by Bri Sailor
“You know, just when I was actually starting to like you, you go and do this and just remind me how right I was the moment I met you.” Said Taryn disapprovingly as she crossed her arms.
“Like I care.” Mumbled Ky as she stumbled back to the inn.
Taryn grabbed her by the collar and stopped her in her tracks.
“I don’t think so. Atreyis doesn’t want to see you.”
Ky wiped the water out of her face and wrung out her hair. “Look, I know I messed up. That’s why I need to go talk to her.”
Taryn shoved her. “You broke her damn heart!”
The warrior exploded. “You think I don’t know that?”
The palace guard shoved her. “Do you know how long it took me to even get her to come out of her quarters? That that scoundrel was thrown out of the city by my hand? That my mother, the Captain of the palace guard, had to stoop to paying people for their silence so as to not embarrass Atreyis or her family?”
“That’s why I have to grovel at her feet and beg Iyara’s forgiveness!” countered a still intoxicated Ky.
Taryn stepped back. “Iyara? What? Is your mind still that soaked in fermented grain?”
The distressed blonde rubbed her face. She squatted down on her heels and began mumbling like a madman.
“No, no, no, no, no, no. Not again. This isn’t happening again. She is in the dungeon. She is here. She is in the dungeon and it’s all my fault. Her heart is broken and it’s my fault. Her heart is broken and it’s my fault. Selfish heart of stone. Selfish heart of stone.”
Taryn grabbed Ky’s shirt and yanked her up to her feet.
“Enough of you mindless babbling. You need to sober up. Like it or not we still need you. As much as I hate it, you are actually of some use.”
The warrior ignored the guard and race into the tavern. She blew past Ehren and Riker and took the stairs two at a time. Just as she was about to open the door her arm wouldn’t work. She willed it to move but couldn’t. The soft sobs of the princess could be heard through the door.
“Atreyis, I’m sure she didn’t mean to do it on purpose.”
“That’s beside the point. She knew how I felt about it and she still did it!”
Ky managed to open the door and quietly slip in. Atreyis was lying with her face buried in a pillow while Cora softly stroked her back. The wood floor creaked and the priestess looked up to see a very sheepish, dripping Ky standing awkwardly by the door.
Cora eyed her. “I think that maybe you two need to talk…”
Atreyis sat up on her elbows. “I told you I don’t want to see her.”
“If I could just—” started Ky.
The princess was a flurry of limbs hurling a pillow straight at Ky's head as she jumped out of bed. The warrior didn't even move and let the feathery projectile hit her face.
“Get the hell out of here! I can't stand to look at you!” yelled Atreyis as more tears flowed down her cheeks.
Cora tried to put a hand on her shoulder. “I know you are upset but it is imperative that the two of you talk!”
Atreyis shrugged her off. “I can smell her breath from here. There's no way we're talking. The drunk probably wouldn't even remember. Her memory when she's sober is just as worthless apparently.”
Ky stepped forward with a heavy foot. “Please, let me...I know I...”
The still drunk warrior fell to her knees. “I am so sorry! I've failed you again. I told you I would return, and I never did. And now, the dungeon...please, Iyara, I beg your forgiveness!”
Ky fell face-first to the ground and began to sob. Cora was stunned speechless.
“Iyara?” exclaimed Atreyis as she cried harder. “Atreyis! I am Atreyis! Don't you even know who I am?”
The blonde peeled herself up from the floor and looked the princess. Her vision blurred as the faces of Atreyis and Iyara faded in and out. Everything blended together. One sapphire eye, one emerald eye.
“I should have told you all those years ago, but I was afraid. I love you, Iyara.” whispered the warrior.
Cora's jaw dropped and Atreyis' eyes flashed bright blue. Her arm acted independently of her brain with lightning speed and she slapped the warrior hard across the face, knocking her out. Ky hit the floor with a deep thud and didn't get up.
Chapter 10
Cora was kneeling by the unconscious warrior. Both of her hands were placed on her back and were glowing with a soft golden light like her eyes. Atreyis had crumpled in the corner hugging her knees. She had finally stopped crying but a new unbridled anger flowed through her entire being. She never thought that she could be so angry with someone. She had every ounce of faith in the warrior since the day she saved her in the woods, and in one moment it was irreparably shattered. The sight of the warrior in such a drunken state felt like she had been stabbed through the heart. Ky was supposed to be different, but she turned out to be just another Gerald.
After a few moments the warrior began to stir. Cora stopped glowing and stood up.
“You've put me into quite the predicament, good general.” she sighed. “My duty to my friend and my duty to your protection are at war with each other.”
The warrior merely started snoring in response. The priestess offered a hand to Atreyis who reluctantly took it. Down in the tavern Riker, Taryn, and Ehren were sitting huddled at a small table with a silent Joslette.
“Horgath must be planning something.” said Riker in a hushed tone.
“I agree.” said Taryn. “I noticed on the way back from the temple that there were fewer guards around. And you would think that given the kind of man he is that he would have droves of them armed to the teeth and strutting about.”
Ehren scratched his newly grown beard. “The truly odd thing is that there was hardly a citadel or armory to be found. And there was hardly a weapon to be bought. I couldn’t find a single blade anywhere.”
“Odd.” added Riker. “Why no weapons?”
“I’ve been wondering that myself.” said Ehren.
“So what did Atreyis find out?” asked Taryn. “Is there any way into the palace?”
Ehren shook his head. “I didn't get a chance to ask before the whole problem with Ky.”
Cora cleared her throat. “I do believe there is one among us who can help. I’m sorry I didn’t get to introduce our guest sooner. This is Joslette. And she is our way in.”
“Thank you, Cora.” Said Joslette softly. “It’s true, I have intimate knowledge of the palace grounds and know of a way in.”
“Pardon me, ma’am.” Interjected Ehren. “I don’t mean to offend, but how are we to know that you aren’t working with Horgath? How did you come by this knowledge?”
Joslette smiled. “I understand your trepidations. You will find no friend of Horgath here. My knowledge comes from the years that my family and I lived in the palace. That is…before Ultrek dethroned my father and placed Horgath in power.”
The table was stunned silent.
“P-princess?” stammered Cora. “I—I had no idea. Oldrin never said anything.”
Riker shifted in his seat. “As far as the rest of the world is concerned your entire family was wiped out.”
“I understand.” Nodded Joslette. “The world thinks that my family and I are dead. My parents retreated into hiding. My father lost all hope and had abdicated. My family wishes to never return. Only a year ago did I make my way back to the city. Something was calling me back, I now see that it was the Goddess. After spending a few scary nights on the streets, Oldrin found me and whisked me away to the temple. He told me that the Goddess came to him in a dream and told him to find me and that one day I would take my father’s place on the throne. For my safety I began going by my middle name instead of Diana.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up at her name, they knew exactly who she was.
“Wait,” Taryn put a hand up. “Are you saying that Oldrin knew we would be coming?”
Joslette shrugged. “It would seem so.”
“Wh
o exactly is this priest?” asked Ehren.
“He is a powerful new ally.” Replied Cora. “I daresay he is as much light as Lusha is darkness.”
Atreyis looked Cora over. “What did he tell you?”
Cora shifted her weight. “Once Ky has composed herself I will tell you all everything.”
“Of course we have to wait on her.” Said Taryn with a sideways glance at the priestess.
“Forget Ky,” said Ehren sternly, he looked at the princess. “I want to know how you plan on us getting into the palace.”
“Along the backside of the palace, near the wall, there is a large grate that leads to the sewers. Or at least it would seem so.” Said Joslette slyly. “It actually leads to a small underground passage that is an escape route used by the royal family. It leads to a tunnel that takes you all the way into the kitchen.”
“Who else knows about this passage?” asked Riker.
“No one.” Replied Joslette. “It was a secret passed down by the royal family. Not even my father’s closest advisors knew of it.”
“What about the captain of the royal guard?” asked Taryn. “My mother knows every square inch of the palace in Lynica.”
“She’s right.” Added Atreyis.
“No one knows.” Stressed Joslette. “A few months ago I sneaked out of the temple. I had reached a breaking point with the way Horgath has been treating my people. I thought that I might take things into my own hands. I made it all the way into the kitchen before losing my nerve. Fortunately Oldrin found me cowering in the alley near the temple before the guards could.”
“Your first mistake was in thinking that someone like yourself was even capable of taking a life in the first place.” Came a groggy response from a hung-over Ky.
The warrior pulled up a chair and sat next to Atreyis. The princess visibly stiffened and leaned away from her. Everyone seemed to notice except Ky as she leaned heavily on the table.
“Feeling better?” Taryn asked sarcastically.
“Mmm.” Grunted the blonde. “But it’s the first time my face actually hurts more than my head.”
Cora glanced at Atreyis. The princess’ jaw clenched.
“The tunnel actually seems like a better idea than what I was thinking. I stumbled across a guard’s uniform that seemed to be devoid of a body. I was thinking that there might be a few more uniforms waiting to be liberated.” Ky waggled an eyebrow.
Atreyis leaned back and crossed her arms. “Oh, really? And how exactly were you planning on achieving this?”
“Luring them into an alley and rendering them unconscious.” Ky replied simply.
“That’s pretty bold.” Said Taryn. “How exactly do you plan on getting them there?”
Ky rubbed her sore face. “Hadn’t thought that far yet.”
“I have an idea.” Said Riker with an impish grin.
“Wait a moment.” Joslette held up her hands. “Even if you can get uniforms and get into the palace you still need a plan. You do have a plan, don’t you?”
“Kill Horgath.” Said Ky simply, she even sounded bored.
“If I may…” interrupted Ehren. “I figure that we sneak into the palace and create some sort of diversion. If we can create enough chaos it could give us enough time to find the crystal.” He turned to Joslette. “What all can we expect behind the palace wall?”
“Palace guard quarters that have been turned into soldiers’ barracks, large stables with at least a hundred horses, and a large citadel with a massive stockpile of weapons.” Recalled Joslette.
“If we could free those horses and cause a stampede that should be enough of a distraction.” Said Taryn.
Atreyis scratched her head. “That would work. What if there was a fire? We could start a fire in the barracks or the stables. And then open the gate and let them loose.”
“And what of the uniforms?” asked Cora.
“For that I have an idea.” Interjected Riker gleefully. “Soldiers like to drink. Drinking leads to easy persuasion. And who else better to than some beautiful ladies to do just that?”
He cast a sleazy eye around the table.
Atreyis glared at him. “Not a chance.”
“We’re better off just robbing a squadron.” Said Taryn.
Ky yawned hard. “I bet Iyara’s things are still here. She would have some dresses that we could use.”
Atreyis gave a knowing look at Cora. The priestess was sympathetic. The warrior stood up from the table and made her way towards the bar, pushing the barkeep aside. Atreyis stormed after her. She nearly ran into her when the warrior suddenly froze in the doorway. Dust and cobwebs covered everything but it was just as she remembered. The comfortable bed near the fireplace. The small desk still covered in parchments and a full inkwell. A memory flashed before her eyes. She could see Iyara sleeping peacefully in the bed with fire roaring in the background. Ky tried to pull herself together. She shook her head and made a beeline for a small dresser along the wall. With a shaky hand she pulled open the first drawer, not prepared for the emotions ready to come crashing down on her. A soft red dress caused pause. Ky slowly pulled out the dress and held it up in front of her. Giving in to an impulse she bunched up the fabric and inhaled deeply. It was faint, but it still smelled like Iyara.
“What are you doing?” asked Atreyis.
Ky jumped. She didn’t realize that the princess was right behind her. The warrior cleared her throat.
“Nothing. Nothing. Here.” She tossed the dress to her. “There are some good ones here that we can use.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Pressed Atreyis.
Ky didn’t answer and continued rummaging through the dresser.
Atreyis played with the dress. “Do you even remember coming upstairs?”
Ky picked out the last dress. “Not really. I remember Taryn trying to drown me in a water trough and then the next thing I know I’m waking up on the floor.”
She turned around but refused to make eye contact. “Look, I know I messed up. I know how you feel about drinking, and I’m sorry I made you angry. I just…don’t know how to handle my feelings any other way.”
“Sounds like an excuse to me.” Leveled Atreyis. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Ky dared to look into those sapphire blue eyes. She could see the veiled sadness.
“Iyara and I were—close.” She cleared her throat. “Look, I just want to take out Horgath and get her out of that dungeon. I quite literally owe her my life.”
Atreyis tapped her foot. She debated whether or not to tell Ky what had happened. The warrior slipped past her and back to the tavern before she could say anything.
“So it’s settled then.” Said Ky definitively. “Ehren and I will sneak into the palace and get the crystal from Horgath. Atreyis, Riker and Taryn will free the horses and start the fires. Cora, I want you to take Joslette and get out of the city. There is a small village southwest from the front gate, there you will find a blacksmith named Doan. When he asks your name tell him ‘Hope’.”
“I know where that is.” Nodded Joslette.
“Then everything is set, except for one thing.” Added Atreyis. “Ky and myself will go after Horgath.”
Ehren leveled a look at her. “Why you?”
Atreyis shrugged her shoulders. “Why not? I’m sure Ky wouldn’t have a problem with it.”
The princess raised an eyebrow and looked sideways at the warrior. Ky could sense her hostility and found herself agreeing with the princess.
“Fine.” She submitted. “But Horgath is still mine. If things get dangerous I want all of you to get out and just forget about me.”
Now it was Cora’s turn to interrupt. “No. That cannot happen.”
Everyone seemed taken aback. The priestess continued.
“This is what I was trying to tell you all earlier. Oldrin revealed things to me that will change everything.” She looked around the tavern to make sure that no one else was listening. The incantation that Oldrin had mu
ttered popped into her head and she quickly recited it while using a fork to carve the symbol into the table. Silence blanketed them.
“The way to the Hidden responds to the Blood, but the Jewel opens to where Darkness strives for power. The barrier that holds Malice, the Ever Dark, lies in the Temple. The Spirit of the Fallen One will destroy the Royal ones born of an Eclipse. When the blood of the Gatekeepers runs the Earth red, the Barrier will fade and the Realm will unite the Fragmented and Forgotten. Death allows for the Dragon. The Soul Goddess Incarnate will bring about the Union, and the End.”