Chapter 4: Traces of Hope

LYDIA

The crowd’s shouts of surprise echoed throughout the building. For a moment, Lydia wondered if their sheer excitement would bring down the ceiling.

“Order!” Chancellor Alastair called out. “Order at once!”

As the voices died down, the chancellor looked hard at Gerard.

“What traces have you found? Tell us everything,” she demanded.

Gerard wiped sweat from his brow and cleared his throat. “We were in the south, near the border of Vallas.”

Redmond gasped upon hearing the name of his kingdom. Elise and Ayana both turned to him for support. Lydia tried to imagine how she might have felt hearing that the Royals had been traced back to Imarnia. The shock was too much to comprehend.

“Their presence was unmistakable,” Gerard continued. “It felt as if a massive energy force was emanating…~growing~…with each moment we were there.”

“Where exactly were you?” Alastair said, asking the question everyone wanted answered.

“It’s a small town called Ulu. We would have missed it had we not heard the tolling bells of its distinct clock tower.”

“Do you know this place?” Lydia asked Redmond.

He shook his head.

“It sounds familiar, but I’ve never been there personally,” he admitted.

“Well, now you may get your chance,” Elise said with a smile.

“Don’t count me out,” Ayana replied excitedly.

The Slifers’ attention was brought back to the chancellor as she stood up, commanding everyone’s respect.

“You will go there first thing tomorrow,” she said, looking at Gerard. Her gaze then turned to Marsie and the Slifers. “Marsie, choose your team. We need the best we have.”

***

Marsie’s quarters were even more cramped than before. Every Slifer, ranked wizard, and soldier had gathered in hopes of being chosen.

“There’s no need to beat around the bush,” Marsie said, looking at the faces around her. “Some of you won’t be happy with the choices I’m making. But it’s for the good of the search party.”

Lydia could feel knots tightening in her stomach. If Gabriel was in Vallas, she ~needed~ to be there.

“I want Redmond since he’s the only Slifer from the kingdom,” Marsie said.

Redmond nodded in understanding. His face was calm, but Lydia knew that underneath the surface, he was most likely freaking out. She knew she would be…

“Is Dorian here?” Marsie asked.

“You know it,” Dorian replied, raising his hand. All eyes turned to him.

“I trust your instincts, and more than likely we’ll need your abilities.”

Dorian nodded his head and gave a thumbs-up.

Marsie took some extra time as she looked through the crowd. Her eyes met Lydia’s for only a moment before she moved on to someone else.

“Lucius Voltaire?”

“Right…here…” The old wizard stepped forward and nearly tumbled to the ground. Lydia’s face burned with embarrassment. He was drunk again!

Even after all this time together in Ellesmere, Lydia still had trouble getting used to the idea that her grandpa was around. Not that she saw him too often. He was always off on his own like a lone wolf.

The old wizard had lost much of Lydia’s trust after faking his death. Even now, she couldn’t help but feel betrayed every time she saw his reddened face.

“Are you up for the challenge?” Marsie asked, her eyes narrow. It was easy to see why she would want the powerful wizard. It was also easy to see why she would be worried.

Lucius took off his cap and gave a short bow. “I will do whatever is asked of me,” he replied with a hiccup.

“And what if I ask you to sober up before the journey?” added Marsie.

“Then you’ll be down one wizard,” he said, trying to wink. In his inebriated state, it came off more like a confused blink—as if something just wouldn’t get out of his eye.

“Fair enough. That’s it, people,” she said to groans throughout the room. “We’re keeping it small so as not to attract attention. The rest of you will get your chance to help soon enough, I’m sure.”

Lydia’s jaw dropped. As the room emptied, she made her way toward Marsie.

“What the hell?” Lydia spouted. “Why did I get passed over?”

“No offense,” Marsie started, “but I feel you sometimes let your emotions get the best of you.”

Lydia laughed in disbelief. “And I suppose none of the other Slifers have anything invested in these searches?”

“I want people who won’t be blinded by passion when things get tough,” Marsie replied.

Lydia clenched her fists, trying her best to keep them from turning into balls of fire.

“And Lucius is a better choice? Drunk off his ass the whole time—not giving a shit about anyone else but himself?”

“He might be a drunk, but he’s powerful. We’ll need him if we run into trouble.”

Lydia couldn’t help it. She felt her hands turn to fire and watched as Marsie stepped back.

“And I helped fight off Evine when she infiltrated Imarnia,” Lydia said, growing aggressive. “If there’s trouble—and chances are there will be—you’ll need my help.”

“Are you threatening me?” Marsie asked, perplexed.

“I’m warning you that you’re making a bad choice,” Lydia replied. “Imagine if it were Chancellor Alistair missing. Would you accept letting others search while you stayed behind?”

Marsie thought for a moment. Finally, she held up her hands and nodded in agreement. “Fine. You’re in. But don’t blow this.”

As Lydia dropped her hands, she could feel the flames dissipate until there was nothing left. She tried to hide her smile, but it was impossible. After all these months, she would have another chance to go out and find the man she’d been looking for.

Even though there was no certainty, Lydia felt a touch of warmth growing in her chest. She had to be positive and believe that this was it—the chance to reunite with King Gabriel.

Marsie shook her head, unable to keep herself from smiling.

“Maybe we’ll need your passion after all.”

“You will,” Lydia replied before turning to leave.

***

“That was some show of strength,” a voice slurred as Lydia walked down the alley.

“Remind me not to get on your bad side.”

Lydia stopped in her tracks and watched as Lucius slumped out of the shadows.

“You know that’s creepy, right?” she said, annoyed.

He cleared his throat and focused his eyes on Lydia. “I’ve been told.”

Despite her annoyance, she couldn’t help but feel sentimental about the old bastard. His blunt manner was all she’d known growing up, so it didn’t surprise her now.

“Is there a reason you’re stalking me from the alleys? Or do you just miss me?” she asked.

“I know you want to go with the search party,” Lucius said, letting out a burp. “But it’s just as important for you to stay here.”

Lydia looked at her grandpa with hard eyes. Did he really believe that staying behind was just as crucial as finding Gabriel and the others?

She shook her head. “There’s nothing for me to do here. My talent would be wasted. I’m going whether you like it or not.”

Lydia began to walk further down the street, but Lucius caught up with her quickly. Even loaded, he was fast on his feet. ~Did the drink give him his powers?~ she wondered.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about Ulu.”

His words caused Lydia to stop. She looked at her grandpa’s face to make sure he wasn’t completely out of it, but there was clarity in his reddened eyes.

“You’ve always got a bad feeling,” she responded uncertainly.

“But this is different.”

“It’s probably just your liver warning you about your terrible diet,” she said, trying to lighten the conversation.

Lucius leaned in closer, and Lydia could smell the alcohol on his breath. She wanted to step back, but something about his demeanor forced her to listen.

“Think about it, Lyd,” he whispered with a hint of suspicion. “We’ve been searching for the Royals for how long? Three months’ worth of work, and we haven’t turned up a single trace.”

“Bad luck,” she said doubtfully.

“I’d say damn bad luck. And now it’s changed?” Lucius’s eyes were growing wide. He looked like a nonbeliever who had just met a God face-to-face.

“What exactly are you trying to say?” she asked, hoping he wouldn’t confirm her suspicions.

“Gerard and the others didn’t do anything different. They went where they were told,” he replied. “I think Evine and Uzier wanted them to find something.”

Lydia heard the words but couldn’t believe her ears.

“We don’t know that,” she protested.

“Keep telling yourself that. But we both know they’re behind all of this.” Lucius backed away, finally giving her some space. “If you go on this mission, I’m worried we’re all just playing into their hands.”

“Good!” Lydia said. She was suddenly filled with unexpected courage. “I want to find Gabriel. But I also want to repay Evine for all the hurt she’s caused.”

“I know you do. But that’s exactly what they’re expecting!”

“What are you trying to say, then?” Lydia asked.

“I can look after myself,” Lucius retorted. “Marsie’s right. I’m worried that you might not see the danger because you’re too invested.”

“Of course I’m invested,” Lydia said, smirking. “That’s why I’m here.”

Lucius shook his head in disagreement.

“I’m going,” she stated. “And nothing you say will change my mind.”

She turned and walked briskly down the street. She felt the old man’s eyes burning into her back.

Lydia wished Lucius would trust her more. After everything they’d been through, the least he could do was respect her decisions. After all, the crazy old coot was the only family she really had…besides Gabriel.

A tinge of despair crept into her mind, but she tried to force it out. She missed Gabriel too much to let anyone or anything hold her back.

Lydia ~knew~ she’d made the right choice. She would make all her own choices from now on. And her grandpa would learn to respect that, whether he liked it or not.

***

GABRIEL

Winds whipped down a desolate landscape. Bits of stinging sand crashed into the jagged cliffside. Gabriel didn’t seem to notice as it bit into his skin like the sting of a hundred insects. His attention was elsewhere.

In the distance was the small village they’d been sent here to visit. But he was no tourist in this land. He had a far greater goal than seeing the sights…

A glowing green light pulled his attention to a woman at his side. Queen Adria stood erect and resolute. In the middle of her forehead, a jade-green gem pulsed with supernatural light, casting eerie shadows onto her face.

She nodded her head imperceptibly before ascending into the air like a feather on the wind, floating toward the unsuspecting village sleeping peacefully below.

Gabriel watched her without wonder or surprise. His mind was blank save for one thought…~Destroy everything.~

“It is time,” Evine said giddily. She hovered in the air in front of Gabriel, a finger beckoning him to join. “Ulu will be our test—the first of many places we will conquer.”