“I see. What are your orders, then, Adjudicator?” Diamond asked, closing her book and waiting for his directions.
“You are to get the girls together and prepare yourselves to breach this elven stronghold with me. We’ll capture the princess and put an end to the outpost after our arrival in Granite Point.” Jared told her, his smile hardening slightly as he added. “The princess may have escaped twice, but she will not escape a third time. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
“As you say, Adjudicator. I will go get the others and prepare to the best of my abilities.” Diamond acknowledged, bowing her head slightly before standing and putting her book away.
“Excellent. I’ll see you tonight, Diamond.” Jared grinned, and then he was on his way out, whistling happily to himself.
“Oh, I wish he just wasn’t so...invested in the traditions of Kelvanis.” Diamond murmured to herself, turning to head to the salon where most of the others were. “He might actually be a nice man in that case.”
Chapter 45
“You wanted to see me, Farlon?” Desa asked, poking her head into the reading room of the library.
The library was looking much better than it had when Desa had first seen it. Little by little, almost imperceptibly, the cracks in the walls had faded away, bricks had straightened, and light-globes had returned to normal again. Even the bodies had vanished, and the researchers had sworn up and down that they hadn’t touched the bodies. Desa was certain that Sistina was behind it, but wasn’t quite confident enough to actually ask what had been done with the deceased.
The last week had been awkward, especially when Phynis had flatly refused to have more than one guard following her around anymore, and that she would require privacy when requested. In an oddly wistful way, Desa sort of missed the more passive mood that Phynis had possessed immediately at the branding rather than this outright rebellion, but considering her own rebellion to join the military, she honestly couldn’t say that she blamed Phynis for her choice. At least Sistina was treating everyone the same, though she couldn’t say the same of all of her subordinates. The way that Sistina had eliminated the Kelvanis soldiers had been so ruthless and abrupt that more than a few of them were unnerved by Sistina’s very presence. And Sistina’s demand that they leave upon the siege being broken worried them more.
For herself, Desa was debating whether or not she would stay after the others were evicted. Evrial had quietly told her that she intended to stay, but she wasn’t certain about any of the others, save for Ilmas, Lily, and Sina. All of the former slaves were staying. But no one had been as appalled as the researchers about the demand, and they had thrown themselves into even more frantic research when they’d realized they were going to lose access to the library soon.
The researchers had asked for all the help that they could get, and she’d spent a fair amount of time down here in the library, helping Farlon and the others as much as she could. She wasn’t as conversant in ancient lore as they were, but she’d been able to help a fair amount. Farlon had been absolutely furious that Sistina had also refused to let them take any books that didn’t have multiple copies.
“Yes! I believe we’ve finally deciphered a clue as to what the source of the brands actually is, and have a potentially usable method of breaking it!” Farlon spoke excitedly, gesturing at a half-dozen books on the table, and a massive diagram on the chalkboard. On the chalkboard were diagrams of the six known brands, as well as one that was similar but not quite the same to the right.
“That’s...that’s wonderful news, Farlon! What did you find?” Desa’s eyes lit up and excitement shot through her, turning her attention to the beaming researcher. “I was starting to get worried we wouldn’t find anything in time.”
“As was I, Captain. I’m still furious that Sistina is evicting us, but at least we’ve found something useful here. I also want to preface the explanation with a bit of caution. The tomes we had to reference were in languages we didn’t know, so we had to translate them with other books in the library. So some of the terminology might be imprecise.” Farlon warned, gesturing at the books as his smiled dimmed. “However, the method of breaking it was fairly clear.”
“Thank you for the warning. But what did you find?” Desa asked impatiently, trying not to lose her temper in her excitement. This could be the turning point of the entire damned war!
“Following Sistina’s suggestion, we focused on texts involving demonology. It was gruesome, horrible reading, but it paid off in the end. We found references to demonic sigils, which led us to demonic slavery brands, like this one.” Farlon explained, pointing at the different symbol on the chalkboard. “This one is merely one of hundreds, apparently, and none of the ones we’re familiar with are quite the same as the ones in the books, which makes identifying them difficult. Included in the texts are the methods of removing them via holy ground or holy water, which we already knew. But another method, and the most reliable of them, apparently, is that if you kill the demon that bestowed the brand, it frees everyone who possesses that particular brand. They all just...vanish into nothing and everyone is freed at once.”
“That sounds...wait, I know that everyone is restrained and Kelvanis is careful to make it so they can’t witness the branding ritual, but I’m fairly certain that there wasn’t a demon involved in the ritual I was in.” Desa protested, frowning slightly. “At least, I hope I’d notice if one was summoned.”
“That is one of the inconsistencies that I noticed, and why I said it was potentially a solution.” Farlon gently refuted, shaking his head. “Besides, the branding is finicky with mortals. The wording is strange, so further research is going to be required, but demons can’t brand unwilling mortals unless they’re on the demon’s home plane. But since we have a whole nation using something along these lines, it’s possible that someone high up in Kelvanis found a way to brand others on behalf of a demon, bypassing the restriction. As it is, we’re copying the texts to take back to Sifaren when we’re forced to leave.”
“I see. So we have to find out which it is, and if it is a demon, we kill it.” Desa nodded slowly, then smiled thinly. “Still, it’s a possibility that we didn’t know of before. It’s horrible that we’re going to lose access to this library, but with what you’ve found as a core, we might be able to convince the priests to ask their deities and clarify the matter. If nothing else, it gives us something to use.”
“That’s a very good point. But I have to do more research to be able to tell you more.” Farlon smiled broadly for a moment. But then he sighed and looked at the books as his elation turned to sorrow. “But even with as much frustration as not being able to translate the books easily caused, I’m going to hate to leave. Being able to actually learn what happened before the Godsrage is the dream of any scholar.”
“I totally understand. I wish that we had another option, but Sistina’s mind is made up. Phynis has asked a few times for a little more time, but Sistina refuses to budge.” Desa’s smile faded as she shook her head. “I’m sorry that we ruined it for you.”
“I don’t blame you, Captain. I blame our unreasonable host.” Farlon replied softly, anger in his voice, but simply shrugged. “There’s nothing to be done, though, save to learn as much as I can before my time runs out.”
“Indeed. I’ll leave you to it, Farlon.” Desa told him, shrugging. “I, on the other hand, have to write a report for Her Majesty.”
As Farlon went back to his books, Desa heard him mutter. “Better you than me.”
* * *
The blouse was a shade of rose-red fabric that would be vivid in almost any light, and was made of some silky-soft fabric that Phynis had never seen before. It was also modest, able to cover her from just below her hips to her neck and wrists. But it was the fact that Sistina had a determined expression on her face as she held it and the pair of black trousers out to Phynis that bemused the princess.
“Yes, it’s clothing, Sistina. Now why are you looking like you�
��ll hurt me if I don’t take it?” Phynis asked after a moment of studying the clothing.
“Yours.” Sistina spoke firmly, still holding it out. “Tough. Protective.”
“Ah. So it’s supposed to keep me safe.” Phynis replied as realization dawned on her, and she grinned as she took the clothing, then teased. “Be as that may, you know I can’t wear the same clothing every day, right?”
“Making more.” Sistina sniffed slightly, patting her tree and then leaning against it slowly. “Promised.”
“Yes, you did promise to protect me. I’m just amused that you’re taking it so seriously.” Phynis teased gently, examining the clothing carefully. It always felt strange to see that Sistina’s clothing didn’t have seams. The woman somehow wove the cloth together perfectly without need for them. “Not that I’m going to object, mind you.”
Sistina shrugged at that, running a hand gently down Phynis’s back, pausing over where she’d been shot. Then she smiled gently and shrugged again.
“I know, I know, I nearly died. You saved me from death.” Phynis giggled, smiling at her and leaning into Sistina. Then she smiled more, and teased more. “You could always teach me to fight, or use magic.”
“Intended. Making items.” Sistina smiled in satisfaction, and Phynis blinked in surprise.
“You know I haven’t ever had much talent for magic, right?” The princess asked, her tone slightly dry. “And I have no training with weapons.”
Sistina smiled and shook her head slightly, as if amused by something, and Phynis’ eyes narrowed.
“What? What are you thinking?” She demanded, suspicion growing.
“Will see.” Sistina replied simply, then closed her eyes again, growing distant again.
* * *
Deep below them, a foundry of ancient stones was thrumming with the roar of flames within the central furnace. No one could be seen in the ancient, complex structure, yet if someone had been there, the stench of fire and molten metal would have pervaded the air.
In the center of the furnace stood an eight-foot tall figure of stone. It was vaguely humanoid, but the body was blocky and made of smoothly-carved granite. But if someone were there to watch, they would see the surface of the stone slowly smoothed as if by unseen hands, forming a glass-like outer shell that softened its harsh appearance slightly. And slowly, patterns and runes began to appear across the surface of the stone figure. Runes that began to glow with the same flames that surrounded the figure as the magic took form.
An hour later the foundry doors swung open, and the golem strode out of the room, smoke streaming from its surface while brilliant patterns of bright flames gleamed across its surface. And the figure slowly began to climb the floors, toward the final chamber of the eighth floor.
Chapter 46
“The town seems to be coming along well, Aric! I’m glad to see you’ve gotten so much done.” Jared said approvingly, looking around what must be intended as the town square.
“Thank you, Adjudicator. I admit that I wasn’t entirely prepared for such a task, but Master Graystone has made up for that nicely.” Evansly told him, standing up straighter. But the elf was having a hard time keeping his gaze away from the Jewels, as Jared thought of his girls. Evansly was incredibly distracted by beautiful elven women, and Jared knew that he’d find the Jewels almost irresistible.
Suppressing a grin, Jared spoke again, almost teasing the man. “That’s good to hear, Aric. So how’s your wife?”
“Ah, umm…” Evansly looked embarrassed as he met Jared’s eyes, having the good grace to blush, but gathered himself before answering. “Last I heard she was well. Once the manor is built she’ll be coming along as well. I look forward to actually settling down, I admit. It’ll be nice not to be away from her for months at a time.”
“That’s entirely understandable.” Jared agreed, looking at the town again, and letting the companionable silence grow between them for the moment.
Granite Point was definitely coming along quickly. The buildings built at his orders were better than most of the others, all using fine panels that had been shipped here for their construction. Other buildings, like the small houses that a few immigrants had built, were largely log cabins. There was a half-built smithy made of stone, and he could see workers that were working on the dam for the reservoir that Evansly had suggested. All in all, the town couldn’t have more than four hundred people there, with at least two-thirds of those as representatives of Kelvanis, either as soldiers or slave workers. But considering that there had been nothing here at the beginning of the year, it was actually quite impressive.
The dungeon entrance was actually just as normal as all the others had described it, which had caused him a touch of surprise. He’d expected that they’d been exaggerating how simple it was, but it looked like no more than a bear’s cave, if even that. Snorting softly, he shook his head and grinned. “Sorry, Aric, I started thinking about the dungeon. But I’m serious when I say I’m impressed with what you’ve accomplished here.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” The elf replied, relaxing a little as he added. “And I’m sorry we didn’t manage to capture the princess. I’d hoped to have her in custody for you, but it seems fate was against me.”
“Don’t worry about that, Aric. True, she managed to get away twice before, but this time she’s pinned down. She doesn’t have anywhere to run.” Jared assured the elf, patting him on the shoulder with a bright smile of his own. “All we have to do is pry her hole open and dig her out.”
“I suppose you’re right. What about the man who accidentally shot her?” Evansly asked, a smile flickering across his face.
“You’re sure it’s an accident?” Jared asked, tilting his head. “Your initial dispatch seemed dubious about it being an accident.”
“Everyone who knows him claims he wouldn’t shoot her on purpose.” Evansly explained, shrugging. “I wasn’t in the best of moods when I first wrote you, but all of them agree that he wouldn’t shoot her intentionally, especially not against orders.”
“In that case just reinstate him. However, I don’t want him with my attack force in the morning.” Jared told Evansly absently, looking around the town again. “Those platoons lost too many soldiers to be truly effective.”
“As you wish, Adjudicator.” Evansly agreed, saluting and bowing slightly.
“Hah! Enough of that, Aric. Why don’t you show us where we’ll be staying and chat over dinner? I can bring you up to date on what’s going on back in Kelvanis proper and you can let me pick your brain on what’s been going on out here in more detail.” Jared grinned, patting his subordinate on the shoulder again, more at ease once again.
“Of course. If you’ll follow me?” Evansly asked, and began leading the way toward the main barracks for his soldiers.
* * *
Sistina felt things were going well. Oh, there were the occasional attempts to break through the tunnel that Phynis and the others had escaped into, but they hadn’t gotten terribly far. But the fact that things were going well was also making her nervous. A part of her was expecting everything to fall apart at any moment.
Phynis’ former guards had been seemingly at a loss as to what to do when Phynis had all but cast them aside, and had started coordinating with the normal soldiers who were guarding the researchers to defend against any potential attacks. They were also preparing supplies for when they eventually had to leave, which gave them something to do. Sistina knew that most of the soldiers were unnerved by her power, and the upset her ultimatum had caused couldn’t be understated, but it mattered little to her. Most of the guards were useless in her eyes, which was part of why she’d demanded that most of her current inhabitants leave. Those not linked to her were actually leeching away some of the mana she’d otherwise gain, which meant having them there was quite literally weakening her. Since those who were linked to her supplied her mana, each of them was actually costing her almost twice the mana they could have supplied her.
&
nbsp; With all of the difficulties, at least things with Phynis were progressing well. No one had realized just how much Sistina had sacrificed to not just save the elven princess, but to give her a new, glorious chance at life. She found herself curious just how long it would take anyone to realize what had happened to the princess. Sistina had managed to take advantage of Phynis’ momentary death to regenerate the princess’s body to what it should have been to begin with, which had also removed the alterations that had been forced on her. It would be interesting to hear any reactions to the fact that Phynis’ feelings were no longer created, but instead were the result of Phynis’ experiences with Sistina. It was possible that she would fall out of love with Sistina, but so far that seemed unlikely to happen.
But on more practical matters, Sistina had her foundry running at last. She’d created her first golems and sent them to act as powerful bosses to different floors. But as she examined at them, Sistina grew uncertain as to whether or not they would be fair opposition for those who entered the dungeon. The first ones she’d created were quite powerful and were imbued with additional magic, which made her seriously concerned that those who encountered them wouldn’t be able to handle the battle.
It took her a while to decide, but finally she recalled all but the last of the golems to the foundry and started working on less powerful, normal constructs. They would be closer to an earth elemental, she thought. It was unfortunate she couldn’t remember how to call elementals as of yet, or she’d just use a few actual earth elementals as opponents. Sistina made a mental note to look in the library for rituals of that type when she was next in the library, but-
Ancient Ruins (Ancient Dreams Book 1) Page 34
