The Lies that Made Us
Light and Dark

Brynn

The atmosphere around the dining table was tense. Everyone went through the motions of supper, putting food on their plates, pouring wine, even eating and drinking a bit, but there were no smiles or laughter, just tense contemplation. It was the quietest five minutes Brynn had ever experienced in the room as at least Melwa usually had something to say. Instead of speaking, she drank some wine, moving her eyes between Brynn and Amelia, and Brynn could not read her expression.

They had spent the hour before supper explaining what had happened the last three years, most of it within the last few weeks. Brynn did most of the talking, though Amelia quietly shared her story of Brynn’s father’s death and a bit of her three years in the tower. Her voice sounded tired and hurt, as though getting through the words made her relive things over again.

By the time supper was called, Amelia looked like she wished to go to her room and sleep for a week. Brynn was grateful when Tristeen and Lady Lyneth took time to walk beside her into the dining room, speaking quietly. Whatever they said made Amelia smile a bit as she sat between Brynn and Tristeen.

“So King Gareth plans to rule over all of us?” asked King Osian from the head of the table.

“It appears to be his intention. He already has control over two kingdoms,” replied Brynn.

“Light and Dark,” mused King Ignacious as he picked up a bit of food with his fork. “Two powers that appear to be at war with one another.”

“Not necessarily,” Amelia spoke loudly, and all turned to look at her. “I always thought the darkness would dim the light I possess, but I replace it only makes it burn brighter.”

“Which gives the darkness the freedom to gather.” King Ignacious chewed on his food with a thoughtful expression. “Can King Gareth wield Alinia’s power?”

Brynn shook his head. “He cannot. He is a Dweller. I have felt it, seen it.”

“Then he will need a Bearer to achieve his goals,” said Ignacious. He stared at Amelia. “A powerful one.”

“Why not a Guardian also or a Whisperer,” said Amelia as she met the king’s gaze. “The moon needs the darkness to shine, and wisdom is often spoken in quiet and dark.”

Ignacious smiled widely at Amelia. “Bright woman, just as Iver said. Perhaps, Gareth hopes to bend Guardians and Whisperers to his will. He might be able to do it if he has mastery over darkness and light.”

“No matter his plans, he has to be stopped,” said Prince Rayan. “We should focus on that and not what magic he wants to master.”

Ignacious nodded. “But knowing his plans can help us replace his weakness and exploit it.” He continued to stare at Amelia. “Do we know his weaknesses?”

Brynn swallowed hard, not daring to speak what he wanted to say. There was only one reason they were able to escape Achilia, one reason they could leave, and it was because Gareth would not allow Amelia to be killed. He would rather let her go than see her dead.

“He is vain and cocky,” said Amelia. “He thinks the world should just bow down to him because he asks. He has no patience. He takes what he wants.”

Melwa took a long swig of her wine. “You would know. You spent three years under his control, and I believe spent much time with him.”

Brynn narrowed his eyes at his friend. He couldn’t believe she would mean to be unkind, but her bluntness was not helpful. Amelia looked at Melwa. “I know him as much as anyone, I suppose, but even I did not sense the darkness in him, not like that. I didn’t know what power he held.”

“Perhaps you overlooked it on purpose, my lady,” said Melwa as she held out her glass for more wine. “Maybe you didn’t see it because you didn’t want to.”

“Mel,” hissed Brynn. “This is not helpful.”

“I was distracted during my times with Gareth,” said Amelia quietly. “I was trying to survive.”

Queen Stefana looked at Brynn and then Amelia. “Of course you were. No one can blame you for any of this.” She turned her eyes on her daughter. “I am sure you don’t mean to sound so harsh, my dear, but some kindness would not be remiss.”

Melwa bowed her head. “I apologize, Lady Amelia, if I upset you. Sometimes my mouth gets away from me.”

“I do wish I had paid more attention to what Gareth was saying to me, who he was, but I was not well. I was angry, confused, and alone. I want to help now, help our kingdoms and get Brynn to his rightful place. On the throne, where his father wanted him.”

As Brynn took her hand under the table, he noticed it was shaking. He squeezed it and did not let go.

“You will need plenty of support from within your kingdom and without,” said Prince Rayan. “Have you contacted anyone in Evalmore?”

“Amelia sent a message to her father. We are hoping to receive a reply here. He and her brother will know which lords to contact and who we can trust,” said Brynn.

“You will have our support, Brynn,” said Melwa. “I am sure father and mother will not hesitate.”

King Osian looked at his daughter before looking down. “Brynn, you will always have a place in this palace. I want Erialla to be a safe haven for you, but before we start naming kings and fighting battles, many things need to happen.”

“Battles,” whispered Amelia, her eyes closing. “Battles were people die, and kingdoms suffer.” It was quiet except for the slight shuffling noise of everyone turning to look at her. “If the orders of the goddesses all collide, it could ruin the world. It almost has before.”

“This will not be like the war that cleaved the world,” said Melwa dismissively. “This is one power-hungry man to stop.”

“A power-hungry man who controls two of the world’s most powerful kingdoms. Who has proved he is willing to do just about anything to get what he wants, including killing his own father,” said King Ignacious with his eyes on Melwa. “My dear girl, do you think when the great war was fought centuries ago, anyone thought it would go as it did? Do you think it would have been started had those first few kings known it would last years, bringing us to the brink of extinction?”

Melwa stared back at her father-in-law as she picked up her cup of wine. “Then perhaps we should not let history repeat itself. We know what we must do.”

Brynn felt Amelia move beside him, unsettled and trembling. He heard her whisper. “It is not that simple.”

Brynn leaned slightly against her. “Killing my brother does not mean we will have victory. We must first figure out what support he has.”

“Lord Fox should be able to give you some kind of gauge in Evalmore,” said King Osian.

“I doubt Gareth has much foothold, if any here in Erialla,” said Queen Stefana.

“I will write our lords this very evening,” said Prince Rayan.

Almost everyone turned to speak with one another, the volume increasing in the room when Amelia put her cup down with a bang against the table. “We must think of the people of Achillia.” Her voice was clear, forceful. Everyone stopped and turned to her.

“Achillia?” asked Melwa with distaste. “What-“ but her words were cut off as her husband put his hand on her arm. He looked across the table at his father, who was staring at Amelia.

“We cannot discount Achillia and its people. I have always been taught the whole kingdom is full of those who wish evil and harm, but how can that be? While those who run the palace seem full of malice, can there not be decent people in the villages, out in the land? If we ignore the people of Achillia and only kill their leader, we might replace ourselves with a bigger problem.” Amelia looked around the table, her eyes landing on Melwa as though she dared her to disagree.

“We need contacts in Achilia,” said King Ignacious. “Unfortunately, any I had have died. What of you, King Osian?”

Osian shook his head. “Erialla has had no ties to the kingdom in many years.”

“Who besides the very southern tip of Evalmore trades with Achillia?” asked Amelia.

Everyone looked around the table. “You have the largest kingdoms represented here. Perhaps Annelia does?” Queen Stefana glanced at her husband.

“I doubt it, being so north,” replied the king.

“This is the problem,” said Amelia. “We know nothing about Achillia. We have let it be disconnected, alone in our world.”

“For what it did in that war that cleaved our world,” said Melwa forcefully.

Amelia shook her head. “Six centuries, six hundred years, and we still punish them?”

“Their leadership has never been forthcoming, and look who is in charge now,” said Melwa. “What do you know of this world’s history or running a kingdom, my lady.”

“Probably more than many of us at this table,” said Brynn with a grin. “Amelia spent many hours at my father’s side while he ruled. I think she listened better than either of his sons.”

“I am sure you learned plenty from your father, Brynn, but he is right. I spent many years listening to King Iver speak to his lords, helped him write his letters, and soaked up every bit of wisdom he had for me. I would never try to override the wisdom of experience that many of you have at this table, but I believe we ignore the people of Achillia to our own detriment. If we kill or even displace their leader without their input, it will not end well.”

King Ignacious looked at Amelia with a nod of approval while King Osian appeared thoughtful. “I appreciate your candor, my lady. I believe it is something we need to think over. I have some contacts I can make with other kingdoms. We have a festival to celebrate in a few days. Let us get through it, and we will meet further about this.”

Amelia bowed her head before continuing on with her supper. Brynn went to do the same when Melwa gave him a look he knew meant she would replace him after the meal. Sure enough, as soon as they entered the parlor and Amelia was joined by Tristeen and Lyneth, Melwa grabbed Brynn’s arm and took him to the far side of the room.

“Your lady was very outspoken tonight.”

“Was what she said not true?” asked Brynn.

“Do you believe we should care what happens to those in Achillia? After all that kingdom has done?”

“As Amelia says, it has been six centuries. We don’t know what happens in the kingdom.”

“We saw enough of it in that palace. Did you see how they spent their evening, the depravity?” Melwa snorted. “If that is the representation of their lords and ladies, how can their villages be any better.”

“That was a representation of the lords and ladies my brother invited, Mel. He would only have those there that let him do as he wanted. Of course, they were drunk or out of their minds on the goddesses’ know what. Those are the people that will stay in their mindless luxury, letting my brother rule over them. What if there are others in the kingdom, wanting more, something better?”

“So, you think we should do what? Wait, and let your brother move as he pleases while we try to replace out anything about Achillia to save a few people?”

“I think there is a way we can begin to fight back against Gareth while helping those in Achillia who need it. Once we start picking and choosing who deserves to live, what does that make us?” She turned away and crossed her arms. “Your husband and father do not think she is a fool.” Both the king and prince had sat close to Amelia, speaking intently to her.

“The king has not been well, and Rayan has a tendency to be tender-hearted. He will see reason soon enough.”

“And where will that reason come from, you?” He ran a hand through his hair. “Mel, I don’t know what will happen, but we need to consider all options. Above all, we need to stay together. We are tired, and it has been a trying time. Rest and think this over. Let us get through the festival, and we will come to a decision together.”

She deflated a bit, her arms falling to her side. “You are right. I just hate the idea of a drawn-out war. I was hoping we could end this quickly.”

“Perhaps we still can, but above all, we need to do this right.”

She nodded before looking over towards Amelia. “Perhaps we should all call it an early night. I know I am exhausted, and your lady looks as if she wishes to lie back on that sofa and fall asleep.”

“I am anxious to be in bed as well.”

“Yours?” she asked with a laugh. “Don’t answer that.”

“I wasn’t going to, as I am sure you can guess.” Melwa swatted at him. “Good night, Mel.”

“Good night, Brynn. Perhaps I will wake up in a better mood tomorrow.”

“Maybe, but I’ve been waiting for it for over four years. You would think it would happen by now.”

Brynn went to Amelia and suggested they retire early after their long journey. She agreed, saying good night to the room. Brynn was not surprised to replace she had already charmed almost all of them as they warmly wished her a pleasant evening, King Ignacious standing to kiss her hand.

Brynn walked with her up the stairs and to her room. She opened her door and looked at him. “It has been a long journey. You must want a peaceful night’s sleep.”

He tried not to smile. “Is this your way of telling me to go to my own room? Perhaps you are the one who wishes to rest undisturbed.”

“I would never part from you if it were my choice, but being here in this palace, amongst your friends. It’s reminded me of the gap between us.”

He took her hand and pulled her close. “There is no gap unless you let there be one. Do you not know how impressive you were at supper? You sounded like a queen, Amelia.”

She blushed slightly. “The princess did not seem to agree.”

“Melwa was in one of her moods. You should pay her no mind. What I saw tonight, what everyone saw, is that I would be a fool to let you go. I need you in so many ways.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. “I love you. I cannot let you go again.”

She reached up and touched his cheek. “Go prepare yourself for bed. I will excuse whatever servant they sent and come to you.”

“You will come to my room?” The corners of his mouth twitched. The idea was more than agreeable to him. He could remember many nights of thinking of her in that bed with him, replaceing small hollow echoes of pleasure as his thoughts of her made it impossible for him to settle no matter how much he tried to replace release.

She nodded. “Do you not want me in there?”

“I do,” he said, trying to keep his breathing even. “Come as soon as you can. I will make sure I am alone.”

She walked through her door and looked at him with one of her mischievous half-smiles as she held the door. “I’m sorry you may not get the rest you wish, your highness. I believe I have a few things to discuss with you in detail.”

“I’m looking forward to whatever it is you have to say to me or show me, my lady. Any time I spent with you is always invigorating.”