Knight of Light

by Deirdra Eden

  “And, please, please don’t say anything to Lucas.”

  Ruburt patted my hand. “I wouldn’t dream of saying anything to anyone. Let’s get Cassi and leave quickly before anything else gets in the way.”

  I let out a long sigh after holding my breath. “We should leave before Lucas comes, and I have to explain to him where we are going.”

  I threw a traveling cloak over my shoulders and snuck through the manor to the stables. I mounted my glossy, midnight-black horse. Ruburt got on his pony and Cassi flew overhead as we rode toward the stone circle at the edge of the valley.

  The valley where the wolves tracked us didn’t look as intimidating on a clear day. The Neviahan circle of stones rose up on the tallest hill. The altar in the center of the circle glinted in the sunlight. My heart thumped in my chest. I had avoided this meeting for too long. It was time to learn the truth.

  I dismounted outside the circle.

  “I can’t go in the circle with you,” Ruburt said. “Only the Neviahans can enter.”

  I hoped Ruburt was being overly dramatic. I stepped into the circle and expected something spectacular to happen, but nothing did. I walked to the moss-covered altar and brushed my hand across the smooth surface.

  I turned to Ruburt and asked, “What am I supposed to do?”

  Ruburt shrugged.

  We waited in silence. Every minute that passed became more awkward.

  “Woldor the Wise isn’t here.” I headed for my horse. What if I had waited too long?

  The wind blew and the trees swayed back and forth. White clouds billowed in the eastern sky. I froze in place. This couldn’t be good.

  “Lookie see!” Cassi pointed to the sky.

  Out of the storm soared a huge, emerald creature. Its bat-like wings extended from its body. A long tail flowed behind it like a ribbon. The massive creature dove toward us in gentle swoops and prepared to land. Hard plates armored his chest, and scales covered his body like lizard skin.

  Ruburt shook his head and mumbled, “Impossible.”

  The ancient dragon landed in the circle next to the altar and towered over me. I should have been more terrified, but something inside caused me to stand my ground.

  The dragon tilted his head to get a better look at me. Our eyes met, and my heart beat fiercely. The dragon bowed his head. “The Lady of Neviah has finally come.”

  Ruburt’s eyes glistened with tears, and he reverently bowed. Cassi still grinned like nothing had changed.

  I froze in awe. Everything I had tried to cover, all my concerns about being different, all my hopes for being human—the life and identity I had assumed—all of it was dashed and rearranged. The dragon exposed the truth I tried to hide from.

  Now that I knew the dragon could speak, I asked, “Are you here to take me to Woldor the Wise?”

  “My dear, lady,” the dragon said, seeming to smile. “I am Woldor the Wise.”

  I tightened my jaw to keep it from dropping.

  “Don’t be afraid,” Woldor said. “Even if I wanted to, I have not the power to destroy you. Your Neviahan gifts are far more than merely wielding the fire element.”

  I opened my mouth to speak, but didn’t know what question to ask first.

  The dragon continued. “As the Lady of Neviah, you have been given the same power that runs through the veins of the great kings and queens of your home world.”

  Even though my heart, and everything within in me, told me it was true, I still couldn’t see myself as someone so powerful. “How can I be the Lady of Neviah?” I strained to keep my voice from quivering.

  Woldor chuckled and smoke trickled from his nose. “Now, come, Auriella. Climb on my back. I have a few things to teach you about your powers and your Neviahan heritage.”

  I stepped forward and looked at Ruburt for approval. Ruburt seemed surprised that I would even question, and he motioned for me to go.

  I reached out and touched Woldor’s warm, scaly skin. Gathering my courage, I grasped the dragon’s shoulder blade and pulled myself onto his back. So much for being a normal girl – normal girls don’t ride dragons.

  I nestled into a spot above his wings, then leaned forward over the dragon’s broad back and gripped tightly with my legs. I was careful not to lean back on the wings or forward onto the sharp horns lining the dragon’s head.

  Even with scales and sharp horns surrounding me, I somehow felt as comfortable riding the dragon as I was my own horse. Woldor flapped his massive wings and rose off the ground. The stone circle and Oswestry seemed to shrink below as the dragon gained altitude.

  The air grew thin and cold. I gripped the dragon tighter and huddled close to his warm body. The world below looked small and far away, but somehow, I felt closer to home in the heavens. Woldor caught a current of wind and glided along smoothly. The rhythm of the colossal beast’s wings caused him to soar with grace.

  I drew in a deep breath and tossed my head back, letting the wind tousle my hair. Soft white clouds carpeted the sky beneath me, blocking my view of Earth. The garden of billowing cotton gave the illusion that I could step off the dragon’s back and stand firmly on top of the cloudbank.

  In the distance, a high mountain peak rose from the sea of clouds like a granite monument. Gray slabs of jagged stone fortified the mountain. Woldor veered toward a cave and landed with a great thud. Loose rocks sprinkled down the mountainside. I slid off the dragon’s back and followed him into the belly of the mountain.

  Woldor took a deep breath. As he exhaled a flame sprang from his mouth, lighting a torch on the wall. Candles stood scattered across an oak desk. Shelves lined the room and held books, scrolls, maps, and artifacts. “Come and sit,” Woldor offered.

  I climbed on the oversized chair at the table as Woldor searched through a stack of scrolls. While my breathing and heart rate were even and calm, the questions continued to rage through my head.

  The first question I wanted to ask was, “Are you sure this isn’t some kind of mistake?” Could I actually be the Lady of Neviah or even a Neviahan? It would take a lot more sword practicing before I could hold off even a small army, let alone the entire Shadow Legion.

  I let the questions roll around in my head, but kept them to myself. I did finally ask, “What is all this stuff?” I pointed to a silver sphere lined with a band of sapphires. Runes marked the globe as if it were a language from another world.

  “That, my dear, is a compass that works only by faith, a trinket that came with one of the Neviahan records.”

  I tilted my head. It didn’t look anything like a compass to me.

  “We dragons are the guardians of ancient records and treasure. I have been given the task of guarding the records of Neviah and the treasure of Ophir and Kolob.”

  I nodded and pretended I knew what he just said.

  “Aha! Here it is!” he said in triumph. Woldor lifted a leather-bound book with gold leaf embossing accenting the cover. “This is the record of the Great Kingdom of Neviah, the Neviahans’ journey to Earth, and the war with Erebus.” Woldor blew the dust from the book, creating a small whirlwind. I sneezed several times.

  Woldor chuckled a low throaty laugh. “You should see what happens when I sneeze.”

  “I can only imagine.” I grinned.

  He opened the book and placed a large pair of spectacles on the end of his nose. “Now let me see … here we are.” He turned from the book and looked at me above his reading glasses. “In order to help you understand your mission, I am going to tell you about the ancient world, before the great flood. Yes, I am that old. Thousands of years ago, the Earth was one continent, called Pangaea. It looked almost identical to Neviah.”

  “So, Earth is a lot like the Great Kingdom of Neviahan?” I asked, wanting to make sure I understood.

  Woldor nodded. “It was, before the Shadow Legion invaded Earth, that is.” He paused and his eyes glistened with sorrow. “In the Great Kingdom of Neviah, a powerful man, called Erebus, caused an uprising. Erebus used his
skills to gather followers and caused a revolt against the kingdom.

  “Those who resisted fought against the Rebellion and drove them out. Then the King of Neviah banished the Erebus and his followers. The rebels’ inner light faded, leaving only shadows. That’s why people call them the Shadow Legion.”

  My hands unconsciously clenched my dress as I listened.

  “Defeated and enraged, Erebus and the Shadow Legion came to Earth to establish their own Dark Neviah. To create their kingdom, all the Shadows had to do was eliminate the planet’s governing race–the humans.”

  I leaned forward and interjected. “But shadows can’t hurt anyone.” It wasn’t so much of a statement as a plea.

  Woldor shook his head. “I wish that were true. Since the Shadows no longer had physical bodies, they tried to steal the bodies of other creatures, such as serpents and arachnids. Alas, eventually a human was persuaded by the faint whisperings of Erebus, himself. This man became envious of his brother’s wife. Erebus whispered into his ear and told him if he killed his brother, then she would be his. When the man obeyed, his body was breached, and Erebus took control.”

  I put my fingertips to my teeth.

  “Over a period of time, Erebus helped a small number of Shadow Spirits do the same. Once they inhabited a human body, the Shadow Spirit became a Shadow Lord. The Shadow Lords help their army multiply by stealing identities and recruiting humans to their cause by preying on their human weaknesses.”

  I gripped the table. “Why would a human join them?”

  “Power,” Woldor answered in a rumbling growl. “They joined because they believed Erebus would grant them power.”

  I shook my head. Hazella wanted power from the Rebellion. My muscles tensed, but I tried to sound brave. “So the Shadow Legionnaires all have bodies again?”

  Woldor put a clawed finger up. “Not all of them. Most of them are still Shadows looking for weak humans to entice.”

  “So, how do we fight them?” I asked.

  “The King of Neviah prepared the kingdom’s strongest warriors for Earth combat. He sent them to this planet disguised as human beings and born to human parents.”

  I shook my head. “But if I’m Neviahan, how come I don’t remember all of this?”

  Woldor set the book back on the shelf. “Human memories are more intense than Neviahan memories. After a year or two as human beings, your memory of Neviah fades. It’s an unfortunate disadvantage you have in the battle against Erebus. The Shadow Legionnaires still have their memories of Neviah and the war.” Woldor looked at me from above his glasses. “They even remember who you are.”

  I sat on my hands, as if trying to hide my power of fire. “It’s not fair,” I whispered.

  Woldor’s eyes sparkled from behind his glasses. “No, Erebus doesn’t fight fair, and he shows no mercy. That’s why it’s important for you to rediscover who you are and learn to use your powers. You have no choice but to fight. Don’t be afraid of your gifts. Not using them is one of the worst things you can do. The Shadow Legion is jealous of your gifts, and they will try to take your powers from you.”

  I pulled my knees to my chest. “How will they try to take my powers?”

  “The Neviahans are stronger than the enemy, but if a member of the Shadow Legion is clever enough to kill a Neviahan they cannot steal their image the way they steal human identities. Instead, they drink the Neviahan’s blood and steal some of their power.

  My stomach tightened. “If Neviahans are so much stronger, then how can they kill us?” As soon as I’d asked, I wondered if I really wanted to know.

  Woldor let out a deep sigh. “Not long ago, Erebus killed a Neviahan warrior. The Neviahan warrior had tremendous physical strength, but a beautiful woman enticed him. He let down his guard and ignored the warning signs. His loss was devastating. Not only did we lose a good warrior, but Erebus stole the Neviahan’s great strength from his blood.”

  My mind raced over the information. There was no use in pretending I wasn’t Neviahan anymore. Even if I decided not to fight this battle, the Shadow Legion would always be after me. I couldn’t hide. I had no choice but to fight.

  I could do this—I had to.

  “Will I be alone?” I asked.

  “No.” His answer didn’t hold any doubt. “There are others out there, like you, discovering their powers at a young age and preparing for war against the Shadow Legion.”

  I exhaled and dropped my shoulders. I wasn’t an abomination of nature, demon spawn, or witch. I was just me, a Neviahan, and I wasn’t alone.

  “Come with me.” Woldor nodded toward the entrance. “I will return you to the Neviahan Circle. Protect your identity. Your human body is the best disguise for your warrior spirit as you prepare for the time when you must face the Rebellion.”

  I followed Woldor out of the cave and stood with him on the high mountain ledge. A cool gust hit me, and I took in a breath of mountain air. I had a human body with human memories and the capacity to love the way humans did, but deep inside me, a Neviahan soul of fire smoldered.

  I mounted Woldor’s back, and we dove into the sky. The bright sun warmed my face, contrasting the cold air streaming past me. I carefully laid my head against the dragon’s neck and imagined myself as a great warrior. I had more questions now than before I left. With my mind sorting out all the new information, the time passed and soon we landed in the Neviahan Circle outside Oswestry.

  Ruburt and Cassi still waited for me just outside the circle.

  I slid off the dragon’s back and Woldor gave me one last caution. “Stay on your guard. The Shadow Legion is gathering strength and getting ready to strike. Earth is not your home – it’s your battlefield.”

  I smiled bravely, though my heart swelled with new doubts.

  “Your heart is like that old compass you saw,” he said. “Have faith, and you will be guided to where you need to go.”

  I had a lot to think about when I returned home, and some explaining to do about why I had been absent a whole day before the jousting tournament. Everyone seemed satisfied with the explanation of needing some time to myself to figure out who I really am. Apparently, many girls my age go through the same thing.

  On the day of the jousting event, the town was in a frenzy. I searched the manor for Lucas and passed through the kitchen. Delicacies lined the tables, and the cooks, weary and exhausted, scrubbed at the last of the dishes.

  “Have you seen Lucas?” I asked.

  The head cook shook her head. “No, dearie, he’s probably helping his brother prepare for the joust.”

  I made my way to the courtyard. Outside, squires polished Fredrick’s armor and oiled his saddle to a shine. I searched several outbuildings before reaching the armory, where I found Lucas sitting on the floor staring into a wooden chest. I stood in the doorway and cleared my throat.

  Lucas turned around, smiled, and motioned for me to sit next to him. I knelt beside him and looked into the chest. A brilliant suit of armor lay inside, surrounded in fine, navy cloth.

  “This was my father’s.” He stroked the hilt of the sword lying next to the armor.

  I clutched his hand. “I know you will become a great knight like your father.”

  Lucas grinned. “Thank you.” A moment of awkward silence passed. “Did you leave because I kissed you?” Lucas finally asked.

  “No,” I quickly answered. “I really did need some time to figure out who I am.” I waited until he meet my gaze before assuring him, “I loved your kiss.”

  Lucas’s lips turned up in a smile. His hand curled around mine. He closed the chest and helped me to my feet.

  I paused and gripped Lucas’s hand tighter. “Lucas, there is something I need to tell you.”

  “What is it?” He looked hopeful.

  “I do not know how to express it in words.” My hands found his cheeks. “So, here.” I rose up on my toes and kissed him. It felt so good to stand close to him and feel the warmth of his body. I stepped away and tried to
read his expression.

  Lucas beamed at me. Without hesitation, Lucas’s lips found mine. I relaxed in his arms.

  “Whoa ho ho!” The voice sounded like a rumbling canyon, filling the entire space.