by Laura R Cole
CHAPTER 35
King Nathair roared his considerable rage at the loss. Some force of magic had managed to get around his barriers and wrench the girl Layna from him.
He kicked Jezebel's mangled body for the distraction she had caused him. He had meant for Jezebel to be the girl's first test, a ritual killing of the former position-holder as a symbol of the girl taking her place by his side. Had I known that the girl was the one Jezebel has been so obsessed with...but no matter, now I know who she is. And she is even more impressive to have gone against a mistress as vicious as Jezebel, and to have risen to be the formidable power wielder she now is without training. Curse Jonathan for having reverted to his drug habit and ending his usefulness before having further investigated the girl when he first found out. If only I’d known earlier it was her, I could have gotten her before she even left the city.
Though she was still not nearly as powerful as he, and not even close to her potential, he wanted her more than ever at this revelation of her strength of character as well as the potential he could sense in her since the removal of the charm. She was perfect for his purposes. She was closed off to him now, but he would find her again. When he did, he would be prepared for it.
He shook off this minor set-back and turned to face the massive door behind him. Only those bearing the mark were allowed to enter these sacred chambers, any unworthy trying to get in would find themselves transported into less hospitable areas – as that man with his girl had found.
He walked towards the door with reverence, and reached out a hand to stroke the wood in veneration of the great man who had once walked these hallways, and whose body was entombed inside.
Nathair had spent countless years trying to find out how to open these doors, and had finally found the key. Without care, he dragged Jezebel's limp and bloody form to the door and laid her mangled hand on the pedestal on the left. He made his way to the one on the right, and murmured the words of power which would unlock the door.
It had been fortunate, the timing of his finding this key and his discovery that the one he had been searching for was in the very same city as the tomb. He had hoped to have her open the door with him willingly, and together they could have reaped the rewards of the mysteries revealed in this chamber.
But no matter, Jezebel's mark was pure enough to complete the spell, however impure the rest of her was, and the lock clicked open. The door opened upon creaking hinges, causing sweet musky air to pour out in a great cloud of dust.
Nathair stepped forward eagerly, and sent out mage lights to illuminate the great tomb of his ancient lord. The mage lights brightened the room in their passage to take places in each of the corners of the chamber, and lit it to reveal a vast open space.
The room was empty.
Fire and fury built up inside Nathair. All those years of searching only to find that the chamber has been emptied before my arrival!
Nathair felt the power begin to grow within him as he opened himself fully to it, letting it flow inside like a dam suddenly being burst open, handling the rushing flow with ease. He redirected this power to form a glowing ball, a physical manifestation of the energy.
He transported himself out of the caverns, leaving behind this destructive mass of power. It was so unstable that his disruption of the magic forces by his spell to transport set it off, triggering every trap there was in the place.
A huge explosion sounded behind him and Nathair smiled in grim satisfaction, his anger flowing away with the remainder of power as he loosened his grip on it.
These disappointments were discouraging, but only served to strengthen his resolve and determination to find a way to eventually accomplish his goal. He was a patient man, and smart enough to learn from his mistakes. Next time he would not fail.
He lifted the body he had transported out with him onto the back of the horse that was waiting for him, and mounted himself. Oh yes, next time I will be victorious. I have had many titles; Lord, Master, King, and soon...God.
Nathair smiled as he whirled his horse around, and he rode off into the darkness.