Shattering Dreams

by Catherine M Walker

  Alex woke, still tired, yet the pounding in his head had at least receded. Knowing from experience that using any power right now would bring a return of the pain, he cracked his eyes open then sighed. He opened them when he saw his tent was dark. Still, it caused him to wonder if they’d helped keep the light out more than usual or if it was the middle of the night. Then his sleep-fogged mind caught up, processing a noise consistent with packing.

  “Yes, it’s morning, Your Highness. No, don’t get up. You cannot exert yourself too soon. You could have killed yourself, Alex.” Aaron’s voice was calm, not even a hint of scolding or censure in his tone.

  “I didn’t have a choice, Aaron. I couldn’t stand by or flee and leave everyone to die.” Alex was sober, realising that his healer was serious. After all the scraps he’d been through, he thought he was impervious to being hurt.

  Aaron smiled. “I know Alex and it speaks well of you, of the person you are. Unlike many, I know you could have extracted yourself with no harm to yourself. You need to understand the restrictions I’m placing on you and follow them. You could relapse if you don’t do things my way. Veil sickness can be very dangerous.”

  Alex frowned. “Veil sickness?”

  “You drew that much power it burnt you out, both mind and body. When you are hurt, you heal yourself with the power of the veil—it’s unconscious, mostly. Now you can’t until you heal. If you do, it is likely that you will relapse and you may not be as lucky.” Aaron beckoned to two of his assistants, off to one side. Alex hadn’t noticed their presence, which startled him since he always knew when people were around.

  “Help His Highness get cleaned up and ready for the day, then help him to the table for breakfast.” Aaron gave his patient a firm glare then, reassured by what he saw, left him in the hands of the aids.

  They were competent at getting him bathed and redressed in lounging clothes, much to his disgust. Still, given how firm Aaron had been, he didn’t argue with them; he’d only get them in trouble. Alex wanted to wave off their help when he went to walk to the outer room of the tent but had to admit he needed it, even with the small distance between his bed and the outer section.

  Alex found he was trembling, even with the help of the healer’s aids, and they were taking the bulk of his weight by the time they eased him into a chair. He thanked the men as they stepped back to the edge of the tent. Alex didn’t even have the energy to be embarrassed. He closed his eyes and took a slow deep breath, opening them and glancing across to the entrance as he heard the flap open. His brother walked in, which he was expecting, but his eyes widened when his father followed him into the tent.

  “Father, I …”

  Alex made the mistake of trying to stand at the sight of his father. The sudden motion caused his vision to black out and the world spun. Alex grabbed the edge of the table then felt the competent hands of the healer’s aid as they eased him back into his chair.

  “Easy, Your Highness.” The man steadied him until he was certain that his patient would not topple out of the chair before stepping back.

  Alex opened his eyes again and saw that both his father and brother were seated opposite him, concerned.

  “Alex, for once, please do this the healer’s way.” The King’s voice was soft but firm.

  “Yes, Father, I’m sorry. It’s just when I saw you I forgot and tried to stand. I don’t think I want to try that again.”

  Alex looked at the food on the table and guessed that explained why there was so much of it. He hoped his father and brother were hungry; even though he knew he should be, he wasn’t sure he could bear the thought of eating.

  William grinned at him, taking a bowl, spooning some cooked fruit into it and placing it in front of him.

  “Here, and that mug has a concoction that Aaron said you have to drink.”

  Alex grinned at his brother then; grimacing at the mug, he picked it up and sipped it, cautious. Alex gagged as he swallowed and would have put it back down again except for his father’s steady glance. He stopped halfway between his mouth and the table.

  “Yes, Father, okay, I’ll finish it.” Closing his eyes, Alex threw the concoction back into his throat and swallowed, trying not to gag.

  “Here, this might help chase away the taste.” His father passed him a small glass of juice.

  Alex grabbed it and took a mouthful, taking a second before placing the glass on the table.

  “We’ve been discussing options and I’ve decided you will stay with the progression for now. With lords being implicated in the kidnapping attempt and packs of Sundered being abroad attacking a large, well-armed group, I’d rather you ride with us. Splitting the guard contingent right now isn’t advisable. The healers advise me they would rather you be in a proper bed but as long as you follow instructions it shouldn’t do you any harm.” His father looked at him and Alex realised that he was waiting for a response.

  “It makes sense, I guess, Father, and I’d be useless at defending myself right now, let alone others.” Alex looked at his father before trying a spoonful of the stewed fruit.

  His father looked at him for such a long time that Alex squirmed under his close regard, before his father returned to his meal. Much to Alex’s astonishment, the breakfast passed in companionable silence—no scolding or lectures.

  “I’m proud of you, Alex; by all the accounts of the fight and the rest of the journey to camp, you acquitted yourself well. Now let us take care of you while you heal.”

  Alex couldn’t tell right now if it was the King or his father speaking to him, then settled with a mixture of both. He’d never quite seen him like this and guessed that Aaron had passed on the bit about killing himself this time. Alex ducked his head, a little self-conscious. While he never meant to cause his father concern, he always seemed to be very good at doing so.

  “I’ll do as I’m told, Father. To be frank, I don’t think I could do anything else right now.” Alex surprised himself with his honesty.

  “Good, now it’s time we got moving. William, if you could stay with your brother again today? Alex always rested easier when you were nearby. It seems it’s a habit from his childhood he hasn’t outgrown.” At William’s nod, the King turned and walked from the tent.

  Alex looked at William, a little wide-eyed. He’d never seen his father like that before. “Father is worried for you, Alex. Aaron’s brief to him didn’t pull any punches.”

  Alex grimaced then rewound, remembering his father’s words. “Packs of Sundered? There are reports of more than the ones we ran into?”

  William closed his eyes, then seemed to choose his words with care. “Yes, Alex, Father has had reports not only from his court session here today, but from yesterday.”

  Alex closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I must see the reports. I’ll take care of it.”

  William looked shocked. “No, Alex, you’ll rest and heal.”

  Alex smiled, touched that his brother cared so much. “I will rest and heal, William. Then I will go after the Sundered. After all, who else do we have who is likely to succeed and survive the task?” He shook his head and smiled. “I have the title, the friends and the guard, all of them bearing the Taint to varying degrees. After all, isn’t this what being the Fourth is all about?”

  “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid and you will consult with me first.” William was still concerned and not willing to concede the point.

  Alex crooked his head on one side, looking at his big brother. “I’m the Fourth, the expendable one remember?” Alex held his hands up as William went to object. “It’s alright, William, I won’t just run off. I’ll let you know first so you can have a sleepless night worrying about me.”

  Alex could see that William wasn’t happy with the situation but was obviously willing to leave the arguing for another day. Alex had no doubt the subject would come up again. Likely after his brother had briefed their father. Still, he was right. He knew he was, there wasn’t anyone else who had the abili
ty to track down and kill the Sundered ones except for Jess, Kyle and himself.

  Alex had taken a nap after breakfast while he was waiting for them to depart—well, he hadn’t intended to nap, that had just happened because he thought he could relax for a few moments before going to the carriage. The next thing he knew, he was waking up in the carriage. Opening his eyes, he noticed that, as he expected and their father had ordered, William was riding in the carriage with him along with Aaron, who had been talking until they noticed he was awake. He knew they had been discussing him. Without thinking about it, Alex reached for the power of the veil. The pain was sharp and blinding, causing him to scream in agony. He felt hands restraining him as his body arched and spasmed.

  “Listen, Alex, drop the power. You’re not healed enough to wield it.”

  The voice was Aaron’s. Then he felt a barrier go around him that was not his own and Alex collapsed back onto his pillows. Turning onto his side he curled up in a foetal position, hands cradling his head, which felt like it was about to explode.

  Alex was aware enough to realise that the carriage had stopped, but he paid it no attention.

  “Thank you, Aaron, sorry, it was a habit.” Alex moaned in pain. “Please make it stop.” The last was almost a whimper.

  “Shh, Alex. Try to relax. The worst will be over soon. William, can you reach into my bag and take out the large green bottle and pour a full measure in the cup? You’ll see it’s marked on the side.” Alex felt hands on him and knew others must have come into the carriage while they were stopped. “Come on, Alex, I need you to sit up a little so you can drink this. Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste that bad. It will help dull the pain. I can’t use the healer’s gift on you right now; it would hurt you too much.”

  As Aaron spoke, Alex felt other hands propping him up, a cup held to his lips. He swallowed as the liquid was poured into his mouth, relieved that it didn’t taste as bad as the potion he’d taken that morning. Still, with the promise it would help relieve the pain, he would have drunk even that one. The cup was removed and the hands supporting him eased him back onto his pillows. Alex turned onto his side again, trying not to whimper, without succeeding.

  For Alex, it seemed like an eternity, but the pain receded and he felt his body relax, the trembling stop. Still, he lay for a space of time, letting the drug-induced lethargy take over. He opened his eyes, looking across at Aaron and William. He licked his lips.

  “I don’t think I want to do that again in a hurry. Thank you.” Alex smiled.

  “I will withdraw my shield, Alex, I can’t maintain it much longer.” Aaron waited until Alex nodded then dropped the shield he’d been maintaining. “I’m sorry, Alex. If I could maintain it I would but you are way too strong, even hurt as you are.”

  Alex nodded his understanding. He didn’t quite understand the difference between the healer’s gift and the way he handled the power of the veil, but he knew he was a lot stronger than the healer, even if Aaron understood and wielded his own powers much better than Alex.

  “The drug won’t last long.” It wasn’t a question; he could feel his body burning through it. He shuddered despite himself.

  “Easy, Alex, by the time the drug wears off you will be tired still. Your head may ache—I’ll give you more pain medication to ease that, although not as much as you had.” Aaron held up the half-empty bottle sitting on the bench next to him.

  Alex thought about it and nodded; he trusted Aaron. “I think I need to sleep again.”

  “Sleep ,Alex, it’s the best thing for you right now. Just don’t touch the veil when you wake.”

  Alex smiled and let the last of the tension drain from his body. As he drifted off to sleep, he contemplated that all he’d done the past few days was sleep. In the past it was hard to drag him out of bed, yet now he was ordered to rest and all he wanted to do was get out and about.

  Smoke billowed in thick columns from the village, birds of prey circling high above as if sensing their time to feast was not long off. Flames licked up the side of the town hall in the centre of the village unabated. Screams of pain, mingled with sobbing and wailing, could be heard.

  A woman was running from the village, cutting across the ploughed fields toward the road that led to a neighbouring village, the bundle of her baby clutch in her arms, a small leather backpack strapped to her back. She glanced back over her shoulder at the burning village before turning back, her pace picking up as she reached the road and safe footing.

  Skidding to a halt, she fell backwards as she tried to turn, screaming, trying to shield her baby from the man who’d appeared in front of her. She scrambled to her feet, trying to flee back the way she’d come, only to be grabbed from behind. What was once a man roared, shaking her like she was a child’s doll. In a desperate move to try and save her child, she flung the baby from her into the low bush at the edge of the field, her heart breaking as she heard his wail.

  Hearing the shimmering noise in her brain and cold air wash over her, she moaned, knowing more with power had arrived. Her attacker froze, snarling over her shoulder at whoever had appeared. She felt herself tossed aside. She was momentarily stunned as the breath exploded from her lungs and she hit the ground.

  She looked up as she felt the air shimmer and sizzle from the use of power around her; the look of relief almost palpable as she looked up at the newcomers.

  “Now is that anyway to treat a lady?” The rough yet somehow cultured voice scolded the man who had terrorised her.

  The woman looked on, shocked as the blade of the newcomer, sheathed in power, which crackled along its length, took off the head of the man as he was held, motionless, his feet dangling just above the ground by an unseen hand. The headless body then crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

  The woman looked at the crumpled body on the ground, trembling as the man who’d saved her walked from the cluster of his people around him. He reached down with one hand and helped her to her feet.

  She pressed a hand to her mouth, a tear welling in her eye as she curtseyed. “Thank you, Your Highness.” She then looked at one of his companions, appearing to hold her breath as he walked over to her. Her baby bundled up in his arms, he smiled and passed the baby over to the trembling woman. She caught a sob, clutching her child to her chest. “Thank you, My Lord Callum.”

  The prince turned, looking at one of his men. “Simon, take the woman and her child to safety. Join us in the village to clean up when you are done.”

  Simon took a few steps forward, pushing the hood back from his face as the woman took an uncertain step back at the cowled figured that had walked up to her.

  “Certainly, Edward, as you wish. Save some of the fun for me.” His tone was lightly mocking yet his smile reassuring as he grasped the woman’s shoulder and the veil wrapped around them until they disappeared from sight.

  Alex woke, slowly becoming aware of his surroundings, and tried to shake off the very vivid dream he’d just had. Either that or his uncle’s ghost was dreaming and somehow communicating it to him. He rolled over and saw his brother sitting in the chair next to his bed, looking at him intently.

  William smiled. “So, dreaming again? Not your usual nightmare, though, I think.”

  The last was a statement more than a question. Alex knew William had seen him, woken him from enough nightmares to be able to tell the difference.

  “Mmm, odd one. About Uncle Edward and his companions during the Sundered War, although why I’d dream about that I don’t know.”

  William looked at him seriously. “The Sundered are on the rise again. You’ve just had your first real battle with some. It’s probably not that odd.”

  Alex snorted, amused despite himself. “I guess, but why the heck did Great Uncle Edward have a flaming sword?”

  William burst out laughing. “Sorry, Alex, no idea. We can ask the Master Swordsmith if he can make one for you if you like?”

  Alex shook his head at the thought of the Master Swordsmith’s reaction if anyone
made a request like that and chuckled once more. It would be an interesting thing to see, as long as he wasn’t the one making the ludicrous request.

  Alex sat in the carriage, on a seat rather than a bed for once, one foot up on the seat opposite him, looking out the window. William sat, relaxed, on the next seat, looking out the window on his own side.

  “You must be sick of babysitting me by now, William.” Alex looked at his brother.

  William snorted. “Well now that you’re more or less better, to be honest, it’s more peaceful. The assorted lords can’t get anywhere near you by the King’s orders, which means they can’t get near me while I’m looking after you. That means I don’t have to listen to their various petitions.” William looked at him and grinned.

  Alex laughed. “Well, at least you got something worthwhile for your trouble.” Alex watched the parade of lords, who seemed to find a reason to ride past his carriage on horseback, although the Elite maintained a cordon that made them all keep their distance. “You know, I swear I have never seen half of the lords we’ve seen today on horseback during the court migration ever before.”

  William’s lips quirked and he shook his head. “You’re right, and I doubt we will again. They are reassuring themselves that you are alive and well. There was a rumour there you were mortally wounded by the Sundered you’d fought and the King was hiding it from them.”

  Alex threw his head back and laughed. “That concerned them? I’m the scapegrace—the youngest, most irresponsible child of the King.”

  William shook his head. “Yes, you were, until you heroically defended the ladies—and even your own guards—from attack by the Sundered and suffered grave injury while doing so.” William grinned. “Now they have forgotten all their previous misgivings and your many misdemeanours and you are their favourite.”

  Alex shook his head and went back to gazing out the window. His brain was picking away at information he’d gathered from the healers while under their care. Problem was, he didn’t quite know yet what he was seeing. He wished he could compare notes with Jess and Kyle, but his father had been firm. No visitors at all until he got the all clear from the healers, which meant that he was isolated until Aaron said otherwise.