88. Chapter 88
CHAPTER 88
Rawn
T he sound of gentle rain against glass pulled Rawn to consciousnesses. Cool wind brushed against his cheek. The air. He knew this air. It smelled like rain and freshly cut grass. It smelled like the trees he once climbed. Sweet like the flowers that filled the castle gardens. He blinked blearily at the open window, curtains billowing in the breeze.
Distant voices drew him to look at the door cracked slightly open. He forced himself to sit up and bring his legs over on the edge of the bed.
“Have the castle send more fresh linens and clean water.” The sound of that voice rocked Rawn’s chest. He was dreaming again as he had hundreds of times before. “If the healer is available, please send him to see to his lordship again. He needs more tending...”
The door opened and lovely woman stepped in with a servant, carrying a tray. She halted when she saw him. His wife. His Aerina. The tray dropped from her hands with a crash, and she bolted for the bed with a cry.
He reached out and caught her, wincing as he did.
“I feared I would never see you again.” She wept. “Then I feared you would never wake.”
Rawn held her tight, breathing her in, feeling how solid she was. “I fear this is another dream.”
Her wet eyes looked up at him and she laughed wetly. Aerina kissed his cheek, his forehead, his nose. “Does that feel real to you?”
Rawn nodded, his vision blurring.
“I was there with you beneath the keep,” she said, weeping. “Not only in spirit but in your dreams. I called to you, my love.”
“I heard you, Aerina. Your voice saved me from the darkness.” Rawn pulled her to him, taking her lips in his. Nothing else felt more real than this He pressed his forehead to hers, trying and failing not to pathetically weep. “I carried your absence within the hollow of my bones. There was not a day that went by where you have not occupied my thoughts. However far I was across the world, my heart remained here with you.”
Aerina didn’t speak. How could she when she shook with heaving sobs.
Then he was crying, too.
It took another day of rest before Rawn was well enough for visitors. First came Zev and Keena.
The Lycan was quiet in his relief. He took a seat in the chair beside him and filled him in on everything that had happened from the moment of his capture to the events of their excursion across Greenwood, then coming to his rescue in Red Highland.
“The prisoner with me,” Rawn murmured, his voice still a little weak. “Elon. Did he make it?”
Zev nodded. “He crossed with us here to Avandia.”
“His sister came as well,” Keena chimed in. “It is the talk of the castle. Apparently Graeae was King Leif’s second contact. She petitioned for immunity for herself and her brother in exchange the other half of the key. They wanted a safe place to escape their father. The key was lost when the Blood Keep came down.” She and Zev exchanged a look and Rawn nodded that he understood. “Regardless, King Leif has allowed Elon and Graeae to stay. I suppose he isn’t so terrible, after all.”
“Eldred went to Dwarf Shoe to find Sylar,” Zev mentioned. “With Elon to accompany him. He was beside himself with the news of his son’s survival, let alone that he’s with a red elf, but I think that old Magi Master was pleased to learn he’s a grandfather.”
Rawn chuckled tiredly at that. “I’m certain he was.”
“Von has joined us, too. Dyna has finally gathered all her Guardians.” Zev looked pensive about that. Not against it as he once was, and Rawn wondered what changed.
“He helped rescue you, if you remember,” Keena said.
Rawn nodded. He would have to thank him.
“Lucenna wanted to come visit you, but she was hurt during the battle. The healers are doing well to treat her. Klyde hasn’t left her side. And Cassiel …” Keena’s smile faded, and her wings drooped. “He was terribly wounded. Dyna took him to the Melodyam Falls.”
Rawn looked to Zev worriedly. “What happened?”
Zev’s brow tightened and he lowered his gaze. “Cassiel … lost a wing during the battle. He was bleeding profusely. Taking him there may have been the only way to save him but I don’t know if they made it. It’s been a couple days. I haven’t heard from her.”
Which was alarming because Dyna had a water mirror. Zev and the others were ready to leave in search of them, but out of decorum and obligation to him, they stayed.
“I will speak with the king,” Rawn said.
Aerina entered with a tray of food and Zev stood.
“That is enough for today, Keena. We should leave Rawn to rest.” He scooped her up into his palm and placed her on his shoulder.
Keena took the petals of her dress and curtsied. “It is pleasure to see you again, Lord Norrlen.”
“And you, princess.” Rawn chuckled. When they turned to go, he called, “Zev.”
The tall Lycan paused.
Rawn smiled, feeling so immensely grateful as he took Aerina’s hand. “Thank you.”
Zev bowed his head and quietly slipped into the hall.
Aerina laid beside him and Rawn pulled her into his arms. There was one who had not come to see him yet and he was afraid to ask why. But his wife, his bonded soul, looked up at her with her big blue eyes and she knew.
“Give him time.”
Rawn nodded and shut his eyes. He could not have expected a perfect union. What else could his son feel for him but distance and resentment? Rawn could not blame him for it.
“Can you forgive me, my love?” Rawn murmured, cupping her face. “For not caring for you as a husband should. For leaving you to raise our son alone. For leaving you without my protection. My greatest regret was placing my oath to my country above our vows. All these years I reviled myself for leaving, knowing there was a chance it could be forever.” Her eyes welled as his did. “I am not worthy to be your husband or his father. I deserve your scorn and his aversion. I deserve to have my name stricken from your lips. But I still beg of you to forgive me. You must have wished to have never married me, but without you, I am nothing at all.”
“Oh, Rawn.” She buried her face into his chest. “In all my years there is only one thing I have ever been sure of. And that was the day I chose to spend my life with you.”
“How have you and Raiden been in my absence?”
Aerina lowered her gaze and hid her face against his chest.
“Aerina?”
“I have much to tell you.”
By the third day, Rawn was well enough to move from the bed, though it was difficult and painful. The wounds on his feet were beginning to mend. He frowned at the small round table by the window, calculating how many steps it would take to walk to it. He wouldn’t regain his strength by lounging in bed all day.
A knock came at the door.
He looked up just as a guard opened it and King Leif entered.
“There is no need to stand,” Leif said, offering him a polite smile. “It is good to see you, Rawn. It has been some time. How are you?”
Rawn shifted his head in a slight bow. “Alive, sire. I cannot ask for more than that.”
“You have not changed.” Leif chuckled and went to the windows, gazing out at the city of Avandia. “Do you remember anything?”
“I remember many things, the most prevalent being the knife held at my son’s throat .” Rawn’s voice came out low, tight. “You intended to use him in your ploy against Altham. Do not say it was for me.”
Lief faced him, his expression cool. “I understand your ire, Rawn, but do remember you are speaking to your king. The trade was a ruse. Altham was careful in his oath as I was in mine. If he hadn’t been so eager to fool me, he would have noticed my promise was to bring your son for wedding to the princess, not that Raiden would marry her. I never intended it to pass.” His shoulder’s slumped a little, the only sign of his guilt. “I am sorry I had to keep it from Aerina. I couldn’t risk the chance it would reach Altham.”
“You put our son in danger.”
“Yes, and I am sorry.”
“I am told there was an issue with the Accords as well.”
The king grew a little sheepish. “I suppose I may have intentionally angered the High King and Queen of Hilos in hopes they would defy me and arrive as reinforcements.”
That way he wouldn’t have broken his oath.
Rawn wasn’t sure if he could believe that was the extent of his plans. “To what end? To get ahold their half of the key?”
King Leif studied him. “Do you have the second half?”
“I do not.” And Rawn could say so confidently.
Leif eyes narrowed. “The key opens the door which contains the Dragon’s Fang and the Dragon’s Eye. Keeping it from me would disavow your oath.”
Rawn’s lips pursed together. “Sire, I have sworn my fealty to you and to the crown for the good of the kingdom. I gave you an oath not to return until I found the Dragon’s Fang, but I never promised a key. Greenwood does not need such dark power. It would only corrupt all that is pure here. There is a reason it was broken, for no one is meant to open that door.”
Leif searched his eyes a long moment. Then he crossed his arms as he watched the fire burn in the hearth for a long moment. “Red Highland was not always sand. It was once an oasis with many maple trees which turned red in the Autum, giving the highlands the illusion of crimson seas. Their greed for power killed their land. Thank you for reminding me of that.” He turned to him. “Be that as it may …”
Rawn inhaled a breath. “I must still find the Dragon Blades.”
“Unfortunately, Altham yet lives. Reinforcements arrived as we were crossing through the Elder Tree, and I had to release him. He will not let this stand, and I must prepare for his reprisal.”
That meant war was coming.
It had always been inevitable, but his capture had accelerated it.
Leif moved from the window to stand before him. “You have served more than enough time on this mission, Rawn. You have my leave to pass on your oath to another.”
Rawn blinked. “Another?”
“Raiden has endeavored to go to Mount Ida in your stead.”
He stared at Leif in angry outrage. He sucked in a shaky breath, swallowing to control the outburst he felt building in his chest. “No.”
“Of course, I assumed as much. No respectable father would burden his son with his duties. Nevertheless, you have done plenty for the crown, and there is no dishonor in stepping down. As I understand it, you became great acquaintances with Elon. He declares to owe you a great debt and has proposed to inherit your oath once he returns.”
“Thus giving you ownership of his life as you have owned mine?”
Leif raised his chin. “I think it is time that you stay with your family, Rawn. I am setting you free.”
And chaining others.
“By all means think on it,” Leif said at his silence. “Take the remainder of the season for a holiday. Rest and decide on what you want.”
“Then I wish to return home, sire.” Rawn stood. “I have been gone from Sellav for too long, and there are matters I must settle. All I ask is a favor of you. Spread rumor of my demise.”
Leif searched his eyes a moment and nodded. “You have my leave.”
“I’m told two had attempted to capture my wife in Evos. I would like to question them before I go.”
“I’m afraid that is not possible,” King Leif said as he strode for the door. “They quietly passed through the Gates the day after their arrest. No one harms my sister and keeps the privilege of life.” He paused there, a slight smile hovering on the edge of his mouth. “Do give Lord Karheim my regards.”
Rawn could have asked to be sent home through the Elder Tree, but he had not seen his country in so long, he was content to take his time. To see the land and how much it had changed. And perhaps, because he secretly hoped he could bond with Raiden on the journey.
Yet Rawn and Aerina had to ride in a carriage for discretion, and his son chose to ride with the escort instead. Joining them were his friends, the Elite Rangers, and a handful of Valkyrie.
As they left the castle, Aerina glanced outside and softly gasped. The path was lined with Greenwood soldiers in decorative armor. As they passed them by, Lieutenant Handuril called order arms! and the men saluted by simultaneously drawing their blades and resting them diagonally across their hearts.
Emotion stirred in Rawn’s chest and Aerina laid her head on his shoulder. “Greenwood honors you.”
On the journey to Sellav, Rawn questioned if he was worthy of honor. He had yet to complete his mission. To return home now with so much time gone, it made those years lost seem pointless.
Rawn stole glances of Raiden from the windows when he could. His son was strong, healthy, handsome if he could be so proud to say. Raiden had wielded magic in Red Highland at an admirable level. He spent the journey asking Aerina about him and she told him everything. Raiden’s schooling, his likes and dislikes, his habits that were so similar to his.
“He favors magic,” she murmured to him on the night they had left Evos behind. “Eldred was his teacher, and he proved to be very proficient in all he set his mind to. Like his father.” She ran the back of her fingers over Rawn’s cheek, his head on her lap. “Raiden completed his apprenticeship at fourteen. He became the youngest Magi Master in the kingdom.”
Then Rawn was truly glowing with pride. “Of course, he did. He’s a Norrlen.”
They reached the Melodyam Falls the following day. The ruins had been half buried in a mudslide, but the cascades remained.
A lonesome tent had been erected by the waters.
The carriage wheels creaked as they rolled to a stop. Riders dismounted outside, and voices called out for Dyna.
Rawn quickly stepped down out of the carriage. The tent flaps parted, and Dyna rushed outside. Her wide eyes took them all in and when she saw him, her eyes welled with tears.
“Lord Norrlen, you made it.”
“I did, my lady.” He held out his arms and she rushed into them. Dyna cried as he and the Guardians hugged her between them. “Thank you for bringing me home.”