Eyes closed, he slipped into slumber, dreaming of times gone by, but awaking with a start as the simple sailor spoke to him.
“Lord La Gaul?”
“I’m not a…what is it?”
“Your breathing was so shallow, sir, I thought maybe…”
“I passed on? Soon enough, kid. How long have I slept?”
“Over an hour, sir.”
“I see.”
“Your armor is done.”
“Thanks.”
“It really is from a baby dragon, isn’t it?”
“A wyrmling, yeah.”
“You skinned it and hollowed it out?”
Gorias looked over at the youth. “I’m sure ya have heard stories about it.”
“I wouldn’t have thought I’d ever see it, sir.”
“I can’t say that I thought I’d live this long, son. Be of good cheer. Ya have many years left.”
“I’ve heard tell the world will end someday.”
“Everything dies, son.”
The sailor looked both ways, his voice lower. “What have you heard?”
“That the world will be destroyed by the supreme God.”
“Why would he do this?”
“Why not? If he made us, our bitching about fairness doesn’t matter a helluva lot, does it? Enjoy life while ya can, kid. Now, come back and get me in an hour and I’ll give ya some coins. I won’t need them when I leave this land.”
Once re-dressed and ready, Gorias indeed gave the sailor a small bag of coins from the belt Alena saved before he strolled onto the deck.
Near the aft portion of the vessel, staring at the paddles, he found Orsen. Also cleaned and re-dressed, Orsen only gave Gorias a slow look, returning his gaze to the turbine’s efforts.
A dull silence reigned for many minutes before Orsen said slowly, “Aren’t you going to ask me how I am?”
“Naw, I can smell ya and tell that you’re drunk, but even not so, I wager ya ain’t well.”
Orsen held up a flask and then upended it to the deck, showing it empty. “It’s a wonderful day.”
Gorias thought, Yeah, sucks when everything ya believe in gets turned around. “What are ya gonna do?”
“I got drunk. That was first on my list.”
“Couldn’t hurt.”
“But I’ll be straight soon enough. There are many things to decide, soon.”
“I can guess what’s on your mind.”
“Really?”
Gorias nodded, hand on the rail. “You’re gonna kill Crown Prince Vincent, aren’t ya?”
“I must discover if he’s a copy.”
His voice tired and showing some anger, Gorias snapped, “I saw his form on the tree in Pergamus. Prince Vincent is a fake, just like Garnet thought he was. Weird, huh?”
“I know,” Orsen muttered and fell silent, sucking on the flask again, hoping for more liquor.
“Just let me do it, or Alena. She’d love that, I bet.”
Orsen shook his head. “I must. You two would rouse the guards. Mavik will be expecting me back. She will let me right in. Her guard Harlan will kill me soon after.”
“Better take Alena or her sister along.”
“Maybe. Mavik won’t say much if I do bring her.”
“I wonder if she knows, ol’ Mavik.”
“I wonder if she cares. She has her son, that’s all that matters to an aging royal right now, no?”
“Yeah, I suppose. She’ll take it hard. Reality is a bitch.”
“I must do this to show the Queen I’m loyal to her.”
“Ya think Garnet won’t figure ya were in bed with Mavik and her offspring, all for the benefit of Niva?”
Orsen twisted his head, facing Gorias. “Only you could work that out, you and Milli, I think.”
“A lucky guess, though I have no proof. Watch yer ass, son. This drama will end really badly for somebody. I just got a feeling. If it’s me, that’s fine. I’ve lived long enough.”
Up from his backside, Orsen grimaced. “As you might say, sir, how fucking noble of you.”
Gorias gave a mock bow.
Orsen said, “You will ride off and we’ll be left to patch up Transalpina.”
“Ya guys let it get all screwy in the first place.”
“I understand, but it’s easy for you. Arrive, kill and leave, no worries.”
“There’re always worries.”
“I must do what I must do, Gorias.”
“I salute ya for it.”
Gorias thought of Orsen in his double dealing with the monarchs, serving both and ready to stay with who won. However, Mavik wouldn’t take his destruction of Vincent well, even if Garnet did. He wondered what Mavik would do with Orsen when he exposed her son. Gorias swallowed and stared at the sea, understanding Mavik would never get a chance to expose Orsen.
“Ya got yer work cut out, Orsen.”
“As do you,” he replied placidly.
“You have been one lucky bastard, though, so I reckon you’ll be fine.”
“If you think this terminates at the cottage of the wizard, you’re mistaken.”
“I’ve been wrong before.”
*****
Alena entered Nykia’s cabin, seeing her naked, wiping herself down. Clean and wearing naval togs herself, Alena walked across the room, grabbed a large metal pitcher and poured water into a cup.
Nykia wiped her legs down and said blithely, “You were lying your ass off on the deck about Yannick.”
Alena took a drink. “Of course, and you went right along with me, like a good monarch being led by her advisor.”
“Why did you lie?” Nykia demanded, not covering her nakedness to her.
Eyebrow raised, Alena looked her over. “Why did you, Princess?”
Nykia’s eyes narrowed, “I hate the damned wizard and Gorias will kill Yannick now.”
“Not Niva, as you know to be true, and what the dying man told me.”
“Correct.”
Alena pointed at Nykia’s pelvis. “Does Gorias realize you have that?”
Towel away from her pubic ridge, Nykia’s fingertips touched the tattoo of Gorias La Gaul that straddled the tip of her clitoris. “No, he failed to examine me that close.”
“Yannick?”
Nykia nodded, head down.
“Gorias doesn’t realize its magic and he was compelled to have sex with you?”
“I doubt if he needed magic.”
“True.”
“I’ve drawn images of my hero my entire life. Years ago I had Yannick do this, hoping someday his magic would compel Gorias to be near me.”
“I don’t think that little thing can make him stay with you, though.”
Nykia covered herself and turned away. “I’m sure you’re right.”
Stepping in a semicircle, Alena related, “I have no love of Niva, but Yannick, I agree, he’s trouble.”
“If Niva is behind the dragonfire deaths and the use of it like Gorias said, to build some portal for dragon souls, the transfer of Pergamus for hiding in the coming destruction of the Earth…”
“Her supply is cut off now,” Alena quipped fast. “She’ll heel into line seeing the wizard fall.”
Nykia patted the sailor togs laid out for her. “Would that both were gone.”
Alena smiled. “Patience…Your Majesty.” She performed a mild curtsey.
“I’m sure I’ll ever be at ease seeing people do that to me.”
Boots flat on the floor, Alena’s brows lowered. “I’m better to have as a friend, a confidant and a defender than an enemy, your highness.” Menace flowed from the tall woman as she explained, “I won’t mention that again. You should think about the future, really.”
Nykia turned from her, eyes closed, doing just that.
“Let’s get some air, Your Majesty.”
Only a few steps later on the deck, Nykia and Alena approached a smaller soldier, heaving his guts over the side of the ship.
“Alena tells me you’re call
ed Ellis?”
The youth wiped his mouth with a sleeve and turned from the side of the ship. “Yes, miss.”
“You’re not much of a sailor.”
Ellis looked down at his army uniform. “I’m not much of a soldier, either.”
“Alena tells me you were an apprentice and your father was a magus, even more powerful than Yannick, which probably explains his death.”
Head shaking, Ellis denied it. “No, miss, not me.”
Nykia glanced down the way at the other soldiers and stepped closer, her voice low, though no one could hear, and said, “Oh, stop it this minute. You can trust me. I’m not one of them.”
The green tint in Ellis’ skin faded some and he disagreed. “On the contrary, miss, you will soon be the head of them. I am no necromancer.”
Hands to her hips, she asked, “Do I look like a typical monarch?”
“Absolute authority changes people, miss. I’d hate for you to recall me years from now and decide you needed to illuminate your garden with my burning flesh.”
Alena held her hand to her mouth, suppressing a laugh but Nykia raged, “Oh stop it. I’m not that tight-assed.”
“Why do you care? What is it you want from me?”
“Tell my fortune, or give me a horoscope. Such things aren’t completely forbidden.”
Eyebrow raised, Ellis shrugged. “I can try. Let’s go inside, please? This sea air makes me wretch.”
“You get used to it after a while,” Nykia replied, motioning him to follow her to the captain’s cabin.
“I fear the ground is my ally like the stars of heaven would be, if I were indeed a prognosticator prime.”
Nykia winked. “If I am ever Queen, you may well be.”
“I don’t know…”
“Do you want to be in the military forever?”
“No.”
“Then stick with me, kid. We might go places.”
Clearly thinking her words over, Ellis followed and seemed elated to sit down at the table of the cabin. He jumped a little when Alena opened the door and closed it behind her.
Nykia assured him, “It’s all right. You can say what you please in front of her.”
Ellis’ face flushed, more frightened of the Queen’s guard than Nykia.
“Do either of you have a hairpin?”
The women exchanged a look, but Nykia said, “We aren’t too proper, neither one of us.”
Alena asked, “Do you need a pinprick of blood?”
Ellis nodded. “Sorry, but it’s required.”
With a fast move that made Ellis jump, Alena yanked her dagger from his belt. “Do you want to me to do it?”
Ellis shook his head. “I must be the one.” He took the knife, raised his eyebrows at the point. “It’s seen action.”
“Surprised?”
“No,” said Ellis and wiped the tip on his own pants, then licked the tip. “My fluid cleanses and will set the magick to work. Nykia? Your left hand?”
“Why not the right?”
Ellis blinked. “I’m the prognosticator, miss. The left hand is always the way. It is in opposition with the rest of the body, the left hand path and all. It will betray your truth. It will show the things you hide, even as simple as a future.”
Nykia rolled her eyes and let her left hand lay flat on the table.
Ellis then inserted his left hand under hers in the opposite direction. He took the knife and posed it above the center of her palm. “The cut will be slight and I only need a drop. Once I draw blood, please turn it over and let it drop to my hand. Ready?”
Nykia sighed. “Get on with it.”
With a few words the women couldn’t understand, Ellis made the cut, twice like a small cross. He then took the knife and wiped the bloody tip on his right eyelid. With his right hand he rubbed his eye and then nodded for her to turn her hand over. Nykia did so, letting the blood drip into his palm.
“Spit into my hand,” Ellis told her.
“What?” Nykia laughed.
“Spit on the blood.”
Nykia glanced at Alena before doing so.
Ellis then spit into his hand and promptly made a fist. Right eye closed, the other rolled back, Ellis muttered more words in a tongue they found pointless. Right eye open, the whites full of blood, Ellis then looked down and opened his hand.
“Your life line bears a fracture, more than one. That’s not surprising. I see glories in your life and much death and pain.”
“Will La Gaul stay with me?”
Ellis breathed shallow. “Gorias’ time is near to done. I can’t see him spending a future in Transalpina or anywhere else.”
Frustrated, Nykia grimaced, but Alena raised her hands, begging indulgence.
Ellis’ face twitched, his narrow chin fell and he said, “You’re future is cloudy, but full of light, however…”
Nykia slammed her hands on the table. “What?”
Eyes slowly moving up from the bowl, he said, “You’re not alone in your flesh.”
“Huh? I’m possessed?”
“Not with demon, with child.” Ellis shrugged, smiling a little. “I don’t know if that’s good news, but you’re pregnant.”
Nykia blinked several times, rapid. “But…” her look of shock became one of excitement and she faced Alena. “I’ve only been with Gorias! Never another man for years!”
Emotionlessly, Alena said, “Congratulations. The Queen will get an heir and more, then.”
Nykia stared at Ellis. “Are you certain?”
“Fairly sure. The portents and magic don’t lie. However, I’d wait to see if you miss your time.”
Nykia headed for the door and Alena stepped aside, saying, “Be careful depositing such news on the old hero.”
“What?”
Alena reflected, looking at Ellis. “He may not think its wonderful news considering all he’s been through. You may choose to ignore my words, but I advise you to wait until you’re sure before blurting that out to him.”
Deflated somewhat, Nykia pondered her words. “You’re right, I guess. I’ll see if I can live with all that.”
“It’s natural to be elated, miss,” Alena nodded. “To be sure is better. You can do as you desire, though. He’s so very tired and grim, now, as he knows there’s more to do in this ordeal.”
Nodding vigorously, Nykia agreed. “You’re right.” Head down, Nykia departed the cabin.
Ellis rose up but Alena took a few steps toward him, right hand resting on the hilt of her dagger. Ellis swallowed and gaped at her. He looked at the open door and saw a near replica of Alena fill the frame. This blonde woman closed the door.
Alena said, “There’s something else I need you to do, prognosticator.” She then pulled her dagger again and licked it clean.
CHAPTER XIV
Reckoning Day
The wizard exited his cottage and walked into the herbal garden. He stopped cold at the sight of Gorias, Nykia, Alena and Orsen. Yannick’s look of horror couldn’t be denied. He gaped and tried to backpedal, but Gorias bridged the distance between them with a few strides.
“You little cocksucker,” Gorias fumed, his right hand seizing Yannick’s robe near the hood, and his left hand jabbing the old man in the belly. Yannick gasped and lurched, but Gorias refused to let him fall. “Stand up, you lying fuck.”
Yannick winced. “I’m no warrior.”
Gorias bellowed into his face, “I don’t care. Your damned games sent me nearly to my death. All of that other bullshit and games with the throne are one thing, but you nearly killed me! That’s something I cannot forgive.”
“I may have misled you a little…”
Lifting Yannick from the ground, Gorias snarled close to his face as if to bite him. “You misled my balls!” At this Alena, who’d been standing smartly with her hands on her hips, had to cover her mouth with her right hand, and she even wore a wry grin as Gorias threw the wizard to the cobblestone path through the plants.
“Please…”
<
br /> “The guards aren’t coming and if they did, they’d die as well.”
Yannick gasped in several breaths. “You mean to murder me here?”
“Why not? Give me a reason not to cut out your heart and stomp it in the mud.”
Yannick looked up, his gaze stopping on Nykia.
Gorias stepped closer to him and the wizard cowered down again. “That’s right, this is the real one, not a copy running around or a bitch delivering dragonfire. I’ve brought her home, contrary to the wishes of you and whoever it is you serve here that doesn’t want a proper heir to the throne.”
Yannick rasped, “She’ll need an heir herself.”
Reaching down, Gorias fumbled in the folds of Yannick’s hood until he grabbed his ear. He lifted Yannick up and pressed his mouth close to his ear. “Maybe I’ve already taken care of that. Now, tell me who is really the slave to Pergamus? Tell me the truth and I’ll think about maiming you and not ripping your head off.”
“You think my life matters to me?”
Gorias raged loud again, drawing the attention of guards on distant walls, whom Alena waved off. They still looked on as Gorias said, “Don’t bullshit with me. You feared death so damned much you went to extraordinary lengths to prolong your miserable existence. You endowed someone here in Qesot with dragonfire, someone with an ire for the world, anyway. Who is it?”
“Niva,” Yannick whispered, breaths coming in and out fast.
Gorias dropped him and blinked.
Alena’s jaw dropped. “The Abbess of the temple?”
Nykia said, “He could be lying again.”
Over and over, Yannick shook his head. “No, it’s her. You can see the proof in her flesh. I marked her deep with the images of the dragon and the fire within. You will see it and know I speak the truth.”
Gorias looked at Orsen, who stood frozen in shock by the gate. “I guessed Mavik. Ain’t I the squirrel’s nuts?”
Orsen agreed. “That was my fear as well.”
Nykia said, “Mavik is a dupe, if you think on it long enough. She got what she wanted, a pittance in the world as a whole. Her darling son reborn.”
Alena swallowed. “A fake son? How can she live with that idea?”
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