Light of Epertase 01: Legends Reborn (14 page)

The two men exited the confines of the ballroom and strolled into a private hallway.

“Is it true?” Elijah asked, afraid of the answer that might return.

“I believe so,” Tevin answered.

The two stopped walking. Tevin faced him. “The signs are there, Elijah. The Elder Three have confirmed it.”

Elijah lowered his head. “When?”

“They do not know or if they do, they aren’t saying.”

“So the grass of the Great Plains coming to life was indeed the first sign as the legends have told?”

“It would seem so. Has the contingency plan been set into motion?”

Elijah diverted his eyes from his friend, ashamed, and stared at the ground.

“Sir?”

His silence was his answer.

The two began their stroll again through the halls and into the Royal Garden.

Tevin looked past him like something had caught his eye. “What about Alina?” he asked with a sly nod.

“What about her?”

“Her safety cannot be assured. If we know about the signs, then others must as well.”

Alina spoke up from behind. “What signs, Father?”

He spun toward her, startled. “It is nothing. As I said, I will come speak with you in your quarters. All will be explained then.”

“But I …”

“Alina,” he deepened his voice to show his seriousness. “I will speak with you later. I have business with Tevin at this moment. Now leave us.”

Alina huffed back into the hall.

Elijah whispered, “How much do you think she heard?”

“Enough,” Tevin answered.

The two continued their conversation as they made their way to the front guard post. One of the guards descended from the tower and shook their hands.

“Thomas,” Elijah said. “How are you?”

“I am well, sir. Thank you.”

Elijah placed his hand on the guard’s shoulder as they walked along the wall. Tevin waited at the base of the tower. “Tell me. Has Alina still been sneaking out late at night?”

“More now than ever, sir.”

“If you had to guess, when would you expect her next jaunt?”

“Soon. Probably tonight or tomorrow, I would suspect.”

“Very well. I need you to do something for me. Do not try to stop her but immediately inform Lorca of the Elite Guard that she has left.”

“Of course, sir.”

“Do not let anyone know we have spoken.”

Elijah waved to Tevin and the three men parted ways.

Elijah knocked on Alina’s door before leaning his head in. “My dear?”

“Come in, Father.”

He sat on the edge of her bed. She sat up beside him. He fiddled with his fingers, never looking at her.

She grabbed his hands. “What is it? Why are you so troubled tonight?”

He hesitated.

“Father?”

“There is no easy way to say what I have to say. I fear for your safety.”

“My safety?”

“Yes.”

“Is this because of the rumors of the foreign army?”

“You’ve heard already?”

“Just today. It isn’t much of a secret. Your scout has a loose tongue.”

Elijah sighed, disappointed in Paisel. “I suppose I should make a statement to the people soon.”

“Are these invaders a real threat to Epertase?”

He looked into her green eyes for the first time this night and saw an innocence he had forgotten. He smiled at her. “You let me be concerned with the foreigners. I am quite sure they haven’t traveled this far just to start a fight. No, I have more pressing matters for you to be concerned with.”

“Oh?”

“You are the bearer of the dormant Light.”

Alina cocked her head to the side. “I know this.”

“Normally I would rule until my death many years from now, but The Elder Three have confirmed the signs of change have begun anew. The Light in you has stirred.”

“Like Matthew’s?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“I don’t understand. Why now?”

“I don’t know.”

“But you’re nothing like Thadius. You’re a good man.”

He was saddened by her naïve belief in him. “Alina, I have made many mistakes in my life. I have tried to change but The Light must feel I am no longer worthy.”

Her lips pressed together like when she was a child about to have a temper tantrum. “The Light is worthless,” she said. “I don’t want it.”

“It is not worthless, Alina. It is what keeps us in power. It is our duty to keep the people safe, to keep their souls safe, and to do so, we must protect The Light. That is our purpose in life.”

“I don’t want it.”

“It has been forewritten.”

She gasped like she was struck with a horrible thought. “What about you, Father? Thadius died when The Light went to Matthew.”

“Thadius killed himself, Alina. I assure you that I will not do the same.”

She spoke as quickly as she put the pieces together. “You said I was in danger. Why?”

He didn’t want to answer though he knew that he must. “There is more to Matthew’s legend, only spoken of by sorcerers and witches.”

She stared at him.

“The Light will be vulnerable on the day of change.”

“Vulnerable?” she asked. “What do you mean?”

“It can be stolen.”

Her forehead wrinkled. “Stolen? How?”

He looked away without an answer.

“Father, how?” she demanded.

He sighed. Her glare burned through his back. He hated himself for what he had to tell her.

“Your death,” he whispered.

“By the gods.” Her hand went limp on his and she withdrew it.

“Since you have no offspring to take The Light, if someone kills you while the transfer is taking place, they can steal it. That is the only time your death as The Active Light Bearer will not destroy Epertase.”

She looked like the wind had been knocked from her lungs. It wasn’t fair and he hated that it was true.

“Does anyone else know?” she asked with quivering lips.

“I believe so. That is why I am putting you on curfew from now until this has ended.”

“Curfew?”

“Anytime you leave the castle, you will be accompanied by Lorca and his guard. This is nonnegotiable.”

She wouldn’t dare argue – he was sure. She knew when his mind was set.

He kissed her forehead and lied. “Everything will be fine, my dear.”

Paisel rose as Elijah entered the meeting hall. The scout standing before him barely resembled the messenger from the night before. He was clean shaven, his hair trimmed neat and short, and his new suit was neatly pressed.

“Paisel. Sorry to keep you waiting. All went well at the celebrations, I assume?”

“I had a wonderful time, your highness. Thank you.”

“Let us get to the issue at hand. I’ve had your credentials researched and by all accounts, I have found you to be exemplary in your conduct as a soldier. Your recruit commanders and former squad leaders speak highly of you.”

“I do my best, sir.”

“You need to keep your lips a little tighter. I wasn’t prepared to address the people about the threat.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

Elijah accepted his apology. “I have a new assignment for you.”

“Anything, sir.”

“I have created a position for you. A promotion, if you accept.”

“I would be honored.”

“I want you to gather all of the western scouts. I have ordered 2,000 soldiers to your command who will accompany you on your journey back. Use these men however you see fit. I want you to establish a centralized command south of Lithia where you can gather the remaining scouts. I want you to make first contact with the incoming army. You are to welcome them and advise them of Epertase’s peaceful intentions. Find out why they are here. Keep me informed of your progress with weekly reports. I am also sending a group of our top spies to join you in your journey. They will operate independent of your leadership and will only contact you when information is to be sent to me. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I have drafted the paperwork and James will have it for you when you leave. You are dismissed.”

As Paisel stood, Elijah thought of one more instruction. “By the way, on your trip back to the Wastelands, detour north through Lithia and advise King Logan to prepare for war, if he hasn’t already.”

“I will leave immediately, your highness.”

“James,” Elijah hollered. “Take Paisel to his horse.”

As night fell, a glowing full moon rose into the cloudless sky, illuminating the mountains. Rasi cursed its brightness as the risk of being stumbled upon would prevent his sound sleep. If he were smart, he would head up the mountain to his more remote home, but Alina could come this night and for that it was worth the risk.

Salient rested behind some boulders alongside the cave. Rasi lifted his door of meshed branches and weeds. Just before he covered his cave entrance with his makeshift door, a shadow bounced across the path, stopping him cold. Damn the racket of the pounding water for letting someone get so close. The tiny hairs on his neck rose. He spun toward the path, his hand on his sword. His straps lifted into the air.

The shadow grew as its owner neared. Rasi’s straps went rigid like statues. The bulky shadow wasn’t from Alina, he was sure. She was much more cautious. Rasi backed against the mountain wall.
If someone wants a fight,
he thought,
they will have to come at me head on.
His straps hissed and snapped, eager for battle. Rasi crouched into one of the few shadows still hidden from the bright moon.

A timid stranger crept into sight, oblivious of the death that awaited him. This hunter isn’t very subtle.

Rasi waited with held breath. The figure drew closer. Still Rasi waited. The straps were thirsty for blood. This stranger had stumbled into more than he could have imagined.

The unsuspecting man fumbled forward, close enough that Rasi feared he wouldn’t be able to control his lethal appendages. Maybe, he hoped, the stranger would save himself by unwittingly moving on.

No such luck. The stranger took another fatal step.

Whoosh. The straps lashed out past Rasi’s ears. One of them grabbed the intruder’s arm. Another wrapped around his leg and they lifted him into the air. The color left his prey’s face. His eyes grew wide. He wrestled against their grip so they tightened until he wrestled no more. The straps pulled taut, threatening to tear him in half. Rasi vaulted from the shadows with clenched fists and teeth. The straps lowered the intruder’s terrified face to meet Rasi’s gaze. Rasi snarled. Another strap coiled around the stranger’s throat and constricted.

“Please,” his dying voice begged. “Don’t kill m …” The strap squeezed tighter, sending a wheeze from his trachea.

Rasi scowled at him. A deep, guttural growl escaped his mouth.

Release his throat,
Rasi pleaded in his head.
I don’t want him dead.

The intruder’s eyes bulged and screamed, “Please, don’t.” His lips went cyanotic. Emptiness slowly replaced the fear in his eyes.