In the middle, Brea and Isla flowed together, though not with the same steadiness. Vayden and Thom kept Rafferty safe, handling themselves well. They’d made steady progress, already almost three-fourths of the way through the Keep.
It wasn’t until the sixth wave that the creatures seemed to refine their attack, and the onslaught caught up to them. Hesitant to turn away from Evylin, Deckard sent a stream of shadows behind them. Several Shades came crashing down at the back of the fight. He threw up the walls of Space to protect the troop from the blowback of their deaths.
But a Shade broke past Vayden’s defenses while Isla was distracted on the other side. Ethenn dove forward, taking the hit meant for Vayden. He rolled across the path with the Terrae bow tight in his grasp. But the Shades rushed him.
Ethenn was trampled in the stampede, groans audible under their assault.
Ilain expelled a giant cloud of fire that rumbled over the Shades. They burst into ash, falling weightlessly over Ethenn. He gasped for air at the release, his face twisted in pain.
Brea hurried forward with Vayden to haul Ethenn to his feet.
Seeing their trouble, Deckard called to Evylin, holding out his hand. Their eyes met with trust. Though she couldn’t know hisplan, he knew she could sense his urgency. She flipped the Space sword, slashed through a Shade, and dashed to his side.
The second their palms met, they disappeared in a cloud of black, reappearing at the back of the troop.
At their materialization, an explosion of shards cut through the Shades surrounding them, blowing the creatures back. Though they’d thinned out the front, Deckard wouldn’t leave Thom undefended up there for long. He intended to just see the Calders, Ethenn, and Brea secure on their feet.
While Deckard and Evylin cleared out a mass of Shades, the wave grew less dangerous. Ilain sent more fire bolts sailing through the air. Isla’s Wind magic sliced through the Shades in huge swaths. The path was clear, but Ethenn required both Vayden and Brea’s support, his head lolling with a worrying droop.
As Evylin cut down another Shade, Deckard called to her. Hands clasped, they teleported back to the other side to stop the Shades again, who were bearing down on Thom and Rafferty. They reappeared in a burst of magic, immediately slicing through the creatures.
Rafferty cursed at their sudden appearance next to him. “Warn someone before you do that!” he called.
Deckard and Evylin were too busy taking down the remaining Shades and clearing their path to the exit to respond.
Rushing up the staircase, Deckard slammed his hand against the door. It rumbled open as he resumed the fight. The troop scrambled up the steps after him, hurrying into the antechamber. The last to leave, Deckard and Evylin defended their escape, a crystalline shadow of magic surrounding them both.
Once Ilain made it through the door, Deckard and Evylin slipped out last. The door shut, and they were free of the last and final Keep.
Their breath collectively heaving, Deckard and Evylin stood, frozen as one, as they stared in awe at one another. They’d done it: Fire, Day, Water, Night, Wind, Time, Terrae, and Space. All the Relics had now returned to Terraeus.
Part III: The Prince’s Gambit
I am days away from obtaining my prize, and then you will have my sole focus.Do not grow weary in your journey.I have included another gift to finance your endeavors.We will have our victory yet, Captain:your son’s health and my eternal destiny, as is our gods-given right.
Excerpt from a letter from King Rouland Blount II to Captain Aune Comara
Accounts of Rouland Blount II, Crown Prince of Wauld, often note his cunning and ruthless nature. However, his godfather, Lord Sirraus Obel, Duke of Pyralund County, contradicts these traits, arguing that they are not inherent but a result of his father’s brutality. Lord Obel’s recounting of Rouland II as a child reveals a young boy with a tender heart, one he hoped would alter the course of their kingdom. He had hopes to nurture his godson, especially upon the discovery of Rouland II’s status as a Night Mage like the duke. However, after Rouland II’s arrival for training in Verlund Reach, it appeared the damage had already been done.
Lord Obel recited a long-remembered quote from his godson that impacted his choice to abandon the Blount monarchy. ‘It is my right,’ a young Rouland II told his godfather, ‘to wield this power not only as the crown prince, but as a chosen of the gods. And I will prove to my father once and for all that his son isnotweak.’
Excerpt fromA Complete History of West Auld,written by Lord Edmaund Fishere, Earl of Mouroc,published posthumously in 1575
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
At the sight of Deckard and Evylin glittering with the silhouette of Space morphing and moving around them, Thom frowned. He’d never witnessed anything so terrifyingly incredible as Warrior and Mage fighting side by side. Seeing the magic swirl around their forms was like catching them in an intimate embrace, much like when they’d Bonded. They were unity embodied.
And it made him more aware than ever that he didn’t belong in their world.
Turning away as Deckard wrapped his arms around Evylin, Thom forced down the jealousy coiling in his gut. He didn’t begrudge their happiness. But he did envy it.
Thom leaned against the windowsill between one of the arches in the antechamber. He worked to slow his heart rate as he scanned their troop. Rafferty stood to his left, his hand still pressed to his ribcage. Isla helped Vayden and Brea lower Ethenn to the floor. The hunter grimaced, his whole face aflame with a blush. Thom was beginning to wonder if the response was a nervous tic after all or something else entirely.
“I’ll be fine,” Ethenn said through gritted teeth. He handed the Terrae Relic to Brea with his right hand, the other clutched to his chest, its shape smashed and bent oddly. Vayden guidedhim to lean against the wall as Ilain knelt beside them, muttering under her breath.
When she began to check him over, Ethenn shied away from her touch. “I’mfine,” he repeated. “Warriors heal themselves, right?”
Ilain’s glare could have burned a whole village to the ground. “Give me your bloody hand,” she demanded.
