Poisoned in Light

by Ben Alderson

  “Listen up, Princey, you know full well that you are under the love-sick protection of Zac here. I would not be getting close to you by any stretch of the imagination.”

  “Oh, Nyah, it pains me to admit it, but I have missed you.” Hadrian laughed, genuine and bright. It was infectious.

  “I suppose I too have missed you,” Nyah replied as she tried to stifle her laugh which shook her shoulders.

  Hadrian stood up, stretched his large arms with a monstrous yawn. He then bent his legs and leaned down for me. With his smooth, yet powerful hands he cupped my face and brought his lips down on mine. Our kiss lingered on, fading the small audience we had into the background.

  “Steady on.” Fadine scoffed, almost spitting out her apple-stewed cake. “I’d very much like to enjoy this without the need to spit it all back out.”

  “What she said,” Nyah added, raising a hand to block us out as if we were the sun.

  We both turned, cheeks pressed together and looked at the two of them. Fadine focused on her tankard with more intent than she should have, and Nyah was peeking through the slits in her fingers.

  “Rest well, Petal,” Hadrian said, gifting me a final kiss on my forehead. I found it hard not to arch my back up to him and pull him down for another.

  “And you,” I replied, blushing red from my neck upwards.

  “I suppose this is my cue.” Fadine stood, stuffing the rest of the cake in her mouth and picking another slab up for the journey. “Night all.”

  Hadrian slipped off with Fadine following behind, leaving me and Nyah alone.

  We both released a breath at the same time. Each as labored as the other.

  “Can you believe, after everything we have been through together, we have made it this far?” I said it, unsure why the sudden sadness made me choke on my words.

  With everyone else gone the return of a still silence overwhelmed the room. No one else was here to take our minds off what myself and Nyah had shared within Lilioira.

  Nyah released a breath and dropped her chin to her chest. Her red curls had been pulled up into a bun, only a few free stands tickled the sides of her face. “Even with my brothers close by, I have never felt so alone as I had when we were on that ship. Then, when we docked, I was scared. It seems they are the only emotions I have experienced in such a long time.”

  I reached a hand across the space to her, taking hers in mine. “We are all together again and soon this will be over.”

  “Do you really believe that? Because I don’t. I have a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach, one that I cannot seem to shake. It makes it hard to breath; my throat feels tight and dry. I believe these are all signs for something to come.”

  “We have a plan—”

  “I know you do, but I don’t see how it is going to work out. Playing Emaline as bait, hoping that Gordex just falls into place. I don’t see how he will fall for that.”

  “At this point, it is our only hope. We need to destroy that Staff, then worry about doing the same to Gordex. He is only a man. And we have numbers. If we succeed in bringing him here, how is he going to bring the dead with him? Not only do we have soldiers sent from the King in Vcaros, thanks to you we have allies in Paytric and his people.”

  “And if this does not work? What if Gordex succeeds in his plans of raising the druids once more?” Nyah winced as she said it, rubbing her wrists again.

  “Then we face that struggle, together. Like we do everything else,” I said.

  A single tear escaped from Nyah’s emerald eye. It ran down her check, following the curves of her bone structure. She pushed her plate of food away.

  I reached out and cleared the escaped tear with my finger.

  “I dream of Jasrov you know.” Her comment had me stumped. “When I was in Lilioira, Gordex paraded him around me every chance he got, ever since then I cannot stop seeing him in the dark of my mind. I can’t sleep because of it. Every time I get close to shutting eyes I am terrified of what I might see.”

  It explained the obsidian circles that framed her yellow-stained eyes. She was tired, even her skin had an ashen tone to it. I had put it down to long travel and a lack of fresh water.

  “I am here tonight, and I will make sure you sleep. Nothing can harm you, not with me watching,” I said, pure displeasure at seeing my friend like this raced through me. I had never seen her teetering on the edge of so many feelings before. I wondered what I would feel if I shared in her empathic abilities. Would I see her soul in tatters as her mind was?

  Nyah slid from her pillow and encased me in a hug. The fresh salts of sea clung to her hair, reminding me of my own time on the ship. We held each other, friends sharing in a moment that was both rare and special.

  She meant a lot to me. I made it my own mission to help her through this time as she would with me. I also dusted the list in my mind, the one which kept the many promises I had made to Gordex.

  For hurting her, I would hurt him tenfold.

  “I need more time to organize my people,” Paytric explained for the third time that morning. I didn’t know if it was his age that had him repeating himself or the excitement of joining our side. “Will you be fine traveling the way back alone?”

  Kell tipped her head. “As fine as we were when we arrived here without help. Do not worry, I will have the camp prepare for your arrival, so you have a place to rest. Do not worry.”

  Since meeting with Kell this morning her allusive mood from the night before had simply evaporated. We’d found her sharing words with Paytric over breakfast.

  “For the first time in moons I hold hope for a new time between our peoples.” Paytric smiled, eyes closed and skin glowing. It was more than a natural glow. It was as if the burning sun above favored his skin and took home in it, shimmering from the inside.

  “Do not make that judgement just yet,” Kell replied, shaking Paytric’s hand for a final time. “I have much to do. Many minds to change.”

  “I whole heartedly believe you capable of it.” Paytric bowed his head, resting his age-spotted hand over his chest.

  Kell had already called for our serpents which waited beyond the city’s fallen walls.

  It was decided the Alorian elves would march with Paytric’s people. Hadrian had suggested as much after talking with them, Emaline in tow. Another day’s rest for them would ultimately do them good for the fight to come.

  Paytric agreed and promised that he would feed, water and help guide them back to us when the time was ready.

  Once we all said our goodbyes, we only had to wait for Nyah to return with her brothers. It would seem that they’d been having a good time, too much to bother leaving when we had called for them. When she finally walked towards us, brothers walking steps behind her, we all were drenched in sweat and more than ready to leave.

  “Negan, Neivel meet my friends. Friends, my brothers.” Nyah introduced them. In turn, my companions shook her hands and greeted one another. I was last.

  “Good to see you both again in better circumstances,” I said, taking their hand and shaking in turn.

  “And you, Zacriah,” Neivel said for the both of them.

  “I admit, I didn’t think this would be our next meeting place,” Negan said through the corner of his mouth. “Not that I am complaining.” He waved a hand to a Morthi girl who stood in the arch of a nearby ruined building. Her pale face blushed, red creeping up her neck as she waved back, blowing a hearty kiss for Negan who reached in the air to grab it.

  Nyah rolled her eyes and pushed past her lust-sick brother, moving for Kell who secured the reigns on the serpents.

  The twins towered above everyone, including Hadrian who seemed shocked at their height when they got close. They both greeted Hadrian by bowing but that was soon stifled. Hadrian never had enjoyed that type of introduction.

  “It is great to meet you both, but truly there is no need for formalities. We are all a far way from home, so let us leave the bowing and titles for when we return.”


  “What Nyah said was right,” Neivel joked to his brother.

  Negan smirked, mumbling a response under his breath.

  Hadrian’s face twisted in confusion as he regarded both boys. “And pray tell, what has she been saying now?”

  Both brothers elbowed each other, holding the secret between them.

  “Nothing but good things one hopes,” Hadrian pushed on, unblinking.

  “What did you expect of me? That I would sing your praises? Someone needs to bring you back down to earth,” Nyah shouted over at Hadrian from where she stood with the serpents.

  “I’d very much like to get moving,” Kell added from beside Nyah. “I am ready to get all this traveling over with.”

  Whilst Nyah and the rest began their preparations for the journey, I took the opportunity to speak with Emaline and Illera.

  “Did you both rest well?”

  “As well as you can when it is hot and sticky in that breezeless place,” Emaline said as Illera helped tie the belt back around her waist. It had ripped clean off when she shifted yesterday. Her hair was wet, her skin glistening with equal moisture.

  Illera too still rung her golden hair in both hands, causing drips of water to fall onto the sands beneath her.

  Hadrian had told me that they’d both visited the shore this morning to refill Emaline’s water skins. But I could see their tardiness was a result of something different entirely.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” I said. It was awkward speaking with Emaline, knowing that each day was one closer to using her as a lure. I knew it was all in my head, but the thought still made me cringe with discomfort.

  “When we get back I think we should all discuss our plan again, finalize the details that we have missed out on.”

  Emaline thanked Illera who finished. “We talked about that last night. I know we plan on using me but have no idea how you want to do it.”

  “And I will interject here. I am all for supporting Emaline’s decision to go along with this plan of yours, but I will have a say in just how you are going to be using her,” Illera said, brows pinched.

  “I can assure you nothing will be passed if we all do not agree.”

  Illera spoke up again, “Another thought. We should all get some training in. Shifting yesterday and the way my body aches today proves that we are not close to fighting yet. It has been a short while since I have had to, and I feel rusty.”

  “I am sure we can do that,” I replied. “I think we could all do with some practice and training. It is a good suggestion.”

  “Always up for another duel, Zacriah,” Illera said, a hint of mischief in her voice.

  “Somehow I don’t think we will be doing that. Not after how it ended last time.”

  “Hmm,” Illera shrugged. “Maybe you are right. But that Simian seems to be a perfect choice for a partner. I could do with getting some tension out on him.”

  I hadn’t thought about Simian for a while, and even with distance I still didn’t like him.

  “I am glad I am not the only one who is suffering with his appearance in the camp.”

  Emaline added, “I don’t think many like him. Hadrian must’ve been desperate to pick him as one of the New Council.”

  Despite my dislike for Simian, I could see why Hadrian did it. To give everyone a voice.

  With our three new companions we had to travel in groups of three. Kell was quick to pass over the concealed golden weapon to Nyah and offer for the twins to travel with her. She said it was for better company, and I could agree to some levels.

  Hadrian sat up front, me behind him and Nyah at the back. Her face was pressed into the stiff material of my tunic as we began our journey.

  After her broken sleep last night, I was sure she would take this chance to catch up on the journey.

  She’d woken me with shouts of terror, eyes sleepy and glazed. Whatever visions troubled her must have been bad. I had never seen or heard someone in such a state from a dream alone.

  “Get up.” Hadrian jolted, causing my cheek to sting under impact. “Zacriah, now.”

  The use of my full name rid me of any slumber I was clinging too.

  I was ready to argue, shout my discomfort at being awoken, but noticed that all three serpents had come to a stop beyond camp. My eyes were blurry from sleep, only rubbing them a couple of times helped them still the vision before us.

  Tents lay strewn across the grounds. Rocks protruding in places that had not been before. Destruction lay out before us, as huddles of our soldiers began shouting for us with arms waving in panic or relief, I could not tell.

  But the part that had my heart skipping beats was the ship. The prison in which Marthil had been kept in.

  Through its middle a spike of earth caused it to rise from the sea. It hovered, hanging in almost two pieces, with planks of wood and rubble floating in the water around it.

  The spear of rock was unnatural and impossible. Impossible unless made from someone with the power to command earth.

  Marthil.

  “GO!” Hadrian shouted, urging our serpent to speed for the camp as we all expected the worse.

  THE NIRAEN SOLDIERS who greeted us were each covered in sand and grit. Unarmed and unprepared, they stood in panicked huddles, some faces streaked with tears, others cut with anger. Morthi warriors I didn’t recognize muddled around them. They were dressed in dark coal uniforms that were untouched by the same destruction our soldiers were covered in.

  Sent from Vcaros I was sure. They were armed, points of their swords and readied palms aimed at the empty, destroyed camp before them.

  “What in this world has happened here?” Hadrian shouted, running the final distance to his people. The sea of soldiers and warriors alike parted for Hadrian and closed in around him. Shouts erupted.

  “The prisoner, she broke free,” a young solider said, her chestnut hair bounced in curls down to her small waist. Her narrow nose and sharp eyes were pinched in stress, face pale from shock and something else.

  “Marthil, where is she?” I asked, trying not to shout. Peering back to the ship, I knew they would not stay there. It was moments from snapping in two and falling to the pits of the ocean.

  “No one saw her leave. She came in the fringes of night whilst most of us where either sleeping or enjoying the relaxation the dark brought with it. We didn’t expect a fight, nor did we give her one.”

  Hadrian rubbed his strong jaw, surveying his soldiers and the state they were left in. “Tell me everything from start to finish. Do not miss out on any details, no matter how small they might be to you it could be important.”

  The soldiers looked around, waiting for someone to take control and speak. It was a broad-shouldered guard who stepped forward and answered Hadrian. He had a leaking cut below his left eye. But it was not his only wound, the other was invisible to the eye. He hobbled over, held up by a companion whose arm strained as he helped him stand.

  “I was stationed on the ship when it happened. There was a monstrous crack that was followed by towering spikes, which exploded through the center of the ship. It was as if the earth wanted to swallow us whole. All I remember after was the sea. I’d fallen into it and watched, beneath the waves, as the ground beneath snaked up like water. In the rush it was hard to make out what was happening. I tried to swim to shore, but I’d hurt myself in the fall. By the time I got there, it was too late to warn them.”

  “How many are hurt?” Kell said, gesturing for one of the Morthi warriors to come over. “We will need more supplies immediately. The wounded must be helped and those displaced need a new place to stay.”

  “Everyone is accounted for,” Vianne stepped through the crowd, face splashed with muck. Her dress no longer looked the pure white it had been when we left her. It was stained, ripped at the hem. “Besides one. Simian.”

  That single name silenced the entire crowd.

  “Why?” Hadrian said, voice tempered and dark. Even I knew Simian was linked to this the moment Vian
ne did not suggest otherwise.

  “There was a conflict between us both after you left. It was about Marthil. He blindsided me and took the gold weapon. I would have stopped him, but I didn’t come to until it was far too late.” I could see the bruise that was in her hairline and the cut that sliced her right brow in two. “He is the only one who has not been seen since Marthil escaped.”

  “Did anyone else see Simian before Marthil’s escape?”

  Soldiers turned to Warriors with raised shoulders, yet no one stepped forward.

  “Simian told me what he planned,” Vianne murmured.

  “From stealing the weapon, I can guess what it is he wanted to do,” I said, fists clenched at my side.

  “To kill her whilst you were all away. Simian knew that no one would stop him besides me, so he dealt with me. But it would seem that his plan failed him.”

  “We need to go to the ship.” I turned for the view, looking at the vessel. Orange and pinks melted into the sky as the morning sun was reaching its zenith. “There will be answers there. Perhaps Simian is trapped within it.”

  “For his safety I hope he is not,” Hadrian growled.

  “I have sent soldiers to scan it, but it is too dangerous. It is hanging on by snapped wood and could give way at any moment. I highly suggest it is left alone,” Vianne said, twisting the band around her wrist.

  “I need to go and see for myself.” I brushed off Vianne warning of danger. If Marthil escaped, I had to know why. “In the meantime, you must all prepare for a fight. She could return at any moment, and we must be ready. All of us.”

  Emaline grabbed a hold of my upper arm and pulled me. “I will come with you. If that ship does break, I can help if we fall into trouble with the water.”

  I nodded, glad not to be alone.

  “Fadine and I will organize our soldiers and get them ready. Kell, could you speak with your King? We will need his support urgently,” Hadrian said, rolling the sleeves of his shirt up to his muscled arms as he prepared to get helping. “Tell your King of Paytric’s offer to help us, perhaps it will bruise his ego enough to send his soldiers in full force.”