by Jon Bender
“I want another shot at the Prince,” Darian said firmly.
“We came here to help these people. I don’t think we have finished the job,” Adriana said right after.
Jaxom looked to Da’san. “If you want to stay, I will remain by your side. Sarinsha has commanded her priests to oppose Or’Keer, and Kelran is a good place to start.”
“We will stay,” Jaxom said. “Corin will be glad to know you are prepared to support him. If you like, you may discuss the details with him yourself.”
“He is in Kelran?” the king asked, surprised.
“Not exactly,” Jaxom replied, removing the whispering stone from his finger.
Chapter 18
Corin looked across the table at Rupert and Sanra, who sat in silent amazement at what they had just heard. The king of Kelran had used the whispering stone to contact Corin yesterday. Dillion had filled him in on everything that had happened. Corin asked the man to use the stone again today so that the other leaders could hear the story, and Dillion pledged to send support once he had dealt with matters in Kelran.
“I can’t believe it,” Sanra said. She was a beautiful woman, but Corin disliked the way the Queen of Dradon clothed herself in the finest fabrics and covered her face in paint. Her long brown hair flowed over her shoulders to cover what her low cut dress did not.
“We saw what could happen in our kingdoms. Lords and advisors who served Or’Keer convinced us that Ale’adaria was a threat, and that we had to defend ourselves,” Rupert said. The King of Azuria was the male version of Sanra. He was dressed just as finely as the Queen. Two fingers of each of his hands bore gold or silver rings with large gems.
“We have all experienced exactly how much damage the dark god can cause,” Corin said. Not believing it had taken much to convince these two to invade Ale’adaria.
“It seems that two sides are forming, and we have chosen yours, Corin,” Sanra said, giving him a seductive smile.
“It is either that or surrender your kingdoms to Or’Keer,” Corin said.
“Can we get the formalities over with and move on?” Rupert asked impatiently.
Corin slid the document and quill to Sanra. “As you know, this contract states that you pledge the full strength of Azuria and Dradon to repel Or’Keer and all his forces, no matter where the battle takes us.”
Taking up the pen gracefully, Sanra dipped it into the inkwell and signed her name in a single flowing movement. She then passed it to Rupert who signed as well, pressing the pen hard into the paper, as if he were signing his own execution. Rupert slid it back to Corin who added his own name below theirs.
“What is the plan?” Rupert asked. “As Sanra and I are not militarily-minded, I assume you will take command of our armies and mages.”
“If you have no objection,” Corin replied. “This is an alliance, so of course I will welcome your input regarding the disposition of your forces.” He hated to have to be diplomatic in times like these, but treaty or no treaty, these two would change their minds if they felt offended.
“Just as long as we receive our portion of the spoils,” Sanra said.
“There will be no spoils,” Corin said firmly, slamming his fist down on the table. So much for diplomacy, but from the look on their faces, his outburst had put a measure of fear into them. Fear equaled respect for these two. “We do not march for land or wealth. We fight for our freedom. If we do nothing, we will all become slaves,” he said.
“As you say, Corin,” Rupert agreed. “I do not want what happened in Denra or Kelran to happen to Azuria.”
Corin looked to Sanra, who nodded her assent. “Rupert, have your emissaries come back from Bruxa?”
“Yes, it seems that he was more receptive to my people than to yours. The King of Bruxa is willing to discuss an alliance.”
“Our alliance,” Corin corrected, absentmindedly. He was already thinking on how he would sway the King of Bruxa to join with them. “Very well. Send a message that I will meet him on the border between Azuria and Dradon.”
“I will send a man today, but it will take time for him to get there. It would be better if you were in Azuria should the messenger return with Alexar’s agreement.”
Corin thought it over and agreed. “Make the arrangements.”
“Consider it done,” Rupert said.
“While you were traveling, I learned something new,” Corin said.
“I hope it is good news,” Sanra said.
“It is. The priests of all the temples here in Ale’adaria, and I would assume those in your kingdoms, will join us when we march,” Corin replied.
“We tried to convince the holy ones to join us when… when we were tricked into invading your kingdom,” Sanra finished lamely. “They refused, saying that it was none of Trell’s concern.”
“Things have changed. I received word from each of the temples here, including Trell’s, that they have been commanded to take part in the destruction of Or’Keer’s worshippers,” Corin said, ignoring the slip.
“That is good news,” Rupert stated. “With their help, we are assured a victory.”
“I do not know that we are assured of anything. In fact, if the gods are concerned about Or’Keer, it only increases my worry,” Corin said gravely.
“What of Denra?” Sanra asked. “Are we to leave it to the questionable ministrations of Dillion? He was the one to brutalize the kingdom in the first place.”
Corin paused. With no nobles left to lay a legitimate claim to the throne, Denra’s fertile land would be a valuable resource. Corin did not want his peers to become distracted with thoughts of expanding their own wealth. “My brother tells me that King Dillion’s actions were not his own, and I trust his word. Regardless, Dillion feels responsible for the welfare of Denra. Once he has restored his own house, he will devote resources to helping its people.”
“Let Dillion deal with it,” Rupert said to Sanra. “We have other more pressing matters to consider. Come Spring, I will have nearly thirty-thousand men to contribute to our alliance. Our misunderstanding with Ale’adaria reduced my forces considerably.”
“I, too, can provide around thirty,” Sanra said.
Corin knew very well that they both could afford to send more, but supplying an army on the march was costly and not an expense they truly wished to shoulder. They were agreeing to the alliance to ameliorate their relations with Ale’adaria, but they would pledge as few resources as possible. “I am committing nearly the full force of my army and mages, including the new weapons and forces provided by my brother’s school. I would hope that the esteemed kingdoms of Azuria and Dradon, as allies, would also provide as much support as they could muster,” he said. He added the small reminder that Jaxom and his death mages upset the balance of power enough to be a threat to them.
“If I press my holdings, I could perhaps add another ten,” Sanra said reluctantly.
“I can commit another fifteen, but that will be the limit of what my lands can provide without more time,” Rupert said. Sanra gave the man a cold stare after he had consented to more soldiers than she had.
“Thank you, Rupert. I will not forget your contribution. Your dedication will be rewarded,” he said. In truth, Corin believed they deserved no reward for doing what they should to protect their own people, but there was no harm in promoting a little competition between them.
“There is still the matter of your… brother,” Rupert said.
“Though we appreciate the strength he can contribute to this struggle, you still violated the one law binding all kingdoms by allowing him to rule,” Sanra added.
Corin leaned forward slightly and looked into her eyes. He had been expecting this. “What would you like to discuss about it?”
“It is one thing to help him rebuild his school, a school that was destroyed by other mages, for a good reason I am sure. It is another to give him rule over an entire city that rivals our own in size,” she said.
“He acts as lord and steward in m
y name,” Corin corrected. “The city needed leadership, particularly with the influx of thousands of refugees,” Corin said quietly.
“We understand your reasoning, but what happens when the city is fully restored and its people are loyal to a mage? Your brother would be in a position to exert considerable influence,” Rupert said.
“You would like me to give the city to another?” he asked.
“That would be a start. We would also like you to stop efforts to recruit others with his abilities. We have learned that he is creating an army of these… risen, which reports describe as formidable. This new force could be a threat, not only for us, but also for other rulers, many of whom you wish to join your alliance,” Rupert said.
Corin now knew two things. First, they were afraid that Jaxom might upset the balance of power amongst the kingdoms. Second, they still had spies in Ale’adaria reporting to them. The army of risen was not something many knew about. “My brother is loyal to Ale’adaria and to me. When we have dealt with the current threat, I will consider your requests. Until that time, we need what his school has to offer against any who would oppose this alliance,” he said.
“This may not be something that can wait. We understand that four other death mages have already joined him,” Sanra said.
“As I have said, when this is over, we will revisit your concerns.”
There was a long moment of silence as the two monarchs regarded him, both looking unsure about pressing the matter. “If there is nothing else, I am feeling rather fatigued and would like to rest,” Sanra said.
“Of course, my lady. You have had a long journey,” Corin said.
The three of them stood, giving each other a small bow as was the custom when rulers met or parted ways. The two leaders left through the large door as Nelix entered through one of the smaller side doors. “Over eighty-thousand soldiers will go a long way toward strengthening our position with Bruxa, not including whatever Dillion can spare,” the General said.
“It is not polite to listen in on the private conversation of kings and queens,” Corin replied.
“Do you think they will honor their pledge when the time comes?” he said, pretending not to hear the comment. The general knew Corin would tell him anything said between the monarchs anyway. In his normal, no-nonsense fashion he had decided to save time.
“Yes. Signing the alliance is just a formality. Whatever they said here will not matter once we march into Azuria on our way to Bruxa. They will have to choose then whether to fulfill their agreement,” Corin said.
“If these were different times, I would encourage you to seize their thrones and impose a heavy tribute for the deaths they have caused,” Nelix said, his voice steely.
“Unfortunately, we need them,” Corin said. He agreed with his trusted general, but there were larger issues to consider. “For now, we must forget the past in order to preserve our future.”
“What about Jaxom?” he asked.
“We will handle that when the time comes. For now, let them believe that I am using Jaxom and the other death mages to achieve my goals. As long as they think of the death mages as just another weapon, Rupert and Sanra will not risk me turning that weapon against them.”
“As you say, Your Majesty. I just hope that this alliance does not cause us more problems in the end.”
“As do I,” he said, staring at the door the monarchs had left through.
Chapter 19
Jaxom flew above the town. Below, more than a dozen risen under his control swept through homes and shops searching for hidden enemy forces. The enemy’s strategy had changed to one of ambush. They would wait for the fighting to pass and then strike from the rear. To counter this, both Jaxom and Lexa followed behind the main force with groups of risen to ensure that none faithful to Or’Keer lingered behind. It was a slow process but had proven effective at saving lives.
Regardless of what Dillion said, it had taken two days to root out the priests from Omest. They had spent another three long weeks moving from one town to the next, fighting small battles and skirmishes wherever the dark priests made a stand. Tandis no longer had the numbers to meet Dillion in open battle. The holding lords and military commanders had flocked to the king’s banner when they realized he had been returned to his former self. As Dillion’s forces grew, Or’Keer’s weakened. This forced the dark god’s worshipers to adopt the style of fighting that Enrick had used before Jaxom arrived. The Bandit Lord had adjusted quickly. His knowledge had been invaluable in tracking down the small groups that continued to harass the Kelrans. Enrick had also been granted a holding and his title made official by Dillion. Jaxom had joined his own soldiers to the main host, knowing that they were better suited to the traditional way of fighting. He had also loaned Adriana and her durgen riders to Dillion, who had been pleased to have such quick messengers and scouts to coordinate his forces in the south as he pushed further north. Moving armies over snow-covered roads was slow work, but Dillion had insisted and Jaxom had agreed. They should not allow the enemy to bolster their defenses. They had yet to find Tandis, but from soldiers captured and interrogated, they knew he was still in Kelran. It was only a matter of time before Jaxom and his friends caught up with the prince and repaid him for what he had done. Until then, Jaxom needed to focus on the task before him.
After the confrontation in the palace, Jaxom had only been able to repair one of the emora. The body of the other was completely destroyed by Tandis’s magic, but Jaxom had been able to recover the animating stone from the carcass. The enchanted stone now rested next to a dozen others in a pouch at his waist. Both Warin and he created them in whatever spare time they could find. Lexa, having also grasped the technique, was adding a few of her own. When they finally left Kelran, Jaxom planned to have a larger force than what he had first brought.
Concentrating, he reached out to the emora. The large risen cat was searching the buildings along with fallen soldiers he had reanimated. Often, the enemy were hard for his risen to find, the animated mind not being what it once was in life. The risen were no longer capable of solving complex problems, like hunting foes who did not want to be found. Taking control of the risen emora, he looked through eyes that saw more clearly than his own. He could also now pick up odors that were missed by human noses. Over the past couple of weeks, he had come to enjoy the time he spent controlling the emora’s body. The animal’s agility and speed far outstripped anything his own body could achieve.
Following a risen soldier through the open door of the next shop, Jaxom shifted the color of his fur to match the room around him. Already, he could smell the sweat of people who had been here recently. Moving slowly, Jaxom crept among the glass cases displaying pins, knifes, and other small items. The scent brought him to a flight of stairs leading up to where the family who owned the shop would have lived. The smell did not go that way, but continued farther back into the building. The trail ended in a small storeroom, empty except for shelves and crates. Looking more closely at the floor, Jaxom saw the outline of a trapdoor, well-fitted into the surrounding wood planks. He would have never noticed the gaps defining the edges of the small entrance if not for the emora’s sharp eyesight.
Moving the emora to the side of the room, Jaxom withdrew to his own body for a moment and commanded the risen soldiers to break down the door. Returning to the large cat’s body, he watched as the risen destroyed the floor, revealing a narrow set of stairs. When the way was clear, he walked down into the gloom. The emora’s enhanced vision allowed Jaxom to see clearly by only the thin light filtering in from the trapdoor. At the bottom of the stairs, he shifted the color of his fur to match his surroundings. Near a small doorway, Jaxom saw about ten men with weapons out and ready. Among them was one who wore the black robes of Or’Keer’s priests and two shades with their curved black swords.
Jaxom ordered the risen soldiers to come down the stairs slowly and quietly. As the risen made their way into the cellar, Jaxom slipped into the smaller room to get clo
ser to the priest. He crept near, then leapt into the air to land on a nearby soldier and used the man to launch his feline body further into the group. Jaxom hit the priest, knocking him to the ground. Looking into the man’s eyes, Jaxom saw confusion and fear. The priest could see the outline of the emora on top of him but could not stop the sharp fangs from sinking into the soft flesh of his throat. Jaxom felt warm blood gush into his mouth. The taste of it made him nauseous.
The priest was dead in moments, and Jaxom looked to the nearest shade. The risen soldiers rushed through the open door, and the two groups clashed in the low light. Tight quarters gave the risen, who could accept fatal wounds and keep fighting, an advantage over their living opponents. Jaxom vaulted toward the shade, who shifted to the side but was not fast enough to avoid Jaxom’s emora completely. A right forepaw caught his shoulder, claws grabbing flesh and allowing Jaxom to swing onto his back. The weight and momentum of his attack brought the shade down. With his prey helpless beneath him, Jaxom clamped down on the base of his skull. With a sudden wrenching jerk, he felt the bones snap between his jaws.
Releasing the dead shade, he moved quickly around the room. Slashing and biting, Jaxom killed any unfortunate enough to come within range. The fight was short but brutal. With no one left to fight, Jaxom pulled back to his own body, commanding the remaining risen to return to the street.
Back above the town, Jaxom watched as his group and those Lexa controlled searched the next building. Seeing the apprentice perched atop a snow-covered roof, he flew his durgen to land next to her. “How many more groups have you found?” he asked.
“Two. There have been fewer and fewer in every town. I guess that means we are winning,” she replied sarcastically.
Her face grew blank, and he knew that she had left her body to take control of a risen. He waited for her to return before speaking again. “Adriana has seen large groups heading north, and King Dillion believes that what we have been facing are just small forces meant to slow us down while they regroup.”
