The Warrior’s Broken Mate novel Chapter 98

It took a long time to get through the warriors‘ interrogations but we managed to sort out the ones that would be going with us and the ones that would be staying behind.

And the following morning was when we finally decided to make a move towards the other realm. Once everything was decided, we ate, got some rest and finished making our plans for the following day.

The warriors said goodbye to their families that they had brought with them.

I don’t think anyone got too much sleep that night, but as the sun began to rise, it was time to get up and we had to start getting ready.

All of the warriors were going to stay in wolf form the whole time they were in the other realm, but we weren’t going to. We were going to be in human form. It would be easier for us to talk to Arthur and talk to others that might still be alive over there.

We said goodbye to everyone that we knew and Arthur started leading up towards the portal that he came through. The one that he knew was far enough away from Morgana that we could all get through easily enough.

“I need more detail about Avalon.” I said. “You called it a wasteland. What remains of the

forests and the villages?”

“Some forested areas still stand.” Arthur replied. “Most villages are in ruins. Many people were killed when Morgana attacked, but a significant number escaped before their villages were destroyed. Those survivors are now scattered.”

“How many creatures survived?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” Arthur said. “When Morgana began her assault they fled. I couldn’t determine casualty figures. You killed many of the attackers while you were there, but I can’t account for the benevolent creatures–if any survived, they’re likely hiding.”

“No dragons?” I asked.

“None that I’ve seen.” He answered.

“And where is Morgana living now?” I asked.

“Her residence is intact.” Arthur said. “It’s heavily protected by a cloaking spell.”

“A cloaking spell?” Elias asked.

“She can observe the outside, but we cannot see her or her home.” I explained.

“Her castle.” Arthur added.

“Whatever.” I said.

“When we reach her stronghold we need to locate as many survivors as possible and bring them to safety.” Arthur said.

“If any are still alive, they’ve probably already sought refuge.” I replied.

“There’s something else.” Arthur continued. “The black witch is buried beside Mia at Morgana’s castle. The locals call her the Ash Queen now.”

“So Morgana is the Ash Queen, and both Mia and the black witch are interred at her estate. Why does that matter?” I asked.

“She is furious that you killed them.” Arthur said.

“The three were related.” I said.

“They were sisters.” Arthur explained. “Same father, different mothers–though the mothers were related to each other as well. It’s complicated.”

“Not especially.” I said. “Their father was cruel and corrupt and a pig.”

“Why tell us where the black witch is buried? What’s the significance?” Elias asked.

“I believe the Ash Queen may be attempting to find a means to resurrect her.” Arthur said.

“You said it yourself, she can see us coming but we can’t even see her castle.” I said.

“I know. But I think with both of our magic, we might be able to get through the barrier.” Arthur said.

“The whole point of bringing the warriors was for back up when we meet up with the Ash Queen. There’s no way in hell you are taking Lyra to the castle by herself.” Elias demanded.

Arthur stared at him for a moment before he turned to look at me.

I looked back at both of them. The look on their faces. And it was a pretty easy decision to make.

“So, you said the village is this way?” I asked, pointing south and I started walking towards the village.

I felt the happiness that Elias felt when I decided to go with him, but he doesn’t know the reason why I chose to go with him.

Arthur would never suggest that we march into that castle on our own. It was reckless, borderline suicidal. Everyone knew the fortress was steeped in shadows, a nest of traps and twisted magic that bent to the Ash Queen’s will. To set foot inside her stronghold was to hand her the battlefield on a silver platter, and Arthur–of all people–was too clever, too cautious, to ever risk that. And yet here he was, determined to go straight to her gates.

If he truly meant to save this realm, then why in all the goddess‘ names was he willing to play directly into her hands? There was no reason for him to face her there–none, except folly or desperation. He needed to draw her out, to force her to fight where she wasn’t in control, where the ground beneath her feet wasn’t infused with her power. That was strategy. That was survival. Anybody with a grain of sense could see it.

So why couldn’t he? Or worse–why wouldn’t he?

A chill twisted in my gut, sharper than fear, heavier than doubt. Something was wrong. I couldn’t name it yet, couldn’t put shape or reason to the unease gnawing at me, but it was there, pulsing like a bruise just beneath the skin. Something I didn’t trust. Something I didn’t like. And something I knew–deep down, with an urgency that set my pulse racing–I had to uncover before we sank any deeper into this so–called quest. Because once we passed a certain point, once we were locked inside the Ash Queen’s web, there would be no turning back.

Elias caught up to me and held my hand so I would look at him, the look on his face said everything. Arthur was up to something. He didn’t tell us everything that we needed to know. Which I fully agreed with.