When the last of her guards had exited the room, the queen stood and gracefully descended the marble dais that held the magnificent Phoenix Throne. She looked stunning in the low cut red gown she wore. With her dark brown hair cascading over bare shoulders and the crown Rhys and K’xarr had commissioned the royal jeweler to make for her coronation sitting atop her head, Raygan looked the picture of nobility.
Kian knelt before her. “Stop that this instant, sir,” she commanded. Upon reaching the floor, a large smile broke across her face and she took his hands, tugging him until he rose. “It is I who should kneel before you, Kian Cardan. Do you think I have forgotten what you did for me and Bandara? If not for your courage, I would be dead or in exile.”
Kian was dumbfounded by the queen’s words. Before, she had been leery of him, almost afraid.
The queen squeezed his hands and looked up into his golden eyes. “I see you are surprised by my grateful manner. I have grown a little older and a bit wiser since last we met…and I know who my friends are.”
Kian inclined his head to her. “I am humbled by your words, Majesty, and I’m honored that you consider me a friend.”
Her small hand slid under his chin and raised his head. “I know why you have come. Scarlett, bring them,” she commanded
The redheaded witch entered from the queen’s private chamber, the children and Nick Nock following close behind her. The three young girls ran to the swordsman, and Kian seized all of them in a huge embrace. Tressa cried tears of joy, and Sabra and Brigitte couldn’t stop giggling. He ruffled Payton and Vinsant’s hair as the two boys came close. “You have done well keeping your sisters safe. I could not have done better myself.” The two boys looked at each other, their chests bursting with pride from the swordsman’s compliment.
Nick Nock put out his hand to shake Kian’s, but the swordsman pulled him into a fierce embrace. “I owe you a debt, my friend. If you ever have need of anything, all you have to do is ask.” Kian released him and Nick nodded awkwardly, looking a little embarrassed by the warrior’s display of appreciation.
Kian faced the queen with the children standing behind him. He slowly knelt before her. “You have done me a great service, Highness, and I will forever be in your debt.”
“Nonsense, it was a small gesture compared to the things you have done for me in the past. Now rise and I will have my kitchen prepare a meal, and the children can tell you their tale.”
“I would welcome that, Highness, but as soon as we are finished, I must trouble Scarlett to return the children and me to Masaria. Their mother is terribly worried about them.”
Raygan gave a concerned look. “Of course, I am sure Endra is beside herself. I know how much she loves all of them. Scarlett, would you please tend to Kian’s request after we have eaten? And please remember to use the discretion we talked about.”
The witch gave a slight bow. “Yes, of course, Majesty. It is time that I should be taking my leave then as well.”
“Thank you, Scarlett. I want you to know that you have changed my mind about a great many things in your brief stay in Turill, and if it’s suitable to you, I will count you a friend to my court,” the queen said, smiling.
“Oh, please do, Highness. Please do,” Scarlett said, bowing her head in gratitude.
Dinner had run late and the queen had insisted that Scarlett not return them to Masaria until the following morning. When they awoke, all the children were bathed on the queen’s order and she had clothing brought for each child. The girls had fine dresses and shoes laid out for them. It was a struggle to get Sabra and Brigitte to wear theirs, but Scarlett finally managed to complete the daunting task. The boys had dressed themselves in leather jerkins with wide belts and new boots, also provided by the queen. Kian had each say their goodbyes to Raygan and thank her for all she had done for them. The queen had made them promise to return and visit her and the princes before she let them go.
Now they walked away from the palace. The sun was bright and the sky clear. The children hurried along beside him as Scarlett and Nick, chatting together, brought up the rear. As the group made their way across the palace grounds, Kian looked around and remembered what he had done here.
The last time he had seen the area it had looked like a battlefield. The thought stirred his memories. How many men had he killed in Bandara? How many had fallen to the monster on these very grounds? Were their shades watching the thing that took their lives, cursing his every step?
He shook the thought from his mind. He was in good spirits, the children were safe, and he would soon reunite them with their mother. Endra was a matter he didn’t want to think about, or of the task she would have telling the children about Vadin. Their mother would have to do it, for he could not.
Endra blamed him for all that had befallen her and the children. Perhaps she was right, in a way. Was he a fool to think he could have a family, living the life that had been thrust upon him? Dragons, sorcery, and monsters, not to mention the Church and K’xarr’s obsession of fighting wars he could not win. Maybe it was too much for the little family. Vadin had already given his life for the choices he had made, could he keep putting the children in danger because he was too selfish to let them go?
“Kian, are you ready to leave?” Scarlett asked.
The witch’s question broke his refection. “Yes, whenever you say.”
The redheaded witch looked around. Several guardsmen could be seen stationed around the grounds. “Let us find a more secluded spot. The queen asked that I refrain from using my magic in front of her subjects.”
“The woman is wise. There are still many who support the Church in Bandara. They love their queen, but it would be foolish to rub their faces in the fact that she has gained a tolerance for sorcery,” Nick Nock remarked.
Kian nodded his agreement. ”Lead the way, Scarlett, and we will follow.”
They followed Scarlett a short distance down the street and watched as the witch ducked into an alley. Kian, Nick, and the children followed. The backstreet was not far from the palace, but it would keep their magical departure from Turill unseen.
Before any of the others noticed, Kian heard the sound. The man had dropped from the roof top and landed softly in the alley behind them. “Scarlett, Nick, get the children away,” Kian said as he drew Silence from its scabbard.
The man grinned, flashing his fangs. “Why send the little ones away, brother? Uncle Tavantis would like to finally meet his nieces and nephews.”
Scarlett made to stand with Kian, but he firmly pushed her back. “Tend to the children, and protect them at all costs.”
The witch moved quickly, helping Nick take the confused children further into the side street.
“He looks just like Kian,” Tressa said, baffled by Kian’s twin.
“No, he doesn’t,” Payton said with a touch of anger in his voice. Scarlett pushed them all back, and then she and Nick took up positions between the children and the two brothers.
Kian looked his brother up and down, mystified by his appearance. Not only was Tavantis alive, but his terrible scars were gone. “I killed you,” Kian stammered in bewilderment.
“Yes, you did, and I am still quite dead, I assure you.”
“Then how…”
Tavantis cut his brother off. “You know how. Remember the stories we heard from the fishermen and pirates back in Thieves Port, tales of those who walk beyond the grave, and drink the blood of the living.” The undead sorcerer raised his hands and wiggled his fingers, gesturing as if he were telling a child a scary story.
Kian looked at him as if he were completely mad.
The vampire smiled. ”You healed me, brother. The death you gave me broke my curse, and a vampire gave me a new life. All in all, it was a good day for me.”
Kian didn’t wait for further explanation, he charged forward with his sword held low. Tavantis sidestepped his attack and watched as Kian passed by. “I am a bit quicker than you remember, brother.” The wizard drew the
matching shortswords that hung at his side, spinning them in his hands with a cocky smile on his face. “Let us see how well you can handle me now.”
Tavantis’s attack was a blur, his vampiric speed made his short blades whirl through the air with a terrible swiftness. Silence met each attack blow for blow, but if not for the training Gildor had blessed him with, Kian knew his brother’s onslaught would have cut him to pieces.
Each attack was powered by the vampire’s inhuman strength. The undead wizard was highly skilled with the twin blades. He met Kian’s own attacks time and again. Every thrust and slash was countered by the vampire’s inhuman reflexes, and all the while, his twin smiled, mocking him with his own face.
“Stay with the children,” Kian called back to Scarlett and Nick. The swordsman crouched and sprung up, catching the building’s ledge and bounding onto its roof.
Tavantis followed easily, leaping to the rooftop. “You think to run from me, brother? It is I who has the advantage now. I am no longer the cripple you defeated atop my tower.” The vampire came at him, spinning like a top with swords flying left and right. Kian took a slash to his right side and another to his left shoulder. Black blood poured from the nasty wounds as the vampire came at him again.
The dark sword began to whisper to his mind. It spoke in hushed tones, and its words were of death. Kian took the offensive, baring his fangs and coming at his brother like the shadow of death itself. Silence noiselessly rained down countless lethal blows on his vampiric opponent, driving his brother back and wiping the smirk from his face. For the first time that day, Tavantis’s expression was one of doubt.
The two inhuman warriors battled like the immortals themselves in an epic struggle for dominance. Back and forth they fought across the rooftop, two partners in a dance of death with neither gaining the advantage.
Jumping high into the air, Tavantis came down with both swords. The black blade of his brother moved quickly, denying the former assassin of his killing blow. Face to face now, they both used their supernatural strength to push each other, neither succumbing to the other's might. “You can’t manhandle me, brother, my strength is as great as yours,” Tavantis boasted.
“If you are truly undead, how can you stand in the light of the sun?” Kian growled.
“Just lucky, I guess.” Tavantis pushed Kian back. Again the two whirled across the rooftop, exchanging swift and deadly attacks. A quick slash from the vampire’s shortsword broke through the swordsman’s defenses. Kian’s face was slashed from brow to chin. The cut was shallow but bled heavily.
A roar ripped from Kian’s throat and the monster burst forth, its cage could restrain it no longer. Its blood had been spilled and it want a reckoning. The Slayer came at Tavantis with all his strength, driving the undead thing back. The dark sword snapped one of his enemy’s blades, and then the other. Kian vaulted over Tavantis and thrust for his back. The vampire somersaulted forward, scarcely avoiding the deadly attempt.
With a quick jerk of his arms, two daggers slid into Tavantis’s hands. He gave Kian a toothy grin. “You are very good, brother, but it’s time I finished you.” The two circled each other like wild animals, both ready to pounce. Tavantis hurled one of the daggers at Kian with lethal accuracy. The swordsman caught it and threw it back. The vampire crouched as the blade harmlessly flew over his head.
The vampiric wizard lowered his shoulder and sped towards the Slayer, ramming himself headlong into swordsman’s midsection. Silence flew from his hand as Tavantis punched his remaining dagger into his brother’s side.
The Slayer roared with pain. Reaching down, he grabbed the wizard by the neck and dug his thumbs into his brother’s throat. Tavantis rolled backwards, intending to flip the feral swordsman off. The quickness of the move caught Kian off guard and broke his grip on the vampire’s neck, but when his hands slid away, they tore the vampire’s amulet from his neck.
Tavantis started to smoke and fire burst from his pale skin. Terrible screams pierced the early morning air as his flesh yielded to the sun. His flaming lips uttered a word and he vanished from sight, leaving Kian holding the red stone amulet in his bloody hand. He threw it on the rooftop and stomped on the red gem, shattering it into hundreds of fragments.
Black blood dripped from his face and his other injuries, the dagger wound in his side being the worst of them. He walked to the building's ledge and leapt down into the alley. Scarlett came to him, hand raised and ready to cast magic on his damaged body. “Your magic won’t work on me, sorceress,” the Slayer growled. “Keep the children back for a time,” he called to Nick. He wanted to gain his wits back before dealing with the little ones.
“Is there anything I can do?” Scarlett asked. Kian shook his head and leaned against the building's wall.
“Healing magic isn’t my specialty anyway, but I can stop your bleeding.” Scarlett conjured a few strips of cloth and began to bind the swordsman as best she could. Kian pushed the monster back in its cage while the witch worked.
In a few moments, he waved Nick and the children to him, even though the monster still lingered. “Your brother seems to have cheated death,” Nick said with amazement.
“And it seems he is still intent on destroying you,” Scarlett pointed out as she tied the last strip around Kian’s waist. ”It will take him some time to recover from the damage you caused him today. If he even survives, he won’t be able to try that again for some time.”
“It matters little what he can or can’t do. If he comes again, I will kill him,” the swordsman said.
“He’s your brother, Kian,” Nick said solemnly. “Perhaps you could find another way.”
Kian shook his head slowly. “That thing is not my brother. He is a creature of darkness and must be destroyed. My master taught me that a man must always fight the darkness. There is no other way.” Kian’s gaze slowly drifted to the dark blade he held in his hand.
***
The laughter of children brought her head around. She had been waiting with Rufio and Rhys for K’xarr to return to the barracks the company had reoccupied. Endra ran to the door. Flinging it open, she stared wide-eyed with her hands rising to cover her mouth.
Kian, Nick, and the witch Scarlett were coming down the street herding her children before them. When they saw her, the little ones all broke into a full run, sprinting down the cobblestones to greet their mother.
Tears streamed down Endra’s face as she opened her arms wide and pulled them to her. She kissed and hugged each and every one over and over. Looking up, she saw Kian watching. He held his side and there was a spiteful cut running the length of his face. There had been trouble.
She felt like a fool. His faith had reunited her with the children. Kian had never wavered for a moment in his belief that there might be a chance the children still lived. Guilt stabbed her heart. She rose, intending to go to him, but as Endra moved towards the swordsman, he gave her a slight nod and walked away.
She sat with the children and let them tell her their unbelievable tale. After they settled down and had been fed, she told them about Vadin, but left out the horrible details. Endra comforted them as best she could. After they all had finally drifted off to sleep, exhausted by grief and the day’s events, she left to find Kian. Rufio said he had seen the swordsman heading towards the harbor a short time ago.
Endra walked down the long row of Masarian naval ships sitting useless in the harbor. Malric’s navy could not help them in the battle to come, though she thought Achillus might pull the sailors from their ships to fill his thin ranks.
She found Kian staring out at the sea, seemingly lost in thought. The wind played with his cloak and long dark hair, whipping them this way and that. He stood stoic and serene, his eyes searching the vast waters for the answer to some unknown mystery. “Kian, may I speak with you?” she asked quietly.
He slowly turned towards her, the breeze causing his hair to cover his face and leave only those strange golden orbs to burn into her soul. Endra was as close
to him as anyone, yet even she could never fathom what lay behind his tortured eyes. “If you wish to speak with me, Endra, there is no need to ask my permission.”
She could not meet his gaze so she turned her head toward the rolling sea. “I was told they were dead. May the gods forgive me, and I hope you can too.”
“There is nothing to forgive. You said what was in your heart. When the truth is spoken, no pardon is needed,” Kian said with conviction.
She wanted to go to him and hold him close, but her legs would not move. There were still secrets between them, her secrets. She closed her eyes and swallowed. “It isn’t only the hard word I spoke to you that needs forgiveness… I came upon Caleb and his family on the road after I escaped Milara and the Hand. I slaughtered him and his parents right in front of his young brother and sister. Then I left the two little ones to their fate on the side of the road. ”
Kian said nothing, he simply turned back towards the sea.
“I swore vengeance on all who had a part in taking Vadin’s life, but the deed has blackened my soul, Kian, and I can’t free myself of it,” Endra finished, her voice breaking with emotion.
“It’s because you took no real vengeance. All you did was murder a boy and his family. Caleb was just a pawn of evil men, Endra… The act was beneath you,” Kian said, still staring out at the sea.
A tiny spark of anger jumped up from the pit of her stomach. “So we should not have revenge for our dead son? I know Caleb was just a boy, that’s why I see his face at night when I sleep and he haunts my dreams, but make no mistake, Kian Cardan, I will see our son avenged. I don’t care if it’s a man, woman or child. All that had a hand in his death will pay the Reaper.”
He moved quickly, coming close to her and taking her by the shoulders. The monster inside him peeked out at her as he looked deep into her eyes. “You misunderstand,” he said quietly but with such fury that she tried to pull away from his iron grip. “I intend on seeing justice done, Endra. When the time comes, I will see the Grand Church run red with the blood of our enemies. I will grant no mercy to the wretched dogs who call themselves men of God. One day, the monster will come to Tyro and on that day, their god will weep.”
Song Of Fury (Gods Of Blood And Fire Book 2) Page 38
