“I will see what I can do. But if it comes to that, I would rather see Shadereen destroyed than continue on the path it’s on.”
“Winter wanes and the season of war is nearly upon us. We will meet when the moon is new again and see where Shadereen stands and whether or not you truly wish to see it destroyed.” Kovan climbed into the saddle then fastened the safety straps. “Although if you can’t bring this under control, the Shadow Riders will destroy it no matter how you feel rather than leave it to the Guardians.”
He backed away as the dragon lifted off and opened a black Jump. Then he stood alone with the water lapping the gravel bank as the only sound. Who could he trust to see things his way? Only one man came to mind. Surely, he would be one to stand with him.
Kalila strolled through the halls of the castle in Markene, enjoying a brief respite from always having people around her. Not that she was completely alone, she never was. Sehlas trailed at a short distance, along with her personal guard, and Lalani walked by her side. Even so, this was as much privacy as she could hope for right now. In the future, when the war was over, perhaps it would be safe for her to walk these halls completely alone. Doubtful even then, but she could hope.
Out the corner of her eye, she watched Lalani. Though usually cool and detached, today the mage’s hands fidgeted with the silver cloak of the Tower of Spirit that she wore, and her eyes darted down the side corridors as they passed by. “Lalani?”
The woman jumped, a startled look in her pale blue eyes. “Yes?”
“Is something wrong? You’re nervous and distracted. It’s unlike you.”
Lalani shook her head. “Nothing is wrong.”
The mage was a poor liar. It didn’t take being a Spirit mage to see through her denial. Maybe if she got her talking, Lalani would relax enough to tell her what was on her mind. “Why do Jocelynn and Kirynn have a different accent than you when you are all from Boromar?”
“We were brought up in different classes,” Lalani answered in an absent tone, her mind obviously occupied. “I was raised by a ruling house, the ruling house. I spent very little time among the common people until I was older. By then, the dialect of the upper class was firmly ingrained, and my mother would have been quick to let me know if I was slipping at all.”
“Why does it matter so much?” Kalila pulled her cloak closer. Though the various rooms of the castle were quite warm, the wide halls were prone to drafts. Even so, it was better than walking outside in the snow.
“I suppose it really doesn’t matter that much, it’s just a distinction we have in Boromar.” The Spirit mage glanced down another hall.
Kalila watched her for several more moments. “I haven’t seen Loki at all today. It’s a little unusual. He often stops by to chat with me before he and Merru start their morning watch flight.”
The mage brushed at her skirts and glanced at one of the large tapestries hanging on the wall. “I have no idea where he is at the moment.”
Kalila heard the truth that wasn’t the “truth” in Lalani’s words. She didn’t know exactly where he was, but she knew where he had been, or would be, and what he was doing.
“Lalani.” Kalila stopped and crossed her arms over her chest. “Where is Loki? And don’t give me a vague answer. I get enough of those from the Heads of Houses. I don’t need it from my advisor as well, especially since I’m supposed to trust you.”
The mage turned cool eyes on her. “I will never lead you wrong; however, I’m unable to tell you what you want right now. Just know that Loki is doing something for me and at this moment is in no danger.”
“What do you mean at this moment? Does that mean in a few minutes he could be in danger? Or that he was in danger earlier?”
Lalani smoothed her skirt again though it hardly needed it. “I’m afraid I can’t answer that right now.”
Kalila raised her chin and glared at the mage. “Then I will speak with Jocelynn and Varnen about this and possibly Mage Councilor Amariel.”
“Of course.” Lalani nodded. “You must do as you think best. Just as I must. At this point, I will speak no more of it.”
Then the mage closed down, her very expression shutting Kalila out. Inside, Kalila fumed. How dare her advisor keep things from her. Things that may or may not be dangerous for Loki at some point either later or earlier in the day. Kalila ground her teeth together. Lalani had successfully led her in a circle with that conversation, one that made Kalila sound confused and unsure even in her own head.
Loki stood without any cover less than one hundred paces from possible death. Behind him, Merru remained as still as the statues in the Great Hall at Galdrilene. The two women, both heavily cloaked, stood close together. He’d carefully followed the older one from the castle at Markene as she made her slow and careful way south on horseback through the knee-deep snow.
He watched her uneasily lower the scarf that covered the lower half of her face and approach the Shadow Rider and dragon that landed near a group of trees growing along the Galdar River.
Despite the low rush of the wide river and the icy wind, that had both women holding their cloaks in a tight grip, he could still hear them. Loki barely breathed and he was almost certain Merru actually held his breath altogether. The Shadow Rider would hear any noise they made. The Shadow Dragon waiting near the woman would also hear them.
A tendril of hair the dark red color of cold blood escaped from the hood of the Shadow Rider’s cloak and danced in the wind. Azurynn. Loki would never forget the name, that hair, or the green irises ringed with black. The heavy-lidded eyes that had looked directly into his as she placed the black links of a chain around his neck. Eyes that held a light of excitement and interest. The face he couldn’t quite see now was the face that haunted his occasional nightmares.
“Loki, you’re letting your thoughts wander too much. If the weave fails, we will have to fight or fly for our lives. I have no wish to take this woman and her dragon on. Her dragon is…different than the rest. Even knowing how you work this weave, I still feel as if she almost knows I’m here,” Merru sent.
“I haven’t lost control of a light-bending weave while standing still in months, and I’m not about to start now. However, you are right, letting my mind think of other things keeps me from hearing everything they are saying so I do appreciate your warning,” Loki returned. He still checked to be sure the weave covered all of the snow that had been disturbed and trampled during Merru’s landing.
His legs slowly turned numb from standing still in the snow for so long. His hands, clenched tight around his cloak to keep it from flapping, were frozen and he couldn’t feel his face. It didn’t matter. Lalani had asked him for proof. After searching for the culprit since the previous summer and following the old woman for nearly two months when he wasn’t flying watch, he finally had it. He wasn’t about to jeopardize that. So he stood as if carved of stone and waited.
The Shadow Dragon rustled her wings and swung her head around as if searching for something. She couldn’t see them and yet he felt watched.
Azurynn glanced back and told the dragon to settle, though she too swept the landscape with her eyes. For the flash of a second, she stared right at him and then her searching look moved on. Seeing her face turned toward him made his pulse jump. Anger poured through his system. She could die right now. Except he was sure Azurynn held her magic at the ready and as soon as he dropped the shield to attack, she would have him. There was a good chance he would kill her, but just as good as one that she would kill him. It wasn’t worth risking Merru.
Finally, Azurynn turned and walked to her dragon, and the old woman reached for her horse. The Shadow Dragon lifted off and opened a Jump. And then there was only an old woman on an old horse making their way north back to the castle.
“Here comes the more difficult part, my friend,” Loki sent as he climbed into the saddle after the woman was far enough away that the wind would cover the noise. He’d left the catcher strap on and the leather had fro
zen in a curl from where it had laid in the snow.
“You held the weave while on the way here.”
“I know. I’ll just feel better once I have a better handle on it.”
“You haven’t lost control of it while moving in weeks. You will do fine.”
Loki buckled the safety straps across his thighs. “Weren’t you just warning me about letting it slip?”
“That was when you needed a reminder to concentrate.”
Loki shook his head and settled in to wait. They couldn’t take off until the old woman was well away. She may not be able to see them, but she would still see the snow kicked up by Merru’s wings when he took off.
Sadira watched Kovan pace the width of the main chamber from where she sat on one of the cushioned benches along the wall. His unkempt hair and slept-in clothes only added to the air of dark desperation that surrounded him. Why he thought killing a babe would bring balance back into his life, she had no idea.
“I think he’s losing his grip on sanity,” Oksana said under her breath as her eyes followed Kovan.
Sadira glanced at the golden-haired woman and snorted. “Do you truly think you are sane, dear Oksana? You use your magic to dismember children in order to strike fear into their parents. What sane person does that?”
“You’re a fine one to talk.” Oksana glared at her.
“Don’t get your feathers all ruffled up. Sanity is for the weak. It comes with emotional and moral strings attached that keep one from doing what needs to be done in the most expedient manner.” Sadira gave her a dark smile that faded as she turned to look at Kovan again. “Kovan’s problem is that his sanity and insanity used to be somewhat balanced. In an effort to hang onto both, he’s descending into madness. And madness, despite what people think, is far more dangerous and destructive than mere insanity.”
“I suppose we should thank the void he still functions in a halfway useful manner.” Oksana pursed her lips a moment as she regarded the pacing man. “At least he’s been able to continue working with Shadereen.”
“And discover that our turncoat there is basically useless when it comes to providing information on the movements of the Guardians.” Sadira sighed. “However, I have already planned for such things.”
Oksana raised an eyebrow. “Your spies?”
“I think they’ve had enough training now.” Sadira stood and started walking away. “Time to put them in motion and across more nations than just Shadereen.”
“Where are you going?”
Sadira glanced over her shoulder at the blonde. “To speak with Azurynn. She returned a short while ago.”
“Enjoy.” Oksana’s voice dripped sarcasm. “I’ll round up the mages.”
Sadira couldn’t blame her for the attitude. Azurynn seemed more of a loner with each passing week. Often the woman locked herself up in her chambers with the Kor’ti for days at a time. No one dared to interrupt her without first being summoned. The need to step lightly around the dark Spirit weaver rankled. The fact there was nothing she could do about it rankled even more. Eventually, she would need to find a way to end the woman.
At Azurynn’s door, Sadira took a deep breath, opened it, and swept into the room without bothering to knock. She hated the hesitation that almost held her back.
Azurynn slowly looked up from the Kor’ti. “Careful, Sadira. Your overly strong thoughts precede you.”
Sadira buried the thread of fear that tried to worm its way into her heart under layers of hatred and drew herself up. “Don’t waste my time with your silly threats. Did you or did you not find the weave I need in that book?”
A lazy smile spread across Azurynn’s face. “It really rubs you the wrong way that you need me for anything, doesn’t it? Poor Sadira, reduced to asking me for help.”
She ground her teeth together. “Just answer me.”
“Oh yes, I found what you need. The weave will cloak the magical abilities of any mage. There’s only one tiny problem.”
“And that is?”
“It’s a Spirit weave.” A malicious light glimmered in Azurynn’s eyes. “And of course, you will have to ask for my help again. Nicely now. You do know how to ask nicely? Or do you need me to hold your claw…I mean, hand?”
Resentment surged alongside the hatred in Sadira’s veins. Plastering on a fake smile the dark Spirit weaver would see right through, she said, “Will you place the weave on my spies?”
Azurynn raised an eyebrow. “I’m waiting. Come now, Sadira, it won’t kill you. I promise.”
“Please.” Her jaw clenched so tight, she spit the word through her teeth.
“Very good. I wasn’t sure you actually knew that word existed.” Azurynn stood and rounded the desk, brushing past on her way out of the room. “Oh and Sadira,” she said as she stepped into the hall. “I would have done it whether you said please or not.”
“You filthy backside of a mangy dog,” Sadira growled as she followed the Spirit weaver.
“Now, Sadira, don’t be so lavish with your praise. It might go to my head,” Azurynn said with a low laugh. “And don’t forget since all the spies are dark Spirit mages that were trained by me, technically, they’re mine. However, because it seems to give you such pleasure to feel like you’re in charge, and because you did say please, I will allow you to direct them.”
Rage flared beyond control, burning its way through Sadira’s veins. She lashed out at the Spirit weaver.
Sadira woke up on the floor in the hall with a massive headache. Azurynn stood over her. “I suggest you think twice before acting so foolishly again, Sadira.” The blood-haired woman turned and walked away toward the main chamber.
Growling under her breath, Sadira picked herself up off the floor. Once she gained her feet, she braced one hand against the wall. It took several moments for the ache to fade and the floor to quit swaying. Azurynn would pay for that one day.
By the time she reached the main chamber, Azurynn was working her way through the assembled mages. One by one, she touched their foreheads with her finger. The woman had better be right about this weave. If it failed and revealed the mages to the enemy, she wasn’t going to be pleased. It would mean another round of selecting dark Spirit mages with the proper temperament, ability to blend in, and training them properly.
It didn’t take long for the weave to be placed on each of the twelve mages. Sadira brushed past Azurynn to stand before them. “You know what you’ve been trained for. If you fail me, pray that you are killed by the enemy for you will not wish to face what awaits you otherwise.”
Murmurs of assent ran through them. Azurynn glanced at her. “If you are through disrupting my day, I have things to do.”
Sadira watched her go in irritation.
Oksana stood next to Sadira, watching Azurynn leave as well. “That woman needs to be knocked down a peg or two.”
“Are you going to be the one to do it?” Sadira gave a derisive snort.
“No, unlike you, I’m not stupid enough to try right now. But one day, her guard will be down.”
“One day. For now, let us get these mages where they need to be. I will take half, you take the other.”
Oksana called Dusa down from her ledge then said, “We’ll only be able to get them so close.”
“Close is close enough. I have no doubt they can make it the rest of the way to their destinations on their own.”
Sadira called Ranit down. After securing herself in the saddle, she motioned to six of the mages. “Ranit will open the Jump outside the Kormai, and you will have to walk through.” She looked over at Oksana. “I will take the farther nations. Place two in each nation in case one is discovered.”
Oksana gave her a flat look. “However did I manage to function all of my life without you telling me how to do everything?”
Without answering, Sadira signaled Ranit out of the cave. The dragon opened the Jump and extended it to the ground. Her plan was put in motion. Soon, she would know the movements and the weaknesses of t
he Guardians along the border and elsewhere. When the Kormai made their next move against the Guardians, it would be when they weren’t expecting it. They would be hit from all sides.
Maleena glanced at the mirror, uncomfortable in the fine dress she wore for the ball. At least it would be over soon, and the Calladarans would be appeased. She brushed the skirt with her hands, smoothing wrinkles that didn’t exist. Rarely did she wear dresses of this nature. Even after hatching Nydara, she was only required to dress formally a handful of times and that had been in Galdrilene.
In Calladar, it would be different. The relaxed, happy dancing would be replaced by formal dances. Servants wouldn’t be a part of the celebration. Though still required to serve, they would be expected to remain as unnoticed as possible. Here she would be something for the people to examine.
Maleena raised her chin. No matter. She would get through this night with its ridiculous ball and then it would finally be behind her. Besides, there was one good thing about tonight. She would be in close quarters with every man and woman that had any kind of influence. Since she couldn’t avoid it, she intended to use it to her advantage. Someone had tried to kill Mckale and by extension, Tellnox. Tonight, she would find out who that was.
“Are you ready?” Sonja asked as she opened the door.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Maleena smoothed the rose-colored gown one more time then followed Sonja into the hall. Mckale’s sister wore a royal blue gown with a sweeping neckline edged in gold thread. It looked striking on the tall beauty.
Belynn and Brock were already downstairs with everyone else. Belynn wore a burgundy gown in the traditional style of Boromar. Maleena eyed the revealing dress and changed her mind about whom everyone would be staring at. Like Kirynn and Jocelynn, the blonde Boromari woman didn’t understand the more conservative dress style their nations favored.
Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) Page 17
