by Ronald Craft
Chapter 25
Karena's eyes flickered open and she moaned as a wave of pain hit her. Her whole body ached.
Where am I?
She squinted and looked around the room, but with her vision still blurry she couldn't discern much. The pungent smell of herbs and medicines drifted through the room.
A table sat next to her filled with numerous medical instruments and cutting tools. There was an open black bag on the floor behind the table. She tried to move, but found her wrists and legs restrained to the table she lay on.
What's going on? How long have I been out?
The door opened, and a large man with a long beard walked in. He wore a smock, a pair of leather gloves that went up to his elbows, and thick boots. He grinned as his gaze met Karena's.
“So, you're awake. It's about time.” The man shut the door behind him.
Karena narrowed her eyes. “And, you are?”
The man grinned. “You can just call me the Doctor. My name isn't important.”
The Doctor? This geezer thinks himself special. I can use that against him.
“All right Doctor, I suggest you release me from these restraints before I'm forced to kill you.”
He chuckled and walked over to her. The Doctor ran a finger along her jawline and down her neck. “Release you? Why would I do that?”
She blanched at the smell of decay on his breath. His touch was sent shivers down her spine. “What are you planning on doing to me? Rape? Just get it over with already. A man like you couldn't get me excited anyway.”
The Doctor ran his finger between her breasts. “Oh no, I have no interest in that. I'm going to dissect you.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “Dissect me? For what purpose?”
I have to keep him talking, buy myself some time.
“I need to know how you're able to wield those daggers you carry around. The answer I'm seeking has to be somewhere inside your body.” His eyes danced, and his grin broadened until she could see his yellow-brown teeth. “I've been following you for years, Karena. I had to play the part of an ordinary doctor far longer than I wanted to.”
It all came back to her now. Those rotten teeth, the voice, and the black bag.
“Melius. Where have you been hiding all these years?”
Melius chuckled. “Here and there. Do you like my beard? It's amazing how easy it was to fool my pursuers simply by altering my appearance a little.”
One of my greatest failures. I was supposed to kill him, but he outsmarted me. I lost his trail and we never caught the bastard.
“I see old habits die hard, Melius. How many have you cut up now?”
He shrugged. “I gave up counting long ago. As I dissected each person, the only one I could think about was you, Karena. I longed to bury my knife in your flesh, to see you cry out as I removed each of your organs, one by one.”
Karena's heart thumped against her chest and sweat ran down her brow. “Where are my daggers?”
“They're safe.”
She yanked against her bonds but they held tight. “Where are they?”
His smile faded, and he moved his face closer to hers. The stench of his breath nearly made her gag. “It doesn't matter how much you struggle. You're mine now.”
Fool. For someone so sure of yourself, you don't know a damn thing about me. She closed her eyes, and slowed her breathing. Karena focused on her blades, recalling every line and marking on each one of their hilts. She pictured them in her mind and the path they would need to travel. It would have to be pinpoint accuracy, but she was confident in abilities.
I can feel them. They're close.
Marius hummed to himself as he poured a clear liquid onto a cloth and walked over to her. “Now that you're recovered, for the most part, I guess it's time I start the dissection. I couldn't have you dying on me right away. There's so many things I need to try on you first.” He pressed the cloth over her face.
She choked on the fumes. It's now or never!
Karena opened her eyes wide and beckoned the daggers to her with all of her will power. A bin on the other side of the room shook back and forth, something clattering inside of I t. Then, it tipped over, and her daggers whipped through the air towards her.
Marius's expression changed from one of confidence to one of fear as the bonds holding Karena's wrists fell away. She reached out, grabbed him by the beard, and punched him in the throat. Her ribs still protested the movement, but she was able to summon more than enough strength.
He stumbled backwards and dropped to his knees. Marius's face was red as he coughed and wheezed, trying to catch his breath.
Karena wrapped her hands around the hilts of her blades and yanked them from the table. She bent down, cut the ties holding her ankles in place, and dropped to the floor with a thud.
“P—Please don't.” Marius choked out. He scrambled away from her towards the door.
Karena pointed a dagger at him. “It's amazing how men always lose their nerve when the tables are turned against them. Tell me, where is the boy that was with me? The speed of your death depends on your answer.”
Marius backed against the door and outstretched his hand. “He's been turned over to the serpent. The boy is probably dead by now.”
“You lie. Who is this 'serpent'?”
“That's what he's called. I don't know much about him. His skin is the color of night and he has a golden snake tattooed to each arm. I don't know anything else. Please, don't kill me. I'll do anything!”
Karena launched herself forward and buried one of her daggers into Marius's shoulder. He cried out, and flailed with his good hand. She drove her other blade into it, pinning his hand to the door. This brought another cry of pain out of him, his legs kicking wildly.
Karena glared at him. “Tell me the truth, or I'm going to cut your balls off next.”
“That is the truth. The deal was, I turn him into the serpent's men, and in return I got to keep you. Now please, take these damned knives out of me.”
Karena twisted the blade in his shoulder, invoking another shout. “Where did they take Ilian?”
“Damn she-devil. Do you really think they would tell me where they were taking him? You're a fool if you do. The serpent didn't need him alive. I'm sure he's long dead.”
Karena tightened her grip on her daggers. “Then, you're useless to me.” She ripped the daggers from Marius's flesh and sliced through his throat. Blood sprayed from the wound, and ran down his smock. He gurgled for a few moments before the life left his eyes.
She wiped the blood from her body and gathered her possessions. If Ilian was dead, then she had failed her mission. With no way of finding out where he was taken, she had nothing to go on. She pulled on her boots and wrapped her belt around her waist.
All I can do now is return to the Order and tell them of my failure.
Karena kicked Marius's lifeless body in frustration. Bastard.
She pulled the door open and slipped out into the cold night air.
—
“Kane, we're going down quick.” Chaerok pointed at the ground below them.
Kane climbed onto the heating device above them and looked inside. The plate, while it had been red hot before, was now cool to the touch. “Looks like the stone is used up. It's black as coal now.”
The balloon dropped at an accelerated rate towards the island below them. It had been several days since they had left Tor. Their food supplies were exhausted, and their stomachs had been rumbling this past day.
Even so, he had marveled at the spectacles which the device had allowed him to witness. Beneath them, wagons, people, and animals had passed by, oblivious to the two men flying above them. Birds soared past, some crying out to one another as they passed by the contraption that flew despite having no wings.
Kane dropped down and braced himself against the basket. “Better hold on. This is going to be a rough landing.”
Chaerok tightened his grip on the other side of the basket. “Great. Just great.”
I hope this is the right island. If it isn't, we might be stuck.
Even from above, he could see that the creatures of the island far out numbered the humans that resided there. Despite the vines that wrapped around all the trees, almost as if trying to pull them back towards the ground, they grew tall and strong. Fruits of all shapes and sizes hung from many of the trees. Most, as Kane remembered, were poisonous to humans.
At least the island is mostly flat. I'd rather land in trees then smash into the side of a mountain.
The bottom of the basket grazed against the tops of the trees, shaking back and forth. Some creature below them cried out in surprise, and fled deeper into the tree. Branches snapped and cracked as the basket bowled through them.
“Kane, I don't know if we're going to—”
Chaerok yelped as a branch poked through the bottom of the basket and tore through to the back. The forest loomed towards them from below.
“Hold on,” Kane shouted. “This is it.”
The basket steadied out for a moment before dropping to the ground and falling forward with a loud crash. Chaerok flipped over the side and Kane nearly found himself crushed under the basket. He pulled himself back up the side and clung to it with all his strength.
Branches tore at his clothes, and cut his skin. Kane winced as one cut deep into his leg. His heart raced, and he gripped the basket till his knuckles turned white.
The device came to a stop as the remains of the basket wedged between two trees. It shuddered once, and then dropped to the ground. Kane released his grip, and pulled himself onto shaky legs. He rubbed his sore shoulders. Blood dripped from where the branch had dug into his leg, but he ignored the pain.
I'm not as young as I used to be. I can't believe I survived that.
Chaerok fell off the basket and rolled over several times before catching himself.
Kane shook his head. “Well, at least we're alive.”
“Just barely,” Chaerok panted. He stood up and brushed himself off.
He looked around, but couldn't discern anything except trees and bushes. Birds squawked above them, seemingly distressed at the invasion of their homes.
“Well, I suppose we should start looking around. If we're on the right island, then it'll be on the North side.”
The sun dropped below the horizon, and still they walked. Chaerok had begun to lag behind, but Kane was driven to reach their destination. All the surrounding islands looked the same from afar. If one didn't know what they were looking for, they'd pass the Order without even realizing they were there.
If he was truly on the right island, they'd know soon enough. Valnoth's dogs were always watching for intruders.
I have to know if this is the right place. I've come too far for it to end here.
Something barked in the distance, followed by a yelp.
Chaerok stopped and listened. “Are you sure we should be traveling at night? It sounds dangerous here.”
Kane spoke over his shoulder. “The creatures here are more afraid of you then you are of them. Keep moving. We're almost there.”
A lie if he'd ever told one. Truth be told, most of the creatures on this island would gladly make Chaerok into their meal if given the opportunity. It was part of the reason why he insisted on moving throughout the night.
By the time the sun peeked over the horizon once more, even Kane felt as if he would collapse at any moment. The island brush was thick and wild, barring their way in every direction. He was exhausted, and his legs protested each movement.
Kane slouched down against a tree. “All right, let's rest for a while.”
Chaerok sat down across from him and rested his arms against his knees.
The trees above them rustled, and several figures dropped next to them. They all wore masks and bore various well-crafted weapons.
Kane grinned. “I guess this means we've come to the right place.”
One of the figures drew his sword and walked up to Kane. “Speak your name.” He placed the tip at Kane's throat.
“Kane of Lochden. I've come to seek council with your leader, Valnoth.”
The man's eyes narrowed. He dug the tip of the blade into Kane's flesh. A drop of blood ran down his neck. “How do you know of Valnoth?”
Kane met the man's gaze. “I served him many years ago.”
“You lie.”
“There's a necklace around my neck. Grab it.” Kane motioned his head downwards.
The man slowly reached inside Kane's tunic and grasped the necklace. A moment later, he dropped it and recoiled as if bitten by a snake.
He walked over to one of the other assassins, who had been keeping an eye on Chaerok, and whispered in her ear. She glided over to Kane and knelt next to him, eying the necklace all the while.
Her voice held no emotion as she spoke. “I apologize for our rudeness, Kane of Lochden. One bearing the crest of the Order is always welcome to our home. Please, come with us.”
The other assassins vanished back into the trees. Only she remained behind with them.
“My name is Biso. I'll be taking you the rest of the way.” She nodded towards Kane and Chaerok.
Chaerok still looked weak from the journey. Kane was worried that he would have to feed again.
Please, not now Chaerok. I can't afford to have our plight discovered. I need more time.
Soon, the tower of the Order came into sight, and before long, they found themselves walking up the cobblestones that led past the small village outside of it.
The shop where his brother used to work now had a new face in it. He could still see his dear wife's cold, but caring eyes, as he kissed her against the tree that was now missing from beside his old home. Kane blinked away a tear and wiped his face.
Now wasn't the time for him to reflect on the past.
A man with long, silver hair, a dark-gray cloak adorned with swirls of black, and gentle hazel eyes stood in front of them with an assassin to either side. His hand rested casually on a longsword strapped to his hip.
Kane quickened his pace and walked up to the man, curling his fingers into a fist. He pulled his arm back and threw his best punch at the man's face. There was a loud thud and Kane felt the impact all the way up his arm. The man stumbled backwards a few steps before catching himself. He rubbed his cheek.
“Valnoth, what have you done with Ilian? I want him back.”
The assassins next to Valnoth had their weapons drawn, but he waved them down. “It's good to see you too, old friend.”
Kane pointed his finger at Valnoth. “Where is Ilian?”
Valnoth shrugged. “I could ask you the same.”
He cocked his head. “You take me for a fool? After all the years my brother and I served you?”
Valnoth raised his hand. “No, Kane. I expected the boy and Karena to be here days ago, but I have not seen, nor heard from them.”
“Why did you send Karena to take him from me? Why couldn't you just leave us be?”
“Leave you be? Ilian was never your son in the first place.” Valnoth gestured to his guards. They bowed and excused themselves, vanishing into the tower behind Valnoth.
Kane spoke through his teeth. “You have no idea what I've gone through because of you. What was your reason for bringing Ilian here?”
Valnoth closed his eyes and sighed. “Wouldn't you want to be with your own son?”
He took a step back in shock. “No, it couldn't be...”
Years ago Kane had received a letter from his brother's wife. She had been apologetic in the letter, almost desperate, as she sought Kane's council. The letter described how she'd been violated by a man in the Order, taken in an act of lust, and had become pregnant as a result.
His brother hadn't been told about it as she felt he would have forsaken her. Kane wanted to go to her, but he had been una
ble to leave Lochden at the time.
The child that was born was Ilian.
“It was a mistake, but one that I would like to make up for. It was too dangerous for Ilian to stay here in those days.” Valnoth rested his arms at his side. “Please, Kane, don't think less of me.”
“You raped my brother's wife and you think I'll forgive you?” Kane clenched his teeth.
Bastard! I knew he was rotten the first time I laid eyes on him.
Valnoth outstretched his hands. “Please, calm yourself. We have much to discuss.”
Kane spit on the ground in front of Valnoth. “What could we possibly have to discuss?”
“Well,” Valnoth stuck a finger in the air, “I suppose you need to know about Ilian's... affliction. Also, your friend behind you looks rather parched.”
“Affliction? I don't understand what you're trying to say.” Kane turned and faced Chaerok. Damn it, you better hold yourself together.
Chaerok struggled to hold himself up, and his face was ghostly white.
Best if we get out of the open for now. I need to figure out what to do about him before he ruins everything.
Kane faced Valnoth. “Fine, but give me quarters and let me tend to him first.”
Valnoth nodded. “Consider it done. We'll talk soon.” He whirled around and walked towards the tower.
Biso reappeared at his side as soon as Valnoth was gone. Kane grabbed Chaerok and followed her into a small shack outside the tower. He laid him down on a bed and sat beside him. Chaerok breathed heavily and sweated profusely.
Don't worry, Chaerok. You'll have more than your fill to feed on soon enough.
