As they rode in silence, Shay and Fiere both thought of their fathers.
Shay regretted her anger at her father for not telling her about what had really happened with her mother’s disappearance. She thought of how distant he had become back on earth and wished she had done more, tried to do more to help him.
He had no doubt been dealing with guilt of lying to Shay while he searched frantically to find Rhian. And as he had closed himself off, she had done nothing but accept it eventually. She could have tried harder to pull him out of his self imposed isolation. But she hadn’t. She had been too busy with her own life and her own concern initially and then anger and confusion at why her mother had left.
And yet, her mother had left of her own volition. She had made her own choice. Betrayed them both and left them to wond
As Shay spoke, Duke Blye and Morme interjected occasionally to clarify points. The Dukes seemed to become comfortable with her sincerity. Fiere said nothing throughout Shay’s telling of events.Finally Duke Morme asked, “Why should we believe you? You are a total stranger.”Shay looked to Fiere for support but he said nothing to her. Instead he spoke to the Dukes.“There is more she needs to tell you.”The Dukes looked back to Shay expectantly. She glared at Fiere. His behavior was petty. If they could present a united front to the Dukes it would make matters easier but he wasn’t helping at all. She knew what he alluded to by telling them she needed to say more.“Maica is my mother,” Shay decla
Food was brought for them and they ate outside the tent that had been allocated to them to explore the book and find a suitable location to which the army could move near the castle. They ate in silence and Shay couldn’t help but look up at the stars. She wondered if one of the stars she could see were Earth or if she was in an entirely different universe. The stars were quite sparse compared to what she remembered from the milky way on Earth. She had the opportunity to look up at an unpolluted night sky when she had camped with her friends and had been amazed by the beauty and magnitude of the milky way. Yet under this sky, the stars were few. She did not doubt that the night sky held even less pollution than when she had seen the Milky Way while camping. The stars should therefore be brighter. And the ones that she could see were brighter. But there were so many fewer stars than what she was used to. Another thought struck her then. If she was in the same universe had she
Fiere moved closer and put his arm around Shay. “It’s ok. I understand now. There’s…” “I don’t think you do,” Shay interrupted. “I felt like I couldn’t help myself. I feel like I had no choice but to lie. I don’t think I was thinking clearly. Maybe this place does it to strangers like us. Maybe the law of nature on this world says that anything that is not from here, will be destroyed. Wiped out like… like… a virus” “What’s a virus?” Fiere asked confused. Shay laughed despite herself then. “It’s a... a sickness.” It was the best way she could think of to explain a virus. Fiere nodded in understanding. “I don’t think so, Shay.” “Well, I don’t know what to think Fiere. That’s why I’m telling you, tread carefully. Be cautious. I do not wish to betray you but I just might. I hope though that the fact that my father is not with us anymore reduces the possibility of that.” “But Maica keeps the possibility alive,” Fiere pointed out. “
She awoke with a start in the early hours of the morning. Her lamp had burned out and she asked the guard to relight it. Refreshed, she continued reading. In the book, she found much information. According to the story, Maica had plotted with Algwad to overthrow the kingdom. They had plotted together to kill King Mayle and succeeded after which they threw the kingdom into war immediately to set aside any opposition to Maica being crowned queen. The war, however, was not the war they fought now. Algwad had been with Maica all the way. He had not betrayed her. On the contrary, they plotted and succeeded in ruling the kingdom at war for many years. Maica’s hurried coronation which set aside the normal procedure for the coronation of a new ruler became lost in time as the kingdom fought a war begun by Maica and Algwad against an invading army. There was no invasion from another army as yet as far as Shay was aware. This war should have commenced in the last few d
“There are other ways to the border but they are difficult. Algwad’s men will have taken the easiest route.” “Which is?” Shay asked. “Through the Goblins Claw. It will be closing soon with the approaching winter. It may already be too late. If we don’t get through now we will have to wait until the winter thaw starts.” “What is the Goblin’s Claw?” Shay asked. “It is the only pass through the Ator Mountains. If we cannot get through there now everything on the other side of the pass is open season for Osim if war starts. They will crush everything from the border to the pass and we will be helpless to do anything about it. And the pass itself can be difficult to pass through depending on the time of year. It has always been a goblin stronghold because it represents a holy place in the goblins' history and at certain times of the year the pass is closed while they conduct their ceremonies. They have one such ceremony at the first thaw which means if we
When they arrived at the camp Duke Morme requested the captains of the armies to gather inside the command tent. When they were gathered, Morme and Blye told them about the possibility of moving the army through a portal to save time. Shay then demonstrated the portal. The captains looked apprehensive and scared initially but then warmed to the idea. Finally, one captain spoke up to voice an objection. “I have reservations about this plan. It is a fantastic idea. But moving men through like this will be a slow process. We do not know how big an army surrounds the castle. If we are discovered, the men who have passed through the portal face a massacre.” The dukes discussed the captain’s input and eventually chose caution. They did not believe they understood the magic of the book fully and therefore could not trust it. In addition, they agreed that if the army were ambushed on the other side of the portal they would surely be massacred. The portal was one way and ther
“Have you taken leave of your senses?” Blye asked disbelievingly. “No, my lord. I do not think those men will act unreasonably. They are bound to honor the flag of peace in any event. I in turn must make my way to the castle. I think we had best confront Maica before she escapes the castle as well. I must do it but I will need the support of your men if you will.” Dukes Blye and Morme looked hesitant but then nodded. Duke Blye spoke. “I will cross and meet Algwad’s army. Prepare some men. We will send men with you to go to the castle. How do you propose to gain entry?” “There is a tunnel I used to escape. Fiere used a tunnel to escape as well. I do not believe it will be heavily guarded. We should be able to enter through there. As many men as possible but I suggest a small contingent initially.” The dukes nodded. “Very well. Let’s prepare,” Morme said. Fiere moved down the hill with the soldiers he had chosen, to the ex
The Osimian soldiers were surprised. They found two dead archers when they arrived at the place from where they had heard the commotion. The dead archer’s blood was still warm which confirmed that they had just been killed. A tracker found the place from where they were fired upon along with the dead soldier dressed in the uniform of Ethlerry. Tracks from the scene suggested eleven people had fled back the way they had come. The soldiers returned to camp and reported to the prince. “It appears that there were assassins in the hill above your majesty. They appear to have been killed by soldiers from Ethlerry who are making their way back to Ethlerry as we speak. Do we follow?” The prince nodded. “Take some men and follow them but do not engage them. I would like to know who they are and why they run away instead of claiming credit for saving our lives.” A team of Osimians departed trying to catch up with Fiere and his team. Fiere did not stop f