Entangled web of destruc.., p.12
Entangled Web of Destruction, page 12
“Charnell, how long has she been unconscious?”
“Not long. We have been traveling for days, and her water broke earlier. We have been trying to reach you for help. There is also someone tracking us, and I am unsure how far back they are.”
“Our ancestors will keep her safe, but we must get her inside before the child comes. I can stop the birth momentarily.”
“Aurora,” Nelia says as she reaches up to her sister.
“ARE YOU THE FATHER?” an Elder snaps.
“I am here by orders of the queen of Splintered Vale. Do you wish to continue this conversation or attend to Nelia?” he questions.
“Indeed, we will look over the sorceress and the child’s safety, but there is a price. You must leave the Hidden City and never return.”
“That is not going to happen. You can either step aside and allow me into the room, or I can forcefully remove you myself,” Charnell warns.
“There is no need for violence,” says Aurora. “My sister is asking for you, knight, but please keep in mind that you are here at her request only, and I can ask you to leave at any time.”
Nelia clutches the bedrails as the pain intensifies, and a midwife washes off her face to decrease the fever.
“You sent for me?”
“I had a feeling that you were being difficult with the Elders, and my sister confirmed it. Time has flashed forward over the past several months, and now I don’t want it to come to an end. I will be unable to protect my child after she is outside in the world, beyond my grasp and reach, not knowing if she is happy, healthy, or safe from her father.”
“Can you imagine the magic she will wield in the future with all the power she has? Let’s talk about this beautiful city, the magical barrier that shields it from the weather, and the kindness of the people. I would like to add I don’t think they see strangers here often. They can’t stop staring at me.”
“A handsome knight escorting a high-ranking priestess who is with child. Why would anyone not want to know more about this situation?”
“Nelia, the physician would like to examine you,” the midwife explains.
“Enjoy your time in the city and stop by the inn. My cousin should still work there, and she can rent you a suite for the evening. Please let her know I send my best regards.”
Shaking his head, he grabs onto her hand. “No matter what happens, I am not leaving your side, until I know you are safe. If your sister or the Elders cast me out, I will climb the highest peaks and trudge through the snow to find my way back to you. There is nowhere else I need to be.”
“Knight, your dedication to my sister is appreciated, but there is no need. Our cousin, Starla, owns the Starlight Inn, and your accommodations for the evening are at no charge except for the wine.”
“Wine, I cannot resist,” he says, raising his eyebrows. “Nelia, I can’t leave you.”
“You need strength for our travels, not against the turbulence but for those tracking us. You are a good friend and guardian,” she says, squeezing his hand. “The pressure is more intense, and I need to focus.”
“If anything happens to you—”
Nelia places her finger against his lips.
26
Charnell
Hidden City
Charnell sits by the window of the tavern at the Starlight Inn, waiting for word on Nelia, unable to get any rest. Until he knows, if she is safe. He takes a drink, placing the cup back on the table, and a tavern maid offers more wine, but he refuses. Tapping his fingers as he gets impatient, he waits for word of Nelia’s wellbeing and wants nothing more than to travel to the birthing house.
He sees Aurora entering the inn, and he waves to gain her attention.
“How are she and the child?”
“Nelia is resting, and no one is to disturb her until at least tomorrow, when she feels better. Once she summons you, I will allow you to visit, but only then. The story of the child is not for me to share.”
“Your sister means everything to me. Why are you preventing me from seeing her?”
“I know everything about you, Charnell. The relationship you and my sister shared, your continuous love for her, and the hatred for her leaving.” He attempts to interrupt, but she stops him. “You don’t seem to understand she has a duty to serve the royal family, and by preventing that from happening, you are disrespecting her, me, and the Elders.”
“I don’t know you or the Elders, Lady Aurora. I know Nelia, and your plans to keep her secluded in a life of misery will destroy her. She fled once from Splintered Vale, and nothing is stopping her from doing that again.”
“She is right about you, Charnell; you never give up and always try to work around the impossible. I will not discuss my sister with you any further. If you attempt to defy my order, I will banish you to the snowy landscape, and you will never see her again.”
He grabs her wrist. “What will your sister say about these threats you continue to throw at me? I doubt she will be thrilled to know you do not have her best interests in mind.”
She invades his space. “Remove your hand or face my wrath, and my sister will never forgive you for harming me.”
“We are only having a conversation between two acquaintances,” he snaps as he tightens his grip. “You seemed to forget why I am here. She is a loyal member and family of the queen of Splintered Vale, and as the Grandmaster of Arms and Nelia’s current guardian, I am obligated to do everything in my power to protect her. Do you want war with my queen?”
“A plan well played, knight,” she says, pulling away from him. “As I stated before, when Nelia requests your presence, I will summon you, but not until that time.”
“You know nothing about us,” he grumbles as she walks away. Aurora stops and quickly returns. “Did you forget something?”
Leaning toward him, she places her hands on the table to steady herself. “Your affair clouded her judgment, leading to the death of Queen Lilianna, or have you forgotten? Her fleeing from Splintered Vale had everything to do with your relationship, and the regrets she had about ever getting involved with you. Before you attempt to rechallenge me, please remember I also have foresight to the present and the future. An ability I don’t use often, but one I can call upon.”
He drinks the last of the wine before marching outside, wanting to encounter the Elders or someone else he can duel. People are gathered in the courtyard around a large bonfire, dancing and singing.
“Sir, would you like to dance with us?” A larger woman stands before him, her sandy-blond hair covering her chest, but she quickly pushes the locks away to reveal her cleavage. “I am sure the sorceress will be delighted you are engaging in our celebrations.”
“I would rather watch from a distance if that delights the lady.”
“Of course,” she says, joining others around the fire.
He glances over to the birthing room to see a man standing outside, not an Elder, but someone else: a guard, perhaps. Aurora’s warnings run through his mind, and all he wants is to bust into the room to see Nelia. He shaves away at a small branch with his dagger as the festivities continue with a few performers gathering on a stage for a skit. He talks to himself, hoping that Nelia can hear him and will request his presence.
CHARNELL ENTERS THE BIRTHING room to see Nelia in bed, exhausted, her skin pale and her eyes heavy. He sits beside her with a faint smile, which she returns.
“Your sister is very protective of you.”
“Stubborn as well. Aurora didn’t give you too much trouble, did she?”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
“Good. I would have called for you earlier, but there have been people in and out all day, and finally, I have some quiet.”
“What happened to your daughter?” he asks, not wanting to pry, but there is no sign of her in the room, and Aurora’s cryptic message worries him.
“Aurora cast a spell over this room to give me privacy. She thought it would be best for me not to see my daughter, as it would be harder for me to give her away. She informed the Elders that my child died shortly after birth. We thought that that would be the best way to protect her for now, and the whispers could be spread easily to the warlock.”
“How are you holding up with everything that has happened?” he says.
“Doing well. We should be able to depart from here tomorrow morning shortly before sunrise, and that will get us back to the boat around the time of darkness.”
“Are you up to traveling? I mean, are you able to travel?”
“Thank you for being concerned, but I am well enough to travel,” she says, holding out her hand. “I am sure the queen will reward you once we return home.”
“I don’t need a reward for being your friend,” he says as he tries to hold back his tears. “Get some rest, and I will see you in the morning.”
“Stay.”
He removes his boots and shirt before climbing into bed, not wanting to stay because he doesn’t want to allow the people to start gossiping about her. He turns around to see she has already fallen asleep, as emotionally and physically exhausted as he could imagine.
Charnell holds Nelia throughout the night, neither of them realizing the instability of her magic and her unforeseen transfer of scattered visions through his dreams. He pulls himself away as his heart rate increases and nausea sweeps over him. The taste of the bitter vomit still coats his tongue, and the stench radiates throughout the room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he drinks water as sweat drizzles down his face.
He leans forward, trying to decipher the random images that flash quickly through his mind as if he were Nelia, recalling the events. Nothing could prepare him for the intensity of what was unleashed by the sorceress and the extraordinary power she wields. Everything is overwhelming to him, and he can’t imagine how she has made it through every day, recalling the death of the last queen, Nelia’s assault, and others he wishes he could forget.
He sits in a chair across the room, watching her sleep soundly, and wishes daylight would arrive soon.
27
Nelia
Wavering Mountains
The next morning, Nelia wears a dark green dress under her black cloak, and her long black curls fall softly down her back. She packs up their belongings while Charnell sleeps in a small chair, with his large frame hanging over the armrest as he clenches his sword, ready to fight. Neither of them slept well last night. She tossed and turned endlessly, or so it seemed, still in pain from the birthing process.
The heat almost takes her breath away as she steps outside. The stares from the people bother her, but all she does is smile back, not wanting to cause a scene to embarrass her sister. The Elders stand on the balcony overlooking the courtyard, just watching her, which makes her uneasy. She wants to see her family home, but knows there is little time to reminisce about the world she once lived in.
“Lady Nelia, your sister left early this morning and wanted me to give you this bag for your trip. There are bread and other foods inside,” says Sharra, a priestess in training.
“Your kindness these last few days has been welcoming.”
Nelia walks to a secluded area, not wanting to call attention to herself as she conjures the doves. She shields her eyes as a bright light flashes before her.
“Please, send word to the queen we are departing the Hidden City.”
“We will be delighted,” they say in unity.
“Before you go, please be warned the warlock has several beasts roaming the lands, so be careful.”
“We will ensure we are vigilant as we travel,” say the doves.
Charnell interrupts, asking, “Where did you send them off to?”
“Letting our queen know we are leaving Hidden City. I have already packed your belongings, and I am ready when you are. I would like us to get to the boat before darkness because we may have clouds this evening shielding the moon.”
“Let me grab some food at the inn, and I will meet you here in a few. Do you want anything?” She shakes her head. “Have you seen your sister this morning? I want to talk with her before we journey back home.”
“She left the city this morning on a mission and has not returned,” Nelia says as she brushes a horse.
“I am not scared of your sister.”
“That is not what I was saying.” She smirks. “You never get involved in family matters, not even in your own family, so I am curious, why now?”
“It’s between me and Aurora, not the three of us,” he says as he winks and walks away to the inn.
She introduced the two of them, when she and Charnell were young. At that time, he was not particularly serious about Nelia, and he never proactively wanted to talk with Aurora. It was Nelia who tried to introduce them, having fallen in love with him, and sought permission from her sister and the Elders to marry, if he asked her. Of course, that request was quickly denied.
THE TRAVELS THROUGH THE Wavering Mountains are a lot harsher than their earlier travels. The bitterness of the wind and additional snow make it harder for them to reach their destination as planned, but they still make it to the shore before darkness sweeps the land. Nelia sends the horses away as Charnell digs through the snow to find their boat.
“Nelia!” a voice calls out from a wintery storm.
“Aurora, is that you?”
The sound of the storm intensifies as it approaches their location, making it difficult for everyone to hear one another. The storm disappears as Aurora steps out, dressed in all white, and her blond hair almost camouflages with the background.
“Charnell, this may hurt,” Aurora says as she flicks her hand, creating a time-lapse, so she can speak with her sister privately. “Listen to me. Your powers are chaotic, unpredictable, and dangerous. I can sense the darkness emitting from you. If you don’t get yourself under control, you will fail against the warlock, and both of us know he will take revenge when neither of us is expecting it.”
“I thought the Elders were on your side?”
“There are things I need to talk to you about one day, but this is not the time. Please be aware that both of our parents kept a close eye on the Elders due to concerns about trust. You were sent away for your protection, and our family’s obligations to the monarch. Do not ever doubt my loyalty to you, because once you do, we both will be vulnerable to our enemies.”
“I wish we had more time together.”
“One day, we will reconnect, but for now, you must return to Splintered Vale. If there are any concerns, I will send you warnings through this grimoire.”
“It’s beautiful,” she says, running her hands down the twisted leather binding. “How does it work?”
“A protection spell will prevent anyone from accessing the grimoire, except for our bloodline, and as you know, we are the only ones left, other than your daughter.”
“My daughter, how is she? Did she go to a trustworthy family? I don’t want her to regret me in the future, when she finds out who I am.”
“I promise she is safe with a family I trust. I did place a damper spell to conceal her magical powers, but that is only a temporary solution, and if she is as powerful as we predict, she may be able to override the spell. Safe travels, sister.”
Aurora hugs Nelia before she disappears into the storm, and the time-lapse vanishes with Charnell staring.
“Are you ready to leave?”
She smiles, nodding.
Stepping over the edge of the boat, she holds onto his hand, and her foot slips. However, she regains her balance. Her heart pounds, and she gasps for air as she places her hand on her chest, unsure of what happened.
Charnell pushes the boat off from shore without saying a word, until they are several yards out in the middle of the river. The silence is worrying Nelia.
“What did Aurora talk about?”
“You recall that?”
“You two disappeared from sight, but I knew you were still there, somewhere. However, I was not privy to what you discussed. You can tell Aurora the spell had no physical complications,” he says sarcastically.
“She didn’t want anyone to overhear what she stated to me, and we are not able to discuss anything here either. I am sure the warlock has spies tracking us, even if we cannot see them.”
Charnell snips, “We can have this conversation when there are no threats.”
He is mad, which is understandable because he has been by her side this entire trip, and for the past month, after he discovered she was pregnant. A bond with her and the child was unforeseeable, but she knows it happened. There was nothing she could have done to prevent that attachment. Nelia and Charnell can grieve the loss together, if he is open to a friendship and nothing more.
28
Kyle
Splintered Vale
Kyle tosses a pencil into the air, watching the professor read a book in front of the room. Turning eighteen a few months ago led to more challenges and fewer opportunities to roam freely around the townships, as he must focus more on training and preparing to take the throne. A festival has been scheduled will include him meeting eligible ladies around The Vale to initiate courtship, something he is not ready to do but is being forced to.
“Kayleen, are you actually working?” he whispers.
“Whatever you are planning, don’t include me, because I don’t need Mother’s wrath today. I have enough to worry about without getting in trouble with you.”
“You underestimate me, sister. I am not working on a plan, but thanks for the idea.”
He dodges a book she tosses at him, and it plummets to the floor, landing forcefully. The teacher peers over his book, looking at the siblings for a moment before returning to his reading. Kyle points and quietly laughs at his sister. She smiles, rolling her eyes, and goes back to the task she was working on.
