Chapter 21

21

RAEGAL

I don't know what I was thinking when I took her to the arena. But the last time I'd seen her, she looked so miserable. Her eyes had lit up when she talked about her time with Arkynn and his dad, learning to fight behind his forge.

I told myself I'd stay away, but then I find myself back there, seeking her out, wanting to know her thoughts, and it sickens me to my core. She stands for everything I hate. I want to hate her. If I knew how intense sparring with her would be, I wouldn't have suggested it. I need to stay away.

I weave my way through the rows of barracks until I reach the senior offices at the back of the base and rap on Colonel Graybane's office door.

"Enter!" His deep voice barks from inside.

I enter his office to find him standing by the window, a deep frown on his face as he clutches a portal crystal in his hand. "Ah, Lord Commander. The intel party you sent out to the void have made contact and I think you need to see this."

I come up beside him and he holds up the portal crystal and it shimmers and clears to reveal Captain Farran's face.

"Captain Farran. The Lord Commander is here. Can you show him what you showed me?"

Farran nods his head and steps back holding up the portal crystal. The void comes into view, and I lean in closer at what I see. The dark crack appeared in this realm the night the night king took his last breath and sent his mutts into Asen. But after a hundred years of no activity, the crack has deepened, and a soft black light emanates from the centre.

"Can you hear that, Lord Commander?" he asks me, moving in closer to it.

It emits a low humming sound, like a soft rumble of constant thunder.

"I hear it. Is there anything else to report? Anything unexplained or unusual?"

The captain turns the viewing crystal back to his face, and he shakes his head, frowning. "Nothing, Commander, it all looks much the same as it always has. No evidence of anyone here, nor any night essence. However, two soldiers reported having nightmares last night."

The Colonel and I share a look. "Nightmares?"

"Yes, Colonel. Nightmares and they said they were nightmares of their darkest fears."

Graybane strokes at his beard. "That's impossible!"

Captain Farran shrugs his shoulders and looks as perplexed as we do. "I know, but they definitely had nightmares."

Nightmares stopped the moment the Night Realm fell. Bad dreams disappeared and dreams diminished over the years. With its people gone, the Night Realm no longer needed the essence of people's nightmares to feed the land. Why now were people experiencing them again? It's no coincidence that these men had nightmares near the Void.

"Any mutt activity?" I ask him.

The captain shakes his head. "Not one. We heard some on the road, but it's odd. They were all heading south, Commander."

"How many were heading south?" I ask, apprehension travelling up my spine.

"Hundreds. They are all abandoning their territories and moving south. It's like a mass migration." He shakes his head. "Something isn't right, Lord Commander. I can't put my finger on it, but being here at the void, this feeling is tangible."

I nod my head, taking in his unease. "Stay, observe for two moon rises, and report any updates to me."

"Order received, Commander."

Colonel Graybane taps the slab, and it returns to its cloudy glass colour. For a minute, the colonel and I are silent. Both processing what we've heard and witnessed. "Nothing for a hundred years. Why now?"

I shake my head, lost in my own thoughts. Mutts migrating south and behaving out of character, breeching the walls, and now activity at the void. Mutts are territorial creatures they are not migrant in nature. They claim their patch, and they stay there. Captain Farran is right. Something is brewing.

Last night, someone attacked the convoy of restorative chambers. A hooded figure with mysterious magic. Which is concerning as only the Night Borne can control the night mutts. The attack reeks of the rebellion, but they have yet to lay claim to it. It begs the question, is there someone with night blood on Asen?

I ask Graybane to keep me updated, then shadow weave back to my office. Jasiel walks in two seconds behind me and he takes a seat and props his feet up on my desk. He glances at the half empty glass of Rosuk on my desk.

"Needing a drink after sparring with our little Asen?" He grins at me. "Aren't you a little busy to be taking time out to spar with a Shadow Kissed? I'm sure sparring isn't in the approved teachings."

I glare at him and picking up my glass; I neck back the rest of the bitter drink. "Just spit it out whatever it is you are itching to say."

He chuckles and places his hands behind his head, watching me. "The boy is asking when he can see her."

My frown deepens. That blasted young pup. "The rules forbid soldiers from fraternising with the chosen ones. You know that, so why ask?"

Jasiel shrugs his shoulders and half smiles. "Did you enjoy getting up close and personal with her?"

I clear my throat and jump to my feet, walking over to the window that overlooks the valley. "She's skilled with daggers. I hazard a guess that if she could join our army instead of being a tribute, she would."

Jasiel laughs in agreement. "She'll go stir crazy in that mansion with nothing but etiquette and crocheting classes."

I nod my head in agreement. "Maybe we should introduce self-defence and combat into their class schedule."

When he doesn't answer, I turn to see his response. He whistles and laughs. "This one has you wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she?"

I can't stand his teasing expression, so I turn back to the view outside. Jasiel knows me too well, and it makes it impossible to hide anything from him. But this isn't anything to do with me wanting her. Because I don't want her. For a start, she is Asen, and she is unladylike. A poor choice for someone of my station.

"Can you take over whilst I return home? There are matters I must discuss with the king."

"Of course. What do we do about the convoy?"

"Arrange collection of a second shipment but double the security detail and plan an alternative route and go during the day."

"As you wish." Jasiel gets to his feet and heads towards the door. "Oh, and Raegal, she asked a lot of questions about you on our walk back to the mansion. For two people who can't abide each other, you sure occupy each other's thoughts an awful lot."

I turn to glare at him, and he winks at me, smirking as he closes the door. "Please pass on my regards to your mother."

Returning home is something I like to avoid for as long as I can. As much as I hate it on Asen. At least I can escape my crippling guilt and the harsh criticism of my father, but the king needs to know what is happening here, and it is best if it comes from me and not via my mother courtesy of Moryen.