21. Chapter 21

Chapter twenty-on e

Day Twenty-Eight

T he next thing I know, the three of us plonk onto the floor, the bench no longer there. I let out a short yelp as a spear is pointed into my face.

"Wait!" I hear Sandy's voice. "It's okay, they've returned." The guards pull back and appear to recognize us. As Sandy helps me and Shelia from the ground, I take a look around. We're inside the main hall, and the Prince is nearby, this time in full golden armor like his father wore before. Approaching us, he looks a little relieved.

"And they have the amulet! The Orcs aren't going to be victorious today, it seems," he chuckles. I roll my eyes and run to the nearest door. Beyond it, I can see various archers lined up along all the windows. I have to find out what's going on. Through a gap between them, I can see torches below us, and holding onto those torches are Orcs, hundreds of them, but not even close to the thousands of men that make up the King's army. They seem to be at some kind of standstill.

"Corvu! I need to get down there, quickly." He's been at my side the whole time, and it seems I didn't need to shout at all. Picking me up like he did once before, he takes a grand leap out the window, using ledges and balconies to make each jump short and less frightening. As we reach the bottom, I approach the man at the front of the army, who's in some kind of negotiation with Cutlass. "Talon!" I call out, pushing through the guards and coming to his side.

"The amulet!" Cutlass yells upon seeing me approach, which stirs his army into action.

"The fates may have it in store for us to die today," Talon says to me, ", but you didn't have to make it easy for them."

"Wait!" I yell. I'm stunned by how far my voice carries; the shouting around me dies down. Though the Orcs broke through the wall with great perseverance, their numbers are truly starting to dwindle. It's been several days since Corvu and I disappeared. With thousands of knights standing behind me, I look out toward the Orcs. Their only hope is the amulet. "There's no need for anyone else to die," I exclaim, pulling the amulet off from around my neck. "And this thing? It's fake ." There's rustling from the crowd and a few murmurs of disbelief. There's only one way to prove it, and I really hope Shelia wasn't pulling my leg about it being mostly decorative. Throwing it down onto the stone floor beneath my feet, I draw the sword sheathed at Talon's side and strike the amulet's center.

After short gasps there is silence amongst everyone. I somewhat expected breaking it would be more spectacular, puff of smoke at least, but nothing.

"What have you done, girl?" Cutlass snarls. I'm not really sure why but I decide to approach him, breaching the unspoken line between the two armies.

"The story about a Witch's amulet granting magical abilities to the wearer, is bullshit ." There is subtle curiosity floating around my choice of words, they might not have bulls here, and their swear words might be different... "In other words, it's a lie . A trick to stop the King's and villages from killing Witches, the ones who truly possess magic." I approach Cutlass, I'm fully aware that he could just opt to kill me and not listen to any more that I have to say.

"We saw you use the amulet's power, girl."

"You didn't. You saw me use my own powers. I didn't know I had them, but I do." I look around at the faces of the Orcs. If I were born one, I wouldn't want to be treated like such an outcast. "I might not know the whole story about why you all hate humans, I mean, I'm from another realm entirely which is only inhabited by humans. A month ago I didn't know you existed. But I have something to tell you. Skiora is a beautiful country with people and Daemonaria that enjoy living as they do. Instead of starting a war, why not have a discussion over land, or stock, or leadership, if that's what you want. I can tell you this much, being in charge is hard work. Why not let the people vote on their leaders, create a council, there's a thousand other options that don't have to end in bloodshed. Don't you all have families you rather be alive for?" The Orc army seems to be nodding, they're agreeing with me. I'm pleasantly surprised. It wasn't much of a speech but I'm getting somewhere.

"You lie. And you lost your only chance of survival." Lifting the hammer from behind his back he goes to slam it down upon me. I've been in this situation before, and there is one feeling I definitely remember. Just because I'm a human, doesn't mean Daemonaria can throw rocks at me, or bite me, or smash me with a giant meat grinder. A wave of power rushes through me, and as I push both hands out in front of me, the wave goes through them and outward. This time my eyes are wide open. I see the purple smoke and electric energy flow freely from me, not the amulet, pushing Cutlass into the air and backward into his army.

"I'm not a liar! Don't force your army to die for your own cause!" I yell. It angers me he is willing to sacrifice his kind, and it seems I am not the only one who felt that way. The Orc who had stood beside him does some kind of hand signal, and the army of Orcs restrain Cutlass, despite his yelling. Turning to face me he takes two very large steps then kneels to be face to face with me. The knights nearby me prepare for an attack. The Orc didn't look much different to the Cutlass, except for the fact that his long hair and beard were tied up with black and silver beads. Pretty stylish.

"You are a strange human." He states, and then I think he smiles, but it's hard to tell. "We have many at home who wish us return." More broken English. "We serve Witch, not fight." Slamming his fist into his chest he gives me a nodded bow. The Orcs around him begin banging their chests, the rumble could probably be heard throughout the Wanbourne. What was happening? They serve Witches?

"Then," I try not to stutter, ", you should go home to your families." I say to the Orc in front of me as he ceases bowing.

It's not long after the Orcs begin to retreat that the mostly human crowd behind me erupts into cheer. Corvu grabs me by the hips and lifts me into the air, spinning me around in circles.

Did I really just prevent a war?

Upon returning inside, Gecko rushes towards Corvu and me, embracing us tightly, clearly relieved. The King and his son approach us, surrounded by their guards.

"I must say, that was quite a performance," the King remarks, and for a brief moment, I remember their harsh stance against Witches. Should I be worried? "Well done. It seems my father was mistaken about Witches after all." I release a breath I didn't know I was holding and allow a smile to spread across my face. Alec joins us.

"My father wishes to extend an offer to the three of you to join the Royal House, either as members of the King's Guard or perhaps as advisors," Alec explains, nodding eagerly.

Corvu appears taken aback. "You want a Trickster on the King's Guard?"

"You took the amulet, believing the rumours to be true, to die in place of the Orcs waging a magical war against us. I say trust in you has been earnt." Corvu smirks his usual devilish grin.

"Then I graciously accept." Holding out his arm they exchange one of those strong wrist shakes. Everyone turns to me to review my answer.

"It actually sounds like the King's Guard is a really big honor, and although I appreciate it, I don't belong in this world. I should go home." My answer seems to deflate the mood in the room, including my own.

"As you wish," the King states calmly, ", just know that your contribution today will mean the lifting of the Witch ban and execution scheme, and the position, should you ever wish to accept it, is available to you." It's a great feeling to know that Witches don't have to hide anymore, that their magic, as long as it's used for good, can be embraced once again. The King and Alec exit through the doors to join the loud celebration outside, just as Talon steps in front of us.

"So I hear you're joining the King's Guard," Talon says with a smile.

"Well, they are," I reply quietly.

"Ah yes, that reminds me, I do have a question for you, Trickster," Talon says, his tone curious. Although I'm intrigued by the conversation, I need to ask Gecko a question that only he might be able to answer. Sandy approaches from the other end of the hall, so I have to act quickly.

"Gecko," I whisper, ", is there some kind of thing when it comes to Elf and Pixie ears and touching them?" He thinks for a moment before whispering back.

"My mother told me I shouldn't let a girl touch my ears until I was much, much older, or married to her." That confuses me. It wasn't painful or uncomfortable? Oh. Oh . It clicks why Corvu snapped and told me to stop out of the blue – it's arousing . I feel a little awkward now. As Sandy reaches us, the conversation between Corvu and Talon stops, and the King's Ward leaves us to join the King and Alec outside.

"Sandy, I'm sorry to ask, but I left a bag up in my room. I'd really like to take that back home with me," I say as she assures me it's no trouble and disappears up the nearest stairs. This is my first chance alone with Corvu and Gecko to give them a proper goodbye, though I'm not sure how to approach it.

"I just wanted to say—" My breath is knocked out of me as both Gecko and Corvu embrace me in a group hug. There really are no words for this. Saying goodbye to people who have put their lives on the line for me, and who I'd be willing to do the same for in return? I feel tears welling up, but I try to hold them back. It's a long hug, but I guess they don't expect to see me again. Eventually, they pull back, their faces also a little red.

"Do you have to go?" Gecko asks, "You're a Witch. Witches can stay here."

"That probably just means there are Witches in my world too, and they're scared and hiding as well. I think…maybe I should go find them."

"I didn't get to say goodbye when you both left me here. Now, you came back just to go away again."

"I don't really want to say goodbye," I manage to say, my lips trembling more than I want them to. Shelia appears from the steps with Sandy right behind her. I thank Sandy as she hands me the satchel and she steps away. Shelia remains by the stairs, smiling at me and giving me a short nod. If it weren't for her, I probably never would have made it to Skiora. It all connects in the end. Unfortunately, I just don't belong here like they do.

"Can I come with you?" Gecko asks earnestly. He's so adorable. I cup his face with both hands.

"I'm sorry, but I don't want you to have to wear a beanie for the rest of your life to hide your ears. Besides, you still have your wings to earn," I say gently. He looks down at the ground, clearly sad. I look over at Corvu, who is avoiding eye contact. It's then I notice he's removed the beanie at some point. We both must look a bit oddly dressed.

"You're my hero, Corvu," I smile at him. His ears twitch and his face turns a little red, but he still looks down. "Promise me you'll look after each other, I don't care what anyone says I think a Trickster and a Pixie make great brothers. Now, please smile for me, guys. That's what I want to remember." Even though it's a bit forced, they both manage a smile for me.

I have to go. It's the right thing to do. I belong in my world; that's where I'm from. And someday, my parents might come looking for me, so I have to go back. I take a deep breath and try to memorize their faces. I have to go home.

In three.

Two.

One.