“As you say, Phynis,” Desa replied softly. “I just worry.”
“Sistina, I need you again.” Phynis looked at the dryad, who was even slower to open her eyes this time, and it was enough to make her concerned. “Sistina, are you alright?”
“Am… almost empty. Gave mana to beacon. Defends city,” Sistina murmured, gesturing upward as she blinked. “Is difficult. Tiring. You needed?”
“I see. I’m sorry, Sistina, and I’ll come down to visit you tonight,” Phynis promised, blinking in shock as she realized just how much mana Sistina had thrown into her project. She held only faint memories of the web of power she’d entered when she’d nearly died, but the idea of almost all that power expended on the city, for her, was… touching. After a moment, she explained. “My mother wishes to make amends with us. I would like to do so, but I know you held a grudge about what happened. What can she do to make things better?”
Sistina blinked again, seeming to consider a moment, then spoke, her voice soft but clear. “Must apologize. Personally. She wronged. Must acknowledge. Must apologize. Here.”
“That… I don’t know that we can do that! With Kelvanis moving their soldiers to the front, if they realized the queen was anywhere near the front, we could lose her, and Sifaren would collapse,” Reva protested, looking sincerely panicked at the idea. “Is there anything else we can do?”
“No,” Sistina spoke simply. “My forgiveness requires. But, Beacon is Phynis’. Her city. Her army. Her choice. Will not interfere.”
“Oh. Okay, Sistina. I understand,” Phynis replied, smiling slightly, and Sistina nodded faintly before her eyes closed again.
“What did that mean?” Desa asked, uncertain.
“It meant that her forgiveness isn’t necessary for us to help Sifaren. She expended everything she had available for me, so that I could choose, Desa,” Phynis told her, turning back to them, feeling more confident than she ever had. If Sistina, a being more ancient than she could imagine, chose to trust her decisions, what did she have to fear? So Phynis considered for a long minute, weighing options before looking at Reva. “I’ve made my decision, Sir Lucien.”
“What would that be, Your Majesty?” he asked, uncertainty in his voice.
“Sistina’s terms stand. However, the conflict with Kelvanis takes precedence,” Phynis replied, eyes bright as she continued. “But Everium stands independent. We will take immigrants of any race, so long as they choose to come of their own free will. Those who come, whether freeman, serf, or slave, will be freed to live without fear of those who would control them. We are willing to ally with Sifaren, and with Yisara if they choose to join us, but we are willing to stand alone as well. But as a token of our goodwill, I will ask for volunteers from my followers, for those who are willing to command a detachment of golems with which to reinforce your armies. Here your army can rest and prepare, for Sistina built me a fortress without equal.”
Looking him in the eyes, she asked softly, “Are you willing to accept this, Sir Lucien?”
Reva paused for a long, long minute. And at last, he slowly bowed, putting his hand over his heart as he replied quietly, “I am, Your Majesty. I will take your demands to Her Majesty as soon as I am able.”
“Good. Now, let’s find your party a room, so that you have a chance to rest,” Phynis replied, smiling thinly. “It’s been a long day.”
Chapter 56
“Are you sure that sending Alissa and Helia back with them is a good idea?” Desa asked, frowning as they watched sixty golems march out with the elven army. “That’s a quarter of our golems, too.”
“Yes, it is. But Sistina will be making more golems, and we have both the shield and the beacon itself,” Phynis replied calmly, glancing up at the glowing ruby at the top of the palace. “I think we’ll be able to hold off anything Kelvanis can throw at us in the short term. Longer term it might be difficult, but we don’t have much choice. Besides, sixty golems are worth what, six hundred soldiers or more? That should be an immense help.”
“Something like that. I just worry. I hope your mother is reasonable about this. I think she will be, but we don’t know for certain,” Desa told her, letting out a soft sigh. “And I admit that Sistina choosing to expend that much mana worries me as well. It means that we have virtually no safety net if something goes horribly wrong.”
“She does have all her monsters and the rest of the dungeon,” Phynis countered, then paused and admitted, “Though I’ll have to tell her to keep enough mana in reserve to close the stairwell from the palace gardens. The last thing we want is to let people chase us directly into the heart of the dungeon.”
“Agreed. I… uh, Phynis?” Desa’s voice trailed off, and she was staring over her shoulder, blinking several times.
Following Desa’s gaze, Phynis blinked as well. Lily was humming brightly, the bundled up young woman moving through the tilled soil of the palace gardens, planting seeds for when it grew a little warmer. Ilmas was helping her, and the two looked refreshingly normal. But it was the small panther cub following them that was incongruous. The feline might not have been old, but it was still far too large to be mistaken for a housecat. The panther was trotting at Lily’s heels, and as they watched, she paused to scratch it behind the ears, then went back to work.
“That’s adorable,” Phynis murmured, grinning at the scene.
“Why does Lily have a panther?” Desa asked, her voice plaintive. “I’ve always wanted a pet leopard, let alone a panther!”
“Probably because she’s a natural-born druid? Have you seen how the plants respond to her?” Phynis retorted with a soft giggle. “She doesn’t even seem to notice when they start growing exactly how she asked them to.”
“True, but it isn’t really fair,” Desa grumbled, shaking her head. After a moment, she paused and took a deep breath. “But I suppose we should actually try to get some work done today. Sistina said there was a map of the city in the library, right?”
“More like a sculpture, but yes,” Phynis agreed. “What were you thinking?”
“I’m thinking we need to figure out where everything is, and look at some of the more common buildings,” Desa explained. “You mentioned taxes and immigrants yesterday, right?”
“Yes, which means we need to determine exactly how we’re going to house them, what policies and laws are going to be in place, and everything else.” Phynis’ voice fell slightly as she spoke aloud, then sighed. “You’re right. We need to get a lot done.”
“Yes, we do,” Desa agreed. “Shall we?”
“After you, Desa,” Phynis replied, and followed her.
The web of power throughout Sistina’s domain was weak, almost to the point where she couldn’t maintain the full breadth of the domain, but maintain it she had. It had helped some that she retracted her domain from the city, save for the sewer system and the palace. She was recovering from the vast expenditures of the preceding days, and she felt it was well worth the effort it had taken. Phynis’ reaction had been gratifying, and things were going well. Especially since the priestesses had quietly continued donating mana for the most part.
The adventurers seemed to be moving into the city as well, which meant they were going to be encountering her newly improved dungeon soon. The thought made Sistina internally smile, and she was grateful for the night at Phynis’ side the day before. She couldn’t complain with how she was treated by her love.
What she hadn’t told Phynis about was what she had found when she’d been building Beacon. At the same time that she’d been altering the mountainside, she’d been moving virtually every part of the ground beneath it, solidifying the foundation of the city. It was then that she’d found a section of the ground which had stubbornly refused to move. She hadn’t had time to examine it properly, and a part of her was still curious about it, so she’d extended threads of awareness toward the location once she was done, only to find nothing but stone to her ‘sight.’ Yet that stone was impervious to her control, as if i
t didn’t exist at all.
Sistina had her suspicions of what it might be. After all, she’d never found the original palace of Everium, and if any building would have greater magical defenses than the magical academy, it would be the palace. Once she had the mana, she’d have to investigate. But for now, she needed to recover.
“There you go, Aric. Sorry I can’t do something better for you, but it’s the best I can manage,” Graystone spoke soberly, patting the small cairn he’d built. Picking up a jug of ale, he poured it over the stones. “Here’s a parting drink for you. I hope you rest easy, wherever you’ve gone.”
The dwarf was alone about a quarter mile from Granite Point. No one had stopped him from taking Evansly’s body, and it had been a hard day’s work to dig the grave in which he’d laid his friend before building the cairn atop him. The frozen ground had been unpleasant, but Graystone didn’t mind. Life could be an ugly thing, and his friend hadn’t been the best of individuals.
“You know, I don’t really blame you. I didn’t know everything that you did, and you didn’t know much about me, either. We were friends because we got along well enough. If I’d known, well, things might’ve gone badly. But I gave you a respectful burial because we did get along, Aric,” Graystone told the tomb, shaking his head. “But at this point I’d best bid you farewell. My job in the town is done, and it doesn’t look like there’s any need for me here anymore. I’ve got a long road ahead of me. Goodbye.”
Turning away, the dwarf headed back toward town to where his packed things were waiting for him.
It took Captain Marath and her soldiers four days to reach Westgate. Four long days in which she stewed over her decisions, wondering what else she could have done. In the end it didn’t matter, though. She reached Westgate and gave her report, and was sent to rest and recover. Now she awaited permission to enter the Justicar’s office.
“Come in, Captain.” Justicar Hall’s voice penetrated the door with startling ease, and she swallowed before reaching out and opening the door. The Justicar was looking out the window, his powerful figure outlined against the gleam of the snow that still covered the ground.
“Sir!” Marath stood at attention, saluting and holding her position, worry gnawing at her gut.
“Captain Marigold Marath. You’ve been a loyal servant of Kelvanis, and the information you’ve brought us has been quite valuable,” the Justicar spoke without turning. “For that you have our appreciation.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” Marath replied, swallowing hard.
Justicar Hall turned at that point, his eyes as hard as flint as he continued. “Despite your contributions, Captain, you also have been injured to the point of needing months of recovery under a mage healer. After this you were assigned simple guard duty, and your superior was killed when he persisted in a fool’s errand that you did not stop. Finally, you surrendered without a fight and gave your word of parole to an enemy of Kelvanis, losing all combat gear of two and a half companies. What do you have to say for yourself?”
“My Lord, I take full responsibility for my actions. I did attempt to stop Lord Mayor Evansly, but he insisted, and I did not think the situation worth alienating him over,” Marath replied, feeling like her stomach was a void. “I have no excuse for my surrender. I thought it better to keep my soldiers alive, and am fully willing to suffer the consequences.”
The Justicar stared at Marath for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was as hard as iron. “I spoke with the Archon. Due to your prior service, as well as the information you brought, he asked that I be lenient. So, I will be. Lady Marigold Marath, you are hereby discharged from the army of Kelvanis. Your discharge is honorable, but takes effect immediately. Turn in all signs of office and equipment that belongs to Kelvanis before sundown. You are dismissed.”
“Y-yes, My Lord,” Marath replied, barely managing to speak as she bowed. Feeling numb, she turned to leave the room and do as she’d been ordered. What was she going to do now?
“Hello Wenris! How are Serel and the others?” Ulvian asked, his tone friendly despite the stress he was feeling.
The succubus looked up from her leatherwork and blinked a moment before replying, her tone questioning. “I’d have to talk to the others, but Serel has fully turned. The others look like they have as well. Is something wrong?”
“Yes, unfortunately, something has gone exceedingly wrong,” the Archon replied, sighing as he shrugged. He didn’t look at the demon’s leatherwork, not wanting to know what she was up to. “Apparently, the dungeon was built on the elven capital of Everium, and it just decided to build a damned fortress. I’ve never heard of anything like it before, and it’s messing up all my plans. We need at least one or two months more to finish Tyria’s brainwashing, so I want Serel and the others to go to Westgate to reinforce the army.”
“I see. That is quite unfortunate. Would you like me to go speak to the others? I’d be happy to do so,” Wenris offered, smiling seductively at him.
“Please. We need to nip this problem in the bud,” Ulvian told her, smiling broadly. After a moment, he asked, “How is Diane coming along?”
“Oh, very nicely. In fact, I wanted to ask your permission to approach her physically. I think that she won’t hold out for too much longer.” Wenris’ smile turned as broad as Ulvian’s own. “She has an incredibly tough mind, but that just makes the changes all the harder to remove in the end.”
“Do what you have to, Wenris,” Ulvian agreed, his smile fading as his worry grew. “I’m afraid this dungeon threw off all of my plans. It would be nice to have something go properly.”
“Thank you, My Lord. I’ll do my best,” Wenris replied, her tail swishing happily behind her as she stood. “I’ll go see about getting you your Enforcers.”
“Thank you,” Ulvian told her, watching the succubus go appreciatively. After a moment more, he turned and muttered, “Now to go see how many more troops I can pry loose elsewhere. Damned dungeon. It might be more trouble than it’s worth. Hmm… I do still have the disruptor…”
Epilogue
“Mistress, may I ask a question?” the crimson-haired succubus asked in a diffident tone.
“You just did, Rissia.” The demoness standing in the center of the chamber didn’t pause in her spellwork, weaving intricate magic almost casually. Her voice was absent and oddly formal in tone. “But you may ask another if you so wish.”
“May I ask why you’re interfering with Irethiel’s plans? You’re risking Wenris’ cover for Medaea, who’s never been one of your friends. Her interference isn’t even enough to keep the goddess from falling from her position,” Rissia said, gesturing at a crystal orb in the center of the room, which showed the sleeping goddess, her visage far different than the golden beauty she’d been in her previous slumber.
“I am repaying two debts, Rissia,” her lady replied calmly, glancing at Rissia with deep crimson eyes. “I owe Irethiel nothing, and others much. Kathyria was a friend, after all.”
“Ah. I suppose I can understand that. But what debt do you owe Medaea?” Rissia asked plaintively.
“Medaea? Oh, no, my silly girl, you misunderstand.” Her mistress laughed gently, a smile crossing her beautiful face. “No, I don’t owe her at all.”
With a gesture, the image in the crystal orb vanished, and instead an image of Sistina appeared, the dryad napping in a bed, one arm extended over the new elven queen of Everium. Rissia’s mistress’ smile widened as she added, “The one I owe is Marin, and the debt has been a long time in being repaid. She deserves a chance of survival, and I’m giving it to her. Why, if she’s skilled, perhaps she’ll even add a goddess to her harem. I must say it’s a good start.”
Author’s Note
Thus ends Spells of Old. This entire book has been one heck of a ride for me, and I find myself stunned to see how much attention Ancient Ruins garnered. It went from being an experiment that I expected to maybe be soda money, to something where I’ve contacted editors, negotiated the prod
uction of an audiobook version, and set up Print on Demand for it. I’m hoping Spells of Old does half as well, but due to my own lack of confidence I’m not putting a whole lot of faith in that. Time will tell, though. I hope you all enjoyed the book, and by the time that this is released, I’ll be working on Halls of Power to complete the trilogy.
Also, I have to state this, because it can’t be said enough. Please review this book. Reviews are the lifeblood of self-publishers, and there is nothing you can do that helps more than reviewing a book. You can do so by going here:
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Spells of Old (Ancient Dreams Book 2) Page 39
