by Jack Porter
And then she urged her horse forward as the other elves did the same.
Its skin looked more like a Salamander from my world, it was true, but when the first arrows hit it, they bounced off. The Salamander hissed at the elves and rose on its two back legs.
“I can see how the absence of scales really helps things,” I said. Unsheathing my sword, I waited with Ilana and Syn, and Sarina, who had dismounted when her elf rode off to attack the Salamander.
Finally, the elves got close enough for their arrows to pierce the Salamander’s hide, but then they had put themselves within reach of its claws, fangs, and tail. It snapped at them and attacked, forcing them back even as they loosed more arrows at its face. When the first elves attacked with swords, Nya included, I knew I couldn’t sit there and watch.
“Fuck this shit,” I said. I kicked my horse, and she bolted forward. “Don’t wimp out on me, okay?” I told her.
As I neared the Salamander, I swung my mare around the elves and went for the other side. The elves had the monster distracted, so I made my move count. Scree and stones went flying as my horse changed directions, but she kept her stride and charged for the Salamander’s unprotected neck.
The monster reared up as the elves charged at it with spears, and its leg barely missed me as we dashed under the screeching animal. Lifting my sword, I drove it into the Salamander’s soft underbelly with a battle cry. The momentum from my horse almost dislocated my shoulder, but I felt the sword slice through flesh and hot blood pour out of the monster.
By now, my horse was panicked, and she bolted to get away from the Salamander. I managed to check her run and then dismounted to rush the Salamander once more.
Only now, the creature was ignoring the elves and coming after me.
With my battle lust taking over, I charged the Salamander. Blood poured from its belly, and arrows protruded from various parts of its body, but its jaws were wide open, ready to tear me in half, and its eyes glowed fiercely. There was plenty of life left in this fucker.
Letting my sword fall to the ground, I stopped and raised my hands in front of me. For a moment, the world turned to nothing but me and the beast. Those yellow eyes that were almost upon me. Those jaws dripping with blood. I saw nothing else, heard nothing but a dull roar in my ears and the screech of the Salamander. And felt nothing except the thundering footsteps as they drew near.
I cast the spell with everything I had. And truly, I wasn’t even sure what spell it was. I had a notion that fire wouldn’t be effective on this monster, but the power that flew from my hands was unlike anything I’d been taught so far.
It hit the Salamander in the face with the force of a train, and I saw everything in slow motion. First, its head snapped backward with drool flying. Then, its limber body followed as it flew over backwards, an arc of blood spraying out of its belly wound and into the air. At its highest, the Salamander might have reached the height of a watchtower.
As it fell back down, everyone scrambled to get out of the way, and it landed with an earth-rumbling crack and a cloud of dust that looked like a bomb had gone off.
Panting, I turned to the elves. Once again, everyone was watching me. The battle lust was still strong, and I fought it hard. In fact, it grew more powerful as I stood there, breathing heavily, looking at my allies.
And then I knew that Maera had been right. Every time I killed, I gained power. And every time I had sex probably, too, to a lesser extent. That’s why my magic had been urging me toward those things. As I realized this, I also remembered that I would become a danger to everyone until I learned to master myself. So I didn’t have a choice. The magic couldn’t control me. I had to control it.
But the battle rage had taken hold and wouldn’t let go, and this time, no one seemed to want to approach me, not even Nya.
Finally, I felt something nuzzle my arm. I jumped, ready to fight.
But it was my mare. She was looking at me with those intelligently soft brown eyes. And there was trust in those depths.
In that one instant, the rage broke, and I was able to see more clearly. I nodded to my horse in thanks. She hooked her head over my shoulder for a pat, and then nuzzled my hair.
“I guess it’s time to name you something, isn’t it?” I whispered, still not daring to look at the elves. “What do you think about Speckles, for those spots on your nose?”
The horse snorted and moved away, and I laughed. “Okay, we’ll find something better.”
It wasn’t a perfect outcome, but under the circumstances, it was better than I could have hoped. Because I felt ready to continue. And after killing the Salamander, I wanted nothing more than to find something more powerful to fight.
After finding my sword, I mounted the horse once more and turned to the elves. “What are we waiting for?” I asked. “Blackwharf needs new leadership.”
For the first time ever, Nya saluted me. Then, she signaled to her guard, and the spell that had seemed to be cast over everyone was broken.
As the party ran back to their horses, I looked to the north. There, soaring through another gap in the clouds, was a single, black crow. And as I watched, it cawed and flew away to the east.
53
As soon as we exited the lava pits, Nya sent two swift scouts ahead. The rest of the company found a stream and sanctified water for us and our horses. Before we’d finished, however, the scouts had returned.
“The sorceress Maera is heading for Blackwharf, coming from the main road. We saw her from a cliff overlooking the plain,” one of them told Nya. “She flies as if she can move with the wind.”
“And the reinforcements?” Nya asked.
The scout shook her head. “No, Your Grace. The sorceress is alone.”
I looked at Nya, who gave me an alarmed look. “She must be going there to help protect the town. She knows what we’re trying to do.”
“Can we beat her there?” I asked the scout.
She nodded. “I believe so, yes. We saw her great speed and marked it, but she is still farther away than we are.”
“Then let’s get there first,” Nya said.
Within moments, we were on the move again, riding north for Blackwharf. Once again, Sarina rode with me. She looked much better than she had since we found her, and I was grateful for that.
Because with what I was about to do, I needed to feel good about leaving her on her own.
Maera couldn’t be allowed to join the battle. With their limited numbers, the elves needed a swift victory at Blackwharf. Already, the odds were against them. And if the sorceress got there to provide support to the remaining soldiers—soldiers that were some of the Wraith King’s fiercest warriors—then those odds diminished considerably.
I wasn’t going to let that happen. If I could in any way stop or delay Maera’s appearance at Blackwharf, I was going to do it. And anyway, I had a bone to pick with her. Her apprentice had known more about my magic than I or the elves did. And it stood to reason that if the apprentice knew some, the sorceress would know more. I wanted—no, needed—to find out what she knew.
During our ride, I gradually let other horses pass me. A couple of times, Sarina caught my eye but didn’t say anything. But finally, as we crested a hill and overlooked the smoky, ugly town of Blackwharf that sat on a neighboring hill, Sarina and I were last in line.
Blackwharf’s only stronghold was a keep on the northern end of town. The rest of the city was made up of hovels and a few stone buildings dotted here and there. But there wasn’t a tree or a rock within a mile of the city. No way to sneak in. And no place for fleeing slaves to hide, either. The residents would see us before we even got close enough to loose arrows at them.
“There’s not even a wall,” I said.
“No,” Sarina replied. “It seems the Wraith King has grown accustomed to no one challenging him.”
“He will rethink that after today.”
“No doubt. Jon, what are you doing?”
“Riding.”
With time against us, the party began descending the hill.
“You never ride at the back of the line,” she said.
“Maybe I’m scared of the battle.”
Sarina scoffed. “I just saw you take on a Salamander with only your magic. Tell me what is really going on.”
“You’ll see.”
Soon enough, we were galloping toward the town, and Nya veered west as if to circumvent the hovels on this side. A few orcs and wraiths emerged from the streets, and even at a distance, we could hear a warning bell. The signal ignited the power in my blood like nothing else had yet, and I began to feel more dangerous than ever.
It was time. If I allowed myself to get drawn into the battle, I would not be able to stop killing in time to go after Maera.
I slowed my horse, knowing that the decision I was making could affect lives. Not just mine, but everyone’s.
“We’re going to confront her, aren’t we?” Sarina asked.
Turning my mare, I urged her toward the main road that led from Blackwharf. The one that eventually led to the long way around to Crowmore. “We are not going anywhere,” I said over the wind. “But if I can prevent Maera from hurting anyone else, I will.”
“And what about you?” Sarina said.
I didn’t answer, but after we’d gone some distance from the city, where the road went through some rocky hills, I slowed my horse to a walk and then a halt.
Dismounting, I pulled Sarina out of the saddle and began to cut her bonds with my knife.
“Don’t do this, Jon,” she said.
“Don’t free you? I thought you were tired of being tied up.”
The last rope came free and fell to the ground. Sarina rubbed her wrists and looked up at me. “That’s not what I mean, and you know it. Do not sacrifice yourself in this way.”
“It’s only fitting,” I murmured. “I caused all of this trouble, didn’t I? If not for me, your people wouldn’t have been taken slaves, the Wraith King would not have attacked Castle Blackhold, and indeed, we would not be standing here now.”
Sarina raised her chin defiantly. “I do not regret standing here with you.”
“But I do. Now is your chance. Run. Get out of here.” I turned to mount my horse, and she grabbed my arm in her strong grip.
“You free me like a child frees a stray dog. Where will I go?” she asked, her voice angry. “Back to the Wraith King?”
I hopped into the saddle and turned to her. “Find out what happened to your High Priestess and avenge her if necessary. Or make a life for yourself somewhere else. You don’t owe me anything. The elves are here, freeing the slaves, your people. It is Nya you must thank. I am just going to make sure she has time to do her job.”
And with that, I turned my horse’s head and took off down the road.
Behind me, I heard Sarina yell my name one last time, and then her voice was lost in the sound of my horse’s hooves.
I figured I would die, but there was a chance I wouldn’t. There was always a chance.
54
It didn’t take me long to find Maera. She was flying down the road. Really, it looked more like floating very fast surrounded by a dark cloud, her red robe whipped by the wind. I rode out to meet her, stopping in the middle of the hard-packed soil where large rocks framed the road on either side.
Then I dismounted and patted my mare on the neck. “If I make it out of this,” I told her. “We’ll find a name for you.”
Then, I swatted her rump and sent her off. There was no need to get my horse killed.
Maera had seen me. She halted not far away and continued to hover above the road, stirring up dust, looking like the dangerous sorceress that she was. And she had a smile on her face.
“I knew you would come, Jon,” she called.
I waited, feeling my power surge through me. But there was lust, as well. For Maera was beautiful—in a vampire queen sort of way. Dark hair, pale skin, dark eyes. She had long, black fingernails that almost looked like claws. I found that I was even attracted to those. Suddenly, my lust for her body outweighed the battle lust that had been pulsing through me moments before.
“You feel it, don’t you?” she asked, smiling again. “That attraction when two people carrying the same magic come together. The overwhelming urge to join our bodies, to join our magic.”
Still, I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t, not without giving myself away.
Maera landed lightly on her feet and walked toward me.
I put my hand on my sword hilt. “That’s close enough,” I said. I felt incredibly powerful, but I wanted her.
I also needed to kill her.
Do it now, while she has her guard down.
But I didn’t think she really had her guard down. She might have been smiling, but she would be ready for me to attack.
“Why, Jon?” Maera asked, and she kept walking slowly toward me. “You do not need to fear me. Not you.”
“And why not?” I asked, raising my hands. On second thought, magic would probably serve me better than my sword. She wouldn’t let me get close enough to use a traditional weapon.
“Because we want the same thing—power.”
“I don’t care about power.”
“Liar. Why else have you kept killing and fucking? Because our magic demands it. Craves it.” She put a hand to the clasp on her robe. “Have you ever wondered what happens when two powerful people join? I can show you.”
And then she unhooked her red robe and let it fall to the ground. Beneath, she wore a sheer black dress that left nothing to the imagination. I stared at her.
Not surprised, though, because somehow I’d been expecting something like this the moment she arrived. “No,” I said. “You are only trying to get close enough to kill me.”
“That is untrue. A lie told by the elves, I am sure. No, Jon, the Wraith King wants you, so I do not plan to kill you. I’m only suggesting we have a little bit of fun first. You will have power you can’t even imagine yet. You’ll see.” Maera then began to pull her dress off her body. Her pale skin glowed with the dying red light. Her body was thin, not overly muscular, with small, pert breasts and pale nipples. “Like what you see?” she asked, getting ready to pull the dress down over her hips.
I shook my head and dragged my gaze back up to her eyes. “Stop.” To my surprise, my voice was firm and strong. Commanding.
And Maera obeyed. She halted the removal of her clothing and watched me closely.
“I am going to kill you,” I said, finding my voice at last. “Your reign of terror over the people of the Slavers’ Bowl is at an end.”
Maera slipped her dress back over her shoulders. “Don’t be stupid. You cannot kill me. I am going to take you to the Wraith King whether you lie with me or not.”
“I’m not going to let you take me anywhere. Especially not to the Wraith King so he can torture me for killing his precious wyrms.”
Maera laughed. “Oh, you don’t know! You haven’t figured it out? The elves are more stupid than I thought. Either that, or your precious Nya has been keeping the truth from you.” She smiled. “Yes, I think that might be it.”
“Know what?”
Maera looked delighted. With the flick of her hand, she summoned her red robe to her shoulders, and it obeyed. Once again, she looked like the sorceress that she was. Then, she began to walk around me. I turned in place, following her movements.
“It’s obvious you can’t wait to tell me,” I said irritably. “So just get it out. Or do you prefer I kill you instead?”
I should have hit her with the most powerful spell I could conjure, but at this point, she had me by the balls and she knew it. I needed to hear what she had to say. It was part of the reason I had come, after all.
“I will tell you, then,” Maera said, stopping with the light to her back so that it outlined her body in a dark silhouette. “It makes me happy that I get to tell you, really. I’ve been watching you, and you have grown so strong in such a short amoun
t of time. More powerful than I would have thought. You defeated my rock golem and the hell-fiends I sent to fetch you. Jon, the reason you need to return to the Black Mountains with me is because you are destined for greatness.”
“So you say,” I said, shifting so I could see her better. “But if that’s the case, why would the Wraith King want me?”
Maera grinned. “Because you are his son.”
55
“The fuck I am,” I spat.
Maera laughed. “Did you never wonder about your upbringing?”
“Why would I?”
She raised an eyebrow. “A father you never knew. A mother who loved her other son, your half-brother, more than you?”
The words hit me like an ice pick. “How do you know that?”
The sorceress began circling me again. “Because you are not who you think you are, Jon. Shortly after your birth, your real mother sent you through the portal—out of Hell—and bribed another woman to raise you and to never tell you anything about it. But you see, the Wraith King found out about you, and after years of searching, he has brought you to Hell where you belong.”
As she said those last words, her eyes flashed red.
I was stunned. There was no way she could have known that about my family. It wasn’t quite as bad as Maera made it out to be. I had loved my mother and had always believed she loved me, but she had died years ago. Since then, I’d not had much contact with anyone except my brother. My half-brother.
And yet, something held me back from believing her fully. “How did I get here? I didn’t come through the portal.”
Maera frowned. “No, you did not. But the Wraith King arranged your arrival, nevertheless.”
“How? He arranged for thugs to beat me up and throw me in a river?”
“He did. You are destined for greatness, and the Wraith King wants you by his side.”
“Or wants to lure me into a trap where he can kill me.”