Naritsune turned to Kyray. “Did you hear - thunder?”

  “Something like that,” Kyray began. “But it didn’t seem to come from the clouds.”

  “I thought that too,” said Haronsal from the other side of Kyray. “More like a… Hang on, Lady Killyria’s gone.”

  “She’ll be back soon, Mr Bartellan,” Serencia said, placing a glass of violet sparkle on a side table. “Something - caught her attention.”

  “Not half,” Feldaner coughed from beyond Haronsal. “Vanished so fast I nearly choked on my drink.”

  “In the meantime, we can continue with the who’s who,” said Serencia. “We’d just had you, Feldaner, and were on Haronsal, isn’t it?”

  “Haronsal Bartellan, My Lady,” Haronsal said, standing up and giving a bow. “And this garden’s fantastic.”

  “Why thank you, Haronsal. Antheia will be pleased. It’s been her dream to make this place a match of the gardens in Insline, and, I do believe it has become a reality.”

  “Insline? I don’t think I’ve heard of it.”

  “All in good time,” Serencia replied. “So we have Feldaner and Haronsal. And since I already know that Mr Tsukiyama is at the end of the semicircle, that leaves Mr Melendar.”

  “Thank you My Lady, but Kyray is fine,” Kyray said, getting up and bowing.

  “As Naritsune is great for me, My Lady,” Naritsune added and bowed.

  “And Serencia is fine for me too,” Serencia replied. “As Killyria has been your guide and host from your realms to this, so I will be your guide from this realm to the next.”

  “Next?” Naritsune said, looking at Kyray.

  “But we thought we’d be going back,” said Haronsal.

  “Didn’t - they say why you are here?” Serencia asked.

  “A prize for winning a tournament,” said Naritsune. “A tournament that I still don’t know how I won.”

  “Okay….” said Serencia. “What about you, Kyray?”

  “It’s… complicated,” Kyray began.

  “Got that right if you’re here,” said Feldaner, then almost flew back over his chair at the sight of Killyria stood in front of him. “My-My Lady,” he spluttered. “You’re back.”

  “Just in time by the sound of it,” Killyria replied, arms folded. “You can tell Serencia just as you told me, Kyray.”

  Naritsune wasn’t sure, but it was as if a cloud had lifted from Kyray, even as he took a breath.

  “There are those in Shouriah-Nargactt who wish me ill, My Lady. Ill, since they believe the Dual Crown belongs to another.”

  “You’re - a King?” said Haronsal as Naritsune stared.

  “That would be my Lord Vaeserkiss,” said Kyray. “But to end the War of Succession, there was - a duel….”

  “Ah… that explains it,” said Feldaner.

  “There’s no need to say anymore, Kyray,” said Serencia, as Killyria stared at Feldaner. “This is the last place they would think to look for you, and I’m sure that your House and King will do their utmost to stop them.”

  “Thank you, My Lady.”

  “Since you like to speak Feldaner, were you enlightened on why you were sent here?”

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  “The Hermitorian Council believe that clouds gather, My Lady,” said Feldaner. “Clouds not seen since the Ruinous Storm. They fear that this time it has the power to not only finish what was started but that One of Night will appear in might not seen since the Sunless Days. Against the Night a Champion of Light must rise, and the Council has selected me to be Winswall’s candidate.”

  “The Council acted wisely,” said Serencia. “A small cloud on the horizon can soon become a storm that tears all asunder. And how about you, Haronsal?”

  “Nothing like what Feldaner said,” Haronsal began. “In Florenza-May, minding my own business. Sorry - Great Uncle’s business - no immediate successors; Although one or two nieces are circling like birds.”

  “Nephews regarding my Great Aunt,” said Naritsune.

  “Me, if you don’t carry on,” said Killyria.

  “Sorry. Took part in a raffle - was to help in the completion of a Dome - but didn’t look at the prize until I saw I’d won. Which was to go to a place of dreams. And that turned out to be here.”

  “Thank you, Haronsal,” said Serencia. “Two prizes, a safe haven and would-be champion. What if I were to tell you that this place is only a caravanserai to the destination?”

  “You mean, a roadside inn?” said Haronsal.

  “That’s one way of putting it,” Killyria hummed as Kyray and Naritsune looked at each other.

  “What if the destination is a place so clear that each breath affects your inner self and so beautiful it goes beyond your senses?” Serencia continued.

  “But this - is already pushing my senses,” said Naritsune. Even the glass of orange with sparkles that danced along his tongue.

  “What if even this place is a shadow of the destination? A place that can turn a caterpillar into a butterfly. A carp into a dragon?”

  “Are you saying I’m a fish?” said Haronsal.

  “Better than a caterpillar,” Kyray added.

  “Can be arranged,” said Killyria, as all four shrank back.

  “You start afresh,” said Serencia, “Begin anew. All that you have learnt in the Earthly Realm you keep. But to it is added potential. Potential to become an archer. Potential to become a warrior. A knight, lancer; artist or fisher-king. No longer bound to the Earthly Realm, but set free, and only one knows how far you can take it.”

  “Pierce the clouds,” said Kyray, looking up at the sky.

  “Not only pierce but run, dance and jump on them,” Killyria replied. “They’re not as far as you think.”

  “So I-we would go to this place as we are,” said Haronsal. “And come back - different?”

  “Do you think that you will be the same Haronsal Bartellan after spending a night here?” Serencia said. “After seeing a place most can only imagine? So it is with Insline. No one who reaches it is ever the same on their return.”

  “That’s good news,” Naritsune exhaled. “People come back.”

  “Yes,” said Feldaner. “A friend of mine went and did return. So different, that I didn’t recognise him until we clashed swords….”

  “Oh no,” said Haronsal. “I’m not going to go and come back with iridescent hair. I like this very much.”

  “He’d grown,” Feldaner continued. “As if he had been a soldier but was now a paladin. A young shepherd, but now one of the highest of kings. I had the edge with swords before he left. It had swung to him on his return.”

  “I suppose it wouldn’t be any harm looking,” said Naritsune.

  “If only,” said Killyria. “You’ve got to get there first. And the realms in-between are not a walk in the park.”

  “Knew there’d be a hard bit,” Kyray said, leaning back.

  “How does life measure on your scale?” said Killyria.

  Naritsune and Haronsal looked at each other, and Kyray sat upright.

  “It would be wrong of us if we didn’t say the truth,” Serencia said. “There are people in Outeransei and Incastaran who won’t think twice about ending your lives. Even more so as you are trying to Insline. And the tasks - well - they’re not exactly safe.”

  “But each completed task has a reward,” Killyria said. “A reward, or rather is part of the awakening. Plus, one or two things might come in handy.”

  “For whatever drops out of the sky to eat me,” said Naritsune.

  “But you said that you hadn’t been,” said Haronsal.

  “I haven’t. But I can imagine.”

  “Drops, swoops, jumps or pounces. With the existence of our realms at stake, someone’s got to try,” said Feldaner.

  “What?” said Naritsune.

  “You’re going in?” added Haronsal.

  “From the moment I was chosen,” Feldaner replied.

  “But do not let his decision sway you,” said Serencia. “Once you’re in Outeransei, you cannot return here. You have to go on until you have reached Insline. Only then will be possible for you to return. And you will - be different.”

  “Take as much time as you need,” Killyria added. “I won’t think any less of you for going, Kyray and Naritsune.”

  “Hang on,” Naritsune began, as Killyria and Serencia glided towards the causeway that flowed to the island.

  “Who said we want to go?” said Kyray.

  “And what about me?” Haronsal added. “I could decide that I want to stand up to the Night Queens.”

  “Who?” said Naritsune.

  “Bedtime stories to frighten the kids.”

  “If only wasn’t Their Finest we’re up against...” Feldaner exhaled.

  Share