15

 

We returned to the Citadel on the winds of magic, thanks to Katori. She transported us to the hidden door outside the walls. It was still dark, but I assumed dawn would arrive soon.

“Tell Sion we’ve returned.”

I reached through the bond and touched Sion’s mind. She was sleeping, but sensing my presence, she quickly awoke.

Katori and I are here, I said.

The bond flooded with her enthusiasm. It was infectious, and I couldn’t stop smiling despite my feelings toward what I’d done. That, and although I’d only been away a few days, not being able to speak with her had been more miserable than I realized.

I will inform Master Anesko.

We waited in silence, not even daring to risk whispering to one another for fear someone would hear us. I kept my eyes to the south and watched the flicking firelights of the enemy encampment. After a few moments, which felt longer because of my impatience, the hidden door in the wall slid open. I knelt and looked through. Anesko was there, along with Curate Henrik and Maren.

“You first,” I said, looking up at Katori.

She dropped onto her hand and knees and crawled through. The barrier returned, sizzling the disrupted dirt. I watched Anesko and waited. As soon as the barrier came down again, I hurried across the threshold.

“Eldwin!”

Maren embraced me before I was fully back on my feet, and we tumbled to the ground. She kissed me fiercely, and I returned it with equal passion.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, flicking my gaze at the others. “I shouldn’t have—”

“I’m not mad at you, Eldwin. I mean, I was at first, but I’m just glad you’re all right.”

Anesko stepped close and cleared his throat. “I hate to intrude on your private moment, but I must know. Were you successful?”

I looked from Maren to Anesko and back.

“Yes. The king is dead.”

Maren gave a slight nod, her expression giving no hint of her emotions. Her eyes, however, told another story. It was like looking into a mirror and seeing my inner turmoil on display.

“Then it is over,” Anesko said. It could have been my imagination, but it seemed as though an invisible weight lifted from him, and his shoulders rose.

“It was in the baron’s castle in Tiradale,” I added. “Only one of his sorcerers knows. He was the only one who survived with us.”

“The news won’t reach his camp until morning, I’m sure. You’ve done us a great service, Eldwin.”

I knew his words were true, but they rang hollow. “I only did what any of us would have done.”

“You strode into great danger at the behest of others. Few would willingly do so. Sunrise will be upon us soon. Let us try to get some rest. Who knows what awaits us when the news arrives.”

Maren climbed off me and helped me to my feet. I brushed my backside off and the five of us walked together through the courtyard. Aside from a few guards on the walls, there was no one else out at this hour. Our footsteps were the only noise. They sounded so loud echoing off the stone walls.

We entered the school and before everyone parted ways, Anesko said, “Come see me in the morning. I want to know everything.”

“We can meet now if you’d prefer. There’s something I need to speak with you about, anyway.”

“Surely it can wait until the morning? I am weary to the bone.”

We needed to take a group of riders out to find the Assembly and deal with the dragon slayers, but I knew that until the army camped outside the walls was gone, Anesko would not consider lowering the barrier.

“It can wait,” I said.

He offered a tired smile in thanks and strode off down the hall. Maren wrapped her right arm around my left and we headed for our room.

“I’m sorry,” I told her again.

“It’s fine.”

“No, it isn’t. I …” Would her anger reignite if she knew why she had fallen asleep that night? “I forced you to stay here.”

“You did? I don’t remember that.”

“That’s because I slipped something into your drink that caused you to fall asleep.”

Maren went silent, and I was certain she was about to give me a verbal lashing.

“I see.”

An awkward silence stretched between us until we reached the door to our shared chamber.

“I understand if you hate me now,” I whispered.

“Oh, Eldwin. I could never hate you. You are not perfect, but neither am I. I tried to make a decision that would affect both our lives without even stopping to consider your thoughts.”

She turned to face me, and I saw her eyes were wet with tears. A host of emotions rose within me, and though I tried desperately to hold them back, they poured forth as tears. I buried my head into her shoulder and sobbed. She clung tightly to me, and we shared a moment unlike any we’d experienced before.

I don’t know how long we stood like that, but eventually, we released one another and wordlessly entered our room. I pulled my boots off and removed my dirty clothes, climbing into bed with only my undergarments on. Maren scooted close to me, and I fell asleep almost instantly.

The clanging of a bell startled me, and I looked at the window. Light streamed through the stained glass, bathing the floor in a spectrum of colors.

“What is that?” Maren asked, sitting up.

“It’s the bell, but it shouldn’t be going off now.”

We exchanged looks, and as if reading each other’s minds, we leaped out of bed and got dressed, hurrying through the halls. We passed Surrel, and I looked over at her questioningly.

“Any idea what’s going on?”

“I’m afraid not.”

I nodded, and we picked up the pace, joining a small group who were heading for the front entrance of the school. No one seemed to know what the bell was for, and as we stepped into the courtyard, I spotted Anesko. Even he seemed confused. A guard from the walls rushed down the rampart steps and skidded to a halt in front of him.

“Is the enemy leaving?” Anesko asked.

“No, sir. Heralds are approaching under a white banner,” the guard huffed.

Maren and I joined them, and Curate Henrik wasn’t far behind us.

“Perhaps they’ve come to announce their withdraw,” Henrik suggested.

“Yes, perhaps,” Anesko sagely nodded. “I am surprised the encampment is not overcome with chaos by now. If the generals have learned of the king’s death, they should be fighting for power.”

“All seems calm so far,” the guard replied.

“Let us see what they want, then.”

We hurried to the ramparts and watched as the heralds approached. The distance made it difficult to see their faces, but I counted at least a dozen men.

“Why so many to announce a withdraw?” I asked.

No one answered, but I didn’t expect anyone to. Once the group was just outside the range of our archers, they stopped and waved their banners back and forth.

“I will go out and speak with them,” Anesko announced.

“What if it’s a trap?” Henrik asked.

“Not even the late king would dare violate the white flag.”

While I doubted that was true, it didn’t feel right for Anesko to go out there alone. I laid a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m coming with you.”

“As am I,” Maren said.

“Then we shall go as well.” Katori motioned to herself and Henrik.

“You two stay here,” Anesko replied, looking at them. “Eldwin and Maren will be plenty.”

The three of us returned to the courtyard and waited for the men in the guardhouse to open the southern gates. If it was a trap, at least the enemy would have some trouble with us before they reached Autumnwick.

Three horses were brought for us, and we waited for the barrier to be removed. The portion covering the gates flickered and faded, and we rode out to meet the heralds. As we drew closer, I noticed that one of them was wearing a dark cape, his face concealed by its hood.

“Hail,” Anesko greeted, stopping his mount a dozen paces from the heralds.

“His Majesty wishes to speak with you,” one of them said. The front riders made a path for the hooded man, and he flicked the reins in his hand, urging his horse forward slowly.

“I heard the king was dead.” Anesko’s demeanor suddenly became wary.

The figure pulled his hood back, and my eyes widened in surprise. It was Shadamar.

“Erling is dead, and now I rule over Osnen.”

Shadmar turned his gaze to me. “You didn’t just kill a king,” he said. “You killed a brother.”

Many things suddenly made sense, especially the reason for his steadfast devotion to Erling. He turned his attention to Maren.

“Niece.”

“Uncle.”

My heart was pounding in my chest. Shadamar was Erling’s brother. How had I not seen it before? The two bore little resemblance, but still. It was so obvious now that I knew. And I had made him watch as I killed his brother.

“I have come to tell you that I am withdrawing my forces. The kingdom will grieve the loss of her former king, and celebrate the rise of her new one. Savor your victory, for it is a fleeting one. I will return to wipe the Order from the face of Osnen, and not even the history books will mention you.”

Shadamar looked at me again. “You told me not to forget what you did. I won’t.”

He turned his mount around and spurred the beast back toward the camp.