by Pedro Urvi
“Don’t join in. If you do, your people will condemn you to death. Your father will come looking for you with an army of Gods and hand you over to the High Kings because of the dishonor you’ll have brought on your House. That’s what you told me. I can’t let you do that.”
The consequences do not matter to me. If I lose my life, so be it. But I will not let anything happen to you. Not now, not ever.
“Adamis…”
I love you, Kyra.
“I love you too, Adamis.
If you love me, let me do what my heart begs me to.
“I don’t want you to sacrifice yourself for me.”
This is my decision, and I have made it already.
“Adamis, no!”
The Prince of Ether began to walk toward the center of the square. His slim figure became something almost ethereal, surrounded by a mystical mist which moved with him. It appeared as if that being had one foot in this world and the other in the one beyond. As he passed, the Enforcers were hurled through the air. They tried to pierce him with their spears, but they vanished into the mist around him. They attacked him with knives, but as they touched the mist they too vanished, never to be seen again.
Slowly the fighting died down. Everybody, Enforcers and rebels alike, watched the stranger shrouded in mist as he headed straight to the middle of the square.
“Kill him!” Sesmok cried, his face distorted by rage. “What are you waiting for?”
Adamis reached the center and raised his arms to the sky.
“Don’t do it!” Kyra begged him one last time.
But Adamis had already made his decision. He uttered words of Power, and the mist that surrounded him started to rise vertically, as if it formed the vortex of a great tornado. Everybody watched in amazement. The Eyes realized that it could only be a God who was doing this and were thrown into utter confusion, unable to decide whether to attack or not.
Adamis sighed. For you, my love.
He held out his arms to either side, and the upper vortex of the mist column began to descend. But it was not the same mist as before. At an order from its master it had turned lethal. It began to spread across the square as if it had a life of its own and were trying to take the place over. As it spread it enveloped each Enforcer, searching for his spirit, and when it found it, it devoured it along with the body. The Enforcers vanished, and with them their lives. Their armor, without bodies to support it, fell to the ground with a clank. In the blink of an eye, thousands of metal pieces fell as the Enforcers were utterly consumed, Each one of them.
A sepulchral silence fell on the square. The rebels looked on in amazement. Nobody moved, waiting for the mist to fade to find out what had happened. A few moments went by amid a tension which was almost palpable, while the mist slowly dissolved. The pieces of armor, spears, half-moon knives and the hateful helmets of the Enforcers were all that remained strewn on the ground. Not a body, not a soul alive.
Adamis had vanished into the mist.
Sesmok was staring, slack-jawed. “No! It’s not possible!”
He turned to Oskas. The master of shadows looked around the square and said: “The power of the Gods. There can be no doubt of it.”
“No! No!” Sesmok cried in terror, and fled to take refuge in his palace. Torkem, Osvan and their bodyguard followed him at once.
The rebels reacted.
“Victory! For Oxatsi! For freedom! Victory!”
The cheers rose to the sky. Red fists waved the air, blue faces were aglow with joy. They ran to take the square and its surroundings, shouting with all their might in uncontrollable joy.
“He did it,” Kyra said.
“We did it,” said Liriana. “Victory is ours!”
“Sesmok and his minions are getting away,” Ikai pointed out.
“And Oskas,” said Albana.
“Let’s put an end to this once and for all,” Kyra said.
“To the palace!” Ikai cried.
They went up the steps to the great monolith, and from there to the palace entrance. The last of Sesmok’s elite Guard were defending the doors. With them Ikai recognized the Hunters. They made up a wall of shields with the Hunters behind them, bows at the ready.
“Sesmok and Osvan must have ordered them to hold out right to the end,” Liriana guessed.
“If we come from the front,” Albana said, “they’ll wipe us out.”
Ikai looked at his sister. “Maybe with your Power…”
Kyra nodded and stepped forward. Three arrows headed for her heart at once, and she raised her protective sphere just in time. The impact was massive, and the sphere weakened. She took a couple more steps forward, but the line of soldiers was too far away to let her see their auras. Another four arrows reached her.
Damn! It’s not going to hold!
She had to retrace her steps, back to Ikai.
“They’re too far away for me to use my Power, and their bows have a longer range. If I go any closer they’ll riddle me, the bastards.”
Albana stepped in. “Follow me. I know another way in.”
As the group ran to the back of the palace, Ikai turned to look over his shoulder. The rebels had taken both square and monolith and were hurling themselves on Sesmok’s last line of defense at the palace door.
“Death to the traitors! Justice for the dead!”
That was the last he heard amid the chaos of yelling and cheering.
Albana climbed to the top of the wall at the back of the palace with the ease of a spider. She let herself drop into the gardens and set about two guards who were on duty at the back door. The first died of a swift cut to the neck, the second with her dagger buried in one eye.
She opened the door with the dead guard’s keys, and the others went in.
“Be careful. There’ll be more guards inside.”
They reached the columns and the rear portico and entered the gigantic and magnificent palace.
Kyra stared around at the great halls which opened up before her. “It’s immense. How are we going to find that snake?”
“Let’s divide and search on different levels,” Liriana suggested.
“Right,” Ikai said, although the idea did not entirely convince him. “But don’t fight Sesmok one to one, any of you. He’s a poisonous snake, and we don’t know what surprises he’s got prepared for us. Whoever finds him must wait for the others. Don’t do anything rash, don’t take risks. He’s too dangerous.”
The others nodded in agreement. They separated and began to search the palace.
Ikai shook his head. Sesmok and his people would not give up, and there is nothing more dangerous than a rabid wild animal, cornered.
Chapter 37
Ikai went up the white marble stairs, sword and dagger at the ready. He heard voices at the end of a luxurious corridor and went to investigate. To his surprise what he saw was not Sesmok but his right-hand man: Lord Hunter Osvan.
“Come on, hurry up,” he was ordering three of his men. “Put all the valuables in those sacks!”
Ikai watched the scene from the door. At the far end of the heavily decorated room were three huge chests filled with gold and jewels.
They’re emptying the chests before they make their escape, the cowards. I’m not going to allow that.
Rage rose inside him from his stomach to his throat, but he forced it back down. He moved forward into the doorway with his throwing dagger ready in his right hand.
“That doesn’t belong to you!”
The four of them spun round, and he recognized them at once. They were not mere Hunters. Three of them were Master Hunters.
For Girlai! I was too hasty. He swallowed. They’ll be too much for me.
“Look who’s here!” said Osvan. His stern face was twisted into an unpleasant grimace.
“It’s one of the Heroes,” said Master Hunter Kilef, of the First County. “Ikai, if I’m not mistaken.”
Osvan turned to the second man. “It’s him, isn’t it? I think you knew him quite well.”
“Yes, that’s him,” said Master Hunter Sejof.
Ikai was paralyzed as he recognized his old Master.
“Didn’t he leave you badly wounded in a forest after killing your pack?”
“Yes, and he stole my Hawk Eye.”
“Curious, the way life turns,” Osvan said. “Today fate serves you your revenge on a silver platter.”
“Your sister Kyra and I had an unpleasant encounter,” said the third man: Lonus, Master Hunter of the Fifth County. “You have no idea how happy it makes me to know I can repay the debt.”
Ikai tensed. He had stepped into a hornets’ nest, and now they were going to make him pay with his life.
Osvan aimed his sword at him. “Sejof, kill this treacherous scum. Cut his throat. It’s the least he deserves for the dishonor he caused you. Which he caused us all.”
Sejof nodded. He drew sword and knife, and with his black eyes fixed on Ikai’s he moved in to the kill.
Ikai brought up his sword. “Master… don’t…”
But Sejof was already no more than a pace away. Behind his broad back Osvan and the two other Masters stood watching with pleasure.
The look Ikai gave his Master was imploring. He did not want to fight him, did not wish to kill him. He knew he was a fair man: driven by the circumstances of his position, but deep down, an honest man.
“Master…”
Sejof’s sword flashed. Ikai did not take his eyes away from those of the Master. And he saw something in them which was not hatred, was not death, but a warning. Sejof’s glance moved to Ikai’s dagger, then to his own, then back to Ikai’s eyes again. Then he winked at him and Ikai understood.
Sejof launched a devilishly swift stroke. Ikai did not move. The sword brushed his chest, but went wide. The three men, covered by Sejof’s body, could not see whether the thrust had been lethal or not, but they assumed it was, and relaxed. Sejof withdrew his sword and turned to them. As he completed his turn he threw his dagger at Kilef’s right eye.
“What ‒” said Lonus, and raised his arm. Ikai’s dagger caught him in the neck.
The two Master Hunters fell to the floor, dead.
“Treason! You cursed traitors!” cried Osvan.
Sejof smiled at Ikai. “I’m delighted to see you. I hope you’ll forgive what happened … you’ve always been like a son to me. I’m sorry about the past, the situation… my family…”
“There’s nothing to forgive. Thank you for saving me today.”
“You pardoned my life. I owed you. I’m a man of honor, Hunter or not.”
“We can still escape through the tunnels,” Osvan said. “There’s still time. We can get away with all these riches. Don’t be fools. Think about it. Let’s grab all we can and get away from that rabble.”
Sejof looked inquisitively at Ikai. “Would you like to do the honors? Or shall I?”
Ikai eyed Osvan for a moment. He was fierce and skillful. He was trapped, and it was going to be a dangerous business. The most logical option occurred to him.
“We’ll both do it at the same time.”
Sejof nodded, and both of them attacked Osvan.
The combat was fierce. The three men were excellent fighters, expert swordsmen. The Lord Hunter defended himself skillfully, but he could not deal with both. He died run through by Ikai’s sword, not without having wounded Sejof first.
“Go, finish all that,” Sejof said to Ikai as he made a tourniquet for his arm.
“Once again, thank you, Master.”
“I’m no longer your Master, Ikai. Now you’re your own Master.”
“I’ll come back for you.”
Sejof nodded and waved him away.
Ikai left at a run.
Liriana reached the bedrooms upstairs. She knew this was the least likely place to find Sesmok at that particular moment, but she had to make sure. She went into several rooms until she came to the most luxurious. This is Sesmok’s suite, I’m sure of it. It’s ridiculously overdone. But it’s deserted…. so, where is he? Where are you hiding, you traitor? That viper must be trying to escape somewhere on the ground floor. She went down the eastern stairs and ran to the far side in search of some way of reaching the cellars. There has to be a staircase to the lower floors somewhere in this huge building.
She passed two massive, ornamented doors and stopped. Why are they closed? She turned back and studied the double doors. This was a regal room. Careful not to make a sound, she opened one of the doors a crack, bent and peered inside. It was the Regent’s throne hall. A movement caught her attention and she followed it with her eyes.
There he is, the bastard!
Sesmok and Torkem were beside the throne, and two elite officers were with them. They were carrying large saddlebags, each of them carrying four either slung over their shoulders or in their hands. They were ready to run away, taking with them part of the riches stolen from the people.
Liriana hesitated. Ikai had told them not to fight Sesmok on their own. But he’s going to get away! We won’t get another chance. She was still trying to decide what to do when she saw Romen appear at the front of the palace.
“Romen! Here!” she called in a whisper. But he did not see her and went on his way towards the western wing.
“Romen!” she whispered again, more loudly and urgently.
This time he did hear and stopped. He looked everywhere in confusion, but could not see her.
Liriana gestured. Finally he saw her and hurried over. In a whisper, she described the scene inside the room.
“We’re going in. Ready?”
He nodded. They threw the doors wide and burst in.
“Hell!” cried Sesmok. Immediately they dropped the saddlebags and drew their swords. Torkem grasped a massive gold scepter with diamonds.
The two officers stepped forward and measured up to them.
“If I were you,” Liriana said to them, “I’d drop those weapons and stay alive.”
The two officers looked at each other.
“Kill her!” cried Sesmok.
Both officers fought well, with swordsmanship that was worthy of their training. But nothing would stop Liriana now that she was so close to reaching her dream. Romen was forced to retreat as his officer was more skillful and adept. Liriana on the other hand, driven on by pure strength and rage, disarmed her rival and killed him. She turned to Romen, who had fallen, then jumped onto the officer’s back and brought him down. They rolled on the floor. The soldier tried to get to his feet, but a tremendous blow from the pommel of Liriana’s sword knocked him unconscious. He fell to one side. She got up and helped Romen to his feet.
She raised her sword towards Sesmok. “Don’t you dare move, or I’ll run you through.”
Sesmok smiled, but did not move.
“You don’t really think you can stop me, do you, Liriana?” he said scornfully.
“How do you know who I am?”
“Oh I know everything about you, Captain Liriana. About your mentor Gedrel, and your senseless rebellion. About the Shelter, about the Heroes, about all of you.”
“That’s not possible,” she said, totally confused.
“I’ve always known, and I’ve always been one step ahead of you.”
“Whatever the facts may be, today the tables are turned.”
“Do you really think so? This is only a minor complication. I’ll get away” ‒ he glanced at the passage in the wall ‒ “and I’ll come back with an even greater army of Enforcers. Perhaps even with the Gods themselves after what we witnessed today in the square. Or do you really believe the Gods will allow this revolt? You fool! Idiots, all of you! You’ll all die for this, all of you!”
“You’re not going anywhere!”
“Who’s going to stop me. You?”
“If you or that lump of grease there take a single step, I’ll skewer you.”
Sesmok laughed, and Torkem grinned from ear to ear. Completely at ease. Liriana did not like this at all. What’s happening here?
She was puzzled. There was nobody else there but her and Romen.
Romen put a knife to her neck.
“Drop your weapons, Liriana.”
“Romen? No, not you! No, no, no!”
Sesmok laughed heartily, full of self-satisfaction.
“You’ll always be one step behind me. Always.”
“Drop them,” Romen said, and pressed the dagger against her neck until blood appeared on the blade.
Liriana dropped her sword and dagger. “You’re my right hand, there’s nobody I trust more… the Shelter? All Gedrel’s plans and Ikai’s? Was it you? You were the informer? You betrayed us?”
“Marcus hasn’t betrayed anybody. Unlike you, he’s loyal to me. He always has been. I asked him to infiltrate the rebels, and he did. He’s been serving me faithfully since.”
“Why, Romen? Why?”
“His name is Marcus, not Romen, and he has powerful reasons.”
Romen gestured towards Sesmok. “He’s my blood, my family.”
Liriana could not believe it. How could she have been so blind? But she would never have suspected Romen, never.
“Marcus is my nephew, my sister’s son, of my own blood,” Sesmok said, beaming. “A young man with exceptional qualities, as you well know.”
“And Mother? And my sister?” Romen asked.
“They’re safe. I sent them north, to the First County, a long way from here.”
“Good. It’s time to get out of here. The Rebels are about to enter the palace, and the Heroes are already looking for you.”
“Right. Kill her, and let’s get out of here.”
“Romen, no… in the name of whatever you love most, no…”
“I’m sorry, Liriana … I’m truly sorry. I’d have preferred a different ending for you.”
“After all we’ve been through together, you can’t do this. I know you, you’re not a murderer. Your conscience can’t let you do this.”
“Don’t listen to her! Slit her throat!”
“If you kill me in cold blood, you won’t be able to live with yourself.”
“She’ll kill our whole family! She caused all this! She’s the enemy! Kill her!”