Shadowed

by Tara Jadestone

  Finally, I was rid of her.

  Standing up, I stretched, enjoying my first moments of spring in freedom. I could even hear the sound of running water and the rustling of leaves. I got up at the sound, my mind fully alert. Selenah could not find me. I would not let her, not when freedom was mine.

  But it was not the sound of the knight’s stocky horse that I heard. It was the sound of wingbeats– very loud and large wing beats. My eyes widened, and my heart began to pound. It must be them, I thought. But why are they coming for me?

  I took off as fast as I could towards the running water. Selenah had said the rain weakened the Dark Mages, so my only option was to go near a water source to defend myself.

  But when I reached the running water, I tensed. It was not an ordinary river or stream. It was a Rapid River. I had only read of them in my father’s cellar, from throwaway books he had acquired in his travels. All Rapid Rivers had blinding white waters that hurled many miles downstream before they cascaded down a gorge to form a waterfall.

  My breathing faltered, unable to decide on what to do. There was no way I could cross through it to the other side. I slapped my cheeks, feeling trapped. I was inadequate in the outside world. Everything I knew came from Father’s books and what Selenah told me. How can I survive?

  I could hear the wingbeats of the crows getting louder and louder. I have to get away. If Selenah runs from the Dark Mages, what chance do I have against them?

  I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply before jumping into the Rapid River, knowing that the force of the river itself might just be strong enough to kill me.

  The water was ice cold and it dug into my flesh like hammered nails. I resisted the urge to scream as the waters hurtled me down the river.

  I heard the distant caw of the crows as they came into the clearing. I managed to look back and saw their shadowy figures trying to avoid the sprays of water.

  For a moment I breathed calmly, but then the cold water below thrust me forward, straight into one of the eroded boulders that had surfaced. I could do nothing to change my course and braced myself for impact.

  My left shoulder and torso hit the rock with a force that left me breathless. I clung to the boulder with my good hand, pushing myself onto its slippery surface. Paralyzed by the stinging pain, I stayed there for a time while sprays of water blurred my vision. I heard a roar from an incoming wave and shut my eyes. The rushing water tore me off the boulder and continued to push me down along the rest of the river.

  I screamed, from both the pain and force, flailing my arms, plummeting down below to the bottom of the waterfall for what seemed like hours. The rush of air and water blurred my vision and the coldness blanketed my mind.

  My body hit the water with a crack. With no current below me, I quickly sank down into the depths of the lake. My muscles lost all their energy and willpower while the darkness below enveloped me. I struggled to breathe, desperately thrashing my arms to reach the surface, but I was too weak, too hurt to even move. I knew that I would not survive.

  Just then I felt myself being lifted out of the water, as if hands had scooped me out, before placing me gently onto the lakeshore. I coughed up water as I tried to breathe.

  The moment my breathing calmed, I slammed my fist to the ground. Selenah had used magic on me, when she knew quite well that I hated it, despite that it had just saved my life. Even as separate as we were, she and I were still together. It was like our souls were linked somehow.

  I realized then that I could never truly be free of her, no matter what I did, no matter how far I strayed from her side.

  Running is no longer an option for me.

  I stood with shaky legs, using my knee to balance myself when I noticed my dress was dry, and not wet like it should have been. I gritted my teeth. Another spell.

  I glanced about. A dense forest hugged the lakeside and waterfall. I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly, and thought back to when I had memorized father’s maps.

  A Rapid River that flowed east. Thick woods.

  I must be just north of the King’s Castle, about half an hour’s walk. I nodded to myself in hollow assurance. I would make it to the King’s Castle the same time Selenah and her knight did, if not, earlier.

  ****

  By the time I reached the King’s Castle gates, I was exhausted. I had spent most of the morning weaving through the forest and had finally come upon the road that led straight into the King’s City. It had renamed, Akron, over the previous Neronis.

  I walked along the busy street and kept my head low. Upon seeing the gates to the King’s Castle, I straightened up and walked on, hoping they would allow me to enter. Selenah was sure to have arrived by now.

  The King’s Castle itself was not very impressive. From here, I could see the four towers surrounding the central building, and vast stone walls surrounding it. There was nothing fancy about it, save for a golden banner hanging across the entrance.

  “Halt,” ordered the sentry guard as I neared. “No one without authorization is allowed into the King’s Castle.” I took a deep breath.

  “I am Selenah’s sister. I am to meet her here.”

  The guard lifted the faceguard of his helmet to look at me. “Lady Selenah? I was told she has golden hair and is to be escorted by the Captain of the Royal Guard. Nothing was said about a sister,” he said, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

  Of course not, I thought. If the knight –the Captain of the Royal Guard– escorting Selenah did not know of me, how would the King know?

  “Let her pass,” someone said behind me. The voice was light yet commanding. Selenah.

  The sentry moved out of the way, seeing both Selenah and the Captain by her side.

  “Your Ladyship,” he said, bowing to her directly. “His Majesty is expecting you.”

  Selenah nodded and tugged me inside, slightly frowning. I normally would never have let her touch me in such a demeaning way, but I was much too preoccupied with anger from seeing the sentry’s immediate respect for Selenah. Magic has that affect.

  Though we were to be ushered straight to the King, a maid insisted we change and wash up from our travels. There, the maid took my sword away, looking at it with a deep frown etched in her features. I made a face at her turned back as she walked away with it. Selenah was given a beautiful silver and pink gown to wear, whereas I was given a pasty blue.

  I clenched my fists as she gazed at herself in the mirror, admiring the dress she had been put into. Why am I given the plain dress and she the magnificent one?

  As the maid led us through the King’s Castle, it was not as great as I had imagined it to be. Faded paintings filled the walls, draperies of a crowned woman had been left coated with dust; there were no great statues I had imagined there would be, nor were the carpets rich and vivid. Everything seemed old, untouched, and dreary.

  “Selenah, why is the castle like this?” I whispered to her. “I expected something more from the King’s Castle.”

  Selenah looked over at me and then traced her fingers along the dark walls. Her fingertips lit up as she did so and she was quiet a moment before she spoke.

  “When Queen Isomara died a few weeks after her son was born, the King announced that the castle remain in a state of mourning until another queen takes her place.”

  I raised my eyebrows at such a magnificent gesture, only to remember he was the King after all. “The King even shut down the castle’s Kennel since the Queen favored dogs.” She paused, tilting her head as if listening to something. “He also closed the Solstice Palace from visitors as it was her favored residency during the winter–” Selenah stopped speaking as the maid escorting us turned around and stepped aside.

  The Guards bowed to Selenah before opening the large brass doors leading to the Throne Room. She hesitated before walking up into view, while I trailed behind.

  “Your Majesties,” Selenah curtsied. I said and did the same, but they seemed not to notice me.

  The King and the Prince’s eye
s were fixed on Selenah, as if she were a storyteller’s princess come to life. And in truth, she was.

  “What is your name, child?” the King asked, leaning forward in his throne, an eager expression on his thin face. He had all the features of an aging king: a graying beard, a wrinkled and hairless forehead, and drooping eyes. His son, however, was in his prime. The Prince had gold-flecked hair, hazel eyes, rosy pink lips, and a charming smile.

  I blinked, hearing Selenah speak to answer the King’s question.

  “Selenah, Your Majesty.”

  The King grinned, his eyes glancing over at his son and back.

  “We have waited a long time for you,” he said. “A girl with golden hair like the sun and magic with no limits. A woman like our Queen Selina–”

  I looked away from them, bored by their praising of Selenah, and instead, I stared at the empty seat to the King’s right. A crown lay on the seat where I assumed the late Queen would have sat in.

  “–prophecy. And who is the young lady beside you? Your maid?”

  I felt my jaw drop in utter shock. I hoped the King did not intend to be so rude, but I could not help feeling offended by his words. Selenah glanced at me; she too, was speechless. I felt a surge of anger run through me, and I was sure if I opened to mouth, I would say more than just correcting the King.

  Instead, I ran out of the room, not thinking of the consequences I could face for doing so. But I could not stand it! I heard Selenah call after me, but it only made me run even faster. And having not seen where I was going, I ran straight into a guard.

  I was going to hide the stray tears that had fallen and mumble my apologies to escape when I saw his eyes. I recognized his amber-colored eyes.

  It was the Captain of the Royal Guard. Except now, he was not wearing his knight’s helmet, revealing a man in his early thirties, with light brown hair and sun-tanned skin.

  “Mel, is it?” I did not answer, because he already knew it was my name. I looked over my shoulder, uncomfortable. I was much too close to the Throne Room. What if Selenah came after me? What if the King came after me to throw me in a dungeon for not answering him? Is that not what kings do? “You seek an escape,” the Captain said, eyebrows raised.

  I frowned.

  “How did you know?”

  He only smiled, and with his arm, gestured that I walk with him. I agreed to his invitation, only because it would legitimize my escape. How could the King punish me when I was out with his Captain? We walked down a cobblestone path filled with hedges and topiaries. A royal garden, probably.

  “Alright then, Mel,” the Captain said. “I assumed you and Lady Selenah were supposed to see the King, yes?”

  “Only Selenah was supposed to see the King,” I said, not bothering to wipe away my tears. He had seen me humiliated before.

  “But you went with her,” he said, turning to face me. Taking out a handkerchief, he gently wiped a tear off my cheek before I could take the handkerchief and do it myself. “Why did you leave so abruptly?”

  I rolled my eyes at the memory of the King’s words.

  “Trying to be a runaway maid.”

  The Captain raised his eyebrows. “Runaway maid? The King thought you were...?” I waited for him to laugh, reassure me in that way, but he did not. He only shook his head, tucking away the handkerchief. “Do not think much of it, Mel. His Majesty has enough on his mind.”

  I snorted. “Yes, and it is only about Selenah.”

  “Perhaps–” He stopped himself when we heard footsteps approaching. We both looked back to see the Prince coming toward us with several Guards following. The Captain turned back to face me. “Mel, when you ran off last night, I did not think you would come back– but you did. So why not try to make the best of your situation instead of running again?” He raised an eyebrow, slightly inclining his head to me.

  At my silence, he turned to leave. I caught his arm, feeling slightly overwhelmed that he had actually thought to advise me, not ridicule me.

  “Wait,” I said, “you never told me your name.”

  He smiled a bit.

  “You may address me as Connor.”

  At the Prince’s arrival, he bowed, and left.

  I gazed at the Prince, wondering what he could be thinking. He was not angry. Displeased maybe, as I could now see he was frowning.

  “Misstress Melanie,” he started. It was not a surprise he knew my name. “I would like to apologize on my father’s behalf. Please, forgive us for our...lack of respect. Will you please join us for a welcoming meal?”

  I fought the urge to raise my eyebrows. Did the Prince of Tenebris just apologize to me? I forced myself to smile and curtsied before answering him.

  “It would be an honor,” I said. “And please, forgive me for my hasty reaction.”

  He smiled briefly in return and held his arm out.

  I took it as a sign of things to change.

  CHAPTER tWO

  A COWARDLY HERO

  The Prince and I made our way back inside the King’s Castle. I kept my head down as he escorted me to a dining hall where the King and Selenah were already situated. Selenah smiled at me, but I resisted the urge to frown as I bowed my head to the King, muttering an apology. He waved his hand, dismissing my words and motioned for me to take my seat.

  It was not long after we all settled into our seats for supper when a Guard burst in, panting. The King looked up at him with a flash of fear in his eyes.

  “They have come, Your Majesty,” he said, gasping for breath. “They know.” His eyes slid over to Selenah.

  I swallowed. The Dark Mages know she is here.

  “Follow what was planned,” the King said, leaning back. The fear was gone in his eyes and he spoke calmly, but I was not certain if this was a façade for Selenah’s sake. “I do not want any casualties, understood?”

  The Guard nodded and exited as fast as he had come in.

  “Your Majesty, are they here for me?” Selenah asked it as if she did not know the answer. She had her fingers gripping Mother’s amulet.

  The King’s jaws tensed. “Yes, but fear not, they will not get past the Royal Guard,” he replied. “Their magic as a united force is something to behold.”

  I looked over at Selenah, eager to see her reaction to the King’s words. She was not the only one who possessed powerful magic now. To my surprise, Selenah seemed relieved by this new information, and she released her grip on the amulet. We were silent for a moment before the King motioned for us to continue our meals.

  I had never eaten anything as fine as this. I enjoyed the savory tastes of creamed soups and an endless choice of freshly cooked meats that came with it. Nearly done with my meal, I looked up out of curiosity. It was then I caught notice of the Prince gazing at Selenah. She had finished her meal and was speaking to the King, making him smile. The three looked homely together, without me.

  I dropped my spoon back onto the plate with a sigh. Selenah had found her place in the world. But where is mine?

  “Excuse me,” I said, standing up. I bowed my head in the King’s direction and left before anyone could say or do anything in response.

  I did not know exactly why I had left, but seeing Sleenah so welcomed…there was a sense in me that no matter how hard I tried to make a living for myself, Selenah would always be in the way. I grimaced at the thought. Something was telling me I did not stand a chance against Selenah, so why even try?

  When I had walked out, the two Guards standing outside the door were caught unaware by my sudden appearance. In doing so, my shoulder collided with the edge of the spear in one of the Guards’ hands when he had turned to face me. It snagged onto my dress, cutting into the thin fabric as well as my skin.

  “My apologies, miss,” he said, noticing the tear.

  I held my wounded shoulder and continued on, seeing from the corner of my eye that he had shrugged at his partner.

  I turned away, feeling blood on my fingertips where I had touched the small cut on my shoulder
. I sighed again and pressed on further, wishing to be invisible, to find someplace I could belong.

  Why is my life not as wonderful as Selenah’s? Why was she granted the magic and beauty to get her happiness and not I?

  I had not realized where I was going until I stumbled over a large stone. Regaining my balance, I quickly looked about me. I was in a dense forest that had no light except for the shafts of sunlight that penetrated through the leaves of the oak trees. I turned around, hoping to see a guard who might have followed me, but there was no one. Fear shot through me.

  Trying to calm down, I assessed the possibilities of where I was. I must have found my way into the woods behind the King’s Castle by mistake. I made a move to head back when there was a rustling of leaves behind me and then shouts.

  Several Guards ran past me, their arms covering their heads. I could hear the familiar sound of flapping wings in the distance.

  One of the Guards looked back at me and shouted, “Run, miss! Run before they get you, too!”

  My first instinct was to do exactly as he had warned, but instead, I found myself running forward, towards the wingbeats and shouts.

  I came across a large clearing where a dozen or so men in plated armor and glowing swords –the Royal Guards perhaps– fought two large crows with hooded riders atop their backs.

  A crow’s talon reached for one of them and grabbed him. He screamed in terror and dropped his sword while the rest of his fellow knights stood frozen with fear. This could not be the King’s idea of keeping us safe from the Dark Mages.

  A sudden thought told me to be bold. If I distracted the Dark Mages long enough, the Royal Guards could regain their senses to save their comrade and protect everyone with their magic.

  I took up a large rock near my foot and hurled it at the bird that had captured one of the men. It did not hit where I aimed, but it hit the beast nonetheless. For a moment nothing happened, and I felt disappointment rush through me. But then the bird cocked its head in my direction and dropped the man it held. Its rider sniffed as if it was some hunting dog, and the two crows turned in my direction. I gasped, stumbling back.