Chapter 19
Mark did his best to concentrate on holding on to Arland as they rode for Ashenland. He looked around at the others riding along with them at such a fast pace. Garandol to his left, Sasha-Ingatu beyond him. To his immediate right, Seth and Serina rode together, Karis rode just beyond them. Gaith and Hiln protected them from the rear. The soldier who'd helped them in the dungeons had stayed back as a spy for them.
Serina looked over at him with sad eyes. Her cheeks glistened with tears. Why she was crying, Mark had no idea. He reached out to her with his mind and she let him in.
Are you okay? Serina asked him.
I was about to ask you the same thing. Why are you crying?
Because I can feel your broken heart. The connection we've had throughout our conversations created a bond that cannot be broken. I cry, because you cry.
He smiled at her and said, Thank you.
We will get her back. I can see a lot of Seth in you, and I know you won't give up until she's safely back with you.
Mark laughed a little. He thought she was crazy for thinking he and Seth were so much alike, but with the common bond they had of technically having the same parents, he knew it was probably true. He wiped a tear from his eye and said, Thanks again.
She winked at him, then said, Anytime you need a friend. I'm here for you.
They didn't stop until they hit the Ashenland border the next morning. The guard recognized Karis and Sasha, so they let them into Ashenland with no questions asked. Even Gaith and Hiln were greeted warmly. Then they were all led to the caravan and taken to the castle.
Had Mark been in a better mood, he would have enjoyed the scenery on the way to the castle, but because of his mind being on Jennifer, he barely noticed it. Pretty soon he felt his energy deplete as the week's events drained him. He didn't know how long he had been out for, but Arland woke him, shaking his shoulder gently.
“Come on, Mark. Time to meet the Ri and the Banrion.”
“Huh?” he said looking around. He was in the open courtyard of a large castle.
“That would be the king and queen of the Elves.”
“Right,” he said groggily.
He stumbled out of the carriage, following Arland to a family of simply dressed Elves. He watched as a younger Elf ran and threw her arms around Serina. Then she hugged Seth and kissed him on the cheek. They greeted each other like long lost friends, even though he knew Seth had spent some time here recently. He wondered if there was more between the Elf and Seth than met the eye.
Mark followed Arland to the Ri and Banrion. Arland bowed to them so Mark did the same.
“It is good to see you again, Arland. And who might this young lad be?” Efreal asked.
“This is Mark. One of the twins.”
Efreal's eyes lit up as he took Mark's hand to shake it, “It is very good to meet you. Where is the other?”
Mark tried his best to fight back his tears, but reality seemed to crush him. He couldn't hold back his emotions and let himself cry. The Banrion came over and put her arms around him like a mother would.
“Come with me, young man,” she said tenderly. The way she spoke made him miss his mother. He hadn't thought about his mother in a long time. Regret started to sink into his stomach now. What kind of son didn't think about his mother? Anger at himself joined in the mix of his emotions.
What else can we throw on the fire while we're at it? He prayed to Sol. Mark knew Sol wasn't afraid of his anger, all Sol wanted was open honesty. Knowing that didn't help him, however. He felt guilty for his anger towards Sol. It was a misdirected anger. He was truly angry with Arnath for taking his sister captive. He was angry with Seth and Arland for allowing it and keeping him from trying to rescue Jennifer. He was angry with Jennifer for giving herself up to the enemy. He was angry with himself for not fighting back harder to try and save her. They could have all made it out together! Nobody should have had to sacrifice themselves for the others! Broc had already given his life to save Serina. Why should Jennifer have to give up her mind to Arnath?
Arland followed as Luma took them into the castle. They went up a rounded staircase two levels, down a long, wide hallway then through a set of large double doors. The room was large, but he hardly noticed. All he could think about, all he cared about was the fact that his sister had handed herself over to Arnath, and she was probably lost forever. She would be turned and more than likely renamed to forget her old self. Mark couldn't think of a time he had been more depressed.
Arland helped him lie down on the soft bed then took off his boots. Mark rolled onto his side and laid in the fetal position. There, he let his emotions fully take control. His body shook with heavy sobs. He had no idea how to save his sister. This was different than Serina. Jennifer was awake and aware of what was going on. Serina had just been put under an enchanted sleep.
“I'll take care of him from here,” Mark heard Arland say to Luma.
“Whatever he needs, please, don't be afraid to ask. He's been through a lot,” she told Arland.
“Thank you, we will come to you.”
A few seconds later, Mark heard the door shut. He was now alone with Arland. They were two people in Eranithia who loved Jennifer the most. Both sat in sad silence together. Arland let Mark get his emotions out. After a few minutes Mark rolled onto his back and stretched out his legs. He looked at Arland who stared back at him with sympathetic eyes.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” Arland asked quietly.
Mark just shook his head. He appreciated Arland's kindness, but what he really wanted was to be left alone.
“My room is right across the hall. If you need anything, you can call on me.”
“Thanks,” Mark said, his voice a little scratchy.
Arland nodded then stood to leave Mark alone.
“Arland?” Mark said, stopping him. When Arland turned around and looked at Mark, Mark asked, “Do you love my sister?”
Arland didn't answer right away. He stared at Mark for a few long moments then sat back down in a chair next to Mark's bed.
“I care about your sister very much. Probably more than I've cared about anybody in my life, since my mother. I want to get her back as much as you do.”
“You didn't answer my question,” Mark said.
Arland stared at Mark even longer than before.
“I would die for her,” Arland said.
Mark tried to give him a smile, but it was useless. He doubted he would ever smile again. His heart was so broken he didn't think happiness would ever be possible. Not until he could rescue Jennifer like they'd just done for Serina.
Arland got up from edge of the bed and walked out of the room. When the doors were shut, Mark sat up and looked around. The sun came in through the large windows. Each set on either side of his bed led to a single, large balcony.
He stood and went to a set of glass doors with white wooden frames a couple feet to the left side of his bed. Opening them he stepped out onto the spacious balcony. The light from the sun nearly blinded him, but the cold winter air refreshed him. He saw a white wooden chair with a soft cushion on the seat and back of the chair.
The cushion was also white with a floral design stitched into it. He took a seat and welcomed the comfort the cushion provided. Sitting back, he put his feet up on the balcony railing and stared out at the forest in the distance. He was on the west side of the castle looking in the direction of Eranithia. His new home he longed to live freely in.
Despite Jennifer's sacrifice, he knew they had work to do in starting a rebellion. The war wouldn't be won without an army. Their army would consist mainly of commoners who wanted the country back to the way it was before Arnath took power.
He wasn't sure how Seth would be able to convince the rest of Eranithia to join him. Serina would have to go with him. Her presence would be enough to prove Arnath had lied to them about Seth. The scabs and scars from the injuries Arnath inflicted on her would help.
He looked south, to where he thought the Eranithian castle stood, wondering if Jennifer was thinking of him.
Seth's entire party met with Efreal, Luma and Lana in the dining hall to discuss the events at the castle and their plans for the future. Gaith and Hiln stood as sentries behind Seth and Serina.
“First, is young Mark okay?” Efreal asked.
“He'll be okay. Losing his sister to Arnath was quite a blow, but I believe it will ultimately give him the drive he needs to help bring Arnath down,” Garandol said.
“But doesn't the prophesy say that together they have the power to win?”
“Yes, and we will win Jennifer back to our ranks before Arnath is taken down. But even if we don't, the prophesy could mean merely that they would have to power to enable us to win. With Seth and Serina together again, we will be much stronger. I have no doubts in their ability to bring Arnath down, with or without the twins.”
“Let's pray you are right, Garandol.”
“Is the boy hungry?” Luma asked.
“I'm sure he is, but I would rather not disturb him,” Garandol said. “His emotions and the events of the past week have worn at him. He could do with a decent rest right now.”
“Well, I would feel better about sending something up to him,” she said, sounding more like a mother than a queen. She waved a servant over and whispered what to take up to Mark, then the servant left for the kitchen to fulfill her duties.
“So, what is your proposed plan to gather the citizens of Eranithia to your side?” Efreal asked Seth.
Seth and Serina looked at each other, Serina nodded to him.
Seth nodded back, then said, “We will go town to town if we have to, sharing the truth with them. All of Eranithia believes Serina is dead. If they see her it will be proof enough that everything said about me was a lie. Then they'll want blood. It will be obvious to everyone that Arnath killed our parents.”
“Are you sure they will receive you?” Efreal asked doubtfully.
“Most likely they won't at first, but we don't have much of a choice.”
Efreal sighed then said, “I suppose not.”
“But first, we need to get Serina's strength back. I think a few days rest and perhaps some training will help. I can restore her muscles, but she'll have to retrain them.”
“Of course. I'm sure, Karis and Arland can assist in getting you both into shape.”
“Thank you.”
Efreal nodded to Seth then sighed and said, “Now, I'm sure you're all very tired and would like to wash up. Please, feel at home here. Anything you need, all you need to do is ask.”
“Thank you,” Seth said.
They all stood, then each was led to a different room by a servant. Food was set out for them in each of their rooms. After eating their fill, they washed in a deep tub in their rooms, then slipped into clothing provided for them. The beds they slept in were warm and soft. Sleep came easily to all.
As the others slept, Mark sat on his balcony just staring in the direction of the castle. He knew his sister was there, staring back at him. Longing to break from Arnath's control and join them in Ashenland. This was the hope he held onto. He couldn't lose hope that he and Jennifer would once again be together, just like Seth and Serina. Seth had lost hope for ten years, thinking he'd lost his sister forever. But when he learned the truth, his love for her gave him the drive he needed to rescue her.
Mark vowed to follow Seth's example. He would never give up on her as long as he had breath. He closed his eyes and prayed to Sol.
“Sol, I promise to never let her go. Give me the strength I need to rescue her, please. I beg you, please let it be your will that she be saved from Arnath's evil power,” he hit his knees and placed his hands on the sapphire railing, then rested his forehead against his hands. He listened for Sol's voice, but it never came. But a peace came over him as if he knew things would be alright. He looked into the sky and thanked Sol for his answer.
Back in Eranithia a beautiful, black haired girl stood on a balcony outside of her room in the castle. Her long black dress blew behind her in the wind. Her blue eyes stood out like two bright sapphire stones. Black painted lips pressed together as she showed no emotion, save for the single tear falling down her cheek. She wanted nothing more than to break down and cry, but something kept her from fulfilling her desire.
A tall figure stood in the doorway of the doors leading to her balcony from her room. Arnath stepped towards her, his evil grin wider than ever, proud of the work he'd done. He now had a dark witch stronger than Engard could have ever been. Even though she wasn't looking at him, she could see the proud smile on his face. He looked like a proud father standing before his daughter, knowing full well her powers were stronger than his if she were free to use them as she pleased, but also knowing he had complete control over her.
“Come, daughter,” he decided to call her. “I have something I wish to show you.”
She turned towards him, unable to resist his command. Her knee high boots clacked loudly over the stone floor as she followed the king through her room. Servants were busily cleaning the once cobweb ridden room. Everything was being replaced. The once bright and cheery room that had belonged to Serina was becoming a dark and dreary. The four post bed that once adorned light, transparent pink and lavender décor, now had thick black and red fabrics hanging in half-circle loops. The walls that had been decorated with portraits of Serina and her family now had a large, iron-welded dragon. Turmna, in one of her fearsome forms.
Arnath led her by the hand down the hallway, up another set of stairs, then down one more, wide hallway. It only led one way, and that was to the main balcony, which over looked the courtyard and gave a breathtakingly beautiful view of the Stone Step Mountains.
When they reached the edge of the balcony she looked at the sight Arnath wanted to show her. One-hundred thousand men in formation stood at attention for her.
“My faithful!” Arnath shouted out to them. “I present to you! Your general! Your queen! My daughter! Seilnai!”
A booming roar of cheers from the men below erupted, vibrating through the floor of the balcony. Seilnai, stood staring, still stone faced, still wanting to burst into tears, but unable. She hated her foreign name, but she was having a hard time remembering her true name. Seilnai was the only name she knew to respond to anymore.
“They love you,” Arnath whispered hoarsely. “They will do all you command. If they don't, you have the power to kill them.”
Seilnai didn't say anything. She just stared at the army before her, wanting to test them out by storming Ashenland, but also wanting to crush them where they stood. She had the power, she didn't need an army to rule the kingdom with her new father. Why did she even need her “father”? He didn't feel like a father to her. Just a man using her for his own gain. How dare this weakling of a man use the most powerful woman in Eranithia to do his bidding? What right did he have?
A part of her wanted to break through Arnath's power over her, but another part wanted nothing but complete control over everyone and everything. To be the first true empress over Eranithia, over Kushen, over Ashenland and Shardin and Geotha! This was Arnath's plan was it not? To rule the world they knew. Who could possibly stop Seilnai? No one!
She would fulfill this destiny...
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