Forlattena Prison, Desmond, 10416 P.C.

Andre LaKline was a hard-looking man, carved from stone and years of hardship. Todd could see the resemblance to Annabella almost immediately, not just in looks but also in personality. He didn't hug his daughter as his wife had. He maintained a certain distance, watching Annabella and the rest of them with cold eyes. Even when Anthony announced that Todd was the Deliverer, the man didn't flinch.

"I suppose you're here for answers," the bearded man said after plunging his axe firmly into the chopping block.

Annabella had called this man a traitor and a coward. He had betrayed the Immortal One somehow. "I suppose you have some for us," Todd responded with a boldness he hardly felt.

Andre dusted off his hands, glancing at his wife and daughter. The queen was helping Annabella off the ground. This was the second time Todd had seen Annabella crumble, and it was still unsettling to him. She was the strongest of them all — or so she seemed to be — and when something was powerful enough to take her down, it was worth taking note of.

"Come on inside," Andre said finally. "I'll tell you what you wish to know."

They obeyed silently. Todd followed Anthony's lead, walking to the small cabin and up the porch steps. They creaked beneath his feet. The cabin itself looked a bit rickety, and Todd wondered if Andre had built it on his own. It was carved from notched logs and mud like the old pioneer houses Todd had seen in history books. The inside was warm and actually a bit cozy, with a little rack for shoes and carved wooden hooks for jackets. Todd copied Anthony, removing his shoes and setting them on the rack and hanging up his jacket. He followed Anthony into the next room, where a kitchen had been designed. It was impressive, at the very least. The counters and cupboards were carved from solid oak logs, and the stove was a wood-burning stove built from rock and stone — a tea kettle sat on top of it, whistling loudly, and Anthony lifted it off, carrying it to the table situated against the wall. It, too, was carved from wood. The carvings were pretty cool, Todd thought, created by someone with skillful hands. Candles were scattered all around the cabin, lighting the windowless room and casting it all in a beautiful, rustic glow. Todd was awestruck.

"It's beautiful," he commented, looking around in wonder as he slowly wandered further into the room. Stephanie wasn't too far behind him, humming her agreement.

"Papa built this cabin," Anthony said. "We lived in a tent for the first few years, but the winters were really harsh. We needed proper shelter for the cold months."

Something flickered on the other side of the cabin, and Todd turned curiously. There was a giant screen on the far wall on the other side of the table. A makeshift couch draped in animal skins sat before it. The screen was flashing scenes of a city. It reminded him of the news on their televisions back in Amissah, but there was no sound.

Anthony noticed his fascination. "Sorry about that. It's a nuisance. We can't turn it off."

Stephanie stepped closer, eyeing the screen carefully. "That's Zusia."

"Yes." Andre had stepped into the room, close behind Matthew. Beside Matthew's tall frame, the man looked rather small, but Todd knew not to underestimate someone based on height. "Motch wanted to ensure we never forgot what we did."

"What did you do?"

They all turned back to Annabella, who stood in the doorway, staring at her father with red-rimmed eyes. Todd knew that frigid gaze. Andre's distance only seemed to be confirming every suspicion Annabella had.

"I think we need to sit down for this," the queen commented quietly, nudging Annabella into the room with Jessie on her heels. "Anthony, grab some pelts for them to sit on."

The boy obeyed, disappearing through a door leading into a side room and returning with several animal skins, which he handed to Todd and Stephanie before retreating to perch over on the counter. Todd spread the pelts on the floor and sat down against the wall. The weariness spread over him like a wave, but he blinked it away.

Jessie hurried over to curl up beside him, and Stephanie dropped down on his other side. Matthew refused Stephanie's beckoning gesture, content, it seemed, to lean against the wall near the door with his arms folded across his chest. He appeared to be distracted by the screen on the far wall.

Annabella also refused the hospitality. She planted herself beside Matthew, folding her own arms as she watched her parents. The queen had sensed Annabella's chilly countenance and had drifted over to stand with her husband.

Andre leaned against the counter, almost lazily. "Answers," he started, looking at Annabella for a moment before averting his gaze. After a moment, he launched into the story.

"Around sixteen years ago, I had an unwelcome visitor. As you all may know, I was once a king — King of the South, formally. I ruled alongside the Immortal One, another eye on His world. He gave the southern part of Desmond as my kingdom, honouring the oath He had sworn to my ancestors before me. Ever since the Cominuote, there was really no need for our royal line to continue, but He had sworn to them that, because of their loyalty, the kingdom would remain in the LaKline lineage until the end of time. We lived in peace.

"Until Aniea'athrii came. These days, they call her the Veiled Lady. She was one of the Condemned, one of the fallen Gifted beings the Immortal One had cursed. How she had come to Desmond, I'll never know, but she attacked Adrianna and Alexander in the garden, putting them both in a deep sleep. Alexander was about six at the time, I believe, and Annabella was just a baby. Aniea'athrii told me that Adrianna and Alexander would never awaken unless I did exactly as she told me to.

"My first mistake was that I believed her. It was foolish to think that the Immortal One couldn't have broken the spell, and yet I think truly it was because I didn't want Him to. Rebellion was on the rise; the people were growing hard against the Immortal One, wanting change, wanting a different ruler. I mistakenly thought they were looking to me. So I listened to the witch. I prepared the people for rebellion, and on the High Princess's first birthday, we attacked.

"What I didn't realize was that Aniea'athrii had other plans. Namely, her dragon. Motch came down and snatched up the throne and began to destroy Desmond. I was in too deep to back out, especially with Aniea'athrii's threat on my wife and children. My soldiers marched on my own people and tore their families apart. For three years, we ransacked Desmond and tore it all to pieces.

"It was only when another came and berated me of my sins that I repented. I was in too deep, much, much too deep — I knew my children would end up paying for my wrongdoings. My life was forfeit as it was, but we thought we could save Adrianna and the children. We planned a ruse of sorts, vying for the ultimate distraction so that they could escape — we were constantly watched, you see, and even with our careful planning, Aniea'athrii caught wind of it. She destroyed the castle and sentenced us to this prison. She took Alexander and Annabella from us, promising we'd never see them again. Yet when Anthony was born just months later, she let us keep him. Perhaps because she assumed he would die in this god-forsaken place as a newborn. When he didn't, she began to come yearly and mark up his face, punishing an innocent child over and over for our betrayal."

Andre paused then, his eyes on his youngest. Anthony didn't seem shy about the attention, nor did he try to cover up the scars that marred his young face. He was watching Annabella, waiting for her reply, it seemed.

Todd knew by the look on Annabella's face that a reply would be slow in coming. She was glaring at the floor, processing, and he decided to speak instead. "So you encouraged rebellion against the Immortal One. Why?"

Andre studied Todd with weary eyes. "The times were rough. Not as rough as some might have thought, but unrest was growing. Riots. Rumours of war. Change seemed to be our only option."

"And you thought," Annabella said, her voice tense, "that removing the Creator would be a good change."

"Many of my advisors thought so. The people definitely believed it to be true. I never imagined this outcome."

Adrianna spoke up, her voice quiet. "The Immortal One left willingly. He knew the people's hearts — knew our hearts. He knew the people didn't want Him, and so He gave us what we did want: change and a new ruler."

"A twisted way of proving He was right all along," Andre added, looking at his wife.

"But He was right all along," she murmured.

"You betrayed Him." Annabella couldn't seem to get over that detail.

"Yes, and it was the greatest mistake I could have made," Andre replied. "I doubted Him, and I never should have. It is something I may never be able to make up for, especially to you, Annabella."

Todd bit his lip hard, watching Annabella battle with her emotions. "People died," she said.

"I know." Andre folded his arms protectively against his chest.

"Alexander is dead."

"We know," Adrianna spoke softly.

Annabella was beginning to work herself up — perhaps the lack of argument was hard for her to handle. "He's dead, and, and you aren't! He was just a kid and he stood up to Motch and you couldn't!"

Todd spoke without thinking. "There was so much risk, Annabella!" he lashed out, startling her. "There were so many lives at risk. It's not a black and white thing!"

"Stay out of this, Todd," she snapped. "Let them fight their own battles."

"No, no, don't shut me up again," he said, pushing himself to his feet. "You're holding things against your parents that they had less control over than we have over our situation. Have you thought for even just a second that they did it all for you? To keep you safe? To keep you alive? They weren't cowards, they were fighting for what they loved, even if they didn't make the best choices doing that. You are no different! None of us are any different! Stop blaming them for falling into a trap and being manipulated, because we're in the exact same position!"

He paused to take a breath, and he could tell by the look on her face that she knew what he was talking about. The hopelessness and grief in her eyes were almost too much for him. He just wanted her to give it up. He wanted her to crumble. He wanted her to be free of the burden of anger and guilt she was constantly carrying. The impact it had on her was huge, and he wanted to see it healed.

"The Immortal One has forgiven them," he said simply, knowing the words were true. "So why can't you?"

Annabella closed her eyes, taking a slow breath. The emotions raged within her openly. She slowly shook her head. "You've been around me too much, Smartie," she whispered, but he heard it. He wasn't sure what she meant by it, either that he knew her too well, or that he had learned a thing or two from her about being brash and blunt. Perhaps both.

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She turned to her parents, staring at them for a long moment. No one moved, during Todd's spiel or after; they waited for Annabella's response.

"Alexander never forgot you," she finally said, her gaze set firmly on her parents. "He never blamed you either. He was always the rebellious kind, smiling when it was forbidden and dancing around his room like a bloody idiot a lot of the time, full of dreams and hopes and plans... He wasn't ever afraid to dream the impossible. He told me over and over stories about both of you, telling me that one day we could be a family again. After he died, I..." She shook her head, lifting her hand to wipe at the tears that had begun to trail down her cheeks. "I was so scared to love anyone again, so I decided to hate you. I hated everyone. Well, I tried to. It wasn't hard with you, really, because I never saw you or even knew you, but now..." She took a shuddering breath, smacking harder at her tears. "Jauliks, I'm a mess. I'm sorry," she said to the rest of them, hiding her face behind her hands.

Todd glanced at the others. Matthew looked uncomfortable, his arms crossed firmly against his chest as his gaze flitted between the emotional scene and the screen on the other side of the room. Stephanie was watching Annabella with intensity — Todd read many of the same feelings he felt on her face. Jessie only looked strangely fascinated. Anthony stared at them all shamelessly.

"Come here, honey," Adrianna said, reaching for Annabella. Annabella dissolved into her mother's arms again, hiding her face. "Here," Adrianna said quietly, glancing around at the others. "Let's go into the bedroom. Anthony, could you make our guests some tea?" With that, Adrianna escorted Annabella into one of the side rooms. Andre gave Todd a silent nod and followed his wife and daughter, closing the door quietly behind them.

"Okay." Anthony pushed himself off the counter and pulled some wooden mugs out of the cupboard. "Tea, anyone?" Cool and nonchalant, he began to prepare the drinks. Todd knew the boy had to be struggling to process what was happening. He seemed good at covering up his emotions.

Todd blinked several times and took a deep breath as Jessie said "Sure, why not?" and used his hand to pull herself to her feet.

"I'm not going to say that was awkward or anything," Stephanie started slowly.

"But that was awkward." Matthew pushed himself away from the wall and crossed the room to study the screen more.

"Is finishing each other's sentences a normal thing couples do?" Anthony asked Jessie.

"I couldn't care less," Jessie muttered.

Stephanie gave Anthony an alarmed look. "Oh, uh, Matthew and I aren't..." she trailed off, her cheeks reddening.

Matthew turned around, frowning first at Stephanie, and then at Anthony. "We aren't a couple."

Anthony frowned at the tea, then shrugged and passed it to Stephanie. "My parents finish each other's sentences. Thought maybe it was normal for a couple."

Todd saw the bewildered exchange of looks between Stephanie and Matthew. He felt it himself. Matthew and Stephanie, a couple? They hadn't even known each other for a full week. "Maybe for some people," Stephanie finally said.

Todd walked around the counter to sit down at the table. Staring at the door Annabella had disappeared behind, he couldn't help the twinge of worry he felt. Was Annabella going to accept this, or would she push them away? He sighed heavily. "It'll be okay," he said aloud to himself.

"It will," Anthony said, handing Todd a steaming mug over the counter. "It always is, eventually."

Todd sipped the tea. Honey and ginger. It was spicy, and he shuddered as the warmth flowed into him. "You're so practical," he commented, watching Anthony pour the hot water into a mug for Matthew.

"I see no reason to be impractical. I say it as it is."

"Must run in the family," Stephanie mumbled. Todd smiled.

Anthony seemed contented to perch on the counter like a little bird, cupping his mug in both hands. There were only two other chairs at the table, which the girls silently claimed. Matthew leaned against the counter, and an awkward silence consumed the room as they each were lost in their thoughts. Todd wasn't sure how to read the young, scarred boy sitting on the counter; Anthony almost seemed content with the silence.

Jessie broke it. "So, you've never been outside of Forlattena Prison?" she asked Anthony curiously.

"Never."

Stephanie set down her mug. "I don't get it. Motch took Annabella and Alexander. Why didn't he take you to be raised in the Trainee System, too?"

Anthony lifted his gaze to her, openly studying the dragonmark on her face. Her fingers flinched around her mug, and Todd knew she was tempted to duck away to hide it. Anthony finally shrugged. "I don't really know. We can only guess. Like Papa said, I think it was to punish my parents in some way. I was born here, and Motch promised I would die here." He hesitated, and then lifted a finger to trace one of the scars along his cheek. "She comes on my birthday. Every year. Each one of these represents another year that Motch has allowed me to live. She calls it a grace and mercy that I've been allowed to live this long."

Todd swallowed hard. Anthony spoke as if what he was talking about wasn't as twisted and horrifying as it was. The boy knew very little about the outside world and how things really should have been, and it was nauseating to Todd. This was all Anthony knew.

"That's psychotic," Stephanie said.

"It's the price I have to pay for being born, they say."

Matthew set down is mug a bit harder than necessary, muttering something about needing air as he quickly left the room. Todd heard the front door of the cabin slam.

Stephanie moved to chase him down, but Todd stopped her. "Leave him alone, Stephanie. He'll be okay."

She took a deep breath, settling back down on her chair and staring at her tea.

Anthony was staring at the door his parents and sister had disappeared through. There was a bit of longing in his gaze, but he didn't move. Todd glanced at the door himself. What were they talking about? Was Annabella okay?

"You could go in," he told Anthony.

The boy shook his head. "I don't want to interrupt." He blinked a few times, looking a bit weary, and then said, "The silence is okay."

Todd took that as permission to let the conversation die. They drank their tea quietly. When Matthew slowly returned to his spot against the counter, he too remained silent, sipping his tea and looking at no one.

The screen on the wall fascinated Todd, reminding him of the news on television Henry and Cathy had often blared in their house. There were stories, scenes of people talking and views of the city. Todd snapped to attention immediately when he saw Motch appear on the screen.

He truly was a dragon, but nothing like the dragon Todd and Annabella had encountered in the Hinterlands. Motch was a giant, his scales like rubies and gold, his draconic eyes the same shimmering shades of gold and red. His teeth were huge and sharp, his bone-crushing jaw working as he talked. He was terrifying, reminding Todd of nightmares he had as a child.

Anthony noted Todd's attention, and he slipped off the counter and approached the screen, tapping its corner and pulling up the volume control. Suddenly, Todd could hear the dragon king's low, gravelly voice, and it sent a shiver down Todd's spine like an ice-cold finger.

"... rebels of the crown, Illegals, fugitives!" Motch was saying. The camera panned out, revealing that the king stood on the portico of his palace, and on the steps below him was a line of people, kneeling on the stairs, bound in chains. Todd froze, realizing with a jolt that he recognized several of the figures. They were some of the older kids and adults who had been in the compound. He saw Justine, the healer who had saved Annabella's life, among them.

"Oh, no," Stephanie whispered. She grabbed Todd's arm, forcing him to look at her. "Don't watch. Those are executions."

Anthony muted the screen, turning his back to it as he looked at them. Todd couldn't help but see past him, catching a glimpse of the screen again. Soldiers stood behind the captives, swords raised.

"Todd, look at me." Stephanie took his cheek, turning his face away. "Don't watch."

He stared at her, guilt clawing painfully in his chest. "They're dead," he whispered. "They're dead because of us."

"Don't," Stephanie said firmly, her hand tight around his wrist. "Don't say that. Don't even think it. You're here to save people, Todd, but you can't save everyone."

She was cut off by a loud popping noise. Jessie shrieked and Anthony yelped. Todd jerked around to see that Anthony was on the ground, dazed, and the screen on the wall was blank, cracked in several areas and even smoking slightly.

"What was that?" Anthony exclaimed, rolling over to sit up. He stared at the screen in disbelief. Todd could imagine that he had never seen it blank and lifeless. "What happened?"

Stephanie whirled on Matthew, who was silent, sipping his tea as if he hadn't noticed the minor explosion. He barely looked up even as the door on the other side of the cabin opened and Andre stepped out, alarmed.

"What happened?" he demanded, searching the room quickly before noting the wrecked screen. "How...?"

"I don't know, sir," Todd offered, almost stuttering as Adrianna and Annabella slowly peeked into the room. Annabella's eyes were puffy and swollen, he noticed.

Stephanie lifted her foot and stomped on Matthew's. He gave her a look, set down his tea, and haltingly raised his hand. "That was me. Sorry."

Anthony pushed himself to his feet, staring at Matthew in confusion. "You never came near the screen."

"And that screen is no normal screen," Andre added, drawing closer to inspect the damage. He walked with a limp, Todd noted, one to match Annabella's, ironically. The lines creasing his face from a near-constant frown added years to his looks. "It's magical."

"Athrii," Stephanie said. She was still watching Matthew intently.

He looked very much opposed to the attention. "I'm sorry," he repeated slowly.

"Sorry?" Andre turned to look at Matthew. "This screen was a curse."

"Don't be sorry," Adrianna said, her voice soft and motherly. "We just... wonder how you destroyed it."

Matthew swallowed hard, folding his arms across his chest and looking at Stephanie.

"Matthew has a way with Athriian magic," Stephanie finally explained, to Todd's surprise. "He can destroy it."

"You can do what now?" Surprise wrinkled Andre's bearded face.

Matthew let out a deep breath. "I can sense it and I can destroy it. I don't know how. I just do it. Excuse me, I need some more air." No one made a move to stop him as he brushed past Annabella and Adrianna to exit the cabin yet again.

Todd was a bit stunned. He looked at Stephanie, opening his mouth, but Jessie beat him to it: "You knew he could do that and you didn't tell us?" she exclaimed incredulously.

"Matthew is a mystery even to himself," Stephanie replied defensively. "It wasn't my place to go telling his story."

"See?" Jessie pushed her tea away and pointed at the empty spot Matthew had vacated. "I told you he was bad luck! I told you! The Veiled Lady—"

"Enough, Jessie!" Annabella ordered sharply, taking charge, although her voice was thick. "If Matthew can destroy the Veiled Lady's magic, then it is good we have him with us. We're going to need all the help we can get."

Jessie shoved her hands in her hair, lips pressed together tightly as she exhaled loudly through her nose. Todd tried not to grimace at her exasperation. While he had been beginning to grow fond of Matthew, he knew that Jessie's concern wasn't unfounded. If Matthew could destroy Athriian magic, then that made them even bigger targets. If he could sense the Veiled Lady, could she sense him?

An idea formed in his mind, one that sent shivers down his spine. What if Matthew was the one they had been looking for all along?