And I’d ensured The Order couldn’t complete the final steps of activating the Black Pool’s magic on a cataclysmic scale.
“The fighting ring will draw people from their tents, and Dae releasing the prisoners will distract those on duty. I think a little red escape will keep The Eleven busy, don’t you think?” I say to Braxius as we crouch in the bushes behind the war tent where The Eleven gather.
My tiny blue friend puffs out his chest. “Ready. Just say the word!”
I prepare to give the order when I catch conversation within the tent that gives me pause.
“Roiden saw where the great black dragon retreated to, but that animal whisperer wasn’t at her station,” Carmin says.
“Whether or not we find her, that’s the missing piece of the puzzle. Bringing back a bloodborn elemental wielder should ensure our Twelfth accepted. Once they survive the Black Pool, we’ll head for the dragons. The horn in Taja’s treasury will be easy to retrieve, but no doubt that glutton would send his army after us. I want to make sure all our affairs are in order first, that way when he does send them, we’ll have access to the depths of the dark magic, and we’ll obliterate the army and this land as easily as my great, great grandfather Razael did. Once both Windguard’s and Highcrest’s armies are destroyed, we will have full rule over those we let survive. They’ll have no choice but to bow to our power, and they can either serve their new gods or perish by darkness.”
I can’t feel my hands. My feet. I’m not sure if my chest is moving. By the sounds of it, the current destruction by the Black Pool is but a pittance of its power. There are three requirements to unlock its full potential, and now that they’ve discovered the dragon’s nest, are hunting The Kraanti, and know that Taja keeps the relic they require in his treasury, all the pieces are falling into place. The Eleven now know where every last key is to unleash complete devastation. Dae hadn’t known what their end goal is, but all this time, they’ve been slowly aligning the pieces on the board.
Gods save us.
I’d saved Windguard and Highcrest from a fate like Argora Vale’s. Without the dragons, without the horn, and without an elemental wielder like Dae’s brothers, The Order’s influence over the Black Pool would remain minimal, spreading slowly enough that I knew my friends could devise a way to stop it.
In the face of death, my heart glowed. A life of hardship and loss, of searching for purpose, molding myself into a skilled thief and infiltrator perfectly prepared me for this end, to stop a power hungry cabal from killing hundreds of thousands of innocent lives.
I couldn’t be mad about paying that price.
My rough-handling escorts brought me to the same tent we’d freed Tio and Melody from. All the pride in the world couldn’t stop the blood draining from my face when I beheld the angled boards and chains. The sight meant torture. It meant pain. My futile attempts to punch and kick were worthless. Within seconds, I was strung up and utterly helpless.
Still undecided if being left alone in the tent was good or bad, I tested the chains. Yep, like I’d thought, bolted down tight. I rested my head against the board behind me. Dae had said they would sometimes torture their captives for days, but I doubted that’d be the case for me. I was sure my death would come swiftly.
Surrendering to my fate, exhaustion claimed me.
When a gruff voice demanded I awake, multiple members unlocked me and subsequently dragged me into camp. The sun had yet to climb over the mountains, but it whispered its impending debut. I guessed they hadn’t wanted to disturb the precious sleep of The Eleven by announcing my arrival in the night.
I stumbled and tripped over the clanking bonds around my ankles, but they showed no mercy, forcing me to move hastily as they dragged me into the woods. I’d never explored this far north when Dae was here.
Screams and arrows sounded from the nearby trees, and a frenzy of panic began. Members hurled their magic in every direction, but were struck by arrows flying seemingly from nowhere. Fire blasted back from the unknown attackers. Whena tiger leapt from the confines of the trees, tearing into a man’s flesh, I cried.
“Dae!” I couldn’t believe it. I wrestled with my chains, but they didn’t give. When strong, brown hands enveloped my own, I stared into the eyes of the god before me.
“Hi,” I whispered like a love-struck schoolgirl. I didn’t bat an eye at the fresh blood smeared across his mouth and cheek.
“Hi,” he replied, holding my gaze while he worked the lifted key in my lock. I questioned if this was real. If I’d somehow died, and this was my version of heaven. For a moment, all the pains in my body disappeared.
“Time to go, lovebirds!” a young man called. I peered over my shoulder to look at him, my eyes catching on the younger, slightly lighter skinned version of Dae staring back at me. From Dae’s account, that must be his youngest brother, Jai.
I whipped my head back around. “You found them,” I said in disbelief and sheer amazement, but blood curdling fear quickly overtook me. “You brought themhere.”
“What can I say, they wanted to meet you.” He only half smiled, the metal loops falling to the ground with a musical thud. “Come on.”
His hand slid into mine, fingers interlocking. We just needed to get out of here. Out of here, and far away as possible. Two more figures came forward between the trees.
“Kasia,” I said, fear striking my heart when I beheld the horn dangling off her belt. Eyes wide with shock met hers, and all-consuming dread filled my gut. “No,” I whispered. I took the lead, running faster than Dae. “WE NEED TO LEAVE, NOW.”
Kasia extended her hand. Remaining invisible would aid our escape through the woods. All of us needed to be concealed immediately. If The Eleven caught us…
We had nearly closed the entire distance between us when thick, scarred tree roots emerged from the ground like the strikeof an asp, winding around Kasia’s midsection and that of the other man.
Jai sent a stream of fire directed at the base where the roots erupted from the soil, incinerating them to ash, so the binding roots lost control from their wielder. Dae yelled, ordering the now freed to run. Kaval, his other brother. He listened, bolting into the woods. Jai continued wielding his flames in defense from other attacks until Kasia was freed.
Dae released my hand, shoving me toward Kasia who shook off the now brittle wood splintering around her waist. She grabbed my hand when I got close enough. Things were happening so fast. Unable to resist turning to look at Dae again, it was evident he couldn’t pinpoint where my eyes were. She’d shielded us already, and I called his name, the cry doused in my sincere longing and fear.
He tore into the forest after Kaval, Jai hot on his heels. “Go!” he shouted without looking back.
