“I want more than merely scouts deployed, Northwind,” Alserah said, her voice as cold as the depths of winter, and he looked down as she stared at him, swallowing hard. “Whatever forces you need to find them are at your disposal, is that clear? If anyone tries to give you trouble, I expect you to inform them that you’re acting on my orders.”
“Yes, Your Grace! It shall be done!” Hanrith barked, saluting sharply, far more precisely than she’d seen him act in quite some time.
“Then go. Do what you need to,” Alserah replied, internally seething with anger.
The man darted out of the room, and Alserah stood up. All her quiet pleasure at the flavor of the tea was gone, and her concerns had been brought to the fore. A tiny part of her was outraged that Kitania had been taken, especially with Eternal Song expected to dock any hour, but she wasn’t that concerned about Kitania’s health. The demoness was immortal, after all. Her emotional state was another question, but that could be healed in time.
She was far more concerned about Niadra, and peripherally about Cecilia. Alserah did care about the princess and was worried about her well-being. If the princess was injured, not only would it upset Alserah greatly, but it would also hurt Kitania, possibly even more than being injured would.
“It doesn’t matter. Whoever did this has made an enormous mistake,” Alserah murmured, and her gaze hardened as she looked out across the forest toward the setting sun. There was perhaps another hour or two of light left, and she hoped the scouts could find them quickly. If Alserah had to act herself, she would.
It took a little longer than Kitania had wanted to calm Niadra down enough to free Cecilia. The handmaiden hadn’t been in the best shape emotionally or physically, but at least she hadn’t been conscious for Kitania’s beheading. She was horrified by how Kitania was covered in congealing blood, but there wasn’t much to be done about that. Not without a river to jump into or something, since Kitania didn’t know any magic to clean herself.
They’d found a couple of healing potions on the angels, and that had stopped Niadra’s bleeding, but it didn’t help much with the broken bones or missing fingernails. Once they were calm enough, though, Kitania led the way out of the hideout, having belted on a sword.
“We’re not too far from where we started. They flew from where we were ambushed for about a quarter-hour to get here, and I remember the approximate direction they took.” Kitania explained, taking the lead while Cecilia helped Niadra walk. Kitania didn’t want to get the two too bloody, though they were all in poor enough shape that it didn’t matter much. Keeping her focus was hard, but having a goal helped.
“You d-didn’t get knocked out?” Niadra asked, her voice trembling.
“I mostly closed my eyes in time and managed to resist the magic, though it was a near thing,” Kitania told her, glancing back at the princess reassuringly. “Even so, I realized that with the two of you on top of me, and being unarmed… there wasn’t much I could do, so I was looking for an opportunity to escape. I didn’t expect the angels to be quite as ruthless as they were, though.”
“Ah. I’ve never even heard of angels being so… so cruel before. They were torturing Her Highness just because she liked you,” Cecilia said, her voice filled with revulsion. “I’ve always heard that angels were paragons of virtue, not that.”
“Despite what you may have heard, angels and demons aren’t monolithic species. Just like mortal personalities vary, so do those of angels and demons,” Kitania replied, shaking her head slightly as she glanced around. “Those in the mortal world tend to only see those who’re involved in the war, but there are wide varieties among each faction. The ones we ran into… think of them as among the worst zealots you’ve ever run into. Obviously, they’re the type that are willing to condemn those who have had even minor associations with demons, no matter how good the person might be otherwise. I wish I’d taken one of them alive to question, but I wasn’t sure I could keep either of you safe if I did.”
“I’m just glad you were able to regenerate. Otherwise I’d have been doomed.” Niadra said, hiccupping loudly.
“I’m glad they didn’t notice me regenerating, or this would’ve ended much more poorly. The sword they used tried to use some type of death magic on me, probably to seal my soul in it, or keep me from coming back from the dead. Considering the man’s comments, probably stealing my soul for some reason,” Kitania said, her voice hardening slightly. “I even know who the angel is, and I’m very unhappy to see her.”
“How could you know who she is?” Cecilia asked incredulously, her eyes widening.
“One of them called her Lady Haral, and I’ve heard the name before. It’s the name of the angel who betrayed Isalla to begin with, setting off the entire mess that led to me ending up in the courtyard,” Kitania explained, moving around a set of rather sharp looking rocks as she led the way through the forest. “I told Her Grace about the betrayal, but I never expected Haral to show up here. I suppose it could be another angel by the same name, but I’m loathe to believe that multiple angels by that name are doing horrible things like this.”
“Oh,” Cecilia said, her shock fading slightly.
“I… think that… Her Grace will be upset…” Niadra said, breathing much harder than she should have been. Kitania glanced back to see that her face was redder than it should be, and her eyes were slightly out of focus. That worried Kitania, and she hesitated, looking at Cecilia, then stopped, coming back to Niadra.
“I’m sure she will be, Niadra. She’s not going to let something like this pass. But for now, please… just focus on me and Cecilia. I know you’re in a lot of pain, but we have to get to where we can find help and get back to the palace,” Kitania said, laying a hand gently on each of Niadra’s shoulders. Some blood doubtlessly seeped into the princess’s dress, but Kitania suspected that the garment was a complete loss as it was.
“Alright,” Niadra said, taking a deep breath of air, then gave Kitania a hesitant smile. “You look frightening, you know.”
“I’m sure I do. It’s almost like someone cut my head off, then dumped me in the room they were using as a privy,” Kitania agreed, smiling in return. Resisting the urge to kiss Niadra, especially considering what she’d just said, she turned and began leading the way forward again, adding, “Not exactly the way I’d want to wake up, but better than some alternatives.”
“That’s horrible!” Cecilia said, shuddering visibly, but she helped Niadra follow Kitania. “It’s bad enough that they would do something like that, and that they were… um…”
“Shh. Just walk,” Niadra interrupted as Cecilia’s voice trailed off, the princess’s voice breathless. “They’ll get their just rewards eventually. Some already did.”
“True enough, and—” Kitania began, then froze as she heard faint sounds from the vegetation ahead of her. One hand darted to her sword as she tensed, wondering if it was an angel or beast, then a figure stepped into sight and froze.
The elf was in light armor that would allow him to easily vanish into the underbrush, a bow in hand, and behind him was a woman in similar armor. The two were looking at Kitania in horror, and for an instant Kitania thought they were going to attack or run, but then their gazes flitted to Cecilia and Niadra.
“Y-your Highness! What happened to you?” the man asked, his voice filled with horror, and he glanced back at Kitania nervously.
“Cecilia, explain,” Niadra said, her breath coming in short gasps.
“Of course, Your Highness,” Cecilia said, her head bobbing, then she looked at the soldiers as she spoke quickly. “We were kidnapped by angels who attempted to kill Kitania and who began torturing Her Highness, with the intent of killing all of us. Kitania saved our lives, but we’re desperately in need of assistance.”
“Certainly, Milady, we’ll help at once. We were attempting to find you to begin with. The sight just… startled me,” the man said, slinging his bow as he moved forward.
“You mentioned angels
… are there any in pursuit?” the woman asked, glancing around the forest warily.
“No, I slew the seven who remained in the hidden compound to eliminate Her Highness,” Kitania said, shaking her head as she let go of the sword’s hilt. “The other five left, and I’m not sure where they were going. If I’d been sure it wouldn’t have endangered the princess’s life, I’d have attempted to take one of them alive, but I didn’t dare take the risk under the circumstances.”
“Very well,” the woman said, swallowing visibly. “I’m certain that our superiors will want to see the location, but the priority is your safety. Please, come with us.”
“Certainly,” Kitania said, nodding wearily as she began to follow the woman.
It had been a long day so far, but she was sure that it was about to get even longer.
“…multiple arrows, while one was struck by a heated iron ball in the throat.” Hanrith’s voice was barely audible as Kitania approached the door, and she hesitated for a moment as he finished, wincing at the description. “The cruelty of such seems quite excessive, Your Grace.”
“Truly? I have my doubts about that. It sounds like the attackers were dealt with efficiently, especially since I doubt that the iron ball was prepared by Kitania,” Alserah replied, causing Kitania to relax, then she reached up and knocked on the door. A moment later, the goddess spoke. “Come in.”
Kitania stepped into the small conference room, noting that the window revealed that it was now dark outside. It’d taken a couple of hours to get back to the palace, since Kitania had led the soldiers to the hideout the angels had been using. Cecilia and Niadra had left earlier, and Kitania wasn’t entirely certain where they were. She was simply relieved that she’d been given a chance to bathe and change into something clean, as she’d underestimated just how horrifying she’d appeared. Now she’d love nothing more than to rest, but there was still more to be done.
Four people were in the room, and Kitania nodded, recognizing them. Alserah, the mage Ethris, High Priestess Moira, and Captain Hanrith were in the room, and they were looking at her warily, for the most part. Except for Alserah, who was hiding her anger well, but not well enough that Kitania couldn’t see the murder in her eyes.
“Hello, Your Grace. My apologies about the delay, but I was in no state to come into your presence on my return,” Kitania said, then grimaced as she added unhappily, “I think many morgues would have been repulsed, as a matter of fact.”
“I heard something about that. You were beheaded, from the reports I heard,” Moira said, her voice calm.
“That’s right. I thought they’d at least try to get more information out of me first, but instead they went for the kill quite quickly. It was quick, at least,” Kitania confirmed, wrinkling her nose at the memory, trying to keep her tone relatively light. “I prefer those situations to the ones which leave me conscious.”
“Be that as it may, I first need to thank you for rescuing Princess Niadra from her fate. It would have been easier for you to escape since they thought you were dead, yet you chose to risk yourself to save her,” Alserah said, her gaze lingering on Kitania. “I should also ask if you’re well.”
“As well as I can be, after a situation like that. It’s…” Kitania paused, debating for a moment, then shrugged helplessly, smiling at the goddess as she admitted the truth. “A tiny part of me is relieved to have the other shoe drop, as it were.”
“What?” Hanrith demanded, his voice sharp, and his anger was palpable.
“I’ve been waiting for something horrible to happen to me since I arrived here, Sir Northwind, and the dream spider and drugging didn’t count, not in my opinion,” Kitania told him, her voice losing any trace of amusement as she continued sadly. “I’m not happy about what happened. What they did to Niadra enraged me enough that it eliminated any thought of trying to take one of them alive; I couldn’t risk it. You were wondering why I threw a ball of red-hot iron down the mage’s throat? It was because he was going to use those to torture the princess and had already been torturing her for some time when I arrived. I wasn’t going to give him the chance to continue. I’ll probably have some nightmares about what happened, but what happened to me is nothing compared to what happened to Niadra.”
“If you hadn’t been associating with the princess, none of this would’ve happened!” Hanrith retorted hotly.
“Indeed, which makes me at fault for this incident,” Alserah interjected, and Kitania’s response died in her throat as Hanrith suddenly paled.
“I didn’t mean that, Your Grace!” Hanrith quickly protested, looking almost panicked as he stared at the goddess. “You couldn’t have—”
“I’m putting your anger in proper perspective, Commander,” Alserah said, shaking her head slowly. “I allowed Niadra to associate with Kitania and supported it. It made her a target… but tell me, if we weren’t already being targeted, would they even have come here? Would Kitania be here at all? Someone is trying to manipulate us to their own ends, and it’s beginning to anger me greatly. Bad enough that they chose to send someone into the heart of my defenses, but to also attempt to torture and kill one of my descendants? That angers me.”
“As well it should.” Moira said, frowning deeply. “If her body had been found, none would believe that it was the work of angels, especially after the demon disappeared as well. It would have sparked a great outcry among the people and might even have shaken the people’s faith in you.”
“Precisely why I’m so concerned and angry,” Alserah said, then paused and corrected herself. “Allow me to rephrase that. It’s part of why I’m so concerned and angry. However, I asked you to come here to tell us what you can about the attackers, Kitania. I’m told that you knew who one of them was.”
“That’s correct. You recall that I mentioned that my friend Isalla was betrayed by another angel?” Kitania asked, pressing her lips together for a moment, her anger flaring anew. At the goddess’s nod, she continued. “She told me that the angel who betrayed her was named Haral, a friend of hers who’d told her that she had information on the rumors that Isalla was investigating in the heavens. When she went to investigate, Haral and others ambushed Isalla, severing her wings, crippling her limbs, and poisoning her before casting her down from the heavens and into the hells. Even after catching her, the damage was so extensive I barely saved her life. When they believed us unconscious just after the carriage was attacked, one of them addressed the woman leading them as Lady Haral. I’m not certain that it’s the same woman, but I doubt it’s a coincidence.”
“Haral? Do any of you know the name? I do not,” Alserah asked, looking at the others.
Kitania moved over to the table and pulled out a chair to sit. Hanrith gave her an annoyed look, but didn’t say anything. He probably didn’t want to get in trouble again, in Kitania’s opinion, which was just as well. The elves around the table shook their heads, all except for Ethris, who tapped her lips thoughtfully.
“Haral… the name does ring a bell. I’m just trying to remember where I heard it before.” Ethris said, frowning. “I think it involved one of the angelic merchants I was talking to. They were trying to bid on supplying some of the garrisons, including the magi.”
“Wait, I remember hearing about that. There was an angel named Corram making inquiries, and he won a few bids,” Hanrith said, sitting up straighter, if that were possible. “I think he was based in Eldsyr, if I remember right.”
“That sounds right,” Ethris said, frowning in obvious annoyance. “I know that I remember hearing the name when I was speaking with someone about him, but I can’t recall where.”
“It’s still a potential lead,” Alserah said, looking at Ethris and Hanrith as she continued. “I expect the two of you to investigate this Corram and see if you can find out who this Haral is. I’m not going to stand for someone coming into my domain and attacking both a princess of the realm and someone I’ve taken in as a guest.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” the two re
plied, bowing their heads respectfully.
“I would like to ask, is there anything else you can tell us about these conspirators, Miss Kitania?” Moira asked, looking over at Kitania calmly. “I know that you mentioned that this Isalla was investigating them.”
“No, I’m afraid not. We didn’t discuss the situation in depth, but based on what was said, I suspect they’re capable of opening gates between the heavens and the mortal world. How is another question, but to drop Isalla over Hragon, that would be required,” Kitania said, shrugging helplessly. “I’m sure we’d have learned more, but I was shot before that.”
“Lovely,” Moira murmured, her gaze darkening. “That also doesn’t bode well.”
“I also hadn’t heard that gates could be opened. The magic required… I wish I could say I had a grasp of how difficult it would be, but I don’t,” Ethris said, shaking her head.
“Regardless, it isn’t something we can solve now. Kitania’s friends will arrive in the next two days, so we can make inquiries when they’ve arrived,” Alserah said, her gaze hard as she continued. “This has become a personal matter, not simply something we’re peripherally involved in. Ethris, Hanrith, send word to the garrisons to be wary of a potential assault. If they’re willing to strike so close to the kingdom’s heart, we’ve no way of knowing what else they may dare to do.”
“As you say, Your Grace,” Hanrith said, scooting back his chair to stand. Obviously, he and the others had heard a silent dismissal, because all the others were standing up as well.
As Kitania pushed her chair back, Alserah spoke again. “Please stay for the moment, Kitania.”
“Very well,” Kitania agreed, her anxiety growing slightly as she watched the others go. The door closed behind Moira at last, and she and Alserah were alone.
Mortal Gods (Mantles of Power Book 2) Page 29
