Rebellion (5 page)

“My good sir, it is not the foolishness of the question that frightens me, but the thought that the creatures Demetre and I saw in that world are coming to Elysium.” Silence loomed over us. The corners of his lips trembled. I noticed his hands had turned to fists. “Trust me when I say—better to fight Nephilins and Shadows than the devilries we saw in that abyss.”

Devin’s lips went as rigid as a rock.

“Isaac,” Demetre whispered, avoiding the Wise man’s gaze.

“Be quiet, Draevor,” ordered one of the Wise men. His companions watched him as he stepped forward. He stood next to Draevor, bearing his ashen eyes into his. The markings of the white dragon covered his bald head.

“What do these creatures look like, Sathees?” King Demyon asked with a fearful voice. “I tried looking into the Lion’s Stare but it does not show me anything beyond our borders right now. Thus the reason for fear within me. I am afraid that these creatures are heading toward Bellator.”

“One of our scouts said that these creatures resemble humans, despite the greenish hue of their naked skin.”

King Demyon’s jaw dropped. “Were those the only creatures seen?” Keeping his eyes set on Sathees, King Demyon placed his chalice on top of the throne.

“No, my lord,” Sathees replied. “One with red eyes and olive skin was seen leading them.”

“Red eyes…” King Demyon’s voice faded, his eyes grew distant.

“His garments aged and torn, they said,” Sathees added.

Silence reigned over the room for a while. With empty expressions, we tried to make sense of these creatures that had emerged from the ruins.

“Could it be that the tales of my forefathers are true?” King Demyon mumbled, scuffing his fingers against his chin.

“What do these tales say, King?” Devin asked.

King Demyon walked down a short set stairs. “The tale speaks of blood-drinkers. Men that discovered a dark power hidden inside a book called the Book of Letters. Their king fed them his own blood—blood tainted with the darkness of Lucifer. The tale says that the men that drank his blood found eternal life, but in order to remain immortal, they had to drink blood forever. The Creator sent Stars from Tristar and punished the king and his kingdom, sending them all to a place called The Heart of Elysium.”

“Can these blood-drinkers change others into what they are?” Seconds felt like minutes as I waited for King Demyon’s response.

“The curse can only be performed if they have possession of the Book of Letters,” King Demyon answered.

“Has there been any word on any other attacks by the Nephilins and the Shadows?” Adara asked with a soft, soothing voice.

“No news,” Nathan replied, crossing his arms against his chest. “We have not heard of Nephele, Erebos, or the Nephilins since the fall of Justicia.”

“The good news is that we have Ohmen, king of Swordsmouth; Folletti, king of Watermiles, and Valleree, Queen of Tarsh coming here to discuss defensive strategies against such powers. They will be here in about two days,” Demyon said.

Xylia ran her hands across her red hair, rolling her eyes to the back of her head.

“What are we to do until then?” She spread out her arms. “Are we to sit here and wait for a decision while these creatures roam Elysium?” Her green eyes were filled with rage as she walked closer to King Demyon.

A smirk appeared on his face. “What do you know of war, little girl?” King Demyon raised his voice. “How many battles have you fought in?”

“More than you could ever know.” She pressed her eyebrows together.

King Demyon shook his head.

“I do not see how that could be possible,” he said.

“King, my whole life has been a battle. My parents died the day I was born into this world. My uncle Ihvar found me two days after they were murdered. I have battled and fought against the rage that burns inside of me. Do not think that just because a crown sits on your head you understand everything there is to know about battles. You might lead soldiers, but you cannot lead hearts, unless they believe in you.”

All had their eyes set on her. King Demyon gave her a half-hearted smile while rubbing the corner of his bottom lip.

“King, send out soldiers to patrol the area near the kingdom,” Sathees said. King Demyon turned his eyes to him. “May I also suggest that you send Xylia with them? But give her a white dragon. Her bravery is admirable.”

“That is not a bad idea, Sathees,” the king responded to his servant’s request.

“It will be an honor. Better to be prepared than to be caught by surprise.” She raised her right eyebrow and crossed her arms. “dragons do not frighten me.”

“Xylia, it is too dangerous out there?” Adara walked to her side. “We are being hunted. Do not do this just to prove your courage to others.”

“I am not trying to prove anything, Adara.” She darted her a cold stare. “We cannot just sit here while our enemy destroys everything we hold dear.”

“I will go with you also,” I said. “I will accompany the soldiers and the dragons.”

“Maybe I should ride with you as well, Isaac.” Demetre placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Stay here, in case something happens,” I said. Considering the fact that my ability had failed me, I had to assume our enemies were close.

“I will also stay with them, Isaac,” Devin said.

Nathan came at me. “I will ride with you. Let the other book-bearers remain in the castle while we patrol the area.”

“Pathmus.” King Demyon turned to the boy. “Be sure to give them swords prior to their departure.”

“Right away, my lord.” With great reverence, Pathmus bowed his head and headed out of the room.

“You have two hours. Return before nightfall.” King Demyon climbed his way up the stairs, grasping the chalice of wine before sitting back on his throne. “Do not fly beyond Bellatorian borders.” He turned his eyes to Sathees. “Lead them to the Dragon Tamers. Prepare a dragon for Xylia and the soldiers.”

Xylia’s eyebrows shot up on her forehead. She looked confused. “What about them, King? Do they not get dragons?” She cocked her head in my direction.

“They can fly, girl,” King Demyon replied in a snide tone.

Xylia shrugged her shoulders, walking to Nathan.

Pathmus walked back into the throne room holding three swords inside their scabbards.

“Here.” He handed a sword to each of us. I gazed at mine as I removed it from its case. Its black grip was adorned with purple stones. At its pommel was engraved the symbol of the white dragon. I caught sight of the other swords that had been handed to my companions. All of them were of similar design and shape.

“Follow me.” Sathees turned and walked toward the exit of the throne room. Xylia, Nathan, and I were at his heels.

The moment we crossed the limits of the throne room, there was a loud rumbling sound. Behind me I saw the wall mounting itself up again, hiding everything behind its massive structure.

IV

We made our way through the somber halls of the castle. The crackling sound of the blue flames on silver torches sounded like a well-rehearsed symphony. Oil paintings of landscapes hung on the monumental pearly white walls. Sathees led the way without making any effort to have a conversation.

Hopeful, I tried to read Sathees’s soul, but my attempt was unsuccessful. My fingers clenched into fists. I let out a sigh of frustration.

“Nathan,” I whispered. “I can no longer read souls. I don’t know what is going on.” The troubling thought that our enemies were close shrouded my mind. Creases appeared between Xylia’s eyebrows as she wrinkled her nose.

“When did this start?” Nathan looked at me, confused.

“After I—”

“You had the ability to read minds, Isaac?” Sathees interrupted, glancing over his shoulder.

“Yes.” I was astonished at his attempt to carry a conversation.

“And I am assuming you lost that ability ever since you returned from the Wastelands, correct?” There was coldness to his voice.

“What business is it of yours?” Xylia spread out her arms. “What do you know about his abilities?”

Sathees came to an abrupt halt.

“My dear.” He turned to face us. “I am part of the Seven Wise. I may know more than you give me credit for.” Sathees’s eyes narrowed. “You saw an enemy.”

My heart accelerated inside of my chest.

“Yes…” My voice trailed off as the memories returned to me.

“Now, was there a reason why you would see this enemy? Do you have any unresolved situations with the one you saw?” He sank his eyes into mine.

I bowed my head, cracking my fingers. “If you are as wise as you say, you know the answer to that question.”

A soft smile brushed his lips. “Dear one, only a man may know his own heart.” He turned his back to me. “You have not lost your ability. It has,” he clicked his tongue as he raised his finger, “changed.”

“To what?” There was urgency in my voice. “Changed to what?”

He looked over his shoulder. “If I am correct, Isaac, you entered your enemy’s mind. How you were able to do so, that I cannot answer.” He shied his eyes away from mine. “We must carry on.”

My hands tightened into fists.

“Damn it,” I whispered, frustrated.

Ahead of us was a set of silver stairs; their rails were made of pure iron, shaped like trees. As we descended, I noticed Sathees’s face growing grim; his lips curved, his fingers clenched. For some reason, he avoided looking at one of the canvases that hung in front of us.

Amidst the paintings that depicted beautiful landscapes hung one showing a woman.

“Who is she?” Xylia stopped, raising her eyes to the painting.

The woman depicted on the painting had a sorrowful look in her chestnut eyes. Her long dark hair cascaded down her shoulders; her smile was thin and shy. She wore a simple scarlet dress.

Sathees turned to face the canvas. In silence, he gazed at the depiction of the woman with a smile on his face. He extended his right hand, trailing the tips of his fingers across the painting.

“That is Queen Lylith—King Demyon’s deceased wife.” He cleared his throat.

“What happened to her?” Nathan inquired. “How come we have not seen her yet?”

Sathees lowered his head as sorrow overtook his face.

“If we were to see her, endless joy would fill my heart. She died when giving birth to their son, Isakaar.” He tightened his eyelids; a soft smile brushed his lips as he shook his head. “I can see her in my memories, walking down the castle halls as the servants readied for the birth of the child.”

“Where is the child?” Nathan watched Sathees. “What happened to him?”

Sathees unveiled his eyes, looking at the painting once again.

“He died.” He trailed his hands across the canvas with a sorrowful expression. He turned his back and continued to make his way down the stairs.

If only I had my abilities now,
I thought while we all exchanged a confused look. I did not need my powers to know that Sathees was hiding something.

The stairway ended in front of a wooden door with corroded black handles.

“Get ready for the soft breeze.” There was a snide tone in Sathees’ voice. He reached for the door handles, twisting them. At the creaking sound of the opening of the door, the chilling wind touched my face. I shivered, setting my eyes on the snow that descended from the ashen sky.

Sathees made his way out of the door, his long white robe dragging on the ground, merging with the snow. He walked through the storm as if he was immune to the sub-zero temperature.

My companions and I followed him. With every step we took, there was the sound of the snow being crushed beneath our feet. Sathees looked like an apparition as he walked ahead of us. His robes moved with the blowing wind.

Nathan and Xylia walked to my right. Xylia rubbed her hands against her arms in an attempt to protect herself from the cold.

“I figured you’d be used to this weather by now.” A soft smile brushed my lips as I watched her.

“How can you endure this weather?” Her teeth chattered at every word.

“It has been so long since we have seen sunlight that I am used to it by now.” I took in a deep breath as memories of the bright summer mornings in Agalmath flashed through my mind. I missed the sound of the chirping of birds, the smell of freshly baked bread, the sound of my parents’ voices while they talked in the early hours of the morning.