Dalir's Salvation (22 page)

Dalir rested his hands on his lower back. His new boots creaked as he balanced his weight in a wide-legged stance. The members stared. Many faces were new to him. Others were familiar. Some barely hid their disapproval.

Baco eyed Dalir’s uniform. “Your attire is inappropriate. We’re not lauding your accomplishments. We’re considering a suitable punishment for your crimes. Glowing metals and accommodations will not distract from the evidence.”

Ronan casually leaned forward and rested his forearms on the table. Disdain glimmered in his gaze as he stared at Baco. “I believe if we search the archives on who initiated the last motion regarding the prince’s attire while in the council chamber we will find your name.”

King Athan raised his hand, ending further argument. “We will not debate protocol. Commander, will you dismiss the warriors?”

Baco’s mouth flattened into a line so thin and tight it looked as if it cut to the back of his head.

From the silence in the room, the question also wasn’t lost on the rest of the council. By law, only the king had the power to dismiss the royal guard and, now, by the honor just extended in the question, Dalir.

Dalir met his father’s slate-gray gaze. In that act alone, his father had stated his claim to him. Another memory to sustain him in the oblivion or wherever they chose to send him. He addressed the leader of the guards. “You are dismissed.”

The warriors departed and the members sat down.

Dalir remained standing.

Baco leaned forward, fidgeting in his seat.

Lines deepened in his father’s brow. “State the findings against the commander.”

Baco jumped to his feet. “Yes, your grace. But first, I must acknowledge oracle guardian Jalan.” He bowed with a flourish. “We are hopeful that your presence means a return of the oracles. The abandoned temple and your vacant chair these past decades have been hard reminders of the terrible, appalling travesty set upon you and the oracles. I regret that on this day of your illustrious return, we must speak of it again. And now, if it pleases the king, I will get straight to the point as I do not wish to belabor the council with unnecessary details.”

Unnecessary? Half of what came out of the councilman’s mouth was bullshit eighty years ago. Apparently, that hadn’t changed.

King Athan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yes, Baco. Please do.”

“Well then.” Baco strutted to Dalir. “It has come to the council’s attention that you escaped from exile, a place generously equipped to sustain your needs, and went to the Earthly dimension. During these clandestine visits, you organized a band of humans that you, in violation of our codes, shared your power to phase the time stream. Do you refute this claim?”

“No, I do not.”

“And would you mind sharing with us the purpose of forming this gang?”

“They weren’t a gang. Those men were a highly skilled team committed to saving people.”

“And who determined who was worthy to be saved?”

“Me.”

“I see.” Baco paced. His reasonable tone was at odds with the calculating look in his eyes. “As you know, Kell also escaped exile and went to the Earthly realm. He, too, formed a so-called team. Maybe he wanted to save the world as well, but we can’t ask him because he’s dead. Stabbed by a woman you sent with your dagger to entice and kill him.”

“You should get your facts straight starting with Kell. He hurt and killed people in the Earthly dimension, and I didn’t send Ari to kill him. She wanted nothing to do with him.”

“Then why did she do it?”

Jalan met his gaze, her expression still serene.

He could state the truth about Jalan’s influence in what happened to Ari and Taliana, but where would it lead? What would it change? Nothing. The council would still sentence him. He’d never believe Ari was fated to die but implicating Jalan wouldn’t bring Ari back. Why take away the hope Jalan’s return had brought to Alandia?

“Because she knew he needed to be stopped.”

“Something you told her needed to happen.” Baco shook his head. “I think the entire Earth dimension debacle was just an extension of your argument with your brother. Do you regret violating exile, our laws or the death of your brother?”

“No.”

“Just as I thought. Your actions had nothing to do with a noble cause.” Baco’s eyes gleamed. “This was only about revenge, at all cost.”

Thoughts remained guarded in the chamber as the members sat in silence. Most revealed their vote through their gazes. When the time came they’d sentence him to the harshest punishment.

Ronan glared at Baco.

The king sat heavily back in his chair.

Jalan stood. “Commander, how many lives did you save?”

Baco smiled indulgently at her. “It’s understandable that you would have forgotten council protocol, but we’re past findings. It’s time for us to vote.”

His father gave Baco a hard stare. “Perhaps you have forgotten protocol, councilman. We vote when I give the order. Not you.”

Splotches appeared on Baco’s cheeks. He bowed. “I meant no disrespect, your grace.” He sat down.

The king’s gaze locked with Dalir’s. “Answer guardian oracle Jalan’s question.” His father frowned and shifted in his seat, waiting along with everyone else in the chamber for an answer.

“I don’t know.”

Jalan regarded him with a cool, calm gaze. “Hundreds?”

“Possibly.”

“Thousands?”

“Maybe.” What was Jalan getting at? What did she want him to say?

“More like billions. Your team stopped a super virus from spreading earth-wide, did they not? Councilman Baco, exactly how many lives did Kell save?”

The councilman’s mouth bobbed. “What does that have to do with Dalir?” He looked to King Athan. “I must protest. This is highly unusual. She can’t defend him. She’s a guardian oracle. She must remain impartial.”

Jalan smiled coolly. “It is neither unusual nor unacceptable for a guardian oracle to ensure all angles of the argument you raised have been thoroughly explored. Do you have an answer or have you wasted the king’s time with incomplete facts?”

Baco’s face reddened. He sat down. “Of course not.”

“Then answer the question.” Athan banged his hand on the table. The strike echoed in the chamber.

The councilman swallowed hard. “None that we were able to find.”

“An important distinction, I think.” Jalan faced Dalir. “You said you didn’t, but surely you have some regrets.”

He sensed Jalan reaching into his mind, coaxing out what he’d burrowed deep. In all of his centuries of life, he’d experienced many. Losing fellow ancients on the battlefield. Failing Taliana. Disappointing his father, but one would always loom larger than the rest. If only he could roll back time. He’d go to the day he’d met Ari in the hospital and her sassing him, not caring who he was. He’d relive every brush of her hand, every kiss. He recalled her voice animated with happiness over simple things, sunshine, warm blankets, hot coffee, and fresh, sweet pineapple. If he had another chance, he’d savor the beauty he saw in her eyes every time they’d made love. He’d also gladly go back and erase it all if it meant she would have lived by not meeting him.

Dalir swallowed against the lump in this throat. “I have regrets over the ones I couldn’t save.”

Jalan turned to walk back to her seat. She paused. “One more question. Do you hate your brother?”

I choose to forgive her. For me.
That’s what Ari had said about absolving her mother. Forgiveness. His mother and Ari had both mentioned it to him.

Floating in nothingness for eternity or facing death, he wouldn’t take Kell’s baggage with him. Only the pure, wonderful moments he’d spent with Ari. “No. I don’t.”

Jalan addressed the council. “He will remember the victories, but he will also never forget the costs. There is nothing the supreme council can add to this as a consequence. His own memories are punishment enough.”

King Athan cleared his throat. Pride mixed with understanding flashed in his father’s expression for a brief moment. “We’ve heard the findings. It’s time to make a decision.”

Ronan stood. “Your majesty, I ask your permission to address the council.”

Dalir stepped forward. “If it pleases the king, I ask that the council sentence me without further delay.”

Ronan shot him a harsh look.

His father held up his hand. “I will allow the warrior commander to address the council.”

“Thank you, your majesty. We have an important decision to make.” Ronan looked from member to member. “And it’s not just regarding Dalir’s sentence. We can cast our vote based on political beliefs, our fear of becoming unpopular or peer pressure.” His gaze rested on Baco. “Or we can vote for the good of Alandia.” He raised his hands in an encompassing gesture. “No. We may not see eye to eye on all things, but if Alandia’s future isn’t secure, we will perish.”

Baco sat up straight. “And if we ignore the law, we undermine what we believe in. Today we chip away at our foundation. Tomorrow, we chip away a bit more. Soon there will be nothing left but confusion.” He stabbed his finger against the table. “Facts are facts, eighty years ago, he broke the law.”

Dalir met Ronan’s gaze. He appreciated his effort, but Baco was right. He’d broken the law when he’d gone after Kell for killing Taliana. He had to accept the consequences.

Ronan shook his head. “As far as I’m concerned, Kell is the one who broke the law. He chose the retributionists. Dalir defended the throne.”

“Excuse me, your grace.” Jalan leaned forward. “Commander Ronan brings up a valid point. Eighty years ago at the temple, Kell declared his allegiance to the retributionists. As I remember, there are plenty of witnesses to that fact. By law, at the moment of declaration, Kell gave up his standing as a royal. Therefore, Commander Dalir did not spill the blood of a royal and break the law. He attacked a sworn enemy of the throne.” She bowed her head in deference to King Athan. “I offer my deepest apologies to you and Commander Dalir. I regret that my injuries at the time of the trial prevented me from reasoning this out. Had I remembered then, I would have pointed out the charges against the commander were not only woefully inadequate but ill advised.”

“Your apology isn’t needed.” King Athan’s sharp gaze narrowed on Baco. “Council leadership is also well-versed in Alandian law. I will expect to receive a report in the near future on how my top advisors failed to come to the same conclusion.”

Baco paled to the color of his robes. He sank back in his chair.

Other council members dropped their heads and fidgeted in their seats.

Ronan puffed out his chest. “If it pleases the king, I’d like to call for a vote.”

A surge of adrenaline made Dalir sway on his feet. Had he heard it right? Ronan and Jalan had successfully defended him.

King Athan cleared his throat. As he released a long exhale, his shoulders relaxed. A slight smile tugged at his mouth as he gazed at Dalir. “Yes.” He nodded. “It would please me greatly. We’ve heard the findings. It’s time to make a decision.”

The day after the trial, Dalir stood on the in the grassy plain below his home. He stroked Storm Chaser’s snout. The horse whinnied as he handed the reins to Ronan. “Take care of him.”

“Of course.” Ronan firmly shook his hand. His gaze held empathy. “Be strong, my friend.”

Dalir’s mother approached him. Her gaze held tears. The sleeves of her long purple dress fluttered over his cheek as she embraced him. “I’m so proud of you.”

Dalir kissed her cheek, then he shook hands with his father. “I’ll be back soon.”

King Athan nodded. His hard stare bore into him. “Take the time that is needed to grieve. There is no room for distraction. Your fate is set. You are Alandia’s future.”

Stiffness built in Dalir’s shoulders. A majority vote in the council had freed him. In a few days, he would have to return to Alandia and honor their support by doing what was expected of him. He’d take his rightful place by his father’s side.

Jalan stood apart from everyone. Her dark hair and light tunic flew behind her like a banner in the wind.

The night before, he’d added up all that had happened to him: Kell’s treason. Taliana’s death. Being sentenced to exile. Saving Thane and the team. Meeting Ari. He’d asked Jalan and she’d given him the same answer as the day his brother raided the temple. What destiny set into motion can’t be changed. It is fate. Honestly, it felt like more than that. It presented as a full circle of planned events. The part she’d played in it or destiny, he just didn’t know which had asserted more influence on his future.

Dalir joined her. “Will you not reconsider restoring the temple and returning the oracles.”

The sereneness in her violet eyes mirrored her calm, unyielding expression. “No. We will remain in our dimension where we belong.”

Questions lingered in his mind about Taliana and Ari, ones he didn’t know if he had the right to ask.

Jalan grasped his arm. “Ari is safe. Taliana is happy. They hold no ill will against you. Ari and Taliana only wish you happiness.”

And more importantly, they’d both found peace. Hollowness widened inside of him. That’s all that he could ask for. He cleared his throat. “We could use your guidance, Jalan.”

“The time for oracles has passed. It is time for Alandia to rely on the gift of wisdom from within. Not from without.”

“Will we see you again?”

As she smiled, a thousand years of wisdom shone in her gaze. “Where destiny leads me, I will follow, and so must you. My final advice to you, warrior, don’t question fate or destiny. When it offers you the unexpected embrace it.”

* * * *

Radiant heat from above warmed Ari’s face. She opened her eyes to sunlight and a pale, blue sky. As she sat up, the sleeves of her long, pale blue gown fluttered in the soft breeze. A carpet of pure white sand unfolded into a serene azure-colored ocean.

Where was she? Answers drifted in and out of reach but none settled as a real possibility. She also couldn’t remember anything about herself or her past, just that she was safe.

“You’re awake.” An auburn-haired woman who hadn’t been there earlier sat next to Ari. Her skin glowed with health. Her face became even more beautiful with a smile that conveyed contentment and pure happiness. “My name is Taliana.”