“I did not say get up!” Talila snarled, “You will obey me!” Alyndra whipped her hand at Talila and created a vacuum around her head, making it hard for her to breathe too. Talila panicked and her wings flapped desperately. She fell from flight to her own knees, gasping. Alyndra released her. Talila caught her breath then jumped to her feet, again snarling.
“That’s enough Talila, you had your fun, stop it!” Kaylin snapped at her.
“You dare!” Talila threatened.
“We do!” Saida shot back, “You think you can take us all?” She asked.
“He’s just a worm, why do you protect him? How quickly you forget who he is! What he did?” Talila growled angrily.
“You forget yourself sister. He is our teacher, our ally, he will not be disrespected by us. You owe him.” Alyndra shouted. The other Battlemages glanced at each other nervously, still kneeling and bowing their heads. Talila calmed down. Alyndra turned her attention to Janouc, who was being helped to his feet by Kaylin. “Venalina is fine. She is whole again, her mind was splintered, when she wakes, we will all be restored.”
“I want to stay like this.” Talila said walking around to the back side of the thrones, out of sight.
“So, the ritual worked?” Janouc asked.
“Of course, it did.” Talila answered, her voice sounded even farther away than just behind the thrones, as if she was leaving the room, then a door slammed shut.
“Lord Dracon?” He asked, then looked at Kaylin, “Did you confront him?”
“No.” Kaylin answered.
“He is not himself, Talila has been tending to him. She seems to have a way with him.” Saida added.
“And if he chokes some sense in to her, then so be it!” Kaylin snapped. Janouc looked at Kaylin’s black eyes, she was very angry with her sister.
“Where are the guards? The servants?” Janouc asked. Alyndra, Saida, and Kaylin looked at each other concerned.
“Come, Janouc, we should talk.” Alyndra said then began to walk back out of the room from where they came, past the portal device Janouc brought with him so he could get home, unsure if Venalina was herself again. Janouc and the battlemages followed them out of the palace and to the gates to the city. They stood in the open gates looking out over the city. It was quiet, not a soul could be seen, or heard.
“This is disturbing.” Janouc said.
“I felt the same way.” Alyndra said.
“Talila has been very visible since her change, she doesn’t care who sees her. I think she is going to be the source of a great headache for Venalina and Dracon.” Saida said.
“He doesn’t care either.” Alyndra said, “He is not himself, Janouc, someone is talking to him. Or, he is talking to someone, rather.”
“I don’t understand?” Janouc asked cocking his head slightly.
“I’ve caught him talking to his sword, on more than one occasion, Janouc, not absently, mind you, but full conversations!” Saida exclaimed. At first, it was unnerving talking to the women in their Vordalyn forms, but the longer he spoke to them, the girls he knew came through, despite their appearance.
“Is he arguing? Or…” Janouc asked with a leading question.
“Yes, mostly,” Kaylin answered, “It’s like he is struggling over his own identity with it? Does that make any sense?” She asked.
“It does.” Janouc said pondering why it could be Dracon was struggling with the sword over his identity.
“Orist and Venalina created both the sword and the armor, Janouc.” A battlemage named Tangram spoke up.
“Orist?” Janouc asked again thinking of the implications. “He was studying the ability to couple sentience with augmented items, like the texts described. He must have been successful with Venalina’s power to aid him?”
“What does that mean?” Alyndra asked.
“The sword lives.” He said making the sisters look at each other curiously, “Tell me, how did Venalina give you the ability to absorb magic, to turn you like this? Talila mentioned that Dracon was a catalyst, what did she mean?”
“Venalina…” Alyndra started, visibly embarrassed.
“She would feed on him and us at the same time.” Kaylin explained, leaving out the love making between them.
“While we made love.” Saida said, she was not embarrassed.
“Is that what she meant by ascension?” Janouc asked rhetorically, “Was that what Talila meant to do with Venalina, to help her?”
“Yes, that’s what she did, but it was different this time.” Kaylin said.
“Talila did the feeding, on them.” Alyndra said, Janouc furrowed his brow.
“Did it work? Is she ok?” He asked.
“Yes, but Dracon is worse.” Saida said.
“He is always so drained after the rituals, Venalina was giving him some time to get better, but it is slow. He still struggles.” Kaylin said.
“I see. His will weakened, the sword would be stronger than his will to resist.” Janouc said looking at the battlemage.
“It was the sword that tried to kill me!” Kaylin announced her sudden epiphany, “It wasn’t Dracon, it was the sword!”
“How do we untangle him and the sword? We’ll need Venalina.” Janouc said to Alyndra.
“She is resting. She needs to sleep.” Alyndra told him.
“Venalina does not sleep. She feeds, that is how she replenishes herself.” Janouc said looking at each of the sisters. “Take me to Dracon, then.”
“If he is not himself, it could be dangerous for you, Janouc, and if he is, he may not make much sense?” Kaylin told him while looking at her sisters for input.
“It is important, you sit here in an empty city, ladies.” Janouc said looking out over the city, “I don’t think any of you realize the implications of a king whose entire capital has fled.” He said looking back at them, “In fear of him, his ladies, his queen.” They were silent thinking about what he was saying, “In such cases, ladies, they will return. They will return with torches, pitchforks, and bad intentions. Fear will cause them to attack what they fear.”
“Let them come.” Talila said startling them all, “I will turn them to ash, show them true fear!” she said from behind them, nearer to the palace. Janouc considered saying something to her but she seemed all too ready for a confrontation… with anyone. “Dracon is in his room, swinging his sword, readying himself.”
“For what?” Janouc asked.
“I don’t know, he is quiet this morning.” Talila said then crouched and jumped up, taking flight, her black wings carrying her easily up, and to the highest points of the palace, disappearing from their view.
“Remarkable.” Janouc said watching her disappear into the mist that covered the upper spires of the palace.
“Be careful, Janouc, Talila is unstable.” Saida said.
“I’ll go with you, keep you safe.” Alyndra stepped closer to him, “Come. You two go see to Venalina, watch over her until she speaks.” Saida and Kaylin nodded then left.
“Go to the gates of the city, keep a look out.” Janouc said to the battlemages.
“What do we watch for?” Tangram asked.
“Pitchforks and torches, my friend, pitchforks and torches.” Janouc said then nodded and followed Alyndra.
“Ilkan eckmo ti!” Alyndra whispered then suddenly four white winter wolves appeared around the two of them. They were so large, they frightened Janouc, even his battlemages quickly moved out to be clear of them. Their sizes varied between nine and twelve feet long, hundreds of pounds of white furred, muscle and teeth. “Talila will stay away, she does not like them.” The wolves snarled and snapped at each other, threatening to break into an all-out fight between themselves until Alyndra began to walk, then, like soldiers, they escorted her, and him. He stayed very close to Alyndra for his own protection, even though the winter wolves ignored Janouc.
“You have truly grown in power, Alyndra. Are your wings functional like Talila’s?” He asked.
“They are.” Alyndra smiled
but did not look at him, “Venalina has been very generous with us, Janouc. She gave us the ability to absorb the knowledge within the books. She shares Dracon with us, he is our husband too. I only hope that she has truly made this a gift. I do wish to be Vordalyn, like her. I pray it is not a temporary transformation as you suggested. It would drive Talila mad.” She chuckled.
Alyndra led Janouc through the palace, it took an hour before they came upon Dracon. They could hear the sound of metal hitting stone from outside the door. Alyndra made a ‘tsk’ sound and the wolves sat, relaxing, one even laid down. She opened the door and walked into the room, followed by Janouc, very quickly. He did not wish to remain in the hall with the wolves, not without their master.
Dracon was shirtless in the center of the room, chopping at a boulder with a sword, like it was an axe to a tree. Janouc wondered who brought the boulder up that high into the palace. He couldn’t imagine the logistics involved in such a thing. Furthermore, why was he chopping it with his sword? The sound of it was ear piercing in the room. Alyndra walked to the side of the room, almost to the wall, moving along its edge until she was in Dracon’s peripheral line of sight. He turned his head to her quickly, staring for a moment, then looked back at the rock. He lowered the sword then straightened up and wiped his brow with his forearm.
“The other one would bring me a towel?” He said in a questioning tone. It made Alyndra scowl at him, “What’s her name?” He asked then looked back toward the door at Janouc. Dracon looked back at Alyndra, “Who’s he?” He asked.
“That is Janouc, the leader of the Priests of O’on, they serve you and your queens. He is a battlemage.” Alyndra informed him.
“We’ve met before, your highness.” Janouc said stepping closer to the sparring mat Dracon was on. Dracon looked at Janouc again, narrowing his eyes, trying to remember him.
“The other one, with the towel, she brings me food too.” He said as he looked Janouc up and down.
“Are you having trouble with your memory, sire?” Janouc asked.
“I am Dracon?” He asked then looked at Alyndra for confirmation. She cocked her head at him then gave him a single nod. “I am Dracon.” He said with more surety to Janouc. “King.” He added.
“You seem confused,” Janouc said walking closer. Dracon let the sword slip from his hands to the floor. Janouc looked down at the sword and could see it was chipped, ready to break. It was not his Unholy Reaver. “If we told you your name was actually, Benson Grandfield, and that you only thought you were Dracon? How would you explain this?” Janouc asked. Dracon looked over at Alyndra with a snarl curling on his lips.
“You lied to me?” He growled.
“She did not lie. You are Dracon. I was just curious. It seems you are having some difficulty after all?” Janouc queried then walked a step closer to Dracon, who turned his ire on Janouc.
“You think you can toy with me?” Dracon asked.
“He is here to help you!” Alyndra said concerned for Janouc’s safety, “You are not to harm him!” Alyndra walked over to Dracon quickly, putting herself between the two men. Janouc stepped away from Alyndra, but in a way so that he could still see Dracon. Observing his mannerism’s and behavior.
“If not for your wives telling you that you are Dracon, who would you say you are?” He asked. Dracon narrowed his eyes at Janouc, then looked at Alyndra.
“How did you come to be this?” Dracon asked motioning at her face and horns, “Did Venalina do this to you?” Janouc could tell instantly Dracon was no longer confused about his identity.
“No, we don’t know how it was done. It happened when you attacked Kaylin.” Alyndra glared at Dracon.
“I attacked Kaylin?” He asked angrily and very defensive, “Are you sure? I don’t have any such memory!”
“Therein lies the root of the problem.” Janouc said.
“Speak plain with me. Janouc, or return to the priests!” Dracon commanded.
“What is the last thing you remember, before right now?” Janouc asked. Dracon became calm, quiet. He had a far-off look in his eyes, trying to remember something to tell Janouc.
“I didn’t try to hurt her.” He said looking down and turning away from them. He walked toward the balcony door a few steps, then stopped, “I can’t recall hurting her. I remember flashes, images.” He turned back to Alyndra and Janouc, “I didn’t mean to hurt her… I just need to sleep! If Venalina would stop toying with me when I try to sleep, I wouldn’t be…” He struggled for the words to describe what was wrong with him. Alyndra felt a tinge of guilt, after all, Venalina did what she did to him on her behalf, hers and her sisters.
“I’m sorry.” Alyndra said looking down.
“Don’t do that.” Venalina said from the open door behind Janouc, “Don’t you apologize for anything.” She said indignant.
“My queen!” Janouc spun and dropped to his knees, “You are well-”
“I did what I did, and you must accept it!” Venalina said cutting off Janouc, then walked right by him as if he didn’t even exist, in that moment he did not, not to her. She stopped in front of Alyndra, who looked down. “Look at me,” She said, “Look at me!” She said again when Alyndra did not look up. Alyndra met her stern eyes, “You are no longer human, let your feelings for them go. He is our husband, our mate, he will be fine. I told you, you are my sisters and I need you to be strong. Now, you are. He will recover, we are done with the ritual. When we feed, he will be reborn. Five times the strength!” She made her hands display all five fingers.
“He is standing right here, Venalina!” Dracon growled, “If you think you can make me sleep for-” Venalina whipped her hand in his direction, still eye to eye with Alyndra.
“Sleep.” She said, and Dracon crumbled to the floor. “Are you stuck?” Venalina asked Alyndra and put her hand on her cheek, examining her head and horns with a smile. Alyndra nodded and looked down. Venalina grabbed her chin, making her meet her gaze, “See yourself, as you wish to be. It will be.” Alyndra closed her eyes and thought about her image, in the mirror of her room, when she and Saida were brushing their hair. In an instant she was herself again, her human form. When she opened her eyes, she grabbed her head and face then looked over her shoulder at her wingless back.
“Is it gone forever?” She asked.
“No.” Venalina smiled, “You can change your form to whatever you wish, whenever you wish. It is draining, so do not perform the act too many times, too close together. When you grow too tired, you will become your true form… Vordalyn.”
“I am heartened to see you are well, my queen.” Janouc said, still bowing and on his knees.
“Get up, Janouc.” Venalina said giving him her full attention. Janouc looked at Dracon on the floor, which made Venalina look at Dracon on the floor. “Don’t concern yourself, Janouc. He is fine. He will be fine.”
“My lady, what do you intend to do here?” Janouc asked, “Are you leaving these lands, are you taking him with you?”
“Why would I leave?” She asked with a laugh, “I am the queen of a vast and mighty kingdom.” She looked at Alyndra as though she too were amused by Janouc’s statement, but Alyndra looked back at her, doe-eyed and confused. “Once I bring those Kina to heel, we will rule for all eternity, or at least until I become bored.”
“What Kina?” Janouc asked.
“Dracon’s sister is a Kina, Janouc, and she has an aunt at her side!” Alyndra blurted out. Venalina looked at her, surprised at her outburst.
“How is this possible? Has he known all along?” Janouc asked. Venalina stared at Alyndra for a long time before she slowly turned her attention back to Janouc.
“He does not know, and we aren’t going to tell him!” She said to both Alyndra and Janouc.
“Humans will not stand for this, they will rise against you if you don’t act quickly. The people are frightened and have fled. They must see their king is ok, that he is human, or they will demonize you, rise up!” Janouc said emphatically.
/> “Let them rise, how can they stand against me,” She said then looked at Alyndra, “Us.”
“We should begin bringing our forces through the portal, occupy the city before they return.” Janouc said.
“No.” Venalina said calmly, “Dracon will be himself again, all will be well. His people adore him, he is a hero.”
“A hero, slowly turning demon!” Janouc pointing at Dracon unconscious on the floor, “What happened to him when you brought him home covered in entrails?” Janouc looked at Alyndra then at Venalina as he spoke, “I am told he fell from the highest tower of the palace and simply walked away before all his people, without so much as an explanation?” He asked, “How many people saw him covered in blood and guts, and who did those entrails belong to, Venalina?”
“Your tone is unacceptable, Janouc.” Venalina hissed through narrowed eyes that began to turn black.
“My tone is one of worship, love, and concern, for you, my queen.” Janouc said growling right back at Venalina, “If it angers you, then so be it! But you will hear my voice, no matter the consequences.” Venalina snarled at him and began to move, but Alyndra put her hand on her forearm.
“He is our friend, our mentor. He does not wish us harm, my lady.” Alyndra pleaded. Venalina stiffened her posture, standing straight and tall, grinding her teeth all the while.
“How could you leave this kingdom in such utter neglect and not think it would turn on you. It was your desire and his,” He pointed at Dracon on the floor, “to return here and rule. What have you been doing that made you act so irresponsibly?”
“Janouc!” Alyndra said alarmed at him scolding Venalina. He glanced at her still disgusted.
“The palace is empty. The city is empty. What have people done in fear of your kind? You come from that land, you know it all too well. You have an opportunity to stop it from repeating here. Your mothers thought themselves too powerful to be defeated, and yet they were, Venalina. Look to your own upbringing, do not allow the vessel to guide you down the same path already walked, she will lead you to the same arrogant fate, fearless, yet doomed. Take the knowledge beyond where you found it, learn, I beg you, Venalina.” Janouc knelt before Venalina, “Your will is my action, I serve you, Venalina, always, and forever. Though my words be harsh, they come from my love for you!” He looked down at her feet with nothing more to say. Venalina looked down at the top of his head, considering his words. He was her mentor, just as he was for the sisters. She could hear Dhysevera cursing him at the same time, raging against his words, wanting her to kill him. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to stop her from being a person alive within her, and instead, just a memory. It was hard to make her own decisions when she was so prevalent in her thoughts, sure as she was standing next to her. Would it always be that way? She wondered. Venalina vanished, leaving Alyndra alone with Dracon and Janouc.
The Vordalyn 2 Page 33