I turn to find Thesix studying my face with concern. His presence sends a familiar current through my soul, a momentary balm to my distress. The people have accepted him as theirTingenow, at least those who have remained faithful.
“I never wanted this,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “To create warriors, to prepare for bloodshed.”
Thesix’s cool hand covers mine on the railing. “Atlas gave you no choice.”
The name sends a chill through my veins. Atlas — once the trustedTingeof Antalis, now proclaims himself “True King of Ashonera”. Reports arrive daily of his growing influence in Midaeliea, the northern region that had once been a place of rolling mountains and peaceful villages. Now it houses his fortress, his followers, and his army.
“The scouts returned this morning,” I say, watching a young man stumble, then rise with renewed vigor. “He’s conscripted three more villages. Those who refused were burned or captured.”
I close my eyes, feeling the pulse of Ashonera beneath my feet, the countless souls I’d crafted with such care. “Something in him changed, this isn’t who he was. Or perhaps it was always was, and I was too blind to see it.”
“This isn’t your fault, Drahenå.”
“Isn’t it?” I turn to face him fully, the wind lifting my hair around my shoulders. “I gave them free will. I believed that love and connection would guide them toward harmony. But I never accounted for ambition, for possession, for –”
“For someone like Atlas,” Thesix finished. “Someone who reminds you of Khaysus.”
Hair on my arm stands up at the name, the parallels are impossible to ignore. The possessiveness, the rage, the destructive response. But where Khaysus had no one to follow him, Atlas has found many.
Below us, Commander Selene pairs the soldiers for combat practice. Their movements awkward, hesitant. Will they be ready?
“What if you made some type of negotiation?” Thesix suggests as I watch a young woman fumble with a shield–again.
“I can feel every ripple of this world in my being. The northern part of Midaeliea screams of cruelty and fear. He doesn’t want negotiation. He wants surrender.”
A runner approaches from the castle entrance, his face flushed with exertion. He bows hostilely before delivering his message.
“My Queen, urgent news from the border. Atlas’s forces have seized the tributaries that lead to the farming communities in the valley near the eastern side. The woman with him has set flames to the areas surrounding it, a constant burning full of a rage I’ve never witnessed.”
My stomach drops. That valley feeds the entire eastern portion of Midaeliea. Without that water …
“He’s starving them,” Thesix says, his voice tight. “Forcing them to pledge allegiance or face drought.”
I think of them, the souls that I know are becoming thirsty and fearful. “Send someone who can manipulate the earth to build a new tributary.”
As the messenger hurries away, I turn back to the training yard with new resolve. The weight of creator and queen pressing down on me, heavier than ever before.
“He thinks I won’t fight,” I hiss. “He thinks I’m weak … just as Khaysus did. It’s because I call the waters my home that I lack the will for confrontation.” I feel an anger stir within me, something I haven’t felt since my battle with Khaysus. “Water can also drown, can erode …” I look to Thesix, “And now because of our bond, it can also freeze and shatter.”
Thesix studies me, “What will you do?”
“What I must.” I straighten my shoulders, feeling my power ripple beneath my skin. “I’ve spent a year hoping for reconciliation, for Atlas to remember the leader he once was. But time runs out. Soon he’ll push beyond Midaeliea.”
“You think it will come to a true battle?”
“No.” I watch Commander Selene again, her body moving fluidly with the sword in her hand. “I know it will come to a war. Atlas doesn’t want part of my world. He wants all of it. And he wants me–not as an equal, but as a possession. The same thing Khaysus always did.”
I clench my fist as a storm appears on the horizon bringing the rains. The clang of metal against metal rings in my ears with the mix of the rolling thunder in the distance. All of them rely on me, for their safety … their lives.
“I will not be a trophy for either of them.” My voice is firm. “I never wanted to be someone to wage war — but I will become whatever Ashonera needs me to be.”
ten
Harvest Moon of The Lunar Year 3304
For a lunar year, I’ve waged war against my creation. Water against fire. Creator against creation. Love against betrayal.
The pristine forest that once dripped with lush fauna and flora beneath the rainbow of the sun, now bears the scars of battle. Black scorch marks stain the white stone buildings. The sweet scent of night-blooming flowers has given way to the smell of ash and the metallic tang of blood.
