The Marenon Chronicles Collection

Chapter Nineteen





That evening, after the meeting at the top of the hill, was a time of celebration for many. As the sun set, the fires of the camp replaced the light and dancing musicians replaced soldiers. Many of them would be dead the next day, so they wanted their last night to be filled with happiness. Yet not all were as joyous as others, and some decided to reflect on their second life in silent solitude.

Silas Ainsley was in no mood to celebrate. The words of his father in his most recent dream weighed heavily on his mind. Will’s claim that Silas would die when the Red Gate was destroyed was substantiated by Silas’ growing weakness.

He wanted to determine if he had lost any of his power, so he had gone out of the camp earlier that day. He practiced everything he had learned. He remained more powerful than before he had obtained the status of Gatekeeper, but he still felt drained and weak when he had finished. The flames had been just as hot; the quakes shook the ground just as violently, but he was no longer without limits.

He had completely exhausted his magic after an hour; something he hadn’t had to fear before.

It did not seem so far-fetched to imagine himself dying after the destruction of the Red Gate. He knew his power derived from the medallions, but he didn’t really believe that they had been fused to his life. On the other hand, perhaps that was the only way it could work. Maybe Silandrin never told him about this because he thought Silas would have too much fear to move on.

But that wasn’t how it would happen. Silas would go on. Even if it killed him. Even though he almost knew it would.

He sat against a large rock at the top of a hill. The camp beneath him seemed so alive, the people so happy. It almost felt ironic.

Silas had thought he would be left alone on the hill since it was so far away, but Inga must have spotted him as he made his campfire. She slowly walked up the hill alone.

For the first time since he had met her, Silas didn’t want to be near her. She had been with him every step of the way. He loved her. He loved being near her. But after tomorrow, they may ever see each other again. He had to tell her the truth. That’s why he didn’t want to be near her.

Her smile and her beauty quickly pushed aside any negative feelings, however. When she came near, they said nothing at first, and Silas scooted over to make room for her next to him in front of the small fire.

“They’re pleased with you,” she said after a full minute of silence. “They’re excited to follow you. And whether you are angry with the Anwyns or not, they’ve inspired some extra confidence. It really feels like we can win this war.”

“I shouldn’t have told you that I love you,” Silas blurted out. The sudden change of subject caused Inga to turn sharply toward him.

“What?”

“I should have kept my mouth shut.”

“Why?”

He briefly told her about the dreams he had been having. He told her about his father and about how he thought Silas would be killed. At the end of his story, Inga was at a loss for words.

“That’s why,” he said finally. “I love you and tomorrow, I’m going to leave you forever.”

“But you don’t know that,” she said.

“My magic isn’t as strong as it was in the beginning. I’m not sure I was meant to survive this at all.”

“So that’s it then?” she said. “You’re just giving up?”

“Of course not. I told you all of this to let you know that I’m going to the Red Gate alone tomorrow.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Well, if what you said is true, then you’ll need me and Kaden.”

“You’ll only be putting yourselves in unnecessary danger.”

“Unnecessary?” she said as she stood from her seat on the ground. “I’ve never known a more necessary reason to face danger. You and I both know you could die before you get to the Red Gate tomorrow. I intend to make sure that doesn’t happen, with or without your approval.”

Silas sighed heavily. He didn’t know what to do. He would be facing a threat tomorrow that none of them could fathom. They didn’t know what kind of power Anithistor could conjure. They didn’t know what kind of force would be guarding the Red Gate. There were also two Sleepers that were probably planning a final attack, according to Julian. Silas didn’t want Inga in the middle of it.

He was confident in her ability to live through any battle. She could always throw up her shield of green and escape if she had to, but he wasn’t so sure about her facing Anithistor. He had to come up with a way to make her stay away from him.He might be destined to die tomorrow, but he didn’t want any of his friends to suffer the same demise, nor did he wish any of them to see him die when the Red Gate came crumbling down.

“You’ll be too much of a distraction,” Silas said. It was a stretch, and he knew what he was about to say would hurt her, but it might also save her life. “You’ve distracted me before, and it’s nearly gotten us both killed. I can’t afford to have that tomorrow.”

“You’ve never said anything like this to me before.”

“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings,” Silas lied, staring at the fire in front of his feet. “But tomorrow is more serious, so I’m telling you the truth.”

He didn’t want to see the hurtful tears welling up in her eyes. He stole a glance upward, but didn’t see what he had expected. She was definitely hurt, but she only clenched her jaw and narrowed her eyes. She was angry.

“Silas Ainsley, I can’t believe you. You know as well as I that you need me next to you tomorrow.”

“I don’t want you there!” he yelled. He placed a hand over his eyes and shook his head. “Why don’t you go see what Lorcan is doing? I’m sure he’ll be glad to have you around so he doesn’t have an emotional breakdown at the first sign of a Stühoc.” He had gone too far, and his words stung even him.

Inga showed no emotion as she turned and walked back down the hill without looking back.

He hated what he had just said to her, but it had to be done. Tomorrow he would have to be alone. No friends, no love of his life. Alone.

*****

Julian Hobbes hadn’t directly asked Nalani about any new relationship she might be in. He suspected it a few nights before when she and Alric seemed a little friendlier than expected. But seeing them kiss passionately next to a private fire on this night only confirmed that suspicion.

He had gone to find her, to talk to her again. He had wanted to try and convince her that she was making a mistake by dismissing him. But when he stumbled upon the pair, he couldn’t bring himself to interrupt. She had truly moved on. Julian knew he now had to accept it.

When he saw, he felt the blood drain from his face; though he didn’t feel an overwhelming amount of jealousy as he thought he might in such a situation. He mostly felt disappointment.

It meant that their future was certain, or their lack of a future anyway. The thought left him feeling empty, like there was nothing left to hold onto.

After witnessing the two expressing their newfound love, Julian turned around and headed for his camp. Around one of the large fires he spotted the captain of the Royal Guard, Robin, among a group of soldiers. Each of them stood out of respect when they noticed him walking by. Julian waved for them to remain seated as he tried to make his way to his private tent. Robin stepped away from them and called out to the King.

Julian stopped just outside his tent and turned to Robin.

“Is everything alright, Your Majesty?”

“Sure,” Julian lied.

“It just looks like something is bothering you,” he said.

“It’s nothing,” Julian assured him.

“Are you looking forward to leading your troops in battle tomorrow, my lord?”

Julian walked through the flap in his tent as Robin followed.

“I would, but that’s not going to be my place tomorrow.”

“You will not be battling with us?”

“I will, but not in the charge against the city.” Julian wrapped a cloak around him.

“My duty is to protect the King, Your Highness. I need to know what you are planning.”

Julian buckled his dagger to his belt and secured it tightly. “You are relieved of that position. Tomorrow you will be in charge of the entire Human portion of the army. I hereby promote you to General of the armies of Farlaweer.”

“I cannot accept this. My job is to…”

“Your job is to do as I order. You are the best leader and fighter out there. That’s what I need you to do tomorrow.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Julian fastened his sword and sheath to his back.

“May I ask where you will be then?”

Julian placed a sarian whistle around his neck and tucked it under the tunic beneath his cloak.

“I hope to be close enough to the action so that Eden will hear me when I need her,” Julian said.

“You won’t take your sarian?”

“Not where I’m going. If something should happen to me, you can keep her. I know you’ll treat her well.”

He pushed past Robin and out of the tent. He looked to his left and could see Inga storming down the hill. He followed the line of her path and saw a figure hunched next to the rock in front of a small campfire. Silas.

Julian turned to Robin and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve been a good friend to me, Robin. You will lead the troops well, I know.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I am honored that you think so.”

Julian didn’t look back to see the concern on Robin’s face, but he knew it was there. There just wasn’t time to explain himself.

Julian walked steadily up the hill, passing Inga on his way, but she was in no mood to talk. She didn’t even seem to register his passing nod. But he wasn’t walking up the hill to talk to Inga.

He did not regret his decision to give command of his army to Robin tomorrow. Anithistor was by no means the only enemy that remained to be killed. Somewhere out there was the Possessor, Hroth, in charge of two very dangerous Sleepers.

Marcus would remain a dangerous fighter, but he knew that Damon was the more menacing of the two. Somehow the man had the ability to change his appearance to look like anyone alive. That could be a very perilous weapon indeed. For all Julian knew, Damon could be planning to appear as Kaden so he could get close to Silas and kill him. This was just one of a number of possibilities. Whatever the Sleepers had planned, Julian intended to cut them off at the source of their power. His plan was to find Hroth and kill him.

When he came within feet of Silas, he found that he didn’t know what to say. For so long, they had been working together for the same purpose, but they had only minimal interaction with each other.

“Lady troubles?” Julian asked feeling stupid.

“Something like that,” Silas answered numbly.

“I think I might know how you feel.”

“I don’t think this war is good for long-lasting relationships,” Silas mumbled.

“May I sit down?” Julian motioned to a spot across from Silas in front of the fire.

“You are the king.”

Julian sat, not saying anything at first, looking up at the sky. He could see the darkened outline of a few sarians flying above them, keeping watch for the entire camp. He was sad to leave Eden with someone else, but he wasn’t necessarily leaving forever.

“When I became part of The Reckoning, I never thought it would be like this,” Julian said. “I always envisioned some grand adventure where we would destroy the Stühocs with ease and without loss.”

“Sorry to disappoint.”

Julian shook his head. “I’m not disappointed. It’s all too real. I should have known it would be.” He picked up a blade of grass and tossed it into the fire. “I was a fool.” He watched as the green instantly wilted into a brittle gray ash and floated away into the air. “I’ve been a fool this whole time.”

“It doesn’t have to be that way anymore,” Silas said.

“And it won’t be. After tomorrow I’ll likely have no chance of being a fool anymore.”

“Same here,” Silas said. “None of us may survive.”

Julian sat up straighter and looked Silas square in the eye. “I want you to know that I have your back.”

“Sorry, but I just told Inga that she can’t come with me tomorrow.”

“That’s not what I mean. Tomorrow, I’m going after Hroth. I want to take out the Sleepers before they can get to you.”

Silas looked up from the flames, finally returning Julian’s hard stare. “I see.”

“You saw Hroth. What kind of power does he have?”

“Actually, not that much it seemed. He obviously has a lot of power with his mind, but if you can get him in a room alone, I don’t see why you couldn’t kill him easily enough. Though, that’s the hard part.”

“What is?”

“Getting him alone,” Silas answered. “He has a place in the tower above where they keep their prized prisoners. Last time I was there, I barely escaped with my life. He has Maroke’s Leapers. He may have a lot more with him this time since they probably know about the coming battle by now.”

Julian nodded. He stood and walked over to Silas who also stood. He extended a hand and Silas accepted it. “Good luck tomorrow,” Julian said.

“Where are you going?”

Julian sighed and looked out toward the dark horizon. He, like many in the camp, didn’t fully expect to survive the next day, but he was all right with that. As long as he could finish the job he set out to do, he would die happy. He looked at Silas and grinned. “I’m going for a walk.”