While Joth rode toward Tenger, Tenger shouted at me again to leave. I rode around them and into the walled courtyard, calling to the others that our priority was to get inside the palace.
However, unexpectedly we met with resistance. Inside these walls, the vibrations lost their intensity, so the half-lives must have had some force here. I dismounted, and using my right forearm, I was able to push through the barrier, allowing Gabe and Trina through, but the gap closed behind us.
I looked back at where we’d come from, trying to understand what had changed. “The vibrations didn’t get past the walls.”
“They were supposed to, the Brill were sure of it.” Gabe frowned. “Maybe there are no more vibrations.”
“Joth attacked Tenger.” Fear caused deep creases in Trina’s brow. “Maybe the vibrations ended because Tenger won.”
“Or because he lost.”
Trina’s hand flew to her mouth, but when she removed it, she said, “Joth must have gotten past Tenger and attacked the Brill.”
Which could only mean one thing. I asked Gabe, “Did you see Joth’s attack?”
Solemnly, he nodded. “Tenger fell with a single touch of Joth’s hand. It reminded me of one of Kestra’s attacks.”
“Is it possible that he has Kestra’s magic?” Trina asked.
“Joth told me they had connected powers,” I said, wondering exactly what that might mean for them, and for us.
Gabe cursed and breathed out, “Perfect.”
I withdrew my sword, and the others did the same. We entered the palace through two doors that had been blown from their frames. A horse rushed past us out the doors, rearing up in a panic.
“I recognize that animal,” Gabe said. “It was Kestra’s.”
“But where is she now?” Trina asked.
I looked around, trying to orient myself within these lavish halls. If the Alliance won tonight, the Scarlet Throne would be mine. That thought should have enticed me to fight harder, but it did just the opposite. I couldn’t imagine myself here. I didn’t belong in this place, nor would I want to become a person who’d ever be comfortable here. This building of marble and gilded gold simply wasn’t me.
“She is wherever Endrick is.” I pointed to the grand staircase toward the throne room. “He’ll be up there.”
“Wait,” Gabe said. “If it’s just the three of us, we have to agree on our priorities.”
“Helping Kestra defeat Endrick is most important,” Trina said.
Gabe’s eyes flashed. “Harlyn is here somewhere. We have to find her.”
I turned to Trina. “Go and find Harlyn. Get her safely out of this palace if you can.”
“I’ll go with Trina,” Gabe offered.
“No, I need you with me,” I said.
“I won’t help you save Kestra at the expense of Harlyn’s life.”
“I know that.”
“So let me find Harlyn.” Gabe marched toward me, his face reddening with anger. “Maybe you don’t care what happens to her, but I do! She was taken while on watch with me, and I’m going to find her now.”
“Trina can find her as well as you.” I nodded at Trina. “Go and find her.”
Furious, Gabe advanced on me. “We said we would do what we could to help Kestra succeed, but she’s already here, more powerful than the two of us put together. Do you remember our agreement? If Kestra tries to take the throne, we will stop her. How dare you break that promise now?”
“I’m not!”
“Then what is this?” he asked. “One last attempt to save her from herself, the same as what failed last time, and the time before that, and the time before that?”