Shades of Prophecy

by Tessonja Odette

  Once clear of them, I froze, finding Cora on the path ahead, arms crossed as she narrowed her eyes at me. Next to her stood Garot, a sheepish grin on his face.

  I rolled my eyes. “Garot, do you not know the meaning of a secret?”

  He shrugged. “Cora asked where you were. I couldn’t tell her I didn’t bring you here.”

  “That’s precisely what it means to keep a secret.”

  “No,” Garot said, “that would have been a lie. I don’t tell lies, I tell stories.”

  I couldn’t be mad at him. Of all the Elvan, he seemed to be one of the only ones I didn’t have to coerce with a glamour to make like me. Still, I refused to look ashamed as I approached them. “Fine. I suppose we should head back then.”

  Garot opened his swirling tunnel, and I walked into it, not waiting to let Cora catch up. She did anyway, of course. “What were you thinking coming out here?” she asked.

  Lie? Or truth? I began to prepare a glamour, then stopped. She’s my friend, I reminded myself, feeling my cheeks redden. I don’t need to glamour her. Now that I’d been practicing my powers so often on the Elvan, it was almost becoming a habit. A bad habit, perhaps. I turned to her and smiled. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to be close to Lare. I know it’s dangerous, and I won’t do it again.”

  She put a hand on my shoulder. “I know you don’t like being cooped up or bossed around. I don’t either, but…”

  “But Darius is coming to kill my son,” I said. “Which could happen any day.”

  “You, Ailan, and Liam are all that stand between Darius and unlimited power. Since Ailan will be fighting Darius, you and Liam must be kept safe.”

  I sighed. “So back to my room I go. I know.”

  “Well, first, Ailan has something to show us.”

  I cocked my head, then slowed my steps. “Another dragon?”

  Cora seemed confused. “I don’t think so. She was asking for us both, which is why I came to find you. Luckily Garot,” she smiled at the beaming Elvan, “is an honest gentleman—or gentelvan.”

  “Oh, I like that!” Garot said. “Though, I’m still curious to know more about this bard thing you have in your world. Do you think I could be one here? A bardelvan?”

  Cora laughed. It felt good to hear her laugh, no matter how faint it was.

  I decided to join her. “Garot, I’m sure you already are.”

  * * *

  Garot’s tunnel ended, its swirling colors of green and gold going still, then spreading out before us over the lawn in front of the palace.

  “Ailan will be waiting for us in the armory,” Cora said.

  I frowned. “The armory? Why?”

  “I don’t know. But I won’t tell her where you went. Neither will Garot.” Cora fixed him with an intense stare. “Right, Garot? It will only worry her.”

  Garot shrugged. “So long as she doesn’t ask.”

  Cora met my eyes. “I found you waiting for me in my room. You wanted to get away from the guards for a bit and came to find me. Right?”

  I was surprised at Cora’s willingness to cover up what I’d done. Wasn’t she supposed to be the perfect one? No matter, so long as I didn’t have to explain myself again. Besides, she was right. It would worry Ailan to no end. “Right.”

  “Just don’t do it again. Please?”

  My heart sank at the genuine worry on her face. I nodded.

  Garot took his leave of us, and I followed Cora into the palace, up one of the immense ivory staircases, and down one of the long, towering hallways. Although I still felt like the palace was more of a prison than a paradise, I was coming to admire its beauty more and more each day. Not one wall held anything but the most breathtaking art. Each tapestry showcased the most dazzling scenes in colors I wasn’t sure I’d ever witnessed before. Each stone beneath our feet was polished to a mirror-like shine. I could get used to this. I could.

  We came to a darker hallway, one with walls of deep reds and golds rather than the ivory and opal that spanned the rest of the palace. At the end of the hallway, a wide arch led into a cavernous room where endless rows of swords and spears lined the walls. Tables were piled with chainmail and shimmering armor, the light from the lanterns casting rainbow-like patterns over the iridescent metal.

  Ailan stood at one of the tables, inspecting a selection of swords with hilts set with immense jewels. She no longer wore one of her flowing Elvan robes. Instead, she wore chain and armor over what looked like thick leather leggings. Her forearms were adorned in metal gauntlets and around her waist was a swordbelt from which numerous knives and an empty scabbard hung. An Elvan man stood across from the table, one of the burliest Elvan I’d yet seen. His skin was dark, and his arms were roped with muscle.

  Ailan lifted one of the swords, and Cora and I kept our distance while she took a few practice swings. “Thank you, Jasa. This is the one.” Ailan sheathed the sword in the scabbard at her waist, then faced us. “Good, you’re here. Come.” She waved us toward another table. As we approached, I found a large metal container of some sort, plate and mail, and a bow with a quiver of arrows.

  Cora’s eyes widened at the sight of the arrows, her mouth falling open as she looked at Ailan. “Is this for me?”

  Ailan nodded. “Weaponsweaver Jasa made them especially for you, with my recommendations. I asked him to mimic the style and feel of the set you are used to from the Forest People.”

  The arrows were fletched with gold feathers and the tips appeared to be of the same shimmering metal as the other plate and weapons in the room. Everything else, from the shaft of the arrows to the bow and quiver were black. I didn’t know much about shooting arrows—or using any weapon, for that matter—but seeing these made me almost wish I did. Was I going to be gifted something similar? I frowned, seeing no other weapon on the table.

  Cora strung the bow and practiced pulling it to her cheek a few times. “It’s perfect.”

  Ailan extended her hand toward the plate and mail. “You each get a set of armor, also.”

  Cora seemed excited by this, but I wrinkled my nose. Armor? Me? Then again, Ailan did look stunning in hers, not to mention intimidating.

  My eyes moved to the strange metal container. “What is that?”

  Ailan placed her hands on one of the four thick sides. Two of the sides were longer while the ends were short, creating a rectangular shape with four, lightly rounded corners. It was almost shaped like a…

  I took a step closer. “Is that a bassinet?”

  “An armored bassinet, for Liam,” Ailan said.

  I looked from Liam to the bassinet, wondering how he would be any safer in there than in my arms.

  “We will place a cushion and blankets inside, so he will be comfortable,” Ailan said. “The sides will protect him from any weapon.”

  “What about the open top? Someone could simply grab him out.”

  Ailan smiled. “No one but you or I will be able to take him out of the bassinet. I’ve had it woven by a protectionweaver.”

  My heart raced, and I couldn’t say the words that came to mind. What if we both die? What if he gets stuck in there? “Does the weaving protect against weapons too?”

  Ailan’s face fell. “Well, no…”

  “So instead of taking out my son, Darius could just stab him through the opening.”

  “That won’t happen,” Ailan said. “I won’t let him get through the veil, much less into the palace. This is only a precaution.”

  How was she so sure? Was I the only one willing to face the worst? I saw the concern in Ailan’s eyes and realized she was doing her best to put on a brave face. She knew the dangers. She knew what could happen. Yet, she was doing her best to protect us.

  I forced my lips into a smile. “It’s a great idea. Thank you, Ailan.”

  She seemed relieved. “I’ll have it brought to your room before nightfall.”

  I nodded and took her words as a dismissal, turning to go. Before Cora and I could take a step, Ailan lightly took hold of
my arm. “Mareleau, please don’t leave your room again. If you must go, take your guards. I can’t risk losing either of you.”

  “I will stay from now on,” I said, trying not to scowl. Then back to my gilded cage I went.

  35

  FIRST WAVE

  Teryn

  I stood at the top of the wall, midday sun warming my shoulders as I stared over the land that was Norun. To the north and south, Tomas’ wall expanded as far as I could see until it disappeared into shadows and trees in the far-off distance.

  Stone pointed to the east. “My spies say the legion is just there, Yer Majesty, over the ridge. They’ll make camp tonight, two hours’ march from here.”

  I raised my brow. “So, not only are you a smuggler, but also a spymaster?”

  Stone grinned. “A good smuggler needs good spies.”

  I shrugged. “I’m grateful either way. And for the fact that you no longer carry with you the scent of manure. I thought I’d never get that smell out of my nose.”

  That made Stone laugh. “Yer Majesty, I hate to tell you my scent hasn’t changed. Was only my natural stench, you see? You simply got used to it after eight nights with a shovel.”

  I slapped Stone on the back. “Perhaps you’re right. Now, what of the weapons? Have they been delivered to the rebels?”

  “Aye, and not a speck on them.” His expression hardened. “They are ready, Yer Majesty. It will be tonight. Norun will fall.”

  My breath caught, heart racing. After two weeks of waiting, it was finally time. Tonight I find Cora. “What have your spies noted about the legion’s previous camps? Where can King Darius be found?”

  “Aye, yer prey. King Darius’ army settles at the southern end of camp, while King Isvius’ legion settles north. Big tents, those kings have.”

  That’s where my retinue will go, then. “You’ve already reported all this to King Carrington?”

  “Aye. War council in an hour, he says. If that’s all, Yer Majesty, I’ll be on my way. I’ve got to prepare for some chaos that needs stirrin’ tonight.”

  “Thank you, Stone. You may go.” I watched the horizon for awhile after Stone left, wishing I could see the legion from here, anxious for a glimpse of what we’d be up against. Let’s just hope Norun has continued to underestimate Tomas and doesn’t have spies of their own waiting on the road ahead.

  I descended the stairs of the wall to the Tomas side, moving from crisp, open air to a sea of tents that made up our war camp. Messengers wove in front of me, while servants carried weapons, armor, and plates of food, all wearing the livery of either Tomas, Kero, or Vera. The heightened activity told me word was already beginning to spread through camp.

  I made my way to my private tent. Not a big tent, like Stone had reported Darius and Isvius would have, but it suited me well enough. I expected no luxury during this operation. With a sigh, I sat on my cot and closed my eyes. I’m coming, Cora. Hold out just a little longer.

  “Teryn.”

  I rose to my feet, hand on the hilt of my sword as I faced the source of the voice.

  A subtle light was all I found, a shimmering white, blue, and gray in the corner of my tent. The light rippled and expanded, slowly taking on human form until an ethereal woman stood before me. “Emylia?”

  “I didn’t mean to startle you,” she said, her voice sounding as if from far away. “It’s been hard to get you to see me until now. Cora was much easier.”

  I removed my hand from my sword hilt and took an eager step toward the wraith. “Have you seen her? Spoken to her? Is she well?”

  Her expression fell. “I haven’t spoken to her since Ridine Castle. I’ve had…other tasks.”

  “Can’t you see everything? Cora said when you tried to move to the otherlife—”

  “I could see everything,” Emylia said. “I no longer can. I had a glimpse into everything that had happened during my lifetime and everything that was happening as a result. I turned away from the otherlife and no longer have that ability.”

  “What about your abilities as a wraith? You found me. I imagine you didn’t walk here like a mortal. Can you…sense her? Find her?”

  Emylia’s pale, misty eyes seemed to stare into the distance for a moment before returning to me. “I can’t sense her, Teryn, and I haven’t seen her amongst the legion.”

  The disappointment weighed heavy on my shoulders, but I tried to focus on the other information she’d given. “You’ve visited the legion?”

  “Yes.” She almost seemed exasperated. “I lost track of Cora shortly after I spoke to her at Ridine. It was like…she just wasn’t anywhere. So I’ve been checking in on you instead. But you couldn’t see me, couldn’t hear me. When I saw what you were doing here, I finally understood what I could do to help.”

  She just wasn’t anywhere. The words haunted me as I tried to make sense of them. “Cora worldwalked after you last spoke to her, and eventually ended up in El’Ara. Perhaps that’s why you couldn’t find her.”

  “Perhaps,” Emylia said with a shrug.

  Then what did it mean that she couldn’t find her now? Was it possible Cora had escaped Darius, or was she…

  I refused to let my mind go there. No, she’s alive. She must be alive.

  “Teryn.” Emylia shifted, bringing my attention back to her. “You are attacking the legion tonight, yes?”

  I nodded.

  “Then I want to help.”

  I frowned. “What do you intend to do?”

  Emylia put her hand to the side, as if resting it on something invisible. A dull, gray light undulated beneath her hand until it took the shape of a man. An armed man, long sword clasped in his hand.

  A warrior wraith.

  I jumped back, hand flying to my sword once again, but Emylia held her free hand out to stop me. My chest heaved as the wraith watched me with his lifeless eyes. Eyes so chilling and familiar. “Is that what I think it is? One of Morkai’s wraiths?”

  “Yes,” Emylia said, her voice steady, “but you have nothing to fear. Morkai’s power was the only thing that made them dangerous. And I’ve found them, all of them. Do you know who they are? Who they once were?”

  I shook my head, although something tickled the back of my mind, something Morkai once said…

  “Morkai’s wraiths were the souls of the humans who fought for Darius against the Elvan,” Emylia said. “Some were from the army of Syrus, others were mercenaries or men recruited from other kingdoms. None stood a chance against Elvan fighters. Darius used them as lives to be expended for his personal cause. They died fighting a war they could never win, in a realm they didn’t belong to. Ever since, they’ve been trapped in Lela, unable to move to the otherlife.”

  Finally, Morkai’s words breached the surface of my mind. It felt as if it had been ages since I’d heard them. Lost souls of the dead, in the world of the living. Souls of men who lost their lives in an ancient war you’ve never heard of…

  Emylia continued. “Morkai captured them, controlled them with his power. He promised them peace in the otherlife, but when he died, the wraiths were left behind. Their ability to kill had been taken from them, so they returned to their wanderings. I can’t give them the power Morkai gave them, but I’ve been able to guide them back to a sort of sentience.”

  “How?” I studied the wraith, who continued to watch me. His face was passive, and although his eyes were lifeless, he stood at attention, not like I’d expect of a wandering, mindless wraith.

  Emylia smiled. “By giving them a sense of purpose. I’ve shared with them what I’ve learned and what is happening in the lands around us. They know what you are planning tonight. We want in.”

  “Without Morkai’s power granting them the ability to fight, what can they possibly do?”

  “I heard the word chaos mentioned on the wall.”

  I shook my head. “Stone will be burning supplies. How can you help with that?”

  Emylia and the wraith exchanged a glance, which startled me. It was the
first time I’d seen the warrior wraith move. Emylia grinned. “What would you do if you woke up in the middle of the night to a camp full of armed wraiths? Never mind whether they can kill you. Would you linger long enough to find out?”

  I furrowed my brow, then my lips began to turn up at the corners. “No, I suppose I wouldn’t.”

  “You would run, right? Where would you run?”

  “Away from the wraiths,” I said. “Anywhere.”

  “What if the wraiths were everywhere, aside from one clear path away from the camp? What if enemy forces awaited at the end of that path, hidden in the dark?”

  A chill ran up spine as I realized what she was proposing. “Instead of invading the legion, we could divide them, chase out portions of the camp to meet our forces at predetermined areas around the camp.”

  Emylia nodded. “Send an initial force to begin the attack. When the camp wakes, the wraiths will be the first thing they see to chase them out.”

  I ran a hand through my hair. “Not everyone will run. Some will face the wraiths.”

  “True, but hardly a man will have time to be fully armed. You can deal with those once the first wave is dealt with.”

  “None of this feels quite honorable,” I said with a sigh.

  “No,” Emylia said. “I suppose I will judge myself for this day too, when I try to return to the otherlife.”

  I took a deep breath. “Let us be judged, then.”

  * * *

  “We’re here, Your Majesties,” the scout announced, approaching me, Lex, and King Carrington. “The camp is just ahead. Guards posted as expected, but other than that, the camp is quiet.”

  Fire flooded my veins, bringing a shock of wakefulness to my tired eyes. We’d been given mere hours to rest before we began our two-hour march through the middle of the night, and I imagined I wasn’t the only one who’d been unable to fall asleep. I’ll sleep when this battle is won and Cora is safe.