Page 105 of Legacy of the Heirs
“What?” Kazaar asked.
“Caligh Servusian. The author ofMyths and Lies of Ithyionwas called Caligh Servusian.”
Sadira grabbed the book from the table behind her to check the spine. Nyzaia knew it was there—faded, but there. Sadira turned the spine to face the others.
“A coincidence, surely?” Caellum asked.
“It could be a common name from Ithyion,” Sadira agreed.
“The book holds information on celestial ties, which we know to be real, and also the incantation to imbue a sword to defeatdarkness,” Nyzaia stressed. “That would be an awfully big coincidence.” Nyzaia paced. This could confirm he was alive on Ithyion and played a part in the downfall of their ancestral home. But how did his book end up in her father’s study? Too many questions whirred through Nyzaia’s mind.
“What does it matter? If we know his name?” Elisara asked, frowning.
“There is power in a name,” Larelle muttered beside Nyzaia. “Osiris, he said something odd when talking about Zarya. He said there was power in a name.”
Sadira stood. “The Wiccan in Garridon said the same thing.”
“That cannot be a coincidence,” Nyzaia said, pacing now. “It means something. It has to.”
“We do not have time to be certain of anything,” Kazaar said. “We keep the knowledge to ourselves unless anyone crosses paths with him and feels it may benefit them in some way.”
“If we make it through this, I can read through the rest of the Wiccan book; there must be something on name-based incantations,” Sadira said, looping her hand through Caellum’s.
“Whenwe make it through,” said Larelle, and Sadira smiled softly. Nyzaia’s face remained stern. She had been in enough battles and inflicted enough death to know not to be optimistic whenever confronted with a fight.
“The only people certain to make it through this are Elisara and Kazaar; their tie heals their wounds. The same cannot be said forus.” Nyzaia glanced at Farid. They had agreed not to reveal their tie unless Farid used his wings as a last resort.
“For all we know, this general and his soldiers have a sword the equivalent of ours that could maim anyone,” Kazaar said. “Including us.”
“No one can live forever,” Elisara said.
“But they can live an awfully long time,” Alvan said behind Larelle. He turned to address Nyzaia. “If this general is the same man who wrote that book, he is old. Whatever power he has is keeping him alive, or he comes from far different lands than ones we know.”
The rulers all nodded as the realisation sank in about how unprepared they were for this battle compared to him. Yet Caligh’s presence provided hope that there were other lands out there and that the Historian, Talia, and Tajana could be successful in finding aid.
The tent opened again, and Jabir appeared. His eyes sought Farid, and then Nyzaia. He nodded.
“They have taken Myara.”
That was the signal. The confirmation it was time to go. The rulers rose, readying their weapons as Jabir continued to fill them in. Nyzaia approached him as he leaned over the map.
“The army is split: half are the creatures circling the rooftops, and the other half are men on foot. They appear to only carry one sword each. They seem to be some kind of rank, groups in grey leathers and some in copper armour. I could not differentiate a reason other than skill set.”
“You’ve done well, Jabir,” Nyzaia said. “We may gauge more about their strategy when we approach them on the sands.” Nyzaia strapped the final sword to her back and turned to the rulers. Caellum planted a kiss on Sadira’s head, preparing to say goodbye. As someone not as skilled in swords, Sadira would remain atop the dune to wield her power from there and slow the enemy’s army. Larelle was to do similar, but Alvan refused to leave her side andwould defend her at the back of Nerida’s ranks to the east of the desert. Kazaar and Elisara nodded to Nyzaia and Farid. Knowing they were the only other tied pair, they fought together.
“The creatures need to go first. Caellum.” Nyzaia addressed the King. “Garridon armies have the most archers with imbued arrowheads; they need to lead.” He nodded. “Elisara will remain on the dune and wield air to hold any creatures back for as long as possible. While she cannot freeze them, she can deter them, which should work long enough for some archers to make their hits.” The queen of Vala nodded and took Kazaar’s hand. “If that is not enough, Elisara will conjure three lightning strikes, prompting Larelle and her to use their powers simultaneously. Elisara will draw a storm for Larelle to wield the rain. We know it will not affect the creatures, but we can hope to slow the foot soldiers Jabir saw.”
Nyzaia had gone over the plan time and time again in her head, hoping it would give them the best chance. They could only be so prepared, not knowing the full extent of the opposing army.
“How many?” Nyzaia asked Jabir. He shook his head.
“With many contained in Myara, it is hard to tell. At least enough to match us.” Nyzaia’s eyes moved to the commanders and other military men around the room. Their faces were composed and prepared, despite the bomb that had been dropped on them in the last two weeks. Nyzaia recalled something Isha once said before taking her own life about the rulers needing to work together.
“We have been four realms for our entire existence.” Nyzaia raised her voice, commanding the room. “But today, you do not fight for Vala, Keres, Garridon, or Nerida. You fight for your kingdom. You fight for the civilians so that they may see tomorrow. You fight for one another,” she said. Sir Cain drew his sword, raising it into the air.
“For Novisia!” he yelled.
The sound of scraping metal filled the room as sword after sword was drawn and raised to the tent ceiling.
