A dark creature appeared next to them, and he bowed to Jane.
“These creatures are yours, my lady. They were made for you, and only you. I am the keeper, and I have guarded them for centuries, waiting for you to claim them.”
“Thank you,” Jane said warmly. “You may go.”
The Equinox gave a contented sigh, and he drifted away on the wind, his yellow eyes the last part of him to fade.
Everyone had turned to look at her now, as she carefully climbed onto one of the unicorns.
“Jane! What are you doing?” Luca asked in alarm.
“I’m going some place where I can wait. I have to do this. Don’t worry, I will be back very soon,” she said, her smile giving warmth to each of them.
Then, without another word, the unicorns leapt into the sky, and with them Jane flew into another time and place. One that did not exist in Paragor, or any other world.
She flew, unhindered by anything but the thought of waiting. No matter how long it took, she would wait for him. She became like a wraith, trapped in her longing. But she was content, for though she could not remember anything else, she could remember Fern’s words to her.
“Whatever happens tomorrow, Jane, you won’t lose me. I’ll always be here for you. There is more than this life. Remember that.”
***
Emperor Liam of the Kabduh stood with his arms folded over his chest and watched the disappearance of the Bright One into the sky. His brow was furrowed as his gaze swept over the evidence of their victory.
His brother Lastaam came to stand quietly by his side and together they scrutinised what had happened.
“You’re not happy,” Lastaam murmured in their own language.
Liam didn’t reply for some time, but when he did his voice was very low. “We’ve won today. But has anyone given thought to the prophecy?”
Lastaam didn’t reply, only exhaled deeply, understanding now what plagued his emperor.
Liam murmured, “Only four were here. Four, when the Great One spoke of six. I fear, brother, that this was not the battle of prophecy. It is not over.”
***
Far below, further even than the chasms of hell, the soul of Leostrial lay as death, waiting, waiting for a time when it could be reborn. It would have sighed, if it could, for they had won the battle, but Paragor had unknowingly returned itself to darkness.
Characters
Jane
Anna
Harry
Luca
Jack Six Strangers from Earth, also known as the ‘Bright Ones’
Table I
***
Uns Lapodis Gaddemar of Amalia King of Uns Lapodis, High King of Paragor
Columba da Burmia His wife, Queen of Uns Lapodis, originally from Lapis Matyr
Accolon of Amalia Their son, Prince of Uns Lapodis
Tomasso of Amalia High Chancellor of Uns Lapodis
Vezzet of Garia The High Chancellor’s assistant
Ambrosius of Berla Captain of the Horse
Blaise A mercenary
Table II
***
Cynis Witron Cornelius del Sitadel King of Cynis Witron
Hira del Luglio Queen of Cynis Witron (deceased)
Fern del Sitadel Cornelius’ son, Prince of Cynis Witron, third Prince of the Elves
Elixia del Sitadel Daughter of Cornelius and Hira, half-sister of Fern, Princess of Cynis Witron
Parda del Torr Grape grower, only producer of Torrean ice wine
Ceridwen del Torr Parda’s wife
Ria del Torr Their daughter, singer of the company of Mercuro
***
Lapis Matyr Altor da Burmia King of Lapis Matyr (deceased)
Liessen da Burmia Altor’s widow, Queen of Lapis Matyr
Satine da Burmia The daughter of Altor and Liessen, Princess of Lapis Matyr, lover of Accolon
Altor da Burmia Satine and Accolon’s son, Prince of Lapis Matyr, named after his grandfather
Table IV
***
Tirana Darknor Former Emperor of the Kabduh of the Sands of Anuk (deceased)
Liam Eldest son of Darknor, new Emperor of the Kabduh of the Sands of Anuk
Sasteem
Lastaam
Goran
Karan Darknor’s younger sons, Liam’s brothers
Table V
***
Frescana Fey Queen of the Amazonians
Faraia Amazonian commander of the Fortress on Guanu
Hella
Lilina Amazonian warriors
Table VI
***
Silven Her eldest son, Fern’s half-brother, first Prince of the Elves
Eben Her nephew, Silven and Fern’s cousin, second Prince of the Elves
Third Prince of the Elves Lost Prince, unnamed and disgraced
Athena Noblewoman
Table VII
***
Gods Actaeon King of the Gods
Danae Queen of the Gods
Freyja Goddess of Love
Odin God of War
Adar God of the Underworld
Artemis Goddess of the Hunt
Aegir God of the Sea
Table VIII
***
Others Leostrial Self-imposed King of Lapis Matyr, second husband of Liessen
Table IX