by Jayne Castel
The King Breaker.
Beyond the Ice Door, she saw the silhouette move, hands sliding expectantly across the smooth surface. Valgarth was about to walk free. Even through the thick layer of ice, she could feel his raw excitement.
Lilia watched Gael lift the two pieces of the stone into the sunlight and place them together. A burst of silvery light illuminated the chamber as the two halves of The King Breaker fused.
It was then that Lilia spied the key hole.
She’d been too distracted earlier to note the change in the surface of the door when the light touched it; but now she saw it—an indentation the shape of two interlinked spheres sitting around seven feet above the ground.
Gael saw the key hole too and moved toward it.
Lilia couldn’t let him do it, couldn’t let him set The Shadow King loose on the world again. She lunged for Gael once more. This time her blade sank into the tender flesh at the back of his knee.
A howl split the air.
Gael sagged against the Ice Door, still clutching The King Breaker. Lilia yanked the blade free and went for him again, this time aiming for his heart. However, Gael was forewarned, and he raised his arm to defend himself. The sickening sensation of steel sliding through flesh made Lilia’s bile rise but she clung on.
Gael grunted, swung up with his fist and caught Lilia’s left cheek. She fell backward dropping her dagger. Dread rose within her when she saw Gael gather the Dark. This time, he really would finish her.
Two fighting knives thudded in Gael’s torso.
The enchanter let out a ragged gasp and staggered, clutching at the hilts: one protruding from his right shoulder, the other on the lower left side of his ribcage.
Lilia froze, her gaze riveted on the enchanter. Saul appeared at her side, and he dragged her back from the door.
Gael turned his attention from his injuries and released the full force of his power on them. Saul saw it coming and shoved Lilia out of the way, just in time. But he couldn’t save himself; a fist of shadows flattened Saul, slamming him back into the ground with such force the entire cavern shook.
Lilia crouched, waiting for Gael to come for her. Yet he did not.
The enchanter stood a few feet away, staring at her, his dark eyes glassy. Then his face sagged and he sank to his knees. A heartbeat later, he fell forward onto his face, still clutching The King Breaker.
Behind the Ice Door, The Shadow King began to beat upon the ice. There was no sound, although Lilia could see the desperation in his movement. The ground trembled beneath her with each blow of his fists.
“Lily.” Dain’s voice, weak with pain, reached her. “Are you hurt?”
Lilia tore her gaze from the looming outline of the frantic Valgarth and took in her surroundings once more. Gael lay, face-down, just a few feet away. Dain was dragging himself across the floor toward her, while Ryana groaned as she pushed herself into a sitting position against the wall.
“Nothing broken, I think,” she murmured, her gaze resting on the pale-faced woman on the other side of the cavern. “Just bruised … Ryana?”
The woman’s face twisted from the effort it had taken to push herself upright. She now lay back against the wall panting, a faint sheen of sweat covering her face. “I’m sure I have broken something,” she gasped. “A few ribs and my right arm, I think.”
Meanwhile, Dain had almost reached Lilia. Blood trickled down his cheek from a graze to his forehead and like Ryana, his breathing was labored. Lilia reached out to him, her fingers entwining with his. She was about to ask him of his injuries when she heard a wet, rattling sound behind her.
Lilia twisted around to see Saul lying on his back. One look at him, and she knew he was in a bad way; his skin was the color of ash, his gaze unfocused. Each breath caused his chest to shudder.
Lilia gave Dain’s hand a squeeze before releasing him. Then she crawled over to where Saul lay. Reaching him, she lifted his head and placed it across her knees. “Is that better?” she asked. “Can you breathe easier now?”
Saul gazed up at her, his blood-stained mouth curving into a wry smile. “Much.”
Dain crawled up next to them. His gaze travelled along Saul’s body before he reached out and ran a hand over his leather jerkin. It came away scarlet. Dain tensed, his gaze meeting Saul’s for a moment before it flicked to Lilia. “He’s dying, Lily.”
Panic fluttered up into Lilia’s chest at these words. “No, he isn’t—we’ll get him to Asher. He’ll heal him.”
“I won’t last that long,” Saul gasped, each word an effort. “Dain’s right.”
Lilia stared down at him, her throat constricting. “You saved me.”
Saul grimaced. “Soft-hearted, girl.”
She clutched his hand, squeezing it tightly. “Thank you, all the same,” she whispered.
Saul’s dark eyes gleamed, and an odd expression flitted across his features. Regret, guilt, sadness—it was impossible to place. Holding his gaze, Lilia reflected on what a complex man Saul of Anthor was. Had he ever revealed his true self to anyone?
Saul’s body stiffened then, blood bubbling up onto his lips as something ruptured deep inside. Then, the grip on Lilia’s hand went slack.
Lilia stared down at him, her vision blurring.
“Lilia.” Ryana’s voice, weak but nonetheless insistent, intruded. “I know you won’t want to hear this … but we’re not finished yet.”
Lilia looked up, blinking away tears. “What?”
Ryana met her gaze across the chamber. “None of us are safe while The King Breaker can be found. All it’ll take is for one of The Brotherhood, or a shadow creature to find the talisman, and Valgarth will walk free.”
A weighty silence followed Ryana’s words. Lilia exhaled slowly, before she glanced over at where Gael sprawled on his stomach, unmoving. Saul’s knives had evidently done their job well. Ryana was right—they needed to see this through to the end. “What must I do?”
“You’ll need to take the stone to The Chasm and cast it in—it’s the only place no one will ever find it.”
“How far is it from here?” Dain asked.
“Not far,” Ryana rasped, closing her eyes as her injuries pained her. “The road up here from the vale is supposed to fork halfway down. The eastern fork takes you there.”
Lilia moved away from Saul and crawled over to where Gael lay. Just a few feet away, Valgarth had gone wild—pounding at the ice with all his force—but Lilia ignored him. Reaching out, she grasped Gael’s hand. His fingers were still curled around the talisman, and she had to pry it out of his grip.
Sitting back on her haunches, she looked down at The King Breaker. Finally whole after all these centuries, it sat cool and gleaming upon her palm. She suddenly felt loath to get rid of it. “Are you sure there isn’t another way?” she asked hesitantly. “We could hide it again—somewhere no one’s ever thought to look.”
“Folk already tried that, Lily,” Dain reminded her. “It didn’t work, remember?”
“The stone is working its charm on you already,” Ryana observed. “It knows you well, and knows you feel compelled to protect it. Maybe you should give it to Dain to carry, if he’s strong enough to walk.”
Lilia stared at her a moment. Ryana was right. She couldn’t explain the intense desire to keep the stone safe. There was no logical reason for it. She glanced over at the Ice Door, at the threatening figure still hammering at it. While this stone could be found, Valgarth remained a menace to them all. She pocketed The King Breaker. “No,” she replied firmly. “I’ll do it.”
Ryana exhaled slowly and closed her eyes once more. “The battle below should be near its end, and I fear the Shadow Army will be the victors. If you get rid of the stone in time, you may be able to turn things around for King Nathan.”
Lilia hesitated. Ryana was now deathly pale; she didn’t like the thought of leaving her here. “What about you? Shouldn’t we—”
“I’ll be fine here till you return,” Ryana cut
her off. “Go now—go quickly.”
46
Into The Chasm
Lilia and Dain took a torch and followed the network of tunnels back to The Hall of the Night Sky. Dain was limping and favored his right side; although he made no complaint, Lilia could see the effort it was taking him to keep up with her. Yet he would not be left behind.
Outdoors, sun streamed across the road. Lilia peered up at it, sighing at the warmth on her face. She could see the pale blue sky beyond, but the clouds were starting to close up. In a short while, the world would be cast in shadow once more.
Ryana spoke true—getting rid of The King Breaker was the only way to ensure The Shadow King was truly defeated. Even behind the Ice Door, he wielded more power than he should; for he knew the means of freeing him lay nearby. He gave his shadow creatures strength, and hope.
Lilia and Dain discovered Brand’s body a few yards in front of the entrance. He lay in a pool of congealing blood, staring sightlessly up at the heavens.
The two of then stopped and shared a bemused glance. “What happened here?” Lilia mused.
Dain shrugged. “Disagreement between thieves?”
Lilia glanced back at Brand. She would have felt pity for another man, slain in this fashion—however not for Brand. He’d murdered Rina in order to get his hands on the stone, and lied and manipulated those who’d trusted him. Whatever the reason for his death, she was not sorry for it.
Lilia turned away and followed Dain down the incline.
They moved as quickly as they were able down the road. The surface was rough and potholed, and Dain was now limping badly, which slowed their progress. As Ryana had indicated, the road forked about fifty yards down the mountainside. Here, the pair veered left and hobbled up the stony incline. The road narrowed to a track that twisted up the mountainside between towering tors of rock. Although she tried to hurry, Lilia felt exhaustion pulling down on her with every step. She had not slept during the night, and days of travel had taken their toll on her.
Even so, she would not let herself stop. The cries echoing up from the valley below, the clash of steel and iron, galvanized her resolve. She needed to get rid of The King Breaker—to stop the bloodshed.
The road wound up the mountain and the track grew steadily steeper. Ahead, Lilia saw that the Shadefell Mountains parted, a deep cleft forming between two walls of schist. Their destination was in sight.
The last section of the track was so step that they had to climb it, scrambling up the rocky slope on all fours. Lilia had tucked the stone away inside her jerkin. She could feel its chill through her clothing; coldness pulsed against her skin. Did it know what she intended?
Doubt filled her once more, as it had before the Ice Door.
I’m its protector—I shouldn’t cast it away.
Lilia shook her head to clear it. The King Breaker wielded far too much influence over her. She had carried part of it for too long. It knew her, knew how to weaken her resolve.
They reached the edge of the abyss so suddenly that Dain had to grasp hold of Lilia to stop her from hurtling over the edge. She’d just put on a burst of speed, one last effort to reach the top.
Panting, she collapsed on her belly, and looked out over a black pit. It yawned at least fifty feet across, spanning two rock-faces. A strange, warm wind wafted up from the dark depths, and the air had a strong sulfuric tang. Lilia felt a pang of unease. This was not a place she wanted to linger.
“Come on,” Dain gasped, pushing himself up onto his hands and knees. “Do it.”
Lilia nodded and climbed to her feet. Then she reached into her jerkin, pulling free the stone. Its chill in her hand nearly made her gasp. It was so cold that it burned her skin.
Don’t throw it away!
The voice in her mind screamed the words over and over again, but she shut herself off from them. She had to do this, and she would.
Lilia held The King Breaker out over the gap.
She tried to open her hand, to release the talisman—but found she couldn’t. Her fingers wouldn’t obey her.
“Let it go, Lily.” Dain’s voice was low and urgent. “End this.”
Lilia inhaled, her heart now hammering so hard she felt sick. “I can’t,” she whispered. “It won’t let me.”
She heard the scuff of his boots on rock as he rose to his feet and shifted close to her. A moment later, his arms went around Lilia. The warmth and strength of his body seeped into Lilia, calming her wild heart. The warm, male scent of his skin slowed her pulse.
“Fight it,” he whispered in her ear.
Her breath caught. “I want to … but I’m not strong enough.”
“Yes, you are—you’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”
Lilia squeezed her eyes shut, leaning into him. There was no doubt in his voice, just a calmness, a surety, that anchored her to the earth.
“I love you, Lily. I know what you’re capable of.”
Warmth flooded over her, as if she had come in out of a hailstorm and now stood before a roaring fire. She felt his heart thud against her breast, heard the husky note to his voice, and knew a moment of absolute peace—as if everything was right in the world and always would be.
“Fight it,” he repeated, his breath feathering across her skin. “Open your hand.”
Lilia sucked in a deep breath and buried her face in his neck. The desire to keep the stone safe, to protect it with her life still raged through her, but this time she was able to step beyond it, to ignore instinct.
Slowly her fingers uncurled—and The King Breaker fell into nothingness.
Lilia and Dain pulled apart and peered down into The Chasm’s depths. The darkness swallowed the talisman. The same warm wind that smelled like rotten eggs wafted up, caressing their faces. They waited there a few moments, listening for the sound of the stone hitting the bottom, but there was nothing.
Lilia stepped back from the brink of the rift, and was surprised to realize she was shaking. Her gaze shifted to Dain; he was watching her, smiling. Lilia smiled back, before she glanced up at the sky. The brief burst of sunlight at dawn had gone and a heavy mantle of cloud covered the sky once more. Her smile faded and she glanced back at Dain. “I hope we’ve made a difference.”
“We’ll find out soon enough,” he replied. “Come on, let’s get back to Ryana.”
Hand in hand, they descended the scree-covered slope, following the winding track down through the rocks. Half-way down the ground shuddered, and a deep boom sounded beneath their feet.
Lilia and Dain skidded to a halt.
A great roar went up in the valley below, causing the air to vibrate with its intensity.
“Shadows,” Lilia whispered, craning her neck to see the spreading vale below. She could see figures moving about on the valley floor, frantic. “What was that?”
Dain shook his head, his gaze following hers. As they watched, the morning began to transform around them. The cap of heavy cloud that had shrouded the world for days on end lifted. The sun broke through in a hail of gold, revealing powder-blue sky beyond.
The yelling and cheering continued below—it sounded like the cries of men, not the howls of victorious shadow creatures.
Dain glanced over his shoulder. “I think that abyss has a bottom after all.”
Lilia stared at him. “And The King Breaker just hit it?”
“Maybe the stories are true—that there is a lake of molten fire beneath the earth.” Dain glanced back up at the parting clouds. “Whatever the reason, the Shadow Army knows that The King Breaker has gone.”
“They’ve lost their leader, the reason they gathered here to fight.”
“Aye, they’ve lost hope.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “You did it.”
She wrapped her arms around Dain, smiling up at him. “No, we did.”
Back at the Ice Door, an unwelcome surprise awaited Lilia and Dain.
Stepping inside the chamber, they both froze. As hoped, Valgarth was gone—there was
no silhouette lurking behind the wall of ice. Ryana lay on her side, eyes closed, her face ashen; and Saul was where they’d left him, on his back.
But Gael had disappeared.
Blood stained the ground where the enchanter had lain, and led out into the tunnel beyond, but there was no sign of him.
Lilia tensed, glancing over her shoulder at the shadowy tunnel behind them. “He can’t still be alive—not after those blades Saul sunk into him.”
“If he’s still breathing, he can’t have got far.” Dain drew a knife from his belt. “I’ll go and look for him. You check on Ryana.”
Lilia nodded, crossing to where their friend lay. She knelt next to her, relieved to see that she was still breathing. Ryana’s face was soft in repose, although the dark circles under her eyes, the lines either side of her mouth, revealed the strain of the last few weeks.
Lilia reached out and shook her gently. Ryana groaned, her eyes flickering open. “Sorry,” she rasped, “must have dozed off.”
“Gael’s gone. Did you see him leave?”
Ryana cursed, struggled to rise and failed, sinking back onto the stone floor. “He didn’t move after you left,” she panted. “I thought he was dead.”
“There wasn’t any sign of Gael on the way in—but Dain’s gone looking for him.”
Ryana’s mouth twisted. “The bastard will have hopefully crawled away to some corner to die. Can you help me sit up?”
Lilia reached down and pulled her up by the shoulders. Pale and sweating, Ryana rested against the wall. Lilia frowned. Her injuries were more serious than she let on.
“We need to get you to a healer.”
Ryana made an irritated sound, brushing aside her concern. “Is The King Breaker gone?”
Lilia nodded. “I think the battle has now turned in Rithmar’s favor.”
Ryana let out a long sigh and closed her eyes, the tension draining out of her. “Well done.”
The crunch of footsteps on gravel behind them caused Lilia to spin round, heart pounding. However, it was Dain, returning.
