“It is the balance of the gold I owe you for releasing Pepca, Julian, and the others,” Kian said with little emotion.
K’xarr had forgotten all about Kian’s promise. He felt like a fool that the swordsman had gone to the trouble of fulfilling his oath. “Kian…” he started, but the warrior held up his hand.
“I gave you my word. This should more than pay for your trouble.”
K’xarr nodded. It would be futile to argue with the hardheaded swordsman over an oath he had given.
“I ask one thing of you, though,” the swordsman said.
“Name it,” K’xarr answered, still staring at the wagon’s heavy burden.
“Have Kago choose the spot where he wishes to die then let him know I will meet him there at midnight.” The warrior said no more and walked out the gate, heading towards the palace.
“I will inform Kattan, Captain,” Rufio said, riding on in to the city.
“Well, what are you grinning about?” K’xarr said, looking at the smiling Toran.
“You should see your face,” Cromwell said with a chuckle.
“Quit laughing and get this wagon somewhere we can put a guard on it. I’ll decide what to do with it shortly.”
Cromwell pulled himself up into the wagon’s driver’s seat. “When he makes good on his word, he really makes good, don’t he?”
“Just shut up, Bull.”
* * *
Kian found Tempest in the courtyard. It had been cleared of the dead, but the smell of war still lingered. It would take a good rain to wash the land around the palace clean of the recent brutality. Brigitte, Tiresias, and Sabra ran to him, each embracing him in turn. They all spoke at once to tell him of their adventures since last he had seen them. He let the little ones speak, nodding as if he could understand their frenzied tales. Kissing each on the head, he shooed them away to go play. They ran into the courtyard, squealing with delight, turning somersaults and cartwheels, calling out for him to watch each feat.
Tempest smiled as she fought to keep Cromwell’s twins and Endra’s youngest son on a blanket. All three were walking now, and Kian could see it was quite the task to keep the three corralled. Tempest was dressed in a dark blue shirt and a light-colored pair of trousers. Her white hair had been pulled back into a ponytail, and a pair of small silver hoops hung from her ears, a gift from the queen no doubt. It was the first time he had seen her fresh and clean. Her appearance reminded him how young she was. Tempest was little more than a girl herself. It soured his mood to think of the burden he came to put on the shoulders.
She stood and embraced him like a daughter.
“You don’t look well. Have you eaten?” she asked with concern.
“I am fine,” he lied.
“Sit with me if you have the time,” she said, plopping back down.
Adjusting Silence on his hip, Kian knelt down near the blanket. Tempest sat in the middle of the quilt with her legs crossed.
“The Toran children are large,” Kian said, letting Cromwell’s daughter Natasha play with his finger.
“Yes, and they eat like their father,” Tempest giggled.
“And the girls have grown.”
“You haven’t come just to visit, have you?” Tempest queried, her smile fading.
“I have to ask a great favor of you, and I would not hold it against you if you refuse. What I ask will be like a millstone around your neck.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“What I ask would scare any sane woman. I have spoken to Cromwell and we have agreed. We want you to see to the children. Take them to Gildor’s valley like we had planned. I told Cromwell where to find it as well. I must go on an errand with my brother. Once I return, I will join you there.”
Tempest stared at him as if he was mad. “You want me to take all six of them into the mountains alone?”
“I know it will be hard, but I can think of no one else I trust to care for them.”
“What about Endra?”
“I am not going to tell her. She can’t be trusted with them now.”
“Why? She has just fallen…”
He knew the girl held her tongue to spare his feelings. “I am not sure, but she may not be in control of her actions. The obsession she has for Kattan is not natural. She can’t be counted on to take care of the children anymore. Besides, there is always the inquisition to be considered.”
“I love them as if they were my own siblings and you have been like a father to me, but this thing you ask is difficult.”
“Think on it. I may return with Tavantis quickly, I do not know, but I don’t expect it. What we plan to do may take some time.”
They both stood and Tempest threw her arms around him, holding on tightly. “I miss when we traveled together, just the two of us.”
“It was simpler times. We only had the evil of the Church to worry about,” Kian whispered in her ear.
Tempest laughed through her tears. “I didn’t know you were funny.”
“It is not something I have ever been accused of.” He kissed the top of her head and backed away. “I fight Kago tonight.”
“I have heard.”
“After, I will leave. You are one of the finest young women I have ever known, Tempest.”
Without another word, he turned away. She didn’t follow as he made his good-byes to the children, telling them he would see them soon.
It was all just a formality. Kian knew he would not be coming back. Tavantis’s plan was a fool’s game. The two of them could not stand against the God of Evil, no matter what bauble his brother possessed. Kian wasn’t sure why he was even going. Their mother was dead, and all they would find in the dark city was death. He guessed it was the sense of duty he had to a brother that hated him. The swordsman almost smiled at the insanity of it all.
He had been told the fight would be a private one just outside the city. Only a few people would be in attendance. Besides Kago and himself, K’xarr, Rufio, Cromwell and Ashlyn, and of course Endra would be there to bear witness. The sun had set hours ago and the hour had grown late. It would not be much longer until he would face Kago.
Kian stood just outside the stable and looked down at his quivering hands. The tremors had gotten worse. Sharp pains knifed through his chest, and it felt as if someone had driven a dagger between his eyes. He wasn’t sure if he could even beat the half-Sidian warrior. He also wasn’t even sure he cared anymore.
The most troubling thing was that his mind swirled with strange images of a land with a black sun and an endless dark sea. He thought he may be going mad, and wondered if one knew when they were insane.
Sweat dripped from his brow and violent chills racked his body as he staggered to his horse. It took a great deal of effort just to pull his trembling frame into the saddle.
The fire was easy to see in the distance as he rode out of Brova’s southern gate. The moon had reached its zenith as he galloped toward the large blaze. The fire reminded him of the night he had first meet Endra. Her strength and beauty had instantly captivated him. He was naïve back then. It was she who taught him what it was to love a woman. Though he had done his best not to, he loved her still. Kian knew he would never see her like again. Endra was one of a kind.
His companions stood solemnly around the fire as he jerked the horse to a stop. The fire lit the empty field well, not that he needed the extra light but it would make things equal for Kattan.
The group was silent. None greeted him as he arrived. Sliding from the saddle, his foot caught in the stirrup and he clumsily staggered backward, nearly landing on his backside. He glanced at Cromwell. The Toran frowned at his graceless dismount. The warrior came over to where he stood and whispered, “Are you unwell?”
Kian patted him on the shoulder and walked forward, sizing up his opponent. Kago was in the company’s colors—dark mail coved by a black tabard with a skeletal warrior on a desiccated horse, the symbol of the Sons. K’xarr’s lieutenant wore no helmet and his scarred face showed
no fear. Endra, however, look afraid, standing at Kago’s side with her raven hair hanging loose, nervously biting at the nail of her thumb.
Kian had worn a sleeveless leather jerkin and dark pants. His only armor was a pair of dark vambraces on his forearms. He had forgone his elven chain, leaving it in a bag on his horse.
Both men glared at each other as they stepped forward.
“Finish this idiocy,” K’xarr said, folding his arms.
Silence sprang soundlessly into Kian’s hand.
Kago drew Malice and another longsword from their scabbards. His opponent had decided to fight with a blade in each hand. Kian could still feel his bond to the Mistress’s dark blade. Its wickedness called out to him like a forgotten friend.
The two warriors crossed swords, but only Kago’s blades rang out. Silence struck with lethal stillness. Kian felt as if he were moving through molasses as he shifted his position. He was slow and his blows lacked his inhuman strength. He could tell Endra saw his debility right off. She had stopped biting her nail and looked on now with an expression of optimism.
Kago grasped his good fortune as well, his twin blades striking furiously to try to end the duel quickly, but even with his speed and strength waning, Kian was a master. He turned aside every attack Kattan attempted.
Seeing an opening, Kian moved to attack, but his legs refused to cooperate. He stumbled, letting Kago beat his sword aside and nearly sent a hurried thrust through his heart.
“What the hell is this?” he heard Cromwell shout.
His vision blurring and legs buckling, Kian fought just to stay on his feet. The cagey warrior that he was, Kago sensed his weakness and pounced like a mountain cat, both blades slicing down one after the other. Kian backed away, only his uncanny instincts deflecting Kago’s skillful strikes.
Sheathed in a cold sweat, drool ran from the corner of his mouth. His weight shifted to his heels and Kian tottered like a drunken sailor. Heart hammering in his chest, he tried to bring his sword to guard.
“Die, you filthy animal,” Kago cried out. The mercenary threw everything he had into a series of blinding attacks. Kian felt a slash rip across his ribs and a thrust from Malice creased the side of his head, as he used what strength he had left to weave Silence before him in an elven form of defense that hadn’t been seen in a thousand years.
Kago jumped back, frustrated that his onslaught hadn’t dispatched the swordsman. Kian felt his sword arm shake then grow rigid. Unable to hold his grip on the dark sword, Silence fell from his hand.
Kago rushed forward, kicking him in the chest. Kian landed hard, his legs twitching.
Head swimming and a thick foam running from both sides of his mouth, he tried to rise but found his opponent’s foot on his chest. “I thought you unbeatable, Slayer, but the truth is, you are nothing.”
“Kago,” he heard Endra shout. “Make it quick, my love.”
Even in such a state, Kian’s heart sank; Endra didn’t even care that he would die.
Kago raised his sword to drive it into the fallen swordsman when he was hit with more than three hundred pounds of angry Toran.
Cromwell’s tackle carried Kattan to the other side of the fire. “You will not kill him, dog, not like this.”
Kago rolled to his feet, only to find Cromwell’s boot under his chin. The kick flipped the half-Sidian mercenary on to his back.
Kago wiped the blood from his mouth as he came to his feet. “I thought Torans were men of honor.”
Cromwell balled his huge hand into a fist and hit Kago so hard, the man’s feet lifted from the ground and he land in a heap, out cold.
“I have my honor, you piss-licking cur. It is you who are without it.”
“Did he kill him?” K’xarr asked.
Rufio squatted down beside the fallen mercenary, putting his hand of Kago’s chest.
“No, he lives,” the Dragitan said, almost disappointed.
Kian tried to stand, but couldn’t get to his feet. He felt himself lift off the ground.
“Careful of my blood,” he murmured.
“Be still, brother,” the Toran said, tossing him over his horse and mounting up behind him. He felt the horse lurch forward as the others called out after Cromwell, then darkness swallowed him.
When he opened his eyes, it was to find Tavantis squatted beside him, slapping his face. “Wake up, damn it. You’re not doing this now.”
It was still dark outside, though he could see the first light of dawn breaking on the horizon. He found himself surrounded by trees and a small fire burned a short distance away. He could see Cromwell sitting near the flames, grinning. “I told him you would overcome whatever sickness gripped you.”
Kian sat up. He felt better, but he was still not himself.
“Why?” he asked Cromwell.
“The fight was unfair; you were ill. Besides, Kattan is a scar-face piece of shit. I should have taken another moment and killed that bastard.”
“At least the Toran has some sense about him,” Tavantis said. “I take back all the thoughts I had about you being a mindless idiot, Blood.”
Cromwell looked like he couldn’t decide if Tavantis had complimented or insulted him. The warrior shrugged off the wizard’s words and turned his attention back to Kian. “Your brother told me what you plan. I will come with you if you want.”
“No,” Kian said harshly. “You are needed here. Tempest and your children will need you.”
“I am a poor father, and you know this, Arradar. I am no man to sit in the mountains with a bunch of babies.”
“It doesn’t matter, you’re not going.”
Cromwell pouted like at child.
“We must leave by morning,” Tavantis said.
“Why so soon?” Kian said, rubbing his head.
“I have coordinated it that way. We can wait no longer. Now get up.”
His brother reached down and pulled him to his feet.
“Careful,” Kian warned.
“Your wounds have been bound; your blood is no danger to us now.”
“What has caused all this?” Cromwell asked the mage.
“I think the immature dragon heart is beginning to mature. The effect shouldn’t last much longer.”
Cromwell nodded, but Kian could tell Tavantis was lying. They both knew it had nothing to do with his heart.
Kian drank some water and his brother gave him some kind of sweet-smelling potion. Kian wasn’t worried about the concoction being poisoned; Tavantis needed him for now.
As the new day dawned, Cromwell came and took his arm in a warrior’s grip. “Good luck, my brother. I still wish I was going with you. It might be wise to have someone watching your back with this one around.”
Tavantis barked out a laugh at the Toran’s accusation. “You are an amusing man, Blood, stupid but amusing.”
Cromwell ignored the insult and stalked over to the horse. Pulling Kian’s mail shirt from the saddlebag, he handed it to the swordsman. “If I do not see you again, save me a place in the halls of Vinteytium.”
Kian nodded. “If I fall, I will wait at the gates of the silver city till you arrive.”
Cromwell turned to leave, then quickly spun around and embraced Kian in a gigantic hug. “Farewell, Slayer.”
“You are my true brother. I couldn’t ask for better,” Kian said, releasing the huge warrior.
Cromwell hurriedly mounted his horse and with a wave, rode into the morning light.
Tavantis clasped his hands and batted his eyes. “That was a most precious moment. The two of you fawning over one another nearly brought me to tears.”
“Shut up,” Kian muttered.
The wizard’s face darkened. “Like it or not, the only true brother you have is me.”
Kian turned to his twin. “I like it not. Now tell me, how did I end up in your care?”
“I was discreetly watching the duel. I was a bit upset I wasn’t invited, but I decided to come anyway. I followed Cromwell when he rode off with you, and
I stopped him once he was clear of the others.”
“What is truly wrong with me? I know that nonsense you told Cromwell was a lie.”
“You are changing, brother,” Tavantis said with a shrug.
“Changing how?”
“I truly could not say. You could be dying for all I know. However, what is important is you stay alive till we are finished in Sidia.”
“I will try and accommodate you,” Kian said, shaking his head.
The twins gathered their things, then Tavantis grabbed him by the wrist. “Are you ready?”
Kian nodded and the pair disappeared from Trimenia.
* * *
The tavern was empty except for the little group sitting around one of the large oak tables. Valentina watched as the slow witted Toran tried to explain where Syann’s Slayer had gone. It was foolish that Shiavaka’s mad mage and the inhuman swordsman would even think of trying to stand against the vile god. The Beast was unbeatable. The only thing her evil sibling feared was their brother Octavian, and with any luck, none would ever see the Reaper again.
The woman she had cursed paid little attention to the warrior’s tale. Her eyes were only for the man she was obsessed with. She had totally destroyed Endra and the Slayer’s love, and hopefully brought a great deal of anguish to Syann in the process. There was nothing to do now but finish it.
Valintina moved close to the woman from Sorrack.
“It is time to remember, my dear,” the goddess whispered, her sweet breath carrying her power. “I unbind your affections. Let your heart seek its true desire and ache with its loss. Let all you have done sear into your memory and mourn true love’s passing.”
Valintina almost gave herself away. The expression on the woman’s face almost caused her to drop the veil of magic that kept her hidden. Endra came to her feet and staggered from the table, her injured leg causing her to fall over backwards. The goddess could not help but giggle. All knew the pain of lost love and betrayal hurt worse than any sword cut. Her vengeance was complete.
Airius unexpectedly appeared. Unseen by the mortals, he moved to her side with a grave look on his face.
“What is it?” she asked.
The Star Of Saree (GODS OF THE FOREVER SEA Book 3) Page 48
