Swan Song

Twenty-One

"Stop him!" Roan shouted as DeKnave escaped the chamber.

"Well what have we here?" said Malachi smugly as he grabbed the former wizard. DeKnave didn't bother trying escape him. He was too weak thanks to that cursed poison.

"Looks like a traitor to me," said Calvin, the other guards surrounding them as Roan joined them on the outside. With the curse broken Calvin knew exactly who he was. He was old enough to remember King Yared and had even met him and DeKnave once when the king of Offrincia had taken Calvin and a few other squires, on their first diplomatic trip abroad at fouteen. It had been training for when he would accompany his little cousin to other nations as Roan would likely end up an ambassador.

"His daughter's inside." Roan told them. "She's wounded. Heal her if you can but don't let her get away. Secure DeKnave's men as well."

"Please majesty," one of DeKnave's guards said, "Most of us fought out of fear for our lives. We do not want a fight" he and several others threw down their weapons.

Roan nodded, "I understand. I'm sure you'll be treated fairly by your new ruler." then he turned to Malachi, "Where is Anike? Is she alright?"

"I don't know. The girl you told me to protect was not who she appeared." he nodded his head in another direction and Odessa stepped out from behind a guard.

Roan felt the blood drain from his face and hands as his heart began to race. "No." he drew his sword and moved to attack her. "Who are you?" he shouted.

Malachi let go of DeKnave and got between them. "What is wrong with you? She is an innocent!" Malachi held Roan back.

"No. Someone is lying! She can't be Odessa. If she is then--"

"That's right," DeKnave hissed, "You stabbed her. I hope that Yared's little brat dies." His magic was gone. Everything was gone. But he felt some satisfaction in knowing that his enemy's legacy probably wouldn't survive the night.

"What?" Odessa asked, "What is he talking about?"

"I stabbed her...I stabbed Anike" he dropped his sword as pain lanced his heart. How could I be do stupid? DeKnave tricked me yet again. He was filled with disgust, for DeKnave and himself. He hated himself. He was a fool.

"How could you?" Odessa shouted and the other warriors drew their weapons. "Where is she? What have you done with her?" she moved to attack Roan but his guards moved to stop her just as one of Roan's men brought out Anike's body.

"Let her go," the prince ordered his men and they released Odessa as he went to Anike. Instantly, Odessa was at his heals. Anike was still as death but still managed a few slow shallow breaths.

"What have I done? By Moea. Someone do something! Heal her please!"

In the commotion DeKnave had his chance to escape. His eyes were starting to clear. All eyes were on Yared's daughter. Still, maybe it was foolish, but he couldn't resist a little vengeance. He wasn't out of tricks just yet. The curse of stone. The dagger in his belt was tipped with the potion. Cocky fools should have checked him for weapons. That wizard. Malachi. He was the one DeKnave targeted. Some how he would find a way to regain power and the fewer wizards against him the better. That Malachi managed to release Odessa from the spells he'd cast over the pendant was impressive. All the more reason to cut him down.

Odessa had noticed him trying to get away. She thought about turning a blind eye and letting him go. He couldn't hurt anyone anymore. And he was still her father. Though her eyes were now open to the lies he'd told her there were still good memories of him taking care of her. But then she saw the dagger. And who was aiming for.