Varg ignored her question and said, “You told me that the reason your affair with Alastor ended was because the two of you were caught, but that wasn't the whole story, wasn't it?” Before Zita could question him, Varg added, “You were pregnant, weren't you?”
Zita's eyes widened. “How did you know that?”
Varg stood up and said, “Zita, tell me everything that happened with the baby.”
Zita looked as though she wanted to ask more questions, but conceded and began, “I found out near the end of the summer. After the duke found out, he had me kept in a secluded room until I gave birth. It was a girl...and I didn't even get to see her when they took her away. I was told back then that she had died, but after I joined the Shadow Hand, Jin found out she had actually been sent to an orphanage somewhere in Fellen. He sent some of his men to fetch her, but-”
“She ran away,” Varg finished.
“What...how did...how do you know all of this?” Zita stared at Varg.
Varg opened his mouth to speak, but he stopped when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. They both turned to see Milea, who upon seeing Zita fully recovered, furrowed her brow and said, “What the...what's going on?”
Varg smiled, turned back to Zita, and said, “I know where your daughter is, Zita. More importantly, I can take you to her.”
CHAPTER 23
Alastor paced back and forth before the soldiers who had just returned claiming they lost track of Zita and the others. His blood boiled and his temper was rising.
“Let me get this straight,” Alastor said, “you men had a perfect view of them, then the elf actually stopped and allowed you to catch up to her, then you lost her again shortly after? Give me one good reason why I shouldn't cut you down where you stand.”
The soldiers stared at the ground, neither one had the courage to speak.
“Alastor.”
Alastor turned in the direction of the voice and saw Jin standing behind him, now garbed with his white robe again.
Before Alastor could speak, Jin shouted, “I told you to leave her alone. I told you I would deal with her myself. You had no right to act against her-”
“I had every right when she was the one who made an attempt on my life first,” Alastor barked. “The years of taking her under your wing has made you soft towards her. If she were any of your other mindless followers, you would have killed them on the spot, and you know it.”
“I do not kill my followers, no matter what their crimes are,” Jin said. “And they are the last people in the world I would label as 'mindless.'”
“I don't care what you would call them,” Alastor said. “I'm tired of your games, Jin. This time, you will follow my command.”
Alastor waved his hand towards the soldiers, a sign that they were dismissed, and in response they gratefully darted off in all directions before Alastor changed his mind. Instead, he walked over to the large group of soldiers that had gathered nearby to see what the commotion was about.
With his pride rising and his temper boiling, Alastor bellowed, “Arm yourselves, boys. We march now!”
The soldiers cheered and quickly scattered to carry out their orders.
“Alastor, it's too risky to move out now,” Jin said. “We aren't prepared-”
“If you want to use that key of yours, I suggest you get ready to move. Tonight, we take the city with or without you,” Alastor said.
Jin glared at Alastor, his snake-like eyes flashing with rage. “Your pride will be the end of you, Alastor.”
Jin walked away and after a few minutes, Alastor heard him shouting orders for the Shadow Hand to get ready to attack the elf city. Alastor would have grinned with satisfaction that he made Jin do his bidding for once, but the effect from his rage still had not yet worn off.
Once Zita had regained a bit of her strength, the three of them quickly started moving again to avoid being caught. As they ran towards the city, Varg explained what had happened to Milea, and then they both told Zita all about Erril.
“We first found her several months ago in Wild Valley,” Milea explained. “She was living in the forest since she ran away from the orphanage and was stealing to survive. The Shadow Hand members in the stronghold near Wild Valley captured her, so we went to rescue her. That's when we met Conley, when he and his troops took the stronghold and rescued us. Erril joined us after that, and she's been a vital part of our team ever since.”
“It's ironic,” Zita said, “I've been trying to kill you while my daughter has been on your side all along.”
“You have no idea how thrilled she will be to know she's not an orphan after all,” Milea said. “Not to mention, she'll finally know where her powers come from.”
“She won't be happy to know that Alastor is her father, though,” Varg said.
“She won't need Alastor,” Zita said. “I will be there for her.”
They continued running until they reached the city a few hours later. By then, they were out of breath, but Zita still insisted she speak to the queen and everyone else because she had urgent news. They made it to the castle in the dead of night, but when they reached the throne room, they were relieved to see that the queen was still there, as were Tain, Oliva, and Catrina.
When the queen turned and saw Milea enter the throne room, her demeanor instantly changed and she ran to greet her daughter. The two embraced and the queen openly wept.
“Thank Laelith you're safe,” Shalia cried. “When Shara returned and told me that you and Varg went to the enemy camp, I was beside myself with worry.”
She pulled away from Milea and asked, “Did you get it? Did you get the dagger?”
Milea sighed and hung her head. “I'm sorry, Mother, but we were too late. Jin already had the dagger.” She picked her head up and added, “But I do have some good news. I have someone who wishes to tell us what Jin plans on using the key for, so we could at the very least prepare and prevent him from using it.”
Milea then gestured to Zita, who stepped forward and politely bowed before the elf queen.
“Is that not the same woman who was in the Inner Sanctum with you and who escaped from our prison?” Shalia said.
Before Milea could respond, Tain suddenly said, “Zita?”
Zita turned to the water elf and, upon recognizing him, she smiled and said, “Hello Tain. Did you miss me?”
Tain looked at Varg and said, “You are aware that the woman you've brought before the queen of the elves is Jin's most trusted apprentice...not to mention his lover?”
Varg whipped his head to Zita, who met his gaze and said, “Well, not anymore...”
Varg blinked. “You...and Jin?”
“Yes,” Zita snapped. “Now can we get back to the issue at hand?”
Milea then looked around the room and said, “Where is Erril? And Conley?”
“They're consulting with Princess Shara about the next step in the battle plans,” Oliva said. “She surely is a shrewd tactition.”
“It's true,” Catrina chimed in. “Even Conley was impressed with her.”
“I see you can all speak Elvish now,” Milea commented.
“Well, I already knew a little,” Oliva said bashfully, “but it is certainly exciting to be able to speak it fluently.”
“It is, but let's not get sidetracked,” Varg said. “Zita was about to tell us Jin's plans.”
“Oh, right, my apologies,” Oliva said.
“It's quite all right,” Zita said. She then approached the queen and said, “Your majesty, I've come to reveal what Lor—what Jin means to use the key for.”
“Have you now?” Queen Shalia said. “You mean to betray your former master?”
Zita straightened up and said, “I am the one who was betrayed, Majesty. Now I intend to prevent any more bloodshed to redeem myself for my crimes here and everywhere else.”
“Go on,” Shalia said.
Before Zita could continue, Conley, Shara, and Erril entered the roo.
“Milea, Varg,
you're safe!” Conley said. Then he saw Zita and said, “But...what is that Shadow Hand woman doing here?”
“Betraying Jin,” Varg glatly replied. “At least, she was about to. Right Zita?”
Varg looked at Zita, but she wasn't paying any attention. Her focus was solely on Erril, who furrowed her brow and said, “What are you staring at?”
Zita could not speak, only stare in aw at her long lost daughter.
“Zita?” Varg said softly, placing his hand on her shoulder.
She broke out of her trace momentarily and said, “I'm sorry. There will be time later. I must do what needs to be done now.”
Zita stood before the queen and began, “Your Majesty, Jin means to use the key on the Tree of Laelith to obtain its power.”
The room fell silent for a time, then the queen asked, “And what purpose does he intend for this to serve?”
Zita continued, “Jin has always preached to us that the world is a pure failure; that with all the suffering, wars, hunger, and terror that still exists, this world is long past the point of saving. So rather than fix the world we live in, he intends to use the power of the Tree to craft a new world, free of people who would cause suffering unto others.”
“'The Serpent shall lead the worthy to the Dawn,'” Varg said.
“Exactly,” Zita replied. “And he's willing to get rid of anyone who stands in the way of that.”
“As we've been unfortunate to discover,” Milea said.
“And if the Tree is deprived of its power,” Queen Shalia said, “it could mean the end of the Crystal Wood. The Tree of Laelith is what gives life to the forest and its crystals, and as you know, they are a vital part of our way of life.”
“Perhaps there is another way to give the Shadow Hand what they want?” Conley said. “Let's face it, I'm all for getting the Shadow Hand out of our world and into another.”
“I'm afraid it's not that simple,” Zita said. “I'm unsure of the details, but in order to create the new world, this one must perish first.”
“What?” Varg blurted out. “You mean that Jin means to bring about the end of the world? And how can you not know more? You were Jin's apprentice.”
“Yes, but Jin is very secretive about his work. Even I didn't know everything,” Zita asmitted.
“Either way,” Milea said, “We cannot allow Jin to take the power from the Tree.”
“Absolutely not,” Shara said. “I may have lost the first battle, but I will not lose the city. I'll lead the battle to help defend the city against these invaders.”
“I can help you,” Conley said. “I know more than my fair share of battle and strategy, so I would be of great assistance to you on the defensive line.”
“It's true, Shara,” Milea said. “If anyone can lead a defense, it's Conley.”
“And I have a little surprise waiting for Alastor and his men,” Conley said with a smirk. “A little payback, if you will.”
“Very well then,” Shara said, “I will enlist your help. I thank you for it.”
“Don't mention it,” Conley said. “I just don't want these bastards to lay siege to any more cities. This ends here and now.”
“I'll help with the defense,” Oliva said. “As will Tain, I'm sure.”
Tain gave her a look like he didn't appreciate being volunteered, but he said nothing and simply nodded in response.
“I'll go too,” Erril chimed in.
“No,” Zita said, quite louder than she surely intended.
All eyes suddenly darted to her, and in a shaky, sheepish voice, she added, “I simply don't think a girl your age should be stepping into a warzone. It's far too dangerous for adults, let alone children.”
Erril stood indignantly with her hands on her hips and said, “Why is it that even with everything I've done, everything I've been through, everyone still treats me like a child? I've fought the Shadow Hand, escaped from death countless times, and I even escaped from Whitspire under Greenwood's rule. Last time I checked, I was just as capable of handling myself as any one of you. I've proven it on multiple occasions, have I not?”
“Of course you have,” Conley said. “Don't worry, Erril. I know you'll do great.”
Zita tried to protest, but Varg tugged her arm and whispered, “Don't worry, he won't let anything happen to her. I promise.”
“I'll need someone to protect the Tree above all else,” Shalia said. “I have faith in all of you to hold the enemy lines, but I cannot take the chance of the enemy getting a head start to the Tree. At the very least, we must warn the priestesses of the danger.”
“I'll go,” Zita said. “It's my fault that Jin found the key, so I should bear the responsibility of warning those who protect the Tree.”
“With all due respect, Zita, the priestesses may not be convinced if you go alone. I'll go with you,” Milea said.
“If you go, I go,” Varg said.
“I fear the priestesses will need more convincing,” Shalia said. “I will accompany the three of you to the Temple and deliver the message myself.”
“No mother,” Shara protested, “it's far too dangerous.”
“Shara, someone the priestesses trust without question must go to the Temple,” Shalia said.
Shara thought for a moment, then she turned to Conley and said, “Is there any way you can take over the defenses for me?”
“With my eyes sewn shut,” Conley said.
“Thank you,” Shara said. She then turned back to her mother and said, “I will go with Milea and the others to the Temple to warn the priestesses of the danger. My word will convince them that they are telling the truth.”
“Shara, please be careful,” Shalia said. “There's no telling what kind of trickery the enemy has up their sleeves.”
“I'll look after her,” Milea said. “I know that if anything happens to Shara, the Crystal Wood would no longer have an heiress.”
Shara looked at Milea with an earnest expression and said, “Yes it would.”
Milea locked eyes with her for a moment, and a brief silence ensued.
Then, the doors to the throne room flew open and an elf soldier came running in panting, “Queen Shalia, the invaders are approaching the city!”
Shalia looked at Conley and said, “Get your men ready to launch our defenses.”
“Right away, Your Majesty,” Conley said with a bow.
Shalia turned to the rest and said, “You know what to do.”
“Yes Mother,” Milea said. “We won't let you down.”
“I know you won't,” Shalia said. “Now go.”
The sound of thousands of feet pounding in the grass in unison was music to Jin’s ears. The city of elves lay before his very eyes. He could see the Tree of Laelith towering over everything, the very heart of the Crystal Wood, with the peaks of the Temple in his line of sight. It was almost like staring at the end of a tunnel, and Jin barreled towards the end of it.
The sound of horns coming from the city meant the elves had spotted the approaching army. Not that it mattered, since Jin had every intention of the army being seen as soon as possible. He turned to Alastor, who rode on horseback beside him, and said, “Remember to keep the army busy at the city’s entrance. Once I have what I want, you and your men can proceed.”
Alastor peered down at him. “And what will happen when you get what you want? Will you fulfill your end of the bargain, or will I be left to perish in the wake of whatever disaster you have planned, Serpent?”
Jin smiled. “Put your faith in others, Alastor. It will do you a world of good.”
“I have faith in no one,” Alastor remarked. “That’s why I am still alive.”
Alastor met his gaze with a stoic, knowing stare. The horns from the city blared once more, followed by shouting in the distance. Jin tore his attention away from Alastor and let it drift to the city, where he could now see the elves running along the wall and pouring out into the forest towards them.
Jin smiled. “Follow the plan, Alastor, and y
ou will have more than you could ever obtain on your own.”
Jin turned to Xilas, who marched nearby with his fellow Shadow Hand operatives, and said, “You and a few of the others will come with me to the Tree. The rest of our men and women know what to do. Oh, and tell Edric Greenwood I will need his services as well.”
“Yes, My Lord,” Xilas said.
As the operative barked orders to the others, Jin turned back to Alastor and said, “Don’t fail me, Alastor. You know what will happen if you do.”
The enemy lines drew closer, but Jin soon took his leave with Xilas, Edric, and several other Shadow Hand operatives to carry out their mission.
Varg and the others ran outside of the castle to hear battle horns and marching coming from the north.
“I don't understand,” Zita said, “they weren't supposed to march until morning.”
“They probably decided to march out early after our little display,” Varg said, “especially now that we have you.”
“What do you mean?” Zita asked.
“You've told us how Jin means to attack the Tree, so now we can defend it. Jin probably knew you would tell us, so they moved out immediately to give us less time to prepare,” Varg explained.
“Regardless,” Shara said, “we mustn't allow them to take the Tree or the city. Conley, I'm counting on you.”
“Don't worry, I have a plan,” Conley said. “If Alastor thinks my army will go along with his plan, he will be in for a rude awakening once we have them where we want them. We won't let you down.”
“Be careful,” Milea said, “all of you. I couldn't bear the thought of any of you never leaving this forest alive.”
“That goes for us as well,” Oliva said. “We may be going to war, but I have a feeling that your task will prove to be by far the most dangerous.”
“Knowing Jin, I don't doubt it,” Varg said.
After everyone said their goodbyes, Varg, Milea, and Shara began to run towards the Tree, but before Zita joined them, Varg turned and saw her staring after Erril, who was tagging along behind Conley as they ran off to join the elf troops.
The Crystal Wood (Half-Breed Book 2) Page 26