Kin of Kings (The Kin of Kings Book 1) (32 page)

“Sorry,” Cleve said, and helped support half her weight once again. “Are you certain it was him?”

“I couldn’t be more certain.”

“Does he have the support of Goldram’s army?” Cleve asked.

Alabell had never thought about that. “Would Danvell Takary really send men over the Starving Ocean just to support Tauwin? They’re distant cousins at best.”

“Danvell Takary is dead,” Cleve grunted out in his husky voice. “But there are many more Takarys still alive who might, like his son.”

If anyone would know, it was Cleve and Reela, who’d gone to Goldram before the year had ended. Alabell hadn’t spoken to them during her time at the Academy, but she’d seen the gorgeous couple around, and it was impossible to attend the school without knowing of them. However, Alabell had heard nothing about their trip across the Starving Ocean.

“Why would the Takarys in Goldram want to support Tauwin?” she asked.

“Many of them believe Kyrro belongs to them.”

This wasn’t a surprise. Kyrro had been ruled by a Takary more often than not. The longest non-Takary family to rule was the Kimards, and their reign had just ended in the last war.

“What would it mean if Tauwin was in contact with the Takarys across the sea?” Basen asked.

“Then we would have no hope of winning this war,” Cleve answered bluntly.

From what Alabell had heard of Cleve, he’d never been known to exaggerate.

Basen peered into her eyes. “Are you all right?”

The question gave her a surge of emotion as she began to sob. “Tauwin killed my great-uncle…then tried to kill me and my mother. His men…got to my mother before we could escape. She died making sure I would be safe.” The strain of the words exhausted her further, as her sobs racked her battered body.

“I’m so sorry, Alabell,” Basen said, and she could feel his desire to shield her from further heartache. She wanted to curl up in his warmth and cry until her strength returned.

“Did they kill everyone in the castle?” Basen asked.

“Everyone armed with a sword, wand, or psyche.”

“What about the rest of the capital?”

“I saw many bodies dragged out onto the street for display.”

He paused, then asked cautiously, “Do you know if my father was one of them?”

How could she forget to tell Basen what she knew of Henry? “I should’ve mentioned it earlier! He likely made it to Oakshen by the time the attack began, but I don’t know if Oakshen has been taken, too. I wish I knew what became of him and the others who went with him, but I don’t.”

“I think he’s still alive,” Basen said. “Don’t ask me why, because I have no idea.”

“Because it’s healthy to have such hope,” Cleve told him. “Don’t let it go.”

They finally arrived at the open southern gate. Cleve and Basen showed signs of heavy fatigue. Alabell looked behind her one last time. The army was near enough to appear as more than shadows. She could make out the shapes of their heads and bodies between the black outlines of trees around them.

Her chest filled with pride as her rescuers carried her through the gate and into the heart of the Academy’s army. Young men and women, the best of their age, gathered around the three of them. The warriors were dressed in leather armor, all of them standing taller than most grown men…except one who appeared to be a woman.

“Alabell!”

She recognized Sanya as the woman ran to her and embraced her.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, thanks to Basen and Cleve. It’s good to see you, Sanya.” Alabell heard a few people asking each other about her and her glowing bracelet.

Terren appeared beside her with a concerned but determined look on his face. Seeing him and being within the Academy’s walls again brought back a sense of home. She’d spent two years here and owed her life to Terren’s brilliant leadership. He always inspired her to be her best self. It was an honor to be standing in his presence again, even if it was on one leg while using Basen’s arm for balance.

“I’m glad to see you again, Alabell,” the headmaster said. “What can you tell us of the approaching army?”

As quickly and concisely as she could, she spoke of Tauwin and his mother coming to claim the castle and killing everyone loyal to Kerr.

“The army must be coming to take the Academy,” she concluded with confidence. “There might be a trick involved. Tauwin forced my great-uncle to sign over leadership and then killed him anyway. Tauwin’s men then killed my mother and tried to kill me as well.”

“Terren!” Warrior Sneary called from the wall above. “They’re almost here.”

“Basen, take her where she’ll be safe,” Terren said. “We’ll speak after this is done, Alabell.”

“Thank you.”

Basen whisked her up in his arms again and out from among the throng of Academy students. Soon the sound of his breathing and the crunch of his footsteps were all she could hear.

“I see you brought the akorell stone,” he said.

“I was in the vault when the attack happened, and I didn’t see reason in leaving it.”

“Good choice.”

“I’d like to stay where I can see the wall,” she requested. “Just set me down there.” She pointed to the first building in the long clearing from the southern gate, the classroom for Group One mages.

He set her on her feet, but she sank in order to sit. He took her hand to help her down.

“I would stay and watch the show with you,” he quipped, “but the stage is calling me. It’s my first performance, so I should be there on cue.”

“Wait, Basen.” She removed the akorell bracelet, careful not to touch the hot stone at its center. “Use it carefully.”

He nodded as she tied the strings around his wrist. Then he stared at her and didn’t move.

“Go. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

But as he left her, she realized that no, she wasn’t fine. She wept into her hands as all the terrible memories of the day assailed her. Then her crying became uncontrollable as she realized that the night was still young.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Terren came to a risky plan rather quickly. Basen gauged the reactions of his fellow students to see if they thought this was as dangerous as he did. The older students watched and listened, a clear trust in their eyes. They looked like seasoned soldiers standing before a respected officer. But the first-years, the sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds like Basen, glanced around as if expecting someone to come up with a better plan.

“I have no experience with matters like these,” complained Wilfre, the late king’s liaison. From what Basen understood, the man had been Kerr’s eyes and ears, traveling between the castle and the Academy and holding meetings with the headmaster and other instructors to further the king’s plans.

“You would be the man in charge if I had fallen,” Terren said in a cold voice that left no room for argument. “You must speak for the Academy whether or not you have experience doing so. If you’re nervous, then use it in the act.”

“Students and instructors!” a distant voice thundered. “Come to the top of the wall so we may speak.”

A fleeting look of confusion crossed Terren’s face before he gestured toward the ramp leading up to the southern wall. Basen went with hundreds of mages and archers, taking a spot beside Cleve over the center of the wall, the southern gate below them. He kept his left arm below the parapets so the glow of the akorell bracelet was mostly hidden from his enemies…and also from his instructors. They wouldn’t trust him enough to use it without hurting their own. Considering how powerful it was, he didn’t blame them.

As the rest of the mages and archers got into place, Basen studied Tauwin’s army. His enemy’s faces were hidden in darkness as they stood in rows a hundred yards away. One man walked out to separate himself from the rest. Bravely, he continued onward until he was only about thirty yards from the wall, where even mages like Basen could shoot him. The tall man’s wand came alive with light he aimed upon himself, revealing a familiar face that shocked Basen to his core.

“My name is Abith Max. I’ve come here to give you all a choice.” His brown hair was short and matted, and he still had the patch of hair sprouting beneath his bottom lip like the last time Basen had seen him.

Basen always assumed Abith had died in the war. Even more of a surprise was that this man, who had taught Basen nearly everything he knew about bastial and sartious energy, wielded a sword in his other hand. Did he even know how to use it? Basen had never seen him on the training field with Tenred’s swordsmen.

Abith paused after his introduction to study the Academy’s mages and archers. Basen lowered his head, not wanting to be recognized. If he was, nothing was said of it.

“Where are the rest of the students and instructors?” Abith yelled. There was fury beneath his tone waiting to come out if he wasn’t answered.

“The entire Academy is gathered here and within earshot,” Wilfre replied, his nerves evident in the quiver of his voice.

“You must be the liaison. Your body was not found among those in the castle.”

There was a long silence as everyone stared at Wilfre, the air swelling with anticipation for him to speak.

“What do you want with the Academy?” he uttered in his shallow voice.

“I want to see it remain as it is, with everyone who can hear me still alive by the end of this night.” Abith spread his arms and raised his voice, speaking to everyone now. “In case any of you weren’t aware, James Kerr is dead and Tauwin Takary is the new king of Kyrro. Every one of you needs to decide if you’ll stand with Tauwin or against him. There is no other choice in the matter.

“If you’re an instructor who stands with him, you’ll remain at the Academy and continue to be paid by the king. If you’re a student, you’ll continue to improve your skills until you graduate. Depending on your class and ability, you’ll find work and lead a good life. You’ll have King Tauwin’s support. This is the choice all of you want to make. Even you, Liaison Wilfre. You’ve done a fine job for the Kimard family and then for James Kerr, and Tauwin will continue to employ you. But you won’t be the head of the Academy. That’s my role now.”

“And for those who don’t go along with this?” Wilfre asked fearfully.

“They’ll die tonight like James Kerr, Terren Polken, and so many others we’ve removed. You don’t want to test our power. We’re capable of things never seen before, things you’ll learn and use to your advantage if you show the proper loyalty.”

It was as Terren had assumed—the assassin was sent to kill him as part of a plan to take the Academy. But it further proved Basen’s original thought, that Nick’s murder had nothing to do with any of this. He was convinced now; Nick’s death had to be a result of Basen making the portal in his room. Though he still couldn’t figure out how it fit in with everything.

I’m sorry, Nick. I’ll find whoever killed you and return the favor.

“No one else needs to die,” Abith continued, speaking in the soothing voice Basen had heard for years during his training. “If you set down your weapons and open the gate, this can end. We’ll walk inside and begin the transition. In just a few days, everything will be back to how it was.”

“You won’t make any changes to the way the Academy is run?” Wilfre asked.

“No. King Tauwin values the Academy as much as his cities. He plans to maintain everything as it is, and I will oversee it all as I work with him. There will be no new rules, no changes in salary, and no fighting.”

It seemed believable. Why would Tauwin want to kill all of them when he could use them instead? After all, the Academy was built to increase the power of the army by training elite young men and women. Upon acceptance, everyone signed a contract pledging service to the reigning king. Kerr’s death would’ve voided any current contracts, so everyone likely would have to sign new ones.

But Tauwin had proved he couldn’t be trusted. Alabell was living proof. Even if Tauwin’s new pet, Abith, meant what he said, Tauwin certainly wouldn’t let Alabell live considering her bloodline. God’s mercy, they’d even shot at her, Basen, and Cleve not long ago. How could Basen even consider surrendering? For a moment, fear and the desire to avoid battle had ruled his thoughts. He found his courage and pushed his doubts aside. However, he couldn’t be sure what the thousands standing beside him wanted. Not everyone had seen him and Cleve retrieve Alabell while being shot at, and even fewer had heard Alabell telling Terren not to trust anything Tauwin promised. It all came down to their loyalty to Terren.

“Liaison Wilfre, it’s time to make your choice for the people of the Academy,” Abith said. “If you look carefully at the army behind me, you’ll see that we have twice as many as you do. We’ve come prepared with rope and a battering ram, and we have thousands more on the Fjallejon Mountains, waiting for my signal. You’ll be attacked from the north and the south, and all students and instructors will be killed in a brutal battle that could’ve been avoided. It will be a waste of human life based not on pride but on stubbornness.” He glanced at the students watching, giving time for his words to sink in. “Order everyone to throw their weapons over the wall, Wilfre, and then open the gate.”