Pancras mind wheeled with the revelation. He didn't like the idea of confronting the prince with only the bare bones of a plan and without his protective fetish. And our discussion here is not treasonous? "You don’t really need me then, do you?"
The princess dismissed his question with a wave of her hand. "Your testimony will strengthen my case against him. I want you to confront him with his vile plan in court."
The minotaur did not relish being trapped in the middle of a power play between the rulers of Etrunia, although he appreciated the logic in confronting Prince Gavril with all the evidence against him in a public forum.
Princess Valene took a step forward and looked up at him, fire flashing in her eyes. "Understand this: I reward loyalty. I will ensure you leave Almeria free and in time to make your journey to Muncifer. You will receive no such promise from my husband."
Pancras held up his hands and stepped away from Princess Valene. "I understand your position. I gave you my word that I will cooperate with you, but I require assurances that no matter what happens, the safety of the draks and the dwarf will be guaranteed."
The Princess's expression softened. "I can't make any promises, but as long as they don't interfere, I will do what I can. I will inform Milena and the guards loyal to me, as well. I shall send her for you when we are ready."
Pancras nodded and bowed. "I will make preparations. I'll be ready when she calls."
* * *
Delilah heard Pancras rise and exit the parlor, glad he didn't notice her sitting in her chair in front of the fire with her grimoire. Sharing a room with Kali and her brother was conducive to neither a good night's sleep nor quiet study.
She found solace in the fact that focusing on the grimoire and making sense of its ever-changing text was easier the more time she spent with it. The book whisked her away to another battlefield. In the back of her mind, Delilah was bemused by the thought that Gil-Li the Graven spent her whole life fighting battles. Of course, I may be seeing images she wants me to see and not actual history.
Gil-Li stood on a rock outcropping overlooking a blasted plain. Any vegetation that might have grown there was long since burned away. An army approached, marching over the plains in lockstep, their faces and forms obscured by mist. The tattoos on the drak sorceress glowed as she channeled arcane energies. The ground erupted beside her even as the motions and form of the invocation seared themselves into Delilah's mind. Humanoid forms of rock and earth tore themselves loose from the ground, towering over Gil-Li. They jumped down from the outcropping and met the army head-on.
Flames erupted from Gil-Li's tattoos, swirling around her and forming a whirlwind of fire, which moved up and ahead, over the creatures of rock. The lumbering creatures pounded the enemy with boulder-sized fists as the tornadoes of flame cut fiery swathes through enemy ranks.
Delilah was impressed by the carnage Gil-Li unleashed but was unsure of the object of this particular lesson. It was common knowledge a single wizard of sufficient power could devastate entire armies and lay waste to entire regions. The image shifted, focusing on Gil-Li as she summoned the creatures of stone. Delilah followed her lip movements as she invoked the effect she desired.
"Kaleesie… gee… stoche-e-a-key."
She knew that wasn't quite right but figured it was a close approximation. Delilah tried again, but a blast of cold air from outside broke her concentration. She glared at Pancras, but the minotaur didn't seem to notice. He sat down in the chair next to her, the wood frame groaning in protest at his lack of finesse.
"Is Kale up?"
Delilah closed her grimoire, shaking her head. "I doubt it. It's just you and me, unless Edric is being very quiet in his room."
"Wake everyone. I have urgent news." Pancras pushed himself out of the chair and checked the food lift while Delilah roused everyone else. Kale was the only one of the three who wasn't bleary eyed and reluctant to leave the warm confines of their feather beds. Meanwhile, Pancras poured mulled wine for everyone and spread out on the table the variety of pastries and cured meats provided by the kitchen.
The berry-sweet smell of the wine and the smoky, briny aroma of the meats made Delilah's stomach grumble and her mouth water. She filled her plate and took her place next to her brother, who fumbled with a sweet roll.
Pancras tapped a knife on the side of his goblet to get everyone's attention. "I have been informed that, essentially, my research here is done. I still can't go into detail, but the princess wants to meet with me in the throne room this afternoon, in the presence of the prince."
"So what does that mean for us?" Flecks of food flew from Kale's mouth as he talked around a mouthful of sweet roll. Delilah smacked him on the shoulder and scowled at him.
"If things go as planned, the princess will guarantee our safe departure in time to arrive in Muncifer before Spring’s Dawning." Pancras glanced at Kale as he layered slices of cured meat on a hard roll.
"What of the prince?" Edric drained his goblet of mulled wine in a single gulp and then refilled it. "I don't reckon he'll go along with that, will he? I've heard he's a right prat."
"I doubt he'll go against the princess." Kali cocked her head. "We hear she's the silent power behind the throne. She pulls the strings while he dances and squawks like a mother hen."
Delilah chuckled. She hadn't interacted much with Prince Gavril, but he struck her as the type who liked to be louder than everyone around him, even at the cost of his effectiveness.
"This meeting might be unpleasant for the prince. I want everyone packed and ready to leave."
Delilah stopped with her goblet halfway to her mouth. She turned her head toward Pancras. "We can't travel yet. The snow is too deep."
"We may have no choice but to flee the palace after this afternoon. I'm certain if things go our way, the princess will allow us to stay until we can travel, but if things do not go our way…" Pancras left the thought lingering over the table like a storm cloud.
Delilah set down her goblet hard enough to slosh wine onto the table. "You need to tell us what's going on, Pancras. I think we can all keep a secret, if that's what it takes. We haven't asked a lot of questions about the deal you made, but now you're talking about us fleeing the palace. We deserve to know what's happening!"
The drak sorceress knew, of course, but wanted Pancras to be the one to explain the situation. Murmurs of assent circled the table. Delilah didn't care what the humans did to each other, but she knew she would have to deal with all sorts of questions from Kale once they were alone. The minotaur slumped in his seat and then nodded. "Very well. I suppose it's better you hear it from me than from rumors that might start if things go poorly this afternoon."
Pancras sipped his wine and then took a deep breath. "In exchange for our freedom, such as it is, and these very fine accommodations, the prince tasked me with cursing his wife, the princess."
Edric grunted. Kale stifled a gasp at the revelation.
"I won't go into all the political details of the situation. He wanted me to make her barren so he could easily divorce her and marry someone else. I agreed rather hastily in my desire to escape the jail, but upon reflection, I cannot go through with it."
"So, what have you been doing this whole time?" Kale couldn't understand why the prince would want to divorce Princess Valene.
"Stalling. I tried to create a protective fetish to use during the inevitable confrontation, but that shadow demon saw to it that I failed."
"Maybe we should come with you, then." Kale grabbed another sweet roll as the plate passed from Kali to Edric. Delilah thought it was an excellent idea. Together, there was nothing the three of them couldn't handle.
"The three of us will deal with the nasty humans, and Kali and Edric can make sure our escape route remains open."
Pancras held up his hands and shook his head. "No! No, we're not planning an assault on the throne room. I'm going there to have a conversation with the prince and princess. That's all."
"I still think
Kale and I should go with you. We've come this far together. Besides, the princess already knows I know."
"Yeah, and we're just tagging along like hungry mongrels, right?" Edric huffed and drained another goblet of wine.
"Hey, that's not true!" Kale snapped his head around and glared at the dwarf. “The way we’ve been fed here in the palace, how can you say you’re hungry?”
"It's probably best I go alone."
Delilah ignored Pancras. She looked at Kali. "You know how to get around without being noticed. Maybe you and Edric can work together to make sure we have a way out, just in case things do go wrong."
Kali nodded, glancing over at the still-grumbling dwarf. "Sure. Everyone already associates Pancras with the two of you. If Edric and I show up in the throne room, it might put everyone on edge. We can make sure the way out through the undercroft remains clear."
Pancras rubbed his forehead. "Fine, look, just promise me you'll follow my lead, all right? The prince's moods can be volatile. Just let him rage, if that's what it comes to. The princess has given me assurances she'll back me up."
After they finished eating, everyone busied themselves packing up their clothing and possessions in case they needed to beat a hasty retreat. By the time they finished, the sun had passed its zenith. Edric, Kale, and Kali passed the time betting on dice while Pancras paced, his anxiety palpable. Delilah tried to study her grimoire, but the nervous tension in the air made concentration impossible.
A knock at the doors made the parlor fall quiet. Pancras opened the doors to allow Lady Milena ingress. She looked around at the draks and dwarf gathered around. "Dare I ask what is going on?"
Pancras gestured to the room. "We've preparations to leave… just in case."
"I would say that's an unnecessary precaution, but under the circumstances, perhaps it is wise." Lady Milena put her hand on Pancras's shoulder. "Let us go, Their Highnesses await."
Delilah hopped off the chair and closed her grimoire. She shoved it in her pack and picked up her staff as Kale checked his bandolier of daggers and straightened his hat.
"What are they doing?"
Pancras glanced down at the drak twins. "They're coming with me."
Lady Milena shook her head. "I do not see how their presence will improve the situation."
Delilah poked her in the stomach. The armor Lady Milena wore under her tabard didn't budge. "Hey, my brother and I stick with Pancras, no matter what. It's Kale's fault we're even in this mess."
"Hey!"
It wasn't strictly true, but Delilah wasn't about to be left behind if she had any say in the matter.
"If things get out of hand and there is violence, I cannot protect them if they get involved."
Pancras knelt down and took the drak twins by the shoulders. "Like I said, let me do the talking. I want you there for support, but you are not to interfere in anything, no matter how bad things seem. Everything is taken care of. We have a plan. Lady Milena, the princess, and I will handle everything."
Delilah grunted and smacked Pancras's hand away. "We know how to behave ourselves." She wasn't about to make a promise to stand by and do nothing if these humans decided they wanted Pancras's head.
Lady Milena threw up her hands. "Fine. Act only out of self-defense, or I can make no guarantees. We need to leave. Now."
* * *
Pancras followed Milena into the throne room. He motioned for Kale and Delilah to follow behind him, but not too closely. He knew this confrontation would not be pleasant, and he hoped the presence of the draks would help keep things from spiraling out of control. Assuming they don't lose control themselves. Pancras trusted in Kale's ability to hold back his sister but not in Delilah's ability to control her temper.
Prince Gavril sat with one leg draped over the arm of his gilded chair. Princess Valene slouched in the chair next to him, glancing at her husband with a mixture of disgust and disdain. Guards leaning on spears flanked the throne dais.
"Ah, so, Minotaur, you have news for me?" Prince Gavril stood and approached Pancras, his hands outstretched. "Shall we convene in my antechamber? No need for the rest of the court to hear our business."
"That's unnecessary, Your Highness. My news concerns Princess Valene, as well." Pancras hoped a public confrontation would temper Prince Gavril's reaction to bad news.
"Does it?" Princes Gavril clenched his jaw. His left eye lid twitched as he glared at Pancras.
Pancras shook his head and glanced past Gavril to the princess. She sat up straight now, watching them, her face unreadable. "I am disinclined to fulfill your request. I find the idea of it vile and reprehensible: to commission me to curse the princess?"
Prince Gavril's teeth clenched, and his face turned bright crimson. "You dare—"
Pancras nodded and watched the princess, to see how she reacted. "I can compensate you for your hospitality, but I will not curse her. I will not make her barren."
"Lies! Slander! Kill him!" Gavril snarled and backed away, looking at his guards, then at Milena. "Lady Milena, slay this treacherous beast!"
"Gavril!" Princess Valene stood and then cleared her throat. "Dear Husband, is this minotaur's accusation true?"
"Lies!" Gavril pointed at Pancras, ignoring the princess's question. "Lady Milena, I order you to do your duty. Obey me! Kill him!"
Milena's hand dropped to the hilt of her sword and she stepped in front of Pancras. "No. I will not. He has done no wrong. Killing him does not serve the realm."
"You. Are. Relieved." Prince Gavril spoke the words through clenched teeth. He held out his hand. "Give me your sword. You are a disgrace to the Royal Guard."
Milena drew her sword and held it before her. She dropped it on the ground. Prince Gavril spun around and snatched one of the guard's spears.
"Pancras—" Delilah stepped toward him, but Pancras silenced her with a wave of his hand. He couldn't see Kale, but as Gavril approached him with the spear, he didn't have time to worry about Delilah's brother.
As Prince Gavril prepared to drive the blade into the minotaur’s gut, Pancras stepped backward. He grabbed the rod in his belt. “Skia veema.”
The spear passed through the space where Pancras no longer stood. The minotaur stepped out from behind Gavril's throne. Princess Valene gasped as the guards near her leveled their weapons.
Prince Gavril spun around, his face red with fury. “Your foul tricks will not save you!”
“It’s over, Your Highness. There is no need to continue this.” Pancras grabbed the nearest halberd leveled at him, pulled it out of the guard’s hands, and then smacked the man across the belly with the haft. The guard fell back, coughing.
The necromancer held his rod before him as he descended the dais. Prince Gavril lunged at him once more as a blast of azure energy intercepted the guard advancing on Pancras from his right. He heard Lady Milena shouting at Kale and Delilah as he dodged a thrust from the Prince. The tip of the spear thudded against the stone steps of the dais.
Pancras kicked the haft of the spear out of his way and pointed his rod at Prince Gavril. I need to put a stop to this before it goes too far. “Angigma tou tafou!”
A sickly green ray shot from Pancras’s focus, striking Prince Gavril and enveloping the monarch in a layer of frost. The color drained from his face, and he gritted his teeth as he fought to move. Wispy, decaying hands grasped at his legs, slowing his approach.
The minotaur took hold of the haft of the Prince’s spear and held it tight as he circled the prince. “Your plans are laid bare. Stop this madness!”
“Gavril!” Princess Valene’s voice echoed in the throne room. “Guards! Stand down!”
Pancras’s knee exploded with pain as a halberd slashed into it from behind. He cried out and fell to one knee. The Prince wrenched his spear away from the minotaur’s grasp.
Lady Milena struggled with Delilah, wrestling with her staff to keep the drak sorceress from unleashing her fury upon the guards. He heard a human voice cry out as Kale bounded past
him, twin daggers flashing in the light.
Prince Gavril threw his spear toward Pancras.
“Aspida tou ravematos!” The shield of energy appeared in front of Pancras as the spear reached his chest, arresting its momentum and snapping it in half.
* * *
Delilah leveled her staff, blue wisps swirling around her body as she prepared to unleash the full force of her magic on the humans. Milena grabbed Delilah's staff, redirecting it toward the ceiling.
"No! I cannot protect you if you destroy half the throne room!"
Kale slashed at the guard who attempted to grab him. He saw a flash of emerald energy from Pancras, and the Prince now weaponless scrambled backward, away from the minotaur. "Stop this! I command you!" Princess Valene's voice again echoed throughout the throne room. With unwavering purpose, she stepped down off the dais toward her husband. Milena held Delilah at bay as the princess directed the guards to resume their posts near the thrones.
“You have betrayed me!” The Prince pointed a shaking finger at his wife. “This is a coup! You conspired with these beasts to overthrow me!”
Princess Valene slapped her husband, snapping his head back. He clutched at his cheek as he fell to his knees.
“Silence! I know about Baroness Moravec. Think of this as a transition of power.”
Kale watched as the Prince opened and closed his mouth in silent protest. Princess Valene held the badge of office he wore around his neck as an amulet. She looked at it as she rubbed her thumb over its design.
“It is you who has disgraced your office. All your schemes, your conniving… you wanted this marriage, Gavril. You and my father.” She yanked it from his neck, snapping the chain.
“Arrest him.” Princess Valene ascended her throne. After taking her seat, she gestured toward Pancras, still kneeling, his hands staunching the flow of blood from his wounded knee. “See to the minotaur's wounds, Lady Milena, and escort the draks back to their chamber.”
Malediction (Scars of the Sundering Book 1) Page 33
