Chapter 47 - Glory
Glory
XLVII
I watched Cammon fly away, calling with my entire soul for him to come back, screaming until my lungs burned for lack of air and my vocal cords gave out.
But he was gone. My legs trembled, my heart raced, and the world swam in front of me, making me stagger backwards.
My foot caught on the edge of the rocky terrain, forcing my attention to my surroundings.
Desperation to help tore at me, and I peered over the steep angle of the wall where Cammon had dropped me, but there was no easy way back. As though he’d known I would try and had cut me off.
I stood near the lighthouse that overlooked the harbour where the ship waited. The only gap in the wall was so far from where I stood that by the time I reached it, even as fast as I could run, the battle would likely be over.
Whatever battle there was.
Hot tears dashed down my cheeks as I stared at that swarming army. So many creatures, their ruined forms becoming more visible the closer they came. I barely made out Cammon where he flew towards them, lost among the mutts who were able to take him on in the sky.
You need to get it to Evaniel.
His words rang in my ears, and I knew he was right. The amulet had to be my priority. Helping Princess Brynna. Avoiding the war. That was why I was here. After everything Cammon and I had survived to get to this point, it would be an insult to our efforts for me to abandon the mission.
I forced myself to turn my back on the fight, grateful they were far enough away that whatever sounds they made were washed out by the roaring wind and the crashing waves. My sanity wouldn’t have been able to stand it.
The pain in my chest ebbed. All sensation left me. I was numb. A husk of a person. Less than I’d been before my first night on the road with Cammon. He had brought me to life, and now he was gone. A light extinguished. One I doubted I would ever relight.
But even if my soul didn’t survive this journey, the amulet would. Princess Brynna would. I was a mage advisor to the throne, and I’d vowed to serve my king and country in any capacity.
I’d thought going on this mission, leaving the comforts of home and facing Tersey’s trials, would be my sacrifice. But maybe what my country required was that I give it everything.
Anchoring myself to that final thought, I entered the lighthouse, descended the steps, and walked across the sand towards my only way home.