Children of the Sun and Moon (20 page)

A confused look
crossed the general’s face. “You have other news?”

“Yes. It would
appear Duke Dubar is unhappy with his current situation. I have
reason to believe he is planning to overthrow me.”

Olrond gasped.
“If he should do that, then Lakin will have no problem taking over
the Central Lands.”

Jeremy nodded.
“Now you know why the news is grave.”

Both sat in
silence, not knowing what else to say. Jeremy broke the silence. “I
never really disbanded my army,” he stated.

Again, a
confused look crossed the generals face. “Why?”

“I feared that
someday my family’s abilities would be discovered, and I would need
to defend them,” answered the king.

“It appears
those fears have come to pass,” the general responded calmly. “I
only wish you had trusted me enough to tell me the truth long
ago.”

“The day you
became general was the day I found out that Elizanne possessed
magical powers. Within a week, Gillock informed me of his
abilities. It all happened so fast, I was not sure how you would
have reacted. That is in the past. Right now, we need to figure out
what to do about all of this. My soldiers make up almost the entire
town of Klayhern, and Korben has sent them into training again.
Maybe this can end well.”

Olrond smiled,
but it was obvious he wasn’t as optimistic as the king. “The men I
have brought with me are loyal to me, not the Order.”

Jeremy sighed.
“I am glad we are again friends. I hated not being able to tell you
all, but I am glad you now understand my position in all of
this.”

Olrond smiled,
this one more sincere than the last. “I do understand, I think I
always did. It pained me to put you under house arrest, but it was
something I had to do.”

Olrond’s face
changed, for he still had more news. “I have other news, your
highness. Brin turned herself in to Lakin.”

This news
struck Jeremy harder than learning people were trying to overthrow
him.

“She showed up
minutes after Lakin had finished showing me his secret lair. I fear
he may use her abilities to his advantage.”

Jeremy sat in
silence; there was nothing he could do. Brin had decided her family
was evil, and to be feared. He knew if Lakin should say the right
things, Brin would join him loyally.

Lakin could not
believe his fortune. The power he could sense in Brin frightened
and aroused him. “Do not fear me,” he said, in his most soothing
voice. “And do not be ashamed.”

Brin smiled
weakly. “I know possessing magic means death, but I had to turn
myself in.”

Lakin smiled.
“Not necessarily,” he said. “Please, follow me so I may explain
everything better.”

Brin nodded and
followed Lakin through the same course the general had gone on a
few days earlier. Her reaction to all of the creatures and people
whom possessed magic was one of awe and confusion. She was not
angry with Lakin, as Olrond had been, only curious. To Lakin, this
was a very good sign.

“But what does
this all mean?” she asked once they had returned to his office.

“It means the
Order needs you, Brin. Yes, the Order consists of some who possess
magic, but is a necessity. Those who possess magic can use it to
lead them to others. We have all taken a vow never to use it for
any other reason than to protect the Central Lands.” He paused for
a moment, hoping the break would make Brin feel he was torn inside
as to whether he should reveal these secrets. Once her face showed
some signs of understanding, he continued. “We need someone with
your power to help us. There is much evil in our world. Some people
possess abilities so powerful they can even threaten your father’s
rule. It’s up to the Order to stop these people at all costs.”

Brin stared at
Lakin, but it was not with malicious eyes. She was honestly
intrigued with what he was saying. “I will help in any way I can,
but I am not sure how I can be of any assistance.”

“You will need
to be trained to control your powers. With you by my side, we will
be able to thwart all that is evil in this world and save the
Central Lands from a new tyrannical ruler. Will you do this? Will
you join the Order of the Maget?”

“Yes,” Brin
shouted, but she did not know why. She was suddenly overwhelmed
with emotion. “I will learn your ways, I will help you find and
destroy those who would threaten my father. Please, Lakin, teach
me.”

Lakin smiled
and reached out for her hand. “Then follow me.”

At Jeremy’s
signal, Korben entered the room. “You have need of me, my
king?”

“No, Korben.
However, the general brings grave news. It would appear the Order
has plans to overthrow me as well.”

Korben said
nothing, not wanting to reveal too much in case the general was not
aware of their situation.

Jeremy, sensing
this, continued. “I have informed him that you have begun
retraining my men, and that there appears to be a threat from
Keenley. With us receiving threats from both sides, I do not know
how we will survive this.”

“There may be
three sides, highness,” said Korben. “Or have you forgotten
Malena?”

Olrond looked
confused. “You mean that creature of magic, banished to the Void? I
do not understand, why would she be a threat. I know the order has
had problems in dealing with those creatures she can send out, but
it has never been any real concern.”

“If my children
succeed, the void will be no more. If she should be allowed to roam
free, she may cause as much concern as Lakin and the Order do.”
Turning to face Korben, he added. “And should I fall in one of the
conflicts I know we are going to be facing, I will not allow Duke
Dubar or Lakin to be king, even if it means disowning Brin. I will
only allow the true heir to rule in my steed.”

Again, Olrond
looked confused. He was about to question the king, but Korben
responded to Jeremy first. “If it is your wish, highness, I will do
as you ask.”

Jeremy turned
to Olrond. “I have one more secret for you, and you must not ever
speak what is about to be revealed to you to another soul. Do I
have your vow?”

Olrond was
taken aback. “Of course, your highness.”

“Korben is
really Jessup Klayhern.”

Olrond nearly
fell off his chair. “You can't be serious. That boy died many years
ago in a terrible fire.”

Korben took a
deep breath, knowing what he was about to say was going to stun the
general. “That's not true. I fell through a trap door in the floor.
It appeared that in years past, whoever owned the house used it for
smuggling for the opening was well hidden. Stone surrounded it, so
the fire didn't penetrate the area. When the fire was over, I had
nowhere to go so I waited for someone to find me. Three days later
someone did. I had expected my father, but instead it was a monk
from the Temple of Allorethna. He informed me that a day of
mourning was happening because everyone thought I had died. I had
never wanted to be part of the royal family, so I went with him to
the temple and changed my name. Jeremy and I had always been
friends, so it was hard to pretend I didn't know him when we ended
up in the same sword training class together. The monks told me to
keep my distance from him, but we became fast friends again. The
monks had altered my appearance slightly so that I would go
unnoticed, that's why he did not recognize me.” Korben paused to
catch his breath, and call up more memories. He had buried them so
deep he had forgotten most of this until he started speaking of it
again. “I told Jeremy about it just after you were given the title
of general. I thought he should know, since he had just married my
sister. But even she does not know that I live.”

Olrond sat back
in his chair, taking it all in. “So should Jeremy fall, you will
take his place as king?”

“Only if
Elizanne wishes it,” responded Korben. “If she chooses to rule
instead, then I will stay in the shadows.”

Olrond was
going to respond, but Jeremy interrupted. “You know as well as I
that Duke Dubar will not allow her to rule. He will use her magical
abilities against her; have the people turn on her. No, it is
decided now. Should I fall in one of the coming battles, you will
take your rightful place as king.”

Korben nodded.
“As you wish highness.”

The king then
turned to the general. “Will you bear witness?” he asked

Olrond nodded.
“Of course, your highness.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Malena paced
nervously. She had been trying for days to get an update on the
king, but failed at every attempt. Malena knew it had to be a spell
from Gillock, and was quite unnerved he had figured out one of her
spies so quickly. It also bothered her that Lakin had not tried to
contact her in almost two weeks. The truth was, she had never
trusted him, and always assumed he felt the same. It was
unfortunate she had to use him, but he was a means to an end. The
fact he had not contacted her in so long made her realize, she had
been the same to him. It had also been some time since Moray had
updated her, but she wasn’t worried about it. He would only contact
her if something important happened.

Malena stopped
pacing and looked around her throne room. She had designed her
castle to look exactly like the one in Keenley, although this
throne room was nowhere near as magnificent, or dusty. Some days
she wished she had not designed it so closely to the original. The
memories would sometimes consume her, but how she longed to be back
there. Balls, and servants waiting on her every need. Not like
here, where she was required to do everything herself.

“I cannot wait
to be free from this prison,” she shouted.

“I'm afraid
that will not be for some time, my lady,” said a voice.

Malena looked
about, but knew she wouldn’t be able to see the wizard. “Mordekai,
what brings you to my humble home?” she asked coyly easing herself
into her throne.

“You appear to
be agitated, and that brings turmoil to all those in the Void. Is
it something I can help with?”

Malena laughed.
“Set me free, wizard. Maybe then I will not be so unhappy.”

Mordekai
stepped out of the shadows to Malena’s right. “That is not in my
power. I have been noticing you have been more content as of late.
May I inquire as to why?”

Malena faced
the wizard. He was old, wrinkly, almost bald on top and walked with
a slight limp. Most would assume he was old and weak and attack
him. Malena knew better. He was the most powerful of his order, and
not one to be reckoned with. “The prophecy is to be fulfilled, as
if you did not know.”

“Ahh,” came his
response. “The twins have started their journey, of that I am
aware. But know this; the second stage has not yet happened.”

Malena shot up
out of her chair. “It has, I saw it myself. Eric betrayed his
family.”

“No, he did
not. I fear the betrayal has not yet occurred, and when it does
occur, the world will not be the same.” Mordekai paused, and seeing
how distressed Malena was getting decided to finish his thought.
“Don't fret, your highness, it will still come to pass. The twins
will finish what they've set out to start, but it may not be as
everyone has thought.”

Malena was
getting annoyed. “What is it that everyone has thought? And do not
give me an answer in a riddle; I tire of your little games
wizard.”

Mordekai
smiled. “Everyone has assumed that once they have finished their
quest, magic will be restored and life will continue. I know your
goal is to make magic return chaotic, and it will, don't worry, but
the prophecy will not be fulfilled by this one act.”

Mordekai stared
at Malena, hoping he had given her enough to think about. “And one
more thing, your highness. The next disturbance we will feel will
be their group passing through the Void. It would be in your best
interest if they were to make it to the school unharmed.” Mordekai
looked at Malena with eyes which showed that although he had just
revealed more than she had known, he still knew more than he was
telling. “I would also be wary of your associate. I fear he does
not really want to help you escape. Not anymore.”

He then
disappeared into a mist and left Malena sitting on her throne,
stunned and confused.

All was quiet
in Klayhern castle, which was unusual considering all that had
happened. It was perfect though, the king and the general were
communicating again, and the royal guard was in training. It was
unfortunate that the men's peaceful existence had to be interrupted
by the thought of war, but no-one argued. They were just happy to
be in the service of the king.

For Payton, it
was a joyous time. Over the years he had endured hours of training
with Korben to become a very accomplished soldier, and was glad he
may have the chance to prove his worthiness in a battle for his
king. He never knew why, but he always felt guilty of something
whenever he was near the royal family. Walking through the halls,
he tried to push the thoughts away, but could not.

As he wandered,
the air grew cold, and a chill ran up his spine. Payton then felt
the call and before he realized what was going on, he was again
under Malena’s control. “I have need of you my fair soldier. Please
find out what is happening with King Jeremy and report it to
me.”

Payton, no
longer in control of his body, could only agree.

Korben felt a
slight disturbance, but within an instant, it was gone. He may not
possess any magical abilities, but with having a sister who turned
out to be a very powerful sorceress, it was hard not to become in
tune with it. He had no idea what had happened, but assumed it was
either Lakin or Malena trying to penetrate Gillock's shield. Korben
could only hope neither one had figured out a way to get through
the spell.