19. Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
Rawn
I t was a leisure evening around the campfire as Rawn worked on fletching arrows. Zev lounged on his bed mat as the others wandered the open field searching for four leaf clovers. The evening air carried an earthy scent. Faint lightning flashed in the far distance within the dark clouds.
“Smells like rain again tonight,” Zev murmured, his eyes drifting shut.
“Yes,” Rawn agreed as a droplet hit his cheek. The wind picked up, shaking the wet branches of the tree above them. A few more droplets landed on the golden ring on his pinky. It bore the sigil of his House and the sight of it pulled him back to memories he would rather not remember. He had been dreaming a lot of his past lately. It started a while ago since the magical explosion when Dyna’s barrier had first broken.
“Rawn?”
He blinked. “Pardon?”
“I asked what that ring was,” Zev said, sitting up. “You were staring at it.”
“Oh, it is the signet ring of my household.” Rawn twisted it around his finger, watching how it glinted in the firelight. “It was passed down to me by my father, and one day … it will belong to Raiden.”
“Raiden?”
“My son … I have not shared his name, have I?” Rawn smiled faintly as he looked out at the girls still searching for clovers. “He would be about your age now.”
At times, Rawn liked to picture his son here among them, but he couldn’t place his face.
“I found one,” Klyde announced, spinning a little clover stem in his fingers.
“Splendid,” Lucenna groused as she moved on to crouch down by another green patch.
“If you want it, I’ll trade it for a kiss.”
“Attempt it, and no amount of clovers will protect you.”
Klyde’s laughter resonated across the field.
Zev canted his head as Rawn began to fletch more arrows. “You haven’t told us much about your family.”
“I regret to say I do not know him,” Rawn said. “I left the day after he was born. My wife, however, was the grace that changed my life.” He glanced at his other gold ring, the one that Aerina put on his finger the day they were wed. “I am alive today because of her … and I am sorry to have been parted from her for so long.”
How much his life had changed since he accepted that mission. Where would he be now if he had turned it down?
“I am sure she is eagerly waiting for your return,” Zev said. “How did you come to met her?”
“It’s a long story…”
Dyna returned to sit on her bed mat besides them with a huff. “I give up,” she sighed.
“Already?” Zev asked with a chuckle.
“It’s too dark to see now. Perhaps in the morning … oh, look!” Dyna exclaimed. “You have a bit of luck, Lord Norrlen.”
Nestled within the tuff of grass by his boot, was a small stem with four heart-shaped leaves. “It appears I have.” He plucked the clover and handed it to her. Take it.”
“I can’t. It belongs to the one who found it.” She placed inside of a small leather pouch no bigger than two inches and fastened it to the inside of his tunic with a pin. “There. Four leaf clovers have magic of their own. It will provide protection against any spells cast against you.”
“Yes, I remember,” Rawn murmured, pressing his hand over it. If only he had a bit of luck when he had needed it.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
When he had entered the throne room, Rawn dropped to one knee and bowed. He took a shallow breath to calm his hammering heart, his hands trembling. He had never been in the presence of the king before today, now he was only a few feet away from him…
King Leif’s calm voice drifted over him. “Please rise.”
Rawn stood but kept his head lowered. He had too much respect for the king to meet his eyes, but Leif wasn’t having it.
“There is no law against meeting my gaze. I must look upon the one I am entrusting with this very important mission for the crown.”
Mission?
Rawn took a breath and looked up.
His previous teacher, Magi Master Eldred Lothiriel, was present along with his father. Eldred’s silver hair caught the sunlight streaming in through the windows behind the grand throne. He stood silently beside the king in robes the color of lichen, staff in hand. Sylar’s father offered him a kind nod.
Then Rawn looked to his father, standing tall and commanding in his green armor veined in silver. The General’s hard eyes fell on him from where he stood at the foot of the stairs. Only disapproval was in his gaze. Rawn could sense his father didn’t think he was right for this mission, so why had the king called him here?
Then Rawn met King Leif’s steel gray eyes. Long ash blond hair was braided at his temples, a circlet of gold and silver adorning his forehead. He appeared young, though he was a few hundred years old. His dark robes were trimmed with gold, the long sleeves coming to a tapered end on his middle fingers.
“Before I tell why I have called you here, Rawn Norrlen, I must ask for your sworn oath of secrecy,” the king said.
Rawn immediately gave it. “Of course, sire. Before the eyes of the God of Urn, I swear no word of this day will ever be spoken to another.”
The king nodded. “You know the history of my family and how much blood was spilled for my position. There are yet those who seek to replace me, and now a reason has surfaced.”
Rawn had heard the rumors about the queen having not yet borne an heir for Greenwood. It put into question Leif’s reign. His relatives were circling, their fingers itching to snatch the crown.
“It may soon come to light that the one who cannot produce an heir is I…” King Leif said, and Rawn stilled. “Some time ago, the last king of Red Highland placed a cursed upon the males of my family and now that curse has fallen upon me. I am unable to continue my line. However, I am not the last of House Silva and many know it. I have reason to believe my sister is now in danger.”
Rawn’s pulse spiked at the news. “Who would dare, Your Majesty? Give me a name and I will remove them. No one will ever touch her.”
King Leif’s mouth twitched at his passionate declaration, and Rawn flushed when he exchanged a look with his father. “I am pleased you are willing to protect her, Rawn. However, I fear the threat also comes beyond our walls. It is no secret King Altham wants to return the kingdoms in the Veil under one rule again. His. If not by marriage then by war.”
The threat of war was the last thing Rawn had expected today, but then again, when was anyone ever prepared for it?
Then Rawn realized the implication in his statement. “King Altham has asked for Aerina’s hand, sire?”
“He has proposed she marry his eldest son. I refused him, of course, but now we hear rumor of radicalisms who are sympathetic to Red Highland’s cause. Some believe Altham the true heir of Greenwood and others merely they have grown weary of bloodshed. I fear our borders may no longer be properly protected to aid them.”
Rawn’s mind spun. His Garrison was attacked not a short time ago. If Red Highland soldiers could ambush them so easily, then perhaps they were being helped.
If it was a question of heredity and who could have rights to the throne of Greenwood, then even Red Highland had a claim. For at the end of the first age, it was two princes of the Silva bloodline who had split the Vale into two.
God of Urn, if a red prince managed to abduct a green princess, to abduct Aerina…
The world was tilting.
“You understand my concern.” The king watched him soberly.
“Yes, sire.” Rawn glanced between him, Eldred, and his father. “Have you received word from your spies that our enemies mean to infiltrate our borders? If they attempt to kidnap our princess, that will put an end the current ceasefire between Greenwood and Red Highland.”
King Leif leaned back in his throne with a sigh. “Yes, and something I would prefer to avoid. We have hardly recovered from our last war. I do not wish for another. Alas, until we find out who is aiding them, my sister is not safe.”
Rawn clenched his jaw at the thought of anyone harming her. To think that some of his people were secretly sympathetic to Red Highland after all the lives that had been lost sickened him.
“Then I will go and find where the threat in our borders lie before they have a chance to enter?—”
“I am afraid it’s too late.”
He stilled. “Sire?”
His father shifted on his feet, resting a hand on his swords hilt. The scar on his lip pinched with his frown. “The garrison at West Wall was infiltrated three days past and no survivors were left behind. They could not have crossed our walls without help, but one thing is for certain. They are here .”
Rawn’s pulse climbed as he thought of the night a spear took him down. His garrison had not been attacked at random. They had been planning this.
To think red elves were in his home with the intent to do ill set fire to his blood.
“I have made an attempt to track them,” Eldred said, “But they are cloaked. One among them is certainly a Magi Master and a dangerous one.”
King Leif leveled him with a look as he stood. “Aerina is the only hope for our kingdom now. Protecting her life may come at the cost of your own.”
But Rawn didn’t hesitate again. He lowered to one knee and bowed his head. “What will you have me do? I am at your command, whatever it may be.”
King Leif climbed down the steps to him, and he looked outside to the courtyard. At the center rose a particular tree split in two at the base and had grown into a perfect circle.
“Your mission is to take Aerina away from the palace tonight at high moon through the Elder Tree’s gateway. It will take you as far as the highlands of Erendor, and from there, escort her to the convent in Galadir. A week’s travel at best. You will remain there and guard her. Do not return until you have received word that the threat has been eliminated or that my wife has borne an heir. The future of Greenwood is at stake, Rawn. Can I trust you to keep my sister safe?”
“I swear upon my life that no harm shall fall upon the princess.” Rawn clanked a fist over his heart, and it shook with the weight of his oath.
Should he fail, the cost would be his head.
“Good. Then you may take two others to help you. Is there anyone who you can trust with this secret?”
Rawn didn’t need to think long on it. He glanced at his father and Eldred. Both could guess his thoughts and neither spoke against it.
“Yes, sire.” Rawn rose to stand. “Nisa of House Norrlen. She was an Elite Ranger before becoming part of the princess’s personal Royal Guard. And Sylar of House Lothiriel, Magi Apprentice. I trust them both with my life. I would like to request them to join me.”
King Leif dipped his chin in a nod. “Granted.”
And that was perhaps the greatest mistake of his life.
Aerina giggled over a funny story Sylar told her by the campfire as he played a silly tune on his lyre. Rawn preoccupied himself by checking their horses and bags again, making sure they had enough provisions for the second leg of their journey.
They had finally reached the borders of Erendor. They had perhaps forty-five more miles before reaching their destination. They kept to the forests, avoiding the main roads. His hand paused on the flap of a bag as he gazed at Galadir far below the range. Moonlight reflected over the roofs of the tall stone buildings flickering with candlelight.
Only one more day left.
Time had passed by too fast for his liking.
“What are you doing?” Nisa appeared by his side suddenly. “Come sit by the fire and celebrate the summer solstice with us. The fireworks will start soon.”
“I am preoccupied here.”
She groaned and crossed her arms. “You won’t be condemned merely for speaking to her, brother.”
He frowned. “What are you implying?”
“Rawn.” Nisa arched an eyebrow. “Since we left the castle, you have hardly spoken three words to Aerina. She believes you dislike her.”
He balked. “She said this?”
Nisa grinned. “No, but now that I have your attention, why are you avoiding her?”
Groaning, Rawn returned to checking the belts of his saddle.
“What do you think of that, Fair?” Nisa teased as she stroked his horse’s muzzle. “Rawn can finally speak to his beloved, but he hides away like a child.” Fair whinnied, bobbing his head and she snickered. “He agrees with me.”
Rawn shushed them desperately as he glanced at Aerina, but Sylar’s music was thankfully on his side tonight. “Will you cease?” he told her sharply. “Do not pretend to sense Fair’s opinions. He is not bonded to you.”
“I do not need to be bonded to him to comprehend him.” Nisa went to her own bonded horse grazing beside Fair and began brushing down her beige coat. “Horses are easy to understand. They do not complicate things like we do. Lowenna chose me as her rider as she chose Fair for her mate. He did not fight it either, did he, girl?”
Lowenna chuffed, nibling at Nisa’s cloak pin in the shape of a horse. His sister grinned.
With a sigh, Rawn shook his head. “We are here for a reason, and it’s not so I can yearn for her let alone be her friend.”
Nisa’s face softened. “So you do yearn…”
He continued his work if only to ignore the statement, but the silence made him have the urge to fill it. “I am a lowborn soldier, Nisa, and she is a princess . One I am tasked with escorting to safety. Nothing more. To even imply it, to even speak of it…” Rawn shook his head as his gaze returned to Aerina.
He knew his place. Yet in his heart, she was a wish.
A forbidden one.
“You were once friends.”
“That was before I understood who she was,” Rawn replied faintly as he recalled the time they spent together during their schooling years. Life had been more innocent then, not yet clouded by duty and status. “We were children then. Not anymore.”
“We are taking her to Galadir tomorrow,” his sister said softly. “Once this mission is over, you may never see her again. I think you can afford one night where you forget about her status and the lack of yours. Tonight you are not a soldier on a mission. You are simply Rawn who will ask a girl for a dance. What is the worse than can happen?”
The worst? That would be to reveal the secret he had buried somewhere in his chest a long time ago. That Aerina would see past the carefully built wall he constructed around himself that hid how hopelessly in love with her he was.
To entertain such a thing went far beyond any realm of acceptable. Especially while aware of the reason he was escorting her in the first place. King Leif trusted his honor. What kind of elf would he be to betray that?
Before Rawn left the castle, his father had given him the signet ring with a word of warning. Take this so all who meet you know you are a progeny of our House. This mission holds many lives at stake, do you understand? Do not fail your king.”
Not again.
They all looked up at the sky as it burst with fireworks. The colorful lights flashed in Aerina’s eyes, making them sparkle. She met his gaze and smiled.
The power that action had on him made his heart pitifully tumble into his stomach. If only she knew how much it broke him. He had already crossed so many lines by simply experiencing such a thing.
Those feelings were dangerous.
Because what if…
“Princess!” Nisa called cheerily. “Would you care for a dance? Ser Rawn is at your service.”
“What? I?—”
Nisa pushed him hard enough that he stumbled a few steps forward until he found himself standing in front of Aerina. He felt a rush of eat shoot up his pointed ears and his heart shot back up into his throat.
Aerina stood and said with the sweetest smile, “I would love to.”
Rawn couldn’t do anything more but take her offered hand. Sylar immediately began a new song as he led her into a dance. But Rawn had been trained in everything except that. Aerina laughed at his clumsy attempt, yet he didn’t care because she was still smiling at him.
His sister and his best friend had their fill of ale as he endured their teasing at his lack luster dancing. They eventually fell asleep. But Rawn had stayed up late into the night, talking with Aerina by the fire about everything and anything.
Well she mostly talked, and he listened. He could fall asleep listening to her voice.
And he had.
A grave mistake, for Rawn woke to a distant scream.
He stumbled to his feet, his mind on alert and disoriented in the gray dawn. Sylar and Nisa jerked awake. The highlands were still, coated in a veil of fog.
And Aerina’s bed mat was empty.
“Princess!” Rawn shouted.
The scream came again from the trees.
He bolted for his horse, Nisa and Sylar running close behind. Leaping onto Fair’s saddle, Rawn kicked his heels. They chased the echo of Aerina’s cries and the beat of retreating hooves.
Rawn raced into the forest, his heartbeat thudding in his ears. This couldn’t be happening. He couldn’t fail. He had to reach her.
Then he spotted a group of riders ahead. Dark haired elves in black armor, their dark red cloaks flowing behind them like veils of blood.
Force Sentries of Red Highland.
They were fleeing with a carriage and Rawn heard Aerina’s cries.
Rawn galloped for carriage through the forest, determined to reach it before he lost her forever. Nisa and Sy caught up on his flank. A fight broke out of steel and magic as they fought sentries guarding the carriage and every rider who appeared form the trees.
Rawn leaped off Fair’s saddle onto the back of the carriage and climbed onto the roof. A blade came for his head. He ducked and rolled out of the way. Rising to his feet, he whipped out his sword at met his opponent. The sentry was covered in head to toe with black armor. The only thing visible were his amber eyes through his helmet.
Their weapons clashed as they fought.
His opponent muttered a spell in elvish and blue electricity spiraled around his blade. Rawn rolled out from under the sentry’s next attack and kicked him off the roof.
Climbing down the side of the carriage, Rawn yanked open the door to find Aerina inside. She cried out in relief and rushed to him.
“We have to jump!” he told her.
“What?” she said frightfully.
“Now!”
Aerina latched onto him, and they were yanked away by the force of magic. Sy tossed them on soft ground, and he murmured a second spell. A yellow hexagon with glowing runes blasted toward the carriage. It erupted with a deafening boom , taking down the remaining soldiers.
Aerina shook against him with quiet sobs.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head but touched her stomach. “He… he cast a spell on me.” She cried harder.
Rawn’s eyes widened. “Did he…?”
Aerina shut her eyes. “I don’t know.”
He couldn’t think of anything else now but to get her to safety.
“It’s all right now,” Rawn murmured as they sat up. He looked her over, brushing the hair from her face. “Are you all right? Can you stand?”
Panting, Aerina nodded, and he helped her up.
Nisa kicked up dirt with the jerk on the reins, bringing her horse to stop in front of them. We need to get to high ground. It’s not safe here. Move?—”
It was the whistling he heard first. The high pit cut of wind that he had heard before.
“Down!” Rawn shouted.
The black spear zipped through the trees with a crackle of red magic. It pierced through his shoulder, and he hit the ground with Aerina. She cried out his name. He tried to move. His vision spun and his ears rang. He griped the shaft of the spear, but it struck him with magic. He couldn’t pull it out. Embossed on the socket was the sigil of a maple leaf
Prince Anon,” Aerina gasped. She gaped up at a red elf standing on the rise above them within the trees.
The morning sun glinted over his black armor, his red cape fluttering in the wind around his feet. He had short dark hair and dark eyes with a silver circlet on his forehead. Anon smiled at them. It was cold and sharp.
He lifted another black spear.
“Get down!” Rawn yanked Aerina to him.
The second spear came.
Nisa screamed.
She screamed so terribly, Rawn thought she had been hit.
A body dropped heavily on ground beside him. He shut his eyes for a moment, gathering the courage to look at who it was. Lowenna. The beautiful beige horse lay dead with the spear through her neck.
His sister’s cry ripped through his ears as their bond broke. Rawn’s vision welled. He felt her pain. Her loss.
And her rage.
Rawn desperately searched for Fair and shuddered with relief when he heard his horse’s neigh.
Anon’s laughter floated to them, and he darted into the trees. Any remaining Force Sentries followed. Good, they were retreating.
But his sister snarled and snatched up her fallen sword.
“Nisa.” Rawn desperately clutched her green cape. “Don’t. It’s a trap.”
“I will not besmirch my honor by allowing him to escape,” Nisa said, her eyes blazing above him. “He owes me a life. If I do not return, then you must take over the hunt. Slay him, Rawn. Even if it’s the last thing you do.”
She bolted into the forest.
“No, Nisa!” Rawn tried to get up but the sharp stab of pain in his shoulder left him immobile. “Sy!”
“I’m here.” Sylar scrambled to him on his hands and knees. His wide eyes looked over him as he inspected the wound. “The spear missed anything vital, but I need to take it out. This is going to hurt.” He placed a thick piece of leather in Rawn’s mouth and Aerina’s small hand clutched his. Bracing, he inhaled a sharp breath. Sylar yanked it out. Rawn screamed through the tearing of his flesh and the pain began to drag him under. “Take this, princess. Clean the wound and apply the waters,” Sylar instructed Aerina quickly as he handed her a glass bottle. Pale pink liquid sloshed inside, swirling with red petals.
“Nisa…” Rawn rasped as his eyes drifted shit.
“Don’t move, Rawn,” Sylar told him. “Stay with the princess while I will fetch Nisa. You have my oath. I will bring her back!”
Then his best friend sprinted after his sister.
And neither of them returned.