The Oracle Read online

  “King Hrafn will have his justice, he will see your rebellion crushed to dust.” Teron shouted over Lady Samantha. “And I will be honoured for the part I played. Strike me down, and Hrafn will only raise me stronger.”

  “Take him away.” Captain Rian ordered. “Keep him under guard until we decide what to do with him. The rest of you, I suggest you lay down your weapons and return to your daily activities. There will be a time for battle and it draws ever closer. I want you all ready, and all together.”

  Rian watched as the soldiers began to back away, moving down the Valley, the revolt fading as quickly as it had started.

  Lady Samantha released her hand from the hilt of her sword. “I think we need a council meeting,” she said, shakily.

  “I’ll get the others immediately.” Rian agreed, before hesitating, his gaze turning to Losan. “But...”

  “I’ll keep an eye on him.” Samantha promised.

  “I would never hurt your Lady Samantha,” Losan looked across at Rian, until the younger captain dropped his gaze.

  “Now, if you guys are quite finished... Come on, Losan, I’ll give you the grand tour.” Samantha offered, kicking her horse into a walk before he could answer, “Which should take all of ten minutes.”

  Losan gave a brief nod to Rian, then followed the young lady.

  “Why do you help us?” Samantha asked as they rode over to the corrals.

  Losan sighed and waited until they were away from camp, taking his time to tell his story.

  “When I was a much younger man, my unit was sent to crush rebels in the city of Altair. It turned out to be soldier baiting, a trap, and most of my unit were killed. That was where I began to earn my reputation.” Losan allowed a bitter smile to cross his scarred face at the memories of years ago, when his notoriety for fighting, for killing had started. “But that’s a long story where I turned assassin, stalking the Gardyn and killing their leaders. I didn’t get away unscathed, though. Afterwards, an old man took me in while I was recovering, he went by the name of Danu.”

  Samantha started at the name.

  Losan noticed her reaction, “Yes, the same Danu that you met. While I was with him, he opened my eyes to Minaeri. I eventually learnt everything he knew of the goddess.”

  His look was so intense and meaningful, that Samantha knew that he had at least some knowledge of the dreadful truth.

  “But I was young,” Losan continued, “Too full of life to settle down and be a Priest of Minaeri. So, I returned to the army, and still the fire of battle floods my veins.”

  “So... all these years of being a feared icon and a close friend to the King... it was all an act?”

  “No.” The answer was blunt. A moment of silence passed, as Losan dismounted. “That is something that I will not explain to you.”

  Fourteen

  Within the hour, the council gathered beneath the growing heat of the morning sun. Besides the usual members of the inner council, all Gardyn captains attended, crowding up to hear what was said.

  Two men stood in the centre, their wrists bound, waiting for their judgement. Prince Cristan stood proud and calm, while Teron cowered, his confidence entirely drained as he stood amongst his enemies.

  The shadows shifted at their feet as Siabhor growled, making them both shudder. The human guards stood back, happy to let the mallus keep the prisoners in line.

  Captain Rian stood up to face them. “Prince Cristan, Soldier Teron, you are both accused of causing dissent amongst the Gardyn and rebelling against those in command. Teron, furthermore, you have admitted to being a spy for King Hrafn. Do you have anything to say in your defence?”

  “You think you have any authority over me?” Teron blustered, sounding much stronger than he looked as he still trembled. “The only command comes from King Hrafn and Prince David. The rest of you are pretenders, with your false royalty, monsters and pitiful councils. You will all be swept into the obscurity of the history books by the true-”

  Teron broke off as Siabhor snapped at his heels, obviously having heard enough from the man.

  “Peace, Siabhor,” Rian commanded, before looking again to the spy. “You condemn yourself with your words and blind hatred. As much as I would like to throw you to Siabhor and his pack, you are no good to us dead. You will be put in solitary confinement for a week, in which time I hope you have the sense to offer information when we meet again.”

  Captain Rian motioned to the Gardyn soldiers to take him away. As soon as Teron was beyond Siabhor’s long claws, he began to shout and scream profanities, refusing to go quietly.

  Rian waited for the noise to fade, before the council turned to the second, trickier prisoner.

  “Prince Cristan, I hope that you can see that you were a tool in another man’s plans. Show regret for your actions and we will move on.” Rian stated carefully, offering the Prince a way out, “Or confess and we will judge your punishment.”

  Prince Cristan turned his calm brown eyes to the Gardyn Captain. “Whatever my regrets, I would do it again.”

  The comment brought a hiss from the council, followed by a buzz of dissatisfied comments.

  “If I am to walk alone and unarmed into the gates of the capital, so be it. I would be doing what is morally right for the innocents, not wasting time with councils and permissions.” Prince Cristan spoke out, the passion in his voice settling some of the unease.

  “We can’t act so wildly,” one man spoke up, “we have to do more than win this war, we have to be seen doing it right. Otherwise you will be the king of a kingdom that has no faith in you.”

  “Perhaps we were too hasty in deciding to make these Princes our future monarchs,” another man shouted up, “We were too desperate to believe in old legends, we blinded ourselves to their flaws.”

  “I never asked to be King.” Cristan argued, “I never asked Minaeri to bring me back. But she did, and I will devote my new future to her people.”

  “No, even without a crown, you presumed to lead half the army into a trap!”

  “How do we know you won’t do it again?”

  The council dissolved into noise and debate, which was only silenced when a female figure stepped into fray.

  “Enough!” Lady Jillis commanded, a single word from her causing the crowd to obey. “Prince Cristan has a good heart. And we must always remember that each and every one of us have questioned the authority and law of the land; that is what has brought us all together and that continues to drive us. Yes, Cristan was wrong to ask the Gardyn to fight their friends and family for his cause, but I do not think we should be heavy-handed in our punishment. He is a good man, and right now we need every good man and woman united against Hrafn.”

  Her speech moved over every person there, quickly shifting their inner turmoil back towards peace and hope.

  “If you please, Lady Jillis,” one of the older captains spoke up, his voice full of deference for the young girl. “He can’t escape punishment because he has a good character. Your excellent words won’t persuade the whole Gardyn army that they can trust him. There is no way to guarantee he won’t do something similar again.”

  Jillis paused, then smiled gently. “Thank you, Captain, you are quite right. The Gardyn deserve something stronger than my recommendation. They deserve to know what Minaeri plans for him. Miss Jemma, would you be so kind?”

  Jemma was standing on the edge of the crowd, with Saxton and Angrud at her side. Nobody paid them much attention when they had traipsed into the Valley, following Samantha. Now they hovered near the council – Jemma didn’t know if they were permitted to be there, but no one had bothered chasing them away, so she stayed.

  She had been swept along by Jillis’ charm, that it took a while for Jemma to realise the lady was speaking to her.

  Unable to reply, Jemma started hesitantly forward. She could feel the eyes of the large council following her, which only made her blush with embarrassment. She took a deep breath and stepped up next to Lady Jillis.


  “As you all know, Miss Jemma was the oracle that foretold the return of the princes, as well as my own. She also saw this morning’s incident in time for Captain Rian to stop it.” Jillis paused and turned to Jemma, reaching out in support, “Can you look into Cristan’s future and tell the Gardyn what you see?”

  “What? I mean... I can try.” Jemma replied, trying to not let her fear show. She had never had a vision on purpose, they just happened. She would never live it down if she failed in front of the whole Gardyn council.

  Jemma glanced at the circles of people, all watching intently. They all believed that she could do it. All of these warriors believed a fifteen-year-old stranger could pull a magic vision out of thin air. About the future king, no less!

  As a wave of panic washed over Jemma, Lady Jillis took her hand.

  “Please,” Jillis lowered her voice, “I know that it is a lot to ask, but I know that you can do it.”

  Jemma felt herself calm, the horrible red flush starting to leave her cheeks. She followed Lady Jillis to where Cristan stood, silently waiting for his fate to be confirmed.

  Not knowing how to start, Jemma looked up into the soft brown eyes of the prince. Pushing aside the awkwardness that threatened to rise, Jemma felt a familiar lightness. There was a seductive pull as scenes and memories welled up, inviting her witness every inch of his interesting history. There were whispers of court life, betrayals and running, lots of running; all Jemma had to do was invite them in.

  Trying to ignore her own curiosity, Jemma mentally pushed them away; she had a job to do. The images came slowly at first, then quicker, dancing along the highlights of a single man’s life.

  Jemma gasped and staggered backwards, surprised to see that she was holding Cristan’s manacled hands, but glad for their support.

  “He will be the eternal prince that never wears a crown.” Jemma said with a shaky voice, “but he will follow command from now on.”

  There was a rush of noise and voices, but Jemma couldn’t make any of it out. She met Cristan’s eyes again, noting how they had lost some of their light.

  Lady Jillis silenced the crowd once more. “Minaeri has shared his fate with us, I hope you are satisfied. For the safety of Prince Cristan, and the peace of mind of the Gardyn, I recommend he take on a guard for the duration of his stay here. Captain Philip, perhaps you would be so kind.”

  Captain Philip, a man known for his amiability and loyalty, looked less than impressed.

  “You were uncharacteristically quiet, Samantha.” Rian said, sitting down beside the girl.

  “It would be hypocritical of me to say anything. I’ve disobeyed more orders and risked more lives than he has.” Samantha replied.

  “To be fair, most of the time you buggered off alone, so there was only your own life at risk.” Rian countered.

  “You’ve already forgotten when Tobias tied up Lord Mgair and I led the Gardyn army to another world?”

  “Ah...”

  Samantha sighed and stood up, she could see Jemma standing with a worried-looking Saxton, hovering a safe distance away. “I need to go. I need to at least try to rescue that boy. If Alina and Siabhor return from seeking Sundance, I will take them with me. We’ll be able to find a way in and... it doesn’t have to involve anyone else.”

  “I should come.” Rian said, without much conviction, “Or at least take Jillis, or even Lugal – he seems like a sensible ally.”

  “We both know that you need to stay here to deal with Losan. I might trust him, but we can’t expect the whole camp to be as forgiving.” Samantha reasoned, “Likewise, Jillis and Lugal will be more help here, smoothing over the Cristan problem.”

  “Fine, the oracle and her men go with you.”

  “What? She’s only a kid!” Samantha argued.

  “Yes, one that Minaeri sent to you. So, stop giving her the cold shoulder and use her.” Rian replied sternly, “Besides, don’t think you’re going on a rescue without the boy’s father, he has more right than anyone.”

  Cristan had waited for most of the gawking crowd to leave, before he set off back to his tent. The only thing he craved right now was solitude, a little time to work out what this all meant. Unfortunately, he couldn’t even have that.

  Captain Philip walked half a step behind him, making it clear that he was accompanying him as a professional guard and definitely not in friendship.

  Furthermore, he heard running feet; Cristan did not have to look to know that his twin brother was catching up.

  “Cristan, Philip.” Lugal greeted them both, before falling into step beside Cristan with that annoying gait that mimicked his own. “I came to see how you fair, brother.”

  “I am fine, I still have my head.” Cristan replied shortly.

  “Do you not wish to discuss what the oracle-”

  “No, I do not wish it.”

  Lugal walked quietly until they reached the tent that had been loaned to them. It was sparsely furnished, but comfortable enough. Captain Philip stopped outside, as the princes went in.

  “I know how you must be feeling, brother.” Lugal tried again. “It is alright to be disappointed. We never asked for Minaeri to spare us, or for the Gardyn of this century asking us to rule; but I know how the idea has been growing with you. The purpose it has given both our lives.”

  “Easy to say, when you are to be king and I your humble subject.” Cristan replied bitterly, dropping into a seat.

  Knowing that his brother’s foul temper was not to be swayed, Lugal sat down in silence.

  “Why are you here, brother? Making sure that I do not attempt something else ill-advised is beneath the future king.” Cristan asked. When Lugal didn’t rise to his bait, he tried a different tact. “It is a small consolation that I no longer have to contend with you for the Lady Jillis’ attention.”

  Lugal faced his twin, waiting for him to explain. When he failed to do so, Lugal gave into his curiosity. “How so?”

  “You didn’t really think she was a suitable consort?”

  “The Gardyn love and admire her, they already treat her like royalty.” Lugal said in the lady’s defence.

  “And the rest of Enchena know that she is a baseborn servant, she could never be a queen.” Cristan argued.

  “I think the fact she has improved her standing should deserves respect, not scorn.”

  “And I think that you might not be so respecting if she were not so pretty.” Cristan countered. “Honestly brother, is she the logical choice?”

  “You sound like father.” Lugal muttered. “I suppose you have a better, more suitable choice in mind?”

  “You don’t have far to look: she is already a leader of our people, and everyone in Enchena has heard of her.”

  “Lady Samantha?” Lugal asked, frowning.

  Cristan smiled at how quickly his brother caught on. “She is an emissary from Minaeri, everyone says that she is an equal to their King Hrafn. And keep in mind, Enchena has already accepted that another from her land currently sits as heir to the throne.”

  Lugal sharply stood up. “You really expect me to believe that you are advising me from your own best intentions?”

  “No, of course not, brother.” Cristan replied casually, enjoying the fact that his uptight twin was getting riled. “My intentions are less than noble, but that does not make me wrong. We may have royal blood, but we are outsiders. The sooner you formalise a union with their beloved Lady Samantha, the earlier you will cement your own place.”

  Lugal went to speak, but decided against it. The prince turned on his heel and quickly left the tent, leaving Cristan to enjoy his peace and quiet.

  Fifteen

  Prince Lugal had been walking the length of the Valley, trying to clear his head of what his brother had said, but it wasn’t easy. As he strolled through the Gardyn camp, people no longer regarded him with the same respect. Their awe had been dampened by suspicion.

  Lugal wondered whether Cristan’s rash actions had permanently damaged his chances
at impressing the Gardyn. Would they ever follow his orders, if they were not visibly backed by the likes of Captain Rian or Lady Samantha?

  The prince kept wandering until he saw a familiar face. Tobias Deorwine was heading towards the corral, where Jillis and Samantha were overseeing the horses being made ready for some trip.

  “Lord Deorwine.” Lugal called, stepping up to block his path.

  “Your highness?” Tobias stopped, surprised that he should be of any interest to the prince.

  “I wanted... that is to say I wished to speak with you over a, um... I’m not really sure how these things are done these days.” Lugal stumbled over his words.

  “Your highness?” Tobias repeated, “Is there something I can help you with? I do need to get my horse.”

  “Well, sir, it is a rather delicate matter. I have come to ask your permission, before I approach the lady with an offer of marriage.” Lugal said sincerely, glancing down to the corrals. “I believe there are no parents? I hear that you are her only family?”

  Tobias’ eyes widened with shock, it was the best he could ever dream of for his sister. Jillis’ beauty had attracted many would-be suitors, but none that Tobias deemed worthy, and none that Jillis even considered. “Aye, I am her only kin. If she agrees to the match, I would be honoured to have you as a brother-in-law.”

  Lugal took Tobias’ hand and shook it enthusiastically, relieved at his answer. “Then I had best present myself, and hope the lady responds in kind.”

  Leaving Tobias rather dazed, Lugal headed to the corral, before his own nerve failed him.

  “Lady Samantha, may I speak with you, privately?”

  Samantha finished putting the bridle on her cream stallion, Legan, and turned to face the prince. “Lugal? Can it wait until I return, your highness? I’m in a rush.”

  “It is a somewhat... pressing and important matter. I promise I will not take much of your valuable time.”