"We just have to cause disorder in the city, exactly like we did with Emilia," I say, knowing that Ruscal’s going to expect me to show up. Either way, I'm not going to sit around and watch my mate die. My inner fire magic is strong and I’ve been waiting eleven years to use it on that murderous bastard, to finally let it go.
"I have an idea, it's a very risky plan, but I know that Astri has been blessed with powerful energy. The mage wants to kill her, and he won't miss an opportunity. Just hear me out," Emilia says all of a sudden.
My ex-boss has some good ideas, and we all listen in. We can't use bombs this time around. This is my city and I don't want others to get hurt. Shifters are going to rebel against the new order sooner rather than later. Ruscal used violence to bring everyone under his control, and Rivenna has always been independent.
We all listen to what Emilia has to say, while Lenin interrupts a few times throwing in his two cents. When push comes to shove, I don't want to be anywhere near Jorgen. He mustn't know that I have anything to do with his rescue.
We talk about Emilia's plan until late in the evening, going over it a few more times. That night we all go to sleep filled with new hope and determination that things are going to get better soon.
The realisation of the fact that Jorgen might be dead soon begins looming over me once I leave the old mill in the morning. I push the negative thoughts away, but it isn't easy.
Ruscal’s playing on my emotions, most likely carefully planning my death. I walk around the city, seeing that wild shifters are clearing people off the main square. Many of the stands are being vacated, and several mages stand aside in a group, bickering amongst each other. No one dares to stand against the new order at this point, and I'm a little worried. We need shifters, mages and even humans on our side. We need them to see that Ruscal's rule will make them suffer.
I circle around the square a few times, watching and observing what’s going on.
After some time, I'm not so sure if Emilia's plan is going to work. We improvised with the trolls, but that won't work out here. Ruscal and his mages are powerful.
I miss Jorgen so much. He must think that I was only using him for my own benefit during the mating season. The heat drove me crazy, and I couldn't control myself around him, but it was love. I had feelings for him even before we left Rivenna, although I wasn't transparent about it. And now I regret it.
"What happened to the girl? You know the scared Wyvern girl who won the contest?" the strange shifter asked when I pass by. Several carpenters are building the execution platform under the careful watch of wild shifters.
I hate to witness it—hate to see that everyone just accepts what’s going on.
The fire keeps bubbling away deep inside. Fire song, I can use it, but would it be worth it in the long run?
The tiny voice in my head tells me to keep moving, that there is no point in me listening to people, but it's like I'm rooted to the ground. I need to know what people think about me.
Three shifters are sitting on the bench eating their lunch and staring at the work that’s being carried out.
"She escaped and left the Duke alone. I bet she's not coming back," replies the other one with scraggly long hair. The other two are staring at him surprised.
"I heard that she was travelling with the Duke, that they were abroad. She couldn't have just escaped. That Wyvern was brave, strong and disfigured, but that doesn't change anything. She was the future of the city," the middle shifter speaks out, and warmth spreads to every part of my body.
At least someone in the city still believes in me.
"Well, she ain't here now, and we’re all doomed, besides she’s on her own. Ruscal brought his own army to the city and he made a deal with the wild shifters. She's next to be executed if he ever catches her, so she must be hiding. Ruscal wants her dead," the shifter with long hair continues.
I exhale sharply, knowing that he’s right. I'm next in line to die, and no one expects me to fight.
They start to argue between each other, and my scar stings. I touch my cheek, wondering what’s going on. My scar never hurt before.
Then I walk away, thinking that our plan must work, and I have to kill Ruscal to save Jorgen. The future of the city is in my hands.
"You will see me rising above them all faster than ever."
Chapter Five
The prep.
I can't find my own space, siting on pins and needles when the day of the execution arrives. The mill is filled with tension flaring up—everyone’s on edge. Emilia tries to brew a basic potion, shutting herself in the old kitchen. An hour later we all hear her banging and slamming pots and pans in frustration. It's like she’s starting all over again from scratch and it's disheartening to see her struggle. All her magical abilities are gone, but she’s determined to get them back. At some point Edvard joins her, and she calms down a bit. I hear them talking in high-pitched voices. I'm really impressed with my uncle's skills. His magic is truly spectacular and I'm glad that he’s helping her to cope with having no magic.
"Astri, you must let me come with you. I'm brave, even the fairy in the forest said so. Damn it. I should have asked her out for a date," Lenin says, poking me in the cheek with his tiny finger.
Jetli folds her arms around her chest, and proceeds to roll her eyes. We’ve went over our options and they both know what they have to do. It’s pointless to discuss this again.
I pick up my arrows, and start checking them while Lenin flies around. I'm nervous about being on my own in the first stage of our plan. Edvard, Aria and Emilia are going to be on the square amongst other shifters and mages. We’ve discussed this repeatedly, but for some reason I'm still anxious that something might go wrong.
"No Lenin, you know the plan and we’re sticking to it. Nothing can go wrong this time around. And I'm the one that must distract the mages," I say, a little harsher than I anticipated.
As usual, Lenin isn't giving up.
"But the lordi lord won't come with us. He will know that you set this all up," he points out. He’s right. Jorgen’s going to be angry, but it doesn't really matter. He won't have a choice, and if he wants to stay alive, he’ll leave with Edvard.
"I won't be there, so you don't have to worry about it Lenin. I'm going alone," I say, and he shows me his tongue with frustration, then flies away. Lenin’s worried about me, but he’ll never admit it, so he’s acting out.
Earlier on, Aria went out to get some food for everyone, trying to break the rising tension. Life in the city keeps going, and nothing much has changed. No one seems to care that Ruscal’s planning to execute the legitimate ruler of Rivenna. People are too scared to stand up and rebel. I thought for sure that at least some of the mages and shifters would try to fight for their Duke when they heard the news.
I know that many mages aren't allowed to shift into their true form. And some humans are being targeted as well. This is happening discreetly and no one is talking about it. I don’t even recognize my city anymore.
"I just want to get back to the castle, and keep having a nice breakfast. I miss our chamber," Lenin whines, and I don't say anything.
I know exactly what he’s talking about, but we all know that that’s not going to happen anytime soon. Now we have to fight to get back to normality.
"Calm down, little Pixie. It's all going to be fine. Astri will do well," Aria says, and Lenin puffs up his chest, flying to her. It shocks me that he doesn't get angry with her when she’s calling him little.
I keep checking my arrows, trying to keep busy. Later on, we all sit down around the table and go over what everyone needs to do. We want to make sure that we haven't missed anything. I'm scared that Aria, Emilia and Edvard are responsible to get Jorgen out, but I have to have faith in them.
"She will, but the problem is that there are only four of us, okay Lenin, six, and a lot more bad guys," Edvard says, and my fire magic stirs deep inside me.
"Oh, stop it Edvard. We’re strong and we’ve been
over this a million times. Everything will work out just fine," Emilia states, shaking her head. She isn't happy that my uncle is doubting himself.
We don't need this right now. Emilia doesn't seem to care that she can't fight like she used to.
Once Jorgen is safe, I'll get to Bratlav. He must still have the venom and I just have to find a way to get it back.
"Our magic will work, but I'm still worried that Ruscal might be doing this to lure me to the square. He has no reason to murder his own brother. He hates him, but it's not Jorgen's fault that the warlock witch took Ruscal away straight after birth," Edvard continues and he has a valid point.
He doesn't need to kill Jorgen, he needs him to get to me.
"Daddy, you have to have more faith. Astri is kind and fierce. I can read people easily and I know she will succeed. We mustn't doubt her," Aria speaks out and Lenin nods.
I don't want to talk anymore, but the minutes keep dragging by. We have to wait for the right moment.
"Thank you, Aria. Let’s go over the plan again," I say. My T-shirt is stuck to my back. It's because of my energy. I keep accumulating it, aware of my fire magic. I can sense it boiling inside of me, waiting to be unleashed.
Then silence descends inside the mill and we all wait until the sun begins hiding behind the horizon. The city quiets down and the tension makes me a little sick.
When there’s finally time, Edvard starts using spells to change Emilia's appearance. It's a necessary precaution, Ruscal’s people might be watching out for her around the square. I want to bring back the Wyvern legacy, and expose Ruscal's crimes to the world. Everyone needs to realise that he's a murderer and he won't stop until he’s brought to justice.
The streets are mostly empty as we walk towards the square; there are some humans rushing home. Most of the shifters and mages must have already gathered around the square.
My heart stops when I see the platform set up in the middle. There’s a rope hanging from the gallows. The wind keeps swinging it from one side to the other and I feel nauseous just seeing it. The whole city is here—everyone arrived to watch the Duke be executed in the most barbaric way. It makes me sick.
A cold shiver crosses over my spine. It's hard to see anything from the distance, but I gather that Ruscal must have appeared on the platform already, because people start getting excited and it's disgusting. I finally notice him and anger pours into my stomach. He's walking next to Bratlav. There are other mages around them, but I don't know them.
My energy vibrates through me, and so far, there’s no sign of Jorgen. I wonder where they’re keeping him right now. I know that I have to stick to the plan, otherwise everything might fall apart.
Soon after the excitement dies down, and I sense nervousness and uncertainty. No one in the city predicted that this might happen.
I know what I have to do, but for now we all have to wait.
"He's going to address the crowd. Look they’re bringing the microphone on the platform," Aria whispers, and uneasiness unfolds in the pit of my stomach. He has to justify the reason why he's going to execute his own brother.
People are watching him adjust the microphone, then he smiles and the knife opens in my pocket.
I want to tear through the crowd and launch myself at him. My fire magic brings death and destruction. Now is the perfect moment, but at the same time I can't harm innocents.
More anger starts evaporating through my pores, raising my blood pressure. I truly hate the mage that brushes his blond hair back and clears his throat. I want him dead—gone forever. He looks so much like Jorgen, it almost feels unreal, like he's part of him, part of the city. But it’s all an illusion—my mind playing tricks on me. He’s only Jorgen’s twin and I need to keep myself in check.
"Dear people of Rivenna, shifters and humans," he starts, speaking confidently. "I'm very glad to see that so many of you are gathered here. I'm the legitimate ruler of the city. The land and the castle has always belonged to me, but I was ripped away from my mother at birth. My return was inventible."
"Oh please, he's a coward that keeps killing humans. This land was never his. Someone must put a stop to this," says someone behind me. Some people start agreeing, nodding their heads.
I glance at the old shifter with a long silver beard. He doesn't seem scared, but he’s saying what others aren't. He sees the injustice and evil right in front of him.
"My brother must pay for all of the crimes that he’s committed during my absence. I regret that it has come to this, but he conspired against all of you. He put the future of each one of you in jeopardy. He murdered his own father!" Ruscal shouts, ending the speech.
I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. Snippets and whispers move through the square. Edvard pales, and Emilia grabs Aria's hand.
No, I don't want to believe that Hans is dead. I saw him with my own eyes in the prison cell, along with Jorgen. He was ill again, but it wasn't life threatening. Something must have happened there, something terrible. Jorgen would have never harmed him.
"I realise that it's a shock to most of you and a terrible tragedy, but it's the truth. My father was found dead in his cell and my own brother had his blood on his hands. Jorgen II must pay for what's happened, He will hang tonight at midnight," Ruscal continues, and the whole crowd is buzzing with rumours. Some women are crying, others are staring blankly ahead. Everyone loved Hans, he was a great mage.
Fury is making me immobile, and my hands are shaking. I have no doubt that Ruscal must have killed Hans or had someone to do it for him. Jorgen loved his father more than anyone. He wouldn't dare allow anything happen to him. He refused to leave Hans because he’d been hit with a black spell the night I came to rescue him! It's convenient, because now Ruscal has created a justifiable reason to execute Jorgen—murder him like he murdered Hans.
I tell myself to keep breathing in and out. The mage wants to cause a stir, and I have to keep up with my part of the plan. We all have to stick to the plan. Seconds later, the mages drag Jorgen up on the platform and my heart accelerates.
"For Hommis," Emilia whispers.
It's hard to tell if Jorgen is aware of what’s going on. He seems way too calm, looking around at the crowd. My heart keeps pounding loudly and it’s buzzing in my ears.
I miss him so much, his sensitivity and charm. I know that he still loves me, despite everything that happened between us. I will never regret our time together in the Asian world.
"Prepare him!" Ruscal orders and the mages put Jorgen right in front of the rope.
"Come on. It's time, Astri," Edvard’s muffled voice reaches me. I shake my head, reminding myself that I have a job to do. I can't afford to lose it now. My uncle must sense me standing next to him. Lenin and Jetli are sitting in his pocket, and for now they have to stay there.
I turn around and back away from the crowd. It's time for me to shift, to draw attention away from Jorgen. Seconds later, I'm running all the way back to the castle, while my heart thumps loudly in my ears. Anger raises my blood pressure, but I know what I must do. There’s no time for hesitation. Right outside of the entrance to the forest I call out to my beast. I don’t have much time and I need to hurry.
My legs and feet start growing, and my skin stretches while my joints flex and bend at unnatural angles. In a matter of minutes my size doubles, then triples until I become a Wyvern, the last full-blooded dragon from my clan.
A few minutes later, I rise into the sky, spreading my giant wings filled with fury. People should instantly notice me, and then they’ll know that I didn’t run away as they suspected. Other shifters are around, I sense them nearby. Immense power surges down my spine, spreading down to every part of my dragon.
The view of the castle stretches in front of me, then I approach the square releasing my fire. I want everyone to know that the Wyvern dragon shifter is back. People start pointing, someone shouts and I have to circle around for a few more minutes.
Then Edvard's explosion starts going off all ar
ound—he set them up last night in the central points in the city. Chaos breaks out, and people start to believe that they’re going to get hurt. I release more blazing fire, touching lower to the ground, hoping to disrupt Ruscal's master plan.
A wild shifter removes Jorgen from the platform, and I don't see Ruscal anywhere after that. He must have already shifted into his true form, waiting for his chance to get to me. A jolt of unknown power rises inside of me. I suddenly sense him approaching. The fire spreads around the square and I rise higher again, batting my wings in the air. At the moment, everything is going exactly how we suspected it would.
He caught the bait, so now I must lure him away from the square—away from his minions.
The black beast stretches his enormous bat-like wings, and I quickly turn around. It's time to head north and I know he’s going to follow me. My inner beast demands to take full control, but I can't let the fire magic out just yet, it's too soon. I have to make sure he follows me to the mountains, so the Wyverns and Emilia can free Jorgen. Edvard’s using very strong plants to bring on mass hallucinations. The bombs are just a distraction, we wanted to make sure that shifters, humans and mages could escape in time.
Ruscal’s getting closer, and I purposely slow down. His unleashes streams of deadly fire, roaring in the sky. His energy swirls around mine for a moment, issuing threats. He releases another blast of flames when I lower myself down closer to the trees, knowing that he's heavier.
My claws run across the treetops, and I let him get close enough to think that he can harm me.
Then I rise abruptly, moving against the strong wind. He continues to follow me, but I'm smaller and much quicker than him. He can't keep up. Moments later, I find myself above the clouds in the midnight sky.
Ruscal appears and I'm ready, releasing the deadly magic with fire. His scales burn and he shrieks loudly, trying to keep his body steady.