Oath of Destruction

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “Maybe later.”

  He scanned the nearby servants, trying to catch someone’s attention. He could have sworn he just saw Mayra, but he lost sight of her in the crowd.

  Kerdan stood not far away, his eyebrows drawn together in worry. Kerdan tilted his head to the side, silently questioning Savenek. Savenek didn’t know how to convey that Allyssa was in danger without sending Kerdan into a panic. The guy could be a little intense, and now was not the time for a Russek to be parading around, swinging his sword.

  Lareissa used Savenek’s momentary distraction to wiggle free from his hold. When he moved to grab her again, she quickly stepped away.

  “What are you doing?” she said a little louder than necessary. The people closest to them all turned to stare.

  “I’m trying to dance with you,” Savenek said with a smile, “but you keep slipping away from me.”

  “That is because I’m going to get something to drink.” Challenge shone in her eyes.

  It was time to get her out of there. Forcibly if necessary. Unfortunately, her parents were standing close by. Savenek would have to come up with a viable excuse later. For now, she had to go. He reached forward to grab hold of her waist. He intended to use a pressure point to subdue her so he could take her from the room without causing a scene. As he reached for her, Lareissa withdrew a knife, holding it discreetly in her palm. She smirked, daring him to try something.

  Not wanting to be impaled with the weapon, he stepped to the side, grabbed her wrist, and squeezed. She dropped the knife, and he placed his boot over it.

  “Let me go or I’ll scream,” Lareissa said.

  Savenek was going to make a scene. Oh well. His sister’s safety was his first priority. He let go of Lareissa’s wrist and reached for her arms, intending to pin them down.

  Someone hit Savenek from behind, and he stumbled. “Keep your filthy hands off my sister,” Patteon said.

  Lareissa withdrew another knife, staring in Allyssa’s direction.

  “What are you waiting for?” Patteon snarled. “If you want out of your contract, get over there and kill them.”

  Before Savenek could ask Patteon what he meant, several things happened at once.

  Lareissa took a huge step in Allyssa’s direction, her arm coming up as she prepared to throw the knife.

  As Savenek reached for Lareissa, intuition told him to turn. When he did, he saw Patteon unsheathe his sword.

  Time seemed to slow.

  Not having a sword of his own, Savenek withdrew a dagger. He aimed it downward, easily deflecting Patteon’s sword. Before Savenek even saw it, he knew Patteon was going to have a knife in his other hand. Savenek flipped his dagger around and raised it, prepared to strike Patteon’s arm—enough to end the threat without killing the prince.

  He spared a glance in Allyssa’s direction. Lareissa reached back, about to throw her knife. Savenek withdrew another dagger, quickly aiming it at Lareissa’s back. But before he could send it on its way, Kerdan jumped in front of Lareissa. Kerdan reached up, covering each side of Lareissa’s head with his huge hands. In one swift motion, he snapped her neck. Her body dropped lifelessly to the floor.

  Knowing Allyssa was safe, Savenek turned his attention back to Patteon. Savenek angled his dagger, ready to strike the prince.

  “Did that barbarian just kill my sister?” Patteon sounded horrified, his eyes round with disbelief.

  “He did. I suggest you put your weapons away before I kill you,” Savenek replied.

  Patteon snarled. He swung his sword down while reaching up with his knife. Savenek twisted, angled his dagger, and prepared to strike Patteon.

  Mayra jumped in front of Patteon’s knife as it came plunging down.

  “No!” Savenek screamed.

  The knife went into Mayra’s side.

  Eyes widening in shock, she gazed at the knife protruding from her side before crumpling to the floor.

  People started screaming and running in complete disorder.

  Savenek didn’t bother seeking his revenge on Patteon—he knew Kerdan would take care of the worthless prince. All that mattered was Mayra. Savenek dropped to his knees. “Ari.” Putting his hands on her shoulders, he frantically searched her face. Her eyes were clear. “Can you hear me?”

  “I’m okay,” she said. Her voice wasn’t as strong as it should be.

  Panic surged through him. He knew Patteon hadn’t been trying to kill him with his sword—the prince had been trying to scratch Savenek with his knife. Most likely, the knife had been laced with poison. The room seemed to spin around him. He couldn’t lose Mayra.

  His hands started shaking. “Ari, stay with me.” He felt her skin, noting her body was starting to go cold. Intense fear slammed into him. If he didn’t do something, she was going to die. “I’m going to remove the knife,” he said, more to himself than to her. Ripping off a piece of his tunic, he wrapped it around the sheath of the knife and withdrew it. He tore off another section of his tunic, then pressed the material against the bleeding wound.

  Neco was at his side. “What happened?” he demanded, his voice laced with unsuppressed fury.

  “Patteon got her with this knife.” He handed it to Neco. “I’m positive there’s poison on it.”

  Neco wrapped the fabric around the weapon and slid it in his pocket. “Let’s get her to the infirmary.”

  Savenek stood, scooping Mayra into his arms.

  “I’m okay,” she said. “It’s just a small stab wound.”

  Savenek stared into Mayra’s beautiful eyes. “Why’d you do that? I saw it coming and moved out of the way.” She didn’t need to be his protector. He was the one who was supposed to make certain no harm came to her.

  “I wasn’t sure if you saw it. All I could think about was saving you.” Her eyes filled with tears.

  Savenek kissed her forehead as he headed out of the Great Hall.

  “I can’t feel my stomach,” she whispered.

  That was the first sign of the poison. Cursing, he started to jog, bone-deep fear clutching his nerves.

  Marek joined him. “Is she all right?”

  “Run ahead and get the healer and Vesha. Have a room ready.”

  Marek’s face paled. He nodded and took off, sprinting down the corridor, yelling as he went for people to get out of the way.

  Savenek heard Neco and Ellie behind him, but he ignored them and focused on getting Mayra to the healer as soon as possible before it was too late. Mayra grabbed his sleeve, hissing in pain. He felt her body tense.

  “It’ll be okay,” he said. “Just hang in there.” Savenek skidded into the infirmary.

  “In here,” Marek called out, holding open the door to the healer’s office.

  Savenek entered the room, setting Mayra on the table. He ripped open the side of her dress, revealing the stab wound, the skin already turning black.

  The healer and Vesha were in the room, grabbing bowls and setting them on the table next to Mayra.

  “Mash these together,” the healer said, handing two plants to Vesha. The healer proceeded to mix the contents of another bowl. Then, using her fingers, she placed the goo on the wound. “This will give us some time.”

  “What do you mean?” Savenek asked. “Time for what?”

  “We don’t have an antidote yet,” the healer revealed.

  “Do whatever you did to save me to her.”

  “I will. But I did several things to save you,” the healer said. “I’m not sure which one of them worked.”

  Vesha shoved the bowl toward the healer. “Here’s this. Do you need anything else?”

  The healer shook her head.

  “Savenek,” Vesha said firmly, demanding his attention.

  He swung toward the sound of his name, barely comprehending the events that had transpired. This couldn’t be happening. Not to Mayra.

  “Have you seen the kepper flower?”

  “I have.” Savenek could picture it perfectly in his mind.

  “Des
cribe it to me.”

  “The flower itself is small, red, and grows on vines.”

  “How large is the flower?”

  “About a half inch in diameter.”

  “What about the leaves on the vine? How big?”

  “An inch.”

  She ran over to the shelves containing potted plants, ripping off leaves from three of them. “I have an idea.” Vesha took a scoop of the paste from the healer and put it in one of the bowls, mixing in the leaves.

  Savenek sat on a stool beside Mayra, gripping her hand. “Stay with me, Ari.”

  She tilted her head to the side, blinking slowly. “I can’t feel my legs.” Her voice sounded raspy.

  The poison was working through her system too quickly. There must have been a potent dose on the knife. Savenek squeezed her hand. “You didn’t let me die, and I’m not going to let you die either.” He couldn’t lose her.

  Neco entered the room, his eyes wild. When he saw his daughter lying on the table, he dropped to his knees.

  Ellie rushed in. “What can I do to help?” Her eyes were red from crying.

  “Use that cloth over there to remove the goo,” Vesha said. “I’m going to try this paste and see if it works.”

  Ellie wiped her eyes with her sleeve and grabbed the cloth, taking the goo off as Vesha instructed.

  Allyssa entered the room. “Is Mayra okay?” She sounded out of breath.

  Savenek couldn’t take his eyes away from Mayra. It was as if looking at her made her stay there with him. If he glanced away or blinked, she could be taken from him. And he couldn’t live without her.

  Allyssa put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it.

  Mayra’s breathing became ragged. “We’re losing her!” Savenek ground out. “Do something!”

  Neco took Mayra’s other hand. “Hang on, baby girl. You’re strong. You can survive this.”

  Vesha slathered a thick greenish-colored paste over the wound.

  “I’ve seen something like this before,” Allyssa said, her voice filled with shock. “When I was in Russek, Soma poisoned me like this. Kerdan had something that saved me. He’ll know what to do.” She stood there, not moving.

  “What’s the matter?” Neco asked.

  “King Theon is demanding Kerdan’s execution. He sent his soldiers after him. Mother and Father are trying to stop Theon, but there’s only so much they can do. He killed Princess Lareissa.”

  “Lareissa deserved to die,” Savenek whispered.

  “I’ll help you find Kerdan,” Marek said. “I’m certain Theon and his soldiers are no match for him.” He sprinted from the room, Allyssa right behind him.

  Savenek prayed they got to Kerdan in time.

  “Let’s try it again,” Vesha said. Ellie wiped off the wound, and Vesha slathered the paste on it again.

  “Her breathing is stabilizing,” Savenek said, hope bubbling in his chest. It wasn’t improving, but it wasn’t getting worse.

  “The black has stopped spreading as well,” Vesha said. “I think the paste neutralizes it, but then it becomes contaminated and no longer works. We must constantly change the paste in order to prevent the poison from spreading.”

  They continued to work on Mayra, reapplying the paste every minute or so.

  After what felt like forever, Marek and Allyssa returned with Kerdan, who was carrying a black satchel.

  Kerdan slid to his knees, ripping the satchel open. “Soma used a lot of poisons,” he said. “Once he cut Allyssa with a knife that had been laced with poison. I used this one to save her.” He handed a small glass jar to Vesha.

  Vesha took it and opened the lid. A foul smell permeated the air. “Charcoal, rosemary, mint, and something else I can’t make out. How much do you use? A drop?”

  “No. You need to cover the entire wound.”

  “Do you have more?” Vesha asked, holding the glass up to the light. It was only about a fourth full.

  “No.”

  “Then let’s hope there’s enough.” Taking a deep breath, she held the container just above Mayra, slowly pouring the liquid directly onto her wound.

  Mayra screamed, the sound punching Savenek in the stomach. Her wound started oozing.

  “Hold her down,” Vesha commanded.

  Savenek took one shoulder, Ellie the other, and Neco held her legs.

  Vesha poured more on. The wound bubbled and oozed a greenish-black substance. “This is definitely helping,” Vesha mused. “It has stopped the spread of the poison.”

  “It’s not improving the skin or wound, though,” Ellie said, her voice breaking.

  “What does that mean?” Savenek asked. “It’s helping, but it’s not the antidote we need?”

  “Correct,” Vesha answered. “It has bought us time to get the antidote.” Sighing, she rubbed her face. “What else is in there?” She nodded at the satchel.

  “I don’t know,” Kerdan said. “Most of it was Soma’s. There are some poisons, some antidotes. I don’t know what everything is, though.” He spread the contents out on the floor.

  “Allyssa,” Vesha said. “Have someone go to Patteon’s room to look for an antidote. I can’t imagine he would use such a potent poison without having something to counteract it.”

  Allyssa ran from the room.

  “Savenek, go through Kerdan’s supplies. Smell everything. You’re looking for something that smells like the kepper flower. Chances are the antidote will smell similar to it.”

  Savenek released Mayra’s shoulder, and the healer took over for him.

  He squatted on the floor. As Kerdan opened jars, he handed them to Savenek one by one. Savenek sniffed the first one. It was too tart. He recapped it and grabbed the next. They repeated this over and over. The problem was that Savenek didn’t remember how the kepper flower smelled—if it even smelled at all. He hoped that if he came to the antidote, something would trigger his memory. He couldn’t fail Mayra.

  One of the jars had a white, slimy substance, absence of smell. He handed it to Vesha.

  She examined it. “No. This won’t work. Keep looking.”

  Instead of questioning her, he continued to smell the jars.

  “What about this one?” Kerdan asked. “I used it when Soma poisoned me once. It saved my life.”

  Savenek handed it to Vesha.

  Vesha sniffed it, stuck a finger inside, and then put a drop on the table. She mixed some of the contaminated paste with it. It started to bubble, growing in size. “This may work.” Using a spoon, she scooped a small amount and drizzled it onto Mayra’s wound.

  Savenek stood and watched, praying this worked. He vaguely heard shouting from out in the corridor, but he couldn’t take his focus off Mayra. She started thrashing, fighting against those holding her down. Her wound started bubbling, the skin turning an angry shade of red. The bubbles popped and reformed. Vesha applied more of the stuff onto the wound. Mayra’s eyes rolled back. Savenek knew she’d fainted, probably from the pain. His heart pounded—he’d never been so afraid in his life.

  Kerdan started pacing.

  Allyssa returned to the room. “I have someone searching Patteon’s bedchamber.” Her eyes widened when she took in her unconscious friend.

  “Mayra fainted,” Savenek explained. His voice came out softer than he’d intended.

  Allyssa came over and wrapped her arm around his waist, hugging him. “Mayra’s a fighter.”

  Savenek knew that. Yet, seeing Mayra in pain, stretched on the table because she’d been injured while trying to protect him made him sick.

  “Water,” Kerdan said suddenly. “We need to flush out her system. When I was suffering from poison, that’s what I did.”

  Allyssa released Savenek, hurrying to grab the jug of water from the side table. She poured a cup full and handed it to Ellie. Neco lifted Mayra’s body, tilting her head up. Ellie poured the water into Mayra’s mouth. Mayra’s eyes opened, and she coughed.

  “We need you to drink this, honey,” Ellie said.

&nbs
p; Mayra started to gulp the water.

  Vesha reapplied the medicine. The bubbling was much less intense this time, and Mayra gave no indication it hurt. After a minute, Vesha wiped it off and put the medicine on a third time. It didn’t bubble. The black skin around the wound faded to a pale pink.

  “I want her to drink this,” Vesha said, handing Ellie one of the bowls.

  Ellie put the bowl to Mayra’s lips, slowly pouring the thick contents into Mayra’s mouth. Mayra’s eyes watered, but she continued to drink.

  When she finished, Vesha once again applied the medicine. “I think she’ll be okay.”

  Brookfel entered the room, his presence overbearing in the small space. “King Kerdan, a word.” The two men exited.

  Savenek wanted to find out what was going on; however, he couldn’t leave Mayra’s side.

  Allyssa

  Allyssa watched Kerdan exit the room. Out in the corridor, she heard him talking softly with Brookfel.

  “The Russek army is here,” Brookfel said. “Everyone is in position.”

  Allyssa couldn’t fathom why the Russek army would be in Emperion. She glanced at Savenek, who stood unnaturally still. He must have also heard what Brookfel said. She went over to him. “Stay here with Mayra. I’ll see what’s going on.”

  He nodded. “I’m guessing they’re here to help us.”

  That had to be it. It couldn’t possibly be another act of war.

  Allyssa turned to leave. Savenek caught her wrist. “Please tell Kerdan thank you. He saved Mayra’s life.”

  “I will.” She exited the room, beyond relieved her best friend was going to be okay. Out in the corridor, Brookfel was helping Kerdan put armor on. “What are you doing?”

  Kerdan turned to face her. “I sent for my army a few days ago.”

  “Why?”

  “I was afraid something like this might happen,” he said. “I just killed a princess from Apethaga. The king wants my head.”

  “What about Patteon?” She’d seen Kerdan punch the prince, knocking him out.

  “I had Emperion soldiers arrest him. I figured Neco and Savenek would want to kill him themselves.”