Empire of Demons (The Moonstone Chronicles Book 4)

by Sara C. Roethle

  Empire of Demons

  The Moonstone Chronicles - Book Four

  Sara C Roethle

  Copyright © 2021 by Sara C Roethle

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Epilogue

  Chapter One

  Saida

  Saida stared into the light of the oil lamp. The flickering flames casting shadows on the inside of her tent made her think of Elmerah. Perhaps she would finally be reunited with her friend . . . if the curse she would soon cast didn’t kill her.

  Brosod felt she would be fine. If she could control the Crown of Cindra, she could handle one measly location curse. But what if she failed? The last time she was cursed, she nearly died. She remembered being trapped in that dark place all too well.

  “Saida?” Brosod’s voice came from outside the tent. “It’s time, the moon is high.” She spoke the common tongue near perfectly, though her words held the accent of the Makali and Lukali deep in the Helshone.

  Saida stood, glancing around the interior of the small space, hoping for something to delay her, but there was nothing. Just her sleeping mat, a water skin, and the lone lamp. She had a small bundle of other supplies, gifted to her by the Makali clans who’d sworn allegiance to her cause, but little else.

  “I’ll be right out,” she called back, pulling her long white-blonde hair into a quick braid. As much as her instincts were screaming, she shouldn’t be delaying, there wasn’t much time to spare.

  Two weeks. They had less than two weeks to find Elmerah and kill the emperor. If they could not defeat Egrin Dinoba, he would eliminate everyone left in Faerune, including her father. The only other option was for her to turn on Malon and give Egrin the circlets before the full moon.

  “Saida?” Brosod asked again, pushing aside the tent flap.

  Saida wrung her hands, looking at her friend. Her dark brown skin glowed gold in the lantern light. The curse to locate Elmerah wouldn’t have been so frightening if it were to be performed in privacy, but they had an army now. An army of Makali warriors who had provided them with food and shelter across the Helshone. They would make it out of the desert the next morning and head straight for Fallshire for news, and to re-supply. Hopefully by then they would know their following step. They would know where to find Elmerah.

  Brosod stepped inside the tent, then leaned on her spear, draping her tan robes around her long legs. “All will be well. It is a simple curse and we have all of the ingredients. It won’t be anything like what Urali did to you. And Malon will be there.”

  She let out a weak laugh. “You say that like his presence is supposed to be comforting. You do know he kidnapped me and threw me into this mess to begin with.”

  Brosod gave her an indulgent smile, like a patient mother. “Your relationship is complicated, but he makes you feel safe. I can see it. His presence at the ritual will be a comfort to you.”

  Saida glared at her. “Are Makali always so blunt?”

  Brosod grinned, fully revealing her sharp lower canines. “Surviving the Helshone leaves little time for cheap lies. Now we must begin while the moon is at its apex.”

  “You’re sure only having a half-moon tonight won’t make things go awry?”

  Brosod stepped back toward the tent flap, holding it open for Saida to exit. “Full moon is better, but any moon will do.”

  She didn’t see Malon outside, but she could feel him approaching and knew she could delay no longer. She could sense the Crown of Arcale upon his brow, just as she could feel the gentle magic thrumming from the circlet at her belt. Thinking of it, she untied the cord securing it and settled the circlet atop her head. The moment she did, the strange whispers ensued, oddly soothing. She had heard them many times now. Sometimes they spoke clearly, but mostly it was like being in a room with multiple conversations occurring at once. It could be dizzying, but they made her feel like she wasn’t alone.

  Brosod stepped out of the tent, still holding the flap open wide.

  Saida lifted her nose and walked out into the cool night air, though not as cold as the nights they had spent deep in the Helshone. She still didn’t understand how the scorching desert could be colder at night than the more moderate lands just north of it, but she felt silly asking anyone. Perhaps one of the scholars in Faerune could explain it to her, if they survived.

  Brosod let the tent flap fall shut behind her, then the two women walked together across the rapidly cooling sand, their loose tan clothing fluttering in the breeze. Neither wore their head wraps. Brosod’s close-cropped black hair was bare to the moon overhead.

  “I’m scared,” Saida admitted, her voice a low murmur.

  Brosod didn’t have a chance to answer as Malon met them halfway to the distant fires, having come from the direction of his own tent. He wore the same loose tan robes as everyone else. Saida had become so used to the clothing of the Helshone, she knew it would be jarring when she finally saw Malon in northern attire. She wondered what style of dress he would prefer, since he would never again wear the uniform of a guardsmen.

  She realized she was staring, and quickly resumed her pace.

  Malon fell into step at her side, opposite Brosod. He leaned in near her shoulder, draping his loose silver hair across her arm. “Are you sure about this?”

  No, she thought. No, I’m not sure. “We must find Elmerah. With her, Isara, and the circlets, our victory against Egrin will be guaranteed.”

  He spoke no further as they neared the fires set up by the other Makali. The ritual would take place at the largest central fire, its blaze casting glittering light across the yellow sand. Countless Makali watched on as she, Malon, and Brosod stopped before the flames.

  Brosod lifted the basket of ingredients she had gathered, then turned toward Saida. “Tonight, you cast your first curse. Tonight, you become a wise woman of our clan.”

  Saida shivered.

  As if sensing the small movement, Malon placed a hand on her shoulder. “I will be here to pull you back if you get lost.”

  Lost. She could get lost. But if she managed to walk the dream world correctly, she could locate Elmerah. She could save her people. It was a risk she was willing to take.

  She reached out a hand toward Brosod. “Let us begin.”

  Elmerah

  The ship gently swayed on the calm sea, futilely attempting to lull Elmerah back to sleep. Judging by the soft breathing coming from the others within the cabin, she was the last one left awake. The lantern overhead slowly swung back-and-forth, casting strange shadows across the other sleeping forms atop their mats. She wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. She had drifted off for about three heartbeats, but the nightmares quickly jolted her back to awareness.

  She moved her bandaged hand from her forehead to hold it in front of her face. Even with Vail’s healing salve, the burns would leave scars. But the worst effec
ts of what she’d done were buried deep inside her. They only showed themselves on the inside of her eyelids at night, when she would see the countless Dreilore she’d killed in one searing wave of flame. Flame so powerful it had almost burned her alive. She never wanted to touch such power again, but she knew she wouldn’t have a choice. Not when a demon emperor was trying to capture her.

  Giving up on sleep, she rose from her mat and crept toward the cabin door. She wasn’t sure whose turn it was to man the deck at this time of night, but she would at least find some allies awake beneath the moon above. Moonlight sounded nice. Moonlight and fresh sea air. That’s all she needed, then she would be able to rest. Surely she would be able to rest. Only two more nights had passed since they’d fled Port Aeluvaria, but those two nights riddled with nightmares weighed heavily upon her.

  She grabbed her boots and borrowed brown wool coat on her way out, her old coat having been singed beyond repair. She shut the cabin door gently behind her, then donned the coat and boots in the near darkness. She listened for anyone possibly awake in the neighboring cabins, shook her head, then moved toward the ladder leading up on deck.

  The first breath of sea air had her feeling anxious rather than calm, the feeling only multiplied by heavy fog obscuring the moon and stars. She searched the quiet deck for anyone she would care to talk to. She passed over Vessa manning the sails with another nameless elf, and next absolutely dismissed the possibility of conversing with Zirin, the only other Arthali on board besides her and Rissine. He was being followed and clearly pestered by Killian regardless.

  Her shoulders relaxed as she finally spotted Alluin heading toward the cabins. He wore a green cloak over his tunic and breeches, the hem fluttering near his knees. He looked utterly out of place on the ship. He belonged in the forest, hunting deer in the sunlight and bathing in streams.

  He hesitated for a moment upon noticing her, then closed the distance between them. The lids of his green eyes were heavy, his long brown hair tied back to keep the sea breeze from toying with it. “Why are you awake? You should be resting.”

  She shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. She wanted to share her nightmares with someone, but Alluin had his own burdens to bear. Still, his nearness brought comfort. He had seen her at her worst, and he hadn’t fled. He’d braved death to remain at her side.

  He gazed past her toward the open sea. “Something feels strange this night. The fog is unusually thick. Zirin has been unable to clear it with his winds.”

  She frowned. Even with only a slight breeze to work with, any witch of the Winter Isles clan should be able to clear away the fog. She gestured for Alluin to follow her toward the railing, where they both peered out into the night.

  She watched the fog, noticing how it didn’t swirl and ebb near the water. There should have been some movement there with the waves choppy from the ship’s passing. Gooseflesh erupted on her arms where they weren’t still bound tight with bandages beneath her coat. “Something isn’t right.”

  Alluin nodded. “Can you summon a bit of lightning to light up the fog?”

  Her bandaged hands clenched the railing. She hadn’t used her magic since the conflict with the Dreilore. Burning bodies flashed through her mind’s eye. Could her lightning become just as devastating as her fire? “No,” she muttered. “I don’t think that would help.”

  Zirin approached her other side, saving her from explaining herself further. His curls were so black they appeared stained with ink, the sections around his face held back with a leather clasp. He wore a fur-lined coat. Elmerah was sure she had never seen him in anything else. “I have tried many times,” he explained, “the fog won’t budge, and yet my winds easily fill the sails. Perhaps we should wake Rissine.”

  “She’s already awake,” Rissine’s voice sounded behind them.

  Elmerah turned, looking her sister up and down, huddled in her emerald coat. “What are you doing up?”

  Rissine’s dark eyes narrowed. “I went to check on my sister in her cabin, and she was missing.”

  Elmerah wrinkled her nose. Rissine had been clucking around her like a mother hen since they first boarded the ship. “I’m not a child that needs to be checked on in the night.”

  “Apparently you are since you’re up here instead of resting. You need to recover your strength.”

  “My strength is fine,” she snapped.

  “Perhaps we should focus on the fog,” Alluin interrupted.

  Zirin remained silent at Elmerah’s other side.

  Elmerah watched as Rissine looked past them all toward the fog, lifted one hand, then lightning struck.

  She whipped around just in time to catch the edge of the light, illuminating dark tattered sails on a distant ship.

  “Akkeri ship,” Zirin stated blandly.

  Elmerah’s mouth went dry. She tried to peer through the fog, but with no more lightning, the ship was invisible. “Akkeri do not have magic, they could not have created this fog.”

  “Their High King does,” Alluin countered. “As far as I know, he is the only one. If this fog is magical, he is upon that ship.”

  Elmerah put a hand on his arm. Alluin had been held hostage by Hotrath, and nearly didn’t make it out alive. She would have killed the High King herself, but she was Egrin’s prisoner at the time. “He must think we can lead him to Saida. Or maybe he believes she is still with us.”

  “We’ve no time for further discussion,” Rissine snapped. “They will know that we have seen them. If they plan to move upon us, they will do it now.”

  Zirin crossed his arms and leaned his hips against the railing. His broad shoulders strained against his coat. “Do we fight, or flee?”

  Rissine chewed her lower lip and narrowed her eyes, deciding. Her gaze darted to Alluin. “You have the most experience with the High King. What say you?”

  Alluin shook his head. “He is clever. He would not follow us without reason, but his ultimate goal is Saida, and she’s not here.”

  Elmerah’s thoughts raced. Hotrath wanted Saida alive to break the alleged curse of the Akkeri. If he thought her upon this ship, he would not attempt to sink them, but he would attempt to board and would likely kill anyone who wasn’t her.

  Rissine gazed in the direction of the Akkeri ship. “He has remained hidden for a reason. He must know by now that we don’t have Saida. Either he follows in hopes we will lead him to her, or perhaps he plans to take us hostage to use against her. Either way, if he has magic, we may not be prepared for an altercation.” She looked to Zirin. “Summon your winds. Tonight we flee. Hopefully we can lose them amongst the smaller islands.”

  Next she looked to Alluin. “Wake Isara. We may need her to nullify his magic.” Finally, her eyes landed on Elmerah. “You, stay with me.”

  Elmerah scowled, but nodded as Alluin and Zirin rushed off. She had spotted islands nearby in the light of day. She knew those islands. If they could make it to one, she knew where to hide. “Do we try to sink his ship as we flee?”

  Rissine gave her a calculating look. “You just stay with me. I will attack his ship once we have gained momentum.”

  Elmerah read in Rissine’s eyes exactly what she was thinking. She was just as afraid of Elmerah’s magic, just as worried that she would lose control.

  Elmerah wrapped her arms tightly around herself, then followed Rissine as she led the way across the deck. The elves already awake ran to and fro, some jumping below deck to help Alluin wake the others.

  Elmerah’s fingers dug into each of her arms, straining her bandages. Her magic had never been overly strong, at least not for a Shadowmarsh witch. She had always trusted it, relied on it. To fear it was to fear an innate part of herself.

  But if it came to it, if Hotrath caught up and tried to harm those she cared about, she would unleash it upon him. And Cindra help any who stood in her path.

  Saida

  Saida distantly felt the cool sand beneath her back, and Malon gripping her hand as the c
urse took her. Darkness consumed her, and then she was on her feet, walking through the sand alone. She hugged herself, rubbing her hands up and down her arms. The ritual had worked, and now she was stuck in a dark place, just like when Urali had cursed her.

  Or maybe not exactly the same. This darkness was less oppressive, less suffocating. The sand beneath her feet transitioned to stone as she continued walking. Stars glittered overhead, countless stars, more bright than she had ever seen. They lit her barren surroundings, and her fogging breath. The stones she tread upon stretched out endlessly into the darkness.

  She went over Brosod’s instructions. Her first instinct would be to panic. She was trapped in this dark place alone, but she had to remember she wasn’t really here. It was something like a dream. Once she found Elmerah, she would be able to return to her body. She would also return if she ran out of time and sunlight came. Those were the terms of the curse.

  Now, to simply find Elmerah. Still hugging herself tightly, she stopped walking, closed her eyes, and focused on her friend. She thought of her bluster, her wry wit, and her unwavering loyalty. She thought of the last time she saw her, bravely fighting demons in Skaristead. It seemed so very long ago.

  A shift in her perception made her eyes fly wide. She sensed a spark off in the distance. A spark that felt like Elmerah. Brosod had explained that even if Elmerah was far away, Saida should be able to travel to her quickly, as long as she focused intently on her friend’s energy.

  She hurried across the stones, soon spotting a distant fire.

  “I see he tricked you into working a curse,” a voice said behind her.