A Rising Darkness

by Nikki Dorakis

  “He has taken Senator Morton’s son as his Korteth I hear.”

  “Faedron, yes.” I confirmed

  “And Captain Dthor?”

  “He has begun teaching Prince Gor some unarmed combat as well as . . .”

  “Teaching the Stone Virgin to laugh and to love?” Janir gave me a direct, stone-like look.

  “As well as teaching the Prince a little swordsmanship when the Provost is unavailable.” I concluded.

  The king took my arm and again and we began walking. “Of course.” The king stopped again looking at me with a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Can you honestly stand there and tell me that the handsome Captain has never stolen a kiss from you?”

  “Yes I can, Sire. Dthor has never stolen a kiss.”

  We walked again in silence until we reached the glazed door of the governor’s conservatory. Janir pulled the door open and turned to face me. “You are to dismiss Captain Dthor from the Kyr-Garrin.”

  My stomach turned in on itself. “As my king commands.” I answered.

  “Are you not even going to ask me why?” the king asked, his face a picture of surprise.

  “I serve you, King Janir. I do not question you.”

  The king shook his head almost as if he could not credit my reaction. “Perhaps, just this once, you should have.” he said softly and walked away.

  By the time the War Council was ready to move the army was already three day’s march from Polis. The herald’s reported that the militia had reached the mountain pass well ahead of time and had begun setting up quarters in the now derelict fortress town of Kos.

  “Never underestimate the power of forced marching,” Keelan commented as we rode out of Polis. “Ez’n, are you unwell? You seem very quiet.”

  I shook my head, thanking the king for his concern. I was not ill, just preoccupied with thoughts of the coming campaign and with trying to come up with a way to dismiss Dthor from the Kyr-Garrin without humiliating him. Janir had not spoken of the matter again to me since our garden meeting some two day’s previous and he had been so distant that I was beginning to wonder if the burden of his illness was becoming too much for him.

  Using one of Anubis’ own spells I had forged a link between the king and me which transferred small amounts of my strength to him as the need arose. Anubis had always warned about the dangerous nature of such a Work because as the illness progressed Janir would need more of my strength to maintain the illusion of health. If I was unwary the link could easily kill me, but I had no intention of leaving the Link Spell to its own devices and warned the king that I would reclaim my own vital force at the end of each day.

  We arrived in Kos in a little over a settan and by the time the War Council arrived the soldiers had already set up barracks and managed some rudimentary repairs on the Keep and some of the dwellings. The main streets had been cleared of any trace of black sludge but the stench of recent death still hung in the air like a thick cloying fog.

  Janir set up his lodgings in one wing of the Keep instructing that I should remain close to him in case he should need me in the night. “And where do you go now, Ez’n?” he asked as I donned my cloak.

  “I am going down to the Kyr-Garrin to execute your order, Sire.”

  “Are you not even curious, Meriq?”

  “I confess Sire that I am not. I am sure the wisdom of your decision will be made apparent soon enough.”

  “You are not a normal man, Meriq.” The king said a note of concern edging his voice.

  “No, Sire. I am a wizard. We are different.”

  The barracks fell silent when I gave Dthor the order to report back to the Royal House and as I watched the man packing his kit into the leather haversack my eyes began to well with tears. He set his pack down and taking off the purple and red cloak I had modelled on my own and surrendered in to Aenar I felt that my heart would choke me. He stood for a moment his deep blue eyes scanning every part of my face.

  “Am I to know why?” he said at length.

  “The king has commanded it.” I answered simply.

  “And do you know why the king would command this?” he asked his voice husky with hurt.

  “He did not tell me, he simply commanded it.” I answered feeling my throat tightening with each word.

  “Did you even ask?” Dthor’s voice was tinged with anger.

  “No I . . .”

  I got no further for the man struck me in the face sending me crashing over a nearby bench.

  The air was suddenly filled with cries of consternation and anger. Swords hissed from scabbards filling the air with the sound of a hundred vipers. The Captain was beaten to the ground, hauled before me and thrown at my feet.

  “Put up your swords this instant.” I shouted. Silence fell like a shroud. I bent down and helped the stricken man to his feet. He shook my hand off his arm as soon as he was upright. “There is nothing for Dthor to answer,” I said turning a hard eye on the men. “I fully deserved the blow.” I reached up to wipe some ash from the captain’s face. “And that is why you still live, soldier.”

  Dthor’s face was hard as stone. “And is that the only reason, my lord?” His tone was just short of disrespect, though not by much, and hoarse with suppressed tears.

  “No. It is not.” I answered.

  His eyes held mine for a moment. “Good. For if it was I would throw myself on my sword rather than leave your side to serve elsewhere.” He told me, picked up his pack and left the barracks.

  “There is going to be hell to play over this, Meriq. No-one may strike the Crown and live.” Faedron said as he escorted me back to my quarters.

  “Dthor struck me, not The Crown.” I answered archly.

  Faedron took hold of my arm pulling me round to face him. “What are you saying, Meriq?”

  “What is it you think I am saying?” I answered picking up the pace back to my rooms.

  The corporal hurried to my side and peered down into my face as we walked. “Well I know what it sounds like you are saying,” he told me.

  I gave him a mordant look. “Well as Karyn is fond of saying—if it looks like fish and smells like fish . . .”

  “It is probably a fish.” Faedron finished. “Ye gods, how did I not see it happen? Actually, come to think of it I did see it happening, I just did not think he would be able to consolidate his play—given how many others have failed. There will be much talk.” He threw his hands up in a gesture of surrender as I rounded on him, “Not from me, brother. Not from me. This is far beyond harmless squad-house gossip.”

  “Be sure that is so.” I replied and stalked back to my rooms.

  Pausing by a mirror than hung in the hallway I examined my face. There was going to be quite a mark come morning and doubtless the king would be seeking some kind of explanation for it—unless of course I used a Glamour to disguise it. I groaned. What would be the point? Half the Royal Guard and all of the Kyr-Garrin had witnessed the assault and the force of it they would expect to see the results.

  Back in my rooms I sat by the fire wondering what would happen next. The king would act, that much was certain for the talk would reach his ears by first light if not before.

  As I sat alone with my thoughts I became aware of a presence beside me. It was Jalin. He was standing at the very edge of the firelight holding a lightstick in one hand and a tray of rubyspike balanced on the other. “My lord, what is wrong?”

  “What could be wrong, Jalin.”

  The boy set down the tray and placed the lightstick in a holder on a slab of fallen masonry. “Your arrival woke me.”

  “I am sorry, Jalin. I thought I had been quiet.”

  “It was not the sound that disturbed me, master but your arrival itself.” The boy answered as he poured me a cup of tea and held it out to me.

  I took the drink and smiled at the boy. “Ah, your gift.” I said. “I had forgotten. Do not concern yourself Jalin. Things will be fine.”

  The boy stared in the general di
rection of the Royal Chambers. “The King does not share your optimism, master.” He said and then withdrew to his own room.

  I scarcely had time to get out of bed when Maegor arrived with a formal, written summons from King Janir requesting my presence in the main hall immediately.

  I arrived as bidden to be greeted by a stony silence as I walked the length of the salle to where Janir was seated on a makeshift throne. Dthor stood stripped to his breech cloth chained between an obviously uncomfortable Aenar and a contrastingly self-satisfied Idril. Dthor’s back was bruised and grazed as was his face. It was clear the man had taken a beating, and judging by the expression of smug satisfaction on Idril’s face I did not need to be a Seer to divine where the responsibility lay.

  I bent my knee to the king. “At your command, Majesty.” I remained with my head bowed until the king bade me rise.

  “I am disturbed by reports of your dereliction of The Law, Ez’n.” The king directed my attention to Dthor. I turned dutifully, looked at the soldier and turned back to the king.

  “I do not understand, Sire.”

  The king gave me a dark look. He was obviously trying to discern whether or not I was playing him. “I refer to the Captain’s treason. Striking the Crown is punishable by summary execution.”

  “I am aware of that King Janir. But Captain Dthor did not strike the Crown.”

  “Liar!”

  Balten’s voice cut across the gathering like a thunder clap. The king turned towards his son. “You have something you wish to say, Balten.”

  The Crown Prince stalked towards me. “How have you the effrontery to stand before your king and his nobles and deny this man struck you when your own face bears the marks of his treachery.”

  I fixed the king with a piercing stare before turning my gaze on the Crown Prince holding his eyes until he shifted uneasily. This had gone as far as it was going to.

  “I did not deny that the Captain stuck me, Prince Balten. That would indeed be a lie and a most foolish one for he did so in front of an entire battalion of soldiers. I said that he did not strike The Crown.”

  Janir rose and stood next to his son. “Then if he did not strike the Crown but he struck you—whom did he strike? A boy, a wizard, a noble, his commander? Who?”

  “The man he loves, sire, and the man who loves him.” I answered simply, “Our disagreement was purely personal, not political.”

  Of all the answers Janir might have expected me to give, the look on his face told me that my actual answer was the last thing he ever expected to hear come out of my mouth. Even more obvious was the effect my disclosure had on the gathering. Janir put up his hand to silence the voices.

  “Deceiver.” Balten hissed at me.

  “Not at all Prince Balten. Let us put it to the test.” I turned to the assembly. “We know that Zoar will not suffer a traitor to live. The scriptures tell us that our patron deity abhors treachery above all other human perfidy. He knows the hearts of men so let him now judge the Captain—and me. If we are guilty of treachery let him strike us dead—if not, let him strike off the Captain’s chains.” I stood beside Dthor my arms folded. My mind flexed gently and the captain’s manacles fell to the ground with a harsh clatter.

  I could see that Janir was trying to work out how the cuffs had been severed without the slightest movement from me and with no evidence of a spell casting. “I think that answers the charge, my king.” I said approaching the throne. “For we both still live.”

  “That is soon remedied,” Balten spat drawing his sword.

  I pulled my wand from my belt and made a slicing gesture, releasing a thought blast as I did so. The prince’s weapon shattered even as it cleared the scabbard, leaving him holding only the bejewelled hilt.

  “That may well be, Highness,” I stated coolly, “but it will not be remedied this day, and,” I added with quiet menace, “never by you.”

  Janir sat staring at me long and hard for almost a quarter secta. At length he rose. “Return the Captain his trappings and his rank.” Janir looked at me, “And his place in the Kyr-Garrin.”

  “Father you cannot . . .”

  “Silence!” The king snapped. “You forget yourself. We are marching under the banner of Zoar at His Command. I accept this judgement and so will you.” The king gave me a dark look, “Ez’n you will attend me.”

  The King paced in his chambers like an angry lion. If he had been in possession of a tail he would have lashed it. “Can I truly trust you, Meriq? Can I trust you as I trusted your father?”

  I gaped at the king. “Of course, Majesty. My very soul is knit to your service as Anubis would have wanted.”

  “Then why have you lied to me?”

  I sat heavily shocked that the accusation should come from the king so soon after the recent incident. “Lied to you King Janir? I have never lied to you.”

  The monarch turned to face me. Suddenly he looked far older than his fifty cycles. “Meriq, Balten saw you with Dthor under the torches of the ambulatory. He saw the pair of you embracing. I asked you if . . .”

  “Dthor-Aid’n had ever stolen a kiss from me,” I interrupted, “and I answered you truthfully, my king. The Captain did not steal the kiss, I permitted it. I wanted it.”

  “You are walking a fine line here, Meriq.”

  “Sire, need I remind you that the Truth is a precise thing? If you ask me a question I will answer it as truthfully and precisely as I am able. Had you asked me if Dthor had ever kissed me I would have told you.”

  “By the gods, Meriq, you sound so like Anubis when you speak like that.”

  Whatever else the king might have been about to say was interrupted as Dthor appeared in the doorway of the king’s chambers accompanied by Aenar and Maegor. Janir motioned him forward, dismissing the others. “So, Ez’n, when were you planning on approaching me regarding this liaison?”

  “As soon as we were certain of ourselves, Sire. We did not feel it appropriate at the present time being as we were so new to each other.”

  Janir paced, restless with annoyance. “Well you were certain enough of your relationship to have a spat before a barrack room full of Royal Guardsmen. Whatever prompted such an outburst?”

  “My failure to ask why you wanted Dthor dismissed from the Kyr-Garrin, Sire.”

  The king almost smiled. “I seem to recall mentioning something about that.” he said. Then more to himself than to us he added, “I had no idea there could be such a dramatic outcome.” He turned to Dthor. “So, Captain, you love this unspeakable little Medran fox do you?”

  “I do, Sire.”

  “And I suppose you have already pledged to one another,” The king said smiling despite his obvious vexation at being caught unawares.

  “You may suppose as you wish, sire.” I answered pertly.

  “May Zoar take pity on you, Captain.” The king said mischievously, “I cannot help feeling that this should come as a greater surprise to me than it actually does.” He leaned close to Dthor. “I will be fascinated to learn how you have achieved what so many have dreamed of.” He said confidentially. “Captain Dthor-Aid’n, please remove this insufferable wretch to his chambers. We will discuss this situation and its implications on the morrow. I have had enough excitement for one day.”

  “As my king commands,” Dthor said with a low bow.

  Jae’nt and Aarin moved quietly around the rooms lighting lamps while Iannos and Alna set out the trays for supper. Dthor paced the room like a caged beast huffing and puffing until I finally became so exasperated by the irritating noise I told him to sit down.

  He settled beside me unaware of the discreet and approving smiles of the servants and the Prince Royal. Iannos served the wine and then withdrew with the others, Jae’nt electing to stand guard outside with Faedron.

  I handed Dthor his wine which he set down. “What have we done, Meriq?” he asked suddenly.

  “Nothing.” I answered. “We have simply discovered love.” I stood up and removing my crest from
the shoulder of my robe I pinned it to Dthor’s tunic next to Anubis’.

  He put his hand to the sigil. “Are you certain of this, Meriq? There will likely be a scandal.”

  “It is a little late for that, Dthor.” I replied. “And yes, I am certain. I am yours now and I do not care who knows it or what they may say about it.”

  Dthor unpinned his own crest and fastened it to my robe. “Then let it be so.”

  We embraced briefly and then ate our night meal in silence.

  We had just finished eating when Faedron appeared quite suddenly from the corridor. He seemed slightly agitated and verging on anger.

  “May I have your leave to speak my mind, Ez’n?”

  “Is there any danger that I could stop you?” I asked laughing.

  “Not really. No. I give you my sincere congratulations on finally realising that you were being courted.” Faedron said with a slight smile teasing at the edges of his mouth. He turned to my consort, his aspect entirely different and almost threatening in its calm. “Captain Dthor, I praise you for your skill and dedication in your pursuit and capture of my dear brother’s heart.” Dthor went to thank the corporal but Faedron put up his hand, “But know this, Captain. If you hurt Meriq or break his heart I will find you no matter where you may be, I will find you and I will kill you and I will make it look like an accident.”

  Dthor looked at me and began to laugh. “That has to be the strangest blessing a union of men has ever received, Faedron. You have my oath that I will be as careful with Meriq’s heart as I would be with my own.”

  I rubbed my temples as if trying to clear my head. “I am not sure I should thank you for threatening my Consort apparent,” I commented, “but I appreciate the sentiment.”

  †

  CHAPTER 25

  DEATH IN THE WINGS

  DTHOR AND I arrived at the king’s chambers as arranged just after mid morning to be greeted by Karl the king’s clerk. Janir, it seemed, was indisposed but had requested my presence anyway. As I approached the screened area that formed the king’s withdrawing room there was an immense crash and one of the silken door curtains burst into flame.