* * * *
I watched the procession from the tower. I saw only through a tiny slit I was allowed. I could see little, but in all could hear the cheers of the crowd below. In the distance I could see bands of winged Sordarins, but, in all, they were too far to make out much. An array of armed Sordarin warriors guarded my cell. In reality, it was not needed. If I was again to use force, I would have done so the moment King Edulf ordered my arrest.
I huddled in the cold, damp quarters against the corner of the bare cell, given nothing for comfort. Without question, my siblings had no idea of my treatment during the ceremony. In all probability, they were told I would watch from a place of honor.
My final words to them had been reassuring that all was set with me. Pride oozed from my being for them both. In truth, I could have said little else, for King Edulf’s eyes lay upon me, threatening me and my siblings. Even when Falco called to me, I assured him I was well. I had no choice. King Edulf’s words to me upon my appearance, while brief, sank deep within my soul.
“I can quickly stop these proceedings, Kela. If you rebel against my wishes, your siblings will be denied their birthright. Is that your wish?”
No, I wanted to cry. My wish was to understand why I couldn’t stand with them, beside them, to be acknowledged as was my right. It was my right! Yet I did nothing but smile at them both in their finery and glory, left to wonder about my fate. Quickly after their departure, King Edulf sent in the Winged Guards, to my surprise lead by Cono. He must have known where I had disappeared to. He met my eyes in disappointment.
In all, his treatment was kind, as kind as one could be given my circumstance. He waited until King Edulf departed. Signaling to the others, he said in a tone not to questioned, “There is no need. I will fly her to the tower.”
Away from the eyes of all, he took me into his arms as if I weighed nothing. Seemingly unconcerned that I would disrupt his flight, he flew to a balcony which led into a dark lit room, even in the middle of a bright day. He released me. All heads turned upon our appearance. Cono immediately began to bark orders, but I didn’t listen to them. My soul deflated.
He led me into the cell. “I wish none of this had happened, Kela. Pray, be patient. I’m certain all will settle. Stop infuriating the king. I will do what I can after the ceremony. Please, for your own sake, do nothing until I come again.”
He gave me no time for response before closing behind him the thick wooden door. In time, I closed my eyes. Sleep must have befallen me for the next I awoke, startled. Night had fallen, for the air outside the window had turned dark. A loud voice bellowed outside my door. The next instant it opened wide. Turstan!
“All that’s in heavin! For one to be treated such! For what reason! She is one of them.” Turstan’s voice shook the walls, echoing his fury.
I scrambled to my feet and ran to him, shivering; I knew not from the cold or my experience. Breaking from his hold, others began to circle around me. He had not come alone. Lord Lothar stood beside Cono, but it was Falco whom my eyes beheld with water within them. He had come for me.
Lord Lothar gestured with his hand and the Winged Guard departed. Before he began talking, he motioned for Cono to make sure all had left. Then he turned his attention to Turstan.
“We have not long. We need only to decipher how to handle this before I present our plan to the king. I can’t answer King Edulf’s reaction, Turstan. Frustration with all, perhaps. That the Euchoun we had hoped for is a mere girl. That his agreement he gave he doesn’t want to hold to. Whatever the reason, his lordship is adamant about it. At the moment, we have kept her here. The other two he openly accepts. He has his reasons, Turstan. And he is king and he has declared that Kela stay out of sight from everyone. If she could have contained herself, she could have stayed within my home, but after the display this day it is not an option.”
“We have the house outside the city,” Cono offered, returning to his grandfather’s side.
My anger toward him subsided somewhat with his effort. My hand gripped Turstan’s tightly, frighteningly fighting back the tears welling in my eyes. For the first time in my life I was truly frightened, not for my safety, but being ripped from my family. My biggest fear.
“Then the king is a fool! He knows not the power which lies in that girl. I know. I have seen!” Turstan declared. “But, Lothar, even if the girl had not the power, for all that is holy, is she not his granddaughter?”
“In that, I don’t understand. I do know that the king has extensive knowledge of Euchouns. He seems to give credit to Falco for her display,” Lothar acknowledged. “From all accounts, most give Falco the credit for all that occurred that night.”
Falco laughed out loud. “You can rest assured, my lord, it wasn’t I. I may have the ability to do small things,” he paused. He looked at a wobbly chair at the end of beaten table. The chair fell back. “That, sir, is the extent of my ability. A far cry from the destruction Kela caused. I know of no other, but I will give you that I had never seen such even from her than what she did that night. I cannot turn from my sister. I will not.”
Lord Lothar sighed heavily in a manner that he wanted not to deal with Falco’s stance. He turned to Cono. “Cono, you agree? You had hold of the girl. If she did all the damage and without her hands, how?”
“It came from her eyes, my lord,” Cono said. He glanced over at me, waiting for me to offer an explanation. I had none. I clung tighter to Turstan.
Lord Lothar shrugged, pressing his lips together tightly. Then he shook his head. “I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to offer anything that will make you happy. King Edulf insists Kela stays here until he finds a solution.”
Lord Lothar’s hand went up immediately to Falco. “Oh, young prince, do not begin with me and I would advise you not to go against King Edulf. It has been a long day of celebrating for most. Morning is only a couple of hours away. I have instructed for a bed for your comfort, Kela. It is all I can do at the moment. Know, though, I will intervene on your behalf. You will not be in the tower long, of that rest assured…”
“No, you don’t understand. We all need to stay together: Falco, Sareta and I,” I interrupted, unable to remain silent any longer. I broke from Turstan’s side. “I understand none of this. I have done nothing to deserve such. But this I know: Sareta is a passive. The intensity of feelings between all has drained her. She could not survive with this conflict.”
“Then you need to convince her otherwise. You need to convince her you are well looked after,” Lothar said plainly. “If you care for your sister.”
“How can you ask such?”
“Life as a royal is never easy, Kela. It has to be accepted. Do you believe that Archibaldus is happy with your discovery? He has long been considered heir apparent once your father died. All has changed. Archibaldus will not take it without issue. King Edulf will have to tread softly.”
“Do you realize, Lothar, that Kela is also in line behind Falco for the throne?” Turstan bantered.
“Much has changed, Turstan,” Lothar stated. He ran his hand through his hair, frustrated, for the meeting wasn’t going as planned. “King Edulf cannot afford to trust many. Times are such. When we discovered Mithelk and his guards cut down to ribbons, we immediately flew to Nottesdone. There was nothing left. The portal closed. He placed blame solely upon the children’s mother. When Kela spoke of Dyer’s involvement, it was the first we had heard of even the possibility.”
“Why would he blame Lady Eufamia?” Turstan asked, confused.
“I’m not certain, but he was convinced of such,” Lothar answered. He shook his head. “In honesty, I don’t know what to make of all. To me, I believe as most Lankas - fate and destiny will prevail. Also, there is the realization that a great threat looms, for a Euchoun with that power would emerge only to deal with such.”
I listened intently while they argued, but suddenly my eyes became blurred. I rubbed them, trying to focus but all I could see was
a fog where a form emerged. A dark figure slinked toward a sleeping object. I screamed. I could feel hands touch my shoulders and then with a sweeping force I was flung through a seemingly long tunnel, landing hard against a hard stone wall.
A body fell against me, quickly rolling to the side. To my surprise, Cono had followed me through. He stood upon his feet, sword drawn. The creature turned, staring at me with all eight of his eyes arranged in four pairs in a semicircle on its dark forehead. The creature seemed to revive with my appearance. Its mouth opened, revealing two huge fangs on the chelicerae, drooling with liquid and smacking its lips in a manner of it was about to satisfy a hunger.
Cono moved swiftly between the creature and me. Without warning, the creature flung Cono back with one of its many legs. It made its way slowly toward me. For a moment, I stood frozen with a fear that gripped me, but the creature buckled. Wings fluttered rapidly as Cono jumped upon the creature’s back. The creature fought back, bending over. Cono lost his footing. The creature maneuvered over the fallen Sordarin, fangs outstretched.
Panting, shaking, I quickly crawled back to my feet. Sweat beaded on my forehead. I didn’t have time to think, only react. Flinging my hand across my chest, I blasted the creature. A cry, a shrill eerie cry, emerged, but the blast only freed Cono for a moment. He jumped up to my side, pushing me back. Frightened, I grabbed his hand and in the next moment, the creature extended its front leg, giving us no room to escape. All my instincts screamed inside of me. I looked up at Cono. His attention lay solidly upon the creature.
Once more I extended my free arm. A force more powerful than the first exploded and thrust the creature back against the stone wall. Cono had his opening and used it to full advantage. He plunged his blade straight into the unprotected underbelly. A gush of ooze ushered forth, covering Cono and splashing over me.
The room echoed with a moan of a dying soul. I felt as if it took all my effort to breathe, watching in shock while the creature began to transform from the horrendous creature back into its original form. Screams, cries wouldn’t cease. Cono stepped back.
Joining us to watch, the once sleeping figure stood holding his sword in hand. King Edulf said nothing. The room filled quickly with guards. Chaos ensued. I turned my head. My lower lip trembled. My eyes welled. Turstan said that warriors didn’t cry, but I felt the urge to do so.
“Lord Ambrose!” King Edulf uttered in disbelief at the body of a man appearing where once was a monster. Then he turned his attention upon me. It took nothing more. The tears began and I couldn’t stop them.
Sobbing hysterically, I called desperately for Falco, but to no avail. Falco couldn’t hear me. Something was wrong. Frightened beyond measure, I withdrew back against the far wall, my hand placed over my mouth.
King Edulf walked toward me, but I shimmied down the wall and tucked my head into my knees. Would he harm me? I braced myself as best I could. And waited. Nothing came. I refused to look up. I heard men talking in the background. Then I heard stomping, running into the room. There was only one. Turstan!
He grabbed me up. “Are you harmed?”
Shaking my head, he hugged me tightly. Glancing back up, Falco stood behind him with Lord Lothar. I tried to talk, but found I had no voice. I managed only a whisper, “I tried to call Falco.”
Turstan nodded. “He tried himself. He was blocked by some means. Lord Lothar said it had to be black magic holding him back. You broke through for some reason.”
“King Edulf? What is he going to do with me?” I asked, trembling, but no sooner had I spoken, I felt my head spinning once again. I could hear voices as if in the distance.
“Can you stop her insufferable trembling?”
But little else could I hear. I was swallowed once more into blackness.