Unveiling the Sorceress

by Saskia Walker

  Chapter Seven

  At the sound of the scream,Kerr leapt to his feet, staggering back from the place where he had been warming himself by the fireside. The dreadful sound had come from within Elishiba's tent. His immediate thought was of his mistress, and then he remembered she had gone out for a walk some time earlier.

  She might have returned.

  He glanced across the blazing fire to where Elra had been chatting with the warrior known as Xerxes. Elra now had one hand over her mouth, the other on her chest. Her eyes held a stricken look. She stared over at the entrance to the tent, where a sentry had his sword unsheathed and was entering the tent, closely followed by another of the Aleemite guards. The sound had definitely come from in there. Both Elra and Xerxes started to move toward the spot.

  "No.” Xerxes arrested Elra with a hand on the shoulder. “Please wait here. There may be danger."

  She pulled free of his grasp, stumbling as she ran toward the tent flap.

  Kerr followed them. He felt a sharp jerk on the back of his tunic.

  "Wait up, young man.” It was Yoshi, and she had a flagon of wine clasped in her free arm. If she was outside the tent, who was left inside?

  Kerr fought back the feeling of dread that came over him as he took the flagon from her. Elra had gone inside and a garbled wail came from the tent. What had she seen? He and Yoshi exchanged glances, and then hurried on. He lifted the flap covering the entrance to the tent, and Yoshi darted in. Glancing past her, Kerr saw figures gathered around a dark shape on the floor. His heart skipped a beat. A cry of dismay escaped Yoshi's lips, and she pushed away the sentry as he tried to block her path.

  The sight of Amra's contorted body transfixed Kerr. He set the flagon of wine on the ground, barely noticing as it sloshed up over his sandaled feet. He had once before seen a corpse, and he knew that was what he was seeing now, but he had never seen anything so strange and disturbing before. Her eyes were open and rolled back in her head. She had a painful grimace fixed on her face. Both hands were clawed at her neck, her tongue lolled at one side of her mouth. Her normally warm, healthy skin was tinged blue, her body bowed up at the torso. It was as if she had choked, or been choked.

  Bile rose in his throat at the sight.

  Elra knelt, weeping, over the body of her sister. Kerr stood silently watching as she clutched with useless hands at the still form of her twin. For several moments he was unable to respond, his body shivering involuntarily.

  A second sentry was trying to pull Elra away from the corpse, while Xerxes walked slowly around the body, scouring the ground. Yoshi had closed on the group and was staring at the scene with astonished eyes.

  "Did anyone pass you?” Xerxes directed the question at the sentry who had been on duty outside the tent.

  The sentry shook his head.

  "And the empress?” Xerxes was focused, his powerful body emanating fury and purpose.

  "She went for a walk,” Kerr offered, stepping forward. “She said she wanted to get some air."

  Xerxes eyed him with suspicion. “How long ago?"

  "Enough time for us to eat, and unpack the bedding. We'd been out by the fire for a while after that."

  Xerxes nodded. “She may have avoided this fate for herself, but we must find her now. I have to know she is safe."

  Elra seemed not to even hear what was being said around her. She had collapsed on the ground by her sister's face, weeping softly against her. Instinct took control of Kerr and he moved to her side. Nodding at the sentry whose actions had proved futile, Kerr took her into his arms gently. She seemed to wilt against him more readily, which made his heart lurch in his chest. Familiarity, he guessed. Whatever the reason, he was glad of it.

  Beyond her, he stared in horror at Amra. Strangest of all, now that he was close by he could see that her beautiful, long hair was wrapped around her throat, snakelike. It was as if her own hair had throttled her, the strands tightly imbedded in the soft skin of her neck.

  "Her hair,” he whispered. He looked up at Xerxes, unable to believe what he saw.

  Xerxes’ lips were tightly closed, his eyes flickering with thought. He nodded at Kerr, and Kerr knew then that this powerful man was just as shocked and confused as he was by what he saw.

  More of the Immortals entered the tent, filling the space to crowded. Kerr recognized them as the three men who guarded the outside perimeter of the tent. They looked astonished, low curses passing from their lips when they saw inside.

  "The empress is missing. Gather your men, find her,” Xerxes ordered. One of the sentries nodded and disappeared out of the tent. Xerxes turned his attention to the second man. “Scour the perimeter of the tent closely. No one passed the duty guard.” He ducked down and tested the fabric of the tent near to where the body lay, but found it heavily weighted, as it should be. “There is no sign of entry here, but check outside.” He shook his head, confused. “And we must double the guard around the tent. How many in the camp know about this?"

  The third sentry shook his head. “Those who heard thought it an animal, there has been drinking.” He lifted his shoulders. “Many are already asleep."

  Xerxes nodded. “Gather a dozen of your men, send them amongst the camp to question those of our people who are still awake ... and all of the Karseedians. Wake them. But do it quietly. Whoever has laid hands on the Empress's handmaid will be dealt with."

  Yoshi shook her head, assertively. “No one has touched her.” She stepped cautiously around the body, pointing as she went, her expression one of great caution. “There is evil here. See, her hair..."

  As if barely able to look, she gestured to where the long tresses of Amra's hair bound her throat. “I have seen something like this before, many years ago.” She swallowed hard, looking at Xerxes. “Someone has practiced a treacherous, forbidden act, one from the ledger of the dark arts. What frightens me most is that Elishiba may have been the intended victim."

  The look of fear in Yoshi's eyes made a shudder pass through Kerr. To see her so disturbed made him wonder what was to become of them. She was the one who kept them all in order, and up until then she had made him feel secure. If she was afraid, he was afraid. He clutched Elra closer in his arms, and as he did he saw the empress herself dart inside the tent.

  Kerr sighed with relief.

  She looked dismayed at the sight of the gathering, her cloak clutched in her hand, her face flushed. “What is this, what has happened here?"

  Xerxes darted over to her, and gathered her into his arms to protect it from the sight, but it was too late, for she had seen and cried out in anguish. Close on her heels, the Karseedian they called Amshazar followed her into the tent.

  Xerxes moved swiftly, withdrawing his dagger from its sheath at his belt, putting himself between the empress and Amshazar.

  "What business have you here?” he demanded of Amshazar.

  Amshazar bowed his head and opened his palms, showing that he had no weapon. “My business was to see the empress safely back here, since there has been a disturbance.” As he lifted his head he fixed Xerxes with a determined stare, his expression serious.

  Kerr wondered what would happen next. Xerxes looked suspicious, and did not yet lower his weapon. Then the empress moved and pulled at his arm, forcing him to lower it. He turned to her in disbelief.

  "This is not Amshazar's doing.” Her voice faltered, forehead furrowing, her eyes flitting about the tent and from one to the other of the two men as she spoke.

  "How can you be sure of that?” Xerxes snapped back, his gaze flickering between the two of them. “To return here after committing murder would be the perfect excuse, would it not?” His eyes narrowed.

  Kerr soothed Elra in his arms he watched the unfolding scene, unable to turn away, for the three of them had now created a peculiar and uncomfortable atmosphere between them, diverting everyone's attention from the body. He felt the warrior's dislike of the other man, who he obviously thought of as an enemy.

  The empress looke
d uneasy, color rising in her cheeks. “Please, Amshazar, it would perhaps be best if you go.” She looked at him beseechingly.

  He did not falter under her stare and did not move.

  "I am safe now,” she added. Some unspoken message passed between the three figures, tension ratcheting up.

  Xerxes lifted his dagger again.

  Amshazar's eyes shifted strangely as he stared at the empress, and then he finally lowered his head. “I am at your service, should you need me."

  With that he took his leave.

  The empress seemed relieved he had gone, and then turned back to the spot where Amra's body lay, breaking free of Xerxes’ concerned arm when he tried to hold her back as she flitted toward the body.

  "A search is on. She was attacked, somehow, here in the tent, when she was alone.” Yoshi tried to explain. “There is evidence of perverse sorcerery. I believe this to be an act from the dark ledger."

  "Sorcery?” Elishiba repeated, swallowing hard, her cheeks flushing and her eyes rounding. She turned back to Xerxes. “Why has this happened?” Her mood was evident in the desperate note of her question.

  Kerr felt the warrior's growing frustration. He put one fist to his head. “I can only believe Yoshi's suggestion because no person passed us, and no one has been in here.” He looked at her with clouded eyes, guilt-ridden. “Perhaps they thought it was you.” He seemed to swallow his words as soon as they were out, realizing what he was implying, but it was too late.

  Elishiba stared at him, realization sinking in. Then she stepped closer to the body, staring in horror, as if compelled to look. “Such treacherous enemies walk amongst us?"

  "On your heels, mayhap.” Xerxes weighed his words carefully.

  Elishiba shot him a cautionary glance. “Amshazar and I were talking when we heard the scream. It wasn't him."

  Yoshi added her own comment. “Amshazar stands alone in this. He is not your adversary."

  Xerxes gave a frustrated growl. “You women are blinded by his charm, that's all it is.” His mouth twitched. “It is time for me to join the hunt,” he said, bowing his head and leaving.

  "His jealousy leads him,” Yoshi commented. “I will make a sleeping draught for Elra.” She shuffled over to the fire, shaking her head wearily.

  Outside, Xerxes could be heard instructing the guards to stay with Elishiba.

  "Watch over her for me ... keep her safe,” Elishiba said to Kerr.

  He nodded, emphatically.

  "Do not let anyone else in here, and no one else is to know we are afraid.” Her voice faltered, and after a moment, she walked out.

  He managed to make Elra sip the dish of brew Yoshi had made and soon enough her body ceased its trembling. She lifted her head and looked at him beseechingly with her troubled eyes. “Her sash, please give me Amra's sash."

  Kerr glanced over at the colored sash that Amra wore. Both sisters had a sash, each a different color. It helped to tell them apart. The scarlet sash lay across Amra's torso, beneath her clawing arms. His gut churned at the idea of moving her.

  "Please,” Elra whispered. This was the first thing she had said since the body had been discovered.

  His chest ached to soothe her. He would do anything, no matter how hard. “Hush, I will get it."

  * * * *

  Flanked by guards, Elishiba's heart beat furiously against the wall of her chest as she wove her way back to Amshazar's tent to question him. Amra was dead. How could it be? She wasn't ignorant of such malevolent violence, but never had it been so close to her before. Moreover, why—why had Amra been the victim? Had her handmaid seen something, or someone?

  She heard Amshazar's voice echoing in her mind, his knowing words and his dark expression after the scream. And then, when he had followed her to her tent, she had seen a ghostly apparition behind him, the same man that she had seen that time in Suzin. Who was he?

  At first she had dismissed Amshazar as the murderer, but a cold claw of fear had traced over her spine. He was a sorcerer. Could he be in two places at one time? She had to know, and a growing clarity of mind made her trace her path back across the encampment, cool and determined. She was afraid, and her guards had discouraged her from venturing out, but she had to speak with him, to challenge him in the face of what had happened.

  The camp itself seemed quieter now, but the atmosphere spoke of hushed footsteps and whispers. Flares on the horizon indicated a search amongst the rocks they were sheltered below.

  She observed their passage, knowing that Xerxes and his men would find something, if something were there to be found. It was more than likely, however, that the perpetrator was still amongst them, under cover of the camp. Many watchful eyes hid themselves from view here.

  Amshazar was waiting for her, as if he had known that she would return. He stood outside his tent beneath the crisp skies, observing her approach, seemingly unperturbed by the presence of her guards.

  She paused; she did not want the guards to overhear any references to her previous encounter with Amshazar. “Wait here,” she instructed. “I will be within your sights,” she added, when they hesitated. “I need to speak with Amshazar, that is all."

  The guards stood by observing as she closed on her target.

  "Was this why I was with you,” she whispered to him when she reached his side, “to undermine me through such treachery?"

  He reached out for her arm, drawing her close so that they would not be overheard. “You were with me because you wanted to be with me,” he responded, his expression earnest.

  "And now my woman servant is dead.” She felt panic strike, the whole strangeness of the night's events taking hold of her, casting her adrift from reason. “You knew something. When we heard the scream, you knew what had happened,” she said. “This evil thing, to take a life ... someone so very precious to me.” The tears were welling inside her. She battled against them, and the rage she felt, glancing back at her guards for reassurance. “Was it supposed to be me, was this to undermine me? To warn me, and if so, of what?"

  He lifted her hands in his, holding her wrists with strong fingers.

  She was shaking. If this thing had been done to strike fear in her soul, it had surely succeeded.

  "Listen to me,” he whispered fiercely.

  She struggled against him, but he held firm, his gaze flickering between her and her men, cautiously weighing their mood and possible reactions.

  "Elishiba, please...” He held her hands with one of his, and moved to stroke away the hair that tangled itself against her cheek.

  "Enemies are everywhere. There are struggles ahead of you. There is more at stake than you and your father could realize. Please remember that nothing is as simple as it seems."

  She could not grasp his words. He was talking in riddles, telling her nothing. She saw only that she had been with him, and then this awful thing had happened to them.

  "You tell me nothing. Are you part of this, Amshazar? Did you know of this, when I was with you?"

  He shook his head, but his eyes remained clear and focused. “No, I knew nothing of it, until the sense of evil circled the camp on the night air, and we heard the scream."

  She wanted him not to be part of it, despite the fact he plainly was, somehow. Her heart ached for it not to be so. And yet she felt she needed to mistrust him, for he was so very much part of the unknown world into which she was walking. Something within her, desperation for comfort, perhaps, or the fact they had become lovers, wanted to question and to believe. “I am surrounded by enemies. I cannot even trust my own servants to observe and keep my people safe. You are allied to my enemy ... who am I to trust? Tell me this."

  "You can trust me, Elishiba. Believe this much.” His gaze held hers.

  She wanted to hear him say that, yes. But at the same time she could not easily accept it. Even as she struggled with her dilemma, the passion with which he had so recently taken her haunted her body. She threw her hair back, breathing deep, closing her eyes momentarily to clear t
he tears that threatened to fall.

  He leaned closer, his breath tracing a warm passage over her cheek. “You trusted me as a woman trusts a man to whom she offers her body. Trust me again."

  His voice was slow and murmured against her skin.

  His words brought more questions. Had she offered herself to him, had she trusted him then? Had he led her there on a carpet of sorcery beneath her feet, to save her from something that might have happened to her, or to distract her while his men gained access to her people? Was he just another player in the scene, a foil for deceit? Could she even trust herself, in the face of her overwhelming desire for this man?

  She pulled free, putting her hands to her head. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. “I cannot understand why this has happened.” She looked back at him, needing to see his reaction, trying to gauge him. “Was it meant to be me?"

  "I do not think so.” He frowned. “It was a sophisticated act. The purpose was more likely to be exactly this.” He nodded at her. “To undermine you and those who serve and protect you, to unnerve you as you approach Lhastari."

  She thought about what he said and nodded. It had affected her and all of those closest to her. They were becoming as restless and afraid as a group of captive animals. That is not how she'd wanted to arrive in Lhastari, no. She had wanted to be strong and sure. “Yes, I see that. I didn't anticipate feeling this way. Someone has taken control of that."

  "Tried to,” he stressed. “They have tried to take control. I know it's no easy thing to accept, but you must use your response to this situation to make you strong, do not allow it to weaken your resolve."

  What he said struck a note with her. She eyed him carefully in the moonlight. If he was behind this, he'd woven a clever plot and was concealing his path well. Who else could it be? Sibias? That thought triggered a memory. “Wait ... when I came here earlier tonight, to see you—"

  Her thoughts rushed as she remembered. “Sibias saw me, he saw me coming here and he smiled.” She shuddered at the memory of it.

  Amshazar took a sharp intake of breath. “He may have acted upon the moment, in that case. Sibias is Mehmet's tool, and he truly is vermin of the worst kind.” He seemed annoyed, his cheeks moving with restrained annoyance.