The Lies that Made Us

Brynn

Palace guards and Guardians were already collecting the fallen as Brynn made his way through the village with Amelia. There was loss and some destruction, but Brynn thanked his goddess as it could have been much worse. The Guardians and guards had done their duty, protecting the city. As he approached the palace, Brynn could tell it remained untouched.

“So many perished,” said Amelia softly. “Homes and shops were destroyed.”

“It could have been worse,” replied Brynn. “The village will recover before winter.”

“The buildings may be repaired, but many will still be mourning their loss this winter and beyond. Those who were killed cannot be replaced.”

Brynn looked down at Amelia to see a tear run down her cheek. Despite her strength and the hard shell and biting tongue she had acquired from her time in the tower, her heart was still soft. She could not stand to see suffering, even those she did not know or have a connection with.

“I feel responsible,” she said. “He came for me.”

“You are not responsible,” said King Ignacious, who walked nearby. “Even if you were his main target, spreading discord and destruction was still high on the minds of him and his forces. I suspect we will see more of this spreading throughout our world. King Gareth was making a statement, showing his strength. If he wanted to just steal you, he could have done it in much more efficient ways.”

They made It onto the palace grounds, where healers ran around tending the injured who had been brought there for treatment. Brynn hoped Amelia would lay down, but she refused, going into the parlor with Brynn, where he helped her sit on the sofa. Brynn was greeted by King Osian after checking on his son and daughter. Amelia’s father sat by her on the sofa while her brother stood behind, looking down at her.

Brynn walked over to tend to her wounds, but before he could act, Melwa kneeled down before Amelia and placed two of her fingers over the cut on Amelia’s neck. She closed her eyes as Amelia placed her hand on Melwa’s.

“You are too exhausted. None of my injuries are life-threatening and can be tended to later. Save your strength,” said Amelia.

Melwa opened her eyes. “I am not too tired to help a friend, especially one I owe my life to and an apology.” She closed her eyes again even as Amelia kept holding her hand. A moment later, Amelia sighed as Melwa opened her eyes and sat down on the floor before her.

“Your highness?” asked Amelia.

Melwa looked up at Amelia with tired eyes. “I hoped we were beyond titles, Amelia, but I suppose I messed that up with my display last night. I felt awful about it later. I want to apologize, and I wish I could blame the overindulgence of wine, but perhaps you and I could have a longer conversation later.”

Amelia nodded. “Of course.”

Prince Rayan walked over and held out his hand to his wife. She took it, and he lifted her up before kissing her cheek. She leaned on him as he led her to a chair close by.

All settled, Brynn standing next to where Amelia sat. Wine was poured and passed out by Tristeen and Rayan before King Osian turned from the fireplace and looked at all of them. “An attack on Erialla, on our village, cannot be ignored. Achilia and King Gareth have shown they want nothing but destruction. They have essentially declared war on us.”

“And I am sure more attacks will come soon,” said King Ignacious. “If he wants ultimate power, he will keep his momentum growing. What happened here will spread. Even if we were successful in driving them away, I doubt this was the full strength of his forces.”

“So we take a few days to heal, and we come up with a plan to fight back. Perhaps we could combine forces. We have the current leaders of two powerful kingdoms here.” He turned to Lord Fox. “I take it you have some sway in Evalmore? I understand you brought a force of Light Bearers with you?”

“After receiving messages from my daughter and Prince Brynwynn, my son and I went to work quickly. We have already been speaking with several lords who are unhappy with the current leadership in Evalmore. I have been working for years to form a large enough group to overtake the palace and displace King Gareth. I had to be careful as he held my daughter’s life in his hands.

“As soon as I heard what Gareth had done, who he really was, I took the news immediately to everyone I knew would believe me. We contacted every Light Bearer we have connections with. I brought them here to aid in any way we could. I didn’t expect to find a battle on your streets.”

“So, you will pledge your forces and allies to fight your king?” asked King Osian.

“He is no king of ours,” said Adius Fox with an angry hiss. “He lost our allegiance long ago when he took my sister. What he has done now has only ensured his death.”

“Then you will claim Prince Brynnwynn as your ruler?” asked King Ignacious. “He is next in line for your throne.”

Lord Fox glanced at Brynn. “I will have to talk to the prince. I have not seen him for some time.” His eyes went to Amelia. “I did not think well of him for a while after he ran away here to Erialla. I thought…” He glanced back at Brynn. “I am confused at the current situation.”

Brynn put his hand on Amelia’s shoulder. “I will talk to you more in private, my lord, but I will not hide my admiration and love for your daughter.”

Lord Fox glanced back at Amelia as Adius huffed. Amelia ignored her brother.“We will talk to you soon, father, but this is not the time. All I will say is you should support Brynn. He is the future of our kingdom. At least do not decide against him. We cannot be divided, not now.”

“Lady Amelia is right,” said Queen Stefana. “We must unite not just the people in this room but also others. We need to start reaching out to all kingdoms, to stand against this darkness threatening our world.”

The room became abuzz with people stating different opinions on who to contact and how to strike.

“Once we are united, we could go directly to Achilia and wreak havoc on their shores,” said Melwa. “Why not take the fight to them.”

More talking erupted, many agreeing, others worried at the cost. Amelia rubbed her forehead before standing up slowly. “We cannot just speak as if the people of Achilia mean nothing.”

“They have shown who they are today,” said Master Ruan from the corner of the room.

“Those Gareth brought with him showed who they were, but who says they represent all who live in the kingdom. We need to know what life is like in the kingdom. Are people suffering? Are their worthy lords there who do not wish for strife but are tired of seeing their people and lands suffering?” asked Amelia. “What do we know about Achilia since the War that Cleaved the World?”

“They have always been secretive,” said King Osian. “Besides a bit of trade between the southern towns of Evalmore, I doubt anyone really knows Achilia.”

“Then we need to remedy that,” said King Ignacious. “I agree with Lady Amelia that we risk starting a larger war if we do not cut off the root. I don’t think this creature that has been building for the past six hundred years will just die by cutting off one head. I am sure it has many, all with different wants and needs.”

“What do you suggest then?” asked King Osian. “We leave this threat unchecked? We ignore what has been done to our village? Go into Achillia and ask nicely?”

“You fight where it is needed. Do not go looking for a battle,” said King Ignacious.

“I am sure you have spies, your majesty?” asked Amelia looking at King Osian. “Send them to Evalmore to watch over the palace. Contact who you can to look for what is happening in all lands. Call your allies to join together.”

King Ignacious nodded. “Send a group to Achilia to see what it is like in the kingdom. Not a large one, maybe half a dozen or so to sneak into the borders and speak with those who live in the kingdom.”

“Who would dare go?” asked King Osian. “What Guardians could I send to such a place?”

“I will go,” said Amelia.

Brynn and Lord Fox both yelled no at the same time. “There is no reason for you to put yourself in more danger,” said Brynn.

“There is a reason. I should have seen what Gareth was. It is my duty as Light Bearer to fight against the darkness. Not the darkness from the goddess, but the one that exists in evil men’s hearts. I have never given up my vow to protect our world, to keep people safe.”

“I would go as well,” said Prince Rayan as he stared at Amelia. “Light Bearers are not the only ones who take a vow to keep this land safe.”

“You would go into such a dangerous place?” asked Melwa. “You are to be king someday, Rayan. I am not sure you should sacrifice yourself in such a way.”

“If I am not willing to sacrifice myself to save my people and others, what good would I be as king? I am sure my father agrees,” said Rayan as King Ignacious nodded.

“Then that is my cue to put myself up for this group,” said Prince Tristeen. “I am to be Erialla’s king someday, and I should do all I can to see its future is secure.”

“Tristeen, really?” said Queen Stefana with a shake of her head. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“What is ridiculous about it? I am a strong Guardian and a prince. I should go,” said Tristeen.

Brynn looked around the room and then at Amelia, marveling at her bravery, her ability to rouse two of the most important men in their world to action. “I will go as well. It looks like I could be a king, and I could not let my friends or my future queen go without me.”

Brynn was aware of the whispers around the room and Lord Fox’s hard stare. Melwa laughed slightly and picked up her wine glass. “I guess I’ll have to go and help Amelia keep you three out of trouble. It would be wrong to leave her with three clueless men.”

“That is five,” said Ignacious. “One more will be better.”

“I will go with them,” said Owain as he stepped forward. “With Lord Fox’s permission. My lord, where Lady Amelia goes, I go. I will keep her safe. I swear it to you.”

Lord Fox looked at his daughter. “I would rather you stay safe, my dear. You have been through too much already.”

“Sitting around and waiting for things to happen will only make it worse. I had three years to live behind walls and not be allowed to help my friends and fight for my people. I must go, father. It is the only way.”

“Not only will Owain keep her safe, but I will as well,” said Brynn. “I will give up my life for her if needed. You may not believe in me as your king, but I am the last Carrew alive, and if Gareth dies, I will be the next to wear the crown. Before I go to Achilia, I will name Amelia as my successor. My father wanted her to rule over anyone. I will see that she does one way or another.”

“Brynn,” whispered an astonished Amelia.

Lord Fox stared at Brynn before finally nodding and turning to Owain. “You will go with Lady Amelia to Achilia, her safety being your only duty.”

“Then you have your six,” said King Ignacious with a slight smile. “How fitting that the three future kings of our strongest kingdom should go as well as a Light Bearer. We will be led and saved by the three orders once again.”