Shard Knight (Echoes Across Time Book 1) (17 page)

“Your mother is from Meranthia -”.

“I know that Papa. You’ve told me she was Meranthian and died when I was a baby.”

“Yes, but I haven’t told you the whole story.” He let out a short breath. “The true story.”

Danielle’s legs slackened. “I’m listening.”

“Your mother came to Meranthia about a year before she gave birth to you. We met, fell in love, and we had you. That’s all true.” Connal said. “But, I’ve left out specific details of her life. When she came to the Heartwood, your mother was Meranthia’s princess.”

“Princess? I don’t know of a princess from Meranthia. I know of the queen…” Danielle’s last words faded as the realization struck her. “Queen Arianne was my mother? Oh Papa why -”

Connal held up his hand. “There’s more Danielle. Let me tell you the whole story, then we'll talk.”

She nodded. “You’re scaring me.”

A sad smile touched Connal’s face. “When your grandfather died, your mother felt compelled to return to Meranthia and claim the throne.” Connal held Danielle’s hands and squeezed. Tears glimmered in his eyes.

“What’s wrong Papa?”

“When she left the Heartwood, she took someone special with her. Someone I love as much as I love you. You see, when Arianne gave birth, you weren’t alone. She gave birth twice that day. You have a twin brother Danielle.”

A torrent of blood rushed through Danielle’s head, and she steadied herself on the bench. She pulled in short ragged breaths, and her world rocked.

Connal wrapped his arm around Danielle and steadied her. “Take deep breaths Danielle. I’ve got you.”

Danielle shook her head. “That’s not possible Papa. You would’ve told me before now. I would know him.”

“We did it to protect you and your brother. The Meranthian princess marrying an Ayralen man and having his children would’ve made her an outcast. The church would’ve shunned her. We feared for you and your brother’s safety.”

Hot tears streaked down Danielle’s cheeks, and white heat flashed behind her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me? Is he dead?”

“I thought he was. For the last five years I believed he died in a fire the same night your mother died.” He pointed to the paper clutched in Danielle’s hand. “That note tells me he’s alive, and he needs my help.”

“What’s his name Papa? Is he safe?”

“Ronan. His name is Ronan. When Merric Pride murdered your mother, Tyrell came here, and I expected to see Ronan with him. But, when he arrived alone my heart broke. I'd hoped to meet my son.” Connal choked out the last words.

Danielle couldn’t imagine the pain he’d endured the day he lost his wife and son. Yet he kept it hidden to protect her. He did it so she didn't have to experience the pain of a loss she couldn’t understand. It explained five years of her father’s moodiness, withdrawal, and depression. Connal grieved.

“Tyrell told me that he didn’t believe Ronan died in the fire. He never found his body in the ashes, and he never found his ring. I’ve long carried a spark of hope, but after five years with no word, it felt like a desperate dream.”

Danielle’s hand moved toward her chest. She touched her ring where it lay nestled in the swell of her breasts. It hung from a simple silver necklace Danielle had received from her father on her tenth birthday. She never removed it. “Does he have a ring like mine?”

Connal nodded. “Yes. His ring is similar to yours. We’ve held the rings in the Deveaux family for generations.”

“What does he look like?”

Connal shook his head. “I haven’t laid eyes on him since he was an infant.”

Danielle’s chest tightened. He’d hidden the past to spare her the same pain, and he’d done it alone. “What’s next then? What’s your plan for rescuing him?”

“It’s Ronan who can rescue us and thousands of Ayralens trapped inside Meranthia. He’s the rightful heir to the throne Danielle. He’s the true king.”

Connal’s plan crystallized in her head. “I see what you’re scheming.” Her eyes narrowed. “You want to rescue Ronan and install him as king after the Guard kills Pride.”

Connal winced. “It sounds harsh and calculated when you lay it bare. I want to find Ronan. He’s my son and I love him, but yes, he can put a stop to the whole mess once he’s king.”

“What if Ronan doesn’t want to rule Meranthia? Maybe he hates his country. As far as he’s aware, Pride killed the only family he’s ever known.”

“It’s his choice Danielle, but I know your mother and how she raised him. He’ll make the right decision.”

“What’s your plan?” Danielle said.

“I’m assembling a team to rendezvous with Tyrell and Ronan. They’ll assassinate Pride and raise Ronan as king.”

“Are you going?” she said.

“I want nothing more, but I can’t leave Ayralen with refugees pouring over the border. Pride could send his army against them.” Connal said.

“Then I’m going.” Danielle said.

“No. I won’t risk -”

“It’s not your choice. I know you want to protect me, but he’s my brother. He needs me, and I won’t leave him alone a day longer than necessary. I’ll go alone if you try to stop me.”

Connal nodded. “I figured you’d react this way. You’re a grown woman, and you’ll do as you please. Not to mention, you’re the strongest young warden in the Guard. Putting my feelings aside, I would’ve picked you for the job anyway.”

She smiled. “It’s settled then.”

“It’s settled.”

Danielle stood and walked to the pond’s muddy bank. She knelt and found just the right stone. She moved with the toss this time, twisting her body the way her father taught. The flat stone skipped the surface four times and nestled into the muddy shoreline on the far bank.

Reunited

Merric Pride teetered along the palace corridor supported by his solid silver cane. He paused outside iron double doors and pulled on a circular brass door handle. The thick door shuddered and groaned as it swung outward on creaky hinges.

At the palace’s core, nestled in weaves of spirit, Elan’s Heart floated at the room’s center. Unlike the jagged shards that imbued magic, Elan’s Heart spun in a perfect sphere. Yellow, blue, and white energy intertwined within its walls in a complex dance of twists and bursts.

On entering the room, Pride locked his gaze on the sphere, dropped to a knee and bowed his head in reverence. Elan’s Heart, the holiest of relics, represented everything good and pure in Meranthia. Elan’s blessed hand created the sphere and gave the world the gift of magic. It embodied everything he’d fought for and gave his life purpose.

Aligned in a triangular pattern at points of equal distance from the heart, a triumvirate of shard knights held watch. Each knight represented one of three branches of Meranthian magic, and they remained on duty and alert twenty-four hours a day. The trio’s combined strength provided a nearly invulnerable defense against any thief that tried to steal the realm’s most precious artifact.

Although the heart received the best defense possible, its power remained dormant and inaccessible. The secrets Elan’s Heart contained remained a mystery to cleric and scholar alike.

Pride studied Elan’s Heart as it hung in suspension.

Layers of interlocking spirit shields crafted by the realm’s most powerful shield knights provided its first layer of protection.

In his role as monarch, Pride held authority to handle the heart any time he wanted. He’d tried countless times, without success, to take the power within him and found his failure humiliating. Unlocking its mysteries had turned into his obsession during the last five years. He believed the secret to immortality lay at its core, although he kept that belief private. Once he held full control of Elan’s power, he could rule Meranthia forever in a way Elan could only dream. He envisioned using its magic to wipe out the Ayralen race forever.

Pride had never considered the power attainable until a visit from Ambassador James Finn of Ayralen. Ambassador Finn wanted to share information with the queen and gain access to Meranthian documents that could provide leads toward uncovering Lora’s Heart.

Finn claimed he’d found a bond between Elan’s Heart and Lora’s Heart. Unlike Elan’s Heart, Lora’s Heart remained undiscovered in Ayralen culture, and countless treasure hunters still sought the artifact.

Finn claimed Lora’s Heart lay buried somewhere within Meranthia itself. He said a pair of rings linked both hearts, but he didn’t know how. Beyond those clues, Pride had gained no further information from Finn despite years of his confinement.

Lord Randal’s own attempts had uncovered a drawing of a ring, maps, and odd notes left by earlier ancestors. Ancient Meranthian researchers had uncovered the barest handful of details surrounding the rings.

After Finn had relayed these details, Pride arrested him on charges of heresy. To this day, he remained locked in the palace dungeons. Pride could never find the leverage necessary to pry more details from Finn, but he’d an inkling he might find that leverage today.

A knock on the iron doors echoed through the chamber disturbing Pride’s reflections.

“Enter,” Pride said.

Lord Randal entered the room with an Ayralen woman in front of him. The detention shield surrounding her surged with rippling energy confining her with no hope for escape.

“I present you the prince’s girlfriend Your Majesty.” Lord Randal bowed with a flourish.

“He’s no prince.” Pride spat out the words. “He’s an outlaw who belongs cold and dead swinging from the executioner’s noose. Don’t call him that again. Am I clear?” Pride said.

“My apologies Your Majesty. I won’t repeat the offense,” Lord Randal said.

“And, I know her identity Niles. I was present in the room when she and her boyfriend tried to kill me. I’m not senile.”

Lord Randal’s face flushed. “I apologize again Your Majesty.”

“Leave me with her. You can go,” Pride waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.

Lord Randal bowed and left the room letting the heavy doors clang shut behind him.

Pride stared at Rika for several moments, but she refused to meet his eyes. “Lord Randal tells me you’ve been less than cooperative. I’ve been a good host haven’t I? Have I mistreated you in any way?”

“Besides letting me rot in your filthy dungeon?” Rika said.

“I can’t have you running around trying to kill me again can I? Another king in my position would’ve already had you executed.”

Rika stared at him with revulsion etched on her face.

“You’d almost died from blood loss when we found you. You survived by Elan’s mercy alone, and without my intervention, He wouldn’t have intervened. I don’t want to mistreat you. It’s in your best interest to cooperate.”

“What’s your full name?” Pride said.

Rika’s face showed no sign of fear or hesitance. “My name is Rika Tally. I’m an Ayralen citizen.”

“Why did you and the boy attempt to kill me?” Pride’s voice took on an edge of impatience.

“I wasn’t with a boy. I was with a man named Ronan Latimer, the rightful king of Meranthia. But, you already know that. You murdered his mother in cold blood.”

Heat flashed like a geyser behind Pride’s eyes, and he whirled on Rika. “Lies! You’re a dirty Ayralen liar.”

The three shard knights on duty stood stone faced giving no reaction to the exchange.

He let the hot anger roll over his body and paused to collect himself. He couldn’t allow this creature to play on his emotions. He controlled the events, not her.

The room echoed with three loud knocks clanging against the iron doors.

Pride smiled. Elan knew the right course. “Enter.”

The iron door creaked open, and a tall thin gray haired man bound by a detention shield staggered into the room ahead of Lord Randal. His wrinkled face appeared haggard and drawn beneath the golden complexion that marked him an Ayralen. He stared downward beaten without bothering to look up.

“Ah…Ambassador Finn. I’m so glad you could join us.”

Rika’s eyes widened, and her eyes registered a flicker of suppressed recognition.

Pride picked up on her reaction and smiled. He now held the lock and key. “Miss Tally do you recognize your Ayralen countryman here?”

“Of course I recognize him. He came to Meranthia on a diplomatic mission and vanished. The Ayralen Assembly warned anyone traveling abroad of his disappearance and offered a reward for any information that might help the Prime Guardian locate him,” Rika said.

Finn’s head shot up at the sound of her voice. His mouth fell open, and his lower lip trembled. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen anyone from Ayralen,” Finn’s voice sounded harsh and unused.

Pride barked out a short laugh of mocking contempt. “The girl means nothing to you? Just another Ayralen?” Pride said. “I think I’ll test that theory.” With a gesture, he flicked his wrist in Rika’s direction, and the shield surrounding her vibrated, constricted, and lit with jagged lines of crackling blue light.

Rika screamed and dropped to her knees. As the shield compressed, shocking pain lit up every inch of her skin. Her jaw dropped open, and her face twisted into a grimace of agonizing pain.

“No! Stop hurting her!” Finn lunged for her and screamed as his hand met a wall of blue spirit magic.