Corruption of the Rose

by S. J. Sanders

  Shit! She lost him.

  Coming to a halt, she turned in a slow circle and examined the hall in which she found herself and tried to retrace her steps. Her lips parted with alarm as she noted that several corridors converged, and she couldn’t even be certain of which one she had taken. There was little to distinguish them from each other.

  Unease swept over as she turned around again. In that direction at least there was only a single path to take for the time being. Perhaps it would be the wiser choice to continue in the direction she had already committed herself to. It seemed like a simple enough corridor, just like all of the others, with the exception of the faintest light spilling in from one doorway carved out of the wall a short distance ahead. The hollow sound of wind reached her ears, and she trembled with a sense of nervous excitement.

  Was that an exit outside? It certainly felt that way from the cool breeze that blew into the hall, bringing with it the faintest smell of decay and the last lingering blooms of the summer.

  Licking her lips nervously, she clutched her book against her chest and walked forward, her heart pounding. She knew nothing of this part of the castle. Why had she even chased after him, other than her curiosity about where he was hurrying off to with one of his attendants? It had been an impulsive decision, and now she was good and lost. And heading toward an unknown chasm cut into the wall.

  Stepping to the doorway, she glanced out, her eyes falling on the enormous balcony that stretched out before her. Polished stones were laid in the pattern of a mystical diagram in its flooring, the soft glow of moonlight bouncing off them.

  Hesitantly, she stepped outside, every step cautious just in case some creature attempted to snatch her up from the side of the mountain. Her boots clicked softly on the stones, interrupting the silence that stretched out around her. Her lips pulled in disappointment. Saris clearly hadn’t come that way. She would need to try a different direction and hope to find him soon so he could help her find her way back to their room.

  Not that he spent much time there with her. Outside of his supervision over her magic at specific times of the day, he was usually gone for long periods attending to other duties. It was late at night by the time Saris returned to his room, sometimes even after she had lain down to sleep. Thankfully that didn’t stop him from rousing her and slipping his collar around her neck as he taught her body new pleasures beneath the control of his hand. She began to look forward to those moments with him. Otherwise she spent her days wandering around the main parts of the castle that she was permitted access to. This meant dividing her time between the library, the workroom, and the kitchens.

  Although Rose had been dismayed at the restrictions placed on her movement, now that she was lost, she missed the safety of the familiar places. The castle was truly a labyrinth beyond her wildest imaginings. It had to be designed with a purpose, but she couldn’t begin to be sure without looking at a schematic of just what that might be. Many foundations of conservatories were laid out with specific patterns to achieve certain magical functions. She had no doubt that the castle was similar, perhaps something to do with the power of the mountain itself that the mage had to bond to.

  Perhaps she would look for it next time she was in the library… if Saris didn’t confine her to the room after this misadventure.

  A gust of wind tugged at her hair, bringing with it a stronger perfume of late summer flowers and fragrant evergreen plants. Many of them the perfumer in her could easily identify; some of them she knew to be rare and among the hardest to find. It sent a thrill through her as she crept closer to the edge of the balcony.

  Looking up, she could see that the ragged edges of the cliffs formed a natural opening carved into the rock that allowed light to filter into the small chasm. Between the two jagged rock formations above her, she could see the moon hanging like a pearl. There was something almost eerie about the sight, as if she were looking up at another world from leagues beneath the water.

  The full moon shimmered as the last vestiges of a pale cloud withdrew its veil so that the lady of the heavens could cast her soft light over the rock. It spilled like a river of light down deep into the crevice. Rose’s eyes followed its path, a soft gasp bursting from her lips when her eyes settled on the lush silver-bathed gardens in a spring-fed bowl just below her.

  The beauty of the gardens was unlike anything she had ever seen before. Even the conservatory, which she had believed to possess the finest and richest gardens on the continent, paled in comparison. She was certain, from the exotic scents that rose from it, that it held far more than the mages at the conservatory could have even dreamed of acquiring. It filled her with longing to touch the plants with her fingers and squeeze the petals and leaves between her fingers to release the fresh, raw juices to delight her senses.

  Distracted by the beauty of the sight, she wandered the edge of the balcony until she came to a stone staircase disappearing into the shadows just to the right of the gardens. One hand braced against the wall, Rose descended. It was just a short distance before her feet touched the packed dirt of the gardens, and she rushed forward with a giddy joy as she picked up the nearest trail winding through the hedges of the garden. She ducked among them, smiling as she raced along the paths. The flower beds were tucked into various corners and niches, and sometimes taller plants were arranged so that they lined the rows of the hedges for a short distance. Everywhere she looked was something new.

  Excited gasps and soft laughter fell easily from her lips at each new discovery. She ran her fingers over blooms that she had never seen in-person attached to the plant. Some she had never experienced at all outside of seeing the sketches of them in the books at the conservatory. Every now and then, she came across hidden benches or marble statues of ancient gods in various scenes and poses tucked into carved-out niches. She adored each of them, but the finest and largest of them was in a round clearing at what she suspected was the center of the garden. There stood a proud statue of the moon goddess, the horned crescent on her brow as her head tilted down with a gentle expression bent toward any who would approach her.

  Rose walked up, her head bent back slightly as she met the gaze of the goddess. The tiny smile etched forever into the lips of the goddess was full of mercy and gentleness. Her gaze did not judge nor condemn. The goddess was clothed in darkness, regardless of the beauty of the moon’s pale light. She was known to be bloody and savage as much as she was known to be gentle and merciful. The lady of the moon was the beautiful queen of the night, and Rose slowly bowed her head before her as she circled the statue, her fingertips trailing over the goddess’s carved gown.

  At the feet of the goddess grew a number of fragrant plants and night-blooming flowers. Tucked among them, Rose’s eyes fell on the bushy rosemary, its leaves appearing as delicate shards of silver beneath the moonlight. Bending down with a whispered prayer, she broke a fragrant sprig of rosemary and tucked it into her hair, delighting in its fresh clean scent as she stood again. The little spirit of the rosemary plant aided in memory… Perhaps it would eventually help her recall her way back through the castle.

  With a smile, she turned away, determined to find her way again, only to stumble to a stop at the sight of the large shadowy form lurking at the edge of a path. Yellow eyes burned at her as he stepped closer.

  “What are you doing out here?” Saris’s gravelly voice demanded.

  “I got lost,” she admitted without any interest in expounding on just how that happened.

  He cocked his head at her, and she could practically feel the wave of aggression coming off him. He didn’t move in a threatening fashion, however, and she slowly relaxed as he neared. Taking his place at her side, he glanced around, his eyes falling on the statue with a hint of true affection before falling away.

  “What do you think of the garden?” he inquired, his piercing gaze falling on her once more.

  “It is beautiful. I admit I was a little afraid when I discovered that I was lost, but this place is so
incredible that it made me forget all about that.”

  He inclined his head in acknowledgement. “It is the Lethe. It breaks free from the mountain as you know for a distance, but here it surfaces just briefly before descending into the earth again. The spirit of the water influences the air here. I believe that is why the Master planted his garden around it. Not only because the water would nurture his plants, but because it gave him a place of true respite against the horrors that lurked on this mountain.” His mouth twisted grimly. “Even we monsters need it. I come out here from time to time for the same reason. Sometimes I imagine he is with me once more as we walk the paths of the labyrinth.”

  “He’s been gone a long time… but you miss him, don’t you?” she asked softly.

  Saris’s eyes narrowed on her, and she wondered if he would deny such sentiments as many men in her acquaintance would have. Instead, he nodded and released a ragged sigh.

  “Time can dull the pain, but not even the Lethe’s soothing presence can make me truly forget that he is gone.”

  “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

  He took a deep breath and nodded, seeming still to struggle with himself as a tension rolled over him once again. Shaking his head sharply he gestured to the walls of the castle rising just beyond the edge of the garden.

  “You might not have noticed during your time in the library, but there are windows there. We have kept them shuttered since the Master’s passing, but he built the entire side of the castle facing this crevice. The only rooms along this part of the castle were rooms of study and pleasure—the library, the parlor, and an enormous games room where we lupi enjoy practicing our sparring—all places that can be rapidly sealed should someone attempt to attack.”

  “I never would have guessed. Do you think you can point them out to me and maybe we could open them? It might be pleasant when the months become cooler, and it would be nice to let in a little sunlight.”

  He nodded but gave her a wan smile. “We shall open them, but I should warn you that you won’t get much light. The mists that surround the mountain descend heavier during the day. It is part of the magical barrier of the mountain. Air and water churning to separate it from the rest of the world in a heavy blanket of fog. There is some sun, enough to provide some light for the gardens, but it is weak, much of it blocked by the cliffs. The fog does not truly move away until night falls.”

  “At least it would be something,” she replied, pleased at the thought of enjoying even the weakest rays of sunlight.

  His smile grew and he stretched out a hand. “If you wish to see another magical part of the castle, come with me.”

  Rose’s eyebrows lifted at the gallantly offered hand, but she didn’t hesitate to take it. He led her through the confusing twists of paths, but instead of returning to the staircase, she noted that they were descending. Her hand tightened around his, but he stroked his opposite fingers over the back of her hand in a soothing fashion despite the tremor that seemed to be getting increasingly worse.

  “Do not worry, this is a spot within the castle, but this is the way in from the gardens. You will like it, I think,” he murmured.

  He tugged her gently, and as they descended, a hint of sulfur filled the space. She squinted against the low light, one hand held out so she didn’t accidentally run into a wall. She envied the lupo a little for their excellent vision, and he faultlessly led her deeper into the bowels of the earth.

  Very gradually, the smell increased, and the sound of trickling water met her ear. She turned blindly toward the sound as she entered a lit chamber through a doorway. The hot spring pools that stretched out in front of her made her gasp, but no less so than the enormous hydra that was curled around itself, sleeping in a deeply carved cavern in the side of one wall, facing the spring it guarded.

  “These stairs are the same that take you to the workroom. But they extend to a further depth beyond that floor. The Master did not often summon the magics that rest deep within the castle, but they attracted the hydra nonetheless to set her guard. She has slumbered ever since she arrived. Never once have I known her to waken, except the day that the Master left us. On that day, her laments were heard throughout the castle, echoing the sorrows of our own hearts, before she fell once more to sleep. The Master said she would only rouse to protect the mountain or to sing out the heart of the mountain. Joy and sorrow both, but none of us have ever heard joy from her,” he murmured.

  Rose stared at the hydra, wanting nothing more than to touch her as she touched the flowers of the garden, but she held back. Something told her that it wasn’t the right time to indulge that need. Instead, she turned away, interested in perhaps indulging in the pleasures of another touch. She smiled up at Saris.

  “Thank you. This was an incredible surprise.”

  He nodded stiffly, suddenly tensing. “I am glad that you like it. I figured you might enjoy refreshing yourself here as the Master was inclined to do after visiting the gardens.”

  She looked out over the water, slipping her robe over her shoulders as she tossed him a playful look.

  “That sounds like an excellent idea. Care to join me?”

  He swallowed, his fur bristling, making him appear larger as something seemed to run beneath his skin and his eyes blazed. Rose froze, watching the change come over him.

  “Saris, are you okay?”

  He jerked his head in a hasty nod and stepped back away from her. “I must go,” he growled, his voice deeper and raspier than it had been minutes before.

  He gave her no other explanation as he fled from her company, leaving her alone with the hydra and the allure of the hot springs. Sighing, Rose dropped her robe to the ground and stepped out of it to wade into the warm embrace of the waters. She had no idea what drove him away, but she let her concern go as she sank deeper into the warm embrace of the spring.

  He would tell her when he was ready.

  Letting her magic hum around her, connecting with the gentle currents of the bubbling spring, she leaned back and surrendered to its soothing embrace. She understood why Darthar appreciated the hot springs so much. She would make a point to visit frequently. Perhaps one day she might even hear the hydra sing. Her lips curled at the idea as her gaze landed on the slumbering hydra.

  Perhaps it would happen… one day.

  Chapter 20

  There was an almost begrudging respect that the lupi gave Rose, most of which she had little doubt was formed during the confrontation with the fire wyrm, but she was aware that they didn’t care for following her lead. Not when they had spent centuries following the exclusive leadership of Saris. It had taken them several days to grow accustomed to her presence among them as they roamed through the forest.

  The first days, the lupi had loped cautiously through the forest, keeping a continuous eye on her. Occasionally, some of the males would drop down to all four limbs and streak out of sight only to return a short time later to report back. She soon became accustomed to the rhythm of things, and so she was surprised when Saris stopped her that morning as they prepared to head out and handed her a thick, dark cloak at the entrance of the castle.

  Rose accepted it with a raised eyebrow. Despite the rapid shift of the season into autumn, she hadn’t been particularly chilled walking through the forest. The exercise kept her warm, even if it left her achy, and was frustrating at times since she couldn’t move as fast as the lupi.

  “Are you expecting the weather to change?” she inquired as she slipped the hearth-warmed material around her shoulders.

  He grinned at her, tail swishing lazily behind him. “No more than usual for this time of the year, but you might want it today.”

  “Oh? Why is tha…”

  Her voice dropped off into a startled yelp as Saris plucked her up off the ground and swung her over his shoulder, her body colliding with his back. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around his body, fingers digging into fur. He gave a satisfied grunt before dropping down to all fours as the rest of the lupi mi
lled near them, watching with burning bright eyes. Rose suspected that they were silently laughing at her as she tightly clung to Saris’s frame. A deep chuckle rumbled through him in an annoying fashion.

  “Relax, Rose. This will be a much quicker way for us to travel together between the mountain posts. You need to be familiar with it all, not just sending scouts out. Hold onto me.”

  Whatever retort she thought to reply died on her lips as Saris leaped forward, the thick pads on his fingers striking the earth as he flew across the ground. For a moment, Rose choked at the sudden burst of air in her face. Her eyes stung, and she couldn’t breathe with the pressure until she dropped her head slightly so she could finally draw in a stuttering breath despite the pressure of air beating at her. She hated the discomfort at first, until she saw the magic of the forest unfold in front of her as they moved among the shadows.

  Everything streamed by her in curling waves of color as shadows shifted and sunlight broke in small patches in the upper leaves of the tallest trees. Every now and then, Rose caught sight of some undefined flicker of shimmering lights. Sometimes they stirred ahead of them, and at the other times they seemed to dance through the air at their side in an ethereal glow like glimmering jewels among the deep shadows of the forest. Animals cried out, and something wild screamed in the distance, but she felt untouched by everything as Saris carried her safely through the woods.

  His steps slowed suddenly, and Rose blinked, pushing herself up higher as she looked around. She recognized the grotto. It was one of the few places she had been able to get to on foot, though it took her many hours to arrive there at the edge of the barrier rather than the quick trip with the lupi. At that moment, she saw the advantage that Saris had spoken of. The beauty of the forest aside, this was far too beneficial to disregard.

  Unlike much of the forest, the grotto was a unique place. A soft shaft of sunlight trickled down through the trees, illuminating what appeared to be an ivory-white altar. Not one that was used by humans, or even by the mage Darthar. It was of elven construct, utilized by them whenever they deigned to cross borders onto the mountain on the nights of the full moon when they performed their most cherished rites.