“But my master must eat first.”
“Forget it. Right now you need comfort foods and despite how you look you are malnourished from all that has happened. I’m not hungry. And I want you to remember how pleasant meals are in good company. I already checked and nothing has been laced into the food. Eat while I tell you good stories. And let me know when you get tired. Don’t pay attention to the illusions in a few minutes, just me.” She nodded meekly and slowly took a bite of the delicacies and wine. When she wasn’t immediately struck she began to eat faster and listened to his rich male voice that was friendly and put her at ease. He was so attention grabbing she didn’t notice the illusions going at it again.
“Rest now.” Cage said, looking like Mennalin again.
Lolon, truly full and spent, nodded on the bed and covered herself. She fell asleep almost immediately, feeling safe and secure for the first time in over a year.
Cage left the staff against a post and went out onto the balcony. Wine bottle in hand, he took a swig, enjoying the flavor, but added a false sway as if he were tipsy. His eyes though noticed one invisible bird wrapped in a silvery energy, watching him from the railing. He gave it no visible cue while scanning the city basked in night. He knew he wasn’t trusted and would have done the same. Mennalin falsely proved he was dangerous and a serious threat to be observed for a long time to come till he was a proven asset.
Despite the orderly grouping and rigid ways the city ran, his ears had never picked up so much anguish inside such a small area. It even seemed he could smell the corruption. There was minimal joy, but none for the slaves. But the city never slept, reminding him of New York, but without the eyesore billboards. Magic lit and ran much of the city while slaves did every menial task their masters could create. A city that never sleeps and so crowded was perfect for Cage as he tugged on his beard he hated. But his mind was already cataloguing the layout, building a mental map of worries and weaknesses. With his real eyes on the city he could now see why this place has stood for four thousand years and only grown stronger. Their breeding program had done well, weeding out the strong from the weak so they weren’t afraid to kill. Laqura Castle was larger than Vin’re and Emroc Castle combined with greater defenses and better building construction. It was no wonder a large force would be slaughtered trying to take this place.
From his apartment balcony, Cage could see over much of the city as this skyscraper was taller than the one built further out from the city’s gigantic palace. He could easily attack in any direction without being blocked. But despite his passive viewing he located the large retraining facility where Lolon clearly describe her time as a sex slave. Even from afar, though they looked smaller than ants, men of both slave and mage class went in for raping. Cage’s blood burned to tear everything apart and go on a rampage. He had to fight a grin and managed to only after another long gulp.
“I know this is difficult for you, but revenge will certainly come. Such oppression you describe will eventually lead to downfall.” Daku mentally relayed as he lay with his mates snuggled beneath his wings over in their den on the island.
“Sure as hell won’t be easy.” Cage replied through the link. “I wish I could show you what I’m looking at. This entire city is swimming in magic, much like Twilight, but more violently. But at least I learned why my spirit spies couldn’t gain access to the bitch’s penthouse. I’m looking at a glittering tempest in a sphere spinning around her throne room. It is so fast it’s blurring. Normal spirits would be shredded, but griffins could… yet I also discovered the walls of her room has some spell that is able to repel griffins.”
“Such is possible. She is old enough to remember my kind, but such a complex spell to keep my flocks spirits out would not work with we who still live.” Daku explained. “But I do have good news. Our two guests have arrived a few minutes ago.”
The white king’s calm blue eyes closed slightly out of mild happiness to the two men sitting on the sofa in Cage’s living room. “So how are Tate and Skylar doing?” He asked.
Daku smirked and asked the two men “Cage wonders how you all are fairing.”
King Skylar laughed mildly as he stroked Reece’s soft feathers. “How are dead men supposed to feel exactly? Is he in?”
“Without question.” Daku rumbled full of mirth. “He’s been there much of the day. The idiots believed everything.”
“Those clones were impressive and fooled everyone privy to the plan.” King Tate said while bouncing Ananna on a knee while Rena was in the kitchen making herself a sandwich.
Cage heard what they said through Daku as a medium, speaking their words.
In truth, the large amount of blood he took from the two kings was the first part of the plan. The blood was used to create exact clones of the two of them along with a third for himself. Cage needed the original two months to grow the three bodies. When the bodies were fully formed, their brains were mush due to rapid cell division which prompted him to make a ruse of using light to make it seem it caused the damage. It was all just an elaborate farce of course.
The warlock manipulated Fredrick to play on his acute suspicions, using shadows to keep him aware. But even shadowwalking was a sham to play on intrigue.
On several occasions during the two months of preparation, after the water ceremony, Cage manipulated his appearance, the strength and color of his mana only dragons could witness, and created Mennalin’s character to be what he needed it. A selfish man who it brutal, a drunkard and easily bought. Zikon and the First Council more than willingly created a back-story for him when he privately explained. The empire had to dig for his information so it wasn’t suspicious and easily left out, requiring days to dig up Cage’s forged identity. Even going so far as to make it seem he was the interrogator who killed Adair’s son.
So many changes to his body, changing the color of his mana and even removing the color of his spirit mates took a heavy toll, but at least his eyes could still see the flow of mana. Everything else just felt wrong.
Nevertheless, that night Rex Nattan teleported the three artificially alive bodies in that room while Cage and the two kings stepped into a secret passage to ready and implement the plan. He transformed into Mennalin and simply used illusion spells to make it seem he was an actual shadowwalker and lure Fredrick’s attention to give chase and watch as the heads were cut off, but left his own clone in the room. The other advisors in the room were in on it and intentionally took minor damage to sell it.
Rex Nattan and Semek did well chasing the illusion and let him get away after his real body took the heads and teleported. The clincher was Zikon explaining to everyone Mennalin’s name and description which spread to hungry ears loyal to the empress.
The only real thing he did was kill the prisoner from earlier, but when he blinded everyone in the empress’s room with light he simply used a hemorrhaging spell while no one saw him actually doing so. As Cage thought of this Daku told King Skylar.
“It couldn’t be helped.” King Skylar said grimly and sighed. “The man was going to be killed, but I hope he can be freed before being tuned into a ghost. Cage had no choice really. That woman is vindictive to a fault.”
“He says she is beyond beautiful, but hides her true madness.” Daku said to the room and smirked. “It is good he tells me that his females are not only as beautiful, they aren’t as grotesque inside.”
“So too have I been told of her captivating beauty. For an old fool mad with power, she keeps her people obedient and in awe of her looks.”
“Now he wants to know how his mates and people are doing. He has information to pass on. The only thing they cannot monitor is my link to him. He will not be able to contact anyone from now on.”
King Tate leaned forward and sat Ananna down to let her waddle around. “Lady Brooke actually broke my jaw this morning.” He admitted.
“And Lady Tohka slapped me.” King Skylar laughed. “After we told them everything had been set up they were furious. Rightly so.
They’ve been sick with worry over his clone’s barely living body. They didn’t believe me till Zikon showed the three of them how Cage altered his appearance right before Rex Nattan Jumped in and attacked as planned. Tell him that they are beyond mad and are out for blood for making them part of his plan and making them cry. Also they left to go begin their assault.”
“We already knew that.” Cage thought as he took a seat on the patio chair. “But tell Skylar to send word through Nattan that flying above fifty feet will bring the enemy. The entire empire is sensing incoming attacks. That means even our dragons walking will be found out. It is how they respond so quick. Also, tell them to refrain from Jumping. That is also being watched out for.”
After a few moments of mental silence Daku returned. “It seems they were already aware. Your flock has been separated from their dragons who all are staying with Rex Nattan and watching them carefully. Apparently the moment the kings privately showed they weren’t truly dead, and after being hit, they have set out according to plan. Moril is leading more than half the flock to destroy Bay Port. They all left, after hearing you lived, and Jumped well out into the Preen Ocean and will reach land by tomorrow night.
“Elder Metak is in control of the other portion and were sent out by Bower. If all goes as planned, they will be in range of Laqura Castle in five weeks time.”
“Good. Be sure to stay close to Tate and Skylar and keep me updated. I need to ready for bed. I’m being constantly scanned from the palace. Despite my acting skills, they are wary.”
“Be careful, My Friend. Only you could do this and if you fail…”
“I know. I know… Just keep me grounded. I almost ripped Vika’s throat out when she came within reach. Just as I was about to I truly saw her power she tried hiding. She is as strong as me, Daku.”
“I remember how loud you mentally screamed so I knew you weren’t fooling around. Even Rex Nattan was interested to hear your observation when I used a heart to contact him. That was too important and you listened to me say her stronger power isn’t suppose to be. It is up to you to see just how she has done this. That is your secondary goal. The first is to get close and disrupt their ability to shield the city. Find where she keeps her primary control crystal and destroy it.”
“I didn’t need a reminder of a plan I created, but your concern is well received. It will take time to unravel the mana streams and find where she keeps it, but I will.” With that, Cage stood, his naked backside sticking to the seat and loudly peeled. Then he went back inside and laid spooning Lolon who froze in her sleep, but then relaxed when comfort rather than pain came from her master.
Watching over them in a dark corner was a loyal spirit to Lord Death who was secretly tasked with keeping an eye on Lolon as she was the only one who knew his identity in the entire city.
Now the real beginning can lead to the empire’s end.
Chapter 14
Brooke’s head surfaced slowly in the middle of the night from the seawater without waves. It was more like a placid lake. Beside her Moril, Meeka and Tohka took a much needed breath. Brooke’s greater power allowed her to feel further than any who followed. Ahead in the oppressive darkness lay a set of docks where warships were tied down. Her sensitive hearing could detect the breaths of many sisters and brothers waiting silently for her signal. All of them wore their traditional war paints mixed with their own blood as a promise to spill more of their enemy’s. Each man and woman closest to her were the best warriors and would lead the battle. Tohka though would be speaker and hold position to talk Brooke’s words to those behind. Her scan was subtle, having the most control till she could sense the entire area and town of Bay Port ahead. The still waters were unexpected and any voices would carry so she whispered most softly “Magic here is weak, but there is a slumbering female dragon. Ulon says I should kill her before any magic attacks begin razing this place. She will be our biggest threat. Take your positions and wait for my signal.” Brook took a deep, silent breath and sunk below to swim as fast as she wished without splashing. As a side thought she marveled at her spider silk bodysuit. Her head, face, hands and bare feet were wet, but everything else was dry. She didn’t want a mage’s robe, but this suit and Cage’s zipper idea made a functioning outfit she wore proudly only because it made almost no sound when rubbing together and was soft.
Then she slowed for a moment as she felt a strong tingle flow through her and knew she crossed the small town’s barrier. She resurfaced slowly and listened for any raised alarms. Others did the same, using the bare minimum of magic to sense one another in the darkness and not collide.
When no shouts were raised she breathed a small sigh of relief knowing the spell her man learned from the feline woman assassin was placed on all the Utala warriors. His hunch was right as it was also an access spell that filtered friend from foe. “That was worrying.”
“But a plausible conclusion.” Brooke heard in her mind from her pink partner. “I am ready to come if you and your mates are injured. Poli shall remain so we all may live and only arrive after danger passes to revive us. This you can do. You’ve defeated me many times. Now do it to this female using stealth. Be sure she is killed before she can alert reinforcements.”
The sorceress took another breath and moved to the nearest dock’s ladder. She waited for twelve warriors to be near before climbing first. Just as she looked over the top she spotted a man yawning while fishing on the other side of where she climbed up. He was a mage by the staff at his side and fatigue allowed the Utala to not be discovered.
Not willing to risk him sense her people, she soundlessly climbed up and approached the unsuspecting man.
He didn’t see her hatchet till he felt it bury deep in his skull. He jerked, but then went still and she pulled it out and grabbed a hand before kicking him off and easing his lifeless corpse into the sea while the warriors climbed up to join her. Boat saboteurs readied devices Cage once made to drill and sink the warships.
Brooke wrung out her hair and Meeka squeezed her shoulder to let her know everyone was ready. They then stalked through the night, spreading out. It was very late and few who roamed were weary watchmen who didn’t know tribal warriors were strategically readying to cause panic.
Together Brooke and Meeka went off to where she sensed the female. In a few minutes on the courtyard of some rich merchant’s property lay a dragon of ebony around her five hundredth year. She was indeed large enough to take up most of the yard, but the threat came from two guards walking around her in a clockwise fashion. From the roof of a building the two women watched and without needing to speak thanks to their partners doing it for them, Meeka lightly climbed down without rousing suspicion. She found a barrel of rainwater and a cup nearby and extinguished a burning torch without being seen so she was able to approach and hide until the time was right.
Brooke readied a compacted blue ball made of compressed Floranna flower petals. It was no larger than an actual human eyeball, but in her other she brought out a lighter Cage made. She waited and watched as Meeka’s dyed hair made her dark war paint match and hide her movement as she stepped in behind the first guard walking around the dragon. Meeka ended his life by slitting his throat from ear to ear. She moved him away, off the dark path and just as easily killed the second a minute later.
Taking a deep breath and holding it, Brooke dropped her thumb on the lighter. For a moment she worried the grinding noise of the striker would alert the slumbering beast, but it didn’t move. The flame easily began to make the ball smoke before Brooke threw it over and watched it roll to a stop four feet from the black muzzle. The ball smoked quite a bit and when she knew the air was clear, Brooke breathed. She knew well how the flower disoriented and made one unable to use magic by even the faintest odors. It smelled good, but for those able to use magic it was the enemy.
Large lungs brought the smoke in through the nostrils and a sleepy snort had the female turn some, but it was already too late.
Meeka got away as B
rooke took out a piece of heart Ulon grew and said “Shatter.” The keyword made the pea sized piece of wood glow pink before she added her green power and sent it aimed at the single dark gray gem in the female’s forehead and launched it.
Ulon’s greater power destroyed her shield and punctured the gem before shattering it as if it were fragile glass.
The dragon jerked awake, but couldn’t react swiftly enough or get out a call for help magically before Brooke’s hatchet’s turned green and the blade seemed to grow to a six foot wide crescent. She danced through the air, spinning like a windmill to slice through the thick neck, the blades outstretched from her arms to cut like a disc.
Brooke’s bare feet touched down a moment before the ground shook from both a head and body landed behind her.
The moment the dragon was down a green orb burst above the town of Bay Port and immediately every warship began sinking, fires appeared in almost every building and half naked men and women running around cut down anyone carrying a staff or weapon. Everyone else was knocked unconscious by powerful blows.
Bursting out from the merchant house was a sorcerer who took one look at Brooke and the dead dragon behind her yelled for his lynx Familiar. It charged her but dropped dead as two daggers flew from a rooftop by Meeka, her silhouette cast by the town’s fires. The sorcerer was still groggy from the sudden attack he barely managed to create a barrier, but Brooke was stronger and a green fireball mixed with green shield breaking mist tore through him without stopping. As he fell back inside the door, his screaming already stopped, green flames spread to set fire to his home.
“Thank you, Meeka Love. Nice throw.” Brooke smiled as he woman retrieved the daggers and wiped them clean on the lynx’s fur.
Empress's Endgame (Book 5 and final of the Death Incanate Saga) Page 44
