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A loud banging at the palace doors made Shaye jump. She could hear panicked shouting from out in the entryway. Who could possibly have followed them to the safety of the palace grounds? Mavka had assured them that no one would dare venture here, and Bron and Anik had been vigilant in their patrols.
She followed Sorin into the entryway. He had not let go of her hand yet, and she did not pull away. Bron and Anik were already there with their swords drawn. The banging continued until Ingemar opened the door. A night breeze blew in and, on the threshold, stood a man in a deep burgundy cloak, his face hidden beneath the hood. The stranger had no weapons on him that Shaye could see, and he was trembling where he stood.
The man fell to the ground in a heap, hood sliding from his face, and it was then that Shaye saw him. It was a face that had appeared in so many of her dreams, though he had been years younger then. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing; the face of the one person in this world, before Brina, that she had truly allowed herself to trust.
Shaye gasped in recognition and whispered the name she had not spoken out loud in a very long time, “Bastian.”
She released Sorin’s hand and ran to Bastian, reaching him just as he fell to the ground. His face was bloody and swollen. Something had done quite a number on him. She didn’t know what to say or do. It had been so long since she had seen him... Up until this moment she feared he had died during the Winter Solstice. His dark brown eyes locked onto Shaye’s before he lost consciousness.
Shaye turned to Sorin, pleading with him, “Sorin, please, help him.”
Sorin rushed to her where she held Bastian’s head in her lap and signaled to the others to help carry him to the parlor. They lifted him carefully, carrying him to the dimly lit room and laying him on the chaise lounge. Her friends gave her puzzled looks but she ignored them, trying to sort through her own thoughts. She sent Mavka to the kitchen to fetch water as Bron and Anik left to check the perimeter for any lingering threat. Something had certainly attacked him out there, though they had no idea where he had come from and how he had made his way to the palace. Shaye had always had trouble believing in fate, but it seemed too big of a coincidence that he would appear here after all this time.
“Shaye, who is this man?” Sorin had a look of genuine concern on his face.
“His name is Bastian. We grew up together.” She gestured around them. “Here in the palace.”
Bastian stirred on the couch and fluttered his eyes open. Passing quickly over the others, his gaze found Shaye, and he moved to get up, struggling.
She stopped him, “You need to rest. Here, lay down.” She propped a pillow up for his head so he could lay at an incline. Mavka returned with water, eyeing him warily.
“Thank you.” His voice was hoarse, and he winced as he moved for the water, taking it in his gloved hands. He wore an expensive looking cloak, but the rest of his clothes looked worn and tired.
“Bastian, what are you doing here?” Shaye was in such disbelief at his appearance that she could not process the endless list of questions running through her mind. It had been over a decade since she had last laid eyes on him. His dark hair shined like the night sky, despite the rest of his appearance. It was longer than she remembered, falling nearly to his shoulders. He was tall and lean and incredibly handsome. She blushed at the thought and looked around to make sure her friends did not notice her flushed face. She looked to Sorin, feeling a strange bit of guilt for thinking that way.
“After the dark night of the Solstice, I fled with others to the west, where a ship was waiting to take us to Skag. I have been there for the last twelve years, making a living from hunting and selling pelts in the mountains. But then rumors began to flood into their shores and I wanted to see for myself if they were true. I returned only days ago, sure that I would return to find the rumors false. Unfortunately, I was wrong.” He winced, “I wasn’t prepared for them to be this true; I had a run in with a Black Shuck.”
“By the looks of it he gave it to you good.” Bron laughed from the doorway. “All clear out there, whatever attacked him is long gone. Not even a track left behind.”
Shaye felt all eyes on her. She knew Sorin was waiting for her word that Bastian could be trusted, but she honestly had no idea; her childhood with him felt like another lifetime. She had certainly changed. She had been a child when they last saw one another; now here she was trying to save an entire country with a king she was starting to care for, against her better judgment.
Whether or not Bastian was telling the truth, it would be better to keep him close until they figured it out. There were things lurking beyond the palace walls, and she did not want to risk turning him away alone, and defenseless toward that danger. She gave Sorin a curt nod.
Bastian fell asleep shortly after, and Shaye and the rest of the group retired to the dining room for a late dinner. The table had been set and was laid out with an impressive spread. Bron and Anik had gone hunting. And Ingemar, with the help of a curious Mavka, had prepared what felt like a feast after spending so long on the road.
Along the table there were figs, apples, and venison meat pie. The room smelled amazing, and Shaye felt a sudden pang of homesickness, thinking of the supper the Erlands must be sitting down at their own table to eat. She wondered if they were worried, Shaye had not yet been able to send word to them and she prayed they would know in their hearts that she was okay.
Bron sat across from her, plate piled high. “I’ll say what we’re all thinking: His showing up here today can't be a coincidence.” He bit into a small apple, eating half of it in that one bite.
Shaye bit her lip, wondering how she could explain this to them best. “We were close growing up. He was my only ally here when we were children. But it has been over a decade since we last saw each other. I’m sorry I just... I don’t know what to think yet.”
Sorin cut in, “What we can be sure of is, if he was attacked by a Black Shuck, then that means the Nefari could be nearby. Black Shuck are demon dogs, notorious companion creatures, more often than not they are sent to do their master’s bidding. My guess is that it is no coincidence that one was found so close to the palace. They may know that we have recovered half of the Stave.”
“If that piece of the Stave was so important to them, then wouldn’t they have come for it by now?” Bron sounded confident, but the look in his eyes told Shaye otherwise.
Ingemar was the one to say what Shaye was too afraid of voicing out loud, “Maybe they already have.” They all looked toward the door, just beyond the hall to where Bastian was laying.
It was hard for Shaye to believe, but his story about Skag and his coming here... It was all too much to wrap her head around. All she knew was that she had to talk to him, and soon, for her own piece of mind and for her friends. The last thing she wanted to do was put any of them in danger.
Once dinner was over and the table had been cleared, Anik and Bron left for another perimeter check. Shaye knew there would be countless more to follow that night. Everyone was on edge, and there would likely be little sleep for any of them tonight. Mavka showed Ingemar to her room, eagerly questioning her about living in the sea. Sorin lingered. Shaye could tell he wanted to speak with her, but she desperately wanted to check in on Bastian. She would give Sorin all the time in the world after that was done.
“Shaye, I really need a moment.” The exhaustion was evident in his bloodshot eyes, and she could see his weariness in the way he was leaning on the chair. She wanted to reassure him, to hold his hand and tell him it was all going to be okay. But she could not promise that yet, not until she spoke with Bastian alone and figured out if this was, in fact, all a coincidence.
“I know, but can it wait just a little longer? I just need to talk to Bastian quickly. If I can just talk to him alone, maybe I can sort this whole thing out.”
“Shaye, we still don’t know that he can be trusted. I’m not comfortable leaving you alone with him yet.”
Shaye understood his concern, but she knew Bastian would not talk openly in front of the King, especially when that king was the son of Allerick. She put a hand to his chest, “I can handle myself and you are just a shout away. I’ll be fine, I promise.” She added with a smirk, “And I have this.” She patted Sorin’s jeweled dagger that she now wore at her side. She had replaced her old one with it, liking the way it felt on her hip.
He looked as if he would argue with her, but instead nodded. “Will you come find me when you’re done?”
“Of course.” She took her hand from him and smiled softly. It was obvious today had gotten to him, and as reluctant as she was to admit it, she was worried about him. She would make things quick with Bastian and then give Sorin all the time he needed to tell her what was on his mind.
Shaye entered the parlor which was lit only by a small lantern on the side table where Bastian laid. He was asleep with a peaceful look on his battered face. Sweat was beaded along his brow, but the color had come back to his cheeks. One of his eyes was swollen, but his wounds had been cleaned up by Mavka. The same smelly salve she had used on Bron was smeared on the more severe cuts. It was lucky for them that the Forest Dweller had joined them on their journey, and Shaye had a sick feeling that they would need more of her healing expertise in the days to come.
She wanted to reach out to him, to touch him, to see if he was real or if this was just another one of her dreams. But she hesitated. Instead, she sat on the floor by his side, thinking of the last time she had seen him. The memories of that night were difficult to revisit. She had exiled them to her nightmares only, avoiding them as much as she could when she was awake. Being here with him now was surreal. Instead, she conjured up happier memories, like the first one she had of him.
“You probably don’t remember the first time we met,” she chuckled, half talking to herself and half hoping he could hear her. “I was in the school yard. Nanny Jin was looking for me, ready to whip my hide for stealing tarts from the kitchen. My hiding spot of choice that day was behind a particularly scandalous statue. Remember how much the old queen hated those naked statues King Idor would commission? Anyway, Ivar, that little jerk, had spotted me and had run off to tell Nanny where I was hiding.”
Bastian laughed, his eyes still closed. “I took one look at your face and knew you didn’t deserve what was coming to you, that you were far too clever to deserve the lashing that was sure to come when they found you. So I used a spell to call the wind, knocking him right on his ass. He pummeled me afterwards for it.”
Shaye laughed too, “But he’d been so focused on you, that he forgot to tell Nanny where I was.” She sighed, “You always looked out for me. Even if it meant taking a hit for me.”
“Seems not much has changed.” His eyes were open now; he was gazing up at Shaye. She could not believe the beautiful man laying before her now was the same lanky boy from her past. She could still see the boy that she once loved in those dark eyes.
Her voice was barely a whisper, “Bass, what happened that night?”
Frustration flashed across his face, so quickly that she thought maybe she had imagined it. Bastian sat up now, wincing from his injuries which were still trying to heal themselves with the aid of the salve. His shirt was torn in the front so that Mavka could apply the bandages, and Shaye could not help but stare. Bastian was not as broad or muscular as Sorin, but he had a strong, lean body.
Bastian brought her gaze back to his face. “I looked for you. We had been separated by the crowd in the ballroom. Do you not remember any of this?”
Shaye shook her head. “It’s too painful. I see that night in my dreams, but you are always so far away. No matter how hard I fight to get to you, you're always out of reach.”
He reached a shaky hand up to cup her face, his thumb grazed her lips gently. “We got out Shaye. We survived and lived. And once again, fate has brought us back together.”
Her heart raced at his touch. It was like lightning coursing through her veins and suddenly she could see it. Her vision began to cloud, and her mind went back to that night. She saw it as clearly as if she were there now. King Allerick’s men were cutting down anyone in their path, both men and women. Her uncle, across the room, tried to use his magic but it had failed him that night. It was failing all the Magi in the room, and their faces were a picture of pure terror and confusion. Then a hand, his hand. But the eyes were wrong, they were not supposed to be brown like Bastian’s... They should be blue...
She pulled away from Bastian and shook her head. Everything felt hazy and she struggled to push the memory away once again. In her dreams they were always blue, or maybe her damaged mind had gotten that wrong. Bass had always protected her, so who else, if not him, would have saved her that night? “I thought you were dead.”
“I’m here, Shaye, and I’m never leaving you behind again.” He looked at her with fierce intensity. “When I heard about the relic and what was happening here, something inside of me urged me to come back home, and here you were. I can hardly believe it.”
Home. That is what it had been for them, here in Brenmar, in the Winter Palace. They had been home for one another, steady presences in each other’s lives, in a place where they were considered outcasts by everyone else. He had to be telling the truth; something inside her had to believe that.
“Will you help us then?”
“For you, Shaye? Anything.”
After their talk, Shaye walked Bastian to the room he would be staying in, not far from her own. It had been rough getting him up the stairs, but she was sure he would feel better in the morning, after a good night’s rest. They said their goodnights and then she followed the deep purple carpet down to Sorin’s room. She only had to knock once before the door opened.
“You came.” He sounded relieved. Sorin was still in his breeches, but his tunic was open at the top, revealing his tanned chest. Shaye’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of him.
“I talked to Bastian... I believe him and think he can help. I know it will take time for you all to trust him as I do, but I just need you to give him a chance.” Shaye stepped into the room and Sorin shut the door behind them. She didn’t mind; she had been alone with him before. She knew by now, after weeks of traveling together, after the moments they had shared leading up to this point, Sorin was no threat to her. Their arms brushed as she passed him.
“I understand that the two of you have a past but...”
“Please, Sorin, trust me. He is on our side; he wants to protect his home. The blight helps no one, human or Magi. And his magic was always stronger than mine. He was advanced in his studies. If anyone can help, then it’s him.”
“Okay, I will agree to give him a chance, but we need to keep our guard up right now. We don’t know who the Nefari are, we only know that they are Magi.” He gestured for her to sit and poured them both a glass of red wine. He sat beside her on the bed, close enough that their legs touched.
He looked apprehensive now, and took a big swig from his glass. “There’s no right way to say this so I’m just going to come out with it. I have waited for you to say something first, but you haven’t yet, and maybe you don't remember, but I feel like you need to know... because the longer I go without saying anything, the more it feels like I’m keeping things from you.”
Shaye’s brow furrowed; it was hard to follow him when he was babbling. “Sorin... what is it that you want to tell me exactly?” She smiled to try to calm his nerves.
“I was there. That night. I mean, I was here.”
“In the palace?”
“Yes, my father had brought me along. My job was to stand back, observe only.”
“Observe the massacre.” She felt dizzy at the revelation that he had taken part in what had happened that night.
“Shaye, please believe me, I had no idea what was going to happen. They had talked of taking out the guards only. Of overpowering them and arresting the old king and his family. The relic had already been put into play at that point, so the Magi were no longer a threat. I thought they were all to be tried and exiled. And maybe that is what my father had intended, but then the doors locked, and all hell broke loose.”
Shaye fought back the bile rising in her throat as she recalled those first moments of panic, when the courtiers realized they had been surrounded. Trapped. Like pigs to slaughter.
Sorin’s voice trembled, “I knew immediately what I needed to do. I decided at that moment that I would run to the nearest entrance guarded by my father’s men. I would slip past them and unlock the other doors, allowing for an escape route. But then I saw you.”
“Me?” She could barely speak, could barely think. The walls of the room seemed to close in around her and it was getting difficult to breathe.
“Yes. You were standing there, frozen in fear. You were not running or screaming like the others. Instead, you just stood, tears streaming down your face. Then you looked at me with those pleading, startling, golden eyes, and something inside me demanded I go to you. I made a choice. I chose to grab you first, and then run. I don’t know why, but in that moment everything inside of me was screaming to get you away from there. I grabbed your hand, and we ran.”
Sorin’s hands shook as he continued. “At first, I led us toward the main entrance, the one I had planned to unlock. But there were too many people, too much danger... Danger I did not want to drag you towards. So, we went out the back, slipping through a servant’s entrance. And I know you may never forgive me. I cannot even forgive myself for leaving the others behind. But my instincts were telling me that it was you I had been there to save. That fate demanded it. I thought I could get you out of there and go back for the others, but by the time I returned, it was over. I was too late.” He put his head in his hands.
Blue eyes. She had seen them in her dreams, deep blue eyes and a boy who had pulled her away from the nightmare. Brown. The word echoed in her mind. She felt faint and could not think straight. The words of Atropani echoed in her mind, Do not trust the honeyed words of men. But which man the seer had been referring to, she did not know. She closed her eyes tight, trying to remember. No they had been brown, she was sure of it. She was also sure she was going to be sick. Everything was going dark, shadows closed in all around Shaye, ready to devour her, like the fog in the forest. She tried to stand, she needed air, needed to clear her head.
Shaye. Shaye! She could hear Sorin calling her name. It was too far away though, like Bastian’s voice had been in her dreams. And as she drifted into nothingness it was Bastian’s eyes that she saw before fading into oblivion.