Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere (35 page)

Kassina knew the queen’s pain. She had felt it all those years ago, and for the first time, she could relate to her. “Then let us put our pasts behind us. I have come here in the name of peace, and you are not barbaric enough to murder us like this. I am not proud of my past, or of the things I have done, but I was manipulated... I was created to be who I was, and I am trying... Trying so
hard
to change. I am sorry for the lives lost at my hand or order.”

Andrielle nodded. “Forgive me if I cannot trust you, but I would be willing to look at you, and all vampires... with fresh eyes. But I must ask, why now?”

“I was awoken to the truth beneath all the lies. We have also lost most of us in this war, and we must stop now. I have seen the end and there will be nothing left. That is not the world I wanted to live in. I want to help Marithians win this war, and to avert the Blood Red Moon. I know Shindar’s secrets, how to defeat him, and what I ask in return is forgiveness from the crown, and for vampires to be recognised as citizens of Marithia,” Kassina said.

“You ask for much. I suppose that the enemy of my enemy... could be a friend. How do you suppose to blend with us, when you treat us as your food?” Andrielle said.

“What I ask is simple. We will never feed from humans again, like the old times when vampires fed from animals. We can return to those times, but with a caveat. Vampires are not to be forbidden from loving humans, or elves. My parents sacrificed their lives for that love, and if I can change this, then they did not die for nothing. We have the same rights as the rest of you,” Kassina said.

“And what happens to vampires when they break our laws?” Andrielle said.

Kassina narrowed her eyes. “Then they will pay dearly for endangering a new peace. I also ask that I rule my people, helping to enforce the laws that we agree on,” Kassina said.

“There can only be one queen in Marithia. But, so long as you answer to me, then I can live with that. Know that if this is in any way a deception that we will not hesitate in defending ourselves. You will be closely watched, and surrounded by heavy guard,” Andrielle said.

Kassina couldn’t believe she had done it. “That is understandable, and if any vigilantes think they want to kill a vampire, then we will do what we must, but we will not be aggressors. Where do we go from here?”

Andrielle turned to the parapets. “Lower your weapons, please,
all
of you.”

The elven queen hesitated for a moment, then held out her hand. “We understand each other. We walk into Greenhaven, together. Our people are afraid, and you will help me explain to them that we have new allies, and new citizens of Marithia. There will be much work to do, but we will be very interested in learning everything you know about Shindar.”

Kassina stopped, indicating Adela. “Thank you, Andrielle. This girl, Adela, must accompany me.”

The Queen of the Elves’ eyebrows contorted, but she wore a knowing smile. “I am sure you have your reasons. Adela, you may walk with us.”

Kassina took Andrielle’s hand, finding that both their hands were trembling. They emerged through the main gate to Greenhaven, together.

Chapter 21 : The Final Journey - Part III

“The stories of our lives are told through memories of those who remember us. Do they look back on us favourably, or with jaded eyes?

When our time is over, do we meet the ones who held fate’s cards? Or the pens of our stories are held by another.”

(Kai’En - Marithian Seer)

D
aessar’s dry winds blew over them as Vartan led the way forward. He had surveyed the area, but this new land was unlike anything he had ever seen. The landscape was in sections. An area of dry desert, another of thick forest, and a hazy wall of light on the horizon. When he looked up, he saw no sun or moon.

They headed toward the forest. Looking back, they had emerged from a mountain, the door to Alyanti closed on its surface.

The voice of Talonsphere rang in his mind, as clear as a bell.

Vartan. You have finally arrived after all these years. Come to me now and free me. We can save Marithia, together.

Vartan turned to his companions. “Talonsphere is here. I can hear him.”

Dryden drew his sword and pointed over Vartan’s shoulder.

Anakari readied flames at her hands, but instead of skull-sized balls of fire, she had summoned balls of fire the size of sheep, spinning in a circle above her. “Whoa.”

Vartan remembered that he had left his book of ancients in his room, in Greenhaven. He had not spent any time studying it.

Damn it.

A young elf-like being approached on horseback. The stranger’s face was firm. She stopped a short distance in front of them. “The one of dragon’s blood has finally come? Welcome to Daessar. We have all long been waiting for you.”

Anakari shook off the flames. Dryden sheathed his sword, and so did Yuski. Vartan extended a hand and the ancient took it. “I am Prince Vartan of Marithia.”

The ancient smiled, revealing sharp teeth. Vartan’s eyes widened, but she showed no signs of aggression. “Does my appearance frighten you? I am stationed at the gate to your world, as a guide for the one. My name matters not, but in the interest of courtesy, you may call me Red.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Red. Can you take me to Talonsphere?” Vartan said.

“Of course,” Red said.

As Red headed toward the woods, Yuski stared at her orb, but the colours swirled within it and wouldn’t settle. They followed further into the vast lands, but Vartan contemplated just how vast Daessar was. “What is this place, exactly?”

“This is our home and has been for far too long. It is here, but not here, and is of our creation. That will all change soon,” Red said.

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Yuski said, still staring at her orb. The colours continued to spin.

“Maybe not to any of you, but it does to us,” Red said.

The ground shook beneath them, and the horse complained as they all struggled to retain their footing. As abruptly as it started, it stopped.

“What in the name of the gods was that?” Vartan said.

“Don’t worry about it. It happens here. Daessar is a place that never was. It strains against its foundations,” Red said.

Vartan opened his mouth to ask more, but then simply nodded instead. He had little idea of what Red was talking about, but continued to follow her through the forest. The trees of Daessar were similar to those of the Elven Woods. What struck Vartan as odd, was that it was whisper quiet. There were no signs of life through the forest, not even the chirp of crickets.

“Why are the forests so empty of life?” Vartan said.

“Everything stays far away from the edges of Daessar. You entered near the outskirts, in the dry lands. Once we near our home, then you will see far more life. Soon, everything will make sense.”

The entry to Alyanti bubbled, then built to a whirlpool. Mermaids approached the water with their claws extended. Nathalia had never seen anything like it and she was not expecting any visitors. Vartan had been not long gone, and she awaited permission to leave. She ran ahead of the crowd of mermaids, gripping her trident. “Everyone stand back. Be ready for whatever comes.”

She looked to her people, swallowing hard as she caught eyes with Raehar, his pistol drawn and standing in front of Jasmine. She liked him more as each day passed. It was sad that he didn’t know what fate would befall his people, but he would be saved from their retribution. Her sisters could not be violated and turned into floating monsters without the blood debt being paid.

A dark form rose from the water, its armour glistening as it shook the fluid from its surface. His towering form stepped into Alyanti and stood before Nathalia, cocking his head at her as water whipped from his soaked body. The whirlpool ceased and the room fell silent.

“Shindar. How did you find us?” Nathalia said, her voice breaking as her trident trembled.

The demon of the underworld’s dark voice echoed around them. “Keepers of Talonsphere. Bow to me as your God, and you will not be harmed.”

“We have lived here before you arrived in this world. I know of how you began, and the ancients have told me much of how you turned into what you are now. We will
never
bow to you,” Nathalia said.

Shindar breathed heavily through his helmet’s demonic mask. He reached for his sword. “So be it.”

The mermaids readied to attack, fangs bared.

“I know more about Angeline!” Nathalia said, her chest heaving.

Shindar released his sword, bending low to come face to face with her. Every hair on Nathalia’s body stood on end. “How dare you speak her name? What do you know?”

“If it is Talonsphere you seek, and want to know what really happened to her, then you need to enter Daessar,” Nathalia said.

Shindar reached up to his helm, and there was a collective gasp as he removed it. Nathalia had expected to be horrified by what was underneath, but she found herself facing a rather handsome man, as pale as a ghost. However, there was no mistaking the madness in Shindar’s eyes.

“Do not play with me,” Shindar said.

“Don’t underestimate us either,” Nathalia said.

The other mermaids hissed at Shindar, taking steps toward him. Shindar growled and his hands glowed as he was surrounded in spiralling balls of fire. “My powers are already returning to me. I could find out just how destructive they are, right here.”

“Step back, all of you!” Nathalia said, moving away from him.

Shindar retained his fiery exterior, but kept his attention on Nathalia. Her body trembled at being this close to the Lord of the Underworld, but she tensed her muscles to steel her resolve.

“I saw what happened to Angeline, all those years ago. Are you to tell me that I saw wrong?” Shindar said.

“I cannot provide you with the answers you seek. I only know of what the ancients told me about you, and that Angeline was not an ordinary Marithian. The people you need to ask are in Daessar, but I am afraid that we cannot allow you to enter or find Talonsphere. It would be against our agreement with the ancients,” Nathalia said.

Shindar grimaced, then replaced his helm and reached for his sword.

“Wait!” Raehar said.

Nathalia joined Shindar’s gaze at the young man holding his hands in the air.

Shindar reached out and lifted his arm up. Raehar was swept off his feet, then flew half way toward the demon lord, falling to the floor.

It seems I am not the only one who may be bluffing
, Nathalia thought.

Her chances of defeating Shindar were minuscule, and she knew it, but it was all the more possible with him weakened. She gave the nod and the mermaids converged on Shindar. He drew his sword and swung it hard, cutting through the closest two attacking mermaids’ skulls. Blood splattered and joined brain matter dropping to the floor. Their bodies fell limp to the ground, twitching. Nathalia raised her trident, ready to strike.

“Stop!” Raehar said, firing a shot into the air, startling everyone in Alyanti. “Nobody else has to die!”

“You have seconds to speak before I kill the rest of you,” Shindar said, gripping the hilt of his sword.

“Where I come from, there be a code. Nathalia, I understand yer agreement, but ye have already fulfilled it, haven’t ye? Vartan’s already in Daessar,” Raehar said.

Nathalia cringed and bit her lip.

“Vartan is already there?” Shindar said.

“Aye. Through the door to Daessar is everything ye want, right?” Raehar said.

“Not everything. Who is this boy who dares address me?” Shindar said.

“I be but a pirate from Grenlees—” Raehar said.

“Raehar, that’s enough. Although he has a point. We could let you pass if you let us be free of this place, but cannot open the door for you. Know that we would never bow to you or anyone else for that matter,” Nathalia said.

Shindar looked to all the mermaids. “Then lead me to the door, and stay out of my way. The ancients will not survive to punish you for breaking their agreement. Do we have an understanding?”