The Enlightenment Read online

  The Enlightenment

  Thomas Rouxville

  ~~~

  Kindle Edition

  Copyright © 2018 Thomas Rouxville

  First published in 2018 by Jonmac Limited.

  All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters and places, incidents are used entirely fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

  Table of Contents

  Free Map of Galbar and Free Book

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  The Journey to Slyfort – Chapter 1

  About The Author

  Fantastic Fiction

  Free Map of Galbar and Free Book

  Get your free map of the Kingdom of Galbar (the setting for all my books) by clicking here.

  Also, if you don’t yet have the first book in this series – Edgehill, you can get your free copy right now by clicking here.

  Chapter 1

  I'll make everything right someday. It won't be today.

  Athena closed her eyes, leaning against Sapphire. She tried to clear her mind, tried to feel any sense of peace she could, but there was no peace. The forest had long ago run out of peace; all it brought now was sadness. Memories of happier days that would never be seen again, that Athena would ache for every moment.

  At least there was a semblance of safety. Athena didn't think anyone had followed her. All was quiet, silent. Nothing stirred. Not even a shadow. The only sounds were Sapphire and Athena's heartbeats, thumping away.

  Jermyn's face reappeared in Athena's mind. He was smiling down at her. Athena's heart broke all over again. Stop smiling, Grandfather. You're gone.

  “I'm in heaven now,” Jermyn's voice said, as if he were standing right in front of her. “I'm with your parents.”

  “What's it like there, Grandfather?” Athena's voice cracked.

  “It's absolutely beautiful, Athena. There's no sadness, no anger, only peace.” Athena brushed her tears away. “Only peace?”

  “There's nothing to worry about here, nothing to be scared of. It's wonderful.”

  “Can I go there?” Athena felt like a small child again. She was an innocent little girl. But the moment was fleeting. Jermyn's face wrinkled, lips contorting into a frown. His sigh was enough to shatter Athena's ephemeral happiness.

  “No, Athena, not right now.”

  “When?” Athena managed, practically choking back a sob.

  “When you're old. When you've lived a long, long life. When you're too tired to carry on anymore.”

  “I'm too tired now,” Athena whispered.

  “Be strong,” Jermyn said. “Be strong, my dear girl.” His voice faded away, and only the sound of Athena's crying could be heard.

  She grieved, mourning the loss of the two people who had raised her. Jermyn and Laguna had been a part of her life for fourteen years. They'd been there when no one else was. They'd seen her in her darkest moments, and they'd done their best to bring her into light. They loved her deeply. And now they were gone.

  It was hard to believe. Athena could never walk into the bakery again. She couldn't laugh with her grandfather in the kitchen. She couldn't sit by the fireplace, basking in the warmth. She couldn't lay on her bed and stare at the ceiling for hours at a time. Athena would never again smell bread baking in the oven, or feel soft dough between her fingertips. She would never again live the life she once had.

  Everything Athena loved in the world was gone. She felt utterly alone, slipping into the depths of despair, sinking deeper than she ever had before. This was worse than the night she spent in the forest after being told she was the Guardian of the Kingdom. This was worse than saying goodbye to Tobin. This was truly the worst moment of Athena's life. She couldn't turn to anyone. She couldn't talk to anyone. There was no one left. Athena would never recover.

  Faramond was still in Edgehill, probably worried. For all he knew, Athena was already dead. For all he knew, she had been slaughtered right along with her grandparents. Or maybe he was disappointed. Maybe he knew Athena had run away. Perhaps he thought she had completely abandoned her own destiny. He'd be angry, and he'd also be devastated. If Athena abandoned her destiny, she abandoned the lives of thousands, including Faramond's.

  Tobin was out there somewhere too. Being trained to become a killer. Being brainwashed. If he met Athena now, would he embrace her? Would he kiss her and hold her? Or would he try and kill her? Athena wondered if he was the same man he'd been when he left. She wondered if he was still struggling, still fighting. She didn't want to think that he'd given up. If Tobin stopped fighting, succumbing to the king's will, was there any hope for him at all?

  What if he was already dead? What if Athena was too late? Would she find his dead body

  laying on the side of some road, rotting away, tossed to the side as if he meant nothing? After all, to the king, Tobin was nothing. He was just a number in the army. Numbers didn't have thoughts or emotions. Numbers weren't human. Anger welled up in Athena's heart. The king was cruel, inhumane. Nothing would bring him to sanity. He'd long ago lost his sanity. He'd long ago lost his humanity.

  If King Landgrave wasn't going to treat his people as human, Athena wouldn't treat him as a human. She'd taken one life already, and she was capable of taking another. Landgrave deserved death. And as terrifying as it was, Athena was ready to give him death.

  If Athena lost her own humanity in her struggle, so be it. She'd lost everything else already. It wouldn't make a difference if she lost herself.

  I've already lost myself.

  Athena stared up at the sky blankly, waiting for night to come. She watched as the sun set, being replaced by the moon. Stars began to light up, dotting the sky. It was supposed to be beautiful, but Athena didn't see beauty in the world anymore. There wouldn't be beauty until Landgrave's blood was spilled on the ground. There wouldn't be beauty until this was over. There wouldn't be any peace until this was over.

  Eventually Athena fell asleep, still seeing stars imprinted in her vision. As the stars faded, she drifted into her nightmares, seeing her parents, Tobin, and her grandparents. The nightmares were more painful than ever, because for the first time, Athena couldn't be with any of these people. She could not hug them or speak with them. She couldn't tell them how much she loved them. She couldn't say goodbye. And that was heartbreaking.

  All Athena could do was endure. Endure the night and the day. Endure until everything was over. Until everything was made right.

  Chapter 2

  Athena awoke, screaming. Sapphire neighed loudly, frightened. Athena jumped up, hyperventilating. Her nightmares had played a repeat of the last few days, except they showed everything Athena had been too stupid to notice before. They showed the spies watching and following her. She saw a spy brutally attacking her grandparents, mutilating their bodies and leaving them to bleed to death as the bakery was set ablaze.

  It was Athena's fault her grandparents were dead. If she hadn't trained alone out in the open, her grandparents would still be alive. The bakery would still be standing. And no one would be after Athena. She would be in Edgehill, safely practicing with Faramond.

  Sapphire stood up, cantering away. Athena didn't have the energy to say anything. She didn't bother stopping the horse; all she could do was scream until her voice gave out. It was he
r fault the people who loved her most were gone.

  If only she would have listened to Faramond, this wouldn't have happened. If she wouldn't have gone behind his back, if she didn't ignore him, everything would be alright, as much as everything could be. But Athena was too stubborn and too prideful. She was stupid. Foolish. And there was nothing she could do now to change what had happened. She would have to live with her idiotic decision forever.

  Tears spilled down Athena's face. She let them fall freely, no longer bothering to brush them away. There was no reason to hide her emotions. There was no one to be strong for anymore. Athena didn’t have to pretend any longer. She felt weak, and she was weak.

  You deliberately went behind Faramond's back. You caused your grandparent's deaths. You may as well be a murderer, Athena.

  “Stop it,” Athena whispered to herself.

  You're a real monster. You let those sweet innocent people die. They loved you so much, and you killed them.

  “No, I didn't-”

  Yes you did! Monster! Monster! You're evil!

  Athena screamed again. “I'm not a monster!” But she was. It was her fault. All her fault. She'd never see her grandparents again. She wouldn't be able to hug Jermyn and laugh with him. She would miss him forever. Athena would even miss her grandmother's smirks and scolding. She would always regret not having a better relationship with Laguna. Her poor grandmother had only wanted what was best for her, and Athena had always defied her. She was always a rebel.

  Monster.

  “Fine. You win,” Athena sighed. “I'm a monster.”

  Do you regret your actions?

  “Of course. I always will.”

  Do you love them?

  “So much that every time I take a breath, I feel like dying.”

  You'll miss them?

  “Forever.” Athena began to cry again. “Forever.”

  Maybe you'll make up for it someday.

  “How can a monster like me possibly repair anything? I can't bring them back from the dead.”

  You can save everybody else.

  “I'm no guardian.” Athena could almost hear the laughter in her mind.

  You're thinking that again? Really?

  “How can I be the Guardian of the Kingdom when I can't even follow simple instructions?”

  It was a mistake. A horrible one. But you can still make amends.

  “You called me evil.”

  No, you called yourself evil. I'm in your mind, Athena. I'm you.

  Athena stood up, feeling lightheaded. She grabbed onto a tree branch and leaned up against the trunk. Sapphire hadn't gone very far; the horse was standing a few feet away, munching on dead blades of grass. She tilted her head to look at Athena, peering at her as if to say, “Are you done sulking?”

  “I'm going insane.”

  True. But for what it's worth, it's a miracle you're even alive right now.

  “I killed a man.”

  He deserved it.

  “I caused my grandparents’ deaths.”

  You made a mistake.

  “I'm probably going to be responsible for more deaths.”

  Have you ever been an optimist?

  “I'm a realist.”

  No, you're a pessimist, Athena. You're always looking at the negative. Always worrying, always being scared, always thinking the worst.

  “What do you expect from someone who's been having nightmares forever?”

  Could you at least try to cheer up a little bit?

  “Are you going to try and tell me I can solve everything by just 'being happy'?”

  Of course not! I know you can't choose to be happy. All of your worries and problems are perfectly valid but-

  “I've had enough of this. I'm absolutely mad, talking to myself. I need rest. Real rest.”

  I hate to tell you this, but you probably won't have any rest for a very long time.

  Athena swore under her breath and stepped towards Sapphire. The horse shrunk backward, apprehensive.

  “It's okay, Sapphy. It's okay.” She reached out and gently touched the horse's mane. “It's okay,” she said as her voice wobbled and more tears began to fall. She wondered if she would ever stop crying. Would she ever run out of tears?

  Guilt ate at Athena. She couldn't stop it; it gnawed at her, trying to consume her. How could she possibly repent for her mistake? It was her fault Jermyn and Laguna weren't next to her. Would saving the kingdom really make up for that? The lives of thousands of people Athena didn't even know, could they truly compare to the lives of the people she loved deeply?

  Would a true guardian make such a huge mistake? Would a guardian mess up the way Athena had? What if her parents and grandparents had died for nothing?

  Always jumping to the worst conclusions.

  “I'm trying not to.”

  Try harder.

  Athena shook her head. “I'm insane.”

  What did anyone see in her? How did they ever see something in her? And did anyone still believe in her?

  Faramond believes in you.

  “How do you know?”

  He wouldn't give up on you, Athena. He wouldn't give up on his kingdom.

  “Maybe he's the guardian.”

  He's the guardian's mentor.

  “Maybe he's been mentoring someone who can't be mentored.”

  Although he won't give up on you, I think I might.

  “I'm sorry,” Athena said. And despite the immense guilt, fear, and aching in her heart, she laughed. She laughed at how pathetic she was being. How pathetic this whole situation was. She was going mad, and maybe she would finally lose herself completely.

  Do heroes need their own heroes?

  Chapter 3

  The last time Faramond had seen so many people outside had been years ago, at a town festival. This morning, he was surprised; at first, pleasantly so. Edgehill was abuzz, seemingly lively. Several people were scurrying down the streets, chattering, gossiping, just like they did in the past. Faramond wondered if there was good news. Perhaps some men had returned, unharmed, safe. Perhaps the king's plans had run into problems. Perhaps now wasn't the time for the guardian to rise. Maybe Athena would have a few more years to be the ordinary woman she wanted to be.

  Of course, though Faramond always did his best to remain positive, he was a realist. Edgehill wasn't in a happy state. As he lumbered through the town, maintaining his image as a drunken fool, he began to notice the cold, scared looks in people's eyes. They spoke in hushed tones, gazes darting around nervously. People moved quickly, never lingering in one spot too long. Something was wrong. Or rather, more wrong than usual.

  “Excuse me, madam?” Faramond said, slurring his speech. He tapped the shoulder of a woman standing in the darkened entrance of the town pub.

  She jumped, as if startled, despite clearly noticing Faramond. “What is it?” she hissed.

  “I can't help but notice the ambiance.”

  The woman rolled her eyes. “You didn't hear? The baker and his wife were murdered. Blood everywhere. The bakery's in ruins. It was a terrible mess I reckon.”

  Shock went reeling through Faramond's body. Blood rushed to his head. He would have fainted, but he thought of Athena. Poor Athena. “Where's the granddaughter?” he asked, trying to remain composed, trying not to let his emotion shatter his image.

  “She ran into the forest I heard, with a horse. Should have left the horse behind, if you ask me. We could have eaten the thing. Now both the horse and the girl are gonna die. Foolish things, going into the forest. The girl may as well have died with the grandparents.”

  Faramond's hand brushed over the dagger sheathed underneath his cloak. This woman didn't know what she was talking about. She had no idea she was speaking about the Guardian of the Kingdom. The foolish girl that would save them all.

  “Lookin’ a bit pale. Not enough liquor in your system today, drunk?” The woman laughed, or rather, cackled, revealing rotting teeth. She leered as Faramond backed away.

  “
I'm fine,” Faramond said tersely, uncharacteristic of his usual caricature. He hobbled away, trying to remain standing, trying not to fall to pieces. Jermyn and Laguna were dead. They had been wonderful people, caring for a dying town. They had been his friends. And they had been Athena's grandparents. Her heart must have been aching greatly. Could the girl's wounds ever be healed?

  Suddenly, Faramond realized just what the baker's deaths meant. King Landgrave's spies were after Athena. She had been the main target, and she had escaped. Surely, the king's men were after Faramond as well. They'd seen him with Athena. They knew who he truly was, so why hadn't they tried to kill him?

  It was only a matter of time. Faramond knew he wasn't safe. Eventually, the king's men would be after him. If not today, then tomorrow. They wouldn't allow him to live. They wouldn't let anyone associated with the guardian survive. He had to run away. He had to escape.

  He had to find Athena.

  “Hey, fool!”

  Faramond turned. A haggard-looking woman with graying hair and drooping skin was waving at him. All he wanted was to leave. Paranoia was already creeping towards him. He remembered how terrified Athena had been, how she had been on edge at every moment, ready for everything to crumble at any second. He had tried to keep her spirits up then, but now, he felt just as afraid as she had been.

  As she probably still was. Faramond couldn't boost his own morale. “Fool!”

  “What?” Faramond snapped, still forgetting his role.

  “Did you hear?” The woman wiped a layer of sweat from her brow, before proceeding to wipe her hands across her soiled apron. “The bakery was burned down! There's nothing left. Gone. All gone.” She frowned. “Now where are we going to get our food?”

  “We'll have to grow it,” Faramond replied, speaking in his real voice, deciding it was time to stop pretending. “It's about time we all learned how to plow the fields.”