Into Lands Forbidden (The Elfmaid Trilogy Book 2)

by Warren Thomas

  While Bandu was showing Garn why he was only a minor power in the Arisen hierarchy, Ashtar jumped the Four Sisters. She kicked Basnoon low in the belly, sending her back to her own realm with a whimper. Symona vanished without a fight, leaving her sisters Aroo and Zymar to take the brunt of Ashtar's rage. The Goddess of War first cleaved Zymar's right arm off before she too vanished, then snatched a-hold of Aroo's thick red mane. With fist and booted foot, Ashtar hammered the hapless Goddess thoroughly before letting her leave.

  After the last of the Four Sisters vanished, Ashtar turned back to her brother, who stood watching with a wide grin.

  "Nothing I like better than a good catfight, except sending those cowards running with their tails firmly tucked!" he cried with a laugh.

  Ashtar raised her silver sword, her face lit with a roguish grin. "To the Great Hall! Our victory celebration awaits!"

  Without a word or glance to the stunned mortals, the victorious twin God and Goddess of War vanished.

  "Carl! Ayesha's escaping!" Talar cried.

  Carl whirled on the portal with a snarl of rage. Ayesha was racing for the portal in terror. She disappeared through it before he could decide what to do. He started to follow, then stopped. Turning to Talar, he ran over and swung the sword at the manacles with all his might. The chains didn't quite part, but the upper portion of the post exploded with the impact.

  Talar didn't hesitate. With a cry to follow, he sprinted for the closing portal. Carl was dogging his heels. The black portal closed fast, forcing them to leap headlong through. They landed on cold, hard flagstones.

  A cry from the other side of the portal caught their attention. They crouched low, preparing to meet whatever attack was coming. Qasim could be seen racing towards them. Talar snatched the sword from Carl's grasp and ran to the portal. As Qasim leapt through, Talar struck the pentacle's encircling lines with all his strength. Breaking the line, the portal disappeared instantaneously, cutting Qasim in half.

  "We're back, wizard," Carl said, a grin starting to spread across his face.

  "Yes, but where are we?"

  Carl's eyes went wide. "Ayesha's laboratory in the Royal Palace?"

  "Surrounded by Ayesha and her allies," Talar added.

  "I need no help in dispatching the likes of you two!" Ayesha declared, stepping forth from the shadows.

  Carl whirled around to face the threat and was struck down by a searing bolt. The last residue of the protective spell Talar had placed on the mail blasted away, with the chain mail itself being ripped and torn apart. Carl hit the floor, his muscles jerking sporadically and unable to think straight.

  Talar realized Carl would be killed with Ayesha's next bolt, so he rushed to place himself between them. He threw up a hastily constructed ward just in time. Ayesha laughed at the weakness of his magic, but Talar silently rejoiced to be able to wield power again. A quick search showed him that very little of his stored energy remained. He suspected Ayesha wasn't suffering that nasty condition.

  Flinging the sword at her head, Talar cried, "Till we meet again, Ayesha!"

  Talar spent the last of his power to create a portal back to a safe house on Allaria's upper-class Moon Island. The black whirlpool was small and unstable. He grabbed Carl by the collar and dragged him through the portal before it collapsed or Ayesha recovered to renew her attack.

  * * * * *

  Dame Falen glanced covertly at the sullen sorceress riding beside her. Maeve now wore a simple battledress popular in the much cooler Tyrians far to the north. It was of heavy brown wool, with a high collar and long sleeves. Dahlys was very near to the tropics, so she wondered how the sorceress tolerated the heat. A well-worn sword and scabbard was strapped low on her hip. Somehow, Maeve seemed changed from their last encounter. Her every move, her every look screamed dangerous. There was no sign of warmth, not even the most basic of human compassions. Maeve now scared Falen even more than Rebecca did.

  Rebecca had warned her to be careful with the brooding mage. Maeve was a former lover of Danica's, not at all happy about being sent to capture her. Only a powerful geas placed on her by Dirusa herself forced her compliance. Given opportunity or even marginal justification, she would turn on Falen with a vengeance and she possessed a highly volatile temper.

  Maeve seemed to be pointedly ignoring her as they rode before Puma Troop, through the palace grounds. The garden path through the grounds was lined with magnificent flowering shade trees, whose many branches sometimes hung too low over the path. Maeve, distracted in her inner turmoil, found it easier to duck rather than guide her mount around the obstacles.

  They soon exited the Imperial Palace grounds, turning left toward the Vikon tenement. Their great destriers quickly ate up the distance.

  As they closed on the gate, Dame Falen studied the posted guards. They were all dressed similarly, suggesting they were members of the same Sorority. They looked competent enough, though they were casting fearful looks at Maeve.

  "They feel my power," Maeve answered her unsaid question. If nothing else, her thick Tyrian accent betrayed her origins. "It scares them, but they don't suspect anything. That'll all change when we stop."

  "Can you tell if Danica and Cat are still within?"

  Giving her a steady look, Maeve's eyes narrowed before answering, "No."

  Falen had the distinct feeling Maeve wanted her to make some sort of snide comment that she could use to blast her soul to the lowest reaches of Hel. Fighting to keep her face impassive, Falen simply nodded and looked back to the Vikon guards. Almost looking disappointed, Maeve shrugged and turned back to the gate herself.

  "Follow my lead, but don't enter until I do," Maeve said, spurring her gray gelding slightly ahead.

  When she came directly in front of the gate, Maeve wheeled her mount about brutally. The Vikon guards jumped back, crying out in alarm. Maeve slid from her saddle, thrusting a glowing fist at the Vikon. The guards were slammed bodily against the wall, stunning them momentarily. The gate slammed closed. From their knees, several Vikon cast balls of flame at her. The flames dissipated before they reached her. Maeve crouched low, chanting quietly, then thrust both open hands out at the tenement.

  Falen didn't see anything happen, but a great soulful wail rose up from the Vikon tenement. Whatever Maeve did, it had affected everyone inside. Then with both hands glowing, the sorceress stalked over to the disoriented and helpless guards. She walked among them, touching each a brief moment. The Vikon women screamed or gave a bloodcurdling wail of despair when she touched them. It only took a few minutes, leaving ten young warrior-witches lying dead on the cobbles. Falen shivered involuntarily.

  Drawing her sword, Maeve looked up at Falen with a building bloodlust. "Now you may follow me in!"

  With that, the sorceress strode towards the closed gate. Approaching, she pulled her clenched fist back, then thrust it forward and cried out a Word of Power. The thick, iron-bound gate exploded inward. Screams could be heard from within.

  Pulling their blades, Puma Troop charged in after the Tyrian sorceress. Captain Falen and Dame Olivia fought side by side through the packed Vikon. The witches were trying in vain to take them down with magic, but Maeve was protecting them. The Vikon were left with no other weapons but swords, spears, and knives and they were very good with these weapons.

  Whenever she had a break in the action, Dame Falen watched in fascination as Maeve fought with reckless abandon. She wondered if the sorceress had a death wish. Maeve relied mostly on her magic, but didn't hesitate in using her sword if a Vikon came within range. She strode purposely through the thickest parts of the battle, leaving unconscious Vikon warrior-witches stretched out on the cobbles to mark her path.

  The battle raged for half an hour, seemingly between evenly matched opponents. Puma Troop inflicting far greater casualties, but there were far more Vikon. Maeve seemed preoccupied with her own private battle with the Vikon. Falen began to fear Danica and Cat might escape, so posted Dame Olivia and one squad to guard the
entrance. Then she sought out Maeve.

  "My Lady, we must put an end to this now!" Dame Falen shouted above the din of battle.

  Maeve glanced at her, eyes blazing in fury. Falen had the brief feeling that she was unrecognized and would soon be dead. Then Maeve calmed and nodded. She closed her eyes, chanting, and started drawing strange runes in the air before her. The Vikon all screamed at once, turning on Maeve with wild fearful eyes. Suddenly, Maeve caught Falen's attention when she shouted a Word of Power forcibly.

  Looking up at Falen, "How is that for putting an end to it, Captain?"

  Taken aback by the statement, Falen glanced around. To a woman, the Vikon were all laying stretched out on the ground. Not a whisper heard, not a movement seen. Only Puma Troop remained conscious, panting and nursing wounds with apprehensive eyes. Falen felt that familiar superstitious chill run down her spine.

  "Well met, Sorceress Maeve. Now we must find Danica and Cat before they wake," Falen said, looking around for any sign of them.

  "Don't waste your time. They're gone," Maeve said.

  "Where are they?"

  "That, I don't know, but I am sure someone here does," she said.

  "Two redheads," Falen said. "They're traveling with two redheads. I can recognize them, if they're here." Turning to her troopers, "Round up all the redheads and line them up against the north wall. Don't overlook the rooms upstairs."

  Dismounting, Dame Falen walked with Maeve to the north wall. There they carefully looked over each woman. It took less than ten minutes for Helene to be deposited at their feet. Falen felt a surge of triumph and joy flash through her at the sight of the helpless warrior-witch. By the time Claudia was found, Helene was already been bound and gagged.

  After both of the unconscious women were tied face down across the backs of horses, Dame Falen led Puma Troop back toward the Imperial Palace. Maeve stayed behind, with glowing hands. She was sullenly stripping each Vikon of her powers and energy. Falen had a feeling that she would take their lives in the end, right down to the last child.

  The trip back to the palace was even faster. Dame Falen knew they must have just missed catching Danica and Cat. They had to force the Vikon into telling their whereabouts and plans quickly. As an afterthought, she sent Dame Olivia back with her platoon to wait in ambush. Just in case.

  Quickly they passed through the guarded gate and soon arrived before the Court Mages' Wing. After securing their mounts, Claudia and Helene were thrown over the shoulders of Puma Troop's two strongest women and carried inside. Falen dropped her troops off in the waiting chamber next to Rebecca's laboratory, having the two Vikon carried to the laboratory. The mercenaries dumped the unconscious witches at the High Mage's feet.

  Rebecca was thrilled to see the two prisoners, thankfully. Like Falen, she believed they would tell them where to find Danica and Cat. Though she had missed seeing Danica and Cat depart, she did watch the attack and capture of the tenement. Much to Falen's relief.

  "Strip them," Rebecca ordered.

  With a grim smile, Dame Falen pulled her belt knife. Kneeling beside Helene, she began slowly cutting her clothes off. It only took a moment before Helene lay before them in the nude, covered only by the blood from the multitude of small cuts Falen's blade and the recent battle had inflicted. Claudia was immediately subjected to the same treatment.

  "The small one seems to be coming around," Rebecca observed. Indicating a pair of shackles hanging from the ceiling, "Hang her from those chains."

  Helene was quickly secured by the wrists, while Claudia was chained hand and foot to the wall. The shackles held Helene stretched out, her toes just off the floor. The brutal steel cuffs quickly cut into the tender flesh of her wrists, as they were required to support her full weight, releasing many tiny rivulets of bright red blood. Rebecca slowly walked around Helene, admiring her helpless beauty and agonized groans. When Helene was fully conscious, she stopped before her.

  "Now, my pretty, the fun begins," Rebecca said pleasantly. Reaching out, she lightly touched Helene between her eyes. Helene screamed mournfully, ending in choked sobs. "Now that I've stripped you of your meager powers and energies, tell us where to find Danica and Cat."

  "Never!"

  "Leave her alone!" Claudia cried angrily, pulling at her chains.

  "Ah...the other has joined us," Rebecca said, walking over. Claudia ceased her struggles, instead cringing back against the wall. Rebecca placed her hand on the struggling Vikon's head, eliciting another chilling wail of horror and despair. Smiling pleasantly, Rebecca pulled Claudia's head up by the hair. "Don't you find it ironic that I'll use your own energies to torment, torture, and kill you?"

  "You'll gain nothing by it, wench!" Helene screamed.

  Rebecca's head snapped around at the insult. Helene was visibly shaking.

  "My Lady, let me handle this," Falen offered, fearing her mistress was too angry at the moment. Killing them would accomplish nothing. "These two helped them escape me, I'd like the chance to repay them."

  Visibly restraining herself, Rebecca sighed and said, "Very well, Falen."

  Rebecca ordered Monique to bring her a chair. After her mistress was seated, Dame Falen pulled her belt knife and approached the frightened Helene. She softly caressed Helene's face with the flat of the razor sharp blade, then gently slid it flat down her neck, over her breasts, and down her belly.

  "Such as an exquisite face...such exquisite breasts... and such exquisite — PAIN!" Falen cried, thrusting the blade deep into Helene's thigh. Helene gritted her teeth, tears flowing freely, and tried not to scream, or give her torturers any satisfaction. It was hard, so terribly hard. "This pain is nothing compared to what I'm about to inflict."

  "I am a knight and a Peeress," Helene declared in a choking voice. "Excruciating death is preferable to betraying a friend."

  "Truly?" Falen mocked. "Has anyone ever hammered a knife through your thigh bone, then twisted the knife until the bone splintered?"

  Helene passed out. The pain and the coming torments were just too much for her to handle. Falen quickly and brutally slapped her back to consciousness. Grabbing the thin votary braid hanging to the left side of her face, she pulled it and cut if off. Then she grabbed her thick votary tail and cut it off. Rage flashed in Helene's eyes. To be so dishonored!

  "You are all evil!" Claudia cried.

  "You're not exactly the brightest member of the Vikon, are you?" Falen sneered at Claudia.

  "You are wasting your time. You can disembowel us, cut off our votary braids, rip our teeth out slowly — " Claudia stopped abruptly, her face a mask of horror as she realized she might be giving them ideas. Regaining her composure, "By the time your tortures pull anything useful from us, it'll be too late. Anything we know will be useless."

  "But think of the pleasures I'll gain by it," Falen laughed, drawing the sharp blade across Helene's taut belly. The cut was shallow, but blood flowed freely from it. Claudia looked away, shuddering. Strangled sobs came from Helene. "My revenge will be absolute."

  "No. She's right," Rebecca said, standing. "We're wasting time here. Stand aside, there is a better way. Not as gruesome or entertaining, but guaranteed to get what we want."

  "You'll get no help from us," Helene swore. "Ashtar and Maag as my witnesses, I'll fight you to my grave!"

  Rebecca laughed, signaling for Monique to come to her side. The enslaved sorceress quickly did her bidding. Rebecca stroked her soft cheek affectionately, then turned hard eyes on Helene.

  "This is the High Sorceress Monique. Now she is nothing more than a helpless plaything, a sex toy I amuse myself with, but less than a year ago she was the greatest threat to me in the Empire. Her powers were much more powerful than even my own," Rebecca said softly. "I captured her, stripped her of her powers, and enslaved her. You're only a witch. Magic, witch, is more powerful than honor or human strength." Lifting Monique's chin high, "You'll tell me what I want to know just as eagerly as Monique tries to please me in bed."

 
Helene and Claudia exchanged a horrified look.

  "I see you understand the power of magic," Rebecca laughed. Turning to Monique, "Go fetch me a circlet, dear."

  Monique hurried away without thought or pause.

  "It will still be too late," Helene said weakly.

  "No. I don't think so," she said. "The effects of the circlet with be immediate, and you will be just as much my slave as Monique. After I drain you of all useful information, I'll give you to Dame Falen and her troops." Glancing over her shoulder at the Amazon knight, "I trust they will keep you painfully occupied until I finish with our other two troublemakers."

  "Of that you can be assured," Falen declared with feeling, glaring at the two wide-eyed women. Then locking eyes with Helene, "Maybe I'll show you that little knife trick with the thigh bone."

  Chapter 16

  Maeve worked steadily at stripping the Vikon of their hoarded life energies. Already, just halfway through the task, she felt almost giddy from the arcane energy she now possessed. Never had she been able to store so much. Never did she have access to so much free for the taking.

  As much as it would please her mistress for her to drain the Vikon completely, she could not force herself to do it. First and foremost, she could not so much as think about stealing any of the children's energies. Of course, the children would need the women to survive. For the children, at least, the Vikon as a group had to survive, but she would leave them no energies to fuel their magicks. No means to strike back at her later.

  As she bent to drain a sorely wounded brunette in scanty golden-orange armor, a jolt hit her and left her shaking and breathless. No, not a jolt, more like a burden lifted. Glancing around, she could neither see nor sense anyone about to hurl magic at her.