Chapter 7 - Reunited in Light
Elara shattered the iron bars of the tower window with a single strike of her fist.
She vaulted into the cold stone cell. In the corner, an older woman dressed in ragged nun robes—Sister Theresa—was cowering, shielding a small girl.
As the smoke cleared, the little girl stepped out from behind the sister. She had large, luminous blue eyes, skin dusted with light freckles, and a crown of soft, golden hair that matched Elara’s precisely.
Elara dropped her glowing sword. Her knees buckled, and she fell onto the stone floor, tears blurring her vision.
"Lyra..." Elara whispered, her voice trembling violently.
The little girl stared at the woman standing before her. She looked at the torn clothes, the glowing eyes that were slowly fading back to soft brown, and the gentle, loving smile that matched the drawing she carried in her pocket.
"Mother?" Lyra’s voice was small, hesitant.
Elara held out her arms, unable to speak through her tears.
Lyra sprinted across the cell and threw her tiny arms around Elara’s neck. Elara pulled her daughter tight against her chest, burying her face in the child’s hair, breathing in her scent of sweet wild grass and snow. For seven years, Elara had dreamed of this exact moment—through every beating, every cold night in the dungeon, every moment she thought she would die.
"I found you," Elara sobbed, kissing the side of the child's face again and again. "I found you, my sweet light. I am so sorry I was gone for so long."
"I knew you were coming," Lyra whimpered, clutching Elara’s cloak with all her tiny strength. "The sun told me you woke up!"
Sister Theresa wiped tears from her eyes, stepping forward. "My Queen... we have little time. Malakor’s men will realize he has fallen soon. The entire fleet will surround the harbor."
Elara stood up, keeping one arm securely wrapped around Lyra’s waist. She picked up her sword with her free hand. "They can bring their entire navy. They will not take her from me again."
Elara led them out of the cell and down the spiral stairs of the fortress. Outside, the remaining garrison of dark guards had gathered in the main courtyard, surrounding the exit with raised crossbows.
"Surrender, traitor!" the temporary commander shouted. "You are surrounded!"
Elara looked down at Lyra. "Hold onto me tight, darling. Close your eyes."
Lyra buried her face in her mother's neck.
Elara raised her sword into the storm clouds above. "Sol-Phoenix... grant us passage!"
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The celestial bird descended from the clouds like a falling star, striking the fortress courtyard in an explosion of golden light that blinded the guards and knocked them off their feet. When the light faded, Elara, Lyra, and Sister Theresa were mounted high upon the glowing back of the Phoenix, ascending rapidly into the clear night sky above the clouds.
Below them, the dark fleet of Oakhaven looked like tiny, powerless toys floating in the dark ocean.
