“Well, once again you have not thought things through, my young wizard.” He spun in his chair to see Shiavaka standing in the corner of his study.
Slowly she walked forward, hands folded in front of her. “Oh Tavantis, you thought that was blood you found in the Phoenix Queen’s tomb didn’t you?”
His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, thought it was blood?”
She giggled like a young girl. “You fool, that was not blood, that was the poison water of the Forever Sea, the great ocean that spills into the Grand Abyss. It is said to have been created by the black tears of the mighty Gods of Chaos when they wept for their dead children. None but the dead may cross that ocean. The waters are lethal to man and God alike.
Only the Reaper has dared to cross the Forever Sea and even he has never been bold enough to let its waters touch his body. Even we Gods have no knowledge of what will happen to your brother. If you would not have tampered with him, he would have died instantly. There is just no way to know for sure what will happen now.”
Tavantis was dumbfounded. “I thought it was the accursed blood, the Church is hunting anyone that has it, I thought…”
“You thought wrong. I wanted to teach you a lesson, so I remained silent. You must not act so hastily. Now look what you have done. Your rashness will be your downfall, Tavantis. I must say though, I’m very curious about what the water will do to your brother.”
Tavantis wanted to lash out at the Goddess of Magic, but held his anger in check, he was unaccustomed to being wrong about anything. “Let us hope he dies before we find out what it does.”
She laughed out loud then. “You might be in more trouble than you know. Your brother will most likely die, that is true, but you put a dragon’s heart inside him, it will give him a chance. It is said at the dawn of time that all dragons were the same, until they drank from the dark waters of the Forever Sea. It changed them, made the different species of great wyrms that now inhabit this world. You see dragons are immune to the sea’s toxins. I believe it is why your brother still lives. The dragon’s heart inside him may not have only given him the ability to resist the magic of this world, it may have also made him immune to the poison of the Forever Sea. You may have only made him stronger than he was.”
Tavantis said nothing, his feelings about his mistake were a mystery to Shiavaka. He sat in silence, not saying a word.
The Goddess of Magic sat down across from him and crossed her legs. “It may be a good thing he does live. The Mistress will be very unhappy with you poisoning her champion like that. If he dies, she will seek revenge.”
Tavantis leaned back in his chair and sighed. “It wouldn’t be the first time I knowing angered a God.”
Shiavaka’s smile faded. “And all you have to do to see the consequences of that is to look in the mirror.”
Chapter 26
Endra, Isabella, and the Queen made their way to the palace after the wizard disappeared. The city was quiet and dreary. The people they did see looked downhearted and forlorn. It was easy to see the war was beginning to take its toll on the inhabitants of the once vibrant city. The three all heard a great deal of gossip about sorcery and witches as they passed through town. The people they overheard talking chattered about how the foreign general K’xarr had managed to acquire several sorceresses to help him hold the city. Many people were saying that God would abandon Bandara now that the city had witches aiding in its defense, others seemed not to mind as long as it kept Havalon and the Abberdonians out of Turill. Isabella tugged at the Queen’s sleeve. “Milady, did you hear what the people are saying? Witches,” she whispered in a frightened voice.
“Heard them, I will see what is what when we get to the palace, but if they are helping K’xarr, maybe these witches aren’t so bad.”
“God said all magic is bad, milady. It says it right in the Holy Tome.”
Raygan put her arm around Isabella’s shoulders. “I know what the Tome says, my dear. However I think you should remember that you told me it was the Dark One who saved you from Duke Blackthorn. Did he not use magic?”
Isabella looked at her as if she had just been caught stealing honey cakes from the kitchen. “He did, milady.”
“Then perhaps magic can be used for good as well as evil.”
Isabella shrugged. “I guess, but it still scares me.”
“It scares me too. More than you know.”
The trio kept to the side streets, keeping anyone from recognizing them as they walked through the city. Both of the children were sleeping and all three women were thankful for that. They were still a little disoriented from their magical return to Turill and didn’t want any unsolicited attention.
When they arrived at the palace, the women made arrangements with the servants for the two children to be bathed and fed. The Queen could hardly be pulled away from the young Prince. Endra had to stress the importance of reporting to the K’xarr as soon as possible before the Queen would leave her child. Endra didn’t want to go face K’xarr herself, it was a duty she was dreading. K’xarr would not be happy about her and Rhys’s temporary desertion, but Kian would need help and fast. Endra knew how merciless the Church could be. K’xarr would be able to think of a way to get help to the two men who had been left behind. The Queen kissed Prince Corwin once more and the three women went to find the general.
They found K’xarr in the council chamber. He said nothing when they walked in. He glared at the three young women as they sat down at the large table. Endra and the Queen proceeded to tell him the entire story of Kian and his brother and the events at the tower. K’xarr didn’t interrupt them once, but it wasn’t hard for them to see the rage building in the young general as they told their tale. When they finished, K’xarr shook his fist as he shouted. “I have told that fool a million times he’s too soft-hearted, so what if that evil bastard is his brother, he should have killed him as you would a mad dog. You say that a company of Church knights were riding down on him and Rhys right before the wizard brought you here?”
Raygan nodded. “Yes and there was nowhere for them to run, I believe the sorcerer had been planning it all along.”
K’xarr leaned forward on the table, giving the Queen a venomous look. “Well, aren’t you the wise one, the evil wizard who must have been thinking about killing Kian for years had a plan to betray his brother. Did you use your whole brain to figure that out, Majesty?” The Queen’s face turned red and she looked ready to burst into tears.
K’xarr rubbed his eyes, he was tired. King Havalon had tested their defenses the last few days and the witches were being less and less helpful. They had been doing just enough to keep the Abberdonians out of the city now. That’s what he was truly angry about. He shouldn’t be taking out his aggravation out on the young Queen. “I’m sorry, Majesty, it’s just this is becoming a lot to handle. The Abberdonians have been pressing us hard and our magical allies are not as much help as they could be and now all this with Rhys and Kian. I shouldn’t have yelled at you, Majesty.”
Raygan sniffed a little and wiped one of her eyes. “It’s understandable, you are under a great deal of pressure, General, and I should be of more help. I just don’t have a head for all this.”
K’xarr waved his hand, dismissing her statement. “You are doing fine, Majesty, I still think we can come out of this alright.” He knew it was a lie, but he didn’t feel the Queen needed any more bad news.
“I want to know what we are going to do about getting Kian and Rhys back,” Endra said.
“We aren’t going to do anything,” K’xarr said raising his finger at Endra. “I think you did enough when you ran off after I told you to stay put, and from what you told me Kian managed to get the Queen without you or Rhys’s help.” Endra started to speak, but K’xarr cut her off. “This time you’re going to do what I say. You should trust in Kian’s skill and courage. If he is alive, he will find a way to escape. Besides, you lost Rhys last time you went out to help him. I can’t afford to lose anyone
else. No one leaves, Endra, not without my say-so.”
Endra grunted and slammed her fist down on the table and stormed out of the council chamber.
K’xarr ignored the woman’s outburst. “Majesty, you should rest, we can talk later. I will fill you in on what happened while you were gone. You might also want to make an appearance in public soon. The people and the servants have been asking where you have been. We told them you were having trouble with birthing the child.”
The Queen stood up, she looked very tired. Isabella stepped forward and placed herself at the Queen’s side. “I am going to see my child, General, but I would like to hear about these witches later. They are the talk of the town. It will be difficult to explain them helping us, but I will try and think of something, and I plan to appear publicly tomorrow and introduce the people to their new Prince.”
K’xarr nodded. “Very good, Majesty. It’s good to have you back.”
“There is one more thing, K’xarr. I just want you to know that Kian saved Isabella and I. Not to mention two small children. Perhaps you should think about at least finding out what happened to him. I find myself very concerned about the half-breed after what he has done for me. I would not want to see him come to harm.”
K’xarr bowed slightly as the Queen turned and left the room, Isabella on her heels.
K’xarr stood in the room alone, he would like to ride out after Kian but he just couldn’t. Too much depended on him. The gullible bastard would just have to get himself and Rhys out of trouble all on his own.
The door creaked open and Cromwell came in, giving K’xarr a dark look. “She is right, you know.” K’xarr nodded and sat down in one of the heavy wooden chairs that were scattered around the council table.
“I know she’s right, you think I want to leave him to his fate?” Cromwell didn’t answer as he sat down on the table, causing it to groan at his weight. K’xarr went on. “I sent him after all, didn’t I, but I also promised the Queen to win the throne for her and keep Havalon out of Turill. What can I do? I can’t just leave the city because that damn Half Elf got caught again.”
Cromwell sat down beside the general. “If I was you, I would get drunk.”
“I wish I had the time, my friend. I miss the days where we were free to come and go as we wished. I have found I don’t care to serve another. It’s like an anchor around my neck, but I have given the Queen my word and I won’t break it. Kian is most likely dead, Rhys too, if the Church caught them, they’re finished. All I can do is avenge them when this is over.”
Cromwell shook his head. “You always underestimate the Arradar, K’xarr. I do not think the Church can kill him. Kian belongs to the Old Gods, they own his destiny and one day his name will soar with the eagles. The Toran War Gods of old have whispered it to me in my dreams.”
K’xarr looked at the big bear of a man. He thought Cromwell might be joking, but he wasn’t. “You must already be drunk or half mad. The Old Gods are gone, if they ever existed at all. Kian can die like any other man, Cromwell, no one is immortal.”
Cromwell winked at the general. “We shall see.”
K’xarr rubbed his head. “Don’t you have something to do, Captain, besides aggravate me?”
***
Endra went into her children’s room. She was still mad at K’xarr. The man was infuriating sometimes. He was right about one thing. Kian could escape the Church without anyone’s help, she had no doubt about that. Endra just couldn’t help worrying about him and Rhys, and she was angry that K’xarr acted like he didn’t care. Seeing her babies would improve her mood. They were all awake when she opened the door. The children ran to her as soon as she stepped through the door. Tressa smiled up at her as she clutched her mother’s leg. Endra held the small dark-haired girl from the tower in her arms. She wondered how the children would receive the addition to their family. Before she could find out, Nick came from the back room. “Thank God your back,” he said more relieved than he intended. Endra smiled, she knew her brood could be trying.
“Yes, I’m here, Nick, you’re free now.”
The young cook smiled and grabbed his cloak. “Goodbye, children,” he said as he scampered out the door.
“Mother, whose baby is that,” Payton asked, pointing at the girl.
“She is your new sister. I came across her on my trip.”
Tressa was grinning from ear to ear. “What’s her name, Mama?”
“I have named her Sabra.” Endra sat the two-year-old girl down before the other children. She was surprised to see that the little girl didn’t cower before them.
Tressa clapped her hands. “Another girl, Mama, now we have more girls than boys.”
Vinsant looked at his mother with confusion. “Was that baby in your belly like we were?”
Endra laughed. “Oh no, the Queen found this little girl on our trip and she needed a home, so I told Her Majesty we would give her one, if that’s okay with all of you?”
Tressa nodded feverously. Vinsant smiled and touched Sabra’s hand. Payton stood with his arms folded. “I guess we can keep her mother. I can train her to be one of my soldiers.”
The little girl giggled at the humorless boy. “I think she likes the idea. I’m sure she will make a fine soldier,” Endra told her son.
I don’t think everyone wants to be a soldier,” Vinsant said.
“Well, all of you are my solders, you have no choice. My brother and sisters must be in my army,” Payton yelled. Vinsant slapped Payton in the face and the two boys started wrestling around on the floor.
“Boys, stop, it’s late, get to bed.” The boys instantly obeyed their mother, both giving each other dirty looks before crawling into their beds.
Endra’s oldest daughter raised her hands and her mother picked her up. Tressa wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck. Endra held her close. “Mommy, can I ask you a question?”
Endra looked at her beautiful little daughter. The child always had so much love in her eyes. Tressa was different than her boys. Her heart was much kinder. “Sure, my darling daughter, what is it?”
“Where’s Kian, I want him to tell me a story before I go to sleep?”
“He still away, little one, I will tell you a story tonight, if that’s alright?” Tressa frowned. “It’s okay tonight, but you don’t tell them like he does.” Endra turned her head and held the little girl close, so Tressa could not see her face.
***
Lord Justice Milara looked at Kian hanging from the poles holding up the Justice’s pavilion. The poles were large and strong due to the size of the pavilion. Lord Justice Milara’s quarters were the size of a small house. He had always liked to travel in comfort.
Milara shook his head in wonder. Why God would allow such an unnatural creature to exist was baffling. Yet who was he to question the Almighty? God must have his reasons for this abomination. Those reasons might be to aid the Church in its pursuit of the children of the Beast. The creature had the blood after all. “Are you sure the chains are secure Commander?” Milara asked the knight.
Commander Deverall nodded his head. “Yes, Lord Justice, he will not escape.”
Two young priests brought a small table into the pavilion and placed several instruments on it. A large brazier full of hot coals was also set beside the table. From where he stood Deverall could feel its heat, he almost felt pity for the half-breed.
The young priests shoved several iron pokers down into the glowing coals. They gave a slight bow to the Lord Justice and exited the pavilion.
“Strip him,” Milara ordered. Two knights stepped forward and roughly cut and ripped Kian’s leather clothing off.
“Scourge him, Commander.”
The knight commander looked the older man. “Aren’t you going to question him first, Lord Justice?”
Milara gave him a grim smile. “No, a good scourging will loosen the monster’s tongue, no sense asking him anything until he is broken, please proceed, Commander.”
Deverall mot
ioned for one of the knights. A large man stepped forward with hard thick arms. He picked up the scourge that lay on the table. Nine straps of leather with small shards of metal and bone woven into the straps. Deverall winced just looking at it.
Kian looked up at the men from the Church. They could see his muscles tighten as he prepared himself for the torture he was about to receive.
“Whip that arrogant look off his face,” Milara commanded. The scourge whistled through the air and black blood splattered the walls of the pavilion.
***
The vanguard of Donovan and Griffyn’s armies arrived in Havalon’s camp early in the morning. K’xarr watched from the battlement of the city. He knew the King would send for reinforcements after he had sent Rufio to provoke the old man. He just wasn’t prepared for what had happened.
If the size of the vanguard was any inclination, the old King had sent for the bulk of his army from northern Bandara. He must have beaten King Cain in the north or abandoned his positions there.
He would have to make plans talk to the witches. Havalon would come at them hard when the rest of his reinforcements arrived. He knew even with the witches’ magic he would have to be prepared.
K’xarr found all of the witches in the council chamber. None of them looked very happy. He felt as if he had walked in on something. The young general could sense the tension in the room.
“Raven, a vanguard from the north just came into Havalon’s camp three thousand men strong and more on the way. We should talk about how we want to handle the reinforcements that are coming in. I’m sure Havalon will have something big planned.”
Raven turned and faced the young general, a smirk on her face. “It’s not just reinforcements, my dear boy. King Havalon has called for his two sons and all of the Abberdonian armies in Bandara. Havalon left but a token force to trouble the Bandarans at Northham. The Princes and their men will be here in a matter of days. Havalon’s army here in Turill will number over twenty thousand men when they arrive. They mean to have this city, K’xarr, and your head.”
Gods Of Blood And Fire (Book 1) Page 46
