Page 16 of The Starlight Savior

All evening there hadn’t been a single cloud in sight. Storms rarely appeared in Brevil. And yet the world above and below kept shaking and rattling.

She imagined the whispers and omens passed during temple tomorrow. What meaning the Brevillians would make of such a thing. Were the Gods and Goddesses cursing them? Warning them? Saige didn’t believe in such superstitions, but the unexpected storm left her questioning.

A scream stole Saige away from her thoughts.

Looking away from the sky, she peered towards where the sound came from. Across the road, a group of shadows were pushing out of her neighbors’ cottage. Saige could barely move as she watched Cynth Benson being pushed to her knees, hands behind her back. Her three children followed suit, their limbs held tightly by soldiers. She was surprised to find they weren’t adorned in olive green or patches. They wore thick armor, glittering onyx and silver running down their body, chest plates with various symbols, and jewels Saige couldn’t make out.

Who were these people? There were no indicators of which army they came from. Brevil had a handful of branches across the kingdom, all with different roles and territories to patrol. But each of them wore a variation of green, honoring the earth God. But these soldiers…they didn’t belong here.

There was no more time to waste. She pushed through the door, screaming Judith’s name. She kept shouting, her voice coming out hoarse. There was no sign of her as Saige walked through the mudroom, the kitchen, sitting room, and towards Judith’s quarters. She moved faster with each step. Outside, the commotion of neighbors being thrown from homes was increasing. Broken yelps and pleas echoed from every direction. She reached out to the vibration under her skin, hoping to find some sort of power that could help her for once. She was met with the dull throb of numbful bliss.

She shoved her shoulder into Judith’s door, opening it quickly. A flickering candle lit up the small room, revealing almost everything in order: Judith’s shelf, books carefully placed and organized by topic, somehow spared from the earthquakes, her desk with stacks of paper neatly in piles, a wardrobe Saige knew was filled with folded clothes and blankets, designated by color. But the bed was disturbed, blankets strewn back, revealing the sheets below. Saige stumbled forward, hands moving over it. Something dark caught her eye near the pillow.

A single drop of fresh blood.

Chapter 8

Saige’s breath caught in her throat. The sight of blood on Judith’s pillow had her stumbling backwards. Within an instant, she tore from the room and exited into the night. Rain misted upon her skin as her eyes burned with unshed tears. If she’d been harmed…

“Judith!” Her voice broke as she rushed into the front garden. Passing the flowering shrubs, she saw several silhouettes looming behind a veil of mist and rain.

Judith knelt before the front garden, long gray hair covering her face. Her body shivered under the thin nightgown, goosebumps spreading across tanned skin. Like the neighbors, a hulking soldier gripped Judith’s limbs at an odd angle. His polished armor was heavy on his body, a bear forged onto his chest. His meaty hand clasped a dagger to Judith’s throat. Saige had no time to search for a measly weapon, but that didn’t stop her from tumbling towards her caregiver.

She screamed her name again, yet she was retched back by a pair of strong hands.

Seven soldiers surrounded Saige, including the man holding Judith. Their armor was encased in onyx, and each uniform beneath was unique and elaborate. Intricate designs were carved into the glistening metals, swirling sigils Saige couldn’t decipher. Fastened to baldrics were large polished swords and daggers, the same stones and carvings etched into each of them. Lightning bolts, stars, and patterns were shaped into the metal of their helms.

The tallest of them stepped forward, an amethyst stone glowing in his breastplate. His helm was carved into the shape of a snarling wolf staring down at her. “Saige Nerestel,” the man spoke, voice low and rough. “We’ve been looking for you.”

Her name, beared in forthright, was a slap to the face. No one in Brevil knew Saige’s true surname. It had been too closely connected to her parents, the infamous Oswan couple slaughtered in their home. Young daughter sacrificed to Terrus for their treachery. Judith ordered her to never utter the Nerestel name again. She hadn’t faltered. Until now.

“There is no Saige Nerestel here,” she bit out, her words sharp and venomous. She tugged her arm, but the man’s grip tightened. Saige tried to reach for her magic, but was met with a pulsating wall. As if she were peering through fogged glass. Why was it that the single time Saige could use it for good, it was inaccessible? She cursed herself for over indulging for once.

“We don’t have time for games.” The stranger stepped forward as if he were the leader. “Are you not Oscar Nerestel’s lost daughter?”

Despite the shake of her head, Saige’s face betrayed her, lips quivering. Her father’s name hadn’t been spoken in years. To the leader, he sounded honorable. In Brevil, rare whispers of Oscar Nerestel were murmured in context of betrayal and violence.

“Hm.” The leader sighed. “The mortal land is quite fascinating. I’ve always enjoyed the way you people wear your heart on your sleeve. I suppose shortened lives call for such transparency.”

Mortal land?

Saige stilled, her face dropping. Looking closer at the group, she hadn’t noticed the purple light surrounding each of them, or the way their eyes glowed from their helmet slits. It was clear they weren’t the usual soldiers, but she had assumed they’d been sent by King Brennus to sniff out any sinners.

“Y-You’re magic-wielders,” Saige stuttered. The warlock who held onto her arm pulled her closer to his chest. Pain jolted through her as something sharp traveled through her limbs, purple magic dancing in the air. She glanced at him, taking in the polished wolf helmet, twin to his leader’s. How had she been so stupid? She hadn’t considered the possibility that they could be from another kingdom.

“Of course we are,” the leader said, “aren’t you?”

Saige shut her eyes quickly, squeezing them tight. She couldn’t face this. Not now, surrounded by her neighbors. Yet what choice did she have? She was immobile. Minimal training in combat, no weapon, no magic. What could she possibly do?

She forced herself to meet the leader’s gaze. His eyes glowed bright behind the metal, eerily similar to the purple jewel in his armor.

“What do you want?” Saige asked.

Judith’s head swung up, chin trembling. “Saige, no! Don’t— ”

“Quiet!” The warlock gripping her tightened his hold. Judith cried out, veins bulging in her neck as her body went rigid against his legs.

“Don’t touch her.” Saige gasped, throwing her body in Judith’s direction. She was surprised when the warlock behind her let her go, allowing her to fall to the ground before Judith. “I’m so sorry.” Saige took Judith’s face in her hands. “I’ll fix this. I promise. I’ll always protect you.”