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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:48:00 GMT -5
“I’ve just adopted a policy of total honesty.” Raythor said, grinning. He ignored Ross completely. Anella giggled. “Adopt a policy of shutting up.” Rose suggested tersely.
Chapter Thirty Three Caltha’s border
“Kaslon, you’re taking Emma.” David said. Kaslon grinned. “Really? I thought you were going to send her with Cally.” “We need to get her out of Caltha as fast as possible and you’re in the first group. Besides, Dione and I are the third. This way, she’ll have two of us with her a majority of the time. If she’d gone with Cally, almost everyone would be gone by-” “David, you don’t need to give me all that. I know you’re sending her with me because of my amazing protective skills.” “You don’t even own a sword.” “I don’t need one. My enemies flee in fear at the sight of me.” “When are you leaving again?” “Tomorrow morning, but you’re going to miss me.” “Shut up, Kaslon.”
****
“Here’s all Emma’s stuff,” Caldria said, shoving a bag at Kaslon, “and she won’t eat anything green, but you’ve got to try to get her to, because it’s good for her.” “Cally-” Kaslon tried. “If she says anything new, tell me, because she’s been learning a lot lately.” “Cally-” “And be careful, if they ask whose daughter she is, say she’s yours and your wife is dead.” “Cally, where is Emma?” “Emma?” Caldria asked. She went slightly pale, realizing that her arms were empty. “I’ve got her, honey.” David said, holding the squirming two year old. Caldria breathed a sigh of relief. “She’s all yours Kaslon, and she’s full of energy today.” “My little Emma is never any trouble.” Kaslon said, taking her from David. “I’d better get going, you know Tallith. He’s so go-go-go.” “You’re aware that’s not at all true.” Caldria said, hands on her hips. “If it made sense, he wouldn’t say it.” David said, rolling his eyes. “Goodbye, Kaslon. Goodbye, sweetie.” “David, say it one more time before I go. I want to teach it to Emma.” Kaslon said. David sighed. “Shut up, Kaslon.”
****
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:48:16 GMT -5
Lila kept her eyes on the ground as Kaslon approached the guard. She heard him babble some crazy story about a burning house and how Emma was his daughter and his wife had died terribly, and how he had picked Lila and Tallith up along the way. The guard just kept giving him skeptical nods until Kaslon pulled out the bag of money. Then they had no further problems getting through. Lila felt her heart jump in her throat as she stepped off Calthan soil. She hadn’t been entirely honest with Markus. Her mother had known she would try to set the prince free, no matter what the cost. Her mother had also known that Markus wouldn’t leave her there. She’d pressed something wrapped in cloth into Lila’s hand and told her to go with the prince if he asked her, and not to look back, adding to only open the cloth if she really needed it. She could take care of herself, she said. She just wanted her daughter as far from Gervase as possible. “Lila,” Kaslon said. “Will you hold Emma for a second? Tallith and I are going to go find an inn or something to stay at. I don’t want her to get bored.” “Sure. I’m not sure I can keep her entertained, though.” Lila said. Kaslon carefully passed the toddler to her, tickling Emma’s nose before he walked away. She laughed, and Lila couldn’t help but smile too. After a few minutes, Lila set her down and let her walk around a little bit. “Kaslon!” Emma said excitedly. “Uncle Kaslon!” “Yes, sweetie. He’ll be right back.” Lila told her. Emma gave her another infant smile and kept walking. Lila caught Emma’s hand when she saw the two boys returning and expected them to come over right away. Instead, they both had their hands raised and she noticed Kenetari behind them, as well as three nondescript blonde women. All of them had swords, and Kaslon and Tallith didn’t seem to be armed. Lila picked up Emma in a rush and tried to run away, but they were upon her before she could react.
****
“They’re safely across.” Dasher reported, landing gracefully in front of Markus. “Paying off the gate watchers worked like a charm.” “Those were the easy ones.” Dione scoffed. “When we try getting Anella and Laura across, we’ll have a real test.” “I wish we could make sure they’re safe some how.” Laura said, already fretting. “They’re safe.” Kylara said dismissively. “We’re the ones who are still in Caltha during a bloody and violent revolution.” “They’re in Everglade.” Markus assured Laura, not wanting to flat out agree with Kylara for fear of what else it might imply. “Nothing bad ever happens in Everglade.” “You happened in Everglade.” Rose said teasingly, and he just grinned. He’d been acting like a little kid on a sugar high all day; he was just so excited to be going home. In Everglade, Laura would be safe from everything but his father. Markus could handle his father. Just hearing all the voices of his friends mingling together made him happy. For the first time since the shade elementist had died, the prince didn’t remember what it was like to feel that nothing would ever go right again. The image of his own sword against his wrist seemed ridiculous to him now. He would never go back to that dark world, not as long as his friends were here.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:49:19 GMT -5
****
“I’m beginning to worry that you’re really… spilt up for good.” Laura said. Blade, his front legs crossed, sighed. “It can’t hurt forever, right?” Blade said. He stretched his toes. “I don’t believe in that whole ‘there is only one right elementist out there for you’ err… person.” “I do. And so do you.” “Yes… so do I. If only she was a shadow.” “What about Markus and I?” Laura said. “We’re almost the same.” “It’s going to take a lot more political maneuvering to make the Lights our allies than it was to put an already powerful man into power.” Blade said. He shook his head. “That makes it sound like I’m considering it. I’m not.” “It’s not the same, just to be around them all the time.” “I know that.” He said. Laura heard the sound of Markus laughing somewhere near by and Blade watched her lips curl wistfully. “I love him so much.” Laura said. “Our ultimate downfalls.” “Our sweetest downfalls, as they say.” “Who are ‘they’ anyway? I’ve never known.” “Neither have they.” She said. Blade smirked. They both saw Ross walk by with Anella. She just kept nodding and his mouth kept moving anyway. They stopped and Ross held his arm so that the palm was facing upwards and made a slashing motion down his wrist. He laughed and she looked at him sadly and walked away. Ross called her name, but she didn’t turn around and Ross crossed his arms and started shifting his weight from foot to foot, lost in thought. Eventually, he came over to where Blade and Laura were and frowned. “Did you say something to upset her?” Blade asked. Ross shifted his weight. “That depends what you mean by ‘upset’.” “Terrible, terrible things are going to happen to you whilst you sleep.” “Is she all right?” Laura asked worriedly. “All I said is that Raythor might off himself if he never saw her again. That’s all.” Ross said, shrugging. “And whilst you wake.” Blade said. He and Laura exchanged glances. Ross seemed slightly worried as well at this point, but obviously not on Anella’s account. “I’m just going to go.” “Good bye.” Blade said. When Ross turned his back, Blade’s symbol flashed and Ross’s mouth was frozen shut again. This time, Laura made no move to stop it.
****
The sun rose on the day Laura was to cross the border. Leaving Markus again would be difficult to do, even if it were for a very brief period. Seeing him smile at her in the morning was what made everything they went through worthwhile. And now they she carried the future of his country inside of her; Audrion could not help but respect her. The same argument they’d had since they were children might finally be laid to rest.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:49:41 GMT -5
Elaura’s not good enough… no maid can love a prince… how can you talk this way... you are to marry the Princess Rose on your seventeenth birthday… Laura felt the past dance around her as clearly as she felt the present. She would miss him dreadfully. She went and knelt by his sleeping form, waiting until the pink light faded from his cheeks and his gray eyes opened. “Good morning, sweetheart.” Markus said drowsily. “Good morning.” Laura said, leaning down to kiss him. “I should wake up like this everyday.” The prince said, smiling against her lips and sitting up. “When we get back to Everglade, I’ll make sure you do.” “Why are you up so early?” “I was just… thinking about something.” Laura said. She gathered her thoughts as quickly as she could. Even if it was just a whim, she had to say it now or she never would. “We… we don’t have to go back at all. We can send word that we both died, and live here.” “Laura, you know…” He broke off. He had been going to say ‘I don’t have a choice’, but that wasn’t true, not really. “I didn’t ask to be born a prince or saved from death by an elementist. I didn’t ask or deserve to be given you, but I was and I’m infinitely grateful for it. Maybe there’s a reason all this has happened. Maybe I’m meant to be king. I have to go back. I want to go back.” Laura beamed at him. “You want to? You’ve never said that before.” She threw her arms around his neck. Laura held him a little tighter when the tears started to fall. “Don’t cry.” Markus said, concerned. “I’m… I’m happy.” Laura said, practically sobbing now. Markus smiled too.
****
Saria folded her hands over her heart, feet treading lightly over the sand. She passed Ross as he headed off to no where in particular, and grabbed his arm. “What if the foxes get Kaslon?” Saria asked. Ross lifted his eyebrows. “What are you talking about?” “He’ll never see them, but they’re waiting.” “I really don’t know how anyone understands you.” Ross said dismissively. “But the foxes! They’ll get you too, they’ll kill you. They’ll kill all of us!” “Sure, Saria. What ever you say.”
****
Blade and Firelight rubbed their cheeks against each others, and he whispered words of advice and caution to her. She assured him she would be fine, and Theo joked about his over protectiveness. Firelight trotted off to see Markus before he said good bye to Laura, and told him to keep up his magic lessons as well as the watch schedule, because she would be testing him on both of them. The prince laughed and gave her a little hug of farewell. Anella was surrounded by a flurry of people she barely seemed to see, all telling her to have a safe trip, hugging her, uttering good byes. Raythor hadn’t come to find her
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:50:15 GMT -5
yet, and she didn’t know why. Markus tried to cheer her up, but she’d just nodded. The afternoon faded away and the sun began to set, and Raythor still hadn’t come to see her. She’d seen him talking to Laura, even hugging her, but he hadn’t glanced Anella’s way. Markus had told some joke about Laura’s ‘affair’ and the three of them had laughed, or rather the Everglades had laughed and Raythor had pretended to. Now that the brilliant purples of the desert sunset, she knew time was running out. Anella waited on the hill for her companions, both with last minute details to attend to, to arrive so they could leave. Firelight had gone to reaffirm her sacred watch schedule one last time. Laura was with Markus and the two of them were rather indiscreetly kissing passionately almost close enough to be in Anella’s line of vision. She’d moved just far enough away so that she couldn’t hear them whispering terms of endearment to each other and couldn’t see them at all. At the last minute, he came. Raythor tried to look like he wasn’t at all eager to see her but as soon as she hugged him he melted completely. “What took you so long? I started to think you hated me.” Anella said, poking one of the bones in his back with feigned irritation. “Because I’m sick of people seeing us kiss.” Raythor said. “I wanted to kiss you and just be with you, not five hundred other people. And now they’re all busy, so…” “That’s kind of sweet. Also kind of…” She blushed. He smiled, kissing her and pulling her closer. “I love you…”
Chapter Thirty Four The Foxes
“One hundred coins?” The guard said, clearly interested. “Where did you get that?” “Inheritance,” Laura said, trying to smile winningly. “Really? What’s your name?” “Eve Mason.” “Who died? “My father. I was his only living relative.” “And what was his name?” “Mar-” “Marvin.” Anella broke in. “Who is she?” The guard asked, raising an eyebrow. “I’m her cousin, Robin Pearl.” “Go on through.” The guard said, shaking his head. The two girls practically ran through, catching up with Firelight on the other side of the wall separating Caltha and Everglade. “I’m sorry,” Laura said, reddening. “I didn’t mean to say Markus.” “It’s fine. We wouldn’t have been lost if you had said Markus. He didn’t recognize you.” “Either of us. They’re expecting two married women anyway. You just have an engagement ring.” Laura said. “But you will be married soon! Are you excited?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:50:55 GMT -5
“Yes.” Anella admitted, blushing. “I really love him.” “That’s so sweet.” “Little mice tend to be.” The last thing they saw were Kenetari’s flashing blue eyes.
****
“David and Dione made it safely.” Dasher reported cheerily. “That’s three groups without any problems.” “We’ve got a hard one coming.” Alice reminded her gently. “No guard is going to forget what their prince… king looks like.” “I’ve got that covered. I distract him and Kylara and Roland climb over the wall. No problem.” “Yeah, we’d better hope so.” Kylara said irritably. Raythor got up and left and she automatically followed him. “Why does she always do that?” Roland asked, dreading their journey together already. “She claims to be in love with him,” Rose said with a shrug. “Oh come on. We all know she goes out there and says ‘Raythor, let me have your children’ and he says ‘hell no’ every single time.” Ross said. Rose considered hitting him then dropped her hand. “You’re probably right.” She agreed. As soon as they were out of sight, Kylara caught hold of Raythor’s arm. He sighed loudly. “You just don’t know when to give up, do you?” Raythor said. “Why should I? I saw you falter a little bit before.” Kylara said smoothly. “Only because I thought it might help Anella.” He told her dismissively. She pressed her palm into his chest and her mouth closed over his. Raythor stumbled back, his eyes opened wide. He rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand, still looking shocked. Kylara put her hand on her hip, laughing. “What? Are you surprised I wanted to kiss you?” She asked. Kylara’s fingers brushed the side of his face and he took another step back. Her hands moved quickly and she held up the ring that had been in his pocket before he could stop her. Her lips curled upward. “Is this hers?” Raythor put his hand around her throat and didn’t squeeze. “Do you want me to hurt you? Is that your sick, twisted dream, to be killed by the Karian Killer?” Raythor demanded, his voice so cold Kylara shook slightly. “Well, maybe I thought I was once but… I’m not the Karian Killer, Vera is. I could never hurt you, even if I wanted to. I’m not a murderer and I’m not a legend.” He dropped his hand. “Why does everything you say make me love you more?” Kylara asked, mad at herself. His expression didn’t change. “I don’t know why anyone cares for me at all.” “Anella… does she make you feel this way?” “Yes.” He looked away. “Yes…” “Then stop torturing her.” Kylara said. “If you love her, be with her. There is no safer girl in the world than the one who’s protected by you. She’s never gotten a scratch on her when you were with her.” “I can’t always be with her.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:51:12 GMT -5
“Yeah you can.” Kylara said. She held the ring up between two fingers. “Marry her, you idiot.” She pressed it in his palm, leaning over so that her lips were next to his ear. “Thanks for the kiss.” She whispered, laughing as she walked away. Raythor looked down at the ring, knowing it was just Rose’s from two years ago. He’d kept it in his pocket since then, he didn’t know why. He didn’t think he was ever going to tell her that.
****
Kylara and Roland stared behind them with disbelief as the door shut and locked. “Welcome to the party,” Kaslon said. He, David, Dione, Laura, Anella, Firelight and Tallith were all crammed in the same room. “Which one got you, Kenetari or Lydrion?” “Kenetari, I believe.” Roland said, when Kylara didn’t seem like she was going to answer. “Is everyone else all right?” Laura asked. “As of the last time we saw them.” “Where’s what’s her name and the baby?” Kylara asked. “Lydrion dragged Lila and Emma off somewhere.” David said, glaring at Kaslon like it was his fault. “I hate that bas-” The door banged as Kylara ran into it. “We have to get out of here.” Kylara said hostilely. “What do you think we’ve been doing these past few days? Telling jokes to Kenetari?” Kaslon asked. “Trust me, they weren’t funny.” David said blankly. “‘Please don’t kill me’ isn’t that much of a laugh riot.” “I only said that once.” “Twice.” Dione commented lazily. “Stop being useless.” Kylara commanded. “We’re going to get out of here.”
****
Rose felt like time couldn’t move any slower. She shouldn’t have decided to stay in Ross’s group. She didn’t want to go through the death of someone she loved ever again… especially if she had no idea why she loved him. “Rose?” Markus said. She moved slightly to look at him. “What, pretty boy?” “You shouldn’t be out here alone.” “What if I want to be?” “I’d like to talk to you, if that’s all right.” “You already seem to be. What’s the use of me trying to stop you?” “Rose,” Markus sighed. He sat down next to her. “Rose…” “That is my name.” Rose said, getting impatient. “What you went through before… I didn’t understand it, I couldn’t have. I spent two years just watching you suffer, not knowing what to say or how to handle it. I’m sorry.” “It’s fine…”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:51:28 GMT -5
“No, it’s not Rose. I shouldn’t have let you go through that alone. I know what if feels like now to… lose it.” “You always comforted me; you always said the right thing.” “But it wasn’t enough.” “That’s not your fault…” “You thought about it too, right?” Markus said with a sad smile. Rose hesitated. “About what?” She asked. Did he mean the wedding? She’d thought so many times about what would have happened if… “Killing yourself.” “Markus…” Rose said, staring at her toes. “I’m… I’m afraid of death. I couldn’t even try. I suppose it crossed my mind…” “Oh,” The prince said. “Right...” “You didn’t.” Rose said. The prince stayed silent. She frowned. “Come on, Markus. Do not shut me out. You’re doing it again.” “Doing what?” “Pretending that you’re fine when you’re not, just to make me feel better. You tried to kill yourself.” “Not very hard…” “Markus, it’s going to be all right.” Rose said, hugging him. “Do you know how much you have to live for?” “I know… I don’t feel like that anymore, I promise.” “Are you going to tell Laura?” “Yeah, as soon as I see her again.” “No more secrets?” “No more secrets.”
****
“Rose, you’ve got to get the rest of the horses and Raythor’s dog through.” Markus said. The princess rolled her eyes. “We’ve been over and over that, blue boy. I’m perfectly capable of paying off a guard.” “You don’t have to worry either, Karian.” Ross said smirking. “I’ll take care of Anella for you.” “Great. Thank you.” Raythor said absently. The blonde boy’s mouth hung open slightly. “How do you manage to take the fun out of everything?” “It’s a gift.” “Markus, watch Raythor. Raythor, watch Markus.” Rose commanded. Raythor shook his head and Markus just grinned. “Let’s go.” Ross said, with mild irritation.
****
“You were jealous.” Rose said, turning to watch Caltha disappear behind them. She was giddy to see it go.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:51:45 GMT -5
“Keep telling yourself that.” Ross said, glancing sideways at the horses with contempt. “I can’t believe we had to tell that guard we were horse dealers. Do I look like a horse dealer?” “No, quite frankly. I would prefer a horse dealer.” “I’ll find you one.” “Well, you’d better-” Rose started and broke off with a gasp. She stared straight ahead, her face pale and her eyes wide. Ross looked at her strangely and followed her line of sight. All he saw was a boy with dark hair and an empty expression. What she saw was her worst nightmare. “Rose,” Lydrion said smoothly, “he must be your little replacement.” He walked right up to her and ran his fingers over her mouth. She was trembling so badly that she couldn’t answer him. “Odd, I thought you preferred the noble type. But they break so easily, don’t they?” “Markus…” Rose said, speaking unintentionally. “Where’s all that courage? You showed such fire when we first met.” “Who the hell is this guy?” Ross burst in. “Lydrion.” Rose said flatly. “Lydrion Archer.” She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself, seeing only Gabriel, hearing only her own scream as he died, and feeling only his touch… Lydrion turned his gaze on Ross. “No sword at the ready? Not much of a knight in shining armor, are you? You’re but a shadow of him, I suppose.” “Shadow, shadow, shadow!” Ross yelled, finally set off. He didn’t recognize the other feeling, didn’t understand it. “I am nobody’s shadow!” His fist went flying toward Lydrion’s face. Lydrion caught it before it connected, and before Ross knew it the two of them were engaged in an all and out brawl. Ross had never punched anyone before in his life, and that became obvious when he was on the ground and Lydrion was kicking him repeatedly in the stomach. The next sound he heard was a terrible crack and Lydrion stumbled over Ross, barely avoiding falling over. “I thought you learned your lesson.” Rose said, glancing blankly at the flecks of blood on her knuckles. Ross looked up at her in a blank sort of haze, but she didn’t flick her eyes in his direction. She stepped over him as well, and he heard another cracking noise. “You’re not going to push me around anymore, either of you.” “I don’t care if you aren’t afraid to die, I’ll kill you anyway. I’ve had enough, this is ridiculous.” Kenetari’s voice joined the mix, and the tip of her sword found its place against Rose’s throat. The princess pushed it away with her own sword. “No more threats, Lydrion. She dies now.” “We promised to kill them all at once.” Lydrion said, spitting blood. He held his jaw and studied his wife, not particularly caring if Rose lived or died. “I’m terrified.” Rose said, meeting Kenetari’s eyes. She was trembling, but she stood a little straighter. Kenetari was unfazed. “Don’t be afraid.” The dark girl said coldly. “You’ll be with Gabriel soon.”
Chapter Thirty Five Four
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:52:00 GMT -5
Markus sat idly fiddling with his wedding ring. Just two more groups to get across… there were only four of them left. Raythor, Dasher, Blade… they were so close to freedom. The prince’s natural smile curled his lips. It really was going to be all right. Soon, everyone would be safe and he would be with Laura again, in Everglade. Nothing was going to go wrong. He glanced again at the intricately carved designs in his ring. The prince remembered how deeply he had resented it when he was younger. It served as a promise to Rose’s family that he would marry her on his seventeenth birthday. He always thought of it as girly. Laura loved it. He could almost feel her fingers tracing the lines neither of them could find rhyme or reason to. Markus could remember his father telling him that the ring had been in his family for generations and not to let anything happen to it. He’d taken good care of it. Ketra, on the other hand, and taken it one day and declared in a dramatic voice: “Use it to remember me” and then left a permanent scratch in it with her sword. Just as he found the groove, Dasher walked up. “Markus, just checking to make sure that Raythor and I are clear to go tomorrow.” She said. “That guard will take bribes until doomsday. You’ve got to give him credit for staying on the job through all this, I suppose.” Markus said. His thumb slid up the groove in his wedding ring and he sighed. “The only bad part is my father.” “You can handle him now, Markus. You’ve been through so much worse.” Dasher pointed out. He nodded. “And so has she.”
****
Raythor felt every heartbeat inside his chest with painful acuteness. His skin seemed like a prison he couldn’t escape, like there was something crawling beneath it. He knew this feeling so well it was like slipping into a worn out shirt. Anella didn’t deserve to put up with him for the rest of her life. The nightmares had come back again, for the first time since she’d kissed him. It wasn’t her fault. He didn’t want her to think it was. But, if they were together, he was going to have to do something to keep her safe. A strange shape appeared in the sky and Raythor couldn’t fully make out what it was. It looked like a bird but it was far too large. It appeared to be carrying something. The shape rocketed down to earth and started walking to him. Instinctively, he drew his sword, not knowing just what to expect. “Remember me?” The shape said, flashing and changing from a huge bird to an elementist. “I’m Twilight.” “They aren’t here.” Raythor replied evenly. “But I’d be more than happy to rip you apart.” “My, my, so angry. You’re starting to sound just like your sister.” “I’m not playing games. Tell me what you want or die.” “And over confident.” Twilight scoffed. She tossed what she had been dragging along at his feet. “This is for the four of you. Good bye.” She disappeared. Raythor sheathed his sword and knelt down. It was a simple leather bag and it couldn’t fathom why it mattered. He opened it carelessly.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:52:20 GMT -5
The first thing he took out was a heavy, black crown with a single jewel at its center. Ketra’s. He reached in again, still not understanding. The next object was a light god tiara. Rea’s. The fog began to lift in his mind. Kylara’s jeweled knife came to his hand next. He kept going, now grimly fascinated and slightly obsessed. The sleeve of a black dress slipped between his fingers. Alice’s. A collar with a flame symbol in the middle. Firelight’s. A healing bag. Tallith’s. A lock of blonde hair. Saria’s. A lock of brown hair. Kaslon’s. A kerchief. Caldria’s. He became a little frantic, his heart beating faster and faster. A flask. Dione’s. A bow and arrow. Ross’s. A thin chain with two beads and a leaf. Theo’s. A collection of sketches. David’s. A golden crown. Roland’s. Raythor hesitated before moving again. There were only three left. Just three… He retrieved Rose’s sword. It was beautifully made and Gabriel’s handiwork. She wouldn’t give it up unless… A plain brown collar. His dog’s. He took a deep breath. A horse bridle with a necklace intertwined in it, in the shape of a crystal cross. Ranier’s bridle. Anella’s necklace. A red bracelet with flames engraved into it and a symbol of an eagle, and another of faded pearls… Laura’s. He stared blankly into the bag, searching for the cat head necklace. It wasn’t there. The bottom of the bag was lined with wedding rings. His heart almost stopped beating when he saw Anella’s engagement ring among them. The ring had been with her when she’d… He brought it to his lips unconsciously, feeling the strange burning at the side of his eyes once again. The message was clear. They were all dead.
****
Dasher had absolutely no idea what to do. The other three weren’t behaving at all rationally. There was too much to be done for the boys to be useless. Blade was glaring at nothing, swearing profusely under his breath about what he planned to do to the two who had killed his sister. Markus kept running his hand through his hair and shaking his head. “It doesn’t make sense… why isn’t it here?” Markus asked no one in particular. “How can they expect me to believe that… any of this, without her necklace? Even when I was… she never takes it off, never. Why isn’t it here?” “Maybe it means that they left Laura alive.” Dasher broke in. “But it’s not-” “Why does that matter?” “Because you can feel it,” Raythor said, vaguely lifting Anella’s cross, “against your chest. You get so used to it… I’d known if it was gone.” “If she still has it…” Markus said, trailing off. They both stared at Dasher, wanting her to understand but knowing that she wouldn’t. “It’s like she’d still be in there, even if she’s dead.” Blade tried. “Like you couldn’t let her go.” All three of them looked at her, and she could see all the people that had lost in their lives, the pieces of themselves that were gone. What was she doing sitting here and telling them to be rational? “They’re still alive.” Dasher said, slowly and clearly. “I know they are.” “How can they be?” Raythor demanded. “What reason does my sister have to keep them alive?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:53:04 GMT -5
“If they were dead, the necklace would be here.” She told them. She smiled very slightly. “They’re alive.”
****
The four of them walked in silence. They had gone over the wall and into Everglade last night and just kept walking. They hadn’t bothered sleeping, and none of them noticed the sun come up over the horizon. “Where the hell are we going?” Blade asked finally, looking straight ahead. No one else glanced his way either. “Imperia.” Markus said shortly. “Your father is going to be a little surprised by me.” “Hardly. He knows what I am now.” “You expect me to just march in there?” “You have ‘diplomatic immunity’.” Raythor said sarcastically. Markus didn’t answer. Dasher sighed. “Boys, we don’t have to march in silence and not look at each other. Markus, all you have to do is keep us in the loop.” She chided. “I’m the leader; I’ll do what ever I want to.” The prince shot back. “Who died and made you king?” Raythor demanded. They both stopped walking and stared each other down. “I can think of someone who’s going to.” “I’m not going to sit here and let you yell at her.” “I’m not yelling.” “Why are you defending her?” Blade said. “Have you fallen back on what remains of your little harem now that Anella’s gone?” “I love Anella.” Raythor said, voice low. “And that’s all there is to it.” “What are you calling me?” Dasher asked. “A slut?” “Well you’d have to be, wouldn’t you?” Raythor said, glaring at Blade. “I thought you trusted me!” “What does this have to do with my trust?” Blade said loudly. “I’m just sick of him treating you like this!” “You stupid, jealous death element!” Dasher shouted. “What do I have to be jealous about? Two years ago, maybe, when you were in love with him. And now he talks to you like this.” “I was not!” “It’s his fault, don’t blame yourself.” “Yes, because I’m just so damn attractive it crosses species borders.” Raythor said, rolling his eyes. “And Dasher has absolutely no control over who she cares about.” “I. Am. Not. In. Love. With. Raythor.” Dasher said tersely. “Than how come-” Blade began. “Shut up!” Markus yelled. “All of you shut up!” They all stopped giving each other death glares and stared with disbelief at Markus. His mouth was set in a firm line and for the first time Dasher could see traces of his father reflected in his face. “I think we all know that this argument isn’t about where we’re going next, or control, or even the
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:53:39 GMT -5
words. It’s going to be difficult to get through this, but it will be less so if we stop taking it out on each other. We have to remember that there is a chance of finding them.” “I missed your royal wisdom in the reverse world, let me tell you.” Raythor said, forcing a smile. Markus echoed the expression. “If you’re the leader, we have to blame you if everyone is dead.” “I wouldn’t have it any other way. But last time, when Anella got hurt… that was Kylara’s fault.” Markus said. Raythor laughed slightly, humorlessly. “Next time it’s my fault.”
Chapter Thirty Six End of the world
Markus slammed his fist in to the side of Raythor’s head, dislodging his sword from Raythor’s shoulder with the other hand. The elementist mimicking the dark haired boy hadn’t picked up many of his fighting skills and this fight was all too easy. Screaming, the Raythor illusion drew back and disappeared in a flash of light. “I’m offended.” Raythor joked, easily dodging a much too slow swing on the part of phantom Markus. “I thought I was better than that.” “You’re slipping in your old age.” Markus said, and both swords went swinging at the prince’s fake, who just barely disappeared in time. “Where’s the third one?” Blade asked. Anella, Laura and Firelight walked out, eyes blank. Firelight’s shoulder was bleeding, Anella’s eyes were blue and Laura’s hair was still long. “They’re not real.” Dasher said firmly. Markus nodded nervously. “We’ve got to trade.” Raythor said. “You’ve got Laura, I’ll take Anella. Dasher can handle Firelight.” Markus agreed. “You want me to sit this one out?” Blade asked. “I was hoping you could run ahead and…” “I understand. Good luck, all of you.” Dasher felt Firelight’s spell scorch her wing and the second she reacted the fighting started again. Firelight’s claws raked down her face and Dasher gasped, already feeling warm blood flowing down her face and trickling to her nose. She slammed into Firelight and the younger girl grabbed hold of Dasher’s neck with her teeth. The light princess’s star flashed and Firelight hit the ground. They were both breathing hard. “We tricked you.” Firelight said. “One of us is real.” “It’s not you.” “Oh, isn’t it? Think about it, who is who? Which of us is tricking you?” She taunted, clearly enjoying her childish rhyme. Dasher just attacked again and Firelight started coughing blood. The older girl looked from Anella to Laura, wondering which of them… Laura was using a sword, not a bow, and she was holding her own against Raythor with it. It couldn’t be Laura. Anella and Firelight… but it could be Laura. Dasher knew it fell on her to decide. Her legs trembled and her throat went bone dry. The blood had snaked to her nose, and she was breathing it in, drowning in it… “Firelight!” Dasher called finally. “Firelight’s real, try not to hurt her!”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:53:57 GMT -5
“She is?” Markus asked, sidestepping Anella’s sword, grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her back. “The other two have emotions, Firelight doesn’t. It’s phasing shadow.” “Great, now we can stop holding back.” Raythor said, narrowly avoiding Laura’s sword and cutting a gash across her chest. “I’m sorry, Markus.” “Raythor, it’s me.” Laura said, but he ignored her and kept landing attacks left and right. Finally she drew back and disappeared in a burst of light, barely alive. “I shouldn’t have let her get away.” Raythor apologized, silently swearing. “It’s all right, we’ll find her later.” Markus said. The distraction gave Anella the chance to break free and hit him. She struck again, this time getting his knees. Markus fell forward the dirt biting into the cuts. Anella swung her sword again. In a split second, Raythor had made up his mind. The metal of Anella’s weapon crashed against his own and he stepped in front of Markus. “Dasher!” Raythor called the blind fear overtaking him all at once. His expression didn’t change. “I’m sorry!” Dasher said. “I can’t help you, Firelight’s still-” She cut off as she was forced to the ground. Raythor stood staring into the blue eyes that were the same color as his own. Behind him, Markus struggled to get up and, wincing, fell again, unable to manage it. “Are you afraid?” Anella asked placidly. Her eyes faded to gray as though the blue had been a shield that was never there at all. “I’m not real, am I? I couldn’t be.”
****
He didn’t know how it had happened. Raythor was covered in cuts, none of them very deep. Anella had a sword through her chest and the breath fading from her lungs. He let go of the hilt, numb and feeling Markus and Dasher’s eyes on his back. “Change back,” Raythor pleaded silently, as she sunk to her knees and he lowered to her level. “Please change back.” “It’s… all right…” She struggled out. “Phoenix…” There was no comprehension in his eyes. Her hand went behind his neck and she pressed her lips against his avidly. The sword was pushed in deeper, and Raythor felt as though he were kissing the life out of her. Each time their lips parted, her body got limper and they sunk lower down. His mouth was dripping blood by the time she touched the ground. He hovered over her, one arm pushing into the dirt on each side of her body and the sword hilt between them. His dark hair fell over his eyes and he started to shake, wiping away the blood so it wouldn’t fall on her perfect face. Firelight trembled and her symbol flashed, assuring that in a split second she was gone. “Raythor…” Dasher said helplessly. Anella still hadn’t changed back and the seconds ticked by like hours. “Markus,” Blade said, running up breathlessly. His expression was very grave. “Markus, I don’t… They’re all dead, I saw the bodies. They’re dead. There were only two missing, Laura and-” He stopped, eyes opening wide. “But…but…” Dasher said. Blade regarded her coldly. “Firelight…” “My sister is dead.” The silence hung around them like a fog.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:54:14 GMT -5
“You saw the bodies?” Markus said finally. “With your own eyes?” “Yes I did. Their throats were cut.” Blade said shakily. Dasher took a step forward and her star shone faintly. All Anella’s nonfatal wounds healed but she didn’t change form. “She’s real?” Raythor hollowly. Dasher nodded, eyes on the ground. “Heal her.” “I can’t bring back the dead.” Dasher said. “Blade, trade my life for hers.” “I can’t do that.” Blade said. “It’s an archaic-” “For the love of god, try it!” Raythor shouted. Blade closed his eyes and dug his claws into the earth. As the darkness gathered, Raythor sat back on the balls of his feet nervously. Markus gently took the sword from Anella’s chest and Dasher closed the wound. They both retreated a few paces unsurely. The spell hit Raythor with incredible force and his mouth opened in a silent scream. The shadows curled over Anella and for several excruciating minutes they all stayed like that. The darkness dissipated. Anella hadn’t so much as moved. “I’m sorry. She’s too far gone.” Blade said. Raythor stared down at Anella’s face for what felt like an eternity. He couldn’t bring himself to touch her. “I love you,” Raythor said, voice barely audible. “I loved you two years ago. I’ll probably… I will always love you.” “Raythor…” Dasher said, but she was cut off by her own uncontrollable sobs. The dark haired boy turned to see they were all crying, and he felt the hot tears roll down his own cheeks. Before he knew it he was crying so hard that his whole body shook and he sat down hugging his legs and burying his head into his knees. No matter how hard he tried, the tears wouldn’t stop. It felt like a thousand years before a hand touched his shoulder. “Raythor, we buried everyone else. We have to bury Anella.” Markus said gently.
****
“Blade, I didn’t know shadows could do a resurrection spell.” Dasher whispered, after Raythor was asleep. He had exhausted himself so terribly it had only taken a matter of moments. “We can’t.” Blade said, eyes on the ground. “I made it up.” “What? What did you do to him then?” “I used a very minor torture spell. I wanted him to think it was real. I didn’t know what else to do.” “You did what you had to.” Markus assured him. “Sometimes it makes you wonder… who’s protecting us?” Blade said. Dasher looked confused, but Markus nodded. “We’re crown princes. We’re the first in line and the last in line all at once.” He rubbed beneath his eyes with the back of his hand. “Our sisters barely got that.” They all fell into silence and waited for the oblivion of sleep, the night around them only feeding their grief.
****
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