by Kyle West
“There is no need for that,” I said. “The Radaskim are bearing down on us. I can’t say when they’ll reach Haven, but it could be in as little as a week. We need your men and your dragons, Grand Pontifex. We need them as soon as you’re able to provide them, and energy applied to anything else is just energy wasted.”
Valerian looked at me appraisingly. “Ah, yes. I see.” For the first time, he seemed to be hesitant. Clearly, providing feasts and fetes was his area of expertise.
“Now is the time to make good on your words,” I said, deciding to continue. “I very much appreciate the welcome I’ve received here, and the recognition you have for my name. Now I draw on the power of that name, and that recognition, and will receive your oaths of loyalty now, as well as command of the city.” I forced a smile. “Such befits a goddess, does it not?”
“Of course, of course,” the Grand Pontifex said, somewhat testily. “Colonia stands ready to help.”
“We need all the Dragonguard to reinforce Haven as quickly as they can fly,” I said. “And all the men you can spare. Leave only a small garrison here to hold the city. It’s Haven that Odium is after. How many men can you send, and how fast can you get them there?”
The Grand Pontifex chuckled. “Hasty, aren’t we? Well, yes. We will need to discuss this in greater detail. These talks will take a long time, as there are many interested parties and Colonia is not ruled by one man alone, as often as I wish that were the case.” The Pontifex chuckled again. “Within, say, thirty minutes, a first course can be begun, and after that, the discourse.”
“First course?” I asked. “I don’t care about any banquet. I just want to settle this here and now, as quickly as possible.”
“I agree with you, Annara, very much so,” Valerian said. “Alas, would that it worked that way. I fear that this is the only way we can move forward. The High Priests will have concerns, concerns which even I cannot, as Grand Pontifex, allay.”
I noticed then that several of the High Priests, Valance included, were looking at Shara, which made sense, since she had once been a Hunter and was bound to be recognized.
It was Shara who spoke next, leaning close to me to speak quietly. “If you want my advice, call your dragons here, sooner rather than later.”
“I assure you, Annara has nothing to fear from us,” Valerian said, seeming to guess Shara’s words. “It is our wish that the negotiations be protected and hidden from those who are our enemies, who might even be present here.”
I saw from the Pontifex’s bulging, blue eyes that he truly believed this. I resisted the urge to look at Valance.
“You walk in there, you might never come out alive,” Shara said.
I made my decision right then and there. I reached out for the dragons outside Colonia.
Come near the city. We’re going inside.
I felt the dragons’ unease, but didn’t hold the connection long enough to listen to their protests.
I nodded toward the Bastion. “Lead on. But just know there’s a force of dragons outside that your Dragonguard can never hope to match.”
Grand Pontifex Valerian bowed graciously. “We wouldn’t think of harming a hair on your head, Holy Goddess.” He clicked at his sedan bearers, as if they were nothing more than horses. They lifted him up and bore him back to the Bastion as the trumpets took up their triumphant call once again.
The High Priests fell in behind him, and none other than Valance gestured me forward to follow them. As we did so, I couldn’t help but feel that we were following monsters back into their lair. As we passed the crowd, most of them smiling and cheering, their faces were genuine. They could very well have believed that I was their promised goddess returned to life, to save them from the end of the world. At least that much was the truth, if nothing else.
All the same, I couldn’t help but feel foreboding as I passed the threshold into the cavernous Red Bastion, like I was being swallowed by a colossal beast.
Chapter 12
The last time I stepped foot in the Bastion was after I had left the Sanctum with Isaru with Anna’s sword in my hand, on a mission to rescue my parents who had been imprisoned in its lower dungeons. It was months later, and it looked the same, though more crowded than before. But still, that crowd was tiny in comparison to the gargantuan entrance hall, multiple stories high, all made from thick red stones. The floor was an intricate mosaic of the desert sun, and red banners bearing the crook and sword of the Covenant hung down from the red stone ceiling, so high up that the light of the bright braziers and sconces couldn’t reach it. The dozens of tapestries hanging from the walls did nothing to dim the sound of echoing feet and armor as we advanced across the floor, toward a wide arch that led deeper into the complex.
Careful here, Isaru’s said, his voice entering my mind.
I nodded slowly, to show him I understood that I had my guard up.
I felt for the dragons still outside. Flame and the others were still sitting patiently outside, watching their surroundings with uneasy eyes. I concentrated until I could clearly see what Flame saw. Only a nervous few guards had been set to watch over them, with crossbows handy and not quite pointed at them. I felt the dragons’ anger at those weapons; I knew with one word from me, those men would die.
No deaths today, I thought to myself. Not unless we’re forced.
We passed through the entry hall and into another hall, not quite as large but still cavernous by any standard. Long rows of tables had been set up, with red tablecloths, candles, and all decked with silver plates, all shining from the firelight as if recently polished. I wondered how they had found the time.
The Grand Pontifex in front of us waved his hand impatiently, and at once, his bearers lowered his sedan to the floor. He drew a deep breath before heaving himself up on his two, fat legs. He paused to collect himself, his breaths heavy, as his bearers held him steady to make sure he didn’t fall. He nodded once he judged himself to be steady enough, and his bearers backed away, their heads lowered.
Valerian gestured for us to follow him to the high table. There, we were seated next to him and his twice as wide chair made from iron and covered generously with pillows. The rest of the red-robed High Priests sat at the same table while the white-robed ones occupied the lower tables. I was only three places away from Hunter Valance, though he didn’t glance my way once. People talked in low, solemn voices as an army of liveried servants scurried in with trays to serve the first course. Looking around, it didn’t seem as if any of the soldiers had followed us in. All the important priests that ran the city had been gathered in a single place.
Wine was poured in my cup without my asking. The last thing I wanted to do was drink it; it seemed to be inviting death. Before I could say anything, a young boy approached, dressed in fancy livery. He reached for the cup, took a sip, and backed away, joining the rest of the servants in their duties.
“What was that for?” I asked.
“He is your taster,” Pontifex Valerian said, matter-of-factly. “I have one myself. A gesture of our good faith.”
As good as his word, a young man approached the table, and without saying a word or even looking at the Grand Pontifex, took a sip of his drink. Even with the display, I couldn’t bring myself to drink my own. I wanted to be sharp and ready for anything.
After a short pause, the first course was served. I picked at it (after my taster had once again had a few bites of each of the items), wondering all the while when the real discussions would begin. The Grand Pontifex dug into his food with gusto, hardly seeming to taste it. Nor did he wait for the rest of the table to be served.
The Grand Pontifex, already finished with his plate, had his cleared up. Almost instantly, the other plates at the high table were being swiped away by the wait staff, regardless whether the person had finished. Already, the second course was set, a small cut of ham with rice and greens.
The Pontifex worked single-mindedly clearing the next course as if it were a racecourse. As soon as
the food entered his mouth, his fork was back on the plate, spearing yet more food into his great maw, more expertly wielded than a Seeker with a blade. If anyone cared to eat, then they had to keep pace. I realized that no one was keeping track, so I didn’t even have to eat. Everyone was focusing on getting a bite or two in before the food was swiped away by the waiting staff.
Not two minutes had passed since the second course was served that it was taken away, and replaced by a dessert, a rich chocolate cake. Into this dish, the Pontifex dove in the most happily of all. Unlike the other dishes, he ate slowly, luxuriating, as rich chocolate crumbs and icing fell from his chins and stained his rich, red cloak.
At last, the lunchtime feast was done, and the Grand Pontifex leaned back in his oversized chair, heaving a satisfied sigh.
“I can’t think on an empty stomach,” he said. “With that squared away, I think it’s time we got down to business.” He half-turned toward me. “My priests will be happy to discuss the terms with you.”
“Not you yourself?” I asked.
He chuckled and whispered conspiratorially. “I’m more of a figurehead. The real work is done by the Council.”
I saw now that the High Priests were already standing, and some of them were already in front of the table, all looking at me with hollow, solemn eyes. The Grand Pontifex, not seeming to understand that lunch was over, was grabbing at the untouched plate of the High Priest who had been sitting next to him. It was all I could do to hide my shock.
“This way, Shanti Roshar,” Hunter Valance said, seeming to read my surprise. With him addressing me so directly, I was on my guard, by instinct reaching for Silence.
We followed the High Priests through the banquet hall, leaving the Grand Pontifex to continue his gorging. We were led into an interior room, much smaller than the banquet hall . . . a room, I noticed, which only had one entrance. It was only us and the priests, however. None of the guards had followed us inside. They had left us with our weapons, while only Valance and one of the other priests had any weapons at all, both of which were swords.
For a long moment, there was only silence: us five staring across at the nine, all old men, except for Valance, all seeming rather unhappy to be there.
At last, the oldest of the nine spoke, his voice hard and unyielding. He was also one of the two that had a weapon. “There will be no alliance between the Elekai and the Holy Annaran Covenant. Not now. Not ever.”
“Then why invite us here?” I asked. “To kill us?”
“No,” Valance said, stepping forward. “We won’t kill you.”
“That will not be our pleasure,” the old man said.
The man gave a nod, and at that moment, the door behind us was slammed shut.
Flame! I called. Get the dragons here now!
In my mind, I felt his alarm. Though he himself didn’t move, as guarded as he was, he would get the message out to the other dragons.
All of us drew our swords, but Hunter Valance and the so-far unnamed priests made no action to draw their own.
“We demand restitution for the destruction you unleashed upon our city,” the lead priest said. “You are not leaving this room until guarantees are made. Until you agree to give us Shara Laen and one other of your choice as a hostage. To ensure your goodwill.”
“That won’t be happening,” I said. “We have to work together. You want restitutions? Fine, we will do whatever you want to make up for what the dragons did. But you know as well as I that those dragons were Mindless at the time. If anything, you should be thanking me for saving this city!”
“Isaru of the Elekai brought the dragons here the first time,” the old priest said. “And he ordered the destruction of the city. Hundreds died.”
“And thousands would have died if she had not come to stop them!” Shara said. “But why don’t any of you come out and say it?”
“Come out and say what?” Valance asked dangerously.
“Colonia will not help us, and for one simple reason,” she said. “You’ve aligned yourselves with Odium.”
From the long silence that followed, and the shock on their faces, I could see that Shara had guessed right. The only question now was what would happen.
* * *
“How little you know, Elekai,” Valance said, after a long and uncomfortable silence.
“Sounds to me like she did know,” Isaru said.
“If you’ve aligned yourself with Odium,” I said, “you have made a grave mistake. One which you should seek to undo immediately.”
There was a long quiet. It seemed as if they were considering what to do, whether to come clean or deny the fact.
When the oldest of the priests spoke, it seemed they were choosing the former option.
“Resistance against him is pointless,” he said. “We have . . . seen his armies. Thousands, not hundreds, of dragons, and tens of thousands of crawlers. No force in the world can stand against him. Those who submit now will be treated kindlier.” He looked at me, his eyes calculating. “Some may even be treated with great privilege, should they join him early enough.”
“I guess that includes you,” I said. “What did he promise you if you drew me here and offered him my head?”
To that, this yet unnamed priest made no response.
“It was a bit foolish to lock yourselves in here with us,” I said.
“Do you really think we would do such a thing unless we knew we had the upper hand?” Valance asked. “Lower your weapons and surrender them to us, before anyone gets hurt. We’ve invited you in here because even now, after how long you’ve resisted, Odium would hear your pleas for mercy, and will go lighter on you if you don’t defy him.”
“We won’t be doing that,” I said, not even hesitating. At the same time, though, I saw the value of prolonging this conversation for as long as possible to give our dragons time to arrive. “What did you really think would happen by inviting us here?”
The old priest shrugged. “Some of us believed you might see reason, once we laid out what you were against. Thousands of dragons, Elekim. Tens of thousands of crawlers. Even if you were to gather all our forces, even if the Shen withdrew from their holes, and even if Nova aligned with us. Even if all the Eastern Kingdoms came with their banners and knights and were able to, by some miracle, set aside their petty squabbles . . . even such a force wouldn’t be half of what Odium has.” His face became pleading. “Please, Elekim. Consider. There can be no victory against him. He has shown us what the future holds for those who submit now. We will have a place within his Xenofold.”
“And you believe him?” I asked. “Odium would keep you there, yes, but not in a place of honor. The only way out is fighting against him.”
“The pact has been made,” the lead priest said, solemnly. “We are his, now. The Hunters have always been his, in one way or another, though we knew not what power they were tapping into at the time.”
Shara nodded. “I never made the connection. Not until now. The power of the Hunters came from the Hyperfold. But with Odium here, they have another power to tap into.”
“And one far more powerful than anything you can realize,” Valance said, his eyes beginning to glow. “Such power! It is only for those who are brave enough to wield it.”
“Surrendering out of fear doesn’t sound brave to me,” I said.
“No,” Valance said. “Wisdom and bravery are often opposed. And strangely, the brave choice is often the one that listens to wisdom, when rash deeds seem more glorious.”
“I don’t buy that,” I said.
“Then you leave us no choice,” Valance said. “Submit now.”
I drew my blade, and so did all my friends. I stared them down, as long as I dared, before giving my answer.
“Never.”
Valance did not wait a moment longer to make his move. My friends around me cried out. Before I could realize what was going on, both Valance and the older priest were advancing on me, their swords drawn. In my mind, I felt a curi
ous pressure, something threatening to take me over that made it difficult to move. I pushed back with my mind and was suddenly freed of its grip. But a quick glance at my friends revealed that they were bound by that same force, and despite their increased powers given to them by the Sea of Creation, they had been unable to break free. They stood still as statues, their faces locked in permanent expressions of shock.
So, this had been their guarantee. Odium was here, possessing all of them. It wasn’t just the High Priests I was dealing with. I never could have imagined such a thing.
But for now, I was free, and not even their combined powers could paralyze me. Valance blinked in surprise, as if unbelieving of that. Whatever the case, it was one against nine now, with Valance and the oldest priest having drawn their swords, while the others held onto long, curved knives previously hidden beneath their robes.
I deepened my connection to the Xenofold and watched as Valance and the priest approached, their movements seeming to be slower than usual within the hold of Silence. I saw immediately that the older priest would reach me first, and he struck quickly and powerfully, despite his frail appearance. I parried his first thrust, while stepping aside to avoid Valance’s own blade, which whistled through the air where my head had once been. The first priest was now trying to kill Shara, whose face was a frozen mask of terror. The other High Priests, all with eerie, whitened eyes now, were advancing slowly to attack the others, none of which had been able to break from their internal prisons.
I saw that there was no way I could physically stop all of them. I had seconds. I pushed back in the only way I knew how. I battered Valance away quickly with my sword to gain some space. Once he was on the backfoot, I deepened my focus, committing every bit of my energy and concentration to drawing more power from the Xenofold. I couldn’t worry about blacking out; either we survived this, or we didn’t, and I needed every bit of strength I could get.
