The Gathering (64 page)

They walked out of the room hand-in-hand.

91

The dead had been collected and cleaned.
 
Their bodies were dressed in their finest garments and they were taken to Spirit Hill.
 
The Fail soldiers escorted those who carried the bodies.
 
Each body was placed on a mound of earth and wood that Duncan's staff had built and covered in oil.
 
Alia walked slowly up the hill.
 
Janeen and Sean stood on either side of her as she walked over to Alisha's body and gently touched her face.

She flinched slightly as she felt her daughter's cold skin.
 
She felt someone beside her and reached out for a hand.
 
Vance took her hand and held tightly.
 
She turned to look at him.
 
His handsome young face was dark and morose.
 
A young soldier walked to them and handed a torch to each of them.
 
They each laid the torch against the wood and waited as the flames took hold.
 

As the flames grew around Alisha's body, the remaining pyres were set on fire by a loved one as the rest of their families and friends looked on from the top of the rampart.

Darla's body was laid apart from the others.
 
Alia was about to light the wood when Elian walked up beside her and put out his hand.

She looked at him.

"It's supposed to be the ones who cared about them isn't it?"

Alia nodded.

"I don't believe she was evil.
 
She just didn't believe in herself.
 
Please… let me do this last thing for her."

Alia looked at the torch and handed it to Elian.
 
He gently took it and smiled as he walked over to Darla's pyre.
 
He leaned forward and lit the wood.
 
Again, flames grew and as they did, they turned green and were pulled into the sky.

The procession moved slowly back into the village.
 
Alia looked up at her balcony to see her children.
 
They huddled together watching.
 
She felt dizzy and knew she was going to fall when she felt someone grab her around the waist.
 
She leaned into Sean's chest.

"Alia…"

She pulled her head back and looked up at him.
 
His eyes were red.
 
She breathed deeply and forced herself to stand.

"I'm going to the woods… alone."

"No…"

"Alone… I'm sure they're gone.
 
I'll be fine."

She leaned up and gently kissed him as she turned and walked into the trees.
 
The smoke from the pyres began to seep into the woods as Alia walked quietly.

In the thicket the unicorns had gathered.
 
They stomped nervously at her approach, but stepped aside to let her see what she needed to see.

The headless body of Ferage lay still in the middle of the thicket.
 
She dropped to her knees and laid her hands on the hide of the once great beast.
 
It was cold.
 
She let the tears fall again.

"He was trying to protect me."

Alia looked up to see Schepta.
 

"The one with the scar… he had me cornered and father ran in.
 
It was a trap.
 
I tried to warn him, but it was too late."

"I promised I would protect you all… I failed, I'm so sorry."

Alia began to sob as she stroked the fur of her fallen friend.
 
A gentle-looking mare stepped forward, her golden mane sparkling in the early evening moon.
 
She lightly nuzzled Alia's cheek.

"Enough… we all knew the danger when we came here.
 
Ferage believed in you, Alia Stark… we all believe in you."

"How can you?
 
I can't even save my own child!!"

"How could you?
 
It was her choice.
 
She gladly gave her own life to save that of the young ones… just as Ferage gave his life to save his daughter's.
 
They must be stopped, Alia.
 
You must finish this."

"I know."

Schepta stepped forward.

"I can feel her.
 
She is frightened, but unharmed."

Alia reached out and lightly touched Schepta's face.
 
They looked into each other's eyes and in that moment, they understood one another.

"I will tell her."

Alia nodded and started to walk out of the thicket, but turned and looked back at all the gentle creatures.

"They'll pay…I swear that they'll pay."

She then walked silently back to the village.
 
As she walked from the woods, she heard a low tone that made her heart break.
 
When she reached the gate she turned and saw bright light come from the center of the thicket.

Ferage was now with the goddess.
 
Alia turned and walked back into the village as the great gate closed behind her.

92

The dignitaries had all gathered in the Great Hall.
 
Alia sat in her chair staring bleary eyed at the table.
 
Larry Hearst sat to her right.
 
His eyes were dark and ominous as he slowly moved his hand over his mouth.
 
Aaron gently grabbed his shoulder.
 
In that moment, Larry was brought back to reality.
 
He looked at his friend and smiled at the small comfort, only to be reminded of his torment when he looked at Grant Turner.
 

The remaining leaders looked at them all quietly.
  
Vivian gently touched Alia's arm.
 
She raised her eyes and looked at the chancellor, then at everyone around the room.
 
She smiled slightly and started to stand.
 
Vivian tried to help her, but Alia put her hand up and waved her away.
 

“Forgive me.
 
I’m trying to…I know we have…”

Alia’s eyes began to well up and she took a deep breath and walked towards the far windows.
 
As she passed by the chair that Stephan had sat in, she lightly touched the back of the seat and continued towards the window.
 
She placed her hands gently on the panes of glass and looked out on the village.
 
It was silent.
 

“Strange how everything can change in a second.
 
Just a few days ago we all gathered in this very room trying to stop this very thing from happening and we were still caught off guard.
 
This is all my fault.”

Grant stood up.

“It is not!
 
It’s Rona’s fault and that asshole with the eyes.
 
It’s their fault!”

Alia turned around and smiled.

“Didn’t you hear her?
 
I have to get to the castle before the Mourning Moon, or they’re all dead.
 
It was me they wanted.”

Beverly stood up.

"I heard him, Alia, but then why didn't they take you?
 
They could have just taken you."

Alia shrugged and walked back towards her seat, but was met by Larry.
 
Her smile disappeared as her eyes watered again.
 
Larry reached for Alia and took her face in his hands.
 
He bent over and kissed her forehead.
 
Alia began to shake as she lost the battle against her tears.
 
Larry held her and looked at the table.

“It’s not your fault, Al.
 
They made the decision to do this, regardless as to why.
 
We have to figure out what to do now.
 
They took my baby and I want her back.”

Alia let go of Larry and wiped her face.
 
She walked back to the head of the table and took a deep shuddering breath.

“I’m going to get them.”

Sean stepped forward, staring at her.
 

“If anyone wants to come with me, you’re welcome,” Alia stated.
 
“But I’m leaving tonight.
 
All of you have a vested interest in stopping this group of mercenaries.
 
I'll take several of our soldiers from the Fail, but I'll need more assistance.”

Aaron stood up.

“I think we should consider allowing all young men and women of age to either protect the Fail or join Alia.”

The dignitaries looked at one another.
  
Finally, Justin Roberts stood up.

“Alia’s right.
 
We all have a vested interest in stopping these men.
 
It’s true that they might want Alia right now, but what’s to stop them from coming for all of us.
 
Besides, I don’t believe we can all stand idly by and watch our… friends fight alone.”

The leaders nodded in agreement and looked up at Alia.
 

Alia smiled.

“Vivian, please make an announcement.”

Vivian nodded and started to walk out of the room. As she did, she noticed Sean staring at Alia, his eyes narrowed and focused.
  
Grant Turner stood up.

“I’m going with you, Alia.”

Larry nodded and stood up.

"Me too."

Alia took a deep breath and nodded in acknowledgment, then slowly exhaled.

“I’m leaving Captain Lantry in charge the Fail,” the queen announced.

Sean gritted his teeth in anger behind his pursed lips.
 
Alia avoided looking at him, knowing in the pit of her stomach that a fight was coming.
 

“I’m taking their word that no harm comes to the girls or Albion as long as I reach the castle in San Bernardino by the Mourning Moon.
 
We’ll have little time to plan.
 
So as soon as we have an idea about how many bodies we'll have, we’ll set to work on a plan.
 
And as I mentioned, we leave tonight so let’s meet back here in an hour.”

The dignitaries all nodded in agreement as they rose from their chairs and left the room.
 
Sean stood completely still, waiting for everyone to leave.
 
Alia moved silently to the fireplace and stood before the dancing flames.
 
Grant and Jeb were the last ones to leave and they closed the door behind them.