The Dark Disciple (The Daybreak Saga Book 2)

by Dan Neil

  Undeterred, Ervane questioned her further. “What did you do after that?”

  Releasing a deep sigh, Jisaazu shook her head. If he wanted to know so badly, that was fine. “I went to temples, monasteries, academies—anywhere that I could learn to defend myself. When I wasn’t relying on the charity of others, I fought to survive. Then I escaped and went to the isles north of Gaddeaux.”

  “And why did you come here?” Ervane asked. “It seems you were surviving rather well.”

  “Sir Kaine found me and offered a spot in the King’s Militia.”

  “It seems like you moved around a lot.”

  Through clenched teeth, she answered, “Once I’d learned everything I could from one place, there was no point in staying.”

  “Will you leave when you’ve learned everything you can here?”

  She glared. “Why are you asking so many questions? I’m not your friend; I’m your mission partner. And it may be for this one time. It’s nothing to get used to.”

  Ervane, oblivious to Jisaazu’s annoyance, kept pressing, “I was just trying to fill the journey with conversation.”

  “Then speak about things relevant to the task at hand.”

  “Very well,” Ervane quietly granted. “What do you know about Keia Atlos?”

  “Less than you, most likely. I don’t know her as well as I thought I did, if what Gaheris told me is true.”

  Ervane shrugged. “She’s a criminal. We wouldn’t be chasing her otherwise.”

  Jisaazu shook her head. “Oh, come now. She may have been a thief, but I doubt she had anything to do with Gladios. Why would she leave a note if she were involved?”

  “A note?”

  “Yes, a note,” she replied.

  “What did it say?”

  “Fuck if I know. I can’t read your city’s scribbles.”

  “You must have been a little close if she left a note,” Ervane said suspiciously.

  “If we were close, would I agree to bring her to whatever justice the king sees fit?”

  “You know they’re going to kill her.”

  Jisaazu’s heart sank. Keia didn’t deserve to die, but it was not up to her. If Keia truly left to search for her family, surely Symon would understand.

  Changing the subject, Jisaazu asked a question, “Tell me, where was her brother’s last mission to? That may be where Keia is headed.”

  “Ah, an avid detective. Far up north—I doubt she’ll go there. If she really is looking for her family, she’ll likely begin in—Greerwood.”

  Jisaazu rolled her eyes at his apprehension. For all King Symon’s supposed might, his soldiers were still afraid of a forest.

  I’m not afraid of anything in there.

  Another question from Ervane brought her back to reality. “Something on your mind?”

  Jisaazu snapped, “Only other partners.”

  Ervane held his tongue for some time after.

  Despite having walked for hours, they’d barely scratched the edge of the endless ocean of green. Jisaazu looked to the sun, which was falling from the sky. She had forgotten what traveling was like, having spent over six months in one place.

  Almost a personal record.

  The silence was broken by Jisaazu when night descended upon the gently swaying grass. “How much longer until we reach the forest?” he asked.

  “Roughly thirty days, save the one we’ve traveled,” Ervane said. “We should probably camp for the night. These plains are dangerous—crawling with bandits, from everything I’ve heard.”

  Jisaazu watched curiously as Ervane cast a spell with his sword; he lifted rocks from the ground and formed a crude hut from them. Once they were inside, Ervane closed the walls.

  He then lit a fire and roasted a bit of avian meat summoned from a spell plate. Even Jisaazu ate ravenously. The next day was bound to be more of the same; their journey had only begun.

  —

  Keia huddled next to a fire set by the Lord of Northstead, trying to find the perfect balance between too close and too far. They were underground; Mar had a knack for making makeshift homes.

  When he decided to tag along, Keia believed he would be much more talkative than he turned out to be. For the past day and a half, Keia and Mar had traveled in near silence, with Mar occasionally scanning for bandits.

  She hadn’t slept the first night, not entirely trusting her new companion. But even if she had, his snoring and sleep-talking would have kept her awake anyway. Only a thin blanket separated their sections of the chamber; so, she heard everything.

  Mar sat opposite her, tending to the flames with his wand. He was roasting flesh, his eyes focused on the spit. The only sound was the crackling fire.

  Keia broke the silence. “Mar?”

  He snapped to attention, as if coming out of a daydream. “Huh? Yes, Keia? Do you need to go outside again?”

  “No, it’s not that. I—I want to ask you something.”

  Mar nodded. “Go on. You’ll find I’m a bit less cryptic than Myrddin.”

  Not sure how to begin, she cut to the heart of the matter. “Last time we talked, you said you had something to tell me—that I had to confront harsh truths.”

  Mar took the spit off the fire. “There is much you don’t know, Keia, and many who wish to keep it that way. I’m more of the mind that there are things you have a right to know. So, fuck those other guys. I’ll tell you what I can.”

  Finally, some answers! Keia was cautiously optimistic.

  “I suppose I should start with Myrddin and me.” Mar nodded. “Yes. We’re part of the same organization, one that was founded several hundred years ago: a secret group—Inheritance Order.”

  Keia blinked rapidly, expecting more. “Inheritance Order? That’s a stupid name.”

  “Oh? Well, hear our story, and then you can come up with a better one.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Go on; we’ve got nothing but time.”

  Mar’s eyes glowed as he tended to the fire and explained, “Inheritance Order was founded when Myrddin successfully recovered and translated Rhiannon’s texts—Aion rest the six who perished to retrieve them. Several prophesies were discovered within her personal writings, the foremost of which predicted her eventual return.

  “This was during the early years of the Itheran Kingdom, mind you. Myrddin, the Ithratan king, and the five finest warriors of his court adjourned on a mission to steal the books from the Isle of the Gods. Only Myrddin returned alive.”

  “The Isle of the Gods?”

  “A foul place, dark and full of despair—one of the old strongholds of the Masters. Many of their magical relics remain within. It matters little; Inheritance Order was founded shortly thereafter, dedicated to the purpose of preparing the world for the return of Rhiannon.”

  “And how have you gone about that?” she asked.

  Mar scratched his head. “Interpreting the prophecy. Securing alliances wherever they can be found. Battling those who have sworn to oppose her. Gathering relics and objects of importance in the coming war.”

  Keia’s brow scrunched in confusion. “Before she’s even returned?”

  “Rhiannon scares people—the idea of her. The Masters had control of everything. Then Rhiannon showed up—she took what they had and gave it to everyone. When she returns, the new masters will become the old way. And the old way always fights. The oldest ways have been preparing for this war for a thousand years.”

  Keia thought about this. “I guess you’re right. I doubt the king would want to share power.”

  Mar chuckled. “No, I doubt that very much. Regardless—where was I?”

  “Who else?”

  His head tilted. “Huh?”

  Keia’s lips pulled further downward. “Who else is in your stupid little club?”

  Mar leaned back. “I’d be he
re for a while if I named them all. Anyone specific in mind?”

  “Aleister Belmont.”

  Mar nodded. “Oh, yeah, he’s one. He’s one of our most dedicated members.”

  “Axl Evander.”

  A half-smile crept over Mar’s lips. “Our newest—and possibly most controversial—member. He is currently traveling with Myrddin to test his compatibility with the Order. He may be expelled to the Nothron Isles, safe from Symon’s reach, if he isn’t what Myrddin hopes he is.”

  I wonder what Myrddin hopes he is.

  “Oliver Alrick.”

  Mar frowned. “No. I’ve heard the name, but I’m not terribly familiar with who that is.”

  “Aliya.”

  “No. But your parents were.”

  Keia leaned in, her eyes wide with wonder. “Really?”

  Mar’s eyes were distant, focused on a memory in the dancing flames. “Yes. Those times are quite precious to me—eh, either way. It matters little. Yes, they were all members—working toward the singular goal. We believed then the world was on the precipice. Enemies waited in every shadow. The lady only needed to reveal herself. The years have proven our suspicions true.”

  “I see. And what does this have to do with me?”

  “Because,” Mar stared straight into her eyes, calmly explaining, “the Order has determined that you are Lady Rhiannon returned, according to her prophecy.”

  Keia blinked and processed what she heard. Then, her eyebrows raised. “What?”

  “Myrddin thinks you’re Rhiannon reborn, and the Order agrees. And based on everything happening in Genievon since you were born, I’d say Ashuram agrees, too.”

  Keia now blinked uncontrollably. “I’m—what?”

  That’s impossible. This is a joke, right? He’s gonna say, ‘Gotcha—can’t believe you fell for it!’

  Mar sighed. “Myrddin believes—”

  Keia’s heart was racing. “Yes, I heard you,” she interrupted. “But—what? You’re fucking with me, right?”

  Mar shook his head.

  “But—I can’t be Lady Rhiannon’s returned form!”

  “Well, why not?”

  “Lady Rhiannon was powerful. I’m not.”

  Mar thought for a moment, “Of course. You lost the use of much of your magic—the incident with Ulrich.”

  Keia grimaced.

  “Sorry, I hate to open old wounds. But these are the harsh truths you must confront. Myrddin didn’t want to, but I don’t mind pissing you off.”

  She crossed her arms. “Oh, this should be good. First, I’m Lady Rhiannon—now let’s hear this ‘harsh truth.’”

  “Ulrich Staedtler. Of all the things the foul shadow could’ve shown him—of all the directions to steer him—you were chosen. He saw you in his visions for a reason. Even earlier than that—why did Remy Crusoe target your family?”

  Keia’s eyes narrowed. What is he saying?

  He pressed on, “Axl—he was chosen for a reason as well. Because of his feelings for you.”

  “How do you know about that?” she asked, the words spilling out of her.

  Mar stroked his chin and said, “I was told by Myrddin, of course. The enemy wanted to isolate you, get to you alone—while you’re weak. But you won’t be weak forever. And that’s beside the point! Of all the powerful people in the world, of all the harbingers of doom that Ulrich could have seen in his visions—why would he see you?”

  Keia’s shoulders slackened. “I—I don’t know why it happened to me. I always thought he was just crazy. And for Axl, it was that damn stone. And Remy Crusoe, well…”

  Mar shook his head. “Dark forces are at work—forces that excel at influencing people’s minds. Ulrich was but a pawn, as were Axl and Devin, for a time; they all have been. But the enemy cannot hide forever, and they know it. They will reveal themselves.”

  So, Mother and Father—the church was trying to get to me. What—why?

  “And what am I supposed to do, then?” Keia asked.

  Shrugging, he said, “I don’t know.”

  She groaned. “You’re worse than Myrddin.”

  Mar chuckled. “I never said I wasn’t a piece of shite.”

  Keia thought for a moment. “Did—did my parents, you know—did they think it was me?”

  Mar stroked his chin, lost in some distant memory. “Yes, I remember. Your conception matched well with the prophecy. At first, they were doubtful. But when your mother was carrying, well—she had stories. Arrows changing course, barriers uncast by other mages—and when you were born, and they first held you, I think they knew. By the look in their eyes—they knew you’d go on to do great things.”

  Keia shook her head. “This doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know why you’ve settled on me out of all the other people in the world—people who can actually do impressive things! Just because my life has sucked? Because I have terrible luck with crazy people?”

  He shrugged. “Impressive is relative. Myrddin spoke quite highly of you. He never knew magic could hurt a person like it hurts you, and he never knew a person’s love for magic could outweigh such pain. He has never seen such courage—the ability to wake up and continue to exert yourself despite knowing that your failure is inevitable—in anyone else.”

  Keia put her head in her hands and stared at the ground, struggling to process everything. “This is crazy. You’re crazy.”

  “Perhaps. But the Order has cast their lot with you.”

  She pointed at his face and said, “Tell them to stop! I don’t want their lot!”

  “I can’t just tell them—”

  “I don’t care what you tell them! I don’t need this right now!” Keia shouted. “My brother has been missing for months, and now my sister is out there, too! In the world’s most dangerous place. The absolute last thing I need right now is to worry about all this! To think about all the horrible people who’ve apparently only killed my loved ones because they were trying to get to me!”

  Mar nodded. “Fair. Completely fair. I’ll tell you what—I can help you with your problems. That’s precisely why Myrddin asked me here.”

  “Myrddin,” Keia said as if coming out of a trance, “Myrddin! Why the hell didn’t he tell me if he thought I was Lady Rhiannon?”

  Mar cringed. “Old wizard’s got a past, Keia. It doesn’t always go well when you tell someone they’re special, or that they’re destined for great things. Sometimes it warps the way they see themselves. He didn’t want that for you—or so he claimed. I think, honestly, he was taking the easy way out.”

  Keia eyed Mar distrustfully. “How can I be sure you’re telling the truth?”

  “How the hell am I supposed to know? You’ll be sure when you find out that I wasn’t lying.”

  Keia’s thoughts were akin to a whirlwind, each blurring into one another. “You really are crazy.”

  Lord Mar Mercer nodded. “I’ve been called much worse. Do you have any other questions? I’m sure you’re tired.”

  Keia stared at the fire in disbelief. Then, quietly, she asked, “Why me?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “How did you decide it was me? How do you know you’re right? Because I think you’re wrong.”

  Mar frowned. “I can’t recall the prophecy specifically from memory, but it mentioned someone born ‘one thousand rotations beyond me’—one who ‘speaks to the universe’ and ‘suffered great losses.’ Unfortunately, Rhiannon was not terribly specific. There probably was more, but it’s been a decade since I re-read it.”

  A shiver ran through Keia as she kept her gaze on the dancing flames. “I’m scared, Mar. I was terrified before. I know I don’t stand a chance in Greerwood, and I can’t stand up to the kingdom—what can I do? And now I know that whatever’s out there, whatever’s been doing all of this crazy shite to me—it’s waiting for me
. And I don’t have anywhere else to go but straight at it.”

  Mar’s eyes burned with pain as he listened. When he did not respond, Keia continued, “I’ve thought a lot about dying. I’ve seen a lot of dead bodies—some from the day Ulrich took me—a lot more when I worked with Axl. And somehow, even though, you know—even though I know it happens to everyone, I still—I felt like it might not ever happen to me. I think we all do, a little bit. But now, facing this, going there, I don’t know. I don’t see any other way.”

  “It’s all right to be afraid, Keia.”

  She muttered under her breath, “You can’t have courage without fear.”

  “I know it all feels like too much, but how many times have you surprised yourself in the past year? You’ve risen to the occasion before, and you’ll do it again. Whether you like it or not, Keia—I believe in you. We all do.”

  She sighed and closed her eyes. “I hate you so much right now.”

  Mar smiled. “By the way, have you thought of a better name?”

  Keia spat out the name and rolled over to sleep. “The Abandoners.”

  Mar chuckled. “Yes, Myrddin did say that your sense of humor was quite unique.”

  Chapter 34

  Heights and Spiders

  Day 9 of the Season of Life, 1020 YAR

  Gaheris paced in the Middle Magic Chamber. Occasionally, he unclasped a hand from behind his back to wipe sweat from his brow.

  The fool was told to reach me once a day, he thought. The king had demanded Jisaazu be sent after Keia to prove her loyalty, but Gaheris thought this was reckless—if they were working together, it played into their hands. These thoughts and more wracked his helpless brain. There was nothing to do but wait.

  The worst thing one could ask of me.

  After an hour of anxiety and panic, Ervane finally reached out. ‘Lord Gaheris.’

  ‘Took you long enough,’ Gaheris replied. ‘What have you been able to get out of her?’

  ‘She’s not much of a talker. Grows more hostile with each question.’

  ‘What does she know about Keia? Did you ask that?’

  Ervane answered, ‘She claims to know nothing—I’m not so sure. Apparently, Keia left a note just for her. She didn’t let me read it, but it piqued my interest. Why would Keia leave a note?’