Chapter 13

"Ay me! For aught that I could ever read, could ever hear by tale or history, the course of true love never did run smooth"—Lysander, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare

It was mid-afternoon when all the riders (that were still in the city) were called to the common room. Captain Mapstone, bluntly stated that they were at war and updated them on the situation, saying every rider available was needed to inform the citizens. At the pace the opposition was marching, Birch and his army would be there in two days. A few riders were assigned to the village outside the city walls to inform everyone that they'd be offered free lodging within the walls until the conflict was over and that some army men would be there the next day to help them move out. The rest of the riders were each assigned a sector of the lower city and ordered to go to as many taverns, inns, and homes as they could. The purpose was to reduce panic and to give a set of instructions for each family to do. Things like gathering water and bandages for their home.

After they received their orders, everyone quickly dispersed. Karigan and Sevelon hung behind a moment so they could walk out together. Both lost in their thoughts they were quiet until they reached the Castle gates, then they had to part ways. Before he left, Sevelon grabbed Karigan's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

The rest of the day, Karigan went to every tavern, pub, inn, and store that was open, and when that was done, she went to some homes. At each, she recited the speech that she'd been given about staying indoors and storing up on provisions. It went fairly quick, but there were so many residences, that by the time she felt that she'd talked to most of them it was past dinner time and her throat was raw from talking.

Despite Sevelon's reassurance, she had an ominous feeling of the approaching events. As the day wore on and this dreadful feeling didn't pass, she had to ask herself, Is it was possible that people know when they are about to die? Karigan hoped this was not what she was sensing. It felt as if some pressure was building. You could feel it in the land and it seemed to parallel the feeling of expectation within herself. Something was coming like a storm brewing in the distance, and it wasn't Birch. No, it had the taint of Mornhaven. Like an animal that senses danger, she felt the urge to run. Only there was nowhere to go. Whatever storm was coming, she knew she had a part to play. Thinking of it made her uneasy. It was like watching a clock run down to a certain hour, to when all their fates would clash and at which time the world would erupt into chaos. Deep in the murkiest depth of herself, Karigan knew she wouldn't survive this final clash. She wanted to live so badly, to continue on and to be happy and to someday have a family. She was driven and spirited, but she didn't think that would save her this time. Twice she had met Mornhaven and barely escaped. She didn't feel she would survive a third such confrontation. It was as if he had left his mark on her and she couldn't shake him no matter how determined she may be. For better or worse, if ever his end was to come, then she would most assuredly be a part of it.

o*o*o*o*o*o*o

Late the next night, they stood on the wall, surveying the army gathering in the field beyond the city. The fires that had been lit earlier in the evening were now dying down and provided just enough light. The villagers from the outskirts of the city had been moved in and the troops had been moved out. There were enough Sacoridian troops left inside the city to hold a strong defense, in the chance that the cavalry and infantry were slaughtered. Birch would attack in the morning.

Everything that had happened to Karigan in the past few years came down to this moment. She also knew this was the true reason for Sevelon's presence. Standing at her side, he felt like a sturdy wall. She was relieved to have him here for this moment. If he was here, she wouldn't have to face Mornhaven alone. It was bittersweet knowledge, because she knew his purpose would be complete after Mornhaven was dead and then he'd return to where he came from. Even if she survived the coming battle, he would be gone. She felt like pleading and crying. If only he would ask the gods, they might find a reason for him to stay. They had already talked about this. He had to leave and she had to stop being so emotional, it wasn't going to help. Not allowing herself to break down, she kept her face turned towards the gathering armies as she said, "You'll be leaving soon."

"Yes, when my task is complete, I must leave. It is interesting," he paused to gather his thoughts, "Mornhaven has been hoarding power for centuries, but with that mask, he had unlimited possibility at his fingertips. No one is just born into that kind of power, it must be earned. It is the oldest of laws. When he tried to gain that power through coercing you, he irrevocably crossed that line."

She remembered how Mornhaven used Yates by disfiguring his face with uncharacteristic rage and commanding her to hand over that mask.

Sevelon continued on, "To drag such attention to himself was probably Mornhaven's biggest mistake. If he had only tried to assert himself in the mortal realms, the gods would have ignored him. Yet, he has persisted. Aeryc and Aeryon now have no option but to deal out their justice. Essentially, he's doomed himself."

She went to bed that night thinking of his words, knowing that within the next 24 hours, everything would change.

The following morning came with a cold, sharp wind. It stirred the grass of the field and ruffled the clothing of the numerous platoons gathered in the clearing. Eletian flanks stood side by side with Sacoridian soldiers and the provincial militias. Thousands formed into spanning lines, their contrasting uniforms formed a pattern.