Wizard's Call

by Luna Lais

  She shot him a fierce glare, "I do not take orders." Ignoring the heat of her words Darien walked the short distance between them.

  He reached out and took one of the curls that fell around her face in his fingers. "What if I asked," he whispered.

  She looked into his steel gray eyes. "It is only hair. Shear it all off and I am still me."

  "I know," Darien said releasing the curl. He continued to meet her gaze. Alli took several steps away from him and turned her back to his gaze.

  "Please do not tempt me with the impossible," he heard her whisper. Darien continued to stare at the curls falling to her waist. He had not come here for this, but he had not expected to find her looking as she did. He felt guilty at his reaction to her. She had caught him off guard, which was the only excuse he could think of for his behavior.

  "Forgive me," he sighed. "For just a moment I was able to forget that we are not free. Both bound by destinies not of our choosing." When Alli said nothing, but continued to look away he ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "I have been searching everywhere for you," he said deciding to get back to his reasons for being there.

  Alli turned at his words and smiled. "You found me."

  Darien was drawn in by her simple reply. He felt as if he had found something he did not even know he was looking for in Alli. It was only in this moment he could see what stood before him. Not wishing to upset her more he turned from her and stood looking at the thrones. Saddened he realized two of them would have to be removed; only three Raven's remained. "Would you sit with me," he asked indicating the thrones before him.

  "Of course," she moved up the dais and sat on the largest throne in the center. Darien watched her and smiled when she took her seat. He moved up the dais and sat down to her right. "This is alright with you," she eyed him innocently.

  "Depends," Darien said. "Alli is welcome to sit there anytime, but Allista Forstar crowned princess of Hokaren is not."

  "She does not exist anymore," her tone full of sadness. She had not spoken of her father's decree to have Moraken on the throne instead of her. She would not speak of it now either.

  "I hope some of her remains," Darien said standing and moving in front of Alli. "I need to speak to a representative of Hokaren with the king's authority. I am going to have to ask you to trade seats just for a few moments while we talk," he winked at her, "then you may have your seat back."

  Chapter 25

  "Kiala," Makren knocked on her chamber door and then entered without waiting to hear her reply to his knock. Kiala was sitting in front of the fire enjoying the morning meal the maids had brought to her. She turned and smiled at him as he moved to sit in the chair next to hers.

  "How are you feeling today," he asked. She looked completely recovered from her injuries. She was wearing one of the simple day dresses he had borrowed from Rachel's wardrobe for her to wear until a seamstress could be brought to the castle to fit her for her own clothes. Makren had been careful only to select those items he had never seen Rachel wear. Going into her room just to retrieve the garments had been difficult enough for him. He did not think he could have withstood the pain it would have caused to see someone else wearing her clothes.

  "Wonderful," Kiala replied smiling at him. "I met the most gentlest man early this morning. He taught me to play cards. It was so enjoyable that I have agreed to meet with him everyday after the morning meal in the library." Her words both alarmed him and made him curious, but he said nothing. He returned her smile waiting for her to tell him more. "His name was Cate. He mentioned he knew you and confirmed your story that you were not a servant," she sounded embarrassed that she still believed he had held a household position.

  "What did he say about me?" Makren asked. He was concerned Cate might have mentioned he was the king's brother, but surely Kiala would not be smiling at him if she knew he was a Raven. "Just that you were an adjutant and served on the king's council with him." Relief at her words flooded him. Eventually she would have to be told. The longer he waited the angrier she would be. He just had not found the words or the right time to tell her.

  "You were not afraid of him?" Makren asked remembering how she had reacted to seeing Darien and Lawwe.

  "Why would I be afraid of him?" Kiala asked confused. "He is a gentle as a kitten." Makren suppressed his laughter at the fierce General being described as a gentle kitten.

  "The other night in the hall," Makren said reminding her of the incident.

  "Those men had swords," Kiala said coldly. "I do not trust men with swords." She ran her brown eyes over Makren before looking to his face. "Do you ever wear a sword?"

  "Yes," he nodded. "So does Cate. It is what a man must do to protect those they care about." Makren's eyes went to the scar outlining her face and running under her chin.

  "Are you a soldier," there was panic in her voice.

  "No," Makren said quickly and was glad to see the relief in her eyes. He wondered what her reaction would be when she learned he was a Raven. "Kiala, there is a man who lives on the other side of the Northern Mountains. He has thousands of soldiers and even now he is readying for battle. Soon he will order that army into Calandoria and then the rest of the world. He wishes to destroy us all." Makren saw a look of terror enter her eyes. He hated to continue, but Darien was demanding her presence. "The king wishes you on his council. He would like you to aid in our defense. I must have your answer today."

  Kiala did not answer. Instead she turned and poured a cup of tea from the tray on the table next to her. She handed it to Makren before speaking again.

  "If I remember correctly," her words were soft and unsteady. "King Jimreth thinks ill of me and only at his wife's pleadings did he allow me to serve as a maid in the kitchen." Makren did not know what she spoke of. Why would his brother or his wife concern themselves with the household staff? That duty fell to the housekeeper, Mrs. Gibbs.

  "King Jimreth is dead," Makren said. Her look of surprise was not unexpected. She had been locked below the castle for a long time and Makren had not mentioned it before to her. Since she spoke to so few it was likely she knew little of what had happened since Maureen's death. "Princess Rachel is also gone," The pain his own words caused him was almost too much to bear. He had not spoken of Rachel since he walked out of that cell with Darien. He rubbed his face with his hands until the threat of tears left his eyes. "Darien is king now."

  "I liked Rachel," Kiala whispered. "She was kind to me." Kiala wiped her eyes still unable to believe that the young princess was gone. "She told me of her brother Darien, but I have never met him. Do you think he is a fair and just man?" she turned questioning eyes to Makren.

  He was not sure why but he reached out and took her hand with his. Kiala did not pull away as she had done before when he touched her. "I do," he said. "Please, join the council and see for yourself. We could use your gentleness."

  Kiala looked down at her hand in Makren's. His hand did not scare her. It was not like the hands that pulled at her in her dreams. It was strong, yet gentle. She wanted so much to believe him, to believe she no long had to live in fear. She nodded her head in acceptance and looked into his gray eyes. "Will there be soldiers at the meeting?" she heard herself ask.

  "None will be in the room, except for Cate and Lawwe," he said. Her face lit up at the mention of Cate.

  "Then I will join you if you promise not to leave my side." Kiala said. Makren smiled a tightened his grip on her hand.

  Makren entered the council room quickly and announced to the room that Kiala would be joining them. They had all been seated for several minutes waiting for Makren to join them. Makren softly spoke to Darien and requested that everyone remove their swords just until the meeting was over. Darien was reluctant, but in the end conceded to his brother's request. While Darien instructed Cate and Lawwe to remove their weapons, Makren left the room again to get Kiala.

  A few minutes later Makren entered the room guiding with his hand the young woman who followed him. M
akren turned and whispered something in her ear before leading her to an empty chair close to his own seat. The girl looked to be recovered, Darien thought. She also looked to be frightened to be there, he could see the fear in her brown eyes. After seeing Kiala seated Makren pushed in her chair and moved the brown hair falling over her ear aside long enough to whisper something else. He patted her shoulders before moving to his own seat.

  "Welcome Kiala," Darien said giving a smile to the girl. She returned the smile and gave him a little nod. Kiala turned her attention to Alli. Makren had told her some of the most unbelievable stories about this woman when he told her about the other council members. Alli was not what Kiala had expected. Since the meeting had not yet begun she could not resist the urge to ask the other woman a question. "Do you really wear britches?" At the moment the lady was wearing a very pretty blue dress.

  "That is my normal attire," Alli said looking curiously at the newest council member. "Today I thought to try the Calandorian custom of wearing a dress."

  "Makren," Kiala said turning a frown to him. "I would like to try britches."

  "No," Makren said flatly, before turning his attention to Darien. His eyes urging his brother to start the meeting quickly.

  "King Darien," Kiala drew Darien's attention before he could consent to his brother's silent plea. "Would you be offended to see me in britches?" It was a test, Darien thought. She was testing him to measure his worth. The girl had more courage than she let on. His brother was a fool if he could not see the strength in her eyes. Despite her fear of swords and her hate of all things Raven she would be able to hold her own.

  "Please call me Darien," he said meeting her intense gaze. "In this room we are all equal."

  "Not if she can wear britches and I can not," the challenge in her voice was clear. Makren rolled his eyes and started to speak, but it was Molly who spoke instead.

  "I think I would like to wear britches as well," she said ignoring Karegh who stuck his tongue out at her.

  Darien turned to Lawwe, "As soon as our meeting is finished Lawwe, have a royal decree posted in Rorgrim and carried through out the rest of Calandoria. From this day forward any women wishing to wear men's clothing may do so despite her husband's or her father's wishes. Anyone trying to prevent a woman from dressing as she pleases should be punished accordingly for disobeying the king's command." He then turned to Kiala. "Are there any other issues you wish to discuss my lady?"

  Kiala smiled, "No. I will wait until our next meeting before bringing anymore grievances before the council." Satisfied with her answer Darien began explaining his plans to send raiders to the Realm of the Sun. The purpose was to eliminate the Acumen in that kingdom.

  Hours of debate followed and only grew more intense when he revealed his plans for the Acumen in Calandoria. It was only after Alli supported his decision and agreed that Hokaren would take similar actions that the others agreed with the plan. Alli and Darien had spent the morning in the throne room discussing the plan and she too believed it was the only way. Of course Darien had excluded her from his plans or she might not have agreed so readily. As it stood the Acumen in Calandoria and Hokaren would be rounded up and housed within the city walls of Rorgrim. They would not be killed; however they would not be allowed to fulfill their prophecies. Hopefully some would survive until the war was over.

  It was Kiala who held out the longest. She had a difficult time condemning innocent people just because the God's had gifted them. She only consented in the end at Makren's pleading and before doing so asked Darien pointedly "Must the name Raven always be connected to the death and destruction of the innocent?"

  Darien had been angered by her words, but true to his promise that all opinions would be listened to without retribution he said nothing. Already members of his own family had fallen and if prophecy held true he was destined to lose more. Despite Kiala's opinion he would sacrifice the small number Acumens if it would save more lives in the end.

  Once the decision had been agreed to Darien had planned on turning his attention to the Temple. Already too much of their time had been consumed with the war. It was the Temple they needed to focus on. A knock on the door drew everyone's attention away from Darien. Cate rose and answered the door at Darien's nod. After speaking with the guard who had knocked for a few moments he closed the door and turned back to the room. "I have been informed that the execution of Carson Lowell was carried out this morning for his part in your sister's death," Cate said to Darien and Makren before returning to his chair.

  "What have you done?" Kiala screamed as she pushed herself away from the table. She rose and looked at Makren with tears in her eyes. "You lied to me," she raged at him. "How could you?" Makren rose from his chair and walked toward her, but she did not stand waiting for him. Instead she ran from the room slamming the door behind her. Makren stared at the door a few minutes before turning and meeting his brother's eyes. Makren then followed Kiala out of the room.

  Once outside the council room door he easily caught up with Kiala. Not waiting for her to run again he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. She immediately began kicking her feet wildly and hitting his back with her hands trying to gain her freedom, but he held her even tighter as he made his way to her chamber.

  Once he had gotten them inside and he had secured the door he moved to the bed and dropped Kiala. She lay there weeping, ignoring him. Makren moved to the chair next to the bed and waited for her to finish. She had much to explain for this latest outburst. Her behavior was not that of a sane individual and watching her Makren thought it might be better to replace her on the council now. As time went by the decisions made in that room would be more severe and Kiala obviously could not handle the responsibility.

  It was hours before the last of her sobs subsided and Makren could finally speak with her. "Did you know him?" Makren asked. Kiala wiped her eyes with her sleeve and nodded. "He was all I had left. King Jimreth had all of my family executed, all but him," she said feeling her tears welling again. "He was my brother."

  Makren felt as if a knife had pierced his heart. He remembered little of Jimreth, but as a child he had never thought him brutal. Makren sighed, even if he would have known the man was Kiala's brother it would not have changed his mind about the man's sentence.

  "There was no choice for us," he said somberly, "he killed Princess Rachel."

  "All the Raven's deserve death for what was done to us," more tears came pouring out of her. "I can not believe you had a part in this. He was my brother,"

  "And she was my sister," he shouted with more force than he had intended. Kiala's head snapped up and their eyes met. "My twin sister. The only person in this world I truly loved," Makren said fighting his own tears.

  "You are a Raven?" Kiala asked disbelieving. Makren could see the hate building in her eyes. Sighing he pulled a dagger from his boot and threw it on the bed next to her.

  "Take it and drive it into my heart," he tore the front of his shirt open exposing his scarred chest to her. "There is nothing left in it and I all a do in this world is bring nothing but misery to others," he whispered.

  They sat in silence, Kiala staring at the dagger next to her and Makren staring at her. After several minutes Kiala reached down and grasped the dagger tightly in her fist. She looked to Makren before lifting the tip of the blade to her own chest. "I want peace," she whispered.

  Before she could pierce her skin with the knife, Makren was in front of her holding her brown eyes with his gray eyes. His hand covering her own on the dagger, preventing her from moving it forward. "Not like this," he said prying it from her and placing it back in his boot. "I too want peace and have pulled that dagger out many times since Rachel's death." He sat down on the bed next to her keeping their eyes locked. "I do not believe Rachel would want it for me, nor do I believe it is what your brother would wish for you," he said softly.

  Kiala took her hand and brushed the hair on his forehead to one side then leaned over an placed a kiss on his
cheek. Makren was shocked by her actions, but did not move or respond. She returned her eyes back to his. "Together perhaps we can find the peace that both of us seek."

  Chapter 26

  The hours stretched into days for Eranen and Lissandra as they read and then reread the books he had kept hidden from her when she had first arrived. There were thirteen in all and they continued searching each one for some clue to what they should do next. "There is nothing in any of them," Lissandra said slamming the book she had been looking at onto the table. It was the fifth time she had looked at it. She put her two fingers on each side of her head and began gently massaging her temples. Her body ached, her head hurt and she was tired.

  Eranen who was sitting in one of the stuffed chairs by the fire reading another of the books looked up when she had slammed the book onto the table. He sat watching her. He knew her frustration, he felt the same way. None of these were the book the prophecy spoke of. All of his books had been searched. It was not here, the prophecy had been wrong. He knew their time for searching was over. "I need to go to town and hire some men to help with the harvest," he said deflated. "I will buy a wagon as well; it will make the trip more comfortable for us. Would you like to come with me?"