by M. L. Greye
“Alert the others,” Sazx tossed over his shoulder. “Leave the girl here.”
“Alert the others of what, my lord?” One Dreen croaked.
Sazx whirled on them, his eyes flashing steel fire. “Did you not hear the horn? It belongs to an Eve. The Dark is under attack.”
“Attack?” The Dreen blurted.
“Go alert the others,” Sazx ordered, fighting to control his patience. “Prepare them for battle.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The Dreen carrying the Silver Heart dropped her into a heap at his feet before taking off after his two companions. Sazx frowned, waiting until they were completely out of sight before lifting the girl over his shoulder and beginning again for ground level. With the blink of his eyes, Sazx transformed himself from the gray Nagreth to his true self. He was past the point of no return now – there would be no going back. His sword now belonged to the stunning young princess.
* * * * * *
Will helped Olinia mount Kae before swinging up in front of her. “I still don’t like this,” he grunted.
“I can take care of myself, Will,” she told him. “Besides, I’m the only one who can make poor Treveri visible again.”
“Can’t you do that while invisible?” He asked over his shoulder.
“Shouldn’t the Eves and Capriths see their princess to rally behind her?”
Will could hear the smile in her voice. She knew she was right. He shook his head with a sigh, as he watched his devatte form their ranks behind Dallyn’s. Since Olinia would be riding with Will, they decided for Dallyn to take the lead. The horn had sounded twice. It was time for battle. Will turned his gaze to the castle, letting his horse fall behind to the rear of his Eves. He would ride last. Above him, the castle loomed, surrounded by fog. It was nearing three a.m. – the point of night that Will had always deemed the darkest. Rather ironic that they were about to invade the Dark now.
Suddenly, Olinia’s soft lips brushed the back of his neck, startling him. He glanced down at her, one eyebrow raised. She grinned. “I haven’t died yet, Will. And I don’t think I’m about to.”
“Ever think that you’re tempting fate?”
She shook her head. “I’ll die when it’s my turn.”
He blinked. “And what makes you think that time isn’t now?”
Olinia’s smile faded, and Will found himself missing it. “Let’s just say there’s a few more things I need to accomplish before then.”
“Why so sad all of the sudden?” Will frowned, partially aware of the shouts ahead of them.
Her brow furrowed. “I don’t know if I’ll ever obtain my real goal.”
“Which goal?”
“It’s really more of a who.”
“Will!” Dallyn pulled up beside them, panting. “Can you listen when I call for you?”
“Why were you calling for me?” Will asked, looking to the front. There wasn’t any clang of steel yet.
“There’s a man claiming he has the Silver Heart and needs to see the princess.”
Olinia peered around Will. “Was his name Treveri?”
“No,” Dallyn shook his head, “he said his name was Sazx.”
Will felt Olinia stiffen. He turned. “Do you know him?”
She let out a short laugh. “I think I just made us a very valuable ally.” She nodded toward Dallyn. “Take us to him.”
Will let Dallyn lead them through their carefully aligned Eves. He noticed that only his men were there. Dallyn must have sent his own men around to the rear. A circle of Eves, bows notched, encircled a single, dark-haired man with a teenage girl in his arms. Will couldn’t help but stare at the man’s face. Why did he feel as if he’d seen it before?
Without warning, Olinia slid to the ground, moving to the edge of the circle. Will blinked, but then noticed the familiar transparent outline of one who had been made invisible. The Eves watched in surprise as Olinia took hold of what must have looked like air to them. She snapped her fingers, and her friend became solid.
“Good work, Treveri.” Olinia smiled. She’d switched back to Eveon. “You’ve found Caiden.”
The young man frowned. He looked to be about Will’s age. “The Dreens are getting ready for your attack.”
Olinia turned to the center figure, stepping around to face him. She motioned for one of the Eves. “Take Caiden from him.”
As the Eve obeyed, Will noticed Sazx’s eyes never left Olinia. He also took note of the sheathed sword at Sazx’s waist. Should Olinia be standing so close to him?
“So, is this your appeal to join my cause?” Olinia cocked her head to the side.
Sazx’s face was solemn. “I still protect the same throne.”
“Then, why are you here?” Olinia’s voice was soft, as if she and Sazx were the only ones there.
“Because that throne is currently held by the wrong person,” he replied.
Will raised an eyebrow, but Olinia grinned as Sazx dropped to one knee, bowing his head. “Caprith is yours, princess.”
Olinia laughed out loud as she returned her gaze to Will – unable to contain her sudden rush of pleasure. “Will,” she beamed, “allow me to introduce to you Sazx, Captain of the Nagreth.” She paused, watching the surprise spread over his face. “He’s our newest ally.”
“The Dreens will be ready soon, princess,” Sazx said from behind her. “They will be joined by the Nagreth.”
“How many Dreens are there?”
“Here?” Sazx frowned. “Maybe fifty.”
“And Nagreth?”
“No more than those I brought from the Vrenyx,” Sazx answered. “About twenty.”
Olinia glanced up at Will and Dallyn. “That’s less men than your Eves, right?”
Dallyn nodded. “We could defeat them.”
“Without me and Will?”
“Where are you going?” Dallyn blinked.
“I want Zedge,” she replied simply, shrugging. “It’s time to get him.”
“Just you and Will?”
“No.” Olinia smiled. “We now have the last Silver Heart.”
The sound of drums began from the castle. Olinia turned just as the Eves took their ranks once more, pushing her backwards, away from the approaching battle. An arm slipped around her waist, surprising her. Will pulled her against him.
“You really want to invade the Vrenyx?” He whispered into her ear.
“That was always the plan.”
“But right now?”
She let out a short laugh. “Well, you were the one to suggest I’m tempting fate. If that’s true, the only time I’ve got is now.”
“What about that goal?”
“It’ll just have to wait.”
“Princess, I’m coming with you.” Sazx appeared at her side, atop a brown horse.
“Naturally.” Olinia smiled up at him.
Dallyn pranced up on his horse as well. “I’ll come join you when we’re done here. Leave some of the fun for me.”
Will grunted. “I’m sure there will be plenty.”
“Where are Treveri and Caiden?” Olinia searched through the rows of Eves.
“I gave them a horse,” Dallyn told her. “They’ll be here in a minute.”
“Should you really bring Caiden?” Sazx asked. “She’s near death.”
She glanced up at him. “She won’t die. As long as Treveri’s alive, she’ll live.”
“How?” Will and Sazx said simultaneously.
“By giving her Heart to him, she bound her lifeforce to him,” Olinia answered. “I’m sure that’s the real reason why she gave Treveri the necklace. She knew she was being followed but wasn’t exactly in the mood to die.”
Will raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean I’m bound to you?”
“No.” She winced. “You’ve never kissed me.”
Up ahead the drums grew louder as the Dreens grew close. Dallyn grinned, yanking his horse in the direction of the castle. “See you in the Vrenyx!” He shouted before disappearing in
to the ranks of his Eves.
“It’s time for us to go.” Will mounted Kae and extended his arm to help Olinia.
As she pulled herself up behind Will, Treveri joined them with Caiden in the saddle in front of him. He held her upright with one arm. “What’s the plan?”
“We leave for Vrenyx,” Olinia replied.
He blinked. “Now?”
“Now.” She nodded for Sazx to lead the way out of the Dark.
Sazx reined his horse for the gate, followed closely by Will and Treveri. Olinia held onto Will’s middle as their horses gained speed. She bit her lip. What had she gotten herself into?
* * * * * *
Another arrow. Another bull’s-eye. Legann yawned and set his bow down. Without Olinia, Will, Tiara, or Archrin, Evedon simply wasn’t fun. Maybe he should have gone with Will. As comforting as it was to spend time with his grandparents and freshen up on his Eveon, Legann was still finding himself bored. Yrond and Archelda were busy restoring their kingdom to the state it was in before their departure. Sadly, Legann couldn’t spend all the time he desired to with them.
“It is the Eveon blood in you.”
Legann turned at the sound of Yrond’s voice, surprised his grandfather would join him in the Courts. The tall, silver-streaked haired man neared him with a smile. Legann returned his bow to its rack. “What’s the Eveon blood in me?”
Yrond lowered himself onto an overturned barrel, resting his hands on his knees. “Two things.”
“Just two?”
The king smiled. “Well, from what I see at the moment.”
Legann furrowed his eyebrows as he leaned against the rack of bows, unsure if he understood Yrond correctly. He was still working on perfecting the language. “What do you see?”
“That you are a natural with a bow, just like your father,” Yrond replied. “And the other is that you are starved for some excitement. We Eves do not enjoy sitting still.”
“My ease with a bow really comes from my Eveon blood?”
Yrond chuckled. “That it does.”
“I’m not starved for excitement.”
At this, Yrond laughed. “No?”
“Not really…” Legann let his voice trail off, which only made his grandfather laugh harder.
“Starve no more, my young Legann.” Yrond winked. “Tonight we begin.”
Legann blinked. “Begin what?”
“Tonight we reclaim Balinorre.”
* * * * * *
She probably should have thought this through a little more thoroughly. Sazx led their small procession. Behind Will and her, Treveri trudged along with Caiden. At least the last Silver Heart was no longer in a weakened daze. Treveri was feeding her some sort of flatbread, meant for travelers. None of Olinia’s companions seemed particularly bothered by the fact that they were trotting down the road to Dagon’s castle. Olinia was bothered.
Here, the sun was just beginning to set – a different time zone than Caprith. The road Sazx had decided to take carried them through what used to be known as Trevalon Forest. Olinia knew its history. Some six generations before, beneath the same boughs she now traveled, her father and Will’s great-grandfather fought her uncle for the throne.
Up ahead, Sazx veered off the road and dismounted. Olinia frowned. “Why is Sazx stopping?”
Will turned, slowing his horse. Sazx motioned for him and Treveri to join him. “The castle is less than a mile away,” he said. “It’s time for us to decide our course of action.”
“Good idea.” Olinia smiled. She wouldn’t have to figure out their rescue on her own.
Once the three horses were tethered and their group crouching in a circle, Sazx drew the castle’s outline in the dirt, using rocks to mark the eight entrances. Sazx told them to commit his map to memory. Olinia noticed there was no surrounding exterior wall or portcullis. When she voiced her observation, Caiden spoke for the first time.
“There’s no need for one,” she replied, her tones containing the same guttural sounds as Treveri – the Fenmark’s imprint as he called it. “Who wants to go to the Vrenyx?”
“Let alone attack it,” Treveri grunted.
Olinia let out a short laugh. “We’re insane, aren’t we?”
“At least you are,” Will returned.
“I say we divide into two groups. Will and the princess come with me, while Treveri and the Silver Heart enter through the servants’ quarters.” Sazx pointed to one of the rocks positioned at the right of the castle’s front.
“To do what?” Caiden asked.
Sazx glanced up. “To be servants.”
“And as for us?” Olinia frowned.
“You’re a wanted woman in the Vrenyx, princess.”
Will chuckled. “Are we to come in as prisoners?”
“Just you,” Sazx replied. “The princess will enter invisible.”
“So I can save my brother.” Olinia smiled slightly. “Is he still in Delvich?”
“We’ll find out before you go looking,” Sazx told her.
“Where should we meet you?” Treveri ran a hand through his hair. He was obviously uncomfortable with the situation.
“You don’t,” Sazx answered, pointing above where the north tower would be. “We need you to disable the shields.”
“Shields?” Will and Olinia blurted.
Sazx nodded. “It’s a device from the Velvitors. It prohibits the entrance of an Eve into the Vrenyx.”
Treveri raised an eyebrow, glancing at Olinia. “But…”
She shook her head with a smile. “Wend.”
“Then, why do we need the shields down if we have no Eves?” Caiden blinked.
“Because it also protects the castle and Delvich from destruction.”
“How do we get to them?” Treveri exchanged glances with Caiden.
“And how do we disable them?” She added.
While Sazx explained, Olinia turned to Will, keeping her voice low, she said, “You know, the last time we were here Trenton and my father were fighting to save this world.”
“I thought you said we were never really there.”
She grunted. “Fine, the last time we saw this place.”
Will watched her for a moment. Then, “Are you scared?”
“A little.” She pulled a face.
“Don’t be.” He smiled. “All you’re to do is find your brother.”
“Easy enough, right?”
He chuckled, leaning back on his hands. “You’ll survive.”
Sazx suddenly stood, stretching his legs from his crouch. “Here’s where we separate. Any more questions?”
“No.” Treveri shook his head. “As servants it shouldn’t be too hard, especially with most of the Nagreth gone.”
“Gone?” Olinia lowered her eyebrows. “Gone where?”
“Dagon scheduled an attack on Relivaynt tonight,” Sazx replied.
“Relivaynt?” Olinia felt her jaw drop.
“During Oldron’s ball?” Will blinked.
Sazx nodded. “The ball concentrates Relivaynt’s soldiers into one place, making it convenient for conquering.”
Olinia grimaced. “Aeorin and Oldron.”
“We’ll help them later,” Will assured, his stormy eyes grim.
“I’m sorry, princess.” Sazx was frowning again.
She bit her lower lip. “It’s alright. I chose to come here. I need to free my brother.”
“Then, it’s time for you to make yourself invisible,” Will said. “We have a castle to raid.”
* * * * * *
The portal took them to the throne room. It was the one place within the castle that Archrin had ever been inside. Naturally, since he had only seen the hall from the receiving end, he and Tiara walked right into the view of the three thrones. Good thing court wasn’t in session. Nor was a banquet being held that night. No, the festivities for the Month of Liberation were taking a rest. It was one reason Voiel had chosen that night for his attack.
Archrin glanced around the room
quickly with his violet eye, looking for any sign of movement. It was far too dark for the human eye to see clearly into all the corners. Besides him, Tiara appeared to be doing the same thing, except her eyes were veered more towards the tapestries and slits for windows, placed high above the actual floor. She seemed locked on one particular image. Archrin glanced up at it out of curiosity. Of course that one would catch her attention. Archrin wondered how much of it she actually saw. The tapestry had some light on it, but not enough for detail.
She must have noticed him staring as well, because she asked. “What is that of?”
“It’s the start of the Kendren symbol,” he replied simply.
Archrin peered up at it once more. The tapestry was beautiful, even in the darkness. The skill of the hands that made it was superb. The one time he’d been in Desnbi castle before, it had caught his eyes as well. The background of the tapestry was a deep purple, but the color surrounding the three male figures and the sleeping lion was the hunter green of the Kendrens. The three men with swords outstretched above their heads represented the Kendren brothers. The lion was the legendary pet of their sister Lorianna. The beast was her source of power – her kingdom’s emblem. When the brothers overthrew her, they killed her precious pet, which in turn gave them their new emblem. The tapestry was depicting the change.
“Lorianna’s symbol was a roaring lion,” he explained. “The Kendren brothers killed it.”
“Giving them their own emblem,” Tiara finished for him.
He nodded, but then stopped as his ears caught drunken voices approaching. Archrin grabbed Tiara’s arm and yanked her into the shadows of the hall, off to one side of the three thrones. Tiara just followed with trusting obedience. Archrin pulled her against him. “Flortt’s coming,” he whispered.
“Flortt?” She blinked. “Is Voiel inside the castle yet?”
Archrin frowned. “Flortt’s with a woman – a servant most likely. I don’t think he knows of the attack, even if Voiel has made it inside.”
“So, now what?” Tiara’s eyes were on his face. “Do we just hide until Voiel appears?”