Page 51 of The Shadow of Polaris

“Please, this cannot wait. It’s of the utmost importance,” I demanded, lowering my voice slightly as I stepped toward the young guard. He eyed me suspiciously, squinting to make out the outline of my face beneath the thick drapes of wool.

“King Procyon isn’t taking visitors today,” he proclaimed, sliding in front of the door.

“If you don’t let us pass, we’ll have to force our way through, and it won’t end well for you,” Aryx hissed, his eyes darkening.

The boy’s throat bobbed, but he stood his ground, tightening his grip around his spear.

“I’m afraid I cannot, sir. And if you try anything, I’ll have to call for the city guards to arrest you.” His voice cracked as he spoke.

I inspected the boy. He stood at least a half foot shorter than me and couldn’t have been over fourteen. His mousy brown hair, shaved and neat, and his pin straight uniform suggested he was fresh from his training.

“Let us pass, boy.” Aryx stepped toward him, gripping the sword sheathed at his side.

“Sir, I cannot.” The guard marched forward, pointing the spear at the half-god who towered over him.

Placing my hand over Aryx’s fist clenched around the hilt of his blade, I said, “Please, we don’t want any trouble. It will be brief.”

The boy shook his head, swinging the tip of his weapon toward me.

“One more step, and I’ll call for the city guards,” he cried, his hands shaking beneath the heavy weapon.

Taking a breath, I lowered my hood to my shoulders.

“Tell him the Heir of Polaris must speak with him urgently.” I looked into the boy’s eyes. They brightened as he realized who stood before him.

“Qu-Queen Slayer,” he whispered with buckling knees. He dropped the spear at his feet and sprinted down the street, crying for reinforcements.

“We have seconds until we’re surrounded,” Aryx growled, shaking his head. “I had it under control. You shouldn’t have revealed yourself.”

“Well, I did, so let’s get this over with and get out of here before they send me back to that tower.” I threw the stone door open, diving into the shadows of the temple.

We raced down the narrow corridors, passing flaming sconces. Shouts and stomps of the city guards bounced off mossy, damp walls as we rushed deeper into the hillside. The passage opened into a cavernous hall. At its center, a long table of men and women sat deep in conversation. Their voices cut off at our intrusion.

“So sorry to interrupt,” Aryx panted, “but we must speak with King Procyon.”

“Who are you?” A crippled, ancient man rose from his head seat.

“Elpis- since you’re ripe to tell half the kingdom who you are…” Aryx scowled at me, his voice an angry whisper.

The council jerked their heads toward me, expressions turning frantically as they realized who had interrupted.

“Lords, Ladies…” I started, swallowing hard at their terrified eyes, “I mean you no harm. I have an urgent message from Polaris and, as her heir, I feel it is my duty to deliver it.”

Their mouths plummeted to the floor. Panicked whispers and murmurs filled the chamber.

“Silence.” The ancient man commanded through a floor length grey beard. He raised his palm to the council, letting the fabric of his periwinkle robes fold below his outstretched arm. “Did you say you are the heir of Polaris?” He pointed his long, beak-like nose at me.

“Y-yes sir. I am.” I shifted in my boots.

Aryx stepped in front of me, shielding me from the sharp tip of the man’s carved wooden staff now aimed at my chest. Tense silence hung over the chamber, stifling my breaths as the man’s eyes scanned me with a serious scrutiny.

“Prove it,” he commanded.

A city guard stumbled into the hall, carrying a broadsword at his side.

I closed my eyes, breathing deeply. Focusing into myself, I grasped for the shadows. The familiar tingles rose from the arches of my feet and traveled through my veins, up over my arms to the tips of my fingers.

The man sucked in a breath as I flicked my wrist toward the city guard. His sword glowed and pulsed with my borealis until it disintegrated into flecks of dust. Aryx, grinning wildly by my side, clasped his hands together in awe. The shadows at my fingertips begged to be unleashed, filling my head with violent whispers. With clenched fists and gritted teeth, I dragged them back into their cage and locked them away.

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