From the Ashes

Chapter 49 ~ A Friend's Return

Morana had been visiting with Astrelle once more on the day the village Elders finally arrived. Lonan had been the one to come find her and she'd known what was happening immediately just by the excited light in his eyes. They'd wasted no time in going to Rehema's, where they found the Elders all gathered. Twelve had arrived, making thirteen in total.

The moment she and Lonan stepped through the door, the leaders' gazes had turned to her. Some were reverent and awestruck. Others were cool and calculating. Morana had merely squared her shoulders and offered them a curt nod.

Her father had remained at her side the whole time, his sharp gaze warning off any unnecessary comments or questions. Morana was surprised when Arlon fell in place at her other side, and remained there after she was seated on the floor next to Rehema.

A large map was spread in the center of the group and all were assessing it, and her, in equal turns. At last, one of the Elders spoke, a male who didn't look much older than Lonan. "Do we plan on attacking Astaroth outright or will we continue with our assaults as we have been?"

"His forces have already been crippled, but they are nowhere near depleted," someone else tacked on. "We couldn't withstand an open battle against an assembled mass."

"The only thing we can know for certain is that Astaroth will be wherever she is." Morana flinched at the finger pointed her way. "Do we devote our forces to protecting her or do we let her face him alone?"

"We will stand together," Rehema answered firmly before anyone else had a chance to speak. "We did not come here to ask Morana to throw her life away. We are gathered to make sure we all stand a chance of succeeding. It is going to require trust and sacrifices from everyone." Her silvery gaze fixed on Morana with a prompting look.

Morana drew a steadying breath and lifted the two sheathed blades that lay beside her. She unsheathed Noxbane first and laid it in front of her, granting everyone a full view. "This is Noxbane, a weapon forged by Hadeon and capable of helping me kill Astaroth. Using it, I can transport myself and at least a few others to any location we need to travel to."

The leader sitting closest to her reached a tentative hand towards the hilt. Morana caught his hand by the wrist, holding his gaze when it snapped to hers. "Only those of Hadeon's bloodline can touch the blade. I don't know what will happen to someone else, and I imagine you wouldn't like to be the one to answer that question."

"What about the second blade?" A female asked as Morana released his hand.

She unsheathed Orilight in response and set it beside Noxbane. "Orilight, the blessed blade of Queen Idalia and heirloom of the Cadhael royal family."

A collective gasp went around the room. "I thought it was lost to time," the female said.

"I heard Astaroth destroyed it when the old King died."

"I thought it was in Gaelen's possession."

"Where did you find it?"

"How did you claim it?"

Rehema raised a hand and the group quieted once more. "I met the Sleeping Heir," Morana began, ignoring the looks of disbelief thrown her way. "Yes, he exists. His name is Tarion Cadhael, and he is Asterria's Prince and rightful King."

"If you met this Prince, where is he? Why is he not here helping us plot this war?"

Morana barely swallowed her growl. Lonan and Arlon let their own be heard. "He is not here," Morana said, her voice low and rough, "because he is Astaroth's prisoner. He traveled with me and helped me claim Noxbane. In turn, I went with him to retrieve Orilight, the blade of his father, King Azael, and his birthright."