Brothers of Blood (Fall of a King Book 2)

by James Fuller

  “Vashina, you still draw breath!” A young priestess called out to her.

  Vashina turned to regard the girl speaking to her. She was no more than fifteen, just beginning to come into her womanly figure; soft featured and clean, unlike so many of the others of her following. Vashina was almost positive that Valka would have taken this one as a lover by now. “Why would I not?”

  The girl paused and regarded the tone. “You have been gone for some time.”

  “My comings and goings are of no concern to you.”

  At first the girl’s eyes betrayed her apprehension but as fast as it showed, it disappeared and she tried to stand taller. “No, but it is Valka’s, and that is who I serve.”

  Vashina’s smile was one of mocking. “Ah yes, and where is your great High Priestess? I have a gift for her - one that she has been waiting for.”

  “Vashina, what an unpleasant surprise,” Valka said as Vashina entered the room. “I assumed that pesky rouge wizard had killed you.” Her smile was ice. “One could only hope, of course.”

  Vashina bit her tongue on the quick retort that threatened to escape. “Sorry to disappoint but the rouge met his end by my hand, as promised.”

  “I recall I asked for his head,” Valka countered turning her attention back to Vashina. “Sorry if your word does not hold weight with me.”

  Vashina reached around her back and tossed the leather sack down on the table. A pale, blood-matted head rolled out. “It was a shame, he was a worthy opponent.”

  “It would seem I underestimated you - it is about time you finally proved your worth.”

  “It would seem you did as well.” Vashina looked around room; already Valka had adorned it with many of her twisted and gruesome ornaments. Deformed skulls from beasts long forgotten, poisonous roots and herbs that dripped their venom.

  “Under my leadership, the castle fell as planned,” Valka confirmed with an expansive smile. “But as much as I hate to cut our friendly banter short, I am needed elsewhere. I suggest you go find Kinor. I am sure he will have words for you.”

  “Always a pleasure, Valka,” Vashina replied coyly as the High Priestess pushed past her and disappeared down the hallway.

  Vashina slowly closed the door to the room and sprang into her search, knowing time was of the essence. Valka’s lover had been reluctant to tell her what she wanted to know, but Vashina had ways of extracting such knowledge from weak minds. Now she had to act quickly, for the girl’s body would be found soon enough and Vashina needed to be long gone by then and she still had one more stop to make.

  She pulled open drawer after drawer and cupboard after cupboard, fingering through countless vials and pouches until finally she found the symbol she sought after, if the girl had been telling the truth this is. She tucked the vial into her belt and went for the door, slipping quietly into the hallway.

  “Vashina,” a stern, familiar voice said behind her. “I was unaware you had returned.”

  Vashina turned to Kinor and a level of fear coursed through her body, yet her features stayed calm and controlled. “I have just recently returned and was just about to seek you out,” she lied.

  Kinor smiled sardonically, “I am sure you were.”

  Through years of training, Vashina was able to control her body’s impulse to pale as she felt her insides twist, knowing he knew something that he should not. “I was merely leaving a ‘gift’ for Valka,” She opened the door to the high priestess’s room again and gestured to the bloodied head.

  “I am sure she will love it,” He mocked, knowing full well the two women hated one another. “”I assume that was the wizard that was causing so much trouble?”

  “It was,” she smiled. “Pavilion was his name.”

  “I did not think you one to bother with the names of your enemies.”

  “I do not, normally, but he was worthy of such respect.”

  Kinor regarded her for a moment, his eyes missing nothing of her body movement. “Walk with me; we have much to talk of.”

  “Of course, Kinor.”

  “Have you heard from Astaroth while on your latest adventure?”

  Vashina could hear the suspicion in his tone and knew he was aware of Astaroth’s failings. “No, my chase with the wizard assassin took me northeast,” She lied. “He was powerful…a shame he would not side with us.”

  “Well then it may surprise you to hear that Astaroth has failed me,” his tone turned dangerous.

  “What?” Vashina gasped. “How so? Does he live?”

  “My spies have informed me that he was discovered and had to flee for his pathetic life.”

  Vashina swallowed back the bile that crept up her throat and knew even her training was failing her as she felt her face turn ashen. “That is a shame, but if he still lives, he will likely be on his way here.”

  Kinor stopped in front of a large set of double doors and gestured for her enter. “Let us talk further in private.”

  His eyes bore into her very soul and she could feel the rising energy in the air and knew his Gift was surging within him. She did her best to contain herself, yet she knew without doubt he saw she was afraid. Her feet betrayed her thoughts as they shifted in preparation to run.

  “That would be very foolish of you.” His tone was flat as he pushed open the doors and entered the room.

  She knew to run would mean certain death, yet to linger would likely mean a slow, agonizing death for both Astaroth and herself. She firmed her jaw and entered the grand room, closing the doors behind her. If Kinor meant to kill her, she would die with blades in hand.

  “I understand your fear, Vashina.” Kinor was casual, his back still to her as he fingered several items upon the oak desk. “And your fear is well placed, of course.”

  Vashina’s fingertips tingled with power and expectation. Her other hand hung near her magical knife bracer. A deadly level of calm flooded over her as she actually began to believe she could win if it came to blows.

  “You have to understand that Astaroth’s failure forfeits our bargain, naturally.” He turned to face her, his features impossible to read.

  Vashina’s heightened senses responded and within a blink, a thin sliver of ice and two of her throwing knifes cut through the air for Kinor’s chest with deadly speed.

  Kinor grinned acrimoniously as the projectiles deflected off a barrier of forced air in front of him and shattered against the stone wall, as if they had been nothing more than flies.

  Vashina’s slender sword flashed out of its black leather sheath and she charged, knowing a pitched battle of magic would not play out in her favor. She needed to keep him on the defensive. Before she had cleared a third of the distance that separated the two, a stone in the floor shifted up, catching her unexpectedly. She stumbled and was ripped from her feet as a torrent of air threw her across the room. Her head cracked against the stone behind her - bright colors exploded across her vision and sapped her strength. She struggled to draw breath; the surge of air unrelenting, continuing to crush her against the wall.

  Desperately she struggled against the unrelenting force and to free herself from certain death but her strength was no match for the power Kinor exuded. Her lungs screamed for air but she could not oblige them and lack of oxygen began to take its toll on her senses.

  All of a sudden, the remorseless flood of power stopped, her legs gave out but she did not fall. A tight steel grip ensnarled her throat and pushed her back against the cold stone.

  “You are good, Vashina, but not as good as me,” Kinor hissed. “I could kill you right now.” He tightened the grip upon her throat, emphasizing his point. “Just squeeze the life from your very body and consume your meager Gift.”

  Vashina fought relentlessly against her body’s desperate urge to succumb to unconsciousness. She could feel Kinor’s warm breath on the side of her face. “Then do it,” she gasped out, her eyes finally coming back into focus.

  Kinor pulled one of her daggers from its sheath and slammed it in
to her abdomen and held her firm against her body’s writhing agony. He pressed his face next to hers. “Where do your loyalties lay, Vashina?”

  Vashina fought the urge to cry out as Kinor began to twist the blade. “I will wait for you on the other side,” she growled through gritted teeth.

  “It does not have to end this way, Vashina. I could use someone of your skill and ambitions. Just swear loyalty to me and you may have your life,” Kinor whispered.

  Vashina felt the blade began to heat up inside her - the smell of burning flesh quickly filled her nostrils and she could no longer suppress the howl of agony that escaped her lips. “You have never shown mercy before,” she gasped. “Why now?”

  “Because talents like yours should not be so easily forfeited because of the futility of one such as Astaroth,” Kinor replied, the blade still burning within her. “He is a fool; I knew it from the start, as I knew he would fail sooner or later. But you, Vashina, you are of a different breed. I grow tired of this. Make your choice!” He pushed the blade deeper.

  “I swear myself to your services!” She cried out in agony.

  “Wise decision.” He wrenched the blade from her abdomen and she slid to the floor quivering. “You will prove it to me by bringing me Astaroth’s body. I trust this will not be a problem?”

  “No,” she whispered, “it will not be.”

  Vashina entered the small, rundown room on silent feet. Keithen was pacing franticly, stopping every few moments to check to see if Astaroth was still breathing. From here, she could tell he was not long for this world if he did not get help.

  “There you are!” Keithen bellowed, seeing her standing in the doorway. “Did you get it?” His eyes were filled with desperation.

  Vashina pulled the vial from her belt and cracked the wax seal. “Hold him up; he will need all of it to go down his throat if it is to work.”

  Once the deed was done, they stood back and waited, unsure how long the elixir would take to work, if it did at all. Astaroth barely clung to life; it may already be too late. She swallowed back the bile that rose in her throat at the thought. If he did die, she would bring his body to Kinor.

  Keithen fidgeted awkwardly next to the powerful woman. Not knowing what to do or say, he remained silent. He could feel the raw power flowing from her and sensed a mounting turmoil within her. “Were you able to get the ring?” He asked nervously.

  Vashina grimaced at the question. “No, I was unable to.”

  “You must go back then.” Keithen urged her.

  Vashina held back her anger knowing it would serve no useful purpose. “I cannot.”

  “What do you mean you cannot?” Keithen asked. “Who is going to get the ring? We need it!”

  Vashina eyed the young wizard a dangerous gleam in her eyes. “You will be the one to retrieve it.”

  “Me?” Keithen stammered. “I cannot do that! They will kill me at first glance.”

  “Yes they would, if it was you they were seeing.”

  Keithen walked the hallways of the castle nervously, trying his best not to fidget with Astaroth’s enchanted ring and to stay concentrated on the power he needed to keep the illusion up. At first he had been in awe that he had the strength to achieve such a feat. When he had left the ruined house, he had been eager, but now that he was within the castle and among the enemy he felt nothing but terrifying fear.

  He passed by scores of barbarian warriors, all moved out of his way and bowed their heads in respect of who they thought they saw. With each one his confidence grew a little more. His steps became surer and he held his head little straighter. He paused in front of a large mirror and nearly laughed aloud at the young, dark-skinned features that looked back at him. The long hair, the dark almond eyes, the bone pierced ears, even the small ample breasts that were covered by a small scrap of Elk hide.

  Astaroth’s enchanted ring required the blood of the one he would impersonate. Vashina had acquired the blood of a respected priestess. Now Keithen wore that illusion like Astaroth had worn that of Prince Berrit.

  Keithen continued on his way, searching the hallways for the double doors Vashina had described to him. He knew where Kinor’s belongings would be stored and he hoped to find the dragon-bone ring which was the key to entering the hidden realm of Salvas.

  He cursed when he finally spied the double doors. As Vashina had feared, two warriors stood guard. She had taught him a short sentence in their tongue that should remove them without question. Yet as he neared and their dark fierce eyes watched him, fear and doubt quickly stole the words from his mind. With each step he fought himself to remember the string of words.

  Soon his steps ran out and he stood in front of the two massive brutes, who stared down at him with a measure of respect and annoyance. However, their uneasiness seemed to match his own and he took strength in that. The strange, rehearsed words found his tongue. Both warriors stared down at him and then looked to each other and grinned and Keithen feared he had misused the words. But when the guards nodded and moved away from the doors Keithen knew he had spoken them correctly.

  He waved the warriors away with a dismissive hand and entered the room. Quickly, he closed the doors behind him and waited until he knew the warriors had left. It was only then that he realized how hard his heart was pounding in his chest. A small laugh escaped him. “I did it!” he told himself proudly, before remembering his task.

  Keithen went on his search for the required artifact. Caring not at all for the state in which he left the room as he tore through the Shaman’s belongings with haste. He had made it this far, but he still had to find the ring and make it back out alive.

  “So my warriors tell me you are here to state my sexual desires, Malika,” a powerful voice said, “at my owe command.”

  Keithen looked up, fear gripping his insides as he spotted the Shaman standing within the doorway.

  “I do not recall making such a request.” The doors closed behind him. “What are you really doing in here, Malika?”

  Keithen fumbled back a step his mind racing with a thousand thoughts at once. He felt the illusion falter and knew by the look upon the Shaman’s face that his true identity had been revealed. “I... I was just...” His voice cracked.

  Kinor seethed with anger and he cleared the room, his ringed hand lashing out across Keithen’s face throwing him to the floor. Kinor’s hand came alive with a wicked obsidian jade flame. “Tell me who you are and why you are here and I may make your death quicker!”

  Tears escaped Keithen’s eyes at the realization of his fate - he did not want to die, nor did he want to suffer before he did. He was a coward, this he knew. “I come on the biding of my Master Astaroth, searching for a ring he requires,” He sobbed, holding his arm above his face, knowing it would not help when the flames came for him.

  Kinor’s lip quivered in rage. “Astaroth? Where is he?” The hungry flames grew brighter.

  “He hides within the ruins of the city,” Keithen stuttered, “with Vashina.”

  Kinor glared down at the pathetic whimpering fool, an air of familiarity triggered. “What is your name?”

  “Keithen.”

  “Have we met before?”

  “No, Master Shaman,” he whimpered.

  Kinor stepped back, the flame within his hand died down slightly as he inspected the boy. “Move your arm.” Keithen did not move. “Move it or I will burn it to a slump!”

  Slowly Keithen lowered his shaking arm, expecting his life to end at any moment. “I beg you to make it quick.”

  Kinor inspected him for several long moments. “I know those eyes boy. Who was your father?” Kinor asked, his tone losing some of its anger.

  “I... I do not know, I never met him,” Keithen cried out, his face showing a queer expression to the random question.

  Kinor burst out laughing. “I know your father boy and I know him well.” The flames died out completely. “What a tangled web of Fates.” He grinned.

  “I do not understand,” Keit
hen whimpered.

  “Get your sniveling hide off the floor,” Kinor ordered, pulling the dragon-bone ring from his pocket, “and let me tell you of your father.”

  Keithen returned to the run down house. Astaroth was sitting up in the straw bed talking with Vashina.

  “So you are still alive,” Vashina said truly surprised.

  Astaroth pulled himself slowly from the bed onto untrusting feet. “Does this mean you have it?” His tone dripped of desperation.

  Keithen pulled the smooth bone ring from his pocket and held it up. “I got it.” He smiled.

  Astaroth’s eyes lit up, the fatigue from the poison hardly showing at all now. “By the Creator’s will!” He gasped, moving forward and retrieving the ring from the young wizard. He stared at the smooth circular ivory artifact a flood of awe clear across his face. “Do you know what this means?” He turned to Vashina, barely pulling his eyes away from the ring to look at her.

  “We can finally go home,” she finished for him.

  *****

  “My Lord, my Lord!” A soldier called out, his horse slowing as he neared Andras and the others.

  “What news do you bring us, soldier?” Andras asked as the soldier halted his horse an arm length away.

  “The enemy, my Lord, they ride a wagon towards us flying a white flag!” The soldier reported eagerly.

  “How many?” Master Jacob asked.

  “One small wagon, with two men upon the driving deck, though the back of the wagon is covered by tarp.”

  Andras ground his teeth in thought. “How many men do you think could be hiding under that tarp?”

  “No more than half a dozen, my Lord.”

  “A trap you think?” Andras asked Jarroth and Tomas.

  “I have never known savages to surrender,” Jarroth replied.

  Andras nodded. “Nor have I.”

  Master Tomas smiled. “If my plan worked, they would have little choice, if they hoped to survive this.”

  “Soldier! Gather a hundred men quickly; we will ride out to meet them. I do not want them to see our true strength just yet,” Andras ordered.