Shadow Countess: A Fantasy Adventure Romance

by M D Baker

  There was no chance for the energies to coexist; seeking that goal was pure folly. In that, all my predecessors had been correct. Both magics sought to subdue the other; nothing but absolute supremacy would suffice for either of them. Trying to force them into submission was truly impossible—an endeavor beyond both their nature and capabilities.

  Yet there was a solution to the conundrum, one that was only apparent because of the two previous achievements Lady Korrine’s journal had guided me through. The simple elegance of my mother’s discovery left me in awe of her once again. The woman I’d never known was still shaping my destiny so many years after her passing. With a grin on my face that was half pride and full of scorn, I unleashed her fury on those who sought to tarnish my mother’s legacy.

  A blazing arc of electric-blue lightning shot out from the palm of my hand, shrouded in a writhing skin of liquid flame. Striking the closest enemy soldier, the bolt danced across his armor while unruly strands of fire seared the man’s exposed flesh. As it flashed onwards, the gout of blended elements sought out each and every foe in the cavern while I diverted its fury away from the bound captives.

  Using the magic of Flame, I was able to direct the spell, while the energy of Bolt urged it to seek out additional targets. Only my enhanced pool of energy and increased ability to monitor its flow allowed me to meet the spell’s incredible demands. The magic required far more than just raw power, however. The key to maintaining a hold over the competing domains lay in carefully managing their victories over each other.

  While the melded spell wreaked its havoc, I alternated feeding one of the elements while almost starving the other. Once I’d let the more powerful magic revel in its triumph for a moment, I reversed their roles, allowing the defeated energy to rise up and conquer its foe.

  With the constant lure of victory over its rival at hand, the competing magics concentrated on fighting each other, leaving me free to wield their real power. It wasn’t unlike the art of manipulation Valda taught me, though the subjects of my subtle maneuverings were a bit more dangerous than the prickly nobles I’d grown accustomed to dealing with.

  Blasting through the air in swirling streaks of brilliant blue and molten yellow, the spell coursed throughout the large chamber with a burning hunger. Having been molded for a specific purpose, the magic surged forward on its own accord, craving every last kill. Knowing the spell’s intentions, it was far easier to let it carve its own path through the enemy soldiers, so I limited myself to only guiding it away when the shimmering band strayed uncomfortably close to the prisoners.

  The chamber was filled with smoldering corpses within seconds, its air thick with the reek of spent electricity and sickly death. Not a single one of our enemies was left alive. Although taking a captive might’ve revealed who was pulling their strings, the spell I’d woven wasn’t the sort that left any survivors. While I looked over the devastation, Reynold stood with his mouth agape, taken aback by the devastation he’d witnessed.

  “You will say nothing of this.” I jabbed a finger in Reynold’s face, the harsh notes of warning hinting at the dire consequences of disobeying my order. “Only that I cast a series of spells to clear the area.”

  “I’m not asking you to betray your Lord,” I offered when Reynold failed to respond. “Keeping this secret is how I intend to save him.”

  “Gods take me for a fool, but I trust you, my Lady,” he relented, sparing me from having to decide whether or not his body needed to join the many others littering the cavern floor.

  My expression softened as I soothed his guilty conscience. “I’ll tell him eventually… When the time is right.”

  With the uncertainty ahead of us, I knew that day might never come, so I felt confident enough to extend the simple courtesy. Having coerced him into my service, we picked our way through the tangled mess of corpses, faint trails of warm mist still leaching from their bodies. Once clear of the destruction, I hurried to Tayson’s side, pulling off his hood as I looked over the Lord’s injuries. Having heard the commotion but unaware of what was happening, Tayson glanced around in confusion before his eyes settled on me. Unlike most of the other prisoners, Tayson’s wounds had been bound and tended, leaving little for me to heal, but the Lord’s gaze never left me while I saw that he was fully restored before moving on to the next captive.

  Reynold hovered over Tayson, guarding the Count and filling him in on what had transpired while he’d been… indisposed. I was unable to listen in on their conversation as I moved from one patient to the next, so I had no option but to trust that the sergeant would hold true to our bargain. As each soldier recovered, they retrieved their weapons and armor from a pile that was left just outside the small alcove where they’d been kept. Fully armed once more, we departed the foul caverns, seeking an escape from the morbid confines and the relief of some fresh air.

  Although my magic allowed me to see perfectly well in the pitch dark of night, it wasn’t a benefit any of the others could share. Traveling only far enough away from the slaughter to be comfortable, we soon stopped and made camp. What little food we had was shared around the warmth of a fire while sentries stood guard over those who were able to sleep.

  “I find myself in your debt, Countess.” Tayson came to sit beside me, his sincere expression lacking any hint of his typical arrogance or mockery. “Again.”

  “Were you able to learn anything?” I deflected, unsure of how else to respond under his piercing stare.

  Lowering his voice, he replied, “Nothing for certain, though I heard both Farren and Cyndhari accents among our captors.”

  Having already noted the unlikely alliance, I only nodded in response, limiting myself to the confirming gesture. With our suspicions verified, our next steps would be critical and needed to be carefully planned in a much more private setting. Although I doubted any of those who’d been taken captive were part of the conspiracy, we couldn’t afford to let even a hint of our intentions slip out. A single careless whisper was all it would take to ensure that a very high price would be put on our heads.

  “We’ll talk again later.” I rose, standing over him for a moment when I added, “I’ll expect you to hold nothing back when we do.”

  Tayson winced at my stern tone but offered no objection. He’d been ready to reveal at least a portion of what he’d uncovered, only prevented from doing so by the complications of Inath’s birth. Walking a short distance away, I leaned against a tree, making myself as comfortable as circumstances allowed as I tried to get some rest.

  I should’ve been overjoyed with my discoveries over the past few days, but Griff’s betrayal and the threats still looming over my head robbed me of any sense of accomplishment. The pattern of my life was an endless cycle of profound revelations—all of them rendered worthless within a matter of moments. Alone in the shadows of the campfire, I summoned a small Bolt, mingling its current with a few weak strands of Flame, finding a tiny measure of comfort in the ease of weaving them together. Magic was more than just my only true companion; it had become a timeless connection to both Valda and my mother, allowing me to hold on to some part of them even in their absence.

  The reminder of all that had been stolen from me rekindled the fires of my vengeance. It was no longer about some plot of land or meaningless title, however. Those were small things, unlike the real power dancing between my fingertips. My anger was reserved for those who’d robbed me of my childhood and the family whose love I should’ve known. Tearing the veil from the conspirators who’d orchestrated so much suffering was all that mattered. I didn’t care whether I had to work with Farren, Cyndhar, or the Devil herself to uncover their identities. Lady Korrine ensured that the power they once feared would rise again, and I’d make damn sure it found them this time.

  Chapter 21

  The morning allowed us to gain our bearings in the thick forest, and we made our way back to the site of the ambush. Our dead lay on the ground, strewn about among the bodies of their attackers. Whatever the
ir goals were, our enemy had no care for who might suffer. Even their own people were shown little regard.

  Leaving our fallen to rot was beyond consideration, but we had neither the time nor the means for a proper burial. While half our soldiers erected a communal pyre, the rest dragged the enemy corpses away, tossing them into a nearby ravine in the forest.

  “You saved our lives and avenged their deaths.” Tayson wiped the dirt from his hands as he approached, motioning towards the stacked corpses resting atop a mountain of dry timber. “I would be honored if you’d send them off.”

  The tribute Tayson had in mind was something far more significant than a simple fire. No mere Spark would suffice, so I drew upon my reserves and brought forth the heat of a mighty Flame. The intense blaze danced across the ground, scorching the earth and withering low-hanging branches as I guided it forward. A searing column of fire leapt into the air as the timbers took light, reducing the pyre to a small mound of ash over the course of a few short minutes. My woven magic might’ve been more fitting, but I wasn’t ready to reveal that secret just yet.

  What little we could salvage from the wreckage was quickly loaded on the horses, still tied to the pickets beyond camp, and we rode back towards home—victorious, yet at a terrible cost. Tayson had lost every spare soldier he had. Combined with those we’d left behind, the few survivors would barely be enough to see to the Keep’s defenses, leaving no one to ride out and patrol the countryside. Although the threat had been eliminated, I doubted very much that we’d put an end to the incursions. Given time, our hidden foe would recruit more allies, and the raids would resume in earnest.

  While their identity remained shrouded in mystery, our enemy had an easy target, one we could no longer defend. Only unmasking them would free our realms from the constant threat of war, but without a single prisoner to question, I lacked even a place to begin the inquiry. Perhaps when Tayson finally confided in me, I’d have some notion of where I might start. Until then, all I had were vague shadows lurking in the darkest corners of my mind.

  Trumpets sounded in the distance when we emerged from the trees, and the gates slid open as we rode inside the Keep. The faces of those gathered in welcome fell into despair, greeting us with an eerie stillness as the significance of our small band leading dozens of riderless mounts cast a deathly pall over the crowd. Respectfully glancing away from the tearful reunions, my eyes fell upon a woman leaning against a vacant saddle as her fingers desperately clung to its empty stirrup.

  Leaving my few belongings behind, I strode away, knowing that I had no place among the mourners. The battle had cost me nothing but a worthless traitor. Despite his many years of ‘service,’ Griff’s passing wasn’t worth a single moment of remorse. He’d played no small role in bringing about this senseless destruction, and for that, I cursed his name, hoping that his soul found only torment in whatever world lay beyond the veil of death.

  I climbed the stairs to my chambers and sealed myself away, stripping off my filthy, bloodstained clothes while filling the tub with scalding water. Even its heat failed to wash away the lingering stench of death that hovered around me, but in time, the tension finally bled its way out of my muscles, and I was able to release a portion of my anger. Untangling the knots from my hair took a while longer, but I managed to make myself somewhat presentable before dinner. There’d be no feast to celebrate our triumph, however, only a tray Rianne left for me on the small table in the study.

  Picking at the food between sips of tea while trying to solve the puzzle of who had the most to gain from yet another war was a wasted effort. From arms merchants to ambitious nobles eager to usurp power, the list was simply too long. Knowing the conspiracy’s purpose but not its origins left me grasping at meaningless speculation. Time might reveal something, but that was a factor that worked in our enemy’s favor, not mine. Falling asleep in the comfort of a warm bed was easier than it had been the night before, but my doubts kept me awake for many hours.

  Something about the morning light brought back my sense of optimism, and I decided to track down Tayson so we could have our little chat. The mystery wasn’t going to solve itself after all, and every minute we delayed only put more lives in jeopardy. After dressing in one of my mother’s simple outfits, I shrouded myself in a protective Shield while I headed for the hallway. I found Reynold keeping watch with Rianne standing by his side, but their presence wasn’t the reason why my steps ground to a sudden halt. Dozens of flowers littered the floor outside my chambers, mostly pale-white blooms with a scattering of black dotted among them.

  “What happened?” I inquired, wondering if there’d been some sort of mishap as I tiptoed my way through the patchwork floral carpet.

  “They’re for you, my Lady,” the sergeant answered, his slow drawl imparting an air of profound respect. “An expression of gratitude for your valor.”

  I shook my head at the needless display. “Tayson shouldn’t have done this.”

  “He only set that one in place,” Rianne explained, pointing out the dark petals of a single rose. “The rest are from us.”

  Her odd expression and the way Rianne pronounced ‘us’ let me know that she’d played some role in whatever this was, a realization that only served to heighten my unease.

  “It’s an old tradition in Cyndhar meant to honor those who distinguish themselves in combat,” she went on, picking up on my growing discomfort. “After battle, the families of those who were lost offer a white bloom in memory of their loved ones, while the survivors place a black one in recognition of the debt they owe.”

  “Which is yours?” My voice faltered when Rianne plucked an ivory blossom from the floor, handing me the green stem as I blinked away the mistiness clouding my vision.

  “I’m so sorry,” I offered the weak apology, knowing all too well how meaningless words were in such moments.

  “I won’t see my father again,” she responded, doing a far better job of restraining her emotions than I was. “His spirit rests with you now.”

  “This is not done lightly, Countess,” Reynold added, his keen eyes conveying more than he felt free to speak out loud. “You fought for us, and that won’t be forgotten.”

  I bowed my head silently in response, not knowing what else to say. Too many lives had been lost for me to feel any sense of honor in our victory. The petals strewn about my feet were more like a reminder of my failures rather than any sort of tribute, and I hurried to change the subject to something more productive.

  “Is Tayson awake yet? There’s a matter of some importance we need to discuss.”

  “He is, my Lady.” Rianne nodded. “Would you like me to bring you both something to eat?”

  “Please,” I replied, and she offered a deep curtsy before heading off to fetch breakfast.

  After nestling Rianne’s flower back among the rest of the blooms, I knocked on Tayson’s door, only having to wait a moment before it swung open. He clearly wasn’t expecting to find me standing there, and I managed a thin smile at his startled expression.

  “May I come in, or will we be conducting this meeting in the hallway?” I taunted after he stood unmoving in the doorway for a long moment.

  “Of course,” he fumbled, stepping aside as he motioned for me to join him.

  Although it had been many years since I’d last entered these chambers, I’d spent countless hours cleaning them, so I had no trouble finding my way to the Lord’s study. Tayson followed behind, practically dragging his feet as I made myself comfortable, settling into the soft chair beside the fireplace.

  “Whenever you’re ready,” I prompted when Tayson remained silent, staring at the slowly dwindling flames as he studiously avoided my gaze.

  “I don’t know how much is left to tell, Countess,” he responded in hollow resignation. “You’ve probably figured out almost everything by now, at least as far as what little I know.”

  “There are forces within both our kingdoms working to provoke another war,” Tayson explained. “M
y King has ordered me to root out this conspiracy, though I fear I’ve failed miserably at that task. All I’ve managed to do is hold things off for a while, and even that small bit of progress is only due to your intervention.”

  Tayson paused when Rianne entered, bearing a serving board laden with sweet breakfast rolls and a steaming pot of fragrant tea. After pouring two cups, she departed, leaving us to continue our conversation in private.

  “I’ll be returning home now,” I announced.

  “You’ve certainly fulfilled the terms of our agreement,” Tayson replied flatly, his voice betraying neither disappointment nor approval of my intentions.

  “I’m afraid you misunderstand, my Lord,” I responded, pausing for a sip of tea. “My purpose is to continue our alliance. With no leads to follow here, my only option is to seek out the conspirators in Farren.”

  “That will put you at great risk.” He leaned forward slightly, allowing a hint of concern to leak through. “Your actions will not have gone unnoticed.”

  “I hope not.” I offered him a wicked smile in return. “In fact, I’m counting on it.”

  “You have a plan?” Tayson devoted his full attention to me as he set his mug aside.

  “Something like that,” I lied, only having the vaguest notions of how I was going to proceed.

  “What will you need from me?” Even without knowing what I had in mind, Tayson didn’t hesitate to give me his full support.

  “Very little,” I responded more candidly. “Just the completion of our contract.”

  “Done,” he agreed, shrugging off the rather hefty sum that was due. “What comes next?”

  “Then I dangle myself as bait and see who’s foolish enough to take a bite.” I grinned, part of me looking forward to turning the tables on my adversary.