To the left of Merula’s throne were the headmasters: Emre, Jal, Charna, and the grandpa with the long, grey beard whose name I never got.
Behind Charna stood five other dragon-women; her other daughters. I picked Aleih out from the line of dragon beauties, and she looked no worse for wear despite being mauled by three courted-beastkin. But she looked like a beaten dog, and the smile she gave felt weak, sad. My eyes snapped to the mother, her eyes tracking me like a predator.
Koko, Neepa, and Eva gave me one final encouraging nod, then walked off to the side, giving me the floor.
“Thanks for agreeing to this meeting on such short notice,” I announced to everyone.
“Think nothing of it, Al,” Julika said. She left her master’s side and approached. She gave the bokken I rested my weight on an appraising look, then regarded me with a triumphant smile. “It seems you’ve awakened something within the artifact.”
“Yeah, I guess I did.” I did a slow turn to address the others in the room. “As I’m sure you’re all aware of what happened. Take that as the proof of my title as Resonant. Believe me when I said I didn’t believe it either. But…” I inspected the black sword of indiscernible material. “...fact is often stranger than fiction.”
I perused the small sea of faces while I walked with a slow gait, my sword echoing in the vast hall as it taped with my footfalls. The effect worked, and everyone watched with timid and anxious faces.
My pacing ceased, then I struck the floor with a hard tap, making everyone jump.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that I saw the light,” I announced, projecting my voice the best I could as I resumed pacing. “In a dire moment, when all seemed lost, the One came to me with a great revelation, and with it, a humble request: protect life so it may have the chance to flourish. I accepted the sacred duty and the great power and responsibility that came with it. The One gave me the power needed to smite the people who sought to bring destruction upon innocent lives.”
I stopped before the headmasters, giving each of them an equal, hard look. Faces stared back, none revealing anything damning. My body grew tense until cords grew in my muscles, the look of anger on my face clear before I turned my back to the group. “That said, if I am to honor my duty of protecting the innocent, I should first smite the traitor in our presence.”
A series of cries and gasps erupted from everyone. Heads swiveled back and forth, and a light panic surged through the room. All fell silent when I raised the sword to my side, and if word spread as I guessed, they all knew the devastation one swing could bring. Everyone stilled.
The dramatic lag was for me to manage myself. A wavering voice would ruin everything.
With my back still turned, I uttered in a low voice, “You really shouldn’t have used Cas for such a vital attack for your crazy cause. That sociopathic bitch ran her mouth a mile a minute when she thought she had me under their thumb, you old fart.”
Everything ran so tense that it took all my self-control to not tremble like a man with Parkinson’s. Sweat beaded on my forehead as a lengthy silence loomed in the Hall of Discourse, everyone caught up in a confused lull. More than a few hands clutched staves or rested on swords. All ready for a potential clash that will no doubt be an absolute shitstorm.
Just when my heart threatened to give out, a soft chuckle sounded from one of the headmasters. I whirled around with the sword pointed at the source: the old Gandalf-looking bastard at the end.
His chuckle tapered off. His kindly grandpa vibe gone, sinister intentions twisted his expression and made his eyes burn like coals. The traitor opened his mouth to utter a martyr's cry or do some evil monologuing, but the only thing that came out was choked grunt.
The old man stared at Eva, then down at the three darts in his thigh. He staggered for a few beats, then collapsed face first into the floor with a healthy thump.
Half a minute of nothing happened. I slowly approached the downed man and give him a few pokes with my sword. He didn’t stir.
A shit-eating grin split my face and I laughed. “Holy Johnny Ramone, it fucking worked!”
Neepa ran into me with a big hug. “Al, you did it, you really did it!”
“Thank Eva, she’s the one who fired the money shot.”
Eva came striding up with Koko beside her, the blonde unstrapping the wrist-mounted dart launcher from her slinged arm and tossing it to the floor.
“A few inches off my mark,” Eva stated, disappointed that she missed skewering his kabob.
Ignoring what she said, I took her in for a hug. She tensed momentarily, then eased into the hug, patting me on the back with her good arm.
Julika stumbled up to us as if possessed, her eyes fixed on the still body of… never got his name.
“Olodor was a Null sympathizer?” Julika rocked on her heels as if those words had poisoned her. Once her wave of nausea passed, she asked, “H-How did you know it was him?”
“Oh, I didn’t.”
“B-but, you said… the girl named Cas and…” Julika stopped, flabbergasted.
“About that… I actually lied about everything. Well, not Cas mouthing off, but she never explicitly said who was calling the shots, only that they were an ‘old fart.’
“I knew it had to be one of the three male headmasters because they witnessed my demonstration with the artifact, but I had to get them all together without raising suspicion, so I figured ‘divine wisdom from the One.’ I didn’t want any chaos from a massive fight, so I had Koko fetch some strong sedatives and smuggle a dart-launcher for Eva to conceal with her sling. Told her to shoot anyone who reacted suspiciously when I called them out, Neepa and Koko were to help restrain the suspect if need be.
“I honestly didn’t expect him to start laughing once the jig was up.”
“Good job!” Merula cackled as she slapped the arm of her throne, the one person who shouldn’t be giddy over discovering a traitor in her inner circle.
Julika looked crestfallen. “The One speaking to you?”
“A lie.” I shrugged. “Seemed like the most believable thing to make a big deal about.”
She nodded absently. “I see.”
“But I didn’t lie about accepting the sacred duty.” Julika’s breath hitched in her throat, making sure she heard me correctly. I turned towards the bystanders. “I accept the title of Resonant and I will fight against the Null,” I stated loudly for all to hear.
Before people could cheer, I quickly said, “But!” Voices hushed and I had everyone’s attention again.
“But,” I went on, “I have a few conditions.”
Julika rushed to my side, her bright blue eyes twinkling. “Anything!”
I regarded Sigemond from the crowd, then faced Merula. “I want to be unaffiliated to the military or any academies. No one gives me orders, only suggestions. If there’s something I don’t like or find suspicious, it’s my call whether I do it or not. I don’t want to be marked as insubordinate, treasonous, or be caught up in any political nonsense. Okay?”
“Done,” Sigemond said without hesitation.
“Sure, why not?” Merula said with a wave of her hand.
No other parties spoke forth from the crowd, so it was unanimous. With that settled, I moved on.
“I want to be a part of Eva and Neepa’s team, and I want to be formally trained by the military and become a student of Lucinia. If they’ll have me?” I looked towards Neepa and Eva. Neepa nodded fervently, Eva measured my worth with a long look, then nodded once, tiny traces of a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “And by extension, I want Neepa to be allowed to study here, too.”
Julika’s hearted expression disappeared as if it were slapped off her face. Despite Neepa’s efforts, she still held ill will towards her. It may be selfish on my part, but I won’t fight if Neepa isn’t by my side; she deserves this, more so than I. People’s view of her will change, even if I have to force it.
Merula bypassed anything Julika had to say. “OK,” she said, s
eemingly without a thought.
Julika’s objection was clear as day, but being the good disciple she is, said nothing more to the matter.
I focused my attention on the remaining headmasters. “Truth be told, this power scares me. I only ask that you all help me so I don’t end up hurting anyone or myself.”
Emre stepped forward and clasped a hand on my shoulder, his face proud and his eyes bordering tears. “I’d be honored to guide you, Al.”
Jal came up, too. He held me in his tart gaze, then he made an elated face, an expression I thought impossible. “There’s greatness in you, I can see it.” He looked down at Olodor and nodded. “That strategic mind of yours is something to behold, as well.”
Charna sashayed up then. She bowed her head, her daughters mirroring the gesture. “You have saved my daughter when delusions of grandiose made her careless,” she said to simultaneously praise me and shame Aleih. Charna trained her intense violet eyes on mine. “You have done me a great service, I am in your debt. Not one to be in any debt, I’m honor-bound to repay you. Anything,” she breathed out, her voice laced with suggestion.
The dragon-woman felt no shame in openly trying to beguile me in front of everyone. It was enough to make me fume.
Wait. Honor-bound? Anything?
The cogs started turning, pieces falling into place. I think I have it. Just need to be careful with my wording.
“Actually, Charna, there is one thing.”
She licked her lips. “Anything.”
“Your… proposal was presented during a conflicted time for me. That’s why I refused. But—” I eyed Aleih, my mouth curling salaciously, “—I think your kind calls it some sort of exchange regarding your kin? There’s a likeness I see, a likeness of you that was… absent from your gift.” Saying that almost accosted my effort, but was able to smoothly play off my anger as desire.
Charna’s smile grew a fraction wider, bathing in the vindication of being wanted, remaining completely oblivious.
“Perhaps if I had the chance to test the waters, so to speak, before I delve into… greater depths?” My eyes took their time roaming her figure. I made sure to linger on the chest she put on bold display. “Maybe then we could strike a deal that benefits us mutually?”
Charna’s lips parted, and she turned to consider Aleih. When Charna looked back, I could see her playing with her daughter in her mind like a gambler would a poker chip.
“It’s called the passing of the hand. You desire my daughter’s hand, her very being?”
“Yes, I desire your daughter's hand.” I eyed Aleih again, her sisters all gawking at her while she stared back at me, her face stupefied at the implication.
Charna laughed with a lascivious grin. “I may be honor-bound to accept, but this is a gift to give my daughter to someone as mighty as a Resonant. I accept.” Charna reached out for Aleih, who stepped forward with an ear-to-ear smile.
“Great,” I said. “I want Koko’s hand.”
Charna and Aleih froze like someone hit their pause buttons, the stupid grins still on their faces. Charna slowly closed her hand, her fist making a terrible noise, like she was crushing the very air in her palm.
“I beg your pardon?” she demanded coyly.
“The daughter I want is Koko. Unless, of course, you want to go back on your word on heeding my request?”
The smile died on Charna’s face. She regarded me with a regal face, but the narrow slits of her irises betrayed how enraged she was. A woman didn’t stand before me, a monster did. A monster who was so pissed that the air around us seemed to grow denser. But I matched her eerily calm, piercing glare. Charna’s pinned and she knows it. The game she weaved to get herself another daughter ended before it even had a chance to start.
The mother was willing to handoff one of her daughters if it meant she could have the child of a legendary hero, no doubt raising the child to use her potential power to extend Charna’s whims. In the end, she ended up as a pawn when she took the bait.
Charna’s stare of subdued fury lasted several beats longer, then she turned her sights to Koko, who looked petrified. Charna approached her and wordlessly asked for Koko’s hand. The adopted daughter complied and allowed her mother to bring her before me. Charna asked for my hand, which I gave her, albeit reluctantly.
“Kokoliniasta,” Charna said without energy, “I give your hand to Alfonso of the family Engel, and attached to that hand is your life, soul, and honor, till you die or he. You are absolved of my family from here on and are merged with his.” Charna placed Koko’s hand in mine, her teeth gnashing behind her lips. “By my authority, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
I blinked. “What?”
“What?” Neepa and Eva nearly yelled.
Charna excused herself and went to Julika, who stared at Koko and I as we still held each other’s hand. “Allow me to bring this one to the Delvers, he has secrets that need to be spilled.”
Not waiting for any confirmation, Charna seized the end of Olodor’s long beard. The other daughters fell into step behind their mother and the unconscious wizard. Charna began walking towards the doors, Olodor’s face squealing against the smooth wooden floor.
As they passed, each of Charna’s daughters gave Koko and I the stink eye; Aleih’s face trembled with bottled rage. Then they were gone.
I stared at Koko’s hand, then down at her. She had her gaze trained where Charna stood, her lips slightly parted and her eyes almost bugging out of her head, the dragon-woman seemingly frozen in place.
“C-congratulations,” Julika murmured as she and Merula came up, the Grand Mage wiping her watery eyes.
“Hmm, weddings,” the ancient woman said, then produced a hanky to blow her nose. “Every time they get me, every time.”
I withdrew my hand from Koko’s; her arm hung in the air until I adjusted it to her side, as if I were posing a manikin for a display. “Charna’s not going to kill him, is she?”
Julika cleared her throat and got back to business. “No. She’s taking him to our Delvers—mages trained in the mental arts—so his mind can be analyzed for information.”
“I know how tricky it is getting into a mind as tough as mage’s,” Sigemond said when he came up to my side. He gave Koko and I a congratulatory smile, then he gave Julika serious face. “If the Delvers’ efforts prove fruitless, let my people have a go. A mind can be stronger than diamonds, but flesh is easier to bruise than overripe fruit. Can be easily peeled, too.”
“Noted,” Julika replied.
“Now, then, unless our proud Resonant has anything left to request, I think it’s best we show him and his companions off to rest.” He watched me with his dark eyes, and I shook my head. “Good. Hear me, Al, you’ve have done a great deed, take no shame in resting. It’s our turn now. There are many rats that need to be smoked out.”
Julika closed her eyes and sighed, no doubt imagining the mountain of work ahead of her and the academy. “Yes, there is,” she agreed. “There is much to discuss regarding your position, Al, but that can be saved for later. For now, please, rest. I’m sure it’s been an impossibly long day for you.”
The last sixteen-odd hours replayed before my eyes; the confusion, the fear, and the triumph. There was a maelstrom of emotions deep within, but a tiny voice echoed inside my mind, and I smiled.
“Yeah, it has,” I said, then hugged Julika, the woman taught in my arms. My heart still felt that comforting, all-encompassing sensation. “I felt it, Julika. Thanks for pointing it out.”
Her arms wrapped around me and she settled into the hug. “I knew you would.”
I pulled away and fixed her with a firm look. “And be fair to Neepa, for me. I wouldn’t be here if not for her.”
Her expression grew pensive for a second. She let out a breath through her nose before giving a single nod.
I went to Merula next, but before a word left my mouth, she said, “We’ll have tea next time, dear, thank you. Come, Julika, something tells me we have
to stay sharp.”
She started shuffling off towards the door, Julika jogging to keep up. The other audience members watched the Grand Mage leave, no doubt wondering if they came up here for nothing.
Neepa and Eva joined Koko and I. Neepa had the brim of her hat hiding her face, Eva’s face bore a what-the-fuck-did-you-do look. Koko had yet to budge a muscle. I coughed into my hand as an uncomfortable silence settled.
“Well,” Sigemond said, taking a step away from the awkward air, “I’ll keep in touch. Eva, watch over Al.”
“Yes, sir,” she responded, then set her gaze back to simmer me.
Sigemond retreated to his honor guard, directing his people to corral out the others so me and the girls don’t get swarmed, and he left with the bodies leaving the Hall of Discourse.
“I guess we should head back?” I offered in an effort to move past the strained moment.
Koko blinked then, and made the tiniest nod I’ve ever seen. She spun on her heel and approached the mages in charge of guarding us, leaving the three of us behind. With nothing else to do at the moment, we followed Koko back to our room.
Nothing was said the entire trip back. And the longer the silence lasted, the worse I felt.
The mages took up guard in front of our room, and one broke off to ask if we wanted a meal brought in. I politely refused and told him later. He closed the door behind him and I looked at Koko, the pit in my stomach bordering the Grand Canyon in scale now.
Neepa kneaded part of her dress between her fingers and Eva stood with her good arm planted on her hip, no doubt waiting for me to start talking.
God, why am I such an idiot?
I stepped up to Koko, who was looking at me, but not exactly seeing me, the woman still trapped in a haze.
I itched at the stubble on my neck. “Look, Koko, I’m sorry. I only heard about the passing off thing in, well, passing, and I thought if I did that then I could give you your own life, not wed you. What I’ve been told and what you told me just made me want to help, the honor-bound thing seemed like a good thing at the time. Taking advantage of you is not my intention, I just… I… Koko?”
Heart of the Resonant: Book 1: Pulse (Resonant Series) Page 36
