Chapter Twenty-Two (Pt.2)

Warriors materialised out of the crowd, pushing the people back, clearing a path for Leah and Karel to walk their horses through to the palace. But their exuberant expressions were transformed at the sight of the body slung over the third horse.

Leah found she couldn’t meet their stares. After what seemed like an eternity, the palace gates hove into view. But the courtyard was far from empty, filled with more warriors, the commanders, councillors, servants. Leah’s searching gaze finally lit on the one she was desperate to see.

Edmon stood at the top of the broad stairs; he’d aged even more since she’d last seen him. As the horses’ hooves crunched over the gravel of the courtyard, he raced down the stairs.

Leaping off Free, Leah quickly helped Evalan down. Turning, she took but two steps before Edmon was upon them. With a sob, she flung herself at him, as did Evalan. They stood, arms wrapped around one another, surrounded by the silence of the gathered crowd.

“Father–” started Evalan.

“One moment,” whispered Edmon. “Let me have this one moment... to hold you... my precious children...”

“Please, Father, I want Mother.”

Edmon, cupping his son’s face in his large hand, gazed tearfully at him. “I thought... I never expected...”

The young boy placed his hand on his father’s. “I tried to be brave, Father. I tried–”

He pulled him close again, shushing him. “I do not doubt that, my child.” He turned to Leah. “When I heard you’d gone...”

“I’m sorry, Father, but I couldn’t tell you.”

“I thought I would go mad with worry. The fear that I could lose both my–”

“But we’re here now. We’re home, safe. Come, let’s go to Mother.” She glanced back at Karel who merely smiled and nodded. 

*          *          *          *

“Did you get to explain things to them?” said Karel. “Or to your father at least?”

Leah stared at the floor. “I know I have to, but I don’t know how. The only way is to tell them about the... magic.”

They were in her room at the barracks, the only place that guaranteed some measure of privacy.

“How’s your mother?” He was sat on the chair, facing her where she sat cross-legged on her bed.

“Much better, thank the goddess. According to Father, Brice will be happy to let her leave the Sanctuary in a day or so. When she saw Evalan, I honestly thought she was about to leap out of the bed.”

“That’s remarkable, her level of recovery, considering they believed she would probably never walk again.”

Leah averted her gaze as she nodded. “She’s a strong woman, my mother.”

“That she is. Though a little help from her equally strong daughter didn’t go amiss, I’m sure.”

She stared at him, ready to challenge his assumption, but the sight of his knowing smile and the twinkle in his eyes stopped her. “How could I not?”

He swallowed his laughter before leaning forward, elbows resting on his legs. “Leah... is there no way out of this?”

Her smile winked out of existence. “I’ve done it to myself. I agreed to the bargain and that’s all there is to it.”

“But you were tricked. Surely the priests–”

“No.” She moved to the edge of the bed. “No one must know. Promise me, Karel, you won’t tell anyone about what I did.”

He gazed deep into her smoky black eyes. “You risked all to rescue your brother. That’s what you did, and that’s all anyone will know.”

About to nod, she shook her head instead and buried her face in her hands. “Oh goddess, if you only knew all of it, you won’t be so willing to speak up for me.”

Gripped by the sudden urge to tell someone, to confess her actions, she rose to her feet. “I gave myself to him, Karel. Surrendered my body to Meraud. Freely.” Hugging herself, she moved to stand by the window, her back to him. “He didn’t force me, I did it because... because he was the only one who knew I still had magic, the only one I didn’t have to lie to, the only one–”

“The only one who could ease your loneliness?”

Turning sharply, she frowned before nodding.

“I can understand that.” Having moved to her side, he reached down to take hold of her hands. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Leah. Despite everything, you still held on to your true self. You didn’t give in to the dark power.”

She tried to smile, but couldn’t as her chin quivered. “Thank you. You don’t know how much that means, hearing you say that. Oh, Karel, I have to say goodbye to them, but I don’t know how.” The effort required to keep her tears at bay was proving too difficult and one escaped down her cheek. “I’m scared–” A cry of pain interrupted her.

“Leah?”

She stumbled forward, pushing him back and fell to her knees, gasping for breath; it felt like a fist had been slammed into her belly.

“What’s wrong?”

The pain subsided only to be replaced by an unmistakable pulling sensation. Her face contorted. “No... not yet. We agreed. In the forest... I’m not ready, not yet...”

With a shout of denial, Karel grasped her in his arms. “You cannot have her. I won’t let you.”

“Karel...” She stared at him through eyes that could barely focus; her voice sounded hollow, empty. Everything around her seemed drained of colour...

Belosh’s roar echoed around his lightless chamber as he lost his hold on Leah, distracted by Patriarchus’ unexpected arrival. “I did not grant you leave!”

“I seek your permission as a courtesy, I do not need it to come here,” said Patriarchus as the light pouring from his body sent the dark lord’s dark creatures scuttling for cover, screeching and wailing.

“You are interrupting–”

“You have left me no choice. You go too far. First your underling, now you. Have you not sensed the shift in the world power? The shift that could mean the end of all... including us.”

Belosh’s eyes narrowed to fiery slits. “She promised herself to me. I am only taking what I am entitled to.”

“Yes, but you agreed to take her in the forest after she’d said her farewells. Your impatience is tilting the balance towards chaos, which not even you can survive.”

“So, you have come here to tell me to wait?”

“No, brother. I have come here to tell you it is done. Release the mortal.”

A deep-throated growl was the only reply.

“Release the mortal, from magic and from your hold. This obsession of yours is proving too hazardous to us all.”

“No. She is mine.  I have waited too long to be cheated out of this now.”

Patriarchus fixed Belosh with a stare so intense the demon lord flinched. “You will release her.”

Breathing noisily, he said, “And am I doing this out of the goodness of my heart?”

“If memory serves me, you do not possess one. The mortal has served her purpose; she defeated the one who threatened you, that is your reward. And she has earned her freedom from your touch. Do not seek to trick me again, Belosh. I want to hear you say you release the mortal.”

Baring his teeth, he stalked away from Patriarchus.

“Do not force me to bend your will.”

Cursing, he turned, splaying his hands out at the god. “Very well. Leah is no longer bound to me. The deal that enslaved her is void; I have no hold over her. And I cleanse her of magic. Satisfied, brother?”

Inclining his head, Patriarchus’ smile widened as he faded from view.

“What happened?” said Karel, still breathless.

“I-I don’t know. It felt like I was being pulled away...”

“You were fading. I could see through you.” He was already on one knee, helping her up.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes. But confused.”

“You’re not the only–” Pain stabbed through her and, again, she fell to her knees, crying out. Her shoulder felt like it was on fire. Gasping with the pain, she ripped at her tunic. “My shoulder. The pain...”

“You, mortal, have been more trouble than I could ever have dreamed,” hissed a disembodied voice.

They froze.

“I release you, ungrateful worm. Now you truly are like everyone else: mediocre, common. And as for you...”

Mouth agape, Karel stiffened, his eyes bulging.

“Never cross me again.”

He choked, then fell forward, gasping for air, coughing.

They remained where they were, staring at each other, not daring to move... until Leah forced herself to edge closer. “Karel?”

“I’m alright... I think. And you?”

She pulled down the torn sleeve, exposing her upper arm. The serpent brand was no more; all that was left on the scarlet-hued skin was her self-inflicted scar. Tears blurring her vision, she raised her eyes to meet his. She attempted to ‘read’ him using the energy-streams. Nothing. She could not make out the streams that had become so familiar to her she barely noticed them. A sob escaped her. “I’m free. I’m finally, finally free...”