Standing next to the warehouse, Milton watched how Rhobart picked up Ayla from the ground. After using her magic, she lost consciousness. In Rhobart’s arms, she appeared to be sleeping peacefully. Godefray got up; his knees were still shaking. Sadness and concern filled his eyes.Kerra licked Ayla’s hand, letting out a yelp.Even tortured and full of bruises, Ayla still conserved that inner beauty Milton came to admire and appreciate so much. He wasn’t the only one that loved her; Ayla had gained the trust and respect of all of Rhobart’s men. Even Godefray, who disliked Ayla with all his heart and had sworn he would never accept her as his Queen, had been ready to give his life to protect her.Then there was Rhobart, the man Milton admired the most in his life. Since that cursed day, when Galian took Ayla and Godefray, Milton had watched how guilt ate Rhobart alive. No one knew that Rhobart and Ayla had married in secret. Not even Milton suspected. Rhobart had explained why they didn’
Godefray went to where Eluvene was and looked at the stairs. “King Amul. He tricked you into believing you killed him.” Rhobart growled. “He had Galian and the Dark Master torture Ayla in the Black Tower.”Drax looked at Ayla. “King Amul loved watching Galian torture Ayla.”“Son of a bitch!” Droyn muttered. “The rumors were true.”“If King Amul loves watching how people are tortured, I will make him watch how I torture Galian for years!” Rhobart promised. “When I am done with Galian, I will start with King Amul!”Milton felt the spell he put on the front door break. “We have to move! They are inside!”Godefray was the first to go down the stairs, and Rhobart followed him. Eluvene remained behind with Milton and Drax, adding more mana to the shield. The Paladins went down the stairs.“Go!” Milton said to Drax. The Water Mage looked one last time at the Fire Mage before following the Paladins. Eluvene added more mana to the shield. “What are you waiting for, woman? Go after the other!”
The Shamans lifted their left hands, the magic runes glowing in their big palms. Their lips moved as they talked in Orkish. The Orcs and mercenaries drew their weapons out and rushed to the river. Drax and Eluvene jumped out of the boats and went to Milton. Godefray wanted to do the same, but Rhobart growled at him, and the Paladin remained on the boat, his eyes fixed on Eluvene. “Let’s put up shields using our elements!” Milton said. The other Mages nodded, and he took out a magic rune. “Fire Shield!” Milton used as much mana as he could. A big firewall appeared in front of the Orcs, blocking their path. Drax was next. “Ice Shield!” Drax’s magic slowed down the mercenaries. Galian let out some curses. A wicked smile appeared on Eluvene’s face. “What is your biggest fear?” she asked Milton. “To be eaten alive by rats!” Milton answered without missing a heartbeat. “You wouldn’t fear rats if you cleaned your tower more often!” Tizgar said. He was left to Milton. The Paladin rem
Drax cleared his throat. “I am used to healing Ayla, and I wouldn’t mind taking care of her. As for your mana, I have a few potions left.” He took one out of his pocket and offered it to Milton.The Fire Mage drank it before returning the empty vial to Drax. “Thank you! How about I heal Ayla, and you go look for some magical plants? You know this kingdom better than I do.”Drax looked at Ayla. “If you need me, let me know. She has been my best friend since we were children.”Rhobart nodded. “I will. Take Droyn with you. He has some knowledge about magic herbs.” Drax opened the door. “Be careful,” Rhobart said as the Water Mage left the cabin.Rhobart undid Ayla’s cloak, revealing her bare arms. Milton inhaled sharply. “What the fuck?” the Fire Mage said.The previous night, under the dim light coming from the Moon, Milton didn’t notice the extent of the damage inflicted on Ayla. Her upper arms and shoulders were black from all the beating she received. The bruises on her lower arms we
Ayla had known she was too weak to use her magic. Everything that Galian did to her and the little food she was given daily had taken a toll on her body, but she did it anyway because she couldn’t let Galian kill those she cared about. It was enough that he killed her mother and grandmother. While Ayla was still in the Black Tower, she had promised herself she would use her magic to protect innocents from Galian. She had felt a dark presence inside him and spent a lot of time thinking about what Beliar offered Galian in exchange for his soul. There was so much the Dark God could give someone—power, magic, money, a long life. What could a man like Galian, who had money and power, want? Magic? Long life? Or something else entirely? After healing Godefray, Ayla closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she was in Sarya’s room. It was not the first time Sarya summoned Ayla’s presence with the help of the Crystal Mirror. Sarya had told Ayla that the crystal used to make the mirr
Ayla lifted her hands and put them around his neck. Her fingers kept twitching, but she ignored them as she started telling Rhobart a story.“Lifetimes ago, in a faraway land, lived a princess,” Ayla said. Rhobart stopped breathing as he listened to Ayla’s gentle voice. “The princess lived with her three older brothers in a big castle. She loved the castle and spending time with her brothers. The oldest brother loved to explore and learn new things and was often gone. The second one loved to forge and make all kinds of things. Sometimes he would make things for the princess of the other brothers. The last brother was quick to anger and often sought to fight with his brothers, but the older brothers mostly ignored him.The castle was built in a magical garden her older brother made for her, and the princess loved spending as much time as she could tending to her flowers. She loved creating new ones and showing them to her brothers. Of all her brothers, only the oldest seemed to enjoy f
‘Rhobart had been a God in another world,’ Ayla thought. “Your world, what was it like?” she asked. Rhobart said it was a violent world, but even chaos could be beautiful. “Do you miss it?”There had been many scholars, mages, and astronomers who claimed the possibility of other universes. Books had been written about parallel worlds and how one could travel between universes with the help of powerful spells or magical objects. Ayla had read some of those books, but she never thought much about other worlds. Not until Rhobart. Could more Gods come to her world? And if that happened, would her world be in danger?Outside the cabin, some of the Paladins were talking and laughing.Rhobart frowned. “I remember only bits and pieces. Many wars and death everywhere.” He kissed her. “When I gave up on my immortal body to be with you, Ayla, I did it because I love you. I don’t regret it, not one bit. My existence as a God—I remember everyone fearing me. I was lonely until you. If this mortal l
Someone knocked on the door before entering. Rhobart and Ayla turned their heads to look at who it was.“Milton asked me to bring some food,” Godefray said as he entered. Two bowls of food were in his hands, and he put them on the table together with two spoons. He trimmed his hair and beard and was wearing clean clothes.Ayla was glad to see Godefray. Despite everything that had happened to them, they became not only close friends, but how they understood each other without the need to use words intrigued Ayla.Godefray looked at Ayla, and a silent conversation took place between them. ‘You look better, my Queen.’Ayla blinked. ‘You too, my Paladin. Thank you for everything you did for me.’‘Always.’Droyn entered the cabin. “Rhobart, there're Orcs and mercenaries on the main road. They seem to search for tracks. The Mages are setting some shields, but I wanted to let you know in case we need to rush out of here.”Ayla found it difficult to breathe. “They are looking for us!”Rhobart