Destined

4 To the North

Reaching the courtyard, I saw the other crest holders and Artemis wondering what my move would be. I slowed my pace but the urgency in my chest signaled what I had been sensing. The battle between Artemis' father and I is on its way.

"Where's the fire little brother?"

"In Amerlise, and I am almost certain this is the work of the Corrupted King." I glanced over at Artemis. Her eyes clouded in shadow trying to avoid contact and her fingers trembled slightly. I walked over to her. "Hey, I will not let him win. I think your brother knows this needs to end too."

Her eyes shot up wide. "Where is he?" Her voice panicked. She searched around us but could not sense anything.

"I have reason to believe he went to stand against his father. He left the isles without a word to anyone and they came here hoping I knew where he was. I do not know where he had to go, but I know he is defending his sister."

Her eyes filled with tears. "That idiot, if father finds out about his intent, then my brother will never be free."

I cupped her shoulders. "I made you a promise, Artemis. I would fight him for this world and that includes your brother."

"This is not your battle to fight alone." Her eyes glared back even with all her tears in them. "I am done with my brother having to defend me when he should abandon me. My father betrayed and scorned me for disobeying him at every turn, but this time I will betray him at the cost of my own life."

I smiled and nodded. "He will not beat us if we stand together. Let's show him he owns nothing except fear."

"So, how are we planning on taking this guy out?" Simon asked.

I felt the amulet warm against my chest. "First we need to flush him out. Amerlise may be the realm he chose to attack, but halting his advance to victory will be the key. I am not sure I can beat him, but I refuse to let him have his way."

Alric was quiet, but he stared at the ground. He had not said much since Judas died and left me alone. He only watched over me like the loyal brother he was.

Sighing, I took out the amulet. If this thing is the key to winning, then why do I feel nothing coming from it? Judas left this to me, and I still do not know how to use it. I traced the front and rubbed the back of the amulet. I pricked myself and turned it over. There was the thorny beast known as the Valkrylupis. This was Kader's hero mark. "No way, how did I miss this?"

"Miss what?" Kay asked staring at the amulet.

"This amulet has the mark Kader had, but what would Judas be doing with it? This does not make any sense anymore." The claw mark wrapped in thorns engraved on the back of the amulet Judas left me.

Artemis saw it and her eyes fond over it. "Can I hold it?"

I stared at her unsure what was up with her. I took off the amulet and handed it to her. "Have you seen this before, the mark I mean?"

Artemis traced it in silence and then she kissed the mark on the back. "Take good care of it, it will be a guide to you when you most need it." She lifted the chain and I lowered my head. She placed it around my neck.

I stood up after it settled on my chest. "Artemis, you did not answer me," I stopped short when my eyes met hers. Tears in her eyes and a slight smile on her lips enchanted me. It was a genuine smile from the core of her heart, nothing forced in her expression.

"Alright love birds, we need to get to the northern realm," Kay smirked out of the corner of my eye.

I could not bring myself to say anything more.