Chapter Twenty-Two

Leah paused as she made her way down from the second level. For a moment, she was lost in memories of her childhood days, when she and her friends would race up these very stairs to the end of the corridor where winding steps would take them to the open roof and turrets – their setting for re-enacting past battles. With a sigh, she continued to trudge down, head bowed.

She’d decided not to say a word to anyone about her imminent departure. Her plan was to take the fight to Shalyer. Aware that he was on his way to Orenheart, to murder Edmon, what she didn’t know was how long it would take him. But she did know that she did not want him anywhere near her city... her family. If Edmon knew of her intentions, he would insist on a warrior escort, but Leah did not want any more to die. And she believed that she could face him and his demons alone.

Better this way, she thought. When I’m gone, all this awkwardness will be a thing of the past. The dark cloud will lift, and everything will return to normal. At least they’ll still have Evalan–

“Leah!”

Her brother’s voice interrupted her thoughts, and a smile softened her grim features.

“What were you doing? Were you up on the– What happened to your shoulder?”

“Stepped the wrong way during training. It looks worse than it is, really.” Without warning, she pulled him into her embrace. The thought that she may probably never see him again... She shook her head, desperate to dismiss that thought.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Suspicious toad.” Her laugh sounded hollow with forced gaiety. “Can’t I give my baby brother a hug? I haven’t done so for a while, that’s all.”

“Alright, then.” He wound his arms even more tightly around her waist. “I wish you didn’t have to fight... him,” he mumbled.

“I wish I didn’t have to either. But I don’t have a choice. The only way I can be free again is to face him and stop him.”

He pulled away, his arms still resting on her waist. “You’ll win, I know you will.”

“That’s my plan,” she replied with a faltering smile.

He started to walk towards the royal chambers then glanced back. “Aren’t you coming?”

Knowing their mother would be there, Leah shook her head. “Later, Curly-top. I still have some things I need to get done.” She watched him walk down the corridor, part of her wanting to tell him that she would be leaving that night... to say goodbye to him and tell him how much she loved him for having the courage to stand by her.

Aware that she had yet to see her father, Leah turned her steps towards the stairs. Strangely, her revelation about her powers had somehow cleared the air between them. To begin with Edmon, like Maeve, had treated her as a stranger to be feared. But by the following morning, he’d confessed how proud he was of the way she’d seemed to be handling the dread burden.

Leah stopped a few paces from Edmon’s sanctum. She knew he was there and yet shook her head at Meron, her father’s guard, who was about to knock on the door and announce her. She was desperate to see him; she had to face the awful truth that it might possibly be for the last time. Yet she was scared he might fathom her plan, that he would somehow know she was going to leave that very night and ride away to face Shalyer on her own. Closing her eyes, she ‘saw’ him in her mind, poring over endless reams of paper, and allowed herself one silent thought – I love you, Father.

*          *          *          *

Leah surveyed her warrior garb lying ready on the bed. She was in one of the empty rooms on the second level, which was usually devoid of any palace staff, where earlier she’d magically transported all that she would require. She donned her doublet before pulling on her mail shirt and tying the mail skirt around her waist. Soft grunts escaped her as she tugged on her snug, knee-high boots. Lifting the white tabard, she hesitated and then laid it on her bed to wrap her armour in. Finally, she swung her inky-black cloak across her shoulders.

Waiting by the door, Leah closed her eyes and concentrated. Satisfied that no one was about, she stepped out of the room. Now for the risky part: to get herself out of the palace without being seen. She’d never attempted to ‘hide’ herself from so many people before. But she didn’t have much of a choice.

Not wanting to waste too much time, Leah decided to use as many energy-streams around her as possible to hide behind. Those closest to her had no idea of her passage. But those who were a little further away wondered if they were seeing things, for one minute Leah seemed to be there and the next she wasn’t. Leaving enough confused people in her wake, Leah hurried to the stables under cover of the dark. Just as she got to Rashan’s stall, too late she realised she was not alone.

Edmon stepped out of the shadows. Leah jerked to a halt, almost dropping her helmet. The silence that hovered between them begged to be broken.

“Father–”

“Am I not worthy of a farewell?”

She stared at her boots. “I tried... I didn’t know how.” Her glances fluttered around him before she could finally look at him. “How did you–?”

“Meron told me of your silent visit to my sanctum. I spent a long time trying to work out why you’d decided not to come in.”

“Does Mother know? Evalan?”

He shook his head. “Why the need to leave so suddenly? All this secrecy–”

“It’s started, Father. Shalyer is moving across Arcspan heading for Orenheart. For some reason, I believe he’s after you.”

His head jerked back. “Me?”

“He’s killing as he goes. Oh, Father, Gwilliyn and Eoli...” Her voice caught in her throat. “They’re... he’s killed them.”

“What? Why? How did he–?”

“He insinuated himself into their lives, he made himself important to Eoli... What is it?”

Hand against his chest, Edmon stared, his storm-black eyes wide. “That name... ever since you mentioned this creature, it’s been plaguing me, where I’d heard his name before. I cannot believe I forgot...”

“You know him?”

Haltingly, as if trying to remember a forgotten dream, Edmon recounted the pale-skinned man who’d rescued Eoli from supposed demons.

“That’s him. That’s Shalyer. But you barely mentioned him. None of you said anything about him whenever you spoke of your visit to Kurabar. All you said was a stranger had rescued Eoli... you never spoke his name.”

All Edmon could do was shake his head. “I can’t understand it. I remember now, we spoke of him ceaselessly when we left Kurabar, but when we returned...” He gazed into the distance as if the answer might appear there then focussed his gaze on Leah. “I cannot let you face this madman on your own. You will delay leaving for at least two days, I will ready a patrol.”

“No, Father. I can fight him on my own. You have to believe me when I say that. All the training I’ve had recently has been to prepare to fight with magic. I won’t let you risk your warriors. I do not want any more lives sacrificed to him. And I want to stop him before he gets anywhere near my home.”

He gazed at her, frowning, shaking his head. “I hear what you’re saying and here, in my head, I recognise the truth of your words. But my heart is crying out that you are also my daughter, one untested warrior on your own.”

“Father...” she whispered, wanting to allay his fears but refusing to do the obvious: manipulate his feelings.

“Who will protect you from brigands?” His voice was soft, bereft of hope.

A smile teased Leah’s lips. “They are no threat to me. Not as I am now.”

“Of course. I didn’t think they would be. You’re determined, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

After a moment’s silence, Edmon said, “I want you to take Varendis.”

“No. He’s–”

“If you are to go on your own, then take my battle-seasoned charger. Your mare has no such experience. You will not have the time to coddle her. And you cannot deny he is one of the fastest in Orenheart.”

Tears filled her eyes. She knew how much Varendis meant to her father.

“Please, Leah. I want you to.”

She flung her arms around him, unable to hold back her tears.

“I love you, my darling.” He kissed the top of her head, his tears dampening her hair. “I wish I could go in your place. That he had picked me, not you. Leah... Leah, forgive me. Forgive me for ever having doubted you.”

She stepped back. “Hush, Father, there’s nothing to forgive. You’re here now. Supporting me, giving me Varendis. That’s all that matters.”

“Will you answer me one thing before you go?”

“I’ll try.”

“You keep saying you have no choice. When he chose you, you had no choice but to agree.”

She nodded slowly, wondering where this was leading.

“What hold does he have on you, Leah? How is he making you do this? Is your life in danger? Your soul?”

Her gaze fell away.

“Can you not tell me?”

“It’s not me. I’m not the one in danger.”

“He is using others against you?”

She nodded, still unable to say the words.

It didn’t take Edmon long to fathom the answer. “Us. He’s using us to make you do his bidding.”

Again she nodded. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t... I cannot defy him. Not when he threatens the three people who are most dear to me.”

He pulled her into his embrace. “Oh, my dear girl. Forgive me, Leah, for making all this that much worse for you.”

“Don’t tell Mother. Or Evalan. I don’t want them to know.”

“Our secret,” he said, his voice catching, before kissing her forehead.

“I should go...” she said even though she did not want to leave his side.

“Yes, of course. Come. Let us ready Varendis together.”

Leah walked Varendis away, leaving Edmon standing by the stables, his hand raised in a final farewell.  She kept turning many times to keep him in her sights, and her last glimpse was of him standing alone, appearing inexplicably small and vulnerable.