by M D Baker
The razor-sharp edges of her missile carved a deep gash into my flesh as it sliced across my thigh. A searing jolt of agony nearly overwhelmed my senses, and I barely managed to maintain control over my magic as the injured leg folded beneath me. I drew my Shield even tighter around me before she could capitalize on the moment of weakness, closing off the narrow gap I’d so foolishly left open.
The ragged edges of my blue skirt darkened with the blood soaking through its torn fabric, but even though I’d sealed myself off and cast a quick Heal to mend the damage, Surellia grinned back at me as our contest dragged on. Her strike had taken its toll, and despite my greater strength, time was on her side. The sounds of our struggle would eventually draw attention, and the second someone showed up to investigate, they’d assume the worst and join in her attack against me. Without time to explain the situation, I’d be forced to either kill a potential innocent or surrender, leaving myself open to Surellia’s magic. Unless I found a way to end things quickly, nothing but death would await me at the end of this battle.
She was the more skillful sorceress by far, so there was no point in trying to outwit her. The one advantage I had over the Duchess lay in my almost limitless pool of energy and the brutal force it allowed me to wield. With my chances of survival rapidly dwindling away, I drew forth every shred of magic within me, funneling the incredible energy into a single burst of pure fury.
Brilliant blue streaks mingled with searing tongues of flames reflecting off Surellia’s barrier, but her protection held firm, and only a few stray arcs of energy pierced her defenses. Barely singed by my last-ditch assault, the Duchess leered as she stood over me, already reveling in her triumph even as she fended off the last dying gasps of my spell.
“Korrine refused me too,” Surellia gloated, savoring her victory as she spared a moment to straighten her skirts. “Now you’ll share her fate.”
She exhaled a contemptuous breath as I channeled what little I had left into my magic, forcing the Duchess to maintain her barrier. Glancing away in defeat, I fumbled with the tattered remains of my dress, working my way beneath its folds until my fingers wrapped around one of my hidden blades.
“I think not,” I replied, jabbing my dagger towards the center of her chest.
With her attention devoted to protecting against my spell, the physical assault took Surellia completely by surprise. The entire length of my blade vanished beneath her flesh, stopping only when its guard was resting flush against her skin. Although I was nearly drained, I redirected my magic to flow along the edges of the dagger, circumventing her defenses and sending the final wisps of Gout directly into the Duchess’ body.
Thin trails of smoke wound their way past my fingers as the spell wreaked its havoc, slowly immolating her from the inside out. Surellia’s agonizing shrieks as her body dropped to the floor brought a smile to my face, but my ears weren’t the only ones to hear her final cries of pain. While her lifeless eyes stared at the ceiling, a crowd of soldiers burst through the door, drawing their weapons as they moved to surround me.
“I won’t resist,” I pled, shedding the dagger as I threw my hands in the air.
I’d hoped to escape without having to fight Surellia, only confronting her once I’d gotten the evidence of her treachery into the right hands. Although I had no qualms taking out the woman who’d plotted to seize control of Farren and plunge us into war, fighting and probably killing my own people was a line I wouldn’t cross—and in my depleted state, it wasn’t a battle I could hope to win.
Disarming myself did nothing to reassure the soldiers of my compliance as they closed in, clearly intent on eliminating the obvious threat I posed. As a sorceress, my true strength lay in magic, not the short length of steel I’d used to slay the Duchess. Allowing me the time to cast another spell would only put their lives in danger, and with Surellia lying dead at my feet, it wasn’t as if my guilt was in doubt.
“Stop!” A familiar voice called out, though I struggled to identify where I’d heard it before.
I’d released my magic, even the Shield that had protected me from Surellia, hoping to gather enough energy to withstand the guard’s initial assault. The urgent shout froze them in their tracks, however, and I dared to peel my eyes away from the tightly gripped swords in their hands. Of all the people who could’ve possibly come to my rescue, Errind was the absolute last I would’ve expected, yet there he was, pushing his way past the soldiers to place himself between me and their blades.
“I’m hoping you have a good explanation, Countess?” He inquired almost casually, tilting his head slightly to one side as he spoke over his shoulder. The steward’s words lacked the aloof, almost condescending tone of our previous conversations, causing me to pause before I answered.
“She was planning to take the crown,” I replied with a sudden insight. “But you already suspected that… didn’t you?”
“We’ve uncovered some vague indications of a plot against the King but never suspected the Duchess was part of it,” Errind responded as the soldiers eased their weapons down. “It seems you might’ve cut right to the heart of the matter.”
“Unfortunately, without any evidence, it’s your word against her corpse,” he finished, taking on an almost pained expression as he faced me.
“Will you come quietly, my Lady?” Errind drew a long knife from beneath the folds of his robes, brandishing the blade in a manner that suggested a degree of comfort with its use.
“No,” I replied, tapping the pendant around my neck as I took a step backwards.
His eyes hardened with the single word I’d spoken, but the flimsy physical Shield I put in place was never challenged. Errind froze when Surellia’s voice echoed from the sapphire, his mouth falling open in shock as the sounds of our conversation filled the room. After the Duchess had thoroughly exposed herself, I tapped the gem once more, and an awkward silence took hold for a moment before he spoke again.
“I’ve never heard of a… device like that before,” he commented, not yet ready to accept the truth my unique invention had uncovered. “Was that real or some sort of deception?”
“It’s genuine, and I’m willing to be tested to prove its authenticity,” I replied.
Submitting to the casting of Intention while being questioned seemed like a reasonable method of proving my innocence, and perhaps the only way I might escape being executed for the murder of the King’s Sorceress-Advisor. Of course, once my reserves were replenished, I could try to fight my way free, but there’d been enough senseless slaughter. Piling the bodies of innocents atop her guilty corpse would be my last resort.
“You just were,” he whispered, revealing himself as one of the rare men who possessed mystical powers.
That status alone assured Errind of a very high position. Publicly declaring himself would’ve prompted a flood of interest from the most prominent noble houses, yet he’d clearly made the decision to operate in a far more covert status. Serving as the King’s steward was no small honor, but it also exposed him to every single member of the nobility; ironically, the very people most likely to betray his liege’s trust. While no one would be at ease in his presence, the access granted by his position allowed Errind to ‘test’ nearly anyone who might pose a threat to Farren’s stability.
Errind sent the guards away with a dismissive gesture, leaving us alone with only Surellia’s vacant stare looking on. We eyed each other suspiciously, each of us realizing that we were meeting for the first time without our masks in place. Trust was not easily given within the circles we traveled, but knowing that I had little to lose, I took the first tentative step.
“I learned that something was wrong in Cyndhar,” I began, hoping that telling the truth would cover the little bits I’d chosen to leave out. “The bandits raiding Blackwood were soldiers of both kingdoms, obviously working together to sow discord between us.”
“Beradin told us as much,” he replied, naming the King of Cyndhar. “Though he’s having even more trouble roo
ting out the conspirators within his realm.”
I was shocked to hear that there’d been collaboration at such a high level. As far as everyone knew, there was no ‘official’ contact between the two kingdoms. Sure, perhaps a discreet message here or there was possible, but Errind’s statement implied a great deal more than that.
“She failed completely,” I mused, sparing a glance at the Duchess’ remains.
“Yes, I’d say so,” Errind remarked. “Things may not be peaceful, but thanks to her, Cyndhar and Farren are further from conflict than ever.”
“Am I free to go?” I inquired, wondering how long I might be… detained.
“Home, yes, but no farther,” he replied, the slight arch of his brow imparting an air of command. “I’ll tend to things for now, but I’m certain they’ll be more questions for you to answer.”
“Then home it is.” I smiled, unclasping my necklace and handing it over to him. “Just tap twice to trigger it.”
“Thank you, Countess.” He stared at me with a curious expression, my mischievous tone obviously conflicting with the truthfulness indicated by his Intention spell.
Chapter 25
I found Reynold waiting for me in the hallway, somewhat worse for wear after scuffling with the guards who’d come to detain me. After quickly healing his injuries, we made our way downstairs and away from the palace. Once I reached my estate, I had Helred pack some provisions while I locked myself away in my study.
Drawing up the papers that transferred the property to Helred and Jaine took only a few moments. Though I knew they couldn’t afford to maintain the estate, selling it would keep them comfortable for many years, possibly even the rest of their lives. It pained me to leave the two of them behind, but the road ahead of me wasn’t one I could ask them to walk. Once again, I was left with no good choices. My only option was to travel down the lone path that had been laid at my feet.
I folded the parchment into a neat rectangle, sealing it with a small blob of wax. After changing into one of my riding outfits and gathering the few possessions I truly needed or refused to leave behind, I descended the staircase to the modest salon below.
“Have you been sent off again, my Lady?” Jaine inquired, observing my change in clothes and the saddlebags slung over my shoulder.
“Yes, you could say that,” I replied, struggling to maintain my composure before continuing.
“Could you ask everyone to join us here? I’d like to say goodbye.”
“Of… course,” she responded, the strained notes of my voice causing her to hesitate before she scurried away.
The handful of moments alone gave me time to reconsider my decision. While Errind had no real authority to confine me to my estate, as the King’s steward, his orders were entitled to a certain amount of deference. Even if I was eventually found innocent of all charges, I’d be forced to pay for openly defying his directive.
All things being considered, I didn’t care anymore.
My entire life had been spent doing what I had to. I’d been flung from one impossible situation to the next, never free to choose my own direction. Fear and foolish concerns over what others would think, or how my actions might place even further limitations on my circumstances had provided my motivation. I was done with that. From now on, I’d do whatever I wanted. I refused to remain imprisoned any longer.
“I won’t stop you from fleeing, Countess, but might I offer you a bit of advice before you go?” Errind’s now-familiar voice roused me from my thoughts, and I whirled around to find him standing in the doorway. Alone.
“You’ve been treated poorly, as have all The Unlanded,” he went on, not bothering to wait for my answer. “Up until now, the King had no way to compensate any of you for what was lost.”
“We can’t allow word of her treachery to spread, so Surellia’s death will be labeled as an accident, but she left no heirs behind.” Errind paused, sparing me a knowing glance as he continued. “Under these unfortunate circumstances, it only seems fair to divide her lands among those who’ve suffered so much.”
“It’s what she would’ve wanted, after all.” Errind’s broad grin mirrored his ironic tone.
I’d given up any hope of regaining my family’s lands, but the steward—if that’s what Errind really was—provided me with the opportunity to reclaim at least a portion of our honor. Not that I measured my worth in such terms, but it wasn’t an opportunity I could easily pass over.
“So long as I get first choice,” I replied, clenching my jaw as I dared him to dispute my claim.
“I’ll invite you to review the various parcels once I’ve tended to the Duchess’ affairs,” he conceded, offering a slight nod as he retreated from the room.
Only a moment before, I’d been planning my escape from the city, not even sure of where I was going. All I’d known was that I needed to flee. Not because of any crimes I’d committed, but from its suffocating atmosphere—circumstances that would only deteriorate once my role in the Sorceress-Advisor’s death became known. Errind’s calculating plan not only removed that possibility, but his generosity left me with a chance to finally resume my rightful station. Doing so by claiming a portion of Surellia’s vast holdings was an especially poetic touch.
I tossed my saddlebags against the wall, watching as they fell into a crumpled heap in the corner. Jaine returned as I dropped into one of the threadbare chairs beside the fireplace, accompanied by Helred and the rest of my household. The jumbled words I’d intended to offer as my farewell were suddenly meaningless, although there was still much left to tell them.
“The King’s Sorceress-Advisor passed away this morning.” Having no knowledge of Surellia’s treason, Helred gasped at the revelation. “Errind just informed me that her estate is to be divided among The Unlanded.”
“I know some of you have built a life here, so if you wish to remain behind, I’ll understand.” I tried not to single out Jaine as I spoke, but my eyes betrayed me when I glanced in her direction. “Whether or not you accompany me to my new home, your loyalty will be rewarded.”
After remaining by my side through so many difficult years, it was the least I could offer. Between the silver I’d wrung from Errind and the gold Tayson had paid me, I had more than enough to provide any of them with a generous parting gift, though I hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
“We’ll be staying with you, Amarrah,” Jaine responded, sensing the informal mood of our gathering.
Her reply made me wonder what had transpired between her and the farrier’s apprentice, or perhaps the answer lay in what hadn’t occurred. The young man’s continued delay was causing Jaine a great deal of doubt over his intentions, but this was neither the time nor the place to make such an inquiry.
Every member of my household echoed her sentiment, each of them pledging to remain with me regardless of where my fortunes might lead. Despite the difficulties we’d faced, after spending so many years together, there was a connection between us that transcended anything so trivial as social standing. We’d become a family, and though our paths might part eventually, this would not be that day.
Reynold spoke last, much to my surprise. “Countess. If you would allow it, I’d like to stay on as well.”
Despite the ruse we’d concocted, I knew the sergeant was a trustworthy man, one I couldn’t afford to dismiss so easily. Whatever lands I was granted would need to be protected by more than just my spells, and a man of his qualifications would be invaluable in that effort.
“What about Abby and the children?” I inquired, never imagining that he’d leave them behind.
“I was hoping you’d take them in as well.” He offered an uneasy smile in response.
I returned his grin, grateful to have yet another trusted friend by my side. “I’ll extend my apologies to Tayson for depriving him of your service.”
Despite the need for so many things to remain secret, once it was clear that Reynold’s position would become permanent, I explained a bit of our histo
ry together. Letting the rest of my guards know that he was more than just some Cyndhari cast-off allayed their concerns, and even Bronson seemed to warm up to the sergeant once he understood that Reynold’s motivations were genuine.
No matter where I found myself, five guards and two attendants—well, three, counting Abby—were hardly enough to staff a real manor of any sort, let alone defend the lands that would come with it. Recruiting additional people into my service would be a challenge, one that would be made even more difficult by having to compete with my fellow Unlanded for the few truly qualified individuals that might be willing to join our new estates. But that was a trouble for another time. At the moment, I was happy enough to have everyone by my side.
Having abandoned my plans to leave the capital and with my future still undefined, there was little else for me to do. As word of Surellia’s demise spread through the street, the bells began tolling in mourning, their somber echoes noting the passage of the King’s Sorceress-Advisor. Few would ever learn of her treachery, but I was certain that Errind would continue the hunt for her coconspirators. Considering the man’s insight and skill with magic, knowing that Surellia led the ring of traitors would likely lead him to the rest quite easily.
Oldbridge ground to a virtual halt for the next three days while Surellia’s body lay in repose. Commoners and nobles alike filed past her casket, laying wreaths and other tokens of respect at a nearby shrine. A handful of prominent citizens failed to make an appearance, however, and as I placed a single white rose among the mountain of bouquets, Errind’s arching brow hinted at the reason for their absence.
A summons arrived the day after the official mourning period ended, inviting me to attend a meeting where I’d choose my lot from among Surellia’s holdings. Despite how much I’d been looking forward to it, I was more nervous than excited by the prospect. The Sorceress-Advisor spent her days in the capital, keeping the nature of her lands secret from all but her closest confidants. For all I knew, my decision would come down to picking the least worthless parcel she’d owned.
