She stood her ground for a beat, hoping the beast would hear her voice in its mind and relent, but it fixed her with its perilous gaze and came on, moving one clawed foot in front over the other. The barbed tail came up, and Citrine felt it wrap around her waist, squeezing like the tentacles of a sea monster. She let out a scream, flailing as it lifted her up. She kicked her feet, gritting her teeth in vain as she lifted her daggers and plunged them into the creature’s tail. It gave an ear-piercing scream, and suddenly Citrine felt what it felt. It was wild, too far gone for her to bring it back, and controlled by something deeper and more powerful. The love for its children. The tail around her waist tightened, and then the creature lifted her higher and let go. For a moment Citrine felt the buoyancy of flying and an exhilarating joy shot through her before she slammed into the stone wall and knew no more.
38
Duplicity
Zilpha sobbed as the beast held onto her, roaring as the castle shook around them. It let her go, and when she turned around, hands clasped in front of her to plead for her life, she saw none other than Lord Nodin standing tall. His arms were crossed in front of him, and he wore a plain white shirt. It was loose at the top showing off his hairy chest, the chest she’d laid against those nights ago, thinking he was hers. How foolish. Her sobs dried into hiccups, and she swiped at her face, eyeing him in confusion.
He spoke, his tone low and sonorous. “Zilpha. I haven’t been entirely honest with you, and for that I apologize. Will you come with me to the tower? I will explain all.”
Zilpha hiccuped and then covered her mouth with her hand. Her limbs trembled, and she sank to the stone floor, unable to hold herself up. “What was that back there? A beast? And then I saw a monster, and now you’re here. What is happening? Did you burn down my home on purpose? Does my brother think I’m dead? What about my friends?” Her voice rose to a shrill crescendo and then she realized she was half screaming and half crying from effort.
Lord Nodin crouched beside her. “Come. There is food and drink in the tower. I am sorry about all this, but it had to happen for my mission to be accomplished.”
Tentatively he put his arm around her and then helped her stand, leading her to the staircase. She let him guide her, one foot after the other as they crept upward. The tower was still once again. The rumbling and shaking had disappeared after Tor Lir left. Zilpha briefly wondered what he was doing there, but weariness overtook her, and she vaguely stumbled beside Lord Nodin until they arrived and he led her to a seat. He held a cup to her lips, and she drank, gulping down the cool water, her parched lips relaxing. Raising her head, she eyed Lord Nodin, aware of the grimy condition of her clothes. A blush of embarrassment spread over her neck, but his amber eyes stared kindly at her before he spun, his long robes twirling with him. He walked to the other side of the room, and Zilpha allowed her eyes to rove around the chamber. Behind her was an arch, and light poured in from a window with bars on it, keeping the wind from blowing in too strongly. The air was cool and fresh without the strong stink of the dungeons. In the distance, Zilpha thought she heard cries and screams, and there was a slight acid smell in the air, but only a hint. She wrinkled her nose and then relaxed, too tired to wonder what was taking place outside of the tower.
Lord Nodin returned and sat a plate down in front of her. Zilpha leaned over, snatching up a hunk of bread and meat, biting into them as her stomach growled. She was well aware of her indecent actions, but her stomach would not allow her to stop. After a few swallows, she sat back, glancing anxiously at Nodin, who sat down on the other side of the desk. It was covered in papers, feathers of ink, and a square box with a loose top set in the middle. A sword lay beside it, and Lord Nodin briefly touched the handle with a gloved hand before glancing at Zilpha. He nodded in encouragement at her food and then sat back, crossing his arms over his chest.
“It’s a long story, but I dare say there won’t be another time. Zilpha.” He leaned forward, lifting a finger, and then scratched his head as if taking back his thoughts. His fingers curled into a fist, and he frowned. “If I tell you my tale, I cannot let you go free again. We are bound in this doom together. Only, I am sorry you got wound up in this sordid mess. It is not for the faint of heart.”
Zilpha wanted to glare at him and fight back, but a heavy fist of fear pounded in her heart, and she only looked at him. Her stomach seized up as she took yet another bite, and suddenly she did not feel hungry any more. Her hands stilled, and she stared at the handsome amber-eyed male.
“As you know, I am Lord Nodin the Tider, but I am of the clan of the Therian in the Cascade Mountains. The Therian are mountain folk, keeping to themselves because of their unique ability to change from mortal to beast. The shift is something that makes most people fear us, and at times we’ve been accused of being in league with the great enemies of mortals, the Changers. There was once a time when the Therian harbored a Changer, and that is a black mark against our reputation.”
Zilpha stiffened in shock, almost unable to take in his words. She’d never heard the term Therian before, but she knew of the great war between the mortals and the immortals, and the three Changers who ruled the South World for over a hundred years, a rule that was stained with blood. Massacres had been common in those days, and anyone who resisted had been brutally tortured and left to rot where the animals of the ground and the birds of the field could eat their flesh. But then the Great Conqueror arose, dissolved the Green Stone, and saved the South World from the iron rule of the Changers, setting free the people groups to live in peace and harmony. Zilpha recalled Mathilda’s words, speaking of Citrine the Herbalist and her ways, which might be against the Creator. There were still people who sought all kinds of evil, and they had to be captured and punished. Remembering the treasure, Zilpha shivered and turned her ears to Lord Nodin’s tale.
“The Therian were redeemed for a time by the Rulers of the West who helped us regain Stronghold, the seat of power in the Cascade Mountains. But it became clear peace was not our road. Strife rose between the rogue wildlings of the mountains, and other clans came to fight for Stronghold. That is, until I found the treasure—the Clyear of Revelation. When I touched it, I knew trouble would rise, and you’ve touched it and seen for yourself the strange visions it provides. I thought I could protect my clan from the visions of the Clyear, and I fled here with it. I thought if I stayed away, the visions would not come true, and treasure hunters would not invade my homeland, seeking the power of the Clyear. But I missed home, and despite the new home I’d made in this city, and you, I left, but I could not take the Clyear with me. I did not mean to bring this kind of relentless woe on your life, but my unintentional actions have left you bereft. I see it now. Clyears come in a time of need—warnings of the coming doom. I did not know it then, but we need the Clyear and we need its visions so we know what to do to save my homeland. You see, I returned and found Stronghold in chaos. There are terrible things happening to my people. A wild parasite is taking over their bodies, changing them from mortal to beast. When you brought me the Clyear, it showed me a vision of two people who can help. They are powerful, and they must come with me to the mountains to save my people. I needed the Clyear from you to see this vision, and I know my actions have ruined your life, which is why I propose you come with me.”
Zilpha opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and a few of them fell out, running down her face and dripping down her chin. “Nodin. Why would you do this? And what of the beast?”
“The beast is mine to command, until it turns completely and closes itself off from my commands. It is only a matter of time, which is why we must leave. I’m afraid my actions and the time it has taken have doomed this city. As we speak, the children of the beast are loose, bringing chaos to the land. The people groups will take up arms, and they will be on our door step if we do not do something.”
As he spoke, a low growl rose up from the belly of the tower.
Zilpha shivered, rubb
ing her arms. Her stomach felt nauseous, and she wished she hadn’t eaten the bread and meat so quickly. “Why did you burn my home and lock me up?”
Lord Nodin’s eyes narrowed. “I did not burn your home. That was Lord Arden. He desired to turn his homesteads into farmland to make more money. Apparently, the debt is not working out for him, and he gains more slaves instead of coin. He was going to take you as a slave that day, and I intercepted him and hid you before he could. Instead, he had his workers burn down the homes to prepare for next year’s planting season.”
Zilpha crossed her arms, a cold sinking into her bones. Her next words came out as a whisper. “Why should I believe you?”
Lord Nodin shrugged. “You have no cause. A great wrong has been done to you, but I ask you to remember the night we spent together. That one moment of beauty was true and honest. Despite all this fragility and the secrets, you mean more to me than you know, which is why I took lengths to save you. I knew the Nameless One would appear on my doorstep, so I locked you in the dungeon until I could speak with him. I need him and his companion, the one they call Citrine, to come with me. And I must ask you for one further favor. I need your help in capturing them when they return. They will be armed. They will want to fight. We must take their weapons and render them useless. Are you with me?”
Zilpha shook her head, trembling. She wanted to go home and put this behind her. She wished she’d never met Lord Nodin. This city, the debt, all of her struggles and her future melted away under the destruction. She turned toward the window, tears running down her face. “You tricked me.”
Lord Nodin shook his head as he stood. “I did not know it would lead to calamity. Believe me if you wish, or don’t. It does not matter. What matters now is the course of action we take. You can flee into the madness of the city and become a slave to Lord Arden. He is cruel and abusive, even to his own flesh and blood. Or you can help me. Despite the darkness of my words, I offer escape and I offer hope. This dark day will end, and there will be sunshine at last, but I need you to fall into line, and I need the power that the Nameless One and his companion carry. Only then can we speak of a future full of hope. So, I ask you, despite your misgivings and your fear, despite your world being turned upside down, with my promise to help you regain all that you have lost, will you assist me in my quest?”
Zilpha looked up at his clean-shaven face as her tears cleared. His amber eyes shone with transparency and truth, and for just a moment she let herself imagine what it would be like to be his, truly his. Now his strange mannerisms and his distance made sense. It wasn’t her he was throwing away. He had a duty to his people. She stood, coming to a decision as she asked one last question. “But why? Why do you care about the mountain folk? You escaped. Why go back?”
A muscle twitched on his jaw and his eyes turned hard. “Because I am the rightful ruler of the Therian.”
39
Fooled Again
Tor Lir took the stairs two at a time with Hava following behind. He held his bow in one hand and an arrow in another, but it was too difficult to run with an arrow nocked in his bow. He was thankful Hava was there with her sword. She was quick and fearsome as he’d discovered during training. There was a relentless energy burning within, and her aura was light but fiery. He did not know what she wanted, aside from freedom from her father, but she was talented with the blade. During the war, she could have instructed an army. He wondered what made her zealous to become an expert with the sword. There was no call for it during a time of peace. He was more prone to talk himself out of a situation although some moments seemed to call for violence.
The staircase curved, and at each bend Tor Lir paused, half expecting Lord Nodin to hurl out of the shadows and cast him down. They had a deal, but Lord Nodin was shrewd and Tor Lir knew he could expect some form of resistance. Moving quickly, Tor Lir arrived at the landing. The arched chamber rose before him, and Lord Nodin stood at the desk in his Tider form, watching out of narrowed eyes.
“I did not expect you to come with weapons.” He frowned, and his amber eyes flickered from Tor Lir to Lady Hava. “This is not the lady of the beasts. Where is she?”
Tor Lir’s lip curled. “She did not respond well to the threat to her beasts. She is here and soon you’ll know where.”
“Lady Hava?” a female voice interrupted, and Zilpha moved into view. She held the box in both hands, and her face was peaked from stress and her eyes red from crying. Anger laced through her words like a serpent reaching out to sting Hava.
Glancing back, Tor Lir saw Hava’s eyes narrow, and her grip tightened on her sword. “Are you in league with the foul play of Lord Nodin?”
Zilpha gritted her teeth, her brown eyes flashing. “This is your fault. You ruined me in the marketplace, and now you come here with accusations. It is not fair—”
“Nothing in life is fair.” Hava’s scowl deepened. “I demand to know what the meaning of this is.”
Zilpha raised her chin, her eyes turning cold. “As a spoiled Lord’s daughter, you come here with your demands, but it is you who shall be the prisoner this time. You destroyed the happiness of my family, and Lord Nodin has agreed to help avenge me.”
Hava pointed her sword at Lord Nodin, and Tor Lir stepped forward, raising his hands, holding the bow in one and an arrow in the other. He let the hostility in his tone ring clear as he lowered his weapons to the floor. “I call a halt to all accusations. Surely we can solve this without violence and bloodshed. It is clear there is bad blood between us all. Lord Nodin, the plan has changed. The beast of shadows let loose its children, and they have destroyed parts of the town. There must be repercussions for what you allowed to happen.”
“I did not allow it to happen, it happened because you did not act in the swiftness that is needed. I control only the beast of shadows, not its offspring. Now that you have arrived, we must leave before more doom falls upon this city,” Lord Nodin said.
Tor Lir pursed his lips. “What of the beast?”
At that moment, a roar echoed from below, and Lord Nodin’s face turned white. He rushed out of the chamber and peered down over the edge. Then he spun back to the others. “We have a problem. The beast is free, and I no longer have control over it.” His jaw tightened as he glared at Tor Lir. “What did you ask Citrine to do? Now we are all dead.”
“Unless we kill the beast of shadows,” Tor Lir responded, lifting an eyebrow.
Lord Nodin clenched and unclenched his fists, realizing he’d been backed into a corner. Tor Lir watched him with narrowed eyes. If the beasts were free, Lord Nodin no longer had a bargaining chip or a reason to blackmail them. Now he would have to believe Tor Lir’s word and rely on honesty and truth. Tor Lir and Citrine would have a choice in helping the Therian instead of being forced into it. Tor Lir crossed his arms with satisfaction, waiting for Lord Nodin’s next move.
Lord Nodin spun, and his hand shot out, grabbing Zilpha. Hava sidestepped him and moved her sword in between them. “No! No more plans and no more running.”
Lord Nodin chuckled and slapped her sword away, pulling Zilpha to his side. “Where do you think we have to run? This is now the safest place in the city.” He lifted a whistle to his lips and blew it.
Tor Lir did not hear a sound, rather he felt waves ripple through the air. The first ripple went straight through him, the second gave off a burning smell, and when the third hit him, a vision flashed before his eyes. He saw a white light, smoke and snake heads, dancing in an odd breeze. He lifted a hand to shield his eyes, and it was gone as quickly as it appeared. Green light shimmered in his fingertips, and he thrust his hands behind his back, ashamed of the strange light. But no one was looking at him. A dark shadow swept across the barred window. Claws gripped it for a moment, and then the beast of shadows roared and disappeared into the quickly darkening sky.
“What did you do?” Hava leveled her sword at Lord Nodin and Zilpha. The hilt gave a distinct tremble even though her face betrayed none of her emotions.
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“I called for reinforcements. Now let us go down and find your friend. Citrine.”
Hava stepped closer, keeping her sword lifted.
“Put it down,” Lord Nodin barked. “We both know you won’t be using it on me. Not unless you wish to have blood on your hands and become a hunted outlaw of this city. There are still laws of the mortals and of the Creator. I am friends with the friars of the temple. If you spill my blood, they will return a blow for a blow, regardless of who your father is.”
Hava tilted her head, allowing her eyes to meet Tor Lir’s gaze. She murmured under her breath, asking him a question. Tor Lir recognized the request even though he did not understand the words. She desired his leadership, and in her zealousness, she was perfectly capable of rendering both Lord Nodin and Zilpha powerless without his assistance. Surprise warmed his body. Unlike Citrine, Hava actually listened to him and looked to him for guidance in precarious situations instead of pressing on with her headstrong, reckless ideas. He nodded once, and they sprang into action.
Hava leveled her sword at Lord Nodin’s throat. He ducked and kicked out a foot, hitting her in the shins. Hava yelled, but she wore thick boots that deflected most of the blow. She swung her sword, but before it could come all the way around and slice Lord Nodin’s arm, Zilpha, forgotten in the fray, smashed the box over Hava’s head. Hava collapsed, a trickle of blood running from her head. The box ripped open, dumping hay across the floor. And the crystal winged horse. Tor Lir did not know why he did it, but he dived, arm outstretched to catch the treasure. Even though the visions were frightful, he knew if he held the treasure, he had the greatest bargaining chip. But he was too slow. The crystal winged horse smacked into the hard stone and disintegrated, turning into a silver mist as it melted into the ether. It hung for a moment, forming the body of a female. A finger pointed due north, and he almost heard the words in his head. Go to Daygone. Without delay. It disappeared, and only then did he realize he lay on the ground with Lord Nodin’s foot on his neck.
Legend of the Nameless One Boxset Page 36
