Thane opened his eyes to a wood-planked ceiling above him. He sat up quickly, heart thundering. The soft ivory blanket covering his bare torso was unfamiliar as was this room. Dark curtains were drawn over the window, a small white table with a single burning candle gave off the only light, casting shadowed corners. Where am I? he thought, glancing around the strange room.
He set his bare feet on the wood floor and stood. The boards creaked under his weight no doubt giving away that he was awake. And why am I only in underwear? He hadn’t woken up almost nude in an unfamiliar place in a long time. His fingertips glided over a brown wrap tight around his middle. And it struck him that the pain was nearly gone. He hadn’t even struggled to get out of the bed, hadn’t felt the sharp twinge when he moved or had to grit his teeth at the aching throb. He tugged at the corner of the wrap and began to unravel it until it dropped to the ground. The scar was still there but smaller and matched the color of his skin rather than an angry pink. His abdomen was slick with oils that smelled strongly of pine needles, mint, and something else he couldn’t name.
He remembered now that he was to meet someone at an apothecary. Sensing he wasn’t in danger, the muscles in his back and shoulders loosened. His clothes sat folded neatly on the trunk at the foot of the bed, and his weapons were laid next to them. He dressed quickly, smiling that it barely hurt every time he moved. Whoever was here knew a great deal more about healing than Vesstan did.
Pulling aside the window’s dark-gray curtain, he spotted the bright pinks and blues of the morning sky. He’d been there all night then. He paused with his hand on the door handle and listened to the faint call of morning birds outside and the rumble of voices from somewhere below. Two males, two to three females were nearby. The door clicked when he opened it, and he stepped into a bright hallway. Stained-glass windows on the right overlooked the street and buildings from the second floor. At the end of the corridor was a set of stairs he silently descended. He peeked around the corner into the main apothecary. Weeping plants hung from the wood rafters and potted in colorful containers on tables and plant pillars. Tifapine sat on a bench set up against the large floor-to-ceiling window, swinging her little legs as she looked outside. She giggled to herself. Leif and Gunner relaxed on brown leather couches in a small lounge area. They held white cups of steaming liquid in hand, and with them was a female with red roots flowing into blonde tips—Pearl. “Do you have news about Layala?”
The group turned to face him, and Leif and Gunner stood. “Sire,” they both said. Pearl slowly rose, keeping her eyes down, and nervously fidgeted with the hem of her apron. This wasn’t new behavior; she was always like this in his presence.
A lady with hip-length black, curly hair and light-tan skin stepped out from a door behind the countertop. She and Evalyn grinned and chatted like two old friends. “I find poppy oil best for deep injuries, but I’ll have to give the rose oil a try next time,” she said. “And what about fennel seed? Have you used that in your tonic?”
“I haven’t,” Evalyn’s eyebrows raised. “Sounds like I should be.”
Wisps of smoke from incense sticks swirled and moved along behind them. Just noticing him standing in the room, the healer started and then smiled. “Good morning, your highness. How do you feel? Is there anything I can get you?” She stopped next to the shelves of different colored bottles lined on the wall behind her. Some amber, others red or blue or green. All different shapes and sizes, from skinny, tall beakers to bulbous bottles with cork stoppers.
With one hand on his torso that was only lightly tender now, he cleared his throat and stepped out. “I feel much better. I think I owe you a thank-you.” Not only for healing him but for keeping quiet when his presence here would put her life in danger.
She put a fist on her hip, and brown eyes trailed over him. “Works like a charm every time.” She stepped forward and held out her hand. “I’m Madam Adley and this is my apothecary.” She shook his hand with a firm grip that said she was confident in who she was, and nodded toward the four on the couches. “They didn’t believe you’d be up this morning. But they don’t know what I do.”
“What did you use?”
She winked. “A little pine, a little frivalla, poppy oil for the base and a touch of magic.”
Thane’s brow furrowed. “You’re a mage?” He supposed it was possible that others still existed or had never been tested. Especially after what people saw happen to Layala’s parents; they might hide their children.
“That depends on your definition of mage. Was I born with innate magic? No, but there are other sources in this world. I lived among the dragon shifters for a time. They have tapped into a power that doesn’t come from within. Since we elves rarely associate with other races, or more they won’t associate with us, we can’t learn from them.”
Thane knew the power of dragon shifters all too well. The humans and elves were lucky they preferred the mountains and the gold within rather than conquering lands below. “I hope to remedy that someday.”
“I know you do. It’s why I helped you, young king. Your father has lost his way. Many of us know what he has done, others will remain loyal to him. We need someone to lead and stop his madness.”
“We do, but what news from Pearl? Is Layala alright?”
Leif’s mouth twisted, not the reaction Thane wanted.
“Sire,” Pearl started. “I was able to see Layala yesterday. She has been locked in the tower for nearly a month. They weren’t feeding her or giving her water. I wanted to go to her, but there was no way I could make it without being seen—”
Holding up a hand, Thane said, “I don’t blame you for that. Where is she now?”
Pearl tucked some stray hair behind her pointed ear. “We dressed her for breakfast with King Tenebris, Sir Aldrich and two others. One I fear is a pale one, and the other a woman, not elven. She had golden hair and brown skin, eyes like rich buttercups, her fingers end in black talons… I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Varlett,” Thane murmured. That fire-breathing wench needed to die. Slow and painfully then he’d stand and watch as vultures stole her rotting flesh. “Where is she now?”
“She was taken to her room but… she was injured. A bruised, split lip, possibly broken bones in her hand. Reina told me just as I was leaving last evening. The lip will heal quickly but her hand…”
Angry heat flooded his body, flaming in his cheeks. Maker above, he regretted now more than ever he didn’t shove his sword straight through his father’s chest. It could have been a clean transition of power where he and Layala could rule together. Thane swore under his breath and turned to Leif. “We need to go get her.”
With a frown, Leif cleared his throat. “We should wait for darkness. There is no way we can infiltrate the castle in daylight. Not without killing many and risking our own lives in the process. And we’ll need more Ravens.”
“If I have to kill every last castle guard to get to her, I will.”
Leif folded his arms and looked to be on the verge of arguing.
“You’re either with me,” Thane shifted closer to Leif, “or you’re with my father. Those are the only two choices.”
“With you, sire. Always.”
“There’s more,” Gunner said, stepping into the circle. The lump in his throat bobbed, and he pushed his fingers through his hair. He turned to Pearl and let out a long breath. “I didn’t want to be the one to tell you…” his voice trailed off.
Pearl anxiously searched his face. “Tell me what?”
Gunner looked to Leif, who slowly shook his head. Thane growled and grew impatient. “If something happened to Layala. Tell me now.”
The clinking of glass on the counter drew everyone’s attention to Miss Adley. “Your friend Reina, the maid—the king slit her throat. As punishment to Layala when she tried to escape last night. I have a friend at the castle too.”
Pearl’s hand flew to her mouth and a moment later she dropped to her knees. “We told her.” Pearl sobbed into her hands. “We told Layala what would happen!” She cried louder and curled into herself. Leif dropped to his knees before her, and she fell into his chest. “Reina was terrified. Terrified—and now she’s dead!”
Her scream pierced Thane’s heart, and he averted his gaze, finding his focus on the bottles on the wall. He’d seen so much death and despair in his life and it never seemed to get easier. How many had he watched suffer because of his father’s brutality? Hundreds? Thousands?
“Leif, Gunner, I need ten more of my best Ravens here.” Thane went to the window and peeked out. The shop owner across the street swept the entrance to his place. A couple guards stood on the corner. They’d be on high alert today. “We infiltrate the castle at dusk.” He turned to Madam Adley. She polished a short stout glass with a white cloth. “If you don’t have young children, I need you to come with us. We’ll be in need of a good healer. You’re the best I’ve ever seen.”
She frowned and set the glass on the countertop. “Your highness, I am honored by the request but respectfully, I do have a ten-year-old daughter and her father is no longer with us. And there are many in the community who regularly come to me for ailments.” She gestured toward Evalyn. “But Evalyn is quite capable. I can give her a few bottles of my best remedies.”
Evalyn nodded. “Seen many die in my day and saved as many. I might not know magic like Adley but I can help in a pinch.”
Thane still wished she’d go home or even stay here where it was safe. The road ahead wasn’t meant for an older human woman with likely ailing health, but he already knew she wouldn’t leave until she saw Layala herself. “Can you fight, Evalyn?”
She picked up a teacup from the countertop and brought it to her lips. “That’s what I have you around for.”
With swords in each hand, hanging at his sides, Thane, Tif, Evalyn, and his twelve Ravens gathered on the grassy hill near the long bridge that led to Castle Dredwich. The sun dipped behind the castle bringing a chill to the air but sweat beaded on his brow. The thought of killing his own soldiers made him queasy. Taking a deep breath in through his nose, he spied the two guards on the tower on the far side, with a large bell for signaling attacks. Two more on this side of the river and seven staggered on the bridge itself. He was surprised his father didn’t assign more to watch the front with Thane on the loose. Tilting his head side to side, he cracked his neck. His Raven helmet fit snuggly, and his charcoal, shiny armor glinted in the dying sunlight. Ready for war.
“The bridge guards will be easy to take. It’s the inner guards that are a problem. We know there are at least a hundred on the grounds at all times. If we can silence the first ones before they ring the bell, we can follow the edges of the property and go relatively unseen.” Thane pointed to the left side of his soldiers, “You six will go west to the prison dungeons and free our Ravens.” He gestured to the right, “You six will be with me. We’ll enter through the servants’ door in the rear. Evalyn, you’re with me as well. Stay close.”
Siegfried, a slight, tall elf who moved like the night wind, and aptly called the Wraith, tapped his sword against his outer thigh. “And what if the alarm is sounded before we kill the bridge guards?”
“Then we’ll fight our way in,” Thane took a deep breath, “and today is not a day to be merciful. My father never is. But they know our armor. They will choose whose side they are on before we even approach.”
He looked to the tower where she’d been kept and the darkness within the single window. I’m coming, Laya.
Each step down the hill made Thane’s heart thud harder. His palms dampened, making him adjust his grip on his swords. The waterfall thundered louder than usual, churning white splashes against the blue and gray rock face behind it. The caw of a raven flying overhead drew his gaze. It cast a shadow over them, gliding on the wind. The Maker was with them this day; ravens had always brought him luck. He swallowed, wetting his dry throat; he’d never killed his own people before. Many of these guards served under him when he ruled for a short time and most he’d known his entire life.
The two bridge guards on this side of the river stood taller when they caught sight of Thane and his Ravens. The one on the left turned and broke into a sprint on the bridge.
Gunner pulled back an arrow. “You will not take another step if you want to take another breath!”
He wisely froze. A hum, like a warm wave washing over Thane’s chest and down his arms, calmed his pounding heart. His mind quieted, thoughts and worries flowing away on the breeze and his attention settled on the bell tower guards. With intense focus his power pushed out, an invisible force coiling around them, until they looked like statues, frozen in horror. “You will not touch that bell.”
“Slowly turn,” Gunner commanded the others on the bridge. “And come back this way.” He nodded. “That’s it. Good boy.”
Thane approached the closest male, lifting the point of his right sword to the guard’s throat. Sweat trickled down the side of his face and under the collar of his shirt. The willowy dark-haired elf raised his palms.
Tifapine popped out from the small pack on Thane’s back. “Better do what you’re told, elfy or you might lose your little peter.” She pointed a small knife at him. Thane rolled his eyes and shushed her; now she wanted to get brave? With a squeak, she ducked back inside. He had to remember he was carrying around this little creature for Layala’s sake.
“High Prince, you’re—alive.” The bridge guard gulped. “I will not fight you.”
“It’s High King,” Gunner barked. “The true king.”
“The imposter king,” the other guard spit. Leif kicked him in the side of the head and sent him flying into the stone of the bridge.
Thane lifted his chin slightly to the guard at the end of his sword. “Now then, will you kneel and swear allegiance to me? Or will you die here and now?”
The guard’s eyes followed the shiny length of the blade until they stopped on Thane’s face. Knees bending, he slowly went to the ground. “You have my loyalty, sire. I will follow your command until my last breath.” He gulped. “King Tenebris has joined forces with the pale ones. He brought one here, inside our very walls. I cannot stand behind him any longer.”
Thane lowered his weapon and checked on the two in the bell tower. They remained unnaturally still. “And how do the other guards feel? That I’m an imposter king? A traitor?”
“Somehow, they have—forgotten a pale one was here. It must be dark magic or something. They will be loyal to your father. He told us you tried to have him killed to take his place.”
Thane narrowed his eyes. “But you didn’t forget?”
“When the pale one told us to forget we saw him and what he did after Lady Lightbringer tried to escape—everyone did. But I didn’t. I don’t know why.” His blue eyes glanced down a moment. “Lady Lightbringer killed eleven guards last night… I’m afraid she made many enemies. Before it was just following orders; now it’s personal.”
Thane grumbled. “Well, you’re holding her prisoner. What do you expect?” And most would never believe that their High King would associate with pale ones let alone invite them inside. So, Thane and Layala would be seen as the enemy and Tenebris the hero. Maker, how did Tenebris always have the upper hand?
“So, the others will fight me when I go inside to get Layala?”
“You don’t need to. They’re not here.” He sounded out of breath. “The king took your mate and left last night. And they took your Ravens, too.”
“Where?” he snarled.
Leaning back slightly, he answered, “I don’t know, but they went south.”
Leif stepped up beside Thane and put his hand on Thane’s shoulder. “You don’t think—he wouldn’t take her to the Void.”
The hairs on the back of Thane’s neck stood on end. The dirt road that led up the valley’s hillside was beaten down with heavy tracks of hoofprints, boots and wagon wheels. He cursed under his breath for not seeing it sooner. A cold sweat broke out over his body, and he swallowed down the rising nausea. “I think that’s exactly where he’s taking her.”
