Chapter 8
Garandol stood at the western entrance of the courtyard, waiting for Seth and Serina's return and the news they were bringing. A month had passed since he'd seen them face to face without a fire and the gray powder. Leaning against the arch of the entrance he stared into the distance, watching the top of the hill they would be cresting soon.
“No sign yet?” Efreal asked, joining him.
Garandol shook, startled by Efreal's sudden presence.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you,” Efreal said with a chuckle.
Garandol grinned, saying, “It's okay. I was lost in thought.”
“Ah, what's on your mind?” Efreal asked, crossing his arms behind his back as he stood next to Garandol.
Garandol sighed, then said, “I have known those two since their birth. I worry like a father. After so many years of waiting for them to be reunited again, then sending them out on such a dangerous mission as building a rebellion, it's hard knowing the troubles they must face.”
“Or not knowing.”
Garandol grunted and nodded, saying, “True.”
They stared at the horizon, watching the top of the hill together in silence. Minutes passed before anything happened. Then the Caravan appeared at the top of the hill and began its descent into the city. It wouldn't be long before they were in the courtyard.
Garandol watched the citizens of Ashenland come out of their homes and cheer for the Caravan as it passed by. These cheers weren't like when Seth had first entered Ashenland a year and a half ago. These were battle cries of encouragement for the work he and Serina were doing. The cheering grew louder as they neared the castle gates, but continued even after they entered the courtyard.
Seth stepped down out of the carriage he shared with Serina. Extending his hand, he helped a bandaged warrior step down on to solid ground. It was Karis! Where was Mark? Rushing forward, panic infected Garandol.
“What happened? Where's Mark?” he asked frantically.
Serina took Karis, helping her towards the doors leading into the Dining Hall. Seth met Garandol, holding up his hands to stop Garandol.
“We'll tell you everything. Please, just calm down for now.”
“Where is he?” Garandol demanded.
Seth paused for a couple seconds then said, “The Cathians have taken him.”
“What?” Garandol barked. “How could this happen?”
“Please, calm down and we'll tell you everything we've learned.”
Garandol glared at Seth for a moment then turned and walked away. Efreal stepped up to Seth, grasping his shoulder.
“Is young Mark okay?”
“As far as we know, yes. But, please, let me explain everything that's happened the past month.”
Efreal grinned then squeezed Seth's shoulder, “Okay, Seth.”
A few minutes later they all sat around one of the long dinner tables in the Dining Hall. Food was being prepared in one of the many kitchens as they sat, discussing the past month's events.
“We have swayed many small villages to our side. We sent them here for safety,” Seth said.
“We have accepted many Eranithians and given them a place in the forest with tents until we can build them proper homes,” Efreal explained.
Seth nodded, saying, “Good. Thank you for looking after my people.”
Efreal nodded to him then Seth continued.
“First, we'll start with when we found Karis,” Seth looked at Serina, then Karis. Karis wasn't with them. She stared blankly at nothing, unresponsive, almost catatonic.
“I had contacted Mark after feeling that something was wrong. He told me they'd captured a Cathian Captain and sent him with two Elves to Ashenland, then the Cathians retaliated, taking Karis in the struggle. Seth and I hurried to assist Mark in taking her back. Arland and his Thirty were also on their way, but the meeting for exchange of Karis for Armadd arrived sooner than Mark expected.
“From what Karis could tell us, he traded himself for her, telling them everything about the prophecy. It must have been the only option he'd seen at the time.”
Seth stole another glance at Karis. A tear fell down her cheek. She barely showed any emotion as she sat with them, but even she, the tough warrior, couldn't hold back her tears.
“It may have been foolish, but I know his heart,” Serina continued. “He did it as an act of love. He'd rather himself be sacrificed than see someone he cares about die.”
Karis closed her eyes, flushing more tears down her face. It broke Seth's heart to see her in such a state. He thought of Lana, knowing she would be just as brokenhearted as Karis.
“Do we know where he's being taken?” Garandol asked.
“We know his final destination will be to Arnath's dungeons. How long he will be kept alive there is hard to say,” Seth said. He hadn't meant to sound cold-hearted, but that was how it came out. “We have to figure something out to get him back.”
“Serina, could you contact him to find out where he is?” Efreal asked.
“Yes, but not now. Once we have told you everything we know,” she said.
Efreal nodded, saying, “Very well. Go on.”
Seth took over telling them, “Governor Mandin is dead. His servants poisoned him, at Sol's command. They said Sol told them Mandin had set us up to hand us over to Seilnai. It was proved to be true when after Mandin had fallen, we were attacked by Seilnai and her troops from Underworld.”
“Underworld?” Efreal and Garandol said together.
“Yes. Werewolves, vampires, imps. Everything. Our guard was killed and turned within minutes of our attack. Seilnai has learned to speed up the turning process. It's nearly immediate now,” Serina explained.
“She must be stopped,” Garandol said.
“She must be destroyed,” Efreal growled.
“No!” Serina scolded. “Jennifer is still inside her somewhere. When I entered her mind, I could see a piece of light in the darkness. Centered around a memory. I wasn't able to access that memory before she kicked me out, but it's a strong memory.”
“Perhaps of Mark,” Garandol said.
“I believe it is. So, we can't kill her. We have to try and turn her back first. I believe she and Mark have a stronger connection than either one of them realize.”
“What makes you believe that?” Garandol asked narrowing his eyes as he peered into hers.
“They were as close as Seth and I were before she sacrificed herself. Seth, tell me, were there times growing up when you could feel my pain?”
Seth looked at her. She'd never asked him about that before.
“Yes, sometimes it was unbearable.”
“When I was really sick that one winter. Didn't you get sick as well? Even though Father never let you near me?”
He'd almost forgotten about that. They were thirteen when that had happened.
“Yes,” he said quietly.
“I believe they are even more connected than Seth and I were at that age. It's happened in stories of old. When someone from another world is brought to ours, certain aspects about them are enhanced by Sol's choosing. It would make perfect sense for Sol to enhance their connection to each other for this very purpose. To save Jennifer from what Arnath has done to her.”
Seth watched Efreal and Garandol as they nodded their agreement with Serina. Efreal seemed a little more reluctant than Garandol, but he wished to see Sol's prophecies fulfilled as well.
“But why is it that Mark's mind wasn't affected like Jennifer's?” Efreal asked.
“That's what makes me think that the light in the dark of her mind is a memory of Mark. He's the one thing she fought to protect in the moment she was turned.”
After a minute or two of silence Garandol asked Serina, “Can you contact Mark now? If anything to make sure he's still alive.”
She nodded then closed her eyes.
Serina looked around from where she stood on the familiar mountain peak. This time covered in snow. Straight ahead of her was Mark, sitting on a large rock, staring out over the land. She walked over to him.
“Hello, Mark,” she said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Looking up at her, she saw his smile. There was sadness in his eyes. He missed Karis. Turning his head away, he looked back at Eranithia. Serina walked around to sit next to him on the rock.
“How are you?” she asked, sitting next to him.
“I'm okay,” he said. “How's Karis?”
“Worried about you. She was hurt, but not badly. Seth healed her, but she's still a little weak from the attack.”
“What happened after I was taken away? I heard the Cathians talking about the Geoth in Eranithia. Has Jennifer found a way to let them in?”
Serina nodded, saying, “She has. Karis was the only survivor, and it was only because she wasn't in the camp. We found her a short distance away. The Geoth must not have seen her.”
“She was lucky they didn't step on her by mistake.”
“Sol protected her.”
He nodded as he continued to stare out at the land. Serina rubbed his back in comfort.
“I wish this was real. I like that you choose this spot to communicate with others,” he said.
“It's peaceful here,” she said.
Nodding, he grunted his agreement to her statement.
“Do you know where you are right now?” she asked.
“No, I keep slipping in and out of consciousness. But I know I'll end up in Arnath's dungeons. But who knows how long that'll last before he kills me.”
“Can we come and help you?”
“I'd appreciate that, but I think Sol's got a plan.”
“What kind of plan?”
“I don't know yet,” he admitted. “But, He's got something planned. It may mean my death, but I'm ready to face that if I must. Were my swords found?” he asked.
“Your swords?”
“I had Trien hide them somewhere near the camp before I was taken.”
“We were unaware, but I'm sure we can send a runner to retrieve them.”
“I'd like that.”
“I'll make sure Efreal sends someone soon.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you have any messages you'd like me to give to anyone?” she asked, scratching his back again.
“Just tell everyone I'm fine and for Karis not to worry about me.”
“Anything else?”
He looked at her, tears falling down his cheeks.
“Tell Karis I love her. But tell her in private. It's for her ears only.”
She smiled then kissed him on the cheek.
“I will tell her.”
“Thank you.”
Serina opened her eyes, looking around the table. Efreal and Garandol with piercing, curious eyes; Seth, stern but just as curious as Garandol and Efreal; Karis with bloodshot eyes, ready to break down into more tears.
“What did he say?” Garandol asked.
“He doesn't know where he is. He keeps slipping in and out of consciousness. He says he had Trien hide his swords near their camp before he was taken. He didn't want the Cathians taking them. He asked if we could get them for him.”
“I'll send a runner as soon as we're finished here,” Efreal promised.
“Thank you,” she said. “He said to tell you he's fine and Karis, for you not to worry about him too much.”
She tried to smile, but her mouth seemed to fail her.
Serina then leaned over and whispered in Karis's ear, “He said to tell you he loves you too.”
When Serina backed away she saw Karis's wide, teary eyes. Then Karis got up and left the table, heading for the doors.
“Let her go,” Efreal said as Seth started to rise out of his seat. “She's going to her parent's home for the night. I will check on her personally in the morning. For now, get some rest. We will begin planning the next step in the morning.”
Arland saw Karis come out of the castle, heading straight for him.
“Karis,” he said.
She looked up at him startled. “What are you doing here?”
“Sol said I needed to be here. I sent my men on without me. What's wrong?”
She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice was lost, choked off by more tears. Arland stepped closer to her, then she fell into him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Arland closed his arms around her as well, letting her cry for a minute.
“I love him, Arland.”
Arland's blood froze. He'd been fearing this. He knew they'd become close, but hearing how much she loved him, from her lips, it broke his heart. But there was nothing he could do about it.
“I'm sorry, Karis. I don't know what to say.”
She squeezed him again, then pulled away.
“You don't have to say anything. Just being in the right place at the right time was all I needed. Thank you,” she said then walked past him.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“To my parent's home. I'll be back in the morning. Good night, Arland.”
“Goodnight,” he said, then stood watching her disappear into the night.
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