She found the scouts before less than half a day’s ride from the daervethi camp. Only two men of the five sent out the night before lived. They were bloody, battered and battle weary. Loriann dismounted at their sides. “We were ambushed,” a scout said. “A detachment of the king’s guard caught us in the open northwest of Astor. You should know they have others with them. It looks like the king has hired cutthroats to help him win the war.”
“Rest, eat, and move south. You should find a daervethi camp and Kaegan there. They are just ahead of Derek and his men. I will ride north.” She examined their wounds, grateful to find none were life-threatening. She removed a healing potion for each man from her pack. “Drink this after you clean the wounds. It will help you heal.”
Both men inclined their heads, smiling as Loriann kindled a fire with her power. “Be watchful, Lady Loriann. They hide in wait.”
“I shall be mindful of that. Do not linger here. Head south as soon as you are strong enough.”
She leapt upon the mare’s back, pointed the horse northwest and rode on. Remembering lessons of the past, Loriann kept to cover naturally provided by the land. A grey ribbon of smoke curling upward gave the first sign that danger lay ahead. Loriann dismounted, pointed the mare’s head south and slapped her on the hindquarters. She proceeded on foot, surveying the land ahead for signs of the enemy.
A small hill topped with a rocky outcropping provided an ample view of the land that lay ahead. Loriann crawled on her stomach along the rocky surface until a group of nearly a hundred men became visible. They went about the business of setting up camp, oblivious to their surroundings.
Loriann closed both eyes, delving deep within her mind until a sphere of magic became visible. A dancing umber sphere came closer until its essence was absorbed. Loriann brought both hands together before smashing them downwards. The earth around the camp cracked as dust spewed into the air. A rumbling deep within the soil came moments before the ground crumbled and the encampment was swallowed whole.
She rose to her feet, peering at the crater that had formed. The screams of crazed horses and men who had not died in the initial cataclysm filled the air. An arrow flew through the air, slicing by her head. Loriann rolled away, coming to her feet as easily as a stalking panther.
Eyes glinted as she called upon the emerald sphere, absorbing its essence into her being as the crimson sphere returned to dance with its brethren. “I would ask that you surrender. The arrow tells me you will not. What a pity.” A roaring wall of flame filled the pit, consuming everything in its path. The smell of burnt flesh and hair filled the air as a dark plume of smoke rose.
As she turned to leave the rocky outcropping, a githok circled overhead, screeching at the sky. The daerveth, mammoth, and Kaegan appeared on the horizon to the south. He rode forward to meet her, leading the mare. “Was there trouble here?” he asked, eyes flickering about the land.
“There was. All is well now. We should make camp soon. I’m in need of rest after last night’s misery on the cold, hard ground.” Loriann walked into his embrace as he dismounted, sighing as she inhaled the familiar scent of spices and wood smoke that were as much a part of Kaegan as his love for her. “Perhaps you’ll hold me close tonight to keep me warm.”
“Always. I think a bit further north would be a better place to camp. It stinks here,” he remarked before soft laughter rumbled in his chest. “Save some sport for the daerveth. They’ve talked of nothing but fighting since we left the last camp.”
“There will be sport for the daerveth in our next battle. Willem Jarin will not let this go as easily as we would hope.”
***
Willem
Willem stood with both hands behind his back, fingernails biting into the flesh of his hands until crimson crescents formed. He knew she would come but was unprepared for reports of her power.
“Tell me what happened,” he encouraged the young man standing in front of him in the yard.
The remainder of the king’s guard stood in formation behind him. A steady mist of rain fell on Helmsfield Keep as it had for the past week. There was always rain and misery at Helmsfield Keep it seemed.
“I was one of the scouts sent out to see if there were others. By the time I got back, she was there. No one saw her coming, my lord.” The young man’s eyes bulged slightly as he spoke, perspiration streaming down his face. He gulped several times before continuing. “The earth just opened up and swallowed the camp! Then this green fire came from nowhere! The ones that survived were burnt to a crisp.” A strangled sound came from his mouth as he continued. “She killed them all!”
Willem put an arm around the young man, patting his shoulder. “You were wise to come here first. It must have been terrible for you to see those men die.”
“It was awful, my lord! The smell...I’ll never forget the smell,” he replied, gulping for air as Willem drew him close.
The dagger slid from its sheath with ease, whispering as it left the leather. It slid just as easily into the young man’s gut, piercing and slicing through flesh until blood welled from the wound. “Only cowards refuse to help their brethren in battle. You ran from Loriann Astus.”
Willem jerked the blade upward, twisting its handle as a gush of blood spewed from the young man’s mouth. The arm supporting the man’s weight moved away. His body fell with a thud to the ground.
“Let this serve as a warning for the rest of you. Turn from battle and face my wrath,” he intoned as he turned to face the guard. He did not tell them of the cold lump that settled in the pit of his stomach at the news that Loriann Astus was near.
***
Cedric
“What do you expect me to do, Willem?” Cedric’s words roared in the nearly empty throne room. “You are the commander of the king’s guard. You swore you had taken care of our problem months ago. Instead, she has escaped and is now stronger than ever.”
Willem paced the floor, cold sweat dripping from the end of his nose, wetting the clothing beneath his armor. “I did not know for certain she was this close. It appears Derek has been busy gathering southern allies. We can march on their positions. We outnumber them by several hundred.”
“You do not sound certain, Willem.” Cedric guzzled the wine that remained in the cup. His eyes closed briefly, then he continued. “If you cannot best this girl and her allies, perhaps it is time for a new grand meister of the king’s guard.” The threat hung in the air, as tangible as the cold steel of the executioner’s blade.
“Give me a chance. Let me prove to you what I’m capable of on the battlefield.” Willem’s face drained of color as he stopped near Cedric. The pupils of his eyes were dilated, eyes bulging slightly as he spoke. His hands trembled as he clasped them together.
“Make short work of this usurper or you will feel the executioner’s blade. Is there any confusion here?” Cedric stood, moving within inches of Willem, eyes searching the grand meister’s face.
Willem gave a nod, bowed, and left the throne room. The king collapsed on the throne as soon as the door slammed behind Willem. A breath was expelled with a whoosh. He could not tell anyone of the fear that grew in his gut--the fear that Loriann Astus had come to claim her revenge.
***
Derek
Derek sat by the fire after Loriann’s departure. The dancing flames caught his eyes, hypnotically dancing, pulling him in. He feared her reaction to the last secret, a secret he knew must be revealed. In his heart, he knew Ebin would accept the knowledge with little resistance or bitterness. He feared Loriann’s reaction. He feared his ally could become an enemy—a fearsome enemy that he knew could easily overwhelm any foe.
Ebin approached, bowing before he spoke. “Your grace. Orizahr said you needed to speak with me.”
“Yes, thank you for joining me.” He stood, clasping Ebin’s hands for a second before releasing them. “I have withheld information from you and your sister. I hope you can forgive me.”
Ebin’s brow furrowed, lips purs
ed, as he stepped back. “What information? Shouldn’t you wait until Loriann is here to share this?”
“I wanted to tell you first, Ebin. I do not fear your reaction as much as I do Loriann’s.”
“Why would you fear Loriann? She loves and respects you, Derek.”
“I am your father, Ebin. Forgive me for not telling you before now.”
***
Ebin
Ebin’s face contorted for a moment as Derek’s words punched him in the gut. “Why? Why would you keep this from us?” he cried as tears welled in his eyes. A myriad of emotions danced through his head. “First I learn that Loriann is my sister. Now I learn that you are our father. How could you? You have no idea what Loriann experienced after our mother’s death!”
Derek stepped toward him, brow furrowed, mouth open as if to speak. Ebin held up a hand as he turned away. “I could not tell you. Cedric would have destroyed you both had he known.”
“He has done nothing but torment Loriann for as long as she can remember. Willem Jarin hired an assassin to kill her. She lost Kaegan’s child because of this!” Ebin stepped further away as nausea rose harshly. He retched, losing the contents of his stomach on the ground.
“You must not tell her.” Derek strode closer, a hand grabbing Ebin’s arm, steely fingers biting into the soft flesh. “I demand that you keep this between us.”
Ebin looked up, eyes locking with Derek’s gaze. “No! That’s why you sent her north with the daerveth and mammoth, isn’t it? You were afraid of what she would do if she learned your other secret.” A harsh guttural laugh burst from his mouth. He jerked away, fingers brushing spittle from his mouth. “I don’t have anything to say to you. I’m going to find my sister. To hell with you and Cedric.”
Ebin walked toward the horses. He took the first mount that was saddled. Only a trail of dust rising in the sky was left behind. He did not look back as he rode north.
***
Orizahr
“I warned you this could happen,” Orizahr said as he sat down. A hand stroked the long, grey beard as he waited for Derek to speak. “We must be prepared for Loriann’s response regardless of what it may be. She has a gentle, caring nature. Perhaps you should appeal to that part of her.”
Derek leaned forward, elbows on his knees, head resting on both hands. “Ebin was hurt by my admission. Can you imagine how Loriann will feel? She was alone for several years, abandoned and abused. All because of my fear.”
“You could go to her, plead your case. I will support you, brother. Let us go together.” Orizahr remained silent as Derek stood up.
“I will go to her. If she hates me then so be it. I will face this as part of the consequences for delivering the prophecy to Cedric.” Derek stared at the horizon as the sun peeped above it. “Scouts have returned. They are near Froudown. If I leave now, I can intercept them before they reach the ruins of Ebonbarrow.”
“I will go with you, brother. We both bear responsibility for Cedric’s knowledge of the prophecy.” Orizahr laid a hand on Derek’s shoulder. “We will face Loriann together.”
The journey north began as twin suns broke the night sky. Jingling chain mail, snorting horses, and random conversations broke the stillness. The path taken by the daerveth and mammoth was clearly visible. Derek’s men followed it without question. Orizahr and Derek exchanged silent glances as they passed the wreckage of the king’s guard camp.
Flickering fires in the distance and squawking githok circling in the sky marked Loriann’s camp as the twin suns lay three fingers breadth above the horizon. The Ashapii warriors joined the daerveth and mammoth. Derek’s men whispered among themselves as they saw the warriors riding horses painted for war. Ebin strode from the camp to meet them, his face and voice flat.
“She wants to see you, your grace,” Ebin called to Derek as they entered the perimeter of camp. “There is no need to worry. I thought you should share your secret. Be warned, if you do not, I will. She deserves to know.”
Orizahr dismounted. “I was not meant to ride astride these beasts. My old knees ache,” he complained. “Derek, we should not keep Loriann waiting.”
***
Derek
Derek’s eyes were dark, brow furrowed, as he dismounted then handed the reins to a page. He walked by Orizahr’s side to the northern edge of the encampment. Kaegan and Loriann sat together with several daerveth. All stood and bowed as Derek appeared.
“Loriann, Ebin tells me that you wish to speak with me.”
“Scouts have found smaller groups of the king’s guard to the north and northwest. What is your plan to address them?” she inquired.
Derek cleared his throat before speaking. “I am not certain now is the time to forge our way into battle.”
“Now is not the time to falter,” she replied, glancing at Kaegan. The daerveth rumbled their agreement as they whispered, as best daerveth can, amongst themselves.
“Loriann, there are other matters I need to discuss with you. Information you should know before we fight and win this war.” Derek paused, looking at the ground, took a deep breath and raised his head to look Loriann in the eye. “I am your father.”
Silence ensued as Loriann held Derek’s gaze, only the flickering emerald eyes speaking of some stirring of emotion. Her face remained impassive. “Why would you keep this from us?” her voice was low and even.
“The king would have hunted you down and killed you had he known. I did it to protect you,” Derek replied, his voice hoarse with emotion. An icy chill bit into the pit of his stomach as she stood quietly, eyes flickering. Time stretched agonizingly as he waited for her to speak.
***
Loriann
A war began inside her as Derek’s words fell on her ears. A deep breath came as she fought back the rage. Dozens of thoughts raced through her mind. Kaegan took her hand that knotted into a fist, fingers closing tightly around it. His thumb stroked her wrist. The minuscule caress calmed her.
“You did it to protect us? Ebin was protected. He grew up with an adopted family that loved him. I grew up running from the king’s guard, being hated as an orphan in Ebonbarrow, being beaten daily for stealing food so I would not starve to death. That was my protection, father.” The final word lilted as her voice changed, eyes shimmered even brighter.
Her attention shifted to Orizahr. “And you, Orizahr, what secrets do you hide from my brother and me? You welcomed me at Baeliton Keep under the pretense of helping me understand my powers. You were merely a pawn in my father’s game. You strengthened my abilities, so I could fight this war for your brother. That has been your plan all along, has it not?”
Ebin appeared behind Derek and Orizahr, glancing at both men as he strode past them to join Loriann and Kaegan. Orizahr worried the sleeve of his robe as his mouth opened and closed several times.
“We did not use you for our gain, Loriann. I told you once before that I loved you as my own child. Please believe those words are true,” Orizahr said as his eyes found hers.
“You loved me as an uncle who knew who I was, who my father was, what my role in the prophecy was. You and your brother loved me for my powers.” The final words came in a hiss as Loriann’s teeth came together, jaw set, a twitching muscle telling of the tension that gathered in her body.
A wave of concussive force pushed Derek and Orizahr back several steps. Loriann’s hair danced in a breeze that came from nowhere. The daerveth stepped away as their mammoth trumpeted nervously.
“All along you have used me for your personal gain. Can you even imagine how that makes me feel?” Another wave of force came, pushing Derek and Orizahr further away. Loriann lowered her head, chest rising and falling as her breathing became more rapid. The fist within Kaegan’s grasp trembled.
***
Kaegan
Kaegan turned, placing his body between Loriann and the brothers. His arms enfolded her as his head lowered. “Do not do this, Loriann. You cannot lose control, not now,” he whispered.
&nb
sp; “Why? Why would he deny me?” she replied, tear-streaked face looking upward. “I had no one until I found Derah and Sandel, then you. You and Ebin are all I have in this world. I could have known my father and uncle. Instead, I only knew pain.”
The concussive force came again, weaker as she choked back a sob. It moved Kaegan back a step. His arms tightened about her as he felt the trembling move through her body. “You will always have me, Loriann. And I don’t think Ebin is going anywhere. He has loved you like a sister from the moment he met you. None of that has changed.”
“I won’t hurt them. I want to, but for you and Ebin I will not harm them.” Loriann’s head came to rest against Kaegan’s body, her arms encircling his waist. He felt the tension melt from her body.
A ragged sigh came as he realized how close she had come to losing control. “You best go now. Loriann needs time to clear her head. I will find you when she wishes to speak to you again,” Kaegan called over a shoulder. Derek and Orizahr wasted no time in retreating to the safety of their tent.
They stood silently, Kaegan’s hand stroking her hair as she leaned against him. The once silent camp gradually came to life again as fires were built, sentries posted, and horses tended. The daerveth returned to encircle them as if offering their bodies as a protective barrier. Ebin remained, quietly waiting until his sister moved from Kaegan’s embrace.
“I will not think of this again,” she announced. “We have a war to win.”
“We have won a war this day,” Keagan replied. “A fierce battle waged inside your heart and mind, Loriann. I am glad you were able to win it.”
***
Chapter 19
War: Loriann
Loriann woke before twin suns rose above the horizon. She lay quietly listening to Kaegan’s soft snores. The sound comforted her for a moment before thoughts of the coming war intruded upon those thoughts. Fingers curled into Kaegan’s shirt then shook him once. He woke, bleary-eyed but smiling as he saw Loriann’s face. “We must meet with Derek and Orizahr to plan the next phase of our attack.”
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