Page 25 of Return of the Darkness
“It is not just the power. There was once a prophecy–”
“Enough.” Elisara turned her head to the tapestry hiding where she had first read the prophecy. “I am tired of prophecies; I am tired of being told I am destined to fix everything for myself and kingdoms I have not set foot on. I am tired of gods demanding things of me–”
“You misunderstand me, yourMajesty. I want nothing from you.” Elisara huffed, still staring at the tapestry and refusing to meet his gaze. “I was simply stating there was once a prophecy that predicted a power such as yours would end wars and create lands. That prophecy has already been fulfilled, it is the land I once called home. Seeing your power is a reminder to my people of our creation, the beginning of our lineage. That is why it is worshipped.” Elisara hesitated but finally looked at him again. She had only heard of Ithyion, though understood Caligh likely hailed from somewhere else, the place where he spent his time creating his dark creatures. The thought of other lands, where others lived with powers like hers, made her question why no one else on Novisia had the same power, or why nobody knew of these other lands or what they provided.
“What was your home like?” Elisara asked. She was intrigued by the thought of fleeing to another land to live in solitude with her heartache.
“It was beautiful once, but I have not seen it in centuries to attest to the fact that is still true.” Sallos’s smile faltered.
“Would you like to see it again?” Elisara spoke in a higher pitch, her tone hopeful. “You could take me there.”
Sallos chuckled. “I would be revered for bringing someone of your station to my lands. Sadly, I do not know who controls it now, but I would not risk your life.”
“I would,” Elisara mumbled.
“You care so little for your life?” Sallos asked. The pain in her chest festered, a reminder of the broken shards inside. The very thing keeping her alive was already shattered, so what did it matter if it crumbled completely? If she simply ceased to exist?
“What do I have left to live for? The one person who I wished to live my life with is gone. Taken.” Elisara slid her dagger back into her boot before bringing her legs up to her chest.
“I felt like that once,” Sallos said. “And then I discovered there was an entire world to explore, to experience, to live.”An entire world. More than just the four realms that formed the kingdom she calledhome. She wondered how different these other lands could be; could she find one like Vala? Or Keres to remind her of Kazaar? Elisara frowned. Why had no one from these lands ever stumbled onto Novisia? What if Sallos had been trapped in the sword for so long that Caligh had already conquered these other lands before Ithyion even existed?
“You said you would not risk my life,” Elisara said.
“Not just yet.” Sallos trailed off. “There is more you must learn first. Sitara would–”
“What did you just say?” The flames blazed in the fireplace, contrasting the chill in the room. Sallos glanced down as lightning skittered across the floor. “So, you do want something from me. Did she send you here?” Sallos sighed.
“She did not send me, but she is worshipped in many places in different forms. I know of her plight and what she requires. If you would just consider–”
“Get out,” Elisara whispered, reaching for her dagger.
“Your Majesty—
“GET OUT!” Elisara screamed. Shadows lifted from their place of rest into spears, forming a circle around her, poised ready to strike. Sallos merely looked at them.
“I could help you learn to control and retract them as and when you wish.”
“I most definitely have need of them now,” Elisara hissed. “I said, get out. If you truly pledge your allegiance to me, and that was not another one of your lies, you will do as I command.” Sallos assessed her for a moment longer, before bowing his head and exiting the room. Elisara willed her shadows to guard the doorway as she collapsed back onto the bed. Knowing she was already asleep, given her conversation with Sallos, felt odd, but she closed her eyes regardless and hoped to drift into nothingness again.
***
Thetowering trees blocked the light where Aleya crouched behind the large rock she used for defence. Pushing her red hair from her face, she glanced between the cracks, assessing if they had truly won the war. Bodies littered the castle steps and rubble crushed most of the fallen. Her eyes trailed the walls up into the treetops, where the moss-covered castle was hidden from view. Others could still be trapped in the upper levels.
“Are you calling it?” a voice whispered. She turned to meet the eye of her general, Havia.
“It seemed too easy,” Aleya replied. “The castle has been under siege for three weeks, and then suddenly today the soldiers are more spread out, and the pathway to the castle is clearer.” Aleya glanced through the crack again, assessing the bodies for movement. She flicked her finger forward, directing a vine to snake across the floor. She held her breath, watching and waiting to see if the sudden movement prompted any surviving soldiers to charge. Her vines reached the castle doors with ease and looped through the heavy handles. Aleya tugged.
“I want my home back as much as you do, but something feels off. I have not seen him, dead or alive.”
“The man’s a coward and probably fled,” Havia scoffed. The image of his valiant actions in past wars came to Aleya’s mind.
“He wasn’t always,” she murmured.
“I’ll call it then. I want to get home to Athena.” Havia’s blood-smeared face cracked into a smile as she ran forward with her sword raised.
“Havia Balfour, get back here!” Aleya hissed.
“Are you commanding it? If that is a command then you are declaring yourself queen again, which means we have in fact WON!” Havia shouted the final word, and cheers echoed through the trees, where Aleya knew the rest of her soldiers lay in wait. Her vines sensed something by the door.
