by Joe Jackson
The woman approached. “Kari is fine. So, these are the ones who found the seals?”
Leighandra couldn’t help but stare. This was a woman whose lives were the stuff of legend, who was reputed to have once killed an erestram in single combat, defeated several red dragons, and more recently, a demon king. And yet standing there, unarmed or armored, she looked so unassuming, like your everyday woman, muscular though she was. She looked small beside her mate, but she was a tall woman in her own right. Standing this close, Leighandra could see Kari was terra-dracon, not half-demon, and she was quite pretty for someone who’d spent the majority of their lives hunting demons.
“Indeed,” Karinda confirmed. “These are King Auremax Talvorus of the luranar, and his wife, Audrei; Galadon Tercullin of Dira Ch'Tori, formerly its king; Yiilu ’n’Torae D’ansu of the court of Queen Tiyaana of Laeranore; Starlenia Wineseller of the Okonashai people; Delkantar Clintarrin of Chandler's Grove; Leighandra Evenstar of Solaris; and Lion Tumureldi, brother to the rightful queen of the Khalarin Empire.”
“Oh, my,” Kari said, her stare lingering on Lion. “I can still see a bit of Suler's face even this far removed through the generations.”
“Ma'am?” the shakna-rir teen blurted.
The demonhunter chuckled. “I’m so used to everyone knowing I was resurrected. But I was Suler Tumureldi’s mistress for a time in my previous life. You could say I have a bit of a history with your family.”
“Can you help my sister retake the throne?”
Kari nodded. “In time. That’s not our first priority, though. Gathering these six seals has made it easier for our enemies to try to seize them, so we need to take them to the Isle of Morikk, open that Temple, and see what it’s all about.”
“So, you were resurrected as well?” Galadon asked, and Kari turned to him. “It would seem you are not the only one; I was apparently brought back after the Apocalypse.”
Kari glanced at Karinda, who nodded, and then she turned back to the knight. “And there’s a third, who we’ll be meeting in Flora. Maybe we’ll get some answers for the two of you at the Temple. I’ve at least gotten mine.”
She turned to Audrei before anyone else could speak, and her brow furrowed. “What’s with you? There’s something familiar about you, but we’ve never met before, have we?” Audrei didn’t get a chance to respond, Kari turning back to Max. “But I have met you before, haven’t I?”
“Indeed you did, in the court of Queen Cecia al’Morinh,” he answered.
Audrei stepped forward and stood tall before the demonhunter. “You shared a bond of sisterhood with Carly Bakhor, one that never broke, neither after you passed, nor even after she did. Her spirit is now upon me, accompanying me through the trials that lie ahead. She has not forgotten you, her true sister.”
Kari reached up and touched the luranar woman’s face tenderly. “If her spirit’s settled onto you, there must be something very special about you.”
“You don’t know the half of it…,” Starlenia blurted.
“Wolfy lady!” Kari’s son announced, finally gathering the nerve to step up next to her.
“Audrei, Little Gray; her name is Audrei,” Kari corrected.
“Wolfy lady!” Little Gray insisted.
Kari looked at the two luranar and shrugged. “Sorry; he gets like this with just about anyone who isn’t human, elven, or rir.”
The couple chuckled and shook hands with the youngster.
“Imagine if he had seen Alissiri,” Yiilu offered with a smirk.
“Are the rest of the Silver Blades with you, ma’am?” Delkantar asked, and he turned a scowl at Starlenia before the woman could so much as smile. The rogue shrugged innocently.
“They’re in and around Flora, too. We have people assessing the threats in Aurun Ch’Gurra and other places. But it’s proving a bit difficult with how well-known we’ve become. It may be that I call upon you folks to carry out some of the work, that we can hold the attention of our enemies and let you strike… surgically.”
“And the guardian demon Serenjols accompanied Lady Vanador here, to see to re-forging Galadon’s sword,” Karinda said.
“We also have a ship on call to take us to Morikk, so as soon as the lot of you are ready, we’ll be heading to the Temple,” Kari added. “Just understand: As many pains as we’ve taken to keep your progress quiet, there’s a chance our enemies are waiting for us there. If that’s the case, we’re going to be in for a hell of a fight.”
“Doesn’t sound so bad with the two of you coming,” Galadon said, gesturing between Kari and Kris. “Each of you is legendary in your own right.”
“Not to mention your friends,” Delkantar agreed.
“Did you really kill a demon king?” Starlenia asked.
“One of the weaker ones, but yes,” Kari confirmed. “And we have a few that are on our side, so despite everything aligned against us, we do have a lot of allies. The trick is going to be putting them all to their proper use, here as well as on Mehr’Durillia. It may be that I take a trip to Irrathmor as well, to see what allies we may be able to bring back from that world.”
Yiilu chuckled. “We have a contact for you there,” she said, and Kari’s brow rose. “We rescued a medusa, a… teshan-suz from Irrathmor, and Lady Karinda helped her to return home. She said should we ever go to her world, to look for her in a city called God’s Terrace. Perhaps you may begin your search for allies there, with her.”
Kris stood before Max. “You’re Christian?” he asked, and when Max nodded, the Warlord lifted the sleeve of his tunic, showing off a tattoo on his shoulder that read PSA 144:1. Whatever it meant, Max’s brows rose and they stepped off the side and began to speak quietly.
Leighandra finally found the nerve to step forward. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Vanador,” she said, extending her hand.
Kari’s handshake was casual but strong. “I’m serious: Just call me Kari.”
“So, what exactly is the Temple of Archons?” Audrei asked.
“Our enemies think it holds the power to make one into a god. We think it’s the meeting place for a circle of seven deities. But honestly, we’re not going to find out until we go there and open the doors. And Karinda, I think we’re going to want you there for that.”
“As much as I would love the opportunity to see the Temple opened and witness what is inside of it, I am not certain I want to leave this land untended while you are there.”
“If Emma turns out to not be as friendly as she makes us believe, we’re going to need someone there who can stop her,” Kari said. “And as much as we’ve done, as far as we’ve all come in recent years, I still don’t think any of us pose much of a threat to her – not even me. If we’re going to defend the place from her, we need someone like you, or one of your fellow wizards from the council.”
“Hmmm, I could ask someone else, but they would either take some time to get here, or else attract undue attention coming quickly by arcane means. I suppose the obvious choice is to go myself.”
“Who’s Emma?” Leighandra asked.
“A demon king who may or may not be friendly. I guess we’ll find out soon enough,” Kari answered.
“I still don’t get it. If what you say is true, and the Temple is a meeting place for some circle of deities, how does it benefit us to open it?” Starlenia asked.
“Again, we won’t know until we get there,” Kari admitted, and she looked at Kris.
The Warlord and Max returned to the conversation. “The keys were left where mortals could find them for a reason,” Kris said. “My father may not know much more than we do, but that was his take on things.”
“Your father?” Leighandra echoed.
“You may have heard of him: Kaelariel Arakiel Jir’tana.”
“Are you kidding?” Delkantar balked.
“Uh oh, now Kari has competition for Delkantar’s affections,” Starlenia laughed.
The demonhunter did a double-take. “What?”
“Remind me to stab you repeatedly when we’re outside the tower,” Delkantar hissed.
“Private joke,” Starlenia told the confused rir.
Kari shook her head with a lopsided smile. “Listen, I’m very proud of you all. No doubt collecting these seals was a feat and then some. The trip to Morikk is going to take a couple of weeks, and you can fill us in on everything you’ve done, and found out, and what you think lies ahead. And we’ll do the same for you. Whatever you’ve been through, understand that we, the Silver Blades, have been through at least as much, and it’s all interconnected. You may feel like you’ve been running blind all this time, but there’s a purpose behind it. And if what we tell you doesn’t clarify things, I’m sure opening the Temple is going to, one way or another.”
“Thank you,” Max said. “If we may, then, let us take to the road immediately. Time is already against us, and we must keep pace with our enemies.”
“No doubt,” Kris agreed. “Give us just a few minutes to get ready. Or maybe an hour, if the kids are like they usually are…”
Kari snorted, and glanced at Audrei when the luranar woman laughed. They shared a knowing smile, mother-to-mother, and then the terra-dracon woman and her mate went into an adjoining room to get armed and armored.
“All your lives have led to this moment,” Karinda said, looking over the group with a soft smile. “Are you ready, my friends, to usher in a new era, one we make with our own hands?”
Max looked to each of his friends, and they all smiled or nodded encouragingly. When he turned back to the archmage, he dipped his snout. “We are.”
And then Kari and Kris emerged from their room fully dressed in their paluric armor. Delkantar had to make an effort not to say anything so as to avoid another wise-crack from Starlenia. Now, the two looked every bit the heroes they were reputed to be, and yet the way they regarded the companions spoke of nothing but respect.
Now she looks like someone befitting the title Avatar of Vengeance. But can it be they’re almost as awed by us as we are by them? Leighandra wondered.
“Let’s go meet the gods,” Kari said, and she gestured toward the exit.
Chapter XX – Forged In Light
The entire group halted as they exited the tower, and before Leighandra could react, Kari and Kris had their swords in hand. There, before them all, stood the Tilcimer. The demon looked unconcerned by the reactions of the demonhunter or the Warlord, his green eyes going in two different directions to take the party in completely.
The Tilcimer clacked his teeth together before speaking. “Have you had time to consider my offer, mortals?”
“Offer? What offer?” Kari demanded, though she turned to look at Max and Galadon.
“He wants something that was buried with the Tempis’ra, and in exchange, he’s offered to give us information,” Galadon explained. “Of course, my instincts are to tell him to go to hell, but he did tell us something useful when we first met. I think in this, I’ll defer to your instincts as the Avatar of Vengeance, Lady Vanador.”
“This one is not like the others,” Karinda said.
“What offer?” Kari reiterated, directing it to the demon this time.
“Your resources are limited; I can obtain information you might not normally be privy to,” the Tilcimer returned. “All I ask in return is to add a trinket of power from the Tempis’ra’s tomb to my collection when the dust settles from all this.”
“What could you possibly tell us that we can’t get from other sources, and without having to promise something you can’t – or won’t – identify?” Kris asked.
“The location of his father, for one thing,” the demon said, gesturing toward Max.
The luranar king’s eyes went wide. “What?” Audrei put her hand to his shoulder.
“Tell us,” Galadon demanded, stepping forward. “Whatever it is you want, you can have. But tell us my friend’s location, now!”
“Think you well on this, mortal, for–”
“Shut up and tell us!” the knight barked. “There is nothing to think about.”
Kari glanced at Kris and put her swords away, and he followed suit. Neither looked pleased by this turn of events, but they let Galadon take the lead for the moment.
“Kalamaris Talvorus is being held at the keep of Duke Curlamanx of Si’Dorra,” Tilcimer said. “A place your new companions should be… intimately familiar with.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me…,” Kris spat, and he sighed when fixed with everyone’s gazes. “We were just there several weeks ago. Si’Dorra is in complete disarray. That may make a rescue easier, but then again, it may make it impossible. Is Max’s father alive?”
“For the time being.”
“No,” Max said, turning away from the demon. “We cannot prioritize rescuing him. We must stay true to our path. More lives than his are on the line, and yet…”
“We’ll rescue him,” Kari assured him, laying her hand on his forearm. “We have two weeks or so to lay plans while we sail to the Isle of Morikk. I just hope you know what you’re doing having any dealings with this demon.”
Tilcimer smiled, a chilling flash of teeth and glowing green eyes filled with satisfaction. “You are now bound by your word. Accordingly, so am I. When you have need of information, mortals, I am at your service.”
Kari perked up at that. “Oh really? Well then, give me a briefing on the wars in Sorelizar and Si’Dorra.”
Tilcimer glanced at Galadon, who nodded, and Leighandra balked when the demon pulled forth a sheaf of papers and handed them to the demonhunter. Kari perused them for only a moment before she looked back up at the Tilcimer. “How did you know to bring all this?”
“Your companion,” he said, gesturing toward Karinda, “is far from the only clairvoyant involved in this game we play. You should find everything you need to know in those papers, and you may rely on it as much as reasonably possible to lay your plans to rescue Kalamaris.”
Kari cocked her head. “You really are different than your brothers?”
The Tilcimer clacked its teeth, the smile fading from its features. “I am not your friend, Lady Vanador, but likewise, I have no interest in being your enemy. I am willing to work toward a mutually beneficial goal.”
“Karinda?”
The archmage shrugged. “He does make himself useful from time to time, much like Amastri does for you back home. Should worse come to worst, you could always introduce him to your father-in-law.”
That brought a grimace to the demon’s face. “There will be no need for that.”
Kari approached the Tilcimer, and he backed up a couple of paces. “I’ll make this simple for you: If you make them regret dealing with you, I’ll make you regret dealing with them.”
“I am not a fool,” Tilcimer countered. “While the ultimate fate of this world and that of Mehr’Durillia are not my concern, I can still appreciate the benefits of either side winning this war of yours. For the time being, I offer my services to you.”
“For the time being,” Kari repeated. She turned back to Galadon again. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“We never know what we’re doing,” Starlenia said. “Hasn’t stopped us getting this far.”
The demonhunter snorted and waved for everyone to continue along. She stayed in place, arms folded across her chest, holding the Tilcimer under a piercing gaze. It was enough to give Leighandra the shivers, and she had no reason to fear the Avatar. The chronicler was the last to depart before Kari herself, and she watched the Tilcimer run off in a blur before the group made their way into the forest.
~ * ~ * ~
It took several days to reach the city of Flora, and the companions took the time to get to know Kris, Kari, and their children a little better. The first step, interestingly, was finding that the children weren’t theirs, but Kari’s with her late husband. That better explained Karinda’s words about Kari being fractured by the death of her mate. It was interesting to Leighandra that the woman would
end up involved with another so soon, but everyone reacted to grief differently. She had only to look at Max and Audrei to see that.
The luranar paladin and the Warlord spent a lot of time speaking during their travels. They never said as much to each other or anyone else, but Leighandra could tell both were shocked to find the other was Christian. Nevertheless, they seemed to become close over the course of a few days, and Kris likewise spent a good deal of time chatting with Audrei. Best of all, the three spent the evenings around the fire teaching each other hymns and songs, and Leighandra made sure to note the rhythms and the lyrics. They might not prove crowd-pleasers, but she was always glad to learn new music and the stories it entailed.
There were numerous introductions when they reached the city, and even Leighandra had a hard time keeping track of all the names and faces. She’d long thought the Silver Blades to be a band of siblings, no more than six or so in number, but she and the others were introduced to over a dozen people in Flora. They may not all have been members of the Silver Blades, but the number of members and their allies was impressive. And that was to say nothing of how tall some of them were, towering well above even Max and Galadon…
“Not everyone will be going with us,” Kari said once initial introductions were made. “Eli and Danilynn will be heading north to visit with family. Dynas, Gil, Sherman, Markus, and Katarina will be headed west to do some reconnaissance work. The rest of you will be coming with us to Morikk.”
“You want me to go with you?” the dark woman, Sharyn, asked.
“You’re the werewolf,” Galadon said, shocking the entire gathering, though apparently it wasn’t news to any of the Silver Blades or their allies. “The one who was resurrected?”
“Yes, that’s right,” the woman returned tentatively.
“I was resurrected also,” Galadon said, and that drew Kari’s attention fully along with everyone else’s. “There’s three of us – and so that number comes up again. You, Lady Vanador, and myself were all resurrected. Do you know of any others?”
