“Bren...Blackthorne? That name…” Lyrax contemplated his thoughts for a moment before continuing. “And you’re sure he is the one you saw in your vision?”
“Yes. The moment I touched the handle on his door, the same brilliant energy washed over me and I was rendered unconscious.”
“And what of the crystal?”
Roann exhaled deeply before replying. “Flashes, really. Two warriors, with crystalline mail. And a large man with a club.”
“I know nothing of him, but…” Lyrax rose and slowly strode toward the window as he replied. “…these warriors you speak of? They can only be from one place—one time.”
“How?”
“That I don’t know. But they are a threat, as is that alchemist. There’s got to be a reason for a simple man like him to be allying with soldiers.” Lyrax whirled around, his eyes boring straight into the young emperor. “You’re sure there was nothing strange about him?”
“Nothing. His work is known throughout the empire, as is that of his father. From what I’ve heard, their family name goes back generations in the alchemical field.”
“If you’ve had a reaction to him, it’s all the evidence I need to prove that he needs to be silenced. And the fact that he’s keeping company with a pair of soldiers from that war…” Lyrax’ words spit like venom from his lips.
“What do you propose we do?”
“Having one or both of those soldiers on our side would be a great victory. The alchemist and the other man are useless, but those warriors…”
Roann hesitantly posed a question he hoped wouldn’t get him in trouble. “How do we know they even exist? I may have imagined it. Hit my head on the door?”
“No.” Lyrax shook his head. “No, this is not coincidence. That alchemist and those soldiers are out there, and they’re going to be coming for us. You’ll need to be prepared, of course.”
Lyrax approached Roann, forcefully grabbing his arm. His bony fingers pressed into his sleeve and bruised the flesh beneath. He closed his eyes and both men were instantly enveloped in a green haze, static charges arcing across their clothing. Roann’s entire body jolted as Lyrax breathed a word in a language he did not recognize. Soon, his hand released and the necromancer backed away.
“That alchemist shouldn’t give you any more trouble.” Roann rubbed his aching arm and stared at Lyrax questioningly. “When you see him next, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Be sure to rough him up a bit.” Lyrax turned back to the window and stared out, the sun just setting behind the spire of Whitehaven. “Even though you have been a naughty boy recently, I think I shall give you another gift.”
“Master?” The emperor cocked his head in confusion.
“A man has needs, does he not? Someone to confide in, to share the most…intimate of moments? A companion—who also happens to be a fierce warrior. Someone who will obey and be loyal to us both.” Lyrax sighed confidently. He threw his arms wide, motioning to the city below him. “Find her, and bring her back to me. She will become ours—mine to do my bidding and yours…for whatever you want from her.”
Roann smirked devilishly in the darkening room, licking his lips. It had been some time since he had enjoyed the company of a woman. “And what of the others?”
“Bring them back as well. A few playthings would be fun, don’t you agree?” Lyrax laughed sinisterly.
“How will we turn her?”
“An enchantment. Simple, yet effective. Of course, you will have to consummate your relationship in order for the spell to be rendered complete.”
Roann’s eyes burned with lust. The thought of this mystery woman in his bed was almost too much for him to bear. A wave of desire washed over him. “We wouldn’t want the spell to fail…”
“Ah, to be a young, virile man again. You will no doubt enjoy her.” Lyrax sighed in satisfaction. “She will be yours, and in turn, mine.”
Roann nodded in the darkness, the sun having dipped so far below the horizon that it no longer threw off sufficient light. He moved to stand beside his master, and they both stared out at the dead city of Keld.
~~~
The door to Bren’s flew open, the lightning sparks blowing the lock clean out of the heavy wood.
Waiting for the smoke to clear, Roann entered, his senses once again assaulted by the overwhelming aromas of the ingredients. But this time, they did not bother him in the slightest. The shop was dark, and Roann remedied the problem by starting a fire on the hearth with a flick of his wrist. He no longer had to worry about the neighbors seeing him—for they all lay dead in the square.
Working efficiently, he went through the mental list of items Lyrax had bestowed upon him. It took him several moments to gather the necessary ingredients into a basket, but Ryris’ handwritten labels were thankfully easy to read. Grabbing an empty bottle from behind the workbench, he wondered what his new plaything would be like. Her image had been misty and somewhat blurred, but her flowing blonde hair stood out. He wanted to run his fingers through her locks and tug in the throes of passion.
Carefully placing the vial that would contain the elixir into the basket, he felt a telltale tickle in his nose. The stench of dried flowers and musky insect thoraces was something he wouldn’t miss. Before he could flash out of existence, he sneezed.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
While putrid and gangrenous in appearance, the undead soldier is surprisingly hearty, and unwilling to fall unless the head is destroyed or removed.
--Field notes of unknown scribe, Old War
“If I never see another spider egg sac again, I’ll die a happy man.”
Ryris shook the webs from his hair as he swatted at his back, ensuring there weren’t any hitchhikers on his clothing. He shuddered at the thought of the giant spider mother—and all her babies—they had just encountered. The battle had been fierce and had resulted in Grildi being bitten by one of her many offspring. Charred spider carcasses perfumed the air with an acrid, smoky scent. Thick, green blood splattered both warrior’s crystal armor, as well as Grildi’s supple tandlewood club. Ryris’ shoes caked with sticky goo, he reached down and peeled a spiky leg from his pants.
At least they had been successful in finding their prize—a glittering shard of Kaia’s sword. Ryris had to give credit to the people the King Galroy trusted to hide the pieces. Not one time had the hunt been easy. Whether it was bugs, crumbling caverns, or hordes of angry ghosts, they had ensured the shards would stay safe from anyone that shouldn’t be looking for them.
Now, with the light of the forest just feet away, Ryris couldn’t wait to be out of the cave. Fresh air assaulted his nostrils as they exited, and the entire party took a deep breath as they emerged into the woods.
“That place gave me the willies!” Grildi set his club against a tree and began to inspect the bite on his arm. Ryris, quick to react, fetched a vial of antidote from the wagon and instructed his friend to drink. Kaia and Jaric shed their armor, efficiently stowing it within crates in the back of the cart. Jaric grumbled audibly about not having time to clean the spider blood from the plates. Finally free of their armor and weapons, the two soldiers joined the alchemist and his massive friend. Seated on the forest floor, Grildi offered a small handful of nuts to both of them, which they accepted.
“Well, that’s six now, right?” Grildi counted on his fingers.
“With four more still out there somewhere.” Kaia tipped her canteen onto a small cloth, moistening it. She wiped it across her face and neck to remove the grime of the cavern. When she was finished, she drew the fabric over the surface of the shard in her lap, restoring it to its former brilliance after centuries of being kept in a spider’s den.
“Four isn’t so many!” The large man beamed hopefully.
“I like your optimism, Grildi.” Kaia smiled warmly. “We could have used someone like you back in my t—“
She stopped suddenly, sniffing the air. Jaric sucked in a hissing breath, his concerned eyes meeting Kaia’s. Ryris and Grild
i just stared at each other, shrugging their shoulders. Taking a whiff of the air, Ryris didn’t immediately know what they had reacted to.
And then it hit him.
Rotten flesh.
Kaia and Jaric jumped up and made a break for their weapons, leaned up against the wagon. Before they could reach them, both soldiers found themselves being blown back by a grand burst of energy. They landed at the other companions’ feet, dazed. Kaia sluggishly tucked the sword shard into the back of her waistband.
“Your weapons won’t do you any good.”
Ryris recognized that voice. As the man emerged from the darkness of the deep forest and into the clearing, long blonde hair billowed around his face. Tall and lean, his attire was regal. A pair of thin katanas were strapped to his back, the crisscrossed hilts poking up just over his shoulders. His head held high, he approached the group.
“Roann…” The alchemist couldn’t stop the words from escaping his lips in a hushed whisper. Grildi instinctively moved closer to his friend, shielding him from whatever was coming their way. The soldiers gingerly rose from the ground, Jaric immediately clenching his fists, ready to fight. If he couldn’t get to his weapon, he’d go down swinging.
“Don’t be rude, Mr. Bren. By all means, introduce me to your friends.”
Ryris’ amulet heated up, and he tried not to wince. He swallowed hard as the emperor approached. He knew this day was coming, when they’d finally come face-to-face with their enemy. But to have it happen out of the blue, when Ryris was sure their encounter would have been within the walls of Keld—needless to say he was caught off guard. They all were. Roann came to a stop before the small band of adventurers, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Surprised to see me?” When no one replied, he cocked his head confusedly and continued. “Saberstrike got your tongues? It’s customary to answer a question that is posed to you, especially when it’s asked by royalty.”
Jaric snorted, Roann immediately shooting him a disgusted look.
“You’re not royalty, you‘re a joke.” Kaia stood tall, her voice matching her stance.
“Such harsh words from such a beautiful creature. You’ll learn to watch your mouth.” Roann focused his attention on her. He moved closer, leaning forward to smell her hair. “What were you doing in that cave? And just what do you have behind your back?”
Kaia spit in his face, her lips clenched white in defiance.
After wiping the moisture from his skin with a gloved palm, Roann grabbed her and pulled her close, wrapping a hand around her back. His fingertips ghosted over the shard in her waistband, and he removed it carefully. He scolded Kaia with a clicking tongue. “Hiding things from your emperor? Just what do we have here?”
“Nothing your pitiful mind could ever comprehend.”
Roann laughed heartily before glancing down at his new prize. It glittered in the sunlight. “You’re feisty. You didn’t get your fancy little crystal boots dirty for a broken artifact, did you? Are there more pieces?”
Kaia glared at him in defiant silence.
Roann sighed and released her, pushing her unceremoniously to the ground. Jaric, having had enough of Roann’s antics, charged at him, fists swinging. While the emperor was momentarily distracted, Kaia dashed for the wagon and liberated her bow. She quickly conjured an arrow of ice, aiming directly for Roann’s chest. The projectile screamed through the air, only to be stopped by an invisible barrier. It shattered against the shield, the pieces melting onto the forest floor. Jaric slammed against the shield from the other side, stopping him in his tracks, utterly confused.
“I’m really not worth the trouble, dear. My legion will kill you if I give the word. Is whatever you’re hiding really worth dying for? If you perish here, you come back as one of them.” Roann pointed to his troop of guards, swaying beside him. Their eyes were vacant, their flesh putrid and gangrenous. Garbled moans periodically escaped their lips. “If you cooperate, you get to live—for now.”
Knowing it was a fight they could not win at present, Kaia lowered her bow and dropped it in the wagon. She eyed Jaric, silently commanding him to stand down. Roann released his barrier and kicked Jaric’s feet out from underneath him, sending the soldier crashing to the ground. Grildi moved to help him up, but he brushed the giant man off with a stern glance.
“Wise decision.” Roann tapped the sword shard against the palm of his hand.
A breeze picked up, and Ryris was thankful that it blew the stench of the soldiers downwind. The canopy above them parted, allowing a shaft of light to trickle down from the sky. The alchemist’s eyes bulged as it illuminated the satchel containing the other shards.
Roann’s attention went to the shaft of light as well, following it down from the heavens to its destination. A barely visible shard inside glittered, and the emperor smirked. He walked slowly to the backpack, never taking his eyes off of his prisoners.
“My, my…how beautiful—just like you.” He smiled at Kaia, who rolled her eyes. “Something tells me my master will be very pleased to have these.”
The emperor returned to the group, stopping momentarily to give the knapsack to one of his rotting soldiers. The guard groaned and accepted the pack, holding it loosely in his hands as his weapon fell to the ground.
“Not very smart, are they?” Jaric mumbled under his breath at the soulless abomination. “Looks like they have trouble with priorities.”
“I encourage you to attack him while he’s disarmed, then. You’ll find his priorities are very much intact.” Roann began circling the group, his hands clasped behind his back. “My minions may appear mindless, but they’ll protect me without hesitation, and defend themselves, even when their limbs have been severed and their eyes gouged out.” He continued to walk around the companions, only stopping when he found himself in front of the alchemist.
“And you, Ryris…” Roann eyed him. “Strange place to meet again, wouldn’t you agree?”
Ryris refused to answer. The amulet tingled against his chest. His skin was becoming uncomfortably warm. All he wanted to do was burn the smirk from Roann’s face.
“I remember that day in your shop. I still don’t know exactly what happened, but I do know that it wasn’t your stinking inventory that overtook me. And now…” He sized up the rest of the party. “…here you are with warriors that shouldn’t even be alive—and I’ve been sent to fetch you. Why is that?”
“Sent by whom?” Ryris couldn’t stop himself as the question bubbled from his lips.
Roann laughed. “Surely you know.”
“We want to hear you say it.” Kaia stared at him with narrowed, suspicious eyes. “To hear you admit that you’re in league with the devil.”
“The devil? I’m flattered.” He smiled arrogantly, exposing perfect gleaming white teeth. “No, Lyrax isn’t the devil—he’s the salvation this world so desperately needs.”
Ryris couldn’t bear hearing the emperor speak ill of his own empire. The young alchemist loved his life, loved his country. Before everything went to pot, there was nothing Ryris could think of that was sullied in his world, except for the rotting oinox carcass. Now, with Roann working for the doom-giver, everything had fallen apart before his eyes. He wanted to scream, to lash out and strike the man in front of him. Ryris felt the ire bubble up his throat before he could stop himself, his anger had exploded from his lips.
“This world was perfect! You’re the one who ruined it!” His hands began to heat up, completely out of his control.
Roann grabbed Ryris by the collar and hoisted him to eye-level. He shook him, pleasantly surprised that he was able to touch him without incident. It seemed that whatever Lyrax enchanted him with had done the trick. Ryris’ face was close enough that the emperor’s snarling teeth threatened to nip the alchemist’s nose. Roann’s eyes flared with rage, before turning ebony. “This world was ignorant—and tainted!”
Ryris’ hands continued to heat up, his fingertips accidentally brushing up against Roann’s vest
as he pulled the alchemist closer. Roann glanced down between their bodies, eyes gaping in shock as he noticed his prisoner’s new trick.
“Just like you’re tainted.” Roann released him and grabbed his wrists, wrenching his hands awkwardly. Ryris yelped in pain as the emperor gazed down at the tiny flames flickering on his fingertips. “So, this is your dirty little secret, eh alchemist?”
Ryris whimpered as Roann applied pressure to his hands, threatening to break both wrists with his extreme strength. He felt the fire go out, replaced by searing pain as bones approached their breaking point.
“I wonder how you slipped under our noses all these years? There were so many of your kind that I eliminated.” He pushed Ryris to the ground with an exasperated huff. “No matter. Even if you wanted to use your worthless little flames on me, you’d lose in spectacular fashion. It’s a pity, really. I would have loved to have seen you try.”
Kaia spat her words. “You might just get your wish.”
“Well, then. Now I’m counting on it.” Roann smirked arrogantly, his eyes returning to their emerald hue.
Grildi grabbed Ryris under the arms and lifted him back to standing position. He snarled at Roann before talking to his friend. “You okay, Boss? You want me to pound him for makin’ fun of you?”
“How precious. The dolt is concerned for his weak friend. And protective, to boot.” Roann gently patted Grildi on the bicep, eliciting a furious growl from the massive man. “Such loyalty. I wonder if he’ll still follow you when he’s a zombie?”
“Nobody’s makin’ a ghoul of me!” Grildi’s face turned bright red, his fists clenching in front of his body.
“We’ll see.” Roann ran his hands over his arms and shivered. “This forest air has become quite chilly. I invite you all back to Keld as my distinguished guests.”
“And if we refuse?” Jaric’s defiance was evident.
Roann simply pointed at his troop of undead soldiers, never uttering another word. Jaric grumbled and narrowed his eyes at the monarch. The soldiers moved forward and pushed them toward their wagon. When they were in position, they crowded in tightly around them. The stench was unbearable as they pressed their bodies together to form a circle. Ryris gagged at the foulness of decay. Kaia covertly touched his hand with hers, intertwining their fingers. Ryris welcomed the soothing contact, even though his cheeks flushed instantly at her touch. In an instant, the entire party, ghouls, cart, and all, were enveloped in a red mist and Ryris felt the uncomfortable surge of energy associated with teleportation.
The Alchemist: Dawn of Destiny Page 44