Chapter 15
The dark circles under my eyes are becoming more pronounced, another physical reminder of the stresses of running a dying kingdom. Not only are our crops failing, but a child hasn’t been born in years. I peer into the mirror, dreading another day, but knowing I must continue to be strong for my people. I focus on my current task, one I do daily. One last stroke of the razor across my stubbled cheek and I’m done. I grab the towel to wipe excess shaving cream from my face, and automatically reach for my brush. My brown hair looks dull and lifeless as I brush through the dry strands.
As I turn and shuffle across the room towards where my clothes are already laid out on my bed, I hear footsteps in the corridor seconds before the knock at my door. It’s always something, I inwardly groan. I finish buttoning my shirt and make my way to the door, seeing Miko, my first in command and Joycelyn, the Kingdom’s Healer.
“King Destine, the rumor is no longer a rumor. Our informant has confirmed that there are five pregnant trolls in the North Kingdom. They even moved them into the castle to try to keep them hidden.”
I hear a gasp from Joycelyn and my eyes find hers wide, staring at Miko. It’s no secret they’ve been trying to get pregnant for many years. Everyone assumed they would conceive because she’s a Healer. To be honest, it would be nice to have another Healer. Joycelyn is worked to death.
Nodding at Miko, I ask, “What do the other kingdoms say?”
“As far as we know, they visited the North Kingdom before the pregnancies were discovered, purely on a fact-finding mission. They had no real reason to attack. At the time, there was no proof.”
I take a deep breath and release it slowly. We can’t let anyone else get there before us. No doubt the others are still on the journey back. We need to press our advantage. Standing taller, I instruct Miko, “Inform the top thirty. We move out tonight.”
Miko turns to march back down the hall, but Joycelyn stays behind, concern etched on her lovely features. “You didn’t sleep well again?” Her lips make a flat line.
I shake my head, defeated. “There is so much to do, and now this. The Elder’s memories haunt my dreams. It’s as if I can’t rest when I sleep, instead fighting their dreams and memories.”
She tsks. “Well, I will not let you go on your journey until I’ve given you more strength. The Elder’s powers, though blessedly given to you two weeks ago, have taken too much of a toll on you already.”
I nod. I know she’s right. Walking to the bed, I lay down as she sits beside me and places her hands on my chest. Her Healer’s Gift makes my body tingle as it does its work.
Out of everyone in this realm, one of the Elders chose me to receive their Gifts when they passed. I wonder which Elder passed away and why I was bestowed the honor of their Gifts and memories that slowly trickle their way into my head.
The palm of a cloaked figure presses against my chest and I feel an uncomfortable burning sensation sharp enough to wake me up. I want to reach for my sword but can’t even move a muscle, feeling as if I’m paralyzed. The weight of the stranger’s palm still rests on my chest. I don’t know what magic this is or which realm possesses the ability to immobilize a person, as no troll inhabits such a Gift.
The cloaked figure does not look away from my face, but their face is shrouded in the hood’s shadows. The room begins to lighten, but not from the moonlight. With a start, I realize the light is coming from beneath the stranger’s palm. My back arches and I scream silently as splintering pain radiates through my body. I am going to die.
The stranger finally speaks. “You must protect her, no matter the cost. This realm”s survival depends on you. My Gifts and memories will come slowly and in time. You must practice and master each Gift as they come and prepare for the next.”
The words come as if my ears are underwater, muffled and indistinct.
The pain lessens with each word as the stranger’s hand starts to deteriorate.
“I choose you, King Destine, Ruler of the South.”
With a jolt, I realize this is an Elder of our realm.
The Elder’s hand is no longer a hand, but rather a heap of fine dust on top of my chest. The dark cloak flutters to the ground.
Ever since that night two weeks ago, I’ve questioned who the Elder was and why they thought I deserved to take their place. Everyone knows my harsh, severe nature doesn’t deserve such Gifts. Why did the Elder choose me?
I’m exhausted. Sleeping is a distant memory. My dreams are fitful and intense, but when I wake, the memories are like wisps of air. There are holes within the dream memories, holes that could prevent me from finding the stone. A sigh escapes me as I think about what is to come. War is upon us.
A quick burst of envy stabs through me as I think about how the Northern Kingdom is being blessed with five new offspring, while it’s been years since any births have been recorded in my kingdom. At this rate, my people will not grow and prosper the way they should. Our land is failing, and my men have informed me that some are even talking about leaving to find their fortunes elsewhere. Hopelessness lies heavily in the air. I need my kingdom to thrive as it did long ago, back when my grandfather ruled this kingdom and turned it into a bountiful paradise.
Before my deranged father came to power.
If the North really has the stone, we will take it. My people deserve better than this. They’ve toiled too hard, both during and after my father’s reign, to not be afforded a better life.
“King Destine, you are to focus solely on the task ahead,” Joycelyn scolds. “Pay attention. Turn off your emotions. It is the only way I can replenish your energy.”
Chastened, I nod my head and clear my mind of my worries, fears, and questions. I focus on what will happen tonight and what victory will look like for our Kingdom. Once Joycelyn is done, I make my way to the meeting room. Miko is already there, assembled with several of his most trusted soldiers.
“We will head out at nightfall so we won’t arouse suspicion,” I address the men. I turn my attention to my second in command. “James, you will stay behind and take my place while I’m away. Any decisions that need to be made will be made by you. No one is to know we have left. I want to reach the Northern Kingdom before the other kingdoms learn of the pregnancies and start to descend.”
I pray the Darkland Kingdom has not learned of the pregnancies. There is no doubt in my mind that King Gus will come for the stone. My army is almost an equal match with Prince Timber’s, but everyone knows the Darkland will undertake any means to achieve what they set out to do.
I continue, “I will move us with the Elder’s powers.” I look at the men. Their eyes move to each other, looking wary and unsure. “Several of you have seen me demonstrate this Gift, but for those of you who haven’t, a black fog will engulf you and transport us right outside the North Kingdom’s border. It will convey us in less than a breath, compared to two days of running without breaks. We will camp tonight and attack at the Festival of Woods while their attention is diverted. If any of you locate the stone, you know the horn pitch you must sound.” My men nod their heads, determination etched across their faces.
Instructions given and plans laid, I return to my room. Moving with the Elder’s powers drains me. Each time I use them, I feel sick for days and have cold sweats. I know it will take time to recover from the fever I will feel when I transport my men to the border, but my people are worth it.
The first time my power transported me was when I needed to find Miko right away. Next thing I knew, I was standing behind him and scared him half to death. Since then, we have practiced many times. At first, I would transport myself to where he was, but soon we figured out I could also bring him with me. The black fog came later, appearing during a mission when I wanted to hide from a Seeker from the Eastern Kingdom. Shrouded within the dense fog, the Seeker became disoriented and I slipped by undetected.
I’ve never moved more than a handful of people at once. Tonight will put me and my newfound powers to the test.