Knights of Arkyla: Sky Knight

By Isabella Steinhauer

Cassandra Bruen, lured into the world of dreams by an elf's trickery, is chosen to be one of ten Knights sworn to protect the land of Arkyla and an ancient alliance. But the peace that has lasted for centuries under the Knights' careful watch is threatened when one of their own order betrays them, and a dark prophecy casts its shadow over their desperate efforts to hold the kingdoms together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Isabella Steinhauer
• Release date: Feb 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301086245

Isabella Steinhauer

Isabella began writing at a very young age. She has a very needy cat and can often be found headbanging to heavy metal music. She enjoys reading, writing and drawing, and loves all things fantasy.

Book preview

Knights of Arkyla:

Sky Knight

By

Isabella R. Steinhauer

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

Isabella Steinhauer on Smashwords

Knights of Arkyla:

Sky Knight

Copyright © 2013 by Isabella Steinhauer

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

* * * * *

Chapter Log:

Name Guide

Translation Guide

City Guide

Prologue: Hero’s Fall

Chapter 1: First Snow

Chapter 2: Treasure in the Dust

Chapter 3: Mirror of Gold

Chapter 4: A Dream Come True

Chapter 5: Empowerment

Chapter 6: Sky Knight

Chapter 7: First Impressions

Chapter 8: The Stone Crown

Chapter 9: Before the Storm

Chapter 10: Twilight Hunter

Chapter 11: Betrayal

Chapter 12: Failed Test

Chapter 13: Lost

Chapter 14: Return Home

Chapter 15: Loyalty and Deceit

Chapter 16: Spirit and Sky

Chapter 17: Light and Shadow

Chapter 18: Playing with Fire

Chapter 19: Capital of the Crown

Chapter 20: Final Darkness

Chapter 21: Knight’s Oath

Chapter 22: Celebration

Chapter 23: Dance in Darkness

Chapter 24: The Knights’ Hall

Chapter 25: Combat Training

Chapter 26: Study

Chapter 27: No Regrets

Chapter 28: Secrets

Chapter 29: The Northern Tower

Chapter 30: The Legend of Avarri

Chapter 31: Immortals

Chapter 32: Guardians of Peace

Chapter 33: Land of the Sky

Chapter 34: The Crystal Spire

Chapter 35: Revelations

Chapter 36: Call for Aid

Chapter 37: Dreamwalker

Chapter 38: Blade of Eternity

Chapter 39: Dear One

Chapter 40: Best of Friends

Chapter 41: Reunited

Chapter 42: Departure

Chapter 43: Fallen Heroes

Epilogue: Timeless

Name Guide:

Aery – AY-ree (Isendri’s fairy)

Aethrielle – AY-three-el (Isendri’s unicorn)

Alezura – AH-leh-ZURE-uh (Keep)

Aldorbend – AL-dore-bend (Capital of the Free Lands)

Aldurius – al-DOO-ree-us (Swordmaster)

Anerval – AHN-er-vaul (Night elven prince, Knight)

Anden – AN-den (Keep)

Arkyla – ar-KIE-luh (World of dreams)

Artina – ar-TEE-nuh (Capital of the Spirit Lands)

Avediel – uh-VAY-dee-el (Arch-mage)

Avren Eldevar – AH-vren EL-deh-var (Human king)

Berradia – ber-AY-dee-uh (Western kingdom)

Briesia – BREE-see-uh (Cassandra’s unicorn)

Calennie – KAL-en-nee (Wood elven princess, Forest Knight)

Cassandra – (Sky Knight)

Cysceri Keyre – SIS-sare-ee KEER (Spirit Knight)

Dae’naliel – day-NAH-lee-el (Ice elven capital)

De’leriel – deh-LEER-ee-el (Wood elven queen)

Elinara – EL-in-ar-uh (Spirit elven city)

Elmatiyr – EL-muh-teer (Wood elven prince)

Emraldus – em-REL-dus (Wood elven king)

Ërevon – AIR-eh-vone (Sky elven kingdom)

Faeren – FAY-ren (Night elven forest)

Faevari – fay-VAR-ee (Spirit elven queen)

Fearryn – FEER-in (Count, High-mage)

Feldenir Avrenor – FEL-deh-neer AHV-reh-nor (Sky elf)

Haelia – HAY-lee-uh (Cassandra’s horse)

Raphael (First Doom Knight)

Isendri Fayriel – i-SEN-dree FAY-ree-el (Spirit elven prince, first Twilight Knight)

Jaizin – JAY-zin (Captain)

Karae – KAR-ay (World of dreams)

King Diaebri – dee-AI-bree (Human king)

Kiruen – KEER-oo-en (Fearryn’s phylactery)

Kris – (Serena’s horse)

Krismalf – KRIZ-maulf (Dwarf)

Lauuel – LAY-oo-ell (Forest)

Le’arene – LAY-ar-EEN (Sea-dwelling race)

Lellethia – leh-LEH-thee-uh (Cassandra’s dragon)

Lendallyn – LEN-duh-lin (First Sea Knight)

Maealthri – MAY-aul-three (Stable hand)

Melaess – meh-LAY-ess (Moon)

Melodia – meh-LOE-dee-uh (Sky elven capital)

Myredale – MIE-reh-dale (Southern kingdom)

Nacaia – nuh-KIE-ah (Vian’s fairy)

Naliel’reia – NAH-lee-el-RIE-uh (Wood elven capital)

Nëlëra – NAY-lay-rah (Spirit elven city)

Neralia – neh-RAY-lee-uh (Alliance lands)

The Neraling Alliance – neh-RAY-ling (Alliance)

The Neraling Gate – neh-RAY-ling (Magical gateway)

Nevvine – neh-VEEN (Race, kingdom)

Niëliya – nee-AY-lee-uh (Starbell’s horse)

Nillivara – NEE-leh-VAR-uh (Spirit elven lands)

Queen Diaebri – dee-AI-bree (Human queen)

Raven Avrenor – AHV-reh-nor (Sky elf)

Scelaenia – seh-LAY-nee-uh (Queen of Kieperia)

Serena Diaebri – dee-AI-bree (Human princess, Sea Knight)

Siyel – SEE-el (Capital of the Stone Crown)

Sollus Sunbinder – SOE-lus (Star Knight)

Starbell (Restoration Knight)

Stela – STEH-luh (Lake, Le’arene kingdom)

Tenica – TEN-ih-kuh (Spirit elven city)

Teriemnar – TAIR-ee-EHM-nar (Wood elven prince)

Tialna – TEE-al-nah (Nevvine capital)

Tiaris – TEE-ar-iss (Lake)

Torren – TORE-en (Night elven king)

Vaendel – VAY-en-del (Castle)

Va’liron – vuh-LEE-ron (Dwarven lands)

Valïzer – vuh-LIE-zer (Sky elven king)

Vian Fayriel – VIE-an FAY-ree-el (Spirit elven prince, High-captain)

Whuelen Avrenor – WAY-len AHV-reh-nor (Venom Knight)

Zauhc’dgar – ZAWC-d-gar ‘c’ is a throaty sound between ‘ch’ ‘j’ and ‘sh’ (Golden dragon)

Translation Guide:

At the beginning of each translation is a letter—an E or an A. The E means that the language is Elven, and the A means it is Ancient Arkylan.

E: Airrel . . . A title of respect for a noble woman

E: Alviaor N’veran . . . Grey Magic

A: Ammel athuniel? . . . And you?

A: Arkyla . . . Dreamworld

A: Carthen, nuë, . . . Indeed, yes,

A: Carthen, Unendë, . . . Indeed, Lady,

E: Ëan’viealor’Airrel. . . . Very well, Mistress.

E: Ëan’viealor. Ai’nath’dievelle’tae’duenn’ly’iea’venntri. . . . Very well. Return to us after we speak with them.

A: Elya, Unendë, . . . Greetings, Lady,

E: Eire’sael . . . My dear

E: Enaree . . . An elven greeting

E: Enaree’Arathe’Velara, . . . Greetings, Brother, Sky Sister.

E: Enaree’Vaene’siea, . . . Greetings, White Friend,

A: Entuniel . . . Mistress

E: Evali’lendéa . . . Spirit Stone

E: Jal’riea . . . The Crystal Spire

E: Karae . . . Dreamland

E: Melle’néa’saia, . . . As you wish,

E: Mineth . . . Traitor

A: Munië . . . No

A: Munië. Allorell— . . . No. He—

A: Munië, Haia, . . . No, Princess.

A: Nuë . . . Yes

A: Nuë, Unendë, . . . Yes, Lady.

A: Nuë. Vélle? . . . Yes. Why?

E: Saedenel . . . Princess

A: Triely, Unendë, . . . Farewell, Lady,

A: Triely, Unendë, Culevaen, . . . Farewell, Lady, Lord,

A: Triely, Vuineth. . . . Farewell, Mistress.

A: Tu’menia alune, Unendë, . . . With ease, Lady,

A: Twey athuniel, Unendë, . . . Thank you, Lady,

A: Unendë . . . Lady

E: Vaene’myre’naliel . . . White Storm Amber

E: Vael . . . Yes

E: Velara . . . Sky Sister

A: Vuineth . . . A title of respect for a noble woman

A: Zyele athuniel anaye, Unendë. . . . As you wish, Lady.

City Guide:

Siyel

Archaine District: The area surrounding the castle, where the poorer civilians dwell.

Country Ward: The paddocks and stable grounds in the north and east.

Guild Ward: The smaller ward, where all official guilds and other organizations can be found, in the southwest.

Recrian District: The fields around the West Gate, filled with fountains, pools, statues, and gardens.

Royal District: The largest, richest district, it houses most of the city’s population, and is in the south.

Trading District: The center of trade in Siyel, positioned between the north and west gates.

Melodia

Circle of Clouds: The highest platform in Melodia, located in the heart of the city. The royal family live alone on its platform.

Circle of Earth: The platform in Melodia nearest the ground, where foreigners stay.

Circle of Fire: The platform where the arcane train in a single structure below the Circle of Clouds.

Circle of Water: The platform above the Circle of Earth, filled with mineral waters.

Circle of Wind: The platforms below the Circle of Fire, where the citizens of Melodia dwell in three connected levels.

Circle of Veins: The platform above the Circle of Water, laced with veins of minerals.

Shadestone: The middle level in the Circle of Wind, where the arcane rule.

Net of Foreigners: The web of ropes and chains that non-winged visitors use to travel Melodia in harsh winds.

Net of Songs: The rings of gemstones that lace the edges of Melodia and sing in the wind.

Netherstone: The highest level in the Circle of Wind, where the high-born rule.

Veilstone: The lowest level in the Circle of Wind, where the warriors rule.

Prologue:

Hero’s Fall

Cold, sharp pain stabbed my side a moment after the steel slid between my ribs. My eyes opened by reflex, and my hands reached up to tear the weapon out. Then I saw my attacker. His face was hidden in the shadows of his hood, but I could have recognized him anywhere. I had spent nearly every day of the last few months at his side, training, fighting, laughing. Shock momentarily numbed the pain, then anger, terrible, burning anger seared my heart. I tried to shove myself away, but my hands remained draped limply over his, all feeling drained from them. I couldn’t move. I could just watch, tears streaking my face as he gently withdrew his weapon from my side.

My lady, he whispered, his soft voice sad but not surprised. He’d known it was me. . . this was no accident, no mistake. He had wanted to kill me. I dimly felt myself shudder as he lowered me to the ground, cradling me like I was something precious to him. I had once thought I was. I realized distantly that I was no longer breathing, and everything looked like I was watching it through a fog. Unable to accept what it might mean, I closed my eyes, just as I heard him say, I’m sorry.

* * * * * * * * * *

Sandra! I woke out of my trance as Rachel shook my arm. I blinked, shook my head, and stared in amazement at the robotic fortune-telling machine in front of me, the fake fortune teller giving me an even faker smile before I let Rachel pull me away. Rachel and I had dropped by our favorite arcade after school, and had both been having great fun until I’d had that. . . dream? Hallucination? I shook my head again, wondering what had just happened, when Rachel stopped in front of another machine. The writing across the top was so old and faded I couldn’t read it, so I looked down inside the glass instead. There were little trinkets lined up along a copper wheel.

Oh, look at that key chain! Rachel exclaimed, pointing to a crystal flower. In the center was what looked like a dark, glittering sapphire. Rachel’s birth stone. She grinned at me, then dropped a coin into the slot and started working the controls. I smiled weakly back, but my enthusiasm had faded. I looked back at the fortune machine, shook my head, and tapped my friend’s shoulder lightly.

Rachel, I, uh, have to go pick up my brother, okay? I told her. She glanced up, surprised.

Oh. Okay. Later, then?

Yeah, later. Zipping up my coat, I hurried out of the arcade. I winced as a blast of icy wind hit me, and walked briskly down the sidewalk wondering what I’d just seen.

Chapter 1:

First Snow

It was cold outside. I could just see the snow falling beyond my frosted window, and it didn’t do anything to lighten my mood. It was the first snow of the year, and already there was a foot of snow coating the ground.

Sitting with my head cocked to the side to press the phone between my ear and shoulder, I looked back down at my pale blue toenails. Narrowing my eyes in concentration, I started carefully drawing silver roses over the polish on my big toes.

Rachel called and said she’s sick, Katherine informed me sadly over the phone. And my truck is still at the mechanic’s.

I sighed, glancing at the window again as I listened. It was like this every winter. Someone would get a cold and somehow ruin whatever outing my friends and I had been planning, and someone else would be unable to take their place. This time Rachel had been needed to drive a handful of us to the school dance on Friday. I narrowed my eyes, considering. My car was too small to pack all my friends into, but maybe Natalya or Bryan. . . The Bakers’ truck should have enough room for everyone.

That’s alright, I assured Katherine, finishing the second wing. I screwed the nail polish closed and leaned back, examining my work. Natalya can take us.

Really? That would be great! Katherine exclaimed. Smiling, I checked my watch, the golden hands glittering around the pale blue topaz beneath. I still had more than enough time.

I’ll go talk to them later, make sure their truck is still working, I said.

Sounds good, she said, sounding relieved.

Cassandra!

I frowned as I heard my mother call me from downstairs.

I have to go, Kate, I told Katherine. See you soon? After I heard Katherine’s affirmation, I hung up and slipped my cell phone into my pocket. Careful not to damage my still-drying toenails, I turned and marched out of my room. Taking a sharp left and following the curving staircase out of habit more than by command, I almost tripped over one of my family’s many cats, sprawled across the rug at the bottom of the stairs. Laughing, I bent down to stroke the cat’s sleek brown head, then straightened and looked around. As I expected, I could hear my mother beating eggs in the kitchen, but no one was in the dimly lit living room with me. I walked into the kitchen and leaned against the door frame, watching my mother pour her egg mixture into a new bowl and reach for the flour.

My mother was short and slight of build, like me. She had her wavy blonde hair piled atop her head, and her blue eyes sparkled cheerfully as she saw me. She also loved cooking—which was the reason that our entire house forever smelled like freshly baked bread, cinnamon, or whatever else she took a liking to.

Hi, dear. Angelica is on the phone. Without further explanation, she pointed to the polished white phone in the wall, then returned to her cooking.

Thanking her, I grabbed the phone and said, Hello?

Hey, Sandra. It’s Angelica.

I smiled at hearing my best friend’s voice.

Um. . . I know we were planning to clean out the attic on Friday, she began, but there’s a lot of junk up there—more than I thought. I don’t think we’ll have time to do it before the dance. . . Could you maybe come over tomorrow instead?

Hmm. . . I tapped my lip thoughtfully, running my schedule through my brain. If I go to her house right after fencing class, we should be able to do it with time to spare. Yeah, I can go over after school, I replied. Would that be okay?

That’d be great! Angelica exclaimed. See you at school?

I laughed, glancing over at my mother. Definitely. I hung up the phone, waved to Mom, and headed back upstairs to wait for my nails to dry.

* * * * * * * * * *

I pulled on my gloves and marched outside a half hour later, planning to speak to the Bakers as I’d promised. Of course, snow and ice coated the ground in a pale blanket, so riding my bike, as I usually did, wasn’t an option. I considered driving there, but decided against it. I didn’t feel like battling the icy slopes around the Bakers’ house. So, with a sigh, I shoved my hands into my pockets and headed down the sidewalk at a leisurely pace.

I glanced around as I walked, noting that I was the only person in sight. In spring and summer and even in the fall, people would always be relaxing in the sunshine, playing games in the yards, laughing as they raked leaves into piles, sometimes to be dropped into a trash bin, other times to be leapt into by giggling children.

Currently, although there was more than enough snow to be either cleaning up or having fun with, no snowmen marked those barren yards, no children played in the generous drifts of snow, no cheerful greetings drifted across the crisp air. Even the vivid colors of the cars and houses lining the streets seemed washed-out in the pale winter season.

I couldn’t help but feel saddened by the lack of excitement, the absence of noise other than the soft crunching of snow beneath my feet. I didn’t even have to wait for a pack of cars to pass before crossing the frosty streets on my way, though I kept looking around, hoping to see one. Winter always had this effect on me. Cold, quiet, and lifeless, I couldn’t think of any purpose for it, other than to upset me and others like me.

You look like someone killed your best friend, commented a friendly voice, and I jumped, turning to face the speaker. Leaning nonchalantly against a stop sign, dressed in unassuming grey and white that hadn’t drawn my attention, was Nathan Shepards. He was my cousin, as well as Natalya’s boyfriend, and though he had graduated from high-school, I still saw him frequently. Grey-eyed, black-haired, and pale-skinned since his tan had faded, he looked as bland as everything else, and I was suddenly very grateful for my brown hair and eyes, though my skin was just as light as his—possibly more so. I grimaced at the thought.

No, I replied. I just lost her in an endless world of snow—and ice.

Come on, Nathan chided me easily. Winter is okay.

I sighed, shaking my head, and jerked my thumb at the path I’d been following. Were you going to see Natalya? I asked him.

Nathan nodded, joining me as I resumed my weary march.

So, what’s okay about it? I inquired, kicking aside a few cracked pieces of a fallen icicle.

That depends on what you like about it, Nathan responded.

I threw him a glare. "What is that even supposed to mean? What if I don’t like anything about it?"

You do like something about it. He paused, considering, then said, You enjoy seeing greenery start to return.

That means I like spring, I argued. It has nothing to do with winter.

Ah, but you wouldn’t enjoy spring nearly as much if it was always spring, would you? He had a point there, I conceded, but it didn’t make me any more inclined to stop wishing it was spring at that moment.

Whatever you say, I sighed, readjusting my scarf as a sharp gust of wind bit into the sensitive skin of my neck.

He allowed a silence to follow my words, since I had to focus more on the slippery path than our conversation. He didn’t seem to be having any difficulty, but I was less fitted to trekking through the snow considering my diminutive size and hatred of the stuff.

After a few more minutes, we arrived at the cement path leading up to the elegant victorian-style mansion the Bakers called home. The slanted roof rose high into the sky, shadowing the cobbled path that twisted across the field of glittering white snow and winter-bare trees. I loved looking at the place in spring, when the air smelled like lillac and everything was green and healthy, but just then it was as bland as unflavored yogurt.

The air was utterly silent, and Nathan and I followed the path without a word, as if our voices would break some spell that gripped the barren yard. When we reached the house, I pressed the small white button next to the door and waited for a response.

After a few seconds I heard the familiar sound of chains rattling as someone unlocked the door, and when the old wooden barrier finally opened with a low groan, I saw Natalya standing in front of me.

She wore her usual ensamble of black leather and iron chains, and her sleek black hair was cut short as always over her left ear while the right side of her face was hidden by a wave of much longer hair. Though she could have passed for a decent amazon for a movie with her musclular body and proud posture, she smiled brightly when she saw us, ruining the effect.

Cassandra, Nathan, she greeted us, stepping back with a beckoning gesture.

I gratefully walked forward into the warmth of the mansion, and shed my coat and scarf, hanging them on a hat rack beside Nathan’s gear.

Then I looked around the familar living room, from the spotless white floor to the matching ceiling, far above and glittering with crystalline chandeliers. Rich and creamy leather seats surrounded a cozy fireplace on the opposite wall; a massive beige rug matted the floor under my feet; a long table covered the length the wall to my left, adorned by statues and pictures of fantasy creatures like gryphons and phoenixes; and doors of honey-colored wood led into different parts of the house. Everything added to the grand and airy effect of the white room, seeming warm rather than pale, sugar rather than snow.

So, to what do I owe the pleasure? Natalya asked us, a slight tease in her voice to take the oddity from her words.

I glanced at Nathan to see if he wanted to say something, but he waved a hand for me to speak first, so I explained, Rachel’s not going ot be able to drive us to the dance on Friday, and the rest of us are stranded. Could you and Bryan pick us up instead?

You’ve got it, girl, she agreed easily, bracing one hip against the back of a chair and folding her arms. Your miracle ride will arrive on time.

Great, thanks, I said earnestly. Kate’s going to be thrilled.

Speaking of the dance, I believe Bryan’s been trying to work up the courage to ask your beautiful self to go with him, Natalya informed me with a playful grin. Do you want to take mercy on him and talk to him about it?

Oh, I wouldn’t mind. I matched her smile and waved at both her and my cousin. See you, then.

I headed up to the second floor, at home in the Bakers’ house as much as in my own, and rapped my knuckles on the doorframe of Bryan’s bedroom as I paused on the threshold.

Bryan, much like his sister in appearance with dark hair, olive-green eyes, and golden skin, glanced up from the book he was reading when he heard me. He was lounging on a worn velvet sofa in one corner of the room, a stack of at least twenty other books balancing precariously on the antique french coffee table beside him.

Good morning, he said in welcome, raising one eyebrow in an unspoken question.

I pretended to glance at my watch. Indeed it is, I responded, skirting around the edge of the coffee table and sitting beside him on the couch. Rather than starting up a conversation, I picked up the top book from the stack and looked at the title. A history-fantasy mix, as usual, I remarked after reading the premise. Predictable, but promising. Is it any good?

I find the ‘honorable’ order of knights to be clueless brigands and the tyranical king to be the wisest man in the land, but other than that. . . He trailed off with a shrug and tossed the book he’d been reading when I came in on the table beside the others. It isn’t utterly terrible.

Hmm. I carefully replaced my find and leaned back. I hear you have something to tell me.

Do I? he drawled, his strange accent showing through as he stretched like a cat and looked at me through his dark eyelashes.

Something about a dance? I suggested, resisting a smile.

Ah, yes, he said, shifting closer and laying his hand over mine on the sofa. The dance. Might I have the honor of your company this Friday night, my lovely?

You just might, I replied, letting my smile peek through. I was used to the slightly strange way he talked, as if he’d picked up some phrases from the books he loved reading. With a pointed look at the multiple boxes of playing cards on the table with the books, I added, Assuming you show me another one of your magic tricks.

Bryan chuckled and shook his head. Always playing hard to get, aren’t you, sweet lady? he asked, waving a deck of cards I hadn’t noticed him holding in front of my face. Which one shall it be, then, to be exchanged for a night with you? I don’t believe I have one magnificent enough to make it a fair deal.

Just show me a trick, I laughed, batting his hand away.

As you wish, he assented with a smile. He spread out the deck in his hand, showing me that the cards were scrambled. Watch carefully, he murmured, flipping the deck once and then cutting it in the center. I stared intently at his hands as he did so, unable to help my fascination, and when he again spread out the cards, I could only gaze in shock at the numbers, now in perfect order.

How did you do that? I demanded, snatching the cards away from him and rifling through them. It was a perfectly average deck, still slick and white, hardly used.

How do you think? he asked, leaning closer and retrieving his cards. His eyes bright and mischievous, he said, Magic.

Chapter 2:

Treasure in the Dust

Anerval ran a pale finger along the edge of his blade, wiping away the thin line of blood spanning its length. Rain fell in sheets from the dark sky, washing clean his hand within moments. Whuelen fell to his knees before him, one armored hand pressed against his side to stem the flow of his own blood. The clawed gauntlet Whuelen wore flashed with water in the moonlight, making Anerval wince and narrow his eyes, but he just flicked his wrist to press the tip of his sword against Whuelen’s throat.

Whuelen’s eyes, so startlingly gold in his fair face, calmly met Anerval’s, and Anerval sensed the question behind his cool gaze. Was this it? Would this be the time Anerval finally decided to drive his blade forward another inch, and thus rid the world of another potential enemy?

Not for the first time, Anerval considered it, and imagined how this one action could easily turn his dreams into reality. When Whuelen’s king discovered that he had been killed in the human lands, war would be inevitable. The great Alliance would fall apart, and Anerval would reunite them under a new rule. . . It would happen now whether or not the elf kneeling before him died, though, and it would be better to have an ally when the Alliance crumbled. Nothing lasted forever.

Smiling down at Whuelen, Anerval lowered his blade and held out his hand to him. No. Not today. Much as he hated to admit it even to himself, the elf was his friend. If there was another way, he would find it. If not. . . Shall we continue? Anerval asked of the elf, easily pulling him to his feet and stepping back into a ready posture in one fluid movement. Whuelen, his eyes of liquid gold hardening, nodded and slipped into his own stance.

For a full year they had played this game, knowing that one day their skills would be needed to restore this land they loved. But not today. At least for this one night, the peace was stable.

Lightning flashed high in the clouds, and Anerval leapt forward to thrust his blade through Whuelen’s heart.

* * * * * * * * * *

I grunted, struggling to lower the massive box from its shelf without dropping it on my head, knocking anything else off the shelf, or doing both. What the heck is in here? I demanded. A TV?

After I’d wrung every trick he knew out of Bryan, whether or not I’d seen them before, he’d walked me home, and I had gone upstairs and halfheartedly picked up one of my books. A few minutes later, when I got thoroughly sick of the second main character, I had just snapped the book shut and chatted with Angelica on the phone until I finally went to bed. She’d seemed ecstatic to hear that the Bakers were taking us all to the dance, and had been more than ready to talk for a few hours, though we were going to see each other tomorrow anyway. I felt pretty good about the way things had turned out, and I was also in a light mood, despite the snowstorm outside.

Angelica giggled at my words. You’re close. It’s actually my brother’s old computer. . . maybe his monitor, she told me, hefting a smaller box and showing it to me. "These are his really old keyboards and mice—er, mouses. Is it mice or mouses? It seems wrong calling them mice, but mouses is just stupid sounding. Hmm." Shrugging, she laid the box on top of the one I had managed to pull down and balance on a nearby desk instead.

Angelica started sorting through a pile of old sweaters. She falpped them to get the dust off so she could see their real colors, and sent a cloud of it billowing towards me. I turned my face away, half-shutting my eyes to prevent the dust from getting in them.

What do you think of this? she asked me, holding up a green sweater that matched her eyes. It was my Mom’s when she was my age. Most of the stuff up here was. . . Her voice trailed off as she looked around.

I’m sure your Mom would love to see you in it, I replied with a smile.

Angelica beamed and started fishing through the clothes again; almost all of them were green, I saw. As far as I knew, every member of Angelica’s family adored green. Which explained the green house, green car, green wall paper, green clothes, green—well, you get the idea. It was the same in my room, only with blue rather than green. The rest of my family had different ideas on the best color: my mother loved yellow; my father liked brown; and my sister, Jasmine, was obsessed with lavender.

Do you want to drop by the mall after we’re done here? Angelica suggested, fingering a moth hole in another green sweater. Heather and I are going to pick out some dresses for the dance. It’s short notice, but I wasn’t sure I could go with this weather.

How are you planning to get to the mall? I wondered aloud, readjusting the computer box with a grunt and thinking that laptops were an amazing invention.

Natalya’s driving us, Angelica explained, digging a blue sweater out of the pile and tossing it at me.

Not this time; I have something I need to do later, I explained, catching the sweater and feeling the soft material. I was referring to the new book I was reading, which was well on its way to being one of the best I’d ever read—despite the main character’s annoying best friend. I wanted to get back to it. . . the best friend had, of course, just betrayed the main character when I’d had to leave for school earlier.

I set the sweater aside and turned back to Angelica, but she seemed engrossed in a book of her own she had found under one of the sweaters, so I looked around the room instead. A tall mirror stood nearby, dusted off, so I assumed Angelica wanted to keep it. Not having anything else to do—Angelica had asked me to take down the computer box, but hadn’t yet told me what to do with it—I looked at my reflection.

Like my mother, I was small, almost exactly five feet tall and slight of build; my face looked youthful, even for a seventeen-year-old; my brown hair fell to my waist like a wave of melted chocolate; and my clothes were, as always, blue. I wasn’t one of those heroines in a book who thinks she’s mundane when she’s actually gorgeous; I knew I was considered beautiful by most people who saw me. I just didn’t usually wear much makeup or jewelry to enhance that beauty.

Tucking my hair behind my ears to get it out of my way, I continued to scan the room. I arched my neck to see over a treadmill hidden under a grey sheet. I wondered for a moment if it was really grey or if it was just dusty like everything else, but my attention was diverted by a faint gold light behind it.

Does something up here still work? I wondered. It’s probably just a lamp that Angelica turned on and accidentally knocked over, I told myself. But there didn’t seem to be much else to do besides listen to the loud thudding of hail and the occasional rumble of a car crawling across the icy street, so I slid the computer box fully onto the desk and walked over to the treadmill. I leaned over the handlebars and gasped.

A shimmering golden crystal lay forgotten in a heap of socks, glowing dimly as if a low-battery flashlight was shining through it. The light was much more natural, though, more like the rays of the sun. I looked back at Angelica. She was reading the back of another book, not paying the light any attention. Shrugging, I walked around the treadmill and knelt by the gem. It was about the size of my fist, with a darker center that branched out through it like a tiny flame.

It’s probably just a fake, glass or something. But then, why is it glowing? Curious, I reached down to touch it.

I started and drew back. The moment my fingertips brushed the stone, the light went out like a dead light bulb.

Shaking my head at my jumpiness, I lifted the stone, looking for a button or switch that had turned off the light. I found none, but I did notice that the facets were smoother than glass. It was unreal. . . and it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

Wondering what it was, I flicked the stone. A quiet ringing filled my ears—which seemed impossible, since I could feel it wasn’t hollow.

Sandra? What’s up?

I stood and raised the stone for my friend to see. I found this over here. Do you know what it is?

Oh, I remember that! she exclaimed. Mom used to hang it above my bed. Like a good luck charm. She frowned thoughtfully as she folded another green sweater. I accidentally broke the chain holding it up like two years ago. I haven’t seen it since. Do you want it? Her question took me off guard.

Don’t you? I asked, looking at it. It was amazing.

Angelica shrugged and replied, Not really. I wouldn’t know what to do with it anymore.

Thanks, Angel, I told her, taking one last look at it before placing it carefully in my pocket.

I’m glad you like it, she told me.

A silence followed, Angelica returning to the sweaters while I knelt next to the computer box this time, dusting off my hands. After a few moments, I spotted a pile of what looked like hooks and screws, and fetched the dull green container where Angelica and I had started storing the tools. Scooping the bits of metal into the case, I looked around for my next target.

* * * * * * * * * *

When I woke the next morning, my muscles were still sore from cleaning out the attic. I stretched with a groan, then I remembered: It’s the day of the dance! I opened my eyes, rolled out of bed, and went through my daily routine. An hour later, with my wet hair wrapped in a towel and a fresh coat of polish drying on my nails, I dropped back onto my bed and checked the clock. 4:02 AM.

Knowing that neither the sun nor my family would be up for hours, I reached for my book, on the end table where I had last left it. I started as my fingertips brushed something that was ice cold. I sat up in alarm, then relaxed as I saw the golden stone Angelica had given me. The hard facets of the stone and the golden print on the cover of my book both glittered in the lamplight. Shaking my head at my jumpiness, I grabbed the book and rolled over, flipping through the white pages until I found the last one I’d read.

Mom, Dad, and Jasmine one by one woke and went about their own routines, and after about two hours the house was filled with my sister’s classical music. An average and perfect morning in the Bruen household.

School was pretty normal, if you could ignore the buzz of excitement surrounding everyone and being sent home early. Angelica was overjoyed by the dress she had found—I could already picture exactly what it looked like, and I hadn’t even seen it yet; Natalya seemed more interested in her cell phone than talking about the dance; and the rest of my friends were delighting in teasing each other about their dates.

When I got home, I returned to my room and changed into my dress. It was a simple thing, a sky blue gown with golden straps and a sunshine sash, which was how I liked it. What weren’t simple were my boots. Blue with sparkling white buckles and stylized branches stitched into the material, they were knee-high and had four-inch heels.

After I finally tightened the last buckle, I stood up and walked over to where my jewelry box lay open, slipping on a golden bracelet and ring, along with a pin shaped like a row of gold-and-sapphire flowers to hold back my hair above my left ear. Finally, I clasped a thin chain around my neck, gently lifting the sea shell that hung from it. My mother had given it to me five years ago when we moved from Colorado to our new home in Maine, and it had joined me everywhere I went since. The shell was small and white with a green sheen, and was twisted in a spiral simmilar in shape to a classic icecream cone.

I jumped as Mom called my name from downstairs. Letting my shell