Chapter 7 Ian
Ian
Determination settled deep into my core as I soared with the humid northern winds toward Broham.
My ability to fly a hundred miles in a day was finally being put to good use. Even as Captain of the Guard, I was rarely afforded the freedom to fly so far on any given day. My duties to Lana had been important then, just as they were now.
I stretched my wings, relishing their power. I would rally any and all who were willing to fight for our freedom.
With Kalliah, Corbin, and I all in agreement, we divvied up our respective tasks.
Corbin would head west toward Valeford, searching there for those the Hidden Henchman had aided.
They’d spent years rebuilding from the destruction dark ones had delivered to their doorsteps.
Corbin would continue on small day trips to any other villages within a few hours’ travel of the Knotted Willow until I returned.
“I will not let her down, nor you, my friend,” Corbin had said as he’d mounted his mare, then rode through the fields toward Valeford.
Kalliah grasped me in a tight hug before I left. “We’ll all be together soon and finish this,” she whispered into my ear before releasing me.
Kalliah had remained behind at the Knotted Willow to organize those who came, answering the call to stand with their rightful queen. She would assist with setting up camps and training schedules based on the skill level of those arriving.
She was also tasked with keeping an eye on Vivienne and Cassandra.
Who knew if they’d emerge, let alone eat a few meals without one of us leaving food.
Besides, William flat out refused to be left alone to tend to the two women at his inn.
“There’s something not right about their magic and I don’t have any time for that kind of crazy,” he grumbled, before Kalliah reassured him she had it handled.
My path took me northeast. There were many villages on the northern borders of our realm.
Growing up, I’d traveled this way a few times with my father and remembered they were known for swordsman competitions.
We’d done fewer drops for them due to their distance, but we weren’t ignoring any potential allies.
The knowledge that Ryland, one of the contenders from the marriage trials and an excellent swordsman, may have returned to his home, helped too.
If I could find him, he may help convince others to join our cause.
Assuming he agreed and wasn’t already working for Andras.
My wings beat faster; I would visit as many villages as possible over the next few days.
So much could change in such a short period of time, we didn’t feel it wise to be apart for too long in case we needed to pivot our strategies.
There were a hundred things that had to be done, including getting all of our new allies settled at camp.
We didn’t have many resources, so we would have to make do with what people brought with them.
William could only provide so much for so long, and we had no idea when this war would end.
Stretching my neck, I grimaced. Ugh, there’s so much to work out.
I prayed to the Fates we wouldn’t encounter any dark ones, or worse, Andras, as we gathered everyone together. Who knew what lies that despicable Fae was spinning.
Anger burned through my entire body thinking about Andras. The death of Queen Roxana and the callous way he’d murdered her still weighed heavy on my heart. I hadn’t needed Vivienne’s reminder of my solemn vow to her. It replayed in my head constantly.
“Keep her on her path.”
“Don’t lose hope.”
I almost let myself drown in fear, but I’d made a promise to both my queens. I made a promise to my best friend, and I would not break it just because I was afraid.
Being in the air soothed my aching soul and allowed my brain to disassociate from the weight of the world. The trauma I’d endured. The deaths I’d witnessed. The flight gave me time to prepare for what was to come and chase away the darkness crowding my mind.
Something lingered inside of me from the dungeons with Andras. Something cold and wicked. Shifting and flying almost eliminated the remnants that had become overwhelming as of late.
Hours passed and I savored the sweet sound of nothing.
Nothing but sun, air, and the wind beneath my wings.
I spun, twirling, and flapped my wings harder, letting the rejuvenation from the flight speed me forward.
I paused when a familiar sensation clouded my mind.
A feeling meaning I wasn’t completely alone.
Raya was here.
“Ian?”
Her voice held none of the confidence and irritation it normally did, but nonetheless the relief of hearing her again made my heart skip a beat. Letting the moment pass, a feeling of dread oozed over me, making my wings feel like lead in the sky.
Raya. I swallowed, breathing her name once before letting out the onslaught of questions. Are you all right?
She interrupted. “Where are you?”
What happened? Where are you? Why were you bloody when you came to me before? I inhaled, pausing momentarily as I tried to rein in the chaotic thoughts coming from somewhere inside me other than my mind. Is Lana safe?
Raya didn’t respond. I knew she hadn’t left, but she didn’t speak. I couldn’t picture her either. She remained a distant shadowy figure.
Is. She. Safe? Raya. Please don’t make me ask you again.
“She’s safe.” Her answer was short, her voice practically dead. What happened to her? Anger and fear churned, washing away the brief moment of relief, even after hearing Lana was safe. Raya hadn’t answered any questions about herself.
A tug in my chest emerged and settled. Heavy. Worry and unease wrapped itself around the ball. What in the Fates names was wrong with me?
What’s wrong? What happened?
“Nothing, I just—”
Raya, tell me right now. What is going on? Are you hurt? Is someone else? My wings stiffened, my body freezing waiting for her answer. An uncomfortable acidic taste grew stronger with every passing second of silence. Her heartbreak seeped into my mind, pounding in my own chest.
A deep sense of shame washed over me. But it didn’t stem from my own thoughts or feelings. It came from Raya. The guilt tasted sour on my tongue.
Something had happened. I knew, as if it were my own feelings, Raya was not all right, she just clearly didn’t want to talk about it right now, so I wouldn’t push her.
Where is Kade? Are you on your way back to Brookmere? Did you get the answers we need?
She paused, like she’d sucked in a breath and couldn’t let it go.
Raya—
“We’re almost back. We’ll see you soon, Ian.”
No. Raya, you can’t just leave me. I need answers.
Raya hesitated only briefly before she left the recesses of my mind, and I was empty once more.
Even though this woman infuriated me most of the time, I hated when she disappeared, severing our connection. This time when she left, it was like she took a part of me with her. A fragment I didn’t even realize was missing before she invaded my very soul.
This time especially, it felt like more than mind magic at play.
As if something bigger entwined around us that opened her emotions to me and not just a mental connection.
I shook off thoughts of the infuriating Fae.
Perhaps her particular form of magic worked in mysterious ways.
If she refused to give me answers, I didn’t need to spend time thinking about her.
At least, I could try not to.
The first village on my route appeared below, aiding me with a much-needed break. Swooping down, I landed just off the main road and shifted back into my Fae form.
Cautiously, I made my way toward the center square and turned to the first person I found, a woman with a young baby swaddled to her chest. She eyed me warily.
Holding up my hands, I approached calmly. “Excuse me, miss, I’m looking for Caden Blaine.”
Caden had previously made two requests to the Hidden Henchman, and both times asked how he could help our cause. He’d be the perfect person to help me rally any others in the village.
She nodded once, glancing over her shoulder toward the busy village square, but an elderly woman down the road called her name. She stumbled a few steps back as if scared. Instead of pestering her further, I smiled in thanks and strode farther into the village.
The Fae moved with purpose, and though the sounds of conversation filled the air, they were cautious of my presence. I shifted through buyers, hagglers, and beggars, searching for a familiar face. When I landed in the middle of the square, I tapped a man on the arm.
“Excuse me, do you know Caden Blaine?”
The man hmphed. “Just came from him. There.” He pointed to the left side of the square where a small crowd gathered.
I watched, lingering momentarily to observe Caden writing down requests from the people who shouted at him. Hay, wood, salt… Their needs were endless. He ducked behind the door of a small shop and returned carrying bags, divvying them up among the people.
Not a single person provided any sort of payment.
I approached once the main group dispersed from his storefront.
“I’m sorry, friend, I’m low on everything, what with the Hidden Henchman disappearing, but—” He dropped his clipboard as soon as he made eye contact with me, bowing his head.
“Well, that’s completely unnecessary,” I grinned.
“Captain.” He nodded. “What can I do for you? I—I’m not sure what we—”
“Take a breath.” I clasped his shoulders, trying to alleviate his anxiousness with my smile. “I need your help.”
“My help?” the man squeaked. His floppy brown hair fell on his face, and I was reminded how boyish eighteen-year-olds could look.
I remembered his first visit to us when he was merely sixteen.
His persistence in helping his neighbors made my chest swell with pride that Brookmere had citizens like him.
It was a shame the darkness had forced him to grow up so quickly, erasing his childhood in an instant.