The Rider’s Legacy: Chapter 11

“Word is spreading of the attack on the castle,” Alastor said leaning on the table.

He, Dawn, Francisco, Susan, and another were gathered around a table on the fourth floor of the castle. With the primary meeting room destroyed they were using a spare room. The room was mostly empty with a few crates and barrels they were using as makeshift chairs. There had been talks to refurbish it for Silva and Sefirin as a play area.

A window was high up letting light and fresh air in but it was still stuffy. They’d been doing this for hours at this point. The five of them were pushing the limits of comfort in the room but they were making some progress. The table glowed with magic an image of the castle and the greater range of Agrentum displayed.

Alastor folded his arms making a face, marking areas where their villages were and the borders on their territory. “We’ve tried to fight the spread of information on this as much as we can but it’s hard to explain a sudden eclipse and a black column of light.”

“That’s true,” A man said grimacing wearing a long purple coat and faded black clothes underneath. He had tan skin and hard line features across his jaw, nose, and eyes. “But what do we explain to the people? We can tell them that things are under control but what do we say the cause was. Informing them on the nil is bound to cause a panic.”

“Not to mention we do not have the means to protect the entire country. Since the war we have not had much use for a standing army,” Francisco said. “Just enough to guard ourselves.”

“What is the casualty report?” Dawn asked glancing at the man. She kept her eyes on a steady blue to be as calm as she could. “Alexander?”

He motioned toward the map, “Nico has been at work with his team. We can confirm at least four dead and six more seriously injured. Dozens are lightly injured but not life threatening. Those who aren’t injured are doing their best to help with recovery.”

“Can we spare any to the villages?” Dawn asked.

“That wouldn’t be wise,” Alastor said.

“What are you talking about?” Alexander asked.

Susan was already shaking her head. “We don’t know when or what the next attack might look like Alex. And knowing their target is Nero we need to protect him.”

“Their target isn’t just Nero anymore. It’s Silva and Sefirin as well,” Alastor said. “So all three of them are in danger.”

Susan’s eyes went wide, “The kids too? What?”

“The attack last night was very informative.” Alastor folded his arms. “This man is very knowledgeable. We can’t underestimate him.”

“What could this mad man want with a pair of children?” Alexanders asked visibly sickened. A look passed between those who knew but they didn’t say anything to answer his question.

Francisco took the lead pointing to the maps. “But that does not change the fact that we need to find a way to quell our people’s fears. Normally I would have suggested an appearance and an address from her majesty but that is not presently an option.”

The door to the former meeting room opened getting everyone’s attention at once. “It sounds like you need a different piece of the royal family to show themselves to the people.”

Olivier walked into the room her eyes orange. However, they shifted to pink once she saw Dawn and she beelined for her. “There’s my lela.”

“Una? Una!” Dawn rushed forward throwing her arms around her mother. They were about the same height showing where Dawn got it from. They embraced tightly nearly toppling over and laughing. “You and Sehren are back?”

“We’ve only just arrived back and not a day too soon it seems,” she said looking her up and down. “You’ve grown so much. And I’ve missed so much lela. Three years is so long of a time.”

“Yes it is and I can’t wait to talk to you. You have to meet-”

“My o’lela and o’ola?”

Dawn gasped and gave her a rueful smile, “You’ve run into Nero already haven’t you?”

“I have.”

“Your majesty,” Francisco came forward bowing his head low. “It is good to see you in good health.”

“Indeed Cisco,” she said and Francisco made a face at the nickname. “Sehren’ll make his way here soon enough.”

She turned and greeted everyone one at a time before moving to stand beside Dawn at the head of the table. “And as much as I want to catch up more,” she motioned toward the table her eyes turning back to a cool blue. “We have work to do.”

“Yes. And your suggestion might have merit,” Alastor looked at Olivier. “The return of the queen after her journeys abroad.

Visiting the country to help alleviate the fears and give them something else to focus on,” Susan clapped her hands together. “I like it. But what about the big problem?”

“Daze,” Alastor said and Susan nodded.

“He’s still out there. He’s attacked us twice in less than a day. And he’s gotten close to getting what he’s wanted both times,” Susan looked at Dawn frowning. “How are they by the way?”

“They’re better now. With luza and luzo. Silva I’m pretty sure doesn’t remember much but I am worried about Sefirin.” Olivier squeezed her shoulder and she looked at her smiling gently. “But making sure that the two of them are safe is our priority.”

“Keeping them safe from Daze isn’t going to be easy.”

Sehren walked through the door finally and it was like the room got brighter. He nodded toward everyone, smiling at them one by one before taking a position near Alastor. “Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” Susan said.

“I apologize for leaving you with the scouting corps on your own. But I know you’ve done an amazing job while I was gone.

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she winked at him. “But you got back here just in time Sehren. Care to share what you know?”

“What I know is much,” Sehren’s face grew very serious as he leaned back. “And it comes with a bit of information about myself. What some of you know and some of you may have surmised is that I am not from Reditus. I was born in a land across the sea. A land that was once named Arkoria but I don’t believe the people living there know its name anymore. It’s been divided for a long time.

“The attack you described. The black hole appearing above the sky, the energy that came down,” Sehren frowned. “I believe what came down was what we called a Calamity in Arkoria. A primal force of excess magical energy that destroyed chunks of land in Arkoria that could not be protected. Honestly, I’m impressed that Madeline could protect you all from it. However I am not surprised.”

“A calamity?” Alastor repeated.

Susan swung her arm out toward the window, “You’re saying something like that was common?”

“What kind of place did you come from?” Alexander asked.

“I was born in a place called the Sanctum. A place very much governed by the major religion to its god. The Father. A being that is very very real. And his distaste for magic rivaled his hatred of his brother. To the point where it is outlawed.”

“Outlaw magic?” Susan repeated. “That’s like outlawing breathing.”

“Here in Reditus yes. Magic is in the very air we breathe. But in Arkoria magic isn’t as common as you would think. Spellcasters, or rather mage’s as they call themselves, are seen as weapons or they’re seen as monsters. Few are able to live in peace though there are pockets.

“When I lived in the Sanctum I had a brother. Back then I lived under a different name. A different man. My brother and I were devout followers of the Father then. We rose in the ranks of the church. Became the right hands of the Speaker of the time. Eventually, we were both chosen to have an audience with the Father himself.

“We rejoiced. We thought we were finally being recognized for our talents. But we were very wrong. The Father called us out, not for being mages but for having the potential to become them. To awaken to the power inside of us. He branded us heretics and cast us out. Said that if we were to ever return we would be arrested if not worse.

“We escape the Sanctum. We hid and tried to figure out what our lives meant now. We both decided that we had to leave Arkoria. My brother went to the south and I found myself here in Reditus. The magic of this land was like a breath of fresh air. It rejuvenated me and gave me new purpose.

“I didn’t see my brother again for many many years. When we met again it was in the land of our home. By then I had become Sehren, the man before you. And he had become Daze.”

“That man is your brother Sehren?” Dawn asked her eyes widened.

“Your brother’s the one who attacked us?” Alexander asked sharply. “Why?”

Olivier raised her hands to ward off the wave of questions she knew would be coming. “Please. Save them until he finishes.”

“Thank you Oli. Yes, my brother,” Sehren lowered his head and he gave a smile that seemed to be haunted. “He came to me with a proposition, a way to show the Sanctum, show the Father, he was wrong to cast us out. I asked him what his plan was and he said it simply. He planned to take his position among the Gods. To cast him down and take his place amongst their pantheon.”

“Become a God,” Alastor scoffed. “I’m sorry Sehren but your brother really does sound insane.”

“Insane perhaps. But not for his plan. His plan is dangerously potent. If my brother had succeeded in taking Nero and his children, we wouldn’t be able to stop him.”

Silence hung over the table and they all looked at Sehren. There was no joking in his eyes. Alastor swallowed and lowered his head, “Alright. So attaining godhood. What does that mean?”

“Exactly as it sounds. Becoming a being of immense and terrible power. He attempted when we were in Arkoria and was close but he failed. His allies, the Ouroboros, betrayed him and I thought him for dead for a time. But he’s set his sights on Reditus this time. A place where magic is plentiful.”

“How did he find out about the sword?” Alastor asked plainly.

“Sword? What sword? Alexander asked.

“Yeah, what sword?” Susan asked her eyes narrowing and a little more pointedly at them having a few quick guesses.

Sehren motioned toward the table and the image across it modified,  a sword appearing above it. A long sword with a bronze curved hilt. Set within the blade itself however, were diamond shaped crystals starting from the tip and coming all the way down to the hilt. There were nine in total and there was an indentation in the hilt as if a tenth should have been there.

“The Sword of Ten Souls,” Sehren said. “The weapon that stopped the great dragon war and our war with the nil. All these years the weapon has been incomplete. Daze seeks to complete it properly. And then with that magic he’ll try his spell again. He won’t fail this time.”

“Then we have to stop him. Stop him for good,” Dawn said meeting his eyes. “Being your brother I imagine he’s powerful.”

“He was on par with me when we met last and I can only assume he’s gotten stronger since then,” Sehren said. “So yes. Very powerful.”

“What is his connection to the nil?” Susan asked.

Sehren looked at him confused. “What do you mean?”

“When he attacked us in the forest the nil were attacking like trained dogs under his command. Even backed off when he told them,” she said. “He has some sort of way with them.”

Sehren put his hand to his chin, “That’s troubling. I don’t know.”

“Can we stop him?” Alastor asked very point blank.

“Honestly I’m not sure. I wouldn’t know until I am face to face with him again. And knowing him he won’t stay gone for long. Especially after his failure.”

Susan sighed, “He attacked pretty quickly after the first attempt. Will he turn around and attack us so soon again?”

“He might. After the two attacks just now, I’m sure he’s not far away and keeping attention on the castle. He may very well know that I am here now. So he may attack again but he will be more cautious about it. Remember his goal is Nero and the children. He’s likely been gaining confidence with each of these acts.”

“Then we protect them,” Dawn told him. “I won’t lose my luzo and my children to some madman attempting to become a God. We will continue to work and rebuild the castle. My una and Susan will travel Agrentum and assure our people that things are fine and also to get the lay of the land. Alexander, you and your guards be ready for anything at this point. Alastor, we can brainstorm on solutions. If anyone can figure out what Daze has seriously planned you can. We’ve been through worse than this and with all of you at our side we can make it through this as well.”

“Well well, look at you Dawn,” Suzy grinned at her.

“Stepping into the queen roll pretty strongly,” Alastor said.

“Yes, your majesty,” Francisco bowed his head.

“I’ll get to work immediately,” Alexander said.

“My my, I seem to have missed much in those years that I’ve been gone,” Sehren smiled at Dawn. “You’ve grown much.”

Olivier kissed Dawn’s forehead hugging her, “Yes she has. I’m very proud.”

Dawn’s face went red as she kept her serious order giving face on but finally broke into a smile. “I guess with that we’re dismissed for now. I need to see my luzo and luza and my children.”

She stood up and cracked her back feeling it ache from having been stationary for so long. Brushing her hair away she glanced at her mother and smiled. “Have you seen una yet?”

“I have. I trust Nico to take care of her. She just needs time to recover,” Olivier said wrapping her arm around her shoulders and guiding her forward. They walked out of the room, leading everyone else out.

As they walked Dawn turned around and closed her hand around her ring sensing her husband and wife. Opening her eyes again she waved away from the stairs where everyone else was going. “This way una. Easier to find them. They’re outside and I have a feeling they’re with Lightning.”

“That boy. Is he still as energetic as I remember?”

“More so these days,” Dawn replied.

There was a balcony that was still somewhat in piece. The glass to it was shattered and parts of the railing were broken off. Gong off to one of the few standing pieces she rested her hands on it and sighed. The seven stars appeared around her, floating around her in their own personal orbits.

She passed her hand across a pair of them and they floated to her back, spreading into large wings. Flapping them once she took a step forward then paused looking back at Olivier. She just chuckled at her and stood at the broken ledge. Bringing her arms forward she turned them horizontally and then spread them creating a cloud over the edge. She stepped on it, winking and zooming off.

Dawn smirked and hopped forward flying right after her. Quickly taking the lead she laughed and looked over the castle. Though it had seen better days it was still beautiful. The way the sun cast light over the top, reflected off the white stone. She felt like a little girl again. Looking down she could see Sehren’s spell work as he put parts of the castle back together.

But more importantly, she saw the flashes of light at the edge of the forest. Angling down she flew forward and gave a running landing in the grass. As she did, she felt the wind buffet past her. Ducking her head down she looked up and watched Lily spiral above her head.

She whistled and Lily coasted around soaring right at her. She landed in the grass gently and darted over to Dawn hugging her tightly. Dawn gasped surprised and almost stumbled back but caught herself, “Miss me that much luza?”

“Just a bit baby,” she said kissing her softly. She turned to look past her and then stared at Olivier. “Wow. That’s a face I haven’t seen in a long time.”

Stepping away she walked over to Olivier and hugged her, “It’s good to see you too.” Looking above her, she saw the silver wings flapping above her head and watched Sefirin loop around. He came down falling right into Dawn’s waiting arms. “Una! Una! Are you done meeting?”

“I am ola,” she hugged him tightly. “And I’m glad to be able to see you. And there’s someone I really want you to meet.”

“Really? Who?” he asked and then turned to look around before looking at Olivier. “Q’una?”

“You remember,” Dawn smiled. “Yes that’s my una and your q’una.”

“Hi!” Sefirin shouted. “My names Sefirin.”

“I remember,” she smiled at him reaching out and taking his hand. “You’ve grown into a handsome one, haven’t you? Though you definitely take after your father. I think he greeted me the same way when we first met.”

“You look like una,” he said.

“I should hope so,” Olivier said. “Wow you have such big wings. I bet you’re a great flyer.”

“Oh no,” Dawn said.

“I am! Watch!” He spread his wings and jumped out of Dawn’s grasp. Lily immediately shoved her hand forward giving him a breeze to glide on. A ball of lightning raced across the ground. In the middle of it was Silva cheering as she was flown forward.

Nero chased after them doing his best to keep up. Lightning came back and deposited Silva in Nero’s waiting arms. She clapped her hands together shouting, “Again,” but she looked over and her eyes shined. “Una!”

Dawn turned and smiled brightly as the two of them came over. “Hey Princess,” Nero flashed her a smile. She kissed him and then took both of Silva’s hands playing with them gently. “How’d the meetings go?”

“We made progress, good progress. But you’re not going to like part of it luzo.”

Nero made a face looking at her, “Let me guess. I have to stay put and under surveillance.”

“Unfortunately,” Dawn nodded.

He made a sound somewhere like a groan but he felt Silva pulling at his hair. “I’ll complain about it properly later. For now, though I think I want to spend time with my family while we’ve got some downtime.”

“What did you have in mind babe?”

“Oh a little bit of this. Little bit of that. Hey Light, can you go find Suzy and Al? Meet us on the roof in a few hours.”

“The roof?” Olivier repeated. “You sure about that Nemo?”

“Of course. And actually, better grab Sehren as well. He’d hate to miss out on the chance to have a light show. We’ll meet you up there. I know these two are going to get hungry again soon and if we want food ready and easy to move we’ll have to get creative.”