by K.N. Lee
But there was the question of the sorcerer. Would simple poison work on him? She worried that his magic would see through it. And she wondered if the poison would work on him if he was indeed wearing the pendant, which Keira only assumed because she couldn’t find it anywhere else.
Also, with it protecting him, he would be foolish to put it anywhere else. Keira wasn’t sure if going through the sorcerer was the best plan. Perhaps she should do some more research on the mistress and find out exactly who she was.
She did her research on the sorcerer, and from all that she could find; he was a dangerous man. He was a master sorcerer, and had trained over a dozen other sorcerers. His name was Dermelner, and he was high up in the Sorcerers Guild hierarchy, closely behind its leader. No matter how cunning and talented Keira was, she did not imagine she could out maneuver a master sorcerer.
Keira grabbed her duster and began dusting the halls as she planned her strike.
21
Lanynor approached Master Sorcerer’s door in the Haedrael castle.
He didn’t meet with the Sorcerers Guild’s leader often, and he wished it were under better circumstances, but he needed to know what Lanynor discovered. He took a deep breath and knocked once.
“Enter,” came a voice.
Lanynor closed his eyes tight before opening the door. Nadar sat behind his desk, a scroll opened with a quill in his hand. Several other documents littered his desk, and it was clear that he was busy.
“Ah, Lanynor, what brings you to my office?”
“Ill tidings, Nadar.”
“Hmm?” Nadar rasied his eyebrows.
“The library was broken into last night.”
Master frowned. “Was anything taken?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“A book.”
“What book?”
“Reverium.”
Master tilted his head. “Reverium?”
“Yes. I tried to stop the thief, but he had something that protected him from magic. Every spell I tossed at him, dissipated.”
Nadar’s eyes widened. “One of the pendants?”
“Perhaps. And, he can use magic.”
“Are you certain?”
Lanynor nodded. “I don’t think he knows. He appeared genuinely surprised when the spell left his fingertips.”
“Do you think he comes from the Thieves Guild? Or is he independent?”
“I am not sure. But I think the Thieves Guild is a good place to start looking.”
“And what of the book?” Nadar asked. “I am unfamiliar with its title. What is in it?”
“Reverium was written a few hundred years ago, and not a commonly known book. I only know of a few people who have read it in its entirety. And I’m one of them. It goes deep into the mechanics of how to reverse spells.”
“Spell reversals?”
“Yes. But deeper. If studied, you will be able to reverse any spell.”
“I knew I recognized the name. The Reverium Scepter…” Nadar whispered.
“Yes. The Reverium Scepter and the book go hand in hand. If they got the book.”
“Then they may come for the scepter,” Master finished.
Lanynor didn’t like where things were going. He happened to be in the library that night by happenstance. That night he was bored. Well, stood up was more like it. He was supposed to be on a date with a beautiful sorceress, but she’d declined to show up for dinner. When that hadn’t panned out for him, he decided to wander around the library.
“Yes, sir.”
“What are they planning?” Nadar mused. “I think it’s time we sent someone to the Thieves Guild to search for answers.”
Lanynor nodded.
22
Brenden held the book in his hands tightly as he entered Forscythe.
The journey had been long from Kathrael. He’d had plenty of time to read the book, and he’d done so.
Three times.
Even though he knew nothing about magic, he seemed to understand the book fully. The mechanics behind magic was simple, or at least, the reversal of spells was simple. It was all about understanding what the opposite was and creating a balance.
Light against dark, water against fire, earth against fire, and so on. Everything had a weakness and everything had a strength. It also talked about a great scepter that had an incredible ability to focus on a larger spell to reverse its effects.
He had no idea why the Thieves Guild wanted the book. As far as he knew, no one in the Thieves Guild could use magic. And Brenden had no idea what kind of spell they could be trying to reverse. He’d heeded the words of his sister and had a strong feeling that something was going on inside of the Thieves Guild, yet, he had no idea what it was.
People looked at him as he entered the city, and not for the first time, he believed everyone knew a lot more about what was going on than he did. The problem was, no matter who he talked to, no matter who he asked, no one would tell him a thing. He’d grown up in Forscythe since he was a child, but he always felt like an outcast, like he didn’t belong. He wasn’t treated the same as everyone else in the thieves city, and neither was Keira. Brenden knew they were outcasts, but he didn’t know why. However, he planned to find out—one way or another.
He strode into the manor, happy to get out of the heavy rain. Water soaked his clothes and boots, but he didn’t stop at home to change. Instead, his boots squeaked with each step forward.
Normally, Brenden was quiet, a reserved person and a silent mover, but he let his boots squeal. Water formed in small puddles behind him as he moved forward. The white marble floors turned brown with each step.
Brenden didn’t care.
In the past it would bother him to leave behind such a mess, but he was determined to discover what was going on around him. He put his hand on the railing of the staircase and made his way up. They wound in a half circle. He watched as everyone around him cringed at each one of his steps. The squeaking of his boots were making near everyone cringe. It was unbearable for most people. The sound annoyed him as well, but he didn’t care. He had returned, and he was ready for a much deserved rest. When he reached the top of the stairs, he continued all the way down the hall until it ended, then knocked on the door in front of him.
“Enter,” a voice called.
Brenden stepped inside. He closed the door behind him and took a last few squeaking steps to Mirabelle’s desk.
“You’ve returned.” She smiled.
He nodded.
“Did you find it?”
Brenden dropped the book on her desk. It was wet from the rain as well, though not entirely drenched like his clothes.
“Excellent,” she said with twinkles in her eyes.
“What is this?” he asked.
“What is what?”
“This book, and why is it so bloody important?”
She smiled at him. “Don’t let it concern you.”
“It concerns me.”
Mirabelle tilted her head to the side.
“I’m tired of being in the dark. I’m tired of being your little errand boy. I’m not a complete imbecile, Mirabelle. These last few jobs have not been for our standard clients. They have been orchestrated by you. Tell me why. What are you planning? And why does it feel like we’re on the brink of a war?”
Mirabelle raised her eyebrows. “I do not think you’re foolish, Brenden. I know you are wise, and you’re more powerful than you know. But the time to reveal everything to you is not here. Soon, Brenden. Soon.” She twirled her head, making her long curly red hair fall behind her shoulders. “I need you to trust me. The time for the Thieves Guild is near, and because of you, we’re closer than ever.”
“I want answers,” Brenden said.
“I have one more task for you. Once you complete it, I will have the answers you seek. I will tell you what we’re planning, and I will tell your sister. But for now, if you wish to see your sister again, I have one last quest for you.”
&nb
sp; “Are you threatening me?” he snarled.
No matter what she said, he would find a way to see his sister. It didn’t matter if he had to tear apart everyone in his path. Keira was the last thing he had, and he wouldn’t be threatened so easily.
“No.” Mirabelle stood. “I believe it was you who attempted to threaten me. And I will let you know once more that I am in control. You serve me, Brenden. Not the other way around. We are doing something that is very important, and you are a part of it. But you must focus one last time. I need you to complete this task, then I can reveal to you and your sister what you’ve been a part of.”
“Where is she?” he asked.
Mirabelle smiled. “She’s doing a little mission for me right now. She should return … soon.”
Brenden visibly shook with rage at her remark. It was always one more job, one more mission, one more task. He was tired of it. Brenden wanted answers. He would hold her to her word this time, but when he finished whatever mission that was so important he couldn’t have a few days of rest to wait for Keira’s return, he would hold Mirabelle to her word. No matter what.
“What is the task?” Brenden asked.
“I need you to steal the last dragon pendant from the Earl.”
23
Keira studied the Baron and Sorcerer for three weeks now.
She knew their habits. They were predictable, as were most men. Even with Vaeterno’s life in danger, or at least his pendant, he was still not cautious enough. It was obvious they knew he was being targeted, or rather that the pendant was being targeted. Yet, he couldn’t stay away from his mistress but a few days.
Keira had learned early on who his mistress was. She posed as a maid in the large keep, but she had certain qualities no maid had. Like finding a way to stay clean. And the little smiles at the baron each time he passed, as well as the glow to her face when she saw him. Also, unnoticed by most, her so-called house chores were pitiful. She wasn’t expected to do much, a light dusting from time to time, and folding clothes. But no one would notice, except a few other house servants if they paid close attention.
The baron had lasted nearly a week before sneaking out of his room to visit his mistress in her chambers. Unlike most servants, she’d been awarded a private room, and it was nearby to the Baron’s. In fact, with further inspection, Keira found a hidden passage that connected her room with his. A hidden wall in his closet connecting to a hidden wall in hers.
It was almost romantic, if it wasn’t disgusting. Keira lessened her attention on Vaeterno when she discovered his mistress. She knew he’d be back to her bed. It was obvious there was little there between him and his wife. Instead, he disappeared into his mistress’s chambers every time an urge struck.
Keira had hidden in the room the last time they met to watch the whole thing. She needed to learn their habits, and she was glad she did. They always enjoyed dessert together. His mistress always had something prepared for him. Apparently he liked strawberries. Keira watched her to see when she acquired strawberries again. And she had, several days after their last rendezvous.
His mistress picked the strawberries herself. Keira watched as she brought them back to her room, then left shortly after. Keira knew this was her chance. She crept into the room with a needle and three small vials of cyanide she’d collected. Keira found the strawberries and injected each one with the chemical. Then she found a place to hide in the room.
She waited there for several hours before Vaeterno entered the room. He and his mistress enjoyed a few strawberries before they went to the bed. Keira watched and waited. She saw the mistress weaken first, but she brushed it off, and after their act, they each went back to the strawberries.
It didn’t take long. Keira injected the strawberries with enough cyanide to take effect swiftly. At first, the mistress collapsed to the floor and began to convulse. Her breathing came in rapid gasps and she attempted to get air. Vaeterno knelt on the floor to check on her. His body appeared weak as well, but he also glowed a light blue, the pendant around his neck keeping him protected, but he was weakening. His mistress continued to seize, then vomited on the ground and her skin turned from pink to cherry red. She lost conscious.
Vaeterno twitched as he tried to help her, but he was too weak to do so. Even though the pendant protected him, there was enough cyanide poisoning to do him harm. And if Keira was right about how the pendant worked, it drained energy from the wearer’s own body to prevent harm, which would make him tired. It took only another minute for him to pass out on top of his dead mistress.
Keira left the shadows of the room and hurriedly crouched on the ground by all the vomit to tear the pendant from around Baron’s neck. She secured the dragon pendant around her own neck as she felt a blast of energy from behind her. Keira turned to see the sorcerer with hands engulfed in red fire. She was thankful she placed the pendant around her neck in time as the fire disintegrated around her.
A little strength left her body.
She unsheathed a scimitar from her scabbard and ran toward the sorcerer, who released another magical attack. At it neared her, she slashed at it with her blade. The magical spell dissipated as the blade tore through it, and instead a scimitar-shaped blast of orange flashed toward the sorcerer. It struck the sorcerer in the chest and he stumbled backward. Keira wasn’t sure how the magic was tossed back at him, but she suspected it had something to do with the pendant around her neck.
“Who are you?” Daimen asked.
Keira didn’t respond as she slashed the scimitar toward his neck. The sorcerer dodged and swept his leg into her heels. Keira fell backward, her head slamming into the ground. Another few magical attacks flew toward her. She rolled right, then left, dodging two of them. The third hit her in the face, but the pendant protected her. The sorcerer knelt next to her, arm outstretching to grab the pendant, but Keira slammed her fist into the neck of the sorcerer. He gagged, dropping to his hands and knees.
Keira got to her feet and slashed her scimitar onto the back of the sorcerer’s neck. It tore through flesh, and he stumbled further, collapsing onto the ground. Keira lifted the blade, and hammered three more times into the back of his neck before his head finally rolled away from the rest of his body.
She turned away from the gruesome sight and dropped to the ground at the foot of the bed, leaning back so she could rest. Turning to look at the baron and his mistress, he noticed neither were breathing. Without the pendant to protect him, the poison took full effect. She had hoped to go unnoticed to the sorcerer, poison the baron and his mistress, and have the potential of throwing blame to the baron’s wife finding her husband and his lover embraced then decided to poison them. Now, with the addition of the sorcerer, it would not be so easy.
Keira didn’t like to kill, but she knew this time it would be the only way to get the pendant. Now there were four deaths on her shoulders in Utopolous. Keira hoped to talk to Brenden about their situation again when she returned to Forscythe. She didn’t like where the Thieves Guild was heading and hoped they had enough and would put these dangerous missions to rest, but she doubted it.
Pounding echoed on the door outside of the room. Keira got to her feet, broke the chair at the desk, and used the wood pieces to bar the door into the room. Someone on the outside continued pounding the door, trying to get it open.
Keira clutched the pendant at her neck as she opened the window, tied a rope onto the bed post, and slid down.
24
A cloak whipped around Lanynor’s back as he stepped into Nadar’s office.
Dark and moist, with candlelight illuminating the room, and a rather unpleasant sensation for Lanynor. He preferred his room dry and with a bit more lighting. Nadar was awake, sitting behind his desk, fingers interlocked with each other. Tension had been high in the Sorcerers Guild lately. Things were happening all around them, and they had a hard time keeping up with it all. And Lanynor didn’t envy Nadar. He sure didn’t want all the responsibility the Sorcerers Guild had bee
n getting recently.
Lanynor missed when things were quieter around Haedrael. It wasn’t that long ago. It’d only been the few months that really sparked any attention. But there was way too much of it now. Everywhere he turned, something was happening. The Nobles Guild was feeling pressured, and they were backing away from their alliance with the Sorcerers Guild because they were having a hard time keeping protection.
“What is it, Lanynor?” Nadar asked.
“The baron is dead.”
Master’s eyes opened wide. “Vaeterno? And the pendant?”
“Missing.”
Master frowned. “They’ve been one step ahead of us this entire time.”
“Yes.”
“And Daimen? The sorcerer who guarded the baron?”
“Dead. Decapitated.”
Master’s eyes widened. “How did the baron die?”
“Poison.”
“Hmmm,” Master mused. “One elegant approach, and one vicious. It is clear whoever is doing this will stop at nothing to get what they want. The question is … what do they want?”
“The nobility is beginning to fall into chaos. They’re losing numbers frequently.”
“More than just the baron?”
“Remember the wedding weeks ago? The duke’s daughter remains unmarried after her fiancé was murdered.”
“Now no one has a pendant except the queen and king,” Nadar said.
“The earl still has one.”
“Draft a letter to Shronan in Areshia immediately. Warn him. Tell him not to trust any food or drink, and to watch his back. We cannot afford to lose another sorcerer. It seems clear whoever is behind this is after the nobles. For what, I cannot say.”
