He scanned the area and saw the round 'slithas' piled in a corner. He grabbed two and placed them beside the sands. At that moment, the sound of rapidly advancing Vrykol boots began echoing from the passage. They were very close.
No time to lash ourselves together, he thought. He helped Penelope onto the vessel and pushed it atop the sands. Again, they burst into life, now propelling her toward the mouth of the tunnel. Lee raced to throw his own disc down and was about to jump aboard when a searing pain shot through his chest from where the cursed spike was buried in his flesh. He tried to fight through the agony, but it was unrelenting. He felt his legs giving way and fell heavily to the stone floor.
He heard Penelope screaming out his name, but she had already reached the tunnel and was quickly out of sight. He fought with everything he had to crawl atop the slithas, but his muscles had seized up. He could only lay where he was, helpless and frozen.
The foul stench of decay and ruin soon reached his nostrils. The hissing laugh of the Vrykol raked at his ears. Seconds later he saw the cloaked figures walking toward him.
“Get it over with,” he managed to grunt through his agony.
In a single swift movement, one of the Vrykol mounted his back and bound his arms. Once he was secure, the pain slowly subsided and a little of his strength returned.
“What are you waiting for?” he demanded.
The Vrykol pulled him to his feet. “Do you long for death? Do you wish for your torment to end?” Its harsh, rasping voice was mocking and cruel.
Lee glared defiantly. “I’ll not grovel to you,” he growled, spitting hard into the darkness of its hood.
His defiance was met by a fist smashing into his jaw. Were it not for the Vrykol at his back, he would have been sent sprawling.
“It will be a pleasure to watch you…turn,” the creature goaded. “To watch your sanity slip away.”
Lee tried not to look daunted by this, but fear of what he was likely to become gripped him anyway. Once again, his legs began to weaken.
“I see that even the mighty Lee Starfinder’s courage has limits,” it continued. “Excellent.”
Pride compelled Lee to gather his wits and straighten his back. “If your master wanted this, he would have done it when he captured us the first time.”
“My master?” The creature came closer, the stench of its breath nearly causing Lee to wretch. “He knows nothing of this. He no longer cares what we do. Our usefulness to him has come to an end.”
“Then why are you doing this?” demanded Lee. “Why bother?”
“We must earn our place in this world before it is too late,” it replied. “And now that your wife is no more, you will help us.”
“I will never help you!” he roared. The thought of Penelope alone, afraid, and in the bowels of the desert tore at his heart, but he was not about to give these demons the satisfaction of knowing his anguish.
Forgive me, my love, he thought. Forgive my failure.
“You have no choice,” it shot back. “Soon you will be ours to control…completely.”
The Vrykol spun around and headed toward the exit. The one behind Lee shoved him into a brisk walk to follow. While moving along, he concentrated on the spike in his chest. So far he could feel nothing unusual, but he was certain this would soon change. His only remaining goal now was to free himself and kill every Vrykol he could find before his mind was completely destroyed...even though he knew there was little hope of this ever actually coming to pass.
For him, there was no escaping the harsh fact that it was all over.
Chapter Four
Dina sat at the desk in what was formally High Lady Selena’s office. Haphazardly scattered papers covered the entire desktop, and three more large stacks waiting for her attention had been placed near to the door.
Letting out a soft moan, she put her head in her hands. “What have I gotten myself into?”
When Selena had asked her to take up the position, the prospect had initially excited her. It would allow her access to information reserved only for the High Lady of the Order. And as a historian, this sent her mind racing as to the possibilities of what she might discover.
After telling Linis of Selena’s request, she could see how much it had disturbed him. They had been planning to make a home together and hopefully raise a family somewhere quiet and safe once the war was over. In order to ease his concern, she had assured him that it was only a temporary situation, and that she had no intention of living out her years in Valshara.
Her elevation had caused no small measure of jealousy amongst the older members, several of which had held designs on the position themselves. That someone so young had been appointed rankled them no end. And though they afforded her all due courtesy, they could not hide the displeasure in their eyes. Only Ertik seemed genuinely happy with the appointment.
Though he had requested to remain in Althetas with Queen Selena, Dina had ordered him back to the temple. This was partly due to the fact that she knew him and wanted familiar company, but mostly because Selena had advised it. She knew that Dina would need all the help she could get, and there was no one more competent than Ertik. In fact, more than once Dina had thought to press for him to become High Lord of Amon Dähl once her service was done, even though this would break with tradition. The Order had always been led by a woman. But as times changed, so must they. If human and elf could find common ground, certainly Amon Dähl could withstand a male leader. Particularly one as capable as Ertik.
There was a knock on the office door and a young girl entered carrying a pot of hot tea. The pleasing scent instantly filled the room, bringing a slight smile to Dina’s face. Tea from Baltria was a pleasure she never passed up, and since trade had been re-established she saw to it that the stores were fully stocked with enough to last for some considerable time.
The girl poured the tea and gave a formal bow. “Will there be anything else?” she asked.
Dina still felt uncomfortable with the way the others now spoke to her. “No, my dear. Would you care to join me?” The girl looked uncertain. “Please. I insist,” Dina continued.
“As you wish, High Lady.” She bowed once more before sitting uneasily in the chair on the other side of the desk.
Before the girl could stop her, Dina retrieved another cup from a small cabinet and poured her some tea. Dina laughed softly at the girl’s awkwardness.
“Please make yourself comfortable,” she said. “There is no need to be nervous.”
“Begging your pardon, High Lady,” she replied. “But I’ve only just arrived and didn’t expect to meet you so soon.”
“What is your name?”
“Wimolia,” she replied, then blew the steam from the surface of the tea before taking a small sip.
“A Baltrian name by the sound of it,” remarked Dina. “Am I right?”
The girl nodded. “My father was a knight of the Order. I came here to look for him after Darshan retook the city.”
“Did you find him?”
“No, ma’am. He was killed when Angrääl took Valshara.”
Dina could hear the sorrow in her voice. “I am so sorry.”
Wimolia forced a weak smile. “Don’t be. He died with honor in the service of Amon Dähl. I always knew such a thing might happen. That is why I chose to stay here - out of respect for his sacrifice.”
“Have you no family?”
She shrugged. “None to speak of. A cousin, that's all. But he has a family of his own and little time for me. I hope to earn a place here as a healer…that is, if I have the talent.”
Dina took a parchment from her drawer and wrote a few short sentences. Once completed, she blew the ink dry, folded the sheet, and handed it over. “Take this to Sister Cherlea in the morning. She will officially induct you into the Order and begin your training.”
The girl stared at the parchment for a moment. Then, with a smile, she placed it carefully back on the desk. “I thank you, High Lady. But I have been told t
hat it can take years to earn a place in the healing chamber. I would prefer it came through my own merits rather than pity.”
Dina felt a sudden respect for this young girl. She looked to be no more than eighteen, if that, yet her demeanor and maturity was of someone far older. I suppose war destroys the child within us all, she thought. She picked up the parchment and placed it back in the desk drawer.
“I’ll keep it here just in case you change your mind,” she said. “And I’ll make sure that whoever holds this office after I leave knows your name.”
“Are you not staying?”
Dina shook her head. “I am only here to keep things in order now that the former High Lady is gone. There will be a conclave soon to decide who will be the next High Lady of Amon Dähl.”
“Surely they’ll choose you?”
Dina laughed. “I seriously doubt that. Not unlike you, I have only recently became a full cleric. My elevation has been a matter of convenience and necessity, that's all. Besides, I have a husband with whom I dearly wish to start a family, and I don’t think Valshara would be any place to raise children.”
Wimolia suppressed a laugh. “Have you not noticed? There are dozens of children roaming the halls. They seem happy enough.”
Dina had indeed noticed. Most of the current inhabitants of the temple were not members of the Order. The majority were scholars, priests and priestesses from other temples, many of which had brought their families with them. Still, she did not think Linis would be happy here. For that matter, the more she came to understand the duties of the High Lady, the more she looked forward to handing the reins over to someone else.
“I am ill-suited to this post, my dear,” she said. “And I will be glad when my time here is at an end.”
“I hope you change your mind,” said Wimolia. “The Order needs you.”
Dina quickly changed the subject. While they finished their tea she asked Wimolia about her father, and of her childhood in Baltria. Soon, a loud bell rang out to tell everyone that the evening meal was about to be served. The girl politely excused herself and returned to her duties.
Dina left the office and went to her quarters, where her meal was already waiting for her. During the first week she had attempted to take her repast in the main dining hall, but each time she was beset with so many requests and questions that she was unable to finish eating. It was Ertik who finally put a stop to it, stating that Dina could ill-afford to lose any more weight and insisting that she eat in her room.
She had only just sat down when there was a knock at the door.
“I am sorry to disturb you,” Ertik said after stepping inside. “But I have troubling news.”
“Not at all,” Dina responded. “Please sit.”
Ertik obeyed and took a chair at the table opposite her. A guilty expression passed over his face as he looked at the steaming lamb and fresh vegetables on Dina's plate. He clearly hated interrupting her.
“There is a plot against Kaylia and her child,” he said in a half whisper. “An elf plot.”
Dina smiled and shook her head. “There have been rumors of plots for some time. This is nothing new.”
“And I thought the same. But I believe this one to be real. The body of an elf was found just outside Althetas, his heart pierced.”
This sent a shiver down Dina’s spine. “That is terrible. But why do you think it’s anything more than a dispute between enemies, or even a human who hates the elves. For that matter, it could even have been an enemy agent.”
“That would be a possibility,” he replied. “But the elves who examined the body are sure that he was killed with an elf blade…and by a seeker.”
Dina thought on this for a moment. “And how is this connected to a plot?”
“The victim was an elf named Vixis. He was part of a separatist group who have decided to journey to the desert.”
“So you think this group is responsible?” she asked.
Ertik shook his head. “It's true they have been extremely vocal in their opposition to integration, and have openly tried to convince others to join them, but thus far they have not been at all violent. In fact, it was because of them that we now suspect a plot. They told us that Vixis was due to meet with another far more militant section of elves who have been angered by Gewey’s revelations about their origins. He had hoped to persuade them to join his group in traveling to the desert. But he never returned from the meeting. And it was shortly after his body was found that his comrades warned us of rumors they'd heard about a plot against Kaylia and Jayden.”
Fear began to swell in her chest. Linis was with them and likely unaware of any danger. “What are they planning?”
“Unfortunately, we have no details yet. But I have already sent word to Kaylia through Queen Selena.”
Dina took a deep breath and steadied herself. “Keep me informed if you hear of anything further.”
Ertik rose and bowed. “Without delay, High Lady.”
Dina stared at her plate as Ertik left the room. She was no longer hungry. She called for a servant and smiled when she saw Wimolia enter.
“I asked to be assigned to your room this evening,” the girl said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” she replied. “But you couldn’t have had any time to eat.” She stood and offered the girl her seat.
She held up her hand. “That’s quite all right, High Lady.”
“If you don’t eat it, it will only go to waste,” Dina insisted. “I’m not at all hungry. In fact, I was calling to have it taken away.”
Dina walked over and took the girl’s hand. Unable to resist the High Lady, Wimolia allowed herself to be sat in the chair. Dina gave her a motherly smile, and after a long pause the girl began eating.
Satisfied that good food would not be tossed out, Dina took the seat opposite her.
Barely had Wimolia taken her first bite when her back suddenly stiffened and her face became ghostly pale. Seconds later, a thin trickle of blood began dribbling from her nose.
Dina leapt to her feet. “Wimolia!”
She was just able to catch the girl before she fell from her chair to the floor. The slight body jerked and thrashed in her arms.
Laying her down for a moment, Dina raced to the door. “Help! Please, help me!” she called out at the top of her voice. She then returned to Wimolia and cradled her head in her arms. “Stay with me,” she pleaded frantically.
In less than a minute, two guards burst in.
“Take her to the healing chambers immediately,” Dina ordered.
The men lifted Wimolia’s now still body and hurried to the healers with Dina following close behind. Ertik arrived just as the girl was being laid on a bed.
“What happened?” he asked.
It took a moment for Dina to speak. “She was…poisoned.”
Ertik’s eyes shot wide. “Are you sure?”
Dina nodded. “She took merely a bite of a meal meant for me. A meal I insisted she take…”
Her voice trailed off.
Ertik spun around to face the two guards. “Do not leave the High Lady,” he commanded. He then turned back to Dina. “And you. Please stay in this room until I return.” With that, he raced out of the chamber.
The healers worked frantically to save Wimolia’s life, but it wasn’t long before they knew it was hopeless. She had been doomed from the moment the food touched her lips.
Dina could feel her sorrow and guilt slowly being replaced by rage. She walked over to Wimolia's bedside and whispered a prayer.
This done, she spoke aloud in a strong, clear voice. “Whoever is responsible for this will pay.” Her words were an oath.
Long before Ertik returned, six more guards arrived inside the chamber, with several more positioned outside watching the door and hallway. When he finally appeared, his face was grave.
“We found your attacker,” he reported. “He was caught trying to flee the temple grounds.”
“Where is he now?” she
demanded.
“Being brought to the cellar,” Ertik replied. “And you should know…he’s an elf.”
Dina paused for a moment, trying to think through her fury. “Then it seems Kaylia and Jayden are not the only ones being plotted against. Discover what he knows. I’ll be in my quarters.”
Ertik turned to leave, but Dina caught his arm. “Find my mother,” she said. “I want her to interrogate him.”
A horrified expression appeared fleetingly on Ertik's face. He knew Nahali would undoubtedly cut the prisoner to pieces once she learned of the attempt on her daughter’s life. After only an instant's hesitation, he gave a sharp nod and hurried off.
Though there was a part of Dina that knew setting her mother loose on her would-be assassin was morally wrong, she could not get the vision of Wimolia out of her mind. So much promise had been wasted. Even after watching her city being invaded by Angrääl and losing her father, the girl still only wanted to do good, and honor her father’s memory. If ever there was a cause for retribution, this was it. Justice…harsh, unrelenting, righteous justice, would be served.
She had only been back in her chambers for a few minutes when her mother came to see her. The fire in her eyes told Dina that Ertik had already relayed the details of what had happened.
Nahali embraced Dina tightly for a full minute before speaking. “I am on my way to see the animal who tried to kill you.” Her voice was hard and totally lacking in emotion.
“Thank you, mother,” she replied, suddenly feeling awkward about her request. Could she live with this? The voice of temperance in the back of her mind was beginning to grow louder.
“Don’t worry,” said Nahali. “He will talk. Then he will die.”
“Mother…I’m not sure...”
Nahali held up her hand. “There is no reason to question your decision. Your reaction was emotional but correct. We must discover who sent the assassin, and there is no better agent to send than me. I will have no pity or compassion.” Her lips trembled with barely contained rage. “They tried to kill my daughter, so I would have insisted on this regardless of your instructions. And from what Ertik tells me, this is part of a much larger plot. One that puts your unorem in grave danger along with Kaylia and her child.” She placed her hands on Dina’s shoulders. “Time is short, and there is no other way. I will get the answers we need.”
The Godling Chronicles : Bundle - Books 4-6 Page 70