by Sam Ferguson
She drew her bow back and let fly. The arrow flew straight and true, diving deep into the first hound’s neck, just above the base where it connected to the body. The beast stumbled forward with little more than what can only be described as a gurgling yelp. By the time the hound stopped tumbling down the hill, the second arrow dropped the other hound.
“Back!” one of the handlers shouted. “We must get the others!”
“Too late for that,” Arkyn said quietly. She let a pair of arrows fly at the mounted horsemen. Seconds later each of their lifeless bodies fell from the horses. The frightened steeds galloped off into the forest, one of them dragging its dead master, whose foot was caught in the stirrup.
The handlers died a few seconds later, each catching an arrow to the chest.
Arkyn waited in the tree until morning, keeping watch over the hill, but no one else came.
As the yellow sun peeked over the forest canopy to the east, Lady Arkyn descended from her perch and stalked out to where the slain men lay on the grass. To her dismay, she was only able to retrieve three arrows. The two in the hounds had snapped under the beasts when they tumbled on the ground and another was so deep inside of the horseman who had been dragged through the forest that the head did not come out with the shaft.
She cleaned the good arrows and slid them back into her quiver, quickly counting and making a mental note of her limited supply. She then looked along the ground for hoof prints and followed them until she found the pair of horses drinking from a spring near a moss-covered boulder.
She approached quietly, yet directly. She had no reason to sneak around the animals, and she didn’t want to spook them. One of the beasts looked up from the stream and whinnied when he saw her coming.
“Easy, friend,” she cooed softly. “Come with me,” she said. Lady Arkyn reached out her hand and took the horse’s bridle in her hand. The animal pawed at the ground twice and then relented, taking a step forward to nuzzle her shoulder with his nose. “There,” she said as she stroked the horse’s forehead between the eyes. She moved around and gracefully leapt up into the saddle. Then, she reached down and took the other horse’s reins and made for the camp.
The scent of bacon and beans wafted through the trees as she came closer. The camp itself wasn’t exactly bustling with activity, but a few people were up and moving around.
She spied Master Wendal right where she had left him, sitting next to Master Orres’ cot. Wendal looked up and smiled when he saw her. She waved and dismounted. She tied the horses’ reins around a young tree and then moved quickly to Wendal.
“How is he?” she asked.
“He mumbled a few times in his sleep,” Wendal said.
“Did the fever return?” she asked.
The mage shook his head. “No, I think he was just dreaming.”
Lady Arkyn nodded. “We should be moving along soon.”
Wendal shrugged. “Most of us are wounded,” he said. “It has been slow going just to rouse most of them this morning. We have only just barely begun preparing food, and I doubt that we have enough for everyone to actually eat their fill.”
“All the more reason for us to move along quickly,” Arkyn said. “There is a brook we can travel alongside. It will take us near House Lokton’s estate.”
Wendal pointed to Master Orres. “We are dragging him on a sled. I don’t think walking next to a brook in the forest will be the easiest path.”
Lady Arkyn bit her lip. “It isn’t ideal, but I think we will need to carry him.”
Wendal sighed and folded his arms across his chest while shaking his head.
“We can’t go back to the road now. We would have to back track, and even then we don’t know how many patrols will be waiting for us. The forest is our best bet.”
Wendal nodded. “And House Lokton is the nearest place we could find rest. At least you brought us a pair of horses to help carry him.” Wendal looked back to the horses. “I assume the original owners didn’t give you any trouble?”
Lady Arkyn smiled. “Well, I lost three arrows,” she admitted. “But I suppose that is not a bad price for two horses.”
Wendal laughed. “I will get a couple others to help me prepare Orres for travel. I’ll have the rest of them break camp. You should get some rest.”
“I’ll be alright,” Lady Arkyn said.
“You have been up all night,” Wendal countered. “You may as well rest while we break camp.”
Lady Arkyn nodded and looked down at Orres. “Very well, but let’s not waste any more time than we must.”
Wendal smiled and hurried off. Lady Arkyn moved to the small patch of fir branches that had been cut and placed on a level patch of ground for a bed. She removed her quiver and laid her things nearby as she allowed herself to lay down. A couple needles from the branches poked her leg, but overall it was softer than sleeping directly on the forest floor, and it smelled better too. She put one arm behind her head and crossed the other over her eyes.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Are you ready?” Merriam asked.
Eldrik smoothed out his maroon robes and nodded. “I think so,” he said. “Is it on right?”
“Here, let me help,” Silvi said softly. She moved in close to him and gently pulled at the collar, twisting the robe a bit to the right. “There,” she said as she smoothed out the embroidered design of a dragon inside of a diamond. “The symbol should be over your heart.”
Eldrik smiled dumbly. “Thanks,” he said with a crack in his voice. Silvi winked and turned away, twirling her black, long hair behind her as she walked away. It took several moments for Eldrik’s heart to stop pounding in his chest.
“Let’s go, then,” Merriam said flatly. Eldrik missed the disapproving glare Merriam shot the younger witch. In fact, he barely noticed Merriam at all. His eyes were fixed on Silvi. His feet moved more to follow her than in response to Merriam’s invitation. He followed Silvi through a clean, brown tunnel until it opened into a chamber almost the size of the dining hall back at his family home.
“We do not have so many fine things, as a noble might like, but this is our banquet hall,” Silvi said as she turned back to slip her arm under his.
Eldrik paused for a moment, not only taking in the room in front of him, but enjoying the company he found himself with. “It’s beautiful,” he said.
“It was carved out of the rock we found,” Silvi explained as she pulled him into the room. “The middle was drilled through and the table in the center was carved out as the room was cleared. If you look at the base of the table you can still see the tool marks.”
“It’s impressive,” Eldrik said.
“The walls were made smooth, of course, but the pillars on the side were also carved out from the existing stone.”
“How long did it take to make?” Eldrik asked. “And who made it?”
“Come, let’s eat,” Silvi said softly with a smile. “The others are waiting.”
Eldrik blushed a bit. He hadn’t noticed that all but two of the chairs around the table were filled. He recognized some of the faces as people who had been in the other chamber during the ceremony with the dagger, but he didn’t know any of the people by name. Each of them watched him intently, silently. No one said a word as Silvi showed him to a seat at the head of the table. To his left was Hairen, the oldest of the witches. Silvi uncoupled her arm from Eldrik and took the seat at his right.
Hairen stood. “The guest of honor has arrived,” she said. “Raise your glasses.” A glass rose into the air in front of each guest, except for Eldrik. He reached out and raised his own glass by hand. Hairen smiled, but it was not a warm smile. There was something in her eyes that felt cold and hard to Eldrik. He shifted in his chair a bit and looked away from Hairen. The old witch then continued. “Those of us with the gift, wish for you to partake of the gift as well.” Hairen plucked her glass from the air in front of her and drank. Everyone at the table followed suit, including Eldrik. “Let us feast now. Many of you h
ave travelled long to witness the induction of our newest brother.”
The old witch sat down and motioned to the platters and trays on the table. The others wasted no time digging. Eldrik reached forward and tore a leg off of a roasted duck. As the skin cracked apart steam wafted up around his hand. He brought it up to his mouth and sunk his teeth into the meaty end. Immediately he regretted his hasty decision. He opened his mouth and tried to suck in a breath of air to cool the food in his mouth without drawing too much attention to himself.
“Take a drink,” Silvi whispered.
Eldrik nodded and quickly swished the cool wine around in his mouth as he finished chewing the bite.
“Here, take some of the bread and fruits,” Silvi offered.
Eldrik slid his plate close as she placed some other items down for him. A few of the other guests chatted amongst themselves, but for the majority of the meal everyone ate in silence. Eldrik might have excused himself, if not for the fact that Silvi sat at his side, occasionally rubbing his foot with hers. It was obvious that she was older than him, but that didn’t bother him. There was something about her, something in her eyes that he felt drawn toward. He likely would have sat there in the hall all night if she had asked him to. However, it was soon obvious that there were other plans that night.
As the guests finished their food and pushed their plates to the center of the table Hairen and Merriam began cleaning the platters and other dishes away. Afterward, the other warlocks in attendance rose from their chairs and stood near the large pillars around the chamber.
“Should I move?” Eldrik asked Silvi.
“No,” she said with a disarming smile. “You are the guest of honor. You must stay seated for the final course.”
“The final course?” he asked. “I am already full.”
Silvi giggled and dabbed the left corner of her mouth with her napkin.
Hairen moved to stand beside him and placed a hand on his right shoulder. Merriam stood on his left side and placed her hand on his other shoulder. Silvi withdrew her foot from near his and stood up from her seat.
“Bring it in,” Hairen said. Eldrik turned to look at what was coming, but he couldn’t see around Merriam. He tried to lean around, but Hairen gripped his shoulder tight. “Patience,” she said.
A man in dark green robes set a silver goblet before him. Eldrik looked up to the black-haired man, but the man did not make eye contact. He simply slid the goblet so that it was centered in front of Eldrik and walked away.
Moments later four men approached the table carrying a large, golden tray covered with a black silken cloth. Eldrik studied the cloth intently as the men slid the tray onto the table. He felt a knot grow in his throat as they pulled the cloth back. Even before the pair of brown boots were revealed, he knew what they had set before him.
“I…I…no—I can’t,” he stammered.
Silvi stepped in behind him and gently laid her hands on either side of his neck. She bent down to his left ear and whispered, “It’s alright. This will complete your initiation as the patriarch of our order.”
Eldrik’s stomach lurched. “No, I can’t do this.” He went to stand but Hairen and Merriam held him down with otherworldly strength.
“Take this,” Hairen said as she placed his dagger in front of him.
Eldrik’s chest began to burn as he looked down to the weapon. He shook his head. “I can’t,” he repeated.
“You can,” Silvi said. Her soft, alluring voice did little to calm him this time. She reached around with her left hand and took Eldrik’s chin between her thumb and forefinger. She turned his head to look into his eyes. “Do this for me,” she said. She leaned in and kissed his cheek.
Eldrik’s defenses melted away. He turned back to his dagger. “What do I do?” he asked.
Silvi stepped back and offered a nod to Hairen. The old witch returned the nod and motioned for Silvi to back away. The young witch flipped her raven hair over her should and went to stand near the wall.
Hairen eased her grip on Eldrik and pointed to his dagger. “Take your weapon,” she said. “For you to fully realize your potential, you must consume another’s power.” She then gestured to the corpse on the platter. “This one has offered himself to you, so that you may lead us and restore House Cedreau to its former glory.”
“Take your dagger,” Merriam said. “Then take your goblet.” Eldrik nodded and took his dagger in his right hand and scooped his left hand around the empty silver goblet.
Hairen began chanting. Her voice grew louder until it echoed through the small chamber and the walls vibrated and hummed. The torches dimmed, nearly dying out as the air grew thick and dark. Merriam started in as well, adding her voice to Hairen’s. Eldrik felt the burning in his chest grow hot.
He stood and instinctively raised his dagger, holding the blade out over the corpse before him. The heat in his chest flowed out through his shoulder and down to his blade until the dagger glowed red-hot. He then lifted his goblet into the air and held it next to his dagger. A thin, smoky light emerged from the corpse’s mouth, swirling up toward the dagger above the body. As the light ascended to the blade it whirled and coiled near the dagger’s point.
“Take your blade and pierce the power,” Hairen said.
Eldrik sliced into the glowing vapor. His dagger quivered and hissed as it cut through the essence.
“Hold your dagger inside until it is complete,” Merriam shouted.
Eldrik fought to keep his dagger in the glowing mist as an unseen force began pushing against him, trying to eject the blade. Hairen and Merriam resumed their chanting and squeezed his shoulders tightly. More than once Eldrik heard a loud pop and his dagger would almost jerk free of the smoky light, but he managed to hold it in. With each passing second more of the essence drained from the body in front of him and fought against his dagger. His forearm stung not only from the heat of the spell he was under, but his muscles ached and quivered as well.
He grit his teeth and leaned his body forward, hoping his weight would help. If it did, he couldn’t tell. It seemed for every ounce of effort he could muster, the essence grew harder and stronger. Then, the mist split in two and all resistance was gone. He would have fallen forward onto the table had Hairen and Merriam not been holding his shoulders.
“Now drink,” Hairen commanded.
Eldrik brought the goblet to his mouth. As he did so, the essence flowed into the vessel as easily as if poured from a pitcher. The first taste of the warm, glowing mist was sweet as fresh nectar. After his second swallow the essence turned bitter and foul as if orange peels had been ground with rotting fish. Eldrik’s stomach lurched and heaved, but he managed to hold down what he had drunk already.
“You must finish it,” Merriam said.
Eldrik took a deep breath and held it as he opened his mouth wide and poured his goblet into the back of his gullet. He did his best to swallow without letting much of the essence touch his tongue, but it didn’t matter. The foul taste filled his mouth and penetrated his nostrils as though he were drowning in a pool of the putrid gunk. As the last of it slimed down his throat he dropped his goblet and doubled over, clutching at his stomach.
Hairen deftly moved in and took Eldrik’s dagger from him just before he started convulsing. “This next part might be a bit jarring,” she said as she placed the dagger on the table. “Everyone out,” she said. All of the guests filed out of the room in an orderly line, ignoring Eldrik as he fell into a fit of seizures on the floor.
“I will go and entertain our guests,” Merriam said.
Hairen nodded. “Silvi, you wait here with Eldrik. If he lives through the night, then we will introduce him tomorrow morning as the new head of our order.”
Silvi stepped forward and looked down to Eldrik. “No matter how many times you see it, it is never easy to watch.”
“If we are to succeed, we need him to be more than a mere warlock,” Hairen said.
“But can we control a shadowfiend?” Merria
m asked.
“He will listen to me,” Silvi said with a sly smile.
“Yes, your charms have been most effective,” Hairen said. “Let’s just make sure we keep his mother from finding out.”
“Leave her to me,” Merriam said. “I can take a few of our guests and pay her a visit.”
“No,” Hairen said quickly. “You don’t know what she is capable of. She was dangerous before, but now she has nothing left to live for. To strike at her openly is suicide.”
“We can’t let her live,” Merriam said. “Sooner or later she will find out what you have done.”
“Perhaps,” Hairen said. “But for now she has no reason to suspect we would do anything with Eldrik. As far as she knows the boy is still in Drakei Glazei.”
“She won’t have an easy time getting in there now with the recent incident at the senate chamber,” Silvi put in.
“Come,” Hairen said to Merriam. “Let’s go entertain our guests.”
*****
Hairen gently scooped a bit of water into her hand and brought it up to her face. The cool liquid helped wash away the rest of her fatigue from the late night. It was morning now. Time to check on the boy.
She pulled a brown wool over cloak from off a hook on her wall and wrapped it around her shoulders. Lately she found the mornings to be particularly cold in the coven. Whether it was from her age or perhaps a shift in the climate below the surface, she couldn’t be certain. Either way, she needed the cloak to keep the chill out of her bones.
Hairen opened her door and walked down the corridor toward the banquet hall.
“It is time then?” Merriam asked as Hairen rounded a corner, nearly bumping into her.
“It is,” Hairen said. Everything was silent, except for the occasional snore that echoed through the halls.
“All of the guests stayed up late, and now they sleep heavily,” Merriam noted.
“That is good,” Hairen said. “Where is Silvi?”
