INSIGNIAS: THE REGALIS

The silence did not last long because Faz started questioning Ciar about his earlier statement. To Clyne’s surprise, Faz neither mocked nor angered Ciar, rather, his queries were genuine. But Clyne knew that the peace will not last long. He eyed Ciar’s companions who looked tensed and ready to jump. Clyne’s friends, on the other hand, listened attentively to the conversation, albeit showing different emotions on their faces. Aria looked annoyed, Lei and Tessa seemed disappointed, Nate and Alyssa were calm.

He glanced at Skhy who looked lost and deep in thought. Skhy let Faz and Ciar talk.

“What’s the point of talking to him then?” Aria muttered beside Clyne.

“I’m sure Skhy thought about it before,” Clyne assured her.

“They don’t know where you are?” Faz asked, looking suspicious. His suspicion pierced Clyne’s mind and he looked around.

“No,” Ciar replied. “This place is heavily protected.” His statement didn’t help Clyne’s growing fear for their lives inside a Mortemian lair.

“Most of the time,” Kol added.

“What?” Aria blurted. Clyne lightly patted her forearm. Kol shrugged.

“There were a few breaches,” Kage explained, “But not because of the Mortemians.” Aria’s frown deepened.

“But is there any way to do that?” Skhy suddenly spoke. Everyone turned to him. “Uniting the legions, I mean.” Ciar’s companions turned to him who held Skhy’s stare for a few seconds. Their eyes silently communicated.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Faz scoffed. There it is.

“We didn’t come here for an uncertain answer,” Faz pointed out.

“But you’re the one who asked for our help first,” Raven spoke for the first time after introducing himself. He froze; he appeared to be regretting speaking. Faz was so surprised that he just raised an eyebrow at Raven.

“You’re right.” Skhy massaged his brow. “We took a risk to come here and we knew that nothing is certain.” Faz was about to protest but he suddenly relaxed. He glanced at Tessa who was sitting beside him, but her eyes stayed on Skhy.

“The Concordians on our side are willing to fight the Rosein Army but we also don’t know how many of them will fight alongside the Mortemians,” he confessed. Clyne nodded in agreement. Some Concordians joined the Rosein Army to banish magic in Arconien. He felt guilty for feeling the same before even in a few moments. While there are a lot more remaining Concordians, no one knew how strong the Rosein Army’s force is if they attack the whole realm, especially if they use another stronger Pandora’s Box. It would also be hard to fight and protect the civilians at the same time. We need the Mortemians.

“Our realm is still huge,” Skhy mirrored Clyne’s thoughts. “We can’t do it on our own.”

Faz made a sound. Clyne knew how Faz felt about asking and begging for help.

“Rest assured that the Mortemians are also affected by this situation.” Kol began tapping on the table as he said this.

“Our lairs aren’t as protected as you might think,” he added.

It was something that Clyne keep on forgetting. The Mortemians also lived in Arconien. Some of them also joined the Rosein Army. How many remained? Did the Immortal Court also join?

“The Court,” Ciar started. “It won’t be convinced easily but we can talk to those outside.” Skhy nodded.

“For now, you should rest. We can talk again tomorrow.” Ciar stood up. “Kol, bring them to the bedchambers.”

“Thank you,” Tessa said. Ciar only nodded in response, but his attention had shifted to the door.

Kol guided the Seven to the third floor. Both second and third floors had dark grey walls and black-tiled floor, wide hallway, bright-lighted chandeliers, and eerie silence. Clyne couldn’t shake the growing fear. He feared that the other members of Eclipse were hiding somewhere near and the group would attack the Seven who were weakened by the powers surrounding the Mortemian lair.

“Is the fortress empty except for the four of you?” Clyne asked curiously with suspicion.

“Yes,” Kol replied hesitantly.

“What did Sto- Ciar told you about us?” Clyne couldn’t help but ask. Aria frowned at him but he gave her a guilty smile. Kol chuckled.

“The Seven are coming here.”

“That’s all?” Lei asked. She had been quiet downstairs like Nate and Alyssa who were silently observing Ciar and his companions. Kol shrugged.

“He wasn’t the most talkative nor friendly.” He paused. “But he leads us.” Clyne was curious as to what Kol and the other Mortemians think of the Seven. He figured that getting to know them might ease the fear in he was feeling. He wanted to know if he could trust Ciar and his team not to attack or hurt the Seven.

“I was told that you help protect Hanne,” Nate asked, ending his silence. Clyne’s eyes widened a bit at what he said. “Thank you.” Kol glanced back, smiling slightly.

“She wasn’t eager at first.” They turned a corner. “But she was fine.”

Silence enveloped them until Kol stopped in front of two doors facing each other in a wide hallway.

“Each room have 5 beds. We will see you tomorrow.” His smile was genuine.

“Thank you,” Skhy said and Kol left the group. Alyssa was hesitant to go in with the girls but Lei invited her inside.

The room was wide with five beds with white sheets near the walls, three beds facing two. A comfy black sofa stood below a wide tall glass window which opened to nothing but dark clouds. The walls were bare black and the floor marbled grey. The place was warmer than Clyne thought.

“Better get some sleep,” Skhy said before dropping on the bed nearest the door.

“I’ll stand guard tonight,” Faz muttered. He left his backpack on the bed of his choice. Clyne glanced at Nate who was frowning at the closed door. He chose the bed nearest the window while Clyne sat on the bed beside Faz’s.

“You’re tired, Faz,” Skhy murmured. He laid on his stomach, “Get some sleep.”

“I don’t trust them.” Faz glanced outside the window.

“You need your energy tomorrow.”

“They might attack anytime.”

“You need rest,” Skhy emphasized.

“So I should let us all die?”

“Stop, you two,” Nate interrupted. “I’ll stay up for another hour or two. The rest of you should sleep.” Despite Faz’s protest, he was the first to fall asleep, snoring softly.

Clyne had a hard time falling asleep even though his whole body was aching from the days of training and walking. He couldn’t believe that they were sleeping in a Mortemian lair. He thought that he would feel something familiar because his parents were Mortemians but he only felt suspicion and fear. He didn’t know what to feel when he first learnt that he had Mortemian blood. He knew that there was no point getting angry or feeling hurt because his family concealed the fact to protect him. There was only disbelief and confusion. He had no one to talk to, no one to give him clarity, because he had no family left. When he closed his tired eyes, he could hear Nate walking away.

Morning in the concealed lair was the same as the night. Dark clouds spiralled around the black fortress. But in the morning, all of the lights were on, highlighting the gold, bronze and silver decorated on the walls and floors. The Seven together with Alyssa followed Kol to the dining which was twice as small as the ballroom area. Breakfast was quiet but not peaceful, knowing that the two teams had a lot to talk about and plan.

“Any idea what happened to Knightwood?” Faz asked. Breakfast was done 30 minutes ago and they were talking about the recent Northern Lux battle. Ciar heard about everything through Granstire who also fighting alongside the Concordians. The fact that Granstire was present in the battle surprised the Seven.

“Went to Westeros, obviously,” Ciar answered. “They will protect him.”

“And the two former members of Consortium?” Clyne asked. Ciar nodded.

“How long had this been going?” Lei asked. “The Rosein Army.”

“Older than our parents.” Ciar flinched after he spoke. “They’re also terrorizing Orient Pearl.”

“The prophesized war,” Tessa started, “It isn’t between the two legions.”

“It’s still is.” Kage sipped his glass of water. “There’s just a third party.” Clyne grimaced.

“And we don’t know all the allies of the Rosein Army in our legions,” Aria concluded.

“The Court.” Everyone turned to Skhy. “Do you know if they’re involved?” He held Ciar’s gaze.

“They are not.” Clyne couldn’t hear any hesitation or lie in his voice.

“I’m curious about something.” Clyne was surprised to hear Alyssa’s voice. The others mirrored his expression.

“Where is this war going to happen?” Clyne looked between Skhy, Faz and Ciar. The Southern Edgeburn? Like last time?

“I see,” Alyssa said after a few seconds of silence, “We don’t know.”

“It was the Mortemians during the Eschaton war,” Aria pointed out, “Who said that they will be back.”

“Both legions always say that during every fight,” Kol argued. Skhy leaned against the table.

“How did the Eschaton war end?” he asked. “Everyone said the attacks just stop.” Kol glanced at Ciar, hesitating before answering.

“We don’t know. The Eclipse wasn’t there.” Clyne’s eyes widened a bit. Ciar didn’t fight?

“The missing students and stolen artefacts,” Lei deduced, “were because of the Rosein Army.”

“I’m sure that the two legions stole from each other.” Ciar drummed his fingers on the table. “But not kidnapping children.”

“What do we do now?” Clyne asked the question he had since he woke up. Ciar and Skhy glanced at each other.

“Gather our people,” they spoke at the same time.