The image of my magic connecting with the comet came to mind, and I felt as though I was there again, standing in the desert, watching my own powers bring about the destruction of the world.
“Is something the matter?” Maveryck asked.
I opened my eyes, only now realizing that my breathing had become erratic. My hands were clenched in a death grip around Kull’s fingers, and I carefully pried them away, surprised I hadn’t woken him.
“I’m worried about him,” I answered.
“It’s well that you are. But I would not worry too much. He’s got a stronger constitution than my companion had, so he may beat it altogether. It’s quite likely that the witch’s influence will take years before he succumbs to the madness.”
“That’s comforting,” I said, hoping he heard my sarcasm. “Isn’t there any way to help him? What if I killed the witch?”
Maveryck smiled, but I didn’t like the condescending look he gave me. “That’s one way to do it, I suppose. But I would advise against it.”
“Why?”
“She guards the entrance to the unknown lands. If she were to die, it would unleash exponential evil into our world.”
Save Kull or release evil—honestly, releasing evil didn’t sound that bad.
Heidel stirred beside Maveryck. She gave him a small smile when she opened her eyes. Was it just me, or did her cheeks look rosier than usual?
“Where are we?” she asked as she sat up.
“Nearing the Wultland border.”
She cursed. “I hoped we’d be there by now.”
Glancing out the windows, I found the Wult mountains looming in a hazy block of gray on the horizon. The jagged stretch of peaks extended from one end of the skyline to the other. I nuzzled into Kull’s shoulder as I waited for our journey to end. His clothes still retained that familiar scent of sandalwood that calmed my nerves better than any sort of magic.
Hours later, the coach had crossed the mountains, and by mid-afternoon we’d finally arrived on the outskirts of the Wult capitol.
The keep sat away from the Wult city, secluded by forests, mountains, and a deep lake of sapphire water. We disembarked the carriage, carrying what little gear we’d managed to salvage from our quest to the witch’s mountain, and made our way to the top of the hill where the Wult keep sat—an imposing structure of gray stone, soaring parapets, and red-and-gold flags that whipped back and forth in the breeze.
“The flags are new,” I said as we trudged up the steep cobblestone path toward the keep’s open portcullis.
“Yes,” Kull answered. “They only display the flags on special occasions.”
From the towers’ tops came the call of trumpets. A crowd of people lined the road, some standing and others sitting on carts. Children skipped past us under the guarded eyes of their parents. A few people stopped to pay their respects to the king.
“When will the procession start?” an older, redheaded boy asked us.
“No idea,” Kull answered.
We continued up the path and reached the castle gates. The guards recognized the king immediately, and an entourage of people clamored around him, crowding us and asking a million questions. Soon, I was separated from the rest of the group and ushered into a room where I was told to wait.
A servant arrived with food and a change of clothing, and I was instructed to bathe and dress. The bathwater was lukewarm, so I made quick work of cleaning up and dressing in a dark blue frock with a white mantle. As soon as I was ready, I left the room, hoping to find my stepfather. Frantic servants hurried up and down hallways, but I managed to stop one of the women as she walked past with an armful of folded linens.
“Sorry,” I said, “but do you know if the sky king has arrived?”
“Aye, he’s down by the lake last I heard. Are you planning to speak with him?”
“Yes, if I’m allowed.”
“Ye’ll have to do it quick. The ceremony starts in an hour. Oh, and I’ve still got these bed clothes to be put in the guest chambers.” She bustled away, mumbling about the wedding preparations.
I wandered through an unfamiliar part of the castle until I found a stairway leading up to the main hallway. With all the commotion, I lost track of where I was going until I became completely lost and finally found a door leading to a courtyard outside.
On a slope behind the castle, I discovered white awnings had been erected, and beneath them were rows of tables piled with food. Wults sat and ate at the tables. Most of them drank mead and engaged in loud conversations. There were possibly more people outside than inside, and I was positive the entire Wult race had shown up for the wedding. I pushed past the bodies and finally found a trail leading down to the lake. Thankfully, there were no crowds on the trail, and I made my way down the path with the sounds of conversation fading behind me, replaced by the calming sound of waves lapping at the shoreline.
The trees’ canopy shaded me from the sun, casting dappled sunlight on the leaf-strewn forest floor. Purple and green foliage fluttered in a gentle breeze, and I inhaled the scents of the forest—of fresh air that tasted of fall, with a hint of winter on the wind.
I could hardly believe I was here and not trapped in the witch’s castle. Everything had happened so quickly, and escaping her had been a miracle. But were we truly free of her? Was Kull free of her?
Just as I spotted the deep blue of the lake through the trees, I heard two voices I recognized and stopped. Kull and Fan’twar.
“…several years since my father spoke of it.”
“He was wise to tell you when he did. You know the implications of harboring such knowledge?”
“Yes, I’m afraid it’s something that weighs on me.”
The conversation stalled. What were they talking about? I remained in
