Second Skin Omnibus

by M Damon Baker

  As he struggled, I simply placed my hand on his shoulder and sent a thick band of darkness down the length of his arm. He screamed in agony as the unfiltered tendril of my rage wrapped around his bones, and his cries rose several octaves as those bones were pulverized when I snapped the thread back sharply.

  With the now useless limb tightly bound to his side, the Deathless ceased his struggles and only whimpered helplessly as he was hoisted up into the bed of a wagon, destined for the cells beneath the Palace.

  “I’ll come visit you soon,” I whispered in his ear as he moaned in pain. “And when I do, you’ll beg me to be this gentle with you.”

  I turned away quickly once the wagon left and sought out Khorim among my advisors.

  “I want a description of those links around his neck posted all across the Empire,” I commanded. “Anyone wearing them is to be brought to me. Set whatever bounty you feel is necessary, but I want those Deathless to know what it feels like to be hunted.”

  “I’ll see to it, Empress,” Khorim replied stiffly, sensing my foul mood.

  “I’m sorry, Khorim,” I apologized as I realized how harshly I’d spoken to him. “I didn’t mean to take out my frustration on you.”

  “Aye, but it’s part of the job,” he smirked back at me.

  “That it is,” I smiled, glad for his humor to break me from my dark thoughts.

  From there, I walked straight to Hilgreth’s forge. The Deathless had nearly broken free from the makeshift restraints my soldiers had employed, and we required something far better to rely on if he was going to remain our prisoner for the long term.

  “Hilgreth, I’m going to need you to make some very strong shackles to hold our new prisoner,” I began as I entered her forge. “Not only for him but any others we may capture as well.”

  Her forge was a mere stone’s throw away from where the Deathless had fought with our people, so I knew that she was already aware of the entire situation. Hilgreth didn’t shy away from the challenge I’d given her and gestured for me to come closer.

  “You were a Deathless before you became a Sintári, Empress,” she explained her reasoning as she motioned at two lengths of chain before her. “Tell me which would be strong enough to hold you.”

  I wasn’t exactly comfortable with the idea of designing something that could restrain me, but that was essentially the task I’d given her, so I tested the two metal chains. The first was Dwarven Steel, and I gripped it at either end and pulled with all my might. The metal links groaned under the strain of my efforts but did not yield to me. Although I hadn’t broken them in that single attempt, I was skeptical that they’d withstand any prolonged abuse from me.

  The second length of chain was Khelduin, and although the metal was quite precious, I wouldn’t hesitate to use it to restrain the Deathless if that’s what was required. As I tugged and pulled the links, they didn’t budge, nor did I detect any hint of stress from the metal, despite my best attempt to pull the links apart.

  “I was sure the Steel would have been enough,” Hilgreth whispered under her breath.

  “It might be, but let’s not take any chances,” I replied. “We’ll need several sets, and I want them made to restrain both his arms and legs. How long before you can have them ready?”

  “If you don’t need them to be pretty, I can get the first one done tonight,” she vowed, knowing full well the importance of the matter.

  “In that case, make them as ugly as you can, Hilgreth. That way, they’ll match our prisoner.”

  Venna had followed me to the forge, and once my business with Hilgreth was concluded, she met me as I made my way back towards the Palace.

  “This one had some interesting items, just like Zedd,” she informed me as we walked side by side, “in addition to the links around his neck.”

  “Can we get Aaden to identify them for us at least?”

  “I’ve already sent someone to fetch him for you, Empress,” Venna smirked.

  She was quite good at her job, I had to give her that, and I took hold of Venna’s hand as we made our way back to the Palace. Walking with her like that reminded me of our early days together, when she’d first uncovered my Sintári side, and it was only the two of us. While I wouldn’t trade my Tári for anything, part of me missed those simpler times.

  We soon reached the Palace steps, and as we climbed them, I was surprised to see Marli waiting for us beside the wide gates. Even more shocking was that Ineth, the merchant Stel had introduced me to in Orlan, was standing by her side.

  “Empress, if I could, my sister has a request of you,” Marli implored as I approached her.

  “I didn’t know that Ineth was your sister, Marli,” I smiled at the two of them.

  Both of them winced as I said Ineth’s name, and I realized that my use of what was clearly a pseudonym had caused their response.

  “You didn’t tell me that you were using her name,” Marli uttered in a hushed, pained tone.

  “It’s all that I have left to remember her by,” not-Ineth replied sharply.

  “Care to fill me in?”

  Marli glanced meaningfully at her sister before not-Ineth relented and told me her tale.

  “Ineth was my daughter’s name,” she explained. “She was killed when a band of Deathless raided the town where she lived with her husband. After Ineth’s death, I took to using her name when I conducted my business. I’ve come to ask you to let me have a look at this Deathless your people have captured, to see if he’s one of those responsible for my daughter’s murder.”

  Although she’d spoken to me in a clear, strong voice, the look of pain in not-Ineth’s eyes was unmistakable. I knew from the confessions I’d wrung out of Zedd that the Deathless he consorted with were the cruelest sort and could only imagine the fate that had befallen her daughter at their hands. If knowing that we’d captured one of the Deathless who’d taken part in her daughter’s murder could bring her any sense of peace, there was simply no way for me to refuse her request.

  “I’m sorry, but I cannot allow unknown individuals into the prison,” I replied as I held not-Ineth’s gaze.

  The woman seemed to deflate before my eyes, but Marli caught on immediately.

  “Her name is Emilda, Empress,” Marli offered.

  “Very well, then,” I glared at her meaningfully. “Emilda may have a look at the prisoner.”

  Venna came with me as I escorted Marli and Emilda into the depths below the Palace where the unnamed Deathless was being held. We reached his cell quickly, finding it easily not only because it was the only one that was occupied, but also by simply following the low moans of pain the Deathless was still uttering.

  “Only one small boy escaped the slaughter,” Emilda spoke as she stared at the figure of the bound Deathless. “But he told us they all had tattoos on their forearms. I’ll need to roll up his sleeve a little to see if he’s one of them.”

  I stepped forward and did it for her, rather than forcing Emilda to come in such close proximity to the Deathless. While some of his minor wounds had healed, the shattered bones of his arm were beyond his Deathless ability to cure, and it still hung uselessly by his side. I didn’t bother to be gentle as I tore away his sleeves, and he cried out in agony as I ripped the fabric from his arm. But with his skin exposed, I saw for myself the mark of a horned skull with long, protruding fangs that was inscribed there and knew at once that he was one of the vile scum that Emilda was looking for.

  As I backed away and the mark came into view for her, Emilda’s eyes flashed with recognition, and she took a step forward towards the Deathless.

  “You were in Solace,” she uttered numbly. “My daughter Ineth lived there. No mother should ever discover her daughter’s body in the state that you left her.”

  I felt the anguish in her words, but then, before I realized what she was doing, Emilda began chanting and completed her Spell before I had time to react.

  Perhaps if she’d chosen to burn him or maim the Deathless in so
me way, I would have understood. But instead, she’d done just about the only thing I couldn’t accept—Emilda’s magic severed the connection of the links around his neck, and he died in a span of seconds when the dark magic took his Deathless life for good.

  The room flashed green as my rage burst forth. The prisoner was my only hope of finding out more about the enemies that were arrayed against me, yet in a fit of ill-advised vengeance, Emilda had set him free, denying me not only the opportunity to question him but also releasing him from the long and drawn-out torture that was his just due.

  “You fucking idiot!” I swore as I turned on her in anger. “I was going to use him to find the other Deathless. I needed him to tell me what he knew!”

  Emilda backed away from me as I glared at her, but I rushed forward and took her by the throat as I slammed her body into the hard stone wall.

  “I brought you here to ease your pain,” I spoke in slow, cold words. “And you betrayed me by setting my prisoner free before I could question him. Your stupidity may wind up costing many lives, and I will take yours if that comes to pass.”

  “Get your sister out of my sight, Marli,” I said as I tossed Emilda aside. “Before I lock her up in this very cell with what’s left of the Deathless.”

  “But she is not free to venture beyond the Garrison walls,” I called to Marli as she helped Emilda to her feet. “I want her right here where I can find her if this comes back to cause harm to anyone.”

  Marli ushered Emilda away as quickly as she could, hurrying out of the prison before I could change my mind. I stared down at the steaming mass of black muck that remained on the floor, lamenting the lost opportunity that it represented. The Deathless had most likely come to kill one of my Tári or me, and I’d desperately wanted to question him. Emilda’s short-sighted action made that now impossible, and my sense of anger and frustration was nearly overpowering.

  After staring silently at the remains for a moment, I realized that my vision was still tinted green, and I had to take several deep breaths to calm myself before the world around me finally resolved back into its normal hues. Venna had remained close by during everything but had wisely waited until then to speak to me again.

  “Aaden is here, Empress,” she offered tentatively. “Perhaps we may find something of interest among his equipment?”

  It wasn’t very likely, but I recognized her attempt to divert my attention and went along with it. I’d managed to control my outburst, but my rage still burned within me quite powerfully and I welcomed the chance to give it some time to cool down.

  His gear was in the next cell, stuffed inside a backpack that was resting against the wall—as close to him as possible without him being able to reach any of it. Just as with Zedd, keeping the soul-bound gear nearby had prevented it from returning to him, exploiting a narrow loophole in the normally powerful magic.

  Aaden picked up the pack and began removing items from it as the rest of us gathered around. First was a wicked-looking axe with a long, tapered beard and a vicious spike opposite the keen face of its blade. After looking it over, Aaden handed the weapon off to me so I could see what it was as well.

  Bloodletter – Wounds caused by this axe bleed profusely until healed by magical means. This item will become Soul Bound to its rightful owner.

  It was a fairly short and simple description for what was a very nasty weapon. Knowing the properties of the axe, I understood just how the Deathless had been able to take the lives of so many of my well-trained soldiers.

  “Lieutenant Nomi favors the axe,” I said as I set the weapon aside. “She should have this.”

  By the time I’d done that, Aaden had handed me the second item, a full set of chainmail. As I took it from him, its enchantments popped up in my vision.

  Chainmail of Expertise – This mail increases the wearer’s Armor Skills by 20%. This item will become Soul Bound to its rightful owner.

  I may not have gotten any information from this Deathless, but just like Zedd, he was contributing a lot of very useful gear to my cause. I probably wouldn’t have been able to pry his soul bound gear from him for quite some time if he’d resisted me, so even though I was still quite furious with Emilda’s actions, I was glad to have this particular item at my disposal.

  “Commander Ella should have this,” I said as I laid the mail beside the axe that was destined for Nomi. Although Ella had a very fine set of Dwarven Steel mail beneath her plates of Khelduin, these magical links would still be a significant upgrade for my Tári.

  Aaden wasn’t quite done, but the next item he handed over had me stumped for what to do with it.

  Ring of Darkvision – This ring grants its wearer the ability to see in dark or obscured conditions. This item will become Soul Bound to its rightful owner.

  I had my own magic to deal with these circumstances, and we didn’t often find ourselves in such situations anyway. But Ella was the lone human among my Tári and lacked any night sight talent, so I ultimately resolved to pass the ring on to her as well.

  That was it for enchanted items it seemed, as the rest of the Deathless’ equipment was only an assortment of sundry items. We each looked over every single piece of it carefully; unfortunately, none of it yielded any clues about who he was or where he’d come from.

  With nothing else to do, I sent a pair of my own guards to bring Ella and Nomi their new gear while I left to continue training my talents. Venna and I parted ways before I exited the Palace, but Líann soon joined me as I made my way to the gates.

  “Where are you off to now?” She asked as she sidled up beside me.

  “Just going to practice a little. You’re more than welcome to come along if you’d like.”

  Líann didn’t answer, but she matched me pace for pace as I ventured into the valley. Then, when we finally came to my hidden training area, I let her know what to expect.

  “I’m working on my Shadow Armor, and also combining different bow talents,” I explained. “Later I’ll switch to casting Fireballs, but that’s all I can work on for now.”

  “Would it help if I attacked you?” She asked, obviously referencing my Shadow Armor talent.

  “No,” I replied regretfully. “That wouldn’t be safe.”

  Training with that talent was going particularly slowly, or at least I imagined it was. I hadn’t bothered to check on my progress at all, but I knew that out-of-combat training was a slow and tedious process. Unfortunately, my Shadow Armor reacted to attacks by lashing out with its own dark tendrils, destroying anything or anyone foolish enough to venture within their reach. I had no control over those wisps of shadow, so I feared to even attempt training with its powers that way.

  But why was that? Why couldn’t I control those lashing tendrils? Was it a property of the Armor itself, or was it simply because I lacked the ability? I wondered.

  I channeled my darkness into the form of the Shadow Armor and focused on one of the tendrils as it writhed ominously before me. At first nothing happened, but then, as I concentrated even harder, I felt a connection form between the shadows inside me and those that were wrapped around my body. Suddenly I understood that the Armor was no mere construction; it was a projection of my own inner darkness, and when I embraced my newfound knowledge, the tendril began responding to my commands.

  It was difficult to control at first, and I had to focus on it almost completely to make the tendril do as I wished. But it became somewhat easier after a short while, and I was able to manipulate the shadowy arm with only a portion of my attention on it.

  I tried my best to maintain control over that single tendril as I practiced Combine Abilities but kept losing it. Keeping hold of the writhing shadows would be a challenge while I was otherwise occupied, at least until I got better at it, but I’d still managed to gain some measure of control over them. Also of interest was that my vision hadn’t flared green when I summoned the Shadow Armor this time; I had been able to draw directly on the power of my darkness without invoking my rage.
It was something I’d been able to do with both my orbs and tendrils before, but it was the first time I’d done it with the Shadow Armor.

  Líann had been sparring with Saibra while I practiced, working on her blade talents and armor Skills all through the morning. Although she was no match for Saibra’s incredible ability, Líann did far better than I expected. I was relieved to see that she’d taken my precautions to heart and done her best to prepare for the threats we faced.

  After a short break for lunch, I was getting ready to begin training my Fireball Spell, when Líann stopped me.

  “Don’t you want to see what Talína taught me?” She teased.

  I motioned down the makeshift range at the charred cliffside I’d been firing my Spells at and waited for Líann to show me what she’d learned.

  With a quick gesture of her own, Líann shot a brilliant bolt of lightning into the rock wall, and although it had little effect, I knew well enough just how devastating her strike would have been against a living foe. It was an amazingly powerful Spell and combined with her increasingly impressive combat talent, should provide her with a great deal of security. I was about to congratulate Líann on her new magic, but she wasn’t quite finished with her exhibition.

  With a slightly different series of movements, a second bolt shot forth from her hands. This time, the searing beam of lightning split into two forks before slamming into the stone of the cliffside. I’d thought her magic was only a more powerful version of my Bolt Spell, but as Líann’s demonstration had clearly shown, it was far more than that. Líann’s obvious expression of pride let me know that she was just as pleased with herself as I was.

  “That was quite impressive,” I offered her sincerely.

  “Thank you, Empress,” Líann’s eyes sparkled with delight.

  Out of all my Tári, I’d been most worried about Líann’s safety. Not just because she was my Táriel, but also because I’d perceived her as least able to protect herself. Venna had managed to hold off Zedd, at least for a short while, and I felt that Ella might be able to do the same. Considering her skill, I had little concern at all for Saibra unless she was confronted by a very powerful Deathless, but Líann was another story. She’d been a pampered queen, with no real combat abilities at all when she first came to me, but Líann had clearly been working hard to address that issue. With her increased proficiency with both blade and bow, and this new Spell, not to mention the ring that Mother had provided, my fears for her safety were greatly relieved. So long as she was in the company of her guards, there was little cause for me to be overly concerned for her.