by Luna Lais
Darien was just about to dismiss them to their duties when he remembered Kiala had an idea regarding the Temple. He felt an overwhelming need to hear it. He turned to her and seeing the look in his eyes she nodded. "The crown will not destroy the Temple. Descartes will." Kiala said drawing everyone's eyes to her. They had not seen her exchange with Darien and were confused by her words.
"How?" Darien asked, not seeing the solution he craved. He could not wait until Descartes marched against them. He would not wait. Did no one understand? could they not feel it? The Temple had to be destroyed now.
"If the crown openly attacks the Temple as you have suggested, the people will rebel." Kiala said forcefully. The others seeing now that Darien had changed the subject all nodded in agreement. "Only those within the walls of the Temple need to know the truth." She looked to Darien and then to Makren, "Neither of you can be there. You must be visible the day before and the day after. The armies can not leave there post, or people will suspect." Darien could see the wisdom of Kiala's words, but then who would destroy the temple. He was just about to ask when she elaborated further. "A small group of ten or less could easily leave Rorgrim and meet in the woods on the way to the Temple. If they could destroy it without being seen…" Darien cut her off.
"Then the blame could be placed on Descartes. The out rage of the people would be rallied against him and Calandoria would begin preparing for war." Darien said realizing this was the way it was meant to be. He could feel the forces driving him to this end vibrate within him. Kiala's plan fulfilled his uncontrollable need to see the Temple fall. At that moment Darien was filled with terror. This was no longer about Rachel. When he had first seen her, he had been driven with a need to seek vengeance against those who had killed her. It was no longer about her. It was the Temple. Over the weeks it had become less about his sister's killers and more and more about seeing the Temple destroyed. Despite his moment of uncertainty, Darien did not sway in his resolve. Kiala's plan was perfect and once it was done this feeling would go away. He could slept again, he could focus on Descartes.
Chapter 31
While her brother's hearts worried over their sister's future in the council room, her husband worried for her safety and her health. Lissandra and Eranen crossed the Blue River into Calandoria nine days after they had left the small farm in Hokaren. Eranen had avoided the main roads as much as possible, but he constantly scanned the horizon as well as the sky for trouble. If a dragon did seek them, could they possibly defend themselves? Duncan and his men offered some comfort against attack, but during the last few days of the journey it was Lissandra's health that concerned Eranen the most.
Even though it was not the safest place, they had made camp at the cross roads near the Colondone Forest, home to the Temple of the Moon's Soul and the royal city of Rorgrim. Since the second day of their journey the skies had been drenching the land with rain. In order to prevent the wagon from be coming stuck on the lightly traveled roads, Lissandra had used her abilities to dry the road as they rolled over it. Eranen had not considered that such excessive use of her powers might have an ill effect, but after so many days Lissandra was exhausted. No, Eranen thought it was more than exhaustion. She had collapsed.
He had immediately stopped and had a shelter built for them. He did not know what else he could do. She was unconscious for a full day before waking and he had insisted on staying put for another just to give her more time to recuperate. Lissandra was nervous being so close to the Temple, knowing what the book of prophecy said so was he. Despite Rachel's death the Order would still be searching for her.
After two days he could no longer risk staying put, but the rain continued to fall. Lissandra was not strong enough to stop it, which he had suggest in the first place, but Lissandra had refused to deny farmer's the rain they need just for their own comfort. Now without her drying the road beneath them the wagon would never make it down the muddy roads.
The guard with them had been amazed at the swiftness of their journey so far. Eranen or Lissandra had never mentioned how it had been possible. Despite the fact that the guard's had been watching them the last few weeks, none seemed to know that Lissandra had any abilities. This pleased Eranen. He did not trust them, or anyone else for that matter. With Lissandra he would only trust Darien, yet even now he had began thinking that to be unwise.
While Lissandra slept he had read more of the book she had brought with her from the Temple. One of the passages stood out in his mind. It was a passage that told of a mighty king holding his blade to his sister's throat. Only the truth would prevent her blood from being spilled. Eranen might not have worried if other passages had not indicated that Darien could possibly be that king. He had said nothing of this to Lissandra. She worried enough about others trying to kill her without needing to now worry of her about her own brother.
Eranen looked at his wife with concern. She did not look well, but had insisted they push on that morning, wishing to put as much distance between them and the Temple as possible. The wagon had not yet bogged down and Eranen knew it was Lissandra's doing. If he stopped her they would be stuck several days away from Rorgrim, if he let her continue, he did not know what might happen. Could she die from using her abilities? Eranen had never heard anything that led him to believe she could, but had anyone ever possessed abilities like hers?
Eranen continued forward and said a silent prayer to the Gods that all would be well. If she collapsed again they would abandon the wagon and he would get her to Rorgrim safely, somehow. Eranen was brought out of his desperate thoughts by the sound of mooing. It was not just the mooing that had drew his attention, it was the tone. The cow sounded miserable, like it was in agony. Both Eranen and Lissandra began looking for the pathetic creature through the onslaught of the storm. It was Eranen who saw her first, standing on the side road about half a mile in front of them. As they got closer he smiled and shook his head. He heard Lissandra laugh with delight. It was Emy Lou, drenched and obviously miserable, but alive.
Eranen stopped the wagon when they reached her. He climbed down and hugged the cow. Lissandra laughed at the sight of the two drenched creatures in front of her. The man and his cow were finally reunited. Eranen took a rope from the back of the wagon and secured Emy Lou behind them. After giving her a few reassuring words he climbed back in the wagon and moved them forward again. Despite the fact that the rain fell harder than ever, the roads seemed even better after finding Emy Lou. Eranen knew it was not really possible, Lissandra was still weakened, but his spirits were higher and that made a difference.
Eranen did not stop that night to camp. The rain had eased and was falling softly. The wagon was still moving swiftly and Lissandra seemed to be recovering. At some point in the night Lissandra laid her head on his shoulder and went to sleep. Eranen assumed the wagon would bog down quickly once she closed her eyes. Much to his surprise it did not and he kept them going forward towards Rorgrim. Shortly before dawn however he and the horses need to rest so he pulled over on the side of the road behind some trees to sleep himself for a few hours. Duncan and the other guards took turns keeping watch while Eranen and Lissandra slept. He had moved them both to the back of the wagon were they would be more comfortable.
The next morning Eranen was surprised to see the sun shining down on them. He was even more surprised to find that not only were they dry, but so was the road. He looked at Lissandra's still sleeping form. Was it possible for her to control such things in her sleep? It was the only explanation he could think of. Not waking her he gently climbed to the front of the wagon. Taking the reigns he began moving them down the road. The guard seeing the wagon move quickly mounted and followed them.
It was several hours later that Eranen noticed that Emy Lou was no longer tied behind the wagon. He had not looked to see if she was there that morning. He had been too amazed at the dryness of the road to pay attention. He did not turn back to find her, but instead felt that she would find him again, she always did.
It was well past midnight when the sight of the city gates came within site. Eranen stopped the wagon just outside of the gates and turned his attention to Lissandra still asleep in the back of the wagon. "Lissandra," he said shaking her gently. She woke with a start a quickly looked around. Eranen felt the wind began blowing vigorously, and then suddenly stop. Once she realized where she was, she smiled up at him. "We are here," he said smiling back before he motioned for Duncan to join them.
Eranen was cautious about entering Rorgrim. They had not heard from Darien or Makren since Rachel's death and he did not want to announce to the city that Lissandra had returned, until he knew the state of things within the castle. It was for this reason that Lissandra put on her robe and pulled the hood down so her face could not be seen. In the torch light at the gate the robe looked more black, than blue. She was not to say a word even if a guard spoke to her.
At the gates the guards approached them with caution, but not suspicion, Eranen noticed. "Hold," bellowed one of the guards as Eranen pulled the wagon to a halt. "The city gates are closed until morning."
Eranen climbed down from the wagon and stood before the man. "Then please send word to the king right away that Eranen Palek waits at the gates for entrance."
The guards looked stunned by his words. Eranen glanced to Lissandra to make sure she was still covered. "Forgive me, my lord." Eranen turned back to the guard to see he was bowing. "I did not realize it was you." Eranen gave the man a puzzled look, but an explanation was not forth coming. "Open the gates," the guard shouted, "Open the gates. One of his majesty's adjutants requires entry."
Eranen was shocked at the man's words, but did not show it. Instead he walked back to the wagon and climbed up next to Lissandra. "What is an adjutant in Calandoria mean?" he softly whispered to her.
"The same thing it means in Hokaren I would suppose," she said softly. Eranen sighed, he had been afraid of that. "Keep your hood on until we are safe behind the castle doors," he said firmly.
"I will," she said amused. "For a Hikirian male you sure are bossy."
The ride through Rorgrim was slow moving, but no one hailed them or tried to stop them. When they arrived at the castle Lissandra had been shocked to see the gates closed. She did not say anything to Eranen about the oddity. Eranen easily gained admittance just as he had done at the city gates. He drove them into the courtyard and almost to the doors before he stopped the wagon and climbed down. He quickly rounded the wagon and help Lissandra down.
"You are home," he said.
She met his gaze with her silver eyes, "Only because you are here," she whispered. He took her hand in his and they walked to the castle doors together. Eranen paused at the doors. He leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss before knocking. The doors opened almost immediately.
Chapter 32
Eranen studied the man for only a moment before turning to Lissandra. "Is this Makren," he asked not quite believing the resemblance the man before him held to Darien. Lissandra nodded confirming Eranen's suspicions.
"Who are you?" Makren repeated, his words being ignored the first time he had asked. "And who is that," he pointed at the small figure concealed behind the robe.
"I am Eranen Palek of Hokaren," Makren looked immediately to the robed figure.
"Lissandra," he said throwing the hood off of her head to see if it really was his sister before him. Only Eranen noticed the light rain that began to fall as the man grabbed her to him. Lissandra hugged him back as tightly as she could. Eranen cleared his throat loudly causing Lissandra to look his direction. He was pointing to the sky. She realized immediately why and the rain stopped as quickly as it had started. "Let's go inside," Makren said dragging her by the hand behind him.
"Wait," Lissandra said halting his steps once they were in the grand entrance hall, "our trunks."
Makren looked back to the entrance just as Eranen was coming through the doors. Makren could see why Darien had trusted the man with their sister's safety. He had the look of a skilled fighter. Even now safe within the castle the man still had his guard up. "Sorry," he said to Eranen who had caught up to them. "I am Makren Raven; my brother has told me much about you." He extended a hand to Eranen, while holding Lissandra's hand with his other.
Eranen grasped his hand firmly as he moved closer to Lissandra. "We were pleased to hear of your return to your family," he said taking Lissandra's free hand with his own. Makren noticed Eranen's movements, but before he could make an inquiry regarding the intimate action, Lawwe came running down the stairs.
"Lissandra," he shouted running to her. "I have been so worried."
Lissandra left both Makren's and Eranen's grips and hugged Lawwe. Eranen frowned not knowing who this man was, but took comfort in the fact that he was old enough to be her father. "It is wonderful to see you again, Lawwe," she said smiling. "How is Moran?"
Lawwe did not answer her right away, "Alright I hope," he said reluctantly. "He is on a mission for your brother.
"You sent Moran?" Makren said sounding concerned.
"I was told to send our best," Lawwe said proudly puffing out his chest.
"This is Eranen Palek," Lissandra said pulling away from Lawwe and moving to stand next to Eranen. Lawwe extended his hand to Eranen. Eranen shook it in greeting.
Makren wanting to have a few moments with his sister begged Lawwe to see to their trunks. Lawwe quickly went to find some servants to bring them in. Makren did not know where he could send Eranen. His sister was holding the man's hand again. Makren met the man's eyes and realized regardless of the request he was not going anywhere. Makren sighed, "It will take them a few minutes. We are having a late night snack in the main sitting room upstairs if you would like to join us." Lissandra readily agreed and she and Eranen began following Makren up the stairs. About half way up Makren stopped and turned around. "I almost forgot. I am suppose to be getting more tea from the kitchen," he said.
"Where are the maids?" Lissandra asked puzzled.
Makren reddened before moving pass them back down the stairs, "Around somewhere," he said. "Go on up, I will be there in a minute," he said chuckling to himself and quickly leaving them alone on the stairs.
Eranen took a moment to take in his surroundings. It was just as grand, if not more so, than he had been expecting. "Well," Lissandra said indicating they should continue upstairs.
"In a minute," Eranen said enveloping her in his arms and firmly taking her lips with his own. They stood there kissing for several minutes, until someone clearing their throat behind them brought them around to look at the intruder.
"Darien," Lissandra squealed and threw her arms around his neck. Darien returned the embrace, but his steel eyes never left Eranen.
"I was not expecting you so soon," his voice indicated that there was more he had not expected, but he did not say more. He did however tighten his hold on Lissandra. "Did anyone see Lissandra enter the city?" he said still pinning his gaze on Eranen.
"No," Eranen said meeting Darien's unwavering gaze with his own. "For her safety she remained hidden until we were through the castle doors."
"We were on our way to the sitting room upstairs to join Makren," Lissandra said pulling herself from her brother. "Will you join us?"
"In a minute," Darien said. "Go ahead. I need to speak with Eranen alone first." That was when Lissandra noticed the daggers Darien was shooting towards Eranen.
She could feel the tension between the men. It had been unlucky that Darien had seen what he had. "Go on, Lissandra," Eranen said seeing her indecision. "I will be right behind you."
"No," she said stubbornly. She crossed her arms in front of her and squared her shoulders. Eranen gave her an amused smile when she started tapping one of her feet.
"We are in Calandoria now," Eranen said calmly. "I may not agree with the laws, but I think as princess you should follow them and do as you are told." Lissandra glared at him and loud crash of thunder echoed through the hall.
Makren walked into the hall
carrying a tray heavy with tea and cakes and met them on the stairs. "What is going on?" he asked sensing something was wrong.
"Take her upstairs," Darien snapped at him.
"I have to take this to Kiala first and then I will come back down for Lissandra." He did not know what was going on between the three of them. At the moment he did not really care to know. Kiala hated storms and he had heard the thunder. He just wanted to make sure she was alright.