by Ben Hale
“I had hoped that time would provide you with wisdom,” Serak said, his features dark. “But as you said, perhaps Mind will accept what you have refused.”
“He won’t.” Water began gathering the moisture from the ground and air, pulling it through the bars, careful to keep the liquid from burning up. “He will choose family, same as I have.”
“I have seen knights of honor fall to their darkest impulses,” Serak said, “and kings betray their people. All that is required is the proper motivation.”
Water’s smile was gone, and he approached the fire bars until he felt the heat on his face. “No gold or price, no offer of security, no pain, loss, or manipulation will ever get me to betray my family. You have studied me for ages and think you know what I will say, but you know nothing.”
Water spotted another flicker of movement, and noticed a pair of Ravens were absent, as if they’d disappeared. Another Order member was also gone, and one had a pink smile painted on his helmet. The burly soldier with a full beard stood with arms folded, oblivious to the garish alteration to his expensive armor.
“They all say they will not change,” Serak said. “But all metal bends in the fire, and I assure you, the fire is just beginning.”
“You wish me to kill them?” the Dark Dwarf asked.
“No,” Serak said. “Not yet. But give him a scar.”
The Dark Dwarf grinned and raised his palms. Water retreated to the center of the cage and gathered his magic, but chains erupted from the bars and wrapped around his wrists. He sought to break free but they went taught, pulling his arms apart. Lira yanked her sword free and struck the chains, the impact sending sparks onto them both.
The Dark Dwarf reached his hand outward and gathered heat into his palm, shaping it into a long rod with a symbol on the end, the symbol of Wylyn’s house, two curves with a dot on the upper side.
A brand.
“So you know your master,” he said, and extended the brand through the bars.
“Before you mark me there’s something you should know.”
“What’s that?” Serak said, raising a hand to stop the Dark Dwarf.
In response, Water unleashed every drop of moisture he’d gathered, expanding it into a wave that struck the bars of the cell. The water burst into a plume of steam that spread outward, obscuring everyone from view.
Out of sight, Serak’s chuckle was mocking. “Your attempt to escape is woefully disappointing.”
“I wasn’t trying to break free,” Water said, eyeing the brand that extended from the mist. “I just wanted more darkness.”
There was a moment of silence and then Serak barked an order for light. Too late, a large shape climbed from the shadows and released a delighted snarl. Men and women scrambled backward from the massive creature, their shouts drowning out Serak’s words. Huge and terrifying, the creature seemed a thing of nightmares, and one woman shrieked that it was a demon. Then the beast charged and the room dissolved into chaos.
Chapter 33: Brothers United
Water caught a glimpse of a large creature tearing through the room. It roared, the sound filled with menace, yet to Water’s ears, it sounded like laughter. A man screamed as he was thrown over the fire cage, his body flitting through the mist before slamming into the far wall. A Raven tumbled away, knocking into the Dark Dwarf and sending them both into the shadows.
Lira snatched the branding iron before it could fall out of the cage. She placed the tip of the branding iron on the chains that held Water bound. Sparks exploded from the contact, but the branding iron proved stronger, the chains giving way. She jumped to the chains holding his other hand and did the same. Just as Water burst free, Thorg stalked into view.
“You will not escape so—”
A giant clawed hand appeared behind him and wrapped around his torso. Pure black, the hand was like smoke, but it picked him up and launched him across the room, his body bouncing off the stairs and colliding with one of the dakorians.
Giant jaws appeared in the gloom and chomped on the second dakorian, the soldier howling and smashing his hammer into the beast’s head. Then the beast launched the dakorian at the cage of fire. The armored body crashed into the bars, its bulk cracking several before the dakorian bounced off and struck the ground, burn lines on the bones of his back.
Smaller creatures of shadow burst through the darkness, jumping to women and pulling their hair, tearing into the clothing of the men, and clawing at feet. Women shrieked and men howled, the sound tinged with Shadow’s delighted laughter.
“We need to get out of here,” Lira said. “Shadow can’t take them down alone.”
He spotted flickers of light as Serak shouted for illumination. The mist was clearing as well, and with each spark of light Shadow would lose power. In moments, whatever beast he’d decided to become would disintegrate, leaving him vulnerable.
“Give me a moment,” Water said.
He turned and faced the tunnel they had entered. Dropping to one knee, he placed his fingers on the floor and closed his eyes, reaching through the room, beyond the wall, and to the storm drain beyond. The storm had picked up and water churned through the drain, turning white as it crashed its way toward the sea.
A faint smile crossed his lips as he felt the power. Breathing it in, he bent the current to his will. In the drain outside the room, the rainwater surged up and turned, pushing down the tunnel to the secret entrance, colliding with the stone barrier. The wall shuddered at the impact and spurts of water cascaded through cracks. Water summoned more and more, pushing against the wall, willing it to break.
He sensed the mist clearing, burned away by the rods of fire. The chaos of the room faded as Shadow lost strength and Serak regained control. Beneath it all Water heard a cracking of stone and rose to his feet.
Serak stepped to the cage and laughter nearly robbed Water of his magic. The guardian’s features were painted bright orange, his hair spiked in one direction, like a beast had licked his face, the saliva holding the hair straight upward. Paint dripped down his face and onto his body, staining his fine tunic.
“You’ll pay for that,” Serak growled.
“Not before you do,” Water said.
Serak’s eyes flicked over Water’s shoulder, widening as he spotted the water streaming through the cracks in the wall. Water gathered all his might and forced the water against the wall, and it shattered. Rocks scattered through the room as a ten-foot wave exploded into the basement. The water engulfed the cage, bursting to steam and cooling the magical barrier, the fires succumbing to the torrent.
Water held his hand to the wave, splitting it to either side until the bars disintegrated. Then he caught Lira about the waist and let the current carry them into the chamber. A dakorian appeared and brought his hammer down on Water, forcing him to dive to the side.
Lira went the opposite way, landing in the middle of a group of Ravens. Swords swung at her but she cast her blade and deflected the blows in a ring of steel—and then struck back. Men and women crumpled and fell away.
Water landed next to the dakorian and used a burst of magic to make him stumble. Then he sent a thread of magic up to the hammer, leashing it and bringing it down on a woman charging from behind.
Water stumbled when the ground opened up beneath him, and he heard the Dark Dwarf advancing on him. He used the water scattered across the floor to flood into the hole and lift him out before it could close. Then he rode the wave directly at his attacker. The dwarf raised a flaming axe but Water leapt into a flip that carried him over. Landing behind Thorg, Water yanked the wave into the spinning dwarf, knocking him sprawling and extinguishing his hammer.
He caught a glimpse of Serak in the wings, and more soldiers appearing from the shadows. Realizing they could not stay and fight, Water summoned every bit of water from the storm drain and pulled it to himself. The current picked him up and carried him to Lira, where he caught her about the waist and banked toward the stairs. He spotted Shadow and sent a han
d of water out. The fragment leapt aboard, the trio riding the wave as it carried them up the stairs to the door. Shadow’s taunting laugh echoed in the chamber as the wave carried them through the door. Water caught a glimpse of Serak as they escaped.
The water from the storm drain parted around him, as if afraid to touch his form. He stood with his arms folded, his voice silent as Water slipped from his grasp. No orders were given, and he simply stood there. Water could have sworn the guardian smiled.
“What’s with all the paint?” Lira asked as they hurtled up the stairs. “You could have just fought them.”
“Anyone can fight,” Shadow said. “But it takes a true master to be remembered by his foes.”
Water sent them up the stairs and shaped the current into a fist, blasting through the door at the top. They burst into a room of fine tapestries, elven-made carpets, and golden chandeliers. Water winced when the wave ripped through them all, carrying them across the room to the hall beyond.
Raven guards appeared with weapons drawn, and Water banked to the side, angling down the corridor and around another bend. Arrows flew towards them but Lira raised a hand, the wind sending them scattering into a cabinet, shattering glass and dishes. Spotting the doorway, Water shaped the front of their wave into another fist and they exploded into the open.
Wind and rain assaulted them as they flew into the street. White cobblestone and finely crafted seastone greeted them, the rich nobles standing under overhangs, staring in shock as they streaked by. Water banked into an alley and split the river, one turning into a bubble that curved down to the next street, the other sending them up to a roof.
The trio landed on the roof as their ride splashed on the roof tiles. The angled roof extended across the home, but a rooftop garden had been constructed, rainwater clattering off the roof and flowing into cunningly built tubes that fed the flowers beneath. Water ducked into the garden as Ravens sprinted through the alley, rushing to catch the now empty water carriage.
Breathing hard, Water motioned to the disappearing river. “That should keep them occupied until we are out of Keese.”
“Well done,” Shadow said, brushing water off his arms.
“Couldn’t have done it without your aid,” Water said, nodding his gratitude.
Shadow bowed and swept his hands wide. “I live to serve.”
“I thought you lived to play,” Lira said.
“That too,” Shadow said.
Lira was drenched, her hair in disarray, her clothing sodden. But there was a smile on her face as she dismissed her sword. Water gestured to her and sucked the water from her clothes, sending rivulets of moisture onto the floor of the rooftop garden.
“I can do that,” she said.
“I know,” he said with a smile.
She smiled and thanked him before stepping to the edge of the garden. She leaned to the edge of the falling rain and peered into the street, where soldiers and shouts rang out. More Ravens appeared, rushing down the alley before they disappeared.
“Serak was ready for us,” she said. “He was ready for Water.”
“I thought the same thing,” Water said. “That cage would have taken a year to build, and multiple mages.”
“But Wylyn has only been here for a few months,” Lira said.
“It appears Serak planned to trap you before Wylyn appeared,” Shadow said, nodding to himself.
“In the Gate Chamber,” Water said, recalling their conversation when they’d met Serak. “He did say he wasn’t ready to meet us.” Then he noticed Shadow’s expression and frowned. “Did you know it was a trap?”
Shadow grinned. “Perhaps.”
“I could have been branded,” Water growled.
“We got what we needed,” Shadow said. “And it was a pleasure to see you so furious.”
“You got what you needed,” Lira said, her expression tight with disapproval. “And we paid the price.”
“You were supposed to get caught,” Shadow said. “And you did get the chance to speak to Serak. From what I heard, you learned a great deal.”
“You lied to us,” Water said.
“Serak would have noticed if you were prepared,” Shadow said. “You aren’t very good at assuming a different persona.”
As much as Water wanted to argue, he knew Shadow had a point. Serak had been studying them since their first years, and would likely have noticed a change in behavior. Serak had also revealed a great deal, so perhaps the risk was worth it.
Shadow seemed to notice his fading anger and took that as approval. “It’s been a pleasure, brother, but my assignment awaits. Have fun with Lira.”
He winked, his tone making Water flush. “Where are you going?” Water asked. “Did you get the map?”
“Do you even know me?” Shadow asked with a snort of amusement. He reached into a pouch and tossed it to him. “Something came up—I’ll meet up with you later.”
Then he stepped to the edge of the roof and leapt off. Water watched him disappear into the street, again joining the woman Water had spotted on the docks the previous day. A sour chuckle escaped his lips.
“I’ve known him for thousands of years, and still he surprises me.”
“Did you see the woman he was with?”
“I don’t know her,” Water said. “But she looks like a warrior. She may even have been a Raven. Shadow has always had friends among such people.”
“I suspect you have friends among the knights and honorable nobles.”
“Why would you say that?’
She joined him at the edge of the garden. “Because we get along with those that mirror our attributes.”
“Is that so?”
Her gaze was soft. “Always.”
“Still, I’m sorry Shadow got us into that.”
“I’m not.”
Water turned to Lira and found her smiling. “Why?”
“He was right. And we did get answers.”
Water spotted a group of Ravens appearing on the streets below and pulled her away from the ledge. Surrounded by flowers, the air filled with rain, and still hunted, he found his companion more beautiful than ever.
“Were you tempted?” she asked.
By Serak’s offer?” He shook his head. “Not even for a moment.”
Her comment reminded him of their adversary, and his smile faded. Serak was a patient foe, one that had waited and watched for ages. He’d planned the moment in the Ravens’ guildhall with great care.
“Why is there doubt in your eyes?”
“I don’t doubt my choice,” he said. “I doubt his. Serak had been plotting for millennia, and would have planned that moment with great care.”
“And?”
“So why pick me?” he asked.
Lira frowned. “As you said, you are the least likely to accept his offer.”
“Serak knew I would refuse,” Water realized.
“So why did he still invite you?” she asked.
The question reminded Water of Serak’s smile as they departed. It was disconcerting to feel like they were several steps behind, and disturbing to know that Serak was already allied with Wylyn. He’d invited her to Lumineia, and now issued an offer to Water to join. Serak was a dangerous adversary, one that left him with a lingering worry as they departed Keese. The threats were mounting, and it was time to unite with the others. He just hoped they weren’t too late.
Chapter 34: Willow
“Do you think she will meet with us?” Light asked, his voice eager.
Elenyr hid a smile. “Willow will be here.”
They’d left Stormwall six days past, and traveled east and south to a small settlement in the hills of northern Talinor. Little more than a tower and a collection of structures, the outpost sat under a long overhang of rock, the trees further shading the outpost walls.
Arches of stone connected the tower to the stone behind it, allowing those within a quick escape into the cave. For most, the cave would have been a dead end, but for those who o
ccupied the outpost, it was the entrance, for the outpost was owned by the dark elves.
Built a century before, the outpost allowed the dark elves to sell their exotic wares on the surface. Many had been against allowing the dark elves a presence in Talinor, but the king had permitted them use of the location, and it had quickly flourished, with many merchants seeking dark elf weaponry and enchanted items.
Elenyr and her companions had arrived and been permitted to stay in the inn outside the outpost walls. Reserved for guests of the underground race, the inn was built in their style, the stone glowing with underground plants each night. It was evening, and the walls were lit with silver, blue, and green branches, the trees growing inside the structure.
They’d been waiting two days for Willow, a captain in the dark elf army. Elenyr had met her two centuries ago, when she, Light, and Shadow had traveled into the Deep in search of a criminal that had fled below. Elenyr had been impressed by Willow, but Light had been enchanted, and sought many opportunities to see the woman.
She noticed the amusement on Mind’s and Fire’s faces, but Light didn’t see their smiles. Veritably bouncing on his feet, his eagerness was obvious as he watched the door. Jeric leaned over with a smile.
“I take it he favors the girl?”
“A great deal,” Elenyr murmured.
“I can hear you,” Light said, and then grinned. “But I can’t deny it.”
“How long has it been?” Fire asked.
“Twelve years?” Light didn’t seem certain.
“She could be married,” Mind said. Light looked to him in shock, but he shook his head. “Probably not.”
The door opened and a dark elf woman stepped inside. Short and thin, she did not look intimidating, but she’d proved to be an accomplished weapons master, even if her favored weapon was unusual.
She carried no visible blade, but her body was covered in tattoos, every inch of visible skin inked with various blades, axes, even tools. A whip curled around her bare stomach while the back of her left hand showed a long dagger, the tip extending up her arm. A short sword marked her hip, the weapon disappearing below her skirt to show the blade on her thigh. The curve of a crossbow extended from her back and onto her ribs. On anyone else, the ink would have been ornamental, but on Willow, it was an armament.
