Disclaimer: I don't know where my mind has been for the last couple of chapters…I completely forgot to say that none of the recognizable characters of the Wren series are mine. They all belong to Sherwood Smith. *looks apologetic*
A/N: Well here it is the final chapter to my story. I just wanted to thank all the people who supported my story. It was really appreciated. I am sad that this is coming to the end but hope you like it! =) Thanks again for reading...Enjoy!
Chapter 11 ~Confrontation
Sitting around the fire, the four sat in silence. No word passed, and only the sound of the crackling fire was audible. Wren watched her companions. Tyron was deep in thought while Connor was busy scratching Tip behind the ear. Tired of the silence she got up and walked over to Vaughn.
"Feeling better?" she asked.
"Considering the current circumstances, I suppose I am fine." he replied softly.
"What are you thinking about?" Wren asked.
Vaughn remained silent for such a long time, Wren thought he was not going to respond. She had hoped for more conversation than this. But he merely stared off into the distance. Finally said in a low voice he replied, "He will fail, and this time I played a part to stop him, however small it may be."
She sighed. It had been difficult enough discouraging him from the original plan. Risking him directly was not an option. So, as a compromise, they allowed him to stay but away from the confrontation. It was a small victory for Wren, for she was pleased that he would not be vulnerable to another attack. "Everything you have done is far from small. We have talked about this, the further away you are, the less he can take."
"But the plan was to give as much as possible." He refuted.
She sighed and rubbed her temples. "I don't want to go into this again. Tyron has already explained to you there are no guarantees that you will come away unharmed."
"I have told you, it makes no difference to me."
"Why are you being like this? Our plan is just as effective. When did you become so stubborn?"
"To me, it's more like being left behind."
She stared at him but he had not changed his line of sight. His gaze went over her shoulder to some unknown point. She hated how he would not look at her, and the guilt of his last statement surprised her. "You are the most important piece of this plan. Without you, your father has no advantage. And that is why you must remain here hidden under Tyron's spell. Trust me."
He turned to face her. "I do," he said honestly.
"Good," she replied nodding her head. "Then we understand each other."
Andreus paced about his chambers. He usual feeling of power was not as he was used to. It was a successful leech he knew, but something was different, something was missing. Though he hated to admit, he suddenly remembered the little warning his advisor had given him earlier. It was true that lately he had taken more and more of Vaughn's essence than the spell allowed. But the euphoria he gained from the spell could not be described. Magic completed him; it was all he needed in life, for everything else followed. But once again it was slipping away, and he could not bear to lose it again. The withdrawal was unbearable. He could not retain the magic for the duration he was accustomed to. It must be Wren's doing, he thought to himself. That stupid girl foiled his plans one way or another. His rage for her was building, as he concentrated to locate the girl and his son.
All he needed now was for Wren to reveal herself. The usage of her magic was the easiest way to track her. He had done it before. Even with his failing magic, he was confident that he could trace her whereabouts.
After leaving Vaughn to rest for a bit, Wren stood up and found Connor and Tyron speaking to one another in hushed tones. Silently creeping up behind them, she heard, "…and she thinks she is stealthy enough to come over here and eavesdrop on our conversation."
Slightly embarrassed at being caught, she quickly replied, "I was not creeping; I was trying not to disturb any serious talk."
Tyron looked up at her. "Since when do you creep up on others?"
"Yes," Connor agreed, "I have never seen this side of you before. It must have been the result of all the time you have spent with Andreus."
Wren frowned at his statement. "It was not voluntary."
Both Tyron and Connor chuckled at her answer. Wren crossed her arms. "I don't remember being teased like this before."
"It comes only because we missed you so much." Connor said giving her a brilliant smile.
For a moment his smile caused her sudden annoyance to disappear. But instead she responded, "Well, if you don't want my company, I will find some other place."
"No, it was all in fun. Come and sit with us for a while."
Sitting down, Wren couldn't help but the warmth within her. She had missed her friends so much. "So," she said, "What were you discussing?"
"We were going over the plan for our confrontation with Andreus. Now that we know he will most certainly come after Vaughn."
"And…?"
"And…" Tyron stopped and looked over at Connor before continuing. "…Connor and I both agree that you should not be one there when the confrontation with Andreus takes place."
She was too surprised to do but stare at Tyron. When she finally collected her thoughts, "What?" was the only response she could think of.
"Connor could easily take your place." Tyron replied as though it were simple.
"Why couldn't I do it?"
"Considering the fact that we are leaving Vaughn in a magical state, it is most reasonable to have another with access to magic as well. And as we all know, Connor has limitation in that area."
Wren grimaced. It was another becoming one of Tyron's well structured explanations.
Connor spoke next. "You and I both know that I could do little in terms of magic. So…that leaves you."
"Why not Tyron?" she challenged. "It is his spell and who better to guard Vaughn than the Queen's future magician?"
As soon as she the words left her mouth, she saw Tyron nod his head. It was a question he had been waiting for. Straightening himself, he responded, "Wren, you have just escaped from Andreus. Not to mention that you have endured a very strenuous spell that has weakened both magically and physically. Both Connor and I don't want to see you more exhausted than you already are."
Once again his reasoning was logical and practical, but Wren too annoyed to notice. "This is ridiculous!"
"No," Connor said turning to her. "Tyron is right, you done your part and more. Seeing you in your state—"
But she did not allow him to complete his thought. "I don't agree to this change. I prefer that we follow our first plan," she said stubbornly.
"Wren, Andreus is considerably weaker than when we first faced him," Tyron reasoned.
"It could work." Connor added.
"It might not!" she said angrily. "He was not only able to catch me unawares and take me but also imprison me in a sleep! Those are not signs of weakening! You shouldn't underestimate him." With that she stood and stormed away before either of could respond.
She walked away, but her anger was lessening with each step. She could hardly believe those two! How could they decide that was a necessary change?
"Want to talk about it?" a voice behind her asked.
Jumping at the sound of Vaughn's voice, she turned. "Not really."
"Not much fun being left behind is it?"
Wren bowed her head. "I suppose not. Do you agree with them?"
He shrugged. "I see their logic to it," then added, "but I'd rather not get involved." But she only replied with silence, so he said, "I can be quiet company if you like."
Wrapping her cloak more closely around her, Wren nodded and continued along the path in the forest. She wanted time to think and the fresh air was comforting.
Walking aimlessly Wren allowed her mind to wander. She thought of all the things that cheered her and in response, she cupped her hands together and made a small orb of light. Smiling to herself she weaved her fingers in her practiced way and she heard Vaughn gasp when a little white rabbit suddenly appeared before them.
The little trick greatly raised her sprits. It also made her realize just how fatigued she really was. The simple trick had taken a greater amount of strength than it used to. So Connor and Tyron were right, she thought sourly. She knew grudgingly what she had to do. Just as she turned to return back to camp to apologize, she was aware of a faint but familiar vertigo.
Panic engulfed her, but she had enough sense to quickly pull off her summons ring and place it on Vaughn's littlest finger. Ignoring his surprise, she recited the phrase to illuminate it.
"What are you doing?" he asked again. But in response, she roughly pushed him away from her. Her sudden movements suddenly caused Tess' blade to slip from her concealed pocket and fall onto the soft ground. But she did not have the time to retrieve it and instead she started running in the opposite direction.
As Wren ran through the dark forest, she silently scolded herself. How could she have been so brainless? She had forgotten Andreus was able to trace her magic. The ring, she realized was a gift of Tyron's magic, and was not likely a target. Her small display must have alerted Andreus to her whereabouts. And worse, Vaughn was right by her side. She was thankful that the vertigo was not as strong was it was before, and that she had had time to distance herself from him. She prayed Tyron would respond quickly to her call and place the spell of protection upon Vaughn.
But running blindly through the woods suddenly took her back to a previous déjà vu. The horrible memory of her nightmarish dream came flooding back, running in a dark and cold place. She was relieved that no insane laughter followed her. But at this point it was only a small comfort. She was breathing hard when she entered a small clearing. Turning, she waited for the confrontation.
The wait was not long. Andreus caught her from behind.
Surprised at his stealth, she faced him.
"Where is he?" he hissed.
"Away from you."
"How did you dampen the spell?" he demanded.
She met his gaze and held it. The building anger in his features however almost made her avert her eyes.
"He's here," a voice from the woods called out.
"You idiot." Wren whispered to herself as Vaughn emerged from behind a tree with Tess' blade in his hand.
Andreus laughed.
Wren felt a knot of fear in her stomach. It was the same laugh from her nightmare. The plan would be useless now. Andreus had surprised her. It was all wrong. In the distance she saw Vaughn's defiant stance, but knew he was in condition to be so. Though the situation looked hopeless, she would not surrender. Instead she steadied herself to do as much as she could to help Vaughn. She silently prayed Tyron and Connor would arrive soon.
Andreus did not seem to notice her at this point. Instead he regained his composure and stared at his son. "You're threatening me with that? You're a bigger fool than I thought."
"No," was the firm reply, "I threaten myself." With that he brought the blade to his wrist.
"What kind of insanity is this?" was Andreus' brash response.
"I know about the ancient parchment in your study. And I know that without me, you have nothing." The calm tone of his voice disturbed Wren. Lifting his left hand, Wren saw the small scrap of ancient paper.
Andreus gasped. Tightening his grip on Wren, he placed two fingers on her forehead and muttered a short spell. She felt her whole body sink to the ground as if suddenly becoming lead.
"What do you hope to do now?" his father asked in a mocking voice. "Spill your own blood?"
"What have you done to her?" Vaughn demanded instead, trying not to sound anxious.
But Andreus made no reply as he shoved the girl out of his path.
Vaughn watched his father head straight towards him. Hunger glittered in his eyes as he came closer. Suddenly a plan took shape in his mind. Staring at the parchment in his hands he lifted the dagger and cut himself across his palm. The blood flowed freely as Vaughn raised his eyes to see mark his father's location.
Andreus had stopped a good distance from him, but it was more than enough. Standing still as stone but for the movement of his lips, Vaughn felt the pull of something within him leaving. Grasping tightly onto the parchment, he dropped the dagger. The world lurched in front of him. Tyron's predictions of his father's action were accurate. Life was leaving him slowly.
But he did not allow his mind to linger, and placed all his concentration on the parchment in his hands. Glimpsing briefly at the strange script, he recited the unfamiliar words. He lifted his gaze for a moment to catch his father's questioning look, but it only motivated him to continue.
The sound of running was not enough to divert the attention of either Andreus or Vaughn. Both were in a complete trance and neither seemed to be aware of their surroundings. As Connor reached the open ground, he quickly scanned the area to find Wren's crumpled body on the floor.
Reaching her, his fear heightened when he saw her condition. Her already pale complexion was now an unhealthy gray and her breathing was faint and labored. The only indication of the life within her was the rapid twitching of her eyes. Immediately he remembered the tale of the nightmarish state Andreus had placed her in days before. Insanity was what Wren told him she was close to, and with his heart hammering within his chest, he quickly stooped down and picked her up.
It seemed like a good idea at first, Vaughn thought. Activating the same leeching spell his father had placed on him in hopes of retrieving the magic he lost, and at the same time entice his father to extend more effort in regaining it. But the spell required strength he did not have enough of; instead he was being depleted by the same spell twice. His vision swirled and his mind was confused. He felt like an idiot now, with his father standing before him and muttering the same incantation that would leave him lifeless. Looking at his hand, he ignored the bloody gash, but stared at the tiny ring on his smallest finger. Wren has placed it on him before she ran off to confront his father. Its radiant glow brought a smile to his face. That was the last thing he saw before he fell to the ground.
Noting that Connor had immediately gone to seek out Wren, Tyron turned his attention to find Vaughn. He saw him fall to the floor. The triumphant grin on Andreus' face was enough to tell him that he had used his son for the last time. Running up to his fallen friend, Tyron saw the blood upon the grass, and understood the full extent of Vaughn's actions.
Andreus watched his son fall to the ground. It was complete. He had his son's magic and now nothing could stand in the way of his revenge. He reached within himself for some of his newly acquired magic when he saw a figure come towards his son's fallen body. The boy was one of Wren's friends, and would be the first to taste his regained glory. Smiling to himself he released his spell, only to find it dwindle as soon as it left his fingers. His confused expression brought a laugh from a distance.
"Your own greed was the end of you." The youth that stood by his son called as he weaved his fingers into a quick spell. A sudden glow left his fingers and struck Andreus forcefully to the ground.
The sudden attack had surprised him and he could not comprehend the sudden loss of power. It was what he had feared the most, losing his magic. Vaughn was his last chance, without him and the spell he had nothing. He heard footsteps hasten his way and knew that he had precious little time left. Taking the remaining strength he had, he whispered a spell.
As soon as Tyron reached the spot which Andreus had collapsed, not a single trace of him could be found. Looking up, he saw Connor heading his way with Wren's unconscious body in his arms.
"What happened?" Connor asked when he reached his friend.
"He's gone. I don't know how. I saw his magic diminish when he tried to conjure it. He must have tried a transport spell as a last resort. It is hard for me to believe he had enough power to muster the spell. And now he could be anywhere, he has done this before." Tyron's voice was mixed with anger and frustration.
"There's little we can do about that. Right now we need to tend to Wren and Vaughn."
At the mention of her name, Tyron looked over at the lump in Connor's arms. "Her eyes have stopped fluttering." He heard Connor say. "I think she is some kind of a magical nightmare when I found her."
Tyron nodded. "I considered the same. But without a magical foundation, the spell must have lost its potency."
"How is Vaughn?" Connor asked.
"I'm not sure." Tyron replied as he led Connor and Wren towards Vaughn.
Coming up towards Vaughn, the young man was starting to regain consciousness. "Did we win? He asked quietly and looking dazed.
Placing Wren gently on the ground, Connor replied, "He's gone."
"He was unable to conjure enough power to create any spells. What you did was extremely risky." Tyron added. "But it was successful in the sense that I now believe he will be unable to obtain any more magic from you."
"Explanations later," Connor replied. "Let's tend to everyone first."
Nodding, Tyron immediately helped Vaughn bind his wound and help him to his feet. Looking down at Wren, Vaughn asked, "How is she?"
"She's fine." Wren said weakly. Slowly her eyes opened and she gazed up at three anxious faces. "I am assuming we succeeded being that I am not running for my sanity in an endless corridor with a haunting laugh following me." Smiling, she added tiredly, "Now someone please help me up."
The walk back to the camp was long and painful for Wren. Tyron and Vaughn were covering more distance than she and Connor. Vaughn seemed to be regaining more of his strength, to everyone's relief. Now they were so far ahead; she could no longer see them. Back at the clearing, Connor had graciously offered to carry her to camp, but she felt embarrassed by his sudden concern for her and refused his offer. Now, walking in the cold and dark, she had wished she had accepted.
"If you are too tired, I could still carry you," Connor said suddenly as if reading her thoughts. "There is a hill before we reach camp."
She felt her cheeks grow hot, and was grateful for the darkness. "It's fine. I think I can manage it. I think it was Tyron's explanations that were making me a bit drowsy."
Connor laughed softly. "That may be the case for both you and me, but I honestly believe that Vaughn was interested in it all."
Wren agreed. Her friend had shown much interest in the knowledge Tyron offered. "He would make a wonderful magician. He has his father's potential and not his selfish ambitions. But it is reassuring that to know that Vaughn's plan had worked. Trapping Andreus into drawing more power by recapturing his already stolen magic caused Andreus to lose his last chance of power. That last magical act should be his final one."
Connor nodded. "I am glad it is over. But if you don't mind me asking, what happened before Tyron and I arrived?"
As Wren went into the relayed of her confrontation with Andreus, she felt Connor's grip on her tighten as she explained her second magical sleep. "I don't remember much past that," she added.
"That is how I found you, unconscious and looking half dead. It scared me."
"Look at me, I am going to be fine, all thanks to you three," she said, trying to reassure him.
"It was quick thinking giving Vaughn your summons ring, altering us to the danger."
"But it was my fault that we were caught. I used my magic, and he found us. I could have been captured again."
Connor felt her shiver. "But you aren't, you're here and safe. I would have done everything in my power to ensure that."
She felt a glow of warmth at his words. "I'm glad you came back to help."
She saw his smile in the moonlight, "So am I."
*wipes brow* So there it was…the ending. I don't know if that was enough, but hopefully it was. I was planning on writing an epilogue, but I am not too sure if it is needed. As always, please review and let me know what you think. =) Thanks!
~charmgirl
