‘Do not make me ask you again, Wareeshta,’ she warned, maintaining her threat.
The Dhampir cast an unforgiving look at her mistress, before finding Magia Nera’s attentive eyes. Acknowledging her with a subtle nod, she returned it, before cowering from the dimness of the chamber, back into the darkness. His taunting laugh grabbed L’Ordana’s attention.
‘Remember who keeps you alive, Warlock!’ she cried.
‘I do not intend to forget…Witch,’ he returned, with added insult. ‘And lest you forget… remember who holds the knowledge you so desperately seek.’
Sickened by his constant observations, the Sorceress struggled to control her temper. Resisting the need to clench her fists, she felt her distaste of him battling to escape. No, she could not display weakness in front of him. And then there was Kara’s smug arrogance to consider. The Valkyrie would be more than content to take advantage of any sign of her mistress’s weakness.
‘If he does not give you what you need, Sorceress,’ Kara whispered in her ear, ‘there is always the other one. If you would only let me have my way with him.’
L’Ordana detected the Valkyrie’s strong scent as she dared to step closer. She watched
Magia’s curious reaction; he was alert with interest.
‘The other one?’ he enquired, moving within a breath of the barrier.
His inquisitiveness gave her a sense of control. She lingered, savouring the moment, before casually answering; ‘An old acquaintance of ours,’ she revealed.
An old acquaintance? he thought. He looked sharp when it dawned on him. ‘No!’ he retorted, drawing his head back. ‘How can this be?!’
‘You are not the only one who came searching for me,’ she said, teasing him. ‘It was almost… too easy. He underestimated my powers. Because of his past sentiments, he practically offered himself as my prisoner. How could I refuse?’
Kara stood motionless, absorbing all she could, while taking pleasure in the rivals’ mutual distaste for one other.
‘Where is he now?’ Magia asked, stepping dangerously close. There was an urgency in his voice.
It begged her to question: Could he be threatened by his old nemesis? She decided to play him. ‘He has been most helpful,’ she replied, sauntering back and forth, exchanging the occasional playful look.
He grunted. ‘Just like your heart… Kristene, your eyes betray you.’
She halted, slowly turning her head to meet his smug expression.
Kara eyed them, baffled. ‘Who is Kristene?’ she remarked.
‘Do not call me by that name!’ L’Ordana hissed, taking no notice of the Valkyrie. ‘She no longer exists.’
‘I would not count on it, Bella,’ he returned, adding to her frustration. ‘Tell me… has Oran told you yet?’
In a moment of weakness—having heard his name—she lowered her eyes briefly, forgetting herself. She blamed his taunts for distracting her.
Her hesitation answered his question. ‘But of course not!’ he said. ‘Why else are you here? And why does your servant beg you to—’
‘It is only a matter of time,’ she cut in.
‘How brightly does it now shine?’ he asked, pressing her further.
The Sorceress remained quiet, racing ahead of his thoughts and questions. She needed to maintain her calm while she mused over her situation; also, staying mindful of Kara’s lingering presence, as more was being divulged. In her keep, she held the two Warlocks. Both knew the secret of the amulet. She wanted that knowledge—whatever the cost—yet neither would speak. It became apparent she would have to make a bargain with one of them.
But which one? she asked herself.
Magia watched, amused, as she churned away at her thoughts.
‘Perhaps… if I could see it?’ he suggested, in a coaxing manner.
‘No!’ she retorted.
‘I could be of some assistance.’
She tilted her head, narrowing her suspicious eyes. ‘I think not!’
‘If we agree to trust each other, again, L’Ordana,’ he began, ‘I can help you to take this world and shape into the one you desire.’
There was a familiar softness in his voice. She recalled its soothing influence from their past. Her face softened as it tempted her.
Noticing the subtlety of its effect, Kara moved to her mistress’s side. ‘Can you trust him, Sorceress?’
L’Ordana flinched at the Valkyrie’s unwanted closeness. ‘Keep your distance!’ she growled, stepping away.
Magia grinned at the fiery exchange, gradually discovering flaws that could prove useful. He paced his chamber in a slow, menacing stride, watching them.
‘Tell me!’ she demanded, her voice vibrating with intensity. ‘How long do I have?!’
When he turned towards her, she breathed hard as his eyes penetrated hers.
‘We both have something we need from one another, Bella. Let me stand by your side while you claim revenge for your scarred past.’
‘Where is the Shenn?!’ she cried, her impatience clearly mounting, making no effort to conceal its infringing effect on her beauty, as the faint lines of ageing showed themselves.
Seeing it, motivated him further. ‘It is clear you have been unsuccessful in extracting what you desire from Oran.’ He paused for thought. ‘I cannot recall the last time I… no matter.’
‘Oran would die rather than betray his oath,’ she retorted.
‘I am quite aware of that little fact,’ he said. ‘Yet, confused.’
‘How so?’
‘Why do you keep him alive, when he refuses to speak?’
‘And in such splendour,’ Kara muttered.
He cast the Sorceress a vexed glance. ‘How interesting! Perhaps you still harbour a tiny ember for him in that cold heart.’
L’Ordana pursed her lips, furious. Clenching her fists, she felt the pain of her nails dig into her soft skin. ‘When the Shenn amulet is mine,’ she informed him, her threatening words slow, and defined, ‘Oran will bow to me. He will have no choice. And when I am satisfied, I will gladly destroy him… personally!’
Kara threw her mistress a disgruntled glance, feeling denied the opportunity of performing the act.
‘There is a poetic tone in your words, L’Ordana,’ he remarked, as he conjured up images in his mind of Oran’s demise. ‘It reminds me of “Alighieri”. However, you must find it first.’
You must find it first, she thought, hearing his frustrating words repeat in her head. He was right; she could not do it alone. Also, he claimed the added advantage of knowing that. She slowly raised her eyes, meeting his.
Holding her gaze, Magia silently waited for her agreement—the reluctant nod of her head, finally telling him he had won her over.
‘Kara!’ she said, staying fixed on him. ‘Give him what he needs.’
Satisfied, Magia Nera turned away, grinning to himself; he was done with her… for now. Staring out into the darkness, he contemplated the night, waiting for the Sorceress and her aid to leave. And as they left the chamber, he overheard her parting words to the Valkyrie:
‘Find me another girl!’
The echo of his low, sinister laugh, could then be heard, following them.
Chapter Twenty-Six
‘Where is he?!’ Oran demanded, astonished by the Dhampir’s disclosure. ‘Where is Magia Nera?!’
A small movement caught Reese’s quick eye. He had surveyed the little spider, scurrying about between them, undecided in its direction. The Dhampir’s speed was so swift, Oran barely glimpsed the movement of the dagger—putting a sudden end to the arachnid’s journey.
‘I thought you were unarmed,’ he stated, taken back by his unexpected action.
The Dhampir disregarded him. ‘I find it strange…’ Reece began, observing its little body spasm beneath the tip of his blade, until it ceased, ‘after all these years—despite my affliction—I still abhor these unsightly creatures.’ He lifted the dagger to his eye-level, inspecting it closely, then shuddere
d at its grotesque appearance.
‘Your emotions betray your human side, Reece,’ Oran remarked, observing his annoying scrutiny of the lifeless spider. The Warlock rolled his eyes with growing impatience. ‘I think we can safely assume it is dead,’ he snapped. ‘Now, where is Magia Nera?’
‘Locked away,’ said Reece, discarding the spider from his blade.
‘Are you certain?’
‘You have my word on it,’ he answered, returning the dagger to the inside of his boot.
‘Where does she keep him?’
Reece considered Oran’s persistence. ‘It seems your past acquaintance with him is one of importance… and urgency.’
‘This is the reason,’ Oran conceded, acknowledging his amulet. ‘You say you have seen one like it?’
‘Once.’
‘When?’
‘When he came looking for her—creeping into the citadel like a ghostly shadow.’
‘You saw him?’
Reece shook his head. ‘Asai saw him first. He sees many things, and brought it to my attention. We followed him with intent.
‘To destroy him?’
‘Naturally. However, he somehow slipped past our guard.’
‘Magia Nera is clever, Reece. He deals in the dark arts; some, even I am unfamiliar with.’
‘Perhaps,’ said Reece. ‘But he was no match for her that night. We followed his foul scent, which took us to her chamber. We overheard their conversation. It appears they had met before. She presumed him dead, but it seems he had returned to claim what was rightfully his. She spoke of “the light in the stone”. He refused to discuss it, demanding she give it back. But she was determined to keep it.’
‘But how did he become her prisoner?’
‘Their conversation became heated, when he insisted on seeing the amulet. She teased and mocked him, before exhibiting it in front of him. Threats were made. Despite my dislike for the Sorceress, we are bound to protect her. Given the unwanted choice, I would prefer to be under her command than that of the Valkyrie’s.’
‘So, you felt it your obligation to intervene,’ Oran stated.
‘An obligation that would have led to punishment, had we failed to meet it. We had no choice, but to intervene; therefore, we were compelled to enter her chamber… without permission. It was then I caught a brief glimpse of the amulet, before she concealed it on her person. I recall her anger at our “intrusion”, as it was put.’
‘Does she know you saw it?’
‘No. The presence of her unwanted guest had distracted her.’
‘Another advantage, in our favour,’ Oran remarked.
‘I thought his appearance… strange, at first,’ said Reece. ‘He was none too pleased at our timely interference. His shared anger revealed his true nature, arousing our suspicions. It soon came to light what he truly was: one whose preference is the night.’
‘Making him more dangerous than you realise.’
Reece smirked. ‘Not while he is imprisoned in a dungeon beneath this citadel… beneath her bed-chamber.’
‘Her bed-chamber?!’ said Oran, stunned by the revelation. His eyes slid from Reece, as he shook his head, muttering; ‘A convenient arrangement.’
Reece imagined he detected the taint of jealousy in the Warlock’s tone.
Oran then grunted. ‘No doubt her idea.’
Reece nodded.
‘After we imprisoned him, we were sworn to secrecy.’ He hesitated, studying Oran’s mood, for a moment. ‘Do I sense a hint of—’
‘Have you seen him since?’ said Oran, cutting in, hoping to avoid any further unnecessary questions.
‘I have seen and heard nothing more yet I am aware he still resides there. It is my understanding he, too, continues to disregard her demands.’
‘Something tells me…’ said Oran, ‘Magia is unaware of my presence.’
‘We cannot presume that,’ said Reece. ‘After all, she is desperate. We must consider the possibility that she has told him.’
‘If so, then she will play him, in the hope he gives her what she wants. She has accepted that I will never tell her the secret. I am now her lost cause.’
‘For which you may be destroyed, then,’ Reece stated.
‘She would not—’
‘Desperate times call for desperate motives,’ said Reece, as a grim reminder. ‘Do not presume you are indispensable—because of the past you once shared with her. She has promised you to Kara, if all else fails. And nothing would please the Valkyrie more.’
Oran looked away, before his thoughts brought him back to his amulet. Reece regarded the Warlock as he caressed the precious item, his eyes becoming distant. The Dhampir parted his lips to speak, but hesitated, noticing the sombre look on his features. Detecting his sadness, Reece felt an underlying sympathy for his new ally, and lowered his head. It moved him, in a way he thought he’d forgotten. Oran glanced up, catching the Dhampir’s moment of emotion, as he slowly nodded, as though in understanding.
A wave of relief then shrouded Oran with confidence; at last, he felt Reece had accepted his words in simple faith. He was grateful for the Dhampir’s patience and self-control, imagining how difficult it must be for him, after so long. Oran took a deep breath.
‘It is time to share the amulet’s secret with you, Reece.’
‘Thousands of years, before our time,’ Oran began, ‘there was a High Warlock—one of reputable intelligence, and a great visionary.’
‘A visionary?’ Reece enquired, making himself as comfortable as he could possibly feel.
‘Aye, one who envisaged what would become of our world, should it be taken by those for whom it is not intended.’
‘Such as our mutual acquaintance?’
Oran nodded.
‘Such as she. Therefore, he sought a way to protect it. He was well-learned, and accomplished in the knowledge of magic—in all its good and evil. The medium through which he acted was an ancient power in, Heka.
‘I am not familiar with it,’ said Reece, drawing his brow together.
‘’Tis only known to Warlocks.’
‘Its meaning?’
‘Magic,’ Oran revealed. ‘It was by this means he used it to acquire power from the universe. It promised dominance and prosperity. And it is that very power which is contained in the amulet.
Reece cast a confused glance at the item clutched in Oran’s hand.
A suspicious grin appeared on the Warlock’s mouth. ‘This is not “the one” she seeks. The amulet I speak of is called the, Shenn.’
‘A greater one, no doubt.’
‘Much greater,’ said Oran. ‘The High Warlock had his most skilled craftsmen find him a precious stone—one surpassing all others. After a long and treacherous search, they found one of exquisite beauty and size—mined from the mountains of the red lands—hidden deep in the southern Realm of Ockram.’
‘A diamond?’
Oran nodded.
‘Its colour was of the deepest blue; extremely rare. The stone was concealed by the craftsmen in an undisclosed place, where they had it cut, perfecting its brilliance. Its shape resembles a tear. The loyal craftsmen then created a magnificent amulet to house the stone as its centre piece—fashioned from the finest yellow gold, with in-lays of lapiz-lazuli and carnelian, on its outer rim. He then ordered them to fashion six more—smaller in size—their centre stones cut from the remnants of the precious diamond.’
‘Its size must have been immense,’ Reece commented.
‘Aye, unique in size and colour.’
The Dhampir stared at the amulet, studying it. Even in the dim glow of the chamber, its cut and clarity were dominant. ‘If the stone’s original colour was deep blue,’ he quizzed, ‘how can you explain its present state? It shines like—’
‘The sun?’ Oran interrupted.
Reece nodded.
‘When his craftsmen completed the amulet, the Warlock took it to the great pyramid of Khufu—in the north of Ockram. He was accompanied by six hig
h priests—each wearing one of the six amulets created for them.’
Reece drew closer to inspect Oran’s.
‘The seven entered a secret chamber—carved within the inner sanctum of the pyramid. All that exists inside is a black, granite sarcophagus and four small shafts—carved into each wall—designed to run from inside the chamber, and out into the world above. It was here—surrounded by his high priests—he placed himself inside the sarcophagus, wearing the amulet. Through the power of Heka he conjured the energy from the centre of the universe. Then drawing it through the shafts, into the inner chamber, he seized its power, by locking it within the amulet’s diamond.’
Reece shook his head, sceptical.
‘An impossible feat!’
‘Nothing was beyond him,’ Oran stated. ‘His powers were relentless. As the energy filled the sacred chamber, the stone absorbed its life-giving force, changing its colour. Overwhelmed by the magnitude of its immense and unknown power, the Warlock tried to remove it, but was cast down by its dominance.’
‘He died?’
‘Not quite. He regained consciousness within a few days. The initial impact it had on his body had simply been too much. His newfound strength grew beyond anything he knew, proving difficult for him to master its influence. He then proclaimed himself the first Magus, changing his name to “Lumeri”, after the great scribe and prophet, who lived thousands of years before. In his new name, he vowed to protect the world from harm, knowing he had the power to do so—along with the aid of five others.’
‘Were there not six?’ Reece queried.
‘Unfortunately, one of the high priests stood in the way of the light, when it entered the chamber. Its immense heat consumed him—and the amulet he wore.’
‘A life, for life!’
‘Who knows?’ Oran replied, shrugging.
‘What of the other five?’
‘Together, they formed the Elliyan: a council of Warlocks who would remain loyal to the Magus and his prophesies. Through his visions, his concern for mankind disturbed him. In them he saw a sinister threat, which stank of brutality and death, silently waiting for him to drop his guard. He feared the mortals’ ignorance of an unknown force would be their downfall, should they not be protected. You must understand, Reece, we originate from a different age, long before your explorers sailed the great oceans. Malevolent threats have been lurking for thousands of years, waiting to hurl their terror, in the hope we become complacent. Although we reside in the same world as yours, we continue to recognise it, as it was named by Lumeri. “As was then, still remains.”’
Beyond the Darkness Page 26