“Nope!”
“Thanks for your candidness!” I laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We spent the rest of that day and most of the next training. Mikel joined us in the arena late in the afternoon, picking up a practice blade and sparring with several of the warriors at once. I had never actually seen Mikel’s skill with a sword, but he was incredible. A small crowd formed when he and Adalina dropped into a battle stance and started pacing around each other. She started her typical banter, saying how his long, blond hair matched perfectly with his beautiful eyes. He blushed and then cursed as she suddenly thrust her sword towards his off-hand. He barely dodged her next attack as she continued to heckle him. It took several more minutes before he’d had enough and went on the offensive, swinging methodically and forcing her to defend against his attacks.
“Come on, Mikel!” Adalina yelled. “Let me see your strong, shining blade!” She grinned, and several of the warriors laughed.
He lowered his practice blade and laughed at her with a deep, rolling laughter.
“You are the only woman on this earth who could possibly get away with that comment in the middle of a sword fight.”
“Does that mean I get to see it?” she asked, sliding up next to him, eliciting more laughter from the crowd.
He pushed her back, and a piercing white light emerged from his hand to form a long, thin blade. It really was amazing.
“Aneera must be the luckiest woman alive,” Adalina said with a grin.
She looked over at me and winked. She played him perfectly. He was still uncertain and doubted his decisions, but the reminder of who he was brought back his hope and determination. He looked at her and smiled, also realizing her ploy.
“You’re an amazing woman, Adalina,” he said with sincerity. “We have a battle to prepare for!” he yelled and turned towards the crowd watching him. “We leave in the morning, so finish what you’ve started and be ready to go.”
His sword vanished as he turned towards Raphael and me. “Find Juana and Eli and join me in the meeting room. We have a battle plan to finalize.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We were all seated at the table in the new meeting room. Mikel stood at the head of the table where the map was, with Raphael sitting on his right. Aneera was on his left, with Eli and Juana next to her. Magdelin, Adalina, and I sat across from them.
“I’ve thought a great deal about what we should do and have listened to several different opinions,” Mikel began in a bold voice. “I hope to arrive at the castle just before dawn. Darian’s friend Robert will hopefully have most of the small town outside the castle walls before Zar’Asur realizes we’ve arrived. Adalina, myself, and most of her warriors will engage the demons that are certain to meet us at the castle gates. I want at least three warriors to help escort the remaining villagers to safety. When that’s done, they will join the fight with Adalina and me.” He looked over at Eli and Juana and hesitated. “I’m still struggling with this decision, but as it was pointed out to me, it’s probably our best chance at success. I want Eli, Juana, and Darian to find Zar’Asur and take the book from him.” Eli and Juana looked at each other, then at Mikel, with surprise.
“I thought you didn’t want Darian and me anywhere near the book,” Juana said incredulously. “Your arguments about Zar’Asur using it against us are extremely valid.”
“As valid as they may be, I also realize that you and Eli are stronger when you’re together,” he said with compassion, making them smile. “Darian will draw the power from the book and use it against Zar’Asur before he can channel it through you to destroy everyone else. It will require trust and coordination between the three of you to make it work.” Mikel looked at me and nodded. “If Darian is unable to contain the power of the book, he will travel to a safe location to release it. But that is the worst-case scenario, and one we want to avoid if at all possible. If Darian is forced to leave, then Zar’Asur will be able to do as he wishes with the power of the book. So, your attack needs to be swift and calculated.”
“Darian, where will you go to release the power from the book?” Magdelin asked.
“I think that’ll depend on whether or not I can use the power against Zar’Asur effectively. If I cannot, and I need to release all of it, then I’ll likely go to the lovely plateau that I’ve managed to scorch several times already.”
She smiled at me and said, “Thank you. I just want to make certain we know where to go to find your unconscious body.”
“Thank you for the reassurances.” I chuckled then turned to Mikel. “When do you want me to pick up Robert?”
“Can you go within the next couple hours?” he asked. “I’d like to give him time to circulate through the town so that the people can prepare to leave.”
“Certainly, I’ll leave as soon as we’re done,” I replied. “Do you think I should take Cyrus with us? It might be beneficial for him to go with Robert to see if any of the villagers are possessed. If they are, they would report our presence back to Zar’Asur.”
“Good thinking, Darian,” Mikel replied.
We discussed arrival times and locations for a few minutes more, then everyone left to complete last-minute tasks. I went looking for Cyrus and found him at our house, reading a book. He looked up at me when I opened the door.
“Hey Darian,” he said quietly and pretended to start reading again. He stared at the page without turning to the next as I walked into the small kitchen.
“Are you feeling up to a mission?” I asked. I tried to sound calm, but my irritation at his childish attitude was trying to surface.
“Yes!” he said, stifling his enthusiasm. “Where are we going?”
I smoothed out my expression before turning to face him. “Robert will be helping us evacuate the small village that surrounds Zar’Asur’s castle in Russia. I’d like you to keep an eye on the villagers to make sure that no one is possessed. We don’t want Zar’Asur to know prematurely that we’re evacuating them.”
“Okay, sure,” he replied, trying to hide his excitement. “I can do that. When are we leaving?”
“As soon as you’re ready,” I replied and walked towards my room to change. “Make sure you wear something suitable for fighting,” I called back over my shoulder. I heard him jump from the chair and run to his room. I shook my head at his immaturity. He was like a younger brother to me, and I couldn’t imagine anything happening to him.
Chapter 29
When we were ready, I held Cyrus’s elbow and took both of us to my newly assigned room at Robert’s.
“Where are we?” Cyrus asked with a gasp when we arrived in the very large, ornate room.
“Robert and Paulette have designated rooms for us in their home,” I replied. “This one is mine. Yours is right next door.”
He grinned like a child. “Do I have time to look at it?” He frowned when he saw my serious expression. “I guess maybe next time then.”
“Next time,” I agreed. “We need to find Robert.”
We went downstairs, surprising the butler at the bottom of the steps. He composed himself quickly.
“Master Robert and Lady Paulette are having dinner. Shall I interrupt them?” he asked, clearly unhappy with the thought of interrupting a formal meal.
“Unfortunately, it cannot wait. Please give him my sincerest apologies,” I said. “We will wait in the library for them to finish.”
“Very good, sir,” the butler said, relieved that I didn’t ask to join them for dinner.
We had just entered the library when the butler arrived and asked us to follow him to the dining room.
“Master Robert said you should join him for dinner, sir.” He bowed, and we followed him to the dining room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Welcome, Darian and Cyrus!” Robert stood as we entered the room. “Please have a seat and join us for dinner.”
“You’re extremely gracious, Robert, but we are not dressed for dinner,” I replied. “And we do no
t wish to insult the lady of the house with our less-than-honorable appearance.” I bowed and watched Cyrus hesitate before doing the same.
“Don’t be silly, Darian,” Paulette said with a smile. “Be seated and quit making a fool of yourself.”
Cyrus suppressed a grin and pulled out a chair to sit down. I laughed and joined him.
“Have we already moved past all the formalities?” I asked sarcastically.
“Obviously!” Robert said as he motioned for one of the servants to serve us dinner.
“Just wine please,” I said as the servant turned towards the door to get us a plate. “I don’t wish to burden your staff. I think we startled your butler more than intended.”
“Andre will be fine,” Robert said with a wave of his hand. “He’s used to our eccentricities.” Robert’s flippant air turned serious. “I assume your arrival means that it’s time.”
I nodded. “Yes, we’d like to leave as soon as it’s convenient for you.”
He looked at his wife and then back at me. “Has Cyrus seen his room?”
“No, but I’d be happy to show it to him,” I said, recognizing his need for privacy to say goodbye to his wife.
Cyrus and I went back upstairs. “Will they be okay?” Cyrus asked. “Paulette looked like she would cry.”
I explained what happened to Marie and recounted my earlier conversation with them.
“Robert is really brave,” Cyrus said with admiration. “He doesn’t even realize who he’s fighting with or against, but he’s willing to go anyway.”
“Yes, he is,” I agreed. “I imagine there’s an extremely interesting story surrounding those two.”
We waited for about twenty minutes before Robert knocked on the door. Cyrus opened it and let him in. He walked in, carrying a small bag and wearing a heavy wool overcoat.
“I’m ready,” he said with a determined look on his face. “What’s the plan?”
“We’ll travel to the castle this evening. I intend to visit as many homes as possible, warning people of tomorrow’s battle under the cover of darkness.” I watched a look of disbelief replace his determination. “By morning, all of the villagers should be on the outside of the wall and headed into the forest.”
“How exactly are we getting to Russia tonight?” he asked. “I can’t think of any mode of transportation that can move that fast.”
“I cannot explain it,” I said with a wry smile. “I will need you to trust me.”
Robert nodded hesitantly. “Okay, so my job is to convince them that there will be a battle and that they will have a safe retreat into the forest, correct?”
“Exactly. We’ll start at the inn, since it will likely still have patrons when we get there,” I explained. “Hopefully they’ll be willing to listen and help pass along the plan. Cyrus and I will stay with you the entire time, looking for anyone who might be more than they seem.”
Robert’s eyes opened a fraction wider. “You mean someone who might be cohabitating with a demon?”
I chuckled at his description of someone possessed and noticed Cyrus grinning as well. “Yes, Cyrus can see them. He and I will incapacitate anyone we find so that they cannot report back to their master.”
“Will you separate the demon, or will you have to kill the villager?” Robert asked, suddenly concerned.
“Mikel is the only one who can remove them,” I replied reluctantly. “I don’t want to kill any villagers. They are victims, not criminals. Hopefully we will be able to knock them unconscious and tie them up.”
“I guess there’s a very slim chance that no one is possessed,” Cyrus said quietly. “I’m sure Zar’Asur wants to keep an eye on the village, and that’s the easiest way to do it.”
“That was my thought as well.” I looked at Cyrus’s young face full of anticipation and fear. “Are you ready?”
Cyrus nodded, and we looked at Robert, who nodded as well and turned towards the door.
“I’m taking Robert to the small group of trees on the north side,” I said to Cyrus as I took hold of Robert’s elbow.
“Here we go.”
When we arrived, Robert fell to his knees and deposited his dinner in the snow.
He looked up at me with loathing. “You could’ve warned me.”
“Would you have believed me if I did?” I asked and held out my hand to help him stand.
He accepted my assistance and looked around as he stood. “Are we really in Russia?”
I considered it a rhetorical question and pointed through the trees towards the castle that was silhouetted against the rising moon.
“There is our destination,” I said. “As soon as your stomach settles.”
“Is that why you didn’t eat dinner?” he asked with disgust as he heaved again.
“No, I’m just used it,” I said with a grin. “After the first half-dozen times, your body adjusts.”
“I’m glad you find this so amusing,” Robert said. “I assume I’m traveling back home the same way?”
“You could always catch the nearest train back to Paris,” I suggested sarcastically.
He tried to glare at me, but it turned into a grin. “I hope this friendship lasts for a very long time.” He laughed softly and said, “Let’s go save a village.”
“There’s something else I forgot to tell you,” I said just as we started moving towards the edge of the trees. “We will need to get into the town unseen, which will require you to stay extremely close to me.”
“Okay, no problem,” Robert replied. “I’m actually sort of good at sneaking around.” He crouched low to the ground and slowly moved forward.
I chuckled as I pulled the air close to me, drawing my illusion around my body and disappearing. Cyrus did the same, causing Robert to stand straight up with a panicked look on his face.
“That bastard just left me here!” he said with disbelief.
I slapped the back of his head, making him jump. “No, we’re still here,” I said, dropping my illusion. “As long as you stay next to me, I can conceal you as well.”
“My God! That’s amazing!” he exclaimed, then covered his mouth as he realized how loudly he spoke. “Consider me a wart on your backside until we reach the inn.”
We moved silently towards gate, following the many tracks on the road. We waited for the guards to change shifts and snuck through when the gate opened. There were very few people out, but I could see Cyrus scrutinizing every one of them. I knew he would tell me if he saw someone who was possessed. As we approached the inn, we could hear music and loud voices, indicating a rather large crowd had gathered this evening. It would make it more difficult for us to get inside unseen. I motioned for Cyrus to follow me to the back of the inn and took Robert’s elbow to guide him with us.
“Our best bet might be to just walk in the front door,” I suggested. “We might be able to get in unnoticed if we walk in with another group.”
“Good idea,” Robert agreed. “We could wait until a group is either leaving or arriving so that we aren’t the ones opening the door.”
I turned to Cyrus. “Did you see anyone who needed our attention on our way over here?”
“I don’t think so,” he replied. “But the darkness makes it difficult to see the shadows.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” I said with regret, hoping that we hadn’t missed someone because of that oversight. “Would you prefer to enter the inn unseen so that you can watch people without drawing attention?”
“Yes, I would.”
“Okay, follow us around front and we’ll wait for an opportune time to go in.”
We didn’t have to wait long before two men stumbled out the large, wooden door with a woman between them. It looked like she was trying to keep both of them from falling into the street. We caught the door just before it closed and went inside. The air was stale and warm and smelled of unwashed bodies and alcohol. We found a small table just under the stairwell and sat down. A scantily dressed waitress came over after several
minutes. I assumed she asked if we wanted a drink. Robert answered with fairly good Russian, but it was obviously not his native tongue. She eyed us warily, knowing that we were strangers in town, but she nodded and went to the bar to get our drinks.
Robert leaned towards me and whispered, “I wouldn’t drink whatever she brings. I’m sure it will be quite repulsive.”
I looked at him and smiled. “I’m sure you’re right.”
We watched as she talked to the bartender, who looked over at us suspiciously. I started getting nervous when she traded places with him and he carried two large glass mugs to our table. He set them down in front of us and asked something in Russian.
Robert sighed and asked him a question in return, which he answered with a nod.
“He speaks French,” Robert said to me.
“That’ll make this much easier,” I replied.
“What do you want?” the bartender asked in a broken accent.
Nothing like getting right to the point. “We’ve come to warn you that there will be a battle in the morning for control of the castle.” I watched his expression, trying to determine if he wanted to see it liberated. Surprise washed over his face for a moment, but he concealed it quickly.
“One aristocrat is the same as all the rest,” he said with a huff.
“Possibly, but the next one won’t kidnap your people.”
“Your talk is dangerous.” He spoke almost too quietly for us to hear. “You will get all of us killed. He has ears everywhere.”
I quickly spoke in Hungarian to Cyrus. “How many do you see in here?”
“Three at the table across the room, just next to the window,” he replied quietly from behind me.
I looked at Robert and swapped back to French. “There are three at the table across the room, beneath the window.”
The bartender looked between the two of us with confusion. I needed to provide him with some information that would justify our presence without making him feel threatened.
“Please sit down so we can explain without drawing attention.” He sat in the chair across from me and leaned forward.
Light's Rise Page 23
