Chapter 108: Shadows in the Valley

As night wrapped its dark arms around the earth, Reika walked beside her chambers, her mind stirred like a broth. The words of Daisy still clung to her ears, "They have been an attack." She touched her fingertips to the desk where she had written on the paper so many times that Viktor and Alfonso stay safe over the risks surrounding their mission's threat. The knock on the door jerked her back. Kael stepped inside; his armor glinting weakly in the light of the torches. "Luna," he said with a slight inclination of his head. "I have more information." Reika faced him; her eyes whipped sharp with anticipation. "What is it?" Kael didn't say a word for about a second or two, he was still before uttering, "It happened in the Abyssal Valley. An attack on Viktor and Alfonso were traveling with, our scouts reported a struggle scene but no bodies. Apparently, they have been taken alive." Reika felt her heart plunge. 'Taken? By whom? "We believe it may be a faction loyal to Ariadne," Kael said, his voice speaking gravest somberness. "They had to have known about the mission." Reika fisted tighter. "She grows more bold every day. This was purposeful-to hit us where it would hurt most." Kael nodded. "Orders, Luna? Reika's mind raced as she weighed the options. She couldn't send a search party, putting more people in jeopardy, yet doing nothing was hardly a viable alternative. Prepare a small force," she said at last. "We'll be needing the trackers for finding Viktor and Alfonso without announcing ourselves to the world. Still, we have to be careful. Ariadne will have spies in the valley, awaiting reinforcements. An Unwelcome Visitor As the first light of morning gilded everything with gold, Reika gained the great throne room. All her thought consumed her mind, and suddenly a bright messenger nervously stood near the entrance. "Luna," he said, bowed low. "A rider came to the gate a moment ago with an urgent message. He claimed that he had news about Viktor and Alfonso." Reika felt a clench in her chest. "Bring him to me at once." Soon enough, a man appeared-with a stubble, wind-and-sun-scorched face; rags clinging to his body, shivering, clasping a small scroll. "Luna Reika," the man said in a shaking voice, "I bring word from Viktor's kidnappers." One step closer went Reika with keen eyes; "Speak." He read out in a weakening voice from the unrolled scroll: "To the self-proclaimed Luna of this nation, Your people have trod lands not their own. If you ever wish to see them breathing again, you will come alone to the eastern edge of the Abyssal Valley by the time of the next full moon. Bring no weapons, no guards, and no tricks. If not, they die. Signed, Ariadne. The silence of the words fell upon all in the room as one. Reika felt the sudden anger and despair well up. "She's using them as bait," Kael muttered. "It's a trap." "Of course it is," Reika said, her voice quite steady, though the turmoil was churning inside. "But I cannot abandon them." "Luna, it's too dangerous," Kael protested. "We don't know what she has planned." Reika shot him a withering glance. "If I do not, they will die. And I will not allow that." --- Cloaked in Stealth As night wore on, in one room-the not-so-bright one-thick tension hung in the air as their eyes scanned across the mapping of Abyssal Valley and a clandestine meeting was held between Reika, Kael, Daisy, and strategist Corwin. "We must think of some plan that keeps Viktor and Alfonso safe while keeping the risks low at the same time," Reika said. "I could disguise myself and accompany you," Kael said. "No," Reika replied firmly. "The letter clearly stated that they will kill the people they would see besides. This is something only I can do." "But, Luna," interrupted Daisy, shaking in voice, "what if you do not return?" Reika reached and laid an assuring hand on Daisy's shoulder. "I will be back. I have a lot to fight for." Corwin leaned forward, scanned the map with great seriousness. "We can put scouts in a radius out side the valley itself," he suggested. "They'll not move unless absolutely necessary, but for us they'd become informants in place." Reika nodded at him. "Do it. And at word, they wait for their signal." --- Full Moon Draws Near Days passed, and with each day, she was being pulled closer and closer to the full moon. She armored body and mind against the coming dangers. Nightly, beside Ileus' bed, his hand in hers, one night she leaned forward and whispered, "Wait, my love, and I will return you to us. It is a vow." Her other hand strayed often to her belly-a gentle reminder of the new life stirring. The full moon was that night, its silvery light casting an eerie shadow upon the grounds. Reika had worn a simple cloak tonight, having put her usual regalia aside to avoid attention. Kael met her at the gates, his face grim. "The trackers are in position. If anything happens-" "I know," Reika cut her off. "But I don't plan to fail." As she mounted her horse, Daisy ran out to her, something clutched in her hands. "Take this," Daisy said, pressing a small amulet into Reika's hand. "For protection." Reika nodded, tucking the amulet into her cloak. Without another word more, she rode off into the night, the Abyssal Valley looming distantly. Long and arduous, the moonlight could barely light the rough landscape until she finally reached the meeting point. The air was thick with unnatural stillness. A figure emerged from the shadows: Ariadne in her crimson cloak billowing with wind, a triumphant smirk twisting across her mouth. "You came," Ariadne said mockingly. "How noble of you." Reika swung off her horse, eyes unyielding. "Where are they?" Ariadne beckoned behind her, and two men were hauled forward, bound and battered. Viktor's face was bruised but his eyes blazed defiance. Alfonso looked weaker, his movements sluggish. "I held up my end," Ariadne said. "Now it's your turn." Reika stepped forward, hands raised in surrender. But as she did, she caught sight of something behind Ariadne—a faint, glowing light moving rapidly through the trees. Her heart leapt to her throat. One of the trackers was giving her a sign; something was happening. "What is it?" Ariadne snapped, wheeling away as Reika did. Reika set her face calm though inside her mind was a storm. Something, or somebody, was coming. And whatever it was, things would never be the same.