“The bond,” said Mythril. “She would never accept it. Not if it was the same as it was between you and I.”
He felt his cheeks flush with shame as he considered the deep, chaotic intimacy he and Bloodrose had so quickly come to share. The idea of forcing his niece into a situation where she would also have those kinds of needs… He didn’t let himself follow the thought to its conclusion.
“You could be gentler with her, and share a familial intimacy,” said Bloodrose. “But even if it was more than that, would it be so bad? You’ve heard the rumors of how she is now, and you know that she loves in a way that goes far beyond—”
“Stop!” snapped Mythril. “I…”
A shout came from outside the workshop. Mythril recognized the timbre of the voice without needing to confirm who it was. Emperor Diya, his oldest friend, flanked by a dozen of his soldiers, had come to put him in check.
Mythril was suddenly moving, his hands making the decision that his heart could not. He pulled one of the exquisitely crafted swords he’d had forged in anticipation of the process, the one with the sapphire pommel that Evastria had always favored, and held it at the ready.
Priming the enchanting only took an instant, and there was a flash of light as the essence and Evastria’s imprint transferred into a usable rune pattern. Her already-labored breathing cut off as though he’d deactivated a ward, and the tears began to flow down Mythril’s cheeks as he stared at her now-still form.
“Mythril!” screamed Diya. “Open this door or my mages will burn it from its hinges!”
He was too stunned to finish what he’d started, but Bloodrose was there to help. She shifted Evastria’s lifeless form off the table, replacing it with the sword, and then set Mythril’s hands into place. He wasn’t aware of placing the enchantment, just holding the weapon afterward, watching as light flashed and the blade transformed into a replica of his beloved niece.
She stood naked in front of him, with a confused, childish expression on her face. She shook her head. Mythril clutched at his chest as the shame of what he’d just done stabbed through him like a spike of hot metal.
“Myth…?” she whispered. “What’s going on?”
CHAPTER 37
Ari was left feeling much as he always did after delving into one of Mythril’s memories: tired and confused. He set up in the thin, dormitory-style bed, taking a few seconds to remember where he was, and who he was. Aristial Stoneblood. Lord of Etheria. Wielder of Azurelight.
He ran a hand through his hair, trying to separate Mythril’s feelings for his niece from his own emotions toward Eva. It was easy to tell himself that the Eva he knew was a different entity from the Evastria who lived in Mythril’s time. It was also easy to build a wall in the middle of a river, but that didn’t mean it would stop the water’s flow.
Most of all, Ari was haunted by those last few, confused words he’d heard Evastria speak. He wanted to know what happened next, though at the same time, he didn’t. Mythril’s memories had seemed so innocuous at first, but he was beginning to see them as more of a curse than a blessing. Incidentally, he was beginning to feel more like he remembered being Mythril, and that was a fact that he found unnerving.
He brought his focus back to where it needed to be as he made his way into the common room. The others were already up, but it didn’t seem like they had much of a head start on him, judging from their respective breakfast bowls.
“Morning,” said Ari.
The others responded in an overlapping array of mumbled grunts and greetings. Demira, the kindly innkeeper, was already ladling spoonfuls of a sweet-smelling porridge into a bowl for him from a pot over the fire.
Kerys was sitting in a chair in between Amber and Eva, looking visibly disheveled and hungover. Her hair fell loose across her shoulders, and there were dark bags under her eyes, which she seemed like she was struggling to keep open.
“Hey,” he said. “How are you feeling? You were pretty drunk last night?”
“I feel like garbage,” muttered Kerys. “I barely remember anything. I hope I didn’t provide you with too much entertainment.”
Ari winced, trying not to let his disappointment show openly on his face.
“Entertainment isn’t the word I’d use for it,” he said. “You really don’t remember anything?”
Kerys furrowed her brow, and a flush came to her cheeks. “Aristial… Don’t tell me you did what I think you did?”
“No, but we did other stuff.” He flashed a grin and nodded to her copper hand. “How is your new appendage working out for you?”
“I do remember that much,” said Kerys, flexing her fingers. “Thank you, Ari. I can’t explain how much of a difference this will make.”
“Truly, it is an impressive enchantment,” said Eva. “It makes me smile to know that you were able to do such a kind thing for Lady Kerys.”
“Thanks,” said Ari. “That’s the type of praise that’s going straight to my head, you know.”
“Humility is a virtue, milord,” said Eva.
Ari found a chair and joined them, digging in to his porridge.
“We need to talk about how the plan has developed,” he said. “I didn’t get a chance to explain what’s going on last night.”
Virgil, Amber, and Kerys all leaned in a little closer as Ari retold the events of the previous night, specifically his encounter with Bruno Ogwell. He saw the range of reactions on their faces as he went over the young nobleman’s plot to stage a coup against Baron Luka.
“That’s a horrible plan,” said Amber. “How stupid are you to think that any of that would go as this spoiled lord has imagined in his head?”
“First of all, I don’t claim ownership of the idea or any of the creative thinking that may or may not have gone into concocting it,” said Ari. “Second, even if I backed out now, he’s still going through with it. So we might as well do what we can to take advantage of the situation.”
“It would help if you could use the Weathersense Potion,” said Virgil. “Using the Weatherblight would make it a simple matter of sneaking a few monsters past his guards.”
“We can’t wait until the next time it rains,” said Ari.
“You’re talking about murdering somebody,” said Kerys. “I… don’t think that’s right.”
“Luka is responsible for poisoning the previous Baron, Kerys,” he replied. “He imprisoned us. He sent his guards after us when we escaped. And he…”
He didn’t say it out loud, but what ultimately made the idea of killing Baron Luka seem fair, in his mind, was what he’d done to Kerys. She was still shaking her head, but she let her protest drop.
“I could potentially use my mystica to trap him during the commotion,” said Virgil. “There aren’t many trees in Cliffhaven, but it’s something he wouldn’t be expecting.”
“Keep an eye out for that, then,” said Ari. “Amber, Kerys. I want the two of you to head back to the tower this afternoon with as much food as you’re capable of bringing with you.”
“Why?” asked Amber.
“You’re going to tell Rin to organize the refugees and have them join in once a commotion breaks out tonight,” he said. “They’ll need a scout flying overhead to watch and give the signal. The guards on the wall will be too distracted to shoot them down with arrows.”
“Aye, now that is a good idea!” said Skinner. “See, I knew it was the right decision for Lord Ogwell to place his trust in you.”
Ari turned, blinking in disbelief as he took notice of the bald-headed man sitting across the room. Skinner grinned and gave a small wave.
“It’s as I said, I’m a very missable person.” Skinner shrugged. “You’re right, by the way. Lord Ogwell has a very… sheltered perspective on this sort of thing. Including the refugees in the revolt will likely make the difference between success and seeing our heads on pikes by the night out.”
“Do you know this man?” asked Virgil.
“He’s one of Ogwell’s servants,” said Ari. “He’s
also about to explain what he’s doing here, unless he’s looking to make a quick, violent exit.”
“Easy now,” said Skinner. “I just came to let you know that you’ll be needed at my lord’s estate come midday so we can fit you into the costume. It’s going to take some preparation to ready you for the Sacrifice Bout if you want to stand a chance at winning it.”
“I’m wondering if that’s even necessary, now,” said Ari. “It might be more advantageous for me to lead the attack and help command the Ravarians.”
Skinner shook his head. “I can’t speak for Lord Ogwell, but I doubt he’d be willing to make a change like that. We’ll still need the common people to rise up, and the most likely way for us to achieve that is for you, Lord Stoneblood, to put on a performance for them and call them to your aid.”
Ari chewed his lower lip. He still wasn’t sure about the plan, though given the way the winds were blowing, it seemed like he had few other options. He needed to help the Ravarians. He needed to get back to Etheria to defend their new home from attack. He didn’t have a choice.
“Midday,” said Ari. “I’ll be there.”
Skinner nodded, and after taking another bite from a bowl of porridge that he’d apparently pilfered, he headed for the door. Ari waited for a silent moment before glancing over at Amber and Kerys.
“I want the two of you to stay in the tower once you’ve brought the supplies out to the Ravarians,” he said. “This is going to be a mess.”
“If that’s what you honestly think, then why in the world did you agree to it?” asked Kerys.
“Because sometimes you have to make a mess in order to clean up,” he said.
“That doesn’t actually mean anything, does it?” asked Amber.
“Oh, shush.”
***
They headed into the merchant quarter, perusing the stalls to find the best deal on food in bulk. The city felt muted, despite the fact that it was the day of the Season’s End Gathering. Some of the preparations were evidently underway, with stalls being set up around the central square along with the arena circle where the Sacrifice Bout would be taking place.
“I suppose it’s tough to be festive with all that’s been going on,” said Ari.
“They have an example of how their city might end up sitting right outside the gates,” said Amber. “It doesn’t exactly make for a compelling celebration.”
Ari let Kerys take the lead when it came to picking out the supplies they’d be taking out to the refugees. It was interesting watching her testing her new hand, picking up fruit with delicate care and turning it over in her palm. It looked almost indistinguishable from a normal gloved hand from a distance, perhaps slightly stiffer, but nothing that stood out.
He thought about what they’d talked about last night, and what Kerys had forgotten. Did she really want what she’d said, for him to marry her and take that final step? Or were her words those of a girl who’d gotten a little too drunk and a little too carried away?
“Ari?” said Kerys. “Are you listening?”
“No, but I am now,” he said. “What do you need?”
“This merchant says he has a cart already with loaded with supplies that we can take,” she said. “He bought extra expecting that there’d be more people out for the festival.”
The cart was laden with bread, fruit, and a variety of different vegetables. It took a minute of haggling to bring the merchant’s price for it all down within an affordable range, and Ari still felt like his coin purse had been raided at the end of it.
It was enough food to feed the refugees for a time, but not forever. Ari felt a cold certainty taking hold as he and Virgil pushed the cart back through the city, toward the gates. The plan needed to work, not just for his sake, but for everyone’s.
“Be safe, Ari,” said Kerys. “Please. If it seems like it’s too dangerous—”
“I will keep a close watch over him, Lady Kerys,” said Eva.
“I’ll be fine,” said Ari. “I feel like I need to tell the two of you the same thing. After you’ve explained to Rin what she needs to do and delivered the food, head straight for the tower.”
“I will,” said Kerys.
Ari gave her a kiss, and then watched as she and Amber pushed the cart through Cliffhaven’s main gate at a somewhat slower pace than he and Virgil had managed. He waited until they’d disappeared down the road before turning and heading to Lord Ogwell’s estate.
CHAPTER 38
Bruno Ogwell was not present when they arrived, but Skinner ushered them into one of the estate’s side rooms. He made a show of having them sit down before calling to the servants, who wheeled in the costume on a small display platform.
“Are you serious?” asked Ari. “You’re really expecting me to wear, and fight, in that?”
It was closer to what a children’s drawing of a fisher might look like than a real recreation of the actual monster. All of the scariest details, the quadrant-sectioned jaws, the tentacles, and the claws, were larger than they should have been. The head and mask section appeared to be made from hardened clay painted black, while the tentacles were braided ropes twice as thick as they should have been.
The detail that Ari found most striking was how incredibly difficult it looked like it would be to actually get the costume on and move around in it. There were wooden slats on the chest, legs, and arms that seemed to approximate a carapace that wasn’t nearly as visible on a real fisher, and they didn’t look like they would allow him anything close to his full range of mobility.
“Lord Ogwell hired a dozen master tailors and craftsmen to have it created,” said Skinner. “It’s, er, certainly one of a kind.”
“You could still wear your Feathercloak underneath,” said Eva. “It will not be comfortable, and perhaps it might be hot, but it would still provide you with a large advantage.”
“What if I just wear sections of it?” asked Ari.
Skinner shook his head. “It’s part of the festival’s tradition. The other competitors will be similarly hindered, which is what makes the Sacrifice Bout into the proper entertainment that it is.”
Skinner flashed a toothy grin. He gestured to Virgil and Eva to follow him out of the room, and after scowling at the costume for a minute, Ari set about getting dressed.
He was in the middle of pulling his tunic off when a soft knock came at the door. Ari was expecting Eva or Virgil, and he was more than a little surprised when he found Kensi, one of Lord Ogwell’s servants, on the other side.
“I came to see if you needed any help getting into the costume,” she said.
“I think I can manage.”
She was still topless, and Ari did his best to avert his attention from one of the nicest sets of breasts he’d ever seen in his life. They were large and seemed to bounce slightly with each movement she made. Kensi noticed the effort he was putting into not ogling her and stepped closer, clearly intent on doing her best to shatter his defenses.
“Are you sure?” she said, in a soft voice. “A few parts of it are rather tight, you know. It might be a hard fit if someone doesn’t help you prepare properly.”
She set a hand on Ari’s shoulder, drawing near enough to him for the point of her nipple to briefly graze his arm.
“Why are you here?” asked Ari, with a shake of his head.
“To keep you happy,” said Kensi. “Is that a problem?”
She slid her hand lower and began taking his pants off. Ari scowled and stopped her mid-motion.
“And is that what you want?” he snapped. “Are you truly alright with Lord Ogwell sending you to seduce a stranger on a whim?”
Kensi smiled. She took one of her hands and pulled it to her breast.
“Yes,” she said, simply.
“Too bad,” said Ari. “I’m an engaged man now.”
Kensi made a face and pulled back slightly. Even though it wasn’t exactly true, given that he’d never formally proposed to Kerys and she’d been heavily drunk when they’d h
ad the conversation, part of him still wanted to stay true to her. Well, true to the extent of not taking advantage of a servant girl he’d just met who was offering herself to him as part of her work.
He spent the next few minutes calming his lower half down enough to make a real attempt at getting the costume on. It was a tight fit, and the mask hid most of his face and dampened his peripheral vision. He hoped that the other competitors would be similarly hindered if he wanted a real chance at coming out on top during the melee.
He tested out a few movements, getting a sense of how his Feathercloak changed the dynamic of his movement. He’d been hoping that even while trapped underneath the costume, its enchantment might still let him jump higher, keep his balance more easily, and dodge with grace. Unfortunately, that wasn’t really the case, which meant that he’d need to rely on Azurelight and his own combat skills to pull out the win.
The Sacrifice Bout didn’t start until that evening, so Ari took the costume off once he’d gotten a feel for it and met up with Eva and Virgil in the lobby. Bruno had arrived back at his estate, and he frowned as he saw Ari walk out.
“You didn’t like Kensi?” he asked. “I have others, you know. It’s no trouble, you could even help yourself to two at once.”
Ari hesitated for an instant, slightly intrigued at the last possibility. Eva cleared her throat and gave him a meaningful look.
“No, I’m fine,” said Ari.
“I’ve prepared a room for you and your friends to relax until the festival begins,” said Bruno. “Food and wine are already on the table, though I suggest you go easy on the latter.”
Skinner led them up to the room, and the three of them starting helping themselves to pieces of cheese, cured meats, and grapes from the meal platter. Ari took Bruno’s advice on the wine, though as the minutes slowly dragged on, he began to feel like he needed it.
“You will fight well, milord,” said Eva. “There is nothing to worry about. You will still have Azurelight and the abilities allowed us through our bond, remember.”
Reborn Raiders (The Weatherblight Saga Book 4) Page 24