Ethon (The Other Worlds Series Book 2) (33 page)

“Hi, Zedge.”

Her voice made him whirl. Olinia and Will, in Ethon clothes, were standing in front of the fountain, creating a puddle over the gravel pathway. They were both panting and thoroughly soaked from head to toe – their hair plastered to their faces.

Zedgry blinked. “Why are you wet?”

She let out a short laugh and shook her hair out a little. “We went for a swim.”

“While fully dressed?”

“We need to talk to Yrond,” Will broke in, tousling his hair with his hand, which released a spray of water.

“He’s not here.” Zedgry frowned. “He and Archelda are at the Crystal Castle.”

Will exchanged a quick glance with Olinia, who was grimacing. “We’ve got to hurry,” she said.

“Hurry?” Zedgry’s eyes darted between them. “What’s going on?”

“Talik is going to attack Evedon,” she replied.

“When?”

“We don’t know exactly,” Will admitted, “but we do know it will be soon.”

Zedgry nodded. “Alright, let’s go warn Yrond and Archelda.”

“You’ll have to go without us,” his twin said, tossing another look at Will. “There are a few more things we need to do.”

“Like what?”

She smiled slightly. “I’ll be sending you some help. Keep an eye out for them, would you?”

19

------------------

Treveri Trosse watched as his new bride of two weeks, Caiden Derent Trosse, tipped back her head to catch the last few rays of sunshine for the day on her face. He once again reflected upon how lucky he was to have her in his somewhat mediocre life. If she had never walked in on him that night almost three months ago, he didn’t know what he’d be doing with himself right now.

Since the fall of the Dark, the Eves had employed Treveri and Caiden in the overseeing of its utter removal. It was hard, grimy, and disturbing work. Only just that morning had they deemed the Dark completely cleared. The dungeons of the former Avyrithe Castle were now only that – no longer vessels of rotting flesh. It was satisfying to know that the Dark was extinct, thanks to the princess.

Caprith had taken a remarkable leap for the better. The entire world was humming with talk of their princess. Everyone wondered when she would return to rule her home, speculated if she would restore her castle, and concocted eligible suitors for her to marry. Even though Treveri held no taste for local gossip, he would be lying to himself if he didn’t admit that he, too, anticipated Olinia’s arrival. She had done the impossible – she destroyed the Dark. Her world had hit its low point; it was time to rebuild. Treveri didn’t doubt Olinia’s competence as future sovereign.

“I forgot to tell you,” Caiden said, breaking into his thoughts. “Your mother asked if we would come for dinner this Friday.”

“Was she here today?” Friday was two days from now. With Treveri’s assignment at the Dark, he’d left the Fenmark for the capital. He and Caiden were living in what had been the Captain’s Quarters, along with the few Eves who had stayed to keep the peace and help with the removal of the Dark. Avyrithe was a three-hour ride from the Fenmark. If his mother had made the small journey that day, he was disappointed that he’d missed her.

Caiden shook her head. “No, she sent a messenger.”

That made more sense. “Alright, we should be able to go.”

“Oh, good, you’re together.”

Treveri spun in his seat before jumping up. “Princess!”

Olinia and Will were at the bottom of the steps Treveri had just been sitting on with Caiden. Both were garbed in short tunics and blue trousers. Treveri lowered his eyebrows. If Olinia was trying to disguise herself as a boy, it wasn’t working. Her clothes were far too tight to fool anyone, not to mention, she was drenched. Her long-sleeved gray top stuck to her skin like she’d been dipped in honey.

“I almost didn’t recognize this place,” Will commented, looking upward.

“What? Where are we?” Olinia followed his gaze and had a quick intake of breath. “The Dark?”

“No, your highness, it’s just Avyrithe Castle again,” Caiden corrected.

“It’s not cold here anymore.” Olinia glanced back at Treveri. “You look happier than the last time we met. I’m glad to see the Dark isn’t the only thing that’s changed.”

Treveri could feel himself blushing. “Caiden’s responsible for that. We’ve been wed since you left.”

“You have?” Olinia blinked. “How long have I been gone?”

“I think she means ‘congratulations,’” Will remarked.

“It’s been nearly three months,” Caiden told them, with a face that suggested she questioned why the princess didn’t know.

Olinia looked at Will. “I didn’t realize Zedge waited weeks for us.”

“Does it matter?” He shrugged.

“With Legann it does,” she replied.

“It’s alright,” Will assured. “We’ll finish up here, and then you can try to talk to him.”

This was an odd exchange between them. Treveri’s forehead creased as his brow drew together. “Princess, do you have business with us?”

“Since when do you call me princess?” She grunted, facing him again. “If I remember correctly, I’ve always been the erratic Olinia to you.”

“Fine,
Olinia
, what brings you to Caprith?” He retorted.

“That’s better.” She smiled. “I need the help of the Silver Hearts once again, which includes Caiden, and I’m assuming you as well.”

Dread filled Treveri’s stomach. His days as a hero were supposed to be over. He’d done his duty to Caprith. What more could Olinia possibly want of him and his wife?

“What must we do?” Caiden asked, straightening slightly.

“We need to defeat the Velvitors.”

“How?” Treveri blurted.

Olinia bit at her lower lip for a moment. Then, “Would you let me send you to Evedon?”

:  :  :  :  :

Legann was in some sort of backyard to a small mansion. He sat on a stone bench in the midst of untended shrubbery. The garden must have once been beautiful, but over the past few months it had clearly fallen victim to negligence. Between the rows of weed-filled flowerbeds and bushes that had long since outgrown their shapes, paths paved with fine gravel led the way from the house to the back gate of the property. The array of disrepair was solely the fault of the Nagreth who had commandeered the dwelling as the location for their new headquarters.

It was also because of the Nagreth that Legann was currently on the bench, guarded by two of them. Dagon was inside the estate with his new Captain. Legann was being forced to wait outside, while his stomach growled loudly. With all the ruckus it was creating, he was sure the entire Vrenyx world was aware of how empty his stomach was. It was more than just the hunger that bothered him, though – he was practically bored to tears.

He sighed and tipped his head back to gaze up at the stars. Night fell within the hour of his entrance to the Other Worlds. It since had been at least three hours. Other than the stars and light from the mansion that managed to sneak through the curtains into the garden, Legann’s two Nagreth held one staff each – lit at the top end to create a long torch. He watched as the smoke from the torches swirled upward to mingle with the heavens. How much longer was his uncle going to be? Legann wanted to discover Dagon’s plans so that he could begin to contrive an escape.

Just then, a white owl landed on the unlit lantern post beside Legann’s bench. He turned as it hooted softly. Legann smiled. An animal came to rescue him from his boredom. The Nagreth only glanced at the creature once before dismissing it as below their attention. Legann, on the other hand, began the process of getting into its head.

Slowly, so as to not frighten away his one chance at some entertainment, Legann eased into the bird’s thoughts. He was greeted with his own reflection as the owl detected his internal presence. It wasn’t surprised to hear him. In fact, it was pleased that he’d chosen to speak so soon.

Confused, Legann sent a greeting in image form – a picture of a nest mixed with the emotion of warmth. In his experience, to get an animal to trust him, he first needed to show them something that made them think of safety, usually that meant their home. In the owl’s case, Legann visualized a nest, assuming it lived in one.

The owl didn’t respond with an image, as Legann expected it to. Instead, it sent him in Eveon,
Even-tide, Legann.

Legann stared. The owl spoke! It was like the time he’d ventured into a panther’s head only to discover it was Archrin. Was this owl a Craele as well?

The owl scoffed at his trail of thought.
I am the Velvitor heir, not some mere Craele.

Are you sure we’ve met?
He had no recollection of ever meeting the Velvitor heir. The only Velvitors he’d ever encountered were those he’d killed.

Various scenes from his high school popped into his head. All were of himself whenever he was with Lillie. Legann blinked.
Lillie?

Lilleia Palrt, actually
, she grunted.
Now, listen. I’m going to create a diversion for you to run out into the woods behind this house. Hide until I return. I have my Sinith. I’ll take you to Evedon.

Legann was still a little stunned that the girl from his school was in fact an Other Worlder. Some of her comments from their previous conversations suddenly made sense. But she was a Velvitor! How could Legann trust her now? In Ethon, he’d believed her to be an average teenager, dealing with the tragic loss of her brother. She evidently was not living such a sad life after all.

My brother is still dead,
she retorted.
Your sister and I have a deal. That’s why I’m doing this.

He frowned.
You’ve talked to Olinia?

Legann, you okay?

Olinia’s voice inside his head startled him. She’d used Saerdian. Legann quickly sent her in kind,
I’m fine, for now. Are you in the Other Worlds?

Yeah, I’m in Caprith, for now.

Oh.

There really were a great many questions he wanted to ask her, but before he had the chance, she said,
Legann, I need you to become Dagon’s ally
.

He felt like she’d just slapped him.
Come again?

Talik is coming to Evedon. Alone, the Eves will lose. We need Dagon’s Nagreth to help defeat the Velvitors. You have to somehow make Dagon furious with Talik for invading the world that should belong to him.
The words were rushing out of her so fast Legann was almost afraid that he misunderstood her until she finished with,
Sorry, I know it’s a lot to ask of you, but if we don’t find some kind of extra advantage for the Eves, Zedge and our grandparents will die.

Are you insane?
Legann blurted. He had no idea where she was getting her facts.
You want to team up with our evil uncle?

Do you see how desperate I am?
She moaned.

I will help you convince Dagon,
Lillie interrupted, also using Saerdian now. Legann had completely forgotten that they were still connected.

Lillie?
It was Olinia’s turn to be surprised.

Yes. Dagon knows that I’m Talik’s jealous heir,
she replied.
He will sooner listen to me than to Legann.

Great. Get it done,
came Olinia’s response.

The owl hooted again before flying off out of the garden. Legann felt their line of communication broken as he watched Lillie go. He didn’t like Olinia’s proposal at all. He wanted to get as far from his uncle as possible, not become his buddy. This was wrong.

I really am sorry, Legann,
Olinia apologized, somewhat resignedly.
We just don’t have many options.

He rubbed at his eyes with his hands.
What happens when Dagon fights the Eves as well as the Velvitors? You’re kidding yourself if you don’t think he will.

Oh, I know he will,
she retorted,
but Dagon’s Nagreth might divert Talik’s attention just enough to spare Zedge’s life. I’ll do whatever it takes to save what little family I have left. Won’t you?

Legann had already lost his entire foster family. Olinia knew he’d do anything to keep his biological family alive. He sighed
. I’ll see what I can do.

Thanks. I’ll check back with you later for an update.

Bye,
he sent as she slipped out of his head.

“State your purpose or die!” One of Legann’s Nagreth hailed into the night toward the back gate of the garden.

It was a pretty harsh ultimatum to give to mere rustling. Legann turned to where the Nagreth were waving their torches, wondering if Lillie was back so soon. To answer his question, Lillie emerged from behind a bush.

She wore a floor-length gown of white, belted at the waist by a thick silver cord. The neckline swooped across her shoulders, revealing pale skin. As always, her spiky white hair fanned out around her face. In the darkness, she looked like a ghost, gliding between the grim shrubs.

Lillie came to a stop a few feet away from the Nagreth’s torches. “Take me to the emperor,” she demanded in Eveon.

The two men exchanged looks before the one who had threatened her asked, “Why should we agree to your request?”

“Fool, I am the Velvitor heir,” she spat out. “I
will
see Dagon with or without your cooperation.”

Clearly embarrassed for not recognizing her themselves, the Nagreth raised their torches. “We’re sorry, heiress, but we are the sentries to the Lantz. We cannot leave our posts.”

She grunted. “Then, take him with us.”

With that, she headed beyond the Nagreth toward the estate, not even casting Legann a quick glance as she passed him. The Nagreth motioned for him to stand. As Legann obeyed, dread spilt through his insides again. It was a sensation that seemed to be happening a lot lately.

:  :  :  :  :

Avyrithe, the capital of Caprith, hugged the edge of a cliff where land met ocean. This placed a vast expanse of water on one side of the city, and on the other untamed forest. The thick rows of trees continued from the outskirts of the city all the way over some hills to the lowlands of Caprith in the southwest, known as the Fenmark, and to the dry lands in the northwest, called White Sands.