The Tenets in the Tattoos (The King's Swordsman Book 1)

by Becky James

  “What’s the difference?” alt-Thorrn muttered.

  “Someone else not on your Christmas card list, I see,” Luc murmured.

  “How do you even know about Christmas?” alt-Evyn shot back.

  “I live on Earth. I love Christmas. It’s so full of cheer.” We stared at his emotionless face. “Monster. Is it neutralised?” Luc snapped.

  “Yes. But that’s all I have in me.” Tuniel didn’t even protest as I scooped her up. Her head rested on my arm, bouncing with every step I took, her eyes sliding closed.

  “I’m sorry, Journey Mage, but you can’t pass out. Which way?”

  Her eyelids were slow to open. “Mm. That way.” She pointed, letting her arm fall. I grimaced.

  “I can keep us going down, but I’d hate to navigate us away from the other Evyn and Aubin,” Alt-Evyn said.

  “Journey Mage of Stone, where are they?” I glanced down at Tuniel. “Oh.” She had fainted. “I’m never going to let her live this down,” I told the others.

  “Oh dear, poor thing.” Alt-Evyn wrung her hands. “We need somewhere we can rest for a bit and not be found. Maybe the Tuniel we came with can lead them toward us.”

  “She’ll sense us, right? She can always sense us in stone,” alt-Thorrn fretted.

  Alt-Evyn shrugged. “She can’t sense you, and she says that I’m too bright or something. Everything is blurry and indistinct where I am. I don’t really want us to split up, though.”

  We came to a place where the caves opened up, multiple corridors led away from this one. “Where can Tuniel – our Tuniel – be leading them?” Alt-Evyn muttered.

  “Let’s think.” I set Tuniel down for a moment. “She has my Evyn, the Aubin from my world, who is a nervous wreck, and… well, a fallen comrade.” I straightened up. “My deepest condolences, I have been utterly remiss. I’m so sorry—”

  “He’s not dead,” alt-Evyn interrupted. “Shadrow pulled her power. He was just incapacitated.”

  “Oh! That’s great. When will he wake up?”

  “No idea, but hopefully soon. Could our Tuniel be looking for something to help him?” Evyn said.

  “Or… could my Evyn be leading them somewhere?” I offered. “She can ping. They might be conserving alt-Tuniel’s power. Look what’s happened with ours. Evyn can essentially walk through walls over the Earthian sky. I’d wager they are trying to find a way down to ground level so Evyn can ping them across to Earth.” I glanced up at Luc. “Anything to add?”

  “Only that while we dally here, the MasterMage and her loyal bevy of mages are trying to find them,” Luc said.

  “Well, yes.” I rolled Tuniel back into my arms. “Let’s continue. Luc, we will need you for the pinging.”

  He scoffed. “I can’t open a portal this high.”

  “Evyn opens two doors and jumps across the gap,” I said.

  “And you wonder why people think you’re crazy.”

  With a bit of practice, Luc could do it, and alt-Evyn took over some of the portals as well. We made our way through the walls and down deeper into the caverns. Still, we had to double back and make multiple doors where the rock proved too thick or the drop to the next level too much.

  After many turns of the glass, with adrenaline long faded and soreness and fatigue setting in, we started to slow considerably. Tiredness and thirst pressed at me but I buckled down and kept moving. Evyn could be around the next corner, and I had to get there before Rhona or Shadrow or Waker or Special Forces or the Palais Guard…

  “I need a moment,” alt-Evyn said.

  Turning to chivvy her on, I could tell everyone else was just grateful to stop.

  “Do you want me to carry Tuniel?” alt-Thorrn asked for the millionth time.

  “No thanks. It’ll be me she wakes up to all ‘my hero’, not anyone else.” My mouth felt dry and dusty. “You’re a married man. Shame on you.”

  “I’m sure I can hear water,” alt-Evyn said. We all perked up at that, moving further along and coming to a promontory over a huge, open cavern. Green glowstones lit an old system of locks below us, long abandoned and fallen to ruin, rambling along the right side of the cave wall and leading up a wide dam holding back a still and silent pool. “Huh,” she said.

  Suddenly I felt a light touch on my shoulder – Evyn Finding me. “Evyn?” I scanned the cavern for her, my heart leaping when I caught sight of her.

  Evyn and Aubin lay way over the other side of the dam. An old platform jutted out from the side of the structure, leading to another cavern corridor. The platform looked half rotted and liable to collapse at any moment. Evyn’s hands were straight down her front and her legs and knees close together, so I surmised she was bound. Next to her lay Aubin on his side, legs tied in a similar fashion with his arms behind his back. They lay back-to-back; the way Aubin’s shoulders moved made me think he was trying to get her free.

  Rhona, the Journey Mage of Monsters, paced at the doorway, black hair draped over her shoulders and leather clinging to her lean, muscled form. A pair of Twell blades gleamed at her hips, serrated edges winking in the light from the orange glowstones. Nausea tangled my nerves; something from her tugged against our bond. “She’s using Evyn’s blood.” Anger flickered, the heat burning my throat. “She’ll pay.”

  Alt-Thorrn grabbed my forearm. “How is your bond? How immune are you to magic?”

  I frowned. “It’s… I mean, our bond is fine, we’re getting on. Can we save this for later?”

  “You are less prominent against my magical senses than he is,” Luc murmured to alt-Thorrn.

  Alt-Thorrn’s jaw twitched at that. He turned to me. “Your bond isn’t strong enough. As it improves, you’ll become more immune to magic, but for now, I’ll handle Rhona.” Giving alt-Evyn a kiss on the cheek, he vaulted over the balcony, landing quietly on the ledge below.

  “Be careful,” alt-Evyn murmured.

  “Wait, we need a plan. Halt—” I hissed.

  He moved along the edge of the wall toward the platform.

  Aubin’s shouts rang around the cavern, and I snapped my head up toward him. Rhona had drawn a knife and grabbed my helpless soul, the mage lifting Evyn with little effort to dangle from her grip.

  Scrambling up, I leapt over the lip and after alt-Thorrn.

  “Get back! If you get angry, she’ll be able to control you,” alt-Thorrn grunted. “And then we’ll be in trouble.”

  “She’s going to kill her! Hurry up!” I snapped.

  Scrabbling along the ledge as fast as we could, stealth abandoned, we clattered onto the platform toward Rhona. “Rhona Journey Mage of Monsters, stay where you are,” I ordered.

  “Well met.” Her back was to me, hands clutching Evyn’s shoulders so hard her fingers dug in. Evyn’s wide-eyed gaze flicked to mine briefly, and my heart seized.

  Rhona turned her head over one shoulder to smile at me, her hair cascading in a curtain over her arm. Blood covered her mouth and she licked her lips with a red-pointed tongue. Turning, she dropped Evyn to her knees between us. Blood dripped from slices in Evyn’s bound forearms, and my soul swayed.

  Rage seized my limbs. Fear was overtaken by anger and a rush of red rage beating against my ribs. She had hurt Evyn, dared to use her against her will! Charging forward, I snarled.

  Rhona crowed with glee, her black eyes flashing. “Get angry, or I’ll kill her.”

  “No, Thorrn!” Evyn shrieked. “Stay back!”

  I ignored her, listening only to the fear inside me that said I had to destroy this mage before she hurt Evyn, she deserved death for trying to hurt my soul companion, for the crime of coming anywhere near my soul. My body turned, grabbing alt-Thorrn around his throat. I clenched my fists. Squeezing tighter, my focus narrowed to the breath leaving his body.

  A solid hit between the legs jolted me. I bent over double, nauseous, limbs snarled and snared and not responsive as they usually were, the anger draining out of me like a dam with a burst in it. Berserk, I’d gone berserk, slow and stup
id but unstoppable. I fought to regain my control, find some calm somewhere.

  Snatches of Evyn’s voice reached me. I focused on her, finding my way back to myself.

  “Stop, Thorrn!” Evyn cried. I listened to her.

  My eyes cleared. I had my hands around alt-Thorrn’s neck and he had kicked me in the groin, prying my fingers from his throat. I let go immediately; he sucked in a breath.

  “I’m sorry—”

  “Never mind that,” he croaked. “Stay back and stay calm.”

  Ire spiked, raising my hackles. “Don’t tell me to stay calm—”

  “She’s using Evyn’s blood to control you!” alt-Thorrn roared. He shook his head. “No, she can’t get inside my head, no, I won’t let her!” He punched wildly, catching me unprepared, his fist slamming into my cheek.

  “Both of you calm down!” Evyn sobbed, and her tears fired me up even further. “Stop!” she shouted.

  I couldn’t see her; I couldn’t see anything but a red mist.

  “I’m coming, Evyn!” I fought against something. Alt-Thorrn held me back, squeezing tight onto my legs. Kicking to throw him off, I waded onwards. “Hold on!”

  “No, Thorrn.” She took a deep shuddering breath. “Stay calm.”

  I couldn’t reply, my throat tight, mind slipping on the edges of a pit. Mindless rage called to me, promising me the strength needed to save Evyn.

  “You’re walking away from us, Thorrn. Stay calm. Breathe in, breathe out, stay with me, Thorrn. Stop walking! Stay absolutely chilled.”

  Cold? I couldn’t feel anything, let alone the cold, adrenaline coursing through me. Closing my eyes, I dragged in a deep breath, listening for the breaths Evyn took, willing my heart to beat in time with hers. Opening my eyes, I cried out.

  My feet were on the edge of the platform, a long drop to the rocky cave floor below that would seriously hurt, if not kill, me.

  Rhona kicked me in the back. Arms waving wildly, I overbalanced, twisting as I fell. I managed to grab the edge of the platform, slamming my stomach into the sheer rockface, kicking my legs over the drop.

  “Aw. You’re no fun.” Black eyes flashing, Rhona leant over. She laughed, spitting blood in my face, Evyn’s blood, and placed her boot on my fingers. Gritting my teeth, I heaved myself up, headbutting her in the jaw. She yowled and tumbled backwards. Levering myself over the edge, I pulled my chest up and onto the platform, but she kicked and caught me in the face. Blinded by pain, I slid back, hands scrabbling for anything to grip.

  “Get angry, I said.” Rhona turned, picking Evyn up by the front of her clothes. Evyn screamed as Rhona held her aloft over the edge. “Get angry or I drop her.”

  “Don’t, no. Please, I’ll do anything!” I shouted.

  “I’m going to drain the Earthian dry. I’m going to suck the magic-magnifying marrow out of her bones. Or maybe I’ll keep her as my pet, slicing her up whenever I need a restorative.” Rhona laughed, throwing back her head, hair curling and writhing.

  I snarled again, but I refused to give in and get angry; that was her goal.

  Alt-Thorrn staggered up and towards Rhona. If he hit Rhona now, she could drop Evyn. The air caught in my throat. Did I warn him off attacking Rhona or did he realise that would risk Evyn?

  Rhona snarled, turning to face my alt. “Get back.”

  “Rhona, put Evyn down.” Calm and clear, alt-Thorrn stood to his full height, hands raised as if in surrender.

  I hauled myself up, knees on the edge. Looking between us, the mage hissed, clearly feeling trapped. “As you wish,” she said, fingers opening.

  Evyn dropped.

  Alt-Thorrn lunged as I screamed. Grabbing her clothes, he nearly kept his balance, but then he toppled over and they plummeted to the floor below. Grabbed her close to his chest, he twisted as they fell a full two lengths. My alt hit the side of a lock with his hip, then landed on the walls of the one below. A sharp report rang out to us, followed by his scream. I couldn’t feel pain from my Evyn, but alt-Evyn cried out from the stone balcony opposite.

  Alt-Thorrn sank to the ground slowly, Evyn rolling out of his arms, still helplessly trussed. Keening with pain, alt-Thorrn went to his hands and knees. My Evyn tried to comfort him as best she could.

  I turned to Rhona. She backed off toward Aubin. “Wait! Wait—” She fumbled for a blade but was unable to find any in her holsters. Her eyes flashed. “I’ll kill him, he’s dead, I’ll kill him—”

  I moved quickly, decisively, my father’s sword scoring a true strike through her chest. “No. You won’t.” Rhona slid off my sword. I heaved in a breath, shaking the desperate and dying snarls of her magic out of my head. She had nearly had complete mastery over me.

  “Thorrn!” alt-Evyn cried. I whipped around.

  Three members of the Palais Guard, burnished breastplates gleaming, had burst in behind her and approached Luc. Growling, I ran along the ledge back to the cave.

  “Uh oh,” Luc said. Drawing their weapons, the guards faced him. I swore, trying to get over there quickly without slipping and falling down that hideous drop.

  Luc smiled at them, raising his hands. “It’s the girl you want. I would be too much effort to contain. You’re not Special Forces, and definitely not equipped to deal with a mancer. I won’t interfere if you stop menacing me now.”

  Alt-Evyn shot him a look full of hate.

  The Palais Guard eyed each other, turning to apprehend alt-Evyn. I swore.

  Luc darted forward, touching a hand reaching for a weapon, a cheek turning in surprise, an arm raised in defence. They went down screaming. “Idiots,” Luc sneered.

  “I… You…” Alt-Evyn blinked several times.

  Luc pushed one of the reeling women out of the way with his foot. “It was nothing.” Looking alt-Evyn up and down, he said, “Yes. Yes, well, if it were known I’d have reason to hold a grudge against you and you turn up dead or captured on my watch, who do you think your companions will blame? It was pure self-interest.”

  Alt-Evyn stood up slowly. “I… thank you. I have been judging you too harshly. You’re not like him.”

  “I am myself,” Luc said firmly.

  They looked up at me as I pulled myself over the edge. “What do you think we need you for?” Luc sneered.

  “I saw soldiers… I… yes, alright, fine.” I clutched onto the rock, my limbs heavy and tired. But we could not stop. Not yet. “I left Aubin back there, but alt-Thorrn needs help. Let’s get down there, then we need to see to Aubin.”

  I briefly checked on Tuniel at alt-Evyn’s feet. She slept on, her face still pale but breathing regularly when I put my head close to her lips to listen. Leaving her there, I dropped down onto the ledge that led to the top lock, holding onto the flat surface in front of me to stop from falling backwards. My shoulder muscles screamed. Edging around, I held out my hand for alt-Evyn. She slipped down next to me, and I held her until she stabilised. I guided her to the lock side, then went back and did the same for Luc.

  Alt-Evyn knelt by her Thorrn, seeing to his leg. I cut my Evyn’s ropes, and she flung her arms around my neck. Pressing her close I was simultaneously hit with all the hurts, pains, aches and thirst of the last day, along with a rush of adrenaline that made it feel like I could run for days. One clear emotion stood out: relief. I had her back.

  “Hi,” she mumbled.

  “Hi.” I choked back a sob. “You’re well. I thought you were hurt. You fell so far… and before that I thought you might have believed it was me in Waker’s dream… and just now, Rhona, she had control of me, I could have—”

  “Shh, it’s okay,” she said.

  I sobbed into her hair.

  “Come on. Nearly there.” Evyn wiped away my tears. She really was the stronger one. “We have to help Aubin and the other you. He managed to stay himself around Rhona.”

  I sniffed. “Well, one day I will be immune to all magic, and that would be amazing, except I never want to have you go near bad magic again.” Still holding onto her, I shift
ed to look over my shoulder at alt-Thorrn. “How are you doing?”

  “Not… good.” He barely lifted his head, gritting his teeth from the pain. His right femur looked broken, the leg lying misaligned. Tatters of his shirt remained, torn on the stones as he hit the sides. Underneath the shreds of fabric was lumpy, unsightly scar tissue.

  I couldn’t help but stare. Shamed, his eyes dropped down. Putting my hand out, I touched his shoulder.

  Luc approached, clearing his throat. “I can assist in minor ways. I can take the pain away, and I have a small skill with healing, James being what he is.”

  “You can?” Alt-Evyn smoothed alt-Thorrn’s back. She gathered her courage for him. “Please, help him.”

  As Luc reached for him, alt-Thorrn sucked in a breath reflexively, but when the mancer settled his palms on his skin, he relaxed, closing his eyes.

  “I can see why you wouldn’t want me to touch you,” Luc murmured. “It’s not often that anyone does, but this is… this would be too much.”

  We marvelled as his “small skill” took shape and alt-Thorrn felt able to put weight on the leg at least. “You will want that seen to by a professional,” Luc said, cold and stiff once more.

  “Thank you.” Alt-Thorrn nodded. “And… thank you, for saving Evyn.” He held onto his soul’s hand tight.

  “Can we go get Aubin and the other alts now?” my Evyn asked.

  “Yes. I also left Tuniel up there, safe,” I said. “Where are alt-Tuniel and alt-Aubin? They missed the fun.” My voice croaked.

  Evyn smiled weakly. “Rhona and Shadrow cornered us. We ran as much as we could but Aubin was slowed down carrying alt-Aubin. He put him in an alcove, and alt-Tuniel stayed with him. Alt-Tuniel tried to help us, but I think my blood made that hard, and instead of collapsing the tunnel behind us she collapsed it in front of us. It nearly fell on me, but Aubin got me out of the way.

  “We tried to fight them, but Rhona grabbed me. She was going to kill Aubin. I told her Waker wanted him alive. Grumbling about that, she just tied him up. Then she decided she wanted me for a… personal project.” Evyn shuddered.

  A clatter rang out across the cavern. Twisting to look at the wooden platform as it shook and bounced dangerously, I put Evyn behind me.