Chapter Seventeen
“The Emperor is commanding dark magic,” Fon said. “He must be stopped.” He even took two steps before Vashri caught his arm and pulled him back.
“We need the gems first,” Vashri pointed out. “We need to be stronger than he is.”
Rey held the Tears of Giera in his fist. “We’ll all need our full powers to face him.”
My heart sank at the idea of travelling around the Empire while the Emperor grew more and more powerful. “He’ll destroy the Baloa family and the land here when we leave.” I knew we had to go, I simply needed to acknowledge the damage that might be done as a result. Leea and her people had opposed him, Geedan had betrayed them, and then failed in his task. The Emperor wasn’t a forgiving man.
“Then we’ll be fast,” Rey stated.
Axxon broke away and knelt to the ground once more. The trees he’d grown from splinters turned green as their leaves unfurled, then the leaves browned and dropped. He was hurrying them through their lives.
He called up to the guards on the wall. “Summon the carpenters. Fell a few trees and replace the gates and the drawbridge.” Shouts broke out as orders were given. Axxon remained where he was.
The trees inside the courtyard didn’t change further, but when I looked past them, the ones on the other side of the moat continued to age, until a few fell over, leaning drunkenly against the others. Axxon straightened and called to the people in the fields beyond, the ones who’d fought the Emperor’s men. “Firewood! To see you through the next winter.”
A ragged cheer broke out.
“You’re quite the diplomat,” I told Axxon.
He shrugged. “A small reward for services given. We need to demonstrate that Charnrosa is better off with the kings in charge, not the Emperor.”
I watched the activity as the people began to take advantage of the sudden bounty. “I don’t think anyone here is in doubt about that.” I turned to the kings. “Where next?”
Before anyone could answer, a shout came up from the walls of the castle. “Six riders approach!”
It was impossible to see clearly through Axxon’s forest. We ran to the steps and joined the soldiers on the wall walk.
Six figures on horseback had broken out of the forest and were cantering towards the castle. They were wearing helmets, unrecognisable at this distance. My heart punched against my ribs. Was the Emperor one of the riders? Or had he possessed one of the riders like he’d done Lord Baloa?
Rey set a hand on my arm. “Peace, Kyann. We’ll discover their intentions soon enough.”
I nodded and tried to relax. Even rotten, the trees still formed a barrier between the castle and the outside world. They would have to struggle to reach us.
The riders skirted the trees, pulling up further around the wall. “Hie there! We wish to speak with Lord and Lady Baloa!” the frontmost rider called.
Leea was still with Geedan, and I couldn’t be sure whether he was alive or dead. “The Lord and Lady are unavailable at present,” I called back. “What’s your business?”
The rider removed his helmet to reveal a young and grinning face. “Do I have the honour of addressing the four kings directly?”
“You do.” Axxon stepped forward. “What’s your business?”
“I’m Lord Hullar. I’ve come to offer my family’s support to your rebellion. I have something that I believe belongs to you.” He reached into a pocket, pulling out an object small enough to be held between thumb and forefinger. It glinted, catching the light.
Vashri inhaled sharply, but I’d already guessed it must be one of the gems. “The Breath of Giera.”
The next gem. Not a ride half-an-empire away, but right here, offered to us for the asking. I wanted to cheer, but suspicion tensed my shoulders. Could it really be that easy?
TO BE CONTINUED…
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