhaps he was closer to shattering than he realized.
Koal entered the room. His left arm hung limp against his side, wrapped inside a cloth sling. When he took notice of Joel, his grim expression lightened a touch. “It’s nice to see you out of your room.”
“Mother insisted I sit by the fire and warm myself,” Joel said.
“Not an unreasonable suggestion.” Koal kept his voice neutral, leaving Joel unable to get a good feel for what his father might be thinking. His morning had no doubt been trying, too.
The seneschal had been among those to attend Cenric’s funeral, along with Liro, Joel’s mother, and two sisters. King Rishi and Queen Dahlia even made a brief appearance to express their condolences to the fallen hero’s family. Notably absent was Joel’s uncle, Neetra Adelwijn. Anger swelled inside Joel’s chest. Cenric had served Arden faithfully for over two decades. For the High Councilor to not pay his respects was unacceptable.
Koal lingered near the fireplace, resting his unbound hand against the mantel. “I’d sit with you, but I have notes to finish before the afternoon session.”
“The High Council is meeting today then?” Joel asked.
Koal stared into the dancing flames. “Aye.”
“There will be talk of what actions need to be taken against the Northern Empire, right?”
A twinge of guilt touched Koal’s face. He turned to regard Joel with somber eyes. “The subject will be breached, no doubt, but whether action against the Empire is even an option remains to be seen.”
Joel uttered a gasp. “Something needs to be done!” he protested. “They killed Cenric! Are you just going to let them get away with it?”
Koal threw his good hand into the air. “What would you have me do, Joel? Go to war with the Northern Empire? Do you think that’s what Cenric would have wanted? To send thousands of our soldiers to their deaths?”
Joel’s lower lip quivered. “I didn’t say that. I just—I want justice for Cenric.”
He didn’t hear his father move, but a moment later, a firm hand squeezed the back of his neck. “We all do,” Koal replied. The seneschal’s voice softened. “I know how close the two of you were. Cenric was a good man, an honorable man. I wouldn’t have chosen anyone else to mentor my son. The lessons he taught you are invaluable. As—as long as you remember the qualities he imparted upon you, he’ll always be here.” Joel sniffled but couldn’t bring himself to respond. He heard his father let out a deep sigh. “I have to finish those notes now, but if you’d like to speak more about this later—”
“I’ll be fine, Father.” Joel glared at the floor.
Koal hesitated before replying in a stilted voice, “The offer stands if you change your mind.” He gave Joel’s back one final pat and then departed.
Joel listened to the sound of his father’s footfalls as he retreated to the study. Once again, the mage was left to wallow in his grief. He hugged his arms tighter around his legs and let out a bitter sob. It’s not fair. None of this is fair. He’s dead and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.
As much as Joel didn’t want to admit it, he knew his father was right. Arden couldn’t go to war with the Northern Empire. Sarpedon’s army dwarfed Arden’s. It would be a suicidal mission. Not to mention, I watched the Emperor sign treaties with both Chancellor Garron and the Dhaki princes. Surely Nales and Shiraz would lend their own troops to the Empire’s cause if we tried to march on the nation.
A shadow fell across the room. Someone new was making an approach from the corridor. Who is it now? Joel swallowed down his sorrow and glanced up.
Kirk Bhadrayu winced as though he’d stepped on a shard of broken glass. Even in the low light, Joel could see the remorse flash behind the Imperial’s eyes.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Kirk said, hesitating beneath the doorframe. “I didn’t know anyone was in here.”
“You don’t need to apologize.” Joel’s voice came out sounding strained and tired. “You’re allowed to go wherever you’d like in the estate.”
Kirk played with the long
sleeves of his tunic, one of many outfits that had been gifted to him by Joel’s mother. The deep jade and rich yellow fabric brought out the green in his eyes. The Ardenian styles suit him well, Joel thought to himself. His accent is the only hint anyone will have that he’s not native to Silver City.
“I’m on my way to meet with Dean Marc,” Kirk said.
“Moving to the dormitory then?”
The trainee nodded. “My classes have been set. Dean Marc sent word that he found a room for me. I suppose it’s just as well. I don’t want to impose on your family any more than I already have.”
Joel shook his head. “You’re not imposing. We wouldn’t have made it out of Teivel alive if it wasn’t for your help. Letting Kenisha and you stay here is the least we can do.”
After proper questioning by the King, Kirk and his sister had been deemed trustworthy, and Koal had even offered to house them at the Adelwijn estate until the siblings found their feet. It was a nice gesture, especially by the seneschal’s standards.
After learning that Kirk and Kenisha saved our lives, Mother wouldn’t have had it any other way. Lady Mrifa, always the doting host, had been spoiling her new guests to no end. Which is probably a good thing. I haven’t exactly been in my right mind. Kirk must think I hate him. Joel winced. That was far from true, of course. He owed his life to the young mage trainee.
Kirk stared into the burning hearth as though the flames held him spellbound. “Thank you, Joel. For everything. I haven’t allowed myself to hope in so long—” He took a deep breath. “But now, I can. Keni too. This is a new beginning for both of us. And it’s all because of you. I’ll never be able to properly express my gratitude but—but I just want you to know how much your kindness means to me.” He remained quiet for some time, watching the twirling fire. Then Kirk’s gaze shifted to Joel, and his hushed voice could be heard above the blaze. “I hope we can still be friends.”
Joel could barely meet his eyes. “Of course we can. I’m just—I—it’s a difficult time—”
Nightfall: Book Two of the Chronicles of Arden Page 36