A Deadly Dance

by E. V. Greig

  Chapter Two

  Lonrari watched as Korius plucked the last of the cold iron shards from his arm. “I see that you had a violent day,” she observed.

  “There was an accident at the college. Two students are dead, but I was able to save the third. Foolish youths; they tried to nightwalk themselves into the armoury so as to be first there for weapons practice...an armoury filled with cold iron. You can guess how well that went.”

  “How did you manage to save him?”

  “I moved myself through the metal in time to prevent him from impaling himself. His companions were not so fortunate. Still, there is no room in our society for such idiocy! They are better dead.”

  “Then why did you bother to save any of them: why try at all?”

  “I am their head teacher. Their lives are my responsibility. Do you hope to find a moral answer in me, Wildheart?” Korius laughed at his slave.

  “You risked your own life to save someone whom you consider to be useless. I should hope to find a sensible reason for your action, dolt!”

  He grabbed for her: snarling as she darted out of reach. “Mind your tongue, dryanth!”

  “Or else what, fool? If you die, who shall there be left to protect Anthalia from Lady Agieta?”

  “You have come to worry about the child, I see.” He managed to corner her then, and smirked. “I have a will in place. Why aren’t you more concerned for your own fate?”

  Lonrari squirmed backwards until she was flat against the wall. “As though my life here is anything better than it might be elsewhere in this city?”

  “You know that it is, Wildheart.” He tangled his fingers in her long golden tresses.

  “Stop it! You gave me your word!”

  “Others would not,” Korius told her. “Perhaps you ought to think on that before you insult me further.”

  She snarled at him even as he let her go. “Isthylk!”

  “There are times, Wildheart, whenever I am confused as to why I grant you so many leniencies. Then you go and say something fierce, perhaps even brave, or merely amusing. And I remember what it is that I like best in you.”

  “You must realise that one day I shall kill you. No slave can ever love their master.”

  “Ah – so you see me as your master then? Well, that is progress indeed!”

  “Shut up, you inbred fool!”

  “But dearest, how may I be both an inbred and a kinless bastard? The two do not generally go together, after all.”

  “Nor do trolls and apes, but it would seem that nature made an exception in your case!”

  “Oh, now you aren’t even trying! That was a poor insult, Wildheart.”

  “Leave me be – there is nothing that I wish to speak of with you!”

  “What a shame. I enjoy our talks.”

  ∞∞∞

  Kaiwan pushed back her cowl and set to work dispelling the glamour that disguised the pale mare. “There now, brave one. Now you look yourself again! I shall dispense with this heavy tack too.”

  “Halt, little thief: what are you doing there with my steed?”

  She shrieked and spun to face her accuser, her fingertips already working the beginnings of a defensive spell. “Keep away from us!”

  The stranger held up his hands and smiled. “And what is this? Will you turn me into a toad, sorceress?”

  “I – no, perhaps I shall not.” Kaiwan hesitated. He appeared unarmed, although he was dressed in the garb of a warrior: with an ornate breastplate and greaves that matched the design of the saddle and bridle. “Is she truly yours?”

  “Yes, sorceress, she is. We have shared many great adventures together, she and I. Thank you for bringing her back to me. You are a scout for Briersburge, yes?”

  She shook her head. “I borrowed this cloak. Are you a resident of the keep then?”

  “I used to be.” Bandhir wondered who this strange young woman was. “Are you of this land, then?”

  “Yes – I am Ullensian. My people dwell to the northwest of these mountains.”

  “I see. You speak Anthiri.”

  “Amongst several other tongues, yes, I do. Who are you, sir?”

  He bowed. “I am Efrym Bandhir: the Sun King! I am a mercenary general, and the ruler of Briersburge. Perhaps you have heard of me?”

  “No. I thought that Lady Naomi was the ruler of Briersburge.”

  “Ah, my beloved wife rules in my absence, yes.”

  “Oh. Why are you absent?”

  “I was driven out by a jealous upstart who wanted what was mine! I must gather my strength before I return. As you can see, I was badly hurt, although I am healing swiftly.”

  Kaiwan frowned. “Why do you not go back to Briersburge to recover?”

  “Because the one that drove me out also framed me for murder and treason - even my dear Naomi was fooled. She was heartbroken by my supposed betrayal! I must gather an army to retake my own keep. That is the only way that I will stand a chance of proving my innocence.”

  “Oh how awful! Can I help you?” Kaiwan suddenly realised why Lady Naomi had seemed to be so very scornful of her own respectful attitude towards men. I hope that I did not kill her.

  “Well now, I do not know. I am certainly in need of a guide: someone who could perhaps teach me how to speak the languages of this new world. But I could not dream of imposing upon a sorceress!”

  “It is no imposition, sir! The Lady Naomi was very kind to me. I would like nothing more than to help restore her happiness by proving your innocence.” Oh, please do not let her be dead!

  “Well, in that case, I am very grateful indeed! What may I call you?”

  “My name is Kaiwan.” She paused. “Does your horse have a name?”

  “Why yes of course. She is Seranor. It means white sandstorm, in my language.”

  “That is a good name for her.”

  “Why is that you and she were so disguised, sorceress?”

  She looked away at that. “Some youths attacked me. Seranor rescued me: she killed them. We had to leave: to keep her safe. It was only fair.”

  Bandhir raised an eyebrow at that. “She is a fine warhorse: bred and trained for courage in battle. It is good that she was there to save you. Are you hurt?”

  “No, just shaken. Seranor arrived just in time, I think.”

  “I am very glad that she did so, although I am sure you would have thought of some means of besting them. It is a fool that baits a sorceress.”

  Kaiwan blushed. “They hit me in the stomach and I could not breathe well enough to cast,” she admitted.

  “I see. Then they were merely lucky.” Bandhir smiled kindly. Now I know your weak point!

  “I am still learning my craft. And I do not know how to fight.” Oh, but what if I have killed Lady Naomi?

  “If you wish, I could teach you how to do so,” Bandhir offered. “I have but a few daggers at the moment, for my belongings are still mostly back at Briersburge.”

  She brightened. “I could use sylth to fetch them here for you!”

  “Why that would be most kind.” Perhaps Naomi is not irreplaceable. Seranor never did approve of her, that much is true. Besides, she has a sharp tongue - too sharp at times.

  “You must take my hands and focus upon the items that you desire,” Kaiwan instructed. “Close your eyes.”

  Her hands were small compared to his: small and perfectly smooth. Naomi has calluses. Bandhir sighed and focused upon his falchion, and the locked chest that he kept in his study. It contained everything else that was of value.

  The air began to hum and the ground quivered beneath them. There was a brief moment of utter stillness. Then time reasserted itself, and everything lurched back into synch once more. He heard a clang and a solid sort of thud. “Might I open my eyes now?”

  “Of course you may – please, look.” Kaiwan was nervous. I hope I brought him the right objects!

  Bandhir gave the falchion a practised sweep. “And my traveller’s chest! Most excellent – now we hav
e everything necessary for an adventure!”

  “I am glad.” Kaiwan smiled. Lady Naomi is alive – the spell passed her on its way into Briersburge.

  “Well then – let us be on our way, sorceress! Adventures do not come to those who dally.” Bandhir secured his traveller’s chest at the back of his saddle, strapped his sword to his back and mounted Seranor. “Come with me.”

  Kaiwan took his hand and allowed him to set her in front of him. “Poor Seranor shall be tired!”

  “She is very strong,” Bandhir assured her. “And she could outrun the winds themselves, should she so choose! A delicate flower such as you shall not trouble her.” He took the reins into his left hand and wrapped his right arm about her waist. “There: now you are safe!”

  She recalled how Hugo had carried Althanor and herself to Briersburge. Efrym seems to be so gentle compared to him! I wonder who it was at Briersburge that betrayed him. “Efrym – who was it that framed you?”

  “I do not know his name. He was a monstrous brute of a man! Impossibly strong and swift, and most oddly: he could not appear to die. I know this, for I saw Lord Von Rosenhof run him through only for the brute to get up again!”

  “What happened then?”

  “The brute accused me of murder, of laying waste to whole settlements, and seeking to enslave all of Alnaiea. He beat me to within an inch of my life and threw me out of the keep. Somehow, he was able to convince Naomi that he told the truth. She must have fallen deeply for his wiles. The last that I saw of him, he was acting as her new general.”

  “Forgive me please – what is a general?”

  “A general is an important sort of soldier; a leader of men.”

  Kaiwan gasped. “You must mean Captain Elharan! He accused Hugo of having done dreadful things too, and threw him into prison! That is part of the reason why he left Briersburge.”

  Bandhir had not bothered to learn the names of any of those within Briersburge that were not nobility. “So – his name is Elharan, eh? I shall remember that. I saw him ride out yesterday evening from the keep – do you know when he plans to return?”

  “No. I have not seen him since yesterday morning. Oh, do you think that he has gone after poor Hugo? Might he be intending upon causing him further trouble?”

  “Sadly, I could well believe it to be possible, sorceress. So who is this Hugo?”

  “He is a blacksmith from Briersburge. He found Althanor and I after the wyrm attacked the Vale of Ryln. He rescued us and brought us back to the keep. Althanor is the son of my guardian, by the way. The wyrm took him – my guardian, I mean. Lord Von Rosenhof took Althanor in as his page. I was to stay with Hugo and keep house. But then he was arrested, and after that he refused to stay, even when they found him innocent!”

  “You mean that he has abandoned you.”

  “No! At least, I hope not. Although that is what it feels like,” she admitted sadly.

  “Sorceress, I would like to give you some words of advice. Men are much like books: if you look merely at their covers, you will know nothing of their contents. If you look at the very first page, they will tell you what to expect of them. Now then, sorceress: what did Hugo’s first page tell you about him?”

  “He was fierce. I was afraid of him.”

  “What of the second page? What did it say?”

  “That he gets angry easily. And that he hates sylth.” The Ullensian started to cry quietly.

  “Did you read the third page?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “Do you wish to?”

  “Not any longer. I was foolish: he is a very dangerous man, Efrym. He told me so, but I did not want to believe him.”

  “He rescued you, and your heart admired his good deed. That is perfectly normal.”

  “Thank you for understanding.”

  Bandhir laughed softly. “Little maid! When one lives as long as I have, one learns much of life. You are only setting out upon your journey. Wait another few decades before you start to judge yourself so harshly. You are not foolish: you are young, and open hearted.”

  ∞∞∞

  Tyras was in a foul mood as he returned home. The expedition to the Vale of Ryln had proven fruitless, and a nhynquara had slain two of his troops on the way back. “The whole effort ‘twas naught more than a complete waste of my time!”

  “Did your journey not go well then, brother?” Wylaran rose from her seat at the harp and nodded for her maidservants to take his cloak and boots.

  “Oh, it was alright I suppose. We ran into some ihldhyr, and I lost two good fighters. Blasted Isylth couldn’t track who we sought in the end. Still, we did our part. Isyl Kolbez must keep up his bargain now, at least.”

  “You still wish to court her then: his ward.” His sister had returned to her music.

  He nodded. “She intrigues me, dear sister.”

  “I do not think that she wishes to be courted by anyone, brother.”

  “This is why it is wrong to overly educate females, Wylaran. They become distracted from their proper roles. Isylla Moonbrooke shall learn to enjoy my company in time.”

  “I shall hope only that things transpire as you say, dear brother. It is certainly not my place to debate such matters.”

  ∞∞∞

  “We’ve lost the one hope of ever defeating the Vor’Barysk.” Naomi was despondent. “I don’t know what those two fools did with her body, but I have called out to every stone of this keep and she is certainly not alive within its walls.”

  “We cannot be certain that she is dead, Naomi. Perhaps she has merely run away.” Ranulf attempted to sooth his niece.

  “She can’t have left: the guards at the gate saw no sign of her. The only people to have left today are Ruiryk, Banor, and a handful of scouts. But there is no trace of her life force, which can only mean that Mikel and Callum killed her to keep her from talking.”

  “Then where is her body?” Ranulf persisted with his optimism. “And who killed the two stable hands?”

  “They appeared to have been trampled to death by a horse. However, none of the horses have any blood on them. And Efrym’s mare is still missing too, although that is a far lesser concern.” Naomi paused. “Could it have been the nhynquara? Her presence would have panicked the horse - it may have trampled them in its flight. Then the hay could have just fallen atop them as the animal fled past it.”

  “So then the nhynquara took Kaiwan? And the horse is running loose somewhere in the keep still?”

  “Either that or the nhynquara ate it.”

  “Well if you are correct, then I suppose all is indeed lost. Shall we give up then?”

  “No, of course not, Uncle; we’ll just have to find another means to best the Vor’Barysk.”

  “My Lady, might I please profess my personal opinion?” Misericord was quieter than usual. “There is perchance another possibility: the maiden may have ensorcelled herself an escape. If stealthily she sought to steal away, glamour would she warily weave to muddle the minds of those that might pursue; where such saw simple scouts, slipped by the sorceress we seek.”

  “And as a witchfinder, you have certain immunities to sylth so whilst the rest of us have been befuddled, your mind remained clear! Misericord, I could kiss you!”

  “Pray do not please: it would be perilously improper.”

  Ranulf cleared his throat. “Do you suppose that she took the horse too?”

  “Probably – why, she was probably getting ready to leave when I arrived at the cottage. Poor girl – she must simply have panicked.”

  “Then you reckon that she knocked you out?” Ranulf frowned. “I’m fairly certain that honour demands that I hunt her down and thrash her.”

  “For pity’s sake, Uncle, she was raped! I bear her no ill feeling.”

  “Well, I shall accept your amnesty. Nevertheless, she is the one hope of the world: she cannot remain abroad! That nhynquara is hunting her. She must be found, for all of our sakes.”

  Misericord toyed with
the edge of his cape. “Swiftly I shall sally forth to seek her, should my Lady so levy it.”

  “Now that is a suggestion that I am indeed comfortable with.” Naomi smiled at her retainer. “Go then, Misericord. Find Kaiwan and fetch her home safely to Briersburge.”

  Chapter Three

  Kaiwan looked about her whilst Bandhir was making camp for the night. He had chosen a small copse of fir trees, stating that they would provide both shelter and security. Now he was busy stringing what looked like a very thick sheet between four of the trees, roughly six feet up along one edge, and touching the ground at the other. “What is that, Efrym?”