The girl. He could feel her. He froze. Midnight noticed and stopped walking, as did everyone behind him.
“What is it Liam?” Nani pointed ahead as she hovered beside him. “We’re nearly there.”
Liam felt a chill. The Flame, she needed him. He was certain of it. He looked around, unsure of what he could do. Her image came to his head.
There were tears in her eyes. He tensed. A look had never made him more deeply sorrowful in his life. He wanted to drop everything and run to her.
“Liam?” Rowe called. Everyone watched him.
Liam looked at them. He nodded, still focusing on her face. “Sorry. Everything’s all right. Let’s proceed.”
They nodded and Midnight started down the hill again, to the Valley of the Fae. He tightened his grip on Midnight’s reigns. Someone was hurting her, he just knew it. The fairies could help him. They could get him to The Barrier faster than anyone.
Their arrival at Tolrin was a grim one. The fairy children spotted them once they reached the top of the hill, and an army bombarded them like a swarm of bees. They flew by with beaming smiles the instant Liam and the others reached the stronghold. They had all heard the tales of his journeys and abilities and wanted to see Liam display his power.
Their laughter only slightly eased Liam’s mind and the stress of the journey began to fade away. Lilae’s image clung to the forefront of him mind. Still, he would never get over the loss of the Order. Only Sona, Rowe, Nani, Midnight, Wilem, Jorge and Liam had survived. The Shadow Elves had nearly succeeded in killing them all. Even more unsettling was the encounter with the Elder’s. Just as he had been warned, he had come face to face with a fallen ancient, and the return of her people. All along, Sister Eloni, a woman that Liam had believed to be holy and good, had been on Wexcyn’s side.
“Now, that’s more like it!” Willem was overcome with amazement. “You didn’t tell me there were other kids here Liam!” His eyes watched the fairy children hovering above them, curiously, excitedly.
“I thought you weren’t a kid, Wilem,” Liam almost smiled. Wilem could do that to a person, make them smile, even when all of their thoughts were of gloom and doom.
Wilem shrugged. “I am a man Liam…but…I can still play can’t I?”
Liam chuckled softly and nodded. “Of course.”
Liam remembered the day when his mother had first taken him along on her visits to the other kingdoms of Kyril. Seeing the fairies all flying around and their creatively constructed villages always astounded him.
Queen Aria was always there by his side, sheltering him yet exposing him to other cultures and ways of life. He was proud to be there for Wilem’s first encounter with the land of fairies.
They were led by a quad of fairy guides through the village along a series of glittering stone bridges. Settled at the bottom of the mountain sat thousands of small huts and structures that were shrouded by trees and vines, like a village built into the jungle instead of tearing it down.
Gold dust filled the air like an enchanted fog. Liam could see the top of the Mother Tree, even from so far away from the citadel where it stood. Hundreds of fairies flew around like hummingbirds and Nani’s face lit up as she gazed at her beloved homeland. Her smile warmed Liam’s heart. Still, haunting thoughts kept him from the joy the others felt.
“It’s amazing how unaffected these fairies seem to be,” Rowe pointed out as they moved into the compound. “Not a sad or frightened face in sight.”
“Let’s hope we can keep it that way.” Liam wanted nothing more than to protect his realm and everyone in it, but it seemed the Ancients expected much more of him. He had the entire world to look after.
“How likely is that? Their mortal enemies have returned.”
Liam grimaced at the question. “I can try, can’t I? Who else is going to protect them, if not me?”
Rowe shrugged. He had withdrawn ever since the soldiers and fairies died. He appeared to be apathetic; Liam knew he was only harboring that anger and pain for later.
“I’m sorry. I just miss Cammie is all. I’ve probably missed the birth of my first child for all we know.”
Liam’s face darkened. He reached out to put a hand on Rowe’s shoulder.
Rowe shook his head and stepped back. He gave Liam a pained half smile. “It’s ok. They’re probably dead anyway, right?”
Liam swallowed a lump. Tears stung behind his eyes at hearing Rowe speak in such a way. “Don’t say that.” He wanted to say more, be more reassuring, but he knew the odds. Oren was probably gone already, his mother along with it. “When Yoska came to me, he told me that everything was fine. Let’s not worry about things we have no proof of yet. I’m sure Cammie is fine.”
Rowe nodded, but said nothing. They walked in silence as they followed the quad. Liam glanced at Rowe occasionally, noting the big man’s expressionless face.
Their boots made loud steps as they came to the bridge highway. Each bridge crisscrossed above the many canals and streams that fed the Silver River. The waters glistened like jewels day and night, making the entire village seem flooded by magic. The quad led Liam and the others to a long hut that was sectioned into guest rooms set aside for special visitors.
The fairies were the most hospitable people Liam had ever encountered. He didn’t have to lift a finger since he arrived in Tolrin. They cared for Midnight, led him to his quarters, opened the door, and lit the candles.
Liam, Sona, and Rowe put their things away as Nani went to sleep in the house of her parents and siblings. Wilem and Jorge were taken to rooms in a hut adjacent to Liam’s. Liam removed his cloak. He groaned in relief as he fell backwards onto the bed. The mattress was made of straw and cotton stuffing, but at that moment, it felt better than any bed in the Orenian palace.
Liam felt as if he could sleep for days. He had just closed his eyes when he heard a soft tapping on the door.
“Yes?” he called weakly. He looked down towards the door. The door opened a crack. Liam sighed and covered his face. He was too exhausted for visitors. A red haired fairy stuck her head in and then the door was opened fully to reveal three other girls. Liam quickly sat up, shaking his head to awaken himself.
The fairies flew into his room with heavy buckets of hot water and began filling the circular tub that was set into the floor. He raised an eyebrow and realized that they were preparing his bath. It was customary for royal and special visitors to be bathed by ladies of the royal compound. Afterwards there would be a large feast for everyone in the village.
Two of the fairies took his hands and pulled him to his feet. Liam looked at them questioningly. He blushed as the fairy women began undressing him. Their giggles made him cover himself with his hands. Despite being pampered most of his life, he had never been treated as such by young women. They nodded to the bath and he hurried to get into the hot water.
Despite his exhaustion, the hot water was welcome. They poured more sudsy water over him, the scent of peppermint filing his nostrils. The scent instantly invigorated and energized him. Liam felt more comfortable being underneath the suds and bubbles, rather than having them stare at his body. Future king or not, he was still a bit bashful around women.
Liam started to fall asleep as they scrubbed his body. It had been weeks since Liam had a proper bath. Cold rivers and lakes in the early dawn were his baths lately. The girls cleaned and trimmed his fingernails. They washed his hair and massaged his scalp as they lathered the subs into dozens of bubbles.
Liam ducked into the water and emerged to find their smiling little faces staring at him. Again, he blushed.
“Nani is lucky to journey with a handsome prince,” the fairy with purple hair said over giggles.
“Keyata!” one of the others scolded her in a whisper. She quickly covered her mouth in regret for speaking. The other girl’s faces all turned red, surprised by Keyata’s comment. Their eyes looked to him, anxious for his reaction.
He laughed and they sighed in relief. “Thank you. Nani is a great girl.”
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“I know,” Keyata smiled brightly. “Nani is my little sister.”
Liam raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Yes, there are sixteen of us in the family.” Her eyes were as green as Nani’s and he finally saw the resemblance. She even shared Nani’s purple hair. However, Keyata’s was shorter and cropped above her ears.
“She is a lucky girl. She’s the only one born with the healing gift in our family.”
“What were you born with?” He stood as the other girls lifted a large towel up for him. They wrapped it around his tall body and Keyata stood as well.
“Not everyone is born with a power as special as Nani’s,” she explained to him. “I wasn’t born with a gift. So, I was lucky to find work in the royal compound.”
“You’re ready prince,” another fairy informed him, flying back with her head bowed.
Keyata watched the others leave and whispered to him. “We’ve all heard so much about you. Show me something, please.” She smiled up at him, like an expectant child.
He knew he shouldn’t reveal his power to everyone, so he decided to appease her with a small sample. Liam lifted his palm, a light glowing from within. Keyata’s eyes grew wide as she watched him motion towards the water in the bath. He moved his hand upwards and the water climbed higher and higher to the ceiling.
“Wow,” Keyata whispered softly and her voice was caught in her throat when the water evaporated into the air. “The rumors are true.” She beamed up at him.
Liam playfully pinched her cheek and walked from the room. Outside the quad waited to lead Liam and the others into the royal compound.
Sona glanced at him and quickly looked away, her hair long and loose against her back. She was dressed in formal fairy attire. Her dress was short, but sleek. It was a sea green color that glistened like scales.
Rowe was dressed in one of the finest garbs Liam had ever seen him in and Wilem and Jorge both looked regal in their new clothing. Both boys looked proud in their fairy clothing. One could not tell that the boys hadn’t slept in days from the way they skipped excitedly behind their fairy escorts.
The guards traveled down a cobblestone path that trailed to the center of the compound where the banquet hall was set. It was on a raised foundation and composed of stained glass.
Inside the banquet hall was much bigger than one might have thought from look of the outside. It seemed as though the entire colony of fairies were already seated in the floral decorated room. Hundreds of fairies watched as Liam and the others entered the room. They sat along rows of tables that had glass tops upon stone bases.
An assortment of colorful fruits and vegetable piled high in intricately weaved baskets. They were taken to a table where Lady Evee and Lord Edwin sat upon ruby embellished chairs with high backs sculpted into bird’s head, the wings extending high above.
Liam bowed before the royal family and they both smiled down at him.
“Prince Liam, it is our honor to host you on your journey,” Lady Evee said, her voice as soft as a twinkling bell. “We have always supported the Orenian line, and we will always do so.”
Liam and the others stood. He took her delicate hand and kissed her knuckles. He bowed his head.
“Thank you dear queen. My mother and I value your colony’s friendship and the aid of your people. I offer my condolences, for your loss.” He spoke of the Clerics that had died protecting the Order. She nodded, but didn’t say anything. She looked saddened by the memory.
Lord Edwin appeared to be over a hundred years old. It was rumored that his mind had left him. He sometimes forgot who he was and what he was doing. Still, he motioned for them to sit at the table beside them.
The table was long enough to fit thirty guests, and set elaborately with smooth brass plates. Facing the grand hall, they had a view of the entire dining hall.
Sona sat next to Liam. Still, she pretended as though he didn’t exist. She spoke to everyone around him, ignoring him if he made a comment. Liam had never felt more awkward in his life.
“You two are an adorable couple,” Lady Evee smiled as she watched Sona. She tried to lighten the mood, but she had no idea that she had just increased the tension.
Liam cleared his throat and gave Lady Evee a slight nod of gratitude. Liam faked a smile. If Sona wanted to ignore him, he would do the same.
Wilem and Jorge sat at the far end with smiles that could warm any heart. Liam missed being that young. He had the perfect childhood, where he had his every desire and wish fulfilled. He was amazed at how Wilem could still play and smile, even though his family had been killed. Youth was indeed stronger than anyone could imagine.
The night went on and they ate sweet breads and fruit, roasted vegetables and crushed chickpeas. Everything was spiced perfectly and delicious. It was so good that Liam barely noticed that the fairies didn’t eat meat.
“When do you need the ship to be ready?” Lady Evee asked between bites of sweet bread.
Liam swallowed a small sip of wine and frowned at the taste. He pushed his cup away. “As soon as you can get it ready. Two days perhaps?”
She thought a moment. “Certainly, it can be ready in two days.”
“What ship?” Lord Edwin asked curiously. “There are ships here?”
Lady Evee smiled at Liam and drank from her goblet. She patted Edwin on the shoulder. “Eat your soup honey and you can go rest. Sound good?”
He nodded, yet his eyebrows were drawn in confusion. He stared at Liam so intently that Liam cleared his throat nervously and looked away.
“Thank you.”
“So, you’ll be sailing towards Eura?”
Liam nodded. “Yes ma’am. I’ll be alone from this point. I’d appreciate it if you’d look after the boys for me.”
“Of course. Our own children are older than you now. It will be nice to have a child’s laughter in the royal compound once again.”
Edwin’s leaned over the table to get a good look at Liam. “Things must be getting serious.”
“Nothing for you to worry about sir,” Liam replied.
“That Wexcyn is up to no good.” Lord Edwin pursed his lips and shook his head. “You know, I’m surprised he didn’t come sooner. I would have looked quite spiffy in my fairy armor, standing ready to fight some nasty Shadow Elves.” Lord Edwin looked off as if he was envisioning what he spoke of. He moved his hands as if wielding a sword and chuckled. “I’d sure like to slay a couple of those Bellens too. Just lop their heads off, that’s how it’s done, my boy!”
Liam started to bite into a sweet potato, and paused. He was surprised by Edwin’s remark. As far as he knew, only a few were aware of who was really to blame for all the death and destruction. As far as he knew, no one had known about the Bellens. He wondered if Nani had said something. His eyes searched for hers and saw that she was laughing with a group of young ladies.
Lady Evee grew quiet as well, uncomfortable with the turn of conversation.
“I commend you for trying to protect us.” Edwin looked squarely into Liam’s face. His eyes grew serious. “But what can a Tryan and fairies really do against an Ancient? What chance do we really have?”
Liam began to speak but Edwin cut him off. His stomach began to feel unsettled by Edwin’s change of tone. The old man was serious. He was lucid.
“Wexcyn knows the ins and outs of war. You think yourself a scholar, but you have no idea just how bad the Great War was. Wexcyn will cheat and lie. I can promise you that.”
Liam raised an eyebrow. He wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin and sat back in his chair, stunned by what he was hearing.
Lord Edwin grinned. “You look surprised. Why? Did you really think he would follow the rules made by his enemies? Wexcyn hates Telryd. You know why? Because he is just as powerful as him, and Wexcyn feels threatened.”
“But, if he cheats, then the Ancients will step in.” Liam turned his full attention to Lord Edwin. He tuned everything else out.
“Ah, yes. He is probably
counting on it. What other way to bring the other Ancients out of the comfort of their homes to destroy them?”
Lady Evee cleared her throat. Lord Edwin leaned closer over the table towards Liam. “Wexcyn will use any tactic to secure his position. You’re sorely out of your league. Wexcyn will use others to do his bidding, and he will influence good people to do very bad things.”
Edwin’s words were making sense. He sat up straight in his chair and listened. With the knowledge he had just uncovered about the Bellens, he knew firsthand that Wexcyn had already gone against the rules. He had brought back a race that was not his own, just to do his dirty work.
Edwin pointed at him. His thick white eyebrows were furrowed. “I can guarantee you, my boy, when we are at our weakest, that’s when Wexcyn will make himself known.” He wiggled his finger. “The world will tremble at his rage. He wants revenge, and there’s nothing we can do to stop him from getting it.”
Liam realized that Vars and Ved were right. The fairies were more versed in history. They all knew what was happening. Only the Tryans were ignorant of what was coming.
Lady Evee stood and began gently helping Edwin up. “Come darling; it’s time for bed.”
Edwin slammed his fist on the table. “I’m not a child!” he growled and everyone grew silent, staring at him. Edwin didn’t seem to care. “Listen to me Liam,” Edwin leaned close to Liam’s face. “Do you know what will happen when Wexcyn walks this world?”
Liam felt the blood drain from his face. His eyes widened.
“It is when the Underworld becomes one with ours.” He seemed desperate for Liam to see that he knew what he was talking about. “Understand?”
Liam watched Edwin’s eyes as they bore into his own and nodded. “Lord Edwin, how do you know all of this?”
Lord Edwin smiled an eerie smile and sat back in his chair. “Once upon a time, I was prone to what you now call prophecies. I used to call them dreams. That was before those dreams started coming true. Before I stopped knowing what was real, and what was not.”
All of the talk about Wexcyn had made him lose his appetite. Liam pushed his plate away and downed his goblet of wine.