Lysethra covered her face with her hands. All her plans, all her dreams to exalt Clan Darkmist, shattered with Xakra’s words. All her life she had worked for the glory of her house, and it was now all to be undone by Calmarel, her sister younger, who never should have been allowed to ascend to matriarch, to pretend to be her equal.
“I should have killed her when she was a child!” Lysethra whispered. She quailed when Xakra laughed.
“AH, BUT YOUR SISTER HAS BEEN SUCH A JOY TO WATCH! THE INTRICATE WEBS SHE WEAVES DO JUSTICE TO MY PATRONAGE. BUT NOW SHE DEFIES ME, AND THAT I WILL NOT TOLERATE. IF SHE DOES NOT COMPLETE HER TASKS, SHE IS OF NO USE TO ME.”
Lysethra heard the implicit offer and her heart rose. Was there a way to compensate for the damage Calmarel had inflicted on Clan Darkmist with her blasphemies?
"Almighty Xakra, I serve you in all things; I will do what you require. Please help me to understand your will. You command sacrifices of the child and slave."
"YES."
"If Calmarel will not conduct these sacrifices with her own hand, then she is of no use to you.”
“YES.”
“If she is not use to you, then her life and soul are forfeit.”
“YES.”
“If I offer her up to you as sacrifice, will it bring me favor in your eyes and glory to Clan Darkmist?” Lysethra held her breath. If the goddess thought her request presumptuous, nothing could save her from immediate death and eternal torment.
"YESSSSS."
Lysethra smiled.
CHAPTER 29
They flew for what seemed like hours, Phlegothax soaring and banking around myriad vistas, some delightful, some frightening. Avari dozed off a couple of times, to wake disconcerted before remembering where they were.
We’re in hell, she thought, quirking a smile at the thought. So all those people who’ve told me to go to hell have gotten their wish, although most of them are already dead and may be in their own hells. Though this one really doesn’t seem too bad. She was, however, becoming irritated at yet another delay. But glancing at the flock of armed drakoll and their immense draconic escort, she recognized the utility of getting permission to travel the realm; there was no way they could have fought their way through.
Phlegothax entered a cloudbank, and they were enveloped in a chill mist that clung to their faces, formed tiny droplets on their hair, and dampened their clothing. Avari shivered, and Yen immediately leaned closer and wrapped his arms around her. For once, she didn’t complain. His warmth comforted her.
Plunging out the far side of the cloud, the dragons flew straight toward a glittering palace that hovered not far away. It looked like a fairy castle, tall minarets glinting gold in the light. But they flew and flew and flew, and Avari realized that the palace was not near, and that those were not drakoll flying about it, but dragons as large or larger than Phlegothax.
Yen spoke her own thoughts when he whispered, “Fantastic!”
"DoHeney would love this!" she replied, then said a quick prayer that her friend’s mission through the bowels of the earth would be successful.
Finally they arrived at the palace. The silver-hued dragon flew through an archway wide enough for three more dragons to proceed side by side. Phlegothax followed, dwarfed by the architecture. They soared around pillars of gold as wide as Phlegothax's wingspan and studded with crystals, gems and precious stones that seemed to glow from within. Avari felt as if she was inside a kaleidoscope.
The palace grew more fantastic as they progressed ever deeper within. Waterfalls plummeted from ceilings to form rivers that flowed along the floors. Pillars of fire stood next to pillars of ice, the former burning in countless hues, the latter melting into incredible shapes.
And everywhere there were dragons, every shape and color imaginable, some flying, some walking, and some slithering like snakes. Smaller drakoll and other saurians flew by in vast numbers.
Swooping into a chamber with walls of red stone set with green and black gems, the escort tightened, directing them to land in front of a large, ornate dais. As the companions scrambled off of Phlegothax’s back, they were able to observe the inhabitants of Pytt more closely, and Avari marveled at their variety. Those lounging on the dais were certainly the pampered class. Many were humanoid in shape, but with reptilian features. Some wore long silken robes, others wore short tunics, and some sat or reclined in no clothing at all. All wore elaborate collars and necklaces of gold or silver, and bejeweled rings on their clawed fingers.
One drakoll from their accompaniment landed in front of Phlegothax and bowed low before the dais, indicating that the companions do likewise. Phlegothax bowed his great head and snorted at Feldspar, who was half-bowing while trying to look about. The old wizard snorted back and bowed deeply. They all followed suit.
"Great Onnowarr,” the drakoll called, surprising Avari that she could understand its words, “Ruler of the Seven Realms of Queshta and the Nine Saurian Kingdoms of Juria, Tamer of Voohennia the Unmerciful! I bring to you a supplicant and his attendants who claim news of the Black City and request permission to travel your realm."
Avari felt Shay beside her stiffen as they were relegated to attendants for Phlegothax. She stifled a smile but nudged him. Ego had no place when you were surrounded by dragons. Following the drakoll’s lead, they raised their heads.
On the dais before them, the lounging saurians shifted and one rose from their midst and descended the steps toward them. It was a woman, though a woman unlike any Avari had ever seen. Her size and shape were those of a tall voluptuous human, but there the semblance stopped. Tiny golden scales covered her skin, reflecting light and glistening like fine chainmail. Two prominent horns protruded from her temples like an elaborate headdress, and a ridge of spines trailed from the crest of her head, down her neck and back, to the tip of the long thin tail that trailed behind her. Her attire consisted solely of jewelry and ornaments draped about her neck, wrists and waist. She moved sinuously, like a snake, the languid sway of her hips stirring the chains at her waist, creating a gentle music akin to chimes. Avari heard Yen’s sharp intake of breath, but couldn’t reproach him. This woman projected a confident sensuality that breached all boundaries of species or gender.
"Tell Us," Onnowarr said to Phlegothax in a sultry voice with a rumbling undertone that Avari felt rather than heard, "what you know of the Black City."
“Great Onnowarr,” the dragon said, “I come here as a companion to these others who live in my world. Through their magics, they discovered the existence of the Black City, and thus sought my council.” Avari sensed Shay’s tension again and eased Gaulengil’s scabbard over to hit the back of his leg. He thought her impetuous, but even she had the sense to keep quiet and be polite to beasts that could bite your head off. Though her movement had been subtle, both Phlegothax and Onnowarr turned their eyes toward them.
Uh oh, Avari thought, but Phlegothax merely huffed and resumed speaking.
“Great Onnowarr, I observed in my world a great storm derived from the Black City, but my companions should be consulted with regard to the details of their discoveries.”
Onnowarr walked slowly toward Shay and repeated her question. This close, Avari could see the vertically slit pupils in her golden eyes, and the rows of sharp teeth lining her smile.
"Great Onnowarr," Shay said with a short bow, "we are on an errand of dire import, and every moment we are delayed may mean thousands of lives lost in our world. We seek an audience with Draco to request permission to travel your realm."
Onnowarr hissed, her smile gone. All about them, drakoll muttered and moved closer, their weapons held high. The attendants on the dais stretched their necks to better see. Even Phlegothax growled his displeasure.
"Draco does not deign to meet with pitiful beings such as yourself, Szcze-kon, Priest of Tem the Balancer and bearer of two cornerstones. I can answer for my father. If that is not sufficient, then you will be destroyed!”
Come on, Shay! Avari pleaded silent
ly. What happened to those good looks and charm?
“Answer the question I asked of you, mortal! What do you know of the Black City? And why should We care who lives or dies in your world?"
Shay at least had the humility to look abashed, as well as discomforted by Onnowarr’s knowledge of him. He bowed low.
“I apologize, great Onnowarr. Although I am indeed a priest of Tem the Balancer, I am unused to dealing directly with deities, and my manners are deficient. We discovered that this Black City was built by worshipers of the Dark Gods to transfer Void essence to the surface of our world. Even now, a great storm of Void essence assaults our world. If we do not stop it, all life on our world will eventually cease to exist. This includes all manner of dragonkind.”
“So you are here to destroy the Black City,” Onnowarr said.
"Our intent is to enter the Black City and interrupt the spells that control the flow of Void essence. If this destroys the Black City, all the better."
“And how did you discover this plot?”
Immediately Feldspar bustled up, bowing repeatedly, a huge grin on his face. Voncellia advanced behind him, looking rather more reluctant.
“Oh, great Onnowarr, we discovered a flux in The Void that affected our friend and mentor, Braelen, a noble wizard of our realm who visited Pytt during his long and distinguished career.”
Onnowarr chuckled. “Yes, We remember Braelen. He paid his respects to Us three hundred and twenty three years ago.”
Feldspar looked so pleased, Avari thought he was about to burst. Even Voncellia smiled.
Avari cleared her throat, and Shay cast an irritated glance toward her, but remained silent. Damn you! She thought. Don’t start this again! When he didn’t speak, she stepped up.
"We also came here to free a friend. He’s been held by the Dark God worshipers for over a year, and we just discovered he was alive. When the mages," she waved her arm vaguely toward Shay, “did a scrying to determine where he was being held, we saw the Black City.”
"Really?” Onnowarr said provocatively as she moved toward the warrioress. “So you would assault a city of the Dark Gods to save a...friend? Of what consequence is this one life?"
"He’s our friend!" Avari said between clenched teeth. "He died so that we could live, and was brought back to life and tormented. The least we can do is rescue him."
"You have the heart and soul of a dragon, Avari," the deity said. Smiling, she trailed her clawed fingers across Avari’s left cheek and down her neck. "Unfortunately, I can see that both are already pledged to others."
Avari was startled to see the golden eyes flash briefly toward Yen before Onnowarr turned away.
"How do you expect to succeed with such a tiny band?"
"We have our means." Shay’s smile faltered when Onnowarr glared at him.
"The cornerstones may aid you against the worshipers of the Dark Gods, Szcze-kon, but I deem their power insufficient to breach the shield, which has been reinforced with the power of The Void itself. Yes," she said to his startled glance, “I know much about the gems of power. When my subjects,” she nodded toward Phlegothax, “have dealings with powerful artifacts, it draws my interest.”
Brok stepped up into the silence that reigned after Onnowarr’s declaration and bowed deeply.
“Oh glorious Daughter of Draco, it may be that we must request more than permission from you. For if we cannot penetrate the Black City's shield, then our trip here is for naught. Will you help us, or must our lives be forfeit as all in our world perish? What must we do to earn your favor and your aid?"
"I have my price, Brokkollak, Thotris' favored child," Onnowarr said, seemingly pleased by his deference. “The question is,” she said as she gazed at Avari once again, "are you willing to pay it?"
"We’ll pay it!" Avari snapped. Being polite was one thing, but all this talking around the subject had finally raised her ire. She heard the rustling of hundreds of drakoll wings and sensed the silver-hued dragon shifting its vast bulk, and reined in her temper. "Can you get us through the shield to the Black City?"
"Be assured, Avari," Onnowarr said as she stepped close, "the Daughter of Draco speaks the truth. I can breach the shield of the Black City, though not without risk to myself. What would you give me in exchange for that assistance?"
"What do you want? My service? My life?" Avari looked into Onnowarr’s golden eyes and saw a glint of amusement that frightened her more than if she had seen anger. "You want my soul?"
"Eloss already lays claim to your soul, Avari. But I will aid you for...a favor."
"A favor?" Avari nearly laughed out loud. "You speak as if you want me to loan you my horse or..."
Onnowarr stepped closer and they locked eyes; for her life, Avari couldn’t look away. The deity’s breath was warm on her cheek, and Avari flinched when she felt Onnowarr’s tail wrap around her leg and gently caress her thigh. A shiver of fear trickled down her spine.
"Avari,” Yen said urgently as he grasped her arm, “I don't think you should—"
"It would be best, Yenjil Thallon, Captain of the Fengotherond Guard," Onnowarr warned, her eyes not wavering from Avari's, "that you remain silent!"
Avari felt the power of that last word, and Yen’s hand slipped from her arm. You fool! she berated herself. How stupid to try to bargain with a god, and a dragon god at that!
"Be assured, Avari, that this favor will claim neither your life, not the lives of your friends. We dragons are hedonistic creatures, and we greatly admire those with strength and courage, which you posses in abundance. I simply wish for you to be at my...pleasure, for a short time." Onnowarr's golden eyes swept to the dais and her attendants who lounged there, then returned to Avari's. "When you pass from your world, you will reside here with Us for the span of your human lifetime before passing on to your soul’s true home."
Avari considered the implications of the offer and nearly reneged. Then she thought of Jundag, tortured for more than a year, until the life in his eyes had been reduced to a bare glimmer of survival. How many lifetimes was his torment worth?
"Done," she said, ignored the gasps and agonized whispers of her companions. Onnowarr smiled, but her voice sounded in Avari’s head alone.
*And done, my fair warrioress, to borrow a phrase from your heart’s love. But fear not your time with Us. Many find their time here better spent than in life!*
"Very well!" Onnowarr’s voice boomed, silencing all protests. "To arms, my children! We travel to the Black City!"
Jundag wrapped the baby in a soft blanket while he awaited Calmarel’s return. The Darkmist matriarch had slept fitfully, then woken with a start, her eyes gleaming with purpose. He had tensed when she approached the crib, but she only brushed the baby’s hair back from her forehead and gazed down at her. Then she had ordered Jundag to prepare for a trip, and left.
The baby looked up at him and wiggled, and he thought he saw a hint of a smile, although it might just have been gas. It didn’t matter; his daughter was beautiful when smiling or sleeping or even crying, which she didn’t do much. He kissed the soft skin of her cheek. Suddenly his chest tightened, and he suppressed a cough until he had laid her back in her crib. Turning away, he coughed until his ribs ached, then sipped some water to ease his raw throat. The citadel’s chill air exacerbated his breathing, and Calmarel had neglected to cure his pervasive cough for several days. He was still strong, but on occasion he felt a weariness that threatened to overwhelm him. He shook his head to ward off a desire to lay on the soft bed and sleep. His daughter needed him, and he wouldn’t rest until she was safe.
The door flew open and Calmarel rushed in carrying a bulging pack. She kicked the door closed, tossed the pack onto the bed and began to rummage through her trunk, tossing this and that, slipping other items into the folds and pockets of her robe. Finally she straightened and approached him.
“Let’s go,” she said. “Be quick and quiet, and obey my commands immediately. Our lives count on it.”
“Where are we going?” he ventured to ask, and was surprised when she actually replied.
“Xerro Kensho.”
DoHeney tossed a stone into the black lake that spread out endlessly before them, and watched the ripples expand outward across the still water like shock waves.
"Yer sure this is the way?" he asked dubiously.
"That’s what I’m seein’," UrMae confirmed as she gathered her rune stones and dropped them in their pouch. "MurFannel?"
"Thith'th where all the pathth lead," the scout said as he pointed to the smoothly worn stones lining the shore. "I'm guethin' they have thome kinda ferry to take 'em to the other thide. We need a boat."
"Yer dreamin’ if all ya think we need is a boat!" DoHeney snorted, waving his arm at the dwarves, wizards and priests crowded onto the wide rocky shore. "It'd take a barge the size o' Zellohar's outer court ta fit us all. We'll jist hafta find a way 'round. Or maybe under?" he suggested hopefully.
"There may be a way ta git across this stinkin’ pond, DoHeney," UrMae said, her wrinkled brow wrinkling even more. "Mayhap, wi' the Earth Mother's blessin', I could fashion a craft from stone."
"Stone! Why, it'd sink like one, too, wouldn't it?"
"Only if I'm a complete dolt!" she snapped, glaring at him. “It’s the shape o’ the thing that’s important. A stone plate won’t float, but a stone bowl will. So why not a stone ship?"
"Well, I suppose it might float, but how are we gonna move the thing? We got no wood for oars!"
"That’s where our wizard friends come in," she said, nodding toward Prael, who stood nearby. "If I can whip up a sailin' ship big enough ta haul us all, mayhaps they can conjure up a breeze or some way ta move it."
“We should be able to do that,” agreed Prael. He looked weary from keeping up with the scouts, but immediately went to consult with his colleagues.
DoHeney was skeptical, but there was no arguing with UrMae; if she said she could do it, she could do it. He watched as she called for assistance and started putting the many volunteers to work. Everyone ran here and there, clearing a section of shoreline of loose rock and depositing it in a pile near a large rock outcrop. The stout priestess of the Earth Mother stood near the pile and closed her eyes, quietly chanting to her goddess. Then she reached down and began molding the earth itself. DoHeney was awed and humbled, and he chuckled wryly to VerNolen, who stood awaiting orders.
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