Keys of Candor: Trilogy

by Casey Eanes

  A puzzled look crossed Abtren’s face as she glanced at her sister. Nyx shook her head and then looked back to Seam as he paced the floor toward a small door in the floor of the room.

  Seam growled as Abtren lingered. “I said alone.” Seam knelt and unlocked the trap door.

  “Very well, High King,” spat Abtren as she helped Arakiel to the door. She exchanged a quick glare at Nyx before exiting.

  Nyx sauntered toward Seam. “Is there something special you need, my king?” She fell to her knees, her midnight eyes staring up into his, causing his insides to coil up with disgust. Seam faked a smile at her playfulness and held out his hand for her to rise. “The last beautiful woman that tried to seduce me died to feed your sister.” He allowed his eyes to linger on her, ignoring the eyes that looked like the grave. “You are quite beautiful, but I require something very specific from you, mighty Nyx. That is, if you are who I believe you are.”

  Nyx slowed her approach and a look of confusion blanketed her face. “What do you mean?”

  Seam cracked the trap door beneath him and stood to his feet. “You once were the conduit, were you not?”

  A bright white smile broke on Nyx’s face. “I am much more than a conduit, my king. I am the architect and handler.”

  “Perfect.” Seam’s eyes dropped into the small hold below him. “Then show me.”

  Nyx strolled to the edge of the opening etched in the floor and looked down. There, frozen in place, was the body of Kull Shepherd. His body lay in the dark chamber, crumbled on the floor. Yet, even to Seam’s own surprise, the body still lived. Small, shallow breaths were the only sound that echoed from the empty husk hidden below.

  Nyx stooped down and gazed at Kull. She turned back, her face turning toward the king. “Arakiel always did such a good job of cleansing them for me. You must realize how powerful our brother is.”

  A faint smile appeared on Nyx’s lips as her eyes began to twitch and roll in their sockets. The pools of black gave way to an earthen brown iris, and for an instant, she assumed a more normal, human-like appearance. The simple change was enough to completely alter her beauty, and Seam felt his heart hammer within him. Nyx was just as mesmerizing as Abtren without her horrific midnight eyes.

  Nyx stooped down as her eyes flickered between the light brown and abysmal black. Seam felt something shift beneath him and gasped. The body of his fallen enemy stood and gazed up at him.

  Nyx’s mouth muttered something unintelligible, and just as Seam was about to question what was happening, Kull climbed up and out of his holding chamber. Seam jumped back, staring at his foe and unable to speak. Kull took quick, shallow breaths and opened his mouth. A low, guttural moan fell out of his open mouth. For an instant Seam’s mind clouded with fear and he took another step back as Kull approached him. Kull’s body was once again full of life but his eyes were dull, hollow, and distant like that of someone gazing off into space without focus.

  Kull continued pressing toward Seam and stopped just a foot from his face. A chill ran down Seam’s spine as he examined the shambling specter of Grift Shepherd’s son. He placed his hand on Kull’s shoulder and looked back to Nyx.

  “Are you providing him with any additional strength? Better vision? Enhanced senses?”

  The thin smile that had sneaked onto Nyx’s countenance faded as she answered. “No. His shell is limited to its own ability at first.” She stepped closer to Kull and ran her hand down his arm. “However, my king. As I told you, I am not only the handler. I am also an architect.”

  Seam allowed Nyx to read the confusion on his face as he stepped away from them. The Spire’s wall-sized window showcased the shimmering, glass-covered city below him. “Speak clearly. What does being an architect entail, Nyx?”

  Nyx ran her hand over the short brown stubble of hair on top of Kull’s head. She opened her mouth and Kull’s mouth opened in tandem. The two spoke in sequence, Kull’s distorted and broken voice merged with hers.

  “I modify,” they both said as a grin stretched across Nyx’s face. “And improve.”

  Seam stood, his face knotted with both fear and revulsion. He shook his head. “Not that one. He remains as he is. There will be many more that you can tinker with, Nyx, but I have plans for him. He may be dead, but his body will continue to pay for what he did to me.”

  Nyx shrugged. “As you wish, High King.” She paused, her face growing distant. “There are many still left here. What do the people of Candor call them?”

  “Morels.”

  Nyx laughed like a child. “Ah yes, such a strange term for my abandoned children. They have been without their mother for so long, Keeper. Wandering with no purpose other than to survive.” Her black eyes connected with Seam’s. “They could still prove useful for you High King, yet...I recommend gathering a fresh supply.”

  Seam’s eyes tightened. “In time, when it is necessary, Nyx.”

  Nyx nodded, another cold smile filling her face. She stepped toward the large metal doors leading to the hallway. “Are you sure you did not need anything else?”

  Seam continued to peer from his perch, avoiding Nyx’s horrible gaze. “No. That is all.” He pointed to Kull. “But release him before you go. Your demonstration is finished.”

  “Very good,” said Nyx just as the doors burst open behind her.

  Bronson stumbled into the room, a cold sweat pouring from his brow. He panted for breath, but it was stolen away as his eyes fell on Kull Shepherd.

  Aleph above.

  He stammered and attempted to collect himself.

  “Um, uh, my Lord.”

  Seam shot a glance at Nyx who slipped from the room. He placed himself between Kull and Bronson. “What is it, Bronson? What is so urgent that you dare burst into my chambers unannounced?”

  Bronson could not tear his eyes away from Kull. What had he said? Just days before? The boy is dead. Yes, that was it. He had told Adley and Ewing the boy was dead, but now he was standing right in front of him. Seam grasped Bronson’s face, breaking him out of his trance.

  “What is it, Bronson?!” he screamed.

  Bronson blinked, his body shaking. His lips somehow found the words. “The mirror. Hosp, sir.”

  Seam tightened his grip on Bronson’s jaw. “What of Hosp and the mirror?”

  Bronson tried to quit darting glances at Kull and finally focused in on Seam’s wild brown eyes. “My intel has told me that he has unearthed the next mirror without your knowledge, sir.”

  Seam screamed. “What?!”

  Bronson swallowed. “My sources say that he is planning to transport it to Rhuddenhall. For weeks, my spies have told me that the Grogans have been fortifying the city, but if this is true…”

  Seam interrupted, “Then it appears like Hosp is trying to make a stand against me.”

  Seam closed his eyes, his face riddled with frustration. Bronson backed away from him and Kull, his mind still unable to process that Kull was alive. He tried to lock eyes with him, but the young man would not acknowledge his gaze.

  Seam shook his head. “Very well, Hosp. At the end of the game the king and the pawn all go into the same box.” He cut his eyes toward Bronson. “The game has just ended for the pawn.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Grift’s rook burned out five miles from Cotswold just as the sun began to rise over the dark, cold horizon. As the machine sputtered, Grift hammered down the thruster, trying to steal the last of its energy. The engine finally gave up one last gasp before falling to the earth, careening onto the hard clay surrounding a dry streambed. The cold morning air enveloped the weary soldier as he abandoned the rook and sprinted over the foothills of the region he had known for so long. He cleared a familiar ridge and glanced down into the valley, his breath forming a pillar of cloud in the cold mountain air.

  Grift stood, the cold morning breeze blowing through his hair, his heart hammering within his chest as he observed the ruins of his home. It had been nearly six months since Willyn tore him out of Cotswol
d. The battle had been terrible, but the shock of seeing the destruction that was left behind stole his breath away. Half of the town was nothing more than the charred skeletons of former shops and homes. Grift traced the remnants of the cobbled streets to the spot where his home once stood. The building that held so many memories with Rose and Kull had toppled over, falling in on itself. There were no signs of life in the town. Grift’s heart sank as he ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. They’ve pulled out. Just like Tindler.

  He sprinted for the town’s remains, determined to find some clue to lead him to Rose. He was exhausted, but he would not will his body to stop. You don’t have much time, he reminded himself. Thoughts of Rose’s health goaded him to press on. He needed to get to her.

  As he entered the valley, he bent down and looked at the ground. Large, iron tent spikes riddled the plain outside of Cotswold’s retaining wall, but the accompanying tents were long gone. Truck tires had cut deep trenches in the fields, evidence that an exodus had taken place shortly after the attack.

  Grift scanned the tire tracks and bit his lip. Aleph. Help me. The tracks were no help, weaving through the fields in no particular direction. They split up. His mind ran through the possibilities, but he did not like the conclusion. Vale. They’ve gone to Vale for protection.

  A voice cried out over the empty plain. “Hey!”

  Grift turned, his hand reaching for his pistol. He stared at the figure walking toward him. Grift read the figure in an instant and cocked the hammer back on his pistol. Black and gold uniform. Dominion.

  He held up the pistol toward the figure as he slowly backpedaled. “Don’t take another step!”

  “Easy, easy!” the voice called back. The man held up his hands and continued walking.

  “Did you not hear me, Guardsman?” Grift held the pistol right on the man’s head and locked his jaw. “Stop!”

  The figure stopped and called out, “Grift Shepherd, don’t shoot!” The Dominion soldier lay down his rifle and laughed. “It’s me! Ewing sent me here on patrol. I’ve been waiting for weeks for you to come.” Grift’s eyebrows arched with surprise, but his resolve did not sway.

  “Who are you?”

  “Rend.” The man cocked his head, waiting on a response. “Rend Brinkley.” Grift lowered his pistol, his mind remembering a name from what seemed an entire lifetime ago. He ran toward the Guardsman and wrapped his arms around the younger brother of his beloved friend, Tash. Tash had died defending Cotswold during Willyn’s invasion. A smile erupted on his face.

  “Rend! Aleph above. What are you doing out here?”

  Rend’s youthful face shined with surprise. “I told you, Commander Shepherd.” Rend blinked and quickly threw up a salute. “Ewing sent me to wait on you. Once the refugees pulled out, he sent word for me, instructing me to wait in these ruins for you.”

  “By yourself?” Grift shook his head, the memories of morels in Tindler swarming through his mind.

  “Yes, Commander. Though, as I’m sure you’ve seen... Lotte has changed.”

  Grift scanned the uniform hanging on Rend’s shoulders, examining the golden insignia on his chest. He smeared a dirty finger over the golden emblem and smirked.

  “So I see. Seam wasted little time creating this new world—a world in which I am a highly desired target. A terrorist of his mighty Dominion.”

  Rend’s face clouded over with rage, and he spat on the ground. “Lies. Don’t eat the lies of that jackal, Grift.” Rend put a hand on his shoulder. “I never believed what he spoke about you or about the Mastermonk.”

  “Jackal?”

  “Seam. What else would you call that murderer? Don’t let my clothes fool you. I owe no allegiance to the King of Zenith. Just doing what I can to blend in, buy some time. And there are more than just me.”

  Grift nodded, his lips pursed. “So there is a resistance to the Dominion here?”

  Rend laughed. “More than that, Grift, but I don’t have much time to explain. I have to get you to the safe house.” He pointed back toward the ruins. “I’ve got a fueled transport ready for us, but we need to move.”

  Grift nodded. He stared out over the field where he last saw Kull; where he lost his friend, Tash. He spoke, shaking the memories from his brain, his eyes wetting from the thought. “Rend. I am sorry for your brother.”

  Rend turned and nodded, his lips drawn.

  Grift continued, “He was a good man, and my best soldier. I don’t know how much you know, but the Grogans were deceived. The chaos they caused was just another one of Seam’s schemes.”

  Rend shook his head. “I figure you speak the truth, Commander Shepherd, but my heart holds no love for the Grogans, nor for General Kara. Deceived or not, my brother’s blood is on their hands.”

  Rend looked away from Grift and took a deep breath before motioning for him to follow. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

  Grift held his wife’s brittle body in his arms. The skin of her face was nearly translucent and festered with red, irritated patches. Her chest rattled with each short breath. Her thin frame was tortured by muscles that would spasm and twitch as she lay her in cot. Wael’s massive beast, Rot, guarded her bed, lying by her feet. Rot had been in the care of Arthur Ewing ever since Arik, Ewing’s driver, had escaped the Groganlands. The massive dog was sprawled across the floor, but would sit to attention whenever anyone entered the room, ever watchful of Rose. The beast had even flashed fangs at Grift before realizing who it was as he approached his ailing wife.

  Grift’s tears dripped and ran down his bride’s cheek. He leaned and kissed her forehead as she stared past him, lost in a stupor.

  “Rose, I am here. I should have never left you.” Grift’s voice could barely escape his lips as he languished for long, calming breaths. “I am here,” he whispered as he gently pressed his lips against his wife’s chapped and cracking mouth.

  A gentle hand pressed on Grift’s shoulder. Eva Dellinger’s tender voice followed. “Grift. Thank Aleph you are here. I have been fighting to keep her comfortable the best I can with what I have here.”

  Grift wiped the tears swelling in his eyes and turned to Eva and Ewing as they entered the room. Eva’s long gray hair was pulled back into a frizzy ponytail, and her wrinkled face gave her a tired yet reassuring appearance. “Thank you, Eva. When was the last time...” Grift’s question broke before he took in a deep breath and gathered himself. “When was the last time she spoke?”

  Eva brought a damp cloth and wiped Rose’s forehead and cheeks. She rubbed a creamy balm on her lips. “The last I heard her speak was before Kull left us. She was speaking to him. She has been in this state ever since.”

  Grift stood to his feet and slammed his fist against the wall. The brittle wood planks buckled beneath his fist. Rot shot to his feet and let out a rolling growl. Grift leaned his head against the wall and whispered to himself, “It is my fault. Her last words were used to beg Kull to find me. She needed me.”

  Grift turned and shook his head. “Thank you, Eva, and my apologies.” He glanced at the wall. “I didn’t mean–“

  “No worries, dear,” said Eva as she continued to care for Rose. “I have hit that old wall many times myself.” Her eyes cut into him with a mischievous grin. “I’m just not quite strong enough to leave a mark.” She squeezed the warrior’s wrist. “She’s not gone yet, Grift. She’s still here. Her eyes still have strength.”

  Grift’s throat choked as he fought back an avalanche of grief. “Thank you, Eva.” Grift walked back to Rose’s side, his mind scrambled with emotion.

  “You’re welcome. I am here to help, just call whenever you need me.”

  Rot lowered his hackles and laid back down at the foot of the bed. Eva slipped from the door and left Ewing and Grift standing over Rose. Ewing laid a heavy hand on Grift’s shoulder and nodded his head.

  “Eva’s right, Grift. Rose hasn’t given up yet.” He pulled his friend close. “You shouldn’t either.”

  Grift l
eaned back over Rose and looked into her eyes, but the blue eyes looking back were distant. His wife’s eyes were staring through him, vacant and hollow.

  He stood back to his feet and stepped close to Ewing, leaning next to his ear. “She has fought this thing a long time, Ewing. There was only one thing that ever helped.”

  Ewing’s face bore a small frown. “What’s that, son?”

  “The Hand of Aleph. Wael blessed her and gave her his rune. Many years ago.”

  Ewing nodded and cleared his throat before answering. “Why is it not working now?”

  Grift pushed back the thin blonde hair lying around Rose’s neck. “Because she gave it to Kull. I saw him wearing it when he...saved me.” Grift paused, purging those awful final moments from his mind. “She sacrificed herself to bless Kull while he was looking for me, Ewing.”

  Grift stepped to the lone window cut into the wall. “We’ll need to be leaving soon.”

  “Who's leaving?” grunted Ewing. “There is much you don’t know, Grift Shepherd. There is a growing resistance here in Lotte. I’ve seen to that, but I need you to help me rally it.” Ewing grabbed his friend’s arm and stared into his eyes. “We need you here. This resistance needs tending, and I can’t do it alone.”

  “No.” The answer was firm as Grift looked back at his friend with bloodshot eyes. “I am getting Rose out of here. I fought for Candor long enough. Now I’m fighting for her. We have to get her back to Preost.”

  Ewing straightened his back and hobbled forward on his mechanical leg as he raised his tenor. “Son. I know you want to get Rose back to Wael for a blessing, but have you not looked outside? Do you not remember the patrols? The cut and monitored datalinks?”

  “I know!” snapped Grift. “This is not just about Rose, Arthur! This whole continent is in the hands of a madman! Do you really think Lotte of all places is safe for any of us? If it was, we wouldn’t be holed up in a drafty shack in the industrial district, would we?”

  Ewing shook his head. “I know it’s not safe, Grift. I’m no fool. We have to do whatever we can.” Ewing slammed his hand down on a table by Rose’s bedside. “Running away and hiding won’t accomplish anything. You’ll rob this resistance of your leadership, Shepherd. Leadership that is sorely needed!”