Elian’s nod was curt. “Go on,”
Anxious, the guard licked his lips. “He was found dead captain. His body was found beneath the wharf and was spotted when the morning tide pulled it free.”
Elian’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. “Ah, a shame he didn’t even make it out of the docks.” There was nothing else to do at this point, except to dismiss the guard. “You may go.”
“No-” Ru’ark shot to his feet. “Death will have to wait for that soul, bring me the body.” He refused to be cheated from his answers. “I think Adar and Nelina are close to finished, I would have them here as well.”
Elian addressed the guard who had not left yet. “You heard the Magus, and instruct Adar and Nelina that the Magus seeks their presence in here.”
“Yes, Captain,” The guard with a quickness to his step left to carry out his orders.
Ru’ark and Elian did not have too long of a wait before the guard dragged in the dead body with Adar and Nelina proceeding in behind him.
Elian had cleared off the long table that had not too long ago held Nelina’s dying body. He ordered the guard to help him haul the corpse on top of it.
Ru’ark took a place at the deceased man’s feet as the others gathered around to watch. The weaving of black tendrils came streaming out from his finger as they swam with a constant rhythm. In through the nose and down through the mouth, it swarmed in and out similar to a mass of slithering snakes as they coiled into and around the limp body. At first, a single finger twitched before the body begun its violent spasms slamming itself against the table. In the final throes, the corpse lurched upright, with its face distorted in pain and its blank vacant lifeless eyes stared at the Magus.
“There,” The black coils dissipated as Ru’ark’s fingers became stilled.
“How-” Nelina was shocked that the body was coming back from the call of death.
“Because,” interrupted Ru’ark, “This man’s soul has not moved on. When a person dies, there is a small window of time to communicate with the soul before it is too far gone, his soul will not be bound to his body much longer.”
“Oh” Nelina watched on with interest.
Ru’ark turned back to the corpse. “Tell me shade, why did you attack the woman in this room?”
The soul of the man obeyed, with its toneless voice. “To report, to watch, then we learned she belonged to the Magus, we wanted coin.”
“Who sent you?” Ru’ark knew his time was growing shorter by the second.
The soul’s reply was broken, “A man not of the kingdoms, wildlands, or chainless, the Outlander.”
Ru’ark asked his next question with haste. “And who is this Outlander?”
While trying to answer the Magus, its decayed form convulsed with its hand clutching at the hole in its chest before it collapsed. “I need to think on the matter of this Outlander. For now, you three will go to meet old Ned together.”
“Nelina, remain here, then you can rejoin Elian.” Ru’ark waited until everyone else left the room. He walked over and raised her chin upward to look at him. “Adar is going with you and his priority is to keep you safe.” His mouth found her lips warm and welcoming, and he elicited a soft moan from her. “Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”
“I won’t,” she put her arms around his neck. “I’ll be safe.”
He held her tight before letting her go. “You’d better.”
“I won’t disappoint you,” she promised.
Grinning, he ran his finger down the bridge of her nose. “Then go and carry out the duties your Magus has given you.”
Elian was leaning up against the wall when she came out. “There you are, is everything well?”
“Very,” she stepped in front of him with light smile. “Ready to go?”
“After you, fair Lady,” he meant it in jest.
“I lost any chance of that title some time ago.” She playfully pushed his shoulder as they went up the large stairs leading to the outer wall and the path to the Northern barracks for her afternoon training.
“Lost, how so?” He studied her expression.
She shrugged, “I was born and raised in the province of Pinza. My family owned a timber business. When my parents happened to die, I was young and my Uncle on my mother’s side inherited everything.” She glanced at Elian who was hanging on her every word. “My Uncle ran everything into the ground, had me do the books, blamed me, lost everything and then sold me, so I kind of lose out on that whole Lady Nelina thing.”
He stopped walking “I’m sorry-”
“For what?” She laughed, “I have the Magus and we’d never have become friends if I didn’t come here.”
“True enough, and for a woman you do rather well with a sword.” He put his arm around her shoulders.
She joked back with him. “High praise coming from you considering I’m the only woman you’ve ever trained.”
Ru’ark went into his private bed-chamber, whoever this Outlander was did not sit well with him. While it left him with a distinct feeling of uneasiness, he had no choice but to put it to the side. It was a year since he had last spoken to his Father which needed to be done. Going over to the heavy draping covering the mirror, he gave it a hard tug causing it to drop to the floor. The noon sun filled the room with light as he took his place in front of the Dami Uiten. "Bring Riga, I have news." Looking into the reflection, he shifted his weight sliding his arms behind his back while clasping his hands together. He was expecting the normal customary wait as some slave on the other side went off to gather his father. His thoughts drifted to Nelina, the first time she was attacked had occurred when she out of his careful sight. At least she had Adar and Elian to accompany her to meet with Ned.
“Greetings, my Brother,” It was Malark, his twin now smiling at him from the mirrors surface.
“You are not our Father, where is he?” Ru’ark glanced up was unsure of how long his thoughts had drifted away.
“Brother, this is how you greet me after all this time?” His robes were near identical to Ru’ark’s while his words were thick with heavy sarcasm. “A shame, I for one had hoped your time in this new world would’ve tempered your attitude.”
Ru’ark waved his hand dismissively. “I don’t have time for your vacant quips, you chose to oppose me, and in my success you see your own failure.” His arms fell at his sides.
In a sweeping gesture, Malark opened his arms. "You have me all wrong brother, unlike you I’ve taken this time to let it dull my misplaced anger. I only wish for us to work together for the benefit of all our people."
“Indeed,” Ru’ark folded his arms across his chest.
“Yes Brother, the city is abuzz that you have acquired a suitable vessel and with her, the Waste will topple and we will have our freedom, you are already a hero to us in Aghadine.” His lips curved into a sly smile. “It’s a shame that the Arx Senentia was lost, and you are certain they are lost?”
“We both know you’ve read my reports, so why are you really here Malark?” He was growing tired of his brother’s childish games.
Malark shook his head. “Again, you have me all wrong Ru’ark. Since it has been such an extended time since you have communicated with the council there is news you should be aware of, I have done you a great favor.”
“A favor?” Ru’ark’s brows shot upward in surprise. “What favor is that?”
“I’ve guaranteed that after the vessel has been used in removing the Waste, that she’ll come to me and not be given to any lesser Magus.” A wicked smile played across his face. “A female could not be a better choice for what ideas I already have.”
Ru’ark had always kept the awareness of what her life might entail in Aghadine, yet he had held onto a measure of hope that he could keep her for himself. Malark, without question had made that option impossible. Akin to a spark hitting a piece of dry tinder, his mind went ablaze in a direction where his heart was already leading him. “You’ve wasted enough of my time with you
r useless banter, either fetch Father or leave.”
“As you wish, I’m sure you and Father have a great deal to discuss.” Malark’s smile faded as his voice had taken on the sharpness Ru’ark’s was lacking. With a slight bow, he stepped away from the mirror.
Ru’ark clenched his fist, then unclenched it. ‘How dare Malark?’ drawing in a deep breath, he regained his composure, he set aside his emotions for her benefit and his own when his father appeared.
The mirror shimmered. “My son, it is good to finally talk to you, we have much to speak of since last time.” Riga’s demeanor was amicable.
“Indeed we do Father,” try as he might, his anger seeped out. “First, what right did the Council have to give Nelina to Malark with no input from me?”
“No input from you?” Scathing, Riga did not hold back. “It’s been near a year’s time and why would you mind where she went or to whom?”
“Because Father,” he clenched his jaw, “I’ve spent the better part of a year preparing her, she is subservient to me, and I didn’t do all this for her to be passed on to another Magus.”
“Another Magus?” He shook his head in disbelief. “You mean your brother? I don’t understand this upset, she’ll be in the household, and I doubt your brother will mind your use of her whenever you want.”
Ru’ark was finding it hard to quell his own anger. “Unacceptable, she will have the Nivecus Waraeu within her, and I intended on bonding with her to explore what comes of that.”
“No, Ru’ark, the Council will never agree to it. They believe your time would be better put to use working with the artifacts from before the Waste.” Riga shook his head. “I grow tired of this petty behavior as if you and Malark were once again children.”
“She is my property Father, a personal slave.” He inclined his head. “Do Aghadine’s laws mean nothing anymore?” Ru’ark knew the property laws in Aghadine were strict.
Riga sighed in aggravation. “Then when you arrive back in Aghadine feel free to petition the Council for her ownership, until then you must accept what is- natur ni praemss, ni punb - non solm conquestium.”
“Spitting old quotes at me?” His recollection of saying it to Celeste was vivid in his mind.
“Enough, let’s dwell on your news that you have for the Council today.” Riga shelved his next barb this was too important.
“Indeed,” Ru’ark waved his hand. “The Amicus of the Nivecus Waraeu are alive but only as a withered shell. These Soul Seers have a bare fragment of the power they were once said to wield.”
“Are these Soul Seers going to be a problem when we return?” Riga scraped his thumbnail across his brow.
Ru’ark shook his head. “I don’t believe so, I’ve taken the liberty to collect weaponry from the Great War that will allow us to destroy them from within.”
Riga nodded his approval. “Son, this well thought out. But what about the city, will the vessel as you call her, Nelina, be able to survive the horrors we both know are there?”
“My Captain of the Guard who has been training her was with her when they were both set upon by bandits the other night and she did well.” Ru’ark folded his arms across his chest.
Riga grew concerned, “She will face more than bandits Son.”
“You think I don’t know that?” He regretted not having additional time to work with her as it was. “Aside from our arrival to the ruined city, her skills cannot be tested in full.”
Riga backed off from agitating Ru’ark further. “And what have you learned of the city itself?”
Ru'ark shifted his weight. “It’s unfortunate, but there is little to know, very few have returned from a journey there, and it’s surrounded by a swamp that I believe came about after the Waste. Other than that, the Clasu'trum that I was able to find will allow us to arrive directly within the city in the same way that I arrived in these lands.”
Riga overall had good news to bring to the council. “Then you are prepared to set out soon."
Ru’ark crossed his arms in front of his waist. “Yes, we’ll leave before the heat of summer in order to have ample time to return to Danthamore. However, it will be awhile before you or the council will hear from me again.”
“I understand, and take heart, my son,” Riga smiled. “After the vessel Nelina delivers us from the waste, I think you’ll find merit in many of Malark’s theories about what could be produced from her and the Nivecus Waraeu.”
“Perhaps Father.” The idea of Malark doing any experimentation on her repulsed him. “Until we speak again, I bid you, farewell.”
“And I you, be safe in your journey Ru’ark.” Riga left the mirror.
Ru’ark threw the draping back over the mirror, he was done with the whole lot of them, and they had no right to decide anything with her. He did not intend to deny his own heart a second longer. No longer was he willing to put his ungrateful people first. Instead, his relationship with Nelina would be his focus and priority at all costs.
Nelina was confused when she saw Elian only bringing two horses instead of three. “Elian, how come we only have two horses?”
Elian handed the reigns of one horse to Nelina. “I suppose I forgot to mention that Adar doesn’t ride.”
Adar nodded with a slight smile.
“Why not?” Nelina looked between them.
Elian chuckled. “Because our friend here thinks the horses are not trustworthy,”
“Oh, alright,” Nelina mounted her horse and smiled at Adar. “I’ll stay slow for you Adar.”
The sun was beating down on the Northern Barracks while they made their way into the streets of Danthamore. The slave square was in its midday bustle as they passed beneath the massive gates of the city, they steered clear of the cliff side path, and instead followed the King’s road to the docks below. Everyone, including the apostates gave the trio a wide berth in passing as they continued on the King’s road. Nelina held her breath going by robber’s row and Adar kept a light jog by her horse until they arrived at the dock Sargent to leave their horses with him. By taking a shorter and more direct route the three made better time to the warehouse. One of the burly men out in front recognized Elian and Nelina from their last visit and quickly escorted them inside to Ned. Instead of going below, they walked to the back of the warehouse where Ned sat conversing with two other people.
Elian assessed the large burly man with the young small female companion who was maybe a year or two younger than Nelina with him.
Ned immediately stood up with a sweeping motion to the two seated with him. “Our friends and I have come up with a solution to get the Magus’s weapons off the docks. The apostates unlike the rest of us, are left alone to move about we could use them.”
Elian with a grunt looked to the bearded man, His height topped Elian’s with his arms at least the size of his upper thigh. “It must be your ship we’re talking about, what assurances are there that you can actually get it to where it needs to go?”
“No point in talking to old Garrett here, he’s just here for my protection.” quipped the young woman, standing a good hand and a half taller than Nelina. Her white blouse was hanging loose on her frame, with a long dagger sticking out from the top her boot. “I’m the one in charge with the ship Esmerelda.”
“You?” Scoffed Elian, and with that he turned his attention back to Ned while shaking his head. “She is a child.”
“My name is Oonie, and I’m a solid eighteen springs old and also a direct representative of King Vannis who wants to do a favor for this Magus of yours,” she hopped off the barrel she had been sitting on.
Elian was about to object until Nelina held up her hand.
Nelina looked thoughtfully at Oonie. “A favor for the Magus? It’s obvious she wants to prove herself to her King, I don’t think she’ll fail us.”
Elian quelled his objections, it was not as if there was anyone else to go to. “What’s your plan, then, Oonie?”
Oonie guzzled a drink from her wineskin. “My shi
p will need to set sail before the first days of summer. Sailing around the Horn of souls or through the salt marsh straights is not favorable with the harvest winds.”
“Good enough for me,” Elian’s eyes cut over to Ned. “What about these apostates?”
“A quack bunch, they worship the Magus, and are led by a man who goes by the name of Esau.” Ned shrugged, “He preaches to them to revel in pain and pleasure with a lot of humping.”
Oonie leaned against the barrel. “I still don’t know what the fuss is all about, seems like you can just walk em right outta here.”
“Well, you can’t,” admonished Elian. “Otherwise, we would have just walked them out.”
Oonie put her hands up, “Okay, okay, well, there’s a cave a good day’s ride outside of the city along the sea. I have men there, if these apostates can get these precious swords to that cave, I’ll take them from there and they’ll get to the Ruby Isles.”
Elian gave Oonie a stiff nod. “I pray you can woman or it won’t be a favor King Vannis gets, will it?” He glanced over to Nelina and Adar. “We need to get working on these apostates.”
Nelina and Adar nodded their agreement.
Elian cocked his head to Oonie and Garrett. “Good luck, and safe travels to you both.” He gave a curt nod to Ned. “We’ll talk later I’m sure.”
Nelina and Adar followed behind Elian after leaving the warehouse and making their way to the stables.
Elian turned around leading the three back out onto the docks. He hated sending a woman, especially Nelina to this Esau person. It was not because he feared for her safety, but because she would have to talk to Esau and negotiate without him there to help her or stop him from treating her with any disrespect. After going through the wharf, they came back to the guard post where they had left the horses.
Elian was well aware of his own position. “Nelina, I can’t go with you I’m the Captain of the City Guard I can’t be seen there. I also despise you talking with this rabid animal.”
Nelina pled with her hands folded to him. “Elian, C’mon, you can’t take this away from me, and besides, someone has to speak with him.”
The Magus (A Chronicle of Rebirth Book 1) Page 16
