Wardens of Archos

by Sarina Langer

  “That’s all right, Elyn,” said Rachael. She struggled to find the right words. “Do you know where the Tramuran Ambassador is now?”

  Elyn shrank before her. Desma answered. “We trailed him through the palace. He left right before the attack started. He ordered my Lady Erimentha and me to stay inside our chambers in the inn we now occupy, and wait for further orders. I knew he was acting strangely and followed him with Elyn. We lost him when you arrived.”

  “You mean he was here?” The image of Arnost Lis being next to her the moment they arrived sent uncomfortable shivers down her spine. Rachael had needed a minute to gather herself when they had arrived. She doubted he would have hesitated to plunge his sword through her chest had he been here.

  “Yes, only a few corners away. We felt the shift of magic in the air. I knew something big had happened so we came here. Elyn was the one who spotted you and insisted we stay to help you.”

  “Thank you, Elyn.” The girl blushed, but stood a little taller. “How did you know how to kill the demons?”

  Desma grinned. “As I said, I don’t work for Arnost Lis. I went through his personal notes when he wasn’t in his room. He knows a great deal about the Mothers, and had some interesting theories on why they are after you.”

  “Can I have these notes?” They were finally getting a step ahead. If they knew where the ambassador had fled to, the demons’ weaknesses, and who had sent them and why, they'd stand a better chance against them.

  “Of course. I hid them before he left. They are safe in an inn outside the city.”

  A terrifying screech interrupted them. Ten Mothers entered their corridor behind Desma. More Mothers floated in from the other end, too.

  “Protect Kiana,” said Rachael.

  Kaida shot her magic toward the demons in greeting. The first row burnt instantly, but it only motivated those following behind. Ever more Mothers spilled into the corridor; after a few hectic seconds Rachael saw nothing but.

  “Buy me some time,” said Kaida. “I have an idea.”

  Their weapons welcomed the Mothers as the demons reached their small group. Rachael’s sword sliced through them, reducing their misty forms to ash.

  She wasn’t fast enough. One of the demons got too close and tore its claws across her middle. Rachael twisted away, but the demon caught her side regardless. Its sharpened tendrils went through her armour and cut her flesh.

  The pain burnt with unequalled brutality. The demon had cut deep. Rachael knew they had to end this now.

  But there were too many of them. No matter how many shadows they lit ablaze, more took their places.

  Kaida screamed. Energy exploded around them in a burst of brilliant, blinding light. There were no screeches, no embers in their mists. Rachael peeked through her fingers and gasped. The corridor was empty. The Mothers were dead.

  The spell had taken its toll on Kaida. She stood hunched over with one hand on her knees, breathing heavily. Rachael wasn't sure how much energy Kaida had left, but there was one more thing Rachael needed her to do.

  “Can you see to Kiana?”

  Kaida straightened herself and nodded.

  Before Kaida reached her, the now familiar screech of the enemy filled the air. Rachael watched in disbelief when more of the demons poured into the corridor. Was there no end to them? Kaida’s spell had done vast damage, but it hadn’t been enough. There were more. There would always be more. They would never kill them all. The shadows would keep coming after her until Rachael was dead.

  It was in that moment, as their dark tendrils laced into the corridor, that Rachael lost the will to fight.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  The Mothers never reached them.

  War cries erupted behind the demons. Rachael could only watch as the enemy was cut down from behind by forces she couldn’t see without standing a chance.

  Cale tried to step in front of Rachael, but she wouldn’t let him. Whoever had come to kill the demons had saved her life. She wouldn’t thank them by hiding.

  “Who is it?” Rachael asked Cale. He watched the space behind the demons as much as he could from their position, but Rachael doubted he saw much more than she.

  “I’m not sure. I thought I heard Lon and Commander Dryden, but then I thought I heard Kleon and Erimentha.”

  That name rang a bell. “Isn’t Kleon the ambassador’s son?”

  “That’s him. I can’t think why Lon would be with him, and I can’t picture Erimentha fighting, either. Why would Arnost Lis allow it if he supports this chaos?”

  “Desma said he fled the city.”

  “Yes, but Erimentha didn't go with him. Don’t you think it’s odd he asked her to stay behind?”

  Rachael hadn’t considered that. He’d come across as possessive, like Erimentha wasn't a person to him but something to be owned. From what Rachael had seen and heard, he barely left her alone. Why would he flee, knowing what was about to happen, and not take her with him? Had he tired of her and hoped she would die?

  Rachael shuddered. Was he that ruthless?

  “Then who is—”

  Desma rushed past her before Rachael could finish the question.

  “My lady!”

  Rachael finally got a good look at their rescuers when the last demons fell. Cale had been right—both Lon and Erimentha were there, swords raised and panting from the battle. With them stood a small army of Sparrows, Commander Dryden with a select delegation of the White Guard, and a young man she guessed to be Kleon.

  “What’s going on?” asked Cale as he walked toward them. Rachael followed him. If she’d seen in a vision that the ambassador’s wife and firstborn might come to her rescue, she wouldn’t have believed it. But to see the Sparrows and Commander Dryden’s men fighting with them was even more surprising. She hated feeling like she’d missed something important.

  “About three hours ago, Kleon visited us,” said Lon. “He told us about the attack. We informed Commander Dryden, and he rallied the White Guard. We’d all be dead if it wasn't for Kleon.”

  Rachael found that hard to believe. First Desma told her she was a spy for his wife, and now his own son had moved against him? Rachael didn’t know if that made them worthy of her trust.

  “Then you have my thanks,” said Rachael. “Why would you defend my people? Why not go with your father?”

  Erimentha didn’t try to hide her glare. “I wasn’t invited.”

  “As for me, I expect he will send for me soon enough. My father was adamant I go hunting with him today. I imagine he will be looking for me before long.” Kleon's contours were the same hard lines as his father's, but his mother's Krymistian warmth outshone them.

  “Despite appearances, Arnost Lis didn’t trust us,” said Desma. “He was worried my lady Erimentha was talking to someone, but he didn’t know who she’d confided in, or what she’d said. He didn’t know it was me—I expect he had nothing to base his suspicions on, and was merely paranoid.”

  Rachael nodded. Kleon and Erimentha stood against the ambassador. That was good enough for now.

  “Thank you. I’m grateful you came when you did, and that you warned my Sparrows.” It felt good to call them that—her Sparrows. She didn't know what it meant to have a family, but she was willing to learn.

  Erimentha smiled. “We were glad to help.”

  “But why help us?” asked Rachael. “You should have run to safety.”

  “We escorted the civilians out first, and made sure enough Sparrows helped the rest when the first demons arrived. My mother isn’t helpless, and wanted to fight.” Kleon smiled in the same sun-kissed way his mother did; whatever had remained of his father's features died with it.

  Rachael noticed the elegant if heavy armour Erimentha was wearing. It was scratched and a little burnt from the fire in her weapon, but otherwise she looked unharmed. Her sword was sharp; Rachael didn’t doubt she knew how to use it. By the state of her armour, Rachael didn’t think the demons had got close enough to her to do any r
eal damage. She liked the ambassador’s wife more every moment.

  “About half an hour ago a Mist Woman joined us,” said Commander Dryden. “I expect we have you to thank for that?” he asked Kaida.

  “I am glad she could make a difference.”

  Kleon laughed. “A difference? The enemy burnt so fast they never had time to notice the fire raining down on them.”

  “Where is she now?” asked Kaida.

  “We went our separate ways when we came to find you, but she told us where you’d be,” said Commander Dryden. “I expect she’s causing trouble for the enemy elsewhere.”

  “Thank you,” said Cale. “We should regroup, before more—” He was cut off by the all too familiar screech echoing through the corridor.

  “I thought we’d killed them all?” said Kleon, his heavy, two-handed sword ready in his hands.

  “They must be getting desperate,” said Cale. “They want Rachael, and didn’t think it would be so difficult.”

  Rachael smiled. Two years ago, the demons would have taken her without resistance; the people of Blackrock might have cheered, even. Now a small army fought with her—her army.

  “Then let’s hope they regroup after this wave to rethink their strategy,” said Rachael.

  “Let's not give them ideas, shall we?” said Kiana. “Who knows what they might come up with if we don’t stop them now.”

  The demons charged. Rachael raised her sword, ready to meet their assault, but the attack didn't come. Mere breaths before their claws would have met steel, the demons dissipated into thin mist.

  Rachael straightened. “What happened?”

  “I do not like this,” said Kaida, sizzling balls of angry energy dancing in her palms. “They are still here, I can feel them. Do not let your guard down.”

  The demons reappeared amongst them. In one move, they had slithered around the Sparrows and surrounded them.

  The Sparrows, Commander Dryden and his men, Kleon, and Erimentha slashed at anything that moved. The demons burnt from the inside out. Both sides recovered quickly. The Mothers kept coming, but Rachael's army controlled the battle. She didn't dare wonder how much longer they could keep this up.

  Rachael moved back to defend Kiana, but there were too many of them. The Mothers got there first.

  Two of them took hold of Kiana, pierced her shoulders with their claws, and pulled her upright. Kiana screamed and tried to kick herself free, but the Mothers had her incapacitated.

  Rachael slashed at the first one of the two, but didn’t reach its ethereal form soon enough. The demons disappeared, and they took Kiana with her.

  “Cale!” Kiana had taught her how to fight. Rachael couldn’t just let her die. “Cale, they took Kiana! Go after them!”

  He didn’t take his eyes off the enemy. “No.”

  For a moment, Rachael just stared at him before she remembered she was still in the thick of battle. She killed three enemies with one swing of her sword and stabbed a fourth that got too close. Around them the enemy forces thinned, but Rachael had no doubt there’d be more. If they didn’t go after Kiana now, they would lose their chance.

  “Cale, find her! Now!

  A wave of Kaida's energy killed the last few Mothers who had crowded around them.

  “Kiana knew the risks,” said Cale. “My duty is to you, as is hers. I’m not leaving you.”

  “But—”

  Lon stepped to her side. “We all knew we might die fighting for you. Kiana is one of our best fighters. She won’t go down easily.”

  “Fine! I'll go!” Rachael glared at them. “You want to protect me? Come with me!”

  Rachael caught sight of a demon from the corner of her eyes, but she didn’t react fast enough. Misty tendrils formed a longsword where its arm should have been, and slashed toward Rachael.

  The edge never pierced her armour. It cut right through Erimentha's heavy plate and buried itself deep in her gut.

  Chapter Forty

  Arnost Lis had arrived at the hunting ground he’d invited his son to. He wanted Kleon by his side when the witch queen died, but Kleon was nowhere to be seen.

  The nerve! How dare she! He should have known he couldn’t trust his witch wife. Her kind were vicious, and treacherous, and now she’d turned his own child against him!

  He hoped they’d get torn to pieces in the chaos that had no doubt unleashed by now. They were all unnatural abominations who deserved no better. Perhaps he’d been too lenient with Erimentha. He should have taken her to his bed, and cast her out once she’d birthed his children. She’d made him soft and weak. It wouldn’t happen again.

  But there was one thing he could do yet, even without them. In fact—yes, of course—it would be easier without them. He had many things to do, much to arrange, and his traitorous family would only have slowed him down.

  “I hear you’ve been looking for me.”

  He smiled. He wouldn’t be lenient this time. He would leash and collar her if necessary.

  Arnost Lis turned around and smiled at the little girl who wanted to play at being a God. What was her name again? Ciara? Sapphire? No, it was C-something.

  “I have, my lady.”

  He would need to play this carefully. She was an abomination, just like his wife and the monsters she’d born him. Her infernal powers made her dangerous. His sword wouldn’t reach her in time if she killed him.

  “I propose an alliance, and my services.”

  She didn’t smile. She didn’t think she needed to pretend? The ignorance! She was a child! He would crush her when the time came!

  “The Dark One doesn’t need your help, and neither do I.”

  She turned around and left. She looked even more monstrous than he’d expected. Her movements were blurred, hidden by the tendrils of mist and darkness that caressed her skin and cut her to drink from her.

  “I can help you find Rachael. I can help you kill her.”

  The insolent girl paused. Yes, he’d heard they’d been friends once. They deserved each other, he was sure, but he could use that hatred to his advantage.

  “I don’t need help finding her.” Her voice had lost its softness, a bodiless blade, and cut him where he stood. He could feel the blood run down his arms, feel the pain the incisions caused. Or did he imagine it? His head wouldn’t obey him. He couldn’t look.

  She’d die for using her foul magic against him. They could never have been allies, but they needn’t have been enemies. Not right away.

  “Then why isn’t she dead already?” Children were so naïve. This one was simply powerful on top of that. It was a disastrous combination.

  Exploiting her would be easy.

  His words had hit a nerve. In an instant she stood before him, her dead eyes seeing right into his soul. He thought he could feel some part of himself writhing with pain and finally dying. What had she taken from him? She would suffer for every cell she had destroyed.

  “I don’t want her dead!” Her voice had become a hiss, not dissimilar to the ungodly voices of the Mothers. “I need her blood! I want her screams!”

  Finally, she backed away and Arnost Lis could breathe again.

  “So do I. I’m her father, I can get to her.”

  Rachael longed for a family. If he played his cards right, he could convince her he could give her that. She’d believe him. He would make her.

  She spat, the dark mists around her burning with embers. “Another father who doesn’t deserve the title. I don’t want your help. I don’t need it.”

  “You need your Mothers to track down Rachael, do you not? I can bring you sacrifices for your rituals. They can look for Rachael, and I can bring you people.” He thought he saw a fire burning inside her, too, consuming her from the inside out until only ashes were left. But that wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be. “I want to hear her pleas for mercy as much as you do.”

  At long last, she smiled. He held her gaze, dying to look away. He felt like he was looking at the Dark One through her. Had she vio
lated herself this much? Had she become His host?

  “Come along. I believe I can find a use for you.”

  Arnost Lis gave her a courteous nod and followed. He didn’t know what had finally convinced her—it was obvious to him now she didn’t need him—but it didn’t matter. Now that she’d agreed to his proposal, he could win her trust.

  And then he would destroy her as surely as he would destroy the witch queen.

  Rachael was gentle when she eased Erimentha down.

  Desma screamed. She and Kleon flanked the demon and impaled it from both sides.

  The colour had drained from Kleon's face. Desma was shaking, and pale.

  Both went down next to Erimentha. Kleon knelt by her side, while Desma took her hand.

  “My lady—”

  “Rachael.” Erimentha reached for her with her free hand, and Rachael took it. “Paschros kai zo.”

  Erimentha closed her eyes—and hummed.

  Rachael froze. She knew that melody. She hadn’t heard it in ages, but she knew it.

  Kleon hummed with her, his voice unsteady, their final duet the only thing that filled the silence.

  Rachael shook as the melody echoed within her and woke something she’d buried.

  It was such a faint memory now, but it was coming back and it had no mercy. The last time she’d heard this song, she’d been a child. Her mother had sung for her. It was her earliest memory, and her warmest one.

  Rachael was desperate to say something, but choked on her words.

  Instead, she joined the melody.

  Kleon stared at her, but didn’t break the tune.

  Rachael squeezed Erimentha’s hand while she still could. She remembered the talk about her parents she’d had with Erimentha before they had left for Midoka. Erimentha had said they’d be proud of her. Had she meant it? She’d looked so sad at the time. Now Rachael understood why. Why hadn’t Erimentha told her the truth? Why hadn’t she said something?

  The song finished as Erimentha stopped breathing.

  “No. No, my lady—”