The Council of Bone

by Tyler Earp

  * * *

  Charley woke to find that many of his cuts and bruises had somehow faded during the night, leaving him almost completely healed. Even Rafe hadn't been able to understand how it had happened.

  This just meant Rafe attacked practice that evening with much more rigorously than usual, but it didn't bother Charley. His former inability to fight had faded. He could still only beat Abe one out of ten matches, which was more than enough for him

  The morning after that Rafe set a pace that seemed to leave Charley's feet in agony. Not even when Jaelyn or Hans would remind Rafe that they needed to conserve energy would he slow down for more than a mile or two before he sped back up.

  The mercenaries seemed to be focused, taking the speed without complaint. Charley had also noticed most of them were quiet. Vard was the one exception as he continued to shadow Jaelyn.

  She continued to ignore him in turn. Charley would often catch her looking relieved when one of the mercenary scouts would come in with a report of and he would have to attend to it.

  By the end of the morning, they had reached the edge of the forest and were faced by mountains that towered above them.

  Charley had seen them all day through the thinning treetops, but this was the first time he had seen how large they truly were. Charley shaded his eyes to stare at the peaks for a moment ans saw tall thunderclouds approaching.

  “What are the mountains called?”

  Rafe stopped beside him for a moment. “None know the true names of these mountains except the Salans. Everyone calls them The Catacomb Mountains. But don't look too surprised, these aren't even the tallest mountains.”

  Charley looked at him with shock in his eyes. “Where are those?”

  “In the far south. They are called Heaven's Ascent. They're nearly three times taller and many times wider. They mark the end of what we know as Undermire in the south. No one has ever returned from adventuring past them.”

  “And who would want to? It's bitterly cold down their, anyways. Even before you get to the mountains,” Hans said with a chuckle.

  Rafe nodded his head and barked a laugh. “I suppose you're right– but it does make you wonder 'what if?' Well, we should probably keep going. We'll be very intimate with them by noon tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? They look so close.”

  “That's just because of how big they are,” Riley added.

  Rafe nodded. “I also didn't mean to the mountains. We will most likely make camp at the foot of the mountains tonight. But it will not be until tomorrow that we find the cave system that will lead to Nina.”

  True to his word, Rafe pushed them late into the afternoon to make it to the mountains. It was made hard by the foothills that lined the range, forcing them to walk up and down their slopes in a mind-numbing pattern.

  He stopped them by a large stream that ran down the mountain. As they had approached, the clouds had grown and now blocked out most of the sky with a gray, steely determination.

  That evening, instead of the normal sparring that Rafe had them do, he had them both sit in front of him while meditating. He looked to Charley. “Charley. I want you to focus on my mind. I know you catch glimpses of other's feelings. We need to get it to where you can sense emotions or intentions without it being a reflex.”

  Next he turned to Abe. “Abe, I want you to practice that muscle vibrating technique I showed you. Remember, it's about control, not power.”

  Rafe shook his head as Abe started vibrating so fast steam appeared. “That's way too much. You're making the vibrations too fast.” The heat dissipated to a bearable heat. “Better. Now keep that up for as long as you can. I need to focus on projecting my thoughts to Charley.”

  Taking the cue, Charley shut his eyes and focused on sensing Rafe. At first, it was just blackness. His mind started to wander. Focus, Ashe. Don't get outdone by Abe, he reprimanding himself.

  He pushed his mind and felt an almost physical force press on the back of his eyes. Without warning, masses of colors appeared as the wall collapsed.

  He sensed Abe's joy at figuring out how to control the vibrations and Rafe's anxiety. He could also sense Riley's tiredness as he fought with Hans and several of the mercenaries.

  He tried to push it, to connect with Rafe as he had done with the voice on one occasion, but was pushed back. He examined the mental barrier: a complex set of shifting barriers that repulsed his probing. He decided to test his limits by pushing on what he thought was a weak spot in the barrier. But the more he pushed, the more he was pushed back.

  He was jolted back into his own mind by Rafe shaking him. He looked up into Rafe's face. He saw both happiness and a subtle anger. “I didn't tell you to try to engage me in a mental battle. Though I am surprised. You almost snared my mind.”

  “What do you mean by snare?”

  “Do you remember how the trees were able to get inside your mind and control your actions and thoughts?” Charley nodded. “It's like that. Thankfully, you didn't have any ill intentions or I would have fought back more intently. I was actually curious to see how far you would get. It seems your natural talent isn't enough against my experience.”

  “Does that mean I can start using it in fights?” Charley asked, hoping for a yes.

  Rafe laughed. “It took you five minutes to even get to a state of feeling the emotions around you. Don't get me wrong, that's amazing in itself. It means you are starting to Awaken your path. But you're going to have to get it down to where that state comes almost instantly before I’ll even think about it. Try to do it faster.”

  That was how the rest of the evening progressed. Charley would exert himself mentally to try and reach that same state, but only succeeded about half the time. The rest of the time he ended up with a flash migraine.

  The one thing that made him keep trying was the thought that he might be able to help Nina if he could figure out how to perfect it.

  A flash of lightning split the sky. As if a great door had been opened, a storm began pouring on the camp.

  Twenty-One

  The Awakening

  It is only the path of the Empath that is unpredictable, as we are as different as the stars above.

  - Proverb of The Children

  Charley woke up with a searing headache. Holding his hand to his head, he sat up. Without warning, he felt a surge. Everyone's emotions flooded into him. The more they came in, the more he seemed to be open to them. It was all he could do just to think.

  He heard someone speak, but it was like it was happening to someone else. Everyone's emotions washed over him like a great wave. The more he attempted to push it back, the greater the strain on him it took.

  No one seemed to realize the depth of emotion they possessed unconsciously. All the anger and frustration, sadness and grief, joy and happiness long forgotten, but still present.

  Charley felt it from all of them, all at once. There was one exception. A seeming drop of calm in the larger pond of bodies. He found focus and was able to brush aside the others' and felt a sudden urge to know

  He attempted to enter but felt something even stronger than Rafe's defenses. Without warning, he was forced away. Stay out of my head, Charley.

  Riley?

  Yeah. Don't try coming into my head. It's not safe.

  I just wanted to know why I couldn't feel your emotions. Sorry.

  I don't know. I don't do most of it on purpose.

  He felt Riley leave his head. He opened his eyes, the emotions faded. Riley looked at him from across the tent and nodded. “Sorry about that Charley.”

  Charley swallowed, his mouth dry. “Yeah, me too. Promise it won't happen again.”

  Later, Charley explained what had happened to Rafe. “I'm not surprised.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Rafe shrugged. “I figured if you learned how to manifest your powers yourself, you would Awaken.”

  “Then why wasn't I able to control it then?”

  “It could be anything. Maybe the
fact that you had just woken up made it harder for your to control it at first, or maybe the Awakening is so powerful even your control wasn't enough. Either way, you can summon it at will, right?”

  Charley though about it and realized that he could feel others' emotions without concentrating. He sensed Rafe's happiness. “Yeah, I can use it at will now.”

  “Good, get ready. We'll be leaving soon,” Rafe said as he walked away.

  The rain had fallen endlessly the entire night, flooding the river and causing many of the roads to become muddy.

  Even though Rafe had given all three of them a cape to ward off the worst of the rain, he still felt the chill. He looked up and saw that the clouds ran on without an end in sight. Just great. The heroes in comics never have to worry about getting drenched.

  Riley and Abe appeared mostly unaffected. When he asked them how, Riley responded, “Think how much worse Nina's probably got it than us.” That shut up his complaining quickly enough.

  To take his mind off of the rain, he started testing out his abilities. He pushed the power outward and it would stretch out like a piece of taffy. He could make it expand at will to encompass any select group he wanted, but his range seemed to be about fifteen to twenty feet.

  He tried pushing it further, but it seemed to work better when he was sitting still. Several times, during a break, he would sit with his eyes closed, and was able to double the length.

  He asked Rafe. Rafe grimaced in return. “Charley, I don't have all the answers. I wish I did, but I know only a little more than you do. My expertise in magic runs about as far as some minor healing and Amplification.

  “Yes, there are those in Undermire that would have the answers, but most of them would as soon try to kill, you as help you. Right now, you're going to have to figure things out as we go. I'm sorry, but if I had to guess, I would probably say it has something to do with your concentration.”

  “I– I'm sorry.”

  Rafe's eyes softened. “Look, I don't mean to be harsh with you, but I was left in the dark too. Right now, we need to concentrate on Nina.”

  “How do we even know we're going to even get her back? Like you said, they're dangerous.”

  Rafe smiled. “Because of you. You're the one the prophecy speaks of.”

  Charley shook his head. “You shouldn't put all your hope on me. I'm just a kid.”

  Rafe laughed. “If I wasn't betting on you, I wouldn't have any hope at all. I've seen your aura. I've seen the power you can wield.”

  “But these people are even more powerful.”

  Rafe nodded. “But I think you have a hidden strength just waiting to be unleashed. Don't sell yourself short. The first time I saw you, I thought you were all power and no skill.”

  Charley nodded and walked over to his stuff and was deep in thought when someone approached him from behind. Turning, he saw it was Riley. “Charley, we need to talk.”

  Charley, unsure, nodded. “Yeah, what's up?

  A pregnant silence filled the air as they continued down the trail. Riley opened his mouth to talk but shut his mouth before speaking. “I just want to ask you something.”

  Charley looked at him curiously. “What is it?”

  “If I told you– If I told you that I could send you home, would you go?”

  Charley's eyes widened. “Why would you ask me something like that?”

  “Because you don't think you belong here. You don't think you're a hero.”

  Charley knew Riley was right. He didn't think he was strong enough to save anyone. Just a few weeks ago he had been a normal kid. And then wham! he was now expected to save an entire world. But would I actually leave if I could?

  Charley thought about the reason that -had made him come in the first place: Earth would be in danger if he didn't. Ultimo would eventually have come for him even there. Then he knew his answer.

  At least here, I can bring the fight to him. I came because I might be able to help.

  Charley shook his head. “No. I wouldn't go back to Earth. I would just be draw it out. You know, the truth is that you're right– I don't think I'm a hero. But, I think I want to believe it might be true in the future. We might be able to do something to help them someday.”

  Riley let out his breath and smiled. “Good. It's like I said: all of us are scared. Sometimes I don't understand how

  Abe keeps himself together so well. I don't know how to keep going sometimes, and then I just have to look at him. I was just thinking that if there was an out if I would take it.”

  “I know what you mean– did you ask Abe if he wanted to go back?”

  Riley laughed. “Yeah. He laughed in my face and told me he doesn't ever want to go back to being normal.”

  Charley laughed and then sighed. “We really aren't normal anymore. I mean, I can read emotions, you can use magic and teleport, Abe can Amplify and Nina…”

  “Nina is the one who holds us together. She reminds me what it's like to be normal,” Riley said, finishing it for him.

  Charley nodded. “We really do need to get her back.” Charley felt better after that. Still scared and angry about

  Nina, but he also felt a deep determination now. He felt some of the self-doubt fade. He knew it wasn't all gone, and probably never would be, but it was a start.

  Rafe stopped them. He, along with the scouts, had returned. “The cave entrance is just past the next hill. I personally scouted the interior of the cave and found six tunnels to choose from. From what I can tell, three of them are options, because I felt no airflow from some of them.”

  One of the mercenaries chuckled. “How can you tell if that tunnel is any good just by airflow?”

  Rafe gave him a sharp look. “Because the cavern we are looking for will have to be able to support life. Without airflow in tunnels, it's impossible to breathe. Those tunnels could be set up to bury us in a cave-in.”

  Charley watched as a wolfish smile crossed his face. “These are not the typical kinds of targets you will have had until this point– I won't say anything if you want to back down.”

  Charley heard many of them mutter at Rafe implying that they might coward enough to call it quits. Charley looked at Rafe, who winked back.

  Vard calmed them down. “Alright boys, I think that the good man is trying to say we need to pull our weight around

  here. You should all realize where we are and what we're up against.”

  Rafe nodded. “I want us to break up into three groups. I'll be the first leader, Vard will be the second and Hans the third. Jaelyn, I want you with Vard.

  “If anyone finds something too dangerous to confront, come back to the main cave immediately and wait for the other groups to rejoin.

  “Of course, it would then be that group, or groups, job to protect this cave from any enemies that might appear.”

  To Charley it sounded almost like he was ordering troops into formation, and the mercenaries seemed to sense his confidence and offered no more remarks. Rafe pulled him, Riley and Abe to the side. “You three will be with me, along with a few of the mercenaries that I've selected.”

  Abe shook his head. “The one thing I don't understand is why you're having us split up into groups. Shouldn't you be able to tell which of the tunnels will lead to Nina?”

  Rafe grinned. “Only one of the tunnels leads anywhere.”

  A look of confusion spread across Abe's face. “Then why are you splitting everyone up?” Charley drew a blank as well.

  “Think about it Abe? What reasons would I possibly have?” What reason could there be?”

  Abe concentrated and Charley winced at his pained expression. A light bulb went off somewhere in his brain. “Because we're going into tunnels, you want more maneuverability if we have to fight.”

  Rafe nodded. “That's one of the reasons. The other is that I wanted to be able to gauge which of them is the least squeamish about fighting against magic.”

  “So that means while most of them will make sure we have an exit, w
e can also have the best fighters with us,” Abe finished for him.

  Rafe smiled and nodded. “Exactly. I might just be able to make a tactician out of you.”

  Abe puffed out his chest and turned to Riley. But before he could say anything, Rafe deflated his ridiculous pose. “Of course, we can't forget why we are here. This is a rescue mission first and foremost.”

  Leaving a small group to protect their donkeys and horses, the three groups split off for the three tunnels Rafe pointed out. Their tunnel proved to be quiet, and Charley couldn't understand it.

  Rafe had warned them to be quiet if they had to talk, in case they alerted any sentinels or beasts placed to roam the tunnels in search of intruders. He kept expecting an ambush around each turn of the gritty tunnels.

  He walked up the line to Rafe. “Shouldn't there be more– movement?” he whispered.

  Rafe shook his head. “I don't think there will be many, if any, traps or surprise attacks. You could easily get hurt or killed and then they would lose their major bargaining chip. I suspect the other tunnels might have traps, but I actually doubt that as well.”

  “Why? Aren't they evil?”

  Jaelyn nodded. “Evil? Yes. Stupid? No. They do the thing that will profit their schemes the most. Controlling someone like you would definitely be advantageous.”

  Rafe held up his hand to stop them. “Quiet, I hear something.” He turned to Charley. “I need you to feel to see what it is. We'll keep guard while you concentrate.”

  Charley nodded and closed his eyes. He pushed his consciousness out toward the other end of the corridor. He felt an oppressive darkness. He prodded at it and felt it turn its attention toward his mental probe.

  Charley gasped as control of the vision was taken from him. A giant face grinned down at him, bloodshot eyes narrowed in joy. It then shifted to an image of Nina chained to a rock in the center of the room with a giant hole nearby. He heard a voice. I know why you're here, boy. You can't beat me.

  He was thrust back with much more force than what even Riley had done. Rafe looked at him with concern. “What happened, Charley?”

  “Nina's through there, but there is something with her– something powerful and evil.”

  Rafe nodded. “Hiberon.” Rafe started down the corridor. Charley grabbed at his arm. “Wait– I don't think we can beat him.”

  “I have a plan. You're going to have to trust me– and yourself– for this to work. Are you with me?”

  The others walked a little further down the corridor. Charley stood frozen to the spot for a moment. Riley stopped by him. “It's now or never, Charley. Now is when you have to choose who you are: the coward or the hero.”

  Charley nodded and felt his resolve return. He and Riley caught up with the rest of the group. Grabbing the pommel of his sword, he realized that this might be the first time he would be using it in an actual fight. It's time to swing for the Big Leagues, or go home.

  Twenty-Two

  A Hero Falls

  “We can not see the moment of our own death, and if I was allowed to I would not take the offer.”

  - Rafe Fithen

  It was exactly as he had seen it: a small group of humanoid figures stood in a line in front of Nina on one side of the room, while a single figure rested in a cliff-side throne. He stared down at them with triumph in his eyes.

  Nina strained against her chains, but could only scream into the gag they had put on her while tears streamed down her face. Abe, Riley, and Charley all tried to run to her, but Rafe held up his arms. “We have to talk business.”

  They walked fully into the large cavern, part of the floor caved into a dark hole so deep that Charley couldn't see the bottom of it. He looked at Hiberon again as he sat forward.

  “Welcome, prophecy boy– I see you came. Are you ready to serve me?”

  Charley stood behind Rafe. “We can't give him to you, Hiberon. You know how important he is,” Rafe said.

  Hiberon sneered. “Ah, the shield wolf fights all of young Ashe's battles. Send the rabid dog while the master stands back and watches, is that it?”

  Charley stepped forward but Riley pulled him back. “He's trying to bait you. Remember, he's got Nina.”

  Hiberon laughed. “You should listen to your sorcerer friend. I am indeed testing you. You know what I think? You're still too weak. To easily manipulated for others' gain.”

  Rafe turned to Charley. “I have a plan. Just– don't do anything stupid, okay?” He turned back to Hiberon. “I offer myself in his place. We both know that I would be a more profitable hostage. I am the Barghest prince, after all.”

  Everyone looked at him in shock, but Hiberon, appearing to already know, just stared at Rafe. Or is it me he's looking at?

  Hiberon shook his head. “Now, now, Rafe. We both now you've been dishonored. You're not even in line for your throne. No, I want the boy.”

  Rafe grabbed his hilt. “Then I offer you a wager.” Hiberon's eyes narrowed, but Charley could feel his interest strongly. “What kind of wager, exactly?”

  “I will fight each of your councilors one-by-one until I am either victorious against all of them, or I lose.”

  Hiberon grinned. “We both know you would win those fights quite handily. You are not of the Thirteen for nothing, Black Dog. I still think the boy is the better choice– unless you have some else to offer.”

  A thought struck Charley. Acting on impulse, he stepped forward, drawing Hiberon's gaze. “What is it, boy?”

  “Wh– what if I fought one of them? Would that work?” Rafe sighed and then nodded. “If he wins, we get Nina and you leave Charley alone.”

  Hiberon looked like he would truly consider the possibility. The greed was now quite visible in his gaze.“What if my fighter wins?”

  “You get Charley and me,” Rafe stated simply.”

  Hiberon examined Charley for a moment, looking him up and down before finally replying. “No. The stakes are too easy. I want all three of them to fight. If even two of them can win, you all go free. On the other hand, if two of them lose, you're all mine.”

  Rafe nodded. “Only if we can choose how they fight.” Hiberon laughed. “I don't see them winning in any situation, so why not?”

  Rafe turned to them. “Are you three fine with the odds?”

  Abe nodded without even appearing to think it over. “Only if they can't use magic on me.”

  Riley nodded. “I'm fine with any kind of fight.”

  Rafe grabbed Charley's shoulder and turned him to face him. “This was the last scenario I would have wanted to happen. Remember, don't lose yourself to the emotions.”

  A silence filled the air as all eyes fell on him. He looked at Nina, considering his options. It's this or slavery. He tightened his grip on his sword and looked back at Rafe. “I'm in.”

  Hiberon's grin deepened to encompass his face. “Now that we have that settled. Who's going first?”

  “Not quite that simple, and you know it Hiberon.” Confusion clouded Hiberon's overly large face. “What do you mean, dog?”

  “Swear you will allow us to leave in peace if they win, and that we can take Nina with us.”

  “Ah. Yes. It seems I overlooked that one very important thing. Very well, I swear to both the moon and the stars, the sun and the clouds, the plains and the mountains, and most importantly on my own freedom that neither I nor my council will attack you in the case that you succeed. Satisfied?”

  Rafe nodded and then repeated the oath back to him.

  “Abe, you're first.”

  Hiberon sneered down at Abe. “The boy warrior. Brecken, I think you will do nicely.”

  A large man stepped forward and threw his cloak away, revealing himself. He wore twin swords that seemed familiar to Charley. His steel gray hair was closely cropped near his head and was nearly a foot taller than Rafe, who looked at him, his face whitening. “You're alive? But– you died. I watched you die.”

  Brecken grinned down at him. “A simple enough trick. I couldn'
t have you and the others coming for me.”

  The others? Charley thought to himself. Charley gasped when he realized why the swords looked so familiar. He's one of the Thirteen!

  Rafe turned to Abe. He removed his swords and deftly flipped them over so he held the blades. “Take my swords, Abe. You're going to need them if you are going to have a chance to win.”

  Brecken laughed. “Rafe, you and I both know he's going to need much more than Sister Swords to defeat me. I may have been the thirteenth among thirteen, but that still makes me many times better than a novice.”

  Rafe smiled knowingly. “You always were jealous that I surpassed you so fast.”

  Brecken reddened and then seemed to contain himself. “My fight isn't with you, it's with the boy.”

  He walked away from Rafe and turned at the center of the room to face Abe. “Come boy. We must bow. You may not be my equal, but I will still give you proper etiquette.”

  Abe grabbed the Sister Swords from Rafe and approached Brecken. Charley had the sudden thought that it looked like Abe was walking to his death. He shook the thought from his head. Abe is going to win. He has to.

  They bowed to each other, Abe's face remaining emotionless. They then backed away from each other and readied themselves. Hiberon sat forward on his throne and smiled. “No interference from either side. You know the consequences, Rafe.”

  They began by circling each other. Brecken seemed to be mocking Abe with the few halfhearted swipes he sent toward Abe, who knocked all of them away with ease. Brecken started toward him. Charley recognized the combinations Brecken used as the simplest that Rafe had taught to them.

  Abe saw through them and put a good defense, and seemed even better with the two swords than with just the one he was used to.

  Brecken's eyes widened as Abe continued to match him, blow for blow. Charley watched as Brecken quickened the pace and moved to more complex combinations.

  Abe's face stayed straight but Charley noticed that his eyes had tightened with concentration. This time Abe was the one who increased the tempo of the blows. As they continued to grow faster and more complex, Charley looked at Rafe and could tell that even he was surprised at how well Abe was doing.

  While Charley was still looking at Rafe, he saw a small fall in his shoulders, as if he had seen something. Charley turned back in time to see Brecken sweep Abe's legs out from under him. Abe fell with a loud thud! Charley winced and looked at Rafe.

  Rafe frowned. “Abe hasn't lost yet. Look.”

  Abe had somehow regained his feet and was again holding Brecken at bay, but he was losing ground. Brecken soon had him back up against the far wall, and appeared to be toying with him.

  “You're good, boy. I'll give you that much. A few more years, and you might have won this fight.” As he said it, he broke through Abe's defenses that had held up so well and Charley knew with a certainty that he hadn't been truly trying, but only testing Abe.

  Abe defended himself and Brecken knocked one of blades from his hand. Abe rolled along the wall, away from Brecken. He regained his feet and grabbed the pommel of the remaining sword in both hands, setting his feet. Rafe gasped at the same time Brecken's eyes widened.

  Charley felt a great heat coming off of Abe even though he had to be twenty feet away. One second Abe was standing in front of Brecken and the next he disappeared. Brecken punched out at the air, and Abe was reappeared as the hit connected with his chest.

  Everything seemed to slow as Abe was sent flying through the air and collided with the wall. Nina had somehow removed her gag and her screamed filled the cavern, magnified many times over.

  As he hit the ground, the spell seemed to be broken and Charley was finally able to move. Riley ran to his side and pulled him into his lap. Abe smiled up at him. “I was awesome, right?” Charley stood frozen to the spot.

  Riley smiled weakly back at him. “The most.”

  “I knew it.” Abe started coughing, but flecks of red came with it. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Whatever you want.”

  “Why can't I feel my chest?”

  Tears came to Riley's eyes. “You're just hurt. Everything'll be fine. I'm going to help you.”

  Rafe approached him. “Riley– there are some things that not even magic can heal.”

  “What's he talking about, Riley? I'm gonna be fine, right?” Abe coughed again, his breath coming out ragged.

  Riley nodded down at him. “Of course you are. I'm going to fix you up. You'll be back to fighting in no time.”

  He placed his hands on Abe's torso and a glow appeared under his palms. Abe let out a spasm as his hands clawed at the ground. Tears continued to fall from Riley's eyes. He pumped more and more of the light into Abe, and his caved in chest began to reinflate.

  “Just a little more, Abe. Come on, just a little more.”

  Abe smiled and gently pulled Riley's hands away. “Stop it, Riley. I think– we both know you can't– fix me. You need to concentrate on getting– Nina back.”

  Riley shook his head hard. “No. I can do this. Just one more try!”

  “No. I'm asking you to stop. For me.” He coughed once more, red covering his lips. “You can't me.”

  Riley appeared to be searching for words. “But– we– we were going to be heroes! You promised!”

  “Then be one.” Abe closed his eyes and smiled. A glowing symbol appeared over his head and everyone around Charley gasped.

  Abe himself then began to glow and grew so bright that Charley was forced to cover his eyes. When the light faded, Abe's body was gone, but the symbol remained for several moments before fading.

  “What just happened? Where is my brother?”

  “That's what happens when a one of The Children dies,” Rafe said, almost in a whisper.

  Riley eyes filled with tears and even the mercenaries appeared saddened. Hiberon simply smiled. “That's one loss for you. It doesn't seem your bragging was for nothing. I hope the other brother can actually land a hit.”

  A wave of power washed over everyone, knocking Hiberon silent. Charley looked at Riley and sensed that he was at the center of it. Riley rose and turned to face Hiberon.

  “Don't. Ever. Insult. My. Brother.”