The Return
Months had passed since I began training with Doya to reclaim my powers. Progress came painfully slow. My magic was weak, unreliable, responding one moment and vanishing the next. I could feel it stirring within me now, but my ability to channel remained unstable.
The Bound of this Sanctum had begun to notice my constant training with Doya. Questions lingered in their glances, in the way conversations quieted when I passed. My drained powers had been kept secret, yet something about me was off to them. Still, no one dared to ask. Ascend Kaelric had ordered that I not be disturbed, and his authority left little to no room for curiosity.
After persistent pressure for me to begin my duties as guardian, the rest of the Ascend were informed of my inability to channel.
In time, I adjusted to life within the temple. I met people beyond the Sanctum, and they welcomed me warmly. They cherished me. On some days, I would visit the market for bread or spices, and the sellers would bow their heads and treat me like royalty, with the type of respect one might offer a queen.
When Doya was occupied with temple duties, I trained in hand-to-hand combat with Kumbuye. He was stronger physically than he was magically. Unlike most channelers, he could not wield power in the usual way. His gift lay elsewhere, in the ability to hear the thoughts of those around him. It was a power with immense potential, still unevolved, but beyond that, he could do little.
Today was one of those days.
I held a dagger in each hand, my knees bent, my focus locked on him.
He stood across from me with his spear angled forward. "Come," he said.
I charged.
He blocked my first strike with the spear shaft and thrust back. I ducked, feeling the blade pass over my head, and slashed at his side.
"Again," he said.
I moved in once more, quicker this time. I struck my dagger before him but he parried, extending his spear blade, flashing close to my face, close enough to make my heart jump.
I forced myself nearer, inside the reach of his weapon. When he tried to pull back, I trapped the spear between my daggers and twisted.
Kumbuye lost his balance and stumbled.
I drove my shoulder into his chest. We fell together. He hit the ground first, and I landed on top of him, pinning the spear to the floor and pressing one dagger lightly to his throat.
We stopped moving.
My breath came fast. His chest rose beneath me. Neither of us spoke.
I lifted my eyes and met his gaze. Then my eyes dropped to his lips.
For a moment, I forgot the fight. I leaned in before I thought better of it. Our lips brushed together, my heart fluttered, then I froze.
I pulled away and stood quickly. "Point to me," I said, my voice shaky.
Kumbuye rose slowly, his eyes still on me. "You won," he said. "You're improving."
I nodded and turned away, trying to hide the heat rising to my face. My heart raced for reasons that had nothing to do with the fight.
As I walked away, he did not call after me. Perhaps he felt it too.
I hurried back to my room and stepped into the bath chamber after undressing. I needed to wash away the sweat clinging to my skin. I had learned much over the past months. When my powers failed me, I could still defend myself with the skills Kumbuye had taught me.
Doya had left the temple on Bound duties to receive the King of the West. Word of my presence had reached him long ago, and he had planned for months to come and see me, though opportunity never favoured him. Now, at last, he was coming.
I needed to prepare.
I summoned Lysara.
Over the months, we grew close. Lysara answered almost every question I asked, except those she truly did not know. Novitiates were rarely trusted with the deeper truths the Bound carried. Still, she shared what she could, especially about the Ascend Council.
I asked her about Elyndra, the Ascend who had pressed me so hard that Kaelric was forced to reveal the truth about my powers. The Ascend were not surprised by Balshak, but they feared I might not be fit to serve as guardian.
Lysara assured me Elyndra could be trusted. She was strict, yes, but her harshness came from care. Elyndra was fiercely protective of her people and of the Temple, and she was willing to make the hard choices others avoided.
Lysara also told me about the rest of the council.
Ascend Veylan, skilled in rituals and combat.
Ascend Darveth, sharp minded and strategic.
Ascend Seraphine, a guide and mediator to the Bound.
Ascend Corvath, imposing and powerful, keeper of the temple's defences.
Ascend Serathiel, the oldest and calmest Ascend, a man of very few words.
A gentle knock sounded at my door.
"Come in," I called.
The door opened and Lysara stepped inside, laying folded clothes on my bed.
"I brought something for you to wear."
"Thank you," I said with a small smile. "Please help me with my hair."
Lysara took a brush and brought it to my hair. By the time she finished brushing and styling my hair, an urgent knock sounded on my door.
"Dana," a attendant called through the door, her voice tight. "There is someone asking to see you."
I wasn't expecting anyone. "Who?"
"She would not say," the attendant replied. "Only that she knows you."
I followed her down the corridor. As we descended the stone steps into the lower chambers, I sensed it before I saw her.
Giselle.
My stomach clenched, I couldn't find my words. She stood near the entrance. Her skin was pale, and she was thinner than I remembered her to be. Dark bruises marred her arms and throat. Dried blood clung to the hem of her torn dress, and fresh cuts lined her wrists.
She lifted her head when she saw me. Her eyes were dull and rimmed red.
"Dana," she whispered.
My chest ached at the sound of my name on her lips. I took a step toward her, then stopped. Months. She had been gone for months. Taken by the Forsaken and trapped in Balshak's fortress.
"How..." My voice failed me. I tried again. "How did you get here?"
Her lips trembled. "I escaped."
As the words left her lips, I didn't buy it. What explanation could she possibly give for escaping Balshak's fortress? It was heavily guarded and fortified. Unless she could veil-walk, escape should have been impossible.
"Bad things happened to me, Dana." Her eyes became glassy, "I hoped you would come back for me. Every day, I stared at the dungeon walls, waiting to see you. Waiting for you to rescue me." Her voice cracked. "But you never came."
My heart stuttered. I didn't know if I wanted to believe her, I mean, she looked the part, but she had always been a great liar too.
"I lost hope," she continued, tears spilling freely now. "They tortured me." Her breath hitched. "You abandoned me, Dana."
Her knees gave way.
She would have fallen if the Novitiates had not rushed forward, catching her before she struck the floor.
What a performance.
I wanted to believe her. Gods, I wanted to. But Giselle had always known how to shape the truth, bend it until it served her purpose. Lies had never been a stranger to her.
"Please," I said at last, "take her to a room. Clean her wounds. Give her food."
The Novitiates nodded and gently led her away, murmuring soft words as they guided her down the corridor.
When she was gone, I turned back and headed to my room because tonight, I was meant to meet with the King of the West. I could not afford to deal with this now. Whatever Giselle had brought with her, truth or lie, it would have to wait.
Later that evening, the Bound who had gone to receive the King of the West returned to the temple. Their arrival stirred the halls with movement and murmurs, but my focus was fixed on one person alone.
I found Doya near the outer corridor.
"There is someone here," I said, bringing him close. "You wouldn't believe it."
He turned to me, confusion knitting his brow. "What is going on?"
"Come," I said. "You need to see for yourself."
I led him down the corridor to the room where Giselle had been placed. When I opened the door, Doya stepped inside and froze. The colour drained from his face.
"Giselle…" he breathed.
She turned slowly.
The fear she had worn earlier was gone, replaced by hardened eyes the moment they met his.
"You left me," she said quietly.
Doya swallowed. "I... I am sorry. I..." he stuttered.
"I never believed you could do that to me," she said, her voice rising, shaking now. "You left me behind. You could have taken me with you."
"I am sorry," he said again. "I couldn't. I wasn't strong enough."
She let out a bitter laugh. "You simply did not want to save me. If you wanted to, you would have come back for me." Her eyes burned into his. "But you never did."
She sounded convincing. Pain was evident in her voice, but I still couldn't bring myself to fully trust her.
I had sent for Kumbuye earlier. If anyone could help uncover the truth, it was him.
He arrived moments later, stepping in beside me.
Giselle's gaze snapped to him. "Who is this?" she asked.
"Kumbuye," he replied, his eyes never leaving her.
She let out another strange laugh. "So you've already found someone to replace me?"
"No," I said quickly, stepping forward. "Do not say that."
She began to cry and tremble. Whether it was real or performance, I could not tell.
Kumbuye's expression shifted. His brow furrowed as he flicked his eyes away for a brief moment, before returning to her.
"I cannot read her," he murmured, close enough that only I could hear. "It is as if her thoughts are fractured. Or hidden."
A chill ran through me.
When we began to leave the room, I glanced at Doya and whispered:
"Kumbuye couldn't read her, I don't know whether she's telling the truth or not."
"That's... not good." Doya murmured. "If he can't pierce her mind, then either she's hiding something, or..." He trailed off.
We made our way to the great hall. Tonight, the temple had been transformed for the arrival of King Achaleous of the West. Long banners of deep crimson and gold hung from the rafters. The scent of fruit wine and roasted meats mingled with the perfume of fresh flowers. Musicians played soft, lilting tunes on lutes and flutes.
I could hear laughter spilling from corners, the clink of silver cups, the whole place was lively. It was a welcoming feast, a celebration befitting a king's arrival.
Ascend Kaelric entered the hall, with the other Ascend behind him, greeting dignitaries with nods and smiles, before my eyes fell on King Achaleous himself. He was taller than I expected. He had silver white hair. His robes were emerald, decorated with little diamond ornaments around them.
"You will meet him shortly," Doya whispered beside me, keeping his voice low. I flinched, I had forgotten he was there. "And Dana..." He pulled me in, muttering in my ears, "be careful what you say. Kings are clever. They notice everything."
I nodded, swallowing the flutter in my stomach.
Kaelric stepped forward, opening the path for the king. "Your Majesty, welcome to our humble temple. We are honoured by your presence."
"Thank you, Ascend Kaelric," the king said as he scanned the hall before his eyes landed on me. He walked toward my direction. "And you must be Dana, the guardian I have heard so much about."
I dipped into a curtsy. "Your Majesty, it is an honour."
He inclined his head slightly, a small, courteous smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I look forward to speaking with you."
Kaelric was already seated on his golden throne when he tapped his cup lightly, the soft chime silencing the hall. "Let us welcome our guest properly," he announced. Immediately, hands extended to dancers, and the hall came alive with motion. Couples danced across the hall, their laughter mingling with the music.
"May I steal her for a bit?" Doya said to King Achaleous, offering me his hand. The king agreed and I took Doya's hand, following him into the circle. The King made his way to the thrones where the Ascend made a seat available for him. For a while, I let myself enjoy it — the music, the dancing, the celebration... everything was perfect.
After the dance, King Achaleous approached me again. "The duty of guarding the Cranium must be a heavy burden for one so young," he said, appearing behind me.
"Yes, Your Majesty," I replied, "but one I intend to carry, with guidance."
He nodded once, speaking further. "Then may this night remind you that even in the shadow of duty, there is still light. Enjoy it while you can... may I have a dance?"