The stairs widened after fifty feet. Several of the marble treads and risers were replaced with grated metal to let rainwater to flow through and prevent the staircase from becoming a cataract. Then the ceiling ended, but the steps continued for another ten feet before they reached the roofed throne hall. I pushed myself to reach the open-air hall at the same time Odet did.
With her back to us, a brown haired woman in a yellow dress was walking toward a group of four children playing by and on the thrones. Elisa and Marcela were among the youngsters. The woman stopped when a crystalized ward rose in front of her.
Applying all the capacity in her lungs, Odet shouted, “Elisa! Run! Now!”
If Elisa had been deaf she would have still figured out that Odet wanted her to run by the pure panic on her sister’s face. Unable to run toward us, Elisa ran to the stairs to her right. The other children were confused at first, but they eventually trailed the little princess. A crack and flash of lightning dazed my senses and Odet’s shield. The enemy figure, who now held a lance of fizzing electricity in her right hand, pursued the fleeing children. We raced after her in turn.
The flickering streaks of white-blue light lit a changed woman. Her yellow dress had been swapped with a bright red cloak, and the illusion of hair was shaved to the point of baldness by reality. This eerily familiar form aimed for Elisa, but careening between the youngest princess and the enemy’s outstretched hand was Marcela. Knowing she had little other choice, the false Marie grabbed Marcela by the scruff of her tunic and pulled her close. The bald woman spun around with the crackling edge of the elemental weapon up against Marcela’s neck.
Seeing the woman’s face would have stopped me in my tracks whether she took a hostage or not. The hairless head, red cloak, and lightning lance already reminded me of the woman Mytariss herself had killed, but to witness the Advent’s living, breathing face forced me to question what point in time I was in. Dark green veins crept up from her neck and outlined her jawline and cheeks.
“It can’t be,” said Odet. “I saw you die.”
With taxing hoarseness, the Advent said, “And you’ll watch this girl’s head roll at my feet if you even so much as think of attacking me.”
“Unhand the child!” said Gerard. “You’ll only make it worse for yourself!”
The Advent responded, but I didn’t hear her. I paid attention to the remarkably calm Marcela. Her eagle eyes regarded Ghevont with an engrossed squint that told me she and he shared an unspoken conversation. Something was going to happen and I had to prepare for it.
The instant my hand grasped one of my dragon stones, the Advent’s lightning lance quavered and shrank. By the time I readied my throw, the lance had condensed to a hair thin line and disintegrated. Marcela exploited the shocked Advent by pulling herself free and making a run for it. The Advent recovered from whatever just happened to charge another lance. A red ward emerged between Advent and escaped hostage. Half of Odet’s clearer ward formed right before lightning impacted both barriers. An explosion that hurled Marcela to her stomach was the result.
Everyone rushed for the Advent partly obscured by smoldering dust. Her outline was still visible thanks to the brilliant flashes coming from her tempestuous spell. More wards appeared behind Marcela, who scrambled on all fours before getting herself back up. A shockwave of electricity burst these wards and tingled the air in the hall. I threw the dragon fire from the ignited stone at the Advent. A thrown lance smashed into the fireball, producing a merging outburst of stinging heat.
Her lightning’s strength matched nature’s own. Even with the crystals giving my dragon fire its power, enough of her attacks’ discharge remained to disrupt the beatings of my heart. I wouldn’t stand a chance alone. Since I wasn’t, I knew the best part I could play in this act was to make myself the Advent’s main target as the others found their ideal positions. Those who could launched arrows and spells at the Advent, doing their best to keep her busy as we closed in. A gray shadow moved behind a column to my right as someone benefited from the commotion to get to a favorable location.
Meanwhile, wave after wave of lightning emitted from the Advent, annulling every arrow and spell that came within her range. Marcela did not run to absolute safety. She ran behind Ghevont and stayed with him during the barrage. The youth put too much stock on our advantage. A trifling letup in our attack gave the Advent the opening to blast out a rolling surge of sliced lightning. Everyone in front of that electrical surf could only brace for the muscle convulsing outbreak.
It would have left us vulnerable for another teeth clenching spasm were it not for the whip of water slapping the Advent’s leg, sending her stumbling to the ground. Bell’s thrown spear impaled the Advent’s right shoulder when she rose to a knee. From that same side, Gerard, whose glass overlay defended him well from electric attacks, threw a dagger under the spear. More water from Clarissa washed over the Advent’s legs, pinning her feet to the ground as it froze over.
I prepared to bring my blade into range, but as an arrow found its mark on her arm, streaks of red lightning flurried out of her shrieking body. Instinct had me igniting the stone in my hand and spreading its flame in front of myself as a spur-of-the-moment shield. The eruption of blood colored lightning frayed the marble floor and ceiling as though it were made from wet parchment. My barrier of flame dispersed after the first swirl of sparks struck the impermanent obstacle. If Aranath hadn’t demanded that I drop to the floor, electrified bolts big and small would have charred my exposed skin to the bone.
Those who couldn’t find defense or cover screamed behind me, but with the red radiance dying around my enemy, I focused on getting my muscles to stop twitching. With Aranath sending his power through the sword and the dragon prana stimulating my soul, I could push through the callous air better than most.
That last outpouring had blown away the weapons impaling the Advent and much of her clothing. It had also drained the Advent’s energy, for she could only support herself on her hands and knees, doing nothing but breathing and bleeding on to the cratered floor. A second blink adjusted my eyes closer to clarity.
The bulging green veins on her neck flowed down to a torso that looked as though moss and pieces of dark brown bark had been fused into her skin. Where I remembered her getting stabbed by Mytariss was where the overgrowth grew thickest. Her new wounds bled a muddy green color.
On hearing me coming, the Advent rose her torso and swathed her left arm in blue lightning, but that only gave me a target. I swung my sword upward, its path cutting off everything from the elbow down. My next move sent the blade’s point into the left side of her chest. Fighting against Aranath’s power and her own anguish, her remaining hand gripped the enchanted steel. I could feel the air fizzing as she primed yet another zapping attack. However, a ball of water striking the back of her head interrupted the Advent. The water ball then enveloped that same head.
What felt like minutes after the Advent started choking on the water, I said, “Let her go, Clarissa.”
Stepping closer, the vampire pulled her liquid sphere away from the drenched face. Content with the current state of affairs, I let go of the hilt and fell on my ass. Several pairs of feet scurried around me and the Advent. Yellow light from paralysis spells ensnared the enemy, keeping her from moving anything other than her gnashed face.
With labored breaths and a clogged voice, she said, “You were supposed to be at sea, Princess Astor.”
To my left stood Odet, her leather armor singed and tattered at the stomach.
“And you’re supposed to be dead. Or do my eyes deceive me?”
“No, I did indeed die when Mytariss gored me… but I was given another chance to show my gratitude.”
Gerard rested an attentive hand on her shoulder, but Odet ignored her knight. “Gratitude for what?”
A trickle of viscid blood escaped a corner of her mouth. “Time. A disease in my very blood should have taken my life decades ago. What proved impossible for healers to cur
e did not daunt the Advent… Can you imagine having one day more with your mother, princess? Now imagine two or three decades with a family you never thought you’d see again… The Advent gave me time, and now I am repaying my debt.”
“By taking away the loved ones of others?”
“I did not revel in everything I did, but the lies I’ve told and the blood I’ve shed will help shape Orda’s future for the better… Your mother was a necessary sacrifice.”
“And Elisa!? Is a little girl a necessary sacrifice!?”
“Your father… was warned about meddling… in our affairs. Besides… I only planned on kidnapping the girl… She was to be… our assurance that you would cease… interfering… in something… you do not understand.”
“I understand en-”
A stooped Odet clutching her heart scared me to my feet.
Gerard, holding her up, said, “That’s enough. Let’s get you out of here.”
With one smooth motion he lifted the princess and carried her away from the scene. Bell, along with a High Guardsman or two, trailed them. Ghevont, pointing the lambent staff at the Advent, took Odet’s place.
The scholar said, “Fascinating. Prana similar to that in this crystal is being ejected into the air. A voluntary act, I suspect.”
I looked into the Advent’s dull russet eyes, which looked back into mine. “You’d rather die again than be taken in alive?”
“I cannot restore the power keeping me alive unless… unless you free me, and I will not spend my last days being interrogated… and tortured. At any rate… one knows when death has been cheated one too many times…” Her eyes closed. Out came a greenish tear. “I go… without… regrets.”
Her head slumped as she fell unconscious. The meager light from Ghevont’s staff died away seconds later.
Chapter Six
Healers attempted to revive the Advent’s body, but Ghevont already knew nothing could be done. My attention was thus on Odet’s condition. I learned Gerard had taken her a couple of stories below so healers could tend to her in a private room.
I paced in a long curving hallway with two dozen others, all anticipating a diagnosis. The scholar remained with the Advent’s body above.
Stopping my pacing, I asked Marcela, “The spell you cast to counter Gremly’s hex, is that what you used on the Advent?”
“Yup,” she said with a puffed chest, which looked to have gained an inch or so in plumpness since I left for Uthosis. In fact, her entire frame looked a tad more mature. This did not seem to translate to her personality, however. “Instead of calming prana, Ghevont taught me how to use the spell to shake it up in other people. Neat, right?”
“It proved useful today. I’m glad you’re more than just talk.”
“Of course I am!”
“Shhh,” said Clarissa. “Mercer is only teasing.”
“I know. He’s n-”
Our attention was diverted by Gerard coming out of the opening door. His stress-free state gave me the reassurance I needed.
He nodded at everyone and said, “She’ll be fine. Her body absorbed a little too much lightning, but a bit of rest and treatment is all she needs.”
“Can I see her?” asked Elisa’s voice. I doubt anyone knew she was hiding behind a thin alabaster column.
“Yes, but only for a minute.” The knight held the door open to let the girl inside. He closed it behind her and then walked over to me. “I think it’s time you speak with Seer Tascus.”
“Now?”
“At least before you leave for Gremly. Even if you’re skeptical about the worth or accuracy of their power, a royal seer is still a wise soul. It’s up to you, of course, but I’ll feel better if you do.”
“Then feel better, knight. I’ll go as soon as I can. Does the seer, uh, see people this late?”
“You don’t know? Seers don’t really sleep. The time of day thus means little to them.”
“Ah. Duly noted.”
As Gerard moved back to Odet’s room, Clarissa shuffled behind me and asked, “Are you going to speak with the seer?”
Beginning my expedition, I replied, “Yes, you can come.”
“How did you know I was going to ask that? Maybe you’re a dragon knight seer!”
“You’re awfully cheerful.”
“And why not? We just defeated an Advent and the princesses are going to be okay. Aren’t you happy?”
“Uh, sure.”
“You don’t sound like you are. What’s wrong?”
“I’d rather not depress you.”
“I’d have stopped traveling with you a long time ago if that were possible.”
“All right, if you say so. First off, the Advent we defeated was someone I already saw killed by an eidolon spear. I’m beginning to understand why they’re fanatics. Word will spread about an Advent who came back to life, and who knows if that ends up creating more followers for their cause. Even if it doesn’t, it only serves to show just how relentless they are.”
“Then we’ll be more relentless.”
“We haven’t even encountered a giant yet.”
“And they’ve yet to encounter your dragon. Come on, let’s hurry to the seer so he can delight you with a charming future filled with eternal moonlight and herds of delicious people in pens.”
“I’m not going to have to stop your evil plan after I take care of the Advent, am I?”
“How dumb would I have to be to tell you my whole plan now?”
“I guess I’ll rely on the seer, then.”
Slivers of clouds made the dusk outside heavier and more pleasing for the vampire, heartening her good mood further. She practically skipped her way to the temple. That hop in her step faded when we climbed the tower’s staircase. The last of the steps had us seeing the back of a man whose unfastened wisps of long blonde hair went down his red robe. He stood perusing a shelf of books. Despite having only a few lit candles in the room, their flames were surprisingly luminous.
“Seer Tascus, right?” I said.
A soothing voice I had to strain my ears to hear, answered, “Yes. You may have a seat if you wish.”
Suddenly aware of my fatigue, I sat cross-legged on the pillows, as did Clarissa. The seer turned around to reveal the black eyepatch over his right eye. With a tome in hand, he sat on the opposite side of the knee-high table separating us.
“The green knight sent you to me, correct?”
“Aye.”
“It seems he has overestimated my ability. He became troubled when I told him I could not find Elisa. Nevertheless, even at its clearest, it’s doubtful my power would have aided in your search.”
“And he thinks I have something to do with your power not being so clear?”
“He’s not entirely wrong.”
“Then my presence is disturbing your visions?”
“To a degree. I fear I do not have the experience to mitigate the ripples your prana creates. Perhaps I never will.”
“Aww,” said Clarissa. “So you can’t read my future?”
“Until your friend leaves you, no.”
“Oh. Well, he won’t be taking me on his next trip, so I’ll come back when he’s far away.”
“No, madam, I did not only mean physically. As long as your friend impacts your life, I will not be able to give you my cleanest interpretation of your possibilities. For even without interference, I cannot promise coherent images.”
“Oh.” Clarissa looked at me with a tilted head and scrunched eyes. “Do you know a seer who stands a better chance at looking through Mercer’s future?”
“Seers are not a guild. I do know kingdoms and empires of every size employ our services. It’s likely another nation in Orda will have a seer more capable than I.” To me, he said, “Of course, it’s said the most gifted seers live sequestered from the world’s great powers and population centers, places a dragon can reach with greater ease. And if such an opportunity presents itself, remember that humans are not the only seers in the realms. My ad
vice, dragon knight, is to keep your mind and senses open to these opportunities.”
After a moment of thinking it over, I said, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but seers must get a lot of disappointed looks when they can’t tell someone who they’ll marry or how to find lost treasure.”
“All trades have their negatives. Healers can sometimes fail to save a limb or life. A blacksmith’s defective weapon can lead to a patron’s death. Generals surrender. Usurped kings are beheaded. In that sense, a disillusioned face or two is no great consequence.”
“A vision has never led to someone’s death? Or was that death going to happen no matter what a seer says?”
“We can visualize death well enough, often too well, but as our clients prefer eluding it, a good seer’s advice rarely encourages such an end. Furthermore, as everything we see is a mere possibility, any death we visualize can be interpreted as avoidable. All the same, even the most open-minded of us can be fooled into believing a particular possibility is an inevitability.”
“It sounds like no seer can give me a definite answer about anything.”
Tascus lowered his head and shut his lone eye. He lifted his head and opened his eye in the very next moment. “Seers are careful to use the word ‘future,’ dragon knight. To call us ‘fortune tellers’ is a misnomer. Our ability is best used to encourage the present-day’s prosperity and for our clients to better bear their past. This in turn nurtures the clearer, healthier futures so many people seek. All can benefit from such guidance.”
“Ah, I apologize if I sounded so trite. I’m sure your people do your best.”
“There’s no need to apologize. I understand why frustration can propagate when speaking with a seer. Indeed, this frustration inadvertently led me to become one myself.”
“Really?” said Clarissa. “How did you become a seer? How does anyone become a seer?”
“At least in Alslana, the process itself is kept secret. As for my personal journey, it began when war and fire made me an orphan. A few years later and the royal seer herself offered an angry child a chance to understand the world with a more discerning sight. I was among several others she chose throughout her tenure as a royal seer. Days before she died, she named me her successor.”
The Dragon Knight's Soul (The Dragon Knight Series Book 4) Page 6
