Island Shifters: Book 02 - An Oath of the Mage

by Valerie Zambito

  All those seated rose to their feet.

  “Where is Kenley?” Kiernan asked him in a hushed voice.

  “In the suite with Kirby and Miss Belle. She is not very happy to be confined to the rooms.”

  “I wonder where she gets that stubborn streak of hers?”

  Beck turned to her and lifted his eyebrows. “Yes, I wonder, indeed.”

  Kiernan punched him in the arm just as Maximus descended the palace steps. Usually, Kiernan’s father shunned wearing the royal crown with its surfeit of rubies and black onyx, but it was sitting atop his head today

  The King strode to the dais and took his place on the throne in the center. “Please be seated,” he ordered, and all on the platform sat back down with the exception of Lord Gage Gregaros.

  Gage walked down one stair of the dais to address the crowd. “We are gathered here today to stand witness in the trial of Abram Winslow and Ava Conry. Will the guards bring the accused forward.” Stepping back, Gage returned to his seat.

  A murmur rippled through the crowd as four Iserlohn guardsmen brought forth the two former members of the King’s Court.

  Beck was shocked by the appearance of both. Abram, nearing his ninetieth year, looked even older, his face gaunt and hollow and his clothes hanging on his thin frame as he shuffled along between two guards. Ava Conry, usually dressed in the finest of clothes, was wearing a plain, disheveled dress and her face was streaked with dirt. Unlike Abram, though, she walked stiff, her chin jutting forward.

  “Hang them, I say!” someone shouted from the assemblage and cheers of support followed. Beck noticed Ava’s shoulders flinch when a tomato thrown from the crowd hit her in the back and the juice splattered over her dress.

  The guards led the nobles directly before the dais, and all was hushed for a long moment before the King finally rose to his feet.

  “Ava Conry, step forward,” he demanded.

  The guards let go of the woman’s arms, and she stumbled slightly before righting herself to approach.

  She knelt before Maximus.

  “Ava Conry, you have been accused of high treason against the Crown in an attempt to undermine the lawful lines of succession, plotting murder against your Sovereign, waging war against your Sovereign, and conspiring to spill the blood of your fellow citizens.”

  Ava’s composure began to crack under the charges and she let out a tiny sob.

  “How do you plead?” the King asked.

  She reached for Maximus’ hand. “I…I plead guilty, Your Grace, but I beg you to show mercy. Lord Etin tricked me with his lies and duplicity. I am as much an innocent victim in this as the rest of Nysa.”

  “Bah!” a man shouted from the crowd. “Soldiers follow the orders of their liege! One of Conry’s legionnaires killed my son when he did not move out of the man’s way fast enough! Lady Conry was there and did nothing to stop it! No clemency was shown to my boy and none should be given to Lady Conry!”

  Cries of support for the man echoed through the gathering and more tomatoes were lobbed at the kneeling woman.

  King Maximus held up his hand and again the people quieted quickly, anxious to hear the King’s decree.

  “Ava Conry, I could show you mercy for conspiring against the Crown.” Ava looked up hopefully. “But, I cannot show mercy for the death of innocent people due to your actions. For your crime of high treason, I sentence you to death by hanging.”

  Ava screamed and then fainted.

  King Maximus gestured, and two guardsmen rushed forward, picked her up and carried her into the palace, presumably to the cells to await her execution.

  “Abram Winslow, step forward.”

  The ancient man shuffled forward and knelt before the King.

  “Abram Winslow, you have been accused of high treason against the Crown in an attempt to undermine the lawful lines of succession, plotting murder against your Sovereign, waging war against your Sovereign, and conspiring to spill the blood of your fellow citizens. How do you plead?”

  “Guilty, Your Grace.”

  “Abram Winslow, I could show you mercy for conspiring against the Crown, but I cannot show mercy for the death of innocent people due to your actions. For your crime of high treason, I sentence you to…” The King paused. “I sentence you to banishment.”

  The crowd gasped in collective surprise.

  Abram lifted his watery eyes to look at his old friend. “Your Grace?”

  “As of this day, you are stripped of all lands and title and banished from Iserlohn. You will be allowed time to pack a modest amount of provisions and then you will be escorted to the city gates. Go to Deepstone or Haventhal or to the northern shores of Nordik. I care not which. If your family wishes to join you, they may do so without impunity.”

  A single tear dripped down Abram’s face. “Why, Max?”

  The King moved down the dais. “Because your grandson was being held against his will and you were under extreme duress when you made the decisions that you did. I have since learned how you reined in your legionnaires and ordered them to protect the people of Nysa when Etin’s and Conry’s were out of control. Many of your soldiers saved innocent people that night who otherwise may have died.”

  Abram nodded. “But…but I still was unable to save my grandson. I do not know where he is or if he is alive or dead.”

  “Oh, he is very alive, Abram.”

  The old man struggled to his feet when the guards brought a teenage boy out of the palace.

  “Grandfather!” The boy ran down the steps and into the arms of the man who gave up everything in an attempt to save his life.

  Abram looked at Maximus. “But, how did you…?”

  “The moment I heard that Davad was holding the boy, I sent the Sabers in search of him. It did not take long to uncover his whereabouts in the basement of Davad’s estate.” The King shook his head remorsefully. “I just wish you would have come to me first, Abram.”

  “I am a stupid old man, Max.”

  “Old, yes, but not stupid. Desperate would be a better word.” Maximus turned and walked back up the stairs. “You have one hour, Abram Winslow, to pack your belongings and depart Iserlohn never to return.”

  The former Lord turned to go, but Beck saw Abram straighten his shoulders when Maximus said loud enough for him to hear. “May the Highworld favor you, old friend.”

  CHAPTER 20

  A Cryptic Passage

  Once the King and members of the Court departed, the gathered Nysians began to disperse as well. Standing on the platform still, Kiernan looked out over the heads of the people and scanned the crowd for Airron, Rogan and Janin. She knew the two Dwarves were anxious to return to Kondor to reunite with their children and she wanted to say goodbye to them before they left.

  She noticed Airron right away, his silver hair and tall frame easily identifiable in the throng. She waved to him, and he began making his way toward her.

  Her eyes still on the crowd, she noticed a head of black ringlets dashing through the mass of people and growled.

  “What is it?” asked Beck.

  “It seems your daughter has managed to escape her confinement.” A flash of white also caught her eye, and she grinned. Kenley did not need a royal protector when she had a Draca Cat as a bondmate. Although often as impetuous as her daughter, the cat would never let harm come to Kenley.

  The courtyard was almost completely thinned now and Airron, followed by Rogan and Janin, she was pleased to see, approached and climbed the dais. Airron was gnawing on a piece of grass, but removed it and used the green blade to point at her. “Do not even think about it.”

  “Think about what?” she asked in confusion.

  “Grilling me about Melania. You know how I feel about marriage. I refuse to tie myself down, and I don’t care how beautiful she is. Or smart. Or talented. Did you know she could play the harp?” He shook his head sharply. “It doesn’t matter! It just would not work and that, my friend, is all I am going to say on the subject!” His
rant over, he shoved the grass back into his mouth.

  Kiernan shrugged. “So, end the marriage.”

  The grass fell from his opened-mouth gape. “End the marriage? What kind of advice is that?”

  “Airron, I am on your side. If you feel that strongly against marriage to Melania, just end it. As lovely as she is, she will find another husband in no time.”

  “Another husband?”

  She reached out to pat his arm. “I will support any decision you make. I do have to admit, though, that I love Beck so much that the thought of him with another woman would tear me apart. If you can imagine another man touching Melania’s soft, silky skin and kissing her while they writhe together in passion, well, then you are not in love, my friend.”

  “I will kill him!” the Elf growled, violet eyes blinking rapidly. “I have to get home to Sarphia!”

  Kiernan turned to Janin with a wink. “Like shooting fish in a barrel.”

  Rogan and Beck both laughed and put their arms around their friend. “He’s done for,” observed Beck.

  “Looks that way,” admitted Rogan.

  The easy laughter came to an abrupt halt when a shout of alarm pierced the darkening sky. “What in demon’s hell is that?” a man on the street asked, pointing to the rooftop of a cutlery shop lining Dannery Row.

  Kiernan looked up at a black, winged creature perched on the tile roof.

  “It can’t be,” breathed Beck.

  “What is it? A bird?” asked Kiernan.

  “No. It is Avalon Ravener,” Beck responded and jumped off the dais.

  Kiernan’s heart sank. The nightmare was not over after all.

  The creature that was Avalon let out a high-pitched screech and took flight, diving toward a small group of people on the street.

  “Run!” Beck shouted to the bystanders, waving his arms to get their attention.

  Those that noticed the danger screamed and ran in an attempt to dodge out of the way of the flying beast. Beating powerful, leathery wings, the creature flew low over the heads of the frightened runners and slashed at one man with her front claws, sending him in a vicious tumble across the ground.

  Turning in a sweeping arc for another pass over the people, the creature suddenly pulled up and let out an excited scream. With a renewed burst of force, the beast flapped its wings furiously to close the distance to the people, and then reached forward with taloned feet to grip the shoulders of a little girl running on the cobblestone road toward the palace.

  A little girl with black ringlets.

  A pitiful roar erupted into the night. Baya raced below Kenley’s dangling feet, leaping up and trying to pull her free with her teeth. In order to evade the cat, Avalon wheeled around sharply and climbed higher into the air.

  “Kenley!” Kiernan screamed and sprinted off the platform.

  Rogan was right behind her and called a fiery spear to life in his hands. Kiernan heard the distinctive summons of fire and stopped, gripping his arm. “No! If you hit Avalon, she will drop Kenley!”

  Twenty or more Royal Scarlet Sabers swarmed out of the palace, but Kiernan knew there was nothing they could do to help.

  Shouts and screams filled the evening, and Kiernan realized that the loudest was hers as she watched the winged abomination soar higher and higher until finally disappearing behind the rooftops with her baby.

  Airron took off running in a sprint, and shifted into his eagle form, shooting into the night after the departing monster. The Sabers gave chase from the ground.

  Kiernan began to sink to the ground, but Beck found her then and caught her under the arms. “Airron will find them, Kiernan,” he said and pressed her face into his shoulder. “Airron will find them.”

  He was right. Airron had saved Beck, and now he would save Kenley. She refused to think differently because any other outcome was unthinkable.

  “Come on.” Beck led her, Rogan, and Janin back to the dais and they sat on the steps, huddled together. A despondent and whimpering Baya sat before her and put her head in Kiernan’s lap. She stroked the white fur and bittersweet memories of her father, Bajan, rose to the surface.

  Within moments, her father strode over to them with a trailing group of Sabers demanding to know what was happening.

  She let Beck explain. She could not find any words within reach.

  Kiernan did not know how much later, but Airron reappeared from one of the side streets off Dannery Row wearing one of the Saber’s scarlet tunics and black leggings. She jumped to her feet in a expectant rush.

  He was alone.

  Beck was standing several paces away with his back to her. She saw him glance up at Airron and then he slowly turned her way with a look of fierce determination coloring his features. He simply stood there and watched her, like a racer waiting for the signal to go.

  The thought was written all over his face.

  A bodyshifter could not rescue Kenley, but a Mage could.

  He was asking her to make a choice. To choose between him and their daughter.

  Eyes filled with liquid, she started toward him numbly.

  Airron intercepted her. “Sorry, Kiernan. She went down and then must have used an invisibility spell…

  She barely heard him.

  She kept walking.

  When she reached Beck, she swallowed back the lump in her throat so she could speak. “You said you would not ask me again.”

  “The stakes are higher.”

  “Where do you have to go?”

  “I am not sure exactly.”

  “How long will it take?”

  “The book did not say.”

  Green eyes met blue in a connection so deep, so pure that it defied words. But, there was another bond pulling at them that was equally as strong.

  “She is so small and defenseless, Beck.”

  “I know.”

  There was a long pause.

  “Go. Just go,” she whispered in agony.

  There was no goodbye. Beck must have known she could not handle it. He took off at a sprint for the royal stables and a few moments later raced by her on Chasin toward the gates of Nysa.

  Despite his promise, he forced her to make a choice, and she did.

  She chose Kenley.

  Beck made it to Bardot in well under two hours. The foam at Chasin’s mouth and his labored breathing concerned him, but it could not be helped and he silently thanked his old horse for not letting him down.

  Two guards stationed in front of the grate to Aquataine banged fists to chest in unison when they saw him approach.

  Beck offered the same salute and asked one of the guards to take care of Chasin. “He has been running hard, so rub him down good and provide him with plenty of oats when he has had time to rest.” The last words were shouted over his shoulder as he took off at a sprint for his home. There was only one item that he would take the time to collect and that was the compass that could lead him through the tangle of magic to Callyn-Rhe. Without it, he could wander the Puu Rainforest for an eternity and never find the city.

  He ignored all of the shouts and greetings on his way to the palace and back again.

  Arriving at the grate, he yanked open the grille with a bang and went through, diving head first onto the slide. The usual thrill of the ride was lost on him, all of his thoughts on Kenley. He had been a captive of Avalon Ravener. There was not a shred of decency in the woman, and he knew she would not hesitate to kill an innocent child if it brought her closer to her goals.

  Within seconds, he splashed into the warm lagoon just outside of Barbary. Kicking to the surface, he swam to shore and raced to the second cavern and dove in, not bothering to use one of the tethered rafts or wait for a watershifter escort.

  Since it was morning here, the waterways were busy. People recognized him and waved. One young boy riding a porpoise had to leap out of his way as he cut through the water, his strong arms pumping vigorously.

  He arrived at Digby’s small, limestone stilt house praying that the wa
tershifter was home. There was no one who could get him to Sarphia faster than Digby.

  Pulling himself from the water, he flopped down on the wooden deck in front of the house to catch his breath. A door opened and the wide smile of Digby gleamed down at him.

  “Thank the Highworld you are home, Digby.”

  The watershifter knelt and observed, not for the first time, “Always in a hurry, Prince Beck.”

  “This time it is different, Digby. I need your help.”

  The watershifter was instantly alert. “Whatever you need, Your Grace. You know that.”

  Beck told him as much as he dared take the time to say. As soon as Digby heard the story of Kenley’s kidnapping, he stood quickly. “Get in the boat.”

  Beck did as instructed, and Digby went inside his house to tell his wife, Liliana, what had happened. A few moments later, the watershifter rushed out of the door, threw a pack onto the deck of the boat, and dove into the water. “Sit back and try to relax, Your Grace,” he said when his head resurfaced. “There is food in the pack. Sarphia is a two-day ride, but I will do what I can to shorten the trip by picking up two more watershifters at the next village.”

  Beck nodded and sat down on a crate on the deck, his mind whirling with doubt and fear. He was not lying to Kiernan when he told her he knew very little of the journey ahead of him. The very last passage in The Protetor said only, “Strength lies in mastering others, but true power lies in mastering yourself. Your true power awaits you with the Malakai, the enemy of Callyn-Rhe, in the tribal village of Torg.”

  Tribal village of Torg? He had never heard of this place. How long would it take to get there? What would be required of him once he arrived? Who were the Malakai? He had questioned Baya once through Kenley, but the Draca Cat had never heard of the Malakai and insisted that the Moshie were her mortal enemy.

  Beck remembered only too well how much the Moshies and Draca Cats despised each other. He was on hand to witness a vicious attack by the apes on Kiernan’s bondmate, Bajan, when traveling with him through the Puu. The encounter left Bajan badly wounded and Airron with a broken leg.