Chapter Fourteen
Andi
Shooting stars streak across the night sky, a rare occurrence here in Linorah, but highly anticipated throughout the land. Priests say that when the stars line the sky, it signifies a change. Whether or not the change is fortuitous, who can tell?
Behind me, my family laughs, playing a game of cards against Koa, my youngest son—the card mogul. I don’t know why his brothers attempt to better him. He always wins. My granddaughters, Adeline and Maeve, huddle together, whispering in hushed tones over their latest read.
Laughter and joy fill the room, with everyone enjoying each other’s company.
The fire crackles in the grand fireplace, surrounded by a large wooden mantle with great, carved sculptures of peacocks with their feathered wings wide open. The emblem of the Tanith family.
Peacocks.
A regal animal. With its large colourful wings and a feathered crown on its head.
The symbol of grace and beauty. Not only chosen as our house emblem for those reasons alone, but legend says the peacock represents immortality.
While none of our family boasts this power, we have been lucky enough to live long, healthy lives.
My pride and joy—other than my children, of course—resting above the mantel is the silver framing of the family crest with my crossed rapiers.
Light glints off the swords from the candles flickering around the room.
My weapon of choice, although lying unused for many a year.
They remind me of my warrior days, oh, to be young again.
A small smile creeps onto my face as I regard my family. I am extremely lucky to have such a close-knit group, one that chooses to spend festive occasions with us each year.
My beautiful wife Joanna and daughter Gabrielle sit on the fluffy rug, embracing the children, and playing with their dolls. All that’s missing is Edrina.
Sauntering over towards the bookshelf, scanning over my collection of leather-bound books. I touch each as I pass, handed down from generation to generation, magnificently preserved.
A knock at the door causes myself and Joanna to shift our attention. Our priest slips in bowing his head. Joanna sits upright. “Is it done?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The book has been hidden.” Priest Hayes answers.
“Good. Thank you, my friend. We shall sleep easier tonight knowing it is safe.” Joanna nods at the retreating priest. She turns to me, offering a small smile.
I am grateful that she made the final decision; the book’s call was a dangerous one. But now that it is hidden, it is one less worry for me tonight.
The door creaks again, grabbing my attention. I swing my head round, but the doorway is black as night. The glimpse of a hand from the corner of my eye, draws my focus.
A dark cloud unexpectedly fills the room, and everyone stumbles about choking and spluttering. I scramble around, unable to see, feeling my way along the wall. Screams echo within the room, followed by the swoosh of a weapon. The scent of blood invades my nose, and I gag at its sweetness.
The smoke disperses, and I fall to my knees. The sight of my family sprawled on the floor nauseates me. Blood dripping from their bodies, their eyes vacant. The children. He didn’t even spare the children.
A cloaked man emerges from the fog, standing over the body of my son, Koa. My heart is heavy with all the young slaughtered in such a brutal way, ending what should have been long, happy lives. The man holds his hand out, and a glowing light flows from Koa’s chest to his clawed hand.
One by one, he drains their light. Their magic.
Like a coward, I cower behind a chair.
The room falls deathly silent. The only sound is my thundering heart; wiping my sweaty hands on my trousers, I will my ice to come to my hands, but it only flickers. Failing me when I need it most.
I peer around the arm of the chair, hunting the room for the cloaked man, but all that’s left are the corpses of my beloved family. Grief overcomes me when I try to stand, to beg for my family’s forgiveness, and I crumble to the ground. All I can do is crawl.
Leather-booted feet step in front of me. With all my might, I force myself upright, needing to see the face of our attacker.
His eyes glow yellow, his skin veined and cracked, but one I am no stranger to.