Seeing the direction of her gaze, Killian flicked his wrists in Ella's direction. His hands were empty but Ella saw the silver glow of symbols on his palms, and a ball of fire shot out from his hands. Ella dived to the side but the flame hit her square on the chest, her dress flaring up as it tried to protect her from the searing heat.
Ella felt her fragile wind knocked out of her, and sensed her dress failing. Another hit like that and she would be dead.
She looked at Killian and saw the madness in his eyes. Ella pointed her wand at Killian and spoke. "Sahn!"
The bolt of yellow light shot out faster than the eye could follow. It hit Killian directly on the chest but he simply grunted as the energy haloed his form and was instantly diffused. He wore close-fitting black clothing but Ella saw runes on his hands and neck.
Killian pointed his finger, and lightning split the air with a thunderous crash. Twisting bolts bathed Ella's chest in dancing blue sparks and she knew her dress would protect her for moments only.
"Stop!" Ella cried. "It's me!"
Killian dropped his hand, and the lightning ceased. He looked at her for a moment, as if thinking, and then he clapped his hands together.
A concussive blast of air lifted Ella from her feet and she flew through the air, crashing against the empty tomb in the centre of the chamber. She lay crumpled and could only look up at him as he loomed over her.
Ella knew her only chance lay in convincing him she was real.
She groaned as he looked down at her. "You said you loved me… At the portal. I came for you!"
Killian lowered his hands. "Ella?"
Ella coughed. "It's me, you fool!"
"How do I know it's you?"
"Look." Ella held up the pendant on its chain around her neck.
"What?"
"Look! You wore this when we first met."
"I remember," Killian said.
He looked at her quizzically, and then started to pace the chamber. Ella kept herself carefully still. In a contest between them, she knew who the victor would be.
Killian stopped pacing, and Ella looked up.
He was staring at the empty shell. His eyes widened.
"He's gone. Where did he go?"
"I don't know," Ella said.
"He was here before!" Killian screamed.
Killian's sudden rage left him as quickly as it came. He slumped down to the ground until he sat with his arms around his knees.
"Am I going mad?" he whispered, and Ella could only just hear it.
She pulled herself over to him so she was sitting close.
"It's been over two years. I'm sorry it's taken me so long. Lord of the Sky, I can't tell you how sorry I am. I can't imagine what it's been like for you here."
"It's really you?" Killian looked up.
"Yes." Ella met his eyes. "It's really me."
Killian's eyes were now clear. Seated beside him, Ella wrapped her arms around him and felt a sob shake his body.
"I'm here now," Ella whispered as she held him. "I'm going to take you home."
29
MIRO and Amber travelled north, while everyone they passed headed in the opposite direction.
They now wore travelling clothes and both carried satchels filled with food and spare clothing. They had a map and gilden. Miro carried a plain but sharp sword at his belt, while Amber had a stiletto tucked into one of her high boots.
As instructed by the Emir, the soldiers had given Miro everything he'd asked for and even escorted them to the outskirts of Emirald. Miro had told Amber of his bargain with the ruler of the seafaring Veldrin nation, and his promise to Emir Volkan. Their quest was now twofold: they needed to find the antidote to the alchemical poison, and they must discover the nature of the mysterious leader who commanded the barbarian horde.
They passed through the lands in Veldria's north without mishap. They were obviously foreigners, yet they travelled in land where everyone not Veldrin was considered uncivilised; there were few chances to make an error of custom.
Miro had expected to stay in simple inns and guesthouses, but everywhere they went the beds were taken. Merchants and nobles were crossing the border from Gokan in droves, and the roads were congested with those heading to the perceived safety in the south. Only those with urgent business in Gokan went north.
As they approached the border, Miro saw evidence of the Emir's soldiers building up their presence. Miro asked a merchant travelling with his wife and two sons about the border crossing.
"It's chaos at Renton, the main border crossing," the merchant said. "They don't care too much about who crosses into Gokan, but the soldiers are checking everyone who comes into Veldria."
"We need to go to Wengwai," Miro said. "Would you recommend crossing at Renton?"
The merchant harrumphed. "Recommend? No. It's not that you won't be able to cross, but the crossing is packed with too many people. It'll take you days to make it over the border. Try crossing from Sarina to Maelan. You'll need to take a boat, but you'll save time."
Miro thanked the merchant, watching as he took his family back towards Emirald.
~