Splintered Fate Read online

  “Be safe, dear child.” Farla whispered as she reached up, touching Lana’s brown hair. “Your mother would be so proud of you.”

  “Thank you.” Lana murmured as Farla pulled the third candle out of her pocket. Using her candle, she lit the third one and handed it over to Lana.

  “Now, at the end of the hall there will be steps. You will be fine making some noise, but once you get to the steps be sure to be quiet. You will emerge from behind a painting on the wall of a hall within the safe house.”

  “Lock your doors and stay inside until this is over,” She warned the squat woman.

  “Or if you really want to help, go run around the safe house a few laps for a great distraction.” Zorin added.

  “Zorin!” Lana cautioned.

  “It would offer a decent diversion,” Zorin replied with a shrug, as if he was unaware that anything he said was rude.

  “Don’t worry about me child. The lands may do as they will with me. It is you that I hope to be alright,” Farla spoke to Lana before glaring at Zorin from the corner of her eye. Then the little squat baker wrapped her arms around Lana in a warm embrace. The pleasant scent of sugar and bread drifted off of her skin.

  After Farla’s parting hug, Ardin stepped into the dark narrow hall. He was followed by Kirill, next was Lana, Zorin, Clyte, and the Gorthyn citizens. The tunnel was dark and damp. Some of the stone under their feet was dangerously slick with a mossy slime. Lana held a light, which allowed for the few around her to make out the tunnel enough to not walk into a wall or each other. Alec provided the same for those farther back.

  Lana could see Zorin a step behind her and she found herself thinking about what he and Farla had bickered about. She could not help but feel curious. Not wanting to think about Kaiden, she gave in to her curiosity.

  “So who married who?”

  A small unexpected smile spread across Zorin’s face “Who from their family married into mine?” Zorin asked.

  Lana gave him a confirming nod.

  “Well it happened more than once that our families crossed such paths. But all originally involved have left this world.”

  “Oh, then why continue this feud between the two families?”

  “We must still live with the consequences. It is not necessarily the parties involved who were interesting, it is the offspring they produced.”

  Offspring? “Who?” Lana asked, her interest heightened.

  “Arkhip, to start with.”

  “What?” Lana asked, gazing forward at Kirill, who walked just in front of them. Surely he had heard yet he made no indication of it. Arkhip was related to the great king, he was somehow related to Zorin.

  Did you hear that? Lana asked Ardin.

  I did. It makes sense; Zorin and Donn are two powerful families. Donn has a bunch of those little lizard things. Zorin’s family comes from Kings, extremely talented with the fine details, such as the intricate designs. You saw how he can easily make on his swords. That’s how Arkhip can make a pack of wolves I suppose.

  “So Farla’s sister is…”

  “She was Arkhip’s wife.”

  “So that was his Aunt?” Lana gestured to Kirill Dukran.

  “Its more complicated than that.” The way Zorin said it, it was like he wasn’t telling her something. There was a tone of warning in his voice.

  “What others are there? You said your families had crossed more than once?”

  “The others haven’t shown to be as volatile as Arkhip Dukran.”

  “But who are they?”

  “Ah, now that is a good question, isnt it?” Zorin smiled.

  “You don’t know?” Lana did not believe that Zorin Donyerth had no knowledge of something like that.

  “Perhaps not all things are meant to be shared, at least not until the time is right.” He grinned.

  Lana couldn’t believe it. That such a horrible man like Arkhip Dukran could have been related to Zorin or even Donn. As she walked she pondered over how Arkhip even became the man he was. There must have been a time he was different. A time when he had the love of a woman who had bor him a child. How had Arkhip become the monster that he now was?

  We are almost at the stairs. Ardin gave Lana a heads up.

  “I hear Great Cats have the best hearing of Aorras.” Lana spoke to Zorin.

  “I hear that too.” He replied with a sly smile.

  I hear different. Ardin grumbled, only half joking.

  “Will Dorian go up ahead when we reach the stairs and listen to what is going on?” She asked Zorin.

  “It would be silly for him not to.”

  Lana nodded in agreement.

  “We are almost there.” She announced to the group “Zorin’s Aorra will go to the passageway door and let us know of any movement or sounds. We will wait at the bottom of the stairs.”

  The large animal grumbled a cat like sound as it walked past Zorin towards the steps. Silently he slinked up the staircase into the darkness while the rest of them waited at the bottom, huddled together in anticipation. The feeling in the air was thick with tension. Everyone seemed anxious to get the events of the night over with. Even in the silence, Lana could feel the anger and fierce need to protect those they loved coming off of those around her. The energy radiating through each of them spoke while their bodies stood so incredibly still, waiting, ready.

  It was a short while before Zorin spoke. “There seems to be a guard that’s monitoring the hall. He walks by roughly ever five minutes, other than that, nothing else can be heard.”

  “The next time he walks by I can go up there and take care of him. I will be quick and quiet then I will let you know its clear.” Kirill offered.

  Lana watched him, his steel eyes looking at her steadily, waiting for her decision. To trust him, could be a risk, but he was the best-trained killer they had, certainly the most experienced, maybe besides Clyte. As if he knew her thoughts he spoke again.

  “Taking care of Rami threats is my skill. You don’t trust me, but I swear myself to you. Let me help you, let me do what I know how to do, what you brought me to do.” He went down on one knee in front of everyone and looked down at the ground then back up at her. “Use me.” To anyone else his words seemed like a plea, a desperate attempt to help, but his eyes said more. They gave his words away as a command. He was doing his best to bend for her, but he couldn’t, not completely.

  There was a small gasp from the Gorthynians but Lana did not acknowledge it. “Please stand.” She said.

  Kirill got on his feet.

  Just this one time, his command was her wish. She would use him. He was going to help her regain control of the town.

  “Go.” Her head tilted towards the dark steps.

  “You have two minutes.” Zorin added and Kirill was gone.

  “You really got a Dukran to swear himself to you?” Alec spoke jovially.

  “This is not something to be celebrated.”

  “Are you kidding, but he-”?

  “The price that had to be paid to get him to this place is not one that I wish to pay.”

  “But he-”

  “Has a monster for a father. I would have run too.”

  “He ran to you.”

  “We were friends once, and like I said there was a price.”

  Lana had to stop herself from rolling her eyes for bringing up her past friendship with Kirill. The friendship that she had constantly been trying to forget when all others seemed to not let it go.

  “What did it cost?” one of Alec’s men asked curiously.

  “My father’s life.”

  Silence filled the hall. Lana allowed the rage from the memory to enter her. She welcomed it, allowing it to seep deep within, fueling her. She took a step forward and turned to face the people who were with her, her people.

  With a deep breath she was about to address them before Bredin interrupted.

  “Oh you are one very lucky princess.” He spoke with a hint of excitement.

  “What are you
talking about?” Lana snapped, confused and irritated. This was not the time to poke jabs at her.

  “Micah, he is here.”

  “What?!” The irritation left her immediately.

  “He is outside with a few guards. They are with Kaiden and the others. Apparently he didn’t think you could handle this on your own so he came to help.”

  Bredin had to say it that way, with a small poke at her, but Lana didn’t care. This was amazing news. She felt a slight bit of relief that Kaiden would have people with him who would actually have his back and not only the Gorthynians who, despite her words, didn’t trust him. Lana turned with bright eyes to Zorin, as if to confirm that Bredin was being honest.

  He smiled a wide smile. “You inspire greatness Lana Casteel, well done.”

  I can smell the blood. Ardin said as Lana looked back over to Zorin for a signal.

  “Kirill has done it.” Zorin formed a blade in his hand.

  Lana turned to everyone with a new strength, a new fuel of hope.

  “We are about to enter the belly of a snake, where we will have to fight our way out. You all have come here because these are your people.” Lana rose her hand touching a stone wall next to her “These are your walls. This Land is your land and we protect what is ours. We fight for what is ours. These are my people in this town, you are my people, and I fight for you and with you.”

  Lana allowed the love she felt in too. Letting her feelings for those risking their lives here this night to further fuel her. A single silver blade swirled into existence in her hand, and Ardin grumbled a low grumble. Everyone readied his or her weapons around her.

  As soon as Lana finished and everyone’s weapons were drawn, one by one, they hurried up the narrow steps. Lana placed her candle at the bottom of the staircase on a stone and took the lead with Ardin. The steps were not uniformly built, awkwardly slanting one way or another. It made for a difficult to climb. Her pace was slow and careful so not to slip.

  At the top of the stairs Kirill stood in a small archway, holding to the side what looked like a thick tapestry that hung over the arch. He grasped Lana’s hand and helped pull her into the hall. It was all stone with dim lighting, smelling of candle wax and ale. Lana could hear sounds echo off of the stonewalls down the hallways but had no idea where they were coming from.

  “They know that the other party is outside. They are readying flaming arrows.” Zorin informed.

  “We must stop them.” Lana was quick to respond. If they began shooting flaming arrows before her party was in position to attack, then it would be a massacre outside. That couldn’t be allowed to happen.

  “Do you know where their base is in this building?” Clyte asked.

  “Right now most of their men are around the entrance.” Zorin answered.

  “Then that is where we go.” Kirill spoke.

  “Lets move.” Lana agreed as a hand touched her shoulder, stopping her.

  “Please, at least let me go in front of you.” Clyte pleaded.

  Lana nodded, allowing for her to step in front. Ardin assumed his position beside Lana, leaving little space between her, himself, and the wall. His fur stood on its ends, his head slightly lowered, ready to take on whatever may come at them.

  Zorin’s Great Cat silently led them while Lana and the others quickly followed. They began passing hallway after hallway. Lana was holding her breath in hopes that each would be empty. Luckily the first couple were.

  “Hey!” A sound came from another hall. Kirill turned down the hall without a word, while the rest of the group kept moving forward. Lana peered behind in time to see him rejoin at the tail end with fresh blood dripping from his sword.

  Once at the end of the hall they all came to a stop.

  Lana turned to Bredin “When we turn the corner, sound the alarm. But only once we have their attention.” She said in a hushed voice.

  He gave Lana a nod in understanding.

  Kirill stepped forward, “The first few seconds after we turn the corner are crucial, the Rami will be confused for a moment, surprised, we need to use this moment to kill as many of them as possible.” Lana nodded in understanding. “Let me go in front.” He said, which was followed by another nod from Lana. Kirill positioned himself as the lead, with Clyte a step behind him, followed by Lana and the others. He held up his hand with three fingers.

  Ardin took a position beside her, their energy intertwined.

  Two fingers.

  For our people. Ardin said and crouched in anticipation with his hair electrically standing on its ends. Lana could not agree more. This was for her people, for her lands, for all those innocents.

  One finger.

  A fist.

  Silently, they filed out. Their footsteps too soft to hear, their breathing slow. Like silent predators descending upon their prey, they closed the distance between them and the Rami intruders.

  It was unlike any start to a battle Lana had ever imagined. She had always thought battles began with chants, loud screams, some form of noise to get the warrior’s blood boiling. Perhaps those were just childlike imaginations that had stuck with her for this was very different. This was soundless. It felt almost dirty. To surprise people and stab them in the back, not giving them a chance for defense.

  But these people were not about to be surprised at home, with their families. They were on grounds they had no right to be on. They were a threat to the innocent. Eliminate the threat, Lana told herself as she rounded the corner.

  As soon as Lana turned Clyte came to her open side, where she stayed, placing herself between Lana and the intruders. Pulling back on the energy of her sword, Lana turned it into a dagger. Her eyes fell upon a man closest to her, she threw the dagger at him. It spun through the air. A warning scream came and the man moved in response. But it was too late, the dagger cut the soft flesh of his neck. He screamed out, jerking his hand to the gash.

  A white blur of a wolf appeared near the Rami she had hit. Fierce teeth finished the job. Lana turned, looking over at Kirill who seemed to have taken three Rami in the short time she had managed one with the help of her Aorra.

  Warning screams sounded and Rami men began flooding into the room. Clyte kept to one side of Lana and Kirill came to the other. Lana made another dagger and flung it at a Rami, missing. She made another and another. Her practice was paying off. She was now able to keep an easier hold on her blades, throwing them farther away from herself yet still keeping their form. She was able to let go of a blade and form a new one in her hand without pause.

  Eyeing a Rami, another blade formed in Lana’s hand. She aimed and threw. He ducked out of reach. Forming another, she threw again but he had gotten farther away, she was unsure if she could keep a hold on a blade at such a distance. Signaling for Ardin, she made two more, throwing both at the Rami.

  The blades cut through the air. The Rami watched with large eyes as they came at him, turning to silver dust just before reaching him. His protective forearm lowered when the blades disintegrated before even touching him. The Rami was probably going to display a smug smile, but it would never come. From behind the curtain of dust came Ardin. His white teeth fiercely emerged as he attacked the surprised Rami, taking him down.

  Some of the Rami men began turning away and focusing on the wall of the entrance. There were windows on the second floor where they had archers prepare to fire to the outside.

  The others must be attacking at the front now. Lana spoke to Ardin.

  Yes. You should stop with the daggers. He warned her for he could feel her constant making and throwing of them slowly begin to take energy from her.

  I know. But between Clyte and Kirill, I cannot get close enough to do much else.

  Lana pulled strength into her palm, warming it and formed a sword in her hand. She gazed at the door.

  “We need to open the door for the others!” Lana screamed.

  As she walked forward Clyte and Kirill blocked off those closest to her, attempting to clear a path to the g
ate. The Rami intruders began trying to protect the door but Kirill was a world-wind of blades unleashed upon them. They could not get close enough to him. Even though Lana had never seen him use power to create things the way she did, he had a talent for blocking their attacks. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before. The Rami would throw their fiery lightning at him and he would avoid it with ease, moving with unnatural fluidity. It was impressive, to say the least.

  Steel eyes met with hers. “Head for the door. I wont let them touch you. But as soon as you open it, get away.”

  Lana nodded. She pushed forward, a flash of blue caught her eye. Her sword stopped it with the flick of her wrist. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, she had almost not seen that. She could feel Ardin protectively arrange himself closer to her as she continued. Alec and his men also surrounded her, forming another layer of protection around her as she headed for the door. In unison, they charged forward.

  Once at the massive entrance she could feel Ardin surround her in his shield. Before her there was a thick heavy block of wood that kept the door locked. She tried to lift it, straining as she used her legs to push up, but it was too heavy. Another attempt ended with the same results, the wood didn’t budge. A hand appeared next to her, forcefully shoving the wood up. It was Alec. Together, they lifted the beam and threw it to the ground with a loud thump, opening the wooden door.

  Turning to move away, Lana’s eye was caught by Bredin who was on the ground. He held his sword up against another Rami’s blade. The Rami was using the weight of his body to push both blades towards Bredin. Moving towards them, her grip on her blade tightened. With a silent, deadly force, she brought up her sword, shoving it through the unknowing Rami. As he fell, she turned to Bredin who stared up at her in surprise.

  Holding out her hand, she quickly helped Bredin to his feet. “You can tell everyone you were saved by a princess.” When her breathless words found him he offered her a knowing smile.