The Paladin Archives Book Two The Withering Falseblade

by Jason Psilopoulos

  "A baby?" Marina pointed an accusing finger at him, spraying water in his direction.

  "Don't act surprised. You did this on purpose. You had to have her, and that wasn't the plan. I don’t even like kids. Instead, you seduced me and now the whole thing's ruined." It took a second for Wren to hear what Marina was saying.

  "Maybe I need my hearing checked, but a lot of that line of thought didn't make any sense. Who did I have to have again?" Marina shook her head.

  "You just had to love her so much. You want her and not me. And I'll never be her. Not really." Marina turned around, throwing her arms around Wren's chest. "But I can be close. I can be anything you want me to be. She doesn't ever have to come back. I can be your wife instead. You can learn to love me instead of her. We can run away where they'll never find us. Please Wren. You're my first. My only love. I need you. Love me the same way that you love her. I can be her for you. I can." Wren grabbed his wife by the shoulders and pulled her away from him. It took him a moment, but he managed to pull her off him so he could look at her.

  Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Marina's face began to change. Wren knew it wasn't anything physical. He was seeing her differently all of the sudden. Marina's night black hair looked closer to brown now. Her eyes went from blue to a darker, more menacing black. She was shorter than she had been a moment ago. Her face was not as lean, slightly rounder. Wren looked her over once and felt a revulsion pass through him. He removed his hands from her as though she were poisonous.

  "Who are you?" he demanded. The woman smiled at him. But her eyes had that hollow quality. When she smiled, Wren could feel the temperature in the room dropping.

  "I'm the woman of your dreams," she said innocently, giggling. Wren shuddered. "It doesn't matter. We're in love. And I can be whatever you want. All your secret hidden fantasies. I can be whatever you need. Everything'll be all right now. You'll see. I'll make everything okay. You and me. And baby makes three." Her voice was different than Marina's. It was shriller, with an unnerving cackle when she laughed. She moved toward Wren with her hands extended.

  "Stay away from me!" he demanded. This new woman tilted her head slightly.

  "You aren't surprised, are you?" she asked chillingly. "I thought this would be good news. Come on. Let's go upstairs and make love like we did the first time and celebrate our new life together. We've got a lot of honeymooning to do, and I don't want to waste a single second on anything but us. We can even get rid of Marcus. He’d be easy to suffocate." Wren watched her for only a second, before clubbing her on the jaw. The woman fell in a heap on the floor. She was out cold. Wren stood there in shock for a moment. He watched her as he stepped back. He stood in the middle of the kitchen for a long time. His blood felt cold in his veins. Whoever she was, even unconscious, she was still smiling.

  ‘After getting the woman tied up, I went about the business of figuring out who she was and what she was doing in my house. She said her name was Rowena. She kept looking at me like she was in love with me. She even suggested . . . never mind. Let’s just say I was sufficiently creeped out now.

  ‘After a little inappropriate innuendo, I got her to give me some specifics. Rowena was a Manticore in the Order of the Silent Knife. As such, she used a specific form of magic to fool my senses. She didn’t change her appearance. Instead, she changed my perceptions by using my memories and expectations. Really, I didn’t see anything different, because I saw what I expected to see. Everything that I saw was based on memories I’d already experienced. Even the smell of her perfume.

  ‘Rowena had been in our lives since the day that Marina came home from the hospital. The Dreads had found me out when they snatched my wallet some months before. They'd intended to replace Marina the next time she left the house by herself. Marina’s injury was the perfect opportunity to make the switch.

  ‘Rowena was sent to figure a way into the vault in the basement of the house. She hadn’t intended to sleep with me. Once she knew what she needed to do, Marina, Marcus and I were all dead. But after a year of playing cat and mouse games, I guess she fell in love with me instead. That twisted, stalker kind of love.

  ‘Marina was being kept sedated in an old wing of the hospital, under lock and key. It wasn’t all that hard to break her out of there. We got someone to revive her, and I never saw anyone so beautiful in my entire life.

  ‘We sent Rowena to Littlefield for rehabilitation. She had a set of twins a few years back. According to Jacob, she still asks about me, though she isn’t anywhere near as loopy. That’s his term, not mine. I intend to never see the woman again. Jacob’s taking care of everything else for me, foster fathering over the kids. I’m not prepared to deal with that.

  ‘I never told Marina what happened. Jacob spun a story about her being in a coma for a year, and Marcus got a quick hypnotic suggestion to suppress any memory of Rowena. I have lived with this knowledge for years now, and it may be time to come forward. Marina deserves to know some of what happened.

  ‘I think if

  The journal ended abruptly. Marcus flipped the pages, trying to find where his father had picked up his writing. But the remaining pages were blank. A glance at the date of the last entry told him why. It was the day that Marcus had been kidnapped by Noganus.

  Marcus sat in disbelief for a long time. It couldn’t be possible. He couldn’t believe it. He began to pray, hoping somehow that he could be assured that the journal was false. Slowly, Marcus found that the journal was correct. He felt it inside. His father had been the victim of a cruel and malicious Dread Paladin plot.

  Marcus stood, looking at Rebekah and frowning. It wasn’t fair. The Dread Paladins seemed intent on ruining everything good in his life. First his father, then Jennifer. Now Rebekah. They went about the business of destroying everything in their path. Marcus wasn’t sure he wanted to stand in their way anymore.

  He headed for the door. There was someone he needed to talk to.

  Chapter 32

  The Changing Face of Evil

  “I’ve gone over it a dozen times Sir Kasidyne,” Mary said, flipping through the oversized logbook in front of her. Mary was glad for something to do. Marcus leaned over Mary's shoulder, not seeing what he thought he should. He didn’t know what he was seeing really. That’s why he had asked Mary to do the research for him. She just had the knack for it.

  “I just want to be sure. I can’t be wrong about this.” Mary frowned a little, pointing to the information in front of them.

  “The census only shows one Rowena living here at the academy in the last twenty years. That’s Rowena Burke. Though she does have an alias. Runada Biroak the Echidna. Sounds like a Dread Paladin name.” Marcus turned away, leaning against a nearby bookshelf.

  “Ellis’s mother.” Mary looked it over again, being purposely thorough.

  “I don’t understand why you want to know all this. Seems a little obscure to me.” Marcus grinned weakly.

  “And it’s going to stay that way for now. Until I can figure it all out.” Mary closed the book and swiveled to face Marcus. He stood there for a long moment, chewing on the inside of his cheek. Mary took off her glasses and sagged.

  “Can I ask you a question?” Marcus nodded without looking up.

  “Sure.” Mary's posture spoke of her disappointment. Marcus had a feeling he knew what the question was going to be before it escaped her lips. Mary took a long moment, hoping not to break into tears.

  “Why’d he marry her?” Marcus frowned a little. No need to say who she was talking about. It wasn't a question Marcus necessarily wanted to answer. In fact, it was a question he’d hoped he could avoid.

  "You mean Ian, right?” Mary nodded. “Well, he loves her," was all he could offer. Mary didn't look pleased with Marcus’s response.

  "But he barely knows her." Marcus smirked a little, taking a seat across from the girl.

  "And he barely knows you. Same difference, I think." Mary shook her head. “One of the purposes of marriage is to get to know
one another on a truly personal and intimate level. You can’t do that dating. That’s just not possible.”

  "But he hasn’t even really had a chance to even date her,” Mary retorted. “You and Rebekah make sense. You two knew each other long before you decided to have a relationship. I mean, he couldn't have waited a year?" She had a good point in that. But Mary’s knowledge was less than complete. And Marcus certainly didn't need a refresher when it came to his relationship with Rebekah.

  "There are very good reasons why Ian and Aiko didn't wait. And that's their business. I’m not at liberty to explain it to you. Just know that they could NOT wait. Waiting was impossible." Marcus left it at that. "And as for my relationship with Rebekah, she's not the only woman I've loved over the years." Mary nodded.

  "You and Ms. Burton," she said, almost dismissively. Marcus signaled in the affirmative.

  "I loved her so much, it could've gotten me or someone else killed. Nearly did." Marcus paused, mulling over his thoughts. "I can't tell you anything that common sense doesn't already say about love Mary. But I can tell you this. Ian and Aiko have something that you can't quantify. Something you can't define. And something you shouldn't interfere with." Mary looked down at her book and blinked. She didn't try to hide the tears on her face. Instead, Mary let them roll down her cheeks, wearing them with a stubborn pride.

  "It's not fair." Marcus stood, placing his hand on her shoulder. Mary didn't look up.

  "I wouldn't expect it to be Mary. I know you like him." Mary didn't say anything for a long moment. Marcus knew not to say more.

  "I think I love him," she admitted finally.

  "I can't help with that. That's just something we all go through sooner or later." Mary didn't like hearing that. She stared at the records in front of her, not really reading them. After a bit, Marcus removed his hand and headed for the door. Mary turned to look, still crying.

  "Why did you want that information about Ellis's mother anyway?" Marcus stopped, hesitant to answer.

  "Let's just say it's personal."

  The Council Chambers was uncharacteristically cold the next day. Marcus found himself standing in a familiar place, recounting events that the Council members knew all too well from the footage that had been provided by the news media. The room was littered with people. Ian and Aiko both stood behind him, adding their testimony to his own. On the side of the room, waiting for the possibility of speaking were Donavan, Sage, Jack, Mary, Cecil, Tetsuo and Hikaru. It didn't take a genius to understand that Marcus had the benefit of a lot of doubt this time. Had Rebekah been present, she'd have given what constituted a very angry testimonial in his behalf as well.

  Vincent looked over his notes and talked quietly about the incident with the other members of the Council. It was hard for Marcus to stand quietly when he knew he needed to be somewhere else, searching for Ellis, Jennifer and the Falseblade. Behind him, Ian and Aiko held hands, neither one of them happy with the way things seemed to be going. They still hadn't left on their honeymoon. And the first day of their new life together had been spent at a funeral.

  "Very well," Vincent said as the Council resumed their usual seats. Marcus straightened himself slightly, hoping and praying that the news would be positive.

  "After a review of the evidence and the testimonies given both by request, and those that were unsolicited," Jack and Mary shrunk a little. They hadn't actually been invited to the Council Chambers. "It has been decided that Marcus Kasidyne is being charged with possession of an illegal weapon of magical origin, and intent to hide said weapon from this council. A preliminary count of wrongful death is being issued in regards to the aforementioned Rand Alquiza and Skeel Follin. Also, a second charge of wrongful death has been issued in the case of Cole Remec. But without Ellis Burke to stand before this council, the charge is suspended." Now Marcus knew why the room felt so cold. Every person that had come to testify on his behalf was up in arms. Marcus did his best to quiet them down, gaining enough success to be heard.

  "Sir Garamond-" Marcus began.

  "You people are stupid!" Jack bit out when the noise had died down. Marcus tried not to smile at his enthusiasm.

  “My pupil is innocent!” Cecil bit out, the first thing he’d said in almost an hour.

  "Are you quite through?" Sir Fallon barked. Cecil didn't budge, making sure that his anger was fully felt by the Council.

  “Not on your life,” Cecil threatened.

  "Our decision is final and we will not be entertaining any further outbursts from those who have already given testimony," Vincent continued. "Marcus, you are under deterrence until we can determine how to properly punish these crimes." Marcus felt a scowl growing on his face.

  "So, I am charged and not afforded my right to a defense?” Vincent was quiet. Marcus clearly knew the rules very well. “May I ask how you came to this decision?" Vincent took in an impatient breath and opened his folder.

  "That is your right." Vincent opened the folder before him and breathed softly for a moment. "For starters, the forensics division has determined that the incident that put Miss Norik in the hospital was not as you described." Marcus waited to hear what that meant. "The damage to the unlicensed vehicle known as 'The Ironhorse', is consistent with a head-on collision with a large, stationary object. Probably a boulder or a tree. And the injuries to the Ironhorse’s occupants is not consistent. The event is determined not to be as you so testify. And the additional testimonies of Sage Cortez, Donavan Dirk and Ian Sodaro are invalidated because of their close personal relationship with you." Marcus blanched.

  "Invalidated? For being my friends?" Vincent nodded. "You can't do that." Marcus blurted. Vincent ignored him.

  "We can," Sir Lefein said, almost arrogantly. "We cannot allow personal bias to taint any investigation we pursue. Their testimonies are invalidated because the likelihood of them being a fabrication is quite high. Your charisma is almost legendary Marcus. You could've convinced them to say anything." Marcus frowned in confusion.

  "So, you're just assuming us all to be liars and closing the book?" Donavan asked. Sir Lefein said nothing more. “That’s not due process. That’s a drumhead.” Marcus could see the disgust on Donavan's face. He didn't like this either.

  "Fact: you left campus without permission," Sir Fallon continued. "Fact: Miss Norik left campus without permission, which she has a history of. Miss Norik has been warned for her rash behavior, officially after the Grant’s Foundry Incident. Fact: All of you were in the Ironhorse. It is reasonable to assume that by way of motive that you and Miss Norik decided to go for a drive in the rain in search of these two named Rand and Skeel, presumably because you had uncovered some lead that you had previously overlooked. The two dead men you claim to have been Dread Paladins were never proven to be such. They were more likely just two disenfranchised Dragoons. Rebekah was able to track them, and their injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma to the skull with bare hands. Only a paladin could produce sufficient force to kill someone in that manner. And as the only fully qualified paladin on hand, the initial suspicion falls on you. To a lesser degree, Miss Norik is also a suspect, considering her extensive training at this academy." Marcus could feel his throat drying out. The Council was laying a case against him for murder.

  "A Dread Paladin can kill like that as well," Mary said, loud enough to bring the room to a halt.

  "So can anyone with a blunt object and a little muscle for that matter," Tetsuo added smartly.

  "Evidence does not show the presence of a Dread Paladin at the crash," Sir Lefein said calmly.

  “What evidence would you like?” Jack balked. “A written affidavit?” Sir Lefein looked annoyed, his brows knitting on his forehead.

  "AND . . . the Innova have no motive in killing Dragoons."

  "Since when do Dreads need a motive to kill anyone, Sir Lefein?" Hikaru asked from the side, his voice still dripping with contempt.

  "For the purposes of this investigation, all parties need a motive," Sir Lefei
n responded quietly.

  "Then what was my motive Sir?" Marcus asked. His question went ignored. "You must believe I had one." A moment passed before Sir Fallon cleared his throat.

  "The most likely reason we can see for a premeditated murder by you is for your pride." Marcus blanched again. That was the second time he’d been accused of killing for his ego. "Unfinished business with them after their betrayal in the Meridian City affair. They put you and Miss Norik in a very dangerous position, and you wanted them to pay." Marcus looked a little confused.

  "That sounds extremely thin gentlemen." Ian said loudly.

  "Rand and Skeel were killed by Darius March," Donavan stated after a moment of silence. "I can produce the jacket with bullet holes in it for evidence.” The Council looked uninterested. “He revealed himself as a Manticore during that broadcast." Vincent nodded slightly.

  "Darius March is dead. He died in Sha-Nor three years ago, from acute lead poisoning. His death certificate is on record with the county of Sha-Nor's coroner's office. Deputy Director Jaguar Shaw undersigned the paperwork himself." Sage guffawed at the far end of the room, tapping something into his data pad.

  "Because he's trustworthy." Only Marcus noted Sage's comment.

  "Darius March was never here," Sir Lefein continued. "Whoever it was, was at least a very convincing imposter." Marcus didn't know how to respond.

  "But he was there. You saw him," Mary said pointedly. “He tried to tear me in half, Sir Garamond.” Vincent almost looked as though he might growl.

  "At no point does any one of the Innova or the Absolutes call him Darius March during the siege. Nor any permutation of that name. He is referred to as 'Perilisk', and nothing more. We assume that refers to Perilisk the Untouched, a Manticore of no small reputation." Mary thought back to that day, and realized that Mordred had only called him that. It hadn't occurred to her to think differently.