“And you have our word that it is,” Kathar said, his smile still not reaching his eyes. He cleared his throat. “Now, onto more pressing matters,” he said archly, subtly reprimanding me, as if my concern for our people was a waste of time. I gritted my teeth, but kept the serene smile on my face.
Kathar looked around at the guardians. “The news we bring is most grave indeed. At long last, we have found a clue to the disappearances of our most vulnerable people.”
“Tell us, Elder Kathar.”
“These disappearances were the result of foul magic.” Seemingly relishing the experience of having everyone’s eyes on him, Kathar paused. “There was a rune found at the scene of the disappearances. It is undeniable proof that the Shadow King has returned to our lands.”
Several murmurs broke out around the room, and I felt a palpable tension settle over everyone, the very air thick with a sense of unease and foreboding.
I felt a chill run down my spine, my heart pounding in my chest.
The Shadow King—a malevolent force that had long since been banished from our lands, its very name a source of fear and dread among my people.
“But how can this be?” Aeldrin said, his brow furrowing with a mixture of confusion and trepidation. “I thought the Sun God had vanquished that malevolent force centuries ago.”
I shook my head. “Alas, the Shadow King’s power is not so easily broken, Aeldrin. Its tendrils have a way of worming theirway back into the world, no matter how deeply they are buried.”
I stood up, my fingers clenching into fists at my sides. “We must act. TheTemplemust act. I will not allow this evil to take root in Solaris, not while I still draw breath.”
I looked at the Elders. “I suggest we work together to scour the districts where all the disappearances have been taking place, to see if there was anything we might have missed. I shall be going there myself to lead the team.”
Aeldrin’s eyes widened. “High Priestess, it is not safe—”
I smiled ruefully, cutting him off. “You forget, Aeldrin. I cannot die so easily.” I softened my voice. “I shall be safe.”
Finally, Aeldrin nodded, his expression resolute. “It will be done, my lady. We will scour every corner of Solaris, leave no stone unturned, until the truth is uncovered.”
“And the missing are found,” I added.
“As you wish, High Priestess,” Kathar said with a smile. His eyes were finally alive, but the emotion in them looked almost like…satisfaction?
Well, of course he would be satisfied I was going to save our people. Pushing aside the useless observation, I nodded at Kathar and the others as they stood.
As the Elders filed out of the chamber, I turned my attention to the balcony once more, my eyes scanning the horizon. The sun was beginning to dip below the distant mountains, casting a warm amber glow over the city.
A throat was cleared, and I jumped.
The priests still sat there, their heads bowed, waiting for me to say the ritual prayer so that they could be dismissed.
“Sun God,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, “guide us in our hour of need. Grant us the strength to vanquish our enemies, and the wisdom to protect our people.”
The chamber echoed with their response and I closed my eyes. The words never failed to comfort me, settling deep withinme each time I heard them, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in my duty.
As the guardians dispersed to carry out my orders, I drifted to the balcony again, staring out at the setting sun with my mind racing with a thousand thoughts.
The specter of the Shadow King had been a distant memory for so long, and the thought of its return sent a chill of dread through me.
I shook my head, pushing away the dread and fear. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I was determined to face them head-on, for the safety and well-being of my beloved city and its people.
Even if I had to fight the Shadow King himself.
Chapter 2: The Shadow King
“Come along, Meryn.”
My companion took wing, following me as I stalked through the dark forest. Her snowy white form flitted through the darkened trees like a ghost, and a smile tugged at my mouth as I looked at her.
White against black—my only source of purity. She was the single thing that had remained uncorrupted by my presence. Snowy feathers, piercing golden eyes, and a calm that rivaled any storm.
