Chapter Four (Pt.2)

Walking past the barracks, Leah caught sight of Evalan near the training compound, deep in discussion with three others. Intrigued, she made her way towards them.

Of the quartet, it was the dark-haired boy who noticed her first. “Oh, hello, Highness... um, Commander...”

“It’s ‘Leah’, Aidan. You can call me ‘Leah’. How many times do I have to tell you?” Her smile countered her seemingly annoyed tone.

Returning her smile, he apologised as Evalan and the other two greeted Leah.

“What are you four up to?”

To her surprise, no one replied. Instead, Evalan dropped his gaze as Aidan, the girl and the other fair-haired boy glanced at him before averting theirs.

“Why the silence?” She looked at the girl. “Alina?

Sighing loudly, Alina looked pointedly at Evalan.

“Is everything alright, Curly-top?” said Leah.

He scowled. “Don’t you think I’m too old to be called that now?” Proud of his twelve years and less than a head shorter than Leah, his lanky frame only served to accentuate his height; it wouldn’t be long before he towered over her in the same way their father did. “Besides, my hair isn’t really curly anymore.”

Ruffling his short, sunny gold hair, she pursed her lips as she replied, “My darling baby brother, you’ll always be my curly-top.”

He stuck out his tongue in disgust before they all burst out laughing.

“So, what’s going on?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Evalan sighed heavily and replied. “I was going to ask warrior-master Fredrik if I could watch one of his training sessions.”

“Oh. Any particular reason?”

Jamming his hands in his pockets, he looked down at his feet and shrugged.

“Evalan?” Shaking her head slightly, Leah frowned.

Alina stared at him then turned to Leah. “He thinks it might help if he starts watching people fight.”

Evalan glared at her. “Thank you... friend.”

She smiled back at him.

“Help?” said Leah. “How?”

Palms out, he spread his hands expansively. “I’m not like you, am I? I feel no enthusiasm at the thought of wielding a sword or learning archery. Yet I know those are things I must learn. So I thought if I spent time watching... every day then...” He shrugged. “I know how silly it must sound, especially to you–”

“Evalan, I have never thought of anything you do as silly.” She placed both her hands on his shoulders. “You’re the cleverest person I know. So what if you don’t like fighting or think it boring? To hear Ladion talk, your mind is your weapon it’s so sharp.”

“That’s what we’ve been telling him,” said Aidan, who, like Evalan, preferred books and problem-solving to handling weaponry. He put his arm around Evalan’s shoulder. “We two are the brains and you two are the brawn.” Alina, his sister, was his opposite and much like Leah was at that age. She and Rufus, the quiet one, enjoyed nothing more than playing at warriors. “So, we have nothing to worry about, do we?”

As she joined in their laughter, Leah silently hoped that this friendship would last through the years. “Now, if your friends can spare you and if you haven’t got any pressing plans, how about accompanying your sister around the gardens?”

“Oh, I don’t know...”

She glared. “You’re becoming too cheeky in your advancing years.”

“Come on, race you!” Before she could reply, he’d already taken off across the courtyard.

“Am I not too old?” she murmured, glancing at the three youngsters. Grinning widely, they shook their heads; Leah raced after Evalan.

They sat by the oval pond, having unfastened their coats, warmed now by their running.

Again Leah referred to Evalan’s protocol tutor who was also the oldest council member. “Ladion truly is impressed with you, you know. Every chance he gets, he sings your praises.”

“It’s only because he’s such a good tutor. He makes it all so interesting.”

A faraway look stole into Leah’s eye as she cast her mind back to her days as Ladion’s student. He did indeed have the ability to make even the driest of subjects easy to swallow. “He is good, I remember.” She laughed. “Anyone who can make me appear smart and learned must be good.”

Evalan couldn’t help but laugh with her.

“I always believed protocol and everything connected with it to be deathly boring. But when I sat in council in Father’s place after that brigand attack, I was amazed at how interesting it all really is. I remember I couldn’t wait for each session, to be a part of such important decision-making. I was glad when Father was well enough to resume his place, but a small part of me did regret no longer being able to attend.”

“What was it like, sitting in Father’s chair?”

“Daunting. Very scary at first, but as the days passed, it felt no different to occupying any other chair.”

“Do you know what Ladion said when I asked if I could sit in it?”

 A knowing smile spread across her face. “That it would be tempting fate to sit in his chair while he was still alive and well, and able to do so?”

“Yes.”

“He’s not the only one to hold that belief. Most of the councillors and commanders feel that way also.”

“Really? Even the commanders? I wonder why.”

“Don’t know. Superstition, I suppose.”

After a small silence, Leah asked, “Looking forward to the visit?”

His eyes lit up. “I can’t wait. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it.”

“You’re young yet; give it time, it’ll wear off.”

The year following the fateful brigand attack, in which Edmon had lost his arm, it had been decided that there would be no visiting of the royal cities. The Kurabaran leader, Finlonel, devastated by the loss of his wife and daughter, had walked deep into the Scorched Land one day, never to return. He’d been succeeded by his brother, Flindt, who’d opted to come to Orenheart the year after that for he had never been out of Kurabar. So this year, it was Edmon’s turn.

“I wish we could go to the grasslands also, to Chief Brishan and his people... see the herds of horses, and wild cattle, maybe even see a wolf...”

“There has to be a limit, you know, or the journey will take up too much time, and Father will be away for too long.”

“I know, I know.” He turned to face her. “What about Eastvale? Have you never wanted to go there?”

She gazed into the distance. “Not really... Why? Do you want to?”

He nodded, sitting up straight. “I asked Father about going the first time I went to Kurabar; he said he’s happy for the merchants to make that journey. But I want to go there, and to Porthaven... voyage to the other lands across the sea–”

Jerking her head back, Leah laughed, lightly patting Evalan’s arm. “You’re more adventurous than me, little brother.”

He smiled yet his brows drew together. “Don’t you want to see other lands, Leah... meet other people? Experience strange and wonderful things?”

She hitched her shoulders up and spread her hands. “There’s more than enough strange and wonderful things happening right here, in our realm, in the places I patrol. I don’t see the need to go looking for more.”

“Well, I’ve decided. That’s what I want to do. And if being king means I won’t have any time to do what I want, I’d better make sure I do all my travelling while I’m free.”

“Free?” Her laugh faded, and she had to look away, afraid he might see the pain that had suddenly surfaced. How I envy you, my darling Evalan. You have no idea how free you really are.

“Do you think... do you think Father would agree if, instead of... of...”

“Evalan. Speak.”

He took a deep breath. “Do you think Father would agree if I went travelling instead of warrior training?”

Her eyes widened as she raised her brows. “Oh... um...” At a loss for words, she exhaled loudly. “Evalan, I really don’t know what he’d say to that. We’ve never had a ruler who hasn’t been trained as a warrior.” His slumped shoulders and downturned mouth stopped her. Reaching over, she squeezed his shoulder. “But that doesn’t mean it’s the only way for a ruler to be. I’m sure, when you put your mind to it, you’ll come up with a convincing enough argument.”

He rewarded her with a wide grin. “You’re right. There’s no harm in trying, and I’ve got a couple of years yet.”

“Now, before you distracted me with talk of travelling, we were speaking of the visit to Kurabar.”

“Oh yes. Do you miss going?”

“Sometimes, although I never thought I would. I miss Eoli...” she said softly.

They lapsed into silence, lost in thoughts of their slain friend who’d fallen victim to Shalyer.

Memories of other friends stole into Leah’s mind... like Karamay, who’d been injured following a skirmish with brigands. She’d lost the use of her left arm but, even though she could no longer serve as a warrior, she spent her time helping to train recruits. Leah hardly saw her now for Karamay found it too difficult to be in the company of serving warriors.

And Nadeen... the rift between her and Leah had never truly healed. She had returned to Kurabar with her family after her love, Artur, had been killed on patrol.

“I like having Mother and Father to myself but...” Evalan’s words cut through her thoughts. “I wish you were coming also. I miss you when you’re away, and now you’re going to be here but I’ll be away.”

“Careful what you wish for, little brother.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

Leah merely smiled at his confusion.

His mouth fell open and he leapt to his feet. “Does that mean... You’re coming with us.”

She nodded, laughing, then exclaimed as he launched himself at her, knocking her onto her back. 

*          *          *          *

One of the perks of being a commander, albeit a junior one, was having one’s own room, even if it was a small one. Opposite the door of Leah’s room stood the bed, which occupied most of the length of the wall with a linen box at the foot of it. A table and chair were the only other items of furniture, placed behind the door. A small window offered a selected view of the courtyard directly below.

The Leah of old would have, in all honesty, preferred sharing with at least one other. But this Leah, shrouded in secrets, treasured her solitude. In the privacy of her room, she could surrender to using her magic. It hadn’t taken her long to work out that she couldn’t use it like before. Insignificant uses were easy and almost second nature. But anything more required real effort and focused concentration, leaving her with an impressive headache.

She did nothing earth-shattering, merely used it in small ways, like retrieving an object or floating various items. But that was all that was needed to alleviate the need to use her ability; the need that was like an itch she couldn’t reach yet had to ease. And the only balm that soothed it was her practical use of magic. In the beginning, she’d tried not to use it at all, to ignore it so as not to give Belosh even the smallest iota of satisfaction. But that hadn’t lasted, and the yearning had almost driven her mad.

Leaning back in her chair with her feet resting on the table, she linked her hands behind her head. Yet the pen continued to dip itself in the inkpot and write. The writing wasn’t as precise as when she did it physically as this method tended to make it sprawl, but she enjoyed using her magic in this way. The pen slowed until it hovered over the page expectantly. Frowning, her gaze darted around the room as she sensed the presence of another.

“Very clever.”

The pen collapsed on the paper as she leapt to her feet, sending the chair clattering backwards.

Gradually the owner of the voice materialised. Muscular yet slim, he was clothed entirely in black, which matched his short hair and fathomless eyes. A small smile teased the corner of his full mouth, and a dimple appeared in his left cheek.

Leah’s heart skipped a beat for he was still the most beautiful being she’d ever seen, with skin so pale it seemed to glow. But still her hackles rose. “You. What do you want?”

He raised perfect brows. “No tender words of greeting? You wound me, Leah.”

“Don’t tempt me,” she replied, hands clenched tightly at her side.

He chuckled. “I see you have not changed, as amenable as ever.”

“Did he send you?”

“Maybe. Or maybe I was merely curious to see my former student.”

“What do you want?”

Ignoring her, he meandered around the room, which took him no time at all. “Is this all you are worth? A mere hole?”

“It suits me well enough.”

He came to a stop by her bed. “Still denying your worth. Still refusing to fulfil your true potential.”

Her back to him, she forced herself to stand her ground, to ignore the dark longing deep inside her that was already starting to respond to him. “I ask you again. What do you want?”

“You need to ask?” he whispered against her ear.

She started despite herself; she hadn’t heard him move yet he was standing right by her. She dug her nails into her palms to hold herself in check.

“We have unfinished business, you and I. I mean to see it finished.”

She stepped away from him. “There is nothing between us.”

He smiled, but his gaze remained steely. “Meraud.”

“What?”

“That is my name. I give it to you freely.”

“I don’t want it.”

“You have it nonetheless.”

Leah glared at him. Her eye twitched as she mentally shoved him. But he remained motionless as she cried out at the sting that slapped her mind.

“I am not as easy to subdue as you think.”

“Get out. Leave me alone.”

“Why so angry, my Leah?” He started to walk towards her.

She took a faltering step back. “I’m not yours. You have no right–”

“Hush. Not so loud, someone might hear. And you forget. I am a demon lord. What care I for the rights of others?”

Baring her teeth, she shoved her hands out before her.

This time, he staggered back, a glimpse of surprise betraying him, quickly replaced by a flash of anger. Fixing her with an unblinking stare, his lips curled back slightly, he slowly faded from view.

Her breath leapt forth as a cry; only then did she realise she’d been holding it waiting for his response. What does he want? After all this time... what does he mean, unfinished business?

Fear stroked her heart with an icy finger as she hugged herself. Was Belosh angry with her because she refused to openly use her magic? Had he sent Meraud to punish her? “When will it end? When is it ever going to end?”