Chapter 46

Change Duke Essex met Karn halfway between the entrance to the throne room and the throne. He appeared excited by Karn’s return, and greeted him with a handshake and a hug; his actions made Karn feel more like family than an officer in the duke’s army.

Before he spoke, Karn turned and dismissed the remainder of the raiding party, which included Tala, who had waited for him at the threshold of the throne room.

“You each have my thanks and will be rewarded for your hard work and service.” Essex’s voice cut through the air.

Karn waited as Duke Essex returned to his throne before he properly addressed him.

“It’s very good to see you, yet I’m afraid I have unsettling news that may spoil your return, Karn. But first, I hope you have some good news for me.”

“I do, sir,” Karn answered. “As you well know, I captured and brought back one of Mustaffa’s men for questioning.”

The duke nodded.

“While away, my squad and I engaged and destroyed two supply groups. Most importantly, we killed one of Mustaffa’s forward generals.”

Duke Essex applauded. “Excellent work.”

“There’s more, sir. I regret to inform you we lost a few men in an ambush, one which almost claimed me as well.”

“An unfortunate side of war, my friend. Their families will be compensated for their loss.” Essex hurried the conversation along. “Anything else?”

“Before setting forth to return to Kel Tora, I dispatched men to aid Maulen.”

Essex stood. “You did what?”

“Your Lordship, I’m unsure whether or not this will slow Mustaffa’s march, but I instructed your officer, Damas, to help protect the innocent families.”

“You…” Duke Essex struggled to form his words. “You’re a good man, Karn. I’m often referred to as a diplomat, but in these trying times, I cannot say I would’ve made the same decision.”

He nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

“Unfortunately, Karn, we have no way of telling if your hard work has slowed Mustaffa’s march at all. Still, I’m sure your efforts will prove worthwhile.”

“Thank you.”

Duke Essex waved Karn closer. “Now, I must share my news. Shortly after you left, my rangers found your paramour, the enchantress Opal, in the forest outside the town.”

Karn was not surprised.

“I hear rumor that it was her magic which brought you home so quickly, but there’s something I must tell you.” The duke paused. “I regret to inform you that when we found her, Karn, she was gravely wounded.”

“Wounded how?” Karn’s voice cracked with concern.

“She had suffered many injures; the most severe, a belly wound that… my friend… Karn… She lost her baby.”

Karn was overcome. Hot flashes shot across his body as his heart was stabbed by terrible guilt. It’s my fault her—our baby is dead… my fault for leaving her. Karn wanted to scream, to throw his sword across the room, but anger gripped him so tight he could not even move. The duke apologized over and over before he dismissed Karn with orders to seek out Opal immediately.

Karn turned and walked away in a fog, but discovered Tala in wait, leaning against the wall. This-she complicates things.

Tala hurried toward him. As she drew closer, he could see his tension mirrored in her eyes.

“Karn?” Her head was cocked to the side like a confused child.

“Tala, I need to be alone tonight.” Karn did not know how else to say it. “Some time—”

“No. Say no more,” she interrupted. “I need to resolve a few things before we head out again anyway. Oh, and a moonlight bath in the lake would be nice too.”

Karn took her hands in his and made her promise to be careful before saying goodbye for the night. He watched her walk away until she turned the corner at the end of the long hallway. Once she was out of sight, Karn took a deep breath, steadied his nerves, and went straight to Opal.

***

The walk through the castle was too quick to allow him time to sort out how he felt. Karn stood outside Opal’s door for a few minutes and mulled over his thoughts, but they had become as rotten as a bad tooth and deserved the same attention. Make it quick; get it over with, Karn thought.

Without a knock to announce himself, Karn pushed the door open, and when he came face to face with Opal, she exploded in tears.

“You should’ve said something to me earlier.” Karn took her in his arms and held her tight.

“I was so sure you would hate me. I-I know how you want to raise a family, and I failed you by letting this happen.”

“You didn’t fail me.”

“Our child is dead!” she cried loudly.

Her words ushered in images of a small blond child. He could see the girl as if she stood in front of him, her tiny hand reaching out to his. She was the most beautiful little girl he had ever seen. Her long hair had a slight curl that was messy from the wind. She looked at Karn with something he had never seen before—complete and pure love.

Karn barely registered Opal’s presence as he looked at the child. The beautiful little girl turned her head and peered over her shoulder, then turned away. Suddenly, she bolted like a rabbit—across the room in an instant, she ran straight to the outer wall and vanished through it.

Karn reached out to the child to call her name, but as soon as the words formed, he forgot them.

“Karn, speak to me,” Opal begged.

Karn was at a loss for words. “Sorry. I’m so sorry.”

The vision of the child was haunting and familiar, like the dream he’d had. Who are they, this woman and child? Before Karn could order his thoughts, Opal grabbed his arm.

“I need you to give me another child, Karn, right now,” she said into his face.

“No,” Karn argued. “You need time to recuperate and I have a war to fight.”

“I’m fine.”

Karn watched Opal’s eyes flash. She’s drawing on her magical energy.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I’m fine, Karn.” Her voice dropped.

“You’re… fine,” Karn responded.

Opal unhooked his belt and placed it and his scabbard on the floor. After she removed his dusty chain mail and leather shirt, she paused.

“This is new. What is it?” Opal said and then tugged on the necklace Tala had fashioned for him.

Karn’s mind, which had gone empty, refocused on Tala. A smile turned the corner of his mouth, until he forced it flat. “One of the elves in my raiding party made it for me. It’s for good luck,” he lied.

“Oh, well, we need luck. Let us lie together.”

“Opal, I have things I must—”

“Join me in bed. Now.”

“I will join you in bed.”

Karn blew out the candles and undressed.

Opal is my everything. I must give her another child. Then, I must destroy Mustaffa.

***

The next morning Karn lay in bed, eyes glued to the wooden supports in the stone ceiling. I feel nothing.

Most obvious to him was the emptiness that existed where there had once been a swell of love. As he sat up, he realized Opal was awake too.

“You will tell Duke Essex that you need a day to spend with me,” Opal said in deep monotone voice.

“I’m sorry, Opal, but I can’t.”

She looked startled and repeated herself, louder this time.

“You will tell the duke that you need a day to spend with me.”

“I said no.”

“What do you mean, no?”

Karn rolled out of bed and gathered his clothes. The anger in her voice helped spur his action.

“I need to leave now. I’ll… I-I don’t know,” Karn mumbled as he dressed.

“Karn, you can’t go. Stay.”

“I must go.”

“If you go, who will I…”

Karn did not hear what remained of her statement, as he stepped out of the room and closed the door.