Arelyn Aurora


    Lyn purposefully moved along the shelves of the library, striking matches to the candles she had strategically placed, as she went. It was a pity what she had to do since this place had been her haven in this horrible existence but this was her only chance of escape. She couldn’t believe that King Relskald had allowed himself to get distracted and forgotten to put the collar back on her. It was the only thing that prevented her from using her magic freely and Relskald was meticulous about making sure it was secure on her.


    The only time the collar came off was when he would force her—by threat or punishment—until she gave in and performed whatever magical task he wanted. At those times, Relskald kept her heavily guarded or his wizard, Fognor, watched closely. Even though she’d never given her all and always resisted, lately she’d been giving in easier.


    She’d waited for this moment for the last three years, ever since she stumbled on that book about portal magic to distant planets. Everything was prepared and Lyn would make her escape. She’d either be free or she’d die in the raging inferno that would take over the library in a few moments.


    She wasn’t a fire mage but she knew cause and effect. Once the first candle she placed burned down enough, the board it was on would tip and knock the second—slower burning—candle over. From there, a series of events would follow that would set the entire library on fire.


    If her portal magic failed her, at least she’d die warm. She snorted. If her portal magic succeeded, she might still die warm but at least she’d be able to see the sun shining on her face. Death—it was her only release from the pain and suffering she’d endured. It was the only release from this prison.


    Hurrying closer to the barred window of the library, Lyn squatted down by the table and dragged out the dark bag hidden there. It was filled with all the things she’d collected over the years and squirreled away for when she could use them. Quickly opening it, she started setting up everything she’d need to perform the portal magic to enact the enchantment that would breach the barrier between worlds.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    She opened the book; there was a world described there as an elemental planet that supported human life. It was the furthest from her location. The hardest one to reach. If she made it, she hoped that Fognor wouldn’t be able to follow her.


    Lyn heard the click of metal falling on metal and knew her chain reaction had started. She hesitated. Should she change direction, go home instead of so far away? Who would even remember her?


    Closing her eyes, Lyn pictured the day Relskald had come. Death, destruction, he’d murdered everyone important to her. She’d witnessed the slaughter of her family. Lyn watched, powerless, as her beautiful boys died at the hand of Relskald’s men. Elsa, her cousin and best friend, fell at Fognor’s hand. The most shocking of all had been when Edward tried to defend her. Maybe he’d cared for her more than she’d thought or maybe he was just buying her time for the others? Reese and her two youngest hadn’t been accounted for, but there were so many dead—men, women, and children. How could they have escaped?


    She’d opened a portal for her villagers to escape but when she could no longer hold the portal open, when all the people who tried to defend her were dead, she let go of the magic. Facing Relskald and his men, Lyn was too weak to fight him. She was prepared to die but he’d taken her.


    Lyn couldn’t go home; she had no home left to go to. She ruthlessly pushed those thoughts down, that was how she’d survived so far and she needed that bit of strength to survive a bit longer. She would die in the way of her choosing and not at Relskald’s hand.


    Striking her last match, she lit the ingredients laying on the cold stone floor and pulled the magic to herself. She felt the familiar warmth and knew her eyes glowed faintly as the spell took hold. Just when she thought she couldn’t hold on to the magic any longer, the portal opened in front of her. She didn’t hesitate to step through. Looking back through the closing portal, the library was engulfed in flames. As she stepped forward into the heat of the desert, her only thought was, at least she’d die warm.