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Jerin stood on the front lines before the gate when a buzzing noise came from the book tucked into his jacket pocket. Holding his breath and hoping someone would finally send him some good news, he checked to find a message from Alyra’s brother.
As he read the long, detailed note, his heart sank. Blast that dark-hearted thief! His horse, maybe sensing his agitation, jerked his head and stomped his hooves.
“That’s right, Stitcher, I’m ready to go too. But we have to wait and wait and... bah!”
Well, praise Shaydon Katrina survived the fall and was safe now. Seemed that little Okbold pest had managed to run off, too, and was now with them in some place he called Shaydon’s Vale.
Troll’s breath, still no word about Stitch, though. He considered writing back, but first, he wanted to find Lot and see if he’d read the note yet. Glancing around the front line of warriors, he wondered where his centaur friend had gone off to. As he searched, he spotted Amici and Riyah standing side-by-side in what looked like another heated discussion. Both of them stared stern-faced at the gates, their brows furrowed over their unnervingly penetrating eyes.
He urged Stitcher to head in their direction. “Have either of you seen Lotari? I just got a letter from Ethan.”
Riyah turned to him. “Has he heard any word from Alyra or Tarek?”
“Matter-of-fact, he said they passed through with Issah. But he missed them. He said he’s in some place that DezPierre calls Shaydon’s Vale. Not sure what that would be. I didn’t think the Dark One could stand having anything to do with King Shaydon in his land.”
Riyah spun around toward his companion. “Can it be, Amici?”
Amici stroked his short beard. “It is possible. Of course, we know anything is possible. Perhaps a small portion remains. If it’s in a hidden place, it could have very well gone undetected.”
“Well, obviously, if Ethan is there, then someone has detected it.” Riyah’s tone sounded a little annoyed. “But how did the lad find it? And how did Issah know to find it? He must have created a portal somewhere up in the mountains.” The Elderad’s fist clenched as he pressed his knuckles to his mouth in concentration. “If only the land wasn’t in such shadow to me. Amici, can you not see anything?”
“Nothing at all, I fear. It’s quite perplexing. I can feel the earth tremble as the barrier weakens. Fear permeates the land. But I cannot see what is happening, not even from those with Shaydon’s badge. I cannot see the Illuminates, the Messenger, nor the Curian.”
“He tried to kill her,” Jerin stated. He showed them Ethan’s letter, trying to suppress his anger over the news, and managed to keep it in check. He had to keep his head and not let his emotions rule his reason. Not when so many depended on him to lead them.
The earth gave a mighty tremble. Both Elderads looked toward the mountain. Riyah handed the book to Jerin. “Get your troops ready, Colonel. Remember that we will not engage any who flee. We will only fight those who pose a threat. Otherwise, I want you to lead your men directly toward the castle.”
Jerin turned and headed back to his men. As he rode along, he managed to scribble off a message to Lotari.
Where are you, friend? It looks like we are about to move. Did you feel that earthquake? What is he doing up there? Jerin.
Another shudder ran across the plains. Stitcher reared with a loud neigh. “Easy boy. We have to stand firm.”
At that moment a sea of people flowed toward the gates. No wonder the Elderads had said to wait. They wouldn’t need to break them down at all. The Racan people were intent on breaking out. Jerin watched in horror as the stampede of people nearly trampled each other as they pressed against the metal gates. It reminded him of a swollen river carrying debris into a bridge. Soon, that bridge would give way.
“At arms, men,” Jerin called out, raising his fist into the air. “Be ready to fight, but allow those who wish to flee a chance to do so.”
As expected, the locks on the thick metal gates were soon broken, and the barriers swung out, bending on their hinges. People poured out into the Tree People’s waiting hands. Jerin readied his sword. He spotted Carah with her archers, all standing with bows poised.
The people upon seeing the vast army stopped and then fell to their faces. Men begged for mercy as women cried and waved white bits of cloth. To Jerin’s surprise, the Racan people seemed happy to see them.
* * * *
Tarek followed Issah up the spiral staircase. Just as they reached the landing, a door at the top opened as a willowy man burst out, blood and bruises covering his face.
“Oh goodness!” he exclaimed, taking them both in. “Your little light friend refused to listen to me. I hope you have better sense. It’s time to get out of here. He’s opened the gate, and they’ll begin pouring out soon.” With that, he pushed past them and rushed down the stairs until he disappeared into the dark passage.
He and Issah looked questioningly at each other for a moment, then rushed inside. Tarek paused a moment, remembering how he’d squirmed at Darnel’s feet when he’d probed his mind for information in this very room. The pain had been nearly unbearable.
Snapping himself out of the reverie, Tarek saw the two doors but knew the one to the left went into his study. In two strides he was across the small space and bursting into Darnel’s chamber, sword in hand and blazing.
“Where—?” Tarek stammered, taking in the empty room.
Issah pushed past him, his furious gaze taking in the instruments lining the shelves. Stolen from the Curians. “They must stop pushing the boundaries,” he quietly said, turning in a slow circle. “I don’t mind exploration, but they ended up in dangerous zones. Then that information can get into the wrong hands. Hands that have no idea what they are dealing with.”
Tarek moved forward. “Sir, I’m not exactly sure what you are talking about, but don’t you think we should find Alyra?”
Issah gave a nod. “Stand over by the balcony, Son. Keep your sword empowered and ready. What we will encounter will need to be dealt with swiftly.”
Slowly, Tarek moved to obey, wondering what the prince was talking about. Then he heard it. A horrible, ear-shattering screech, followed by a girl’s scream. His girl’s scream. “Alyra!” he called out. Where was she? Blast!
Fire blazed out of the end of his sword. Why had he let her get ahead of him? He knew she hadn’t meant to leave them. She’d simply acted on impulse.
Issah raised his walking stick above his head. Wind whipped around the room, sucked in from the open balcony. Tarek held on to the nearest post, trying to keep himself from being blown over. The all-seeing scope slid across the floor and then tumbled off the steps. The lenses shattered into pieces. Books flew off the shelves as the wind increased, circling around and around, knocking over tables and objects off the desks and bookcases.
Was Issah commanding the wind? Could he do that?
Tarek wrapped his free arm around the column, ducking low to avoid being hit by flying debris.
Issah slashed the staff in a downward motion, shouting in a commanding voice that shook Tarek to his core, “Be gone!”
The wall crumbled, stones turning to rubble, revealing a brilliant light glowing from the other side.
Darnel spun around, and his furious gaze landed on Issah. “What... are you doing here?” He tossed an annoyed glare at Alyra as he growled out, “You led him here, daughter? But I watched. He wasn’t...” he paused a moment, as if thinking, then said, “Oh. The scopes cannot see you. Of course.” He threw up his hands. “Why had I not realized sooner? All along I’d assumed you were hiding away in your precious city.”
Issah moved forward, his staff burning. “She is MY child, Darsiderus. You stole her from me, along with many others.”
Flicking his hand in Alyra’s direction, Darnel said, “She came willingly. She stepped in, willingly, to save me when she thought I was in trouble. So, in my estimation, that is not stealing when they come of their own accord. Even you... cannot argue with that.”
The flames burning along Issah’s staff burned out revealing a long sword. Tarek stepped forward, ready to fight the traitor beside Issah, but he held out a hand to stop him. Inside his mind, he heard Issah say, Get to Alyra and break her free.
Darnel darted toward Alyra, and for a moment, Tarek feared he would try to kill her. Instead, he reached for the sword strapped to her waist. She attempted to jerk away but seemed unable to move. When Darnel went to grasp her sword, he drew back with a loud hiss, shaking his hand as if it had been burned.
Tarek ducked low and moved across the room. Hopefully, whatever enchantment she was trapped in wouldn’t harm him in the same way.
Darnel moved like a swift-flying bird as he ran past Issah and retrieved another sword hanging from the wall by a desk. Issah waited, and Tarek wondered if he actually intended to fight or just keep him preoccupied while Tarek tried to free Alyra.
Once he reached her, she cried out, “I’m sorry, Tare. I thought you two were right behind me. Then the door closed and there was one of those fire demons blocking it. All I could think to do was to try to stop Darnel.”
Tarek held up his hand. “You’re fine, love. I’m going to pull you away from that pit.”
“No!” She shook her head, and he thought the movement took great effort. “This is a trap. I don’t want you sucked in, too.”
Was she fading or was it a trick of the light?
“Tare, it’s sapping all my energy trying to get through, but my light is keeping them from crossing over. I... if I stop, I’m afraid it’ll come through.” A tear slid down her face. “I can’t let that happen.”
“What should I do?” He asked the question in his mind, as well, hoping Issah would hear him. But the prince was in the midst of a stand-off with Darnel. He wished Riyah had been able to come, he probably would have thrown himself around Alyra, as he’d done when they’d battled for Denovo and the Halls of Knowledge.
“Tare,” Alyra’s voice was so weak, he almost couldn’t hear her. “I love you.”
Right before his eyes, she faded even more.
* * * *
Lotari and his clansmen from Wilderland and the River Woods followed Bastion and his kinsmen up through the secret passages, created by creatures who lived in the mountain forest. Long ago, the dwarfs explained, the land had been fertile and the trees thick and vibrant. All manner of creatures lived here, caring for the land and showing humans how to create a bountiful harvest without harming the delicate balance needed to keep life going.
They passed along tall cliffs where Lotari caught the lingering scent of Alyra and Tarek. And a dragon. And Issah! So he must have known that little sneak’s plans all along.
Riyah had pulled Lotari, Talos, and Wyndham aside while the troops waited to enter the gate, and told them the terrible news. It was the faeries and Okbolds who picked up the news from the land. He’d been too preoccupied to listen at the time.
“In the dragon’s old keep,” Riyah had said, “they have a base camp filled mainly with creatures. Many have been turned, and many more may yet be given the potion.” Then he asked the three centaurs if they would be willing to take a convoy up along the secret trails and do what they could to stop the destruction of their kin.
All three said they were willing. While Wyndham and Talos went to gather their groups, Riyah held Lotari back. “There’s more, my friend. News that I fear you will not wish to hear, but you need to know. Before you go up there. It was the Faerie Queen who informed me because she was rather fond of Stitch and the news broke her heart.”
Even as he thought about what Riyah had told him, Lotari’s heart shattered all over again. Stitch had always been his responsibility. He loved him like he would his own son. Fire burned up his throat, and he refused to believe there wasn’t some sliver of hope for Stitch.
“The Elmbolds are doing their best to contain him.” Riyah had said. “I fear if he encounters anyone, he’ll be extremely dangerous. As are the others who’ve been turned. Nobody knows if there is any hope of changing them back or not. We’ve not had a chance to explore options. Most are so demented, They must be killed. You understand what I’m saying, do you not, Lotari?”
Oh, he understood. But he’d never be able to kill Stitch. Despite how many times he’d wanted to wring his neck, Lotari knew he’d never be able to harm his dear friend. There had to be hope. Until they had a chance to figure it out, he hoped the trees would keep him secluded and out of the battle they were about to undertake.
Two dragons flew overhead. Crystal led the Gran-Doyen to her place of captivity. He planned to scout the area and send word back to the advancing troops.
“This way,” Bastion called out, waving them toward the waterfall. “Ye hoofers will be able to pass through. The trolls and ogres, on the other hand, you’ll need to start climbing. Looks like they gone and built walls to keep us out, the fools. Don’t even know the lay of their own land.” Bastion chuckled, and his men joined in. Waving his ax over his head, his voice boomed across the basin, “We’ll attack from all sides, including the air once the dragons are in position.”
“Take no prisoners,” one of the trolls shouted.
“Choose your battles, Lotari,” Riyah had warned before they all left the main group. “Not all who are inside the walls are there willingly. Don’t forget that.”
“Make them pay for destroying this land,” chanted a group of fauns.
Lotari closed his eyes and breathed deeply as he clutched the medallion resting against his chest. He waited for the order to move forward.
* * * *
“What should I do?” Tarek asked again.
Destroy the opening while I keep Darsiderus busy, came Issah’s not-so-simple answer.
Tarek glanced in the prince’s direction. He faced Darnel who held a sword in each hand. Issah stood between the Dark One and them with only his staff that had turned into a broad sword.
“You came here to fight me?” Darnel laughed as if that was a big joke. “You’re afraid my kingdom will surpass yours?”
“I came,” Issah answered in a strangely calm voice, “to set free those you’ve imprisoned. Nobody should be forced into service. Your kingdom saps the life of everyone you come in contact with. Your kingdom makes demands instead of respecting each life. Your kingdom promotes hate and strife, not love and acceptance. No, I have no fear of you. None at all.”
Darnel jabbed the glinting blade. Issah knocked it aside. Darnel moved to the left, but the prince matched each step and kept himself between them and his opponent.
“Some ruler,” Darnel spat. “I heard how many of your towns backed out. They fear me, as they should. They didn’t wish to support your pointless attack on my land.”
“To every choice, there is a consequence, Darsiderus. You know this.”
Darnel scowled. “I’ve had no interest in being one of your puppets. You told me yourself that I would one day be a great leader.”
“I’d said, you could. Unfortunately, you made the wrong choices. Now your consequences have caught up to you.”
“Right, we’ll see about that.” Darnel moved in swinging his sword with a loud yell.
“Tare, leave!” Alyra drew his attention away from the fight. “It’s here.”
He had to destroy the door, but he wasn’t sure how. All he’d been taught was how to control his destructive light. To channel it, to.... “I’m breaking you loose, love. Hang on.”
Tarek gathered every ounce of energy contained in his body. His vision blurred and for a moment, he feared if he didn’t release it, the expanding energy would rip him to pieces.
Blinking, Tarek focused on the center of the glowing circle. He considered pushing his light into it but needed to be sure nothing would deflect it. Steadying himself, he lifted the sword over his head.
A scream tore from his parched throat as he drove the blade into the middle of the circle. Blinding light shot from the impact of the blade into the cracked floor. Heat washed over Tarek’s face, as if he stood before a furnace, threatening to knock him backward. He gripped the hilt tighter. He’d not let go until absolutely sure he’d destroyed the entrance between worlds.
Alyra cried out as the bonds released her. She crumpled to the ground. The circle grew dark. The passage closed. Before he could run to her, fiery hands whipped around his shoulders.
A large creature rose in a black cloud of smoke. Its eyes were blood red, its horns black as tar. Sharp talons gripped Tarek, holding him in place.
The demon would devour him first. He tried to light up again but needed a moment to regain his strength. His fingers fumbled for the small dagger tucked in his belt. Clasping on the handle, he drew in a breath of vile sulfuric air and managed to push a weak glow into the blade.
He made an upward slash. Sparks shot from the tip, burning a trail across the demon’s chest. The demon released his hold with an unearthly cry.
Tarek landed on the ground with a bone-jarring jolt.
“Tarek, run!” Alyra shouted as she tried to crawl away.
He scrambled on his hands and knees to Alyra’s side and tried to help her up. “I’m not leaving you, silly. We’re sticking together even if it kills us.”
The demon moved toward them. “I’m so hungry.”
From behind it, Darnel shouted, “I win, Issah. My demon will rid my land of you and your minions. You can have that obstinate girl now if there is anything left after this. She’s served my purpose.”
The demon turned away from them. “I know that voice!”
Tarek reached for the small pocket on Alyra’s belt where she kept a few petals of the White Tree’s flowers. He slipped one into his mouth and a couple into hers. “We’ll have to try lighting up again, love. Find whatever bit of energy you have left and between us, maybe we can fight that thing.”
But that thing turned its attention toward Darnel, pointing a blazing finger at him. “You are the one who breached our boundary. How dare you enter my world, mortal. How dare you attempt to command us!”
Alyra’s breath caught. “He seems a little upset.”
A little was an understatement. Tarek lifted Alyra to her feet. The demon flew toward Darnel, engulfing him in a ball of flames. Issah shouted and hurled his glowing sword at the demon. It screamed in pain. The fire surrounding it flickered as it grabbed Darnel and fled toward the balcony.
Issah hurled bolts of light from his hands. Alyra grabbed her slingshot and was loading it with a white stone. Tarek yanked the pouch from her hand and took a few himself.
The demon pulled Darnel over the balustrade, and they hung in mid-air together.
Tarek and Alyra ran after the monster, sending glowing rocks into its burning hide. For a moment, it hung suspended. Fire surrounded Darnel. The demon seemed confused before Issah sent one more bolt-like lightning at its head. A brilliant explosion knocked Alyra and Tarek backward. In a blinding flash of light, Darnel and the demon were gone.
The castle shook. Large fissures ripped through the floor and walls. Issah turned to them. “Run. You need to get out of here before the whole structure collapses.”
* * * *
The pounding of horses’ hooves almost matched the beating inside Jerin’s chest as his troop charged toward the castle, past the retreating townsfolk. He anticipated an attack at any moment, but the path had been clear so far. Hopefully, they weren’t entering a trap.
Bursts of light poured from the upper tower. He was sure Aly and Tare were somewhere in the middle of all that.
“Forward troops!” He ordered. “Head for the castle. Take down anything or anyone that blocks our way.”
When they rounded a bend in the road, Jerin pulled his mount to a halt. A wall of soldiers stood like a human barrier across the road, several bodies deep. He glanced up again, wondering what was going on in that tower. Well, he’d get there soon enough and find out.
Jerin led his troop, charging straight for the barrier unflinching and unafraid.
A brilliant flash of light exploded from the topmost tower. People screamed. Jerin’s mount reared, neighing in fear. The wall of soldiers dissipated like fog when the sun rises. Men and women scattered, running as if their lives depended on it.
Jerin regained control of his horse. He hoped Alyra and Tarek were up there. Waving his sword over his head, he yelled, “Forward warriors! For King Shaydon! For Alburnium. For Freedom!”
* * * *
Lotari exited from the tunnels, glad to be in the open again. They came upon a compound, devoid of humans.
With each tremble of the earth, everyone stumbled, trying to keep on their feet. Lotari searched the buildings, finding nothing but an empty stable and a row of metal pens, the doors hanging open. Was this where they’d kept the turned? The roughened earth and bent bars told him his theory was probably right.
“Where are they?” Talos asked.
“Do not lower your guard,” Wyndham advised.
“They’re here,” Bastion sniffed the air, gripping his ax tightly in both hands. “They’re hiding.” In a louder voice that boomed across the field, he challenged, “Give yourselves up, and we’ll spare ye miserable lives. Or come on out and fight.”
One of the dragons swooped low over their heads. The blue one that had taken a liking to Alyra. Fire erupted from her snout aimed for a cluster of brown trees. The branches caught like torches. From within the shelter, screams sounded as men fled into the clearing. Then from the opposite direction, toward the cliffs came another chilling yell. Nearly a hundred creatures and men flowed from the caves and closed in on them.
Lotari loaded his arrow. “Stand firm, friends. Time to clear out this rabble.”
More dragons swooped up the mountain. Faeries swarmed, showering the turned beasts with glittering powder that turned them into ash. Lotari charged forward with his kin, taking down anything that stood against him. All the while, he tried to keep an eye out for one that might be Stitch. He hoped to not find his friend here, knowing what would happen when he did.
A forceful voice rang out from the cliffs overlooking the canyon. Lotari turned to find a solitary man standing on a ledge, his hands raised above his head. “People of Racah put down your weapons. Your fight is futile. Your master has been defeated.”
Ethan?
“You are free now. Free to choose your course. Will you seek death? Or life? The choice is yours now and yours alone.”
* * * *
Tarek pulled Alyra along, practically dragging her as the castle began to crumble and fall into pieces. Servants fled out every doorway not blocked by debris.
“Where’s Issah?” She cried. “Is Darnel dead? Did he... is he?”
“Just run, love. We’ll sort the rest out later.” He feared if they didn’t move faster, they’d be crushed when the building completely gave away. They’d reached the bottom of the stairs when the ground cracked, opening beneath their feet. Tarek yanked them to the side, both tumbling over and down the staircase. Tarek hit against a column, so hard he tasted metal in his mouth. Pain shot down from his ribs to his leg.
“You all right?” Alyra grabbed his arm to help him up. “You’re bleeding.”
“Keep going. We have to get out of here.” He limped beside her, sharp pain wracking his knee and causing him to hobble along. Hopefully, he didn’t break anything, but his ribs sure hurt. He’d not hold her back. Shoving her away, he told her, “Hurry and get out. I’m right behind you.”
“Oh no. Not again. I’m hanging on to you this time.” Draping his arm around her shoulders, she pulled him along with her. The front entrance crumbled. Loud banging drowned out all other noises of screams and shouts.
“We’re not going to make it,” Tarek shouted.
“Keep going, Tare.” She panted.
“Throw up a shield! The ceiling is coming down.” He shouted.
A worried frown pulled at her face, but she stopped and started to glow. The effort cost her. That demon had taken a lot out of her. “Pull from me, love. Remember? Like you did before?”
She nodded, and he felt his energy drain. This would make it harder, if not impossible for them to get out. When he looked around, he found the exit blocked with debris.
He wrapped her in his arms. Light shone all around them. The ground gave a violent heave. Rocks pelted down bouncing off Alyra’s shield.
Please hold. Shaydon protect us.
“Hang on, love.”
She trembled in his arms. Her fingers dug into his shirt as she buried her face against his neck, telling him over and over that she loved him. How ironic to end up perishing here after all? At least he was in the one place he’d always wanted to be: beside his love, holding her in his arms, feeling her soft breaths against his ears. If the last thing he was to hear were her words of affection, then he’d pass into Everlasting with no regrets.
“I can’t...” she cried.
“I can!” said another voice. Riyah!
Tarek dared to open his eyes finding he and Alyra were surrounded by sparkling gold feathers. Strong arms wrapped around them both. “Hang on my children.” Riyah the Elderad said, “I’ve got you covered.”
