Siege of Night (18 page)

He held his breath as she began to chant her incoherent mumblings once more. Her eyes took on an eerie bluish glow as she raised her hands into the air.

Morcel just stared helplessly from his horizontal position as the inevitable started to take place.
By the gods, I wish I were back in the games
!

* * *

Ilirra kneeled on the floor beside her enormous bed covered with multiple thick red blankets and goose-feather pillows. She made sure the red curtains over her large, white, frosted-glass window were closed so no one could even make out the shape of her down on her knees.

With teary eyes and her forehead resting lightly on clasped hands, she prayed for strength: strength to help lead the people of Taron through the most difficult challenge any had seen in their lifetime—the very souls who now held wavering confidence in their queen; strength to continue wearing her false mask of security and confidence when all she wanted to do was crawl under her bed and hide from the world.

The one thing she didn’t ask for was forgiveness—forgiveness for letting her only daughter be taken away from her. She had had little choice in the matter, but that meant nothing in her moment of weakness. Forgiveness for allowing Jade to suffer the way she did. If she could, she would take all of Jade’s pain and bring it onto herself. No, she didn’t want forgiveness. Ilirra accepted the guilt, the pain. She shoved it deep into her heart...deserved it...relished it.

A knock came at the door, followed almost immediately by Azek’s soft voice. “My lady. We are meeting in the war room. Berkeni will be giving us a final report.”

Ilirra rose from the floor while trying to wipe her eyes dry with the back of her hand. “Yes. Yes, I’ll be there in one minute,” she said, keeping her voice firm and trying not to sniffle.

There was a slight pause before the man continued. His voice was a little shaky, which sounded so strange coming from the confident man. “We… We have not been abandoned, my lady. Aid has arrived in many forms.”

“Are you referring to... Are you actually saying—”

“Almost all of the guest rooms are full. But please, first things first. You are needed in the war room.”

She could hear his boots clomp away down the hall. Ilirra stood there and pondered the possibility for a moment.
Could it really be the
... Another light knock came at the door. Unable to hide the frustration in her voice, she repeated, “I told you I would be right th—”

The door slowly opened as Jade’s face peeked in sideways. Her eyes were red and puffy, clearly from crying for quite some time. Her broken, stammering voice matched her eyes perfectly. “I-I just wanted...I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

“Not another word, child!” Ilirra called as she raced toward Jade, gripping her tightly. “Not another word,” she whispered in the girl’s ear as she repeated herself. “Don’t you dare apologize to
me
. You’ve done nothing wrong.” Ilirra wanted to begin sobbing all over again, but she couldn’t. Not now. It would take all her willpower, but she was the queen. She must show strength.
When all of this is over I’m going to cry for weeks
!

* * *

Eric was not present for the war room meeting. He was still feeling woozy after Dragot had penetrated his mind, but Berkeni deemed him physically fit and had decided rest was what he needed most, at least for now.

The room was deathly quiet. Besides the obvious tension of impending war, the fact that Shantis sat only a few feet away was a little difficult to ignore for anyone who had never seen a cryton.

Leaning against the wooden table was her golden bow, with a double string and ornate jewels of red and green encrusted throughout the upper and lower limbs. But as beautiful and eye-catching as it was, the razor-sharp blades sunk into the top and bottom of the limbs added to the guarantee that this bow was as deadly as it was beautiful.

There were even two more dagger-like blades protruding straight out from the top and bottom portions of the handle. Covered with blades, this special bow was fully equipped to be used as a melee weapon if anyone got too close, but after seeing her archery skills, that just didn’t seem very likely.

Jacob was the only person here who appeared to be completely relaxed. Leaning back in the chair with his fingers locked behind his head and feet up on the table, one would think he was at his mother’s house. He was still feeling rather proud for bringing a virtual army to aid their cause, so he was even more cocky than usual. They were part of the reason the guest rooms were now completely full. The mercenaries were separated from the crytons, of course. They certainly weren’t ready to see that particular sight.

He was also the only one sitting next to Shantis. Azek and Berkeni stayed clear on the other side of the table. They stared at her, not saying a word, as if she was the most dangerous thing in the world. Of course, this accusation wasn’t
that
far off.

Shantis knew her presence was making everyone uncomfortable, which in turn made her feel uncomfortable, so she kept her yellow eyes low to the table and crossed her arms defensively. She looked a bit like a child pouting.

Of course, Jacob would have none of it, as he kept on teasing her the same as he always did, punching her in the shoulder several times and flicking her hair until her pouting face turned into an ear-to-ear smile. For one, he really wanted to put her at ease. This was certainly one of his gifts. But the other reason was even more important: Azek and Berkeni—mostly Azek—needed to see she was not some monster. She was a friend whom Jacob trusted; a good friend who had answered the call when so many others didn’t.

The riders sent to Athsmin and Denark had come back empty-handed. Both cities declared it was none of their business and they refused to get involved. Of course, this was a crushing blow. Taron was truly alone now. Yet the crytons answered the call when other humans wouldn’t. Yes, Shantis was practically family, and Jacob wanted her and everyone else to be very clear on that fact.

Everyone turned as the door opened and Ilirra and Jade marched in. The slight red puffiness around both their eyes was very telling. Each of their reactions was quite different when they saw Shantis sitting there while Jacob’s relentless tormenting continued.

Ilirra’s eyes seemed to double in size as she saw the miracle she had only heard about until now was clearly seated just a few feet away from her, but Jade ran up behind Shantis before she could even stand, throwing her arms around her neck and rocking back and forth. Jade whispered in the cryton’s ear, “Thank you. Thank you for coming.”

Shantis reached around and held the back of Jade’s head as she rolled side to side with her. “I told you I would come, and I’m hardly alone.”

Suddenly Azek felt foolish. It was clear everyone trusted her as a dear friend, and here he was nearly afraid of her just because she looked different.
I am a fool
!

Ilirra glided up to the cryton priestess in all her queenly grace. “I wish we could have met under less desperate circumstances. It is an honor to finally meet you, Shantis Sondere, High Priestess of the crytons.” Ilirra stepped back and bent her knees low as she said, “Taron is in your debt.”

Shantis slid off from her chair and slowly rose to her feet, her yellow eyes now the size of plates. The high respect shown by the queen nearly sent her into shock. She returned the bow and said, “The pleasure is mine, Ilirra Marosssssia, Queen of Taron.”

Berkeni made a small gesture of his hand before standing up. He didn’t really want to interrupt such a truly historic moment, but at the same time the briefing on the latest developments could wait no longer.

“OK everyone,” he said while looking more at his pearl that at any person in particular. “Let me start by saying thank you to our honored guest.” He gestured toward Shantis, who actually looked quite shy all of a sudden as she smiled and lowered her head. “May our newfound allegiance last a lifetime. Now, forgive my bluntness, but I must now inform everyone of exactly where we stand.” A dark look flooded over his face. He inhaled deeply before raising his head and taking the time to look each person in the eye. “The Dronin army will be here within five or six hours.” Even though the news was expected, his gloomy look was quickly shared by all, as if it were now real for the first time.

“You are completely sure of this,” said the Queen with no emotion on her face or in her voice.

“Quite sure, I’m afraid. Of course, it will be closer to morning than night, and I doubt they will attack. They will at least set camp outside the walls and work out some sort of strategy.”

“Very well then,” said Ilirra. “I want everyone to return to their quarters. Please try and get some rest. We have known for some time that this was coming. Don’t let it haunt your thoughts now. Everyone dismissed. She glided over to Shantis one last time as everyone began leaving the room. While Shantis was still seated, Ilirra said, “Thank you again. Eric, Jade, and Jacob all trust and speak highly of you. You are here when others dare not help. This will never be forgotten.” Before Shantis could say anything, Ilirra bent forward and kissed her forehead, then turned to leave.

Jacob stood up behind Shantis and rubbed her shoulders, then leaned over her side and said, “That’s some pretty high praise from a queen.” He gave her one last friendly shake before he too left the room.

Even while the cryton wiped her eye with the back of her hand, Azek had already started moving toward her. “Please forgive an old fool who is stuck in his ways. It is an honor to share the field of battle with one as capable as you.” He took her by the hand, turned it over and planted a small kiss. Her bright yellow eyes followed him as he also left the room. Emotion swelled up in Shantis. She was going to need more than one swipe of the back of her hand to dry her eyes this time.

* * *

Ilirra floated gracefully down the hall with her head high and level. She tried to maintain the illusion of confidence as best as she could in case there were wandering eyes. She was always to be the queen, whether eating, walking, or playing a commoner’s game of cards. That aura of leadership must be maintained, no matter how far away or dark her thoughts were at the time.

She passed by the various tapestries displaying the kings and queens of old. Their eyes no longer seemed to judge her, however. Now they just appeared sad, sad that this dark day could not have been avoided; sad that many lives would inevitably be lost, no matter what colors they wore. She hurried past them, not wanting to meet their gaze any longer than was necessary.

It was a relief to finally set foot in her private chambers. She was unaware as to whether she had been running or not. More importantly, she hoped nobody had seen her run. Ilirra slammed the door behind her and leaned hard against it with both hands covering her eyes. She wanted to cry, to scream, but this was the time to steel herself for her people—for Taron!

With determination in her eyes, she stalked across the room to her walk-in closet. Sliding her hanging silk dresses from left to right, she began feeling along the side of the wall with a slow-moving hand. There it was!

There was the tiniest little notch in the wall that no one could have ever found unless they knew exactly where to look. With a bit of pressure and a
click,
the back wall of the closet opened a few inches. The showing crack of the partially open panel seemed to give off a light of its own. Without hesitation she swung it all the way open as the self- sustaining light source was revealed.

Shimmering white armor fit for a god hung behind the impenetrable yet spotless glass panel. Glimmering chainmail with perfectly strung, pearl-white links seemed to glow all its own. The single yellow star gracing the chest area stood out boldly, even against the gleaming white links.

A single golden helmet hung from a peg on top of the shimmering armor. The sparkling piece held two small golden wings on the side, while a long, beak-shaped nose guard flowed down the center. Thin side guards that covered the cheekbones still allowed for perfect vision.

A long-sword resting partially in a black leather sheath leaned in the corner. The sturdy, wide handle was covered with green emeralds encrusted right into the wide, golden crossbar. The very tip of the handle held the shape of a dove’s head, with the beak hooking downward. The eerily white blade seemed to give off its own unnatural soft light. The blade seemed to be aware its peaceful sleep had come to an end.

Ilirra’s eyes were hard, cold steel as she gazed upon the magnificent set. There was no more time for emotion, no more time for second thoughts. She spoke into the air as if speaking directly to the armor itself.

“I need you once again, old friend.”

Chapter 13

The stone-faced soldier paced back and forth across the top of the wall. The rain had finally stopped, leaving a slight chill in the air. Gazing about, he experienced an eerie, lonely feeling as he witnessed the abandoned-looking city.

Shops were boarded up and houses darkened, although the residents had to be home. After all, they had nowhere else to go. The stocky man with a shaved head and double hooped ears looked out over the grassy field for the hundredth time. Between the silence blanketing the city and the calm spread out over the field, he felt as though he were the only man in the world who still drew breath. Suddenly his eyes caught something out in the breaking darkness of early morning: small flickering lights that gave the illusion of fireflies twinkling far off in the distance.