The Oreans

Chapter 18

Chapter 18
The Circle

Alen slept late into the morning and would not have awakened till midday if Divan had not come for him. In fact, everything was hazy when he opened his eyes, and he thought that the sight of Divan before him was a part of a dream. How could Divan be here?

"Get up now, sleepy head," said Divan. "We're wanted in the palace."

Divan's words had not easily registered until little by little the memory of yesterday's events returned to him. Slumber had driven it away from his mind for nine full hours.

"Divan, it's you-I thought I was dreaming," he said as he scrambled out of bed. He then looked at the man's thigh. "You were wounded. Are you alright now?"

"Don't worry. It's just a scratch," Divan answered with a smile. "Be ready in an hour, okay?"

"Why?"

"Why! I've already said-we're wanted in the palace."

"The palace? ReinrosePalace you mean?"

"Yes. Is there any other?"

"But why?"

"I guess the High Court-I mean the Circle and the regent-want to hear firsthand what happened yesterday."

"Why include me?"

"Of course, because you were there with us."

Alen thought of Rafim and remembered the last time he had seen him. He must be certainly required to go, too.

"Rafim's not going," Divan said as if he read his mind. "The order was for all four of us, but Adrien will speak for your master."

Before they left, they asked about Rafim, and from Old Shem they learned that though he was no longer in danger he was still too weak to leave the house.

Along the way to the palace, there was no topic for conversation other than Rafim-at least between Divan and Alen. Adrien was very quiet and looked as serious as when he had emerged from the carriage yesterday, carrying Rafim in his arms, so the two did not bother him. Divan had many questions, and Alen was only too glad to have something to distract him from the growing tension he was feeling at the thought of the threat against Divan and of meeting the Circle of Ministers for the first time.

Soon, however, Divan ran out of questions. As if by chance, what Alen dreaded most came then. They were then rounding into a deserted road when an arrow shot past only a hair's breadth from Divan's face. Before anyone could speak, men emerged from behind the leafless trees and showered them with more arrows. Everything happened so fast as if in a blur. Alen thought he heard Divan shouting but could not understand what he said. He must do something. There was only one way out. He concentrated hard. In no time, heat began to flood his body, and he saw his bluish aurea surround him and redirect the arrows as if with invisible hands. The next thing he knew he was lying on the ground with his head on Divan's arms and Adrien looking down at him with an expression of mixed concern and joy.

"You did it," Adrien said. "Rafim was right; you could really do it now."

Alen looked around and saw ten men on their backs, each with an arrow jutting on a body part and with blood lending a reddish tint to the snowy road. He shuddered at this sight and turned away, wanting to throw up.

"You did a fine job, Alen," Divan remarked. "You did not even leave us even one."

"I-I killed them all?" Alen heard the flatness of his voice, feeling hollow and cold. He saw Adrien cast Divan a worried glance.