by Drew Wagar
Now a sense of gratification flowed in both directions.
So, the guttersnipe is no more and her power is yours. Amar is merely a setback, high priestess. Return home, we will regroup, subdue all the lands as we have planned. The exiles may be cunning, but we will find another way to deal with them.
Nerina nodded, smiling to herself.
We shall.
The mental link faded, leaving Nerina to stand alone once more at the clifftop.
I shall return, and there will be retribution for all our losses. I am Empress of Esurio, none will dare defy me!
‘She’s alive,’ Zoella said. ‘She’ll live, she’ll heal … more’s the pity.’
Mel looked around at her. ‘Zoella … they almost tore her to pieces. Her wounds. She’s half dead.’
‘She should be dead,’ Zoella replied, her gaze firm and her eyes cold. ‘You should have let them kill her.’
The remaining crew of the Mobilis stood in the council hall. Daf and Creg stood at the entrance, as taciturn as ever. Mel and Zoella were facing off against each other. Coran had intervened. Fitch was watching the proceedings, interjecting as he saw fit.
‘This is definitely her, the priestess woman Meru spoke of?’ Coran asked. ‘The one that …’
Zoella nodded. ‘Kiri. She killed …’ Her voice shook and she glared at Mel. ‘She killed Ren.’
Mel’s jaw tightened.
‘So what are we going to do with her?’ Fitch asked. ‘She’s our enemy after all. She tried to kill me. I almost blew her away with a rifle. If the snuttin’ thing hadn’t mis-fired …’
‘She needs to die,’ Zoella said.
‘We can’t just kill her now,’ Mel protested.
‘Then pretend she died in the fight,’ Zoella countered.
Coran bit his lip. ‘It might have been better if she had been killed outright; drowned, or shot.’
Zoella nodded. ‘All the time she’s alive, she’s dangerous. If there are other priestesses nearby she will be able to talk to them. Spy on us, let them know …’
‘Nothing stopping us from sticking an axe in her right now,’ Fitch said. He was leaning against the wall, his arm in a sling.
‘You can’t just murder her in cold blood,’ Mel said. ‘It’s wrong. She’s our prisoner now.’
‘She killed Ren,’ Zoella snarled, not taking her eyes off Mel.
‘Many are dead because of her …’ Coran replied, swinging around. ‘All the death and destruction. She attacked us, all that fanaticism! I’m half tempted to kill her myself …’
‘You couldn’t,’ Zoella replied, her voice sharp. ‘She’d sense what you intended the moment you got close. She’d crush your mind … just like that.’
‘You could do it,’ Fitch said, looking at Zoella. ‘You could end her.’
‘Fitch, no …’ Mel said. Coran and Fitch exchanged a look.
Zoella nodded. ‘I could,’ she said, her fists clenching. ‘Perhaps I should.’
‘I tend to agree,’ Coran said, his voice dropping to a whisper. ‘She kills anyone who gets in her way. She’s hurt, she may never be weaker. We could end this now. Now is the time, send a message back to those priestesses …’
‘Yeah,’ Fitch said. ‘We’ve made mistakes before now. Let’s not make another one. Best to be rid of her, I say.’
‘Amar has no death penalty,’ Mel countered. ‘It would be murder by our laws! Is that what we’re sinking to?’
‘No one is going to care,’ Fitch said. ‘The crowd almost did away with her. She would have died of her wounds if we hadn’t treated her, and that’s more than she deserves! Look at our city. We’ve got to do what’s right, laws be scorched. If she lives, then what? We can’t let her go, can we?’
‘If we abandon what we believe because it’s convenient …’
‘She’s a killer,’ Zoella shouted. ‘What about vengeance for Ren?’ She glared at Mel. ‘Or have you forgotten him?’
‘I haven’t forgotten,’ Mel said, her voice calm. ‘But we can’t just kill her. She must stand trial for her crimes. We can’t sink to the level of the priestesses, we’re Amarans. We have laws, civilisation. That’s what makes us better than them. That’s what we fought for, isn’t it? Is it so easy to give that up?’
Coran made to protest, but then stopped. He shrugged and raised his hands before clenching them. Then he lowered his head into them and rubbed at his brow.
‘And what about Meru?’ Mel added. ‘Doesn’t he have a say?’
‘Meru forfeited his say,’ Zoella snapped. ‘He betrayed us to her. He slept with her! He’s entranced by her; she uses him like a puppet. If you want him back she needs to die.’
‘Does he love her?’ Mel asked.
‘Just lust,’ Zoella replied, her voice rising. ‘She has him bewitched. I know how powerful she is and what she can do. She’s a murderer and a liar. She’s evil!’
Coran and Mel exchanged a glance as Zoella finished her tirade.
‘How do you know all this?’ Coran asked. ‘What happened out there?’
‘There’s no time to tell you it all,’ Zoella said. ‘We met her in Taloon, Meru and I.’
‘Taloon?’ Coran asked. ‘But you were heading to the Obelisk …’
‘We never got to the Obelisk,’ Zoella cried. ‘She got her claws into him. He betrayed us to her, told her our secrets, led her to me. She tried to steal my powers, but Ira and the others stopped her. She tried to turn me to her side. She’s …’ Zoella’s lip curled in distaste. ‘We share the same mother.’
Mel’s mouth fell open.
‘She’s your sister?’ she asked. ‘How can that be?’
‘We were separated at birth,’ Zoella replied. ‘Some scheme of the man who hid us, the man we found in Nireus, Guerren. That’s why our powers are so similar. They are the same.’
‘Two sides of a coin,’ Coran whispered. ‘One light, one dark.’
‘So I know exactly what she is,’ Zoella said, her eyes pleading. ‘And that’s why she has to be killed, otherwise this will never stop and more people will die. Don’t you understand? She’s got to die!’ She was crying now, the tears dripping down her cheeks.
‘The girl’s not wrong,’ Fitch said.
Coran gave out a deep sigh, thinking it through.
‘No,’ he said with a heavy sigh, ‘Mel’s right as usual. There’s too much here to think through and the grief is too recent, too raw. None of us are thinking straight right now. Meru deserves a say in her fate …’
‘Don’t be a fool …’ Zoella cried.
‘… but we lock her up and keep her bound for now. The Amaran senate should decide what’s to be done. This crew,’ he said, looking around at them, ‘needs to deal with the Obelisk, or it’s not going to make a difference either way.’
‘I don’t care about the Obelisk,’ Zoella said, her voice flat. ‘And I’m not bound by your laws. Scallian justice. She once inflicted it on my people, murdered those close to me. She’s still murdering … she will keep on murdering!’
Coran straightened, his voice dropping. ‘Decision made, Zoella. Mel is right. That’s enough.’
‘Captain’s made the call,’ Mel said.
Zoella was shaking her head.
‘She has to die.’ Zoella’s voice rose into a twisted scream.
‘Zoella, she’s your sister!’ Mel gasped.
‘So?’ Zoella grated out. ‘She has killed or taken everything I have ever cared about. She intends to kill me. She killed Ren … dear little Ren …’ Her voice cracked, but then it hardened once again. ‘She killed all the others, she poisoned Meru against us. Isn’t that enough? That we share a mother makes no difference. She’s never going to stop. This must end now.’
Zoella stepped forward. Fitch moved away from the wall, bracing himself.
‘No,’ Mel said, stepping between her and the exit. ‘This is wrong.’
‘Take it easy, girl,’ Fitch rumbled.
Zoella faced Mel. ‘Out of my way.�
�� Her voice was just above a whisper.
Mel shook her head.
‘Zoella,’ Coran interjected, standing alongside Mel. ‘Maybe you’re right, maybe Kiri deserves to die, but this isn’t the way. She must be subject to our laws, otherwise … what are we fighting for? Maybe the senate will override the law, sentence her to death, but it’s got to be fair, done the right way …’
‘She’s too dangerous,’ Zoella replied. ‘I’m going to kill her.’
‘Not going to happen,’ Mel said, her tone cool.
‘Get out of my way,’ Zoella’s voice was colder.
‘Back down, Zoella,’ Coran rumbled. Fitch was also alongside Mel now, the three of them facing Zoella.
‘Do as the captain says, girl,’ Fitch said, his eyes narrowed. ‘You might be right, but this isn’t the time.’
Mel reached out for her. ‘Zoella …’
Zoella screeched, gesturing with her hand, a snarl upon her face. Mel screamed in pain, clutching at her forehead, sinking to her knees. Coran tried to grab her, but Zoella struck out at him too and he yelled in pain, falling to one side. Zoella strode past them.
Fitch went to block her but she pushed him aside with another claw-handed gesture. He doubled up, sprawled against the wall with a screech.
‘Daf, Creg,’ Coran managed to utter. ‘Stop her!’
Zoella turned around as the two burly men approached her from either side, they were both huge, dwarfing her, but she was not intimidated.
‘You can’t stop me,’ Zoella cried. ‘None of you can.’
Daf and Creg almost got close enough to grab Zoella, but she stretched out her arms towards both of them, her fingers talon-like. Both men grunted and staggered back clutching at their foreheads, felled by Zoella’s power. They collapsed full length on the floor. None of them could move for the fire in their heads.
‘I decide her fate,’ Zoella said, turning around, her eyes flashing with anger. ‘Her life is mine to take, it is owed to me. You’re all cowards. I will do it!’
Then she was gone.
Meru blinked. His vision was blurred. For a moment he couldn’t remember anything at all. Then visions swirled in his mind, memories, thoughts and feelings.
The flying machine. They’d been above Amar, circling down when they had collided with a dach. The machine had crashed. He could remember the impact, the cracking of glass, a jolt …
Then there was nothing.
What happened? Where am I?
He tried to sit up. His head spun with the effort, but something held him in place, some kind of restraint.
Lights flickered above him. He squinted, recognising them.
I’m on the medical ship. I must have been hurt. What happened to Amar? Did we win or lose? Where is everyone?
‘Please remain still.’ Meru recognised Sandra’s voice. ‘Restorative procedure has not yet completed.’
‘I need to find out what’s going on,’ Meru protested. ‘Sandra, cancel procedure.’
‘Cancellation of restorative procedure is not recommended, please confirm.’
‘Confirmed! Let me up!’
He felt the restraints unclick. A tube that had been embedded in his left wrist detached itself and snaked away.
He pulled himself upwards, still feeling dizzy and faint. He staggered to the windows of the medical transport and looked out. He could see smoke drifting upwards from the city, but there was no sign of the Taloon fleet or the priestesses.
Maybe we won … if so, then what happened to …
As her face came to mind, a mental thump of anguish cascaded all around him, causing him to yell out in surprise and pain. His knees give way beneath him and he collapsed to the floor, a plaintive cry of distress and despair echoing around his head.
Meru … please … help me!
Kiri?
She’s going to …
The mental connection stopped mid-word; there was nothing, not even an echo of the words.
Kiri? Kiri!
There was no answer. Meru staggered up and lurched outside.
Zoella made her way down to the cell where Kiri was being held. Two guards stood either side of the doorway. They stepped forward as she approached.
‘Who goes …?’
Zoella didn’t even bother to acknowledge them. They were inconsequential, a minor irritant. She clutched at their minds, their yells of pain and surprise going unnoticed. It was easy now, just a brief thought. She pulled the key from the belt of the first, turning it over in her hand.
The anger burned in her, a flame that had been long smouldering, ignited by Ren’s death and now raging in her soul.
Across the room were Kiri’s possessions, the tattered clothing she had been found in and the metal staff that had been found on the harbour wall.
The staff that killed Torin, Raga and Turgan! She called it a kai …
She walked over and picked it up. She was surprised by how little it weighed. It glinted in the light that was filtering through the narrow windows high above. Zoella’s grip on it was tight, her hand clenched, the knuckles showing white through her skin. It was a simple device, but Zoella had seen what could be done with it.
I know what I have to do.
She turned and moved to the cell door, unlocking it with the key, pushing the door open.
It swung inward with a creak.
The cell was empty save for a solid shadewood chair. Upon it, now dressed in a simple short gown and tied in place by ropes at her neck, wrists, waist and ankles, was Kiri. A tight blindfold was still in place around her head.
She seemed insensible; her head dropped forward, her long dark hair hanging down to her waist. Her wounds had been cleaned and bound. Zoella could see the bruising all over her body, the bloody stain on her thigh from the stab wound that Ren had inflicted. The crowd had almost finished her.
They should have been allowed to. Time enough for that now.
Zoella didn’t bother to try and hide her footsteps.
Wake up!
Zoella prodded Kiri with the kai. Kiri jolted awake, gasping for breath. Her head came up, turning from one side to the other. Zoella could see the congealed blood and the ugly blue and yellow bruises across her face and neck.
Zoella reached forward and pulled the blindfold away. Kiri blinked in the brightness. Zoella saw her eyes focus and watched as her expression dropped in dismay.
‘You …’ Kiri whispered through parched lips. Her voice was a dry croak.
‘Yes,’ Zoella said, her voice a snarl, laced with hostility. ‘Me. Sister. And we’re alone this time.’
Zoella saw Kiri swallow.
They stared at each other for long moments. Zoella paced back and forth before her.
‘We can talk,’ Kiri said. ‘Please. The Obelisk, only you and I can…’
With no warning Zoella swung the kai around and then brought it down as hard as she could across the fingers of Kiri’s right hand, crushing them against the arms of the shadewood chair.
Kiri screamed in shock and surprise. Zoella waited, watching as the other girl writhed in pain. The blow must have broken at least one of her fingers.
Hope that hurts like fire!
Just as Kiri was recovering from it, Zoella swung the kai again, striking the same hand. Kiri’s screams echoed around the cell a second time, collapsing into a stuttering helpless whimper of pain and anguish.
Zoella grabbed Kiri’s chin and yanked her head up. Kiri was gasping, her eyes clenched shut against the agony.
‘I am going to kill you,’ Zoella whispered into her ear. ‘But you’re going to suffer first. You’re going to understand the pain you have caused.’
Kiri’s eyes opened, and Zoella felt the sting of a headache. A burning metallic taste welled up in her mouth. She could feel the bright burning orb of Kiri’s gift, scalding hot before her.
No you don’t!
Zoella drove her own thoughts against the flow, pushed past the resistance and turned the attack. She grasped at t
he power before her, luxuriating in its strength, pulling it towards her, barely conscious of Kiri’s moan as she did so.
So that’s how it’s done. Stealing the gift of another!
Zoella felt a strange sense of elation, her powers stronger. She could feel it buzzing within her, energizing her, her body responding to the thrill. Zoella backed away, readying the kai once more.
For moments the only sound was Kiri gasping for breath. Zoella watched.
‘Do you member King Ioric?’ Zoella asked.
Kiri didn’t answer. Her head lolled forward, her body shaking, slumped against the ropes that held her, her breathing coming in ragged gasps.
‘I said do you remember?’ Zoella screeched. She jabbed Kiri hard in the chest with the kai.
Kiri retched, choking, but managed to look up.
‘And Torin? Remember how you tortured him? You’re going to remember exactly how that felt!’
Anger washed out from Kiri, Zoella felt it bombard her.
‘He deserved to die,’ Kiri gasped, her teeth bared. ‘He killed my mentor, he lied … about the treaty, he started … the war! We were defending what was …’
Zoella swung the kai and cracked it across Kiri’s thigh where Ren had stabbed her. Kiri screamed again, jolting against the ropes, writhing against the pain.
‘Lies!’ Zoella shouted at her. ‘Everything is a lie with you!’
‘No …’ Kiri was shaking her head, trying to form words.
‘You killed them both, you killed Raga, my carn!’
‘You set it on me …’ Kiri’s screeched back.
‘Liar!’ Zoella screeched. ‘Liar, liar, liar!’
The madness cleared, a moment of lucidity.
Zoella stepped away and paced back and forth, watching Kiri, enjoying her torment. Kiri’s body was shuddering from head to toe now. Zoella saw tears mixing with blood on Kiri’s face, but she didn’t relent.
The anger ruled her.
‘And Guerrun, and Liana!’
Zoella lifted the kai.
‘And you killed Ren,’ she screamed, howling her pain and misery, hysteria in her voice.
The final blow went wild, catching Kiri across the face. Kiri’s head was knocked back against the chair and she slumped in her restraints.
