Twelve Ways to Die in Galadore, Volume I

by Coleman Alexander

  Adrika swallowed, hoping it wouldn’t be so.

  The guards freed her feet from the manacles, and she shook them loose. The chains clattered to the ground beside her. She laid her hands forward and allowed herself to be restrained for a second time, this time to the pedestal of the island. Adrika was surprised to see Markus step forward to turn the wench that would keep her held until they were back at shore. The guards stood closely by his side.

  “Give me a moment with her.”

  “My Lord?”

  “Now,” Markus ordered.

  The guardsmen relented and retreated back to the boat. Gabe looked like he was ready to throw his dagger if Adrika so much as lifted a finger. It seemed ridiculous, seeing she was chained to the stone.

  Markus leaned in close.

  “Repent,” he said.

  “What?” Adrika asked.

  “Repent. Admit your wickedness. Speak out about what you did and admit the error in your ways and accept the punishment. I’ll see to your imprisonment. In time, perhaps we can find a way to exile you and send you forth.”

  “To become one of the realmless?”

  “If that’s what you would wish.”

  Adrika wanted to accept with her entire being. But she shook her head.

  “I cannot.”

  Markus cursed beneath his breath. “Oh, come on, Adrika. Don’t be a martyr. You’re not going to change any minds by dying, least of all mine.”

  Adrika shook her head. “It’s not that.”

  “Then what is it? What is this foolish pride that would have you say no to me? It is not my wish for you to die. You may be wicked, and you may be cursed down to your marrow, but this is not the way I wish to see you go.”

  Adrika considered for a long moment. The guards were all watching, but there was no chance they could overhear her.

  “Do you remember the day you found out Octavia was pregnant with Tabitha? Do you remember our conversation? You called me into your throne room and asked for my council. You asked if I would be willing to oversee the protection of your daughter. Do you remember what you asked exactly?

  “Yes,” Markus said, eyebrows coming together. “I asked you if you’d do me the favor of protecting that which was most precious to me.”

  “And what did I say?”

  “You said it would be your greatest honor.”

  “And then do you remember what you asked me next?”

  “Yes.” Markus paused, his hands still turning the winch. “I asked you, what would compel one to die for another, one she didn’t yet know, who she didn’t share blood with?”

  “Specifically, you asked me if I’d take an arrow for her, and then you asked me why. Do you remember my answer? I said, I’ve sworn my life to king and country, and so I’ve sworn it to her already.”

  Markus nodded, watching carefully as Adrika spoke.

  “We had the same conversation with Pallov, and Willa, and Aya, and Bella, and Dani.”

  “So?”

  “Well, that has been the greatest duty of my life. I consider your children more important than my own blood. I never had my own, but in a way, they are mine. I’ve seen them grow. I’ve watched them play. I’ve been there when they’ve fallen. When they cried. When they sang. When they first wrote and first went riding. I’ve protected them. And I’ve loved them. And this, this is my last act.”

  “What do you mean? By killing that man?” Markus asked, comprehension not yet on his face.

  Adrika looked her friend hard in the eyes. “I didn’t kill that man.”

  “What do you mean you didn’t. . .?” Markus trailed off, understanding slowly dawning in his eyes. When it finally hit, his mouth fell open and his hand stopped on the wench.

  Adrika could see the horror sinking in, and she spoke before it was too late.

  “Willa took me to the Pauper’s Market intending to run away. She had arranged it beforehand, and she was looking for a way out.”

  “A way out?”

  “An escape of sorts. From this very fate. It turns out, she was worried what you would think. Worried that you’d judge her, just the same as all the others.”

  “The others? The raff?”

  Adrika gave a small nod. “She didn’t want to dishonor you, and she was scared. So, she went looking for a way out. Unfortunately, she put her trust in the wrong people, and it almost got her killed.”

  Markus was pale as the Bright Moon. His face was blank, and his eyes locked on Adrika.

  “What do you mean you didn’t kill the man? You admitted to the magistrate that you lit him on fire.”

  “Keep your voice down,” Adrika said, giving him a pointed look without glancing towards the guards. “Willa has always been my favorite. Yours, too. She’s been the gem of our hearts since she was born, and she’s been as much a daughter to me as she’s been to you. But she is your daughter, and regardless what you’ve thought before, you must reconsider.”

  “What are you saying, Adrika?”

  “This is me stepping in front of an arrow.”

  “Then repent, and take the imprisonment,” Markus said, looking desperate.

  Adrika shook her head. “They speak already that the circumstances are strange. Even in those first moments, Willa was accused. I stepped forward to stop those whispers from growing to roars. I never should have let her out of my reach, and if I hadn’t, it never would have come to this. But alas, what’s done is done and I must go through with this. If I don’t, the truth will reveal itself in time. Someone will come for me and force it out, and they will use that against you. No. This is the only way. If I go through with it, then no one will doubt what I am.”

  “And what are you?” Markus said

  “I’m head of the King’s Guard, charged with the protection of his life and family. I’m Ennish, through and through. I am a woman of duty, and honor, and service. And I go willing into the next life. Understand, it has been my greatest honor serving you and this kingdom.”

  Markus did not speak. “Surely, there must be another way.”

  “Not if you want to protect Willa. But know this. I’m laying down my life for her. Don’t go taking it for granted. Don’t go blaming her.”

  Markus looked as though Adrika had revealed they were about to switch places and he would be the one being put to death.

  “What do I do?”

  “Go on loving her, like you always have. She is a gem, even if she is different. We were wrong about magic, Markus. It’s not an affliction. It’s a gift. It will take time to understand that, and to heal that rift. But do so, or else we’re all worse off for it.”

  Markus looked as though he was searching for ground to stand on.

  “Now go. And do not forsake me in this. It is my last wish. Love her, as you always have.”

  Markus nodded, then he turned back to the boat. “Gabe, give me your sash.”

  “What?” Gabe said, looking confused.

  “Give me your sash now, or I’ll leave you here in her stead.”

  Looking startled, and more than a little put-off, he removed the sash and walked it forward to Markus. The others watched on, not daring to say a word.

  “Will you wait until we’re back to shore?” Markus asked with a gesture to her hands.

  Adrika nodded.

  “Unlock her.”

  “But, sir!”

  “I swear on Meolichthion, I will not ask again. Unlock her or I’ll have your hands.”

  Gabe unlocked her as though Adrika was a viper about to strike. Markus shooed him away the moment he’d finished. Adrika stood up, hands freed, and Markus stepped forward and wound the sash about her waist. He finished and took a heavy breath.

  “I’ll see you later, friend. Farewell,” Adrika said.

  Markus pulled her into a tight embrace.

  “You should not be here,” he said, choking back his words.

  “Such is life,” Adrika said. “We’re all on our way here, one way or another. Now go. I have a lady to
dance with. And who knows, maybe Accurus will grant my freedom.”

  “If ever there was a time, it should be now.”

  Markus finally released her and, after a long moment looking as though he might say more, ambled back to the boat, facing Adrika all the while. He looked as if he wasn’t going to get in, and Gabe and the oarsmen had to guide him back onto his seat. Then the oarsmen climbed in and quickly made off for the city walls. Adrika had tears in her eyes as they went, but she looked down, happy to see once more the privilege of her station, the green sash wrapped around her like the serpent that coiled about the isle.

  Adrika waited until the boat reached the shore and Markus and the guardsmen were safely back up the steps before moving. She couldn’t make out the rest of his family on the balcony, but she knew Willa would be tormenting herself. For that reason alone, she hoped it wasn’t drawn out. Sometimes Meolichthion was quick, but sometimes she liked to torment her prey. Adrika turned and walked slowly up to the statue, noticing how the stone felt under her feet. It was solid and damp, and the path towards Accurus was worn into the rock. She was not the first to take these steps, nor would she be the last. But hopefully, she would be the last to go for being raff.

  Adrika laughed, acknowledging the absurdity of the thought. The wind carried the sound away, and soon enough, she was wrapped up in the silence of the spectacle. Gulls called across the cove, and waves lapped at the shore.

  It was strange walking towards her death. She’d always imagined she wouldn’t know it was coming. She imagined dying old, or even dying in some attack like the one that had gotten her here in the first place. But the slowness of this startled her. She could look at her city. She could breathe in deeply. She could feel the sore spot on her lip where she had worried it raw. With her heart beating like a drum in her chest, she stepped up to the statue.

  The crowd was waiting.

  There was little sense in making them wait any longer.

  She stared into Accurus’s face. This was the King who had formed the kingdom, the same one Adrika had sworn her life to. But the bronze statue had eyes only for the stone in his hand. There was a likeness to Markus, even if it was distant. Adrika hoped that bond might help her now. The realmstone was milky blue with traces of white within. The statue looked as if it might be holding it aloft just for her to take. Accurus’s fingers wrapped around the stone, but they looked so softly wrought, they might just soften a bit more to let the realmstone fall into her waiting hand.

  “Please,” she whispered. “Please have mercy on me. I am loyal. I am honorable. I am a true woman of Ennor.”

  Adrika took one final deep breath and reached out.

  A moment of absolute silence stretched on. She touched the bronze. It was warm and polished. Her fingers searched across the old king’s hand. She touched the realmstone, giving it the slightest tug. Every soul on shore was holding their breath with her. But the statue was as solid as the foundations of the world. The metal didn’t move in the least.

  The realmstone was not her’s to take.

  Adrika sensed movement behind and around her. The serpent’s body emerged from the water beyond the statue, unmoving. It was dark green. By the hue of it, Adrika knew it was Meolichthion’s tail. The rest of her body encircled the entire tower. Adrika removed her hand, knowing that the statue hadn’t freed her. She looked to the crowd. She searched out Markus. From so far away, she couldn’t see his face. She could only see his stiff features.

  Adrika took another deep, steadying breath. No one could ever say she wasn’t loyal. No one would ever say she’d abstained from her duty. She couldn’t see Willa, but she hoped the princess wouldn’t blame herself. Perhaps with time, her father would come to understand her. Adrika certainly hoped so. She raised her hand to Markus and waved. A final farewell. Then slowly, she turned about. As she did, she sensed the figure looming at the edge of her vision.

  Meolichthion was waiting.

  Her head was above the water and Adrika couldn’t bring herself to look. She closed her eyes, her entire body shaking. Then, knowing the end was coming whether she had her eyes closed or not, she turned fully towards the waiting serpent and looked.

  Adrika felt as though the world was without air.

  Maelichthion was magnificent.

  Adrika’s fear, which had threatened to suffocate her a moment before, evaporated in a single breath.

  She had never seen Maelichthion like this before, so close—so beautifully near. This was a creature of pure majesty, a queen of the sea.

  Maelichthion wasn’t snake-like, but instead had a form similar to one of the great winged Adaraks of the sky. Two horns extended behind her head, and rough scales plated her nose and brow, shimmering in the sunlight. A dozen small spikes pebbled her chin. Her mouth was closed, and her eyes were iridescent turquoise.

  Adrika had never seen a color like that. She stared into those serpent eyes and realized how foolish she’d been to fear anything. She couldn’t look away. Not even if Accurus had suddenly dropped the stone for her to have.

  Maelichthion’s head moved imperceptibly back and forth, like the wind or the waves incarnate. Adrika stared at her, and for the first time since the incident in the Pauper’s Market, her mind cleared. Her fear left her, along with her worry and her doubt. For a moment, she couldn’t even remember why she was here. Maelichthion was the most beautiful creature she’d ever laid eyes on, and her mind went blank. She knew nothing, not even herself, and because of it, she never saw the serpent strike.

  To be Continued in

  Twelve Ways to Die in Galadore, Volume II

  Featuring

  The Tunnels of Salandrom

  The Underhand

  What Stirs Beneath

  Volume III and Volume IV to follow.

  Afterword

  I hope you’re not cursing me at the moment. Death isn’t a particularly kind way to treat a character or a reader, but I hope these stories entertained and perhaps made you feel like you had visited the world of Galadore.

  If you haven’t got your fill, there are three more installments coming, and they should be coming soon.

  In the meantime, you can also check out my other book, Between the Shade and the Shadow, also based in Galadore. If you look closely, you may just see some characters and creatures you recognize.

  I also have a children’s book set in Galadore, On Winter’s Eve.

  If there is one thing that helps indie authors such as myself, it is to share the book and share it widely. If you liked it, reviews and ratings are impossibly hard to come by and always much appreciated. If you want to reach out, you can contact me at therealmless@gmail.com . . . I’m always still looking for that third fan!

  Sincerely,

  Coleman

  Also by Coleman Alexander

  Between the Shade and the Shadow

  Twelve Way to Die in Galadore: Volume II-IV (coming soon)

  and

  a children’s story under the pen name of

  C.D. Alexander

  On Winter’s Eve