The strange, frightening sound woke everyone and Nilesh watched Ellian’s eyes open and stare at the writhing worm in horror. He could hear others beginning to stir as well and there was no time. The chemicals he’d spilled across the tent wouldn’t keep the baneworms from striking at moving targets, and there was only one hope to catch them all.
Leaping up, shivering as he watched some of the worms turn in his direction, he grabbed one of the hanging ceramic oil lamps and turned it, letting oil splash out and onto the carpet where most of the worms congregated. Directly afterward he let the lamp fall, igniting the oil. The sudden whooshing light mixed with the cries of dismay and fear that rose up around him.
“Get out of the tent! Get out, now!” Nilesh yelled, hating his reedy voice as he reached for a long pole that served as a clothes rack in the tent. Flipping the clothes off, he stood back and watched the baneworms, tapping the carpet near the ones that were not engulfed in the fire or hitting them outright. Getting them ready to strike was dangerous, but it also kept them from moving quickly, and he needed to keep them distracted as the rest of the people in the tent roused themselves.
Lord Mendor was quick to pick up on what was going on, standing in his sleeping robe and moving quickly toward the tent flap. The flames were spreading through the tent though the walls and ceiling hadn’t caught. Still, the conflagration was still taking up a considerable amount of space on the floor. That and the writhing, screeching baneworms were only adding to the chaos.
Ashrak and Chari joined Nilesh, their swords giving them the reach to stay out of striking distance of the baneworms. Their swords flicked out, slicing through the remaining baneworms as they worked their way around the fire toward the entrance of the tent. Nilesh followed them, continuing to tap and distract the insects while Ashrak and Chari killed them. Before long, they had made their way outside and away from the now merrily burning tent.
“By the gods, what were those things?” Duke Valeran growled, staring back at the flames.
“Baneworms,” Ashrak said, looking around at his feet rather than at the burning tent. Lord Mendor was talking to the guardsmen and telling them to grab spears and if they saw any further baneworms, to keep their distance and spear them. Ashrak nodded, pointing to some raised trails. “They tunnel under the sand. It looks like they came from the same direction but normally they stay in a specific area. I would think they would have come out before now if they lived nearby.”
Valeran and Chari both grimaced and began looking at the sand where Ashrak was pointing. Several of the guardsmen looked as well before moving off to begin searching through the camp.
“He knows,” Ellian said, almost glaring at Nilesh. “Some of us would be dead if it weren’t for him.”
Nilesh fidgeted as all the eyes turned toward him, making him suddenly nervous. Being stared at was certainly not one of the things he normally desired though for some reason, Ellian’s hostile gaze bothered him the most. Hadn’t he saved her?
“Yes, I do. It was an assassination attempt.” Nilesh answered, trying to ignore Ellian’s eyes. “They probably lobbed something onto the roof of the tent which drew the baneworms, but it fades quickly leaving just angry baneworms.” He turned and looked out into the night. “Most likely they’re watching us right now.”
“What!” Valeran exclaimed, moving from watching his feet to the borders of the camp. “Probably a waste of time to send guards out there. I really would love to get my hands on whoever did this.”
“I doubt we’ll catch them,” Ashrak said, turning up his lips with a jaunty smile. “Most likely we’ll be talking to the person who ordered it tomorrow. I’ll pardon you if you want to run him through.”
Valeran looked at Ashrak and didn’t immediately answer, making Lord Mendor fidget before Valeran waved his hands at the ambassador. “Oh, don’t worry Mendor, as tempting as it is, It’s not like we weren’t expecting things like this to happen. I’m not here to make this task harder.”
Ashrak shrugged, suddenly stretching. “Well, I for one think it might be a good idea to retreat to the Skywitch to sleep, preferably while it hovers about a hundred meters in the air?”
The rest of them agreed though Nilesh was painfully aware of Ellian’s angry eyes on him. It made him uncomfortable, and he simply didn’t understand why she was glaring at him.
Chapter 4
Chari snuggled into Ashrak’s chest and buried her face against his shirt before breathing out in contentment. “Thank goodness; it doesn’t smell in here.”
Ashrak chuckled and tucked his chin in her hair. “Huge, poisonous insects almost kill us, and you’re happy that it doesn’t smell?”
“Well…yes,” Chari said. “The insects we killed, but that smell.” She paused, shuddering. “Honestly I should thank whoever tried to kill us because now we get to sleep in the Skywitch.”
“That is true,” Ashrak said, grinning. “I didn’t fancy trying to give you kisses in the tent with my sister glaring at me.”
“Meh,” Chari shrugged before pushing herself up and standing. “I think she was glaring at everyone equally. Come on, get up. Valeran wanted to get an early start toward the Citadel.”
Ashrak put his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes. “Gods, today is the day, isn’t it? I almost wish we’d gone with Aiden and Gavin to fight those creepy crawlies. Maybe one of them would do me the favor of eating me.”
Chari giggled, then threw Ashrak’s tunic at him. “Shut up and get dressed.”
He stood, pulling the armored tunic Aiden had made him over his head before slipping into his pants and buckling on a weapons belt. He and Chari both had Aiden make several tunics and pants for them that were virtually impervious, protecting them better than even the most oppressive suit of armor. It was an amazing artifact, and still unknown to most people on the planet.
“I wish Aiden had been able to make them fly,” Ashrak said, plucking at the soft fabric before picking up a hair brush and running it through his long white hair. “Wouldn’t that be something? Flying into the Citadel and seeing the look on their faces?”
“Yes, that would be fun though it would also give away one of our secrets,” Chari said, picking up her comb and standing next to Ashrak in the cabin’s mirror. “We need to keep everything close to our vests.”
Ashrak stopped and frowned, looking at Chari with a serious expression on his face. “I know. I know Valeran wouldn’t like it and you know he’d let us go back to Terek if we wanted to just leave this all behind. I’ve grown up with these people, Chari. I’ve seen them do such horrible things to people. It won’t matter to many of them that I am the last one in line to the ducal throne.”
She turned to him and looked at him searchingly before putting her hand on his chest. “I’m willing to try, Ash. That’s one of the things we learned in Terek. Nobility isn’t just a title; it’s responsibility.”
Ashrak snorted and began to turn away, but Chari wouldn’t let him, turning him back towards her with her finger on his chin. Finally, he nodded and gave her a long hug. “I wish I’d grown up in Terek. It’s a different place, Chari. Better.” He took a deep breath and sighed into her hair. “Hopefully, we can make Brun better too.”
She gave him one last squeeze before pulling back and walking towards the door that whisked open at her approach. “We will. Now come on. Valeran is probably eating all of the honey cakes, and I know how much you like them. We’ll need all our strength to deal with this Lord Stavix or whoever will be at the castle. I want to see who probably tried to kill us last night.”
Ashrak grinned and followed.
***
“What are these things called again?” Valeran groused, glaring at the back of the large lizards head he was riding and also holding his stomach.
Ashrak grinned at Chari as both of them watched the Duke struggle to stay on the swaying back of the dancer. The six-limbed lizards were thicker in the body than a standard Zerigeld that the Duke normally rode, but their
bodies also swayed back and forth a great deal more since they were lower to the ground. There was a technique to riding them that proved difficult to pick up for most people who hadn’t grown up in Brun though Ashrak was glad to see Chari seemed to be doing well. There were Zerigeld available, but the wide-footed lizards did far better on the desert landscape.
“They are called dancers, Your Grace,” Lord Mendor said with aplomb, riding his own with ease.
“Dancers?” Valeran scowled darkly. “Couldn’t you have found something to ride a bit more impressive sounding? Like maybe killers, or death stalkers?”
The ambassador smiled to himself before responding, pulling the wide brimmed hat down slightly to keep the sun off of his face. “I’m sorry, Your Grace. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of riding creatures with names like that. I wanted to make sure we honor their culture as much as possible. It won’t matter to the Lords, but for the masses, it’s quite important we at least try.”
“Is that why we tried to sleep in the tent last night?” Chari asked.
Lord Mendor nodded, turning in his saddle. “Yes, at least that was the hope. Are you doing well this morning, Lady Silvencor? I hope last night’s excitements didn’t upset you overly?”
“No sir,” Chari answered. “I am fine. I’m not going to let some insects drive me away.”
The sound of a snort came from under the heavy hood that Ellian wore though she didn’t say anything further. No one could see her face and Ashrak could well imagine the ugly scowl she wore having seen it so often in his youth.
“Something to say, Sister?” Ashrak asked, frowning at her.
His sister tilted her head slightly and then finally shook it. “No. Nothing to say,” She finally said, her voice tight.
Ashrak frowned, staring back at his robed sister before deciding he didn’t want to let it go. “No, Ellian, out with it. I can’t be Duke in the Citadel with all of those vipers and you waiting to sink a dagger in my back.”
“That is just it!” Ellian said, hissing in anger. Her feeble attempt at avoiding confrontation melting in the face of her natural temper. “Of course she’s not going to be scared away. Isn’t it convenient that she suddenly is interested you after you are to become a Duke? Why are you falling for this, brother?” She gestured sharply towards Chari as she spoke
“What!?” Chari sputtered, turning in her saddle suddenly and causing the Dancer she was riding to move to the side and almost off the road. Ashrak brought his dancer alongside and grabbed her reins, righting her course as she spat. “Who do you think you are? You don’t know me!”
“Do I need to?” Ellian said nastily. “What do you think the other lords are going to think about you? Do you think they will ever take you seriously? Most of them already snicker into their sleeves about Ashrak. You are just going to be a footnote for them once the Terek fleet leaves.”
“The Navy won’t leave until it’s safe to do so,” Valeran said distractedly, still trying to keep his dancer on course. The lizards seemed to be interested in some weeds off to the side of the road, or perhaps something within them.
“That’s even worse,” Ellian growled. “It makes you Ashrak’s babysitter. The people will never take him seriously, and the Lords will happily remind everyone about that three times a day. Eventually, you will leave, and then Ashrak and his pretty little gold digger will die.”
“I am not a gold digger!” Chari yelled angrily, and half got out of her saddle before Ashrak grabbed her arm.
“Don’t,” He said calmly. “Ellian is just trying to antagonize you. All those scars she has? She got them in bar room brawls. Even with the threat of death for striking one of father’s children, people couldn’t help themselves from getting into fights with her.” He turned to Ellian. “Why are you trying to cause a fight?”
Ellian withdrew into her cloak, refusing to answer until Nilesh spoke, his voice rising from the end of the line of dancers. “She’s doing it on purpose to prepare you for what is to come. The Lords of Brun will come after you just like this, and probably worse.”
Ellian turned, hissing and jumped lightly down from her mount before charging toward Nilesh with a drawn dagger but the small man was no longer there. On seeing her actions, he’d jumped down as well and used his mount as a shield.
“What are you doing?!” Nilesh half shrieked, his eyes wide at the suddenly enraged woman.
“I don’t NEED your help!” She growled, slamming her fist into the saddle of the dancer before suddenly vaulting up and trying to slash at him. For his part, he ducked under the creature's belly and pushed his shoulder up against Ellian’s foot making her fall face forward into the dust. While she cursed furiously, he scrabbled over to Chari’s mount as they all stared at the enraged noble.
“Enough!” Ashrak said, bringing his mount around and placing it between his sister and the rest of them. “Stop this right now, Ellian! Explain yourself!”
Ellian half-crouched, and for a moment Ashrak thought she might spring at him. Instead, she took a deep breath and straightened.
“There’s nothing to explain,” She said in a soft, angry voice. “That is what I was trying to do. To show you how…how futile your quest is. They will kill you before letting you become Duke, Ashrak. They will kill you and her, both. Do you think Duke Terek can protect you? Here, in the seat of their power? Ha! Last night was just a taste of what is to come.”
“Look who’s talking,” Chari said angrily as she finally got her dancer turned around. “You are the one that came to us for protection. You could have taken a ship and left. Why bother staying? Why are you here, Ellian? Maybe you are working with our assassins and trying to kill us?”
Ellian’s eyes flashed as her rage boiled. Ashrak could tell she was having difficulty not going for Chari right there, but there was something else in his sister’s eyes. It was a level of hurt and fear that seemed to reflect Ashrak’s own.
“She does care, Chari,” Ashrak said softly, still staring at this sister. “She may not show it, but she’s the one that told my father to send me away to Terek. She didn’t have to do that though it saved my life. I would surely be dead by my brother’s hands by now if she hadn’t. Now is not the time to discuss this. Not out here on the road and brawling like children in the sand.” He turned his mount back and spurred it to catch up to the Duke and Ambassador, calling back to his sister. “Stay or go, if it pleases you, Ellian, but stop trying to pick fights.”
Chari continued to stare at Ellian’s challenging eyes for a moment longer until finally she turned to follow Ashrak with Nilesh not far behind. Ellian stood for only a moment longer, staring at them before going back to her dancer and quietly trailing the group.
Chapter 5
The walls of the Citadel stretched like a large, tan covered monolith over the city, easily dwarfing the closest building by several stories. There was no wall that separated the grounds of the ruling family’s home from the rest of the city. Instead, it loomed like some sleeping, horned giant.
Duke Valeran had chosen to bring thirty guardsmen with him into the city proper. It made navigating the crowded, dusty streets somewhat more manageable with guardsmen running ahead and making sure everyone moved out of the way. Surprisingly, there were few Brunish soldiers visible, and none moved to help them or even seemed to be concerned with their presence.
At one point, they stopped by a wagon that had gotten one of its wheels stuck in a large hole in the cobblestones. They all tensed, expecting an attack, as it would have been a perfect place to do so, but none came. The wagon simply moved aside, and their large group carried on making their way through the afternoon crowds.
The group made it to the final thoroughfare that led to the gates of the Citadel, but there was no welcoming committee for them. Normal guards stood at the entrance to the Citadel’s bronze doors and only seemed interested in keeping the crowds at a distance.
Ashrak frowned as they drew closer, sighing as they stopped before the closed doors.
The guards didn’t even look at them, acting as if they were not there. Lord Mendor nodded, glancing at Ashrak before turning to Valeran.
“Games, Your Grace,” Lord Mendor said in a bored tone. “Invite us and then leave us at the front door to be turned away. I think there is significance to the number of times as well as how strong the guest is. It is a form of prestige for those that inflict it.”
“Games?” Valeran said, his voice rising as he dismounted. “By the gods, this is too much. I didn’t travel all the way down here just to be played games with!” He stopped, facing the massive bronze doors. “Steward! Open up, or by the seventh circle, I’ll have the Skywitch come and blow your pretty doors open!”
The Glimmer Steel Saga, Boxed Set, Books 1 - 4 Page 92