“Is he okay?” Victoria asked frantically, running to Angst’s side. She dropped to a knee beside him. “Are you okay?”
“Did we get ‘em?” Angst said weakly.
“You did great, hero.” Hector laughed, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Angst sat up then lay back down. The world was spinning, and he couldn’t catch his breath.
“I can’t believe you lived through that,” Tarness said. “You knocked over that tree.”
“I thought I ran around it,” Angst wheezed. What happened?
“Angst, guys, you need to see what your gamlin did,” Dallow said in concern. “This isn’t good.”
“Help me up.” Angst reached weakly for a hand.
Tarness lifted him and threw Angst’s arm over his shoulder. “Short people... This would be easier if I carried you.”
“Please don’t,” Angst pleaded with a whimper. He wasn’t sure what hurt worse, his chest or his pride.
They followed the tree to the road, Tarness half-carrying a wheezing and limping Angst. When they arrived, Victoria covered her mouth and looked away. Tarness whistled, and Hector glared at Angst accusingly. Bodies had been crushed under the tree, and his heart raced to catch up with his thoughts. Had he accidentally killed innocents? Angst stared until Tarness patted him on the shoulder and pointed at the gamlin.
The little creatures were red, soaked in steaming blood, and looking at Angst like dogs waiting for approval. Five armored soldiers lay motionless on the snowy road with gaping, gamlin-sized holes in their chests. Cored like apples. The dread that had begun to clutch at his heart washed away in a wave of relief. The gamlin, his gamlin, had probably just saved them.
“Hey, what do you know? The soldiers are taken care of.” Angst looked at everyone proudly, only to see shocked faces. He frowned. How could his friends not appreciate what the gamlin had done for them? Angst certainly appreciated them, and continued smiling at the gamlin until he could no longer avoid the concern in Hector’s eyes.
“What now?” Angst asked.
“Angst, how did they know the men were soldiers?” Hector asked.
“The armor.” Angst frowned. “They were wearing way too much armor for farmhands or traders.”
“You’re making that up.” Hector pointed at the gamlin. “How could these new pets of yours even begin to tell the difference...?”
“I don’t see what you’re so upset about.” Angst pulled away from Tarness and knelt, holding out his arms to the anxious gamlin.
“These could’ve been innocents,” Hector said. “You don’t even know if they were after us.”
The seven gamlin inched closer to Angst. He petted each of them, careful to avoid the sharp quills.
“Good job, boys,” Angst said, ignoring Hector. All the man did was complain! What happened to being his mentor? He frowned, wiggling a loose tooth with his tongue. “Guard the perimeter. Let me know what’s coming.”
The tallest gamlin nodded in response. He horted loudly, turned with the others, and they leaped into the ground, disappearing from sight.
“Good thing they were here,” Angst said loudly. “Makes me feel a little safer.”
To Angst’s surprise, Hector face appeared more concerned than upset. In fact, all of his friends seemed worried. What had he done wrong? Were they really so upset about the gamlin killing Melkier soldiers, who were probably hunting them down?
“What?” Angst asked with a sigh. “What else?”
“Why did you almost kill yourself attacking that tree?” Tarness asked.
“I’ll figure it out.” Angst shrugged, not wanting to explain what he really didn’t understand.
“Sooner would be better than later,” Hector admonished. “Before we’re in real danger.”
“You know, that judgmental stare really loses its punch when you’re always upset at everything I do,” Angst said.
“You’re going to continue deflecting, aren’t you?” Hector looked Angst up and down, concern still in his eyes. “We should get out of here in case others come.”
“I’m sure we’ll be safe,” Angst said.
“I wasn’t worried about us,” Hector said.
5
Angst wanted to complain, but he could tell that Victoria wanted to complain more. She tromped through the wintry forest with all the delicacy of a Nordruaut bookeen mount, and Hector’s face twitched with every crunchy step and cracked twig. Her sigh was loud enough that Tarness looked at Angst as though it were one of his. Angst tilted his head toward the princess, trying not to roll his eyes at her.
“What?” she snapped.
“Sometimes this is part of adventuring,” he said patiently.
“This is not adventuring,” she snapped. “This is walking.”
“I can just ride with someone,” Dallow said, his face wrenched in concern. “I don’t need to practice walking. We are wasting time. We need to hurry and save Rose.”
“When you learn how to walk without tripping, we can ride,” Hector said. “When Angst can make Dulgirgraut work right, we’ll ride faster.”
“What?” Angst asked. “My sword works fine.”
“Maybe it does, but you don’t.” Hector’s bushy eyebrows frowned. “Sometimes you kill dragons, sometimes you run through trees. Not to mention, you’ve got seven-hundred-something gamlin in your head now.”
“Seven hundred and eighty-two,” Angst corrected. “Hey, seven hundred and eighty-three!”
“Exactly!” Hector shook his head. “Speaking of, where are the little monsters?”
“Around,” he said with a shrug.
Angst didn’t want to admit that he was unsure, only to hear more of Hector’s accusations. The gamlin wanted to help them, he could feel that much. And Dulgirgraut had come through when it was time to kill the dragon. Everything had a way of working out...Hector just couldn’t see that.
“Wouldn’t the road be better?” Victoria whined as she kicked mud from a boot.
“I’m not in any condition to fight,” Tarness said with an exhausted sigh, “and we don’t want the gamlin, wherever they are, killing innocents.”
Angst was impressed to see Dallow slow for a small outcropping of rock; he was already figuring out how to maneuver in spite of seeing everything from a map view, top down. Dallow stepped over it, but his foot clipped the tip of the rock, throwing him off balance. Tarness gripped one arm while Dallow drove his staff into the ground for support with the other, grunting in frustration.
“You’re doing better, Dallow,” Tarness said in soothing tones, and Dallow took a deep breath.
“Thanks.” He smiled. “It’s just that every time I trip, my view starts at the beginning. The ‘map’ in my mind gets smaller, more distant, and I have to refocus close enough to see us.”
“That’s exactly why we’re taking time for you to practice.” Hector smiled. “I’m glad at least one of you is trying.”
“What am I supposed to be doing?” Angst frowned. “It’ll work when we need it. We handled the dragon just fine.”
“Have you tried talking to it?” Victoria asked.
He’d tried that with Chryslaenor, and it had never worked. And Chryslaenor had liked him. With Dulgirgraut, the idea seemed ludicrous, but he knew better than to say that out loud.
“You shouldn’t have even thought it.” Her eyes narrowed.
There was no winning when she could read his mind. “No, I haven’t tried since fighting Fire or the dragon. It’s a different sword. Maybe it doesn’t work the same.”
“Sure,” Hector said.
“Uh huh,” Tarness said.
“Really?” Victoria crossed her arms. “Hector’s right. You’re just being stubborn.”
“Thank you.” Hector stretched his arms out triumphantly, placing his hands behind his head.
“You’re just taking his side because you’re angry with me,” Angst said in resignation. “You’re always angry with me.”
There was an annoying buz
zing in his head, and he waved at the air like swatting a fly. The high-pitched whine quieted, and Angst thought for a moment he heard the distant guttural horting sound of a gamlin. Were they trying to communicate with him?
“Quit being a baby,” Victoria chided. “I’m not angry. I’m right.”
Dallow tripped over a leg-sized root hidden by snow and leaves. Tarness missed his grab, and Dallow landed on his knees. He took in another deep, calming breath before clapping dirt off his hands. He stopped suddenly.
“You okay?” Angst asked.
“Shush.” Dallow hunched slightly, his head bowed, and the memndus stone pressed firmly to his temple.
Hector was sniffing the air and cocked his head to listen intently. After several moments, he shook his head. “I don’t hear anything.”
“Shhh,” Dallow whispered. “Quick, with me.”
Angst and Hector looked at each other, shrugged, and followed their friend behind a nearby thicket. Dallow maneuvered to nestle between tall bushes, crouching low enough to be mostly hidden. Everyone huddled around him, struggling to see the thin, wooded path through the thicket.
“What is it?” Angst frowned.
Hector smiled knowingly, and then a red bear the size of a cottage ran by, his enormous paws thundering with every step.
“Looks like dinner.” Hector began to stand, but Dallow jerked him back down.
The ground shook with thuds too loud and violent for the bear to make. Crisp snow hopped and dead leaves that had clung onto autumn branches fell from the shaking trees. The bear roared as a great dragon mouth wrapped around its red body and shook it side to side like a dog playing tug-of-war. With a loud snap, the bear went limp, and the dragon let it fall to the ground, its slender tongue flicking the edges of its mouth hungrily.
The red-scaled monster was much smaller than the giant mother-of-all-dragons Angst had killed, but it was still larger than two houses and apparently hungry enough to eat both. Angst grabbed for Dulgirgraut, which was locked onto his back like a knife stuck in a tree. He tugged it several times without success before finally giving up. At least his friends were watching the dragon prepare for its feast instead of him fumbling with the foci. Maybe no one had noticed.
Scales on the dragon’s neck stretched and contracted until it belched a glob of wet fire onto its prey. It turned the bear over several times until the fur had burned away then picked up the freshly-cooked carcass and tossed it into the air, catching it in one bite. The creature’s throat bulged as the bear made its way to the dragon’s belly. After a smoky burp, it spread its wings wide and began to flap, throwing up enough snow and dirt that everyone winced or covered their heads. Branches fell as the beast broke through the canopy and flew off. They remained quiet for several minutes to ensure it was far enough away.
His friends looked exhausted, each several shades paler than normal with wide eyes or dropped jaws.
“Well, I’m not hungry anymore,” Angst said, exhaling deeply.
“That makes one of us,” Tarness said. “I was looking forward to some steak.”
“Thanks, Dallow.” Hector patted the tall, thin man on his arm.
Dallow nodded and smiled before returning to their path.
Hector spun about with an angry finger directed at Angst. “You two need to figure out your problems before you get us killed!”
Angst looked at Victoria, who shrugged.
“Hector, what are you talking about?” Victoria asked. “How could problems between Angst and me—”
Hector cursed under his breath. “Not your problems.” He pointed between Angst and Victoria. “I don’t even want to know what that’s about. I’m talking about their problems.” He gestured at Angst and Dulgirgraut.
“What problems?” Angst stepped out of the thicket and away from his friends.
“The sword didn’t warn you they were coming, Angst?” Dallow grimaced. “It would be better not to count on me. It doesn’t work if I pull it away.” He held the memndus shard at arms length.
“No warning, but like I said, maybe this one works differently,” Angst said. “And you did amazing.”
“Nothing from the gamlin?” Tarness asked.
“Maybe, I just...” Angst was overwhelmed by all the things he was supposed to be doing. “I think they tried to warn me.”
“You couldn’t even wield it,” Hector said in a low, dangerous voice. “You and that sword are the only defense we have against the monsters, Angst! How are you going to defend the princess if you can’t even pull it from your back?”
“I don’t know,” Angst said, kicking at the ground.
“We can’t save Rose if it doesn’t work,” Hector continued, his voice getting louder. “And you were going to hide this from us? Not knowing puts us in more danger than we can handle.”
Angst stared at him, unsure of what to say. Hector gripped Angst’s fancy chestpiece and pointed a finger at Dallow. “How much more danger are you willing to put them through?” Hector shoved Angst and turned away to help Dallow the rest of the way to the path. “Go figure out your crap while we find a place to set up camp.”
Angst clutched his stomach as the guilt wrenched in his gut. He would never forgive himself for what had happened to Dallow. Dulgirgraut fell from his back, landing with a loud thud and a crack as it had split a fallen tree in half. Everyone stopped to look back except Hector. His old mentor merely looked down at the ground and shook his head. Victoria frowned and inched toward him as if debating whether or not to follow.
“He’s right, I need time alone.” Angst tried not to sound choked up and avoided eye contact.
“I believe in you, Angst,” she said. “Go make things right with Dulgirgraut.”
That was why she was the perfect friend. In spite of it all, she worried enough to care and encourage him to succeed. She smiled at his thought and sprang forward to catch up with the others.
Angst sighed out everything, bent over to lift the hilt of the foci, and dragged it deeper into the woods.
6
Unsel
Closing the door behind Heather, Rook, and Janda, Vars felt a pinch as his chainmail shirt plucked at his hackles with every deep breath. The breaths weren’t at all calming, and he wondered if he was going to start hyperventilating like a young soldier on the front for the first time. She’d humiliated him in front of wielders, and the embarrassment flowed hot through his veins. He marched stiffly to the throne.
“Your Highness, as your Captain Guard, it’s my duty to remind you that we aren’t to utilize wielders.” He almost bit his tongue on the last word, it filled him with such rage.
“I have a busy day ahead, Vars,” she said airily, completely ignoring his warning. “I have a funeral to plan. The sooner I bury Isabelle, the sooner I can officially take the crown.”
“Alloria, please,” Vars cautioned. “The Vivek made that very clear. The only wielder even allowed to help is Angst...if he survives.”
Alloria slammed her fist on the armrest and stood abruptly. The movement was so sudden, her eyes so wild, Vars took a step back.
“Your problem, Captain Guard, is that you assume everyone else is a fool or an idiot.” She stepped down from the throne with a finger aimed rigidly at his face. “If you would actually advise me instead of just telling me what you want me to do, we could accomplish something. You don’t know all the pieces in play—I don’t even think he does—but before I can make any decisions, I need to know what’s going on.”
She was out of control. He had to put a stop to this before they were both killed, but there appeared to be no reasoning with her.
“Your Majesty,” he said, still rubbing his hands behind his back. “Consider what I’ve told you, or there will be consequences.”
Alloria arched her back and stared down her nose. Her face was cool as the wildness in her eyes turned to something more analytical. She spun on a heel, giving her back to him. He wanted to crush her skull with his bare hands, and his fingers twitche
d anxiously at the thought. Seven of his fingers. The missing three had been magicked away, presumably by the Vivek as punishment for threatening Alloria. His chest felt tight at the thought of losing another body part, but she needed to be put in her place. How could he do it without the risk of retribution?
“You were going to debrief me on the other nations,” she reminded him, the anger gone from her voice, but her eyebrows furrowed. “Now advise me, or someone else will.”
Vars took a deep breath, attempting to unlock his stiff muscles and set jaw. He sighed. “According to the Vivek, Melkier is neither a threat nor an ally. Angst and his friends destroyed most of the capital city, and King Gaarder is dead. Their defenses have literally been stripped away. Their armor and weapons are once again vulnerable to magic and fire. Unless they find a miracle, they are both harmless, and useless.”
“Angst destroyed the capital city?” Elation filled her voice and her eyes were hungry. “How much power does that man wield?”
“Too much,” Vars whispered.
“What of the Berfemmian? What of Meldusia?”
“No word on the Berfemmian, but as long as they’re stuck on Angoria, there’s no concern. If they got loose, not even the Nordruaut hordes would survive,” he said. “The Meldusians can be forgotten. They seem to have gone missing. All except for Jintorich, who you’ll be meeting with tomorrow, along with the Nordruaut Ambassador Maarja. It would be wise to keep her happy.”
“Agreed,” Alloria said, waving him on to the next report. “What of the Nordruauts, the Vex’steppe tribes, or those bastard Fulk’han?”
“Those nations are a hornet’s nest, each their own cataclysm.” Vars couldn’t keep the worry from his voice. “If those storms were to meet, it would be the most devastating war Ehrde has seen in thousands of years.”
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