The Lies that Made Us

Brynn

Brynn took out the dweller in front of him with a push of his power. He wiped the sweat from his forehead that was beaded there despite the cool temperature. His energy was almost spent, but he did not dare stop fighting. They had to defend the village, the palace, and he had to keep Amelia from being taken. Amelia, where was she?

He turned in a circle looking for her. “Amelia?” he called loudly, moving forward, trying to look through the group of Guardians around him. “Amelia,” he yelled again. A shadow warrior ran up to him, but Brynn caught his upper arm and pushed him away with a wave of power. Owain ran over and stabbed the warrior in the chest with his sword.

“Where is Lady Amelia?” asked Owain as he turned and took out a soldier from Achilia.

“I don’t know. She was just here.” A flash of black caught Brynn’s eyes, thinking he would spot her. Instead, at least three dozen Light Bearers ran past him, using their magic as one unit to blast their way through the enemy forces in front of them.

“Is that?” asked Brynn, but before he could say more, he heard Melwa call out his name. He turned, and she ran towards him.

“He took her. I couldn’t get to her in time, and he grabbed her. She saved me but was injured and couldn’t fight back.” Melwa was breathless, her eyes frantic as she latched on to Brynn’s arm.

“Amelia?” he asked as he took her hand. “Someone took Amelia?”

She nodded. “That man who was on the dais with your brother in Achilia. He has her.”

“Dugan,” said Brynn to Owain, who let out a sound like a growl. “Where did they go, Mel?”

He dragged her to the left, but then he turned, and they were gone. I don’t know where he took her.”

Before Brynn could process what she was saying, he heard footsteps behind him.

“Prince Brynnwynn,” said Lord Fox as Brynn spun to look at him.

“Lord Fox, Adius, was it you who brought the Light Bearers?”

“Yes, your highness, but now is not the time to speak of it. That man took my sister. We have to find her.” Adius Fox had his sword out at his side, and blood dripped from the trip, showing he had already been in the middle of the fight.

“I hope he didn’t take her back to Achilia,” said Brynn.

“It would be near impossible,” said Melwa. “There is a reason they had to sail here. Our wards will not let them travel as they please. He must have her somewhere close to the village.”

“Towards the ships then,” said Owain. “They will want to get her away as soon as possible.”

“I left about a dozen Light Bearers there,” said Lord Fox. “And after running to the palace to find it still well-defended, we were making our way back to the shore. The Bearers should have made a path for us by now.”

“Let’s go now,” said Brynn. “Do not linger, or you will be left behind. We must find Amelia before they can get her on a ship.”

Brynn took off towards the shore, stopping only a few times to face a lingering force of dwellers or shadow warriors. Most were either lying on the ground dead or had retreated to the shore. Brynn wondered if they were being called back now that Gareth might have what he wanted. Brynn tried to shake off the thought. They would not be too late. He had a feeling that if Gareth took Amelia this time, it might be impossible to find her again.

He heard the waves against the shore and the sound of people fighting. Groups of Guardians battling the enemy became numerous once again. With the Light Bearers joining them, they were having little problems pushing back the Achillians, so Brynn kept going forward, trying to keep his eyes open for Amelia. As his feet hit the rocky shore, a dark mist came out of nowhere. It threw them all in opposite directions. Brynn flew forward and saw Melwa and Owain go to each side.

Brynn took a moment to gather himself before jumping to his feet. He turned to join the others when a voice stopped him cold.

“Brother,” said Gareth. “Would it surprise you if I said I am a little relieved to see you haven’t been killed yet?”

Brynn turned slowly to face Gareth. His brother stood serenely as if a raging battle had not happened. “Where is she?” asked Brynn through gritted teeth.

“What do you mean?” asked Gareth. “I just set foot on this shore.”

“Liar,” said Brynn as he threw out a bit of his power. Gareth caught it in his hand and threw it to the side. “You sent your man, Dugan, to take her.”

“Dugan’s already here?” asked Gareth.

“What kind of game is this?” asked Brynn. “Are you trying to distract me so you can have her taken away? You must see you do not have the numbers your thought. With the Light Bearers, we will soon decimate your force. You will not take her.”

“You think this is all I have brought?” asked Gareth with a smile. “I have another ship holding off far from the shore, waiting to see if they are needed. “I was hoping to get what I came for and be on my way without too much destruction.”

“You have caused enough, and you will never get what you want. Now, have your man bring her out. I will not let your leave with her.”

“How?” asked Gareth with a small chuckle.

Brynn raised his hand to throw more power at Gareth, but Gareth was hit by someone else’s magic before he could. Brynn looked behind him to see Tristeen and Lyneth running towards him.

Gareth fell back to one knee but quickly recovered. He sent his dark magic towards Lyneth and Tristeen, but Rayan and Ignacious moved ahead raising their hands before it could hit. A white mist covered them, absorbing Gareth’s magic as Tristeen threw out another blast of dim light, followed by three more that came from somewhere behind him. Brynn followed the line of it to see his master and three Guardians coming forward.

Some of the power got past Gareth’s defenses. Two dwellers tried to join him, but Brynn took them out. Gareth huffed in irritation as he tried to regain his footing. “You can’t win this, Gareth, and you won’t leave with Amelia. Tell me where she is.” Brynn threw out some magic, throwing Gareth completely on the white rocks. He rolled before propping himself up with his elbows.

Brynn stood over him, knowing he could land the killing blow if he wished. His brother had caused the death of his father. He had tortured Amelia, assaulting her over and over. His rage grew as his power built. He could not think of the regret he would feel killing Gareth. “One last chance. Tell me where she is, and I might let you live.”

“I don’t know,” said Gareth as he panted. “I don’t.”

Brynn raised his hand high. “I would stop where you are, your highness.” Brynn looked close to the water where Dugan held Amelia against him, a dagger at her throat. “Let him go now.”

Brynn stared for a moment at Amelia. Her eyes were barely open, and Dugan’s dagger had knicked her neck. A small trickle of blood escaped it.

“Don’t do it,” said Brynn feeling as if he could barely speak. “Don’t.”

“Let him up, then. Let him come towards me,” said Dugan. Brynn took two steps back as Melwa, Lord Fox, and Adius joined him. Gareth rolled over and slowly stood, wiping his face before looking at Dugan.

“Excellent, Dugan,” said Gareth as he walked towards the man. “Now hand me Lady Amelia.”

Dugan did not let go of her. He pressed his dagger further into her neck, widening the nick slightly. “Forgive me, great one, but I am not sure I should. Your obsession with this woman will ruin everything.”

“Dugan, you serve me. I am telling you I need Lady Amelia’s power. Do not be foolish.” Gareth moved very slowly towards Dugan.

“You are letting your misguided feelings for her tell you these things. We do not need her. We have all we need to take over this world, to see Achilia lifted up and released from its exile. Look at all the dwellers and shadow warriors we have lost today. All for this woman. She is not worth it.”

“Dugan, do not make me end you,” said Gareth as he raised his hand.

“You will not end me. Once she is gone, you will see how foolish you were. You have much power, and I believe you can lead us. She is nothing but a distraction.”

Brynn could not think. Panic filled his body. There was a noise in his head he could not turn off. She could not die. He could not let this happen. He slightly raised his hand, and Dugan’s eyes flew to him. Brynn realized his mistake as Dugan’s hand on the dagger shook slightly.

“No,” said Brynn and Gareth simultaneously as Dugan’s hand slowly started to move to drag the dagger. Before he could do it, he fell forward, the dagger and Amelia falling to the ground. Behind Dugan stood Owain, his sword buried in Dugan’s back. He pulled it out, and Dugan fell to his knees before hitting the rocks. His blood poured out from his chest as he jerked twice and then went still.

Three blasts of magic moved past Brynn, and Gareth disappeared in a black mist before appearing closer to the shore. Brynn ran to Amelia, kneeling down next to her, keeping his eyes on his brother. Light Bearers, Guardians, Igancious, Rayan, and Lord Fox and his son surrounded Brynn.

Several dwellers came to Gareth’s side. He stared at Brynn and his group for a moment before shaking his head. He raised his hand, and a dark mist covered the area as dust from the rocks rose up with it. Brynn could not see for almost a minute, keeping his hand on Amelia’s arm, hoping she would not disappear.

When the darkness faded and the dust finally settled, Several boats were far in the water, taking with them Gareth and what was left of the forces he had brought to the shore.

“What should we do?” asked Adius Fox.

“They are too far away to strike,” said Melwa. “We will have to let them go for now.” She watched the boats for a moment before kneeling next to Brynn. “How is she?”

Brynn gently wiped the blood from her neck, finding the wound was not large. He wiped his hand on his shirt before softly touching her face. Her eyes flew open as she spotted Brynn.

“It’s fine, Amelia. You’re safe,” said Brynn.

“We need to get back to the palace,” said Melwa. “We should check on my parents and get Amelia somewhere her injuries can be looked over and rest.”

Brynn started to pick Amelia up, but she stopped him. “I can stand if you will help me.” He held out his hand to her and gently pulled her up, so she leaned against him. Her father and brother were next to Owain, Lord Fox expressing his gratitude to Owain. When they saw she was up, they hurried to her.

She stared at her father before letting go of Brynn and falling into his arms. He held her before kissing her cheek. “My dear Amelia,” he whispered. “My sweet girl.”

She was eventually passed to her brother, who hugged her as well. “We wanted to get here earlier, but it took a bit to arrange things. We knew some Light Bearers were not happy with the state of things in the palace and the order. Once we had them all ready, we left as soon as possible.”

“We can talk this over in the palace,” said King Igancious as he walked forward. “Lady Amelia needs to rest, and we need to speak with King Osian about recovery in the village.”

Brynn came up and put his arm around Amelia’s waist as she pushed away from her brother. She leaned on Brynn, and Brynn automatically kissed her cheek.

“I think we will have much to discuss,” Lord Fox muttered to his son.

Brynn ignored them and helped Amelia walk towards the village.