Alicia stared at her old tutor. He was one of the oldest advisors of the previous king, and he served Seve well also. Now, his beard showed white hair, and lines of worries were etched prominently on the corners of his eyes.
She walked over to her chair and sat. “Sultan, we’re in trouble.”
“Yes, princess.” He agreed. “I’ve already informed the guards to change shifts four times in a day. It will keep them alert. Two mages will remain on duty outside the door at all times. They will also be rotated four times in a day.”
Alicia motioned for him to sit opposite her. “The mages have to be completely trustworthy.”
Sultan sighed. “A week ago if you’d asked me to give names of mages I trusted, I would’ve given a ledger full of names. Now…” he hesitated, “in light of the current events, Maya and I are drawing up a list, but it’s taking us long. I will submit the names for your approval tomorrow.”
She ran her hand over the armrest. “You do realize…don’t you Sultan…that we’ve a traitor in our midst?”
“Likely more than one.”
“What makes you say that?”
He tugged at his beard. “Someone drugged the guards and the mages, and once they were drowsy, he or she used magic on them. Whoever drugged them could be the same person who killed them but I’ve a feeling we’re dealing with more than one person.”
Alicia pulled at the sleeve of her gown. She was scared. How could they hope to ferret out the traitors? Anytime, anywhere, anyone could be attacked. After Seve she was the most likely target and her death would doom her brother to the same fate. It gladdened her that she hadn’t told anyone about the binding spell. If it was public knowledge, there would be attacks on her life also, and she didn’t have the benefit of being protected by Zo’s exceptional magic.
She needed her sister back, quickly. Zo was the most powerful out of the three siblings in terms of battle magic, and she would be better in this kind of a situation. Alicia was tempted to write to Zo and inform her of this new development. With an effort, she suppressed the urge. It would only upset her sister and destroy her concentration on the task at hand. It was better to not worry her. At least, not yet.
Sultan tapped his finger on his chin in a familiar gesture. “We’re taking measures to monitor people, especially all new castle residents.”
“Why would someone go to all this trouble to kill Seve?” she said out loud. Sultan was a good strategist, and she valued his advice. “Earlier I thought it might be someone harboring a grudge, but now…”
“It’s an assassin, sent by someone from outside the island.”
“King Vindha?”
Sultan blinked rapidly. “Quite likely. He’s gearing for a war, and it might have crossed his mind to eliminate any threat through such means.”
“Why would Seve be a threat to him? Iram has always steered clear of mainland politics for decades. Seve has no interest in such matters.”
“That might be true, but king Seve is a direct descendant of king Asan. And I am sure you recall from your history lessons that it was king Asan who was meant to be rule Jiambra. He abdicated the throne but his line will always have a more solid claim on the throne of Jiambra than Vindha and his descendants,” said Sultan.
“My grandfather, king Asan, didn’t just abdicate. He ran to save his life from his twin brother Sian’s lust for power. He could have fought for the throne, but he didn’t want it. Neither did my father. None of us want to be involved in this war that Vindha is thrusting on the other kingdoms,” she countered. “Vindha has nothing to fear from Seve. Iram would never get involved in king Vindha’s ambitions.”
“Vindha seems to have inherited his grandfather Sian’s love for glory and power. He must assume king Seve is the same. What if he unites all the kingdoms and Seve declares a claim on his throne?” said Sultan. “It might cause some of his subjects to shift their loyalties to a direct descendant of king Asan. Don’t forget your grandfather was a respected and well-loved royal heir until he left the mainland.”
“Seve would never embroil Iram in a war,” said Alicia. The thought crossed her mind that even if Seve didn’t want it, Iram was already involved in this war. By attacking their king, Vindha had forced their hand. When Seve woke, would he be content to sit on the island, hiding from his would-be assassins or would he want revenge? Iram could no longer afford to remain aloof from all that was happening on the mainland.
“You may go, Sultan,” she said, not wishing to share all these thoughts with anyone as yet. “Take rest. It’s going to be another long day tomorrow.”
Sultan inclined his head and took his leave. “Yes, princess.”
“Also, I wish to meet the families of the guards and mages who died today. Please arrange for them to come to the castle at their earliest convenience.”
She personally wanted to convey her condolences to all those who died to protect her brother. From now on, she would make sure everyone was more alert and cautious. The guards would be protected with magical shields. Not wishing to witness any more deaths in the castle, she would do whatever it took to ensure no one else died on her watch.
It was the least she could do.
Chapter Six
Unaware of the catastrophe surrounding her sister, Zo woke from her slumber as the first amber rays of the sun hit her face early the next morning. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes and stretched out her arms. As her head turned, she saw Erob sitting on a stone smirking at her.
“Good morning, princess…sorry, Zo. Lovely day, isn’t it?”
Feeling slightly self-conscious, Zo stood. Rolling up her blanket, she wrapped it in the oilskin she’d spread under it. Leaving it there for the moment, she walked away, heading for the nearby stream to wash. Although they had the means to stay in taverns, Arkon suggested they camp outside. In a tavern, they would run into people, and strangers were always news anywhere. Word would get around, and it might lead to trouble.
Zo had no intention of jeopardizing their quest for a good night’s sleep or a hot meal. Erob had sulked at the idea, and Ria wasn’t happy with the arrangement but Zo agreed with Arkon. It was safer to stay well away from villages, to avoid people and to keep a low profile. This was a hostile territory and it was better to treat it as such.
When she came back, Arkon handed her a chunk of bread and two-day old cheese. Ria was already dressed and ready to go. Within moments, they were off. The horses were well-rested, and ate up the distance in fast gallops. At the sign of any human habitation, they skirted the edges of the village so as to avoid contact with anyone.
At lunch time they stopped at the edge of a clump of trees. Behind them were the farms, acres upon acres of cultivated land and growing crops. Ahead lay a rougher terrain of trees and bushes littered with wild plants and unruly vines. Arkon tied his horse and went into the nearby farmhouse to purchase supplies. He returned with fresh bread, cheese, four eggs, apples, and a large piece of ham.
“The farmer’s wife was grateful for the coins she got in exchange for all this. It seems the king’s men recruited her two sons in the army. The husband can’t cope with the work load alone, and they are desperate to hire someone to do the manual work,” he said as he sat.
The fire was already lit. He gave the eggs to Ria who placed a skillet on the hot stones that were centered inside the fire, and broke the eggs, mixing in some spices and herbs.
Erob scratched his chin. “I wouldn’t mind volunteering for the job in exchange for fresh food and a warm bed, but…I’m so not good with hard labor.”
“What are you good at?” said Zo as she watched Ria spoon the mixture out, and divide it into four equal portions.
Erob laughed. “I’m a man of various talents, Zo. Spying is just one of them. If you give me a chance…surely, I can show you what a multitalented person I am.”
Zo took a deep breath as she controlled her ire. Erob was one of the most annoying, exasperating, and sleazy men she’d ever had the misfortunate to meet. H
e seemed to have no fear or respect for her title; instead, he irritated her with stupid comments and sordid innuendos. He was clearly relishing his position of power. The realization that they needed him to guide them over the various roads gave him the strength to mock them. So far, Zo hadn’t done anything, but with each passing moment she was sorely tempted him to turn him into the braying jackass that he was.
Only the fear that someone might be scrying across the land for unauthorized magical activity stopped her from doing so. Also, she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he was succeeding in goading her.
Ria handed her a platter loaded with eggs, bread, and cheese. The ham they saved for their night’s meal. It would take time to cook, and during the day they wanted to cover as much distance as was possible. So far they hadn’t encountered any trouble, and Zo hoped the next four days were just as uneventful.
Soon, they were following an old trail though the wild forest. The horses plodded over the hard terrain. Dry leaves littered the forest floor, along with dying plants and wilted bushes. The cruel summer heat beat down on them. Sweat ran down Zo’s forehead and arms.
“What’s that?” She noticed a movement high above one of the oak trees. Something swung from a branch, swaying gently even though there was hardly any wind.
Arkon shaded his eyes and peered in the direction she pointed. A strange expression crossed his face. Slapping the gelding on the shoulder, he urged his mount to go faster. They all followed his lead.
“Keep back,” Arkon yelled to the women as he drew near the strange apparition.
Zo ignored his order. How dare he tell her to stay behind? What was hanging from that tree? Had someone put up meat to dry, or supplies to keep away from bears? As she neared the tree, Zo tilted her head up to look at the thing that rocked back and forth. Bile rose in her stomach. With supreme effort, she managed to control the urge to vomit. Placing her hands on her eyes, she took deep calming breaths.
Behind her, she heard Ria retch as she too struggled to control herself.
Had her eyes deceived her? Could it be a human body dangling from the branch? Or was it something more innocuous?
Urging her mare closer to Arkon’s gelding, she forced herself to look again at the horribly mangled hunk of meat that swung from the tree. There was no doubt; it was the corpse of a battered and bruised young woman who seemed to have died in acute agony. Blood had run down in rivulets from the gaping wound on the woman’s forehead and dried on the body. She had been slashed repeatedly on her chest. Her clothes hung in tatters around her, bruises showing black and blue on her bare legs and arms.
“Who did that? And why?”
After gazing at the corpse for a few moments, Arkon patted his horse on the flank and commanded the animal to move forward.
“Where are you going? We’ve to get her down.” Zo was incensed by his callous demeanor. How could he leave the dead woman behind? True, they were in a hurry but surely they could take the time to bury the poor creature.
His voice was cold, hard. “Her…and how many more? We’ll be here for half the week if we bury them all.”
“They?” Zo turned to peer into the distance, and saw the corpses hanging from trees beyond. She counted nineteen, and was sure there were many more. “Oh, have mercy on them goddess.” She closed her eyes for a moment as she uttered a silent prayer for the lost souls.
“Who did this?” said Ria as she caught up to them.
“How can anyone kill so many people and get away with it? Wasn’t there anyone who could enforce the king’s rule?” said Zo as she averted her gaze from the terrible scene and stared right ahead.
Erob munched on an apple. “This is standard punishment for those who disobey the king.”
Shocked, Zo stared at him. Could he have meant it? “You mean, the king does it to his own people?”
He threw the core away with a careless flick of his wrist. “That, and worse. The ordinary people have no rights and no protectors in Jiambra. The king and his mages are the law. They recruit people off the streets into the army. They take over farmlands, grazing lands, houses, entire villages in the name of the king, and no one can dare oppose them. How can a commoner hope to fight against an army of talented and ruthless mages?”
Zo felt sick in her stomach. This was a world she didn’t recognize and couldn’t understand. Her life had been sheltered, protected in the small island. The outside world didn’t really exist for her – up until now. What went on there? Who ruled, and how? She had never given it any thought.
If this was the situation across Jiambra, no wonder Gwen hated the mages. And why just her? Surely, everyone must loathe the mages who brought such terrible punishment on innocent folks?
Now she was forced to deal with the facts she’d not taken into account all her life. It was impossible to ignore the monstrous rule of king Vindha. Clearly he had no love for his own people. His sole ambition seemed to be to further his own power, even if that came at the cost of innocent lives. No wonder the ordinary people had an overwhelming hatred for mages and the king’s army. She wondered if there was anyone left who dared to oppose him or if he’d managed to crush all resistance out of existence.
Was it possible to live a simple, peaceful life in this country? Did anyone have the chance to enjoy a normal existence or had he stolen that away from his people and those he had already conquered?
Lost in her thoughts, she followed Arkon and Erob as they moved out of the forest into an open farmland. Dusk was nearly upon the land. The sun was a hazy crimson circle of fire in the west. Crops of wheat and maize swayed in the wind. Despite the late hour, a few farmers and farmhands worked in the fields. Zo noticed most of them were elderly, women, or children. She couldn’t find a single young or middle-aged male. Had they all been recruited in the king’s army?
This was a battered kingdom in the midst of a cruel war. The ongoing violence wasn’t doing anyone any good, except for serving the ego of the king who was fulfilling the ambitions his own father had set for him. Zo’s father had never talked much about his childhood, or the formative years of his life on the mainland. She'd only seen the fair and just rule of her father and her brother, the indignities suffered by the common people here were beyond her understanding.
Looking for a safe place to make camp, they rode the horses over a low hill and came upon a village.
“That doesn’t look good.” Arkon pointed.
Smoke curled in thick, heavy ribbons from many of the mud and thatch houses, and from some of the fields also. Someone had set fire to the village, and left it to burn.
“It appears deserted.” Zo peered into the distance, trying to find any sign of life. Who could have done this to an entire village? Was everyone able to escape the fire? “Perhaps, they have all left already?”
“Most likely killed,” said Erob with a nonchalant shrug.
“We should go see if anyone needs help,” said Ria.
Zo hesitated. The village appeared devoid of life. It was clear whoever did it set fire during the day. The villagers must have left the place and escaped into the nearby forest. They probably wouldn’t find a single person there. Was it worth wasting their time to peek into every house to see if anyone required help?
She thought not. As it was, they had no time to spare. Patting her horse, she urged it to go back. They would skirt around the dwellings.
A blood-curdling scream pierced the air, startling the mare.
Without thought, Zo slapped the animal to go down the hill towards the village. Someone was clearly in trouble. Aware that Arkon, Erob, and Ria were close behind her; she entered the village and slowed the pace of her horse. As her animal cantered on the dirt lanes, it was heartbreaking to witness the horror that was inflicted on the villagers. Dead bodies littered the narrow lanes; women, children, and elderly men. Many people were stabbed to death with spears as they fled, leaving their burning huts behind. Most of them had died by the brutal use of magic. Some were hit with
fire, others buried in the earth and many more were slammed against walls. Stopping, Zo dismounted from her mare. She signaled her companions to stay silent. Tying the reins of her horse to a door, she secured the animal so it would not escape. The others did the same. Together, they began to canvass the village on foot. If there were mages in the area, it wouldn’t be prudent to announce their presence.
Zo wanted to see what the mages were up to. What was the reason for this mass massacre? Rage burned within her with a red-hot intensity. She had never experienced such anger before. The indiscriminate use of magic against people who were unable to defend themselves was unacceptable. From early childhood, potential mages in Iram were taught that their gift of magic required them to care for those who didn’t have its use. Magic demanded responsibility, and whoever did this was irresponsible, cruel, and most likely insane.
A lone dog hid in an upturned barrel next to a burned hut. Smoke still curled from its fallen roof and walls. A mother, trying to escape with her new-born baby, had been hit in the head with a large stone. The baby was killed with a lance stabbed though its tiny body.
Zo averted her eyes, unable to bear such cruelty. Slowly, they made their way towards the center of the village. Another scream rose through the air. Stealthily, they made their way to the origin of the sound. In the village square, three mages, two men and one woman, held seven people hostage.
A young child, no more than seven, lay cowering on the floor, and six other people sat on their knees, hands tied behind their back.
“Speak now or we will kill him.” The female mage yanked the child by the hair as he uttered another piercing scream. “Where is he?”
“Tell us or you will die like the rest of them,” another mage said.
“Stop!” said Zo in a commanding voice.
All three mages looked at the new arrival in surprise.
“Who are you?” said the female mage as she let go of the boy.
The Demon Mages (The Power of Three Book 1) Page 7
