Son of Ereubus

by J. S. Chancellor

  “What your father did on this day was dishonorable and should prove to you that everything is not as it seems in your world. An Adorian couldn’t have even conceived of something like that. We don’t enter into bloodshed unless it’s forced upon us and ...” Michael’s voice hitched as he questioned his own reasoning. “Surrender isn’t an option for your kind. Jules would have fought to the death.”

  “What you haven’t been told is that three of my Adorians, our own flesh and blood, were mercilessly killed without reason. Your fearless leader, who is worthy of anything but reverence, committed this sin. I’ve seen him slay much younger youth than you. It is he whom you should fear, not us. We won’t harm you. Our purpose in Middengard is to protect those who are not able to protect themselves. Garren would have left you to survive the journey alone and on foot if he had left you alive at all. It’s your well-being that leads us through these woods with you, not the words you carry.”

  For a long while, Micah said nothing. He ate what was given to him from Caedmon’s saddlebag and drank from Michael’s flask of water. Then, just as they were about to mount and start onward, he spoke. “What is Adoria like?”

  “It’s much colder, with snow covering the ground most of the year. High mountains and valleys make up the majority of the landscape. No one is in servitude or has any reason to fear our leaders. We value all life, not just those who are deemed worthy. Adoria is bound in duty to protect Middengard because Adoria is not so different. Our sorrows and joys were once very much like that of man.”

  “Are they different now, your sorrows and joys?”

  “Generations of sacrifice have been made for the sake of man. Adoria is a more somber place now than it once was. A burden lies at the heart of my people, the desire for things to become as they once were, for life to be revered again in Eidolon. It, too, was very different once upon a time. I suppose they’ve neglected to tell you that as well?”

  Micah look up at him. “What do you mean?”

  “Eidolon was once a city filled with life. Don’t be fooled by the power of the Laionai. You are but a tool for evil’s foothold. The Goddess has no interest in the human realm; it’s of little consequence to her. What she wants is beyond our borders and she needs the aid of the Laionai to get it. You may be treated as if your lineage is favored, but it will not always be so. Once you’ve served your purpose, she’ll discard you as your people have discarded humans.”

  “I’ve been told to not trust any Adorian.”

  “See for yourself when you return. Go among the humans and you will see traces of their will to survive. You’ll have to pay close attention, but when you do, remember my words. Recall the mercy that’s been shown to you, and ask yourself if any in your realm would do the same.”

  Michael had been told by the Braeden that most Ereubinians don’t take their first soul until they’re sixteen. He guessed the boy to be several years younger, which explained his relative innocence. He hoped Micah would never see that day — that somehow this epic war would come to an end before he was of age. Michael had never felt compassion toward any Ereubinian. Most he regarded with a soldier’s distance; they were all just nameless faces on the battlefield. But this boy he could not disregard so easily. Michael had felt it the moment he’d seen Micah, and he still wrestled with the desire to bring the boy back to Adoria instead of returning him to Eidolon.

  Their conversation was limited the rest of the way. They finally reached the outermost borders of Eidolon as the last rays of light sank below the horizon. The air was much cooler than he’d anticipated; it almost felt like Adoria. Without second thought, he pulled his cloak from around his shoulders and handed it to Micah. The boy didn’t refuse, taking it and wrapping it tightly around his shivering body.

  “You should be alright to travel on foot from here. Remember what I’ve said, all of it. Speak to him and him alone.” Michael helped Micah dismount and watched as he started to walk away. The boy was a few yards out when he turned around, staring wordlessly at the two Adorians. Michael couldn’t read the expression on his face, but he hoped that something had begun to stir within whatever soul Micah still possessed.

  The woods were quiet as Michael and Caedmon journeyed back home. A brief thought passed through his mind that it would be quite possible for Micah to tell Garren that they’d brought him back to Eidolon. It would be a swift ride for a Dragee, leaving them in peril’s way until they reached Adorian borders. Michael looked over at Caedmon, motioning for him to pick up the pace.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  TRY NOT TO BREAK

  YOUR NEW TOY

  T

  adraem turned from where he’d leaned against the door. He’d heard enough to affirm his suspicions. Michael’s sister. He rushed to Aiden’s chambers and entered without knocking.

  Aiden lay back against the headboard of his bed, his new bride sitting naked, rubbing his feet with oil. She had a bloodied lip and a newly swollen eye.

  Tadraem sat on the bed and let his eyes wander over her. “Her name is Sara?”

  Aiden nodded.

  His mouth watered at the site of her. It had been months since he’d visited the temple and taken care of his physical needs. Still, those vessels were worn out — used. They were nothing like this human, whose innocence was so strong he could almost taste it. He touched the slender column of her neck and then massaged one breast, flicking her nipple with his thumb. Having lost her soul so recently, he could almost feel the fear radiating from her. It pleased him.

  “Jules and twenty-one of his men have been slain,” Tadraem shifted to rearrange himself, uncomfortable from his erection. “They encountered Adorian forces upon return from Ruiari.”

  Aiden leaned forward as Tadraem spoke, not the least bit bothered by Tadraem’s attentiveness to his new plaything.

  “Now is the time for the revenge of yours that I spoke of. I’m sending the remainder of Jules’ men, through what will appear to be your authority, into the outer regions with instructions to slay every human that resides in the lesser provinces. We’ve more than enough of them in the main cities to make up our forces against Adoria, the rest are of little use to us.”

  Aiden grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from his bedside table, handing it to Tadraem when he’d finished with it.

  How is this revenge?

  Tadraem tore the paper, letting it float in pieces to the floor. “Your allegiance is to me now, which means you must unquestionably follow what I say. Upon waking tomorrow, you’ll find that speech will flow freely past your lips again. Once those who already question Garren’s abilities hear of Jules and Garren’s failure to avenge him, it will be enough to secure their faith in your commands. Tell no one of this. Garren’s forces at large mustn’t be aware until after the humans are dead. Then we’ll see where Garren’s loyalties lie. I believe it to be only a matter of time before his own men turn on him and you will be there waiting to claim their loyalty, having already avenged our fallen by power of the Goddess, your miraculously recovered speech as the proof of it.”

  Aiden smiled as Tadraem made his way to the door.

  “And Aiden … try not to break your new toy. It would be a shame.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  NOTHING

  OF IMPORTANCE

  “H

  ave you seen Ariana?” Michael approached Jareth from behind, causing him to jump. “You really ought to work on that.”

  “No. Not in the last few hours. And why be on guard in a protected rea… nevermind.”

  It had been almost a week since Michael’s encounter with Jules. He’d returned home to discover that Duncan had given Ariana yet another weapon, this time a bow and arrows, which both worried and angered him. It would be one thing if it were recreational archery that she fancied, but he had the sinking feeling that she had no intention of using Duncan’s gifts for sport.

  “I’ve heard her mention exploring the old world on more than one occasion — don’t give me that look M
ichael, I didn’t encourage her.”

  Michael grimaced. Keeping up with her was going to be the death of him.

  “Let her go,” Jareth laughed. “She’s not a child.”

  “It’s not her age or maturity that concerns me. Has she said anything more of Garren to you?”

  Michael hated to ask him this, hearing anything about her attention toward Garren seemed to make Jareth’s skin crawl, but Ariana had taken to confiding in Jareth. Michael tried his best to not let it hurt his feelings that she hadn’t spoken to him.

  “Thank you for reminding me. She’s managed to not mention him in over a week.” Jareth scowled. “You’re going to look for her aren’t you? Do you want me to come with you?”

  Michael considered it for a minute. “You mean, ‘Can I come along pretty please because I’m in love with your sister?’ Sure. I could use the company.”

  “You, my friend, can be an ass sometimes.” Jareth stood with a telling grin on his face. “Duncan told her about the entrance near the Aidolis. That might be the first place we try. We aren’t going to let her know that we were looking for her, are we?”

  “No. If she knows I’m trying to keep an eye on her, she’ll be that much harder to manage.”

  “Has it occurred to you that she might not need managing?”

  “Has it occurred to you that my father might have spent her entire lifetime lying about her existence for no reason — no? It hasn’t occurred to you because the idea is ludicrous. Thus, her protection has my full attention.”

  Jareth shrugged. “I’m just saying that perhaps you should consider seeing her as an equal, trust her with your thoughts, your concerns. That’s all.”

  “My equal? You mistake me. That sword I was telling you about? It matches perfectly the description of the fabled sword of Ereubus, said to be hidden just beyond the borders of Arcadia.”

  Jareth smirked. “You seem to be under the assumption that I stayed awake for ancient human history. Allow me to correct you.”

  “Jareth, I am not saying these things lightly. That sword took the first human soul and hasn’t been seen for nearly three thousand years. She saw Arcadia as it once was — no doubt through the power of holding that very sword. Bronach said a being spoke to her there as though life and death itself rested in her hands. You saw her touch the Aurora stones, and while she thinks it bears no meaning, she’s wrong and so are you. She is not my equal. She is worth more than all of us combined and Eidolon knows it.”

  Jareth seemed to understand this. “We’ll need to take a lantern with us.”

  They reached the entrance to the cave. Jareth turned the wick up on the oil lamp as they descended deeper into the shadow. Michael kept his ears open, hearing nothing but their steps. It was a long way into the old world from that entrance. It did eventually empty into a courtyard, but it was after nearly a mile of darkness. He hoped she had taken Koen with her.

  He was grateful for the beast, no one could come near her without its approval; it amazed him. He’d never seen an animal so attentive before.

  It was low at first. Michael was in front of Jareth in the narrow opening and motioned with his hand to quiet him. “Lower the flame,” he whispered. He heard someone talking ahead of them, and assumed it to be Ariana speaking to Koen. He couldn’t make out any words, but it certainly sounded like it could be her.

  Light burst the darkness in front of them, so intense that it appeared as though the sun had sunk beneath the ground. It happened so suddenly that it caused Michael to stumble back onto Jareth, who fell to the ground. Michael quickly regained his footing and ran toward the source.

  As they approached the end of the tunnel, Jareth grabbed Michael’s arm and pulled him back into an alcove. “Wait,” he whispered, “look.”

  Ariana stood with Koen in the center of the immense room. It was hard to tell where the light was coming from. It was shining from every crevice. It appeared similar in color to the aurora stones, but it was much more intense. Jareth put out the flame from his lantern and set it down.

  Ariana was speaking, but he couldn’t understand the tongue she spoke. She lifted her hand toward the ceiling. A small, rotating ball of light hovered above her palm, growing in brightness as the words left her lips. Michael was speechless. As the light spun faster, a beautiful humming sound started to emanate from the walls around them.

  Jareth gripped Michael’s arm, astonished. Another light, even brighter than the first, abruptly exploded from the center of the room, causing both Michael and Jareth to fall to the ground, covering their eyes. Then it dissipated, leaving them again in relative shadow.

  Michael rose to his feet first. He could make out the shape of Ariana’s body on the ground beside her lantern. He stumbled to her, Jareth at his heels.

  Kneeling beside her, he cradled her upper body and patted her cheek. “Ariana?”

  She brushed his hand away, her eyes still closed.

  “Ariana, are you all right?”

  She slowly opened her eyes, a confused expression on her face. She looked around, trying to get her bearings. “Where am I?” She looked over at Jareth, then back at Michael.

  Jareth laughed. “Are you playing with us or do you really not know where you are?”

  She frowned at him, pushing herself up from the ground and out of Michael’s arms. “Oh, because looking helpless would really benefit me? What’s going on?” Michael looked over at Jareth, willing him to keep his tongue stilled. “Always the discerning one. Forget it, I’ll figure it out for myself.” She started to turn around and lost her balance.

  Jareth caught her. “You’re in the old world. I was setting out to look for you when I ran into Michael and asked him to accompany me. I figured you might be here.”

  Ariana turned to Michael. “Your friend’s loyalty is endearing. Though somehow I find fault in his story.” She rubbed her eyes. “How did I get here?”

  Michael had no intention of telling her what they’d just witnessed until he’d had a chance to discuss it with Jenner first. “That I truly can’t answer. You appeared to be awake when we found you, but I suppose you were sleepwalking.”

  Koen trotted over to Ariana, making a low whining noise.

  “How glad I am to see you! You abducted me didn’t you? That’s it, you wish to steal me away and keep me all for yourself. If you needed more attention, all you had to do was ask.”

  Jareth laughed as she spoke. Michael wanted to feel endeared by her innocence and playful nature, but he was too stunned.

  “I used to sleepwalk all the time in Palingard, but Bella always heard me,” Ariana admitted. “Though I don’t recall lying down to rest today.”

  Jareth put his arm around her shoulders and leaned into her. Michael couldn’t hear what he said to her, but whatever it was it made her smile.

  Ariana held up her lantern, illuminating the area around them. “Considering the length of time I’ve begged and pleaded with Jareth to show me this place, I suppose it would do for one of you to at least show me a little of it, seeing as we are already here?”

  Jareth shot Michael a sideways grin. “Told you I didn’t encourage her.”

  Michael took the lantern from her. “Well, some of the old world we won’t be able to access from here. What we can reach is unremarkable. There isn’t much left that isn’t dust and rot. Perhaps we can still see some of the architecture.”

  He wiped dirt away from the carvings on the walls. The old world had fallen into even more disarray since he was young and it was in bad shape then.

  “How could Adoria let something this incredible fall apart? I’ve seen how everything else is kept up, why let this place turn to rubble?”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more. Perhaps, considering the separation, our people will have more time on their hands for renovation. This is partially why Bronach has been brought here from Artesh.” Michael placed his hand on her shoulder, hoping that this would make her smile, but it didn’t.

  “Bronach’s said a
s much. But why bother? Why not let this barren, desolate place symbolize what’s left of Middengard — considering the separation?”

  “Michael, come look at this!” Jareth was several feet from them, peering down into a stack of what looked like rocks.

  He pulled away from Ariana to walk closer. “What am I missing?” Michael asked, leaning in to line his vision up with Jareth’s. He couldn’t have cared less about whatever it was Jareth was trying to show him, but he couldn’t take any more of Ariana’s sarcasm. He agreed with her and it was only a matter of time before he’d slip and tell her.

  “Appears to be pieces of old pottery.”

  Michael looked closer and saw that mixed in among the rocks were pieces of shattered plates and goblets, some of them almost whole. He turned around to call for Ariana and realized that she wasn’t there anymore.

  “Ariana!”

  Jareth jumped to his feet, echoing Michael’s call. “Ariana!”

  Suddenly, it dawned on Michael what part of the cavern they had wandered into. Further down the narrow opening to their right was one of the few borders to Middengard that could be reached from underground. He looked at Jareth, who seemed to have come to the same conclusion.

  Taking the lantern with them, they walked a short distance to the opening and came out onto the other side. There, she knelt in silence, looking out across the field.

  There were thousands of corpses. It appeared they’d been there for at least several days, which added to the stench of the decay.

  Michael clenched his fists at his sides as he sat down beside her.

  Jareth walked over to the rocks and threw up. Michael was too angry to be overwhelmed by the smell and it appeared that Ariana was in shock. He touched her on the shoulder. “You don’t need to see this.”

  She surprised him by putting her hand over his. “Do you see where Koen is?” He was pacing around and around a particular body, whining.