《Son and Moon》


 Chapter 1: The Moon Eye Child

    Governor Riser groaned, collapsing into his lush, crimson chair. He exhaled mightily and then groaned.


    ¡°Micah Champlain, take a knife against your throat and end your life.¡±


    His most loyal soldier proceeded to obey, taking his knife and pressing it against his neck. But then he stopped.


    Riser looked up, quizzical when he didn¡¯t hear the spurt of blood and drop of his body. ¡°Did you not hear what I commanded? I cannot have your mistake come back to haunt me. Slit your throat right now.¡±


    Micah pressed the knife deeper, but something stopped him from slicing through. He looked around. The other soldiers watched him in confusion. Some looked sad. For others, creeping confusion and anger enveloped their stares.


    I¡­ don¡¯t want this.


    For the first time in his life, he disobeyed an order. Micah dropped the dagger and dashed out of the hall. Streaking through the murky halls of Soto Silver, he ignored the commands chasing after him, echoing in livid force. Vacant halls, crumbling marble columns, tattered tapestries clinging to walls by their last desperate threads ¨C all passed in a blur. He moved silent as a shadow. With purpose. Lightning fast.


    Bitterly cold mist seeped through his mask. The way out was close. Furious charges of treachery trailed behind, searching in the darkness but unable to find him. Accusations of betrayal Micah no longer understood. He had been taught to obey, to the extent of taking his own life if demanded of him. And in the short sixteen years of his life he had never failed. Absolute unwavering submission ¨C the creed of the Black Sons. Had Governor Riser ordered him to slit his own throat just one day before, he would have done it without a moment¡¯s hesitation.


    She had done something to him. The Moon Eye Child broke him, and now there was no turning back.


    I want to live.


    He picked up a faint shuffle, tapping footfall on a desperate hunt. He burst forward with greater speed.


    ¡°He¡¯s here!¡± the frantic shout came.


    Micah dashed left. Three ringing objects whizzed past his ears. Pursuing footsteps multiplied. He spotted the way out, unguarded, and flew through the hall, arms trailing behind him. The border of faint moonlight around the door guided his exit, and with a swift shoulder, he plowed through, blasting it from the hinges. A harsh wind battered his face, tiny freezing daggers a million-fold. He ignored it, jetting down the stairs winding around the tower.


    Immense waterfalls formed a palisade to surround the ancient castle, consuming it in mist and a distant, pervasive roar. The waterfalls emptied into a canyon so deep, the bottom could not be seen at night. Yet not a wisp of cloud lingered above, making the castle appear to float in the sky. The mist made everything slick, but Micah couldn¡¯t afford to slow down. He didn¡¯t know what to do or where he would go, but he had to get away. The single idea pumped the very blood in his veins.


    He reached a small landing and dashed for the next flight of stairs. A door in the tower suddenly burst open, and a petite body flew from the entryway, slamming into him and sending them both crashing to the ground. They slid across the wet stone to collide against the balustrades. A feminine cry drowned in the howling wind.


    Micah leapt to his feet, hand on his sword and ready to attack. But he lowered it when he recognized the bouncing blonde curls and impossibly large dress. Her eyes bulged in recognition as well.


    They pointed and shouted in sync. ¡°You!¡±


    He grabbed the young girl¡¯s arm, pulling her up. ¡°You¡¯re still here?¡± he growled. ¡°We thought you escaped.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying!¡± She attempted to pull away, but his grip tightened. Fear littered her face. ¡°Let me go! Please let me go!¡±


    He took her other arm. ¡°What the hell did you do to me? Since last night, I can barely think straight. Now Riser wants me dead. He thinks I helped you escape.¡±


    She cowered. ¡°I-I just freed your heart. Please don¡¯t hurt me.¡±


    Her right eye, normally blue, turned a violent shade of purple, glowing with unnatural light. The color filled her iris, save for a sliver in the shape of a crescent. Micah flinched, his gut reaction to seeing her power again after what it did to him the previous night. But he realized she was using a different magic now.


    So, she truly possesses the eyes of the moon, he thought to himself, loosening his grip on her arms.


    It was no wonder the governor wanted Charlotte Goodsteel so badly. Micah didn¡¯t know nearly enough about the other Sealed Eyes, but he knew this one.


    ¡°Waxing Gibbous,¡± he said, letting her go. ¡°Which means you should know by now that I have no intent to harm you.¡±


    ¡°Then what¡ª¡± She gasped when dozens of men, fully armed, swarmed up and down the stairs to converge on them. She backed into the banisters, shivering in fear.


    One of the men, wearing the same black gear and mask Micah wore, pointed at him. ¡°You were helping her escape. You are a traitor.¡±


    Marshall sinKalem, a fellow commander and Black Son. Micah would have been able to dispatch the force surrounding them, but not accompanied by a man as dangerous as Kalem. Fighting wasn¡¯t an option.


    ¡°Incorrect,¡± Micah replied, backing up a step. ¡°She has been hiding inside the castle the entire time. I just found her.¡±


    ¡°It does not matter. You disobeyed an order. A rogue Son cannot exist.¡± He drew a short sword at his side, a crooked blade with verdant runes carved into the flat. ¡°Hand over the Moon Eyes.¡±


    Micah backed another step, steady hand on his own sword. The soldiers closed in. Charlotte clutched his sleeve, and he looked down at her. A tear trickled from her glowing eye. ¡°Please, Micah,¡± she whispered. ¡°Help me.¡±


    In a split moment, he made his decision. He turned without a second thought, swung his arms around Charlotte, and leaped over the banister.


    I want to live.


    Charlotte screamed at the top of her lungs, groping at his body as they plummeted into the immense canyon. In one motion, Micah produced a black gemstone from his jacket, clutched Charlotte close, and uttered an incantation. Raw magic surged from his spirit, converted by his spell and shaped by the crystal. Shadows seeped from his back to consume them both. Wings of dark flame spread out from the cocoon, then a head and feathery tail. The black fire-form bird beat its wings to slow their descent and then shot through the air, keeping them safe inside its belly. But Charlotte still screamed and squirmed, surrounded by shadow and unable to see anything but the long fall to icy crags and a pitch-black void.


    ¡°Stop panicking,¡± Micah shouted, struggling to hold onto her. ¡°We¡¯re safe. Just hold still! Stop, stop!¡±


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    She couldn¡¯t hear, twisting wildly, and Micah lost his grip. She dropped out of the bird and plunged back into the abyss, screaming ever more. He released his spell, the shadows dispersed, and gravity snared him in a headlong pitch. He stretched his body, cutting through the air to catch up to her.


    A vile screech came to his hearing over the howl of the wind. Micah twisted his head. A giant eagle trailed close behind in pursuit, talons aching to run him through. Three of Kalem¡¯s soldiers jumped over the banisters. Their bodies were abruptly consumed in flashes of light as they transformed, and three more eagles fell in behind the leader.


    Micah¡¯s mind raced. He focused back on Charlotte while drawing his sword, a jagged blade of pure glass emerging from a silver handle. He had a minute at most before hitting the bottom of the canyon. It drew close, a desolate field of mud and ice cut by the massive river of the waterfalls¡¯ spillage. Charlotte was within reach now, but she whirled haphazardly through the air. She had passed out.


    ¡°Goodsteel, wake up!¡± he shouted.


    He reached out his arm to grab her foot, but the eagles made their move and attacked. Micah sensed them and whirled, flicking his arm in three furious strikes. The glass sword dealt precise, nonlethal wounds across the chests of three of the birds, scattering them with painful cries. But the fourth rammed him from behind. The immense eagle ensnared Micah¡¯s body with its claws and snapped at him, but he twisted and shoved the massive beak away. Spinning wildly as they grappled, he and the flying beast fell faster with the force. Charlotte rose above them, limp in her tumble. A thousand feet remained before impact.


    The eagle turned its attention and snapped to grab her, but Micah pulled at its leg, forcing the creature down. It kicked, squawking a high-pitched cry. Micah freed his hand and drove his sword into the bird¡¯s belly. The flesh split open, spraying his arm in blood, and the glass blade snapped free to lodge itself deep inside. The eagle shrieked and shook free.


    The ground loomed. Three hundred feet. Two hundred. Micah sheathed his broken sword and reached out. He snatched Charlotte¡¯s leg, whispering the incantation again in a flurry. One hundred feet. Fifty. Micah could almost smell the mud and ice. Shadows exploded from his back, wings beat furious. He pulled Charlotte in, and the blackness enveloped them. With one last mighty push, the new magic bird leveled out, zooming over the ground. It was so close, Micah could touch it. The bird flew faster, rocketing into a dense black forest.


    Settling down in a small clearing, the shadows melted back into Micah as he landed on his feet, an unconscious Charlotte in his arms. He dashed for a cluster of pine trees with black needles and set her down. He slowed his breathing and listened. Despite the late summer season, it was like dead winter at the bottom of the trench, a world dark and silent. Freezing mist filled his throat like a suffocating rag, but he focused. No sounds of flapping wings, no snapping branches ¨C nothing met his ears.


    They would know better than to follow me down here.


    He turned back to Charlotte. To his surprise, she was awake, sitting up. Her right eye exploded with a purple aura once again, this time split down the middle, half black, half white. Micah stumbled back, lifting his arms to shield himself, but it was too late. He¡¯d looked into her eyes, and now she had him. In a single moment, the little light surrounding them was snuffed out, and he found himself in that world again. The world of her making.


    Not again¡­


    She appeared as a giant, towering twenty feet over his head with arms folded and a defensive scowl on her face. It was only an illusion, an image she was impressing on his heart, and the black environment was but a mental plane projected by her magic. But her control over him was absolute ¨C this was the power of the Waning Half Moon. He crossed his arms in front of him and crouched, but he knew it wouldn¡¯t do any good. Until last night, he had not been familiar with this power. But from the whispered and fearful conversations of his men, he knew the magic¡¯s name.


    The Sealed Eye of Pegasus ¨C Heartbreaker.


    ¡°Stay away!¡± he shouted. His voice shook, but he couldn¡¯t help it.


    ¡°Relax,¡± she replied. ¡°I won¡¯t use my magic on you again. Right now, we¡¯re inside your heart. I just wanted to talk somewhere you couldn¡¯t hurt me.¡±


    Her voice was like a melody. Micah vaguely remembered how fascinated he had been when they conversed the previous night. Deep within the castle, as he stood watch over her within her cell, she got him to talk to her after persistent effort. For hours, they had discussed a whole range of topics. He somehow couldn¡¯t resist. The comforting sing-song tone of her voice filled every word she spoke. The governor¡¯s other guards called it ¡°cute,¡± but he didn¡¯t understand this word.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t planning to hurt you,¡± he said. ¡°Didn¡¯t I just rescue you?¡±


    Charlotte puckered her lips. ¡°Yes¡­ yes, you did. But, well I¡¯m sorry. You confuse me. You just threw me off a cliff for heaven¡¯s sake! And didn¡¯t you say last night you were one of the last Black Sons?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And don¡¯t they have to obey any orders from the king or governors, no matter what?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Then why did you run? Why did you let me get away?¡±


    Micah felt frustrated. ¡°I was hoping you could tell me that. Whatever power you used against me knocked me unconscious. When I revived, I was surrounded by the other servants, and you were gone. It was my duty to guard you, and I failed. When I explained what happened, Riser didn¡¯t seem to believe me. He said he couldn¡¯t take any chances, and he ordered me to take my own life.¡± Micah lowered his arms and stood straight. ¡°I felt¡­ bitterness well up within me. He said it so casually, as if telling me to take out the garbage. I immediately drew a knife to obey, but then¡­¡± He paused, mind churning but still finding no answer. ¡°I just decided I didn¡¯t want to die.¡±


    ¡°Well, of course,¡± Charlotte exclaimed. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be obvious?¡±


    ¡°A Black Son doesn¡¯t hesitate. We are the guardians of Carnel, its greatest line of defense. Our obedience is our strength ¨C something to be counted on, for we are weapons at the king¡¯s disposal. You did something to me last night, and now I¡¯m not acting as I should¡­ or I don¡¯t think I am¡­¡±


    She pressed a finger to her chin in recollection. ¡°You had something sealing your heart, and I destroyed it. It looked like a shackle. Maybe you weren¡¯t thinking right before what I did, and now you are. If you ask me, it¡¯s a pretty sad life if someone else can command you to kill yourself and you have to do it.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ suppose I can¡¯t argue with that.¡±


    ¡°But why would the governor want you dead?¡± she continued. ¡°You didn¡¯t help me escape. Why wouldn¡¯t he believe you?¡±


    ¡°I do not know. When you were captured, he told me your fate was death. I asked why, but he wouldn¡¯t give a reason. The king, one month ago, told me personally he wanted the Moon Eye Child alive, but when I told the governor this, he dismissed it.¡±


    ¡°He wants to kill me?¡± Charlotte shrieked. ¡°Why? Why does he want to kill me?¡±


    ¡°I do not know.¡±


    ¡°Do you think he¡¯s working behind the king¡¯s back?¡±


    ¡°I do not know.¡±


    She began to cry. ¡°This is unfair! I didn¡¯t ask for this. Why do they keep coming after me? Just because of my eyes. It¡¯s not like no one else can do what I can.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the only one with all seven. In fact, you¡¯re the only person in recorded history with more than one Sealed Eye.¡±


    ¡°Well, so what? I can¡¯t even use all of them.¡± She wiped her tears. Frustration and loneliness filled every part of her face. ¡°Why can¡¯t they just leave me alone?¡±


    Micah didn¡¯t know why this was happening either. But like him, she just wanted to live. They had that in common. In his heart, among the myriad new emotions he experienced this day, he knew somehow that he wanted companionship. He wanted hers.


    ¡°We both need to leave Carnel,¡± he said. ¡°Otherwise, we¡¯ll never stop running until they catch us. Why don¡¯t we run together?¡±


    She stopped crying and looked down at him. Her immense body shrunk to normal size, and she approached him, hands clasped at her chest. ¡°R-really?¡±


    ¡°Yes. We can¡­ figure a way out. Work together. And when we¡¯re safe enough, we can part ways.¡±


    Her eyes flickered in several directions as her mind seemed to toss a self-conversation back and forth. ¡°I don¡¯t really have anywhere to go now.¡± She smiled radiantly, teary eyes shining. ¡°So, I think that¡¯s a good plan.¡±


    Micah extended a hand. Charlotte looked at it curiously. He now felt anxious. ¡°Isn¡¯t this what one does when they agree to a partnership?¡± he asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re weird,¡± she said, taking his hand and shaking it with vigor. ¡°But I think I like you.¡±


    ¡°You are most definitely the weird one,¡± Micah said with a sudden stubbornness. However, he smiled behind his mask. ¡°But I think I like you, too.¡±


    The ethereal world she created disappeared, leaving them back in the forest, still holding hands. Charlotte¡¯s eyes rolled back, and she slumped. Micah caught her before she hit the ground.


    ¡°I suppose you can only use that particular Sealed Eye so many times without rest,¡± he said.


    He examined her carefully. Golden hair in long ringlets dropped below her shoulders, framing a smooth, pale face. A red dragonfly clip graced her temple. Her cheeks were small and supple, red from the cold and aglow from her tears. The pinkest of lips pouted naturally, and a rich, flowery scent cascaded from her neck. Micah studied her for several minutes, amazed by his own thoughts. For the first time in his life, he recognized this concept of beauty spoken of so often by nearly all human beings. But not only did he comprehend it, he also somehow recognized just how beautiful she was in comparison to other people or objects commonly acknowledged as such. As people say on only the most exceptional occasions:


    She was lovely.


    His face felt hot, and he forced his mind back on task. He had to find someplace warm. Gently picking up his new companion, he dashed deeper into the forest. Yes, running. This is what they needed to do now.

 Chapter 2: Nathanial Vash

    ¡°I¡¯m finished,¡± Daniel Riser lamented. The governor of the eleventh district of Carnel bashed his head against the stone wall several times, gritting his teeth. ¡°I paid half my fortune to ensure that girl¡¯s capture in my own district. Now, Jarrod will have my head for this.¡±


    ¡°You are still a governor,¡± an easy voice called from behind an entryway. The black door creaked open, and a pale man with ice blue hair strolled into the governor¡¯s bedroom, clutching a leather-bound tome. ¡°No doubt you will be severely punished for not only driving a Black Son rogue, but also losing the king¡¯s prized possession. However, it¡¯s not so easy to put a man such as yourself to death. Not without the, shall we say, magical ramifications.¡±


    ¡°Clearly you¡¯ve never met Governor Jarrod, Vash. The man terrifies me. If you can call him a man.¡±


    Nathanial Vash¡¯s severely squinted yellow eyes scanned the space. Twelve long mirrors hung at intermittent points in the cold, circular chamber. A bed, bath, wardrobe, and desk all huddled in one quarter of the room like old friends, leaving the rest of the room barren. A single window overlooked the ruins of Arcadia. The governor¡¯s room was in the highest tower of Soto Silver, ancient home to the old kings of the North. Still a grand palace but a far cry from its former glory. At such a height, it was the only place devoid of the consuming mist billowing up from the falls.


    Vash reached into a pocket in his unwieldy robes and took a long swig of a clear liquid in a metal container, like a flask but much larger. He wiped his mouth and pushed the bridge of his spectacles up the length of his nose. Arrays of black tattoos in the shapes of arrows ran across pallid arms like river currents. Vash¡¯s constant demented smirk never failed to remind Riser just how much he mistrusted the appointed counselor from Tanaerum.


    ¡°Oh, Jarrod¡¯s a man,¡± Vash tittered, hiss-like. ¡°Of that I can attest. I wouldn¡¯t worry, though. I can secure both Champlain and Goodsteel for you.¡±


    Riser huffed. ¡°You? Micah sinChamplain is one of the most talented warriors Carnel has seen in hundreds of years, since the days of the Drifting Queen even. Rogue, he¡¯s become our kingdom¡¯s worst nightmare. Not to mention he now has the Moon Eyes in his possession. What could you possibly do?¡±


    ¡°So negative,¡± Vash said. ¡°Champlain, while admittedly brilliant, is still a boy, naive without someone giving him orders. Hindered by that girl, we should be able to locate him. The other Black Son under your charge is, after all, the finest tracker in the world. Or have you managed to turn Kalem rogue, as well?¡±


    ¡°Finding Champlain and killing him are two different things.¡±


    Vash¡¯s amused expression washed away into a grave stare. ¡°I did not say it would be easy. In fact, sacrifices must be made if you want me to bring back what you lost. Great sacrifices.¡±


    He made his way to the window, resting his hands on the sill. Besides a few scant lights, those of nomads or scavengers, the remains of Arcadia were dark. Once magnificent marble buildings were hardly recognizable ruins now, rising prominent against the night horizon. Vash breathed in a lungful.


    ¡°Have you ever wondered¡­¡± he said. The tone was like a question, but it seemed he was talking to himself. He licked his lips, smile again stretching into a devil¡¯s crescent. ¡°¡­what the Rinx were like? Their power, their knowledge. How I yearn to know what they were like. Out there, Arcadia rests in peace, but this used to be a great city, full of legendary Vilex and Rinx. Rushard Crimson, Valen Genesis, Maximus Dole, Sampson sinCreed. Pure-blooded Lycanthropes with power unimaginable to us. Even Rinx Lords walked those streets once upon a time!¡±


    A bead of sweat trickled down the governor¡¯s brow. ¡°Carnel hasn¡¯t seen a Rinx in a hundred years. Yet you speak of Rinx Lords. What nonsense is this?¡±


    Vash flashed a loathsome glare. ¡°I have the ability to bring the power of Rinx back to this country. And with it, I can crush Champlain and recapture the Moon Eyes. But to do so, I will need the Eleventh Seal.¡±


    Riser fingered his emerald ring. Sweat came more freely. ¡°Give up my protection? You ask me for something that cannot be given!¡±


    ¡°It must be done. You are right when you say Jarrod will not be merciful. With that ring, he cannot kill you, but he will make you wish for death. You know this. You were charged with the simple task of holding captive Charlotte Goodsteel until the king¡¯s arrival. Very little time remains. Give me the ring. Not only will I hunt Champlain and Goodsteel down, but together we will offer the king a weapon even more potent than the Moon Eyes. A hundred times more potent!¡±


    ¡°Wh-what weapon?¡±


    Eyes bulged and arms spread. Nathanial Vash smiled like a demon cornering new prey. He hissed, ¡°The brothers of the Lord of Seas!¡±


    Riser backed against the wall, feeling a broad, dark pulse. He knew Vash was deranged, but to what extent he hadn¡¯t been sure of until now. The man had been waiting for this opportunity. The governor felt death tug on his heart like a bell toll, and he bitterly realized he had no choice but to give him the ring. If the Moon Eyes were not returned to him, his end would be certain regardless.


    He sighed in anguish, slipping the signet from his finger and offering it up.


    Vash snatched it without hesitation. ¡°Send Marshall sinKalem after Champlain,¡± he said. ¡°Have him send me daily updates. I am taking one of your soldiers and heading south, tonight if possible.¡±


    ¡°I thought you were going to catch Champlain!¡± Riser exploded in anger.


    ¡°I have much preparation before I am ready. Do not presume to think I can somehow deal with Champlain as if he¡¯s a mere fly. I said it once, he is the most brilliant fighter of our age. Even our own king would be hesitant to confront him. But Kalem will no doubt find him, even if he can¡¯t defeat him. And that¡¯s what I need while I arrange everything. Preparation, Governor. Preparation is key. Fighting him myself would spell my end, but sending a Rinx to fight him for me is another matter. Against a Rinx¡­¡± Vash vacated the room, clutching his new prize. ¡°Against a Rinx, Micah sinChamplain has no chance.¡±


    *                         *                          *


    ¡°Why is she with us again?¡±


    Micah sighed as he crouched over a skillet atop a pile of hot coals, turning eggs and potatoes over with a fork. ¡°Complaining won¡¯t make her go away, Cal.¡±


    He looked over at his furry helper. Long and sleek, the catlike creature watched a mound of nearby blankets rise and fall with Charlotte¡¯s steady breathing. He held his head high with disdain, blue fur bristling. Wings like a moth tucked against his body, and a long tail trailed down the immense bureau on which he perched. Micah stood and opened one of the many drawers of the sturdy, intricately carved chest. Their makeshift camp inside a cave Micah found had been sufficiently warm through the night. Cal located him that morning with little trouble, as always.


    He scratched Cal behind his large ears, receiving a conciliatory purr. ¡°She¡¯s going to be traveling with us for a while,¡± he said, producing some salt from the drawer and returning to the food. ¡°There¡¯s something about her that makes me feel we¡¯re connected. She¡¯s all alone, you know. So try to get along with her.¡±


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    A pleasant moan escaped Charlotte¡¯s lips as she awoke, peeking her head out from the pile of blankets. She gasped and sat up, taking in her surroundings with a wondrous expression. The white cave walls glittered with green jewels, and hundreds of stalactites of pure green crystal hung from the ceiling. She brushed her hair back as a gust of cool wind swept in from the mouth of the cave. The lush marshes of North Carnel stretched for miles in every direction.


    ¡°Amazing!¡± she said, leaning over to look outside. The cave was situated in a rising crag, steep and wet. ¡°Where are we? How did we get up here? Oh, something smells good.¡± She followed her nose and looked over at them. Immediately, she noticed Cal. ¡°Holy crickets! You have a Murr! Oh, can I pet him? Hey, he doesn¡¯t have a leash. How do you keep him from flying away?¡±


    The fur on Cal¡¯s neck bristled as he lowered his body. ¡°Tell her she can¡¯t touch me,¡± he growled.


    ¡°Is there a particular reason you don¡¯t like her?¡± Micah asked. ¡°I¡¯m confused. You haven¡¯t even given her a chance.¡±


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for her, none of this would have happened. I miss my snug bed in Soto Silver.¡±


    ¡°Well, we can never go back so you should get used to sleeping outside.¡±


    ¡°That I can handle, but I¡¯m telling you, we should get rid of her. She¡¯s going to cause us nothing but trouble.¡±


    Charlotte stood up. ¡°I hear what you¡¯re saying, you know!¡±


    Cal beat his wings in shock. ¡°Micah! I thought you said she had an Avalon spirit!¡±


    ¡°She does,¡± he replied. ¡°Or at least that¡¯s what she told me in the castle.¡±


    ¡°Uh, yes that¡¯s what I said, but¡­¡± Charlotte pointed to her right eye. A heliotrope curve glowed against her blue eye.


    ¡°Waxing Crescent,¡± Micah said. ¡°My apologies, Cal. I wasn¡¯t privy to all her abilities. I didn¡¯t know she could speak to animals.¡±


    Charlotte shrugged her shoulders imperiously and stretched, basking in the streaming morning light. Her hair was a mess, and the red gown she still wore was rumpled and uncomfortable-looking, but she giggled to herself, twirling in place.


    ¡°You¡¯re in a good mood for a fugitive,¡± Micah said.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t slept like that in a while,¡± she replied. ¡°And something just feels right, you know? It¡¯s the beginning of a new day, a new adventure. You and I¡­ well, we seem to have started something grand, don¡¯t you think? Can¡¯t you smell it in the air?¡±


    He sniffed, but smelled only breakfast.


    She giggled again, her voice like a jingle. ¡°How did you sleep?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t sleep.¡±


    She looked at him odd, as if ready to question his statement, but her puzzled face focused on something else. ¡°What is it?¡± he asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re clothes,¡± she said.


    Micah looked down at himself, thinking maybe there was a tear. Pants, shirt, and boots. Cotton gloves and a leather jacket. Sword at one side, supply pouch on the other. A cloth mask covering his entire head except for a sweeping gap exposing his left eye and ear. Three teardrop-crystal earrings. And from head to foot, everything was black. It all seemed in order.


    ¡°What about my clothes?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you realized I still don¡¯t even know what you look like? Why are you wearing a mask? Take it off so I can see your face.¡±


    ¡°This is the cloth of the Black Sons,¡± Micah said, taking the skillet off the fire and emptying the food onto a tin plate. ¡°The traditional garb established by the great king of ancient Avalon, Namolech of Ursa, when he formed the elite squadron. I never reveal my face.¡±


    ¡°Never?¡± she gasped. ¡°So I¡¯m never going to see what you look like?¡±


    ¡°Impossible.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s just¡­ unreasonable.¡± She seemed truly miffed, as if she lost something dear. ¡°Are you even still a Black Son now that you¡¯ve disobeyed an order and run away? And now that I think about it, why did you run away?¡±


    Micah didn¡¯t know how to answer those questions. He spent the entire night wondering the same things. In the end, he still felt bound to his vow.


    ¡°I wanted to live. That¡¯s all I know right now.¡±


    She cocked her head, looking at him strangely.


    ¡°Speaking of clothes,¡± he said, quickly changing the subject. ¡°We¡¯ll need to modify that dress until we can get you something else.¡±


    ¡°Modify?¡± she repeated, smoothing out some of the creases in the material and looking offended. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll cut away all the excess fabric so it won¡¯t hinder your movement.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll do no such thing! I purchased this dress in Rigel, and it didn¡¯t come cheap. You won¡¯t touch my dress.¡±


    Micah and Cal glanced at each other. The Murr rolled his eyes, but said nothing. ¡°That dress must weigh an extraordinary amount,¡± Micah said. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you can even move. Our travels are going to be perilous.¡±


    ¡°Sorry. My decision is final. Now, do you happen to have a shower? I haven¡¯t bathed in three days, and it¡¯s incredibly unpleasant.¡±


    Micah wordlessly opened another drawer in the bureau and produced a metallic object like an armband beset with green crystals. He handed it to her, and she accepted it with an impish smile, making for the inside of the cave. Soon, she was out of sight, and he could hear running water. Pleasant singing carried down the tunnel.


    ¡°You¡¯re a pushover,¡± Cal said.


    Micah blinked. ¡°I am?¡±


    The Murr sighed, resting his chin on his paws. ¡°She¡¯s going to walk all over you. Mark my words.¡±


    A half hour later, Charlotte came back glowing. Her hair fell in perfect curls past her shoulders, and the dress looked nearly brand new. She stood before them, hands at her hips and smiling cheerfully. Micah watched her sway in place, curious about why her skin looked so soft and smelled so good, even from a distance. And how did her hair return to its lustrous state when she didn¡¯t even have a brush? Perhaps she had something hidden in that gigantic dress. He wondered a lot of things about her that he had never before considered about women. And every single new question seemed completely irrelevant.


    Perhaps going rogue meant going insane.


    Charlotte must have noticed him watching her so acutely. A sultry smile played across her lips, and she glided to him, taking his arms and sliding her head against his chest.


    ¡°Say Micah,¡± she said with tender allure, drawing the words out slowly. She caressed his arms with her fingertips. ¡°Couldn¡¯t you take your mask off one time? It couldn¡¯t do any harm, and I¡¯ll bet you¡¯re really handsome. Just this once¡­ for me?¡±


    Micah put a finger to her forehead, pushing her away. ¡°No.¡±


    She sighed and folded her arms in frustration.


    ¡°Eat up,¡± he said, checking a pocket watch and then looking out the cave to the sky. ¡°I¡¯ve been keeping your food warm. We shouldn¡¯t stay in one place for too long. We have maybe a day¡¯s head start before they pick up our trail.¡±


    He began to pack everything away into the bureau. Charlotte watched him work, methodically storing his gear into their proper drawers. She realized it must be a magic chest because no regular container could possibly store so many things. She spotted the heaping plate of potatoes and eggs he had set aside for her and took it along with a fork. The delicious smell made her forget everything else, and she dove in. To her pleasant surprise, he was an excellent cook. The potatoes were perfect, spiced with a salty herb she didn¡¯t recognize. As she ate, she noticed Cal watching her. She smiled, hoping he might have warmed up to her, but he sniffed and turned his head.


    Charlotte pouted.


    *                         *                          *


    Marshall sinKalem stopped at the edge of the icy river and looked up. Soto Silver appeared no larger than a coin against the sky. Mist consumed the bottom of the gorge, billowing in freezing bursts.


    A captain of the platoon under his charge came alongside him, pointing to a cluster of black pines. ¡°The tracks begin just beyond those trees, sir. Our dogs found them right away. They lead east to the strait, just as the governor predicted.¡±


    A puff seeped from Marshall¡¯s mask as he sniffed in contempt of the statement. But he didn¡¯t voice his thoughts. ¡°Show me,¡± he said.


    The captain led him through the cluster of trees to a disturbance in the mud and ice definitely caused by footprints. Four other guards stood at attention while Marshall kneeled, examining the area.


    ¡°There¡¯s only one set of tracks, but they appear to be heavy,¡± the captain said. ¡°Champlain must have carried Goodsteel from here.¡± He pointed east toward a barren field. ¡°The tracks go north and then directly east, to the fort of Rune Sigma.¡±


    Marshall nodded and reached to the pack on his belt. He pulled out an Element Stone, touching the tip to the ground. The slender green crystal reacted with a bursting glow, and ice separated from the soil to swirl around it. His men watched with interest as the ice pressed together to form a glass plate, about two square feet in size. He whispered an incantation and put his crystal away. Standing, he held the glass in front of him, looking through it intently. For several minutes, he remained quiet, shifting only briefly a few times. Finally, he dropped the glass, shattering it.


    He held out his hand to the guards. ¡°Map.¡±


    The captain produced one. Marshall traced his fingers along the parchment, checking the sky several times. ¡°Champlain is heading west, not east,¡± he said, rolling up the chart.


    ¡°But the tracks¡­¡±


    ¡°Forget the tracks. A piece of advice, Captain: never trust the tracks of a man who can take his feet off the ground. He heads west. He will eventually turn back, but he is looking for information and supplies. What is the nearest known black market outpost west of here?¡±


    ¡°The Steam Ruins. It¡¯s popular among criminals because it¡¯s in the middle of a desert and the old pipes run deep underground.¡±


    ¡°Then that is our destination. We leave as soon as possible. Prepare yourselves. Our mission is to hunt down Micah sinChamplain, your former commander. He is an enemy of Carnel and must be put to death.¡±

 Chapter 3: Journey In the Wrong Direction

    Charlotte shielded her eyes looking up to the sky. Cal pumped his wings with little effort, flying in place high above their heads. Micah¡¯s bureau hung from his long tail by a latch. The chest swayed but was secure, the Murr little affected by its weight. For several minutes, she watched him in wonder while Micah consulted a map. The dirt road in the middle of which they now stood stretched in a straight line from east to west, devoid of travelers in both directions.


    Charlotte looked left, then right. Placing a hand on her hip, she gave him a grieved look. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you plan on walking.¡±


    ¡°Impractical,¡± he replied.


    He continued tracing his fingers along the map, studying various routes and calculating distance, time, and other factors. He noticed the sound of Charlotte¡¯s stamping foot and looked up. She now had hands on both hips.


    ¡°So are you going to magically pull a wagon and horses out of your pocket or something?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Well then how are we¡ªwait, what?¡±


    Micah reached to a pocket in his jacket and produced a white disk resembling a coaster, thin as paper but shiny and hard. He flipped it through the air between them. The disk stopped by itself, floating waist high. The shiny surface expanded before them like pulled taffy, stretching into a wide curve.


    ¡°It¡¯s a seat!¡± she exclaimed, rubbing the smooth surface. ¡°Does this fly?¡±


    In lieu of an answer, Micah tugged one of his crystal earrings. Blue flames exploded around his body, twisting several times before leaving him to engulf the seat. Charlotte yelped, backing away. The flames magnified and split apart, forming eight horses with glowing white eyes and translucent legs. The beasts afire formed a half-circle around the wagon, onto which Micah climbed without hesitation.


    He offered her a hand. ¡°Well?¡±


    Fear left her as quickly as it came, and she took it, squealing with pleasure as she climbed aboard. Her legs hanging over the seat kicked excitedly, but the chariot remained steady in the air. Two reins of blue fire extended from the flames kicking up off the two middle horses, and Micah took them, giving them a quick snap. The horses whinnied and took off. Despite no attachment to the seat, they pulled it along the road at a fast, smooth pace. Instead of the clackity-clack of horse hooves and wooden wheels, however, only the sounds of burning fire and rushing wind met their ears. The horses¡¯ legs were fluid, expanding in sometimes great arcs to consume grass and anything else burnable along the road. Cal followed from above.


    ¡°Holy crickets!¡± Charlotte said with unbridled excitement. She clapped her hands together as if watching a play. ¡°Is this a summoning?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fire magic.¡±


    ¡°What happens if we come across someone in the road, though?¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll do this.¡± He snapped the reins hard, and the horses neighed, snorting streams of blue fire. They leapt in unison, shooting into the air. Charlotte shrieked in delight as they sailed over the treetops. She took his arm when they began to descend. The impact was nonexistent, and they smoothed right back into a floating ride through the marshes.


    ¡°That was fun!¡± she said, keeping hold of him. ¡°Oh, do it again. Do it again!¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    For several miles, they bounced down the road in great leaps, horses flailing in blue fiery arches. With each new hurdle, the strange girl sitting next to him issued even shriller cries of glee, laughing with such abandon she started to cry. Finally, Charlotte relented, gasping in fits of hiccups and giggles, and he slowed the creatures to their normal pace. She leaned against him, holding his arm close. His skin tingled where she touched him.


    She calmed herself, swiping back wisps of blown hair. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine traveling any other way now,¡± she said. ¡°That was exhilarating.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my own magic. Unless I taught you, you would have to be with me.¡±


    ¡°Deal,¡± she said, smiling. He felt hot again. She cleared her throat and sat up straight. ¡°So, I didn¡¯t really question it until now, and tell me if this is a dumb question, but if we need to leave Carnel, why are we heading in the wrong direction?¡±


    ¡°Eventually we will head back east, but crossing the Strait of the Final Word will take planning. It¡¯s the most heavily guarded body of water on earth for good reason. It¡¯s the only practical way in or out of Carnel without resorting to a half-year-long journey by sea. If we went straight there without a plan, we would be caught in no time.¡±


    ¡°Oh. So then what is the plan?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re heading for Steamtown.¡±


    ¡°The ruins? Why?¡±


    ¡°Steamtown only looks abandoned, but the pipes underneath the city contain an intricate network of people and shops large enough to be considered a city all its own. I have many contacts there who owe me favors. We will find rest and information.¡±


    ¡°So why are we in a hurry? You said they¡¯ll pick up our trail soon, but if we¡¯re going in the complete opposite direction of what they expect, and we¡¯re going to hide in an underground city you know well, why should we be worried?¡±


    ¡°Marshall sinKalem will be sent to find us.¡±


    Charlotte scrunched her nose. ¡°There¡¯s that ¡®sin¡¯ again. What is that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a title that signifies a Black Son. ¡®Sin¡¯ is an old title for a master glassblower. The Black Sons became famous for their unusual glass techniques, and people began giving them the same title. It became tradition in time, regardless of one¡¯s knowledge in the glass arts. I was born Micah Champlain. When I became a Black Son, my name became Micah sinChamplain.¡±


    Charlotte smoothed her dress. ¡°Well, where I come from, ¡®sin¡¯ has an entirely different meaning.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming that¡¯s a joke.¡±


    She laughed. ¡°Maybe it was destined we should be companions. I¡¯m Goodsteel. You¡¯re sinChamplain. Good and Sin. Right?¡±


    ¡°And that signifies what?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But it has to mean something.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    She paused. ¡°Let me know if I get on your nerves,¡± she said, looking down into her lap. ¡°I tend to do that sometimes.¡±


    ¡°Get on my nerves?¡± He thought about it for a moment. ¡°What does that mean exactly?¡±


    ¡°You know. Annoy you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but where did such a turn of phrase come from? It makes no sense.¡±


    ¡°Oh well, you see, a long time ago, an Avalon farmer by the name of Jeebes grew a legendary crop called ¡®knerves¡¯ spelt with a ¡®k¡¯. The vegetable had a sweet, sumptuous taste favored by the king, but eating too much of it caused you to become delusional. He sold knerves at a ridiculous premium until eventually, only the king could afford to buy them. Which, of course led to people trying to steal from him.¡±


    ¡°Naturally,¡± Micah said.


    Charlotte lifted a finger. ¡°To stop the thievery, Jeebes built himself a wall around his land, so high it reached to the clouds, or so the story goes. But somehow, he still kept losing his prized vegetables. For years, he never figured it out, and he became obsessed with trying to capture the thief, always muttering to himself, ¡®He¡¯s getting my knerves. He¡¯s getting my knerves! I have to stop him, he¡¯s getting my knerves.¡¯¡± Charlotte laughed. ¡°Well, it turns out, Jeebes was a sleepwalker, and every night, he got up and ate some of his own plants! In the morning, he¡¯d wake up and see them gone. Coupled with the delusion, he eventually lost his mind. It took a long time, but doctors eventually figured out what was happening. They said, ¡®He got his own knerves.¡¯ and from then on, people used that phrase to explain when they were suspicious of something, but didn¡¯t have a clue why. Over time, the phrase morphed into what we know today: being annoyed.¡±


    ¡°Interesting.¡± Micah hummed. ¡°Very interesting, actually.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s also completely made up.¡±


    He looked at her in surprise. She laughed again, squeezing his arm. ¡°You¡¯ve told me so many good stories in the short time we¡¯ve known each other, I wanted to tell one for a change. I actually have no idea where that phrase comes from.¡±


    ¡°You could try searching for the actual story.¡±


    ¡°Darling, you¡¯re going to learn sooner than later that I am far too lazy for such pursuits. For now, I¡¯m satisfied. I turn all story-telling responsibilities back to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m starting to suspect I¡¯ll have many more responsibilities placed on my shoulders before long.¡±


    She smiled primly. ¡°That¡¯s why men were created with broad shoulders. Now, back to this Marshall character you spoke of. Should we be worried about him?¡±


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    ¡°Yes, very. Kalem was assigned by the king to serve Governor Riser. Riser rules the eleventh district of Carnel, which oversees security of the strait. This is why he was given command of two Sons. As I told you previously, only three Black Sons are left in the world ¨C the third serves the king personally.¡±


    ¡°And he¡¯s better than you?¡±


    ¡°Incorrect. Assuming you refer to levels of strength and capability, I am the superior of the three. But every Black Son is trained according to his strengths. Kalem is a tracker of unsurpassed ability. He will find us ¨C it¡¯s only a matter of time.¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s expression fell. ¡°No matter what? Even with this head start? What are we going to do?¡±


    ¡°We outrun him. If we can get across the strait before he finds us, he might abandon pursuit. The governors have no authority outside Carnel.¡±


    She trembled against his arm. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I¡¯ve gotten you into this mess, Micah.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sorry,¡± he said. She looked up at him in surprise. Even though she couldn¡¯t see it, he smiled in reassurance. ¡°And don¡¯t worry about Kalem, at least for now. He will want you alive. It¡¯s me he¡¯s after.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not totally useless!¡± she exclaimed, mustering up a courageous face. Her right iris shined with a lavender glow now. ¡°I have my eyes. And I¡¯m not too bad with an Element Stone.¡±


    Her confident words didn¡¯t match the doubt creeping into her expression. She looked out over the moist grassland with a small frown and hugged his arm closer.


    ¡°Tell me about your magic,¡± he asked. ¡°If that¡¯s alright with you, I mean.¡±


    ¡°Of course. We¡¯re in this together, right?¡± Smiling again, she placed a finger on her chin. ¡°Now don¡¯t quote me, because I learned a lot of what I know from the ones who held me captive. Until recently, I didn¡¯t have any idea what I was capable of. My Moon Eyes are called that because I have the seven ocular abilities of Ursa and her six children.¡±


    ¡°The founders of the Avalon and South Carnel,¡± Micah said, nodding.


    She shushed him. ¡°Who¡¯s telling the story here?¡±


    ¡°My apologies.¡±


    ¡°Ursa was the original possessor of the Inherent Magic we know as Foresight.¡± Charlotte pointed to her right eye. The entire pupil blazed purple. ¡°But it was made famous because the Drifting Queen had it and mastered all its abilities. Although, now that I think about it, she had it in the left eye, as nearly all with the power do. Anyways, Foresight became Carnel¡¯s most legendary power because of her ¨C a symbol of the country¡¯s strength. It¡¯s rare, too. Apparently, only two others on earth right now have it besides me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, the other two are¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shush! Well, Foresight is just one ¡®phase¡¯ of my eyes: the Full Moon. Ursa¡¯s sons and daughter were born with unique phases of their own. From Full Moon, we go to Waning Gibbous.¡± Micah watched as a sliver of her normal eye color returned. ¡°Then to Waning Half Moon.¡± When her iris split in half, this time the purple deepened to black and the blue faded to white, and the colors extended past the iris to consume her whole eye. The pupil became square.


    Micah knew this one. He had seen it twice before. The Sealed Eye of Pegasus.


    Heartbreaker.


    He could hardly contain his interest. ¡°So, what can they all do?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, I wish I could tell you, but I¡¯ve only activated five of them, and I¡¯ve only achieved the first level of three of those.¡±


    ¡°Which ones?¡±


    ¡°Waxing Crescent ¨C I can speak to animals when that eye is open. Waxing Gibbous ¨C I can sense when someone I¡¯m looking at intends to do me harm. And Waning Half Moon ¨C Heartbreaker. You know those.¡±


    ¡°What are the other two? Foresight is one, obviously.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I activated the Full Moon a long time ago, but it drains me so quickly that it¡¯s nearly useless. The other is Waning Gibbous, but no matter how long I keep it activated, it doesn¡¯t seem to do anything. And nobody at Soto Silver would tell me.¡±


    Micah hummed, mind churning with ideas. ¡°That leaves Waxing Half Moon and Waning Crescent still to activate. I know that the Waxing Half Moon is Nearsight. It grants the user the ability to see about a second or so into the future, but like Foresight, it requires a great amount of training to achieve Level One.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m not very good at training. I¡¯ve never been that kind of girl.¡±


    Micah gave her an up-and-down appraisal, humming again. She huffed indignantly, folding her arms.


    ¡°But hold on,¡± Micah said. ¡°There are eight phases in the moon¡¯s cycle. What about the New Moon?¡±


    She shrugged, casually rocking her legs a few times and leaning back against the seat. ¡°If there is an eighth, I don¡¯t know about it, and no one mentioned it to me. If the glow is the power of the magic, with Foresight being the strongest, wouldn¡¯t New Moon be¡­ nothing?¡±


    ¡°I suppose that makes sense. To be honest, I¡¯ve never even heard of most of these abilities. I happened to come across Foresight and Nearsight in my studies.¡±


    Charlotte nodded, solemn. ¡°Besides Foresight, the powers were thought to be dormant or extinct, my daddy told me.¡±


    ¡°We need to do some research, and Steamtown will be the perfect place to start. I have a contact there who should guide us in the right direction. Your magic could be useful, especially if I can get you to train.¡±


    She frowned for a moment but perked up, sidling next to him. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s a fair trade for your protection. You have really great arms, do you know that? Really strong.¡±


    ¡°I train.¡±


    She sighed.


    Micah drove the horses long after sunset, blue fire lighting the way. The landscape changed quite dramatically from teeming wetlands to arid desert. Charlotte seemed to be trying her best not to complain about hunger pangs, fatigue, cramps, or chilliness, but every so often an unmistakable whimper escaped her lips. It wasn¡¯t until she collapsed into his lap, however, that he relented and pulled to the side of the road to set up camp. Cal landed nearby and, in little time, Micah had a black kettle settled over a large fire.


    As he prepared a stew, he kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. The open wasteland under a near full moon provided him with little sense of security. They were sure to have covered more ground than any pursuers could, but he knew Kalem would soon be close behind. He would feel safer in the deep sewers of Steamtown. As he stirred the pot, his sight blurred, and he attempted to blink it away. His eyes felt weary, but then again they always did. He backed away from the kettle, thinking it was the smoke, and watched with amusement as Charlotte inched toward the bureau. Micah could tell she was hoping to pet Cal, who sat atop the chest and eyed her with a warning glare reminiscent of a spoiled cat.


    I hope she doesn¡¯t go with, ¡°Here, kitty kitty.¡±


    He went back to the fire, chopping up some potatoes and celery and expertly tuning out a sudden violent ruckus nearby. Charlotte soon came up beside him, folding her arms in disappointment. Several pink scratch marks decorated her neck.


    ¡°Crickets, he didn¡¯t have to be so mean about it,¡± she muttered.


    Micah chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll work on him.¡±


    ¡°You know, that¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve heard your laugh,¡± she said. ¡°I like it.¡±


    He looked at her. As sudden as the rain, her beguiling smile had already returned, all memories of a scuffle with Cal forgotten. She was bent over so she could look into his visible eye from the right side. The fire¡¯s light cascaded glowing orange shards across her face, making her hair smolder with a heavenly kind of grace.


    Before he could think of a reply, the smells of the food distracted her. She inhaled deep, then snapped her fingers. ¡°What this needs is cheese,¡± she said.


    ¡°I have cheese.¡±


    ¡°You do?¡± She clapped her hands. ¡°Can we use it? What kind is it?¡±


    ¡°Cheddar.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s perfect! How do you keep it from spoiling, though?¡±


    ¡°The bottom drawer of the bureau is an icebox.¡±


    She rushed to the chest, ignoring Cal¡¯s growl. It took her no time to find the cheese, wrapped in paper and tucked away in a deep corner of the chilly drawer. ¡°That chest has to be one of the most amazing things I¡¯ve ever seen,¡± she said with deep admiration and perhaps a hint of envy. ¡°Where did you get it?¡±


    ¡°Roobo.¡±


    She took the knife from Micah and began hacking off chunks of the deep yellow cheese into the pot. ¡°You know, Micah, you need to open up more. When I ask you where you got the bureau, it means I want to know the who, what, where, when and why. I¡¯m interested. Telling me you got it in Roobo isn¡¯t the same as telling me where you got it.¡±


    ¡°I apologize. I¡¯m not adept at the inner workings of personal relationships. Until recently, I generally didn¡¯t speak to anyone unless spoken to.¡±


    She scrunched her shoulders, looking guilty. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± she lamented. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to wreck your life.¡±


    He took her hand. She stopped to meet his gaze. ¡°You didn¡¯t wreck anything,¡± he said softly.


    For several moments, they said nothing as they looked back at each other. Micah thought he could see some color fill her cheeks. He took back the knife and cheese, resuming to slice more into the now golden stew. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re with me, Charlotte. I¡¯ve never had a friend to travel with before¡­ besides Cal, of course.¡±


    She wrapped her arms around him. ¡°I¡¯m glad I¡¯m with you, too, Micah. No one¡¯s ever come after me before.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    She shook her head, letting go of him. ¡°Nothing. The stew smells amazing. When will it be ready?¡±


    He looked at the bubbling brew. ¡°I¡¯d say another ten minutes.¡±


    While he resumed cooking, she prepared a makeshift bed out of blankets. He pondered her last statement. What did she mean by that? According to her, people have been chasing her since she was a little girl, driven to obtain the power hidden in her eyes.


    The more he thought about it, the more confused he became. He ladled out a bowl for her, and they sat around the fire. As she ate, he watched her. How her lips pursed into an alluring ¡®o¡¯ shape as she blew over the spoon, the way she made squeaky sounds of happiness in-between bites, and how her delicate hand cupped the bowl close to her body to borrow its warmth. She devoured three bowlfuls of his stew before collapsing back in a heap on the blankets. Contentment filled her face, but as soon as a few minutes had passed and she found herself looking up into the clear night sky, a look of concern gradually crossed her face again, an expression Micah had come to know well in the short time they were acquainted. He had first seen it the night he watched over her in the holding cell, and he recognized it. She was worried and scared, and even though Micah couldn¡¯t fully trust his intuition about people anymore, he knew it wasn¡¯t because she was being pursued.


    She will soon be asleep, he thought. Maybe we can talk about it in the morning.


    He quickly ate a bowl of the stew himself, turning his face away from her so he could pull his mask down. Then, he cleaned up while she got under the covers, but she watched him as he worked. When everything had been done and he refreshed the fire with more wood he found around the camp, he settled onto the blankets, using a log to prop his head. Cal slept, his steady breathing atop the bureau carrying even over the sound of the crackling fire.


    Charlotte still watched Micah closely. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to sleep?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t sleep, remember?¡± he replied.


    Her eyes widened for a moment, but she seemed to accept it. ¡°Never? How is that possible?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t slept a single night since I became a Black Son. We are to be ever watchful. There¡¯s no time for rest. So, there¡¯s no need to worry. Go to sleep. I will keep watch through the night.¡±


    Her eyes flicked back and forth, as if debating something. Finally, she shuffled her body next to his and reached a tentative arm over his chest. Micah didn¡¯t know what to do. Her eyes searched his, looking for some kind of reaction. When he gave her none, she tucked her head over his shoulder, holding him closer.


    ¡°So you¡¯ll protect me the whole night?¡± she whispered.


    Something hitched in Micah¡¯s chest. He felt incredibly hot. ¡°Yes. The whole night.¡±


    Her tense body loosened against him, and her breathing steadied while his quickened. For several minutes, he hovered his arm above his head, wondering what to do with it. He came to the conclusion he should move when she whispered again, this time a sighing request from a girl half-way to deep sleep.


    ¡°Hold me, Micah.¡±


    He slowly let his arm fall around her. For what must have been over an hour, his mind churned with thoughts ranging from the minute to the extreme. When he finally decided he wouldn¡¯t be able to understand any of it, he tried to put it out of mind. Suddenly, he felt tired.


    The stars were beautiful tonight. It had been a while since he looked at them. They reminded him of distant memories he could embrace only in the time which they chose to sweep before his eyes. He closed them, hoping to see the fleeting images better, but as always, the seemingly imagined recollections disappeared when he did so. Still, he realized that closing his eyes felt good. As long as he kept his ears alert, it shouldn¡¯t be a problem. It was as if¡­ he found solitude. As if he found true rest.


    Perhaps this is what sleep feels like.

 Chapter 4: The Book of Names

    Vash took a hard swig from his flask, liquid dribbling down his chin. After a painful, irritated groan, he put it away and resumed his trudge up the steep hill. His icy gaze never faltered from the top, ignoring the long-abandoned structures around him. Rows of boarded-up houses on teetering stilts cried out with a multitude of shrill whistles as bitter wind assailed crevices, broken windows, and plank holes. Long grasses swished about, a million silver tresses under the moonlight.


    The town thoroughfare weaved a snake-like path uphill, seeming to connect every deserted building to all the others, as if to constantly remind any poor soul who walked the street of their individual miseries. Signs of lost prosperity abounded. Remnants of happy-white and sunshine-yellow paint flecked off formerly fine architecture, discarded playthings of children lay strewn about, a three-story clock tower awaited its construction to be finished, and partitioned plots of dirt could only have served as once beautiful gardens.


    ¡°Sir, why have we come to Thistle?¡± the soldier following close behind asked. Nervous fingers gripped a sword at his hip, and his eyes darted every which way. ¡°It¡¯s nothing but a ghost town.¡±


    ¡°And do you know why?¡± Vash asked. ¡°No, of course you don¡¯t. That would require at least a remote knowledge of history.¡±


    His servant frowned at the insult. ¡°And this couldn¡¯t wait until the morning?¡±


    ¡°Be quiet and press on. We are almost there.¡±


    Arriving at the apex of the mount, they immediately noticed the single tree stretching over the dewy morning grasses. The brown leaves faintly glowed in the twilight.


    ¡°What is that?¡± the soldier asked in awe. ¡°The trunk and limbs are green and the leaves are brown. It¡¯s all switched around.¡±


    He approached with hand extended, but Vash snapped at him. ¡°Get away from that, you idiot! You¡¯ll die within minutes of touching a Thistlewood.¡± He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and opened his tome. ¡°Stay beside me, and remain silent. I need to concentrate.¡±


    The sullen soldier fell behind while Vash traced the edge of a Black Stone along inscriptions in the book. The delicate leaves of the manuscript were very old, and he handled each touch with care. For several minutes he whispered complex incantations. The wind swirling about grew frigid, and the light from the moon quelled, retreating behind white clouds. Vash raised the crystal in his hand and chanted the last line with more authority.


    The crystal glowed, burning a purple ember within. A limb of the tree stretched itself, branches extending out like fingers. The ground underneath burst with a small plume, and a frayed rope flew out from the ground to swing over the limb and into Vash¡¯s open hand. He grasped it in a rush of exhilaration.


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    ¡°It worked,¡± he said, gripping it as if his life depended on it.


    The servant took a fearful step back. ¡°Sir¡­ uh¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°A history lesson,¡± he replied, setting the book down and pulling the rope. ¡°You¡¯re about to discover why Thistle became a ghost town.¡±


    He pulled the line for several lengths, grunting in excitement. Finally, something protruded from the hole in the ground. The soldier gasped in disgust. A human head emerged, rotten and mutilated with a grimy noose snug around its neck. Vash tugged hard and the body followed. The corpse had one arm and no legs. Rib bones poked out from a decaying chest cavity littered with worms. The cadaver swung pathetically in the air, head loose on its own neck. But when it steadied, the head moved, twisting with bone-crunching effort to face them.


    ¡°Who¡­disturbs¡­me?¡±


    Rotted lips did not move, but the words rasped from the corpse¡¯s mouth. Vash stood confident, but the soldier gasped, panting and trembling beside him in sudden hyperventilation.


    ¡°Nathanial Vash of Carnel,¡± he answered. ¡°I¡¯ve come for the Book of Names.¡±


    The silence of the pause was deafening. The soldier¡¯s whimpers became louder, and Vash hushed him with a furious glare.


    ¡°The Book¡­cannot¡­be given.¡±


    ¡°I request only two names,¡± Vash replied quickly.


    ¡°Two¡­sacrifices. Magic¡­and¡­¡­life.¡±


    Vash held up the ring given him by Daniel Riser. ¡°An offering of ultimate magic¡­¡± He spread his arm out toward the soldier. ¡°And an offering of ultimate life¡­ human life.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± the servant shouted.


    Vash sneered. ¡°Be honored you were of use to me.¡±


    ¡°NO!¡± He turned and fled, shouting in terror.


    ¡°Your sacrifices¡­are¡­acceptable.¡±


    Cords of blue light whipped from the corpse¡¯s mouth, one to the ring in Vash¡¯s hand, the other racing to the fleeing soldier on invisible tracks, snaring him by the head. The light impaled his neck, snapping his spine in a spray of blood. Immediately, he tumbled to the ground, horrific screams silenced. The ethereal strings of light were sucked into the creature¡¯s mouth and chewed with loud, sloppy chomps. The ring¡¯s emerald color faded, and the crystal shattered. Vash dropped it without another thought.


    The carcass then reached into its own chest cavity and pulled out a worn leather-bound book, its pages stained red. Vash¡¯s eyes followed it with lust, and he carefully approached, keeping firm hold of the rope. The book opened for him on its own. Midway through, it stopped. The pages were blank, but Vash knew what to do. He need only think of the names he desired. And before he could finish doing so, they appeared in delicate script. Two single names, long considered lost.


    I have them.


    The corpse snapped the book shut, and Vash dropped the rope. The corpse and rope plunged back into the hole, and the earth closed over it. He took a few dizzy steps beyond the tree to look out over the valley. The unborn sun tinged the sky pink. He lifted his hands to look into them. His mouth stretched in demented delight. After so long, so much research, so many failures.


    I HAVE THE NAMES!


    He sprinted back down the hill, mind churning with the preparations he now needed to make. As a man who finds lost riches becomes obsessed with making sure it can be only his, so Vash wanted to say the names immediately and bring about this treasure of his dreams, but he would have to be patient. There were still preparations to be made. Preparations to resurrect the most feared villains in Carnel¡¯s history. To bring them back from the dead¡­ and enslave them to his every desire.

 Chapter 5: The Pipes Beneath the Pipes

    ¡°You big fat liar.¡±


    Micah opened his eyes. Charlotte stood over him with a judgmental look. A bright blue sky framed her face.


    He gasped and scrambled to his feet, looking around wildly. ¡°What? What¡¯s happening? Where are we?¡± The glare of the morning sun stung his eyes. He shielded them, desperate to gain some understanding.


    Charlotte backed away from him, uncertain about his sudden reaction. ¡°What do you mean? We¡¯re still in the desert. What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    He tried to calm down, but it was hard. Time had somehow skipped over twelve hours! Had he fallen unconscious? Or maybe he¡¯d been attacked, but a quick check resulted in no wounds.


    He put a hand to his forehead, straining for answers. ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡­¡±


    ¡°Relax, Micah,¡± Cal said. They turned to see the Murr still perched on the bureau. ¡°You were sleeping.¡±


    ¡°Well, duh,¡± Charlotte said.


    ¡°Illogical.¡± Micah shook his head. ¡°That can¡¯t be right.¡±


    ¡°Think it through,¡± Cal replied.


    I fell asleep? I¡¯ve never slept a day in my life. How could that be possible? Unless¡­ He whirled to face Charlotte, who took another step back, wringing her hands.


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s my fault, too?¡± she said, laughing nervously.


    ¡°It¡¯s the only rational conclusion,¡± Cal said. ¡°Whatever you did to Micah seems to have undone everything that came with who he was before you met. You could say he¡¯s becoming a normal human being.¡±


    Micah slumped back to the blankets, needing to sit. ¡°I suppose that makes sense. So that was sleep?¡± He rubbed his eye, clearing away a blurry haze. ¡°My eyes feel¡­ good, actually. Better than they ever have. My whole body, in fact.¡±


    ¡°So you do have two eyes,¡± Charlotte said.


    ¡°Of course I do.¡±


    ¡°Well, how was I supposed to know? I¡¯ve sure never seen the other one. Can you see through your mask or something?¡±


    He stood again, shakily. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Good. Then use those two refreshed eyes of yours and help me clean up camp. I¡¯m going to make the assumption you would have had us on the road much earlier than now. We¡¯ve got to keep ahead of our pursuers, right? I can skip breakfast for once, I think.¡±


    He looked at her. A teasing smile accompanied twinkling eyes. He nodded and began to gather up the bedding. This will be an adjustment, but I can manage it, he thought. Still¡­ if something as drastic as this has happened, what else might have changed to my body because of her magic? I need to know more about her eyes. Fast.


    On the cusp of that evening, the ruins of Steamtown rose over the barren horizon. A deserted metropolis of pipework, rust red and dilapidated, Steamtown¡¯s once busy streets were now wide sandy strips. Charlotte sat up in the seat as they approached, mouth agape as the towering structures reached higher and higher the closer they came. The first series of shooting pipes rose abruptly from the sands, and Micah stopped the chariot just before passing into the city.


    Charlotte craned her neck, straining to find the top. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of this place, but I didn¡¯t know it was so huge,¡± she said, stepping out. ¡°It¡¯s an entire city made of piping!¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Micah said. They entered the city, walking down a particularly wide road. ¡°While it was technically just a power plant, the sheer size of Steamtown once allowed thousands of workers to both work and live here, providing water and heat for many who used to dwell in the desert. There are millions of miles of pipes weaving in and out of each other and deep underground, some as narrow as your finger, others large enough to enclose houses. It was a wonder of the world, a true marvel of Carnelian ingenuity. It¡¯s said that steam used to fill every street with pleasant clouds of warm mist, and the pipes were constantly whistling and shrieking.¡±


    ¡°So what happened?¡±


    Micah slowly stepped forward onto another sand-strewn street winding a crooked path to the middle of the city. In lieu of giving her an answer, he peeked his head around a corner and spotted what he was looking for. Charlotte hastened to catch up as he turned the bend and approached a wind-beaten stone sticking out of the middle of the road.


    ¡°A gravestone?¡± she said. Weathered letters below a small, faded etching of a spider read:


    Maleficent Stormwater


    Beloved Sister


    ¡°What¡¯s a gravestone doing in the middle of the street?¡± she asked.


    ¡°You asked what happened to Steamtown. Maleficent Stormwater happened. A wanted criminal, she butchered every single person who lived here seven hundred years ago. Thousands of people dead in a single day. Legend tells us she was an evil villain with an unquenchable thirst for blood, but historians believe her act of genocide had been more calculated, meant to draw out the Drifting Queen in an act of revenge.¡±


    ¡°The Drifting Queen?¡± Charlotte¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°I love stories about her. So what happened?¡±


    ¡°They fought in this place, and this is where the queen defeated Stormwater. See the spider etching? Back then, before she was queen, they called her the¡ª¡±


    ¡°White Widow,¡± Charlotte finished. She smiled.


    He nodded. ¡°That¡¯s her tomb mark. This is the exact spot Stormwater was buried.¡± He put his hand on his hip and looked around at all the rusted structures. ¡°But Steamtown never recovered. Haunted by the death of so many, no one wanted to come and resume operations. Eventually, the works shut down. Situated in the middle of the desert, it was abandoned altogether.¡±


    ¡°Being in this big city all alone gives me the creeps,¡± Charlotte said, taking his arm.


    ¡°We¡¯re not alone. Eventually, we would cross paths with people above ground, but very few wander the streets. These massive structures tend to fall apart. But the pipes beneath the pipes ¨C that¡¯s our destination. Once inside, you need to stick close to me. All manner of thieves, duo agents, and raw magic makers reside here, usually wanting more than anything not to be found.¡±


    ¡°By who?¡±


    ¡°Anyone. Everyone. So stick close. I have friends here, but enemies as well.¡±


    He took her hand and led her back into the street. For several minutes, they walked the lonely avenues. The silence was only interrupted by the intermittent crashing of a distant pipe as it finally gave way. Micah knew a little-used entrance that would allow them to bypass many of the thugs and bandits who waited for easy targets on more frequently used paths into the Underground. Men who might see Charlotte as susceptible prey. But it would mean taking the Deepwell tracks. He would have to take the chance they were still being maintained.


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    An open pipe, obscure and severely rusted with a diameter just bigger than Charlotte was tall, poked out from a certain assemblage of pipes. Micah ducked into it. They both produced Life Stones when the passage drew dark. Holding them up, ample illumination guided their way.


    ¡°What about Cal?¡± Charlotte asked, watching the ceiling of the pipe more than the floor. She shuddered and twitched, looking all around.


    ¡°He will be fine. The higher, the better for him. He hates going underground. He¡¯ll know once we come back up. Don¡¯t ask me how he¡ª stop, stop! What are you doing?¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s twitching had become more like short bursts of hysteria. She swiped at her face and hair, jumping and squealing.


    ¡°Sorry! I¡¯m worried about spiders. I hate those things.¡±


    ¡°There are no spiders down here.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± she said, calming down sudden as a finger snap.


    ¡°What you need to watch for are the pasilbugs. They¡¯re much worse.¡±


    ¡°What? What are those?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t worry. They¡¯re not usually hungry at this time of night.¡±


    She gasped and clutched his arm tighter. He moved forward again, glad she couldn¡¯t see the smirk on his face. For several minutes, they drove deep into the pipe, noticing how moist the air had become. Omnipresent sounds of running water echoed faintly in their ears. A green tinge against the walls eventually became visible, like the light from glow worms, growing in intensity until they were able to put their crystals away.


    The green light soon flooded the pipe, and the circular walls expanded into an elbow turn with a broad dome. The source of the light was a lamp on a metal stand in a corner. The pipe broke off into two different directions. One was boarded off. Beside the other, a man stood casually as if he had expected them. He wore light clothing despite the cool damp, and atop his head sat a red straw hat with a wide brim. His bearded face seemed reptilian against the intense smolder of the lamp.


    ¡°Which one are ya?¡± he asked uncertainly. The island accent of the Vertigas echoed inside the dome.


    ¡°Champlain,¡± Micah answered.


    He seemed relieved. ¡°Ah, I thought for a moment you were¡­ well never mind. It¡¯s been a long time. Who¡¯s the pretty lady?¡±


    ¡°Tinn, when was the last time you checked the tracks?¡±


    The man called Tinn gave a short laugh. ¡°Suspicious as always. The tracks are fine. Well, they¡¯re fine for someone who knows how to use ¡®em.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask if they were fine. I asked the last time you checked them.¡±


    ¡°Oh, a couple days ago I¡¯d wager.¡± Micah¡¯s single-eyed glower made Tinn shift nervously on his feet. He scratched his beard. ¡°Ya know¡­ a week or so. Maybe two. Look, they¡¯re fine. I just sent someone down not one hour ago.¡±


    ¡°Improbable. But it¡¯s easy to send someone down. The question is whether this person you sent arrived at his destination in one piece.¡±


    ¡°Look, I¡¯ll send the cart down, and you can see for yourself how it comes back just fine.¡±


    He sauntered over to the pipe opening not boarded up, moving in a sideways shift like an old crab. Mounted on the wall was a lever. A mechanical contraption on the floor released a black cable, which was attached to a stand-only cart.


    Charlotte toed closer to get a better look. The cart sat on rusted rails and featured only a nicked two-bar handle. The dark tunnel dove underground at a daunting angle.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you want us to get on that thing?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Intendidly. It¡¯s the best way to shave four hours. These tunnels are more extensive than you can imagine.¡± He turned to Tinn. ¡°But first, let¡¯s see it.¡±


    Tinn huffed with a shake of his head. ¡°Sheesh. Always so pushy, ya Black Sons.¡± He released the lever.


    With a grinding screech that made Charlotte jump, the cart shot down the tracks, followed by the cable. Faster and faster the rope churned from the box, grinding with a high-pitched scream. Ten minutes later, there was a bang and the cable snapped taut. Tinn took a wench sticking out from the cable box and began to turn it with laborious grunts. After another wait, the cart returned to its former position.


    ¡°There,¡± Tinn wheezed, hunching over and grabbing his side. ¡°See? Nothing¡­to worry¡­about.¡±


    ¡°I suppose,¡± Micah replied, producing three gold coins and dropping them into Tinn¡¯s hand. He hopped onto the cart, holding the handle and fitting his feet into small grooves on the metal platform. He held out his hand for Charlotte, who looked at the vehicle nervously.


    ¡°It¡¯s a serving tray on wheels, Micah,¡± she said. Tinn harrumphed. She wrung her hands. ¡°Are you sure this is safe?¡±


    She wrings her hands like that frequently, Micah observed. ¡°I¡¯ve done this many times. Do you honestly think I would let any harm come to you?¡±


    She danced in place a few times before finally taking his hand, gripping him tight around the waist. Without word or warning, Tinn gave a short salute and released the lever.


    The cart surged with a gravity-releasing plunge into the pipe¡¯s pitch-black bowels. Charlotte screamed as her feet left the cart. Trailing through the air like a waving flag, she stayed aboard only by her desperate grip around his body. Micah brought his arm around, taking hold of her and forcing her back down.


    ¡°Hang on to me!¡± he shouted over the screeching rails.


    She tucked her feet between his and clutched to him, burying her face into his shoulder and yelping with every jolt. The cart careened through the pipes at greater speeds. Intermittent lamps sprang into sight in split seconds, flashing images of their harrowing pace before pitting them back into pure darkness. The cart protested every turn, seeming to threaten derailment each time. Other sets of rails crossed several times as pipes converged or broke away. Micah prayed no one was taking the tracks at the same time.


    For several minutes, the cart wound its weaving path deep underground. Charlotte peeked her head over his shoulder, still clutching to him so close, Micah knew there would be bruises. Her hair whipped a frenzy around their heads, and he could sense her shivering from the cold and her own panic. Stunned, he realized in that moment how easily he had disregarded her when choosing the Deepwells. Feeling her tremble against him, he regretted his decision ¨C why did he think anyone else would so easily embrace a travel method such as this, especially a female? The logic had escaped him.


    He sensed the end of the jaunt, recognizing the particular turns in the pipes. But just when he thought there might be nothing to worry about, there was a bang, as if they struck a rock. The cart jumped, swerving in a wide arc and fanning a sheet of sparks. Charlotte cried out as her feet nearly left the cart again. Micah just managed to keep them on the rails, but not before it cut a turn down a pipe he didn¡¯t recognize. Sludge and algae lined the opening, and a spray of water blasted the cylinder walls as they shot through the pipe. Water nearly covered these tracks ¨C a tunnel with which Micah was wholly unfamiliar.


    Not good. Tinn, you bastard.


    A light, faint at first but intensifying, opened before their eyes. The cart began to shake, rubbing Micah¡¯s hands raw. His eyes widened in alarm as the rails broke ahead, dropping into an immense cavern. Before he could do anything, the cart shot off the tracks into an abyss too deep to see the bottom. The cable snapped. Micah held on to the cart, but Charlotte lost her grip in the sudden plunge, screaming as she twisted off the cart and plunged.


    ¡°MICAH!¡±


    He watched her fall. Wide eyes, flailing arms, fluttering dress. For the second time, she plummeted before his sight. To a terrible end, all because of him. Farther and farther she separated. He would lose her.


    Micah grimaced. No more. This is the last time I let her suffer on my account.


    He whipped an Element Stone from his belt, snapping his arm out. A jet of water exploded from the tip, catching her leg. The stream instantly froze into a column of ice, ensnaring her in a tight hold. Still holding the cart handle, he swung with all his might, casting her toward another pipe opening in the cavern wall far below. The ice broke with a groaning snap, and she hurled like a meteor.


    Micah tugged an earring. Blue fire exploded in a rush of heat, catching the cart in midair to surround him. The horses dove like a hawk after prey, pulling him behind. He caught up to Charlotte and snatched her from the air around the waist, pulling her to him and planting their feet on the railcar. The horses leveled with the opening in the cavern and swooped in a tight arch, whipping the cart through the air like a cannon. The cart slammed onto new rails, spraying a stream of sparks and rattling in booming echoes.


    Micah squeezed the handles, gritting his teeth. Wheels groaned, begging for the end.


    Charlotte pointed ahead. ¡°Oh no! Micah, look!¡±


    The cart was slowing, but ahead, thick planks sealed the exit. He quickly drew his sword, a weapon with no blade. Charlotte gasped and planted her face into his back, fingers raking his chest. The cart reached the end. He plunged the sword handle through.


    Wood exploded with an angry roar, spraying them with splinters as they crashed headlong through the opening. Micah landed on his feet and immediately leaped, abandoning his sword to catch Charlotte before she hit the ground. He rolled with the momentum, letting his body take the brunt of the impact. For several feet they tumbled across level ground until finally coming to a stop. Micah covered her head as dust plumes and shards of wood rained over them. It took several moments until the violent echo of the collision died, leaving them back in the hollow embrace of silence. The faintest of light from a faraway source scattered through the floating dust and debris.


    Charlotte¡¯s heart pounded, a caged hummingbird between their chests. She quivered in his arms. It took several minutes for her breathing to slow. Finally, her head lifted to look at him, and he met her gaze.


    She smiled feebly. ¡°Weeeee¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    She nodded, laying her forehead back on his chest. ¡°I think I¡¯ll be okay. Just give me a minute.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry, Charlotte.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not. I put your life in peril because I didn¡¯t weigh the risks. Traveling alone, I never had to worry about such dangers. I knew how to protect myself, but to protect others? I neither considered nor comprehended such a thing. And I asked for friendship!  You trusted me, and I failed you. It took only a moment, watching you fall, to realize how much I have yet to learn.¡±


    His voice lowered to a whisper. ¡°If you can forgive me, I promise I will never put you in harm¡¯s way like that again.¡±


    Without hesitation, she nodded once more. ¡°Deal.¡±

 Chapter 6: Salt

    Filthy and covered in scrapes and bruises, Micah and Charlotte explored the unfamiliar passage. A single crystal shard hung by a cheap twist of wire from the top of the pipe, giving just enough light to thoroughly enhance how dark it was beyond its pathetic reach. Micah produced a superior Life Stone, and its powerful glow gave them relief. The pipe plunged further into the bowels of the earth at a slight decline.


    ¡°Micah, where are we?¡±


    ¡°I would say we missed the main pipeline by about a quarter mile.¡± Micah spotted a silver object and went to pick it up. ¡°Tinn lied to me. He and I are going to have words.¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s gaze fell on the thing he picked up. ¡°The handle of your sword,¡± she said. ¡°Oh no! Did it break?¡±


    Micah held it up. ¡°This is Glad. It breaks often, but for good reason.¡±


    A slicing ring preceded a sudden burst from the handle. A thick blade erupted from the crossguard, red hot and hissing. Rising four feet into the air, it stopped and cooled quickly with crackling snaps. The result: an edge of pure glass, razor sharp with a jagged, saw-like tip.


    Charlotte oohed. ¡°How pretty.¡±


    He sniffed in contempt. ¡°This is a deadly weapon.¡±


    Her eyebrow arched. ¡°It¡¯s glass.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but as you can see, it broke through thick wood without problem. The same would have happened to most obstacles in my way. Don¡¯t underestimate the glass arts.¡±


    ¡°What happens if you have to fight someone with a real sword, though?¡±


    He sheathed the blade, then folded his arms. ¡°Glad is a real sword. But its specialty is clean strikes. Light and sharp for cutting, suitable for assassination or duels I want to end quickly. In battle, I would use my other swords.¡±


    ¡°You have more? I only see one on your belt.¡±


    ¡°Then you lack vision. Which is saying a lot.¡± He cast the beam of his crystal to his right. ¡°Now, if we stay along this pipe, eventually we¡¯ll find the main line. It shouldn¡¯t be too far, even if it¡¯s a ways from our original destination.¡±


    ¡°How do you know which direction is the right way?¡± she asked, clutching to his shirt as they moved forward.


    ¡°See the lines along the pipe there?¡± He pointed out thin white streaks near the top. ¡°The feathery patterns mark the flow of the water when these pipes used to carry it out from the city. If we go in the opposite direction, we¡¯ll eventually find the main line.¡±


    Deeper they plunged with Micah leading the way. His eyes scanned every inch of the long-abandoned line as they proceeded, but his real concern was what waited for them. If time were of no consequence, he would have taken any longer route necessary to avoid this particular direction.


    Soon, they found the way out. The pipe converged into a much larger one, twenty feet in diameter and mustier than any of the other tunnels they had traversed. A rickety wood platform lined the bottom for even footing, long bereft of protesting squeaks and resigned to accept the many plodding footsteps.


    Charlotte gasped when she saw how many people occupied the mainline. As they entered and stepped up a ramp to the walkway, dozens of men could be seen under the ample but still dim light of the lamps above. Micah could tell she expected just a few encounters, if any at all. The Steamtown pipeline wasn¡¯t just a tunnel, however. It was a city itself. Openings for shops, inns, and even personal domiciles were carved into the pipe walls or situated into pipe break-offs. For miles, the immense structure stretched under the desert, providing safety in hiding for all manner of thieves, fugitives, or seedy traders ¨C for even the king had no desire to purge such a sequestered and inaccessible place.


    Charlotte clung to him, but her interest couldn¡¯t be contained. In every shop or tavern, men loitered, all with the same hard, unapproachable expressions, but their dealings were many. Trade and sale was conducted in low voices, but with so many people, the sounds churned together in a pervasive murmur, like the hushed whisperings of a crowd before a public execution. Charlotte¡¯s eyes caught many interesting shops and wares that might have convinced her to risk a stop to look, but Micah didn¡¯t delay, moving straight ahead and keeping his eyes on the path.


    ¡°Everyone is looking at us¡­¡± Charlotte said, grabbing tighter to his shirt.


    ¡°There aren¡¯t many women down here,¡± he whispered. ¡°And certainly none dressed like you.¡± He glanced aside at her frilly red dress. ¡°I warned you.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re mostly looking at you, though. They seem afraid¡­ or pensive at best.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wear these clothes because I think they look snappy.¡±


    Despite their surroundings, a smile curled onto her face. ¡°Was that sarcasm? I¡¯m highly impressed, Micah. Or amused. Those two things tend to run together when it comes to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take it as half a compliment then.¡±


    The sinister section of the pipeline ended after about a mile, fading into a much more well-lit tunnel. Store owners and their customers talked and traded more openly, with speaking voices and unassuming glances. And while no one could accuse any of them of being reputable, they certainly added credence to this section of the pipeline being called the ¡°good side of town.¡± When Micah pointed out a particular pipe break-off from which they should have exited after taking the cart, Charlotte gave a rather exhausted sigh.


    He led her around a bend in the tunnel to a split. The main line curved to the right with a steep drop and a well-used set of stairs. The left led to a bright path much more inviting than any part of the pipe they had come across. Lanterns hung from iron chains to light the way, decorated with laurels as if it were a holiday. Doorways were finely cut all along the pipe for several hundred yards, with cavities dug out to create inns, shops and taverns.


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    ¡°Fullins Lane,¡± Micah said.


    ¡°Well this doesn¡¯t look so bad.¡± Charlotte let go of him for the first time. ¡°And it¡¯s not musty like everything else down here.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. There is even a theatre and an arena, small by comparison to others in Carnel, but always crowded.¡±


    He led her to a wide landing. An inviting red door was set between two glass windows, at which Charlotte marveled because they had not yet come across any such thing. Above the door, a sign read ¡°The Salt¡± and featured an image of an animated pig dressed in fine clothes and standing on hind legs, making some kind of deal with a distrustful goose holding a ledger. Charlotte chuckled at the odd carved sign as they went inside.


    The comparative extravagance of the Salt led her to gasp. Solid wood boards stained to a mahogany finish made perfect walls to cover what would otherwise have been a dirt chamber miles underground. Men, and a few women, lounged around a long bar in the corner, keeping a pleasant-looking bartender busy. A grand piano on the other end was being played by a man wearing a red top hat and canvas pants but strangely, nothing else. His complex tune carried through the room with a lovely sound.


    Micah headed straight for the front desk, which wasn¡¯t actually a desk, but simply the end of the lengthy bar. A tall man in a green apron stood behind it. Micah resisted the urge to close Charlotte¡¯s agape jaw. The innkeeper¡¯s face was split in three sections. The lower portion featured fair skin and a black goatee. The upper-left portion was black and smooth with a dark, piercing eye. The final third of his face was covered. A thick material like leather had been sewn into the skin with fat stitchings, reaching along his jawline, over his ear and eye, and running just above his mouth up the middle of his nose, down his head like a hair part.


    ¡°Hello, Salt,¡± Micah said.


    Salt nodded. ¡°Yep, yep. Been a time, Mic. Two times by the measure.¡± His lower lip jutted out as he spoke in a deep, gritty voice. Beefy hands cleaned the inside of a pitcher, moving with deft, powerful strokes. He nodded to Charlotte as well, who only continued to gawk.


    Micah nudged her. ¡°Isn¡¯t it considered rude by normal standards to stare?¡±


    She shook herself from her stupor and blushed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve never¡­ I mean, you know. I don¡¯t have¡­ uh¡­¡±


    Salt held up a hand. ¡°Tis alright, miss. A sun ne¡¯er been set when I ain¡¯t be getting that look. A second time might earn you the rebuke, though. Right, then?¡±


    It took her a moment to register his sentence, but when it did, she smiled and nodded. ¡°Deal.¡±


    ¡°You two are a right fine mess. A room and bath be agettin¡¯ then?¡±


    ¡°Two rooms, please,¡± Micah replied.


    Charlotte¡¯s breath held, and she looked at him in surprise. Her face turned disappointed, then soured in one swift moment.


    He noticed it. ¡°What? What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± she said.


    An edge lilted her voice. Her eyes caught the corner of the room, where several dozen people sat at the bar or around tables, talking and laughing, or singing along with the music.


    Salt handed them each a key with a number on it. Pointing down a hall behind him, he said. ¡°Up the stairs, to the right.¡±


    ¡°So then, what¡¯s next?¡± Charlotte asked Micah, business-like.


    ¡°I have to run an errand,¡± Micah answered. ¡°You should be safe here. Salt can cook you dinner. Then you can get your rest.¡±


    She pursed her lips, nodded, then left his side and made for the bar. It wasn¡¯t hesitant or exploratory ¨C she made a beeline for a stool and sat with a graceful turn. And like horses to the trough, a dozen young men gathered to where she sat. Enthusiastic greetings, offers to buy her drinks, and puffed up chests accompanied them. Despite her dirty clothes and smudged face, the men swarmed around Charlotte, their eyes full of a type of eagerness Micah had seen before, but never understood.


    ¡°Now, now boys,¡± she said, laughing. ¡°There¡¯s plenty to go around, but first, a glass of the red. Nothing too expensive, mind you.¡±


    A dozen requests to the bartender for red wine came in unison. And in no time, it was like she was one of them. She seamlessly blended into their laughs, their jokes, their song, as if they were old friends and she had been there all night. Micah was amazed.


    ¡°That be your girl, then?¡± Salt asked as they watched her.


    ¡°That¡¯s an odd question. I don¡¯t own slaves,¡± Micah replied. ¡°I didn¡¯t know anyone still did.¡±


    ¡°That ain¡¯t my meaning.¡± He pointed his finger to her, then to him. ¡°Together?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes. We are together. We¡¯ve been traveling in each other¡¯s company for several days now, in fact.¡±


    Salt¡¯s lone eye rolled. ¡°Already know you haven¡¯t the idea what I¡¯m saying. Why do I ask? You Black Sons. Talking to a wall earns me a better penny. All the same, prob¡¯ly the best. That polished female is a flirt, rival to none by the looks of it.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s a flirt?¡±


    He gave a low chuckle more like a grunt. ¡°You know, if you wasn¡¯t my friend, you¡¯d get on my nerves, Mic.¡±


    Micah put an arm on the desk and leaned in excitedly. ¡°Do you know where that phrase comes from? ¡®Getting on my nerves,¡¯ that is.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Then it hit him. ¡°Oh. Wait a minute. Actually, I don¡¯t know where it comes from either.¡±


    Salt looked at him strangely. ¡°Your rocks all in order then? Maybe you¡¯re needing a little shut-eye.¡±


    Micah smiled. ¡°No, sorry. I¡¯m fine. I just realized I¡¯m actually having fun, despite the situation.¡±


    ¡°A first if ever I heard it. Wasn¡¯t aware ¡®fun¡¯ even breached the vernacular. You¡¯ve changed, Mic. Challenge the man that denies it. Is it her that done it, I wonder? Where abouts you pick up the bumptious birdie?¡±


    ¡°Arcadia. And you¡¯re right.¡± He looked down at his gloved hands. ¡°She¡¯s changed me. In no uncertain terms, I¡¯m different, even though I feel the same.¡±


    Salt nodded, scratching his chin. ¡°Care is number one all times around the females. They can shake all your screws loose or fit them in place, depending on something small as the weather. Don¡¯t suspect you see the pit you¡¯re in for the mud it¡¯s worth. Few men do, but there¡¯s no escaping it now. She¡¯s got the pearly eyes for you. Memorize to treat her right. That¡¯s the advice I¡¯ve got for you.¡±


    Micah nodded. He understood the cryptic words behind Salt¡¯s words, but struggled with the meaning.


    ¡°Before I draw the blank mind¡­¡± Salt produced a small package from behind the counter. ¡°¡­these are for you.¡±


    Micah unwrapped the linen, revealing its delicate contents: five thin glass plates stacked on top of each other. He lifted one square up. A bright glow swirled about inside the glass near its center. The others had different colors, but each was equally vibrant.


    ¡°Alinda Plates?¡±


    Salt nodded. ¡°They were Coral¡¯s. He left ¡®em for you. I took ¡®em for you.¡±


    Micah couldn¡¯t believe it. His former master left him Plates? And powerful ones at that. He shook his head. ¡°But why? He disavowed all connection with me three years ago.¡±


    ¡°A question for him, not the keep. I¡¯ll be sticking to the broom and rag and leave it at that. Didn¡¯t feel right, holding them witchy glasses.¡±


    Micah put the plates away in a pocket of his jacket. ¡°There¡¯s a visit I need to make, Salt. But I can¡¯t take Charlotte with me. Can you keep an eye on her until I get back?¡±


    Salt glowered at him, and Micah held up his hand in defense. ¡°That¡¯s a common turn of phrase. Don¡¯t blame me. ¡®No pun intended,¡¯ I was told to say.¡±


    He sighed, looking back at Charlotte. ¡°Yep, I¡¯ll keep an eye on her. But don¡¯t be holding me to the night watch. This place don¡¯t run itself.¡±


    Micah laid five gold coins on the table. ¡°I won¡¯t hide it from you, Salt. We¡¯re on the run, and you¡¯re the first person I thought of. Charlotte and I will soon have the whole district on our heels. I won¡¯t tell you why, for your sake, but we need to get out of Carnel. I need supplies, and more importantly, information. Biblio is the only safe source for answers. It will take two hours at most.¡±


    Salt nodded seriously. ¡°No questions to ask. Be taking three, then.¡±

 Chapter 7: Biblio

    A black squirrel scampered through the dankest pipes beneath Steamtown, down the oldest shafts, around the tightest corners, and squeezed through the narrowest of tubes. It made its way with unrelenting persistence, a direct path with a singular destination in mind. The Deepwells, the High Cistern, and Black Gold Waterfall. The squirrel traversed each section of the pipe structure with perfect knowledge of its shortest routes and safest detours.


    After an hour of zigging and zagging through the least accessible pipes in the system, the rodent skittered out of a tight vent and perched on a dusty valve. In a wide, eerily quiet sanctuary, the Core towered a thousand feet to a faintly glowing dome ceiling. Hundreds of bulky pipes surrounded a white pod massive enough to house a whole town.


    Boiler No. 2, the Fire Hammer.


    In a flash of faint light, the squirrel disappeared, and Micah stood perched over the valve, looking up at the tower. He rested a hand on the hilt of his sword, letting the silence wash over him. Not a shred of life or movement existed in this space. A layer of thick dust coated everything, disturbed only by several sets of his own footprints from visits past. It was the rare silence so deep, a person could hear it. A buzzing in one¡¯s own ears as they searched for relief from the oblivion.


    I never tire of seeing this place. What a marvelous sight it must have been in the days of Crimson.


    He stepped forward, the soft footfalls a disturbing interruption to his ears. At the base of the tower, a staircase began a winding ascent in and throughout the piping, supported by stone stanchions and branching off to dozens of other cases. Micah climbed the familiar path patiently, taking the necessary turns of a route he long ago memorized, until he found himself before a gap in the pipe walls about halfway up. The small path was more like a sequestered crevice, imperceptible to anyone not looking for it. He squeezed through and plunged into the deeper darkness until he reached a lamp stand beside a door.


    The rusted entrance had many small dents and blemishes. A simple impression of three stars was etched into the surface of the metal. Micah knocked three times and waited.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you bother to knock,¡± a muffled answer came from behind the door. ¡°You¡¯re the only one who knows I¡¯m here. And can I do anything but admit entrance?¡±


    Micah opened the door, the thick metal slab swinging open with a riotous screech. Inside, a man sat in a chair in the middle of a small room, or at least what could be called a room, but was actually a square space surrounded by tightly enclosed piping. The chair was simple wood, and no other furnishing or adornments filled the place except a solitary lamp above his head. Seven thick books, each a different solid color, floated before him in an arc at chest level.


    ¡°I apologize, Biblio,¡± Micah replied, standing before him. ¡°But I was taught manners before many things, and I don¡¯t forget what I have been taught.¡±


    The one called Biblio smiled wanly. He sat upright, rigidly so, with his hands on his knees. He wore dark red and black robes, and a tall, square hat with a sloped crest. Skin of a sickly pallor drooped down his face, revealing his very old age, but his eyes seemed younger than a babe¡¯s, filled with a piercing fire. Two rune tattoos decorated one of his cheeks, and a metal rod no thicker than a crystal quill stuck out of the left side of his neck.


    ¡°And what have you brought to trade today, young Champlain?¡±


    ¡°Twelve bits.¡±


    ¡°Twelve?¡± He seemed amused. ¡°You¡¯ve been busy.¡±


    Micah nodded. ¡°Saving them for a rainy day, you could say.¡±


    The old man rubbed his neck, as if it itched. He fingered the metallic object piercing his skin. ¡°You could always remove this irritable seal. Then I would willingly give you all the information you desire.¡±


    ¡°You know I can¡¯t do that.¡±


    He scowled. ¡°Very well. Let us begin the negotiations.¡±


    Micah stepped forward into the light. ¡°I want to know everything about the Moon Eyes.¡±


    ¡°You refer to the Moon Eye Child?¡±


    Micah frowned. ¡°How do you know about her?¡±


    Biblio smiled a sinister grin but didn¡¯t answer, and Micah frowned deeper. Here we go again. He mentally organized the twelve pieces of information he had gathered for this meeting, from least significant to most.


    He began: ¡°There is a flower that only grows in the northeastern tip of Basin Laforge, called Whisperstar. The plant is cultivated in a single glen and protected by priests of a cult originating from the area. The flower, yellow in color with exactly ten petals, emits pollen so pungent, a single blossom could fill a cathedral with its scent. It¡¯s so strong, in fact, that the senses of smell and taste of anyone who stands in the glen would be overwhelmed and permanently destroyed.¡±


    Biblio¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°That sounds suspiciously fake.¡±


    ¡°I never lie. However, for this bit, I have proof. But if you want it, you will answer both my questions.¡±


    The man sitting in the chair seemed to wrestle with his own thoughts. Micah waited patiently. This was the game they played. Biblio gathered information. It was his only purpose in life. And he possessed so much knowledge, it was probable he knew anything one wished to discover. But he did not release the information easily. He demanded new information in return for anything he gave away, no matter how trivial the answer might be. A simple question of: ¡°How do you know about the Moon Eyes?¡± would never be answered without something in return. But because he possessed the knowledge of a thousand men, finding information he did not have was hard work. Usually, it was worth it.


    Biblio sighed in frustration, but his eyes lit with passionate fervor. ¡°Very well. I will answer your questions. Show me this flower!¡±


    Micah reached to a pocket in his jacket and pulled out a small square of glass. Between two plates was a pressed yellow flower with exactly ten petals. The petals were long and thin, like a dandelion, but square-tipped. Micah extended his hand and parted the plates for just a moment before clapping them back together. However, an overpowering citrus scent filled the small room, making their eyes water.


    ¡°Marvelous,¡± Biblio said, wiping his eyes. He spread out his hand to one of the books floating before him. The red tome drifted to him, turning to open on its own. Blank pages turned with a rapid flush before stopping three-quarters of the way in. Once there, ink began to appear on the page, guided by an invisible pen and forming a detailed picture of the flower in perfect color. Delicate script in black ink covered the page around the illustration, writing down all Micah had told him and everything Biblio observed on his own. Once finished, the ink faded and the book closed, returning to its spot in the arch around him.


    Micah put the Whisperstar away. ¡°First, how do you know about Charlotte Goodsteel?¡±


    He paused, surprise filling his gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about this Charlotte person you speak of, but fitting the pieces together, she must be the Moon Eye Child.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. She possesses the Moon Eyes, of which I came here for information. But for you to call her by that name means it isn¡¯t just a title ¨C you couldn¡¯t have possibly known about her. There¡¯s something more to the term, isn¡¯t there?¡±


    ¡°Correct. This is certainly a revelation. The birth of the Moon Eye Child was foretold well over a thousand years ago.¡±


    ¡°Foretold?¡± Micah was skeptical. ¡°Are you saying she¡¯s some sort of divinely appointed hero or something?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Biblio flashed an angry expression. He hated having words put into his mouth.


    ¡°Forgive me,¡± Micah said, bowing slightly. ¡°Continue.¡±


    He settled himself down. ¡°The Moon Eye Child¡¯s purpose is to bring about the end of the Age of Angels. Or so Kyba of Canis claims¡­¡± (Micah held his tongue from asking who Kyba was.) ¡°He has been waiting for this child to be born his entire long life ¨C a thousand years he¡¯s lived and waited for her. How intriguing that we should live to see such a prophesy take place. This is a very good day indeed. She truly possesses all seven eyes?¡±


    Micah nodded, once again fighting all urge to ask about this man who has supposedly lived a thousand years. ¡°You have answered my question about the Moon Eye Child. Now, for my second request: I need to know what the eyes do.¡±


    ¡°How many have been discovered already?¡±


    Micah counted the known phases off to him. ¡°The ones we don¡¯t know about are Waning Gibbous and Waning Crescent. Charlotte has activated Waning Gibbous, but she says nothing happens.¡±


    Biblio nodded. ¡°The Sealed Eye of Orion. To my great misfortune, it is the one eye I know nothing about. Kyba of Canis himself would be a good source, but he keeps his whereabouts in the Mosaics hidden. However, there is a man in the city of Castor in District Five who might be able to tell you. His name is John Halifax. He enjoys a close relationship with Kyba of Canis. I knew him long ago, but he would not share his knowledge with me. A truly selfish, horrible man. However, if he knew the Moon Eyes is in your possession, he might be willing to share what he knows. And he might be able to help you escape the country as well.¡±


    It was Micah¡¯s turn to be angry. ¡°You¡¯re the last in a long line of people to talk about Charlotte as if she were some kind of object. I don¡¯t possess anything. She is my companion, and her eyes are her own.¡±


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    He blinked in surprise. ¡°I meant no offense, but surely you can see what this means? Many of this girl¡¯s powers were thought to be extinct, especially Heartbreaker, a truly devastating Inherent Magic. If a man with¡­ shall we say, ambition, were to claim them, the consequences would be far-reaching. I assume you are a fugitive for this very reason. You are keeping the power of her eyes from being possessed by someone else. Am I not right?¡±


    ¡°Indeed. We fully comprehend the situation, which is why I¡¯m here.¡±


    ¡°I can tell you about Waning Crescent, the Sealed Eye of Taurus. But I doubt it would do you much good. It has historically been the hardest ability to activate and the only one of the seven phases to have never graduated to a Level Two. No one currently possesses the ability besides this companion of yours. It isn¡¯t surprising she hasn¡¯t activated the eye. She probably never will.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ability?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called Restoration. Do you want to know the story behind it?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Biblio extended his hand, smiling greedily again. ¡°In exchange for what?¡±


    Micah folded his arms. ¡°Considering you can¡¯t give me information about Waning Gibbous, I believe you are still in my debt.¡±


    He tsked, bringing his hand back. ¡°Very well. This is a story of which I believe I am now the only keeper.¡±


    The green book before Biblio floated front and center, opening to another blank page. Great lengths of text appeared in ink, black as the day it was written. ¡°The legend of Taurus the Bullheaded. Among the mightiest of Ursa¡¯s sons, Taurus¡¯s place in history is one set in stone. But as a child, he struggled and was regarded as the weakest. His eldest brother Orion, on the other hand, was the strongest, and it was on him that Taurus set his many ambitions. To one day surpass him and gain favor from their mother.


    ¡°But he began life with a great disadvantage. Taurus was the only child of Ursa¡¯s that had not developed an ocular ability. As one could imagine, this was particularly shameful to him, but he never gave up. In fact, it proved to be the very reason that he became the legendary Avalon we know of today.


    ¡°In order to compete with his siblings, he worked twice as hard. Studying obscure texts, reading at all hours of the night, training his body physically and mentally to the point of exhaustion. Each and every day. By the time he became a full-fledged wizard, he was the strongest of the seven and the most accomplished in his studies. But despite so many efforts, Orion still always seemed to outdo him when it mattered most. They became rivals, and it went on like this for years. Taurus pushed himself to surpass his brother.


    ¡°One day, as Orion and Taurus trained in the woods far from Avalon City, the notorious demon Mahro found them and attacked. Mahro, of course, had a blood vengeance against Ursa, which is common history. The demon expected a swift kill, but the two brothers stunned him with their hidden abilities. Working together, they fought the demon using power Mahro never expected, and after a fierce battle, he was forced to flee, but not before mortally wounding Orion. It would have surely been a great victory for the demon in his never-ending quest to destroy Ursa and the Avalon.¡±


    Biblio cleared his throat, and the page slowly turned on its own. Micah found himself peeved by the pause.


    Finally, he continued. ¡°Orion should have died, and Taurus was confronted with his opportunity to become the strongest of Ursa¡¯s children. But as much as he envied Orion, Taurus loved his brother even more. And in that dire, desperate moment, Taurus unwittingly opened his dormant Sealed Eye. In a matter of moments, Orion miraculously recovered, as if there had never been a battle at all. Taurus fell unconscious as a result, the new power too much for him to handle. Once he recovered, however, he realized what he had done. He possessed his own Inherent Magic after all, and it was of a nature incomparable to the other six.¡±


    Biblio laid a hand on the floating book, eyes blank as he must have imagined the scene of the story he told. ¡°The Sealed Eye of Taurus. Restoration. Able to return what once was. With his power, after much training and discipline, Taurus could rebuild destroyed castles, heal the sick and wounded, even revert the ill-effects of age. The only thing it couldn¡¯t restore was life itself, but Orion hadn¡¯t died before Taurus discovered his magic. And this leads us to what we now know: that Taurus indeed was as powerful as legend claims. His children and grandchildren grew so strong because of this inherited power, the Taurus clan dominated Avalon for two centuries.¡±


    Micah stood several moments in silence as the full weight of what Biblio said dawned on him. He could only mutter, ¡°Insane.¡±


    ¡°Well said. It would seem that in light of one woman possessing all seven of these abilities at once, it is appropriate that a sage as old as Kyba of Canis would believe her to be the one to bring about the end of this so-called Age of Angels, don¡¯t you think? You may want to keep a close eye on this Charlotte Goodsteel.¡± He gave a wry smile. ¡°For all our sakes.¡±


    ¡°Indubitably.¡±


    Biblio¡¯s eyes narrowed in wonder. ¡°You are different than the boy who usually comes here. I know it to be you, but¡­ something is definitely awry.¡±


    Micah smiled at the opportunity. ¡°Indeed I am. In a profound way. But if you want to know about it, you¡¯ll have to trade me another piece of information I desire.¡±


    The man in the chair snorted. ¡°Personality changes are of no value to me.¡±


    Micah bowed a bit so their eyes were level. ¡°Even if that change could only have been made to a man under deep magical contract, and only by a particular magic even stronger?¡±


    His natural frown deepened. ¡°And what information would you want in return?¡±


    Micah smirked, and he knew Biblio could see the impression of it behind his mask. ¡°I want the Olenheim Seals.¡±


    Biblio¡¯s jaw dropped. He began to sweat, uncertainty filling his eyes. ¡°How do you know about those?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not the only man who treasures information. I will make you a deal. Tell me about all three seals, and I will give you the eleven remaining bits I have in exchange. I guarantee they¡¯re better than the one I¡¯ve already given you.¡±


    It was a trade Biblio wouldn¡¯t be able to resist. Even so, he squirmed in his chair. A desperate struggle tugged his gaze in all directions. Finally, he cleared his throat, grim-faced but resolved.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I like the new Micah sinChamplain.¡±


    .


    Returning to the inn, Micah found Charlotte was no longer at the bar. He approached Salt, still standing where he had left him. Before Micah could say anything, a raucous peel of laughter filled the room as the front door opened and a large group entered. Surrounded by half a dozen men holding stacks of boxes, a clean and prim Charlotte strolled in and reclaimed her spot on the stool, wearing a new green dress with white frills.  She was in the middle of telling a story, and the men crowded around her, listening to every word with enchanted smiles.


    ¡°¡­and that¡¯s when I came to the startling revelation dogs could never be street performers,¡± she finished.


    The men exploded with laughter. They fetched her another glass of wine, stacked her boxes in neat piles beside her, and essentially waited on her hand and foot.


    Micah turned to Salt in anger. ¡°You let her leave?¡±


    The inn-keep held up his hand defensively, tapping the side of his head. Micah turned back and noticed the black flower tucked behind Charlotte¡¯s ear. He calmed when he realized what it was.


    ¡°Sorry, Mic. She had the mind to go, no turning from it. So I gave her the Dark Blight and left it at that. The lackeys aren¡¯t a bad bunch, blind to charm for certain, but not bad.¡±


    ¡°That wouldn¡¯t mean much to Kalem, but thank you. You are certainly right. She would have gone no matter what you said to her.¡±


    ¡°Dinner, then? The tank ought to be empty, I imagine.¡±


    ¡°Yes, thank you. I¡¯m going to clean up. Shouldn¡¯t take me twenty minutes.¡±


    Salt grinned with amusement. ¡°Should I be sending her packages up with you, then?¡±


    Micah sighed, but didn¡¯t bother to reply. In the past week, he had become increasingly adept at recognizing sarcasm. After a refreshing shower in his small room and a change of clothes, he came back down to the smell of chicken and peas over a bed of fried rice. Salt brought him a hefty bowl, and Micah ate in the corner, waiting between each bite to make sure no one was watching so he could pull his mask down.


    A different person from earlier now sat at the piano ¨C a woman. Wearing a sparkling black dress, she played a piece to match her more grandiose appearance. A flowing aria with light, fluttery notes that whisked through the room on tip toes. The pleasant sounds lulled Micah into a sense of security he rarely experienced, something never before provided to him by music.


    He also enjoyed the savory tastes of Salt¡¯s food far more than he ever had. Ever since he had met Charlotte, taste found new meaning with him. Flavor wasn¡¯t a passing whim any longer, but an experience he relished more and more. The ginger and soy of the chicken, the butter and salt of the rice, the sweet of the peas ¨C they exploded with every bite. It was a thrill of small yet maximum proportions.


    As he ate, he watched Charlotte. Her attentions had been turned to one man. The others seemed to catch the hint as one by one they waved the white flag and retreated. He was young with a chiseled jaw and slick black hair rolling over his head in multiple waves. He wore a fine suit, complete with a silk cummerbund. Two gold rings decorated his right hand. By far, he was the most suitable to Charlotte¡¯s epicurean tastes. He listened to her with rapt attention as she prattled away, and her eyes sparkled with an excited anticipation as they drew closer and more comfortable.


    Micah hoped she wasn¡¯t talking about anything that might put them in danger, but he left it to her common sense. Still, he wondered what they talked about. After about an hour, the piano quieted and the bar closed, leaving only a few stragglers. Charlotte and the young man stood and walked arm and arm to the door. A mixed look of hope and disappointment filled her expression, and the hope seemed to slowly abandon her as he kissed her hand and left the Salt.


    For several moments she stood at the door, her lips creating peculiar motions as they often did when her mind churned with unwanted ideas. She noticed Micah, who stood. She folded her hands in front of her, approaching to look up at him and then back down at her shoes several times.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if you were waiting for me.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t waiting, but I was watching,¡± he said. ¡°As long as we¡¯re in Steamtown, watchfulness is the best recommendation.¡±


    She winced, looking aside. ¡°You must think little of me by now.¡±


    Sincerity became her, and a sort of reservation took over. It was the Charlotte that Micah had come to know. But she hadn¡¯t been as such in front of the men who had crowded around her, and he wondered why she acted different around them.


    ¡°Actually, I was fascinated. Your charm is a natural talent. I found myself wishing I had the same gift.¡±


    Her pleasant smile returned, swift as a bird to flight. ¡°I bought new clothes.¡± She twirled in place. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    He shook his head in mock-disapproval. ¡°Still so hindering. How do you move in those things?¡±


    She harrumphed. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful. You couldn¡¯t convince me otherwise. Oh, I also got something for you!¡± She scampered back to the far corner of the lobby where a single package of hers remained. The others had been taken to her room. She brought the white box and offered it to him.


    He blinked. ¡°For me?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Open it.¡±


    He lifted the lid and pulled back layers of paper. A long bunch of fluffy white fabric lay inside, smooth to the touch even through the cotton of his gloves.


    ¡°A scarf?¡± he said.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it gorgeous?¡± She took it out and wrapped it around his neck. ¡°I thought it would add a nice touch to all the black.¡± She gently trailed her hands down his chest, smoothing the ends. Stepping back, she admired the new look.


    He touched it, feeling its warm embrace around his neck. It faintly smelled like her. Any mental arguments as to why a Black Son could never wear a white article of clothing quickly faded into obscurity.


    ¡°I suppose it wouldn¡¯t hurt to wear it,¡± he said softly.


    She laughed, clapping her hands. Then, suddenly, she yawned. Taking his arm, she led him into the hall and up a short set of stairs.


    ¡°You said you bought all those packages?¡± Micah said.


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m not penniless you know. And while I adore receiving tokens from men, I don¡¯t let them buy me things. I make my own way.¡±


    ¡°The way they were looking at you, I figured they would have bought you anything you wanted.¡±


    She looked crestfallen when he said this, but she said nothing. Rooms 213 and 214 were set beside each other all the way at the end of the narrow hall. They unlocked and opened their doors, but before Micah could step inside his room, Charlotte grabbed his sleeve.


    He looked at her expectantly. She opened her mouth several times, but no words issued forth and uncertainty filled her face. Finally, she sighed.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be patient with me, won¡¯t you, Micah?¡± she whispered.


    He nodded, wondering what she meant. But she only smiled and said goodnight before stepping inside her room and closing the door.

 Chapter 8: The Hound

    The sun hadn¡¯t yet cracked the morning horizon when Micah snapped the fiery reins and their chariot began its trek along a road heading southeast into central Carnel. He inwardly sighed, looking up at the cloudy sky. Cal flew high above, following at a slow pace and surely continuing to grumble. Micah had stored all of Charlotte¡¯s new clothes inside his bureau without a problem, but despite explaining to his Murr that the bureau would not get any heavier, Cal complained from start to finish.


    But not even Cal could spoil this morning. Micah felt the scarf around his neck for the dozenth time, confident about the conclusion he had drawn after much contemplation: that he liked the scarf very much. The warmth surrounding his neck made him calm, but it was more than that. As he understood it, he believed himself to be happy. But such a small thing didn¡¯t seem to support the resulting response. Why then did he feel so content and pleased with it?


    He glanced aside at Charlotte. Much to his surprise, she was wide awake and had been since the moment he knocked on her door to wake her up. Normally, it took several minutes to rouse her and even longer for her to be ready to leave. Her eyes would droop for at least an hour, and she would grumble about his punctilious nature with much more biting remarks than Cal could ever muster. But today, she sat up straight, alert and quiet. And she looked back many times.


    ¡°Did you forget something?¡± he asked, breaking a long silence.


    ¡°What?¡± she said, snapping out of her own thoughts. ¡°Oh, no. I¡¯m good. I¡¯m just fine.¡± She checked behind them again.


    ¡°Why do you keep looking back? If you¡¯re worried about trackers, I guarantee I will be aware of them before they can get close.¡±


    She flashed a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m not worried about that.¡± Still, she glanced behind again, this time lingering on the road. Worry and sadness crept into her expression. He looked back with her. The ruins of Steamtown slowly shrank from view, and not another soul navigated the desert road.


    Her unfettered glances whiled away the hours; peace never found her. Finally, when the clouds had gone and the sun shined high overhead, she gave up, righting herself, and didn¡¯t look back again. She stared into her lap, fidgeting with a frill on her dress. Before meeting Charlotte, Micah would have never noticed actions so trivial, but now he saw something in her face he knew to be significant. A small but profound sadness, one he recognized as the kind that left a truly painful mark.


    In such situations, the function of a friend was to cheer the other up. Micah knew that much, but how to go about it was something different altogether. Thinking back on what he knew about her and made her happy, it seemed the best course to talk about himself, since that was what she requested of him most.


    ¡°I fell asleep again last night,¡± he said, glancing at her expectantly.


    She looked back at him with an odd expression, eyebrows furrowed. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I was apprehensive going to bed because I didn¡¯t know what would happen, but sure enough, my mind and body rested, and I fell unconscious just like the night before. It felt wonderful waking up this morning. I wasn¡¯t surprised this time, so I was able to appreciate the effects.¡±


    She stared at him for a long moment, then burst into laughter. ¡°Woooow, Micah. Congratulations. You went to bed. That kind of rare accomplishment deserves a medal.¡±


    He scowled, hunching his shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I tell you anything.¡±


    Giggling again, she took his arm and made baby faces. ¡°Aw, you¡¯re a big boy, aren¡¯t you? Did my little man go to bed last night all by himself? Oh, yes he did! Yes he did! Oh, you¡¯re such a big boy!¡±


    She laughed so hard, tears ran down her face. Micah sighed. He was glad to see she wasn¡¯t sad anymore, but the laughter at his expense didn¡¯t make him desire expertise in the psychology of friendship. He wondered if she could read his thoughts, because once she settled down, she snuggled closer to him.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± she said. ¡°You know, you¡¯re better at this than you think.¡±


    For the next few days, traveling across the northern marshes, Micah pondered that statement. Was he really getting better? Did Charlotte now see him as a friend capable of consoling her in a time of need?


    Could he, perhaps, be drawing closer to the concept called¡­ normal?


    *                         *                          *


    ¡°Commander?¡±


    Captain Gerald stepped closer to Marshall sinKalem, hesitant. The man, clad all in black despite the desert heat, had been looking through a glass plate for an hour, holding it in front of him like a window. He didn¡¯t reply to Gerald, gazing through the transparent square with intense concentration.


    The captain in Marshall¡¯s charge shielded his eyes and looked up at the massive pipe towers, hoping beyond hope the commander wouldn¡¯t order them to invade Steamtown. Any other officer would have known better than to invade such a dangerous labyrinth, but a Black Son¡­


    What are they hiding behind those masks? Gerald and his men didn¡¯t like the situation one bit, especially considering their target was yet another of these cryptic soldiers in black. Still, they waited without protest. Unlike Micah Champlain, this commander did not tolerate too many things that didn¡¯t agree with his methods.


    Marshall finally dropped the plate with an indifferent toss. The glass melted into water and quickly evaporated in the heat. His lone visible eye narrowed as he looked up at the pipe skyscrapers. ¡°They were here,¡± he said.


    ¡°You were correct, then,¡± Gerald said. ¡°Do you think they¡¯re still in the city?¡±


    ¡°No chance. He would have left immediately, or at the very least the morning after arriving, depending on Goodsteel. But by my calculations, he is still making time. Your garrison is slowing me down.¡±


    Gerald inwardly groaned, but he kept his composure. ¡°We were assigned by Governor Riser with orders to follow and assist you.¡±


    ¡°Then you failed on the second count and fulfilled the first admirably. Go back to Arcadia with this message to the governor: ¡®I will take care of Champlain on my own.¡¯¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    The captain bowed curtly. ¡°As you wish.¡± Turning without hesitation, he relayed the orders to his men, and they marched back in the direction they had come at a pace suggesting they didn¡¯t wish to see if he would change his mind.


    Marshall entered Steamtown through the same entry Micah and Charlotte had taken three days previous. Producing a crystal, a stream of water poured from the tip, swirling into another glass plate, which he took while whispering another incantation. Holding the plate in front of him, he walked down the same abandoned roads while searching all about.


    A tombstone in the middle of the street made him pause. Through the glass, ghostly images of his quarry appeared, standing in front of the grave marker. Charlotte¡¯s mouth wasn¡¯t moving, so Micah must have been talking, but the magic didn¡¯t allow Marshall to hear it. All it could do was show him what once had been: the path his targets had taken days before.


    He watched as the apparitions in the glass resumed their walk down the deserted streets. She marveled at the surrounding pipe structures, craning to see the tops, but Micah ignored them, keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings. A dozen questions ran through Marshall¡¯s mind as he followed them, each more perplexing than the last.


    Why does Champlain continue to travel with this woman and protect her? Why, after six years of perfect service, did he suddenly disobey orders? After coming into contact with her a single time? Is she controlling him somehow? If so, how does he seem to maintain himself? If not¡­ does Champlain plan to use her for his own gain?


    The situation was dire, regardless of the truth. Marshall needed to kill Champlain and capture Goodsteel. Governor Riser and all of Carnel were counting on him. Focusing back on his glass window, he watched as Micah and Charlotte turned and ducked into a pipe large enough to allow them both access.


    He dropped the plate. ¡°So, you took the Deepwells,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°Which means you stayed with Salt Brenner, the Eclesii.¡± He didn¡¯t have time to attempt an extraction of information from a man as dangerous as Salt, but there were few other options left to him.


    He entered the pipe, formulating his plans. After several minutes traversing the dank tunnel, he came to an elbow turn, illuminated by a green lamp on a stand. In one corner, a man in a red straw hat stood. Despite a silent approach and sticking to a dark area where the lamplight barely reached, the man spotted him instantly. Marshall recognized the man ¨C Tinn Fair, the operator of the Deepwell tracks and wanted in several cities for theft.


    ¡°Micah!¡± Tinn gasped, cowering. ¡°I thought you left! Look, I know you¡¯re mad. But ya gotta believe ol¡¯ Tinn didn¡¯t know that would happen. I checked the tracks, I did!¡±


    Marshall¡¯s mind churned. He thinks I¡¯m Champlain. This could be my opportunity.


    ¡°Mad? I¡¯m furious,¡± he whispered, imitating Micah¡¯s softer voice the best he could.


    Tinn bought it, shrinking further into himself with fear. ¡°Hopefully¡­ the lady¡­ didn¡¯t come to harm?¡±


    Marshall didn¡¯t know how to answer that, so he remained quiet.


    The track operator sank to his knees, bursting into sobs. ¡°Spare me! I never meant any evil, it¡¯s the honest truth! Do you know how rusty all these pipes are? The tracks don¡¯t keep, I tell ya! It¡¯s just me alone down here day and night, trying to earn an honest keep.¡±


    ¡°Tinn, you are full of lies. I know you have been keeping track of my movements the last three days. Tell me everything you have learned¡­now.¡±


    He sniffed and wiped his eyes. ¡°Look, it¡¯s just my way, ya know? I like to learn information is all.¡±


    ¡°To sell to the highest bidder,¡± Marshall countered.


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know what ya mean¡­¡±


    Marshall palmed the handle of his sword.


    ¡°OKAY! Okay! I know you¡¯re heading southeast, to the Desert of Life. That¡¯s what I heard.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to do better than that.¡± He drew his sword, extending it so the steel glowed in the green light.


    Tinn gulped. ¡°I¡­ may have overheard your conversation with Salt Brenner this morning.¡±


    ¡°How much?¡±


    He sighed exhaustedly. ¡°You¡¯re heading for the twin cities. But that¡¯s all I know! I swear on my mother¡¯s grave, Micah. That¡¯s it.¡±


    For several moments, Marshall glared at him, waiting to see if he would spill anything else. When he was convinced it was all he had to offer, he sniffed, sheathing his sword.


    ¡°Pathetic.¡±


    Tinn¡¯s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Getting back to his feet, he scrutinized him. ¡°Micah?¡± he whispered. ¡°That¡¯s you, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Marshall stepped forward into the light. ¡°No.¡±


    Tinn gasped, backing away. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ the Hound?¡± He tripped, landing with a thud. ¡°Marshall Kalem? Please don¡¯t kill me!¡±


    ¡°The Hound? Is that what they call me now? Seems appropriate.¡±


    He scooted away, shivering. ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to kill you.¡±


    Tinn exhaled, but then Marshall approached him and kneeled. ¡°In exchange for your life, you are now in my service. If Micah sinChamplain or Charlotte Goodsteel comes to you again, you are to alert me immediately. If you obtain information about them or hear rumors you find even remotely credible, you are to send word to me. Do you understand all these things I am telling you, Tinn?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes, sir.¡±


    Marshall grabbed his neck, squeezing and pulling him close to his face. ¡°And if I find you¡¯ve told me a single lie, or withheld any information at any time¡­ the ¡®Hound¡¯ will hunt you to the end of the earth and put you to death.¡±


    Tinn squealed, unable to answer, so he nodded as best he could. Marshall shoved him back and turned back down the tunnel. The Twin Cities. Several weeks¡¯ travel over open landscape with nowhere to hide. Champlain has made his first mistake.


    Reemerging from the pipe entrance, he looked skyward, searching the tops of the structures. Lifting a Life Stone, scores of blazing flares erupted from the tip, firing in all directions around him. He then waited several moments in silence. When he heard the flapping of their wings, he put his stone away.


    The winged creature settled down to stand before him, followed by two others like him. Human in form, they stood up straight but on legs like eagles with razor-sharp talons. Enormous wings blacker than a crow¡¯s retracted on their backs. They towered over Marshall, glaring ruthlessly. The eyes of the three Seraphs smoldered with revenge, eager for their chance to hunt. Feathers running along the sides of their faces ruffled and muscular chests heaved with anticipation. Distinct and deadly looking swords were strapped at their sides and each wore traditional tribal garb. Cloth headbands streaked with blood wound over their foreheads.


    Sintobi Strike, Sintobi Lance, and Sintobi Scar ¨C legendary hunters of the Akuma Glacier.


    ¡°Do you have his location?¡± the leader asked, folding his arms.


    Marshall looked up at him, then shifted his gaze to the brother and finally to the sister. He nodded his answer.


    ¡°Which way?¡± Lance asked, coming alongside her brother.


    ¡°They should be southeast of here, close to the Desert of Life. They make for Castor and Pollux.¡±


    Strike¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°The Twin Cities. You are certain of this?¡±


    ¡°Ninety-four percent.¡±


    ¡°Then we will catch him for certain,¡± Scar said, licking his lips in delight. ¡°Our revenge on Champlain is at hand, brother!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you care about Champlain,¡± Marshall said. ¡°He may have slaughtered your entire clan three years ago, but he did so under explicit orders from Governor Riser.¡±


    ¡°You remain ignorant of our ways, sinKalem. The blood of our brothers and sisters cry out to us from the grave, demanding retribution. It would serve you and your kind well to remember that one murdered Seraph will always muster the blood vengeance of the rest.¡±


    ¡°Strike, you know better than most that a Black Son does only what he is ordered. Why then is your revenge not directed at Riser?¡±


    ¡°We care not for weak men who say words and do nothing else,¡± Lance spat. ¡°The sword is the sword. Those who use it are responsible for all actions.¡±


    ¡°And if Champlain is but a tool as you claim,¡± Strike said. ¡°Why then does he now run, despite orders otherwise? It is because he has the choice, just as he had the choice to kill our people. And now he will suffer the consequences.¡±


    Marshall sniffed in contempt. ¡°I care little about your reasons. Kill Champlain and be done with it, but bring Charlotte Goodsteel back to me alive and unharmed.¡±


    Scar sneered. ¡°You insult us by repeating the terms of our agreement. You will have the woman, upon our very lives. Be assured of that.¡±


    Their wings expanded. With powerful bursts the Seraphs took to the skies, beating a swift path southeast. Marshall watched until they disappeared, then began organizing his thoughts in preparation to leave immediately for the Twin Cities. He had no supposition the Sintobi warriors would be successful in assassinating Champlain. In fact, he expected them to be dead within days.


    He only hoped they would slow him down.

 Chapter 9: Two Dead Brothers

    He waited three days.


    Nathaniel Vash slumped in his makeshift throne of rock, a consistent sneer chiseled onto his face without reprieve. Three whole days he sat, waiting for the hail to relent. The myriad chunks of ice continued to pummel him, but he disregarded them as irritants. Three nights passed without sleep. No food, little water, only the life-saving potion in his flask nourished him. He waited for the moment, the small window he needed.


    Atop Aether Hill on the outskirts of Tyrule, he watched over his precious seals and the hired men protecting them. Poor local villagers a hundred in number, they stood together forming a wide circle seventy feet in diameter. Two giant magic seals drawn up in blood in the grass lay beneath their feet. Each man held a unique device: a thick rod attached to a slab of stone cut into a perfect square. They held the shields in such a way to seamlessly come together and create a canopy over the seals. Mounds of hail piled atop the awning, testing their strength.


    And that strength waned as each new hour passed. Every so often, Vash cleared the piling ice away with a spell, providing a motivation-restoring respite, but he could tell from the weariness in their faces that his time was running out. But the ritual could only take place here, where the aether of Tyrule gathered. Every ounce of power he could obtain was necessary to achieve perfect control of those warriors of legend.


    Then, as night slowly approached and Vash began considering giving up, the clouds quieted. His gaze snapped to the sky, eyes bulging as the hail relented. Bursting out of the chair, he raised his arms in triumph.


    ¡°It¡¯s time!¡± he shouted. He pointed an Element Stone, and a furious wind blasted the piles of gathered hail from the canopy. He shooed the men away from the seals. ¡°Get away, get away. We have little time. Unless you want to stand another three days.¡±


    His exhausted helpers quickly retreated, gathering off to the side to watch. The seals consisted of hundreds of ancient runes Vash had gathered together after years of research. Perfectly constructed yet delicate, the seals couldn¡¯t bear a single smudge. Vash swiftly pored over the seals, checking for any blotches and making sure not to drip on them, as he was now soaked. But he found nothing. The canopy did its job.


    Breathing deep and shaking off his weariness, he stood before the two seals, holding four Life Stones. Then he began to chant a series of complex incantations. The blood runes ignited with a furious glow, shining brighter with each repetition. After the tenth, Vash stopped. He opened his eyes, heart pounding like a drum. After so much planning, the moment had finally come.


    He lifted an arm, shouting: ¡°Othello of the line of Orion! Zachary of the line of Orion!¡±


    A shrieking bolt of lightning tore through the sky, crashing into one of the seals with an ear-splitting roar. The villagers shouted in fear, backing away and grouping closer together. But the bolt didn¡¯t disappear ¨C rather it streamed from the heavens in a continuous blinding torrent, pulsing with unending force. Then the second seal erupted, and a whirlwind of searing fire churned from the ground and reached to the sky. Fire and light, side by side, rushed and screamed, filling the whole valley with light, heat and resonance. The men shielded their eyes and cowered, but Vash spread out his hands, laughing maniacally.


    In the throes of power, they appeared, cloaked in lightning and fire. Out of the ground, the two ancient Rinx Lords rose, resurrected by the power of their own names. Vash gazed back and forth between them in hunger.


    From the dying flames, Lord Osiris emerged. Out of the receding light, Lord Zethos appeared.


    Vash stretched out his hands, squeezing them into fists. ¡°Venorous,¡± he shouted. The seals under the two sorcerers immediately collapsed, shrinking around them until merely inches wide. The shrunken seals raced up their bodies, reaching the middles of their chests. There they stopped, burning bright before disappearing. Vash exhaled, shuddering.


    It¡¯s done¡­ I did it. I actually did it.


    And it wasn¡¯t until that final moment when Vash realized something was wrong. Lord Osiris on the left appeared as expected. Young and strong, he exuded the presence Vash read about in the ancient annals. Strips of thin cloth wound around his head, leaving a shock of fire-red hair to sprout from the top. Various charms and metal trinkets dangled from the ends of the strips. Three capes shrouded one side of his body, and a large sword in a red sheath hung from his belt. A rigid scar ran from his right eye across the side of his head. His clothes were practical and provincial rather than the extravagance Vash had expected ¨C the kind of glorified appearance Osiris maintained in the stories. Yet, even without such things, he evoked all the imaginings of true power. Vash could¡­ feel how strong this man was.


    But the person resurrected from thunder was not what Vash expected. Where Lord Zethos, mythified in lore as a colossal muscular specimen, should have stood, an old man was hunched over in white robes instead, shaking and gasping. After a few seconds of a pathetic attempt to remaining standing, he collapsed. Vash blinked several times, unable to understand what went wrong.


    Osiris¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Where am I?¡± he asked. ¡°What¡¯s happening? Speak!¡±


    Vash opened his mouth to reply, but the old man on the ground spoke first. ¡°Osiris?¡± The voice was strong despite his struggle. ¡°Is that really you?¡±


    The younger man looked down at him. ¡°Do I know you?¡±


    He smiled weakly. ¡°You don¡¯t recognize your own brother?¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    For a moment, Osiris regarded him with suspicion. But his eyes widened upon realization, and he rushed to his side, gently propping his head.


    ¡°Zethos? Is¡­ is that you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Brother. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m looking on you again. How I¡¯ve missed you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what¡¯s happening. What is this?¡±


    ¡°It seems that young man there invoked the New Name Rite, and brought us back from the dead.¡± They glanced at Vash, and Zethos scowled. ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯ve gotten yourself into, foolish boy.¡±


    The sudden chiding surprised Vash. ¡°I¡­ uh¡­ well, you see¡ª¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter!¡± Zethos coughed violently, face scrunched in pain. ¡°What¡¯s done is done. But you clearly didn¡¯t know what you were doing. Otherwise, you would have known you can¡¯t resurrect a man who died of natural old age, regardless of the magic. Now I must suffer death¡¯s sting a second time. I don¡¯t know how you acquired our true names ¨C I never told them to anyone. But you¡¯re going to wish in the end that you had never uttered them.¡±


    A cruel manner came over Osiris. ¡°I will take care of him.¡±


    Zethos reached a hand up to his face. ¡°No, Othello. Don¡¯t harm him. Show him mercy.¡±


    Fire filled Osiris¡¯s eyes. ¡°How can you be my brother? Zethos didn¡¯t show mercy.¡±


    ¡°Zethos didn¡¯t? Or the demon controlling his body didn¡¯t, after he was lost to Scepter¡¯s curse?¡±


    ¡°What are you saying? Are you telling me you¡¯re my little brother back from the dead? The small boy¡­¡± He bowed his head, squeezing Zethos¡¯s hand. ¡°¡­the small boy we lost so long ago?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Osiris. After your death, I was saved. A miracle beyond our comprehension. That demon you called Zethos was long ago banished, and I returned to my own body.¡±


    ¡°After my¡­¡± Osiris closed his eyes, lids fluttering. ¡°Now I remember¡­ I died.¡± He smirked. ¡°Mobius got me. But how did you come back? We looked for a way for so long without success. Who was able to do this?¡±


    Zethos¡¯s eyes became weak as he began to fade, but he gave a small chuckle. ¡°Who do you think? That girl¡­ such a miserable thorn in our side. She defeated me¡­ and then she saved me.¡±


    ¡°Princess Aurora? She¡­?¡± Osiris shook his head in disbelief. ¡°She was indeed a thorn.¡±


    ¡°Queen Aurora,¡± Zethos corrected. ¡°The grandest the world ever saw.¡±


    Vash couldn¡¯t believe his ears. They were talking about the Drifting Queen! Two warriors of legend were talking of two others from over seven hundred years ago. Common bedtime stories shared over and over again throughout Carnel¡¯s history were being discussed by the main characters right before him. Even though he had imagined what this would be like, the surreal nature of it overwhelmed him.


    ¡°Osiris, listen to me,¡± Zethos said. His body no longer shook, and his face grew pale. ¡°Listen to these last blessed words God has granted me to tell you. Remember them the rest of your renewed days: Give up your hatred. Let go of your revenge.¡±


    A dark cloud came over Osiris¡¯s face. ¡°You know I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ yes, you can. As I did, so can you. You¡¯re my big brother. I always believed you could do anything.¡±


    ¡°Mobius was the hero.¡±


    Zethos¡¯s lips found strength enough for a feeble smile. ¡°Not mine. Osiris¡­ I want you there with us. Please¡­ let it go. What do you have left?¡±


    Osiris watched with wide eyes as the old man¡¯s slowly closed, a smile still on his face. For the second time in his life, his little brother died in his arms. He softly laid the old man¡¯s head back down and got up, backing away from the body. The earth around Zethos shifted of its own accord, rising up around him. Forming large hands, the earth pulled him underground in a gentle burial. Vash and the hired men toed closer to watch in wonder.


    ¡°The spirit contract of the Avalon!¡± Vash whispered. ¡°It wasn¡¯t just a myth.¡±


    Osiris turned to Vash, eyes narrowed into vicious slits. ¡°For forcing me to watch this again, you die today.¡±


    Vash pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    The red-haired Rinx Lord regarded his reply for a moment, eyes searching with intelligent consideration. ¡°That¡¯s interesting,¡± he replied. ¡°I am suddenly compelled not only to spare your life, but to heed your commands. What magic have you tied me to?¡±


    Vash¡¯s jaw dropped. He already understands? In but a breadth of time? It took several moments for him to recover. He took a long swig from his flask, gasping when he finally ripped his lips away.


    ¡°Your intellect was legend, my lord,¡± he said, clutching to his chest. ¡°But I severely underestimated it all the same.¡±


    ¡°I asked you a question.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called the Venorous Seal. Weaved by blood, you are bound to serve me as long as I live.¡±


    ¡°Venorous? As in Edith Venorous, the Rypsy Mage?¡±


    ¡°No, my lord. Judith Venorous, her great granddaughter. Building on Edith¡¯s theories, Judith discovered the magic.¡±


    ¡°Marvelous.¡± He rubbed his chin. ¡°How long has it been since my death?¡±


    ¡°Seven hundred years.¡±


    For the first time, a hollow look came over Osiris, one Vash thought might be sadness, but it quickly disappeared.


    ¡°And where am I?¡±


    ¡°Tyrule, a city once located in a country you called North Carnel. Long ago, Carnel united into one country. Since then it has remained stable under Tanaerum¡¯s line, but much has been lost. I am a searcher of the old ways. Nathanial Vash is my name.¡±


    ¡°And you regard yourself as a man of knowledge?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes.¡± Vash suddenly felt uncertain. So many questions flooded his mind at once, but he gathered himself, remembering exactly what he wanted to see first. He pointed to his hired villagers, who still stood watching them in a stupor. ¡°And now I give you my first command: kill these men. I want to witness the full power of a Rinx Lord.¡±


    Sudden cries of fear went up through the throng, and they turned, fleeing down the hill as fast as they could.


    Osiris regarded Vash with another piercing gaze. ¡°I am now compelled to warn that you might die if I were to unleash my full power,¡± he said.


    ¡°Then use as much power as possible without putting me in harm¡¯s way.¡±


    Osiris sniffed, lifting his hand to rest on the handle of his sword. ¡°Very well.¡±


    He turned to look down the hill, watching as the hundred men scattered across the grassy countryside. A black dread came over Vash in that moment, like poison. The stillness harbored a deep wake, broad with the power he had wished to see, but now bombarded him with apprehension. It was a thick pain, like suffocation, and it filled him to the brim, making his body ache and eyesight blur.


    In a swift strike, Osiris drew the sword called Vulcan. A deafening shriek tore through the air, and the earth rumbled, shaking both land and sky. Fire spewed from chasms, roaring with the force of a thousand cannons, and the wind seared with sudden, immense heat. Bloody rain cascaded from now crimson skies. Vash backed away, filled with awe, filled with terror.


    Lord Osiris stood, red sword raised across the land, and the inferno surrounded him, obeying every unheard command. Red death stretched in every visible direction, reshaping the whole horizon.


    It took but a few minutes for him to finish the massacre, but as Vash watched each man slaughtered under Osiris¡¯s blade, a hunger filled him. Devastating, ruthless, immeasurable ¨C the flames of Vulcan engulfed the helpless victims at his whim, roiling skin and bone to ash and scattering them to nether. Despite his choking fear, Vash raised arms of triumph.


    Such power he had only ever dreamed of, and now everything was under his control.

 Chapter 10: Across the Desert of Life

    ¡°Holy crickets!¡± Charlotte brushed a curl of wind-swept hair from her face. ¡°Oh Micah, this is absolutely incredible. I¡¯ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life!¡±


    She scampered up a large rock to get a better view. The Desert of Life stretched south before them, unbroken to the horizon. Deep green grasses, bubbling streams, and flowers of a million different colors consumed their entire vision. No roads, no towns, no people ¨C it seemed to exist solely to evoke the paramount ideas of Heaven. The rivers ran through the fields in unnatural numbers ¨C hundreds and hundreds joined and broke apart to spider through every visible acre.


    ¡°Can you believe this?¡± she whispered as he joined her atop the rock. ¡°How I¡¯ve longed to see this place. It¡¯s so breathtaking¡­ I feel like I could die in peace, here and now.¡±


    ¡°Interesting,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ve crossed the Desert of Life several times, but this is the first time its splendor has struck me.¡±


    ¡°Seriously? How could this fail to blow you away?¡±


    For several minutes, they stood in silence, watching the frondescence sway in the wind, a strident rush from east to west like endless ocean waves. Micah felt the same awe written on her face, but they had to keep moving.


    ¡°From here on, we walk,¡± he said, dropping off the rock. ¡°There won¡¯t be any roads for a long while.¡±


    She took his offered hand and dropped as well. ¡°Why can¡¯t we travel by the wagon we¡¯ve been using?¡± she asked.


    ¡°My fire chariot spell doesn¡¯t work over water. If it¡¯s even in short proximity, it weakens and dies. In such a place, we wouldn¡¯t get anywhere. Once we get to a road, we can resume riding, but until then we must walk, and this particular area of the desert is unpopulated. We have a ways to go and little time to waste.¡±


    ¡°So what¡¯s in the Twin Cities?¡±


    ¡°Hopefully, the remaining information about your eyes. I¡¯ve told you what I learned from my source in Steamtown. He didn¡¯t know everything, but he told me there is a man in Castor who should be able to tell us the rest. John Halifax.¡±


    ¡°Castor¡¯s a big city. How will we find him?¡±


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be a problem, but I¡¯ll know for sure when we get there.¡±


    They began their trek through the fields at a moderate pace. Micah would help her over the streams and look out for any mud so she didn¡¯t dirty her dress too much. He didn¡¯t mind. He found his concentration lacking lately, and she caught him several times looking at her for what he realized carried no reason. Something to do would keep him focused. They walked for many miles, and to his surprise, she was up to the task, never complaining about aches or fatigue.


    ¡°Why is it called the ¡®Desert of Life¡¯?¡± she asked him. They had stopped to have lunch, and Charlotte sat on the bank of a brook, picking the petals of an orange flower and wading her bare feet in the water. ¡°It¡¯s such an odd name for a place like this.¡±


    ¡°It used to be an actual desert,¡± Cal replied. The Murr sat in his usual spot on the bureau, picking through a pile of sliced ham Micah gave him. ¡°Seven hundred years ago, it was called the Desert of the Dead. No living thing survived here, and it was said to harbor a great wickedness capable of sucking up any and all life. As a result, no one could enter the desert, and travelers were forced to trek around it. But that changed when Gransaiga and Wynn of Orion, legendary sorcerers, made it their life¡¯s task to end the blight consuming the land.¡±


    Micah nodded, sitting beside Charlotte and handing her a ham sandwich. ¡°That¡¯s right. Both experts in elemental magic, Gransaiga and Wynn discovered after much research that the desert was unnatural, inflicted with a poisonous curse. It was first thought to be a desert like any other, but one that simply harbored incredible danger. However, they realized it was the curse that caused the danger, and with it an uninhabitable desert.¡±


    Cal scarfed down a collop of meat before continuing. ¡°Yes. Once they came to that conclusion, they slowly worked to undo it. With the help of many other great minds of their time, they finally found the source and destroyed it. The Desert of the Dead then truly became like every other desert: hot, dry, and sandy, but no longer incapable of being traversed. To this day, it remains one of the outstanding accomplishments in Carnel¡¯s rich history, and Gransaiga and Wynn increased their legend. To this day, their busts can be seen in libraries, schools, and even merchant trading posts, which benefited greatly from the opening of new trade routes through Carnel. But they didn¡¯t stop there. The remaining years of their lives were spent converting the desert into the haven we know today. Through ingenious methods of irrigation and much hard work, the desert gave way to majesty, and Carnel unified. Queen Crimson of Arcadia dubbed it the Desert of Life years later, and the name stuck.¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Charlotte sat smiling at Cal, who suddenly realized it. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No particular reason,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m starting to see why you and Micah get along so well, though. You enjoy history as much as he does.¡±


    Cal looked away. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you mean.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wings flutter when you¡¯re excited, and they were beating the whole time you were talking.¡± She giggled.


    He looked back at her in shock.


    Micah shook his head. ¡°She found you out, friend.¡±


    Cal rested his head on his paws in irritation, licking his chops. ¡°She¡¯s more observant than I gave her credit for.¡±


    She got up and approached him, clasping her hands behind her back and bending slightly to look him in the eye. ¡°You and I are going to be friends eventually, Cal,¡± she said, smiling. ¡°You may as well accept it.¡±


    Micah was positive the fur on Cal¡¯s face hid a deep blush. But the Murr said nothing, resuming to grumble beneath his breath. To Charlotte¡¯s credit, she did not attempt to pet him this time, even though Micah could tell she was tempted. Instead, she remained standing beside the bureau, basking in the sunlight and cool breeze. Then Micah noticed it: Cal¡¯s long tail began to flick to and fro, ever so slightly. It was something he did when he felt content. Charlotte obviously noticed the same thing, because her smile grew in delight.


    She truly has an amazing gift. Cal doesn¡¯t like anyone, but he¡¯s warming up to her already. I¡¯ve never met anyone like Charlotte before. Even when she¡¯s not nearby, my thoughts turn to her. It¡¯s almost as if she can bend anyone to her will ¨C could this possibly be something conscious? Magic perhaps?


    The idea she could use magic to make people do and feel things sounded preposterous, but Micah wasn¡¯t sure about anything concerning Charlotte. In fact, he felt insecure, realizing with sudden clarity just how exposed he was. But he also knew it didn¡¯t really matter to him. Something about her amplified the boldness in his heart ¨C a heart she freed from enslavement and now owed her recompense. He wanted to know more.


    ¡°Where do you come from?¡± he asked.


    Charlotte turned, eyebrows arched. ¡°I¡¯ve told you that already. I was born in Rypsy.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I mean, where did you come from? Why are you in Carnel? Who are you, Charlotte Goodsteel?¡±


    She sat in front of him, fidgeting with a few longer blades of grass. She no longer met his eyes. ¡°There¡¯s not much to tell. I¡¯m just like any other girl. My parents sent me to Carnel to complete my education, since it¡¯s our homeland. En route, I was taken prisoner by Daniel Riser. That¡¯s all there is to it.¡±


    ¡°Incomplete.¡±


    Her head snapped up. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lying. There¡¯s more to you, just as there¡¯s more to everyone. What are you hiding? Why can¡¯t you talk about it?¡±


    She grew angry. ¡°And what about you? I tried asking you all sorts of things back in the castle, but you wouldn¡¯t even talk to me.¡±


    ¡°Impossible. I¡¯ve told you already that I don¡¯t know about my origins.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s rich. I want to keep parts of my life private, and you call me a liar, but you tell me less and I¡¯m just supposed to accept it. And what is it with you and your one-word answers? ¡®Impossible, implausible, incomplete, incomprehensible.¡¯ If you think it¡¯s clever, it¡¯s not. In fact, it¡¯s just annoying!¡±


    Her face was red, and moisture glistened her eyes. He hadn¡¯t meant to upset her, but he realized now the words he used had been harsh.


    ¡°My master trained me that way,¡± he said.


    Caught off guard, her brow furrowed. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The first thing Coral taught me was to save my words. To use them only when needed, because they are weapons. He suggested I choose a letter of the alphabet and stick with it, so that when I used single words starting with that letter, I could train myself to answer or address people often by using only one word. In time, I realized his wisdom. You¡¯ve seen the results yourself. When I answer with a word starting with the letter ¡®I¡¯ and say nothing more, you know that is my whole reply because you know who I am. Coral was an excellent teacher. He taught me everything I know, since the day I awoke from my Black Sleep.¡±


    She seemed to settle down, curiosity slowly replacing anger. Still her face remained hard. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard you talk about anyone in your life before. Where is this Coral now?¡±


    ¡°He disowned me, three years ago.¡±


    Her face fell. ¡°Oh. Micah, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡±


    ¡°It is the responsibility of the master of a Black Son. To train them and then disown all association with them when they are ready. He only did what was expected of him. A Black Son has no friends, no family, no past, no expectations but obedience. We are but tools, and we could never know love¡­¡±


    Micah paused, leaving a deep silence between them. He looked down. ¡°Yet I loved him. At the time, I didn¡¯t understand that. When Coral disappeared without word or warning, it left a void I couldn¡¯t comprehend, but since the night you broke the seal on my heart, I¡¯ve come to understand it now. It was the pain of losing him. I didn¡¯t know anyone or anything as a child, my foundations lost and my future written in stone. So one could suppose he was like a father to me.¡±


    He looked up to find Charlotte sobbing in great silent heaves.


    ¡°Are¡­ are you okay?¡± he asked.


    She wailed and threw her arms around him. ¡°I didn¡¯t know! Oh, you poor, brave man. I¡¯m sorry for what I said. The way you talk isn¡¯t annoying, even though it¡¯s really weird. Will you forgive me?¡±


    Though he didn¡¯t understand why she was apologizing, he chose not to question it. Or rather, he couldn¡¯t as the flowery scent of her hair now enveloped his face. He tentatively reached his hands to return the embrace. The smoothness of her back rushed warmth through his hands.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to forgive,¡± he said. Cal looked at him strangely, and Micah coughed, avoiding his stare.


    She parted, and he felt disappointed. Before she could get up, he took her hand without thinking, and she looked back at him in surprise.


    ¡°Charlotte¡­ I¡­ I was born from the darkness. I don¡¯t know where I come from, and for the first time I don¡¯t know who I am or where I¡¯m going. But I¡¯m telling you the truth when I say I¡¯m not hiding anything. You can ask me anything you like¡­¡± He stood, bringing her up with him. ¡°¡­and if I know the answer, I will tell you. It¡¯s a promise. And hopefully, in return, you can learn to confide and trust in me as well.¡±


    He thought she might begin to cry again, but then she smiled, wiping her eyes. ¡°Deal.¡±

 Chapter 11: The Last of the Seraphs

    Late into that night, the smallest of outposts greeted them, situated at a cross of two roads leading in directions they weren¡¯t headed. It was a blessed sight to them both. Despite the oasis nature of the Desert of Life, the vast expanse proved nearly as hostile as a normal desert when traveling by foot. They were relieved for the opportunity to sleep in beds rather than on grass.


    The station featured a tiny inn, a trader, and a mail carrier. Micah obtained a room for himself and Cal while Charlotte insisted on taking care of her own accommodations, which proved to be the room next to his. But while Micah and Cal went to bed after a quick dinner from the inn¡¯s kitchen, she stayed at her table. She struck up a conversation with a young man in a dusty warman¡¯s coat, who said he was traveling to Tanaerum to join the army.


    As in Steamtown, Charlotte¡¯s personality drew him like moths to flame, and in no time at all, they were chatting like old friends. Micah judged him to be harmless and left her to her own devices. But that night he had trouble sleeping, twice stirring to check and see if she was safe. Each time he found them still at the same table, with Charlotte sitting just a bit closer to him than before. The way the man garnered her attentions with such little effort unsettled him, as he realized with sudden and confusing clarity that he did not approve. But why? Why should he be concerned who Charlotte talked to? As long as the man meant no harm, it shouldn¡¯t have any effect on him.


    Yet it did. In fact, several times during the night, disturbing images woke him. It took him a while to realize he was having dreams, something he had never experienced before. In the visions, he was inflicting violent pain on the man for no reason whatsoever, yet delighting in it. Micah didn¡¯t like the dreams at all.


    The next morning, he awoke at sunrise as usual. However, his eyes hurt, and he felt sluggish. I¡¯m still tired from lack of sleep. What a terrible feeling. No wonder Charlotte complains every time I rouse her in the mornings. I never knew.


    He decided not to wake her yet, instead beginning his daily physical training with two hundred pull-ups using the rafter beam. Five hundred push-ups and seven hundred sit-ups later, he left his room to go for a run. On the way out, he rapped on Charlotte¡¯s door. He heard a dreadful moan, but instead of coaxing her out of bed as usual, he decided to let her get up when she was ready.


    After a seven-mile run, he took a quick shower and then dressed and gathered his things. Cal flew out the window to retrieve the bureau from the place he had hidden it the night before. Micah, meanwhile, made for the kitchen in search of breakfast. In the sequestered space, he found a few other travelers eating or drinking coffee. Micah ordered food from the cook, a thin, grizzled old man with a permanent sneer that didn¡¯t seem intentional. Finding an open table in the corner, he waited. Minutes later, a bowl of honey porridge and a large plate of sizzling bacon, toast, and scrambled eggs were placed before him. He had never tasted bacon before, and the smell made his mouth water.


    Before he could dive in, Charlotte slumped into the chair across from him, clutching a mug of coffee. Her eyes drooped very low, and despite being showered and dressed, she appeared haggard. She scanned the small room once before turning back to him.


    ¡°Thank you for letting me sleep in,¡± she said.


    He made to take a bite of his food by pulling down his mask, but stopped himself, looking up at Charlotte, whose eyebrows rose sky high. He thought for a moment, before smiling and lifting up his scarf to wrap around the lower part of his head. He brought a bite of eggs to his mouth under the scarf. She sighed.


    ¡°What time did you go to bed?¡± he asked, taking a bite of bacon. The delicious salty flavor exploded in his mouth. He gasped, looking down at the crispy strip of meat in delight before devouring it whole.


    ¡°Late,¡± she replied, glancing at the entrance to the kitchen. She was searching for something.


    ¡°He left already.¡±


    She snapped to attention, sleepiness abandoning her. ¡°Who? What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°The man you were talking to last night. He left this morning.¡±


    She slumped in her chair. ¡°Oh.¡± Recovering quickly, she issued a small laugh. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t care about that. We were just chatting. I mean why should I care, right? Crickets, that smells really good. I¡¯m gonna order the same thing.¡± Quickly getting up, she made a beeline to the cook.


    Micah frowned. Despite her best efforts, she hadn¡¯t been able to cover up the vast disappointment that flickered across her face. More than ever, Charlotte puzzled him, and he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt something significant was happening, a deeper root to her strange behavior than it appeared at first glance. He wanted to know what she was after, but he didn¡¯t want to upset her again by asking. His only option was to remain patient.


    .


    They resumed travel by foot after breakfast. No road southeast yet presented itself, and water canals still filled the vast flowery pastures. However, the innkeeper informed Micah there was a road half a day¡¯s walk south of the outpost that made a straight course to the Vega Mountain Pass. It would lead them into Avalon.


    They kept a steady pace, and by the time the sun was directly overhead, Micah figured the road to be close. They could resume travel by chariot, and get to the Twin Cities in a week if they hurried. He was about to tell Charlotte this, thinking it might make her happy, when he noticed her looking at him.


    ¡°What is it?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Well, I was just thinking¡­¡± She inhaled deeply. ¡°I know you still take your Black Son thing seriously. It makes sense, since it¡¯s all you¡¯ve known. I understand that now.¡± She hesitated again. ¡°But¡­ I was wondering¡­ would you ever consider taking your mask off? Just once?¡±


    He stopped to look at her. She immediately became flustered, looking away.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s asking a lot,¡± she said. ¡°But I just want to know what you look like. We¡¯re friends, right? Don¡¯t you want your friend to know your own face?¡±


    He didn¡¯t know how to reply. Absolute rule number one of the Black Sons was to never reveal the face to anyone, except in the presence of God or the king. It was the first thing Coral said to him when they met and he became his master.


    ¡°This is your mask. From today onward, you will never show your face to any breathing creature. Not me, not the governor. No one. Today¡­ you are a Black Son.¡±


    Even so, Micah had considered it. Since his encounter with Charlotte and his defiance of the governor¡¯s order, everything had changed. Was he still a Black Son? What were the requisites? Coral never told him. He simply became what he has always known and never questioned the validity of the title. Now he found himself questioning just that. The truth was he did want Charlotte to know his face. More and more each day, he was certain of this.


    ¡°I will think about it,¡± he replied.


    She gasped, smiling brighter than she ever had before. Laughing in delight, she whirled in a fanciful spin. Micah suspected his actual response, rather than a ¡°yes¡±, had been what she was hoping for all along.


    As he watched her, a cold, black feeling suddenly assaulted him, and he whirled. Three specks appeared against the blue sky, growing in size. Murderous intentions filled him to the brim.


    We¡¯ve been found.


    Turning, he grabbed Charlotte¡¯s arm and pulled her to him.


    ¡°Hey! What are you doing?¡±


    Without warning, he picked her up into his arms, then shot into a breakneck sprint away from the flying objects rapidly closing in on them.


    ¡°Micah, what¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°They found us. We have to get to the road. Now.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± She shook her flying hair out of her face, looking back. ¡°Who? Who found us? I don¡¯t see anyone.¡±


    ¡°In the sky. Three assassins. Hold on tight.¡± He kicked up his legs, charging so fast, his body began to slowly bend to the ground. He churned along river banks, jumping lithely over streams and slicing up grass in his wake.


    I see the road. Almost there.


    Charlotte squeezed his neck, trying without success to shake her hair away from her face. ¡°Good Lord, Micah! How are you running so fast? Are you human?¡± She suddenly shrieked. ¡°Oh my gosh, I see them! Run faster! RUN FASTER!¡±


    He could feel them. The bloodlust crawled up his spine. Their wings whistled as they shot through the sky. The last of the Seraphs finally found him, and he knew exactly what they wanted.


    Revenge.


    In a final burst, Micah shot onto the dirt path. With a grunt, he jumped high and tossed Charlotte into the air. Pulling the disk from his pocket, he flicked it. The flat circle expanded in moments. No chariot, instead forming a great white carriage. Tugging on his earring, his horses exploded into existence, blue licks of fire shrieking. Micah landed on the top of the carriage, catching Charlotte as she came down. The horses neighed and charged, and the white carriage blasted down the road.


    Micah slipped Charlotte down over the side, easing her through the window. She landed in one of the seats with an audible oomph. Immediately, she hunched into a ball, holding her legs and rocking back and forth. Micah bent over the edge of the roof and saw this. Suddenly distraught, or perhaps no longer able to hide it, she began to sing to herself. The words came quickly in warbled notes, and Micah couldn¡¯t understand them.


    He looked back. The three bird-like warriors trailed only a few hundred yards behind them now, still gaining despite the speed of his floating wagon. Perhaps five minutes remained until they caught up. He made a quick decision and slipped down through the window.


    He grabbed her arms. ¡°Charlotte, Charlotte! Calm down!¡±


    Tears streamed down her face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Micah. I didn¡¯t want any of this to happen. I don¡¯t want them to take me. I don¡¯t want you to die.¡±


    He took her face with both hands. Her teary eyes widened in surprise, and she stopped rocking.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to die, and I won¡¯t let them take you. I promised you, remember?¡±


    She sniffed and wiped her eyes, then nodded. ¡°Okay.¡±


    He reached to another pocket and pulled out a glass sphere, like a large marble. ¡°Here, keep this with you. Press the center when you¡¯re in danger, and I¡¯ll come for you.¡±


    She looked at it, noting two small circles carved into the clear glass, one within another. ¡°What is it?¡± she asked.


    ¡°My eye.¡±


    ¡°Ew!¡± She dropped it.


    ¡°Careful!¡± he shouted, picking it up and brushing it off. ¡°Good grief, it¡¯s not a real eye. This Eye of Mahaado will protect you when I¡¯m not close.¡±


    Handing it back to her, she clutched it with both hands. Micah climbed out the window, flipping back up on to the roof of the carriage. They were close now, so close he could see the hatred on their feathery faces. He faced the three foes, folding his arms. The tails of his scarf whipped before him in a frenzy.


    Let us finish this, Sintobi Strike.


    ¡°CHAMPLAIN!¡± Strike roared, pointing his sword.


    Micah reached to his side, slowly drawing his own weapon. Sharp steel rang as the blade sliced against the sheath.


    ¡°Hey! What happened to the glass?¡±


    Micah looked to the side to see Charlotte leaning out of the window, her courage returned as quickly as it had faded. And her eye was lit up in purple brilliance.


    ¡°Get back inside! It¡¯s dangerous.¡±


    ¡°I can help keep watch. What happened to your glass sword?¡±


    ¡°That was Glad¡­¡± He switched the sword into his opposite hand. A second handle appeared from within his sheath, crossguard extending out with a loud click, and Micah drew it, revealing a twin sword. ¡°¡­this is Gladius.¡±


    ¡°Wow! You have different swords in the same sheath?¡±


    ¡°Get back inside!¡±


    Sintobi Scar reached them first and attacked. Micah fended the strong blow away, and the Seraph flew past. Strike and Lance attacked next from each side. Micah fought them off with a fury of successive blows. He flipped his sword into the air and tugged a second black earring before re-catching the blade. The horses neighed again, exploding in deep red fire. The inferno expanded, and flaming riders appeared on each of the horses. With a collective crack of their reins, the carriage groaned and snapped forward with intense new speed.


    ¡°You can¡¯t escape me!¡± Strike shouted.


    The three Seraphs followed after them, wings beating with powerful force. They attacked from all angles, but Micah held them at bay. However, their fury grew and so did the power and desperation behind their attacks. They would never stop, and in such wide open space, there was nowhere to hide. Micah had only one option remaining.


    I have to kill them.


    A sudden scream alerted him, and he looked back. Scar launched himself through the carriage window, ripping Charlotte out the other end. Grasping her arm by his talon, he hurtled back into the sky.


    She screamed. ¡°Micah, help!¡±


    Strike landed on the carriage and attacked Micah, who narrowly dodged. ¡°Worry about me instead of her, boy!¡± His massive sword came in a torrent, guided by great skill. Micah needed both swords just to fight him off. In such a tight space, he could only concentrate on his foe.


    .


    Charlotte tried to fight Scar off as he flew higher and higher. Soon, they were so far up, the still hurtling wagon appeared as a mere insect far below.


    ¡°Quit your struggling,¡± Scar yelled, squeezing his talon and making her cry out. ¡°I have to bring you back alive, not whole!¡±


    Angrily, she hit his toes and ripped feathers from his leg. ¡°I am sick¡­ and tired¡­ of being taken off the ground!¡±


    The Seraph squawked, struggling to keep a hold of her. ¡°Stop that! I said stop!¡± He sliced his sword, cutting a deep gash into her leg.


    Charlotte screamed from the immense pain. She squeezed the glass eye still tightly clutched in her hand, waiting for something to happen. Micah, where are you? Then she remembered his exact instructions and turned the eye over in her hand. Locating the iris, she pressed hard.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Then, he was there.


    She gasped. Suddenly, miraculously, impossibly. Micah appeared out of thin air, right next to her hand, the glass eye she held level with his own eye. He snatched her leg to keep from falling.


    ¡°Good,¡± he said.


    Grabbing Scar¡¯s leg, Micah climbed with lithe ease. Scar struggled, crying out from the sudden new weight and trying to keep airborne. Flipping his sword, Micah lunged. Before the Seraph realized what was happening, Micah plunged the blade into his chest. Charlotte gasped in terror as Scar¡¯s blood flecked across her face. He was dead instantly.


    They began to fall. Micah ripped Charlotte free of Scar¡¯s grip. Black shadows magically exploded from Micah¡¯s body and consumed them both, tucking them into the stomach of a great black bird. It couldn¡¯t fly, but it would bring them safely back down. Through the translucent shadows, Micah spotted Strike and Lance flying in the distance. They caught Scar¡¯s body before it hit the ground.


    One down.


    Micah guided his shadow bird down over the still-charging carriage, landing on top. He helped Charlotte back inside through the window, making sure not to put weight on her injured leg, and then turned to wait for the next assault. They came like livid demons. Never had Micah seen such pure rage.


    He tugged his last earring. A black light blazed from the three dangling crystals. The inferno horses neighed with a loud boom that flattened the grassy plains in a wide arc. Red fire churned to purple, and wings sprouted from the horse-like bodies. The carriage lifted off the ground, roiling with its greatest speed.


    ¡°Charlotte, hold on to something!¡± he shouted over the rushing wind.


    The white surface of the carriage melted over Micah¡¯s feet, securing them in place. The team of Pegasus launched up into the sky, whistling ear-piercing shrieks as they whisked to the clouds, just loud enough to drown out Charlotte¡¯s wails. The Seraph still followed, attacking Micah again and again, but the carriage turned, pitched, and rolled, refusing any chance for them to land. The heavenly coach rocketed through blue skies. Covering miles in moments, the air battle covered whole breadths of landscape, thrashing to and fro and accompanied by a cacophony of colliding swords.


    Still, they gained no ground. The Seraphs possessed simply too much speed. The light in Micah¡¯s earrings began to fade, and he knew his last option to avoid fighting had faded. The carriage dove back to the earth, zooming out across the road again. The crystal light died, and the flames of his horses were snuffed out. Micah jumped high, extending his arm. The carriage melted within itself, reforming the white disk and shooting into his hand. He landed in a crouch and caught Charlotte as she came down. His two swords impaled the ground beside him.


    Strike and Lance settled down on the road, as well, hovering a moment before landing. Vicious glares combined with red-rage faces. Micah set Charlotte down carefully. She limped behind him, shuddering and clutching to his jacket. The silence was palpable, full of expectation and malice. There would be no walking away ¨C death or revenge remained the only options for the last of the bird warriors.


    ¡°Charlotte, back away,¡± Micah said. He replaced his swords in their sheath, one after another. He then redrew it and just the handle came away. A long glass shard grew out of the crossguard with a crackling hiss, a red-hot blade four feet long.


    She obeyed, limping off the road while Micah approached the two Seraphs. He stopped about twenty feet away, regarding them with a cool gaze. His scarf fluttered with the strong breeze, but otherwise he remained steady and motionless, a stark contrast to the two remaining foes whose bodies shook with anger and anticipation. Their chests heaved, and muscular bodies tensed.


    ¡°Justice will be dealt this day,¡± Strike said.


    ¡°Indisputably,¡± Micah replied.


    Lance pointed her sword at him. ¡°You murdered our entire clan, and now you¡¯ve taken Scar from us. You depraved, wicked scum!¡± A tear fell down her face. ¡°As the last of the Seraphs, we seek the just vengeance of not one, but hundreds.¡±


    Micah plunged his sword into the dirt road, and the Seraphs jolted, expecting an attack. But he snapped off the glass blade so it remained sticking out of the ground. Glad restored itself, and he did it a second time, breaking off another long slice.


    ¡°Come,¡± he replied. ¡°Seek your revenge, and let us be done with this.¡±


    He raised a Life Stone. ¡°Plate of the Dark One,¡± he said with authority. His yellow crystal flashed, and the two glass blades melted, swirling up and around his body like water. The clear liquid then crystallized, forming hardened shapes over his torso, forearms, and thighs. A black shadow moved about like wandering fog inside the glass covering his chest.


    ¡°It¡¯s armor,¡± Charlotte whispered.


    ¡°Very special armor,¡± a voice said behind her.


    She gasped and whirled to find Cal silently hovering beside her. ¡°Charlotte, you¡¯re much too close. We must retreat from this place.¡±


    She followed him as best she could, a good distance away from the standoff. The three still stood facing each other. ¡°Is Micah going to be alright?¡± she asked, squeezing her hands together.


    ¡°As long as we don¡¯t get in his way.¡±


    Lance attacked first. Screeching as she glided over the ground, her wings beat fast. Micah cast the attack aside with little effort. Her sword shattered Glad¡¯s blade, but the glass restored itself instantly. He burst away, lunging at Strike.


    The much larger warrior blocked, but Micah put him to the immediate defensive. Slicing, slashing, attacking with furious speed. Glass shattered into thousands of pieces, but Glad grew back over and over, spearing through the air and threatening to skewer the Seraph with each regeneration.


    His speed was incredible. Charlotte had never seen anything like it before. Often had she seen soldiers training or her father practicing with the sword, but Micah turned those memories into actions of folly. Every movement was precise, every attack perfect. Even when Lance joined in the fight, doubling their attacks against him, still he seemed little affected. The glass of his sword cast thousands of sparkling jewels across the battlefield, but it seemed the sword bore the sharp strength of fine steel. His enemies fought with furious power, but he countered each and every attack they could muster.


    Charlotte focused her gaze, opening her Sealed Eye. With her Foresight, she looked upon Micah¡¯s masked face. Cool as the sea, his visible eye saw all that even her eyes couldn¡¯t ¨C he saw victory. Chills ran through her body. It was like¡­ he wasn¡¯t even trying.


    Micah rushed into battle with a surprise burst of new speed, knocking Strike aside and whirling to slam his foot into Lance¡¯s chest. She careened back, barely catching herself from tumbling. Her claws dug deep into the ground, stopping her slide. But he streaked toward her, attacking furiously, hand and sword a mere blur. Screeching in desperation, she could barely keep him at bay. She lunged with a frantic attack, hoping to stop him, but Micah ducked. He then lashed out with his free hand, punching her violently in the stomach before glancing aside and crushing another boot into her chest. She screamed and hurled through the air.


    Micah quickly pointed his sword. The glass blade grew at a tremendous rate, shooting twenty feet through the air and driving straight through her chest before she even hit the ground.


    She landed upright. Her eyes went wide, then slowly drooped. ¡°Strike¡­¡±


    ¡°NO!¡± Strike roared in horror, rushing toward him.


    Micah leaped to the side as the Seraph leader slammed his sword into the long slab of glass, shattering it. Micah retreated while Strike stumbled to Lance¡¯s side, but there was nothing he could do. Micah made sure to stab her through the heart.


    Strike shook her several times before coming to the realization of her death. He slowly pulled the glass from her body and drew her close, rocking her gently and caressing her face while whispering fervent words. After a few moments, however, he laid her down and slowly got up. His head was bowed, and he no longer shook as before. Instead he was still, sword clenched tight.


    ¡°Do you feel nothing?¡± he asked. His quiet voice labored under the ragged chaos of both panic and resolve. ¡°Do you Black Sons truly have no heart as they say? You can take my beloved little sister¡¯s life, but can I not do the same to you?¡±


    ¡°Whether I have a heart or not does not matter; you are not strong enough to take it,¡± Micah replied. His glass sword restored itself again. He pointed the jagged blade. ¡°Walk away now, and I will let you live. I have no reason to kill you.¡±


    ¡°What do I have left? Where would I go?¡± Strike lifted his head. Teary eyes were bloodshot. Veins bulged in his neck. ¡°There is but one place. AND I WILL TAKE YOU THERE WITH ME!¡±


    He careened toward him, attacking in a wild, sweeping onslaught. Micah retreated, taking to the defensive. Strike found new and profound strength, and Glad¡¯s blade couldn¡¯t grow back fast enough to defend. Grunting and bellowing, Strike¡¯s grief leant him power. Micah leaped to the side after a particularly strong attack, rolling and recovering with Gladius now in his hands. He sliced the two new swords through the air and jumped back into the fray.


    But Strike wasn¡¯t cowed, meeting Micah head-on. His tremendous strength still kept Micah¡¯s lightning-fast blitz at bay, and he began to push back again, forcing the Black Son back on his heels. Finally, in one finishing lunge, Strike thrust his giant sword abreast. The broad edge just grazed Micah¡¯s chest armor, cutting a deep fracture into the plate.


    Micah jumped back. The black substance within leaked a wisp-like smoke.


    Strike smiled victoriously, heaving. ¡°Armor made of glass? Foolish. Next time, I¡¯ll make sure to shatter it. I won¡¯t stop until I spill every ounce of your blood.¡±


    Micah regarded him with little more than a calm gaze. ¡°Then come take it.¡±


    He roared and flew in again, wings beating furious gusts around them. Swords swirled about, a litany of melded attacks. Bestial grunts and snarls issued from deep inside the Seraph¡¯s gut as he assailed with all of himself, putting his entire clan on his shoulders. He ignored pain, disregarding Micah¡¯s landed blows and throwing his whole weight into finally killing the man who took everything from him.


    Finally, in a single moment of opportunity, Strike reached out his hand, capturing Micah by his jacket. Micah plunged one of his swords into his arm, but Strike ignored the pain, knocking Micah¡¯s other sword aside. And with a wrathful howl, he plunged his own weapon straight into Micah¡¯s chest.


    Charlotte screamed. ¡°MICAH!¡± She tried to rush to him, but Cal dropped to the ground and stopped her.


    Micah slumped.


    Gasping, wheezing, Strike smiled in exultation, raising his head to the clouds.


    ¡°It¡¯s done,¡± he whispered.


    Relief washed over him, but only briefly. It quickly faded when he saw Micah¡¯s bowed head rise. The remains of his armor fell to the grass, but the shadows within remained, spread over his chest and swirling around the tip of Strike¡¯s sword. Strike grunted, trying to pull it away, but to his shock, he couldn¡¯t move it. The shadows somehow held on to it with a vice grip.


    Micah¡¯s eye narrowed. ¡°Indeed. It is done.¡± He pulled the blade still embedded in Strike¡¯s arm and drove both his weapons into the Seraph¡¯s body.


    Strike choked, shuddering.


    One by one, his fingers slipped from his sword, and he stumbled back. Micah let him go, taking back his swords. Blood poured from the two wounds in a torrent. The shadows holding Strike¡¯s sword dispersed, and it dropped feebly to the ground. His chest emerged uninjured. Micah wiped the blood from his weapons while his beaten foe struggled to remain standing, gasping and coughing up blood.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Strike whispered, clutching to his abdomen. ¡°You wanted me to attack your chest. You¡­ made me think it was a weakness¡­ when it was your strength.¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Micah replied.


    He nodded, legs shaking. ¡°It was¡­ a good strategy.¡±


    Sintobi Strike fell. His wings twitched, body writhed, and blood pooled from his mouth.


    Micah slowly approached, shaking his head. ¡°What did you accomplish by this?¡±


    ¡°We die¡­ with honor,¡± he answered through gurgling breaths. ¡°How will you die, Micah Champlain?¡±


    Cal and Charlotte approached as Micah locked his swords into their sheath. ¡°I think about that every day,¡± he said.


    Strike¡¯s eyes closed, and the last of the Seraphs breathed no more.


    ¡°We have to keep moving,¡± Micah said after a moment of silence. ¡°It¡¯s possible they were working with Kalem. If that¡¯s the case, he might know not only our current location, but our destination as well.¡±


    He turned, but Charlotte limped to Strike¡¯s body, shoulders slumped, cheeks stained with tears. Her face registered disbelief, as if she couldn¡¯t comprehend his death. Falling to her knees, she clasped her hands to her chest and began to whisper fervently. New tears streamed in a steady flow.


    Micah was completely puzzled by her actions. ¡°What are you doing?¡± he asked, coming alongside her.


    Charlotte stopped and looked up at him. ¡°I¡¯m praying,¡± she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. They were our enemies.¡±


    ¡°That may be¡­¡± She looked back down at Strike. A weary look came over her. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean they deserved to die. They were in pain.¡±


    ¡°Pain?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It must have been excruciating. I guess I couldn¡¯t expect you to understand.¡±


    He looked from her to Strike several times, trying to decipher what she meant but unable to do so. ¡°Then please¡­ help me understand.¡±


    She smoothed back errant feathers on Strike¡¯s face, caressing them against his head. ¡°They said you killed their entire clan.¡±


    ¡°Yes. A few years ago, Governor Riser gave me that mission. They were planning a coup against Carnel. I was ordered to eliminate them, but the Sintobis were unexpectedly away the day it happened. They were supposed to die with the rest of the Seraphs.¡±


    ¡°You say such a thing so casually,¡± she choked.


    It took her a few moments to calm herself. The endless flowery fields offered her no comfort now, and the unceasing breeze bit cold against her wet cheeks. Such a long way from home, from civilization, from people ¨C despite the beauty of the desert, to die here seemed the worst thing she could imagine.


    ¡°Micah, when you told me about your master, you spoke fondly of him. You said you had loved Coral. And when he abandoned you, it left a void in your life. A painful emptiness you couldn¡¯t understand. Right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Well, if you can, try to imagine that pain multiplied a hundred times over. Imagine the same thing happening to you¡­ every single day. Because that¡¯s what was happening. Strike, Lance, and Scar¡­ you took everything from them. All their loved ones. Try to imagine what that must have felt like. What it did to them when they came home to find everyone they loved dead. You left them utterly alone, stripped of all they held dear. Couldn¡¯t you see it in their faces? How much they were hurting?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I guess I could. I just didn¡¯t¡­ know why.¡±


    ¡°And when I freed you from the seal tied to your heart, and we escaped the castle, I asked why you disobeyed the Governor¡¯s orders and ran away with me. Do you remember what you said?¡±


    Micah blinked several times. His heart began to beat very fast for some reason, painfully so. ¡°I¡­ said I wanted to live.¡±


    She looked up at him. ¡°You wanted to live! You weren¡¯t ready to die yet, because for the first time, you realized the value of your own life. Can you understand now just why Strike hated you? And Lance and Scar? You stripped them of the joy of living and must have filled them with absolute sorrow. They had nothing left but to hate you. If you can understand that, then perhaps you¡¯ll come to understand what I mean when I say they were in pain. I know you couldn¡¯t help it at the time, but that¡¯s why I was praying. They needed mercy. They needed someone to save them, but no one did.¡±


    Micah felt dizzy. Never in his life had he considered such things. But imagining, as she asked, the repercussions of his actions made his chest throb even more. His own pain of losing Coral¡­ multiplied a hundred times? He truly couldn¡¯t comprehend it, and he knew he never wanted to.


    He could see it now. The pain in their faces. Never knowing what he was doing, he had cut them to deeper, crueler places than his swords could ever reach.


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t know what to say. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    She began to cry again, squeezing her eyes shut. ¡°I don¡¯t blame you,¡± she sobbed. ¡°If anything, I¡¯m to blame for this. It¡¯s because of me that they keep coming after us. Me and these stupid eyes! All they do is bring death! Do you know how many people I¡¯ve seen die because of me? How many times I¡¯ve seen people get hurt because someone wanted these powers I never asked for? And how much more death will I have to see before it ends? I¡¯m so sick of it!¡±


    She cried for a long while, a result of far more emotion than for the deaths of the Sintobis. When finally her sobs were reduced to sniffling, he knelt down, putting an arm around her shoulder. She turned and flung her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest. He found the contact comforting, and his heart stopped pounding so painfully. Wishing to provide her the same relief, he thought of something.


    ¡°Kalem will still be on our trail,¡± he said softly. ¡°We need to keep moving. But we can bury Strike, Lance, and Scar properly before we leave. Would that¡­ would that be good?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°Yes, it would be very good.¡±


    Micah immediately retrieved the bodies of Scar and Lance, bringing them back and gently laying them beside their brother. Using an Element Stone, he magically guided earth out of the ground to create a deep enough burial place. He laid them inside and then covered them over again. Raising his crystal again, a wide slab of smooth rock rose out of the ground over the grave.


    ¡°What should the epithet read?¡± he asked her.


    Charlotte thought for a moment. She raised a green crystal of her own, sweeping it through the air. Words etched themselves into the tombstone, reading:


    Sintobi Strike - Sintobi Lance - Sintobi Scar


    Valiant Warriors


    They Defended Home and Family in this Place


    And Died with Honor


    After another prayer, Charlotte nodded, and a peaceful look came over her. Seeing it, Micah felt some measure of peace himself. It wasn¡¯t the first time Charlotte¡¯s temperament automatically became his own, and he doubted it would be the last. But despite that, bewildering questions still assaulted him. Questions about life he had never thought to ask, never even understood in the first place. Watching her, he realized with increasing clarity that while his heart had been freed from one cage, he was now bound to a new one. A prison of ignorance about the very world in which he lived. In both cases, he had not even realized how enslaved he was.


    But for some reason, he wasn¡¯t upset by such a thought, because Charlotte was with him. She had shown him how sightless he was both times. And because she had freed him from the first cage, a small, but profound part of himself wished she could one day free him from the second.


    A desire he knew to be called ¡°hope.¡±


    Charlotte stood up, but immediately collapsed.


    ¡°Stay still,¡± he ordered. Because of her fluffy dress, he had completely forgotten about her wound. Producing a roll of gauze and bottle of alcohol from the bureau, he attended to it. It was deep but clean, and would heal with little more than a fine scar. ¡°Once we find the next town, I¡¯ll get this sewn up. It should heal fairly quickly as long as it doesn¡¯t get infected.¡±


    He picked her up into his arms. ¡°Cal, let¡¯s get going. There¡¯s not much daylight left. The runes in my earrings need to be replenished, so for now we¡¯ll have to travel by foot. Tomorrow, we can resume travel by chariot, and we have a lot of ground to cover with little time to waste.¡±


    Cal nodded, wrapping his tail around the latch of the bureau again. ¡°I¡¯ll scout ahead and see if there¡¯s any station nearby.¡± Beating his wings, the Murr took to the skies.


    Micah turned on to the road, walking at a brisk pace.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t I heavy?¡± Charlotte asked in a small voice.


    ¡°I should be able to carry you a significant distance. Forcing you to walk would only hinder our progress.¡±


    She ran her hand over his arm and shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re so strong. Even after a battle, you don¡¯t seem affected by my weight at all. One would never know by just looking at you. It¡¯s really impressive, Micah. A girl could get used to this.¡±


    He felt suddenly hot and looked away. ¡°Indeed,¡± was all he could muster.


    She opened her other hand. The glass eye he had given her lay in her palm. ¡°Here¡¯s your thing back.¡±


    He looked at it for a moment. ¡°The Eye of Mahaado utilizes rare black magic that allows me to transport wherever the eye is when the iris is pressed, within a certain distance anyway.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s one of my most precious treasures, but it has no real use in my own possession. It was meant to protect others.¡± He stopped. ¡°So I want you to hold onto it. If you¡¯re ever in danger and I¡¯m not there, you can know that I will be.¡±


    She smiled brightly, clutching the eye like a rare jewel.


    He thought for a moment, before looking closely at her, his lone visible eye wide open. ¡°I will¡­ watch¡­ over you.¡±


    She giggled. He breathed deep and broke out into a sprint down the empty dirt road.

 Chapter 12: Rinx Lord

    He was the Rinx who once brought Carnel to its knees.


    Brilliant beyond comprehension, his power surpassed even the angels and demons who both sought to destroy him during his first lifetime. Commander of unsurpassed flames, thief of the Drifting Queen¡¯s own Foresight, and the older brother of the Lord of Seas ¨C never had Carnel produced his match. Modern histories portrayed him as a moderately heroic figure, but Vash knew better. As an expert researcher, he was aware of the true story of his past.


    Osiris of Orion was a villain.


    Seeking to destroy the world and fill it with demons and chaos, it took the two Heroes of the Final Word in a battle of ages to bring him down. He died, and was buried, and seven hundred years passed. A stretch of time long enough to nearly eradicate the truth. Over the centuries, the standing of Osiris transformed from Rinx Lord to criminal, from criminal to scoundrel, until finally he was simply deemed by historians as a misunderstood hero, driven to his actions by the loss of his murdered father. And perhaps there was some truth to that, for it is agreed by most that he was capable of love, even when he died. His own last words suggested this.


    Even so, as Vash looked upon the revenant, he knew without a doubt that everything they really knew about him¡­ was wrong.


    Osiris looked out over the expanse of Arcadia¡¯s ruins, seated on the ledge of a wide window and leaning back against the thick stone frame. His eyes were ever-searching, inquisitive as they scanned the city he once knew. The old capital of North Carnel had once been a thriving metropolis, full of complex architecture, beautiful sightlines, and a magniloquent people. A haven for philosophers, theologians, and warriors. Now, it was but an empty reminder of war, destroyed in the Artifax Battle some two hundred years before.


    He didn¡¯t seem sad, but neither did his expression register complacence or disregard. Whether he cared or not, Vash simply could not tell. His hand, resting on a knee, clenched a fist over and over as he sat in silence. His capes fluttered with the cold, misty wind, lending credence to the solemn bearing in his presence.


    What could he be thinking? Vash thought. How would this feel if I were in his place? To be told everything I knew was now hundreds of years in the past. Realizing that everyone I thought to be living was now dead and seeing cities I once visited had long been driven to dust. Essentially starting over in every single way.


    A small part of himself felt pity for him, but Vash had neither the inclination nor the courage to voice it to such a person. Osiris was a means to an end, and that was all. Remembering this, he turned back to his work.


    Vash¡¯s chambers drew in the bitter cold of the waterfall¡¯s mists, saturated with its chill but none of its moisture. The circular hall was vast, at least a few hundred feet in diameter, with a high slanted ceiling as it was the top room in the eastern tower. Long rows of tables occupied half of the space, littered with his experiments. Beakers and alembics over steady flames bubbled various-colored liquids; crystals arranged and constructed within differently shaped staves; animal specimens, dissected and not. And books. Books everywhere, open, stacked, ripped apart, and filled with messy notes. Pages in the open books turned themselves at the direction of the ever-present breeze, filling the room with their swishing sounds. Shelves of even more books lined the rounded walls.


    The other half of the tower was his study. A wide oak desk sat at one end with twelve different-colored crystal quills lined up on one side and a stack of tomes twenty high on the other. Two comfortable, high-back chairs faced each other on an oval rug, and a small bed was situated by an empty fireplace that hadn¡¯t been used since his arrival in Arcadia. The entire place was lit by dozens of lanterns suspended from the ceiling and extending all the way down by thick chains to hover above the tables and direct their light over his projects. The low-hanging light created a deep darkness above ten feet.


    Vash stood at one of the long tables, attending to one his experiments. He adjusted his glasses as he focused on his notebook, writing down his thoughts. A potted plant with several orange flowers was situated before him. A half dozen long Element Stones stuck up out of the dirt. He measured out two powdered ingredients on a sheet of paper before pouring them into a clear liquid inside a nearby beaker. Stirring the concoction briefly, he then poured it over the dirt in the pot.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Vash jumped, startled. Osiris stood right beside him. He hadn¡¯t even heard him move from the ledge. The Rinx Lord¡¯s tall, muscular frame seemed to tower over him.


    Recovering after a few deep breaths, Vash adjusted his glasses again. ¡°A continuation of my research in chemical amalgams to improve and perhaps one day replace the Cenial Formula.¡±


    ¡°Your Element Stone formation is all wrong,¡± he said, pointing to the crystals sticking out of the dirt in the pot.


    ¡°Formation?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Didn¡¯t you arrange them in that pattern?¡±


    ¡°I just inserted them. There¡¯s no pattern.¡±


    Osiris shook his head. ¡°You disregard the complex and precise nature of Element Stones.¡± He took one out, making Vash frown. ¡°And they¡¯re poorly cut. You¡¯re probably not even using five percent of these stones¡¯ potential output. Gransaiga would have been ashamed.¡±


    Vash took back the crystal, replacing it in the dirt. ¡°Your brother is dead. While I can understand you might have trouble fully grasping this without the time to do so, please try to realize how much magic knowledge has been lost since your time. Seven hundred years of peace can do that.¡±


    The Rinx Lord sniffed, his lips forming a cold smirk. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since someone spoke to me so obstinately.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not being obstinate, my Lord.¡± Vash turned back to the plant, picking up his quill. ¡°But I pride myself on my research. How I do things is the best way according to current accumulated knowledge. If you know how to better do what I am doing, then you are the only one. I¡¯d already considered asking for your help, of course, but I know you would never comply under the circumstances.¡± He took a swig from his flask while making more notes on the night¡¯s experiment.


    ¡°Drinking won¡¯t sharpen your mind,¡± Osiris said.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t liquor. It¡¯s a potion that is keeping me alive.¡±


    He caught a sound he had been expecting and turned to one of the widows, where a large, brown eagle flew down to settle on the ledge. Rushing up to it, Vash took a letter from a bag tied around the bird¡¯s neck. The eagle flew off again while he ripped the message open. As he read, he wandered over to one of the large chairs and sank into it.


    ¡°Good,¡± he said to himself after finishing. ¡°Kalem has found them. They¡¯re headed for the Twin Cities. But why? It makes no sense. Are they even trying to escape Carnel? Does Champlain have contacts there?¡±


    Osiris sat in the chair opposite his. ¡°Why do you want this girl? Are the Moon Eyes so powerful?¡±


    Vash smiled in half-amusement, setting fire to the letter with a crystal and watching it burn to ash. ¡°What makes you think I want them? The King is the one who ordered her to be detained. She is his prize. My duty is simply to retrieve what he lost.¡±


    Osiris¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Don¡¯t play games with me.¡±


    Vash¡¯s smile washed away as a cold feeling seeped into his chest. He cleared his throat. ¡°You seem familiar with the Moon Eyes.¡±


    ¡°One of my masters, a peerless Avalon named Kyba of Canis, mentioned the ¡®Moon Eye Child¡¯ countless times. He is a true immortal, granted eternal life from Valhalla by way of Foresight in order to become the guardian of the Desolate Tower. According to him, this chosen child was to destroy the tower and mark the end of an age.¡±


    Vash sat up straight, intrigued. ¡°I¡¯ve heard the name Kyba of Canis before. He¡¯s a harmless old hermit secluded in the Mosaic Mountains. I guarantee he¡¯s no immortal.¡±


    ¡°And yet somehow, even seven hundred years later, I know who he is. Try using your head for once. You speak without thinking far too often for a man who says he values knowledge.¡±


    Vash shrugged off the insult. ¡°An immortal! I can¡¯t believe it. How is such a thing possible?¡±


    Osiris propped his elbow on the armrest, resting his head on a fist. Then, his left eye exploded with purple light, casting the brilliance of it over his whole face. ¡°I know something about Foresight. You¡¯ll just have to take my word for it.¡±


    Vash¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Is it true what the histories tell us? Did you really steal the Full Moon from Queen Aurora?¡±


    ¡°More like borrowed. And she took my power as well.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s hers. And she possessed the strongest Foresight ever known.¡±


    ¡°Did she attain Level Three?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no such thing.¡±


    Osiris paused, eyes narrowing again. ¡°Your brash, baseless arrogance is testing my patience.¡±


    Vash sighed. ¡°Forgive me, my Lord.¡± He leaned back in his chair again, taking another drink from his flask. ¡°No. She did not attain a third level of Foresight.¡±


    ¡°Then hers was not the strongest. Kyba¡¯s is. He possessed the third level long before Aurora¡¯s birth.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re telling me this old mountain hermit is at least seven hundred years old, possesses Foresight stronger than the Drifting Queen¡¯s, and knows everything about the Moon Eyes?¡± He put a hand to his face. ¡°I¡¯ve been going about this the wrong way. I should just find Kyba and let Goodsteel come to me.¡±


    ¡°Only if you want to die in quick fashion.¡±


    ¡°I could send you to fight him for me. That is the reason I resurrected you.¡±


    ¡°I see now I¡¯m constantly going to need to repeat myself around you,¡± Osiris scoffed. ¡°He¡¯s immortal. He was my master. A Rinx Lord with a thousand years of knowledge and wisdom. He could destroy me on a whim. If he weren¡¯t bound to that mountain, he could conquer the planet. You truly have no measure of what he is capable of.¡±


    Vash blanched. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. How could a man that powerful be bound to anything? And what is this ¡®Desolate Tower¡¯ you speak of? I¡¯ve never even heard of such a thing.¡±


    ¡°Atop the Mountain of the Wolf, there is a place established long before the foundations of Carnel were set: a wall. A wall so high, only those with ultimate resolve could climb it. My brother once conquered the Desolate Tower, and he told me it is a place where men and angels meet and even form bonds. Kyba of Canis is the keeper of this tower, and he was told his death would not come until he met the Moon Eye Child, who was to end the current age and usher in a new one.¡±


    Vash stood up, pacing back and forth. ¡°You must realize how ludicrous this should sound. You speak of angels and demons so casually when we haven¡¯t seen signs of them in hundreds of years. Most people regard their appearances in lore as myth or mistaken witness.¡±


    Osiris sighed, closing his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s not surprising. Humans have trouble believing what they can¡¯t see, but that doesn¡¯t change the truth. I have seen devils and angels with my own eyes, talked with them¡­¡± He opened his eyes again. ¡°¡­and I have surpassed them.¡±


    A deep chill flooded Vash¡¯s body, full of warning. The deadly magenta glare hurled in his direction warned of consequences for ill-spoken words. I probably shouldn¡¯t challenge what he says anymore¡­ at least not out loud.


    ¡°Then, I am back to square one,¡± Vash said, clearing his throat after it broke. ¡°Until recently, we were in possession of Charlotte Goodsteel, the girl born with the Moon Eyes, but she escaped, set free by one of our own who was assigned to guard her. Now they are on the run, and I have a tracker after them, but that won¡¯t guarantee anything.¡±


    ¡°So you just need to find this Champlain person you spoke of.¡±


    ¡°Easier said than done,¡± he replied, sitting back down bitterly. He took another long drink from his flask. ¡°The one who broke her from her chains, Micah sinChamplain, is a Black Son, an elite warrior trained as an assassin from childhood. Few people know this, but Black Sons are actually slaves. While still very young, a seal is placed on their hearts, bending their wills to that of the king and his governors. It was supposed to be impossible for them to disobey orders. Yet, for the first time since this practice began three hundred years ago, the impossible became reality. He shrugged off the governor¡¯s command, took Goodsteel, and fled. I still don¡¯t know how it happened. I¡¯ve pondered it endlessly, but come to no conclusions. Now, not only have we lost the Moon Eyes, but Champlain is rogue.¡±


    ¡°No one can disappear. Just hunt him down and be done with it.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand. We¡¯re not just dealing with any assassin. Micah Champlain has the power of all three ancient tribes, a true Vilox. Since your day, the number of Vilex has dwindled significantly. Maybe one a year is born, if that. And he¡¯s incredibly strong, among the handful of upper echelon warriors unbeatable in one-on-one combat, excluding you and the king.¡± Osiris gave him a look, and Vash gulped. ¡°And Kyba of course. The point is he¡¯s a true genius and knows how to hide. This is partially why I brought you back. Our plans were devastated by this turn of events. Who could foresee Champlain turning against us? It is imperative we retrieve the Moon Eyes, but so few can challenge him!¡±


    Osiris shook his head. ¡°So many answers have been right in front of your nose, but you fail to see them, even now.¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    He frowned. ¡°Explain.¡±


    Osiris lifted one hand. ¡°Let¡¯s say you were to put a dog and a cat inside a cage and leave it for the night. The next morning, you find the cat dead. What do you suppose happened to it?¡±


    ¡°The dog must have killed it.¡±


    ¡°What about poison? What if a man came in the night and killed it? What if it died of old age?¡±


    Vash laughed. ¡°Highly unlikely.¡±


    ¡°So it is. Let¡¯s try another. If you put a girl with special abilities inside a prison cell and assign to guard her a boy with a seal on his heart that is supposed to control him, and he sets her free and they escape, what do you suppose happened?¡±


    Vash¡¯s amused smile washed away into a deep grimace. ¡°You¡¯re saying she might have done something to break the seal?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you that¡¯s exactly what she did. Champlain isn¡¯t rogue. He¡¯s free. You call yourself a man of research, yet you can¡¯t see the big picture when it¡¯s so obvious.¡±


    Vash slumped in his chair, his frown contorting with confusion and disbelief. ¡°You mock me, but you seemed to have forgotten it was I who discovered your true name, resurrected you from the dead, and bound you to my will with magic not even you can break. I suppose, however, it is for that very reason you have the right to despise and deride me.¡±


    For a long moment, Osiris stared at him. A look Vash knew he would never get used to. Considering, yet dangerous. Vash could almost see the careful and complicated thoughts churning behind his eyes. ¡°I believe it¡¯s now my turn to ask questions,¡± the Rinx Lord said. ¡°Perhaps you can regain the credibility you¡¯ve lost tonight. First, how did you obtain my name?¡±


    Vash sat up, eager for the opportunity. ¡°You refer to the New Name Rite. The details of that particular magic, as luck would have it, have been well documented and preserved. We know that Rinx Lords receive possession of their own name once they obtain the title. And that anyone to whom the Rinx tells his name could utter it and bring him back from the dead a single time. Lord Mobius and Lord Gransaiga, your brothers, were already resurrected using the New Name Rite, but you and your youngest brother, Lord Zethos, were not. It was simply a matter of obtaining the names.¡±


    Osiris scowled. ¡°The New Name Rite isn¡¯t ¡®simple¡¯ in any respect. It had many requirements. One was that only another Rinx could receive the name, and a second was that the name could only be received, never taken. Otherwise it would be wiped out instantly, even from one¡¯s own memory. I only gave my name to Zethos, and he said he never told anyone. How then, did you overcome those obstacles?¡±


    Vash organized his thoughts, debating whether he should bring certain delicate topics to light. He decided to enter into the discussion carefully. ¡°Did you know there are no more Rinx left?¡± he asked.


    ¡°What does that have to do with this?¡±


    ¡°Everything, if you are willing to listen.¡±


    Osiris propped a fist against his temple again. ¡°Proceed.¡±


    He paused for a moment. ¡°Rinx are granted their abilities from Heaven, a power that must be earned. Sort of a ¡®promotion¡¯ from Vilex. For several hundred years, the Vilex in our lands have begun to diminish in number, and the last known Rinx died a hundred years ago. There hasn¡¯t been one since. Many take this to be a sign, and I believe it as well. You said Kyba foreshadowed the Moon Eye Child would bring about the end of an age. The Age of Vilex and Rinx might very well be what he was referring to.


    ¡°But Rinx Lords are a different matter. Since the days of the Four Swords, not a single Lord has been seen in Carnel.¡± He held up a finger. ¡°Not¡­ one. It took me a while to realize why. Indeed, people have pondered the question for centuries. Why were you and your brothers, aside from Kyba, the only Rinx Lords in recorded history?¡±


    Osiris smirked. ¡°Because we made a deal with the devil.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. The title of Rinx Lord is an unnatural power, never meant to be granted to human beings. You gained your power from the demon Mahro. And if I correctly follow the information you¡¯ve given me about Kyba, I can surmise the same about him. He was granted it through unique means.¡±


    ¡°Your supposition is accurate.¡±


    Vash held out a hand. ¡°In your day, people obtained power. They trained against stronger foes, learned from more powerful masters, used more potent magic. You had access to the five crystals! And both Heaven and Hell granted you other-worldly power. The reason Rinx no longer exist is because those days are gone. An age is truly almost over.¡±


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your point?¡±


    ¡°My point is that people had to adapt, because while power gradually began to dissipate, the human urge to learn and conquer that power never did. So, the only way to do that was to tap into the ancient sources and discover what was once considered lost. Mankind made a host of discoveries, relics of magic from before even your own time. And I made one of these discoveries.¡±


    He stood up, clenching both fists in excitement. ¡°I found the Keeper of the Names.¡±


    Osiris¡¯s eyes flashed in interest. ¡°You refer to Kaggi, the Hangman?¡±


    ¡°You know of him?¡±


    ¡°The legend went that he obtained a book from God¡¯s own shelf, a book of all names past and present. And to keep Him from taking it back, he made a deal with a demon and hung himself from a tree. As a result, Kaggi¡¯s body and soul remained of the earth, unable to go to Heaven or Hell.¡±


    Vash nodded. ¡°And the legend is true. After lifelong research, I found the Hangman, under the Thistlewood of Thistle. Offering a sacrifice of magic and life so that Kaggi could extend his possession of the Book of Names another thousand years, I was granted a single look.¡± He laughed excitedly. ¡°That is how I obtained your true name, Othello of Orion. The original source of names! A magic beyond the power of the New Name Rite. And through my research, I also acquired the Venorous Seal, turning you into my eternal servant!¡±


    Osiris now stared at him with a calculating gaze, and Vash regretted calling him by his true name. He quickly sat back down.


    ¡°So then, what now?¡¯ Osiris asked in a severe tone. ¡°Do you plan on taking over the world, Nathanial Vash?¡±


    Vash waved his hand, taking another drink from his flask. ¡°That kind of thing means nothing to me. I want knowledge. I want to rediscover the lost things you once considered to be common fact, and apply them to what we know today. By doing this, I could accumulate the greatest amount of knowledge ever amassed by a single human being. I could bring about a true revolution! I said I believed it was the end of an age for a reason, and it¡¯s because I believe I can usher in a new one.¡±


    ¡°That is the first impressive thing I¡¯ve heard you say.¡±


    Vash sniffed, refusing to show how pleased he was to hear that. ¡°Besides, to contest the king and his Flying Birds is foolishness. Why try when even you failed once upon a time?¡±


    Osiris leaned back. His gaze was far away now, thoughtful and full of the past. ¡°It wasn¡¯t Flying Birds that defeated me. It was something else¡­ something far stronger Aurora possessed that I never fully understood.¡±


    ¡°What was it?¡±


    Osiris didn¡¯t answer, instead shifting his gaze to the long tables. Vash followed it. The orange flowers of his experiment were rapidly wilting, the petals fading to gray before falling one by one.


    Vash sighed, getting up again and shuffling over to the pot. ¡°Another failure.¡± He pulled the plant up by its roots and tossed it into a nearby trash bin.


    Osiris joined him. ¡°Whatever it is you¡¯re trying to do, you won¡¯t find results. Not only are your crystals aligned wrong, but you¡¯re using the wrong kind. You should be using Cure Stones. The natural assumption would be to use Element Stones¡­¡± He picked one of the long, green crystals from the soil, turning it between his fingers. ¡°¡­as they manipulate the elements, but Cure Stones should be used to measure restorative properties in elixirs.¡±


    Vash gritted his teeth. ¡°That would be lovely, except I don¡¯t have any.¡±


    ¡°Then go get some.¡±


    He sighed in irritation bordering on loathing. ¡°You don¡¯t understand. Only a few Cure Stones exist now. It¡¯s the rarest gem in the world. One doesn¡¯t simply ¡®go get¡¯ a Cure Stone.¡±


    Osiris folded his arms. ¡°How is that possible? In my time, they were more common than rocks. You could buy ten for a gold coin.¡±


    Vash reached into his robes, producing his flask again. Opening it, he offered it to his servant. ¡°Smell this.¡±


    Osiris whiffed it. ¡°An organic elixir, probably plant-based. Is this the Cenial Formula you referred to?¡±


    He nodded. ¡°And it tastes awful, yet I must drink a full flask every day or perish within hours. Carnel has seen peace since the Battle of the Final Word, my Lord, but it has still seen its dark times. Cure Stones were once as common as Element Stones, Life Stones, and Black Stones, but that changed about one hundred fifty years ago when a man named Nicholas Sprouls discovered a potion that granted eternal life.¡±


    Osiris leaned against the table, smirking in contempt. ¡°Whenever I hear of new-fangled attempts to gain immortality, my desire to purge the world of idiots increases.¡±


    ¡°Carnel could have used that wisdom. For a great disaster befell this land. The potion, called Miracle, required the grinding of a Cure Stone into a fine powder to be mixed with a careful measure of twelve other commonly known ingredients. And it worked. People who drank the potion stopped aging.¡±


    ¡°But at what cost?¡±


    Vash pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, frowning. ¡°A severe poisoning that killed in the slowest and most painful of ways. And that isn¡¯t the best part.¡± He laughed. ¡°The only known cure at the time was more Miracle.¡±


    Osiris nodded. ¡°I understand now. Cure Stones were probably hoarded like treasure and consumed faster than any mines could replenish.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s worse than that. Children born of people who drank the Miracle potion also were poisoned, but no amount of Miracle could save them. Babies born with ice-blue hair died by the thousands until those rich enough to continue acquiring Miracle stopped having children. The noble classes grew old with no offspring and started forcibly stealing healthy children from others. The poor and middle classes rose against them in their weakened state. Anarchy threatened to conquer the land.¡±


    ¡°How fascinating. I would have liked to witness these events.¡±


    ¡°Eventually, a temporary antidote was discovered by Antoine Cenial.¡± Vash held up the flask. ¡°Which staves off the poison if consumed every day. As you can see from my blue hair, I am a child of two would-be immortals, and I can personally attest that my parents are very much dead, as is everyone else who drank Miracle. Today, there are thousands of people just like me who now must suffer for those mistakes. We can never have children, lest they suffer the same curse, and Cure Stones have all but disappeared. Only a few shards remain in the wealthiest of collections. I¡¯ve never even seen one.¡±


    Osiris reached to a pack on his belt and produced a handful of light blue gems.


    Vash gasped so loud, it echoed in the chamber. His eyes went wide, and hands trembled violently as he slowly reached out. ¡°Are¡­ are those¡­ are those¡­¡±


    ¡°Cure Stones?¡± Osiris finished, dumping them into his hands. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t believe it!¡± His arms shook, and sweat formed in droplets on his face. ¡°Do you know how much these are worth? Millions! Millions and millions of gold!¡±


    Osiris closed his eyes, refolding his arms. ¡°I remember when Blood Stones were the expensive crystals and Vilex Stones were the rare stones worth millions.¡±


    Vash licked his lips, unable to take his eyes off the blue crystals tightly gripped between his fingers. ¡°Blood Stones are still rare, though not impossible to acquire. But what¡¯s a Vilex Stone? Aren¡¯t there only five crystal types?¡±


    ¡°I used to think so, but no, there are six. Or there were six, at any rate. Frankly, it never mattered since my brother knew a way to convert one crystal type into another.¡±


    Vash carefully laid the long blue gems on the table, lining them into a row. ¡°You refer to Lord Gransaiga and his Crystal Conversion. He never passed on his knowledge of the process. His writings suggest he feared the method would be misused.¡±


    Osiris nodded. ¡°That is true. He never even told me how to do it.¡±


    He watched Vash in his excitement over the Cure Stones. It was evident his mind was already churning with ideas of how to best use them. He truly loves knowledge. The thought of selling the crystals hasn¡¯t even crossed his mind. If it¡¯s true that much was lost during the extended period of peace after my death, then he probably feels he was born in the wrong era. Ambition drives him. He would have become powerful during my time.


    Osiris¡¯s eyes narrowed. He¡¯s a bit like I was. Smart and determined, yet embittered by life.


    Zethos¡¯s face came rushing back to him in that moment, old and decrepit ¨C nothing like he remembered of his little brother. How many times would his dying words haunt him? Forced to remember it yet again, Osiris was reminded just why he loathed Nathanial Vash. He had to find a way to free himself from the Venorous Seal. It seemed the magic forcing him to serve Vash had limitations. He couldn¡¯t harm him, and he was compelled to obey his direct orders and warn him of danger. Yet, he could mentally plot against him. What else Osiris could do under the Seal without Vash knowing had to be tested.


    ¡°So then,¡± he said, forming his words strategically. ¡°What¡¯s our next move? Will you bumble about Carnel in search of Champlain, dragging me along with you and forcing me to persevere through your painfully dim-witted decisions?¡±


    Vash scowled. ¡°We will wait for Marshall sinKalem to find them. He has orders to send me their location when he¡¯s caught up with them.¡±


    ¡°Grand. Now I can sit still and wade in your endless stupidities.¡±


    Vash slammed his hands on the table. ¡°Stop mocking me!¡±


    That¡¯s it¡­


    ¡°Give me a reason why I shouldn¡¯t,¡± he continued. ¡°Surely, you don¡¯t consider yourself my ¡®master¡¯ or some equally ridiculous title, do you?¡±


    ¡°You may not like me, but you will obey me.¡±


    ¡°I am your superior in every sense of the word. Coupled with the disgrace you have treated me with by binding me to the seal, you are a waste of time, a failure, and an idiot. Honestly, show me one thing you can do that could impress me.¡±


    ¡°Fine!¡± Vash took a Black Stone and Life Stone from his robes and stormed to the other side of the room, near the chairs. Osiris stood opposite him, smirking in contempt, his hand steady on the handle of his sword.


    Vash held up the black and white crystals. ¡°We may have lost much in seven hundred years, but we¡¯ve learned things, too. Magic even you never knew! Soul Tap!¡±


    The crystals glowed, and a white mist seeped from Osiris¡¯s skin, translucent and bright. The swirling wisps of ether collected beside him, forming a vision. Hazy at first but growing crisper, a person soon appeared from it, like a ghost. A young girl no older than fifteen stood between Vash and Osiris, smiling sweetly. She wore a simple but pretty dress, and freckles sprinkled her nose. She tucked a wisp of short hair behind her ear and then clasped her hands together. A necklace featured many different trinkets and charms identical to the ones dangling from the side of Osiris¡¯s head.


    ¡°Who is this?¡± Vash taunted, smiling in triumph. ¡°I know it¡¯s someone important to you. That¡¯s what the Soul Tap does. It shows me visions of your deepest, darkest past, no matter how much you might wish it never to be seen. What do you think of that?¡±


    Osiris didn¡¯t answer. He stared at the girl standing before him with wide, terrible eyes. Blood-shot, demented, deranged. A darkness came over his face, and his whole body shook until it seemed to fill the room and beyond. He looked at Vash, eyes growing wider. A pure, livid fire exploded around him in a sudden burst, and searing purple light consumed his left eye. He took a step toward Vash, then another, still trembling, chest heaving in rage. The walls shook, rafters groaned, and glass shattered all around them.


    Vash stumbled back against the wall, strangled with petrifying fear. He¡¯d never seen anything like this before. Flames discharged from the Rinx Lord¡¯s body, filling every inch of space with suffocating heat. His face was so full of anger, so full of murderous hate, it clutched to Vash¡¯s heart, threatening to crush it from the inside.


    He quickly raised a hand. ¡°You can¡¯t harm me!¡± he squealed.


    The circular seal appeared over Osiris¡¯s chest, burning crimson, but it only slowed him down. He still came, arms reaching out as if to snatch Vash by the neck.


    The seal¡¯s not working? Impossible!


    ¡°STOP!¡± Vash shouted.


    Suddenly, a new apparition melted out of the shadows. A hideous black dragon with the hind legs of a horse formed from the darkness itself, maw lined with sharp teeth, and eyes glowing red. Vash gasped in new fear before realizing it was the guardian of the Venorous Seal. The dragon held a great chain in human-like hands. It threw the steel rope, ensnaring Osiris and pulling him back.


    But Osiris barely seemed to notice. He yelled in rage, pushing against it, thrashing and clawing to get at Vash. His gaze whipped back and forth between Vash and the vision of the girl. Each time, it enraged him further. The fire cascading from his body burned even more, washing in a rainbow of screaming flames. The demon dragon roared, pulling with all its might but unable to keep Osiris from advancing. The Rinx inched closer and closer. Bloodshot eyes bulged from their sockets, teeth clenched, and a guttural shout escaped from somewhere deep inside. The ache to kill consumed his whole being. The walls of stone began to melt, the furniture burst into flames, and the lanterns detonated with ear-splitting bursts.


    Vash screamed. The fire scorched his skin, barely checked by the Seal. How could it not hold him? How was he doing this?


    I¡¯m going to die!


    From the corner of his eye, he saw the vision he had produced. The girl still stood beside them, smiling happily. Vash quickly waved his hand through the air, and the ghostly image vanished into fading smoke.


    Osiris stopped.


    The fire quelled in moments, reduced to embers. Smoke filled the once open space. Chains dropped at Osiris¡¯s feet with a clatter before melting back into shadow, and the demon disappeared with them. Vash slowly sank to the floor, staring up at Osiris in trembling fits.


    But his servant turned, hand resting back on his sword. Small voices on the smoky air, whispering death chants, filled Vash¡¯s hearing, so quiet that he wondered if he wasn¡¯t imagining them. An aura of vile darkness surrounded the Rinx Lord, more terrible than the events he had just witnessed.


    ¡°If you ever show me that again¡­¡± Osiris said after a long silence, his voice quiet yet deep and full of cruel wrath. ¡°¡­no matter what magic you bind me to, I will kill you in the worst way imaginable.¡±


    He slowly walked out of the destroyed chambers, closing the remnant of the door behind him.


    Vash¡¯s breathing slowed, but his heart did not. His chambers were half-obliterated, but the loss was little compared to the fear he felt. The pure, unsurpassed fear.


    What have I done?

 Chapter 13: The Love Song of Jask Troubadour

    The Silver Lily Plains of District Five greeted Micah and Charlotte with a welcome sight to weary eyes. After a long ride across seemingly endless grass fields and a freezing trek through the Vega Mountains, South Carnel¡¯s lush verdure was like the homecoming of a long-lost friend. Settling into a speedy, but not unpleasant pace, they were able to find some measure of tranquility. The realm of the fifth district, normally rich with old, thick forests, soon gave way to the widespread gray flowers blanketing the hills that surrounded the Twin Cities. Metallic-colored lilies, like millions of bells without clappers, shivered with the brisk wind, signaling the fast-approaching autumn.


    Charlotte bunched up her dress as she scurried to the top of the hill in excitement, Micah close behind. And when his gaze fell on Castor and Pollux, he recognized without a doubt the new emotion welling up within his heart.


    Wonder.


    The two cities sat on the opposite sides of a vast, dry gorge, but they melded into a single immense settlement. At the center, tall buildings of black stone several dozen stories high raced each other to the sky. Stretching for several miles, the cities dazzled in the evening rays. Tiny lights bedecked walls and streets, rooftops and flagpoles, doors and windows. And not the usual city lights, but odd, twinkling bits a million fold as if the twin metropolis wanted to mirror the starry sky.


    A single bridge crossed the gorge, a colossal structure of twisted metal and carved stone. At each end, a monument to their respective cities faced each other. In Castor to the East, a steel plate hundreds of feet high rose out of the canyon and around the bridge. Blue and shaped like a crescent moon, it reached to half the height of Castor¡¯s tallest building. On the west side, Pollux featured a similar steel plate, golden and shaped like the sun. From his studies, Micah knew each weighed several hundred thousand tons and had taken over fifty years to construct, but seeing them for the first time brought the magnitude of it to full comprehension. He had been to many places in his short lifetime, but few cities surpassed the grandeur of what they now beheld.


    Charlotte took his arm, keeping her gaze trained on the Twin Cities. ¡°Crickets, isn¡¯t it the most amazing thing you¡¯ve ever seen?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Irrefragably,¡± he replied.


    She hummed, then laughed primly, which she did often now when he answered her questions. He looked at her. She seemed genuinely happy. It was as if the memory of the attack by the Sintobi siblings was all but forgotten. But he hadn¡¯t been able to stop thinking about it, or rather, about what she told him afterward. Her words haunted him, keeping him awake nights.


    Then, he remembered something. It hadn¡¯t seemed anything more than odd at the time, but now it seemed incredibly relevant.


    ¡°Charlotte?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± She looked up at him.


    ¡°When we were first attacked by the Seraphs, and I put you inside the carriage, I seem to remember you were singing to yourself.¡±


    She blushed, letting go of his arm. ¡°Oh¡­ well, that was nothing.¡±


    ¡°Was it?¡± He looked away. ¡°I just remembered because it seemed to be your way of calming down. I haven¡¯t been able to stop thinking of what you told me that day. In fact, it makes my chest hurt every time I think of it. I thought maybe you knew of a way to make such things go away.¡±


    Charlotte put her hands to her mouth in dismay. ¡°Oh, Micah, I¡¯m sorry. I never meant to¡­ oh, dear. Look, sit down.¡±


    She directed him to the nearby grass while she sat on the edge of a flat rock opposite him. She twiddled her fingers together, and her eyes looked this way and that as she seemed to be organizing what she wanted to say. Micah waited patiently, studying her endless tics in fascination. The evening was slowly giving way to the night, sending myriad flares of color through the clouds, blending oranges with pinks and purples. Charlotte¡¯s skin glowed with intensity under the setting sun, and her hair hinted with painted reflections of the sky, drifting lightly on the cool breeze.


    ¡°I suppose the first thing I have to make sure you understand is that you can¡¯t blame yourself for the things that are happening,¡± she said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t? Aren¡¯t I exactly the reason for what is happening? For what has happened?¡±


    ¡°No! Micah, you aren¡¯t to blame! I know what I said made it seem like you were at fault, and I apologize. But that¡¯s simply not true. I just wanted you to see a different picture ¨C I wanted you to see their side. You are without a doubt the kindest, gentlest man I¡¯ve ever met. You have a good heart! Who knows better than me?¡±


    He swallowed hard, shutting his eyes. ¡°I do? But¡­ I¡¯ve killed people. I¡¯ve hurt families and destroyed lives and¡ª¡±


    She put a hand to his mouth, and he stopped, looking back at her in surprise. Smiling, she kissed his cheek.


    ¡°It¡¯s because you recognize all those things that makes me right about you,¡± she said.


    The sudden heat in his face should have been unbearable. He wondered if she could feel it, because she laughed and let go of him.


    ¡°So, then what was the song you were singing?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t recognize it,¡± she said, laying her hands in her lap and crossing her legs. ¡°It¡¯s one of the oldest songs in history. Of course, I wasn¡¯t really ¡®singing¡¯ it when you heard it. I must have sounded like a crazy person.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Micah agreed. She leered at him, but he smiled. ¡°Just kidding.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called ¡®Bring Me to You.¡¯ Written by Jask Troubadour to his lover, Astrid.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re referring to Jask of Pegasus, the Sound Sage? I¡¯ve read several books on his life and accomplishments. He¡¯s the son of the Drifting Queen¡¯s adopted family, and he learned a great deal from her. Practically everything we know about sound magic is due to his discoveries.¡±


    Charlotte rolled her eyes. ¡°Yes, yes. That¡¯s all well and good. But, the important part of his life is his love story with Astrid.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with it.¡±


    She sighed, cradling clasped hands at her neck. ¡°It¡¯s such a romantic story! Jask and Astrid met when they were very young, joining Lord Mobius¡¯s bounty hunter crew. He was handsome and strong, and knew every musical instrument. She was beautiful and bashful, and possessed Foresight like his beloved sister. It was inevitable they would fall in love.¡± Charlotte pressed the back of her hand to her forehead. ¡°Alas, fate demanded they should part.¡±Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Well, unbeknownst to them all, Astrid was born of a foreign ruler, a man called Tasman the Red King. A cruel, evil man, he planned to use Astrid for his own gain in one way or another, the same way as he used all his daughters. Her mother, a Carnelian, discovered his true nature and stole Astrid away as a baby, escaping to her homeland under the cover of dark.


    ¡°And so Astrid grew up in Carnel. After her mother died, she was taken in by the Lord and Queen, and joined their crew soon after. But after joining the bounty hunters, she slowly gained prominence, for she had great talent. Word eventually reached the ears of Tasman, who realized she was his daughter and immediately plotted with several other surrounding kingdoms.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± Micah said. ¡°I know this part. This is when the Red Siege began.¡±


    Charlotte nodded. ¡°The Red King demanded Astrid be returned to him. Queen Aurora wouldn¡¯t hear of it at first, but when he and his allies threatened an invasion of Carnel, Aurora left it up to Astrid to choose. And after many hard nights, Astrid decided she would return for the sake of the county she loved.


    ¡°Well, as you can imagine, Jask had different ideas about the matter. Oh, how it must have been so hard for him! He was just a boy then, and he loved her so dearly. He wrote many, many songs about the day she left, all of them dark and soul-wrenching.¡± Charlotte wiped a small tear away, but then she smiled. ¡°But it was the last song he wrote that became famous.¡±


    ¡°Why is that?¡±


    ¡°Because it was the song that convinced him to rescue her! Despite orders from Lord Mobius, he went after her, leaving Carnel and invading strange lands. Nothing would keep her from him any longer. And it was in the heart of the Red King¡¯s own palace that Jask confessed his undying love to Astrid and broke her free. They fled, living nearly the rest of their lives in hiding, but together. His single decision lives on centuries later as the ultimate declaration of love.¡±


    Charlotte issued a small squeal of delight as she closed her eyes and imagined her story, but Micah frowned.


    ¡°His actions struck the match that culminated decades later in the Battle of the Final Word,¡± he said. ¡°Hundreds of thousands of people died as a result. It was a terrible decision.¡±


    She gasped. ¡°No! Can¡¯t you see? Love won! There will always be war and hate, no matter what decisions we make in life. But real hope dies when love fails! Jask Troubadour is inspiring because he decided not to give up on his love, even when the world told him he had to.¡± A small sadness came over her, a look familiar to Micah now. ¡°Every girl wants to be the Astrid of his song,¡± she said. ¡°We all dream¡­ of the man who would come rescue us.¡±


    She attended to a lock of her hair, lips pouting slightly. Micah continued to frown, disconcerted by her words. How could the love of two young people be more important than staving off war? It didn¡¯t make sense¡­ yet, somehow, Micah could no longer shrug off Charlotte¡¯s explanations as he once did. In fact, he realized with surprising clarity that he believed her. But he wanted to know why.


    ¡°So, what is the song then?¡± he asked.


    Her expression brightened. ¡°¡®Bring Me to You¡¯ was written the night Jask left to rescue Astrid. He was in the middle of writing it when he realized what he had to do. That¡¯s what makes it so special. My mother used to tell me the story before bed. Then, she taught me how to sing the song. I memorized both and have never forgotten either. Now, when I¡¯m worried or frightened, I sing it to help me calm down. It¡¯s never once failed.¡±


    Micah hesitated before deciding to ask, ¡°Would you sing it?¡±


    ¡°Here?¡± she asked, looking around.


    ¡°Is this a bad place?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡± She smiled. ¡°It¡¯s perfect actually. But promise not to laugh?¡±


    ¡°I promise.¡±


    She giggled before sitting up straight and closing her eyes. For several moments, she remained still, taking deep, tranquil breaths. The wind quieted, and the sounds of swishing lilies hushed, almost as if to give way to her. Then, like a slow-rolling wave breaking on the seashore, her song came.


    Bring me to you.


    Bring me to you.


    Astrid, my dear, draw me near.


    Bring me to you.


    Send me whispers on the flight of your wings.


    And endless bouquets of dreams.


    But let those all pass, if given one chance


    To bring me to you.


    Bring me to you.


    Bring me to you.


    Astrid, my love, sent from above.


    Bring me to you.


    Golden hair weaved from sun¡¯s light.


    Eyes borne of the moon¡¯s finest night.


    Beauty foremost fair, soul ever so rare.


    I give my life to you.


    As she broke into the chorus again, Micah vaguely recognized his own thoughts as they meandered hopelessly in the soft wonders of her voice. He understood so clearly now what people meant by the phrase ¡°voice of an angel.¡± She swayed and cambered with each line, filled by the emotion they conveyed. And despite her singing, a warm smile never left her lips. Shaming the proudest birds with her notes, she was transcendent. Micah could only describe it as sweet. Like sugar¡­ honey¡­ no, even sweeter still. The sweetest concoction he couldn¡¯t recollect.


    Bring me to you.


    Bring me to you.


    Astrid, my light, fill my sight.


    Bring me to you.


    The day came I¡¯ll never forget.


    The Red King came to collect on his debt.


    When you said you¡¯d depart, took with you my heart.


    How could he take you from me?


    Bring me to you.


    Bring me to you.


    Astrid, I plead, on my hands and my knees.


    Bring me to you.


    As gentle tears fell down Charlotte¡¯s face, so Micah¡¯s vision hazed with sudden moisture, and his throat constricted. At any other time, he would have worried something was wrong with him, but he cared little in that moment and wiped it away quickly, not wanting to miss a single moment of her song. Such passion. Such earnest passion! Where did such a thing come from? She quieted just a bit, clasping her hands at her breast. Her eyes faltered, her words slowed, and her swaying stilled. Sadness became her with each new line.


    A dark cloud hazed my sight¡­


    And not yet have I had a warm night¡­


    In the days since you left, this life is bereft¡­


    My heart loves nothing but you¡­


    Bring me to you.


    Bring me to you.


    Astrid, don¡¯t cry, I¡¯ll be by your side¡­


    When I come back for you!


    Charlotte¡¯s eye burned with sudden violet fire. She spread her arms out wide, and her song burst with a final sweet symphony.


    So, I¡¯ll ride, and I¡¯ll fight, won¡¯t stop ¡®til I¡¯m dead!


    I¡¯ll climb and I¡¯ll fall, won¡¯t stop looking ahead!


    Despite morbid fears, despite your king¡¯s jeers!


    I¡¯ll press on! I¡¯ll press on! You¡¯ll be mine once again!


    Bring me to you!


    Bring me to you!


    You¡¯ve journeyed so long, but find my song!


    It will bring me back to you!


    And it was over. In the new silence, Micah realized how hard he was breathing, how open his mouth was, how labored his heart beat against his chest. He sat up, staring at her, unable to take his gaze away from Charlotte¡¯s face, framed by the setting orange sun and deep purple sky. Her right eye glowed with a soft intensity, wisps of hair caressed her face, and her smile sent new shivers through his body.


    What was this feeling? Words couldn¡¯t begin to explain them. He feared to try. Her song, so rich and fervent, filled him with a burning¡­ a burning¡­ something. He just couldn¡¯t describe it! He couldn¡¯t explain or reason it into a nice little package in the corner of his mind like other things. But whatever warmth now pervaded his being, he knew he wanted more. He wanted so much more, it hurt.


    ¡°Would you¡­¡± he began. His hands lifted of their own accord, pleading, and he was surprised by the desperation in his voice. ¡°Would you sing it again? Please?¡±


    She wiped away her tears, smiling brighter than the moon peeking through the clouds. ¡°Okay. One more time.¡±

 Chapter 14: Apprentice 299 - John Halifax

    If there hadn¡¯t been so many people out that night, Castor¡¯s streets would have felt claustrophobic. Much like Steamtown, the towering buildings on all sides seemed to nearly close in around them. But where only sand and emptiness could be found in Steamtown¡¯s streets, cobbled roads and open shops welcomed them here. Crystal streetlamps provided cheery light, and horse-drawn wagons lined with holly clattered up and down every avenue.


    Charlotte expertly mingled among the other shoppers and passersby, entering into every other store to browse and peruse various wares. Micah was used to Charlotte¡¯s ritualistic habits by now, as she did this in every town they entered. But the sheer size of Castor was a first, and the time she spent window-shopping likewise increased. Rarely did she buy anything, but tonight her hands were full of purchases. Fresh-baked breads, handmade jewelry, shoes of the latest fashions. And she obtained an exquisite green shawl, donning it immediately for warmth. She pulled Micah through the crowds as each new point of interest came to her attention, which seemed an endless procession. Cal joined them, trailing behind and complaining under his breath that someone was going to step on his tail.


    Micah didn¡¯t mind, for Castor was a marvel. He enjoyed the sights and smells, reveling in the crisp night air. The black skyscrapers truly did sparkle, proving it was no illusion. Crystal shards were embedded into the stone in even rows. Individually, they weren¡¯t much to look at, but shining in uniform, the buildings truly were something to behold. Charlotte, having visited the Twin Cities before as a child, gave them a whirlwind tour of the places she remembered. The Castor Fountain, spouting great jets of water over marble statues; the King¡¯s Courthouse, with its gold leaf inlay covering nearly the entire structure; Violet¡¯s Narrow, an expansive park in the middle of the city with winding, peaceful paths through flowery meadows and clusters of cherry trees. Even at night, the places Charlotte showed them attested to the beauty of the city, and Micah wanted very much to see them again when the sun rose.


    And despite the oddness of her behavior, Micah never tired of Charlotte¡¯s company. He enjoyed her voice as she talked non-stop through slightly chattering teeth. Her cheeks were violent pink from the cold, but her smile never left. Not a single Castor man could resist a glance as she passed, yet she barely seemed to notice the attention.


    As much as he wished they could continue, however, there was work to be done. Charlotte seemed to sense his oncoming resolution, because she stopped and turned back to him and Cal.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get us rooms here,¡± she said.


    They looked up. A sign over a door into a particularly tall building read The Blue Grasshopper. Through wide windows, they could see hundreds of well-dressed patrons of the establishment, mingling about in a dark, yet haimish atmosphere. Comfortable-looking couches surrounded low-lit fireplaces, where men with handlebar mustaches sat smoking cigars and women dressed very much like Charlotte gathered in several multi-colored flocks. There was genteel dancing, and wine sipping, and the characteristic mannerisms of the king¡¯s court that Micah had once observed in his singular visit to the White Palace. He felt out of place, and he wasn¡¯t even inside.


    ¡°Charming, isn¡¯t it?¡± Charlotte said.


    ¡°Quite,¡± Cal said in a droll voice. He padded up to the window, looking inside. ¡°I must say, the phrase rings true at the moment. ¡®Birds of a feather¡¯ indeed.¡±


    ¡°Oh hush.¡± Charlotte began to fuss with her hair. ¡°They¡¯re just like us, except dressed better. Now, I believe you two have some work to do?¡±


    Micah nodded. ¡°It¡¯s time to find John Halifax. Hopefully, he¡¯s in the city. If he is, it shouldn¡¯t take more than a few hours.¡±


    She seemed impressed. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll leave you to it.¡± Reaching into a pocket, she pulled out a small pin shaped like the sun, identical to the symbolic plate around the bridge on the Pollux side. She attached it to the fabric over her chest, adjusting it in the reflection of the window.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Cal asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s a Sun Pendant,¡± she answered with enthusiasm. ¡°It¡¯s a sort of fashion in the Twin Cities. Here in Castor, men love women from Pollux, and vise versa. The cities have a sort of rivalry, so winning someone over from the other side is considered a whimsical accomplishment and a source of bragging rights. By wearing this pin, everyone inside will believe I¡¯m from Pollux. It should draw the attention of the men in the room.¡±


    Micah looked back inside, noticing now that nearly everyone was wearing either a sun or moon pendant. ¡°So, that really is what you¡¯re doing each time? Trying to attract men?¡±


    ¡°N-no,¡± she stammered, looking troubled. ¡°I just like meeting new people.¡±


    ¡°Always men.¡±


    She flipped her hair, recovering. ¡°Well, as you can see from present company, perhaps it¡¯s my talent.¡±


    ¡°I suppose I can¡¯t argue with that. But it sounds like a risky venture to me, mingling with so many strangers.¡±


    Charlotte smiled brightly. ¡°Are you worried about me?¡±


    ¡°Worry might be the wrong word. I suppose I simply don¡¯t understand your goals. I¡¯m not experienced in these things, but when the day comes and our time together is over and we part ways, aren¡¯t you worried you could run into someone with evil intentions?¡±


    Her smile slowly died away with the night breeze, leaving an expression Micah couldn¡¯t quite fathom. She seemed to resolve herself to something as she looked down at her feet. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry,¡± she said in a small voice. ¡°I can tell when someone plans to harm me, remember? I¡¯ve looked out for myself for a while now, and I guess I¡¯ll be doing it the rest of my life.¡±


    Micah¡¯s own intuition and the disapproving look on Cal¡¯s face told him he had said something wrong. She stood stiff before him, arms at her side and looking smaller than ever, but he didn¡¯t know how to amend the situation.


    He looked away, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Well, you have my Eye of Mahaado. If there¡¯s any trouble at all, don¡¯t hesitate to use it.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    She turned and silently made for the double doors. Micah watched her go inside and immediately impress herself into a large gathering of people with no trouble whatsoever. In moments, both men and women were chatting with her like old friends.


    ¡°What did I do?¡± Micah asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t have the words to explain it to you,¡± Cal replied. ¡°Let¡¯s just say you still have a lot to learn.¡±


    ¡°Did I offend her?¡±


    ¡°No, you didn¡¯t offend her. The best way I could put it is that you and she have different ideas about what your relationship is.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I have no ideas. What is it?¡±


    ¡°Friendship.¡±


    ¡°Besides that.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing besides that, which is my point.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Hence my hesitance to explain it.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    There was a long silence as they stood in the middle of the street, watching Charlotte through the window. The streets thinned of people as the hour grew long and the cold of night took a stronger grip.


    ¡°Try this,¡± Cal said, long tail flicking. ¡°Going forward, try to figure out what you want in life, now that it¡¯s your own.¡±


    ¡°What I want?¡± Micah repeated, folding his arms. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Cal sighed. ¡°I can¡¯t explain that any further. Dwell on it, though. As much as possible. What do you¡­ want?¡±


    ¡°I can do that.¡± He looked up to the sky. ¡°Shall we?¡±


    Cal smiled his cat-like grin. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve done anything besides lug your stuff cross-country. I could use a little hunt.¡± He nodded toward the windows. ¡°But what about Charlotte? Won¡¯t she be in danger without us nearby?¡±


    ¡°Marshall sinKalem took a calculated risk sending the Seraphs after us. He would never do such a thing if he wasn¡¯t more than two days behind. He was undoubtedly trying to slow us down, and he did, but he revealed his position as a result. Assuming he kept pace, which I doubt, then we should still have a two-day lead. There will be no danger from him tonight. And among these people, Charlotte will be well hidden. She understood right away. She can¡¯t come with us, and she will be safer among strangers than alone in her room. As long as she keeps my Eye with her, this is our best opportunity to find Halifax without fear of her safety.¡±


    Micah produced three Life Stones, situating them between his fingers. He whispered a quick incantation, and the white jewels began to glow. Cal raised his tail high over his head, and the crystals floated out of Micah¡¯s hand to slowly rotate around the tip. The Murr beat his wings, lifting into the air while holding his tail out before him like a lantern.


    They nodded to each other. ¡°Vesper Aria Bound, complete,¡± Micah said. ¡°It¡¯s time to locate John Halifax.¡±


    He crouched and jumped, launching into the night sky. With a few well-footed landings against the sides of the buildings, he soon cleared the sightlines, landing on one of the tallest structures in Castor. The whole of the Twin Cities spread before him, holding its four-hundred thousand citizens in a twinkling span to the horizon, but there would be nowhere to hide from him tonight. He ran and jumped again, bounding from rooftop to rooftop with Cal in close pursuit.


    .


    It took less than three hours to locate him. Micah descended onto a staircase which climbed to the entryway of one apartment among many. This particular ten-story construction featured four living spaces per floor, with the entryways to each located outside, rather than in, and a winding staircase crawling around the black building complex to reach every single one.


    Micah and Cal ascended to the seventh floor and stepped into a small, open vestibule. Two wicker chairs and a pipe stove overlooked the city from a cozy nook. A hand-woven welcome mat lay before the green-painted door, and a planter hung from a hook near the front. A tiny plate was fixed over the door handle, which read ¡°No. 299.¡±


    ¡°I thought Biblio described this John Halifax as a horrible person?¡± Cal whispered. ¡°This looks like the home of a perfectly normal human being.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but that¡¯s Biblio,¡± Micah replied. ¡°I take everything he says with a grain of salt. Regardless, it would serve us best to be on our guard.¡±


    ¡°So, how are you going to handle this if he won¡¯t talk? Torture? Threats?¡±


    ¡°Neither.¡±


    ¡°What method will you use, then?¡±


    He leaned his hands against the short wall of the patio space, looking out over the city and thinking long and hard. ¡°I know it may sound strange, but Charlotte is slowly teaching me things I never understood. All I¡¯ve ever known is force. Making people do as I wish in order to achieve the results desired by someone else, no matter the cost. But she¡¯s showing me both what I am and what I¡¯m capable of becoming. I can be¡­ what they call a ¡®better man.¡¯¡±


    Cal sat, looking uneasy. ¡°That¡¯s certainly a long path if I ever heard one. What will you do if this John Halifax won¡¯t talk to you? We would have traveled across half the continent for nothing!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he replied, approaching the door. ¡°But I want to try. There¡¯s a feeling in my heart that won¡¯t go away, and I have to know what it is, if not for my own sake then for the victims of my past.¡±


    He knocked and waited. It wasn¡¯t long before there was a click and the door opened just a crack. A man¡¯s face peeked through it, wary and observant. His eye clouded with suspicion when his gaze fell on the mask.


    ¡°Yes?¡± he said.


    ¡°I am seeking information about the Moon Eyes,¡± Micah said.


    The door shut in his face.


    ¡°You have a lot to learn about subtlety, that¡¯s for sure,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I¡¯m starting to see that.¡± He knocked again.


    The door opened. The face behind the crack now looked dangerous. ¡°Go away, lad. I know nothing of what you seek. Don¡¯t make me turn you away by force.¡± He made to shut the door again, but Micah quickly reached out, keeping it open.


    ¡°Let go!¡± the man growled.


    Micah was about to reply, when he realized the panic in his expression. The man was afraid. Micah looked down at Cal. The Murr shook his head, but Micah decided to go on instinct and do something he¡¯d never tried before when seeking information¡­ the truth.


    ¡°Sir, I mean no harm,¡± he began, speaking in a meek voice and choosing his words carefully. ¡°My companions and I have come a very long way, seeking information we desperately need. You are John Halifax, correct? We were told you could help us.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m no fool. You¡¯re a Black Son sent here by one of the governors.¡±


    Again Micah chanced a glance at Cal, who immediately shook his head vigorously. But after a short inner debate, he decided on the truth again.


    ¡°I am a Black Son, but I abandoned the governor in order to protect the Moon Eye Child. Now she is with us, and we need your help to protect her.¡±


    In a startling reaction, Halifax immediately swung the door open, eyes wide with wonder. He was tall and portly with bulky spectacles and a small braid trailing down the side of his head from otherwise short-cropped hair.


    ¡°The Moon Eye Child?¡± he said with a bewildered look. ¡°Are you telling me she¡¯s here in Castor? She¡¯s actually come?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    He laughed, silencing it with two hands to his mouth. A bizarre, rapid-fire mix of happy and sad looks crossed his face, as if he couldn¡¯t decide whether he was elated or devastated. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. I just can¡¯t believe it.¡±


    Micah frowned. ¡°But it¡¯s true! You can meet her if you like¡ª¡±


    ¡°Micah, he believes you,¡± Cal interrupted. ¡°He¡¯s using a figure of speech.¡±


    ¡°Ah, what am I doing?¡± Halifax said, grasping Micah¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Please, come in! Come in. My family was just about to sit down for dinner. You must join us, and we can talk about anything you like. Your Murr, too, of course.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Halifax.¡± Micah and Cal stepped into a narrow entrance hall while he shut the door. The smooth wooden floors trailed down to a well-lit kitchen, where a woman and two small children were watching them. Their eyes lit up when they saw Cal, the children¡¯s with delight, the woman¡¯s with concern. The home was comfortable with many well-furnished rooms from what Micah could see.


    ¡°Call me John. This way.¡± He led them down the hall, bristling with excitement. ¡°And what is your name, sir?¡±


    ¡°My name is Micah sinChamplain, Commander of the Black Sons and Third Keeper of the Nightbreaker Charge,¡± he replied as he examined the various paintings decorating the hallway. ¡°This is my companion, Cal.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re the new Keeper. Then, it must have been Biblio who sent you to me.¡±Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine he gave me a warm introduction.¡±


    ¡°No, sir.¡±


    John roared with laughter as they entered the kitchen. The spacious room greeted them with white walls, clean floors, and windows with frilly yellow curtains. A simple table and five chairs sat near an oven, where something that smelled delicious was bubbling in a large pot over crystal burners.


    John put his hand on the woman¡¯s waist. ¡°My dear, I¡¯m sorry for the short notice, but we have important guests for dinner. This is Micah Champlain and Cal.¡±


    She came forward, direct yet still uneasy, and offered her hand, which Micah shook. ¡°I¡¯m Miriam. We¡¯re glad to have you.¡±


    Miriam was beautiful, nearly as tall as John with short brown hair and winter gray eyes. But her beauty was robbed by a stern expression. She eyed the Murr and Micah¡¯s sword carefully and kept her children close, a boy and girl bursting with curiosity over Cal. A third child, an infant, sat in a high chair at the table.


    ¡°I¡­ apologize for the intrusion,¡± Micah said. ¡°I could offer to come back another time, but the reality is we don¡¯t have any. As I said, I defied the governor, and he is hunting us as we speak.¡±


    Miriam gasped, turning to her husband, but John held up his hand.


    ¡°My dear, it¡¯s alright! You see, he¡¯s with the Moon Eye Child.¡±


    ¡°The Moon¡­¡± Miriam looked back and forth from Micah to John, comprehension slowly dawning on her. ¡°Then¡­¡±


    John laughed with sincere happiness, as if a burden was being lifted from their collective chest. He hugged his family together. ¡°She has come! In my time! Can you believe it?¡±


    Miriam abruptly let go of him, wiping away stray tears. Her stern manner stayed, but all fear was gone. ¡°Where are our manners? We have guests. John, go get two chairs from the parlor.¡±


    ¡°Yes, quite right!¡± John replied, clearing his throat. ¡°We have much to discuss. Much to talk about! I hope you¡¯re hungry, lad.¡±


    ¡°We have not had dinner.¡±


    Miriam scrutinized Micah as John left to retrieve the chairs. The children inched closer to Cal, who regarded them coolly. His blue tail flicked over his head, a sign there wouldn¡¯t be a problem.


    ¡°How old are you, Micah?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Sixteen, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Sixteen?¡± She covered her mouth. ¡°You¡¯re just a boy! Where are your parents?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have parents, ma¡¯am.¡±


    The hard lines eased away, leaving a sympathetic face full of the beauty Micah knew was there. She was young, probably not yet to her thirties, but her cool eyes displayed great wisdom and understanding.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s good to have you. Perhaps you realize, but I¡¯m guessing you don¡¯t, just what the Moon Eye Child means to us. Your presence here¡­ well, it¡¯s of great importance.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m familiar with the prophesy,¡± Micah replied. ¡°But we¡¯re ignorant of further presage. In fact, I know more about it than even she does.¡±


    ¡°Prophesy?¡± She laughed sweetly. ¡°There¡¯s no prophesy. At least, none of real importance. Rather, the Moon Eye Child was supposed to be a sign.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± John said, coming back into the kitchen with two chairs. ¡°Micah, I am an apprentice of Lord Kyba of Canis. Have you heard of him?¡±


    ¡°I have, but there are many references to that name in history.¡± He sat at the table as Miriam directed, and Cal hopped onto a seat beside him. ¡°Which one are you referring to?¡±


    ¡°All of them,¡± John replied with a chuckle, sitting down with his family. ¡°You see, Kyba of Canis is an immortal, an Avalon from long before the days of the Lord and Queen. And I am his apprentice, a man watchful for the coming of the Moon Eye Child. All references of Lord Kyba in history are about him.¡±


    ¡°An immortal¡­¡± Micah sat puzzled in silence as Miriam doled healthy portions of roast beef and potatoes onto their plates. The enticing smell made his thoughts fuzzy. ¡°Biblio told me Kyba of Canis has lived a thousand years, but is such a thing as immortality really possible?¡±


    ¡°Technically¡­ no,¡± John said. He bowed his head for a moment, and Miriam rubbed his arm consolingly, but he quickly shook his attention back. ¡°However, he has lived these thousand years waiting for the Moon Eye Child. And since the day he was told of his¡­ or rather her coming, Lord Kyba has trained apprentices to search for her. I am the 299<sup>th</sup> and, as we now know it, the last.¡±


    ¡°Incredible.¡±


    ¡°Yes, indeed! Which leads to my next question, the most important and something I should have asked the moment I opened the door: Where is she?¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Cal moaned through a mouthful of roast beef. ¡°The most pertinent question and it took twenty minutes to come to it.¡±


    Micah frowned, glad they couldn¡¯t understand him. ¡°Charlotte Goodsteel is her name. We left her where we¡¯re staying for the night while we searched for you. We just arrived in the Twin Cities this evening, but we were hoping to leave as soon as possible. Biblio told us Lord Kyba might be able to help us find a way out of Carnel.¡±


    ¡°And he¡¯s right. It¡¯s no coincidence you need Lord Kyba. It was destined those two should meet. And I will guide you to him.¡±


    Micah picked up his fork, unable to ignore the delicious smells any longer. He wrapped his scarf around the lower half of his face and pulled down his mask, which drew odd looks from Miriam and the kids.


    ¡°Is he close?¡± he asked.


    ¡°He dwells on the Mountain of the Wolf, a few days east of here.¡± John twirled his fork as he contemplated something while chewing. ¡°Why don¡¯t we meet tomorrow night at White Turtle Hill, just outside the city? It¡¯s southeast of Castor; you can¡¯t miss it. That should give me just enough time to get my affairs in order before a trip like that on such short notice¡­ as long as you don¡¯t have a problem starting off at night, of course.¡±


    ¡°None. We greatly appreciate your kindness. In exchange, I swear to protect you with my life.¡±


    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe it,¡± he said as he scraped up the last bits of potato on his plate. ¡°To think that I should be the apprentice to discover the Moon Eye Child. I suppose I won¡¯t fully comprehend the magnitude of it until I actually meet her. Tell me, are her eyes truly as wonderful as I have imagined?¡±


    Micah smiled. ¡°They¡¯re incredible.¡±


    Miriam raised an eyebrow. ¡°How old is she?¡±


    ¡°Sixteen, ma¡¯am.¡±


    Her disapproving look returned. ¡°Two teenagers traveling alone together¡­ well that¡¯s just peachy.¡±


    ¡°Now now, dear. As you can see, Micah is a responsible young man. And I¡¯m sure Charlotte is the same.¡±


    ¡°Actually, no,¡± Micah said between bites of the delicious food he forked to his mouth under the scarf. ¡°She¡¯s a reckless, short-tempered, loud-mouthed busybody with little regard for the gravity of her own situation.¡±


    Cal nodded vigorously.


    John and Miriam looked at each other. ¡°Then, why are you with her?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Through extenuating circumstances, we met, and now we are friends.¡±


    ¡°But you don¡¯t like her?¡±


    ¡°Oh no, I like her very much. I was simply disputing the claim that Charlotte is ¡®responsible¡¯ in any capacity.¡±


    Cal again nodded vigorously.


    John burst into laughter, and his wife and the kids joined him. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to meet her!¡±


    Micah finished his dinner, content to listen to conversation between them and answer any of their questions. The children eventually made their way to Cal, venturing to pet him. He allowed it, to Micah¡¯s surprise. He even used his tail to entertain the baby, swishing it above the infant to her bubbling delight.


    After dinner, John, Micah, and Cal retired to the living room while Miriam cleaned up and put the children to bed. As with the others Micah had seen, the room was comfortable, with plush chairs, stained mahogany furniture, and clean rugs. Cal situated himself in front of a fire smoldering within a hearth while Micah and John sat in the chairs.


    John produced two cigars. ¡°Do you mind?¡±


    ¡°No, but I will decline.¡±


    He shrugged, putting one away. After a quick light and a deep puff, he relaxed in his chair, seeming truly relaxed for the first time since they met. ¡°So, Micah. I guess my first question is, how much do you know about the Moon Eyes?¡±


    ¡°We have garnered knowledge on six of the ancient powers,¡± he replied. ¡°The Sealed Eyes of Ursa, Gemini, Pegasus, Canis, Scorpius, and through Biblio, we learned of Taurus as well. Charlotte has opened them all save for Scorpius and has achieved the first level in three.¡±


    ¡°Three you say? Impressive for sixteen years old. Which ones?¡±


    ¡°Canis, Gemini and Pegasus.¡±


    ¡°Pegasus? So, she found Heartbreaker.¡± He shook his head, smiling. ¡°Do you know how long it¡¯s been since someone was born with the Waning Half Moon, let alone someone who was able to achieve the first level? What a marvelous thing.¡±


    Micah nodded. ¡°Indeed.¡±


    ¡°Then, regardless of the personality you described, she has talent.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, she doesn¡¯t train.¡±


    John took another long puff of his cigar. Tendrils of smoke curled around his head. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t worry about it, lad. Training may help warriors develop their power, but history has shown that the surest way to bring about the capacity of Inherent Magic is through necessity. You said you rescued her from the governor. Well, it sounds like Miss Goodsteel has been in tight spots before, maybe her whole life. It¡¯s not surprising she¡¯s achieved so much. She probably found each of them when they were needed most.¡±


    Micah sat up. ¡°Interesting. I never considered that.¡±


    ¡°One of many things Lord Kyba has taught me. So then, to the powers you aren¡¯t aware of. The Waning Crescent and the New Moon.¡±


    Micah and Cal looked at each other. ¡°So there is a New Moon?¡± Micah said.


    John¡¯s look faltered, and the same gentle sadness came over him again. ¡°Yes, but I will leave Lord Kyba to explain that phase to you. Tonight, I will tell you about the other: the Sealed Eye of Orion ¨C called the Hero Horn.¡±


    Cal¡¯s ears perked, and he looked at Micah. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of that before. There¡¯s a depiction of a man on one of the tapestries in the White Palace. Do you remember it? The one in the Grand Hall? Orion is blowing into a horn, and a beautiful woman descends from Heaven to aid him.¡±


    Micah nodded, turning back to John to tell him what Cal said.


    John chuckled. ¡°Well, the legend of the Hero Horn has been distorted over time. It¡¯s not an actual instrument. Rather, it¡¯s the power of Orion¡¯s Sealed Eye. You said Miss Goodsteel has activated this eye already, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°But nothing happens, right?¡± He winked when Micah nodded. ¡°Or so it seems. But in reality, the power of the Sealed Eye of Orion is a magnificent source of strength. In fact, Orion was lauded as the greatest of Ursa¡¯s offspring for his unrivaled will. You see, the Waning Crescent gives its possessor courage.¡±


    Micah tilted his head. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Bravery is an intangible characteristic, is it not? How can it be manufactured?¡±


    John harrumphed, eyes twinkling. ¡°Classic Black Son response. But matters of the heart and soul are far more powerful than any magic this world could produce, trust me on that.¡±


    Micah smirked. Thanks to Charlotte, he understood John Halifax¡¯s words. He understood them well. ¡°So, the Sealed Eye grants courage,¡± he said, rising from his chair so he could pace. It helped him think.


    ¡°Yes, and great amounts of it. You have to understand what I¡¯m saying, though. The eye doesn¡¯t just give its possessor some kind of cheap boost. It grants unhindered nerve. Pure, raw guts. The kind legends are made of and songs are written about. Orion accomplished more than any of his siblings because he took risks no one else would take. He challenged his teachers, hunted villains, defied kings, and pursued their daughters! He braved dark waters, fought demons, led battles, and¡­¡± John leaned in, smiling an impetuous grin. ¡°¡­he even talked back to his own mother.¡±


    He and Cal snickered, but Micah didn¡¯t get it.


    ¡°But that¡¯s not the best part,¡± John continued, finishing off his cigar before tossing the butt into the fire. ¡°The Sealed Eye of Orion is called the Hero Horn because Orion was said to be able to call heroes to his aid!¡±


    Micah stopped and turned. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Ghosts, phantoms, specters¡­ the legends tell it a hundred different ways, but the truth is that Orion was able to call on the spirits of past heroes in time of need. And when he achieved the second level, he was able to call two at once. Just imagine! Legendary heroes of old fighting by your side! Lord Kyba even told me that late in life, Orion once called Ursa herself.¡±


    ¡°Good Lord,¡± Cal exclaimed.


    Micah shook his head, confounded by the new information. Such ancient power was beyond his current understanding. Who could fathom it? He leaned against the wall, staring out through a stained glass window portraying a small house on a hillside.


    Charlotte¡­ I feel I now understand you a little better. You possess so many of the rarest powers mankind has ever known. It¡¯s no wonder men like the king, the governor, and Nathanial Vash want you in their clutches.


    ¡°It¡¯s a lot to think about, isn¡¯t it?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°This is too much for her,¡± Micah replied. ¡°Just one of her gifts would be enough motivation for a man of evil intent to hunt her forever. I¡¯m starting to see it all so clearly.¡± He looked at John. ¡°Charlotte will never be free of this, will she?¡±


    John sighed. ¡°No. But listen to me now, lad. It wasn¡¯t luck that granted Ms. Goodsteel the Moon Eyes, just as it wasn¡¯t luck that led her here to Castor. It¡¯s her destiny. And, in the same vein, it¡¯s my belief providence led her to you as well.¡±


    ¡°To me?¡±


    ¡°Have you ever heard of a Black Son defying his master? I sure haven¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°But that is a different matter. It was Charlotte who caused that to happen. She freed me from a prison of my own. In return, I freed her.¡±


    ¡°Was one because of the other? Or did you free each other?¡± John leaned forward in his chair, clasping his hands together and staring intently at him. ¡°Why are you with Charlotte Goodsteel right now, Micah sinChamplain? Tell me. Explain to me why you are with her right¡­ now.¡±


    Micah slumped into his chair. Chills ran up and down his body.


    John sniffed, smiling a satisfied grin and sitting back. ¡°Because you¡¯re the only one who could have brought her to me this night. And I think you now realize this. You were the only one in the world.¡±


    Before, whenever Micah heard the word ¡°destiny,¡± all meaning of it escaped him. Similar to magic, he had considered it to be an unexplainable force linked to another mysterious concept ¨C the ¡°soul.¡± And he left those things to experts in the spiritual to study and understand. But now, a new feeling came over him, deep and dark and full of frightening possibilities. An emotion he never recognized nor understood, a small seed planted within him the night he met Charlotte, steadily growing ever since. What was it? What was this longing, this irrational desire to accept what John Halifax was telling him? A question stirred in his mind, pulling him in different directions and refusing to let go. A single, unavoidable question to which he needed a concrete answer.


    What is my destiny?


    It ached in his eyes and churned in his chest. Could his very existence have reason? Had he been created for more than to simply serve and die? Could it be even remotely possible his life meant more? Now, Micah began to realize what Cal meant when he told him to seek what he wanted in life. Because he knew what he wanted now, and it meant more to him than anything.


    ¡°My purpose,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± John asked.


    Micah rubbed his face uncomfortably, looking anywhere but at John. ¡°You said Orion could call on heroes of old.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°How did one become a hero? What were the qualifications?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± He thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. ¡°That¡¯s a difficult question, much more difficult than it first sounds. While I know of the Hero Horn, I only know what I¡¯ve been told. I¡¯ve never actually seen it at work. Who has? So, who could possibly know just what Orion¡¯s limits were? Perhaps he could call any spirit he wanted for all we know.¡±


    ¡°Well what do you think?¡±


    John grinned to himself, still rubbing his chin. ¡°You know¡­ when I was a boy, my father told me that a hero isn¡¯t the bravest or the strongest man. And it¡¯s not always the leader. He told me that a true hero is the man who makes the right decision when it matters most. To this day, I still find wisdom and comfort in that.¡±


    Micah didn¡¯t reply, thinking hard about his response. In the new silence, John reached into his pocket. While he fiddled with a second cigar in an obvious self-battle over whether or not to smoke it, Micah looked back out the stained glass window. Moonlight filtered in through the green and red glass, casting soft colors across the room.


    The man who makes the right decision when it matters most.


    As much as he liked John and the comfortable setting, Micah had a lot to think about and wanted nothing better than to be back under that moon where thinking would be easier. Cal seemed to guess his thoughts, as he abruptly stretched and issued a giant yawn.


    ¡°It¡¯s late, your Murr is saying,¡± John said with a laugh. He got up. ¡°So then, I will meet you and Miss Goodsteel tomorrow night.¡±


    ¡°White Turtle Hill,¡± Micah said with a nod, rising with him and shaking his hand. ¡°We¡¯ll get there early.¡±


    *                         *                          *


    ¡°That must be the place,¡± Charlotte said, pointing up the hill to a grassy stretch littered with large, white boulders. ¡°From here those rocks looks like turtles, don¡¯t they?¡±


    Micah agreed with her assessment, also noting the rocks were much smoother than ordinary boulders, ranging from the size of actual turtles to that of a small house. The silver lilies surrounding them swayed into a fine orchestra with the breeze, oddly silent. The night was crisp as they walked along the dirt path under a full moon.


    Charlotte looked back down the road to Castor every few minutes, ever watchful as always. And her face registered the same disappointment.


    ¡°It was¡­ fun today,¡± Micah said, looking away. ¡°Wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    Charlotte snapped her attention back to him. Without looking at her, he could feel her gaze on him, searching with those wide eyes. ¡°Yes, it really was,¡± she replied. ¡°I wish we could have spent more than a day, but we did get to see a lot. Thank you for accompanying me. I know I don¡¯t make it easy on you sometimes, but I wanted to see as much as we could. Make memories.¡±


    ¡°I was glad to¡­ I enjoyed your company.¡± They came to the top of the hill, stopping beside one of the larger boulders off the side of the road.


    She looked up at him, blue and purple eyes searching. He looked away again. For some reason, looking her in the eyes was unbearable at times. It felt uncomfortable, as if she saw right through his mask. Never had anyone had such an effect on him, and he still didn¡¯t know quite how to deal with it. He wished he could look at her face all the time, but something about her exposed him, and her proficiency increased each day.


    She leaned back against the rock, smiling as she tucked a swirling lock of hair behind her ear. ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear it,¡± she said. ¡°Last night, I was afraid you might have gotten tired of me¡­ it wouldn¡¯t be the first time I pushed a man out of my life because I didn¡¯t know the limits of my enthusiasm.¡±


    ¡°Maybe one day we could visit again¡­ the Twin Cities, I mean.¡±


    She immediately approached, demanding his attention as she looked up at him. Again, he stared into those eyes of wonder, watching as the glow of her right eye filled her face and chased away the darkness of night. This time, he couldn¡¯t look away.


    ¡°Do you mean it?¡± she asked.


    He took her shoulders. ¡°I¡­¡±


    A terrible chill plunged through Micah¡¯s chest in that moment, and he looked over her head. Atop one of the tallest rocks, he stood. Arms folded, eyes narrowed, clothes black as shadow.


    Marshall sinKalem had finally found them.


    So, it comes to this.


    ¡°Micah¡­?¡± Charlotte said.


    Marshall jumped, rocketing toward them. Micah leapt back, whipping an Element Stone from his jacket. Water erupted from the tip, quickly freezing into a large ice plate.


    She gasped. ¡°Micah, what are you doing?¡±


    He opened his hands and the transparent plate floating before him spun like a revolving door. ¡°Soul End Tunnel!¡± he shouted. Charlotte disappeared in the length of a single turn, reappearing within the glass as a ghostly image.


    Marshall reached the nearest rock and lunged, sword drawn fast. Micah pulled back and smashed his fist through the ice, shattering it into a hundred pieces just before the enemy could touch it. Marshall sliced his sword across, gashing Micah in the arm. Micah jumped away, quickly drawing Glad and ignoring the pain.


    Marshall looked down at the pieces of ice in contempt. ¡°That won¡¯t save her from me.¡±


    Micah pointed his glass blade. ¡°Who will save you from me?¡±


    .


    Charlotte screamed as she crashed through red and green glass to land on a wooden floor. ¡°Ooh, ooh,¡± she moaned, gingerly picking herself up.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± a woman shrieked nearby.


    Charlotte looked up to find a family standing beside a door and looking at her as if she were a ghost. Charlotte was inside some kind of house. A large man took hold of the two children while his wife clutched an infant. They appeared to be about to send him off on a journey.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± Charlotte asked in a sudden panic. She realized Micah must have done something to whisk her away somewhere.


    ¡°Oh, my!¡± the man exclaimed. ¡°Miriam, look at her eye! It must be her!¡±


    ¡°Miriam?¡± Charlotte repeated. ¡°Are you John Halifax?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Are you Charlotte Goodsteel?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± She rushed up to them. ¡°Please, you have to help me! I think we were attacked! Micah did something to send me here, but I know from the look in his eye that something awful was about to happen. Now he¡¯s at White Turtle Hill all alone!¡± Tears filled her eyes as she pleaded. ¡°We have to help him. Please! I just can¡¯t lose him!¡±


    John looked to Miriam, who nodded solemnly. ¡°Go, John. Now is the appointed time, and I won¡¯t keep you from it. I love you so much.¡±


    John kissed his wife. ¡°I love you, too.¡± He kissed his children before opening the door and picking up a large pack. ¡°Come now, Miss Goodsteel. Come. If we hurry, we can make it there in no time.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank you!¡± she exclaimed, wiping her eyes as she followed. ¡°I¡¯m very sorry about your window.¡±


    Miriam watched as they left, following them down the staircase until out of sight.


    ¡°My God, be with them,¡± she whispered fearfully. ¡°And give them the strength to deliver the end of this age.¡±

 Chapter 15: Sons of Slavery

    ¡°Why are you wearing that white scarf?¡± Marshall asked. ¡°Is your intention to slander the reputation of the Black Sons until your death?¡±


    Micah regarded him with a cool gaze, his clear blade glistening in the moonlight. Their bodies flashed as well, both donned in glass armor. Shadows swirled about behind the thin plates, seeming to encourage the inevitable battle.


    ¡°Inaccurate,¡± Micah replied, lowering his sword. ¡°To malign the cause was never my intent. You should know this.¡±


    ¡°I know what I see. You are a traitor and enemy of Carnel.¡±


    ¡°What is an enemy of Carnel but that person who seeks to hinder its finest interests? The Moon Eye Child was to be killed, despite the king¡¯s orders not to end her life. I heard the words from Daniel Riser¡¯s own mouth.¡±


    ¡°You mistake your place yet again,¡± Marshall replied furiously. ¡°Such matters are not our decisions to make. The governor gave you an order, and you disobeyed. The Black Sons do not disobey!¡±


    Micah sniffed. ¡°Because we are slaves to whim. But no longer for me.¡±


    ¡°I am no slave,¡± he growled.


    ¡°Why are you so angry?¡±


    Marshall¡¯s visible eyebrow furrowed, but he didn¡¯t reply, so Micah continued.


    ¡°Why are you displaying such emotion? Were you taught to do this? Did the governor order you to become angry?¡±


    Still no response but a glare.


    Micah pointed at him. ¡°You are angry because the shackles binding us to slavery are not absolute. I have come to realize since the day Charlotte set me free that even the seals placed around our hearts can¡¯t contain everything within. They have weaknesses which can be exploited.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? What seals?¡±


    Micah suddenly whipped his arm forward, and Marshall jumped back by reflex, braced for an attack. But Micah plunged his sword into the ground, snapping off a long piece of glass.


    ¡°Inquisitive,¡± he said, repeating the process a second time. Two long shards of glass now stuck out from the ground before him while his sword reformed. He looked at his former comrade. ¡°Is your question yet another exercised freedom without permission? First anger, and now this? Is it your responsibility as a Black Son to ask questions about things you don¡¯t understand¡­ things that matter little to what is currently at stake? I can answer that for you ¨C no, it is not, but you are curious. Some part of you can¡¯t help it.¡±


    Marshall looked away, eye full of frustrating questions to which he had no answers. ¡°You are trying to confuse me,¡± he said.


    ¡°Incorrect¡­ I simply know the truth, for I have been set free. A Black Son is created, forced into service in youth. Our memories and emotions are sealed away by a potent curse meant to control us forever. Using the ancient power called Heartbreaker, Charlotte Goodsteel broke this seal the night I guarded her, and that is why I fled. Riser ordered me to end my own life, fearing I might inadvertently reveal his underhanded plan against the king¡¯s order, but my freed heart wouldn¡¯t suffer it.¡± He lifted a hand. ¡°If you can¡¯t accept what I am saying, then explain why we are so different from other people. Why we cannot fathom concepts so ingrained into others, such as love and courage. And I would wager my life that you can¡¯t remember anything about yourself from before you were ten years old.¡±


    ¡°Stop it,¡± Marshall said, swiping his blade through the air. ¡°Enough of this. I have my order, and I will carry it out. Tonight, you die!¡±


    He burst forward, sword bourn fast.


    Micah whispered a quick incantation, and shadowy sinews exploded from his back, stretching up and over his head like distorted wings. The misshapen hands took hold of the two pieces of glass in the ground, and lifted them to cross before him.


    Marshall hesitated for but a moment, but continued to attack. Micah parried with his own sword, glass shattering to a thousand pieces, but the shadow hands countered, attacking Marshall together. He dodged, quick and sure, footwork swift as a lark to flight, and attacked again. Micah blocked with a renewed blade, then advanced on his foe, using three swords to attack in harmonious succession.


    Shards of razor-sharp glass rained around them in a continuous torrent, and the din of their shattering filled their hearing. But despite Marshall¡¯s rapid assault, Micah wasn¡¯t threatened. Glad provided Micah an uninterrupted supply of swords. The shadow hands worked in timely precision: attacking, discarding the broken pieces, and breaking off a new piece from Glad. Marshall never relented, attacking in a furious onslaught, but Micah slowly advanced on him. Their fight went on for several minutes, spreading across the whole field as they turned and parried, lunged and countered, each soldier attacking with all their might.


    But the three swords slowly gained leverage over the one. Micah hewed a purposed path and backed Marshall into a corner of rocks he eyed from the beginning. In the right moment, he backed away in a half-step, then lunged with all three swords. Backed against the rocks, he hoped to pin him. But Marshall was too quick. Just before the blades triplicate could skewer him, he leapt high into the air, landing on one of the large rocks.


    They stared each other down, breathing heavily but focused.


    ¡°You need three swords to hold me back,¡± Marshall said. ¡°It is a wonder you are considered my superior.¡±


    ¡°Your logic is errant,¡± Micah replied. ¡°Three swords assure three times the attack and safety of one, thus increasing the chances of victory three times ¨C you use hypothetical situations to support a flawed conclusion. Or am I wrong in the tally of injuries? You have sustained several, while I have but one.¡±


    Marshall slowly replaced his sword in its sheath, looking down at him with a deadly gaze. ¡°This was simply preparation. In your arrogance, you unwittingly created your own resting place.¡± He spread out both of his arms. ¡°Do you know what this place is?¡±


    ¡°White Turtle Hill is its name,¡± Micah replied.


    ¡°It is now. But it used to be called Queen¡¯s Prominence¡­ many years ago. The ancient hero Queen Violet of Avalon once saved the Twin Cities from a calamity that threatened to swallow the cities whole. They honored her act with a great monument that stood watch over Castor and Pollux for several hundred years. Twelve carved pillars surrounding a holy white statue of Violet herself, bathed in glory.


    ¡°But the monument was destroyed when two legendary warriors of the District Era clashed on this very hill, smashing it in the process. Around us now lie the marble ruins of that once-grand memorial.¡±


    ¡°You speak of Jerjory Eight, the Bootmage.¡±


    Marshall nodded. ¡°The same. Master Eight defeated Alice Waterlight in an epic battle, bringing her to justice for traitorous actions against Carnel.¡± He produced a Life Stone and two Element Stones. ¡°It is fitting, then, that we should fight here, don¡¯t you agree? Justice will be dealt to the traitor this night.¡±


    ¡°Your skills are found wanting,¡± Micah said. ¡°You are no Eight.¡±


    ¡°No, but the results will be the same, for Master Eight had little time to prepare for Waterlight, but I have been preparing a strategy to defeat you in battle for two years, and you have done everything I expected.¡± He raised his crystals high into the air. ¡°Let us prove who is the strongest of the Black Sons.¡±


    A swift wind cut through the field, making Micah step back. An abrupt buzzing met his ears, droning like a swarm of insects. He looked around in shock as the millions of tiny glass shards from their fight lifted off the ground to float in mid-air. And with a flick of Marshall¡¯s wrist, the shards began to collect, forming thousands of bees. A dull red glow flickered within each of their glass bodies, shimmering through flitting wings.


    Micah¡¯s mind churned in abrupt warning. Never had he expected such a thing ¨C the whole hill was covered in tiny red lights, and each insect¡¯s sight seemed trained on him. He looked up at Marshall, who folded his arms.


    ¡°You never stood a chance,¡± he said. ¡°Kill him.¡±


    The buzzing exploded, and the bees closed in. Micah dashed out of the rock cluster. The bees collected into thick waves and surrounded him, pouring over in a crystalline waterfall. He ducked and shot across the field, taking cover from rock to rock, but they cut him off at each turn, clogging every direction. Several stings pierced his skin. They were everywhere now.


    A rush of ominous wind swept by him. More bees appeared, forming a funnel above him that twisted and swirled like a red tornado. The buzzing grew to deafening heights. Micah realized running wouldn¡¯t get him anywhere. The only way to defend himself was to attack. He reached to his jacket, quickly producing a thin glass plate. The transparent square given to him by his former master churned a vivid green glow. He could only hope Coral gave him the plates for the very reason he now needed them.


    The tempest of bees grew louder, buzzing angrily, and the swarm jettisoned to the ground. Micah drew his sword, flipped the Alinda Plate into the air, and struck it with all his might.


    A blast of wind tore through the countryside in a concentrated stream, pouring from the glass. Micah braced himself, barely able to keep from being knocked over by the sudden torrential winds. Hurricane forces scattered the bees, dashing them against rocks or blasting them skyward. The plate stayed floating in the air, cracked but not broken. Winds discharged from the glass without ceasing, seeming to increase in force. Micah actually began to lift off the ground, and he planted his sword to keep from getting snatched up.


    He raised a hand to shield his face as he looked about, searching for Marshall through the debris. Far away, a powerful light caught his attention. On the same rock, his enemy stood, arm raised to protect himself from the screaming surge, but still aground. Floating in the palm of his other hand was the light, pinpoint but far more intense than any star in the sky. It pulsed, sending waves of radiance into the surrounding storm.


    What is that?


    Suddenly, the winds ceased. The howls were replaced with far off storms, as thunder¡¯s last gasp before the calm. The Alinda Plate fell, shattering, its glow lost. Micah picked up his sword and gauged his surroundings. The bees regrouped around Marshall, now a quarter of their former number.


    But the light in Marshall¡¯s hand grew brighter still, seeming to increase in size. He directed his hand, and the bees collected, ready to pursue Micah again. He then raised his other arm. The small light floating in his palm began to rise into the air, with another horde of bees surrounding it in a protective sphere.


    Micah reached for another plate as the bees drew near, but then he stopped.


    This isn¡¯t a real attack, which can only mean it¡¯s a front. The bees aren¡¯t Kalem¡¯s real weapon. He¡¯s stalling. Whatever he just let go of is his real trump card, but he must need time. I have to destroy it.


    A familiar howl met his ears in that moment, and he looked up into the sky in triumph. Cal came flying, blue wings a flurry. His tail flicked as he zoomed by, letting go of two items, long and black. Micah caught the bow and quiver, and Cal returned to hover beside him.


    ¡°Just in time,¡± Micah said.


    ¡°You expect anything different after all these years?¡± he replied with a smirk.


    Micah slung the empty quiver over his shoulder and extended the bow. The black weapon was nearly as long as Micah was tall, with seven ancient symbols carved into smooth wood. A green radiance emanated from the quiver, and the arm of a human skeleton, crystalline and jade, reached out of it. Its hand outstretched as if to embrace the moonlight, and an arrow materialized in the palm, made of glass tinted a shade of green deeper than the bones. The limb offered Micah the arrow. He took it, armed the bow, and let it fly.


    The arrow whistled through the air with a shriek, loud and otherworldly. It ripped into the cloud of bees, scattering them to the wind. Marshall jumped just as the arrow impaled the rock on which he stood. He anticipated an explosion, but there was barely an impact. The arrow remained lodged deep into the rock, not shattered as he had expected the glass to do, but still idle.


    ¡°Is that all you can muster, Champlain?¡± he shouted. The glow high above him increased every second. The shining light had grown several feet wide.


    Another skeletal arm reached out of Micah¡¯s quiver, offering him a new arrow. He took it and aimed it at the light, firing. Marshall quickly produced an Element Stone, flicking his hand.


    ¡°Erident Mirror!¡± he shouted.


    A glass plate materialized in the path of the arrow. It struck with a violent crash, but the plate did not break. Marshall flicked his crystal again. The arrow discharged back to Micah, faster than before. He sidestepped it, and the arrow hurtled into another rock, splitting it nearly in two.


    ¡°Cal,¡± Micah said, pointing at the rapidly growing star. ¡°Destroy that thing, whatever it is. I¡¯ll keep Marshall busy.¡± He burst forward while Cal took to the sky again.


    The bees focused in on the Murr, chasing him while staying between him and the sphere. He flew loops in and around the growing sphere, trying to find an opening, but the insect swarm wouldn¡¯t allow it. Up close, Cal could see the form of the object. Smooth and slightly oblong in shape, it seemed to be some sort of egg. But it was growing at such an alarming rate, he had no idea when it would stop or what could possible hatch from it.


    If it gets any larger, it won¡¯t matter. I have to do something now!


    He mustered up the strength in his wings and blasted through a line of glass insects, scattering them. They swarmed around him, driving their stingers into his flesh, but he ignored the pain. With a growl, he slammed into the hard object, which was now the size of a house. A crack erupted along the surface, but Cal didn¡¯t stay long enough to watch. He skipped off the egg and tore through the horde of bees again, escaping to a safe distance. He picked glass stingers from his body with his mouth while keeping an eye on the still-growing monstrosity.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    He grimaced. That¡¯s no egg¡­ it¡¯s a chrysalis. I know what it is now. Micah must be told before it¡¯s too late.


    Before he could do anything else, however, a tremendous roar issued from somewhere behind the milky surface of the cocoon. Micah and Marshall stopped in their swordfight to look up. A terrific new light blazed from the immense object, and the crack Cal created expanded with an ear-splitting clap.


    Marshall tsked, looking back at Micah. ¡°Your helper may have prevented its full growth, but it will be enough to deal with you!¡±


    The beast emerged with another roar, shaking off the cocoon with a sweep of its immense wings. Six massive legs stretched, and bushy antennae extended out with the four wings to blot out the moon¡¯s light. Micah watched on, stunned, as the goliath insect took to the skies. It¡¯s black and purple body seemed to pulse with energy, and an overpowering pollen took hold of his senses. Razor sharp teeth gnashed behind wooly jowls as it drifted behind Marshall, ready for his first command.


    ¡°The Felonous Moth of Ashtoken,¡± Micah whispered.


    Marshall smirked. ¡°Are you surprised I had the chrysalis all along?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware anyone had it.¡± Micah settled himself down, mind racing. ¡°So, you devised an entire strategy just to defeat me in battle. And from your body language, I can tell you are reveling in your success. So again I ask: for what purpose?¡±


    Marshall¡¯s eye narrowed, but he didn¡¯t reply.


    Micah pointed at him. ¡°I asked you a question, Marshall Kalem. Who gave you the order to excogitate this strategy against me? As a Black Son, you had no reason or purpose for doing such a thing. How could you have even fathomed we would ever meet in battle?¡±


    Marshall¡¯s glare amplified. His hands made tight fists as he grappled with a matter he had obviously never considered. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± he finally said.


    ¡°It¡¯s pride!¡± Micah swept his sword through the air. ¡°Deep down, the pride of a warrior seeps through the seal around your heart. Pride in one¡¯s own talent and accomplishments. It¡¯s a human trait, and you are human. Despite your directive as a Black Son, you have an unrealized desire to defeat me, because you want to be recognized as the best. Tell me I¡¯m wrong!¡±


    Marshall¡¯s body froze in place, but his eye shifted wildly as Micah¡¯s words crashed through his mind. The struggle seemed to assault his whole body, but he shook his head with a grunt.


    ¡°STOP IT!¡± he shouted. He pointed down at Micah. ¡°Destroy him! Destroy him now!¡±


    The Felonous Moth roared again and dove upon Marshall¡¯s command. Micah quickly armed his bow, pointing it skyward, but Marshall lunged, forcing him to retreat. Micah dashed away as fast as he could, but the Moth was quickly upon him. The shadow loomed, blanketing him in the doom of its presence.


    The moth slammed into the ground. The earth shook from the force, sending waves of dirt in a wide arc. Marshall smirked in victory, but the smile faded when the ground around his giant servant shifted.


    Micah pulled himself from piles of soil and rocks. He had just barely missed being crushed. The moth must have sensed he was alive, because its wings beat in a flurry. It rose into the air again, turning to locate him. The compound eyes of a hundred colors quickly focused in. Micah grimaced as the beast readied for another attack.


    The body of the monster suddenly snapped back. It lurched, screeching in pain.


    Cal¡¯s tail was wrapped around one of the antennae. He pulled with all his might, twisting and jerking. The beast thrashed, eyes growing red with rage. It shook Cal away, who immediately retreated as the glass bees took to pursuing him again.


    Marshall grew livid. ¡°Forget that pest! Focus on Champlain!¡±


    But the moth ignored him, its chops frothing with psychotic wrath. It blasted after Cal, snapping and snarling.


    Marshall was about to shout again, but Micah let another arrow fly. Marshall leapt out of the way, just avoiding being impaled. The green projectile pierced yet another rock, embedded deep into the white slab. Micah fired again, and Marshall dodged. He drew his sword and charged, intent to stay out of long-range fire. Micah slung his bow over his back and drew Gladius.


    The three weapons met in a wild discharge of sparks. Micah attacked with his twin swords, forcing a defensive. He had to end this now before the summoned creature could return. But Marshall¡¯s flawless technique kept even two swords at bay. His superior strength forced Micah to abandon patience and attack with unpredictable tactic. Eventually, it seemed to do the trick, for Marshall lost grip of his footwork, stumbling after one rapid-fire melee. Micah lunged, and Marshall crouched and jumped high into the air to avoid it.


    Micah leaped after him, thrusting both swords in a double strike. Marshall swept both away with his weapon, but Micah dropped one of his swords and snatched his arm, pinning it against his chest. He drew his other sword across to chop him down, but Marshall blocked it with his other arm. Seeing his opening, Micah twisted his body, smashing his leg down across Marshall¡¯s body. He hurtled back to the ground, slamming into the earth. Micah fell after him, sword ready to drive him through.


    Marshall quickly recovered, flipping over and crouching along the ground. He produced two Element Stones, shouting, ¡°Shell of the Dark One!¡±


    Water erupted from the tips, freezing in midair. A glass shield materialized over him, and a dozen glass spikes burst from the surface of the umbrella, ready to intercept Micah and impale him. Just before Micah landed, Cal zoomed in, catching him with his tail and carrying him away.


    Micah rearmed his bow and fired. Two whistling arrows, one after the other, sliced by Marshall as he fled the aerial attack. Cal dropped Micah and zoomed upward. The moth rushed between them, snapping viciously and just missing devouring them whole. It pursued Cal with renewed rage, churning its wings faster than ever.


    Micah shot after Marshall, catching him off-guard in a rapid strike. His opportunity had come, and he lunged under an awkward attack to cleave his sword across Marshall¡¯s chest. The force destroyed his armor, shattering it to pieces and sending him reeling against a boulder. Micah quickly drew his bow, a skeleton arm produced an arrow, and he aimed it at Marshall¡¯s exposed chest. Marshall gasped, raising his arms, but unable to recover. He squeezed his eyes shut and heard the twang of the bow. A single mistake had cost him his life.


    But no impact came.


    He opened his eyes. Micah¡¯s bow was aimed into the sky. Marshall looked up to see a vivid green arrow shoot through the night. In the distance, his moth summon was almost upon a besieged Murr. The cat-like creature was struggling to get away, exhausted and nearly ready to give up. But before the monster insect could swallow him up, Micah¡¯s arrow struck it square in the thorax. The beast screeched and raged, flailing in place. It tried to keep afloat, but the hit must have been fatal, for the great insect¡¯s wings flickered. It grunted, dizzily looping in the sky. Red eyes faded, and with a final dying scream, the moth crashed to the ground. The earth rattled, and a plume of dust exploded in the distance.


    He¡­ saved the Murr?


    Marshall quickly drew a dagger and flicked it at Micah. He used his bow to cast it away, but Marshall used the chance to dash forward, sword drawn fast. He plunged it through with a yell. Micah jumped aside, but not before Marshall cut another deep gash, this time into his side.


    They retreated a safe distance, heaving and clutching to their wounds.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Marshall rasped. ¡°You saved the Murr¡­ why? You had me in your sights.¡±


    Micah didn¡¯t quite understand it either. ¡°It was¡­ instinct,¡± he replied, wincing from the cut. ¡°Cal is my friend.¡±


    ¡°Friend?¡± The word seemed to offend his deepest inclinations. ¡°What are you saying? That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Ridiculous,¡± Micah finished. ¡°I know. Yet, it¡¯s true. He is my friend, and so is Charlotte Goodsteel. Which is why I won¡¯t let you take her. Besides¡­¡± He drew his bow, producing another arrow and aiming it. His eyes narrowed. ¡°I still have you in my sights.¡±


    He let the arrow fly. The glass projectile screamed past Marshall, embedding into a boulder behind him. It didn¡¯t come close to hitting him.


    Marshall sniffed in contempt. ¡°Your aim leaves something to be desired.¡±


    ¡°On the contrary¡­¡± Micah raised his arm. ¡°I seem to be a deadeye.¡±


    A violent green light suddenly surrounded Marshall in a halo, forcing him to shield his eyes. Seven arms sprouted from Micah¡¯s empty quiver, bones writhing like eels over his head. The skeleton arms expanded, and more green bones issued from the sack, floating out in different directions. Marshall watched in alarm as they drifted to seven distinct spots to surround him in a perfect circle. The bones then formed themselves into full skeletons, completed by jade skulls with rutilant eyes. A red ¡°X¡± emblazoned on each of their foreheads in that moment, and a hard sting suddenly enveloped Marshall¡¯s chest.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Marshall said. He tried to step back, but to his shock, he found he couldn¡¯t move!


    ¡°What is this?¡± he shouted in panic. ¡°What have you done?¡±


    His eyes searched frantically, but his body was frozen in place. The seven skeletons each reached out to a nearby boulder and grasped something. Long and thin, embedded into the rock.


    A glass arrow.


    Marshall gasped, looking back at Micah, who stared at him with all the calm in the world. Seven arrows in seven distinct spots. The entire time, he had been firing arrows not to hit him, but to form a seal!


    Micah held up his bow as Cal limped to his side. ¡°The Stain,¡± he said. ¡°A cursed bow meant to contain and destroy the enemy. Didn¡¯t you learn anything during our six years fighting side by side? Nothing I do in battle is without purpose. Your error has killed you.¡±


    The skeletons drew up the arrows like swords and advanced on Marshall, smiling demonic grins. He struggled against his invisible bonds for a moment before relenting, knowing his fate was sealed. He was going to die.


    Something stirred in his chest in that moment. Watching Micah, an unexplainable sting rose up, filling him with a desire he could only describe as ¡°black.¡± Despite being ten years older, Marshall had indeed watched his brother-in-arms. Since the day the young boy joined the Black Sons, he had observed, listened, studied. Micah Champlain was a genius beyond compare ¨C there was no denying it. And in the short span of six years, he had come to both loath and admire him. But why?


    Marshall closed his eyes. It was because he wanted to be like him. For some reason, in this place and time¡­ of all places and times¡­ Marshall knew it to be true. What Micah had told him was correct. Something inside had wanted more¡­ wanted recognition from peers¡­ wanted success. He had wanted to beat Micah and claim victory.


    For the sole sake of a concept called pride.


    He opened his eyes again, finding Micah¡¯s gaze once more. As the shadows of the immense skeletons towered over him and raised their weapons, Marshall found himself wishing for the independence Micah Champlain now enjoyed, whatever it was. He found himself wishing¡­ to be free.


    The skeletons plunged the arrows into his body.


    He gasped. Eyes drooped. Breathing hitched.


    The skeletons faded to nether, green lights sucking into Micah¡¯s quiver and disappearing. Marshall¡¯s feeble attempt to remain standing failed, and his arrow-riddled body collapsed. Gasping through gritted teeth, his body writhed for a moment before becoming still.


    Micah and Cal slowly limped forward. The far away noise of glass bees raining to the ground could be heard. The fight was over.


    The sounds of quick footsteps approached, and Micah turned to see Charlotte and John Halifax scrambling up the hill. They arrived heaving and sweaty.


    ¡°Good. You¡¯re both here,¡± Micah said.


    When Charlotte¡¯s eyes fell on Marshall, she gasped in horror, bringing her hands to her face. It was as if the whole world was being destroyed right in front of her.


    ¡°No¡­¡± she whispered. She shook her head, and tears sprang to her eyes. ¡°No, no no¡­ NO!¡±


    Her scream carried to the farthest corners of the field. In that moment, a violent tremble shook the whole hill as Charlotte¡¯s eye exploded with purple fire, consuming her face in its light. The ground quaked so heavily, Micah could barely remain standing. Enormous winds picked up without warning, greater even than from his Alinda Plate, and the white boulders throughout the entire area sucked out of the ground, swirling and shifting in a tremendous tornado.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± John shouted over the near-deafening roar.


    ¡°It¡¯s Charlotte!¡± Cal shouted back. ¡°She¡¯s awakened another power!¡±


    Micah somehow made his way to John, grabbing him and pulling him out of the way of an oncoming projectile. Cal latched onto Micah with his tail, wings churning to maneuver in the torrent, but failing.


    Micah shielded his face with his arm to watch Charlotte, chills running through his body. It can¡¯t be¡­


    But his disbelief vanished when the rocks began to build themselves before their very eyes. Rock after rock crashed together with ear-splitting collisions. Sculpted by invisible hands, they collected to form an immense statue of a beautiful woman holding a sword in one hand and a key in the other. Twelve towering columns surrounded her, carved with intricate designs. Cracks thinned and disappeared, sealing up in reverse.


    Micah grimaced. Charlotte has truly activated the Sealed Eye of Taurus. This shouldn¡¯t be possible. It¡¯s supposed to be so hard to trace, let alone activate, few people on the planet even know Restoration once existed. Yet, she¡¯s achieved the first level without any training whatsoever! How is she doing this?


    ¡°Oh my¡­ can you believe this?¡± John said in awe, trembling. ¡°Can you believe this, my boy? Are you seeing what I¡¯m seeing¡­ are you seeing¡­ it¡¯s Queen¡¯s Prominence! That¡¯s Queen Violet, my boy!¡±


    His wonder stunned him into near stupor, but Micah focused. Just yards away, Marshall Kalem rose by some unseen force and stood. A hollow look filled his eye, but it slowly began to regain clarity, fluttering in confusion. The seven arrows floated around him, and wounds closed up and disappeared, his clothes clean and unblemished. And without looking, Micah sensed his own wounds and torn clothes were mending as well. Everything was being Restored.


    In a sudden spasm, Charlotte collapsed.


    The clamorous winds dispersed, and light disappeared, leaving a field without its turtles, but an ancient monument of magnificent design instead. Micah crouched and exploded, making a beeline for Marshall. Before his foe could do anything, Micah was on him, kicking his legs out from underneath and catching him by the neck as he fell.


    Marshall shouted, struggling to recover, but Micah turned his body and locked his head in his arm. He drew his sword and quickly brought it to Marshall¡¯s neck, ready to slit his throat.


    ¡°NO!¡±


    The scream was so desperate, a lash cut straight to Micah¡¯s heart. He looked up to find Charlotte on her feet again, heaving in exhaustion. Tears streamed down her face, and the waning crescent of her right eye glowed even brighter than before.


    ¡°Charlotte, this has to be done,¡± he said.


    ¡°No more!¡± she pleaded. ¡°You have a choice now, Micah. You can spare him. Please, I¡¯m begging you. No more death! I can¡¯t take it anymore.¡±


    Her pitiful expression made his chest lurch in an excruciating manner. Even still, he was torn. ¡°How can I?¡± he asked. ¡°If I don¡¯t kill him, he¡¯ll keep coming for us. He won¡¯t ever stop. It¡¯s his purpose in life!¡±


    A sudden calm came over Charlotte. Her back straightened as she wiped her tears.


    ¡°Not anymore.¡±


    She raised her hand. The light in her eye shifted as it split down the middle, half black, half white with a square pupil.


    ¡°Heartbreaker!¡± she shouted.


    Darkness enveloped her. And then, he was there in the void. Small and alone, just as Micah had been that fateful night in the castle which now seemed so long ago.


    Marshall blinked and looked around. ¡°Where am I?¡± he asked.


    Charlotte didn¡¯t reply. She approached and reached her hands to his chest. They sank inside, and she pulled them apart like spreading the curtains of a window. A wide gap opened in Marshall¡¯s chest, utterly dark.


    He gasped upon sight of it, but she didn¡¯t let him move, so he shouted. ¡°What are you doing? What is this?¡±


    There, deep in the recesses of the dark space, she found it.


    Marshall Kalem¡¯s heart.


    The glowing sphere never failed to render her breathless. A person¡¯s heart appeared to her as a small, clear orb with a never-dying light inside. Too hot to touch, she still could approach it as long as she didn¡¯t get too close. She had looked at many hearts before, and found that the stronger the person was, the hotter the orb felt.


    Micah¡¯s had been nearly unbearable.


    Marshall¡¯s heart was blistering as well, though, bright as a Life Stone¡¯s finest light. But she bore the discomfort of looking at it, and in little time, she found what she was looking for. A thin cord, like barbed copper wire, revolved around the ball. She immediately reached out with both hands and took hold of it, careful to avoid the sharp points. Despite the heat, the wire was cool to the touch.


    She pulled her hands apart with all her might, and the cord snapped in two pieces.


    A flurry of sudden images flashed before Charlotte¡¯s eyes in that moment, startling her. A boy crying in a field. Fire, ash, smoke. Men and women slaughtered all around him, littering streets of white and blue. A shattered lamp. A blood-soaked necklace. A black dagger. Wailing, shouting, screaming!


    Marshall¡¯s scream filled the whole field, and Charlotte was wrenched from his heart. She returned to her conscience so forcefully, her body was thrust into Micah¡¯s waiting arms. Marshall collapsed.


    Micah held her close, kneeling so she could lie down. She buried her face in his neck and cried as much as she was able. The fatigue set in like a dropped shutter, and her eyes hurt so much, she wanted to pass out from the pain. Even so, she mustered her strength to look up at him. He met her gaze.


    ¡°Now he can make his own choices, just like you,¡± she whispered.


    As if a switch had been flicked, heavy rain began to fall, biting cold. A thunderclap issued in the far distance. Micah drew her closer into his arms, overflowing with wonder as he looked into her now fallow blue eyes. They were so innocent. She was looking at him with the hope of a child, and he found himself wishing to fulfill her any desire.


    ¡°What would you have me do, Charlotte?¡± he asked in a quiet voice, squeezing his eyes shut. ¡°What purpose can I serve?¡±


    She stroked his face. ¡°No more killing, Micah. That¡¯s all I can ask from you when you do so much for me already. It¡¯s the only thing I want. No more pain. No more death. I don¡¯t want to see anyone else die. You¡¯ve protected me until now, but if you¡¯ll let me, can I ask you for this, too?¡±


    He nodded without hesitation. ¡°Okay. No more killing. You have my word.¡±


    ¡°See? You¡¯re a good man.¡±


    She slipped into a deep sleep. Micah wrapped her in a blanket Cal produced. His mind whirled with confusing new concepts as he looked upon Marshall¡¯s unconscious form. Regret, guilt¡­ mercy. He barely understood any of these things, but he wanted to know more.


    He gently picked Charlotte up as John Halifax approached.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say,¡± John said gravely. ¡°You understated your circumstances. This is far too much for anyone, least of all a dear young lady like her.¡±


    Micah looked southeast, where the highest snow-capped points of the Mosaic Mountains just peeked over the treetops. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s as you said, John,¡± he replied. Despite now being soaked to the bone, a pleasant warmth filled his chest. ¡°Maybe that¡¯s why she found me.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s any ¡®maybe¡¯ about it.¡±


    He turned back to John. ¡°Let us go to your master, Lord Kyba of Canis. I think it¡¯s high time we got some real answers.¡±

 Chapter 16: The Awaited Arrival

    In a rare occasion of fortune for Micah and Charlotte, the heavy rain reduced to a mere mist the day they reached the base of the Mosaics, and while the winding road up the Mountain of the Wolf was so heavy laden with snow as to render it nearly indiscernible, they could at least remain dry while traversing it.


    The rain had frustrated the pace of their trek, as Micah¡¯s chariot couldn¡¯t be used over the wet roads. But he no longer felt the urgency from before. Marshall Kalem would no longer track them. From his own experience, Micah knew the man would have other pressing things on his mind and heart when he revived. Even so, he kept a watchful eye, ever more determined to guard Charlotte¡¯s safety and ensure she never suffered the ordeals to which she had become so accustomed.


    As they rode their Black Cherry horses up the peak at a relaxed pace, he watched her closely as she talked to John Halifax with her usual effervescence. She sat on the horse as relaxed as one might upon a lounge chair. With experience and ease, she directed her mare along the road with casual massages against the animal¡¯s neck. When they had purchased the horses in a small town the day before, Charlotte insisted on relieving hers of the bit and bridle, instead choosing to negotiate with the horse directly. She spoke with the mare for but a few minutes, and soon they had a complete understanding of one another, and the horse agreed to take Charlotte wherever she wished.


    She wore a stunning white dress, thick, fluffy and warm, with hints of periwinkle silk. Despite riding a wet horse and the ever present mud and snow, it remained spotless and she kept warm. No longer was Micah surprised by her attire in such odd places; in fact he came to appreciate her insistence of it. It was now almost a month since his heart had been freed, but still he had not come across a beauty to rival hers. And he realized that just looking at her provided him some amount of pleasure he couldn¡¯t quite describe. ¡°Eye candy¡± his comrades at Soto Silver once called it. He now understood the turn of phrase well, when before it had befuddled him.


    A rose blush filled her cheeks in the cold, but she was comfortable on her horse and talked with her typical animation. A delicate parasol in one hand shielded her from the sparse snowfall while the other hand never rested, going to great lengths to aid her discussion with excited gestures. Like Micah, John listened with rapt attention, seeming intoxicated by her.


    ¡°And that¡¯s when I realized broccoli and I would never come to a mutual understanding, and we¡¯ve not had contact with each other since.¡± She giggled, musical laughter carrying through the quiet morning air.


    John laughed with her. A wide smile hadn¡¯t abandoned his face since the night they left the Twin Cities. ¡°So, tell me about your upbringing, Ms. Goodsteel. Where are you from?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Her smile disappeared, and a troubled look came over her.


    Micah sat up in interest. Charlotte had avoided talking about her past since the night they met, and he had respected her privacy by avoiding prying questions. But he was immensely curious.


    ¡°If you¡¯re uncomfortable, you don¡¯t have to answer,¡± John said quickly.


    She looked from Micah to John, debate filling her expression. ¡°It¡¯s not uncomfortable¡­¡±


    An obvious lie, but they didn¡¯t prod her.


    ¡°My parents are from Carnel,¡± she began carefully. ¡°But they moved to Rypsy after getting married, where my father took up post as Counselor to the Chevron of Astenbury. My sister and I were born in Astenbury, a lovely town south of the Bon Eden. I had a normal childhood, or normal by aristocratic standards, until a few months ago, when my parents suddenly decided to send me to Carnel to continue my education in my homeland¡­¡±


    Her voice trailed off, a faraway look in her eyes. ¡°They said it would be good for me¡­¡± She recovered, smiling. ¡°As you can tell, my experience in this country has been anything but.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re returning home, then?¡±


    ¡°No. Fleeing Carnel is essential, but we¡¯ve never talked about what we are going to do after we cross the strait. Right, Micah?¡±


    The question caught him off guard. ¡°Uh¡­ correct. Our present concern is escaping Carnel, where the danger of trackers and assassins is much less severe.¡±


    ¡°No doubt,¡± John replied. ¡°Carnel will never be a safe place for either of you, not as long as men like Nathanial Vash exist. I¡¯m afraid your home is forever lost to you.¡±


    Charlotte looked at Micah with sympathetic eyes, but he smiled. ¡°I have never had a home, so I¡¯ll just have to make one elsewhere.¡±


    She smiled at that, resuming to chat about non-familial topics, which they were readily available to hear once more. The Mountain of the Wolf was one of the higher mountains in the range, if not the highest, and the cold deepened as they ascended. For several hours, they climbed a snail¡¯s pace up the snowy crag, weaving in and through thick pine forests and daunting, jagged rock formations.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Just when Charlotte was beginning to whimper from fatigue, they emerged from the thickest weald yet, riding into a wide glen. John stopped his horse, and they did likewise. A level plane opened before them, full of snow clumped with brown grasses. It was deathly quiet ¨C only the faint exhale of a distant wind met their ears.


    ¡°Pretty,¡± Charlotte said. She sniffed, wiping her moist nose with an embroidered handkerchief. ¡°Why did we stop?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re on Lord Kyba¡¯s lands now,¡± John said. ¡°We should wait for him.¡±


    ¡°How will he know we¡¯re here?¡± she asked.


    ¡°He¡¯ll know. He always does.¡±


    ¡°John, I¡¯m getting cold now. Isn¡¯t there anywhere we could wait besides here?¡±


    Micah reached into one of his jacket pockets, producing an Element Stone. ¡°Blue Bell,¡± he uttered with a flick of his wrist. Snow lifted off the ground to surround his hand in a halo. The water melted, forming a smooth sphere, then solidifying. A spark of red flame ignited from the stone, shooting into the glass ball. A small fire akin to candlelight remained floating in the midst of the ball, making it glow.


    Micah picked the crystal globe out of the air and offered it to her. Having watched in amazement, she readily accepted it. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s warm!¡± she exclaimed. She placed it in her lap and let her hands rest over the object while Micah created a similar one for John. Content with the fire, they waited on their horses until something should happen.


    In the silence, Micah observed John. As was becoming more and more frequent, a sadness came over the man. His eyes filled with doubt and remorse, brow furrowed and hands clenched together. It hadn¡¯t been expressly stated, but Micah figured out days earlier what was really happening. For a thousand years, Lord Kyba of Canis hadn¡¯t just been waiting for the Moon Eye Child. Or at least, he wasn¡¯t just waiting for her to end the Age of Angels, whatever that was.


    He was waiting to die.


    From John¡¯s words to his emotional instability, it was obvious. Micah was surprised Charlotte hadn¡¯t realized it yet, and he feared when she would. How would she react when she finally understood that a person she never met had been waiting for her to deliver his death sentence?


    After about half an hour, true to John¡¯s words, a figure emerged from the forests on the other side of the glen. John dismounted, followed by Micah and Charlotte, and they approached. The old man was nothing like the fey wizard Micah expected. Despite the frigid cold, he wore nothing but ragged clothes and a simple pair of sandals. Frail with a bald head and sparse beard, he still had strong posture, even with a hunch ¨C his age seemed closer to sixty, rather than a thousand. But he had no weapons or tools, no belt or pack. Was this truly the Rinx Lord of legend that Biblio and John described?


    ¡°Who¡¯re these people?¡± he grunted with a cranky scowl when they met. ¡°I don¡¯t throw dinner parties, Halifax. What is this about?¡±


    ¡°Good evening, my Lord,¡± John said in a cracked voice. Moisture filled his eyes, but he was trying to remain steady. He lifted a hand to the left. ¡°This is Micah sinChamplain.¡±


    Kyba harrumphed. ¡°A goon. The true Black Sons are long gone, replaced by puppets. Don¡¯t try nothing funny, lad. You hear me?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a friend!¡± John said. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry.¡±


    He sneered, revealing severely yellow teeth. ¡°And who¡¯s the missy?¡±


    Charlotte squeaked in surprise, stepping further behind Micah and clutching to his jacket.


    ¡°Step out from behind there,¡± he growled. ¡°C¡¯mon now.¡±


    She slowly stepped back out, keeping close to Micah.


    ¡°This is Charlotte Goodsteel,¡± John said. ¡°She¡­ she¡­¡±


    His composure was starting to give way, and Kyba looked at him in absurdity. ¡°Are you crying? What¡¯s the matter with you?¡±


    ¡°Sir¡­¡± Micah said. Kyba switched attention. Micah stepped behind Charlotte, putting his hands on her arms. ¡°This is Charlotte Goodsteel. She is the Moon Eye Child.¡±


    Instant silence.


    The old Avalon¡¯s scowl was lost to the frigid wind, all traces gone in moments. He looked at her, staring straight into her eyes. The look was tantamount to devastation mixed with unparalleled hope ¨C a look Micah realized only someone in Kyba¡¯s situation could possibly produce. He truly had been waiting for this¡­ waiting, watching, possibly doubting she might ever come. His look said absolutely everything.


    Charlotte shuddered, stepping back into Micah¡¯s body. But he whispered in her ear. ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± He gently pushed her forward, and Kyba approached, snow crunching beneath his sandals.


    ¡°Hello, sir,¡± she said after a long moment, wringing her hands.


    Kyba slowly reached out, careful not to frighten her. With all gentleness, he cupped her face in his gnarled hands.


    ¡°Are you¡­ truly the one to deliver me?¡± he whispered.


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know what you mean,¡± she replied. Somehow, the warmth of his hands made her fear dissipate. The old man holding her now seemed more afraid than she was, and she felt pity for him.


    ¡°Please¡­¡± he whispered again. Tears now began to form in his eyes. ¡°Please show me your eyes.¡±


    His right eye ignited with purple light, far more intense than anything her own eye could muster. Even so, she obliged, activating the Full Moon to mirror his. Her own right eye burned purple fire, electric and bright.


    He issued a paltry laugh. ¡°It¡¯s in your right eye, just as she told me so long ago¡­¡± he said. ¡°Now one more¡­ one more to prove you are the one sent to me.¡±


    Charlotte nodded, and the light in her eye yielded, shrinking down so that a sliver of the blue remained. Waxing Gibbous. Using it, she could see he had no intent to harm her, and she relaxed in his hold of her face.


    Tears fell more freely as he suddenly kissed her forehead and embraced her. ¡°You dear child¡­ you poor, dear child. How I wish you could know what your presence here means to me.¡±


    For a long while, he held her, a cantankerous Rinx Lord reduced to a broken old man. Despite not understanding the reason, Charlotte embraced him and cried with him. John, also, was reduced to sobs, leaving Micah standing to the side feeling very uncomfortable. After a long while, Kyba parted from Charlotte, wiping his eyes but keeping her close.


    ¡°Look at us, a bunch of sniveling fools,¡± he growled, much less severe in tone than before. ¡°C¡¯mon now. Let¡¯s get inside, get a fire going, get dinner going.¡±


    Charlotte wiped her eyes and clapped her hands. ¡°That sounds wonderful. I am very hungry.¡±


    He smiled at her with warmth. ¡°Tonight we celebrate, little missy. And you are my most honored guest.¡±

 Chapter 17: The Immortal

    The house of Kyba of Canis was a spectacle to behold. If one could call it a house. The construct on the face of the snowy mountain consisted of walls, a roof, doors, and windows, to be sure. Solid wood, stone, and glass formed into a sprawling, beautiful domicile. But beyond that, it was nothing that Micah and Charlotte had ever seen before.


    Kyba led them through wide oak doors into a spacious living area. Nothing was even. Two steps to the right led down to a couch and chairs sitting before a fireplace bedecked with gold candelabras. Three steps to the left climbed up to a baby grand piano. Another staircase led to a kitchen, where an oddly placed stove was roaring with another fire, filling the house with finger-defrosting warmth. And a winding staircase with an ivory banister led up to a high second story, starting in the middle of the room with a narrow step and widening as it ascended, so as to resemble a tornado. Given the confusing nature of the house¡¯s build, it seemed appropriate.


    Yet, it wasn¡¯t uncomfortable. In fact, the home was sophisticated and inviting, complete with clean wood floors, crystal chandeliers, and wide glass windows affording beautiful views of the slopes. While Charlotte was drawn by the comfort of the home, Micah¡¯s gaze fell on the shelves. Troves of treasures and wild curios sat upon shelves that covered every solid wall space. Weapons, antiques, tomes, scrolls, and other assortments of artifacts Micah either knew to be priceless or couldn¡¯t identify, but realized must be in the same class. Of course, he wasn¡¯t surprised. It only confirmed the truth: that the man inviting them into his home truly was a Rinx Lord who had lived the full lives of fifteen men.


    He directed them to follow him up the stairs to the second floor, where a single, long hallway stretched north to south. Kyba opened the nearest door, leading Charlotte into a lavish guest room complete with fluffy divans, furnished wardrobes, an ivory bathtub, and a bed fit for a king.


    ¡°Holy crickets!¡± she exclaimed. ¡°I can sleep here?¡±


    He nodded affectionately, and she squealed in delight, entering and gasping every few seconds when a new discovery came to her attention. While she fawned over her unexpected accommodations, Kyba grunted, leading Micah and John to much more simple rooms of their own. Micah made no complaint, glad to have a bed after the long hours of slow travel. After John put away his bags and Micah, his gear, they followed Kyba back down the hall. Running water could be heard inside Charlotte¡¯s room. Micah was well aware the first thing she would do was take a bath, so they left her and went back downstairs.


    They were led into the expansive kitchen, where Kyba wordlessly indicated for them to sit nearby in rustic chairs with thick cushions. The seats surrounded an immense carved table, round and bedecked with Element Stones that kept it warm by some measure of hidden magic. Micah and John sat while Kyba set to work immediately, producing great quantities of vegetables from a walk-in pantry, immense cuts of beef and lamb from an ice box, and all sorts of delicious-smelling spices neither Micah nor John had ever before experienced.


    The kitchen featured the trappings of an extravagant greenhouse with all its perks and none of its drawbacks, a glass and steel dome large enough to accommodate a hundred people. Versicolor flowers in planters lined the perimeter of the space, a stark contrast to the piling snow outside.


    John offered his help to Kyba, but he waived him off with a scolding, so they sat in silence, watching him as he began to cook. The stoves were a work of genius. Three separate machines, foreign in design to Micah in every conceivable way, were lined up beside each other, taking up a whole corner of the room. Sizable Element Stone shards cut into curious shapes provided eight burners, and still others were situated to create a grill. Firing up the burners, Kyba set pasta and water to a boil in a pot, then another with rice. He deftly sliced up large chunks of cheddar and gouda, onions, butternut squash, carrots, and other foods, separating them into different bowls and putting them aside. Micah was mesmerized by his ability, equally amazed by his skill and the speed by which he worked.


    Charlotte came down in a relatively short amount of time and joined them at the table, wearing a flowing blue dress and a contented smile only provided by the comfort of a hot bath after a long day. Cal padded in behind her, and Micah presumed she had coaxed him into the house through her window. It certainly explained her change of clothes.


    Seeing the Murr closely follow her, Kyba didn¡¯t miss a beat, barely offering a glance at Cal when he hopped onto a seat beside Charlotte. Even so, Cal said nothing, his head and wings stooped low as if to hide from view.


    ¡°Much better,¡± Charlotte said with a satisfied smile, fluffing her hair. She smelled like citrus and flowers, drawing the attention of all three men. Kyba immediately waited on her hand and foot, doting on her as if she was his only granddaughter. A steaming cup of coffee with cream and a bowl of chocolate truffles were set before her, which she readily accepted.


    ¡°Anything more you need, you just let me know,¡± he said with a smile, returning to peel potatoes faster than anybody Micah had ever seen.


    Charlotte sat in her chair primly, nibbling on the candies and enjoying the pampering to the fullest. Micah wished she would start asking him questions, because he had a thousand brimming to the surface of his mind. However, considering how cranky Kyba seemed to get, he didn¡¯t want to upset their host.


    ¡°You¡¯re a funny one, lad,¡± Kyba said, looking at him as he began expertly carving up slabs of beef steak. ¡°I misjudged you. Wouldn¡¯t be the first time I¡¯ve done so.¡±


    Micah¡¯s brow furrowed. Can he read minds?


    He grunted an odd laugh. ¡°No, I can¡¯t read your head, but even for a Black Son with a mask, the yearning¡¯s written all over your face.¡±


    Charlotte, Cal, and John looked at Micah, scrutinizing his face.


    ¡°I suppose you¡¯re the one who really brought Miss Charlotte to me,¡± Kyba continued, chopping up stalks of celery and chives and sliding them into a pan. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I owe you a great debt. So ask your questions. Dinner won¡¯t be ready for a while yet anyhow.¡±


    Micah needed no further convincing. ¡°Sir, what is the power of the New Moon?¡±


    ¡°Right to the point. I expected no less.¡± He paused. ¡°But before I tell you that, what¡¯s your current orders?¡±


    Micah tilted his head. ¡°Sir?¡±


    Kyba looked at him. ¡°Why are you here, lad?¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± Charlotte exclaimed. ¡°I can explain that. You see, Micah is no longer under orders. I used Heartbreaker to sever the spell on him.¡±


    ¡°A seal, eh?¡± Kyba scratched his chin, then went back to cooking, setting a dozen slabs of seasoned steak over the grill. ¡°I should have known there was a reason the Black Sons turned from the old ways.¡±


    ¡°Did they used to have a different purpose?¡± Micah asked.


    ¡°Indeed. King Namolech established the Black Sons to protect Carnel and serve one another. Nobility and honor guided them in their purpose, not blind obedience to men of influence. It¡¯s a shame. It was one of Namolech¡¯s better ideas, which is saying a lot.¡±


    Honor. Micah remembered with bleak vividness Sintobi Strike¡¯s last words.


    ¡°We die with honor. How will you die, Micah Champlain?¡±


    ¡°Well then, I guess I can trust you,¡± Kyba said, breaking him from his reverie. ¡°Now then, the New Moon. It¡¯s why all of us are here. It must sound like drivel, but it is the truth. I know this, because one thousand twenty-one years ago, an angel of God told me so. In exchange for the ultimate power of Foresight and persevering life, I was charged with guarding the Desolate Tower, waiting for the Moon Eye Child to come, who would bring the moon¡¯s power in her right eye instead of her left, just like mine. The child would end the Age of Angels I ushered in, and be the herald of an age yet to come.¡±


    Kyba looked fondly on Charlotte again. ¡°And now she has finally arrived.¡±


    Charlotte sat in stunned silence, mouth agape. ¡°Me?¡± she finally croaked.


    ¡°Yes, my dear. But you have nothing to worry about. Your task will be over before you know it. Destiny won¡¯t be chasing you forever, at least not this one.¡± He became quiet, absent-mindedly shredding some herbs with his hands and letting them fall into a bubbling pot.


    ¡°Have you been told what you must do, child?¡± he asked.


    She seemed distressed. ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry! I don¡¯t really understand what is happening. John told me I was born with my eyes for a purpose, but before I met him, I never even considered I might have some kind of special destiny. To be honest, all these things you¡¯re saying are frightening.¡± She sniffed, and tears pooled in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m just a girl from Rypsy. Can you please tell me what¡¯s going to happen to me?¡±


    He put down his spoon and approached the table. Putting a hand on her head, he gave her another loving smile, which seemed to comfort her. ¡°Nothing will happen to you, young missy. Don¡¯t you worry about a thing.¡±


    She brightened. ¡°Well, I do believe that things happen for a reason. John told me that I met Micah when I did because it was fate.¡± She beamed at him across the table. ¡°God sent him to save me.¡±


    ¡°And you, him,¡± John added.


    Kyba¡¯s sharp gaze seemed to penetrate Micah¡¯s mask, but he said nothing.


    ¡°God works in such ways, there can be no question,¡± Kyba finally said. He returned to his cooking. ¡°So then, what is the New Moon? Well, to answer simply, it is the opposite of the Full Moon.¡± He tasted the soup in the pot before adding a few dashes of salt. ¡°Foresight is the all-seeing, the gift of clarity. Given enough development, nothing can be kept hidden from its penetrating gaze. One possessing the Full Moon can even look through solid objects, and black magic is useless against a Foresight user. The Full Moon gives light to its possessor. So then, what would the opposite of that be?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Charlotte placed a finger to her chin, thinking hard.


    ¡°Darkness,¡± John said.


    ¡°Blindness,¡± Cal offered.


    ¡°Void,¡± Micah said calmly.


    Kyba pointed to him. ¡°That¡¯s it.¡±


    ¡°Void?¡± Charlotte repeated, scrunching her nose. ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°It means ¡®nothing,¡¯¡± Micah replied. ¡°Lord Kyba is telling us that if the Full Moon can see and comprehend all things, then the New Moon shrouds all things. If the Full Moon gives light, the New Moon takes it away.¡±


    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t just take it away,¡± Kyba finished. ¡°It destroys.¡±


    Micah looked at him gravely, while the others seemed confused. ¡°What does it destroy?¡± he asked, knowing the answer but dreading it all the same.


    ¡°Magic.¡±


    Chills ran through Micah¡¯s body.


    Kyba nodded. ¡°I think you understand, lad. I¡¯ll leave it to you to explain the implications of it to the others. John, you told me upstairs that these young ones have been pursued across Carnel after escaping capture. Well, make no mistake about it. Whoever is after dear Miss Charlotte¡­ if he¡¯s smart enough to realize it¡­ he¡¯ll be after the New Moon. The other gifts, while powerful, mean nothing next to that power. Not in the hands of a villain.¡±


    Charlotte bowed her head, chin trembling. Micah reached out, putting his hand over hers. She looked at him in surprise.


    ¡°Vash will never lay a hand on you again,¡± he said.


    Her smile returned as quickly as it had left. Kyba watched their interaction with interest for a moment before returning to the stoves. ¡°Well, enough of that for one night. Dinner is almost ready, and there¡¯s quite a bit to celebrate. Besides, you have much to be confident about, my dear child.¡±


    Charlotte wiped her eyes. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s you who has the Moon Eyes. Not this Vash fellow or whoever else wants you for themselves. I would wager those pretty eyes have saved you in more than one pinch, eh?¡±


    She smiled bashfully. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s true.¡±


    Kyba nodded, grunting as he lugged a huge pan from the oven, piping-hot and filling the kitchen with the mouth-watering smell of roasted lamb. ¡°Someone once told me something that I¡¯ve carried with me my many long days. Someone with Foresight, just like you and me. She told me that sometimes, you just have to trust your own eyes and put the rest on the shoulders of faith. Because if people like us can¡¯t even see everything, then maybe some things just weren¡¯t meant to be seen.¡±


    ¡°Who told you that?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Back then, they called her the White Widow¡­ today you might know her as the Drifting Queen¡­ but I called her Aurora.¡±


    Charlotte gasped with utter glee, bringing her hands to her face. ¡°You knew the Drifting Queen? You mean you actually talked to her?¡±


    He cackled. ¡°Indeed I did. Many times. You like her, eh?¡±


    ¡°I love her! I know all the stories about her, and it was my favorite time in school when we would learn about her.¡±


    ¡°You know all the stories, do you? Well, I¡¯ll bet I can tell you a few you don¡¯t know.¡± He hooted again, slapping his leg. ¡°I have some doozies! Say, now that I think about it¡­¡± He quickly retreated from the kitchen without a word. Moments later, he came back holding something. ¡°Here,¡± he said, offering it to her.


    Charlotte took the object, holding it up for everyone to see. A deep emerald comb glittered in the light. One of the prongs was missing, and some of the fine carvings had worn thin, but otherwise, it was a beautiful piece of workmanship.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Crickets, it¡¯s gorgeous,¡± she said. ¡°Is this for me?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It was once Queen Aurora¡¯s, given to her by Mobius for her birthday when she was very young. She gave it me before she died, and it¡¯s long been one of my greatest treasures. And now, I want you to have it.¡±


    Her eyes became wide as saucers, and she cradled the comb as if she were holding a butterfly. ¡°Oh, Kyba! I can¡¯t possibly accept this!¡± But a deep longing to keep the comb filled her face.


    He reached out and closed her fingers over it. ¡°I want you to have it.¡±


    She immediately reached up to her hair, unclasping the dragonfly clip and replacing it with the comb. She then replaced her clip, securing her hair in place. The piece graced her head beautifully, and the others smiled in approval. Kyba caressed her head again before straightening up and rubbing his hands together.


    ¡°Now, it¡¯s time for dinner. Who¡¯s hungry?¡±


    Charlotte and John cheered, and Kyba began loading the table with foods of every assortment imaginable. Lamb roasted with red potatoes and rosemary, beef fried rice with peas and carrots, butternut squash soup, fire-grilled steaks, macaroni and cheese with bacon and onions, corn on the cob, chocolate ice cream, and a whole spiced rum cake. Charlotte squealed in delight, bouncing in her seat. Micah¡¯s stomach rumbled something fierce, the smells of the feast nearly ready to overwhelm, and he immediately pulled his scarf around his head and let his mask down. They waited impatiently while Kyba left again to produce a few dusty bottles of wine.


    He sat beside Charlotte and calmly glanced to each person at the table, making odd faces at Micah¡¯s scarf and the way Cal had his paws up on the table. He seemed amused by their expressions, as if he was testing their patience for his own enjoyment. Just when it seemed Charlotte might burst, he waved his hand over the table.


    ¡°Dig in.¡±


    They ate with gusto. Charlotte started with cake and ice cream while Micah offered Cal each item, which he refused one by one until he came to the steaks. Stacking two large cuts onto a plate, Cal began to scarf them down. But Micah tried everything. The soup was savory and creamy with a hint of fire. The rice was a fluffy, tasty complement to the delicious lamb. In the end, however, his favorite proved to be the macaroni and cheese, and he suspected the bacon had something to do with it.


    As they ate, Kyba regaled them with story after story, each one more fantastical and unbelievable than the one before it. Stories of Mobius and Aurora, Thaddeus the Younger, the Eleven Sacrifices of Saint Monrue, and the supposedly true account of the final battle between Ursa and Mahro the demon. For hours they ate, talked, and listened, and ate some more, until it was late and everyone was stuffed, exhausted, and content. Charlotte especially seemed at peace, slumped in her seat and patting her stomach softly. A murmured giggle escaped from behind her lips as her eyes gradually began to droop.


    When a broken cuckoo clock signaled midnight, Charlotte was nearly asleep and John and Cal were reduced to stifling yawns every other minute. Kyba carried Charlotte up to her room. Micah, Cal, and John followed, waiting for him to return from her room in order to thank him for the meal and hospitality.


    When he did and closed the door behind him, Kyba said to Micah, ¡°I¡¯m sure you must be tired, lad, but if you can tolerate an old man¡¯s wish, I¡¯d like to have a word with you tonight.¡±


    Micah nodded to Cal, who wordlessly followed John down the hall while Kyba led Micah in the other direction. The Rinx Lord walked a slow pace, seeming burdened, but Micah said nothing, keeping pace behind him. The hall reached a descending staircase that plunged far below the first floor of the house and drove deep into the mountain, illuminated by silver candelabras.


    ¡°I¡¯ve scrutinized you tonight,¡± Kyba said as they began their descent. The clapping of his sandals contrasted with Micah¡¯s silent footfalls. ¡°I¡¯m sure you realized.¡±


    ¡°Indeed.¡±


    ¡°I have seen that you are a knowledgeable young man, full of understanding and more wisdom than I would have expected from someone just introduced to the life of an emotional human being. So, I have a feeling you already comprehend what is about to happen, even when my apprentice was given explicit orders to say nothing to anybody except his wife.¡±


    Micah nodded. ¡°Your mission¡¯s end draws near. And Charlotte is its harbinger.¡±


    Kyba grunted a sardonic laugh. ¡°A fancy way to say I¡¯m about to die. But yes, I knew you would realize. Which is why I decided I must speak with you.¡±


    The steep flight ended after what Micah estimated to be roughly a thousand feet. There, a wide stone corridor met them, consisting of eleven separate doors, five on each side and one at the end.


    Kyba proceeded to this last door. Reaching to his neck, he produced a key attached to a thin necklace. The golden key was ancient and ornate, longer than any Micah had ever seen. He took it off and inserted it into the keyhole. After a half-turn, Kyba twisted the doorknob, but did not open the door. He then turned the key fully twice, twisted the knob again, then turned the key a half once more. There was a click, and Kyba swung the door open, entering inside a dark, musty room. The pure magical clout that poured over Micah in that moment was nearly unbearable. Like a wool blanket, it covered him, filling his head and lungs, and he had to adjust before following inside.


    To his surprise, there was a small window, frosted by snow. Moonlight streamed through the ice coating the panes in crystalline designs. It provided enough illumination to allow Micah to guide himself through the cluttered space. Boxes and tables haphazardly littered nearly every inch of the room. Dusty books, odd trinkets, paintings¡­ a veritable antique shop sans the noisy merchant.


    At first glance, Micah thought it must be Kyba¡¯s personal storeroom, but then he paid closer attention to the details as his eyes adjusted to the dim light. There were advanced medical texts long thought to be lost and the personal tomes of some of the most famous wizards in ancient history: Vincent of Scorpius, Mordecai of Orion, Chapman McCrawd, Sizer sinCoruscant, Melinda of Gemini. And there were weapons and armor so distinct, Micah could identify them immediately despite having never seen them before. A massive sword, as long as he was tall, propped against the nearest wall ¨C Diamo Ret, the diamond blade. A headband with a metallic forehead protector embellished with four square-shaped markings ¨C the Band of Nephthetes. Gold and silver arm plates featuring wicked spikes ¨C the Gauntlets of Zaborg. Items of such legend, Micah had never dared to dream they existed outside of the imaginations of those who drew pictures of them.


    One shelf featured a book with a spine so worn, it appeared ready to disintegrate. Even still, Micah could read the title: Crystal Conversion and its Various Properties by Gregory of Orion. Beside it, a large vase brimmed with sizable blue gems.


    Micah quickly turned, finding Kyba settled into an armchair in the corner, smiling. ¡°Are these Cure Stones?¡± Micah asked.


    ¡°They are now.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ converted them? Crystal Conversion isn¡¯t a myth?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m impressed you even know the term. It¡¯s been such a long time since Gransaiga discovered the method.¡±


    ¡°Since the advent of Miracle and its poisonous curse on our land, people have been searching high and low for some way to create new Cure Stones. Medicinal knowledge has plummeted in the last hundred years, and medical treatment has been reduced to barbaric levels. Without Cure Stones, Carnelians couldn¡¯t do anything to help the sick and maimed. We didn¡¯t know how.¡± Micah sat in an empty chair across from him. ¡°Our reliance on the stones led to catastrophe.¡±


    ¡°Are you angry I¡¯ve possessed this knowledge the whole time?¡± Kyba asked.


    He shook his head. ¡°I understand why you have kept it. In the wrong hands, Crystal Conversion could cause more harm than good. Even still, I am curious as to whether or not you fully grasp what has happened to Carnel. Being stuck on this mountain with no one to talk to, incapable of seeing the effect of that great purge with your own eyes.¡±


    ¡°Be secure in knowing I have seen far more than you could comprehend, lad.¡±


    ¡°If you say so, I do not doubt it.¡±


    Kyba snorted a laugh, scratching his bearded chin. ¡°You certainly are an interesting one. I don¡¯t suppose you know where you come from?¡±


    Micah shook his head.


    He nodded with a disappointed frown. ¡°The Black Sleep did its job then. Ironic. Your knowledge of history is lengthy, but your own past escapes you.¡±


    ¡°For good reason, as you must already know. Black Sons have purpose behind their pursuit of the past.¡±


    Kyba hummed, keeping his powerful eyes trained on him. ¡°Tell me. What do you think of Miss Goodsteel? And be honest. Trying to hide things from me rarely does a fellow any good.¡±


    ¡°We met in Arcadia,¡± Micah said. ¡°Governor Riser arrested Charlotte on suspicions of being a spy the moment she crossed into Carnel, fabricating the lie in order to hold her prisoner. He told me the king ordered her capture, which is the truth; however, Riser also told me she was to be executed. It was contrary to the king¡¯s order, which he told me in person one month before her imprisonment. When I relayed this to the governor, he dismissed it, telling me I must have misunderstood. Of course, I did not question it. When she arrived in Arcadia, he ordered me to guard her cell, knowing I didn¡¯t sleep.


    ¡°That first night, I appeared to relieve the previous guard. The cell was fortified to hold a monster, a cage of iron and steel with bolted doors and a magic seal. She was chained by her arms to the wall with a blind over her eyes. I still remember thinking it seemed excessive to hold such a small woman. What most interested me, however, was her condition. I had expected a scared, broken young girl. Yet, despite not being able to see or move her arms, she began talking to me. Casual and friendly, she chattered on harmless subjects and asked a hundred questions of me, even though I wouldn¡¯t respond. It was as if she were trying to make a friend, prodding me to pleasant conversation. I had no intention of replying, but then, hours later, she said something I never expected, and my curiosity was finally aroused.¡±


    ¡°What did she say?¡± Kyba asked, still rubbing his chin.


    ¡°She said, ¡®Where is your father?¡¯ It struck me, because the way she asked it wasn¡¯t condescending, as if she were reprimanding me. In fact it was so full of sorrow, I came to believe she was actually asking the question to herself. For some reason which betrayed my own instincts, I replied to her question. ¡®I don¡¯t have a father,¡¯ I said.


    ¡°Our exchange began and continued well into the night. She was friendly, polite, and charming despite her situation, and I was drawn to her. The things she said were mystifying and attractive. And in no way did she appear to be trying to get me to let her go, which I had expected. But as it turns out, she knew exactly what she was doing. Eventually, during a break in our conversation, she asked for some relief, requesting that I gently rub her eyes because the cloth was making them itchy.¡±


    Micah rested an elbow on the arm of the chair, propping his head against a fist. ¡°It was a clever ruse, because I never would have lifted the cover had she asked me to, but general logic dictated I remove it so her eyes would no longer itch. So I reached in and did so. Once she could see, she immediately used Heartbreaker on me, breaking the seal around my heart. I fell unconscious, prodded awake hours later by guards sent to take over. She had escaped.¡± He smiled. ¡°I still don¡¯t know how she got out of her cell, now that I think about it. I¡¯ll have to ask her tomorrow.


    ¡°Anyway, as you already know, we happened to run across each other while we were both trying to escape the castle. Surrounded with nowhere to run, she pleaded for my help, and I gave it to her. Once we were out of danger, I proposed that we run together until it was finally safe to part ways. I had come to realize Daniel Riser was plotting to keep the Moon Eyes instead of turn Charlotte over to the king. It is my belief Riser is working with a man named Nathanial Vash to somehow strip Charlotte of her power. I haven¡¯t told her this, but I am certain this is why they intended to kill her ¨C if they had a way to steal her eyes, they would no longer need her. So, the only way to ensure our safety was to flee Carnel. But to do that, we needed to find a way to cross the Strait of the Final Word, which brings us here.¡±


    ¡°Well, that is a fascinating story, lad,¡± Kyba said. He brought his hands together, rubbing them slowly. ¡°But I¡¯m afraid you didn¡¯t answer my question.¡±


    Micah blinked. ¡°What was your question again?¡±


    ¡°What do you think of Charlotte?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± He blinked again. ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    ¡°I can see you don¡¯t have much practice with this, but that¡¯s not irregular for a young man your age.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to answer that.¡±


    Kyba pointed to his own head. ¡°You¡¯ve got all the ability in the world up here.¡± He then pointed to his chest. ¡°But tell me what you feel here, because it¡¯s just as important, if not more so.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ well, she¡­¡± Micah tried his hardest, but he found that muttering was his best result. How do I feel? He felt hot. He felt upset. He felt happy. But, those weren¡¯t answers. He didn¡¯t have any answers.


    Kyba chuckled. ¡°Steam¡¯s coming out your ears, boy. Okay, let¡¯s try something different. Do you like Charlotte?¡±


    Finally, an easy question. ¡°Yes,¡± he replied.


    He looked Micah straight in the eyes. ¡°Do you love her?¡±


    Micah squirmed in place, gripping the arms of the chair. The question echoed in his ears, where a pressure built up greater than any suffocating force he had ever experienced. ¡°Um¡­ I don¡¯t¡­ I haven¡¯t really¡­¡±


    Kyba burst into roaring laughter, making Micah stop in astonishment. His laughter continued for several moments, escalating to greater heights which only increased Micah¡¯s discomfort. Tears actually began to spring from the old man¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, lad,¡± he managed, still struggling with bouts of hysteria. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but this is just too funny.¡± His laughter morphed into extended squeals, leaving him so short of breath that his face turned a shade of crimson deep enough to be discernible is the dark room.


    Micah folded his arms, scowling while waiting for him to settle down. He had no idea why this was so funny to him.


    The laughing was finally reduced to dying chuckles. Kyba wiped his eyes with his sleeve. ¡°I must thank you for this. I haven¡¯t laughed like that in eighty years.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad one of us is enjoying this.¡±


    ¡°Now, now, don¡¯t get upset. You should be pleased, because I came down here to test you, and you passed in every way I had hoped.¡±


    ¡°To test me?¡±


    Kyba stood up, making his way to a mangled box on the floor near the window. In the moonlight, Micah saw his face better, and he was surprised by what he saw. Kyba¡¯s eyes were shining with joy, all traces of crankiness and eccentricity gone. He seemed rested and happy, a man content with life.


    He came back holding a small object wrapped in cloth. Sitting down, he leaned forward and Micah did likewise. Kyba unwrapped the item, revealing a round seal of gold. A strange symbol Micah had never seen before was etched into the surface.


    ¡°Do you know what this is?¡± he asked.


    Micah shook his head.


    ¡°This was given to me by an angel of God the day I became the guardian of the Desolate Tower. A symbol of what I had accomplished, what I had given up, and what I would be rewarded when my last hours on earth were finally upon me. The angel told me that one day, the Moon Eye Child would come to give me rest and usher in a new age. And when that day came, I would be able to give this seal to anyone I chose. That person would receive my will, and be granted the first inheritance of the new age.


    ¡°But the angel also told me that I would make a decision I never intended, and it would be a true sign that my end was finally upon me.¡±


    ¡°What decision?¡± Micah asked.


    He shrugged, smiling. ¡°I didn¡¯t know¡­ until now. You see, my intention has always been to give this seal to the Moon Eye Child, whoever it might be. It seemed only natural, since I have been looking for her so long, hoping and waiting. I came to love Charlotte, even when I didn¡¯t know when she would come. And because I loved her, I wanted to give her the world before I left. I stored up the treasures you see here and built this house, which would afford her the comforts and protection I desired for her. There would be nothing she could want.¡±


    ¡°An admirable sentiment,¡± Micah said.


    ¡°But now, a thousand years later, I¡¯ve decided not to give her the seal or any of these other things.¡±


    He frowned in confusion. ¡°Why not?¡±


    Kyba laughed. ¡°I¡¯m not really sure. Isn¡¯t that something? All I know is that I am compelled by a different desire now, which comforts me because I am sure that my final days are upon me, just as the angel told me so long ago.¡±


    He extended his hand, palm open. Micah realized he was offering him the seal. ¡°Me?¡± he said in shock. ¡°But you barely know me!¡±


    ¡°I know enough, lad. I possess some of the most dangerous and valuable objects known to mankind. Enough to make a man king. John Halifax has a family, and Miriam longs to be free of all this. I don¡¯t want to burden them any longer. And Charlotte? She¡¯s a child. A wonderful, dear child I will be thinking of when I draw my last breath. But she can¡¯t be in charge of these things. But you¡­ you are unique in every way. Brilliant and calm as a result of your upbringing, yet free to now explore your own heart and make your own decisions thanks to Charlotte. A perfect balance.¡±


    He reached for Micah¡¯s hand, taking it and turning it up. He placed the seal in his hand. The metal felt heavy, and despite wearing gloves, a surge of warmth churned up his arm the moment it fell into his hand.


    ¡°Son, I want you to have this. You were meant to have it.¡±


    Micah looked at the seal for a moment. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say.¡±


    Kyba leaned back, folding his hands together and sighing. ¡°I won¡¯t make any demands of you. I want to leave this world unburdened and without burdening anyone else. But if you¡¯ll hear an old man¡¯s request, I would be grateful.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like you to look after Charlotte. I can¡¯t make you love her, and I can¡¯t force you to stay with her forever. As I said before, you have to make your own choices now. Even so, Charlotte is fragile. As hard as she might try, it¡¯s not difficult to see how afraid she is. And I believe she is relying on you to keep her safe not only from danger, but from her own loneliness. She needs you, Micah.¡±


    ¡°I understand all these things. And while it was agreed we would eventually part ways, I have no intention of leaving Charlotte right now.¡± He felt heat rise to his face again. ¡°I like her¡­ and I want to be with her.¡±


    Kyba didn¡¯t laugh this time. Instead, he smiled. ¡°Good.¡±


    Just then, Kyba¡¯s right eye burst with purple light, flooding the room with its brilliance. Micah watched in awe as the purple light then changed to black, then gold. Soon, his entire eye was one solid light, like a golden star. It was nothing Micah had ever seen before.


    ¡°Now isn¡¯t that interesting¡­¡± Kyba said. ¡°That mark on your right cheek. Do you know what that is?¡±


    Micah scowled, putting a hand on his face. ¡°I am grateful for all you have done for us, Lord Kyba,¡± he said. ¡°But please do not disrespect me by looking through my mask. I may not be a Black Son any longer, but I still hold its traditions sacred.¡±


    The light retreated from Kyba¡¯s eye, returning to its normal color. He grunted with an amused smile.


    ¡°Cheeky brat.¡±

 Chapter 18: The End of the Age

    Micah and Cal were up before the faint sunlight filtered through bleak clouds the next morning. Micah had garnered little sleep. The conversation with Lord Kyba the previous night churned over and over in his mind, demanding his attention and refusing him rest. Why did Kyba entrust him with so many priceless treasures? Micah, a former servant of one who sought to harm Charlotte? An assassin, a thief, a weapon. A person he barely knew?


    Today, Kyba intended to die. Though he hadn¡¯t given a specific day or hour, Micah had sensed it during their talk. After a thousand years, he was tired. A ragged longing held a place deep within his eyes. A desire to rest and be comforted for too many years of lonely sentry on this rock called the Mountain of the Wolf. Micah understood this; even so, he still had numerous questions, many of which he feared would be left unanswered.


    They quietly made their way downstairs. To their surprise, Charlotte was awake, sitting at the kitchen table next to Lord Kyba. They were talking in low voices, and she appeared to be suppressing tears while he stroked her back in a comforting way.


    Micah and Cal looked at each other before nodding and turning back. They waited inside their room patiently. While Micah was glad Kyba took the initiative to tell her what was going to happen, he hoped Charlotte wouldn¡¯t be too devastated. However, that seemed a pipe dream. Charlotte had taken to Kyba instantly. Being told not only that he must die but that she would be the cause would surely break her heart. As they sat silent in their room, Micah vowed to comfort her the best way he knew how once it was over.


    Several hours later, a soft knock came at the door, and Micah opened it. Charlotte rushed into his arms. She cried softly, hiccupping into his chest. He held her, stroking her hair and letting her cling to him as long as she desired.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t fair,¡± she whispered, clutching closer to him.


    Micah wasn¡¯t sure how to reply. When his attempt to think of a way to do so extended for several moments, Cal rolled his eyes and jumped off the bed.


    ¡°Charlotte, try to see this in a different light,¡± he said. ¡°Lord Kyba has been longing for this day, and he approaches it with elation. Just imagine how lonely he has been all these years.¡±


    Charlotte let go of Micah, wiping her eyes. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡°His family and friends¡­ everyone he has ever known is gone while he stayed behind. It¡¯s finally his turn now. So don¡¯t think of it as a time of mourning, but a time of joy. He¡¯s been waiting for you, and now you¡¯re here to give him his long awaited deliverance.¡±


    She smiled, kneeling down to hug the Murr. ¡°Thank you, Cal.¡±


    He purred mightily before realizing Micah was watching him. Clearing his throat, Cal gently pulled from her grasp. ¡°Well then, I think we should see if Lord Kyba or John need us for anything. I¡¯m not sure what they have in store for us today.¡±


    When they came back down, the house was filled with the smell of pancakes. A bountiful heap had been placed on the table beside a wedge of butter and pitcher of syrup. Kyba unloaded a pan of scrambled eggs into a bowl just as John came downstairs, yawning and adjusting his glasses to the morning light.


    ¡°Eat up, all of you,¡± Kyba said. ¡°We make for the Desolate Tower in an hour and it¡¯s no walk in the park.¡±


    John and Charlotte¡¯s faces fell. ¡°So soon?¡± John asked.


    He put a hand on John¡¯s shoulder, and a serious look came over the old Avalon. ¡°It¡¯s time.¡±


    John could make no argument. Crestfallen, he slumped into a chair beside Charlotte. While Micah and Cal dined zealously, the other two weren¡¯t able to eat much, picking at the food with their forks. Kyba ate mechanically, putting away a sizeable portion but doing so with little pause to talk or enjoy the food.


    Before they realized it, the hour had passed in silence. Kyba cleared away the food, washed the dishes, and wiped off the table while his four guests stood off to the side, watching him work.


    When the kitchen was clean, Kyba nodded in satisfaction and turned to them. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s be on our way.¡±


    And in moments, they found themselves marching outside into the frigid cold. John and Charlotte were stunned speechless, and Micah easily understood why. Despite the gravity of the situation, Kyba wasn¡¯t standing on ceremony. He was treating the occasion as casually as if it were an everyday errand. Even Micah could sense the awkwardness in his behavior.


    Then again, maybe he truly is ready to go home.


    Kyba locked the front doors using the long key from around his neck. When it clicked, he turned to Micah and extended the key to him. Micah took it without a word, stashing the key in an inner pocket. If John or Charlotte found this strange, they didn¡¯t show it. Kyba smirked, pulled his raggedy cloak around his shoulders, and set off with his company in tow. Tied to the Rinx Lord¡¯s belt was a long object covered in black velvet that could only have been a sword. A curious feeling seeped from the object, powerful yet not menacing.


    They trudged up a narrow path, barely discernible in the snow. Besides Kyba, they were bundled in their warmest clothing, but the cold still soaked through, turning John¡¯s face a violent red and causing Charlotte¡¯s nose to run. The trek was made in silence, as the burden of their cause weighed heavy on their hearts, most of all Charlotte¡¯s, who struggled with bouts of weeping as they walked. Kyba didn¡¯t attempt to console her, though his expression relayed the wish to do so.


    After a few miles, they reached a plateau, where a river ran through an open field of snowy blankets. Micah was astonished by the sight. At such an altitude, he expected anything liquid to be frozen solid, yet there it was. In the distance, a rocky crag rose to new heights. The stone formation resembled a wolf¡¯s head, and a torrent of water spilled from its open mouth to crash into the river below, throwing up a glacial mist that saturated the air.


    Kyba turned off the path, walking along the river bank. His companions followed, careful as they waded through heaping mounds of snow. Charlotte struggled, ill equipped to keep pace due to her clothes and shoes. Micah offered his back, which she accepted, hopping on to him and clinging to his neck. Kyba followed the river all the way to the mouth. The falls roared as it crashed against the waters, and the freezing spray threatened to soak them to the bone. He quickly turned, however, following the edge of the rock formation until they came to another wide field.


    They stopped, utterly stunned.


    It was as if they had stepped into a different world. The snow was gone, leaving an endless, flat plain of volcanic rock. Heat rushed to meet their faces, defrosting their skin but too quick and intense to appreciate. And it spread in every direction to no discernible end. Or it seemed that way at first. For when they scanned the horizon and their eyes adjusted to the sudden new environment, they all saw it. In fact, it was impossible not to see it.


    A wall. But not just a wall. It was like a border to the world itself. From west to east, ground to sky, it reached forever. A sheer, endless barricade of otherworldly dimensions.


    ¡°What¡­ is that?¡± Charlotte asked breathlessly.


    ¡°The Desolate Tower,¡± Kyba replied, not stopping. His companions rushed to catch up to him, still craning their necks at the impossible structure before them. ¡°Built by Valhalla at the beginning of the age.¡±


    ¡°Inconceivable,¡± Micah whispered in awe.


    ¡°Where does it end?¡± Cal asked. ¡°And how did we not see this only moments before? How has anyone not seen this before?¡±


    ¡°It appears when I say it does,¡± Kyba grunted. After several minutes¡¯ walking, he stopped and turned. ¡°This should about do it.¡±


    Micah let Charlotte down, and they stood with John and Cal in a line before him, apprehensive. Kyba¡¯s right eye turned purple as he activated his Foresight. ¡°Step forward, Missy,¡± he said.


    Charlotte wrung her hands at a fervid pace as she broke the line and approached. He walked with her until they were out of earshot. Stopping again, he looked up at the tower, slowly scanning its breadth as wall faded into clouds and shadow where no eyes could see, not even theirs. Charlotte thought maybe she saw sadness in his face, but then he smiled. A sincere smile that offended the wrinkles so dependent on frowns.


    He turned to face her and took hold of her shoulders. ¡°So, here we are.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Charlotte said. A feeling of dread came over her.


    ¡°The New Moon is a very dangerous magic, child. A power only bestowed on two individuals in history before you. I knew them both, and they both died because of it. The reason I¡¯m telling you this is to encourage you, because I¡¯m convinced you won¡¯t share the same fate.¡± He touched her nose. ¡°You¡¯re a good girl, and I know you¡¯ll use it wisely. Now, the New Moon is something that would normally take a long time for anyone to find, but I¡¯m going to help you open the Sealed Eye and achieve the first level.¡±


    She nodded fearfully. Stepping behind her, Kyba again took her shoulders. ¡°Easy there, child. Just breathe. This won¡¯t hurt a bit.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m nervous about,¡± she whispered.


    He hesitated, before nodding. ¡°I understand. But can you be brave for me?¡±


    ¡°I can.¡±


    He reached into a pocket of his cloak and produced a short line of Cure Stones tied together with silver cords. Clipping the two ends together, it formed a makeshift diadem, which he gently placed over Charlotte¡¯s head. The circlet of crystals graced her forehead with splendor, and its effect was instant. She calmed down, all jitters departed.


    ¡°Now,¡± Kyba continued, speaking softly into her ear. ¡°Close your eyes. And I want you to clear your mind. Think of something happy. Push your worries and fears away, and let your comforting thoughts relieve you. The simplest ones will do.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± she said.


    ¡°Take your time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°What are you thinking of?¡±


    ¡°Micah.¡±


    ¡°I see he¡¯s become a great source of courage for you.¡±


    She smiled in spite of the situation. ¡°He¡¯s my very best friend.¡±


    ¡°Do you love him?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°You know, I haven¡¯t met a young lady so direct since Aurora. And I say that with all the affection in the world. Now, to the task at hand. I want you to stay still and keep your thoughts on Micah. I will do the rest.¡±


    He reached into his cloak again, this time retrieving two Life Stones and two Black Stones. He situated them between his fingers, one of each in both hands, then gently took hold of her neck. Bowing his head to rest on the back of hers, he began to whisper an incantation unfamiliar to Charlotte. A warm sensation came over her, swirling behind her eyes with strange currents, like lapping water inside her head.


    At certain intervals, Kyba would release one hand from her neck to tap her temple with the crystals, then do the same on the other side. They would send new swirls of movement into her head, new prickles of pleasant heat. In went on like this for several minutes. Charlotte tried to keep her thoughts focused, but she was too interested in what he was doing.


    And she definitely noticed the growing pressure. With each tap of the crystals against her head, the currents intensified, filling her up. It didn¡¯t hurt, but she began to feel uncomfortable. Her foot tapped the ground incessantly, and she clutched to the furls of her dress, squeezing tight. She wanted to open her eyes so badly, but she didn¡¯t want to disappoint Kyba, and she most certainly didn¡¯t want to start all over.


    Just when she thought the pressure might become unbearable, it suddenly relented. Kyba stopped chanting, and he exhaled long and slow. Charlotte couldn¡¯t help but compare the sensation to water emptying down a drain, because that¡¯s exactly how it felt. The waters were soon all gone. And then, in the deepest corner of her mind, she found it. A tiny, living power she had never felt before. It began to grow, dwelling in the recess of abandoned dreams and long-forgotten fears. Building with strength, it seeped deep into her eyes, a black fire of her imagination.


    ¡°Charlotte,¡± Kyba said slowly, taking his forehead off of her head.


    ¡°Yes?¡± she whispered back.


    ¡°When I tell you, I want you to open your eyes. When you do, don¡¯t turn around or do anything except look straight ahead. I want you to focus only on the tower.¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°When do I stop?¡±


    ¡°You will know.¡± He let go of her neck and stepped back. ¡°You¡¯ve been very brave, child. Now¡­ open your eyes.¡±


    The world she had known was gone. The moment she opened them, a thunderous clap preceded a terrible rumble from somewhere deep beneath the black rock. The wall groaned, labored enough for Charlotte to actually feel it. Streaks of light came rushing into her eyes, causing her to flinch, but she stopped herself from turning her gaze away. Still, the deafening din of the earthquake frightened her. The light filtering into her eyes began to increase in speed and brightness, bending to every flicker of her sight as if she were absorbing it.


    Then, it all came crashing down.


    The wall crumbled, crushed by some unknown force. In one riotous strike, the unearthly wall quivered and cracked and fell from sky to world in a torrent of rock. It was so loud, so incredibly painful to the ears, Charlotte was sure she would lose her hearing. The rocks tumbled, piling higher and rushing closer in a rolling wave. She backed away, gasping when the avalanche of black rocks drew close enough to kick dust into her face.


    Micah, John and Cal sprinted toward her, but Kyba held up his hand to the oncoming flood, pointing an Element Stone. His right eye glowed with dazzling intensity, a yellow star consuming his face in light.


    ¡°End,¡± he said.


    And it did. The rocks obeyed his command, sliding to a stop at Charlotte¡¯s feet. Not even an echo accompanied the utter drain of momentum sucked from the life of the landslide. The dust cloud washed away into nether. And the new quiet was as deafening as the crash before it, if not more so. Where a wall had once been, perhaps miles away, a hilled valley of jagged rubble took its place, just as desolate but hardly intimidating.


    It was as Kyba told them ¨C Charlotte¡¯s eyes stripped the magic imbued in the tower, leaving it a pathetic heap before her gaze. She slowly turned, lifting her head after a moment¡¯s hesitation. For a single moment, her right iris was pitch black, rimmed by a halo of purple fire. The next moment it was gone, and the blue eye of her birth returned. But it was all Micah needed to see for it to overwhelm him. In the brief moment their eyes met, all energy abandoned his body, sucked dry by a force he could only feel and hoped never to experience again.


    Kyba slowly lowered his arm. Sweat poured from his face, and he clutched his side, severely hunched over. His breathing had become so ragged, his chest heaved with the effort. Still, he found the strength to look at Charlotte and smile.


    ¡°The Age of Angels¡­ is over.¡±


    He collapsed.


    ¡°Lord Kyba!¡± John shouted in panic.


    They rushed to his side, Charlotte and Micah reaching him first.


    ¡°Just like that?¡± Charlotte cried, burying her face in his chest and bursting with tears. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me? I have so much I still wanted to talk to you about!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± he whispered.


    Despite his golden Foresight still burning bright, weariness seeped into every part of his body. Micah propped his head, checking his pulse. It barely registered. John stood nearby, reduced to tears, and Cal sat beside him.


    Charlotte slowly sat up, stroking the old man¡¯s pale face. ¡°Is there nothing that can be done?¡± she asked.


    ¡°The New Moon strips the light of magic away, no matter the source,¡± Micah said. ¡°It envelops magic at the foundation and seals it into oblivion. Lord Kyba wasn¡¯t just the guardian of the Desolate Tower ¨C his immortality was bound to it.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Kyba whispered. ¡°I knew you would realize. But I have some time left. Charlotte¡­ dear Charlotte. Do not fear. This was my destiny. The fate I have waited for and embraced for many long years. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.¡±


    Charlotte brought his hand to her face, blanketing his palm in her tears. ¡°Oh, Kyba. What will become of me? Will death follow everywhere I go?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ one day, you will find your happiness. And in return for the love and kindness you have shown me, I offer you one last gift¡­¡±


    He gently took back his hand, placing a finger under his right eye. His golden gaze flashed, and then something extraordinary happened. The light of the sealed power came away from his eye, lifting from the surface. As a wax seal is peeled away from a letter, so it was taken up from his eye, rising to float over his face like a small sun.


    ¡°Foresight Level Three,¡± he said. ¡°It can¡¯t be earned, only given. It was presented to me long ago, and now I offer it to you.¡±


    But Charlotte shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t accept it. I¡¯ve had enough of all this power. I¡¯m tired of it. Please forgive me.¡±


    He smiled weakly. ¡°I¡¯m glad. Instead, I shall give you this.¡± He placed his finger on the floating circle, pressing it down onto her forearm. The light faded into her skin and reappeared as a faint circular mark, barely visible. ¡°You granted my greatest wish. This gift will protect yours. All you need do is ask.¡±


    Before she could say anything, Kyba diverted his gaze to Micah. ¡°Son, all I possess is yours. I know you will be responsible. Do with it as you see fit. But be sure to keep this young lady safe. And son¡­¡± He looked Micah in the eye. ¡°I know about the Olenheim Seals. I know what you¡¯ve done to your body. Listen to me now. Don¡¯t use them. Ever. Your life is worth so much more than that.¡±


    Micah¡¯s jaw dropped.


    ¡°John¡­¡± Kyba whispered.


    John quickly came forward, wiping his eyes. ¡°Yes, my Lord?¡±


    ¡°Go home. You served me well. Give my love to Miriam and the children.¡±


    His apprentice burst into new tears.


    Kyba smiled again. ¡°It is done.¡±


    He raised his hand, taking Charlotte¡¯s and pulling it toward Micah, who responded by lifting his own hand. Kyba placed them together, making sure their fingers interlocked before letting go. His breathing hitched, and all color abandoned his face. Even so, he seemed serene.


    ¡°I used to think being alone was the only sure thing in this world,¡± he whispered. ¡°But two young people showed me differently¡­ long ago. Mobius and Aurora¡­ they showed me you can¡¯t do things alone. Don¡¯t ever forget that.¡± A faint chuckle escaped his lips. ¡°Those stupid kids. Look at me, giving advice¡­ ah, I can¡¯t wait to see them again.¡±


    His eyes closed, arms went limp. And they knew without a doubt he was gone.


    Shuddering with sobs, Charlotte collapsed over his body.


    Micah stood, resting his arm on the handle of his sword and bowing his head. The magnitude of the situation washed over him. A man had waited a thousand years for this day, and they were the select few to witness its coming. The death of a legend as foundational to Carnel¡¯s ancient lore as Ursa herself.


    As Charlotte wept over Kyba, something new brushed across those ancient planes, a deep magic that touched Micah¡¯s every sense. There was a cracking sound that snapped them all to attention, followed by another. The ground rumbled beneath Kyba¡¯s body, slowly lifting him up.


    Charlotte gasped, pulling him closer to her. ¡°What¡¯s happening, Micah?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t panic,¡± he said. ¡°I think I know what this is. Back away from Lord Kyba.¡±


    Charlotte hesitated, unwilling to let go.


    Micah extended his hand to her. ¡°Trust me, Charlotte. Let him go.¡±


    With new tears in her eyes, she gently placed Kyba¡¯s head on the ground. Getting up, she rushed into Micah¡¯s arms as the rattling increased in power and resonance. John and Cal joined them to watch in wonder as a deep split forced apart the rock to open a gaping hole beside Kyba¡¯s body. The crack extended and deepened, circling all the way around until he was entrenched.


    The trembling stopped. Then, out of the pits, sheer slabs of ivory like the petals of a flower rose up to encase Kyba in a cocoon. More sheets of sparkling ivory covered those, followed by others until a tower of the intense white rock swirled over itself in a fifty foot tower. At its tipped apex, an ivory eagle perched, wings extended. Then, a sword appeared just beneath the bird ¨C a magnificent blade lodged in the stone that Micah knew must be the same weapon Kyba brought with him. For several moments, they stared at the sudden appearance of the monument in stunned silence.


    ¡°What is this, lad?¡± John asked, tentatively touching the smooth surface. ¡°You said you knew?¡±


    ¡°The ancient Avalon once formed spirit contracts with the earth,¡± Micah said, gazing at the monument in wonder. ¡°Each and every one of them was born into the contract. During their lifetimes, they would use magic drawn from the hidden wells of nature, much more powerful than any magic we know of today. Then, when they died, the earth would claim their bodies for burial. Their resting spirit would breathe life and energy into the earth before releasing into the next world. Lord Kyba was one of those pure Avalon.¡±


    ¡°Incredible,¡± John replied. ¡°And each one would be gifted with a grave like this?¡±


    ¡°No. It was said only those with the mightiest spirits received such a tribute.¡±


    The glorious shrine seemed to glow, shining as if bathed in sunlight on the clearest of summer days. It soon became apparent to each of them that something was wrong. Looking up, they saw a singular shaft of light streaming through the gray clouds to blanket the monument. It was warmer and more golden than any light Micah had ever experienced. And it grew brighter still. With each passing moment, the light intensified, turning from pleasant to uncomfortable.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t natural,¡± Cal said, backing away trepidly.


    ¡°Cal¡¯s right,¡± Micah said, following the Murr in backtracking. ¡°Something is happening. John, Charlotte¡­ get out of the light.¡±


    Halt!


    The voice boomed with such force, it froze each of them in place. Yet the sound of it was somehow soft at the same time, almost pleasing to the ear. The light was now so intense, they had to shield their eyes. Even so, they couldn¡¯t help but venture a look. In the midst of the radiance, four figures floated above them, forming a ring around Kyba¡¯s grave.


    The heat gradually dissipated, and the light relented enough for them to better see. Four winged creatures hovered in the sky. Micah¡¯s first thought turned to the Seraphs, but closer examination proved them much grander in appearance and grace. They weren¡¯t flying. Rather they floated, as if gravity had no hold whatsoever. Each possessed different-colored wings. White, black and yellow sets spread out in grand form, the feathers seemingly formed from energy itself. The fourth set burned with red fire, far more majestic than the other three. The four personages wore tunics that shamed silver¡¯s finest luster, and a sword championed each of their belts.


    ¡°They¡¯re angels!¡± Charlotte said.


    Micah took a step back, perturbed by the truth behind her statement. The moment he did, the angel with red wings looked directly at him. Unlike the other three, she was female. Golden hair cascaded down her back, and the weapon at her side resembled a rapier rather than a traditional blade. Two small marks like black diamonds decorated her cheeks. She slowly descended until her bare feet nearly touched the ground, and she placed her arms at her sides.


    While Micah, John and Cal stayed motionless, Charlotte approached with wide, hopeful eyes. Micah was surprised by her fearless action, and he readied himself to run after her if the creatures proved hostile.


    ¡°Peace, Micah Champlain,¡± the angel said. Her voice was but a whisper, yet mightier than the heaviest gong. ¡°For we are but messengers, and we come to you now at the end of the age.¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Charlotte asked, clasping her hands at her chest.


    ¡°My name was Arabella. Now I am Hallowed End, for I am the last.¡±


    ¡°The last what?¡± Micah asked, joining Charlotte.


    ¡°The last angel to appear before men. The Age of Angels is over, and a new age must now begin. It is God¡¯s will.¡± She looked back and forth between the two of them. ¡°Which of you possesses the Seal of Arcole?¡±


    ¡°The Seal of what?¡± Charlotte asked.


    Micah reached into a pocket and produced the golden seal Kyba had given him the night before. The angel smiled, her perfect mouth widening with sincere joy.


    ¡°Blessed are you, Micah. For you have received the will of Lord Kyba of Canis, one who served God. He was great among men, and so shall you be also. As was promised, you will receive the first inheritance of the new age.¡±


    Charlotte looked at him happily, but he frowned.


    Despite his silence, Arabella seemed to sense the inexplicable frustration in his heart. ¡°Be at peace, Micah. Your life is not without purpose.¡±


    ¡°Forgive me,¡± he replied. ¡°But I heavily doubt your words. Not because I distrust you, but because I distrust myself.¡±


    ¡°It is because you cannot see the path laid out for you. A shadow clouds your mind and heart, but not without cause. Tell me, how many souls have you put to death since you awoke from the Black Sleep?¡±


    The sudden and direct question caused Charlotte to gasp. But the angel gazed at him with such calm ease, Micah found he wasn¡¯t uncomfortable, and he answered honestly.


    ¡°One thousand eight hundred and twenty seven.¡±


    And how many of those were killed by your hands after the seal on your heart was broken?¡±


    ¡°Three.¡±


    ¡°Very well. As reprisal for the lives you have taken, you are tasked with helping one thousand eight hundred and twenty four people. And before you die, you must save three lives. When you have completed this great task, only then will the shadow dissipate and destiny be revealed to your heart. But take courage, for you have been chosen as one of the Nine, and Heaven bestows its favor on you.¡±


    ¡°The Nine?¡± Charlotte repeated. ¡°What is that?¡±


    Arabella reached out and touched Micah¡¯s right hand. A fierce burning enveloped his whole arm, and he jerked it away.


    ¡°Micah, are you okay?¡± Charlotte asked in alarm. She turned to Arabella. ¡°What did you do to him?¡±


    The searing flame concentrated into the back of his hand, and he ripped his glove off. Still smoldering, a charred number ¡°9¡± had been burned into the skin. The angel held out her hand again. Instinct told Micah to keep it away, but something about her ever-calm demeanor betrayed the impulse. He gave his hand back, and she took it, stroking her soft fingers over the wound. The throbbing alleviated immediately, and the burned skin faded away into a deep, painless scar.


    ¡°You are Nine, Black Glorious. From this day forward, you bear the power of Nine, and you and your descendants are charged with protecting Carnel in this new age.¡± She looked aside. ¡°John Halifax, step forward.¡±


    Trembling, John shuffled up beside Micah while Cal remained behind. ¡°Yes¡­ ma¡¯am?¡± he managed.


    Arabella raised an arm above her head, and the angel with black wings flew down to Kyba¡¯s monument and grasped the handle of the sword still embedded in the ivory. Wrenching it free, he floated down and offered it to her. Arabella took it, laying it across the flat of her hands. The sword was truly magnificent. Slender etchings carved into the blade formed black clouds, and the handle was carved from a deep emerald stone. Micah noticed with interest that the angels¡¯ wings churned with surging new energy when they touched the weapon. And they handled it with care and dignity, as if they still respected the power within even though its wielder was dead.


    Arabella offered the sword up to Kyba¡¯s apprentice. ¡°Take hold of the legendary sword called Thresh.¡±


    John tentatively reached out both hands, lifting the sword up out of hers.


    Arabella¡¯s wings returned to their former crimson radiance. ¡°You will take Lord Kyba¡¯s sword to your king and proclaim this message: ¡®God dwells in Carnel and seeks to bless its people. The descendants of Tanaerum must continue to protect Carnel and guard the Avernus Gate, as those after him have done until this very day according to the ancient promise. The Age of Angels is over. The Age of the Nine begins.¡¯ When your king sees the sword, he will know the truth of your words.¡±


    John bowed low. ¡°It will be done.¡±


    She looked back at Micah and Charlotte, and a sweet laugh escaped her lips. ¡°Still so much fear in your hearts. Why do you worry so? Today is a day of great joy.¡±


    ¡°Forgive us, Arabella,¡± Charlotte said, taking Micah¡¯s hand. ¡°But we have had little to celebrate for so long. And the road we are to travel is still frightening. I finally found some measure of peace with Kyba, but he was taken from us in the blink of an eye.¡±


    ¡°Lord Kyba did not leave you without aid. In his house, you will find everything you need to cross the Strait of the Final Word, including detailed instructions. But more important, you have each other. Find rest in your bond and leave the rest on the shoulders of faith.¡±


    She began to ascend, along with her heavenly compatriots. Charlotte squeezed Micah¡¯s hand and drew closer to him, and they watched until the angels disappeared behind the dark clouds. The light relinquished, but still they watched. Micah wondered if he had been dreaming and just woken up, for the events that transpired seemed too unreal. But seeing Charlotte¡¯s face and the ivory gravestone, he knew it all had really happened. He raised his hand. The number 9 stretched across it, pulsing with an indescribable fire.


    He looked back up into the sky. For the first time in his life, Micah felt the touch of destiny, and it pressed him deep, even to the recesses of his very soul.


    *                         *                          *


    Osiris opened his eyes.


    From his rocky perch, the barren valleys of East Carnel stretched before him. Sand dunes and rock piles a thousand fold, scattered farther than even his eyes could see. A single river ventured a perilous path through the desert, and a whisper of a wind carried past the boulder on which he sat, steeped in bitter confirmation of what he just felt. In his meditation, he had captured it. A sensation¡­ a feeling he once presumed would never find him.


    ¡°So¡­¡± he said. ¡°You finally taste death after all these years.¡±


    He closed his eyes and resumed his meditation.


    ¡°What did you say?¡± Vash asked.


    Osiris turned his head. ¡°Nothing of consequence.¡±


    He frowned. ¡°Let¡¯s head out. I want to reach the strait tonight. I still have not received word from Marshall Kalem, which means he¡¯s probably dead. We cannot let the Moon Eye Child escape Carnel.¡± He turned and started down the rocky path leading to the Hawkeye River¡¯s bank.


    After a moment, Osiris stood, making to follow. But then he stopped and looked south. Vivid memories flashed before his eyes. Days of training and learning from the mightiest warrior to ever live. From the wizard called Kyba of Canis.


    He smirked.


    Those days were long gone.

 Chapter 19: Micahs Helper

    For a length of time she couldn¡¯t measure, Charlotte watched the snow steadily trickle outside her bedroom window, a whitewash canvas restored over and again. Hours passed, but she remained sitting in her bed, unable to find the strength for a different activity. The spacious room was cold and silent, full of meaningless extravagance when before, the lavish comforts made her feel at home. A well-used handkerchief remained close by in case she needed it, and she did many times.


    A tray of untouched breakfast lay on the table beside her bed, oatmeal gone cold and slices of orange pruning at the edges. Micah brought it to her late that morning, but she just couldn¡¯t stomach any food. He left her alone the rest of the day, for which she was grateful. He must have guessed her desire to be left in peace for a little while.


    Even so, she felt incredibly lonely. She had only known Kyba for a day, yet she missed him so much. He understood her. With the same gift in his own eyes, they connected on some level she couldn¡¯t with others. Their conversation the previous morning had been one of the most meaningful of her life.


    During the night, her failed attempt at sleep had been barraged by a hundred things she wished she could have told him and a thousand questions she wished she¡¯d been able to ask. If only she had thought of them before he¡­


    She reached for her handkerchief and wiped away the new bout of tears. If only.


    A muffled knock came at the door. With a sore throat and miserable heart, she couldn¡¯t muster an answer. Moments later, the door opened anyway. She had expected Micah or John, but to her surprise, Cal entered. He looked at her for a moment, long tail unwinding itself from the doorknob to flick above his head. Without a word, he padded over to the bed and jumped up, situating himself beside her with all the brash entitlement of a pampered tabby cat.


    In spite of her melancholy, she giggled behind her breath, softly petting the long body of the Murr. She marveled at his sleek, blue coat and folded wings, noting once again how odd the contrast seemed. In every way Cal was a feline, from his gravelly purr when content, to his manner of completely ignoring anyone he didn¡¯t regard with particular importance. Even his ten-foot tail curled and coiled like a cat¡¯s. Yet, he possessed several human qualities she found fascinating. Keen intelligence, fierce loyalty to Micah, and heated pride rivaled by a tender heart one could only discover about him through the means of persistent patience.


    That tenderness shined now, as Charlotte realized he was attempting to comfort her and succeeding in every way possible.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said.


    He purred a bit deeper in reply.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for being out of sorts,¡± she said, dabbing her eyes again. ¡°I want to be brave like Micah, but this was really hard. You¡¯ve all tried to reassure me, which I appreciate, but the indisputable fact is that I caused Kyba¡¯s death. Me and me alone. It¡¯s turned me into a wreck.¡±


    Cal regarded her for a moment with a distinctive look, making odd little noises. It took her a moment to grasp what he wanted, but then she realized she couldn¡¯t understand him. She activated the Waxing Crescent, and a sliver of purple light appeared within her right iris.


    ¡°There we are,¡± he said. He wiggled his body, tucking himself into a little nook within the folds of the blanket. ¡°Charlotte, in most ways you are different from Micah, but do you know that in some important ways, you are very similar?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I have never told anyone this, but I feel it might help you at the present moment. Micah killed my mother and father.¡±


    Charlotte gasped. ¡°What are you saying? That can¡¯t be true!¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t it? Hasn¡¯t he already declared to have killed many, many people, and even entire clans?¡±


    She blinked rapidly, clutching to the covers. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Cal looked ahead, avoiding her tearful gaze. His demeanor was quiet, yet his still-flicking tail told her he wasn¡¯t particularly sad. ¡°When I was a wee kit, my father led the Arzanon, a clan of renegade Murr who regarded themselves as free souls and sought freedom from humans, who use Murr like they do horses. As pets¡­ workers¡­ slaves. We dwelled in the Edge, an ancient forest north of the western grasslands, and it was there we defended ourselves from traders and trappers, making our home.


    ¡°Two years ago, Micah was sent to eliminate us in our own forests, and he succeeded. He always succeeded. He was the most skilled, the most ruthless, the best at what he did, which is why Governor Riser always sent him. He came to be called the Demon of Arcadia, and it was easy to understand why. My father and mother were fierce warriors, but Micah killed them with no regard for their ability or reputation. He killed all the Murr of the Arzanon, coming last to me. I didn¡¯t know what was happening. I just knew I hated him, but I couldn¡¯t do anything but accept my fate.¡±


    Tears flooded Charlotte¡¯s face, dripping heavily into her lap. ¡°So¡­ what happened?¡± she managed.


    ¡°Backed into a corner of our treetop nest, he approached, sword still stained with my father¡¯s blood. He looked down on me with soulless eyes and offered me a choice I¡¯ll never forget. He said, ¡®I need a helper. Be mine or die.¡¯¡±


    ¡°How?¡± she whispered. ¡°How could he ever say something so¡­ evil? So¡­ cruel?¡±


    ¡°Because he was a slave.¡± Cal looked up at her, unshaken. ¡°I don¡¯t know how I came to realize it when I was so young, but I did. Micah didn¡¯t kill my parents and my clan because he wanted to. He did it because he was told to. He possessed no heart. It was as clear as day. So when he gave me a chance to live, I took it and followed him, away from my home where the bodies of my loved ones still lay strewn in dishonor.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t it destroy you, though?¡±


    ¡°At first, it was misery. But in time, I came to see I had been right all along. Micah wasn¡¯t always callous, and there would be times when he would do something contrary to his nature. He would bring me extra food, or be careful of not stepping on my tail, or absent-mindedly scratch my head. He would apologize when something he said made me angry. And when he came to trust me, he began to talk to me like a friend¡­ an equal. Despite his superiority, he never acted as such. All immensely odd actions that told me something. Something you later proved to be true ¨C that he was being controlled, but only to an extent. When I realized this, I no longer hated him. I felt sorry for him.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Cal¡¯s ears lowered, as if he were ashamed. ¡°Despite my initial misgivings, I¡¯m glad we met you, Charlotte Goodsteel. You truly freed us from a terrible burden.¡±


    Charlotte wiped her eyes. ¡°I guess I understand, and I thank you. But why do you compare him to me?¡±


    ¡°Because death followed him, just like it seems to follow you. You are right to be worried, because the power of your eyes will be coveted by many, perhaps for the rest of your life. But that doesn¡¯t make it your fault when people die, just like it wasn¡¯t Micah¡¯s fault that he killed so many. You recognized that about him right away, so why can¡¯t you see that about yourself?¡±


    She blinked several times. ¡°You¡¯re saying¡­ I should just forget about the past like it didn¡¯t happen?¡±


    Cal shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m saying look to the future. Escape the shadow of your bad fortune and embrace the light of your potential. Your eyes may be a curse, but they are a blessing ten times over. What else could better convince you than to realize what you have done for Micah and myself?¡±


    Her eyes became wide with a curious shimmer, as if revelation dumped a warm heap of soothing water over her head. She swallowed a lump, and a rosy pink color returned to her cheeks. She began to cry again, but this time a sincere smile of joy accompanied it. Seeing it, Cal purred.


    I think she gets it.


    Charlotte fell over him, snuggling against him while laughing and crying at the same time. ¡°Thank you, Cal. You wonderful blue Murr. I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re my friend. I love you!¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ well. Oof, Charlotte dear, you¡¯re crushing me.¡±


    She squeaked and quickly sat up. ¡°Sorry.¡±


    He fluttered his wings and adjusted himself. ¡°It¡¯s quite alright.¡±


    ¡°You know, I want to do something for Micah,¡± she said resolutely, sniffing. ¡°You¡¯re right, Cal. He and I are the same in a lot of ways. My whole life, I¡¯ve been the ¡®Moon Eye Child.¡¯ No matter where I went, it was like my life was decided for me, and I had no say in the matter. But being with you two, it¡¯s like my life is finally mine to live. And I want Micah to have that same feeling. But the angel Arabella said he would never know it until he helped all those people.¡±


    ¡°What do you plan to do?¡± Cal asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± She looked at her right arm, fingering the faint yellow circle left there ¨C Kyba¡¯s mysterious gift to her before he passed away. It seemed no more than a birthmark, but it was definitely special.


    She smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t know yet, but I¡¯ll figure something out.¡±


    *                         *                          *


    Micah rubbed his eyes. After nearly twenty solid hours of reading, the words on the pages were beginning to run together. Despite the fatigue, he couldn¡¯t stop. So much valuable knowledge filled the volumes possessed by Lord Kyba. Books aplenty were heaped on a small table he had set up in the fortified room deep beneath the house.


    My house.


    He looked around the small space, still mystified by his sudden inheritance. Why had Kyba entrusted him with so much? Hadn¡¯t he had a thousand years to formulate a better plan than to give it all away to someone he met the day before he died? Micah wanted to believe Kyba knew he would do what the old Avalon desired, but what was the right thing to do? Should the treasure be kept hoarded away in secrecy, as the Rinx Lord had done all these years? Or did he want Micah to decide for himself? How could he possibly know?


    Micah gazed at his hand for the hundredth time, using his finger to trace the deep scar embedded into his skin. The angel¡¯s words echoed in his ears, as vivid as when he heard them the day before.


    As reprisal for the lives you have taken, you are tasked with helping one thousand eight hundred and twenty four people. And before you die, you must save three lives. When you have completed this great task, only then will the shadow dissipate and destiny be revealed to your heart. But take courage, for you have been chosen as one of the Nine, and Heaven bestows its favor on you.


    ¡°The Nine,¡± he said out loud.


    He breathed deep, leaning his head back. What did it all mean? Arabella told him destiny would be revealed only when he completed the task, and he wanted to know his purpose so badly, but how could he possibly help so many people?


    Of course, there was a way.


    He looked once again at the ancient book sitting on the shelf, just waiting to be studied. He had avoided it, ignored it¡­ yet it called to him, yearning to be read.


    Crystal Conversion.


    Micah tentatively reached for the title written by Lord Gransaiga himself, but then pulled away. Dare he read it? It was perhaps the most valuable treasure one could conceive to locate. The method to convert one magic crystal into another and bring back the Cure Stones long ago snuffed from existence. He had once thought Crystal Conversion was a fairy tale, just as impossible as alchemy; yet a bucket of priceless Cure Stones rested beside the book, testament to Kyba¡¯s claim.


    How many people would he be able to help if he could bring Cure Stones back to Carnel? The sick, the injured, the maimed ¨C all would receive treatment a hundred times better with the remedial magic of the crystals and the medical knowledge stored within the very room in which Micah now studied.


    Through the night, Micah pored over book after book instructing on how to use Cure Stones to reattach severed limbs, heal infected wounds, and purge viruses and poisons from the body. And he read stories of Lord Mobius, the greatest healer ever known, who was said to be able to bring people back from the brink of death using Cure Stones, restoring them to instant health. It seemed too amazing to be true, a collection of dreams and wishes, yet Micah knew of the history of Cure Stones and what they had enabled people to accomplish before the curse of Miracle. But to prove he truly possessed the actual crystals, a test needed to be conducted.


    He took up a Cure Stone. The sky blue crystal sparkled even in the dim light. Between two fingers, he held a fortune beyond normal comprehension, yet he had a pile at his disposal. Taking a knife with his other hand, he sliced a tiny cut across his thumb. Blood dribbled from the wound. Placing the knife aside, he opened one of the books nearby, an ancient school primer on using Cure Stones. If Micah hadn¡¯t been so tense, he would have been amused by the fact he was reading a child¡¯s textbook to learn. Following the instructions on how to draw on the crystal¡¯s power, he placed the crystal over the wound and focused.


    Before he could blink, the wound healed.


    Micah¡¯s jaw dropped. He rubbed a finger over his thumb. The pain was gone, and not even a scar remained. He looked at the dormant gem in amazement. He truly possessed a Cure Stone, and not just one, but many! To excite further, the crystal in his hand had once been a different crystal altogether. Perhaps something as common as an Element Stone, converted by a process of which he was now the sole keeper.


    He looked back at the shelf and boldly took the forbidden book, blowing a thick coat of dust from the cover. Crystal Conversion and its Various Properties shined in gold script. After seeing a Cure Stone¡¯s power for the first time in his life, it was a surprisingly easy decision to make now. Carnel needed this. He might never know why Lord Kyba kept Crystal Conversion from his people, but he told Micah to do what he wished, and now he was making that choice. Perhaps it might one day be used for evil should it fall into the wrong hands, but any magic could be used for evil, couldn¡¯t it? And after witnessing the power of Charlotte¡¯s eyes, he knew there was magic far more devastating in this world to protect. Nathanial Vash possessed knowledge of the New Moon, and he wanted it for himself. Of that much, Micah was now certain. And that thought alone drove him to shake loose his concerns and look to the future.


    He opened the book to the first page and began to read.

 Chapter 20: Escape

    Traces of freezing spray brushed across the faces of Micah, Charlotte, Cal, and John Halifax as they crept closer to the coast of the Strait of the Final Word. Traversing nearly half the country in a weeks-long chase finally brought them back to the destination they sought all along. A half moon hung high over their heads on an unfortunately clear night.


    Single file, they slunk abreast of the sandy path, hiding when patrols came close and resuming their crouching approach once they passed. The sounds of ocean waves crashing against rocks met their ears. Micah led the way, silent in his trek through long beach grasses and along dry river trenches. The sand became finer as they went, muffling their steps, but the guards increased. Consulting a map, he led them away from the heavy patrol of the watchmen and into a narrow basin that ran a winding course toward the strait.


    In little time, they reached the mouth. Mounds of limestone rocks twenty feet high protected them from view of a black abyss that was the mighty strait. The rock piles provided only a narrow conduit for streams of calm water to flow in and out, forming a shallow tide pool. Micah consulted the detailed instructions left to him by Kyba. He flicked his hands at the others, giving wordless orders to fan out. John, Charlotte and Cal began exploring the small cove, in search of something they could not see.


    Charlotte bent over, feeling her hands out as if searching for a lamp in the pitch dark. After a few moments of careful advancing, she reached the edge of the pool, and her knee bumped something hard. The sudden jolt caused her to cry out in pain. Micah was upon her instantly, covering her mouth and stifling the cry. Cal and John looked at her in horror as they all listened for the inevitable shouts of alarm from the coastline guard. But there was silence, and they exhaled in relief.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she whispered, wiping tears away after Micah let her go. ¡°Ow, ow, ow, my knee!¡± She bent down to rub it, drawing in a sharp breath through gritted teeth. ¡°Ooh, that hurt something terrible. At least I found the boat, though.¡±


    Micah kneeled in the sand, placing his hand out. It fell on something solid and invisible. He retrieved a Life Stone from his jacket and whispered a short chant. The boat¡¯s magical cloak dissolved, revealing itself beneath his touch. Half-wading in the pool, half sunk into sand, the twenty foot wooden skiff was just as Kyba described it, complete with two oars and solidly built. His instructions said the boat had been put there on his order in case a situation identical to theirs ever arose. Now it was their means of escape.


    ¡°A rowboat?¡± Cal whispered skeptically. ¡°I was expecting something¡­ bigger.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s perfect,¡± Micah replied, consulting his papers before rolling them up and stashing them away. ¡°The less to spot, the better. We want a stealthy escape, not a high speed pursuit.¡±


    He made his way to the limestone piles and began climbing the rocks. The others followed, careful to make as little noise as possible. Peeking their heads over the uppermost boulders, the coast of the strait stretched north in a direct course before them, illuminated by more-than-sufficient crystal light gourds.


    ¡°It¡¯s like a warzone or something,¡± Charlotte whispered.


    Micah nodded. She wasn¡¯t wrong. Guards armed with staves, swords and other weapons littered the beach, on patrol or guarding stone block outposts. The outposts surrounded a central complex with one entrance, secured by towering buttresses and war fences.


    ¡°Listen closely,¡± he whispered, getting the attention of the others. ¡°The Strait of the Final Word is the most fortified place on earth. Every foot of Carnel coastline north to south is just as heavily guarded as what you are now seeing. And the ports are even more so. Each mile is secured by three hundred men, one hundred per eight-hour watch. But they only patrol the beaches.¡± He pointed up. ¡°There are also vicious beasts that patrol only the sky¡­¡± He pointed down. ¡°¡­ and water guardians who protect the deep. A three-fold defense of Carnel¡¯s only non-ocean border.¡±


    ¡°Which is why we can¡¯t fly over the strait.¡± Cal pointed his muzzle down toward the beaches. ¡°What are those things?¡±


    Micah and Charlotte¡¯s gaze followed where he indicated. Along the coast, a row of immense steel statues extended indefinitely, looking out over the water. Each of the motionless black warriors carried a massive sword in their hands.


    Micah¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°Those¡­ are the Grenadine, and our foremost obstacle. They watch over the surface of the strait, and destroy all invaders without mercy. They are silent now, but will activate should anyone trespass over the surface.¡±


    ¡°Grenadine?¡± Charlotte repeated. ¡°Isn¡¯t that some kind of syrup?¡±


    ¡°Yes. A blood-red syrup. I¡¯ll let your imagination deduce how those ancient guardians got the name.¡±


    She shuddered.


    John shook his head in dismay. ¡°Why did Lord Kyba lead us here?¡±


    ¡°Because this is the outpost of one of the Keyguards,¡± Micah replied.


    ¡°I thought the locations of the Keyguards were kept secret?¡±


    ¡°Indeed. How Lord Kyba obtained his information, I can only speculate, but he not only knew the locations of each, but he determined one who could be exploited. Admiral Francis von Breaker is the Keyguard for this sector, and according to Lord Kyba, he is brash and overconfident, regularly refusing the additional guard required to accompany him.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no wonder you wanted to wait a week before we came here,¡± Cal said. ¡°You must have a plan.¡±


    Micah stooped down below the top rock, perching to look at his companions. ¡°Yes. But mostly, I was training. I am about to infiltrate a place said to be impenetrable. The timing must be precise.¡± He unraveled the scarf from around his neck, folding it up and extending it to Charlotte. ¡°Will you hold this for me? I want to offer nothing to the eye tonight.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going in there alone?¡± Charlotte asked fearfully, taking the scarf and clutching it to her chest.


    ¡°Yes, but Lord Kyba has provided me the way. And remember, these defenses were created to keep people out of the country, not to prevent them from escaping. It gives us the advantage. Even so, I cannot do this alone. Teamwork is vital, so you must commit to memory the plan I have devised, for just one mistake may cost us our lives. But first¡­¡±


    He reached into a pocket for a quartet of Element stones, situating them between each of his fingers on one hand. He raised his arm, lifting his other hand to his face while whispering a long incantation. The chant was far more complex than a basic spell, and they could feel the deep magic in every syllable.


    ¡°Cover,¡± he finally said. Standing up, he climbed the last rock, arm still raised. The crystals glowed in his hands, forming a lucent halo.


    ¡°Micah, what are you doing?¡± John nearly shouted. ¡°You¡¯ll be seen!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Cal replied. His head peeked over the boulders to look out across the shores. ¡°Look.¡±


    Charlotte and John rose up to join him, immediately spotting what had become so apparent not only to Cal, but to every single guard on the beach or stationed before the outpost. A black, roiling deepness consumed the horizon, seeping over ocean and under sky as if to consume them both. Even in the dark of night, its sinister crawl was as plain as day, thick and unrelenting. Loud, bestial cries filled the air from the hidden creatures patrolling the skies, and the guards were stunned as the billowing void came closer.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s fog,¡± John whispered, wiping moisture from his glasses.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Cal whispered. ¡°It looks more like concentrated poison. I¡¯ve never seen fog that¡­ black.¡±


    Micah slowly lowered his arm, stashing his crystals away but still looking out over the beach. The devouring mist was nearly upon them, seeming ready to plunge them all into blindness. Charlotte looked up at him, shuddering when she saw the deadly focus behind his visible eye. Something was different about him¡­ something had changed in the week since Kyba¡¯s death. He was stronger¡­ so much stronger. And his unfailing courage and confidence seemed twice as potent. She could feel it in every part of her being, and she found herself fearing not for her friends but for the men who stood in his way.


    Micah¡­ just what kind of training did you put yourself through?


    *                         *                          *


    ¡°Sir, an urgent letter.¡±


    Francis von Breaker sneered aside at his right hand captain as the inky-black fog drew close, filling his men with fear. What it was, he had no idea, but it seemed unnatural, even menacing. From his high vantage atop the bridge crossing over a fortified moat, the breadth of his charge could be seen. And every one of his soldiers were staring at the fog as it floated closer, consuming the deep blue gap between water and sky.


    The admiral grunted several times, wiping moisture from his forehead. His finely tailored uniform of crimson red and dark gray sagged under the weight of the sudden humidity, and droplets littered the sword sheathed at his side. He snatched the letter from the captain¡¯s hand, grumbling beneath his breath. His full, auburn mustache twitched in irritation as he opened the letter and read it.


    ¡°Double the guard¡­ Commander Champlain¡­ utmost importance,¡± he brokenly read aloud in a grainy voice infused with irritation. Then he shouted, swatting the letter with his hand. ¡°From Nathanial Vash! That worm. Handing out orders like he¡¯s the damned leader of the world.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s the king¡¯s appointed counselor,¡± the captain said.


    ¡°I know that!¡± Breaker growled. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean he isn¡¯t two bits short of an idiot. Who does he think he is? The fortifications are impenetrable. And even if this Black Son traitor could get through all our defenses, even he couldn¡¯t possibly know of the barrier. And I¡¯m the only man who has the key to open it.¡± He patted his side, jingling the bevy of keys on a large ring attached to his belt.


    The young captain¡¯s nervousness augmented. ¡°Champlain? As in Micah sinChamplain?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what is says. What of it?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s well-known to those of us from District Eleven. The senior officers called him the Demon of Arcadia.¡±


    Breaker harrumphed, tearing the letter to pieces. ¡°Alert the barracks and double the guard. I won¡¯t have Vash coming here just to run back to the king pissing and crying like a blue-haired baby, telling him I¡¯m not doing my job on this forsaken strip of cursed beach.¡±


    ¡°Should I move more guards into the Vega Courtyard?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no point to that,¡± he replied with a shake of his hand. The black mist began its steady trek over the beach and would be upon the bridge in moments. ¡°No one can get inside the Hole, not with a thousand men. Not even me. Now go!¡±


    Micah listened thoughtfully from his perch beneath the bridge. He heard the captain skirr off to the barracks, leaving Breaker alone. Leaning back against the stone support beams, Micah remained still and quiet in his concealed roost beneath the vast moat overpass. Thirty feet below lay a dry sand gully. The fog finally reached the bridge, wispy tendrils embracing him in its hiding presence and pluming in puffs against every new object it touched. The thick moisture coated and concealed far more effectively than regular fog, and Micah found himself impressed by Kyba¡¯s magic.


    After waiting a few minutes for the creeping clouds to cover the area, he set to work. Falling over the side of the support beam, he caught the edge and planted his feet onto the column, leaping again upon contact to shoot up the side. With a lithe twist, he landed silently onto the bridge. The faint outline of Admiral Breaker could still be seen, pacing impatiently, keys rattling at his side.


    The Grenadine first. Then I¡¯ll deal with him.


    Micah closed his eyes, focusing. His body disappeared in a faint flash of light, replaced by a black squirrel that scampered in the opposite direction. Micah¡¯s small doppelganger skittered to the first courtyard entrance, a thick stone arch carved into the high wall. Passing quietly past several blinded guards, he came to the midlevel yard. The entrance to the Vega Courtyard featured one too many guards ¨C instead of attempting to pass by, he clawed his way up another fortified barricade, dropping onto a narrow corridor atop the wall. After a pause to listen for any sign of danger, he transformed back into his human form, crouching.


    Peeking over the wall, he reconnoitered the expanse of the Vega Courtyard stretching far below, mired in fog. It was a wide dirt space between the entrance to the yard and the entrance to the Hole. Nothing else save for a single blur of light in the middle, casting shimmering waves through the mist. From the faint outlines of the glow, Micah realized it could only be a floating Life Stone, slowly rotating in place and emitting pulsing light runes to rotate all around the crystal.


    A Lycanthrope Tracer, Micah thought. Impressive. Lord Kyba did warn that Breaker was clever despite his failings.


    He took an Element Stone and a Life Stone from his jacket and connected the tips before pulling them apart. A pulsing white energy connected the two. Micah released the Element Stone, leaving a livewire magic cord to dangle from the other crystal. After a quick check of his surroundings, he tossed it over the wall in a high arc.


    The stone plunged through the air trailed by the cord of light, resembling a newborn spider adrift on a spindle of its own silk. Micah pointed his Element Stone and a stirring gust of wind poured into the fog, catching the stone in its fall and slowing it to a gentle descent. Carefully directing his hand, he brought his crystal down to meet the Lycanthrope Tracer until they floated side by side.


    ¡°Persist,¡± he whispered.


    Through the cleared path created by his wind, he saw his stone erupt with a sphere of light runes identical to the original, but the symbols revolved in an opposite rotation.


    Micah nodded, putting his Element Stone away. That should do it.


    In that moment, faint voices broke the silence. With a quick burst, Micah hurtled himself over the wall, catching the ledge as he fell and keeping his grip. He hung over the edge in silence, hardly daring to breathe as two guards approached.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you, I thought I saw something,¡± one said. ¡°A light.¡±


    ¡°I believe you,¡± his partner replied. ¡°This fog sure ain¡¯t natural. It gives me the creeps. The Admiral must be spooked, too, because he¡¯s fortified the beaches. But are you sure it wasn¡¯t just the moon peeking through?¡±


    ¡°I guess it could have been¡­¡±


    ¡°The Hole¡¯s nothing to worry about. Nobody can get in there. I don¡¯t even know what¡¯s to be nervous about. There isn¡¯t a soul who could get past the defenses, not even the king himself.¡±


    ¡°Maybe¡­ but this fog¡­¡±


    The voices trailed further down the path. Micah chanced a look. They resumed their patrol on the wall. He released his grip, dropping into the dirt chasm and landing with a muffled thud. He immediately transformed back into his squirrel doppel. The rodent froze, waiting for the worst, but no alarm issued ¨C his tracer counter worked. He scampered through the mist, making for the entry to the dreaded chasm: a singular entryway with no door.


    This humble portal was the sole way inside the Vega Hole, the wicked place he had no choice but to infiltrate. The squirrel slowed in his approach, sure to muster no sound for a listening ear. Once beside the gateway, Micah changed back into his human form again. Huddled into a crouch against the thick stone frame, he took a quick check of his surroundings, making certain he could not be seen. Producing a Black Stone from his jacket, he used one hand to press the crystal against the rock while using the other to cover his right eye. An inky substance gushed from the tip of the crystal, swirling together to form a small sphere. An iris and pupil formed last, creating a black, makeshift eyeball. The slimy eye rolled up the wall, leaving a trail of oil. It slipped around the edge, shifting to look down the corridor. Everything it observed, Micah saw safely.


    A declining slope of a tunnel stretched a long way underground, well-lit and unpenetrated by the mist. It featured no doors but one, and that door was guarded by two alert soldiers, at attention facing the entryway. Micah guessed the length to be about one hundred feet.


    Releasing his spell, the eye melted into ink again, and his normal vision returned. He exchanged his Black Stone for two Life Stones, placing one each between his index and middle fingers. He whispered an incantation, and then turned his body to face the doorway.


    ¡°Give me your light,¡± he whispered.


    The tunnel plunged into darkness. Micah dashed inside with his quickest speed, exploding down the tunnel. Before the two men could utter a word of confusion, he plowed into them, slamming their bodies into the door. When they doubled over, he grabbed their heads, cracking them together. They slumped to the ground, unconscious.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Checking the new silence to ensure no alarms were raised, Micah nodded, then raised his crystals again.


    ¡°Your light returned,¡± he said.


    The corridor illuminated once more, crystal lanterns igniting to their former brilliance. He turned to the large iron door barring entry to the Vega Hole and took hold of the lever. It opened with a creak, and he pushed it wide, revealing a continuation of the passage, much less adequately lit and diving even further underground. He dragged the two unconscious guards inside and closed the door.


    Already he felt it. The sensation Kyba warned about. Dangerous and ancient, the subtle beats of their drums thumped inside his head. He retrieved the Rinx Lord¡¯s notes, reading them for the hundredth time, hoping to garner new information he might have missed.


    He steeled himself. Now the hard part.


    Traversing the passage in silence, Micah felt sweat coat his body in a creeping glaze. His gaze zipped to and fro, searching in the dimness for that which barred his and Charlotte¡¯s way to freedom. The guardians. The obliterators.


    The Anti-Seven.


    They were not the Seven. Rather, they were the Anti-Seven. That was how it started every time. A mere child¡¯s story before Kyba revealed their existence to him, and Micah wished very much he still believed otherwise. For the Anti-Seven, the first of the Grenadine, were not of this world¡­ so the legends all said. And they could not be killed or defeated. Swords of rainbow and preceded by a drumbeat that warned of their arrival and inevitable judgment. A drumming heard not by the ears, but by the heart. Until the very end, Micah had wanted to believe Kyba might be delusional. But the silent tap of the Un-Seven clashed so violently against his heart now, he could only believe that every legend must be true.


    He recognized what was happening to him. A shiver arrested his hand, and a clammy cold consumed his whole body. Effects he never truly experienced before but had often rendered from others in the past when he hunted them to capture or death.


    He was afraid.


    The tunnel took a wide turn, leading to an abrupt break and entry into a dark hall with an expansive domed ceiling. And more sudden than he could have possibly expected, they were there. Standing in a circle, the Anti-Seven faced each other, enclosing an empty space flooded in blue light from an unknown source. The ancient juggernauts were frozen, just like the other Grenadine lining the beaches, yet also completely unlike them. For these seven steel figures towered twenty feet tall, black as the darkness yet so detailed one could believe there was a human beneath all the vile armor that reeked of the danger within. And their hands enclosed the handles of horrifically magnificent swords, raised and at the ready. Each a different color, just as the stories said. Beyond the circle, another door was barely discernible in shadow.


    Standing just outside that room, the drumming intensified, threatening to make Micah nauseous. He shook his head and went back to Kyba¡¯s notes. According to him, the beats served a purpose, for the Anti-Seven could not see. They could only feel. After much research, the Rinx Lord had come to this ingenious realization and provided a possible way to hide from them.


    ¡°Possible¡± being the key word.


    Kyba¡¯s notes suggested he was convinced his method would work, but facing the Anti-Seven, Micah¡¯s confidence in the old Avalon could not have been weaker. Even so, it had to be done, and he mustered all his courage. Sitting on the ground, he took two Black Stones and a Life Stone and set the notes off to the side. In one hand, he lay one of the obsidian crystals flat against his palm. In the other, he situated the two remaining crystals, grasping them together and aligning their points. Then, he listened.


    For a few moments, Micah trained his ears to the pulse emitted from the seven steel guardians. When he felt ready, he whispered an incantation and began to tap the two crystals against the flat of the third. With each contact, a similar sound to the one issuing from the Un-Seven was made. Several minutes passed as Micah continued to do this, focusing all his effort to perfectly match the beat. Sweat soaked his mask, and over a dozen times, he had to start over. It had to be exact.


    Finally, after over a half hour passed, Micah suddenly shouted, ¡°Persist!¡± and released the two crystals from his grip.


    But the glowing gems continued to tap against the Black Stone in his palm, floating in the air and hitting with the same rhythm he last employed, as if guided by an invisible hand. Micah slowly lowered his other hand, leaving the base stone to float in the air as well. He watched wide-eyed, trying to listen over his pounding heart. The taps seemed to be in sync with the deadly refrain. In normal circumstances, he would have waited hours or even days to ensure they were perfectly matched, but he had no time. The risk that he was successful in this attempt had to be taken.


    Micah cupped his hands underneath the tapping stones, gently lifting them up. The hovering crystals rose into the air as he stood. He produced an Element Stone, which immediately spurted a stream of water upon his command. The stream of liquid swirled into a sphere that surrounded the tapping crystals and then solidified. The transparent sphere featured holes so their sound would not be muffled, and a handle, which Micah grasped, holding out before him like a lantern.


    If he was successful, his crystals would act as a tuning fork and mask his presence from the guardians by perfectly matching the detecting beats, allowing him passage. The two sounds still thumped in harmony, lending Micah hope. Even so, he stood there several moments, his heart and head pounding all the more, threatening to confuse him. If he failed, he was as good as dead. That idea blanketed any positive thought, making his body tremble. Ideas of running away began to enter his mind.


    But then, as was often the case in times and places most unexpected, Charlotte was there. Abrupt yet soothing. Her face, her smile¡­ she appeared before his closed eyes, warm as a blanket on a cold night. A lavender gaze looked upon him with admiration, intense enough to rival the real moon. She needed him, didn¡¯t she? Maybe logic dictated what he was doing was likely to fail, but he suddenly found such thoughts foolish.  Something more important was at stake. A beautiful girl¡­ a dear friend needed him now, and that made all the sense in the world.


    He opened his eyes. Seizing a deep breath, he took a single step forward. Then again. Keeping his bauble before him, not daring to breathe. Another step. No movement from the keepers. He stepped between the nearest two. They remained still. Finally, with a heart aching to pound right through his chest, he stepped inside the circle.


    Nothing.


    He looked around wildly, but the Anti-Seven did not move. He did it!


    Not willing to find out he was mistaken, his feet somehow whisked his body across the room, and before he realized it, his hand was on the door lever, and he was pushing his way to the other side. Only when he closed the door behind him was he able to exhale. His legs now shook so violently, he had to lean back against the door to steady himself.


    By the Lord and Queen, what did I just do?


    He exhaled again, shaking the cobwebs loose and focusing on the goal at hand. Inside the small room he entered was but a single object, which Kyba had also detailed in his instructions. A sheet of parchment lay on a tall pedestal. He approached and looked upon the fragile paper. Written in ink, four rune seals surrounded a fifth, which glowed blood-red. Micah reached out, touching one of the seals with his finger and dragging it across the paper. The ink smudged as easily as if it had just been put to the paper. And the effect was instant. Energy drained from the room and the drumming of the Un-Seven ended immediately.


    Micah turned, ending the magic of his own crystals with a flick of his wrist and listening to the profound new silence. He nodded.


    Phase One, complete.


    *                         *                          *


    ¡°Holy crickets!¡± Charlotte whispered hoarsely, trying not to be too loud.


    She looked down from the limestone slopes at John and Cal. They rushed from the boat to join her. ¡°What is it?¡± Cal asked.


    ¡°He did it! Look, look!¡± She pointed out over the beaches.


    ¡°Charlotte, we can¡¯t see anything in this mist,¡± John replied. ¡°Only you can see through it.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right¡­ I forgot.¡± She turned to them, eye shining with the Full Moon. ¡°But he¡¯s done it! The Grenadine have been disabled! We should be able to go out on the water without being detected now. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s go!¡±


    She scampered down the rocks with John and Cal in pursuit.


    ¡°How do you know this?¡± Cal asked.


    Charlotte picked up her dress and climbed into the boat, kicking off to launch the boat back into the tide pool. While Micah was gone, Cal had snuck back out and retrieved the bureau from a hidden location. Now, it was situated in the back of the boat.


    ¡°Micah told me I would be able to tell when they were no longer a threat by using Foresight,¡± she replied. ¡°I¡¯ve been watching them since he went in. I could see a strange energy flowing into all of them before, but then suddenly, it vanished! Poof! Now, let¡¯s hurry.¡±


    John and Cal helped guide the craft through the water, toward the narrow channel that fed into the strait. She grabbed an oar, but then realization poured over her, and she gasped with sadness and stood up in the boat.


    ¡°Oh, dear¡­ I forgot!¡± Tears sprang to her eyes. ¡°This is where we part ways, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    John smiled. ¡°I¡¯m afraid so. You have your journey and I have mine, love. Once I return home, I must make my journey to Tanaerum and deliver Lord Kyba¡¯s sword to the king.¡±


    She bent down to squeeze him into a hug. ¡°Dear, dear John Halifax. You have done so much for me. For all of us. How could I ever possibly repay you? I am so happy to have met you. Give my love to Miriam and the children.¡±


    ¡°Promise me we can see each other again, and I shall do so.¡±


    ¡°Deal!¡± She sat back in the boat, smiling and wiping away her tears.


    John gave one last shove, and the boat rocked into the strait. Cal hopped in, grabbing the other oar with his tail. Together, they began awkwardly directing the boat out to sea.


    John waved until he could no longer see the boat in the mist, wishing with all his heart they might somehow find a way to escape. Not just this ordeal, but all other trials that were sure to pursue them.


    *                         *                          *


    Micah retreated back into the night, his squirrel form dashing through the Vega Courtyard under the cover of mist and back to the open gate. A lone guard now remained at attention before the opening, leaving little doubt he had been successful in the infiltration. But yet another difficult task lay before him.


    Careful not to be seen or heard, the squirrel turned the corner and followed the wall until out of possible eyesight. He then crossed the path and climbed up the outer courtyard wall, dashing along the top until he was perched atop a column overlooking the bridge. Through the mist, the outline of Francis von Breaker could still be seen. Micah scurried down and raced onto the bridge before dropping over the edge. In midair, he transformed back and caught the edge of the support beams, pulling himself back into the nook in which he had first hidden.


    Breaker still paced back and forth. Micah frowned. If only he would stand still a moment.


    Agilely crawling over the network of stone support beams, Micah made his way under the bridge to Breaker¡¯s position. When he was close, Micah carefully climbed up the side, peeking his head just enough to look through the gaps in the banisters. Breaker was just feet away, a permanent scowl tugging his mustache down his face. The immense ring of keys hung at his side, attached to his belt by a thick clasp. One of them would open the lock to the barrier.


    Micah considered the options available to him. Normally, he would conduct a silent assassination, leaving him free to hide the body and escape without notice, but killing was no longer a possibility. He made a promise to Charlotte, and he intended to keep it. The next best course would be to knock him unconscious, but that required more finesse than killing, and Kyba warned in his notes that Breaker was a Vilox, and a skilled fighter.


    As he weighed the best decision to make, a small bit of gravel came loose beneath his foothold against the side of the bridge, causing it to slide. He ducked, but the effect was immediate.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Breaker shouted suddenly, drawing his sword.


    Micah frowned at the unlucky break and poised against the side of the bridge, bracing himself for the right moment. He only had one shot now. Breaker slowly approached his position, blade already crossing over the edge. Just when the tip of the man¡¯s hat came into view through the banisters, Micah exploded.


    Launching off the side of the bridge and flipping up over the railing, he caught the edge and landed, leaping again to drive a foot into Breaker¡¯s chest. The man staggered back, stunned but not as much as Micah hoped. He lunged for the admiral, but Breaker raised his sword.


    ¡°UNDER ATTACK!¡± he shouted with all his might. ¡°TO THE BRIDGE!¡±


    Micah sidestepped the weapon and plowed into him, thrusting him into the railing. He grabbed the ring of keys, ripped them from his belt, then shoved him over the edge. Breaker screamed as he plunged thirty feet, landing in a plume of sand at the bottom of the trench. Micah looked over, and was relieved to see the man cough violently.


    He¡¯ll feel that tomorrow, though.


    He dashed across the bridge at top speed, securing the keys so they didn¡¯t jingle. He could already hear the swarm of men converging on the bridge from every point around it. There was no time now. All he could do was hope Charlotte and Cal were already at the gate. He reached the beach just as a cluster of guards swarmed around the approach. Leaping over a line, Micah landed in the sand and kept running toward the strait. They shouted and followed, swords drawn and crystals blazing. He passed the line of useless Grenadine, but more and more soldiers converged, pressing him against the coastline.


    Micah produced an Element Stone, swiping it through the air. He jumped as far as he could, sailing over the water.


    ¡°Sphere Racer,¡± he shouted.


    At his command, a swirl of water jettisoned from the waves, collecting into a ball of roiling liquid. Micah landed on the blue orb, but did not fall through. Instead, it caught him, holding his weight. Micah balanced himself, and the orb raced away from the beach, gliding over the surface of the water and churning up spray in its wake.


    Breaker wheezed, desperate to recover the wind knocked from his lungs. He groaned and sat up, clutching to his chest. Picking up his sword, he forced himself to his feet. In a flash of light, Breaker transformed into a blue jay. The bird zipped out of the trench, beating a straight line for the beach where his men stared dumbfounded after Champlain, who quickly disappeared into the mist. Like Breaker, they had fully expected the Grenadine to pursue him.


    Breaker flew down to the beach and transformed back. ¡°What are you doing, staring like a bunch of morons? After him!¡±


    He raised an Element Stone. ¡°Sphere Racer!¡±


    An orb of swirling water came to meet him on the beach. He jumped on and the ball of water churned off in hot pursuit of his quarry. At least twenty of his men possessing the Avalon spirit followed on their own spheres. Breaker drew his sword again, gritting his teeth as they raced over the water. There was no way he would allow this humiliation to stand.


    Charlotte and Cal listened intently, searching for some sign Micah was coming. Their boat drifted with the lulls of the water, unable to be directed any further. A barely discernible purple aura blocked their way, so they were forced to stop rowing.


    Charlotte reached out, touching the mysterious surface again. Upon contact, the barrier became more visible, a solid substance she could not describe. The translucent glow was infused with ghostly runes, floating freely through it as if they were adrift at sea as well. The barrier featured the main property of a wall in that it prevented her hand or anything else from passing beyond it; yet, it was unlike a wall in every other aspect. There was nothing to touch or feel. Her hand simply could not move beyond some unknown magical pressure, akin to pressing two like-end magnets together.


    ¡°Will you stop doing that?¡± Cal said. ¡°Who knows what it might do if you press on it too much.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just so pretty,¡± Charlotte replied, waving her hand back and forth against the obstruction. ¡°At least we found the gate.¡±


    Cal looked back at the barrier. When they had first reached it, they turned to row alongside it, searching for an opening Micah told them was sure to be there. Eventually, they came across a thin white line that stretched upward with no discernible end. A small, dark space accompanied the line five feet above the surface of the water that could only be a keyhole.


    ¡°We don¡¯t want to draw any attention to ourselves,¡± he said. ¡°Even in this haze.¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± she replied, sitting back in the boat. ¡°I¡¯m just nervous. I hope Micah is okay.¡±


    Cal was about to reply when he thought he heard something. His ears perked, directed toward the coast. It sounded like a shouting voice. At first, he thought maybe he was hearing things, but then a new sound came, drawing closer by the second. Something like rushing water.


    ¡°Do you hear that?¡± he asked.


    Charlotte leaned forward. Her puzzlement turned to trepidation. ¡°Sounds like a waterfall. It¡¯s getting louder.¡±


    In a matter of moments, the sound grew to an undeniable decibel, rapidly approaching them from the north, parallel to the wall.


    ¡°It¡¯s coming right for us!¡± Cal said, bracing himself.


    Micah blasted through the mist, rocketing past them riding a bright blue sphere. It sprayed freezing water over them in a wide arc, causing Charlotte to scream. He missed hitting the boat, turning in a loop and coming back toward them. The mysterious globe of what appeared to be liquid blazed across the surface of the water, but he seemed perfectly at ease standing atop it.


    ¡°Open the gate!¡± he shouted as he rushed past. He flung something at them before tearing back through the mist in the direction he had come.


    ¡°Charlotte!¡± Cal shouted. ¡°It¡¯s the key! Catch it!¡±


    She recovered from her fright, spotting the golden ring as it sailed toward the boat. She leaned over the edge, reaching out both hands and snaring the heavy hoop. Cal caught her waist with his tail before she fell into the water. He pulled her back in. They gasped upon sight of the object Micah flung.


    ¡°There¡¯s like a million keys on this thing!¡± Charlotte moaned. ¡°Which one¡¯s the right one?¡±


    An explosion rocked the boat, kicking up waves that banged the vessel against the barrier. They looked in the direction Micah had gone, and a livid red light coursed through the mist.


    ¡°He¡¯s fighting them,¡± Cal said. ¡°We have to get the gate open.¡±


    Charlotte rushed to the other end of the boat. Cal used an oar to bring them alongside the keyhole. She clumsily tried inserting a key, but the rollicking waves made it difficult. Finally, she got it in and turned it. There was a white-hot snap and the tip of the key melted. She pulled it out, mouth agape. The key was completely destroyed.


    ¡°I guess that wasn¡¯t the one,¡± Cal said. ¡°Keep trying!¡±


    Key after key was destroyed. But there were so many that looked alike, it was impossible to determine which could be the right one. The sounds of battle just beyond made Charlotte a nervous wreck, intensifying as the seconds flew by. Soon, she was shaking all over, struggling to even insert new keys. Finally, when she thought she might be unable to keep her grip, one finally took. She gasped. A striped key with a golden hook turned. There was a click and an immense portion of the barrier faded away. Cal flicked his tail through.


    ¡°That¡¯s it! The gate¡¯s open.¡± Cal said.


    ¡°MICAH!¡± Charlotte screamed.


    ¡°He¡¯ll know already!¡± Cal said. ¡°We have to get the boat through. Hurry!¡±


    She picked up the other oar and together they began rowing it past the magic barrier. The waves made it incredibly difficult, and several times they went backwards. It seemed they would never make it through.


    Then, he was there.


    As if from thin air, Micah suddenly landed in the boat, heaving, soaked, and bleeding from a deep gash on his shoulder. His eye narrowed in fierce determination.


    ¡°Micah!¡± Charlotte squeaked.


    He snatched the oar from her hands and dashed to the back of the boat, dunking the oar into the water. Reaching to his jacket, he took an Alinda Plate and tossed the vivid blue glass square into the air. Drawing his sword with the same hand, he sliced the blade across the plate as it came down. A screaming torrent of water exploded from the glass, propelling the boat.


    The bow of the skiff rose from the sheer velocity, but Micah pushed hard on the oar, keeping it from flipping over. Charlotte and Cal dove to the floor, stunned by the sudden burst of speed. The plate stayed hovering beside Micah, blasting out volumes of torrential water and pushing them across the strait.


    But their enemies pursued. Led by Breaker, over a dozen soldiers still remained, racing over the waters on their spheres and slowly closing the gap.


    ¡°Charlotte!¡± Micah barked.


    She raised her head. The hurricane wind tossed her hair and dress into a furious onslaught on her senses. ¡°Yes?¡± she managed to shout.


    ¡°Do you have the Eye of Mahaado with you?¡±


    She reached into a pocket and pulled out the crystal eyeball. ¡°Here it is.¡±


    He handed her the oar. ¡°I¡¯m going to jump off. I want you to count to ten. Then push the eye. Do you understand?¡±


    A sudden lurch caused the boat to jump a wave. Charlotte clutched the glass object tight in her hand and grasped the oar with both arms, steeling herself for the impact. The boat smacked against the surface several times before continuing on.


    ¡°Do you understand?¡± Micah shouted even louder.


    She nodded furiously.


    He leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers. Then, he jumped off. A new water sphere caught him, and he raced back to meet the pursuers again. They swarmed around him, disregarding the boat.


    ¡°One¡­ two¡­ three¡­¡± Charlotte awkwardly shouted the numbers, disoriented and nearly ready to pass out. Cal helped her hold onto the oar, keeping the boat from nosing straight into the air, but the sheer speed and force seemed ready to snap the piece of wood in two. ¡°Five¡­ six¡­¡± More explosions in the distance met their ears, loud enough to hear even over the din of the violent wind.


    The counting seemed an eternity, but finally, she came to the end. ¡°Ten!¡± she shouted, pressing the iris.


    Just like before, Micah materialized in the boat, this time with an audible pop. He thrust one hand down to keep from falling while the other snared the oar. He looked up at her.


    ¡°Good.¡±


    He stood up and directed the oar with a push, turning the boat in a wide arc that sent up a massive plume of spray. They were heading northeast now, but after maybe a minute in the new direction, the Alinda Plate lost steam, and the water receded. Micah pushed the plate away, and it fell into the ocean. Moments later, the boat was reduced to a glide, and welcome silence returned. Micah put a finger to his lips, indicating to be quiet. Charlotte and Cal immediately nodded. He took the other oar from Cal and sat, proceeding to row with powerful strokes. Despite the blood pouring from the wound in his arm, the boat sliced through the water.


    All the while, they listened. They listened and waited, unable to do anything else but hope their plan had been successful. Micah pushed without rest, urging the boat into a pace that could rival any sailboat¡¯s speed.


    After half an hour, no one came. And any hint of sound comparable to a sphere racer had long abandoned pursuit, leaving nothing but the placid waves of the strait to surround them. When this became apparent, Charlotte, Cal, and Micah looked at each other in relief and perhaps a small amount of joy.


    It appeared they had done the impossible and escaped.

 Chapter 21: The Heroes of the Final Word

    Micah charted a slow course northeast rather than east directly, in the hope of losing any possible pursuers.  He continued to cast the fog spell at regular intervals to keep them hidden from above. The water was choppy, as expected in the late season, but navigable. He rowed all day while Charlotte and Cal kept a steady watch on the horizon. It proved a tense stretch of time after what they faced in barely getting away, especially for Charlotte, but as the hours passed, it seemed they might have truly escaped Carnel. But despite Cal¡¯s optimistic suggestion he might be able to fly them across the rest of the way if they sat on the bureau, Micah wouldn¡¯t take the chance. He didn¡¯t have nearly enough knowledge of what existed in the skies at Carnel¡¯s behest.


    In the late afternoon, Micah relented as heavy fatigue to his muscles set in. He figured they should be half-way across the strait. If pursuers hadn¡¯t been spotted by now, there probably weren¡¯t any. He was mentally weighing the risks of resorting to magic to propel the boat the rest of the way when Charlotte abruptly interrupted the quiet.


    ¡°Look!¡± she said, pointing south. ¡°Is that what I think it is?¡±


    They followed her arm and saw it immediately. What hadn¡¯t been apparent before now became impossible to ignore. Through the fog, the silhouette of a colossal object rose so high, it dominated most of the view.


    ¡°It has to be,¡± Cal said. ¡°We¡¯re in that area, and what else could be so big?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Micah, can we see it?¡± Charlotte cast doe eyes at him. ¡°Please?¡±


    He nodded his assent. ¡°I think we¡¯re safe now.¡±


    He produced an Element Stone and raised it. The green gem flashed a brilliant light, and a steady wind picked up, swirling to collect the clouds of fog and brush them west. Like rolling waves, the black clouds tumbled over each other. Sunlight poured over their boat, its welcome warmth seeping through damp clothes and wet fur. And from the regressing fog, the great statue appeared, basking in the light and clothed in splendor.


    Awe swept over the passengers, hushing them to silence, and even the waves seemed to quiet before the majesty of the Lord and Queen. Out of a mountain of rock, the two Heroes of the Final Word rose up to cast their commanding gaze east across the strait. Brought together in eternal embrace, the bearing of the two legends reflected all the mighty spirit for which they were celebrated.


    Lord Mobius of Orion stood tall and domineering, an old man with young strength and eyes that could take the heart of anyone he looked upon. One outstretched arm cast a sword over the waters that seemed capable of commanding the whole earth, while the other held his wife with the tenderness of a man still in love.


    Queen Aurora of Tanaerum found shelter in his embrace, but she exuded all the authority and dominance of her husband. If he was the embodiment of power, she was the soul of grace. Even at her age, her beauty was undeniable, a face marked by a full, happy life and a smile of contentment.  She raised a crystal above their heads, a beacon of hope that seemed to cast a protective shield over the waters, barring enemies from access to the country they loved so much.


    Charlotte reclined her arms at the edge of the boat, head in hand and sighing dreamily. ¡°I always wondered what it would be like to see this place,¡± she said. ¡°Isn¡¯t it just the most romantic thing you¡¯ve ever seen?¡±


    Micah hummed, beginning to attend to the wound in his arm, which he had ignored to the best of his ability until now. ¡°Idoneous.¡±


    Charlotte smiled uneasily, staring at the laceration in sympathy. ¡°I¡¯ll pretend that means you agree.¡±


    ¡°Do you know why this is here?¡±


    ¡°This is where the Lord and Queen died, right?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ yes¡­ but that¡¯s not why this place is so revered.¡±


    ¡°Does it matter?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Micah and Cal said in unison.


    She sighed. ¡°Tell me why it¡¯s important, then.¡±


    ¡°You would appreciate this tale, I think,¡± Micah said, using a needle and thread of catgut to begin sewing the deep gash. ¡°It¡¯s what many consider to be the ultimate love story.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± She giggled and turned her body to face him. ¡°Well, then I¡¯m all ears.¡±


    He looked up at the colossal monument again. Something about their expressions said it all. The passion for their home. The sacrifice. It had been captured so perfectly in the smooth stone.


    ¡°You know of the beginning of the Red Siege,¡± he began, resuming his stitching. ¡°When Jask Troubadour infiltrated King Tasman¡¯s stronghold and snatched his lover Astrid away. In response, Tasman accused Carnel of collective treachery and began a lifelong mission to unite the mindset of the seven River Nations against our land. That is, the nations through which the Sariandra River runs. Countries that once shared a border with Carnel.¡±


    Charlotte nodded. ¡°Yes, I was born in Rypsy, one of the seven,¡± she said.


    ¡°Now, Tasman¡¯s resources were great, and a potent army answered his command, but he knew it was no match for the ancient powers harbored by the three tribes of Carnel. To foreign nations, Carnel was viewed as a holy land, blessed by God. And during that time, it was enjoying a golden era, for its leaders were mighty and peace dawned under the rule of the Drifting Queen after years of fierce hostilities between the tribes.


    ¡°So, Tasman gathered support. For many decades, he slowly stoked the flames of war against Carnel, making many accusations against the tribes and assassinating political figures from the other River Nations only to frame Carnelians, among other similar deeds. It was hatred unrivaled. A boy had taken a prized possession from his own stronghold, and he was determined to mete out revenge on Carnel for the humiliation he suffered. Eventually, his efforts bore fruit. It took many years, but the River Nations united, giving Tasman the sheer strength he needed to contest Carnel. However, he still had one major problem, a problem that existed from the very first day.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Charlotte asked.


    Micah pointed skyward. ¡°Them.¡±


    Charlotte and Cal looked back up at the towering effigies.


    ¡°Lord Mobius and Queen Aurora,¡± Micah said. ¡°Their power was unequaled, and they protected Carnel at all costs. It was the most important thing, a mission that rivaled nothing save for the love they had for each other.¡±


    ¡°The River Nations were afraid to attack just because of them?¡± Charlotte asked.


    Micah shook his head. ¡°It wasn¡¯t just fear. It was sheer terror. The ancient annals suggest the six other kings of the united front never even intended to invade Carnel. Rather, Tasman persuaded them to join the coalition merely to create a force for Carnel to respect. It seemed a good idea, and they had no idea what the Red King was planning.¡±


    ¡°He took over?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The details are many, so I will only tell you that through a devious scheme, the Red King assumed command of all the armies and immediately declared war on Carnel.¡±


    Micah used his teeth to tear the thread from the needle he was using. His wound now closed, he stood up in the boat and turned to face the open waters. Awe and respect filled his heart as he looked out over the blue expanse, wondering what the scene must have been like that terrible day. To face such a thing all on their own¡­ simply because they loved their country.


    ¡°Micah?¡± Charlotte ventured. She stood up, steadying herself.


    ¡°This is where it happened,¡± he replied, stretching his arm across the horizon.


    ¡°Where what happened?¡±


    ¡°The Battle of the Final Word. Once¡­ a long time ago, this all used to be land. A dry stretch of terrain with little water to be found. And at the culmination of the Red Siege, Tasman¡¯s armies collected here. An army never before seen in history extending for twenty miles in each direction. A force of over two hundred thousand soldiers with the singular purpose to conquer Carnel.¡±


    Charlotte and Cal both turned in a slow circle. Water in every direction. Only the island could be seen. ¡°It¡¯s unbelievable,¡± Cal whispered.


    ¡°Indeed.¡±


    ¡°But how did this happen?¡± she asked.


    Micah turned to the island. ¡°The Lord and Queen looked out over Tasman¡¯s charging army all alone on that small mount, while Carnel¡¯s force retreated back to Roobo. And when they were assured that only they remained to face Tasman, that¡¯s when they uttered¡­ the word.¡±


    ¡°The word?¡±


    He looked back at Charlotte and lifted a finger. ¡°The Final Word. A single magical utterance they chanted at the same time. Out of one word, magic, and the world broke.¡± Micah cast his arm across the sea, exhilaration filling him. ¡°From the northern shores of the Peskitoll Sea to the southernmost peak of the Mosaic Mountains, the land was crushed! Carnel split from the domain of the River Seven, and the oceans closed in, consuming the hordes in one roaring, otherworldly collapse. All drowned! In an hour, Carnel became an island, and the armies of the decrepit Red King were laid waste before Mobius and Aurora, the Heroes of the Final Word!¡±


    Micah realized he was nearly shouting in his excitement. His heart thumped like a drum, and his hands were shaking. He¡¯d always known the story of the Lord and Queen, but telling it¡­ and being here¡­ emotions he never realized welled up within him. I see it now, John Halifax. I understand what you were trying to tell me¡­ if only a small part. What it means to be¡­


    A hero.


    ¡°Amazing,¡± Charlotte finally said. She appeared unable to muster any other kind of response.


    Micah lowered his arms, realizing he had raised them. ¡°The cost for the magic was their lives,¡± he said. ¡°But in exchange for their sacrifice, not one Carnelian died that day. You may ask: Why was this statue erected? Why does every citizen of Carnel know the names of Mobius and Aurora?  And why do we revere them so? Now you know the answer. Because they loved Carnel¡­ and saved it with their dying final word.¡±


    For several minutes, Micah, Charlotte, and Cal stood gazing up at the stone monolith that now seemed even more magnificent. Evening drew the darkness of a setting sun, and the stone figures cast an endless shadow across the strait.


    ¡°The Lord and Queen were buried in accordance with the Avalon spirit contract,¡± Micah resumed. ¡°But their weapons remained. The sole witness to all these things was their firstborn son, who recorded everything. He took up Flying Birds as well as Scepter, the royal sword of men, and became the new king of West Carnel, but he left Lord Mobius¡¯s great sword behind as a reminder of what happened. The blade called Shroud is still there to this day, lodged in the rock somewhere on that island.¡±


    ¡°I see it!¡± Charlotte shouted happily. She pointed to the statues. ¡°There at the base near his right foot! It doesn¡¯t look seven hundred years old at all. In fact, it looks brand new!¡±


    Micah saw her right iris was fully ablaze with magenta fire. He smiled. Only with Foresight could someone possibly see that far. He sat back down in the boat, and she did likewise.


    ¡°What a great story,¡± she said.


    ¡°Indubitably.¡± He took up the oars and began rowing again. ¡°Absolutely everything we know and love about Carnel is due to their sacrifice. And now, we are crossing the Strait of the Final Word in a boat instead of walking across land. After that battle, security measures were put into place so that another army could never invade. And that was why we faced such an ordeal to get away.¡±


    ¡°You know what, though?¡± she said. ¡°I think there¡¯s another lesson to be learned from them.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Cal asked.


    ¡°They saved Carnel together. It makes you wonder if they could have done it on their own. I¡¯d like to think they couldn¡¯t. It was their devotion to each other that made it possible.¡±


    The Murr chuckled. ¡°You would think that.¡± She laughed with him. ¡°But I tend to agree with you this time,¡± he said.


    Micah took one last look at the majestic statue of those ancient heroes.


    He agreed as well.


    It took significantly more time and many more breaks for Micah to finish rowing across the strait. The sun of a new day dawned just as they reached the shores of Elyas, the smallest of the River Nations. A heavy mist not of Micah¡¯s doing blanketed the surface of the water, disturbed only by the boat in its quiet course.


    Micah jumped into the water and hauled the boat onto a short beach lined with palm trees before collapsing in the sand, gasping for air. Charlotte disembarked, going to him while Cal lifted the bureau out of the boat.


    Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, she frowned. ¡°You poor thing, are you okay?¡±


    He nodded, closing his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ be fine. I¡¯m just¡­ tired¡­¡±


    She turned to look back out over the strait. ¡°I can imagine. I mean look at this.¡±


    He lifted his head, but saw nothing. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°We made it. Because of your strength, we actually escaped Carnel. Micah¡­ you saved my life. I¡¯d be dead if it wasn¡¯t for your kindness. You endured such a heavy burden for my sake, asking for nothing in return.¡± She smiled at him. ¡°I think you deserve a rest.¡±


    He slowly got up as Cal rejoined them, hovering above their heads.


    Charlotte laughed to herself in a semi-depressed way, looking up and down the secluded coast. ¡°Well, now what do we do?¡±


    Micah hummed. ¡°You said it yourself. We need a rest.¡±


    ¡°And you two need a bath,¡± Cal said.


    Charlotte sniffed the air. ¡°I¡¯ll second that. But where can we go? I don¡¯t know Elyas at all. Do you?¡±


    The Murr shook his head.


    ¡°Then we shall rely on the advice Master Coral gave me in my first year of training,¡± Micah said. ¡°¡®When there¡¯s no place to go, go to God.¡¯¡±


    Cal lit up. ¡°Ah, the church. An excellent idea.¡±


    Charlotte smiled again, and Micah offered his hand. ¡°What do you say?¡±


    She took it, squeezing tight. ¡°Sage advice if I ever heard it.¡±

 Chapter 22: Blindness

    ¡°Do you have any explanation for this?¡±


    Vash stroked his forehead, rubbing so hard, folds of skin squeezed together. He turned his furious gaze from the sea to Admiral Breaker, who glared back. Osiris watched the exchange with mild amusement.


    ¡°I did what you told me,¡± the soldier replied, gritting his teeth. ¡°But you didn¡¯t mention anything about this traitor being strong enough to get past the Anti-Seven! How could I have possibly prepared for that?¡±


    Vash blinked, unwilling to show his astonishment yet unable to answer. A chill morning wind brushed up from the sea, throwing their cloaks into a flurry. Breaker kicked a clump of sand, pointing back to the fortress.


    ¡°The man didn¡¯t leave a trace. We should have been warned he was so powerful. He even changed the weather to cover his tracks!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Osiris asked with piqued interest.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± he demanded with a sneer.


    ¡°I¡¯d control that tongue, Admiral,¡± Vash said. ¡°You are addressing a man greater than the king.¡±


    Breaker looked back and forth between Vash and Osiris, red-faced with fury and astonishment. He mumbled, ¡°He changed the weather. Made fog come up from the ocean and cover everything in sight. But it weren¡¯t natural. It was like smoke, nearly black as the night itself.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± Osiris said with a knowing smile. ¡°Now I see.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Vash asked.


    ¡°Our humbled soldier here just described the Mists of Separation, a very old magic and a signature technique of my former master¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Lord Kyba? So, he helped them escape?¡±


    ¡°Undoubtedly. He has been dead for eight days now, but he must have helped your young quarry before then. How amusing. It appears destiny is not on your side, Nathanial Vash.¡±The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Kyba, dead? So, the passing of the age has already occurred?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the logical conclusion.¡±


    Vash scowled, rubbing his face in deep deliberation. ¡°These events of late are truly frustrating. I believe I¡¯m starting to become angry.¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°I have no choice but to follow them.¡±


    ¡°What are you saying?¡± Breaker said, appalled. ¡°You can¡¯t cross into non-Carnel territory on a whim. Without papers? The treaty forbids it. Do you have any idea¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re dismissed, Admiral.¡±


    He seemed ready to argue, but looking back at Osiris, he flapped his hand instead and trudged away.


    Vash turned to look back out over the Strait of the Final Word, aggravated beyond description. Every effort he employed in the last month, from resurrecting Lord Osiris to setting loose Marshall Kalem, was done to prevent at all costs the single event that transpired anyway. Despite immeasurable odds, Champlain still managed to escape Carnel with the Moon Eye Child. Now, he had no resources at his disposal, no network of information, no soldiers but Osiris to command. Even so, the decision was already made.


    He would have the Moon Eyes, no matter the cost.


    ¡°Your pursuit of power is blinding you.¡±


    Vash whirled to face Osiris. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    The Rinx Lord folded his arms. ¡°It¡¯s more evident than the color of the sky. Your eyes tell the whole pathetic story. You have abandoned reason, unwilling to accept failure.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s rich, coming from you,¡± he spat. ¡°You pursued power your whole life seeking revenge against your father¡¯s killer. Then when you realized you would never get your vengeance, you tried to destroy the whole world instead. Or did you not die by the edge of your own brother¡¯s sword for that very reason?¡±


    ¡°Lust for power indeed marked my youth. And I was a fool. But no desire for power controlled me in the end.¡±


    ¡°Spare me the life lessons. If I am making poor decisions, I am content in knowing I have a Rinx at my beck and call to make up for them.¡± He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. ¡°Now, these men need help reestablishing the fortifications, including reforming the seals of the Grenadine, which you should be familiar with. Go help Breaker. We make for Port Isis tonight.¡±


    That familiar look came over Osiris, a slight smile of belittlement mixed with severe warning, but Vash didn¡¯t back down. His servant soon turned and made for the bridge.


    Vash exhaled, having held it in dread. He was playing with fire, and he knew it. But Osiris of Orion was the one blinded, ignorant of the true reason he desired Charlotte Goodsteel¡¯s eyes, and he consoled himself with that knowledge.


    He clenched a fist. The New Moon. An ultimate force capable of destroying any magic its gaze fell upon. Ironically, a power Osiris sought for years while he was alive, never knowing it could be granted to human beings. But Vash would show him the truth. Once the Moon Eyes were his, he would show Osiris just what he never knew and then send him back to the grave with it.


    He only needed her eyes. Then nothing, not even Micah Champlain, would be able to stand in his way.

 Chapter 23: The Church of St. Meran

    They truly must have been a sight. Trudging through the gates of a small town and entering the plaza at midday, disheveled, dirty and exhausted. The locals of St. Meran were justified in staring at Charlotte, drooping and fighting against her bulky dress as she plodded toward the central fountain and collapsed before it with a moan; Micah in his tattered gear; and Cal flying down to deliver a bureau from the sky. In fact, they must have been the oddest trio of companions these people had ever seen in their lives.


    However St. Meran was a true blessing. By luck, it was situated only an hour¡¯s trek through a forest from the spot their vessel beached. The unassuming settlement had been spotted from the sky by Cal, who immediately reported the good news and led the way.


    ¡°Micaaaaaah,¡± Charlotte moaned, crumpling to the ground and covering her eyes with her arm. ¡°I¡¯m hungry and tired and dirty¡­ and hungry¡­ and tired.¡±


    Micah looked about the expansive cobblestone plaza. It was a surprisingly sunny day, and the warmth seemed to have congregated the townspeople into the square to shop or eat. The clothing of the citizens of St. Meran struck him as peculiar. They wore extravagant robes woven with intricate designs and colors, which at first glance seemed obtrusive. But they moved easily, suggesting they wore the garments daily. And each ensemble was different, and most seemed to coordinate with the person wearing it. Children wore bright colors, young women donned alluring and sophisticated patterns, and the men wore robes with dark, solid colors and added accoutrements of various utility such as hoods or pockets or sword sleeves.


    The plaza¡¯s festive decorations suggested an event was about to take place. A wire encircled the court, strung on rooftop stanchions or light posts and bedecked with white baubles containing lanterns. And there were men at work building a stage while women and children painted immense walls of canvas, the backdrops for a play.


    As he observed their surroundings, many of the people stared back curiously, but none seemed overly cautious or suspicious. Hopefully, it meant they would be able to find shelter with little difficulty and few questions.


    ¡°We will want to locate the church, if the city has one,¡± he finally said, turning to Charlotte. ¡°Where should we start? Cal and I have never been outside Carnel. You¡¯re going to have to guide us.¡±


    She groaned, slowly getting up and shaking the dirt from her hair. ¡°I don¡¯t have any idea. I¡¯m from Rypsy, a vastly different country. There¡¯s not much I can tell you that you couldn¡¯t already guess for yourselves. Elyas is a tiny nation, but wealthy and popular among the rich. We won¡¯t find many of the magic comforts of Carnel, though, for obvious reasons.¡±


    Micah frowned, looking down each road. When they first arrived, it appeared to be a small town, but judging from the amount of people in the square and its level of activity, he suspected St. Meran might be larger than it first seemed. Despite his initial hesitance due to their haggard appearance, it seemed they had no choice but to ask the locals for assistance.


    It was in that moment when Micah noticed they were being watched. Not like the others, but with more rapt interest. A short, elderly man in white robes peered at them from across the square, standing beside a wagon full of large barrels and rubbing his chin. He couldn¡¯t have stood out more. He wore a tall hat with a strange blue insignia and carried a wood staff twice his height. His left eyebrow and the right side of a wispy white mustache were missing, their absence highlighted even more by severely tanned skin.


    He seemed to make a decision when their eyes met. He smiled a toothy, enthusiastic grin and hobbled toward them, leaning heavily on his staff.


    ¡°Hello there! Hello there!¡± he said, waving a hand and not at all troubled by his slow progress.


    Charlotte and Cal joined Micah in watching him. Charlotte waved back, immediately charmed.


    The old man finally reached them. ¡°Greetings, friends! Greetings. You are guests to our good city, are you not?¡± He shook their hands with zeal. ¡°Welcome, welcome! You look lost, if you allow me to say it. May I be of any help to you?¡±


    ¡°Good day,¡± Micah replied. ¡°My name is Micah Champlain, and this is Charlotte Goodsteel and Cal. We are looking for the church. Does St. Meran have one?¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Yes! As fate would have it, I am the Head Roshi. My name is Gamaliel Simon Rockferte, but you may call me Simon. I am at your service.¡±


    ¡°Incidental,¡± Micah said.


    ¡°Fortuitous!¡± Charlotte corrected happily. ¡°You¡¯re just the person we were looking for. We have traveled such a long way and hoped we might find some place to rest here.¡±


    Roshi Simon looked them up and down, chuckling again and tapping his staff against the cobbles. ¡°I can tell. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d have guessed you were mud-rolling enthusiasts. But considering we have one of Carnel¡¯s famed Black Sons here, I¡¯d have to suppose a reason more ominous, eh?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re familiar with Carnel?¡± Micah asked.


    ¡°More than familiar,¡± he replied. ¡°But come, come. I can tell you are weary and recovering from hardship, so I¡¯ll ask no questions of you. I am going back to the monastery now, and you are most welcome. There you can rest and recuperate. We can talk after. After.¡±


    Charlotte seemed near tears again. ¡°Oh thank you, Simon. Thank you so much. I wish you could know how grateful we are. And perhaps, if it¡¯s not too much trouble, is there some place at the monastery I could take a bath?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± he replied with his unending smile, leading them back to the wagon. ¡°Rooms and baths and food and anything else you might need. If we have it, all you need do is ask, and it¡¯s yours.¡±


    With some effort, Simon managed to climb into the wagon¡¯s seat, where he took the reins and then watched in fascination as Cal came to fly above them, the bureau swinging by the end of his tail. Micah helped Charlotte up into the wagon before getting in himself.


    ¡°Everybody is ready?¡± Simon asked. ¡°Off we go, then.¡± He stirred the reins, and two chestnut horses complied, plodding back onto the road.


    The serendipitous appearance of the priest and the speed by which they found him astonished Micah. It was almost as if the man knew they would be there and was ready to aid them in their fatigue-stricken state. At any other time, Micah would have been severely suspicious of the sudden good luck, but for some reason, he didn¡¯t doubt the good will of Simon or the providential manner in which he appeared. Deep down, something spoke to his impulse, telling him this man had been sent to them with sincere tidings and relief. Perhaps it was imprudent, but after witnessing the supernatural events that took place in the Mosaic Mountains, he didn¡¯t think so.


    The pace was slow, yet pleasant. Simon even offered them food to eat along the way ¨C a loaf of bread and a sizable slab of roasted turkey breast he happened to have with him, which they accepted with immense gratitude. As they scarfed the simple meal down to the last crumb, Simon told them all about the city of St. Meran, which was actually the second largest in Elyas. He explained that tens of thousands of poplar trees consumed the area, leading anybody flying above it to believe the town was small. But in fact, it sprawled over the countryside, and St. Meran¡¯s central plaza was the only place devoid of its beautiful trees. The path of the wagon proved his words, as they traveled through green and yellow woods seeming without end. Autumn provided a continuous sprinkle of leaves, carpeting the forest floor. And Micah understood what Charlotte meant when she said Elyas was a wealthy country, because along the way, they passed dozens of lavish manors and sprawling estates.


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    The wagon came to a hook in the road, a wide turn descending into a narrow, secluded valley. At the bottom of the path, Simon pulled on the reigns, bringing the animals to a stop, and his guests looked about in awe of their breathtaking new surroundings. A glen filled their gaze, so green it became hard to fathom a different color. Grass carpeted every inch of ground, and lichen wrapped the trunk of every tree. The fall season seemed to have no grip on this place, as not one leaf had yet turned color. And the quiet was profound, interrupted only by the scattered movements of the horses. A barely discernible path led to what must have been the church, a noble structure of wood and stone large enough to merit attention, yet modest enough to complement the forest¡¯s peaceful surroundings. Numerous dragonflies hovered within shafts of light, zipping to and fro, but all other aspects of the vale seemed frozen in time, a haven set apart for the end of the world.


    ¡°It¡¯s like something out of a painting,¡± Charlotte whispered. ¡°Simon, what is this place?¡±


    Simon nodded, seeming to appreciate the view as much as them, if not more. ¡°St. Meran Valley. My home, and the worship place of our city.¡± He stirred the horses, and they continued on into the forest.


    ¡°It¡¯s lovely. Just so lovely. I could stay here forever.¡±


    The priest brought the wagon to stop before a moss-covered well, situated in a tiny courtyard before the church. Three young men emerged from double doors to meet them, dressed in the same garb as Simon and beaming equally pleasant smiles.


    ¡°You¡¯re back, Roshi! And you brought guests,¡± one said.


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Simon climbed down from the wagon, followed by Micah and Charlotte. ¡°Friends in need, Benjamin. Will you run ahead and see that rooms are made ready for them, and make sure extra settings for dinner are prepared, too. Elzo, would you and your brother please unload the grain barrels for me?¡±


    The apprentices happily set about to the tasks appointed them while Simon led Micah and Charlotte onto a small path that curved around the church. Upon closer inspection, the house of worship proved to be even grander than it looked from afar. Ivy slithered up stone walls imprinted with detailed carvings, and thick rafters were littered with old bird nests. But the long, rectangular structure was otherwise well-maintained despite an inescapable feeling of antiquity. Micah would have believed it to be older than the forest itself.


    The church turned out to be the first of many buildings in a complex sprawling over acres and surrounding a central commune with a large stone fire pit. Some thirty helpers of the monastery were visible, out and about and conducting various activities. There were teachers in the forest with students sitting before them and listening, young men meditating or training with staves, and still a gathering of others talking animatedly while washing clothes in a brook.


    ¡°This is all part of the church?¡± Micah asked.


    ¡°Quite a sight, isn¡¯t it?¡± Simon said, leading them off to a corner where a long row of several dozen individual huts drove deep into the forest. ¡°We have been blessed with much.¡±


    ¡°Does everyone live here?¡±


    ¡°No. Some do, while others come when they can. We are a community, which does not require membership or commitment. A haven for the weary, much like yourselves. We turn away no one, welcoming those in need with open arms.¡±


    ¡°Are there any women?¡± Charlotte asked.


    ¡°Oh yes!¡± he replied with a laugh. ¡°You probably ask because you have not seen any. Of their own accord, for which we inept men are forever grateful, the women volunteer to oversee the workings of our orphanage, which provides for many dear children now.¡±


    Simon tapped his staff on the ground, coming to a stop before two of the huts. ¡°Here are your cabins, my friends. Benjamin will have drawn hot baths and produced a set of new clothes for each of you, in case you want to blend in and avoid drawing too much attention to yourselves. If there is anything else you should need, come to me, and it will be done. Dinner will be at six, if your bodies find that food should win the struggle over rest.¡±


    Charlotte suddenly embraced the priest, bursting into renewed tears. ¡°How can we ever thank you, Simon?¡±


    ¡°There, there,¡± he said, patting her back. ¡°God provides, my child.¡±


    ¡°Yes he does!¡± She smiled her brightest smile to each of them before rushing up the short staircase of her hut and retreating inside.


    Micah waited until her door closed before turning back to the priest. ¡°Roshi, we are forever in your debt for this hospitality. We have traveled a very hard road.¡± He exhaled deeply, exhausted both in mind and body. ¡°But the last thing I want is to deceive you. We are fugitives from Carnel, and our presence might endanger everyone here, though I believe we are safe now. Even so, if you should desire we leave as soon as possible, we would not be offended.¡±


    The priest sidled forward and placed a gentle hand on Micah¡¯s chest. ¡°Son, this is not a place one is driven away. This is a place¡­ one comes home. I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that demons haunted your path, but you have nothing to fear. Stay as long as you like. Rest. Be at peace.¡±


    He patted his chest before smiling and starting back for the church grounds. ¡°Oh,¡± he said, turning back again. ¡°But I would like to talk with you when it is possible. I can see that much is on your mind, and I would very much enjoy listening to your tale. But rest, rest. That can be later.¡±


    Micah nodded. ¡°Deal.¡±


    As Simon suggested, there would be an inevitable fight between sleep and hunger, but it turned out to be no contest at all. After a hot bath, Micah succumbed to his immense fatigue and sunk into the warm, comfortable bed provided. In no time, he slipped into slumber, deeper even than the first time.


    He slept through the whole night, awaking half a day later in a daze that forced him to remember why he found himself in a tiny, square room. A dazzling beam of morning light streamed in through the lone window, parallel to the floor, which meant the sun had just risen. Micah rubbed his eyes, smiling in amusement. He¡¯d slept over fifteen hours. Despite sore muscles and the pain in his arm, he still felt really good.  If only he could sleep like that more often.


    He pulled back the covers and immediately shivered. The temperature must have plunged from the previous day. His breath fogged in short bursts through his mask, and frost painted the edges of the windowpane. Getting out of bed, he crossed the small space to a chair beside the bathtub where he had placed his clothes the day before. His scarf and gloves, jacket, and shoes remained where he left them, right next to his gear, but his ruined shirt and pants were missing, replaced by white garments and a mantle sitting in a neatly folded bundle.


    Cal wasn¡¯t present, which meant he had found some place warmer to sleep. Micah considered summoning him for a fresh set of clothes, but thought better of it. His Murr had been just as exhausted the previous day, and he didn¡¯t want to disturb him from possible rest.


    This meant, however, that Micah faced wearing white clothes. It seemed a simple thing, but it was unsettling, as he¡¯d never worn anything but black. Donning a white scarf was one thing, but this was a different matter. He fingered the material of the tunic and finely stitched cloak, noting how soft the material felt. After several minutes, the choice became clear, and to his surprise, it wasn¡¯t as hard to make as he thought. Either he could tolerate white clothes for a few hours, or he could wait until Cal appeared with his bureau. And he was never one to wait.


    He dressed himself in the foreign clothes, pulling the cloak over his body last. Looking down at himself, he marveled at the strangeness of what he was seeing.


    I¡¯m wearing white.


    Just the thought was hard to fathom, and the more he dwelled on it, the weirder it seemed. He equipped his gear and decided to go for a walk to clear his mind. But first, he would check on Charlotte. Stepping out into the brisk morning air, he breathed in a frosty lungful. Lingering fog shrouded the forest from view, gray and wet. He crossed over to her hut, putting his ear to the door. Hearing nothing, he turned the knob, careful to swing the door open in silence.


    Clothes were strewn everywhere, and Micah¡¯s bureau sat in the corner, drawers pulled out in various measures. Charlotte lay sleeping on her bed in a funny but comfortable-looking arrangement, one leg dangling over the side. A heaping mound of blankets covered her, and an arm draped over Cal, who slept in a ball beside her.


    Micah smirked. Traitor.


    He made a quiet crossing to the bed and observed her sleep with interest. There was something reassuring about it. Since the day they¡¯d met, all he¡¯d wanted was to provide some amount of comfort to her. Seeing the peaceful way she slept, it made him believe the goal was accomplished, if only for a moment. But could he believe it?


    He slipped one of his gloves off and tentatively reached a hand out. When it rested on her cheek, Charlotte smiled. She remained asleep, but a happy sigh escaped her lips. Hearing it, Micah smiled as well. And as he stroked her face with his thumb, dwelling on the softness of her skin, he supposed he might never see anything more beautiful in his life.

 Chapter 24: Missions

    Micah found Simon waiting at the bottom of the stairs, holding a package wrapped in linen in one hand and his staff in the other.


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re awake,¡± the old man said, flashing his signature grin. ¡°I debated whether or not to disturb you so early in the morning. You slept quite a long time! I was beginning to think you might have left during the night.¡±


    Micah joined him, feeling the uncomfortable effects of his appearance, but trying his best to ignore them. ¡°Yes, thank you. It was just what we needed.¡±


    ¡°Will the young lady be along?¡±


    ¡°My guess is no. Based on her observable habits, I would estimate she will be in bed until noon.¡±


    The priest laughed. His strange half-mustache fluttered with just the slightest movement. ¡°Very well, then. Care to take a walk with me? It¡¯s Paywee harvest season, and I¡¯m headed to the orchards to oversee the work of the pickers. I could use the company.¡±


    ¡°Of course. My intent was to take a walk in the first place.¡±


    Simon nodded and turned them back along the path toward the monastery. The morning fog was now all but dissipated. The church¡¯s highest point could be seen just peeking over the trees, glowing in the morning sunlight. Micah heard bells ringing in the distance, and the chirping of hundreds of birds provided a pleasing accompaniment.


    ¡°Since you missed dinner, I brought you this,¡± Simon said, handing him the linen package. ¡°It was also for your companions, but since neither are present, have as much as you like.¡±


    Micah unwrapped the cloth. Three steaming pastries lay inside, glazed with sugar and melting butter. He was indeed ravenous, and his stomach made no attempt to conceal that fact, rumbling audibly. He took one and turned his head away from Simon to pull his mask down, devouring the roll before lifting the shroud back up over his mouth. He regretted not being able to savor it ¨C the delicious morsel melted in his mouth, warming him all the way down.


    Simon watched him eat, eyes sparkling with interest. ¡°So,¡± he said as Micah began an attempt to eat another. ¡°I confess I had trouble sleeping last night, so intrigued was I to know more about you. When one of the last Black Sons of Carnel appears in our humble town, beaten and bruised and accompanied by a Murr and an energetic young girl¡­ well, it seems there¡¯s a story just waiting to be told. Now I won¡¯t pressure you, of course, but I¡¯m hoping you might indulge an old man¡¯s curiosity.¡±


    Micah finished off his breakfast, folding up the cloth and handing it back to Simon. With a pleasantly full stomach and a tranquil setting around him, he felt rested and serene for the first time in a long time, and perhaps ever.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he replied. ¡°When we first set foot on the shores of Elyas, my initial plan was to retreat to the church, not only to hide but to seek guidance. I am finding myself¡­ lost, and have had no one to turn to in some time. My former master once told me to seek the church should such a day ever arise. I am heeding that advice.¡±


    ¡°A wise master,¡± Simon said.


    ¡°Indeed. So, I would like to tell you our story. Mine and Charlotte¡¯s. It is my natural tendency to circumvent revealing anything unnecessary to people I don¡¯t know, but since I am in great need of counsel, I do not believe hiding my past would help you in any way. And the nature of my troubles is supernatural in foundation. Going to anyone but a man of God seemed injudicious. I must warn you that it¡¯s a lengthy story, however.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a lengthy walk, and I am slow,¡± the priest replied. ¡°Proceed.¡±


    Starting from the day Charlotte was taken captive, Micah told him everything that happened before their arrival in St. Meran. No details were excluded, and he especially made every effort to leave nothing out concerning their encounter with the angels on the Mountain of the Wolf, the death of Lord Kyba, and the establishment of the Age of the Nine.


    An hour passed, but Simon made no attempt to interrupt him, save for a clarifying question or two. Nor did he ever look at Micah as though he were delusional or insane, despite the remarkable nature of the tale. He simply listened as they strolled down a pleasant path driving deep into the forest.


    ¡°We arrived on the shores of Elyas yesterday morning,¡± Micah concluded. ¡°You found us just as we entered the city, and now, here we are.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s quite a story!¡± Simon said.


    He turned off the path, ambling up a rocky knoll. Micah followed him until they were standing under a large tree loaded with Paywee. The purple fruit resembled pears, fleshy and bulbous, shining from the remnant of the morning haze. Beyond the small hill, acres of Paywee trees stretched in tight rows without end, green and full. Workers by the dozens labored under the sun, picking the fruit and loading basketfuls into carts. The morning slowly grew warmer, but it remained chilly, and dew coated the grass in a silvery blanket.


    ¡°I know it must be quite difficult to believe,¡± Micah said after a time of silent watching.


    ¡°On the contrary¡­¡± Simon reached to a low-hanging branch and plucked a ripe Paywee, turning it over in his hand before tossing it to him. ¡°I have no doubt you are telling the truth.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t?¡±


    He laughed, taking another for himself and leaning back against the tree. ¡°And judging from your condition yesterday, you weren¡¯t exaggerating either. These are exciting times, my boy.¡±


    Micah frowned, turning the fruit over in his hands. ¡°¡®Exciting¡¯ isn¡¯t the first word that comes to mind.¡±


    ¡°It should be. The start of a new age is upon us, and you are the focal point of its establishment. You have been marked by God, spoken with angels, and foiled powerful enemies. Can you not see what has been granted to you? You have been chosen for a great mission!¡±


    ¡°Another mission,¡± Micah said bitterly. He sat on the grass, crossing his legs and resting his arms across them. He looked out over the orchards, feeling very tired. The peace he had felt for just a few hours now seemed an illusion.


    ¡°I only have six years¡¯ worth of memories, Roshi. Six years. And since the day I awoke from the Black Sleep, I¡¯ve done nothing but kill and destroy. Mission after mission after mission. Yet, they never stopped coming.¡± He looked at his hands. ¡°When Charlotte freed me, I started to think maybe the missions were over and I could make my own decisions. Was it foolish to believe so?¡±


    Simon rubbed his chin, an intrigued look on his face. ¡°Let me answer that with a different question: What would you call a man without a mission?¡±


    Micah had to consider for a moment. ¡°Idle,¡± he finally answered.


    ¡°And is that what you want?¡±


    ¡°I was beginning to believe so. Now, I¡¯m not so sure.¡±


    Simon limped up beside him and sat on the grass with a grunt. Taking a moment to recover, he then scooted his body to face him. ¡°Tell me. Do you know what the original mission of the Black Sons was?¡±


    Micah nodded. ¡°Lord Kyba told us the brotherhood was established to protect Carnel.¡±


    ¡°Well yes¡­ and no. You are speaking of their redemption, but you see, the original Black Sons were renegades and thieves.¡±


    ¡°Criminals?¡±


    He nodded. ¡°Talented ones, yet captured in the midst of an ill-advised attempt to break into Helice Triones, the castle of the Avalon king. It should have been the end of them, but then something extraordinary happened. Their leader was a man named Cicero Knight, a wild and free spirit if one ever existed. He was young, smart, and eager, but evidently too eager, because he and his entire crew were caught red-handed by King Namolech. They were rounded up in the courtyard, and the king decided he would pass judgment on the spot. Normally, invading the domicile of the king spelled death, so as you might guess, the thieves were afraid. But not Cicero. He just stared the king right in the eye, never saying a word.


    ¡°This intrigued Namolech, so he began to question the young man. And the first question he asked was, ¡®Why did you attempt to steal from me?¡¯


    ¡°Cicero replied, ¡®My life is my mission. And my mission is myself. I came here for gold and jewels, but most of all, I came for the thrill of taking them.¡¯


    ¡°¡®Your life is now mine to do with as I see fit,¡¯ the king replied. ¡®Should I have you and your men put to death?¡¯


    ¡°¡®I want to live, sir,¡¯ he said. ¡®But I am not afraid of death.¡¯¡±


    Micah did a double-take at those words.


    Simon smiled back at him, nodding. ¡°Sound familiar?¡±


    I want to live.


    ¡°What did the king do?¡± Micah asked.


    Simon twisted the hairs of his mustache between two fingers, rolling them as he paused and looked into the sky, which Micah assumed was to provide effect. ¡°He let the Black Sons go.¡±


    ¡°He just let them walk free?¡±


    ¡°Essentially. Namolech freed the thieves, but before doing so, he passed his judgment. In retribution for the evil they committed, he gave Cicero and his men¡­ a mission. According to the story, a demon named Casitel dwelled in the Vega Mountains, terrorizing and killing travelers through the pass. He was so ferocious and murderous, no one would attempt the journey any longer. Namolech and his wife, Queen Violet, intended to deal with the demon on their own, but instead, he gave Cicero the job. And if he and his men succeeded, they would not only be exonerated, but honored with riches and glory. And with that, the king ordered they be released.¡±


    Micah folded his arms. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make any sense. How could he possibly trust a criminal to obey and do something like that?¡±


    ¡°Sounds foolish, doesn¡¯t it? Cicero could have just fled¡­ and yet, he didn¡¯t.¡± Simon chuckled with glee, slapping his leg. ¡°In fact, just a few weeks later, King Namolech received word that Cicero and his crew were returning to Avalon City with the head of the demon in their possession. The king immediately ordered a victory celebration be organized to welcome the Black Sons as heroes.¡±


    Confounded by Simon¡¯s story, Micah frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    Simon patted his shoulder affectionately. ¡°You see, my boy, in his wisdom, Namolech understood something about the nature of Cicero. He realized the source of the man¡¯s courage was his own pride. It was how he defined his life. Living for himself, and seeking new thrills and dangers. Cicero couldn¡¯t walk away from the challenge. He couldn¡¯t run away. And what do you think happened when Cicero returned to face the king?¡±


    Micah shook his head.


    ¡°He grew up!¡± The priest laughed. ¡°When Cicero came back victorious, he realized living for others and being regarded as a hero gave him much more reward than living for himself. It became a life-altering event, and from that day forward, the Black Sons dedicated themselves to the king and Carnel. The nonsense of masks and wearing black and absolute obedience was added much later by people who wanted control over their dedication. It lost all meaning eventually, but in truth, the original Black Sons became protectors of Carnel simply because a great man challenged them to live a life worthy of their own name.¡±


    Bowing his head, Micah found he was unable to respond. A wretched depression clenched his heart in a vice grip. ¡°So, why are you telling me this story, Roshi? Has my life before now been foolish and unnecessary? Was I but a na?ve and prideful thief, like Cicero?¡±


    ¡°No, Micah. I am telling you this story because like Cicero, you are in need of a new mission. An even greater king knew this about you and has offered you redemption.¡±


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    He looked up at him. ¡°What mission?¡±


    ¡°I believe that is for you to decide. Didn¡¯t Cicero have to do the same when he was set free? And if I heard you correctly, it sounds as if the assignment the angel gave you ¨C to help others ¨C was for your personal gain. Am I not right?¡±


    Micah nodded. ¡°She said destiny would be revealed to my heart when I completed the charge.¡±


    ¡°Do you see now? This isn¡¯t just the latest task forced on your back. Far from it.¡± He tapped his chest. ¡°It¡¯s an ultimate mission to guide you¡­ to help you find purpose now that you have been set free.¡±


    ¡°Purpose,¡± he repeated.


    A painful lump gathered in his throat. Under the tender gaze of the priest, Micah found himself bathing in a hope he had never noticed nor fathomed. Could it be true? Could all this really be for his sake?


    ¡°But how can I know for sure?¡±


    The priest shrugged, taking a large bite of the Paywee. ¡°The only way is to walk the path. So, what will you do?¡±


    He considered it a moment. ¡°In the Twin Cities, Cal told me I should think about what I really want out of life, now that it¡¯s my own. And that same night I realized with surprising clarity what I wanted more than anything.¡±


    ¡°And that is?¡±


    ¡°To know my purpose. I¡¯ve only ever been a tool of destruction in the hands of others, but since I met Charlotte, I started making my own decisions and began to believe fate was mine to control, but I was wrong. Regardless of what I thought I wanted, destiny led us to Lord Kyba. Yet I never conceived what was happening. I considered myself to be free and such encounters to be chance. So, when the angels appeared, I couldn¡¯t help but feel they were trying to take freedom away from me.¡±


    ¡°Do you still believe that?¡±


    Micah shook his head. ¡°I think you¡¯re right, Roshi. Arabella was guiding me.¡± He took off his glove and looked at his hand. The deep scar now seemed a saving grace. ¡°The governor always sent me on his missions, because he knew I wouldn¡¯t fail. I was the one most capable of finishing the task. I don¡¯t know what it means to be one of the Nine, but I do know what I want now. I want to be like Cicero. I want to save people rather than hurt them. And perhaps the reason I was chosen ¡­ is because I am still the one most capable of completing the mission.¡±


    Simon tossed the Paywee core into the air and clapped his hands together, looking skyward. ¡°May I never forget the day I was fortunate to meet you, Micah Champlain! You have overjoyed this old man with your honest heart and astounding wisdom.¡± He reached over, placing his hand on Micah¡¯s head. ¡°I know not where you are going, but may you be a blessing in this dark world, wherever the path of decision takes you.¡±


    After the prayer, they rose. With a light heart and tingling head, Micah joined Simon in finding their way back onto the path and continuing on. For the rest of the morning they walked and talked, completing a wide circle around the entire grounds. Micah learned so many things from the priest, dwelling on the riches of his seemingly endless supply of insight. All the things he wished he could have asked Kyba before he died, Simon was capable of answering or at least providing guidance. Before long, they were back in the tiny church courtyard, and the sun was high above them. The heat from the previous day had returned with little warning.


    ¡°So, what will you do now?¡± Simon asked.


    ¡°We will move on,¡± Micah replied. ¡°Somewhere farther inland. I believe we are safe now, but my instinct for preparation and caution is always at the forefront of my mind, and St. Meran is too close to the coast for comfort. Truthfully, I do not wish to stay in any one place for long, and travelling from place to place would allow me to start my work.¡±


    ¡°Very good. Of course, St. Meran will always be available to you. And, if Miss Goodsteel finds the open road doesn¡¯t suit her any longer, she is more than welcome to take shelter here instead.¡±


    Micah shook his head. ¡°I want her with me. I have no way of knowing if Vash will attempt to follow us beyond Carnel¡¯s borders, and I believe I am the only one capable of protecting her.¡±


    ¡°But what does she want?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ haven¡¯t figured that out yet.¡± He felt slightly ashamed. ¡°Having Charlotte by my side and protecting her is what I want.¡±


    Simon chuckled with a knowing smile. ¡°You¡¯re human. A young man without blinds preventing you from noticing pretty young girls. You are trusting your feelings now. It¡¯s a good thing. Even so, I would like to speak with her as well.¡±


    He looked up at Micah curiously, scrutinizing his face as if trying to look through the mask. Then, an idea seemed to come to him. He limped a few paces to the building and reached for one of the large oak doors, tugging it open. He nodded his head aside and directed his staff.


    ¡°Come inside, where it¡¯s cool. We can discuss your plans some more. I have maps and provisions, both of which are at your disposal.¡±


    Micah made to walk through the door, but Simon held up a hand before he crossed the threshold.


    ¡°Ah, my apologies. I should have mentioned it right away. This is the Adytum, the holy place. There can be no masks before the presence of God. Please, remove it before entering.¡±


    He stared at the priest in surprise. From the innocent smile on his face, Micah guessed this was his intent from the start. A Black Son never removed his mask, except in the presence of God or the king. Simon must have known the law of his guild. The idea of it flustered him, and he stood in silence for a good while, grappling with a normal request to anybody else but a life-defining decision for him. How many times had he refused Charlotte the same request? And how much of every day did he devote to ensuring his skin was never exposed?


    But after such a monumental day, the decision became quite clear. Simon had given him so much. How could be refuse? He didn¡¯t really want to.


    Micah finally nodded. ¡°Of course.¡±


    Reaching to his head, he grasped the material and pulled the shroud free.


    *                         *                          *


    Normally, Charlotte couldn¡¯t have asked for a more perfect day. The sun was out yet again, shining happily, and a pleasant, steady breeze whishing through the forest drove away just enough heat. A perfect union delightful against the skin. Colored leaves stirred and crunched beneath her footfalls, sounds reminiscent of her childhood playtimes, and everyone she passed in her walk shared a grin and ¡°Hello!¡± Not to mention, she felt considerably safer now that Carnel was on the other side of the strait. But she had too many things on her mind to closely regard such things.


    Coming to a charming bridge lending passage over the brook, she stopped to watch three boys attempting to fish with little more than sticks and string. After fruitless efforts to make a decent pole, they gave up and went swimming. She shivered just watching them, leaning against the carved wood railing and hugging her arms. Her reflection stared back at her from the stream, beautiful in a purple and gray dress she bought in Castor. It was the first time she wore it, and she was anxious to ask Micah how it looked on her.


    She sighed. For the hundredth time, Micah demanded her thoughts. All morning, he was all she could think about. And this was only a continuation of the past week, even the past month! This man who saved her, who bled for her, who did anything she asked of him, no matter the trouble.


    Again, she sighed, propping her elbows on the rails and putting her head in her hands. Micah did so much for her, yet what had she done for him in return? Nothing. Not since the first night they met, anyway. And she only used Heartbreaker on him to escape Soto Silver. A happy accident.


    Naturally, Charlotte was desperate to be of some help to him, but for days, she¡¯d been racking her brain for ideas with no results. She couldn¡¯t teach him anything or contribute anything of worth. He had money and valuables, knew how to cook and sew and treat his own wounds. He was adroit, nimble in mind and hand. There wasn¡¯t anything he couldn¡¯t do!


    She groaned in frustration, walking off the bridge and making for the church commune, which drew near. Despite her best attempt, she couldn¡¯t think of anything, but she wouldn¡¯t give up. She just couldn¡¯t. No matter how long it took, Charlotte made it her mission to be a valuable helper to Micah one day, and not just a leech.


    ¡°Miss Goodsteel!¡± a voice called out.


    Charlotte turned to find one of the young men from the previous day coming up to her, carrying a hefty basket on his shoulder loaded with some sort of odd purple fruit. Elzo, if she remembered his name correctly.


    ¡°How fortunate,¡± he continued, reaching her. ¡°I was just about to look for you. Paywee?¡± He offered her one of the fruit.


    ¡°Oh, um, no thank you. I just had breakfast. Why are you looking for me?¡±


    He put it back, not the least put off. ¡°Roshi Simon would like to speak with you, if you can spare some time.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± she replied, a bit flustered by the request. ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s in his quarters.¡± Elzo pointed to the church. ¡°Take the front entrance, and the door to his quarters is just beside the Holy Tree. You can¡¯t miss it. Make sure to wipe your feet.¡±


    He smiled and winked before turning back toward the commune, hauling his large basket with ease. She watched him go before turning back and making a timid journey around the church to the carved oak doors. Grasping one of the gilded handles, she pulled it open. A puff of cool air met her face as she stepped inside the silent sanctuary. And once her eyes adjusted to the dim light, her mouth fell agape at the wonders she beheld.


    Myriad colors spilled over the cathedral hall, sunlight filtering through stained glass to splash in silent pools. The colors swept over rows of pews. Each carved settee featured plump sitting pillows and a butterfly-shaped finial at each end. Charlotte ventured down the wide middle aisle, her footfalls soundless on the gorgeous hunter-green carpet.


    She couldn¡¯t help but hold her breath, fearful the noise would offend the glory of her surroundings. At the end, a humble pulpit stood, small enough for a man of Simon¡¯s stature to see over. And in the corner, the grandest wonder yet: a tree. Partitioned by a wrought iron fence, the magnificence of the tree still seemed natural, as if the church had been built around it. Roots were firmly entrenched in the ground, and its gnarled limbs were full and leafy green. Three fountains surrounded the tree, bubbling with clear, delicious-looking water that spilled over stone bowls to trickle into the soil. Just three pieces of fruit were harbored in the tree¡¯s branches, but Charlotte could spot them with ease because they glowed. Shaped just like the Paywee fruit Elzo had offered her only moments ago, yet these shined golden, as if kissed by the sun itself. Three circular openings were carved out of the walls near the roof, positioned to allow sunlight to flood the tree at any time of the day.


    Charlotte could have marveled at the sanctuary for hours, but she peeled her gaze away to locate the door to Simon¡¯s quarters, which she found with ease, tucked in the back right beside the tree.


    She opened this door and stepped inside a darker room. The carpet ended, and the clacks of her shoes against stone echoed in the sizable chamber. It was chilly, but not unpleasantly so, and sufficient light from dozens of candles lining the walls guided her way. She found Simon sitting at a large writing desk stacked with scrolls, charting tools, quills, and other assorted items. He was talking with someone dressed in the same white garb worn by many of the people on church grounds.


    ¡°Ah, Miss Goodsteel!¡± Simon said with his usual cheer, raising a hand. ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting for you. Come, come.¡±


    She smiled and approached. When she arrived to stand before his desk, her attention turned to the other person. Her eyebrows rose, and her heart skipped a beat when she realized it was a young man. Dashing in his white tunic, he was tall, though not too tall, and strapping, though not too muscular. Long tassels of dark red hair scattered over his head, rough and tousled as though he performed his own haircuts, but otherwise he was the most gorgeous boy she¡¯d ever seen in her life. Intense green eyes stared back at her, hesitant, almost as if he was embarrassed by her looking at him but didn¡¯t want her to know it. A strange tattoo embellished his cheek beneath his right eye. Four blue marks arranged in a bowl pattern ¨C they resembled five-pointed stars without the upper points.


    Upon recovering, she smiled her cutest smile and puffed out her chest. ¡°Hello,¡± she said, taking a step toward him.


    His eyes turned down, a barely discernible mixture of confusion and shyness that made her heart do flips. He didn¡¯t answer her, so she tried again.


    ¡°I¡¯m Charlotte. What¡¯s your name? Do you live here?¡±


    ¡°My word,¡± Simon interrupted, astonished. ¡°Miss Goodsteel, you don¡¯t recognize your own friend?¡±


    ¡°My friend? What do you¡ª¡± She gasped, bringing her mouth to her hand and looking up at the boy in shock. He looked away now, clearly embarrassed.


    ¡°Oh¡­ oh my,¡± she whispered breathlessly.


    It was almost too hard to believe. But she rapidly pieced the evidence together now. The same chiseled jaw, the same jade eyes, the three crystal earrings, the unique sword at his side. It could only be him. But he was wearing white! And he wore no mask! How could it be?


    ¡°Micah?¡± she ventured. Her face flushed with heat. She came closer, placing a tentative hand on his chest and looking into his eyes. ¡°Is that really you?¡±


    Simon shook his head, chuckling. ¡°I have to give you credit, my boy. You must take your vows seriously, if you were able to resist showing your face even to this young lady.¡±


    ¡°She certainly tried her hardest,¡± he replied.


    Only when she heard his voice did Charlotte become certain. She took his face into her hands, beaming with delight. Her gaze consumed every inch of him with insatiable hunger.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it!¡± she said. ¡°I was so afraid I would never know what you look like. And now¡­ there you are.¡±


    He didn¡¯t smile, but his discomfited appearance melted away. ¡°I am¡­ glad that you¡¯re happy,¡± he said.


    ¡°What made you finally change your mind?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t change my mind. Remember what I told you? I never take my mask off, except in the presence of God or the king. So, you can thank sly Simon here for inviting me inside the sanctuary.¡±


    The priest laughed, more so when Charlotte came around his desk and launched herself into his embrace. ¡°I see this has been a long time coming,¡± he said, patting her head.


    ¡°It really has!¡± she replied. ¡°Thank you so much for bringing him here, Simon!¡±


    She regained a sense of propriety and returned to Micah¡¯s side, but she never took her eyes off him. As she continued to look him up and down with intense scrutiny, he squirmed under her stare.


    ¡°So, then,¡± Simon said, still chuckling with amusement. ¡°As you were saying, you will stay another night and leave tomorrow?¡±


    Micah cleared his throat and leaned over the desk, tracing his finger along the folded lines of a map. ¡°Yes. From this chart you¡¯ve provided, I think heading north through Rypsy is our best option. What do you think, Charlotte?¡±


    ¡°Uh huh.¡±


    She felt her head nod, but she was barely listening to their conversation. All she could do was marvel at Micah standing beside her. He was so beautiful, it wasn¡¯t fair. With his rugged frame and striking features, it was as if he¡¯d been carved by a master sculptor, then hidden away from the world until now. And she was awed that despite wearing a mask at all times, no tan lines distorted his complexion. Of course, Charlotte hoped from the beginning he would be good-looking, but she had hedged her bets, knowing the odds. Yet there he was.


    He snapped his fingers in front of her eyes, and she jolted back to reality. ¡°What?¡± she said alertly. ¡°Oh yes. North is fine. It¡¯s all fine.¡±


    She beamed at him, and he nodded, turning back to study the map again.


    Simon looked back and forth between them. An idea seemed to come to him because a delightedly devious smile stretched across his face.


    ¡°Very well,¡± he said. ¡°And since you are staying the night, you must join us for the Harvest Festival.¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°A festival?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m sure you saw the preparations being made when you entered town. It¡¯s Paywee harvest season, and our crop is bountiful this year. We are celebrating tonight with our annual carnival, and I insist that you two join in the fun.¡±


    She clapped her hands. ¡°How exciting! Oh, Micah can we?¡±


    Though he still didn¡¯t smile, she knew well that he also was eager to go. Even so, doubt clouded his features. ¡°Are we permitted?¡± he asked. ¡°We certainly don¡¯t want to intrude.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense!¡± the priest exclaimed. ¡°You¡¯ll just need something more traditional to wear. You can easily find what you need in town.¡±


    Charlotte squealed in joy. ¡°Shopping, too? This is the best day ever!¡±

 Chapter 25: The Harvest Festival

    For the second time in a single day, Micah found himself wearing clothes with which he was not accustomed in the slightest. Standing by the fountain in the middle of a now busy town square, he waited for Charlotte, and meanwhile wondered at the strange events that transpired to lead him to where he now found himself.


    At least I¡¯m wearing black again.


    He looked down at his attire for the hundredth time, feeling like a fish out of water despite so many similar-dressed people all around him. His clothes were new, purchased only hours ago. Sleek black robes with gray trim and broad sleeves. While he felt uneasy about them, he had to admit they looked nice, complementing his chest and shoulders, as the woman who sold them to him assured they would. It featured a slip for his sword, but he decided to leave his weapons behind at the church. He also purchased sandals, which he¡¯d never worn before, but was told were a must. While his mask was back in place, a black broach with three long raven feathers adorned the side of his head. And after much debate that caused him considerable consternation, he decided to forgo wearing gloves in the hope Charlotte would approve. As a result, his hands, feet and neck were exposed in public for the first time in his life.


    It was disconcerting to say the least.


    Even so, he had to admit he was looking forward to the night of cheer. Hundreds of people happily wandered the central square of St. Meran, which dazzled from the incredible preparations for the Harvest Festival. The lights previously strung were now bedecked with garlands, and stands had been erected everywhere he looked, featuring games or festival fare of mouthwatering smell and quality. The theme was the Paywee fruit, as the carnival was a celebration of the crop. There were Paywee jugglers and Paywee sellers. And stands selling wine and pie and ice cream and novelty decorations made from Paywee cores and seeds. Extending down every adjoining street, it truly was a fantastically imagined carnival, full of laughter and carefree frivolity.


    But despite the relaxed environment and interesting amusements to be experienced, what Micah most looked forward to was enjoying them all with Charlotte. While he stayed in town, she went back to the church after purchasing her own robes. She said she would get a ride back to town with some of the ladies from the church she had befriended while eating breakfast that morning. So now he awaited her arrival by the fountain, as they agreed upon before she departed.


    She was late, which didn¡¯t surprise him in the least since she was never on time for anything. Even so, he found the wait uncomfortable. Why, he didn¡¯t know. Twilight was quickly fading into nighttime, and the air accumulated a bit of a chill, though nothing uncomfortable. He began considering whether or not he should look for her when he heard her voice over the grate of wheels and the plod of horses.


    ¡°Micah!¡±


    He turned and watched as the church¡¯s wagon came toward the fountain, loaded with a dozen women chattering excitedly. Charlotte sat on the edge, smiling brightly. His breath held as she gracefully dropped down and joined him.


    ¡°How do I look?¡± she asked. Her smile became a hopeful one.


    Micah swallowed hard. Charlotte¡¯s robes complemented her every delicate curve, an enchanting, silken gown of yellow and baby blue whorls. They wrapped snuggly around her arms, joined at her chest to leave her shoulders bare. Her hair was drawn up in an elegant bouffant skillfully tied together by her emerald comb. And a small mask covered her eyes, black and sparkling with bits of glitter. It rendered her blue eyes iridescent.


    ¡°You look beautiful,¡± he managed.


    She beamed at him. ¡°Thank you. You look really nice, too.¡± She brought a hand up to her face, adjusting the mask a bit. ¡°I hoped you wouldn¡¯t wear your mask, but I figured you would, so I bought this. See? Now we match.¡±


    He bit his lip in regret, hoping she wasn¡¯t disappointed. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ sorry. I¡¯m just not ready for that yet.¡±


    She took his hands. The warmth of her skin sent a charge through his whole body.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she said, not missing a beat. Her eyes never left his. ¡°You¡¯re you. I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way. Just knowing what you look like now¡­ well that¡¯s enough for me, Micah.¡±


    His fluster couldn¡¯t have grown anymore, and his mind scurried for an escape. ¡°Shall we?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes! Oh, I¡¯m so excited. Holy crickets, it¡¯s beautiful, isn¡¯t it? I¡¯m really hungry, too. There are so many things to experience. What should we try first?¡±


    She let him lead at a pleasant pace, but didn¡¯t let go of his hand. They made a casual tour around the plaza, discussing what they wanted to do as each possibility presented itself. Micah was hungry as well, and he¡¯d been scoping out many of the sizzling foods for a while, ensnared by their various aromas. Charlotte, meanwhile, had a laundry list of things she¡¯d picked up from the other women in the wagon, and she rattled them off one by one, gauging his interest in each. Her enthusiasm rubbed off on him, and he agreed to them all at first, but when she suggested dancing, he stopped, feeling terror creep in.


    He didn¡¯t have a clue how to dance.


    After timidly confessing this to her, she hopped in excitement, taking both of his hands again. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s so much fun! I can teach you. Come on!¡±


    She gave him no chance to protest, pulling him across the court to a large, partitioned lot behind a tailor¡¯s shop. Red lanterns lined the proximity of the square space, and many couples danced gaily to a country band eagerly belting out tune after tune on primitive instruments that would have offended the kindest artisans. Yet the music was lively, plucked with glee by wide-eyed performers. The way the people danced was peculiar as well. Pairs were joined together, but they also moved in uniform with everybody else. And their motions were particular to the clothing of St. Meran¡¯s citizens, complementing the vivid colors and flowing material of their robes.


    Charlotte dragged him through lingering watchers and brought them right into the thick of the fast-moving couples.


    ¡°Watch me and do what I do!¡± she shouted, placing him across from her.


    She started off slow, kicking her feet in perfect beat to the sounds. They were similar to the other people dancing, but much less elaborate for his sake. Her hips bounced and her hands swayed, returning a few moments later to the same position and starting again. Micah attempted to copy her. It was frustrating at first, but she kept the pace with an encouraging smile, letting him try as many times as needed. To his amazement, he finally got it, and he was matching her.


    This isn¡¯t so hard.


    A new song played, and Charlotte changed her dancing along with the others, but again, she patiently allowed him to catch up. He matched her much quicker this time, and they were off. What must have been a common local dance morphed into something new as the song rambled along, but he had the hang of it now. It was mostly footwork, something he¡¯d trained to perfect his whole life. She must have known, because she wasn¡¯t surprised in the least by how quickly he took to it.


    The pangs of hunger vanished, and they danced for over an hour. She showed him slow dances and fast dances, turn steps and slide steps, songs you clapped to and songs you hushed for. It was delightful, and Micah realized with surprising clarity that half the fun resided in the ability to freely touch and hold her. The popularity of dancing no longer confounded him ¨C it made perfect sense.


    He could have danced with Charlotte all night, but when the band stopped to take a break, Charlotte took it as a cue to move on. She seized his hand and marched him back toward the plaza, breezing her face with a fan she produced from her robes.


    ¡°So, what did you think?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I enjoyed it very much, actually,¡± he replied. ¡°It was far easier than I ever anticipated.¡±


    ¡°Of course. If it wasn¡¯t simple fun, would so many people love it?¡±


    ¡°I suppose I can¡¯t argue with that logic.¡±


    She giggled, but it was soon replaced by a moan. ¡°I¡¯m starving! Let¡¯s have dinner. I saw a barbecue grilling up a blaze by the town hall, and it¡¯s got my name all over it.¡±


    They located the place at the north end of the square, a cluster of small stands surrounding a massive fire pit. Cooking over the flames were meats galore, glowing from dripping fats and filling the area with a delectable smoke. Charlotte got a steak sandwich, Paywee salad and corn on the cob with butter while Micah ordered a cut each of beef, pork and lamb along with a baked potato. They sat at picnic tables sequestered beside a nearby grove of trees where many others were eating. A lutist provided soft melodies to listen to as they ate.


    While Charlotte dug in with zeal, Micah found himself in a quandary. Without his scarf, he could no longer hide his face and pull down his mask to eat. But he was so hungry, he felt he could devour his plate whole. Charlotte seemed to pick up on his inner conflict, because she paused in her dining to look at him with an impish smile. He sighed and lowered his mask just beneath his mouth. This made her laugh, but he disregarded her teasing as the smells of his food overwhelmed all other senses.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    The steak was juicy and tender, the lamb gamey but perfectly cooked, and the pork chop was moist and seasoned just right. By the time he finished his plate, he was beyond stuffed, but satisfied. Quickly replacing his mask, he patted his stomach and sighed. Charlotte did the same but insisted on dessert. As a compromise, they split a slice of Paywee pie with cream, of which she consumed the far greater portion.


    After taking some time to rest, Charlotte was soon on her feet again, pulling Micah along and zipping from stand to stand. They played games and listened to songs. They watched plays and street performers. They danced some more and purchased trinkets and souvenirs. The majority of the time, Charlotte talked in her usual animated fashion while he simply listened, but he would have been hard-pressed to believe she was having more fun.


    He was happy. In fact, this time at the Harvest Festival was the happiest of his life. It was an expression Micah cherished now. He understood happiness, the glowing satisfaction in his own heart, and he wanted more. It was Charlotte who first brought happiness into his life, culminated in this night to celebrate their escape from Carnel and its bounty on their heads. He wanted to remember every detail of it forever. Being with her¡­ spending time with her. He could have wished the night to never end.


    But despite such desire, the night did grow long, and the crowds lulled to a more sedate, if not still enthusiastic, state. Charlotte suggested a walk down one of the lantern-lit boulevards to escape the throngs, and he readily agreed. They proceeded hand-in-hand down Aspiron Street, a wide road lined with large, perfectly spaced poplars.


    It wasn¡¯t long, however, before another stand drew her attention, and she led him to a tiny hut near a park where many curious observers were listening to the large man behind the counter.


    ¡°Step up! Step up, right here folks. Jacker Maglin¡¯s the name and this is my game, best in town. Try your hand and catch the Spritlit! A special prize to the one who can do it!¡±


    Charlotte pushed through the crowd until they were in front. The announcer was huge, well over seven feet tall with a pot belly. He wore trousers with suspenders and a white t-shirt, and he used a rickety cane to augment his gestures. Placed on the counter before him were numerous random objects, from nets to candles to knives, and whole hosts of other assorted objects one might find from a tinker or at a bazaar.


    ¡°Which of you can do it?¡± he asked with enthusiasm, pointing his cane at them and waving it about. ¡°Which of you can catch one of my Spritlits? Near impossible some say, but it¡¯s been done! So, who¡¯s up for the challenge? A single coin for five minutes.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s a Spritlit?¡± Charlotte asked. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.


    ¡°Hello, young lady! Step right up and I¡¯ll show you. You can be the first to try and catch one of my little lovelies!¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡±


    She joined Maglin without hesitation. He reached over and turned her around to face the onlookers and the pitch-black forest behind them. Then, he tugged on something beneath the counter near his knees. A light shined behind the crowd, and they all turned to look. Three black poles were now visible in a wide space between the stand and the forest, arranged in a triangular formation. Atop each pole was a Life Stone glowing faintly, enough to illuminate a few feet in each direction.


    That was when they appeared.


    Charlotte gasped in wonder, and the people followed suit as tiny, flitting lights emerged from the forest to surround the three crystals. Micah had never seen anything like them before. They looked and fluttered like butterflies, glowing all colors of the rainbow and shining even brighter than the crystals, but they possessed no bodies. It was as if they were invisible, and the brilliant wings and antennae worked together to operate on their own.


    ¡°Behold my wondrous Spritlits!¡± Maglin boomed, interrupting their silent awe. ¡°Now, would you like to try and catch one, miss?¡±


    Charlotte turned back to him, nearly hopping in her excitement. ¡°Yes, yes! I want to try!¡±


    ¡°Okay then! That¡¯s one coin.¡±


    She produced a gold piece immediately and handed it to him.


    ¡°Now, here are the rules. You get five minutes to have one in your hands. If you manage it, you win the special prize, and you get to keep the Spritlit as well. Absolutely no magic is allowed, but you can use anything I have here. Understand?¡±


    ¡°I think so.¡± She clapped her hands. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡±


    Maglin produced a pocket watch, scrutinizing it intently. He raised a hand. Charlotte braced herself, scanning the counter¡¯s various objects.


    ¡°Aaaaaaand¡­. GO!¡±


    Charlotte immediately picked up a butterfly net, the most logical choice, and the others cheered her on as she raced to the poles. The Spritlits reacted to her presence, flitting about the lights faster. She swiped at them furiously, jumping and laughing and scurrying every which direction.


    After a couple minutes passed, she made a leaping swing, and it seemed she got one in the net. The people cheered, and Charlotte squealed in delight. But the wings passed right through the holes in the net and rejoined together, flying back to the lantern.


    ¡°Hey!¡± she cried indignantly.


    Maglin burst into laughter. ¡°Harder than it seems, isn¡¯t it? My little delights aren¡¯t so easy to catch! You still have two minutes.¡±


    Micah¡¯s interest was completely drawn now. Charlotte abandoned the net and tried catching them with her hands, desperately running circles in a last-ditch effort. As the final ticks of her allotted time went by, she actually managed to get a hand around one, but the wings once again slipped through what should have been an inescapable enclosure for a normal insect.


    ¡°Time¡¯s up!¡± Maglin announced.


    Charlotte slumped in dejection, returning to Micah and burying her face in his arm.


    ¡°Now, now, don¡¯t be sad, little lady,¡± Maglin said in a well-practiced frown and bow. ¡°Many have tried and few succeed in catching the elusive Spritlit. Hopefully you had a good time. So, who¡¯s next?¡±


    They watched as several others gave their best shot, trying nearly every tool on the counter and every trick at their minds¡¯ disposal. Still, nothing gave. The Spritlits were simply too fast and lucid, seemingly unbound by any possible restraints. Charlotte watched each of their attempts, her glumness growing with each failure.


    After another failed attempt, Micah released Charlotte¡¯s hold on his arm and approached Maglin, placing a gold coin on the counter.


    ¡°I would like a turn,¡± he said.


    Maglin regarded him warily. ¡°No magic allowed, you understand.¡±


    ¡°Indeed.¡±


    Maglin nodded and looked at his watch. After a pause, he nodded again. ¡°Five minutes. Go.¡±


    Micah reached for a flint, a knife, a cotton ball, and the small candle. He scraped the knife against the flint, and a spray of sparks ignited the cotton. He set the items down and used the fire to light the candle. Taking it, he approached the poles, drawing interest from everyone watching, including Charlotte, who clutched her hands at her chest.


    Finding the darkest spot he could find between the poles, Micah crouched as low as possible, pulled his mask down, and put the candle in his mouth so the flame protruded out. He cupped his hands before him, as if to catch the melting wax, and then waited.


    A buzz went through those watching his strange actions. Time ticked by, but he remained still, crouching low with a burning candle sticking out of his mouth, and making no attempt to catch the Spritlits. It seemed odd, but Maglin began to chuckle, so they watched and waited.


    Just when it seemed hopeless, a Spritlit slowly fluttered away from one of the poles and made its way to Micah. A collective hush went through the watchers when it started to hover over his head. But Micah made no attempt to catch it, remaining still and keeping his hands cupped beneath the candle¡¯s flame.


    ¡°One minute!¡± Maglin exclaimed.


    Still, he waited. The seconds passed by achingly, making everyone sway to and fro, a collective hum urging from their throats. But they hushed again when the Spritlit slowly started to descend.


    ¡°Thirty seconds!¡±


    The rainbow butterfly landed, hovering just above Micah¡¯s fingertips. Its wings stilled in submission to the candlelight. It slowly inched forward. Charlotte had to bite her hand to keep from shouting.


    ¡°Fifteen seconds!¡±


    The Spritlit hovered into the center of his hands. Micah slowly began to close them together.


    ¡°Five seconds¡­ four¡­¡±


    The Spritlit¡¯s wings fluttered once, Micah paused.


    ¡°Three¡­ two¡­¡±


    They stilled again. Micah resumed. Just a slit remained.


    ¡°TIME!¡±


    The crowd was dead silent, standing on tiptoes just to see over his crouched form. He slowly stood and turned. His hands were completely closed, and no Spritlit emerged from within.


    Charlotte cheered in delirious exuberance, and everybody else followed. Micah spit the candle out and used his shoulder to lift the mask over his mouth again. He then approached with hands tightly closed, and they all crowded around him, patting his back and applauding him.


    Maglin rubbed his head and sighed. ¡°Well done, lad. It¡¯s been a while since anyone¡¯s figured it out.¡±


    Micah stood in expectation, clenching his hands tight.


    ¡°Oh, you can open your hands. It won¡¯t fly away.¡±


    He did as he was told, unfolding his hands. The Spritlit remained hovering in his palms, docile. Many tried to get a closer look, including Charlotte, whose eyes went wide with wonder and envy. The wings and antennae of the strange creature seemed made of pure light, swirling with every color imaginable. It moved and reacted just like a butterfly, but simply had no body.


    ¡°As promised, here is your prize,¡± Maglin said, offering Micah a slip of paper embossed with gold lettering, which Charlotte took.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s admission into the Asterly Gardens!¡± she said upon reading it. ¡°I heard the other women talking about them. It¡¯s supposed to be the most beautiful place.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s only good for tonight, so you¡¯d best head over now.¡±


    Micah nodded when Charlotte looked up at him, hoping for a positive reply. He still stood with hands open.


    ¡°What should I do with this?¡± he asked Maglin.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s all yours. I assume your lady friend will put it to better use, though. Yes? Here, let me see it.¡±


    He hovered a hand over the glowing insect, and the Spritlit rose up out of Micah¡¯s hands. Maglin then waved it over to Charlotte, who eagerly opened her own hands. He prodded the creature a bit until it drifted into them.


    ¡°It¡¯s warm!¡± she exclaimed.


    ¡°Clever little things,¡± Maglin said, scratching his face. ¡°You let ¡®em go, and they¡¯ll find their own food. What that is exactly, I don¡¯t have any idea. But they¡¯ll return to you just the same, no matter where you go. Until you give ¡®em away, that is. Faithful as an old bloodhound, the Spritlit. They live for years, and they¡¯ll stay put wherever you tell ¡®em to. They can only be found on the southern islands of the Swiftside Archipelago, where the locals use them as jewelry. Let me show you.¡±


    He lifted her hands up to her head, tipping them so the butterfly flapped its wings and fluttered to land on her head. With another prodding, it moved just behind her ear. There, it stayed to look remarkably like a shimmering hairclip. Those watching oohed and aahed at the effect. The soft light splashed her hair with myriad colors, remarkable in the nighttime. And they flickered every now and then when the Spritlit beat its wings.


    She took a mirror from the counter, admiring the brilliant effect. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s absolutely gorgeous!¡±


    The stand operator chuckled. ¡°Alright now, off with ya. The Gardens are down this street, then you take a left at Asterly Road, which curves down the hill to the estate. About a mile should get you there. Hurry now.¡±


    Charlotte grabbed Micah¡¯s hand and started off immediately. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Maglin!¡± she said behind her. ¡°It was a lot of fun!¡±


    Dozens of carnival-goers immediately pressed in when they were gone, demanding a chance to catch a Spritlit.


    ¡°Back away! Back away!¡± Maglin demanded angrily. ¡°You think I¡¯m stupid or something? The Spritlit stand is closed!¡±

 Chapter 26: The Asterly Gardens

    ¡°That was amazing!¡± Charlotte exclaimed, hugging Micah¡¯s arm as they ambled down the road to the Asterly estate. Great big trees canopied this street, creating a makeshift archway that filtered moonlight in spotty patches. ¡°The way you figured out how to catch the Spritlit¡­ that was so clever! I never would have thought of that.¡±


    He watched the makeshift butterfly on her head, steady in place yet alive and bright. ¡°It¡¯s certainly a fascinating little thing,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯d like to know more about them.¡±


    After a long, side-winding course down the forested path, they came to a marble wall, partitioned by an immense gate of white steel bars twisted to form an intricate arcane design. Beyond the gate, paradise awaited, and far in the distance, a story-book castle topped a grassy mount, its highest tower framed by the moon¡¯s ivory crescent. A man in pomp attire stood beside the gate, smiling pleasantly. They approached him, and Charlotte produced the invitation they won from Maglin.


    The porter took the slip and bowed without reply, and the gate gracefully swung wide on its own, eliciting all the grandeur one could expect from such a place. The well-maintained path led a course through the gardens of so many rumor and speculation, and the first impression did not disappoint. A variety of lush plants and manicured trees lined the walkway, which formed a helix. The double paths crossed each other at regular intervals as far as Micah could see, illuminated by lanterns on golden, cane-shaped posts.


    ¡°Do you know what this kind of path is called?¡± Charlotte asked excitedly, letting go of his arm and turning in place to look at him as they walked.


    ¡°There¡¯s a name for it?¡± he replied.


    She nodded, turning again to walk alongside him. ¡°It¡¯s called a ¡®Lover¡¯s Treaty.¡¯ See how the two lanes run alongside each other, then twist to cross paths every so often? Here¡­¡±


    As they came to one of the crossings, she placed a hand on his shoulder and nudged him so that he took the right path while she took the left. They still walked together, but a few feet apart now.


    ¡°What is its purpose?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I actually know this!¡± she said. ¡°It¡¯s Rypsian history, you see. In the days of the Old Kingdom, when warlords wanted to make treaties, they came together at predetermined places where two fortified walls ran alongside each other. And on top of those walls was a path for each ruler. The walls would go for miles and miles, long enough for lengthy discussion, but far enough apart so the kings couldn¡¯t attack each other. Then, when the terms of the treaty were agreed upon, a special magic requiring both rulers¡¯ participation was invoked to cross the walls together, so they could quickly exchange a handshake before continuing along.¡±


    ¡°Intriguing,¡± Micah said. ¡°So how did the kind of path we¡¯re walking on now become known as a Lover¡¯s Treaty?¡±


    ¡°Well, over time, that method of forming treaties was abandoned, but the walls remained. So they were used for other purposes, such as negotiating contracts or paying personal restitution for evils committed against others, and it became part of Rypsy culture. When making amends with someone, you ¡®walked the treaty¡¯ as you might sometimes hear people say. Eventually the walls were abandoned in favor of simple paths ¨C the ritual became the important aspect. This was especially true with slighted women. When their husbands or boyfriends affronted them, they would drag them out to the nearest ¡®Treaty Path¡¯ and make them walk it with them, where they could talk, but at a distance. Then, once they resolved their differences¡­¡±


    The paths crossed again, and Micah and Charlotte met in the middle. ¡°¡­they could rejoin, symbolizing a treaty and a fresh start.¡±


    She passed Micah, turning onto the right path while he took the left this time.


    ¡°But for the last hundred years or so,¡± she continued, ¡°the Treaty Path has taken on a different meaning. Instead of reconciliation, young boys and girls began using it as a method of courtship ¨C they could walk with each other, but at a distance that invoked mystery and longing. And when the path finally crossed, they could steal a kiss or two.¡± Charlotte grinned mischievously. ¡°As you can imagine, one crossing was never enough, so when new Treaty Paths were constructed, the two sides would cross more often and at shorter intervals. Eventually, it took on this form where they cross many times. And that¡¯s how it got its name: the Lover¡¯s Treaty. It¡¯s considered the premier romantic setting among Rypsians¡­ a walk on the Treaty with the one you love. Every girl dreams about it.¡±


    ¡°How fascinating,¡± he said, folding his hands behind his back. ¡°A truly insightful piece of history.¡±


    ¡°Well as you know, I¡¯m nothing if not perspicacious.¡±


    He hummed, making her giggle.


    ¡°So what do you think, Micah?¡± She glanced at him, batting her lashes and turning her shoulder up. ¡°Want to make a treaty with me?¡±


    He blinked. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Are we at odds?¡±


    She exhaled, laughing ruefully. ¡°Never mind.¡±


    They walked in silence for a while. Crickets a thousand fold created a joyful melody, and a slender wind swished through trees in accord to their chirps. While Charlotte looked all about, taking in the whole of their pleasant surroundings with rapturous delight, he could only see her. The way she moved, quiet and graceful. The way the Spritlit illuminated her hair with dashes of vibrant colors. The way her words became a song at the slightest lilt of her voice and the way her pale skin glowed in any source of light. She was so beautiful ¨C that fact became more evident to him as each day passed, but his recognition of it was now far more personal.


    Yet, he understood so little about these feelings, which were increasingly becoming both pleasurable and painful. He found himself longing to touch her all the time. To hold her, even when there was no purpose to it.


    ¡°I want to know more about you,¡± he said. The words came without complete approval from his brain, and he stopped short of saying anything more. He felt embarrassed by the sudden statement.


    The request didn¡¯t draw the reaction he expected. Instead, she beamed her usual smile. ¡°What do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°May I be frank?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Everything.¡±


    Their paths crossed again, and they stopped before each other. Charlotte¡¯s eyes dazzled behind her mask, searching his face with a bewitching blue flicker. He could have looked into them forever, but she smiled and continued on. He did likewise.


    ¡°Everything is a lot,¡± she said. ¡°Where should I begin?¡±


    ¡°You have avoided speaking of your past before now,¡± he said. ¡°I have done my best to respect your wishes and not broach the subject, and I will continue to do so if that is your desire.¡±


    Her face relayed the longing to sigh, but she did not. ¡°It¡¯s alright. Things are different now, and you deserve to know. It¡¯s not that I¡¯m ashamed or afraid of my past. It¡¯s just¡­ difficult to talk about my struggles, because they are personal and, perhaps, meritless.¡± She rubbed her hands together nervously, as if to shake away the jitters. ¡°So, how do I start¡­?¡±


    ¡°Tell me about your family,¡± he said.


    ¡°Well, my father, Allendale Goodsteel, is the counselor to the Chevron of Astenbury, as I told you before. Though he¡¯s from Carnel, the Chevron appointed him because he¡¯s strong and well educated. My mother, Sophia, met my father very young, and they married soon after. Raised an aristocrat, she has fine taste and impeccable refinement, a true lady. But to my everlasting shame, she¡¯s a bit of a scatterbrain, and she hates the outdoors, especially during the daytime. Unfortunately, her recluse behavior rubbed off on Olivia, my younger sister. Olive looks very much like me, but that¡¯s where the similarities end. She¡¯s a complete bookworm and a bit of a wet blanket, always negative about everything. But she¡¯s really smart, and there are times when she can be your best friend in the world, depending on the time of day.¡±


    ¡°It sounds as if you love them very much,¡± Micah said.


    ¡°Oh, I do! I do. More than my own life!¡± She began to wring her hands. She seemed close to tears, biting her lip hard. ¡°In fact, I often wonder if I deserve their love.¡±


    ¡°How do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯ve been such a burden to them for so long. It wasn¡¯t always like that, of course. When I was just a little girl, I had a happy childhood. Born with the proverbial silver spoon in my mouth, I received all the finer things in life. A truly blessed existence I took for granted. But that all changed when¡­ I opened my first Sealed Eye.¡±


    She paused. Micah considered asking her if she was alright, but thought better of it and waited until she calmed down. Now the sigh came, full of loneliness.


    ¡°About nine years ago, my sister and I were playing in a field near our estate when Olive fell into an old well. It was dry and deep, much too dark to see anything, but I could hear her crying. Oh, I still remember how she cried. She was in so much pain. It was awful¡­ just awful.¡± Charlotte removed her mask. Tears coated her cheeks. ¡°You see, I was so scared that I unwittingly activated Heartbreaker. That was when it all started. Without realizing what I¡¯d done, I found myself inside Olive¡¯s heart. She was there in the darkness, crying and scared. But I was able to comfort her until someone found us and rescued her.¡±


    Micah and Charlotte crossed paths again. He offered her a handkerchief, which she gratefully accepted. They continued walking on opposite sides.


    ¡°You would think such a thing would be a miracle, right?¡± she said, dabbing her eyes. ¡°But it was a curse.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I became a freak show, that¡¯s why!¡± She angrily stamped her foot. ¡°People talked and whispered about what happened, and my parents let them perform tests on me and sent me to wizards and specialists. It was as if I wasn¡¯t even a little girl anymore. I felt like a circus attraction. Then, my father brought a man all the way from Carnel to take a look at me, and he was the one who somehow determined I had other dormant abilities. It wasn¡¯t long before people pieced folklore and fact together and concluded I was the Moon Eye Child.¡±


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    She paused, breathing deeply and letting her anger subside. ¡°But that was only the beginning,¡± she continued quietly. ¡°About a year after Olive¡¯s accident, I was kidnapped from our home. I don¡¯t want to go into many details. I shudder even thinking about these things. But a group of men stole me away from my bed in the dead of night, then held me for ransom. Daddy paid them the money, and I was returned safe.¡±


    More tears came. ¡°Six months later, I was kidnapped again. Not for money this time. It was a group that wanted to hide me away and use my eyes for their cause. Daddy hired mercenaries from Carnel to find me, and they eventually did. All the men who took me were killed.¡±


    Micah listened with rapt attention, astonished by her story. ¡°How many times has this happened?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Six times¡­¡±


    He did a double take.


    ¡°Six times,¡± she repeated. Her eyes drooped with terrible sadness. ¡°For every reason you can think of. So many people died on my account, and I was forced to see all of it. Sometimes I would get thrown into duffel bags or put in dark cellars, other times tied up and gagged. After the second time, Daddy hired bodyguards. I couldn¡¯t go outside anymore, and someone had to be around me no matter what time of the day it was. Yet, they still came for me.


    ¡°It was a nightmare, even though Daddy always saved me in the end. The consequences ran much deeper than it first appeared. My family became pariah. Some of the folk in Astenbury began to wonder if we were cursed. They distrusted us. Daddy struggled in his position as counselor. And our entire fortune was whittled away by the expense. From ransoms to all the hired guards and soldiers, it became too much. In seven years, we were nearly bankrupt. My parents never said so, but I know we were just days away from losing our home.¡±


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t?¡± he asked.


    She shook her head. ¡°It happened so quick, and they didn¡¯t tell me or Olive what happened, but suddenly our money problems were over. Like it happened over night, all the attendants we let go were back, our estate was being restored after years of neglect, and we enjoyed fine meals and other luxuries we had taken for granted.¡±


    Charlotte raised her head, looking deep into the night sky. ¡°But at the same time, something happened to Daddy. I know the events are related, but he never talked about it.¡±


    ¡°Someone attacked him?¡±


    ¡°No, no¡­ nothing like that. He just became¡­ distant. It was subtle at first, but with each passing day, the signs became more apparent. He worked more and hardly ever smiled. Rarely would he eat at the dinner table with us, and nothing impressed him or gave him joy. My mother endured it all with a smile, but me and Olive, we knew she was suffering, too. In time, I came to see it was my fault.¡±


    Micah frowned. ¡°You can¡¯t blame yourself. You were just a child.¡±


    ¡°Maybe not, but it doesn¡¯t matter. I blamed myself at the time, so things got worse. While he would still attempt interaction with my mother and sister, he eventually couldn¡¯t even speak to me anymore, and I eventually stopped trying. It was poisonous in our home, and I felt like an outsider. Sometimes, I could convince myself things would get better, but then one day, my worst nightmare came true.


    ¡°About six months ago, Daddy came to my room and said he was sending me to Carnel. He told me he wanted me to complete my education in our homeland. Olive was to stay behind, but he wanted me to go to Carnel.¡±


    ¡°And you think he was lying?¡± Micah asked.


    ¡°What would you have thought if you were in my shoes? Wouldn¡¯t you have thought that he just wanted me gone¡­ that he couldn¡¯t stand the sight of me anymore¡­ that he hated me?¡±


    They came to the last crossing of the path. Charlotte stood before Micah looking small and helpless. Tears flowed in a continual stream. ¡°The rest of the story you know,¡± she managed. Her breathing hitched many times. ¡°I came to Carnel with a dozen armed escorts, but Riser had me arrested the moment I stepped off the boat, accusing me of being a spy.¡±


    She burst into tears, crying at the utmost peak of her heart¡¯s sorrow. She buried her head in Micah¡¯s chest. He held her close.


    ¡°They threw me in that prison! They blindfolded me and chained me up! They treated me like I was a criminal! And Daddy¡­ Daddy didn¡¯t come for me this time,¡± she wailed. ¡°He never came, he never came. Why didn¡¯t he come for me? Why?¡±


    The soul-rending sobs made Micah¡¯s heart and throat ache. Seeing her in such pain, he wanted it to be gone, but he didn¡¯t know how to chase it away this time. For several minutes, she cried into his chest, shivering uncontrollably.


    When finally her sobs were reduced to sniffles, he ventured to comfort her. ¡°You said¡­ that your father sent you to Carnel for school. Couldn¡¯t it be possible he doesn¡¯t even know what happened to you? Governor Riser certainly wouldn¡¯t have alerted him to what happened.¡±


    She stopped sniffing, but held him closer. ¡°I guess that¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡°Considering Riser and Vash plotted to take you without the approval of the king, it¡¯s even feasible they did everything possible to prevent your family from discovering what happened.¡±


    She looked up at him now. ¡°You mean like sending them fake letters or something?¡±


    ¡°Was your family expecting letters from you?¡±


    ¡°My mother was. I considered writing her while we traveled, but thought better of it in the end. She wouldn¡¯t be too concerned if I didn¡¯t write her after only two months¡­ knowing my habits. I was never much of a letter-writer.¡±


    ¡°Well then, it could be they don¡¯t know a thing.¡±


    She placed her head back on his chest, wrapping her arms around him again. ¡°You¡¯re probably right. But¡­ I¡¯m still afraid to go home.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°What if I go back and find things happier than when I left? Wouldn¡¯t that mean they were better off without me? What if Daddy is upset that I was kidnapped again? Does he even want me back? And what if I put them in danger by going back? Aren¡¯t they safer if I¡¯m not there? Oh, Micah, I just don¡¯t know what to do.¡±


    ¡°The way I see it, you have two options. Stay away from your family and always wonder about the truth, or go back and learn the truth. You may indeed discover that your father no longer wants you to be part of the family, as unlikely as that seems. But it would produce the same results as the first option, except you would at least know the truth. Not knowing would haunt you forever. Our travels through Rypsy can go through Astenbury. You should take the opportunity.¡±


    ¡°It makes a whole lot of sense when you put it like that.¡± She looked up at him, smiling. ¡°Thank you, Micah. I think you¡¯re right, and I feel a bit braver now. Though, I wouldn¡¯t be able to do it if you weren¡¯t with me.¡±


    He nodded. ¡°Tomorrow, we¡¯ll chart a course for Astenbury.¡±


    She took a deep breath, mustering up resolve. ¡°Okay.¡±


    It was in that moment they realized their new surroundings. Charlotte held her breath, and Micah followed suit in marveling where they stood. The path ended, fading into a small, grassy meadow. A lake was tucked within the secluded wood, just beyond where they stood. Its water shimmered under the moonlight, ripples sparkling in the wake of gliding swans.


    ¡°Crickets¡­¡± was all she could muster. He wholeheartedly agreed.


    A carved marble settee overlooked the lagoon from a veranda with pristine vantage. Charlotte led Micah to it with coy playfulness. They sat, and she curled up beside him, taking his arm and resting her head on his shoulder. Together, they enjoyed the lush quiet of the garden. Fireflies drifted to and fro over the lake¡¯s surface, and the glow of the festival haloed the highest treetops. Micah had no way of telling how much time passed, but if he could have wished for the moon and stars to stop in their rotations, he would have done so.


    Never had he been so happy to do nothing. His mind whirled with a thousand incredible sensations. The pleasant ambiance of the night with its perfect cool breeze, the florid scent of Charlotte¡¯s hair so close to his face, the softness of her breasts as she pressed against his arm, and the way she held his hand as if it were the most important thing in the world.


    It wasn¡¯t difficult to understand what was happening, despite how scary the revelation seemed at first. He wanted her. He wanted Charlotte to be his, to be closer to her in every capacity he could comprehend. And, more to the point, he wanted to be the only one to share such intimacy with her. It seemed selfish, but he knew in such cases, a man need not feel guilty. This was the order of things.


    But he knew nothing about the rituals of courtship beyond what he read in books. And the books he normally read rarely discussed such a topic that most considered instinctual. That unfortunately left him lost, but he dared not simply ask her, for fear of ruining their relationship due to his ignorance. More research would have to be done, but what he really desired was access to another female to consult on the matter.


    ¡°Micah, are you alright?¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s voice snapped him out of his inner thoughts. He glanced at her. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine. Why?¡±


    ¡°Because judging from the serious look in your eye, you were doing some major soul searching. Either that or something you ate tonight isn¡¯t sitting too well at the moment.¡±


    He laughed, but didn¡¯t reply. She can be far too perceptive.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯ve told you a lot about myself tonight,¡± she said. ¡°But where¡¯s the give and take?¡±


    ¡°What do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Well, I know you don¡¯t remember much about your past,¡± she said, frowning a bit. ¡°But do you ever wonder about it? I mean, you were born to someone, right? Isn¡¯t it possible you have a family out there somewhere?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never really thought about it,¡± he answered truthfully.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t dwelled on it too much until now, but when I cut the seal around your heart, I saw things.¡± She leaned back against him, and he put an arm around her. ¡°Weird things. Just brief glimpses of random places and people I couldn¡¯t identify, but they seemed personal. The same thing happened when I broke Marshall Kalem¡¯s seal, too. I think they were memories.¡±


    ¡°Do you remember them?¡±


    She bit her lip. ¡°Not really, but I bet if I really think on it a while, some of it will come back to me.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes, I see things, too,¡± he said.


    ¡°What kind of things?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not really sure. Same as your visions, they¡¯re too brief, gone even before I can dwell on them, but I believe they are lost memories of my past as well.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too bad,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Family is important, Micah. You had a mother once, right? And a father. Maybe siblings. Isn¡¯t it possible they¡¯re still out there? What if they¡¯re looking for you? I¡¯m sure your mother must miss you, at least.¡±


    She snuggled further into his embrace, resting her head in the crook of his neck and closing her eyes. She yawned, and Micah felt the unwanted effect on his own eyes, but he refused to suggest they make their way back.


    ¡°Thank you, Micah,¡± she finally said after a while, sleepiness dragging her words.


    ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°Everything. For saving me and protecting me. For being there when I needed you, even when I didn¡¯t know it. For talking to me and always telling me just what I need to hear. I don¡¯t know what life would be like without you now. And honestly, I don¡¯t ever want to know.¡±


    ¡°I thank you, as well,¡± he replied.


    ¡°For what?¡± she managed as she slipped into slumber.


    ¡°¡­ everything.¡±


    *                         *                          *


    ¡°I took the liberty of restocking your provisions this morning,¡± Simon said. ¡°It should last you a few weeks, or at the very least until you arrive in Astenbury. And here¡¯s a meal for the road.¡±


    St. Meran¡¯s priest offered Charlotte a basket. She reached down from the floating chariot seat and accepted it with a smile and words of gratitude. Micah¡¯s fire horses drew the attention and admiration of everyone at the church who had gathered to see them off. Simon circled round the magical wagon to Micah¡¯s side and reached up to shake his hand.


    ¡°Be safe, lad,¡± he said. ¡°May God be with you and Miss Goodsteel wherever you might go. Look after each other. Protect each other. And if you should ever find yourself lost, just take a look at that scar on your hand. It will lead you straight.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Roshi. I will,¡± he replied. He reached into a pocket and produced a Cure Stone and a small booklet, handing them to Simon. ¡°We can¡¯t thank you enough for all you¡¯ve done, but hopefully this is a start.¡±


    Simon gaped at the crystal, incredulous. ¡°Is this what I think it is?¡±


    Micah nodded.


    ¡°Son, I can¡¯t accept this!¡±


    ¡°Take it. I have tons more. This is my plan for helping people.¡±


    Simon shook his head as absurdity morphed to laughter. ¡°Just who are you, Micah sinChamplain?¡±


    Micah cracked the reins, and the horses tugged the chariot into a trot. Raising his hand in salute, he replied, ¡°A man on a mission.¡±


    An hour later, Micah and Charlotte¡¯s wagon crossed St. Meran¡¯s town border. At the fence line, half buried in dead shrubbery, a gaunt and twisted scarecrow stared back at them.


    ¡°Oh gross,¡± Charlotte remarked with a sneer, pointing it out.


    Micah looked where she pointed. The scarecrow was incredibly life-like, with a leathery head cocked sideways, an evil and twisted smile, and several layers of fabric covering its limbs that drifted on the faint breeze. There was definitely something vile about the thing, and they stared at it for an extended period.


    ¡°Just a scarecrow,¡± he finally replied. He prodded the horses on.


    When they were out of sight, the scarecrow slowly turned its head. His wicked smile broadened, and a high-pitched chuckle issued from behind black teeth.


    ¡°The second one!¡± he said. ¡°That¡¯s definitely him! The second Precision user! I found him!¡± His arms came together, rubbing hands in delight. ¡°Miss Dragon Lady will be so pleased! So pleased with me! It¡¯s finally time to unleash the boy. The boy! The boy!¡±


    With demented mirth, the scarecrow jumped free of the bushes and skipped down the opposite side of the road. ¡°The boy! The boy! The boy to set my master free!¡±