Page 30 of Crowned

Elder Halim’s voice becomes a low hum, the incantation resonating through the chamber. The room feels charged, a palpable tension hanging in the air. I glance at Cove and Bhodi, anxious to join them but apprehensive about what I’ll learn. This isn’t just about remembering – it’s about unlocking something buried deep within us, something that could change everything.

The Elder’s chanting grows louder, a rhythmic pulse that thrums through my bones. A sharp pain blossoms in my head, spreading like wildfire. I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to cry out. The pain intensifies, and then, like a dam breaking, the memories flood in.

I’m standing in the queen’s private chambers, the soft glow of candlelight casting shadows on the walls. She paces before me, her usually serene face lined with worry. “Reef,” she says, her voice strained and anxious. “I need to tell you something, but you must promise to keep it a secret.”

I nod, my heart pounding. “Of course, my queen. You can trust me.”

She stops pacing and looks directly at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. “I have to flee Aerwyna.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. “Flee? But why? We can protect you. We can all go with you.”

She shakes her head, a sad smile on her lips. “No, Reef. I need you here. Aerwyna needs you here. If I leave, someone must stay to protect our home.”

I step forward, my voice desperate. “Then I’ll go with you. The others can stay. You don’t have to do this alone.”

The queen reaches out, placing a gentle hand on my cheek. “You are loyal, and I am grateful for your devotion. But I must give you a direct order: you are to stay here and protect Aerwyna.”

Tears sting my eyes. “Why? Why can’t I come with you?”

She takes a deep breath, her expression grave. “Because the council is corrupt. They are plotting something terrible, and soon, an event will occur that will unsettle the Shikari and plunge us into war.”

My heart races. “What event? What could cause such chaos?”

Her eyes meet mine, filled with a sorrow I can barely comprehend. “My child will come of age and will access their magic.”

The room spins, the weight of her words sinking in.

The queen has a secret child? And that child, hidden away for their safety, would soon be thrust into the centre of a storm.

I feel a surge of protectiveness, a fierce need to shield her and her child from the coming danger. But she’s right. I have to stay. I have to protect Aerwyna.

The memories swirl, and I’m back in the present, gasping for breath. The pain in my head subsides, leaving behind a deep, aching sorrow. I look at Cove and Bhodi, seeing the shock and confusion in their eyes. They’ve seen their own truths, faced their own pasts.

Elder Halim watches us, his expression somber. “You remember now.”

I nod, my voice thick with emotion. “I remember.”

Cove places a hand on my shoulder, his eyes filled with understanding. “What did you see?”

I take a shaky breath, the weight of the queen’s words still heavy on my heart. “The queen…she told me she had to flee. She said the council is corrupt and that a war is coming. And it’s all because her child will come of age.”

Bhodi’s eyes widen. “Her child? But we never knew...”

Elder Halim’s voice cuts through the shock. “This is why we must be careful. The council’s corruption runs deep, and the Shikari are waiting for any excuse to strike. We must protect Aerwyna, as the queen commanded.”

I nod, my resolve hardening. The queen trusted me with this knowledge, and I won’t fail her. “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

As we bid farewell to the Elder and he leaves the queen’s chamber, the weight of my memories pressing down on me, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. The queen’s trust, her direct order, her fear for her child – they are all etched into my soul. I will protect Aerwyna. I will honour her wishes. And I will stand by Cove and Bhodi, ready to face whatever comes.

The future is uncertain, the path ahead fraught with danger. But we have a mission, a duty to uphold. We won’t let anyone down.

The first thing I notice as I come to, is the sterile smell of antiseptic and the faint beeping of machines. My eyelids feel heavy, and it takes all my effort to open them. The light is blinding at first, but as my vision adjusts, I realise I’m in a hospital room.

Panic flares throughout my chest, shooting to my fingers and toes like lightning.

Me and hospitals don’t have a good track record.

I try to sit up, but my body feels like it’s weighed down by lead. A small noise escapes my lips, and immediately I hear a chair scrape back and hurried footsteps approach.

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