Enemies and Allies (Bound to the Abyss Book 3)

by James R. Vernon

  "But that was in the past--"

  "Exactly! We cannot fear things because of what happened in the past. We have someone alive that can again control creatures from the Abyss, perhaps even control the Plague itself. And you want to kill him without even understanding what he is capable of accomplishing?"

  "I . . . "

  Kaytlin's hatred of the Abyss was absolute. One of its creatures had taken her family away from her. Had destroyed the lives of the few people she had called her friends. The temple of Alistar had instilled years of cold hatred into her bones. Her instructions had created a tower of faith and devotion in her mind to the sole purpose of destroying everything connected to the Abyss. A tower of stones made of hate and blind faith that had overshadowed any other desire she had ever experienced.

  And this one man. This corrupted stranger had shaken her tower.

  Had put cracks in the stones of her faith.

  "I take your silence as, at least, some comprehension, if not acceptance, of my words. That is good. It means you have a mind of your own and are not just some tool of your god. If you can see reason, even if you do not agree with it, then maybe we can talk."

  "About what?" Kaytlin's mind felt as numb as her battered and bruised body.

  "Your home. The few people that migrate from your lands to ours have very little knowledge about where they come from. Most only know about their little village or town. Even those from the capital only know about the temples and areas they frequented. But you . . . ” He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "From what I've heard, your position has had you travel to the four corners of your land. I want to know everything."

  "And you think I'll tell you?" Anger started to take hold of her again, like a tiny spark that just needed some encouragement. The Abyss. Ean. The Deadlands. Her family. Each creating a memory that stoked the fires of her rage, a rage she hadn't felt in years, had been locked inside that tower of faith. But now, this man had given it the chance to escape.

  "Of course you'll tell me. Or I'll let these fine gentlemen--"

  With a quick twist of her neck, Kaytlin turned her head and bit down into the hand that had been resting on her shoulder. Teeth shredded skin, wet her lips with something thicker than blood. Raneth yanked his hand free with a startled yell. More torn skin, more thick liquid. The man stumbled over backwards, unable to stop himself from falling. Before he hit the ground, Kaytlin was on her feet.

  She knew how many men she faced now. And what kind of men. Torturers in plain clothes. Not armed or armored warriors.

  She would kill them all.

  Shen charged her. He threw a wild punch she easily dodged. Her knee found the sensitive area between his legs. He dropped, making a mixture of a moan and retching sound. That's when the other three came at her, but she was expecting them this time.

  Dropping to a crouch, Kaytlin used her momentum and spun, sweeping a leg around shin level. She connected, causing one man to stumble at full speed. His face smacked into the wall and he crumpled to the ground. She had already stood back up by then.

  A blow struck her shoulder, already in pain from her previous beating. She barely noticed. Another punch was thrown at her chest. She caught it under her armpit and twisted, sending its thrower stumbling away. A kick to the stomach of the shoulder-puncher doubled him over. Shen was struggling to his feet so she brought her knee into his face. The crunch of a broken nose was her reward for the well-placed attack. He fell backwards, his eyes rolling into the back of his head as he lay on the ground.

  Arms wrapped around her and lifted her into the air. Kaytlin dipped her head back once until it touched a target. Then she leaned forward and snapped it back again until it made contact.

  The man released her. Just as her feet touched the ground, something struck her with a tremendous force. The blow lifted her off her feet and sent her across the room straight into the stone wall.

  When she hit the ground, her body felt like mush. Bones were broken. Muscles were torn. The room seemed to swim as she looked for whatever had thrown her into the wall. Couldn't have been the guards, because they were strewn about the room, barely conscious like herself. What in the world had happened? Then she saw him standing in the corner with a grin on his face—Raneth. The way he surveyed the carnage as if it gave him a special delight, she knew he was the one who had thrown her. The man was clearly more than the king's counselor. He had more power than he appeared.

  Raneth was grinning at her in a way that made her blood turn to ice. That grin was almost enough for her to let the sweet peace of unconsciousness take her. But that wasn't the woman she had become. She would face the man about to kill her as a warrior.

  "You are quite a compliment to your race," Raneth said with a chuckle that held no warmth. "To actually injure me . . . I can't even recall the last time that had occurred. And you did it with your teeth, like a vicious beast! If I didn't have other plans for you, I would keep you around for my personal enjoyment. Have you knock around these weak sacks of meat every day."

  Releasing his hand, he moved towards her, the shuffle and hunch gone. A light green blood that almost seemed to glow dripped from his hand. It wet her skin as he picked her up by the neck, choking the strength out of her.

  "Sadly," Raneth continued, "I have other plans for you. You're to be a token of good will to our friend, Ean, tomorrow. We have plans for that young man. He just needs a few nudges in the right direction. And if nudges don't work . . . well . . . " Raneth shrugged.

  "I won't . . . help . . . " Kaytlin was able to get out.

  "You act like you have a choice. So stubborn. I'm starting to hope Ean won't accept my gift now." The grip on her throat tightened. His free hand came up and patted her cheek. "We'll just let fate decide. If you believe in all that."

  Kaytlin tried offer up some sort of protest, but she couldn't get in a breath of air. Raneth looked at her for a few seconds then relaxed his grip enough that she could speak.

  "I'll . . . kill . . . "

  "Me? No. No chance of that. Ean? Maybe one day, if you survive tomorrow and he has accomplished what I want. Might even give him to you as a gift sometime in the future. How ironic would that be?"

  "I . . . " Kaytlin didn't know what she was even trying to say. Her mind was a murky, oxygen-deprived bog. Raneth tightened his grip again and the fight slowly left her. The last thing she heard was a laugh that haunted the nightmares that followed.

  Chapter 38

  Ean's dreams slipped into nightmares, giving him a fitful slumber. He woke up screaming in the middle of the night. Unable to fall asleep again, his restless mind revisited the series of events that had led him here from his boyhood home back in Rottwealth. And the reasons why he had left in the first place.

  Retrieve the books from the Plaguebringer's library.

  Help the people here resume trade with Lurthalan so they can better their lives and fight off the Plague.

  Learn more about Zin's old master and hopefully not follow in his path.

  But from his conversation with Raneth, it seemed that re-establishing trade with Ven Khilada was not a high priority. The man had brushed off the entire destruction of one of their settlements as a mild inconvenience. He even took the blame for it without seeming the least bit remorseful. By the Abyss, the man even acted like he was happy their lands had been covered by the Plague. Did The Silent King share the Counselor's opinions? Had Azalea been right and there were other reasons that Ean had been summoned to this land for?

  Those questions and more kept him up until the first rays of light filtered through the window shades. Azalea entered the room soon after, the tired look covering her face overriding Ean's worry with a strong sense of guilt.

  "You should feel guilty," Azalea grunted and sat crossed-legged on the edge of his bed. "I had been hoping once you returned from your walk that I could get some sleep, but oh no. You have to fill your nights with stress and worry just pouring out of you. I considered camping out in your room just to mak
e sure you weren't about to leap out of a window."

  "I'm sorry, Azalea. My mind is just racing. And when I did sleep, the nightmares--"

  She raised a calming hand, some of the tension leaving her face. "I told you, I can handle the nightmares. If you are concerned about other things, though, you should discuss them with your advisor."

  "Advisors." Zin sat up in his own small bed.

  Azalea had her mouth open to reply but Ean beat her to it.

  "How are you feeling?"

  "Like some Crux wrapped me up in a rope made of thorns and played catch with me." Zin flashed a weak smile. "Am I to guess by the mess of emotions bouncing about in my head that you saved me the same way you saved Azalea?"

  "Yes."

  "Although," Azalea said, "it was unnecessary. His wounds in no way compared to the savage way my wings were taken from me."

  "Either way," Zin said, not falling into the argument, "thank you." He gave a laugh. "I hate to admit it, but the Yulari is right. It's not healthy to have all of those negative emotions bouncing around in your skull and not talk to us about them."

  "See?" Azalea said. "For two of your advisors to agree on it, you know it must be true."

  Zin got out of his bed and took a few cautious steps as if testing his own strength. "And those nightmares–hearing about them from you is one thing. But to actually feel what you feel . . . " Zin shuddered and turned to Azalea. "You've been experiencing this every night since his return?"

  Azalea glanced at Ean, their eyes locking for a moment then her gaze dropped to her lap. "It’s not every night . . . "

  "I'm fine," Ean made sure to keep his voice calm. "If everything goes well today, maybe I'll be able to squash the nightmares once and for all."

  "We'll see," Azalea muttered. "If this Silent King actually sees us today."

  "Raneth said he would. They would have no reason to drag things out any further." Unless they don't actually care about re-establishing trade with Ven Khilada. "I'm sure they will send someone this morning."

  Dao pushed open the door that led to their common room. "Are we having a meeting? I feel like I should have been told. We've been traveling together long enough that I should be included in any group meetings."

  "Feel whatever you want," Azalea quipped. "Feeling something doesn't make it true."

  "I bet feeling it makes it more true than half the words that spill out of your pretty lips."

  "Keep pushing, noseless one. These lips are always hungry."

  "And my blades are always sharp. Maybe one day the two will get together."

  Ean let out an overly dramatic sigh and slid out of bed. "Why don't the two of you take your argument outside into the common room so I can get dressed."

  "I'll stay," Azalea said, her smirk punctuated by the tip of her tongue. "Nothing I haven't seen before."

  "Same," Zin said, but turned his back on the room. "But I'll at least not stare like the deviant on the end of your bed."

  Ean glanced at Azalea to see if she would at least turn as well. Her smile grew and she placed an elbow on her knee and rested her head in her hand. He rolled her eyes at her, but couldn't help but smile through his own awkwardness.

  "Well, if they are staying, so am I." Dao picked up one of the chairs in the room and turned it so it was facing away from Ean before taking a seat. "The imp and the Yulari have no idea how to act in front of The Silent King. Best I give you a crash course in etiquette before your meeting. You were less than gracious when I first met you."

  "You had snuck in and were sitting on . . . " Ean had been about to say throne. It wasn't a throne. He wasn't a king. Or some dark overlord. He used the action of pulling off his shirt to recover his thoughts. "I doubt you would be the best one to give instructions on etiquette. Zin and Azalea have probably spent more time in courts during different parts of their lives than you have."

  "Look at you actually being intelligent," Azalea said. Ean turned to reply with a sarcastic comment of his own but found her with her chin in both of her hands. Staring at him.

  He turned back to getting changed before the blush could touch his face.

  "I'm sure both the imp and Yulari spent time in front of people of power . . . in caves and the darkness of the Abyss. But I'm talking about an audience with your own race. We don't go around sacrificing or eating babies to impress those in power."

  "Only mindless beasts would hurt children." Azalea growled. Waves of anger washed over Ean like the heat of a well-stoked fire. Anger . . . and a touch of loss. "Children are more sacred and protected in the Abyss than they are here. Even a Nar'Grim wouldn't threaten the life of a Crux child to further its own cause."

  "No need to get defensive," Dao's tone softened. He must have realized he had pressed the wrong button on the Yulari as well. "I'm just saying there are a few things our fearless leader should keep in mind when he is standing in front of The Silent King."

  Ean heard a huff from Azalea and her anger cooled to a light simmer. Pulling on a fresh pair of pants, he checked himself in a mirror to make sure he was presentable before speaking. "If you think they are important, let's hear them."

  "Smart man. Alright. First thing you need to keep in mind is--"

  A knock at the door interrupted him. When no one moved, Dao let out a sigh and got up. "I suppose I'll get it then."

  He opened the door and a man in simple clothes entered, flanked by two guards in their shiny red armor.

  "Good morning, Master Sangrave," the man said while giving Ean a slight bow. "My name is Copp. The Silent King is ready to receive you now."

  Azalea hopped off the bed. "And if we're not ready to see him?"

  "Azalea, relax." Ean nodded towards the man. "We're ready to go."

  Copp glanced at each person in the room and started rubbing at his knuckles. "I was told that only you, sir, would be seeing The Silent King."

  "Well, you were told wrong," Azalea replied. Zin gave a nod in agreement.

  "I . . . "

  "Just as I'm sure Counselor Raneth will be in attendance," Ean cut in. He tried to make his tone as friendly as possible. "My two advisors will be with me. If The Silent King told you otherwise, I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding about how important they are to me."

  "But . . . "

  "I'll make sure to inform him it was my decision to bring them and that you tried to have them wait behind."

  "Thank you, sir." The man still seemed less than pleased.

  "What about me?" Dao asked.

  "Daoshen Palgrain." Copp turned towards him, some of the confidence returning to his voice. "You are to be escorted to your new home to see if it is to your liking. If not, there are a few other homes that this guard,"—he waved to the man to his left—"has been instructed to show you until one is acceptable."

  "Oh," Dao said, licking his lips. "That sounds nice. I would hate to abandon my friends, though . . . "

  "It's fine," Ean said with a laugh. "Go. Enjoy your rewards for a job well done."

  "I'd say adequately done, at best," Azalea mumbled. Ean ignored her.

  "After my meeting, we'll come and find you, and you can give us a grand tour of your new home."

  "Thank you." Dao gave an extravagant bow. "With your leave then, Master Sangrave." Only the slightest hint of sarcasm touched his voice this time.

  "Bu-bye!" Azalea said in a cheerful voice as he left with the one guard.

  "If the rest of you would follow me then," Copp said with a sweep of his hand towards the door.

  Ean sent a silent command to the Hound to stay as they walked through the common room. He received a feeling of compliance mingled in with a sense of hunger as a reply. "Copp, I would have someone bring something up for my Hound. He's getting a bit hungry."

  "Of course, sir."

  "Or you could wait," Azalea said, snaking an arm around Ean's left side. "And then whoever stops by the room next will BE the next meal."

  "I'll make sure he is fed as soon as I see you to the main audi
ence chamber, ma'am."

  "Whatever."

  Copp lead them through various hallways of gray and green stone with little decoration. Ean had been expecting more from so great a castle. Silver and gold statues. Tapestries restored or created anew. Maybe even some finely carved pieces of furniture. The hallways were a bit underwhelming when compared to the grand size of the building itself.

  "Your Silent King doesn't keep a very extravagant home," Zin said, his words mirroring Ean's thoughts.

  Copp gave a snobbish frown. Ean couldn't be sure if it was because of Zin's comment about the decor, or if stemmed from a dislike of imps in general. It came as no surprise when he addressed the answer to Ean. "A great deal of the more valuable items were taken or destroyed during the riots of the Plague. What could be saved has been locked away. The Silent King waits for more stability to return before bringing them out of the vaults."

  "From what I've seen and heard," Azalea replied, "he already has a pretty firm hold on his city."

  "A servant's place isn't to question the decisions made by his employer. I simply follow my orders."

  "What a simple life," Azalea said. "Can I live that way, Master Ean? No thoughts or desires of my own. Just the simple joy of following orders?"

  "Azalea, enough. We both know you would go insane if you tried that." Ean gave an apologetic smile to Copp. "Sorry. She likes to poke fun at everything."

  "No offense taken," Copp replied. But the man grew silent the rest of their walk.

  A few more turns and up a flight of stairs finally brought them to their destination. Two guards sat in front of a set of heavy wooden doors, which opened as Ean's entourage approached. Copp shuffled ahead and announced their arrival.

  "I present Master Ean Sangrave into the presence of The Silent King and his chosen advisors."

  Azalea moved in close enough to whisper into Ean's ear. "Bet the little flop doesn't even know Zin and my names."

  "You are going to try and behave, right?" he whispered back as he led her through the doorway. Zin kept up the pace at his other side.