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forty-five

Thylas

A sky of orange meets my eyes as I gaze across the sands. In front of me lies Shaston, the place of my birth and somewhere I am glad to have left behind. My fingers graze the red and orange sand as I sit among the dunes. The sun beats across my tanned skin, not burning but igniting something in my soul.

“Welcome.” A masculine voice sounds from everywhere and yet nowhere at once.

Rising to my feet, I quickly swipe away the fine grains of sand that have settled on the back of my pants. “Who are you?”

A sinister laugh crosses the land in a gust of wind. I turn around, seeking the one who addresses me. The dark sandstone palace lingers like a mirage in the distance.

“Show yourself.” I go to grab the broadsword that is always attached to my hip, only to find it missing. The sun no longer has its colorful rings that recently reappeared. Nothing about this is right.

“This isn’t real. What is this?”

A man emerges in front of me, his red hair flaming at the ends. He strides towards me across the scorching land, his bare feet leaving imprints in the hot sand.

“This is your home, is it not?” he says, mere paces from me.

“It is my birthplace, but not my home.”

His shoulders rise in a shrug. “That’s right your home is in Antalis. The home of the Goddess-blessed.” He stands in front of me, his mocking tone apparent as he sucks his teeth. He cocks his head. “No ... what was it you said? Your home is not ‘the sands or seas of any kingdom.’ You pledged yourself to a woman.”

Carnaxa. Anger stirs inside of me at this stranger who dares to twist my words. No one was around when I told her she was my home and anywhere she went I would follow. I take a quick look around already knowing she’s not here, but wanting to be certain.

“If you harm her —” I start, only for the words to die on my tongue the second he raises his hand, halting me.

“You should ask your father what happens when someone pledges themself to a woman, and then what happens when that woman chooses another.” He sneers in my direction .

“Who are you?” I ask again, the feeling of uncertainty taking over me. He seems to know more about me than I would prefer.

“You’ll find out soon enough. For now” — he smirks — “I would watch that anger. Anger can be a doorway to many things.” He turns to walk away before he looks back over his shoulder. “Actually, give in to it. It would make everything easier. It almost gave me her, too.”

I wake up to the thunderous sound of horns blaring and sweat dripping down my forehead. I fumble around the bed trying to find Anara, but soon realize she’s not here anymore. Dressing swiftly and snatching my broadsword from the bedside table, I race out into the snow-covered camp.

I take a moment to try to process what is happening. I still hear the horns as soldiers run to and fro from different tents, arming themselves. Others are shouting orders as a booming sound comes from the distance.

Ereon sprints toward me, his expression one of pure shock and panic. He stops in front of me, his breathing heavy, as I ask, “What is happening? All of this can’t be because we are leaving?”

He shakes his head. “No. The kukhe . It’s the largest group the Prel of the north have ever seen, and they are coming this way. I've sent Reph and his men to head them off, while we prepare to engage the creatures here with the rest of the Prel . We will not be able to leave today. ”

“Where is Carnaxa?” I look at their tent but see no sign of movement. “Anara? She’s not in my tent.”

He nods towards the council tent. “Anara and Carnaxa were on the training grounds when the first horns blew. They were told to stay inside … Siphonie is in there as well. I’ve asked Rhenor, Ryul, and a few others to help protect them.” He laughs under his breath. The sound is strange given our current predicament. “Although, watching Anara and Carnaxa sparring, I think they are both acclimating to their powers just fine and can protect themselves.” I can only imagine the fight between them and wonder how much of it was just practice; I can’t help but smile at the thought of them both being free to use their powers.

The horns sound again as the ground shudders drawing our attention. Appearing at the horizon, the kukhe emerge. The creatures roar with an unending sound of dread and death.

Men from the Prel are advancing towards them, mere specs compared to the creatures. The sheer size of the kukhe is intimidating even from this distance as they tower over the snow-capped trees. I wonder how much of a chance we truly have to defeat them as I watch with bated breath as the first arrows from our archers are shot at the monsters.

This far away, I can’t tell if the arrows meet their marks, but they must as I hear a roar so loud it is as if it sounds right beside me. The Prel bursts into action and chaos ensues with the sounds of roars and the clinking of metal echoing through the air.

“Maybe you should stay with Rhenor inside the council tent. You are the Ambassador.” Ereon stands beside me, watching the horror before us. He wraps his hands in a dark material to help with his grip on the blades.

“And you are a prince ... What's your point?” I flex my fingers, trying to steady my racing heart as anger and adrenaline surge through my veins.

Ereon unsheathes his blades, twirling them with his fingertips. “My father would probably applaud my death, giving him even more reason to hold on to his throne. He won’t consider acknowledging another Antalian Ambassador, nor will he honor any agreement with Carnaxa, if I’m dead.”

“Then I guess I had better not die today.” I grab my sword from my hip.

“Wait!” Carnaxa’s cry reaches my ears. Turning to face her, I see both Anara and Carnaxa running to us. A ragged-looking Rhenor behind them, shaking his head.

“Why can’t the both of you stay where you are told?” Ereon’s gruff voice asks.

“We can help,” Anara answers matter-of-factly.

“The only thing the two of you are helping with is giving me more gray hair. Siphonie is about to have a panic attack if you two don’t get back where you are supposed to be,” Rhenor says, running a hand down his face.

I assess them, looking over to ensure that neither of them are hurt or potentially losing their sanity.

Carnaxa waves off Rhenor, stepping in front of him. Her leathers fit her like a glove and a piece of my heart feels heavy, as if it misses her. “Our magic. With the cuffs missing, we can control it better, have more access to it. So does Er —” She cuts herself off. “We can help.”

Ereon glances at me before going to stand in front of Carnaxa. “No.”

She holds up her hand, ribbons of water flow from her palms as they dance towards him as if proving her point. The water wraps around his body, keeping him in place. He struggles to set himself free, anger flaring in his expression. “Not asking, Prince,” she says cooly, her eyes shifting to an icy blue that is almost white. “I’m telling you, we are going to help. I’ve sat on the side for too long. Either help us, or get out of our way.”

I smirk, even though I know I shouldn’t. There she is. The Carnaxa I’ve always known, hidden beneath the surface. The one she hinted at for so many years, the fiery soul who won’t allow anyone to hinder her.

“I’ll stand with them,” I tell Ereon as he still fights with Carnaxa’s hold.

A sigh comes from Ereon as he looks at the two of them. “Let me go,” he says with defeat in his tone.

Carnaxa’s rings of water fall immediately to the ground like raindrops. She smiles victoriously.

Anara steps up to us. “Now ... show us where to go.”

As per the women’s request, we bring them to the exact location where the kukhe will flow into the camp. The men still fight at the treeline far in the distance, which buys us more time. Ereon has the remaining Prel form a semicircle around the designated spot that Reph is leading the monsters to.

“If Carnaxa and Anara do this, everyone will know they have the madness.” Rhenor steps up between me and Ereon.

Ereon pops a knuckle on his left hand. “I know.”

“You killed the last person who showed evidence of having it,” Rhenor retorts.

“I know.” He pops another knuckle.

“So you are just going to let everyone go run and tell your father that they have it — he will want their heads.”

Ereon turns so quickly that Rhenor has to take a step back so they don’t collide. Ereon now wears his crown, a reminder to everyone here who is in charge. “I will kill everyone in this camp if I have to in order to protect them. Do not think I like this any more than you do, but I am the Prince here. Most of these men fear me more than my father. He made sure of that. Every punishment they have received during their training came from my hand. I will deal with the fallout later.”

Rhenor bows. “Yes, Prince. I’m sorry to suggest otherwise.”

Ereon’s face momentarily shifts, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability beneath his cold exterior. “Don’t worry about it. I understand the consequences of the choices that are being made here today. I’ll stand by them. And I’ll protect the women, even if it requires my last breath to do so.”

Rhenor accepts the decision and returns to his place in formation. I direct my attention to the rest of the men with us. We do not have any solid plan other than Reph bringing them here where we have more soldiers. We will fight to survive. Anara and Carnaxa remain tight-lipped about what was said in the tent between the two of them, but the approaching kukhe suggests that their secret conversation will be revealed soon.

Ereon shouts a command to sound the retreat and the horns blare in five short bursts.

Carnaxa steps up wearing her mother’s crown. She raises her arms over her head, letting the symbol of the Goddess form between her fingertips. As sunlight cascades around her, she lifts her head and silently prays.

I turn my attention back to the battle before us. Reph runs with his soldiers at breakneck speed, the monsters on their heels; I only know it’s him by instinct. Perhaps because of all the years I called him father, a piece of me is able to recognize him from a distance, even now.

My fingers grasp the pommel of my sword and I step next to Carnaxa, just as Anara’s cloak falls to the ground.

She casts a glance at Carnaxa, smiles, and then whispers, “Just like breathing.” And with that, her hands burst into flames — the soldiers stumble back, gasping as the fire rises higher in her palms.

Following her lead, Carnaxa takes a deep breath and then closes her eyes. She opens them as bands of sparkling water flow from her palms, encircling her in impenetrable rings of raging waves. Her skin glows as the beauty of her power takes over her. She smiles, allowing her waves to rise around her .

“The madness!” a man shouts from the side of us, the sound of his sword swinging in the air breeches my ears. He runs at the women, weapon raised. Before I can move, Ereon stops the metal with his own as it arcs down towards the women.

“Stand down!” Ereon yells, their swords still crossed between them.

“We are mandated to execute those who show symptoms!” The soldier pushes against Ereon and tries to advance once more. Again, Ereon pushes the man backwards, holding his swords in his hands. My eyes dart between the kukhe who are nearing, and the men who are now worried about the madness.

“Another step and I will kill you. She is my wife and your future queen.” His words drip with venom. “You will stand down!”

“She is a future queen-consort, nothing more. You can get another, we however can’t let the madness spread. Both your wife and your orur are inflicted. How much longer until you have it as well?”

When Ereon looks at Carnaxa, she returns his gaze with a smile. She silently mouths something to him while nodding her head. Without hesitation, he lets go of one of his swords. Holding his hand at his side he says, “Too late for that.” Ice suddenly erupts from his palms. Coiling around the man like a snake, the frozen shards clutch him. The soldier struggles to breathe as Ereon walks to him. His fingers twist and the ice squeezes against the man’s throat. “Now you can either agree to fight with your future queen or I can kill you now and we will continue on without you. ”

The deafening steps of the kukhe echo through camp, sending shivers down our spines as Reph and his men get closer. We don’t have time for this, but Ereon never falters and he never looks to the monsters gaining ground. The perfect future king, mask clear across his face, calm even now.

Ereon’s hold on the man tightens, causing the soldier to whimper in pain and fear. “I’ll fight.” His words, a whisper on the wind. With the closing of his fist, Ereon releases the man from the icy restraints. The soldier falls to the ground sputtering as he tries to draw breath.

Ereon readjusts his crown as he raises his voice to speak, “If anyone would like to see tomorrow, I suggest you realize how quickly things are changing. The madness, I admit, was something I feared. It was something I didn’t comprehend and I killed because of it. What I’ve come to understand is that it’s not a disease, but a source of magic unlike what my father may have you believe.”

“But the King commands the death of anyone who shows evidence of the madness!” a soldier cries out from those gathered around us.

“The King of Shaston no longer knows what is best for this kingdom. For so long he has built his kingdom on fear. Thinking only of his wants and his needs … but he will not always be king. Today is the day you must make a choice. Stand with us against the kukhe or run.”

He turns to Carnaxa, her power still radiating around her. Walking through her waves unscathed, he kneels before her. Grasping her hand, he loudly declares, “My queen and the future Queen of Shaston.” He stands up and looks to the men once again. “Time is limited and a decision must be made.” That is why he deserves her, because he’s willing to fight for her, to protect her.

Because you were meant for more.

A hush falls upon the soldiers before the gentle murmurings between them fill the silence. Each soldier has to decide with whom their allegiances lie. To follow Ereon’s order is an act of treason against the King.

With conviction in his voice, Ryul steps out from the crowd and states, “We will fight for Queen Carnaxa and King Ereon.” He drops to his knees and my heart tightens at the sight of the men sinking down, one by one. They beat their swords against their shields, and it’s at this moment that this group of men are no longer Atlas’, but Ereon’s.

Startled by the creatures’ fierce roars, everyone snaps back to attention, soldiers swiftly rise to their feet and prepare to fight once more.

Ereon makes his way back to my side, his hand reaching out to retrieve the discarded sword on his way.

“That was something,” I mumble, twirling my blade in my palms. “Never witnessed treason in real life.”

“It was necessary. I told you I would protect her, with everything I am. If we are to go against my father, I’ll need soldiers on my side.” Ahead of us the opaque bodies of the monsters come into plain view. “Get ready.”