Well of Tears (Empath Book 3)

by Dawn Peers

  "I can convince Elias to do anything. Any of the mercenaries really. None of them are hard to trick. Not like you. We just need to make sure that we avoid our father. Do you know where he might be this time of night?”

  Quinn would have been able to say in a heartbeat where Sammah was when she started working in Everfell. Now, the situation had changed so much she had no idea what her father’s movements were.

  “He’s one man, and Everfell is huge. We would have to be desperately unlucky to run into him. We just need to make sure that, when we go, we go quickly. Shall we try it now?”

  “I can’t see any point in waiting.”

  Neyv could barely contain her excitement. She’d been daydreaming about this all day, wondering whether or not the deception would work, and just like that—Quinn was hers. The girl had resisted her so well when Sammah was forcing things. Neyv had beaten her, though. Neyv’s theory had been right, the more invested someone was in believing the lie, the easier it was to deliver.

  Perhaps Quinn’s earlier words did have an element of truth, that Neyv was stronger than she thought she was, and one day she would be even more powerful. Quinn had been able to resist her, and yet now she was completely under her spell. This only served to fuel the girl’s ego. Neyv no longer thought that she could stay under the subservience of Sammah, though she knew that because of her age, he would be an excellent shield for her until she was old enough people to take her seriously. The first step in this, though, was proving that she could kill someone else. Quinn was clearly in her way, so Quinn could be the first victim.

  “Knock on the door, Quinn, get Elias’s attention."

  Quinn did as Neyv asked without question. Oh, how this felt! Power! Quinn rapped her knuckles on the wooden door and it snapped open, Elias’s brutal face peering through the gap. He cocked his head, making a gesture with his hand. Neyv wasn’t as fluent with their hand gestures as Quinn was, but she could make out that he was annoyed quite easily.

  Quinn looked to Neyv, as if seeking assurance that their deception would work, just with Quinn asking the question. The girl nodded encouragement, knowing perfectly well there wouldn’t be a problem. “We need to go down to the springs, Elias. You need to take us there, and guard us. You know that Sammah wouldn’t be happy if you let us go alone. Though you can’t come in with us," Quinn added with a rush of afterthought. “He wouldn’t want you seeing us naked.”

  Elias made another sweep of gestures, to which Quinn had a ready answer. “To bathe. We spend entire days doing what Sammah wants, and this is the only time we have to ourselves. Please, Elias, it’s a simple enough request. You will be there waiting for us, and it’s not as if there’s a way out of Everfell through the springs.”

  Elias cocked his head, seemingly thinking about this. He rolled his eyes, and opened the door all the way. This gesture was simple enough, showing he was happy for them to leave the confines of their room. Quinn glanced again at Neyv, who nodded. “Just give us a second to get our things.”

  Quinn grabbed her little wash bag left in the small box by her bed. Neyv grabbed one, too, and they left. The quiet city Quinn experienced during the day was uncommon, and not something Everfell should be. This was a capital city and should be a hubbub, an absolute hive of activity. The noise had been during the days, which was why Quinn had worked nights with Ross and the other maids. Now it was exactly the way had been when she was a maid here. The corridor was quiet, devoid of life. Their walk down to the springs was without a problem. Both girls walked ahead of Elias, confident of their route down. All they needed was to make sure that the mercenary brute didn’t suspect that they were planning foul play. Of course, under the influence of Neyv, Elias would think nothing of the girls wanting to just go down to the springs to bathe. Even without her ability, it had been a simple enough request, and Elias was easily mastered.

  * * *

  As the corridor turned to the warm dampness that Quinn was familiar with, the walls turned to green moss in the air humid heat from the natural springs, Quinn’s hope began to surge. This was it. This was her escape, and it would all be thanks to Neyv. Sammah thought that putting them together would keep them under his control, but he had been wrong. Together, Quinn and Neve were going to be able to stop Sammah before he did anything to them.

  Quinn looked ahead to the caverns, and asked Neyv to follow. She turned on Elias, giving him a quizzical look. “I told you not to come in. I do not want you to see me naked.”

  Elias grinned, trying to look intimidating, but Quinn had seen it all before. She had killed these men, and seen their souls. Elias didn’t scare her any more. “You want me to tell Sammah what you’ve been doing? He might know that we’re down here to bathe, but I’m sure he’d be interested in finding out what you were doing snooping around behind our backs.”

  That wiped the grin off Elias’s face and he retreated around the corner. Quinn stepped forward and Neyv, grabbing her bag nervously, followed. The springs were empty, just as they’d always just as they always been at this time of night, apart from when Eden had been here, Quinn remembered wistfully. She shook her head. Now wasn’t the time for reminiscing. That was looking on the past, and she was about to do something to secure her future.

  Without her power, she might be able to return to Eden. She could try to earn a position in Sevenspells and become a part of his life without also being a threat. If she had no ability, perhaps even Shiver would be able to look beyond what she had been born as, and see what she wanted to become. She hadn’t known who she was, and she didn’t want to be a part of this anymore. Surely, they would see this, and let her live in peace.

  Quinn quickly stripped off her clothes and Neyv did the same. Both girls sank into the waters, and Quinn was again reminded of how this had been a place of peace for her. Of course it made sense that, along with the other places, this would be key to Quinn’s future. They fit together, all three of them. Quinn tried to remember what the mythology was for the Sea of Sighs. She knew the beach—everybody knew the story the Beach of Bones. How had the Sighs come about again? It did have something to do with the fogs, as she thought about it, but she couldn’t put the story together in her mind. Hadn’t it been the witches? Something to do with vengeance? Quinn couldn’t remember. Neyv knew the story of Indigo, so did she know this. “Neyv? Do you know why the Sea of Sighs were created?”

  Neyv was treading water not far away, and bit her lower lip as she thought about the answer to this question. Eventually, she shook her head.

  “I’m sorry, no, I don’t. Isn’t it something to do with the weather? Just…It’s a warning. A danger to sailors."

  “No, there’s more to it than that. You see, when I was in Sea of Sighs, I was able to do everything with my abilities. I was never able to control people before, but when I was in the Sighs, I could feel everything. When I left the Sighs, I was able to use the power but didn’t know how. After an encounter, I was able to use it. These places these mythologies, they are all central to this, Neyv. I don’t think this just affects me, I think this could be something for everyone in Sha’sek that has an ability. I bet that, if you went through the Sea of Sighs, you might find more about your ability too.”

  “There isn’t anything else that I need to know.” Neyv gave a little shrug in the water. “I say things and people believe them, or other people say things with me nearby, and then they believe them too. There are only two people that have never been able to resist my abilities, and that’s you and my father."

  “What if the Sighs made you more powerful? What if you could manipulate me and father?”

  “I don’t think my life would be any different,” Neyv lied.

  “Maybe you’re right. I don’t really understand any of this, and I wish I understood it more. But, I also know that I want to be rid of it, so I’m glad you told me about this. I wish I’d figured it out for myself sooner. Come on, let’s get this done.”

  Neyv swam closer, and Quinn found herself suddenl
y reluctant to go through this. Could you really submerge yourself past the edge of panic and reason? That’s what Neyv had said. She needed to go beyond how she normally felt. She needed to overcome and master her panic, and stay underwater long enough to put her on the cusp of the bones. Only then would her power be removed.

  What if she stayed underneath for too long? Not staying there long enough was not a problem, because she could just submerge herself again. They wouldn’t have all night, but if Quinn did this for too long, she would only have one chance.

  “What are you waiting for?” Neyv asked, sounding impatient.

  “I’m about to nearly drown myself Neyv, I need a minute.”

  Quinn took a deep breath, submerging herself.

  At first, it was just like every visit she’d had to the baths. She tried to relax; she always felt at peace in here, and she needed to remind herself of that. As she held it longer, she became nervous. How was she meant to feel? How did she know when the well had taken her power? Was she meant to pass out? Her heartbeat increased and she could feel it thudding in her ears. She opened her eyes, and could see Neyv’s body floating in the stillness of the well’s waters. The little girl was right by her. Quinn clung to her words. She had to overcome her panic in order to let the well do its work. Neyv swam closer. Quinn’s lungs began to burn. She couldn’t hold this for much longer. She was fighting her own body now. She wanted—no, she needed—to breathe.

  Quinn knew she couldn’t fight it. She’d have to try again. She moved, but felt hands press her down. Neyv moved, taking her feet down on Quinn’s shoulders. This wasn’t right. Quinn opened her mouth to scream, to take in air, to do anything, but all she did was swallow water. The shock jolted her out of Neyv’s influence. It had been a trick. It had all been a trick.

  25

  Shiver and Eden stood outside the gates, along with Farn. They’d been surveying the castle for some time, and no one could decide what to do.

  “It’s too simple, sire, and too quiet in there. It must be a trap. I suggest we wait at least until morning, until we have daylight and we can see where we are going.” Harn was hedging his bets. He was a seasoned fighter, and had decided that no conflict was easy. There was no way they’d just be able to walk into Everfell and take it. Sammah must have brought all of his men inside the castle to make a stand. It made tactical sense.

  “The city’s been abandoned, father, who is going to be in there to defend him? Every single man that we’ve come across has surrendered to us. They don’t want to fight for him—all you have to do now is walk in and take it!”

  “Both of you hush! I don’t know what to do. It looks too easy. I think Harn should be right. Then I see no movement at any of the windows. Usually there are torches, people moving about their business. There’s absolutely nothing. No staff, the pages, not even any drunk soldiers. This place is dead. So I think Eden might be right, and we should go in. But how many men, where do we go?"

  “That’s a simple one, father—Sammah’s quarters."

  “Or the king’s?” Harn added.

  “If there’s any fortifications about anywhere, is going to be those two places. How many do I take in there with me? Will we be seen? I cannot believe he’s in there alone. How many of those awful mercenaries did he have scattered around the place? They’ll be in there, have no doubt. You say you killed two of them already Eden?”

  “I don’t know father,” Eden shook his head “I know Elias led a pack of men against me on the beaches at Farn, but I don’t know if the other men with him were the same."

  “I’m nervous, I don’t mind saying.”

  “No need to risk yourself, sire. That’s what you have men—send me in with a handful of your most trusted, and I’ll clean the place out for you. Those mercenaries present no challenge to Sevenspells’ men. They may be tough against farmers and boys, but let them taste the steel of real men.”

  Shiver turned to both of them. His glance moved from one man to another, trying to figure out which one he believed more. It was just a matter of time now before they did attack, because there was enough evidence to show that Sammah wasn’t properly guarding this place.

  What Shiver had to decide now, was how best to finish this. He didn’t want to lose any of his men’s lives, any he certainly didn’t want to risk one of his sons. That being said, he was quite merrily contemplating risking his own life going in there, and Eden seemed confident that the place would be abandoned. Even if they did come up against the mercenaries, if Shiver took enough of his own men, Harn was right. Their enemies would be easily outnumbered, because the numbers of the mercenaries were limited. Shiver tried to remember from his times at court, and the times he’d taken meals in Sammah’s suites, how many of the hired hands he’d seen sitting around. There was Elias, and Shiver had seen one or two others, but because the men all looked the same and couldn’t be distinguished by voice, Shiver had never really taken notice of any of them. Was it worth the risk? So few of his men, to win the throne? Eventually, Shiver’s greed won out.

  “Get your best men, Harn. Half a dozen of them. We are going in there tonight. I won’t wait till dawn, because, what’s the point? We know those hallways, and Sammah isn’t defending them. We have the advantage here, so let’s take it. Go, be quick.”

  Harn nodded once, and left to get his men from the camp.

  “We have to get into Everfell, Eden, and I’m trying to do it without bloodshed, though I doubt you believe me on that score.”

  Eden looked away, slightly ashamed at the accusation. He didn’t believe his father was capable of finishing anything without bloodshed, and so, no, he didn’t believe him. Actions spoke louder than words though, and the end of the night would show them just how committed to those words King Shiver was.

  26

  Sammah threw the book down on his desk. He couldn’t rest. He hadn’t been happy with the day. They hadn’t achieved enough—he wasn’t making any progress. He could see the strain Quinn was under during the sessions with Neyv, and Sammah feared another day spent forcing the girl’s mind would be the end of her. Reluctantly he decided to give them a day of leisure, and that left Sammah with absolutely nothing to do. He considered writing to his brother again, but requests were now turning into pleas, and Sammah wasn’t the kind of man to beg. When he’d rid himself of Shiver, he would turn his attention to Pax. He was sure that the rest of the lords would accede to him with Shiver gone, especially with Neyv’s influence. With Quinn, they’d have absolutely no chance to resist him.

  Sammah was not a cruel man. He knew that, and he needed his daughters to see that, too. That’s why he’d given them this rest. He was benevolent, their father, and Neyv’s unfaltering loyalty proved just how she thought of him.

  Tomorrow, Sammah resolved, he would need to push both Neyv and Quinn harder. With a full day of rest, Quinn would be able to take that little bit more from the session. He needed to make the breakthrough, and soon. The twinkling lights of Shiver’s army hadn’t been lost on Sammah, and it was only a matter of time before Shiver himself stepped through these hallways to confront him. Sammah needed both of his girls to be in form at that point, able to twist Shiver to Sammah’s own will again.

  Had the inner castle been barricaded against their casual intrusion? Was Elias organising this like Sammah had asked? Impatient after being unable to do anything constructive all day, Sammah decided he’d make sure his mercenaries were least earning their keep. He headed down towards Quinn’s rooms, where Elias was standing watch over the girls. Only when he got there, Elias was not there. Sammah was confused. Elias always followed his orders, so where, by the spirits, was he? The door was slightly ajar. Sammah looked into see that the room was disturbingly empty.

  “What have you done Quinn?”

  He didn’t doubt that Quinn was behind this somehow. She’d been able to manipulate Neyv, who would then have twisted Elias into cooperating with them. Sammah ripped the bedding off, knowing that the girls would not b
e there. “Where are you!” He howled in frustration, throwing things around the room. His noise brought one of his men running, and a mute sprinted into the room. Sammah spun to him,

  “Have you seen Elias?”

  The mercenary shook his head.

  “Dammit! Find him, now! All of you, this is the only thing I want you doing. Find out where Elias is. He has both of the girls with him. We need to find them as soon as we can. Go to the gates, make sure they don’t get out of here.”

  Sammah scratched his head, ignoring the palpitations racking his chest. The worst thing that could happen now was that both Quinn and Neyv escaped into Shiver’s custody. He had very little faith that the self-proclaimed king would let the girls live, especially Neyv with what she’d helped Sammah do so far. And Quinn? How much good grace did Quinn have left in the court of Sevenspells? Usually Sammah would leave his men to do his dirty work, but this was too important. He couldn’t trust his men to do this on their own. Sammah crouched, taking some deep breaths. He had to calm down and think about this rationally. When was the last time he’d seen Elias? Not an hour ago at the most. Enough time for them to get out of Everfell sure, but Sammah was positive that he’d have heard of that by now. Where could they be? Where would they go what they do? What could Quinn even be thinking? Her only intention would be to escape surely? Either that or…

  “No!” Sammah rushed to the door yelling for someone. One of his men came running past, and Sammah yelled at him. “Get to the roof now. Get to the battlements, check them.”

  Sammah hoped beyond hope that Quinn wasn’t crazy enough to throw herself off ramparts, but then, why would she need Neyv? To get past Elias, that’s why. The mercenary sprinted off, and Sammah did try to keep up with him though only halfway up this spiral stairs he was out of breath. His legs were heavy, but he pushed himself forward. Never before had he wished so fervently that someone was alive, now he prayed to each and every spirit that he knew that they were safe. When he reached the top the steps, he was greeted by his mercenary, who gestured at the ramparts.