Epilogue

Epilogue

SUMMER 965 MC

E

dwina looked up from her books, distracted as a distant sound echoed in the courtyard. She rose, going to the window to peer outside. It was early morning on a late summer's day, the sun bright with a light breeze, and yet a distant rumble drifted to her ears.

"How is that thunder?" she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Tyrell Caracticus, her tutor this day, moved to stand beside her. "That's not thunder," he said, "but the heavy tread of feet. I fear an army approaches the capital."

"My brother will defeat them, surely?"

"We shall soon see," the mage replied. "Look, see how even now he prepares to fight."

Prince Alstan appeared in the courtyard, girded for battle, his armour polished, his blue surcoat bright in the morning sun. Around him rode a dozen men, each bearing the Royal Coat of Arms upon their shields.

"I hope he's in no danger," said Edwina as she watched her brother ride off, the horseshoes clattering on the cobblestones.

"I believe it best we get back to your studies, Princess, don't you?"

"Of course." Edwina returned to her seat. "Now, where were we?"

"We were talking of the magical alphabet, Your Highness."

They returned to their lessons, the day wearing on while the sun climbed ever higher. Luncheon came and went, barely interrupting their studies.

By late afternoon, the princess's attention started to lag. Even the mage found his mind wandering, seeking some respite from the endless repetition.

The clatter of horseshoes once more drew his attention to the courtyard. Below, he saw a group of horsemen arrive, Prince Alstan riding behind another, and it soon became apparent why.

"Oh no!" said Edwina. "He's injured!"

The men dismounted, lifting their prince from the saddle before carrying him inside.

"I must go see him," she said.

"I don't think that's wise," said the mage. "And in any case, there's little you could do to help. They will have sent for the Life Mage by now."

"Our Life Mage is dead, isn't she?"

"Lady Roxanne is, but her apprentice, Ekthyn Ramark, is more than capable of taking her place."

A sound to the west caught the mage's attention, and he fell silent, straining to listen, going so far as to lean out the window. There it was again, the distinctive sound of a mob.

"Malin's tears," he said. "Somehow, the Clans got into the city. We must leave this place, Highness. It's no longer safe here."

"Don't be silly," said Edwina. "We're in the Palace. What safer place could there possibly be?"

Tyrell was torn: on the one hand, he was sworn to serve the ruler of Weldwyn, and right now, that was Prince Alstan. On the other hand, he had a sacred duty to look after his student. He now found himself with a tough choice.

"Come," he said, finally making a decision. "We shall see if there's anything we can do for your brother." He led her through the halls of the Palace to see warriors rushing to man the doors. Was the enemy so close?

The mage slowed to a stop before turning into one of the rooms that faced the streets of Summersgate to the south. He'd intended to continue on, but the lure of the window was too much to resist. Advancing cautiously, he drew back the curtains only to view armed men threatening the very gates of the Palace.

He would have continued on, even then, but the crowd all looked skyward as a huge shape flew overhead, casting a long shadow over the gathering. Many of the warriors recoiled in terror before Tyrell pressed his face to the glass, desperate to see what had flown over them, but all was in vain. Whatever it was, had circled around to the back of the Palace.

The mage felt a sudden chill—he knew something ominous was coming. He looked at the princess, but all she could do was stare down at the enemy warriors.

"Come here," he snapped. "We must leave this place at once."

"We can't," she replied. "Alstan is injured, and even if he wasn't, where would we go?"

"To the Dome—it's the only safe place. Now stand close and don't move. I shall need all the concentration I can muster." He closed his eyes as he started the chant that would invoke his magic. Tyrell had been a mage for decades, spells coming to him easily, yet the spell of recall was a difficult task to complete. As a ritual, it was already a time-consuming process, but now, with the threat of destruction at hand, it was almost impossible.

The air around them started to mist, and then water vapour rose from the floor in a cylinder, blocking their view of the room before the lighting changed. Now, he and Edwina both stood in the magic circle beneath the Dome.

He grabbed the princess by the hand, rushing from the room, seeking a window. He threw open the shutters only to see his greatest fear realized—circling over the Palace was the largest creature ever to grace the land. It flew above the courtyard, then its long neck snaked back, the jaws opened, and liquid flame shot forth, disappearing behind the halls of the Palace. Moments later, flames shot up, illuminating the beast like a creature from the Underworld. A dragon had come to Summersgate!

The great wyrm circled once more, then flapped its wings and set itself down on the Palace rooftop, crushing stone and collapsing walls. An immense cloud of dust rose into the sky as the dragon lifted its head. It opened its mouth to let out a roar that shook the very walls of the Dome.

The mage's eyes went wild. He watched in horror as the remains of the Palace collapsed beneath the weight of the monstrosity, burying all those within.

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