Before he reached the camp, Heric ordered his carriage to take a trail up towards the cliffs. It was the highest point in the area. The view was immeasurable.
He stepped outside to stretch his legs. The cliff drop off was only yards away. Out in the distance he saw the ships spread out from either end of the horizon. Down on the shore, citizens of Eluan looked on. Soldiers guarded the waters. They were not permitting anyone to pass them.
A scout approached Heric. He bowed to his emperor and waited to be acknowledged.
“What is the situation?” Heric asked. The scout stood up to address his leader.
“There has been no movement of any of the ships since our guards blocked off the beaches.”
“How many Eluans joined Tcher?” Heric asked.
“There is an estimate of twelve thousand people going on to the ships,” said the scout.
“Which ship are they on?”
“We do not know. They are scattered. Boats went from ship to ship and moved people around.”
The people on the shores were growing restless. They squirmed back and forth along the beach. The guards did not falter. The Tcher Islands had promised them a paradise, free from the terrors of the avadons in the west. Now, Eluan was keeping them trapped with monsters.
Heric contemplated the situation to himself for a moment. He hated himself for letting Tcher move freely for so long without doing anything. He wanted to be diplomatic to their allies. He was wrong. Now they had Eluan refugees, captives.
“What ship is Aldrin on?”
“The one straight ahead,” said the scout. He pointed in the direction of the closest ship. “It has been reported he is on that one. The river nearby indicates he may try to move inland. That is why we have positioned the command here.”
“Is there any sign of the Empress?”
The scout lowered his head. He said softly, “No, sir.”
“We will find her,” assured Heric. “That will be all. I will gather the rest of the details at command. Thank you.”
The scout bowed his head. He left his emperor to continue watching the seas.
Heric looked out at the ship Aldrin and his Elite Guard were stationed on. He wondered what they were planning. He wondered who was on the ship, and when they would make their move.
Chapter 30
Aldrin’s personal quarters were located on the upper deck of the ship. From there he could avoid the nuisances of the slaves stirring about in the bowels, and his view of the surrounding area was matched by few.
He stood over his desk with Eviton and Genom. They were going over their plans one last time. Word already spread that Heric had arrived at the shore. Aldrin knew it was only a matter of time before war broke out. He planned on being ready.
A knock disturbed the men. Aldrin turned his attention away from the soldiers to the door. Falon entered first. He was followed by Abigail.
Her hands were restrained. The chain wrapped around her wrists and reached down to her feet. She walked carefully, minding each step.
Aldrin stood up to greet his guest. He waved off his men. “You may go. Have the rations prepared.”
“As you command,” said Eviton. Both men eyed down Abigail as they left.
“You may go as well, Falon,” said Aldrin. “I want to speak with Abigail alone.”
Falon glanced over at Abigail and quickly turned back to his master. Abigail stayed silent. She controlled her breathing. It kept her calm. Falon left her alone. She concentrated further on her breathing. There she was across the room from the man who killed her people. Her only comfort was the knife tucked in the belt behind her.
“How are you, Abigail?” Aldrin asked. He smacked his lips in disgust. “How are you, Farrah? That is your birth name.”
He sat back in his chair behind the desk. He moved the papers he and his men were going over. Abigail snuck a peak at the contents. They were maps of the mainland.
“You’re lying,” Abigail remarked.
“I’m afraid not,” said Aldrin. “You are my granddaughter. You may look like the woman that destroyed my family, but you still have my blood flowing through your veins.”
“My father?”
“Was my son,” Aldrin finished.
“Alexus said he found me in Prial. My family was killed.”
“Your parents are dead. Your mother by my orders.”
The knife felt cold against Abigail’s skin.
“Why would you do such a thing?” asked Abigail.
“Because they took my son away.”
“They deserved to die for that?”
“Of course,” said Aldrin.
“Alexus would never have helped you. You are lying.”
“Alexus,” said Aldrin. “It is true Alexus did not care for my actions. We were never friends. We used each other. He was not as good a man as you believe, I’m sure.”
“No.”
“Oh, yes,” said Aldrin. “There was one thing he hated above all else. He sought the means for revenge in all the corners of the world. The Empire would fall no matter the cost.
“It is amazing what one man can accomplish,” continued Aldrin. “All of the pieces were coming together. It is a shame what happened to him in Louson. And it is a shame that he will not see the fruits of his labor.”
“Why am I here?” Abigail asked. It barely came out of her mouth. She was afraid of the answer. She was afraid that even Aldrin had forgotten the reason and she would die that instant. She had to know.
“During the war, Alexus came to me. Eluan had agreed to my terms. They would help in the raid against Prial. Alexus knew where you and your mother were hiding. I asked him to get you. Then he returned with you in your mother’s arms. I was going to have you both executed, but Alexus begged me to spare your life. The one choice I am glad I made.
“After the war, Alexus brought you to his home. He told the Emperor you were orphaned during the war. The secret of who you really were would never get out. Not then. You would have been executed on the spot if they had known the granddaughter of Aldrin the Ageless existed.”
“But why? Why all the secrecy?”
“The Empire has grown too strong,” said Aldrin. “So, Alexus gathered the only remaining forces left in this world. He allied Louson and Tcher long before others came into the picture. Together we will cripple the Empire. You were the key. The blood of an immortal dynasty. You and the Prince of Louson were to be together. You two would have ruled over the shattered remains of Eluan.”
“That did not happen,” said Abigail. “I was never offered to Prince Randal.”
“I know,” said Aldrin. “Emperor Cyrus was surprisingly cautious. He unknowingly made his own counter plans. The King of Louson liked that idea better. Marina was offered to Heric. Then Alexus died in the Avadon raid. It would seem all was lost.”
“But Marina is here,” thought Abigail.
“Yes,” said Aldrin. “Her ambition is far greater than anyone would have imagined. She knew of the plan and wishes to continue it for herself. I see no problem with that.”
“Eluan will not be so easily defeated,” said Abigail.
“They are stronger than ever,” said Aldrin. “Emperor Caning has the greatest force the world has ever seen. He commands the entire known world. How long do you think he can hold on to that power?”
“Heric will find a way,” said Abigail.
“His people live in fear. The streets are baron. Trade has died. If a town is not destroyed it falls to illness. Now, only the Tcher Islands offer the courage to rescue the world from that tyranny. We will return to the mainland and slay the demons that swarm the lands. Then his army will break apart piece by piece. They will follow a new leader.”
“You are underestimating Heric.”
“Heric Caning is a child,” said Aldrin. “You speak of him as if you are his equal. You are better than a Caning.”
“Heric is a good man,” refuted Abigail.
“Yes, you grew up with him.
You know him well. That is good. I need your help, Farrah. I need to know about the Emperor. He shuts himself off from me. I cannot have that. Tell me about him.”
Abigail looked Aldrin straight in the eyes. “He will kill you.”
Aldrin frowned. “Falon,” he yelled. Falon opened the door to the room. Aldrin fumed. Falon grabbed hold of Abigail and rushed her out of the room as quickly as he could. His hand held down her knife. Abigail was unable to break it free. She stumbled on her restraints, but he pushed her along into the hall.
“Eluan is strong,” Abigail struggled to continue speaking to Aldrin. “They’ve heard your stories. They are ready for you. Surrender. Heric will show mercy.”
The door shut on her face. She continued yelling at Aldrin through the walls as Falon carried her back to her room.
Chapter 31
Nikali walked alongside Cassandra through the streets in the Talons. Cassandra stayed close to him. She led the way. Their destination was in the middle of the ghetto, but Nikali had never been there before. His training sessions with the Eluan soldiers was not advancing. Nikali needed a new strategy. There were answers in the Talons.
In the past, the building was a shelter for those wandering from street to street. They could stay the night for a small fee. Often times it was chores and odd jobs that kept people around and the house functional. Then in the recent year things began to change.
Fees were beginning to get paid in Tamor Blood. The jobs were becoming easier to do under the influence of arcan, but the supplies ran low. Eventually, Tamor Blood became the only viable payment for the building. It built up its supply and its power. In the months that followed word had gotten around. They had the best Tamor Blood in the Capitol. Then people began to go missing. Body limbs were found drained of blood dumped in alleys.
Whispers in the back rooms of taverns spoke of the masters of the house. Nobody could ever agree on who the leaders were. Every messenger that found themselves in the same room with them described different men. They were almost interchangeable. The only constant that was talked about was their escorts. Always present in the background were the three Blood Beauties.
The women never talked. Their mouths were stained with Tamor Blood. It was the only color on their naked pale bodies. Every man spoke of them as if they wish they hadn’t.
Nikali and Cassandra approached the entrance to the former shelter house. Many people stood by the entrance near comatose. Nikali could smell the Tamor Blood on them. Not a single one of them was unhappy.
The inside smelled of putrid living. Grime climbed the walls. Debris was strung across the floor. Nikali paid no mind to their surroundings. Cassandra on the other hand covered her nose and mouth with her shawl. It did not help.
Down the hall on the first floor a man twitched in a chair. His wide eyes followed Nikali and Cassandra as they walked passed him. But his head never moved. Just his eyes kept their attention.
“This place needs to burn to the ground,” said Cassandra.
“Not yet,” said Nikali as he led them up the stairs to the next floor.
They passed more people on their journey up the building. Many of the hallways were congested with people just living their lives. Nikali and Cassandra were forced to go through hallways that were less crowded or simply empty. Nobody bothered to stop them let alone acknowledge their presence. They were free to go where they pleased.
“We should leave,” said Cassandra.
“No,” said Nikali. “I want to meet them.”
The strangers lounging around the hallways all looked in the direction of Nikali and Cassandra. Their lifeless eyes stared into the two in a daze.
“Is this your doing, Nikali?” Cassandra asked.
“No,” he answered. “It looks as if we’re being invited in.”
The staircase opened up to the final floor of the building. The entry was a spacious room that held two doors across the way. One door was blocked by a gang of people. They huddled on that side of the room sleeping, and playing games.
Nikali and Cassandra continued walking towards the other door. Nobody disturbed them.
“We’re here,” said Nikali.
“How do you know?”
“Because we’ve been herded here,” Nikali answered. He opened the door. The smell of flowers and perfume whiffed the air. Nikali hated that smell. It masked secrets.
The room was a complete contrast to the rest of the building. It was lit up by torches in every corner. The room was decorated with paintings from across the empire. Nikali was familiar with many of them. To the left was a spectacular shelf of trophies. They were the prized possessions of all those that paid the Blood Beauties, and even more from their own personal collection.
The center of the room was filled with luxurious couches. Four men slouched in their comfy thrones. Their bellies folded to their sides. Food was placed all around them. A trail of crumbs began at their chins, covered their clothes and ended at the carpets beneath their feet.
Nikali walked up to present himself. Cassandra stayed close by. The fat men fought to adjust themselves in their couches. Nikali waited for them to finish cracking the frames of their furniture and settle on turning their heads in disgust.
“Who dares disturb us?” said the fat man on the left.
“What do you want?” said another.
Nikali turned his attention to the shelf of trophies once again. He looked at all of the items.
“Do you admire our collection?” said a fat man. “What will you contribute?”
“Your woman’s nails will make a pretty decoration,” said another.
Cassandra balled her hands into a fist. It hid her nails from view.
“We have not come here to give you anything,” said Cassandra.
“Nobody gives us anything,” said a fat man. “We take anything.” The man then shoved a fistful of cheese and bread into his mouth.
“Even the lives of others,” said Nikali. He turned back toward the men in the room. He looked out beyond the couches toward the back of the room. It was the only area with shadows.
“Please come out,” said Nikali. “I hate talking to messengers.”
The fat men began spewing vile language at Nikali and Cassandra. Cassandra did not budge. She had heard it all before. Nikali once again turned toward the trophies.
At the top of the shelf he found what he was looking for; a small jar with a pair of eyes floating in yellowish sludge. The eyes looked back at Nikali. The orange tint around the pupil was still visible. He looked around the room again. It dawned on him where he had seen the paintings before. They were once owned by Alexus. Many of them were hanging in his room just over a year ago.
The flame in the torches raged. Spots in the ceiling turned crisp black. Drapery hanging along the walls fell to the floor in ash. The shadows at the back of the room disappeared for a moment. Three women were revealed before the shadows reclaimed their territory.
“Come out,” ordered Nikali.
The fat men’s heads dropped. They were asleep almost instantly. Out from the shadows came the Blood Beauties. They kept their distance from Nikali, remaining on the other side of the couches.
“Who are you?” the woman in the middle asked. Her hair was black as the night. She stood out against the other two women with blonde hair caked in red filth.
“Where did you get your collection?” Nikali asked ignoring the question asked of him.
“We take anything,” said the blonde on the right.
Nikali could feel the pressure building in his head. They were trying to gather his thoughts. Cassandra was having the same issue. She struggled to fight off the Blood Beauties.
“I am not a sloth you can bend to your will,” defied Nikali.
He could feel the attack ending. The Blood Beauties had given up on stealing his thoughts. Then Cassandra dropped to her knees. She screamed out in pain.
Her head throbbed under the immense pressure. Three voices echoed in her memories. She t
hought back to meeting Nikali. They had nights of passion and laughs at the expense of others in the royal class.
Nikali pulled a knife out from his boot. He turned to Cassandra on the floor in pain. She looked up at her friend holding the knife.
“This is going to hurt,” said Nikali.
Cassandra stopped him. She grabbed his wrist and held him back. Then she reached out with her other hand. She took the knife from him.
“I’ll do it,” she said.
Cassandra brought the knife against her shin. The blade cut across her skin down to the bone. She screamed out in agony. The pain was all she could think about.
The Blood Beauties reeled back in agony. Cassandra’s pain had become theirs.
Nikali took the opportunity to probe the thoughts of the Blood Beauties. They were stronger than he had anticipated, but he was even stronger. Their memories were hollow. Loneliness was their companion. He saw dozens of faces, beating and raping them. There were rooms of nothing but the stones to count. Then there was the relief of arcan and the visions of blood.
Nikali tore himself away. The orange eyes in the jar looked back at him. Already he could feel another attack from the Blood Beauties. They were putting pressure on his body. He fought to release the area around him. He backed away. It was too late to look for anything else. He had to retreat.
Cassandra began to struggle for air. Her chest was sunk in. She could not move her body to breathe. The Blood Beauties stepped forward. Nikali was no longer their target.
He swooped Cassandra up in his arms. Then they retreated out the door. The Blood Beauties did not follow. As they ventured for the exit Nikali could feel the eyes of all the people in the building watching him, and no matter who it was he could not help but feel it was the Blood Beauties that saw him.
Chapter 32
Nikali didn’t put down Cassandra until he had returned to the palace. They were both exhausted. Cassandra no longer felt the pain that was searing through her leg.
She looked down at the wound. The bleeding had not stopped yet. She knew it would scar. She could cover it up though. Her clients would never notice. She knew she would be fine.
Eluan Falls: The Tides of Utter Undoing Page 10
