Icy snow crunched under Alric’s boot as he walked up the hill. Winter had come to Briar Fuana. The forest slumbered in the frosty air. Bare of leaves, trees had icicles hanging from their branches.
Briar Fuana had been a magical place to Alric. Now, it seemed no more than one of Okeden’s illusions.
Perhaps the whole world was an illusion.
Perhaps.
Yet, the pain he felt was real. Watching her loveliness twisted his heart.
Alric watched Bae walk with her slender grace to the side of the one who was her true husband. The one known as Tasar.
Tasar was tall and thin. His long, white hair hung down his shoulders. He carried himself with confidence that came with one assured of his status. His arm rounded Bae, kissing the top of her head.
Bae looked up at Tasar. Her eyes erased any of Alric’s doubts.
After the Darkening, Alric believed he had been called to save his people because there was no other. He rose to the challenge, but every night he went to sleep alone. When he met Bae, he thought he had found the one who would share his burden.
The dream had been sweet.
Lord, have mercy upon me! I still love her. Wake up, Fool, she used you…betrayed you…and Thea…her own daughter.
Slowly, he started toward the pair. Half-way down the path, Bae noticed his presence. He saw the shock in her eyes. Quickly, she composed herself.
“Alric,” Bae stepped back from Tasar. “I knew this day would come.”
“Did you?” he asked, maintaining his pace.
When he reached the two, he gestured with his hand. An elfin army emerged from behind the trees and undergrowth. Their bows armed with arrows aimed at the hearts of Bae and Tasar.
The Augur Council had already taken away the blackened elves’ ability to transport. There was nowhere for them to go.
Sensing she was trapped, Bae demanded, “What is this nonsense? Have you turned my people against me because my husband returned…my true husband?”
Alric caught her arm before she could slap him. He gave her a forced smile. “You know I had thought after this war was over that we would live here at Briar Fuana. After…now there is no after for us.”
Bae tried to jerk her arm away to no avail. Her eyes blazed.
“You will listen to me. Your plan has failed.”
Her nostrils flared. “You are sadly mistaken. I have no plan. I have kept from you that Tasar returned because I have no desire to hurt you—“
“I am done with this game.” Alric grimaced. “You will be taken immediately to the Augur Council, along with your husband. You have much to answer for.”
“I have done only what has been necessary.”
“For whom? Yourself. Certainly not your people. You murdered your people, including your own nephew! You planned on deserting your daughter… planned on betraying me and all who have helped you.”
“You know nothing of this world,” she snapped. “We do not live now, only exist. I can give to my people a new life.”
“You have given them death. It has become known it was you who helped Asmeodai break through the barrier in the Maunga Mountains. You allowed the Darkening into the realm.”
Her face whitened. Her eyes paled. For a long moment, Alric wasn’t certain she was breathing. Is she feeling guilty?
He didn’t care. He had no mercy.
Casting his eyes into hers, he said grimly, “Tell me, Bae. Why…Why did you want me dead?”
She stared at him blankly. At first, he didn’t know if she heard him. Then suddenly, she smiled. “You are mistaken. I would never do so. You are the father of my child. Understandably, you have misunderstood what has happened.”
“Then clear it up for me.” His grip tightened. “For the way it looks, you gave up our mission to Asmeodai. His Night Raiders showed up at our site in Troms. If not for Okeden placing one of her illusions, we would have been captured and killed.”
Alric was afire with fury. Up unto that moment…that moment when the Night Raiders appeared…striking hard and swift at his image…he had hoped his friends had been wrong.
They had not been.
Bae’s betrayal had been devastating. The dream to halt Asmeodai’s tunnel of doom was finished. Nothing could stop Asmeodai now.
Sangrey had told Alric that Bae’s bargain had been for Alric and Ewan. Once Alric was killed, the cloak would drop.
There would be nothing to keep Asmeodai from hunting down every free Orimon. Moreover, Tuhinga O Mua and Briar Fuana were no longer safe havens.
Even now, Sae and her family were transporting their people out of Tuhinga O Mua. Briar Fuana would follow.
Alric could no longer deny Bae’s intent—she wanted him dead.
For what reason, he hadn’t figured out...yet. Surely, she didn’t trust Asmeodai.
Asmeodai had tried to kill her at the Darkening. Bae realized Asmeodai had killed trusted members of his council before. Though, there was more that Rentanga needed to know. How had Tasar reappeared? Where had he been?
Questions that had to be answered.
Yet, not here.
“Your followers are under guard,” Alric said. “You are to face the Augur Council.”
Bae lifted her chin in defiance. Gone was any attempt to deny her actions.
“Know that what is about to descend upon all is yours to own. It is a fault you have… believing others are like you. You will choke on your honor and duty.”
“Yours is you can’t look beyond your own need,” Alric stated dryly. “No matter what I face, I do so gladly.”
Alric had had enough. He gestured for the guards to take their prisoners.
For the first time, Alric turned his attention to Tasar. Sae had described him as sly and cunning.
Until this point, this Tasar had been silent. He was silent no more.
“You are condemned by your actions,” Tasar said. Lifting his arms up toward the sky, the winds swirled, the ground shook.
Alric lost his footing and fell.
Darkening skies unleashed a fury of rain. Thunder roared.
Pushing back on his arms, Alric crawled back to his feet and unsheathed his sword. The act did little good.
Tasar had already swept Bae in his arms. The two disappeared into a wall of black, whirling winds.
Swinging his blade into the blackness, Alric heard a whisper. Move. Move. Move.
He obeyed. Sliding to his right, he felt the ground rumble. He leaped toward a ditch and rolled. Light flashed and flames burst forth.
Lightening had struck. Again, thunder roared.
Struggling to his feet in the icy slush, he stood alone as hail began to barrage the ground. He sought no shelter.
With his sword to his side, he stared at the place Bae had stood.
There was nothing.
Bae had escaped.
* * * *
Despite the hail having turned to snow, a fire seethed in Alric’s heart.
“Come, Ser Alric, we have need of you.”
In the driving snow, Alric turned to find Sae beside him. He expected nothing less.
Unlike her sister, Sae was faithful and loyal. She would never desert him.
His heart and soul had been ripped from his body, but he had no time to contemplate his hurt. He had pressing problems.
“Were you able to transport all out of Tuhinga O Mua?”
“Yes, my brave friend. Only a few elves remained in Briar Fuana. They will follow within minutes,” she said. “We need you to come now to cloak.”
Alric nodded.
It was as if time had stood still. He feared that Asmeodai had attacked while he was in Troms…while he was here in Briar Fuana.
“We haven’t much time,” Sae urged.
“Thea…Thea is safe?”
“Yes, she is with Gormar and Shalendra.”
The next moment, Alric emerged in a gray field. Brown grass crunched beneath his boots. To his left, a small valley in winter’s slumber. To his right, a cavern’s entrance.
“This is known as Pouri Gua,” Sae said. “It sits on the edge of the Blue Mountains. Both elves and men are here. Now, there will be only one haven. Once more, Ser Alric, I asked for you to shield us from his sight. Cloak the Eye of Asmeodai.”
Alric did not hesitate. Tiakina te hunga i roto i tenei whare tapu. Kaua e whakaaturia to maatau.
Once more, magic surged through him. Stronger and stronger until he collapsed.
Sae helped him to his feet. It was done.
Again, the survivors had a sanctuary.
Once more magic…good magic could live.