On Blackened Wings

by James E. Wisher

  That’s not her.

  Damien could see that for himself. Though the illusion covering whoever Nathanial had brought was an excellent likeness, it was clearly not Karrie.

  Damien shook his head. “What are you playing at?”

  “Saw right through it, did you? I told him you would, but he insisted I make the attempt.”

  Louis looked from Damien to Nathanial and back. “What’s going on?”

  A burst of soul force shattered the illusion revealing a girl about sixteen years old, not bad looking, dressed in a servant’s smock. Probably some poor scullery maid that got impressed into an acting career.

  “Who’s that?” Louis asked.

  “No one in particular.” Nathanial shoved the trembling girl aside. “Karrie’s far too valuable to trade away, even for you. The duke has decided to marry her himself and become king directly.”

  “Mother won’t like that,” Louis said.

  “Carmichael can’t have two wives,” Damien said. “It’s against the law. The people won’t stand for it.”

  “Don’t worry, he’s going to be a widower soon enough. As for Louis…” Nathanial sent a blast of soul force lancing out at the duke’s son.

  The attack splashed against the invisible shield Damien conjured the moment he felt Nathanial draw soul force.

  “Nothing like fatherly love.” Damien pointed and a dozen beams of soul force converged on Nathanial from every direction.

  He raised a shield of his own and the battle was on.

  Damien conjured a bubble around the girl and pulled her over. “Both of you stay here. I’ll handle Nathanial.”

  Leaving the two noncombatants under his shield, Damien drew Lizzy and took to the air. Nathanial already had the high air, forcing him to fly through a barrage of soul force arrows as he closed.

  The arrows pinged off his personal shield without fazing him. Nathanial had to know such weak attacks wouldn’t work.

  What was he playing at?

  The renegade sorcerer dodged Damien’s energy slash and continued pounding him with weak arrows.

  Annoyed, Damien conjured a pair of giant hands and slammed them together. He’d squash Nathanial like a mosquito.

  The force of the impact sent a gust of wind whistling past. Somehow Nathanial had dropped below the constructs and avoided the crushing death he deserved.

  Damien drew power for his next attack. Before he could unleash it light flashed and where there had once been a single target, ten Nathanials flew in every direction.

  He’d divided his soul force perfectly between them.

  Damien couldn’t tell which was which.

  High and to your right flying hard east.

  Damien spotted him at once.

  A blade of soul force streaked from his outstretched hand.

  A pair of counterfeits flew into its path and exploded, taking Damien’s blade with them.

  When the air cleared Nathanial was gone. Damn the man! One of these days he’d have to stand and fight and on that day Damien intended to finish things.

  For now he had to get Louis back to the king. What they were going to do with him Damien had no idea. That was Uncle Andy and his master’s problem.

  Hurry, Damien. Something’s wrong down there.

  Damien dropped like a rock, canceling his shield as he went. The girl knelt beside Louis and a dagger poked from the young noble’s chest.

  Tears ran down the girl’s face. “They said if I didn’t stab him they’d kill my parents.”

  “My mother,” Louis gasped. “Save her. Please.”

  Damien wanted to rip his hair out. How could this have gone any worse? “Where is she?”

  “Our mansion in Port Valcane. On a hill overlooking the ocean. Painted blue and white. A single tower. Can’t miss it.” A bubble of blood oozed out of his mouth then popped.

  Louis lay still and silent. Damien straightened. What was he supposed to do now?

  Maybe he couldn’t save Karrie, but there was an innocent woman in danger. Her he could help. A pulse of soul force reduced Louis’s body to ash. Not much of a funeral, but it would have to suffice.

  He turned to the girl and she flinched. “Please don’t hurt me. I didn’t want to do it.”

  “Lizzy?”

  She’s telling the truth. Some guards dragged her parents in front of her and put swords to their throats. Whether they would have gone through with it or not I can’t say, but she believed they would.

  “Alright.” He pointed down the road to the west. “A couple miles that way you’ll find a town. Good luck.”

  With that he took to the sky. A quick check-in with Uncle Andy and he’d continue west. He was going to save someone today whatever it took.

  Chapter Fifty

  “Tell me about Lady Shiv,” Binder said. He perched on the Throne of Chains in the nearly empty throne room. Even after Qang hired twenty servants the place seemed empty. Not surprising given its size. At least Binder could sense a little more life in the halls.

  Teng had long since fallen asleep in her little room. He smiled when he recalled her delight at having a room of her own. It was endearing and pathetic all at the same time.

  Now it was just Binder, Qang, and Ling in the throne room. His knights were patrolling the grounds, not that he expected any trouble. The only ones powerful enough to be a threat were fully in thrall to the throne.

  Ling cleared her throat. “Lady Shiv has a dark reputation, some of the things she’s rumored to have ordered would curl your hair, but facts are few and far between. None of my agents have ever dealt with her directly.”

  “I met her once,” Qang said. “About three years ago she showed up at one of our meetings. Seems Wei had been shipping goods up the coast and didn’t bother to pay her for the privilege. She didn’t take the insult kindly. One of her guards dumped the offending captains’ heads on the meeting room table. Wei hasn’t missed a payment since.”

  “Describe her,” Binder said.

  “Old, gray hair worn in a bun, dressed in black, deep wrinkles around the mouth and eyes. She wasn’t really remarkable looking in any way. She didn’t even carry a weapon, at least not one I saw. She’s not what you’d call a traditional ruler, she’s a pirate queen.”

  The lack of a weapon spoke of total confidence that no one would dare lay a finger on her. That she walked into that meeting, did what she did, and walked back out argued that her confidence was well placed. Three years of unchallenged power could turn confidence into arrogance. He might be able to use that.

  Pirate or satrap, Lady Shiv had to live someplace. “Where does she make her home?”

  Ling and Qang shared a look, each waiting for the other to speak. Finally Ling said, “She has fortified homes in two of the larger coastal cities.”

  “I heard she mainly lives on her flagship, The Dire Consequences, and is constantly on the move.” Qang shook his head. “She didn’t survive this long by making herself an easy target. You may end up having to search several locations before you find her.”

  Binder didn’t like going in blind, but then what could a bunch of humans do anyway? They might have sorcerers enough to deal with his knight, but Binder himself was a whole different thing.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  It felt to Marie-Bell like the ship was flying. She was in the galley getting her noon meal, a bland offering of dried biscuits, ham, and soft apples. They’d made such good time with the paladins manning the fans, that Sir Collin had ordered them to continue even after they left the windless part of the ocean.

  Two of the weaker members had collapsed during their shift at the fans, not that Sir Collin seemed to care. He had his eyes focused forward, on their destination. Marie-Bell wanted to kick him in the ass, but she didn’t dare.

  It wouldn’t have been so bad if he took a turn with the rest of them, but he couldn’t be bothered. None of the others said anything, but she saw the resentment in their sullen expressions every time he came to urge them on to
greater effort. She doubted the paladins had it in them to mutiny, but if it was ever a possibility, it was now.

  She still had half an hour or so before her shift at the fans arrived, but she headed up early. The food certainly wasn’t enough to keep her below.

  Up on deck the fans’ wind sent her hair flying. The masts creaked from the strain from the taut sails. Captain Morrow had actually advised them to reduce the fan speed for fear of something breaking. The tired paladins had been only too happy to oblige, Sir Collin’s bitter complaints notwithstanding.

  At the helm, two sailors kept a tight grip on the wheel. Captain Morrow stood behind them, ready to jump in if a third person was needed. At the very rear of the ship, five paladins poured all their soul force into the giant construct she’d devised. One of them was down to barely a sliver of energy in her core.

  Marie-Bell hurried up the steps and tapped her on the shoulder. “I can take over. Why don’t you get some lunch?”

  “My shift isn’t over,” the woman said, her expression pained.

  “It’s okay.” Marie-Bell patted the hilt of the Demon Slayer sword. “I’ve got backup for the extra half hour.”

  “Angels bless you.” The paladin relinquished control of her fan blade to Marie-Bell and staggered down from their perch.

  Power flowed from the sword into Marie-Bell’s core to replace what was lost as she maintained the fan. If Sir Collin made them keep up this pace until they reached port, they wouldn’t last five minutes against any enemies waiting for them. The man wasn’t a complete idiot so he had to know that.

  Her extended shift ended without incident and she gratefully gave up her position to Jenkins. Before the bodyguard took her place he said, “Sir Collin wants to see you.”

  She was tempted to tell him Sir Collin could take a flying leap, but held her tongue. The situation was bad enough without antagonizing their so-called leader.

  “What does he want?”

  Jenkins shrugged and assumed control of her fan blade.

  “He doesn’t talk to us anymore except to bark orders.” Jenkins looked around to make sure no one was listening. “I’m afraid he’s losing his grip on reality. At night I hear him muttering about his rightful place and showing everyone. I don’t know how long it’s been since he slept.”

  If Sir Collin’s most loyal man was telling Marie-Bell this, he must really be in bad shape.

  “Thanks for the warning.”

  “Don’t thank me, just be careful.” Jenkins turned his full focus to maintaining the fan, ending her hopes for more information.

  What Marie-Bell really wanted to know was whether Sir Collin was capable of violence. He shouldn’t be, as long as he had his angel restraining him, but taking things for granted was a good way to get killed.

  As she made her way toward the steps down to the main deck, Captain Morrow caught her sleeve. “Five days.”

  “What?”

  “With your people providing this gale, we’ll reach port in five days.” The captain shook her head. “This will be our fastest crossing ever. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it possible.”

  “Thanks for letting me know.” Marie-Bell summoned a wan smile and hurried down to the main deck. If Sir Collin was as volatile as Jenkins said it wouldn’t do to keep him waiting.

  Mallory was standing outside Sir Collin’s door when Marie-Bell arrived. She raised a questioning eyebrow, but he just shook his head. Whether he had nothing to say or didn’t dare speak she wasn’t certain.

  He rapped on the door and said, “She’s here, sir.”

  “Well, send her in!”

  Mallory opened the door and waved her through. When she passed by him he mouthed the words, “Be careful,” before closing the door behind her.

  Inside, Sir Collin paced like a caged beast. His ordinarily crisp, white tunic was sweat-stained and rumpled. He looked at her with shadowed, bloodshot eyes, a three-day growth of beard covering his cheeks. What a mess.

  “You called for me, sir?”

  “Yes.” He stopped pacing and faced her directly. “And when I call for you I expect you to come at once, not dally.”

  She couldn’t have been more than five minutes arriving, but doubted pointing that out would do any good. “Sorry, sir. I have news from Captain Morrow. She says we should make port in another five days.”

  “Acceptable. But that’s not why I summoned you here.” His lips twisted, revealing his yellow teeth. “I know what you’re up to and it won’t work.”

  Marie-Bell blinked, totally confused. “Sir?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me. I’m not as stupid as you imagine. I know you’ve been taking extra shifts and sharing soul force with the others, trying to get in their good graces so you can seize control of the quest. It won’t work. My paladins are too loyal to fall for such a transparent ploy.”

  Marie-Bell was too stunned to reply.

  “Get out and know I’m keeping my eye on you.”

  Marie-Bell staggered out into the hall, past the silent Mallory, and down to the crew quarters where her hammock waited. The only thought running through her head was that the leader of the quest had completely lost his mind.

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Damien landed outside the inn. No horses were tied to the hitching rail. Looked like Uncle Andy finally decided to shut the place down. Probably a good idea. If it came to a fight, they didn’t want innocent people caught up in it.

  Jen’s team stood on either side of the door. Talon crossed his arms as Damien approached. “Where is she?”

  “It was a setup,” Damien said. “Louis is dead and Nathanial got away.”

  Damien climbed the short flight of steps and opened the door. “I’ve got another lead. Best be ready to move.”

  “We don’t take orders from—” Damien shut the door, cutting off the rest of Talon’s complaint. They didn’t take orders from him, but he suspected the orders would be coming soon enough so it was just as well to have them ready.

  Inside, the common room was completely empty. Looked like even the innkeeper had been sent on her way. It was safer, but they were going to have to find someone else to do the cooking. That was a problem for later. Damien jogged up the steps, turned right, and made his way down to the king’s room. Uncle Andy wasn’t going to like the news, but better if he delivered it sooner rather than later.

  The door opened a moment before Damien reached it. His master poked her head out into the hall and looked around. “Where is she?”

  Damien shook his head. How many times was he going to have to answer that question? “They never intended to trade. The meeting was set up to kill Louis.”

  “Come inside and tell us everything.” The archmage withdrew and he followed her into the small room.

  Uncle Andy and Jen sat at the room’s small table, a pile of papers between them. The look of disappointment on Uncle Andy’s face tore at Damien’s heart. He hated being the bearer of bad news, but that seemed to be all he did lately.

  “You heard?” Damien asked.

  Uncle Andy nodded. “The bastard arranged to have his own son murdered. I knew he was a traitor, but I never imagined he’d go so far. Did you learn anything else?”

  “It seems Duke Carmichael plans to marry Karrie himself. Not only that, he intends to have his wife dealt with in the same way as his son. With your permission, I’d like to mount a rescue.”

  Uncle Andy’s forehead creased as he thought. “Is it really worth our time?”

  “If she’s not part of the rebellion, then she’s an innocent bystander,” Damien said. “Rescuing her is our duty.”

  The weakest of smiles creased the king’s glum face. “You’re a good man, Damien. Sometimes it’s easy to forget they still exist.”

  “Besides,” the archmage added. “He can’t wed Karrie as long as his wife is alive. If we have her, it stops his plan cold.”

  “I thought about that too,” Damien said. “Why would he care about
the law? Murder’s against the law, but that didn’t stop him from killing Louis and trying to kill Uncle Andy.”

  “True, but the duke didn’t actually break any laws himself. It’s a fine line, but an important one for a group as focused on order as the Binder cultists. If he breaks the law against taking a second wife, he’ll have no one to pass the blame to and as the head of the cult, I don’t think he’s ready to take that step. Maybe I’m wrong. I don’t honestly know what goes on in these lunatics’ heads, but I think at the very least we can buy some time.”

  “Go save her, Damien,” Uncle Andy said. “When you get her here safe we’ll see what she has to say.”

  “Understood.” Damien turned to his sister. “You and the guys want to take a trip?”

  Jen grinned. “I thought you’d never ask. I’ll leave Al Elan and Alec just in case there’s trouble.”

  “We can manage on our own,” the archmage said.

  “Last time I left you two alone you almost got buried alive,” Damien said. “She won’t like it, but Imogen should probably stay behind as well. By the way, where is she?”

  “I believe Imogen went to the kitchen in hopes of fixing a late lunch,” the archmage said.

  “On second thought, maybe it would be safer for you if I take her with me.”

  “Don’t worry,” Jen said. “Al Elan is with her. He claimed to know how to cook.”

  Uncle Andy laughed. “Get going and don’t worry about us.”

  Damien saluted and led Jen out into the hall. “How’s he holding up?”

  “As well as you’d expect.” Jen looked back over her shoulder at the closed door. “He puts on a strong front, but I know he’s dying inside. We need to get Karrie back and soon.”

  Out front the guys sprang to attention as soon as Jen stepped out on the porch.

  “We’ve got a mission,” Jen said, all signs of banter gone from her tone and expression. “We’re flying to Port Valcane to rescue a noblewoman. Talon, Rhys, and Edward, you’re with me. Alec, you stay here with Al Elan and protect the king. I’m counting on you two.”