Page 13 of Return of the Darkness
“I understand why you want to find Elisara, I do,” Larelle saidcalmly. “But even if we found her right now, she would be in no state to help us. We need to allow her time to heal.”
“My concern is we do not have any of the information she received from Sitara. All we know is that Elisara is the essence of Sitara; Kazaar was the essence of Sonos, and…” Nyzaia crossed her arms and sighed before continuing. “The Sword of Sonos is poisoned, and our weapons were all imbued to link to the Sword of Souls instead. We need to know what else Sitara said.”
“We also have the information Osiris gave us,” Larelle countered. Alvan shifted in his seat at the mention of his name.
“He said our destinies were not just aiding the survival of Novisia, butalllands. How many more could there be?” Sadira asked, having only ever learned about Novisia and Ithyion.
“He speaks another language, so we know there is at least one other land. I suppose we could assume Caligh will have fled somewhere else, meaning there is a second. Novisia has been hidden since our ancestors settled here. We have no way of knowing for certain how many lands there are.” Larelle frowned and asked Jabir for the rolled parchments.
“These are all of Keres’s records of any journeys to the outer border or beyond. I found them in King Razik’s rooms. I would be happy to look over them with Farid to find any anomalies,” Jabir said. Farid narrowed his eyes at Jabir for volunteering him.
“I can return to the church in Mera and continue studying the texts and find any maps they may have,” Larelle added. “But we cannot save any new lands without knowing how to.” She scanned the eyes of those in the room, waiting to see if anyone had any suggestions. Sadira waited a moment before opening her mouth.
“I had a thought,” she said, glancing at Nyzaia to see if she would interrupt. She did not. Instead, she looked away. “Osiris mentioned two things that caught my attention. First, your coronations triggered the prophecy and the waking of people’s memories. Second, his lands are cursed.” Larelle smiled, encouraging Sadira to continue. “I found it odd that the two Wiccans who foundCaellum and I in Asdale knew so much about the sword, even if some of their information was wrong. They spoke like it was a common story among their people and said there is power in a name, as if knowing that knowledge would be vital for us. What if they are an example of people whose memories were locked away but are now resurfacing?”
Larelle nodded. “It is definitely a possibility.”
“They would also perhaps know more about the curses and how to break them. I could seek them out again.” Sadira’s voice betrayed her doubt. She was uncertain she had the authority to make such plans.
“I can assist you,” Caellum said. Sadira squeezed his hand under the table.
“You mentioned resurfacing memories,” Nyzaia said, glancing at Jabir and Farid. “Something odd has begun happening in Tabheri with the Red Stones—well, it’s more sadistic than it is odd.” Larelle and Sadira’s horror-stricken expressions matched, waiting for Nyzaia’s explanation. “Someone has been sacrificing members of the pillars: slitting their throats, pinning them to the walls by their hands, and using their blood to paint symbols around their bodies.” Sadira drew her hand to her mouth, fighting the nausea filling her stomach. “I cannot think of a reason why anyone would do such a thing, unless it is all linked to these memories—things that have been hidden.”
“I think you’re right.” Larelle nodded. “If Caligh could control an entire army, even with the existence of a debt, he likely has the power to hide the memories of people in Novisia.”
“If it definitely was him, wouldn’t Osiris have slipped that into his admissions?” Alvan voiced from Larelle’s side. “What if someone completely different cursed the other lands and hid Novisia’s memories?”
Caligh made the most sense. His plans would have been foiled if memories about him resurfaced earlier. But Alvan had a point. It felt incomplete; there was more to it, but Sadira could not placewhat.
“If Nyzaia investigates the sacrifices, Sadira and Caellum the Wiccan, and me the lands, that still leaves us with Osiris’s final message.” Larelle unrolled a thin scroll and read from it.
“What once was hidden can again be found,
Listen to the land and understand you are bound.
A reverse, a reflection, a sister, a mirror,
Find the truth beneath you and all will be clearer–”
“It sounds like he recited it from somewhere,” Caellum said. Sadira nodded in agreement.
“I believe it is something related to Novisia,” Larelle said, scanning the map before them. “The focus on the land beneath us but I do not know what is hidden or what is a reverse.” She rested her elbows on the table and clasped her hands under her chin.
“Maybe we should concentrate on what we currently have planned and then look for Elisara to see if she knows more that could help us link the rest,” Nyzaia proposed. “It would give her more time.” Nyzaia’s eyes were hopeful as she looked at Larelle, who nodded.
“We keep in touch via letter. If in ten days we have no answers to communicate, we meet in the Neutral City. That gives us all a week once we have travelled home.” They all nodded their agreement.
“What do we tell the people?” Sadira asked.
“For now, we tell them the threat has left the lands. But we must all remain alert, impose curfews, and increase patrols on the shores,” Caellum said. “We do not know when we will be under attack again.”
Chapter Seven
Caellum
The morning dew scattering the grass felt cold on Caellum’s skin as he collapsed onto a patch. The meadow had become overgrown, and the reeds dampened his knees and elbows. With his arms propped on his knees, he twiddled the ring around his finger. He knew not to complain about the damp, which was much more preferable than Keres’s dry heat. After spending one more night at Tabheri Palace, Caellum, Sadira, and Sir Cain led Garridon’s army home, stopping only briefly in Khami upon Nyzaia’s recommendation.
Word soon spread of their return, aided by the scouts who had travelled earlier in the day. As Caellum and Sadira rode through their realm on horseback, side by side, their crowns glinting in the welcoming morning sun, the people cheered them on. The army moved slowly behind them, despite having washed and changed since the battle. Clearly, it had taken its toll. Yet their faces lit up when they crossed into Garridon, seeing the people there to greet them. It was far too early for all citizens to be awake, yet many were. Residents hurried from their homes once word was received of the king and future queen’s return. Caellum had ensured enough guards and soldiers had stayed in Garridon while the rest headed to war in Keres, and while no one knew yet about the extent of Caligh’s power, the soldiers would likely relay what they had seen.
