“Ari!” said Kerys. “That’s mean.”
“Just drawing a comparison,” he said. “Okay. Let’s give this thing a try.”
He carefully set one of the ancient scrolls down on the center of the enchanting altar. He brought his fingers within an inch of the ward that Eva had indicated, hesitating slightly as he considered whether there might be any unintended consequences that she might not have warned him about. Or possibly even known about.
“What is it?” asked Eva. “Is there something wrong?”
“No,” said Ari. “Just trying to build suspense.”
He pressed his fingers to the ward. There was a prickle of sensation, followed by an immediate, downward moving flash of light that shot from the scroll into the enchanting altar. It only took an instant, and immediately after it happened, the scroll crumbled to dust.
“Huh,” said Ari. “Does that always happen?”
Eva shook her head. “In most cases, it is fine to disenchant items without causing damage to them. It may be because of the age of these scrolls. The essence could be what preserved them for so long.”
Ari brought his right hand over to the wards on the other side of the table. One of them tingled as he ran his fingers across it, and pressing his palm down instantly gave him the sensation of being able to tap into a secondary reserve of essence. He could feel how much the scroll had contributed into the enchanting altar’s stores. It wasn’t much, but it was something, and if he wanted it, he knew he could just pull it out, almost like taking a breath.
“It’s a waste,” said Kerys. “We don’t know what these scrolls do. What if some of the enchantments on them are more useful than the essence? We’d be stepping on our own feet by destroying them now.”
“I cannot identify any of the enchantments,” said Eva. “There is no point in keeping them, and we cannot do much else with them since the altar can only store one enchantment pattern at a time.”
“Look at all the books here,” said Kerys, her voice slightly annoyed. “Given enough time, we might be able to find one about enchanting. Especially since, you know, this room is quite obviously an enchanting laboratory.”
A tense silence followed the exchange. Ari winced as he turned around and saw Kerys and Eva staring each other down. The silver haired woman’s expression was a neutral, unreadable mask. Kerys had her hands on her hips, and her blonde hair framed an irritated, scrunched up expression.
“Lord Aristial,” said Eva. “I think it would be prudent to draw the essence from the scrolls. We do not know if they will eventually prove to be useful, but we do know that this tower has wards that could help us.”
“Think about this, Ari,” said Kerys. “Each of those scrolls could potentially be a spell that’s useful to us. There’s no reason why we need their essence right this second. I doubt there’d be enough in all of them combined to activate all of the tower’s defensive wards, anyway.”
Both women had turned their attention toward him, and Ari got the sense that it was the type of disagreement that he’d be hard pressed to not take sides on. Still, if there was going to be any semblance of calm in the tower for the night, he was going to have to try.
“You both make a good point,” he said. “We have nine scrolls left, and I’ve already drained one. I’ll drain four more for their essence and leave the other five for us to study. Sound good?”
Eva and Kerys both scowled at him. Ari stuck out his tongue at them.
“You’re both really bossy,” he said. “Just in different ways.”
CHAPTER 25
Draining four more of the scrolls proved enough to impart a significant amount of essence into the enchanting altar. Ari was unsure if it had a limited essence capacity, but he decided it was a good place to stop, regardless.
He took the drakeskin cloak out of his pack and briefly considered trying to use the enchanting altar to fiddle with whatever enchantment it had been given. Eva frowned as she saw him holding it and gave a small shake of her head.
“I didn’t notice while we were within the labyrinth, but that cloak’s enchantment is spent,” she said.
“Spent?” asked Ari. “What does that mean?”
“Certain types of enchantments are too powerful to recharge from the radiant essence of the wielder,” said Eva. “You can think of them more as water in a glass that is slowly sipped over time as the wielder of the magical item uses it.”
“And this cloak is an empty glass?” asked Ari.
Eva nodded. “Precisely.”
“Can we refill the glass, er, recharge the cloak?” he asked.
“Not without risk,” said Eva. “The enchantment on the cloak is probably a one-time defensive spell, but it is possible that it could be something more volatile. I would not recommend wasting essence on an unidentified enchantment when better options are available.”
“What would you recommend that we do with it?” asked Ari.
“Strip the item of the last vestiges of essence within it,” said Eva. “Doing so will undo its enchantment, which is preferable under the circumstances. You’ll be able to place your own enchantment on it later, once you are more comfortable with the process.”
Ari agreed with her logic, and so he went through the same process with the drakeskin cloak as he had with the scrolls. He half expected it to crumble to dust as soon as he touched the draining ward, but the cloak didn’t seem affected by the loss of its spent enchantment.
He took a minute to consider what to do with the essence stored in the enchanting altar. They’d discovered over a dozen wards in the tower, from the ones in the privy and kitchen, to the defensive wards outside, to a few unidentifiable wards on the second and third floors. There was even a ward engraved into the floor of the roof balcony, the purpose of which Ari couldn’t begin to guess at.
“Focus on the tower’s defenses, first and foremost,” said Eva.
Ari nodded and glanced over at Kerys, expecting a second opinion.
“I agree with her,” said Kerys. “Though I think we should also consider what’s practical. There’s a ward in the privy that seems to be connected to a storage basin that collects water from the roof. It would be useful for washing, assuming it does what I think it does.”
“Let’s see if we have enough to do both,” said Ari.
He started with one of the exterior defensive wards, seeing the logic in Eva’s words. Pulling essence from the enchanting altar was simple to do, but it left the inside of his body feeling jittery and turbulent, as though he’d taken too large of a dose of sarkin flower.
He went outside and found the ward nearest to the tower’s door. Pressing his palm against it, he exhaled and transferred a share of his essence over. It took more than he’d been expecting, but the ward briefly flashed with white light as it reached the point of activation. Nothing else happened, not even when he pressed his hand against it and tried to will it into showcasing whatever defenses it might have controlled.
“I suspect that all of the exterior wards will need to be activated before we can appreciate their effects,” said Eva.
“That’ll take a little while,” said Ari. “We’ll have to double down on collecting essence and enchanted items.”
He headed back inside and found Kerys waiting next to the ward she’d pointed out in the privy.
“This one,” she said. “See? The water basin is above us, on the fourth floor, and there’s a pipe made of the same crystal glass as the windows that runs down to here.”
She pointed at the grate in the ceiling.
“You think that’s where it releases the water?” asked Ari.
“I’m sure of it,” said Kerys.
That was good enough for him. He pressed his hand against the ward and willed most of his remaining essence into it. The sound of rushing water came from overhead, and Kerys, who’d been staring quizzically up into the grate, took the brunt of it full in the face.
“Eek!” she cried. “It’s… warm?”
&nb
sp; She took a step back, still holding one hand under the flowing spray of water, which fell onto the grate in the floor and drained off to places unknown.
“Let me turn it off,” said Ari. He tapped his hand to the ward again.
“It’s cold now,” said Kerys. “What did you do?”
After a couple of minutes of experimentation, they figured it out. The tower’s water shower came out warm by default, but by holding his hand against the ward and twisting it to the left or right, he could vary its temperature. Tapping it twice while it was on would turn it off.
“Can you use it, too?” asked Ari.
Kerys tried, and it worked for her. She let out a whoop of delight and pulled him into a hug. Her dress was still soaked, and it took all of Ari’s willpower to keep from focusing on the sensation of her breasts against his shoulder.
“This will make bathing so much easier,” said Kerys. “And cleaning! And cooking, even! I don’t have to go all the way down to the river to get water for the soup I’d planned to make. And, and…”
Her smiled faded a little, and Ari saw a flicker of a darker emotion arise to replace it in her expression.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I just thought of how much my mum and dad and my brothers would have liked this,” she said. “I know. Kind of stupid.”
“It’s not stupid,” said Ari. “It’s sweet.”
He put an arm around her and gave her a hug. Kerys leaned her head against his shoulder.
***
They each took the time to bathe before dinner. Ari went first, since Kerys still needed to prepare the food, and Eva had offered to tend to the fire for the night.
The experience of warm water cascading down on his head, shoulders, and face was unlike anything he’d experienced before. It reminded him of the hot springs down in the Hollow, but more efficient and far more private.
He didn’t have to worry about washing days or bathing days. As long as there was sufficient water in the basin, he could decide to bathe whenever he wanted. It was absolutely decadent, and well worth the price he’d paid for it in essence.
Kerys went next. She expressed her enjoyment rather loudly, and Ari felt weirdly turned on as he listened to her satisfied sighs and soft, pleasured moans from the common room. She came out wrapped in one of the makeshift, kellowack leather blankets, which Ari had repurposed after shaking the dust out of the new ones and bringing them upstairs.
“That was incredible,” said Kerys.
“I know, right?” said Ari. “I’m a little concerned about how much water it uses up, though.”
“We didn’t even have access to that water an hour ago,” said Kerys.
“I know, but we should conserve it as much as we can,” he said.
“Are you going to suggest that we appoint specific bathing days, Aristial?” said Kerys in a teasing voice.
“No,” he said. “Just that it would be more efficient if we bathed together. You and Eva, or me and Eva, or me and you. Make sure we take advantage of the time.”
“Pervert,” said Kerys. “It’ll be fine. The basin should refill the next time it rains.”
Her words brought Ari back to the reality of their situation. It would rain again, eventually. Probably sooner rather than later. When it did, the amount of water they had in storage would be the least of their worries.
Eva went next, taking a quick shower and walking out of the privy completely naked. Ari gawked at her lithe, pale figure. Her hair was slick against her back and shoulders, and it looked more blue than silver when wet.
Her nipples were like tiny, beautiful flower buds against the small mounds of her breasts. She was extremely light on her feet, and Ari could see the muscles of her athletic thighs and legs as her hips swayed with each sensual step.
“Lord Aristial,” she said, walking right up to him. “I was curious as to whether we’d have a chance to strengthen our bond again this evening.”
Ari felt his body, primarily the lower half of it, reacting to the presence of her. She was so close, and so naked. It was just the two of them inside, at the moment. Kerys was out tending to the stew over the fire and would be none the wiser.
Kerys. He couldn’t ignore how irritated she’d been with him the previous night, despite how much his arousal and a certain rapidly stiffening part of him argued for him to.
“I think we should hold off for tonight,” said Ari.
“It is imperative,” said Eva. “There are more advantages that come with a stronger bond. All that is required,” she said, stepping even closer as her voice lowered to a throaty whisper, “is for you to take me, milord.”
She let her fingers touch his, drawing near enough for Ari to sense the residual heat the shower had left on her body. She didn’t meet his gaze, instead looking up and slightly past his eyes, as though she preferred for him to direct his focus at other, more naked places.
“We will,” said Ari. “Just not tonight. I’m sorry, Eva. It’s complicated.”
He wanted to so badly. He wanted to throw her down on the common room table and do things to her that he’d only imagined before. But he couldn’t, not without talking to Kerys and getting a better sense of her feelings.
“Very well,” said Eva. She stepped away from him and picked up the one of the old, makeshift blankets, wrapping it around herself.
CHAPTER 26
Ari breathed a sigh that was as much of disappointment as it was of relief and looked out the tower’s open door. The fire was within view, and from the way Kerys was blushing slightly, he couldn’t help but get the sense that she might have been observing some of what had just happened. He headed outside and took a seat on the stone next to her.
“Hey,” he said. “How’s the food coming?”
“It’s almost done,” said Kerys. “I didn’t think the two of you would be ready to eat until you got done with, well, whatever it is you planned on doing.”
The annoyance in her voice was plain. Ari chewed his lip, considering the most tactful way to address the growing tension within their small group.
“Nope,” he said. “What you just saw is all the peeping you’ll be getting for tonight.”
He’d meant it as a joke, but Kerys’ face immediately turned beet red.
“I wasn’t—I mean—It’s not like…” She scrunched her face up and furiously stirred the soup. “I only accidentally saw you. I’m not a pervert, like you.”
Ari stifled laughter as he slid a little closer to her.
“I’m just teasing, Kerys,” he said. “Listen… I didn’t mean to be sneaky about what we were doing, and I definitely didn’t mean to do anything that I thought might hurt you.”
“You’re a man,” said Kerys. “I might not have been old enough to court a husband down in the Hollow, but I was still warned about the way men are.”
“I’m a man, but I’m also your protector,” he said. “Kerys, I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Strengthening my bond with Eva is part of that. If it makes her stronger, as a person and as a weapon, I’ll do it without question. It might mean the difference between life and death, not just for me, but for you too.”
He felt a small lump in his throat as he thought about how close they’d both been to death the last time they’d faced off against the fishers. Even earlier that day, when Rin and her Ravarian cadre had been holding the tower under siege, he’d felt that same, desperate emotion. He couldn’t lose Kerys. He just couldn’t.
“Is that really how you feel?” asked Kerys. She reached over and set a hand on his knee.
“I already told you how I feel, Kerys.” It was Ari’s turn to blush, though he forced himself to ignore it and make eye contact with her anyway.
She was the one who eventually looked away, turning her complete attention to the pot. She’d found a ladle to go along with it, and she lifted a small portion of steaming stew out for inspection.
“Here,” she said. “Taste test.”
Ari tried to
smile and pretend like she hadn’t basically ignored his confession for a second time. Why was she so upset over his fledgling intimacy while simultaneously being so reluctant to accept his feelings?
He took a sip of the stew.
“Oh wow,” he said. “It’s really good.”
***
Eva joined them outside shortly after, and the three of them took turns eating stew, since they only had the one pot and the one ladle. The stew really was quite tasty, if a little lacking for seasoning. The crab was tender, and the river lettuce had a nice, chewy quality that paired rather well.
“Lord Stoneblood,” said Eva, as the meal drew to a close. “I believe after today’s encounter with the Ravarians, it would be prudent for one of us to keep watch throughout the night.”
“Good thinking,” said Ari. “We can all pitch in. I’ll take first shift.”
Eva shot a meaningful glance at Kerys before shaking her head.
“If it is alright, I would prefer to handle this myself,” she said. “I can rest while I’m in my sword form, so I don’t require as much sleep as either of you.”
Ari shrugged. “If you’re sure. Don’t hesitate to wake me up if you start to get drowsy.”
He stood up and started to bring the pot inside. Kerys took his other hand in hers and walked in front of him, pulling him into the tower.
“I wanted to talk with you some more,” she said.
Ari set the pot down on the common room table. Kerys kept pulling him, toward the stairs, and the bedrooms on the second floor.
“Talk,” said Ari, in a slightly amorous voice. “Sure. Let’s have a nice conversation, Kerys.”
“Aristial, you pervert!” she snapped. “Why must you insist on always teasing me?”
Ari chuckled and let her lead him to her bedroom. She’d done more cleaning than he had, and most of the dust had been cleared out. They sat down on her bed, which was marginally more comfortable with one of the new blankets spread across it. Kerys didn’t let go of his hand, holding it while she took a moment to gather her thoughts.
Sword Sirens Page 16