“So be it.” Lorrek bowed his head to Skelton. “While you do that, I have another person to speak with.” He moved to magick himself away.
“Another pawn?”
Lorrek paused at Skelton’s words, and rage began to rise within him. He made a fist then spun around back to the fellow sorcerer. With three decisive steps, Lorrek was in his face and replied with a cold, calculated voice, “You will not insult my mother like that ever again.” Then he took a step back, never breaking eye contact with Skelton, and finally Lorrek magicked away in a gust of wind.
Only once he was gone did Skelton finally allow himself to exhale a breath of relief.
Straightening, he moved back to the banister and looked down, fixing his gaze on the form of Mordora. How was he supposed to persuade her to go along with Lorrek’s plans?
35
Lorrek sat on a stool in the library of Nirrorm with dozens of books scattered across the table in front of him. He hadn’t gathered those books. They were all there before he came. He had simply wanted a place to sit. This would do, so he watched the quiet activity in this room.
Previously, King Wordan had barred access to the library from the common people and only allowed the palace scribes to enter. Now any man, woman, or child could come, take a book from its shelf, and read. From Lorrek’s observation, he realized they couldn’t leave with the books because the officials of Nirrorm did not wish to lose any of them, but the people could sit here to read and study.
It appeared many, many magic users found a safe haven in this place, having found their late queen’s old spellbooks. Lorrek watched as they practiced amongst themselves, trying to perfect their spells. A few of them backfired, sending a poof of smoke in the students’ faces, and they stood stunned for a moment before laughing and trying again.
Lorrek smiled as he observed all this.
“You wish to go to them and teach them, don’t you?” A woman’s kind voice came from behind him, and Lorrek sighed when he heard the refreshing sound of her voice. “In another lifetime perhaps you could have been a mage teacher, leading so many young sorcerers and sorceresses to the full potential of their power. Can you imagine what kind of life that may have been?”
He contemplated that life, trying to imagine it. It had been his dream to create such a place for magic users, yet it was never meant to be. He shook his head. “No, no I cannot.” He turned to look over his shoulder. “Hello, Mother.” He took in her appearance and found her as regal as ever, radiating with profound wisdom, the depths of which he could never fully fathom. He rose and bowed deeply to her.
Smiling at his proper etiquette, Lady Lorentha stepped toward her youngest son, reached up, and pulled him into an embrace. “My little Lorrek.” She sighed as she held him. “I’ve missed you so much.” She pulled back to look at him and smiled. “I am so very proud of you.”
He had to smile but shook his head. “Why? Everything I’ve ever done has only seemed to cause problems for our family and our kingdom. All I’ve ever wanted to do was help, but I’ve seemed to only create more problems.”
“That is not entirely true. I know someone who looks up to you a great deal, and he will be very excited to see you again.”
Lorrek looked at her doubtfully. “And who is that?”
Lorentha smiled as the doors to the library opened, and she stepped out of the way as young King Moren rushed into the room and ran to Lorrek, wrapping his arms around his waist. Lorentha nodded to the boy and smiled at Lorrek as she stepped back to observe.
While taken by surprise by Moren, Lorrek noted as Mordora and Skelton also entered the room and how the library fell silent. No one moved as the boy-king and his sister came into their presence.
Moren pulled back from Lorrek and grinned up at him. “Prince Lorrek! You’re back! I have so much to show you! I can do so much more!” He opened his hand, conjuring a fiery image of a horse, but Lorrek closed the boy’s hand, extinguishing the image and meeting his gaze.
“Not at this time, Your Majesty,” Lorrek spoke with a low voice. “There are important matters which must be addressed first.” He glimpsed over his shoulder, sensing everyone in the library watching them, and then he glanced back at Moren. “Send everyone away.”
Confused as to what was going on, Moren stared at Lorrek, but he trusted him. All he had ever done was help Nirrorm, so Moren nodded and looked to those in the library. Clearing his throat, the boy spoke with the most commanding voice he could muster, “Everyone, leave—now!”
At his command, everyone began scurrying out of the room, giving the king and princess due respects as they passed until finally only the five of them remained.
Moren looked up at Lorrek expectantly. “What is to happen now?”
“Now...” Lorrek set his gaze on Mordora and gave her his full attention. “I require something from you—your memories of all the statues you created.”
Mordora stiffened and made fists at her side. “You plan to steal my memories as you did Princess Atheta?”
Lifting his gaze to the ceiling, Lorrek willed himself to be patient before lowering his eyes once more to Mordora. A smirk spread across his face. “Something that is given is never stolen. All I ask is for those memories, so that we might undo the spell on all the statues rather than just Roskelem’s in Serhon.”
“And if I refuse?”
Lorrek shrugged. “Then I will simply take what I must.”
Mordora’s dark eyes flashed with fury, and she stepped up to him. “You have no honor! No integrity.”
With swift, decisive steps, Lorrek marched up to her and glared down at her. With a cold, calm voice, he told, “I have more important things to do than to entertain your stubbornness.”
She stepped back from him. “You don’t understand! They used me! Roskelem and Rykeldan!”
“Then perhaps you should stop interacting with sorcerers whose names begin with ‘R’. They seem to do nothing but wrong you.”
Mordora slapped Lorrek, but it only caused him to chuckle. She let out a frustrated growl and lifted her hand to strike him again, yet Skelton stepped forward and snatched her wrist, earning a surprised look from the princess.
He shook his head. “We all know he deserves a good beating, and I for one would love to volunteer to hand it to him, but he’s right. They want to reserve the statue spell, and they need to know where all the statues are. I get the feeling this will be a one-time deal.” He glared at Lorrek before sighing and fixing his gaze back on Mordora, turning her to face him. He touched her cheek with the back of his hand and offered her a smile. “You trust me, don’t you? Just give your memories to me, and I’ll go with Lorrek, so we can reverse this spell. You can stay here with your brother and never leave Nirrorm again. All will be well.”
Mordora hesitated and sighed. She shot Lorrek a look. “Are you sure this spell will work?”
Lorrek lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “It’s the best chance we have.”
She bit her bottom lip and darted her gaze to Skelton, speaking quietly, “I don’t know how to give someone else my memories.”
Smiling at her innocence, Skelton slid his hand behind her head until he cradled the back of her head, and he locked eyes with her. “Trust me? Close your eyes.”
Again, she hesitated but did as he said, and Skelton leaned in and kissed her. She gasped, surprised, but didn’t pull back until a moment later when Skelton also pulled back. She looked at him completely confused, and he smiled at her, blushing a little.
“True, the kiss wasn’t necessary, but I’ve wanted to do that since the first day we met. You’ve just been a bit preoccupied.” Then he looked at Lorrek and gave him a nod. “I have the memories.”
“Wait...that’s it?” Mordora furrowed her brows. “I...I didn’t feel you in my head.”
Skelton smirked and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “That’s because I’m just that good.” He pulled back and winked at her before turning his full attention to Lorrek. “When do we lea
ve?”
“Immediately.”
“Wait!” Moren had remained silent throughout the entire exchange because he had no idea what was going on. He stared up at Lorrek. “Will you come back?”
Lorrek looked down at the boy-king. “I have a feeling your sister would rather ban me from ever entering Nirrorm again.”
Mordora crossed her arms. “You’re not wrong.”
Her words caused Lorrek to smile, but he crouched before the young king, giving him his full attention. “I am very proud of you. It was only a year ago when you had everything—your father, your sister, your home. But so much has changed in that year, and you have suddenly found yourself king. In addition to this, magic is now freely accepted in Nirrorm, and that is a phenomenal change. You have done well, Your Majesty. Continue walking the path you are on now, and you will become a powerful king.”
Moren opened his mouth to say something but darted a look at his sister before hesitating and looking back at Lorrek. The boy grabbed Lorrek’s hand and pulled him away from the desk. This was curious to Lorrek, but he went along with it
Once they were away from the others, Moren released his hand and spoke to him in a quiet voice. “But shouldn’t Mordora be queen? She is my older sister. Doesn’t that make her the rightful heir?”
Lorrek regarded the boy as he replied quietly, “Has she made such demands?” When Moren shook his head, Lorrek placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “She may be older than you. She may be rightful heir, yet...she has gone through much recently. She needs time to recover before she can ever take the power of the throne. There may come a time when she does take the throne, but that time is not now. Unlike you, she did not have King Caleth as her mentor. She had someone much more twisted who took advantage of her. So, for now, you are king. No one will argue that.” Lorrek shifted his gaze to his mother, who had observed the entire interaction with Mordora and Moren but said nothing, and he nodded to her before looking back at Moren. “My mother is a good regent. She is an extraordinarily wise woman. Keep her by your side. When all is settled, I will return and perhaps teach you a few new things regarding magic.” Lorrek smiled at him and then placed his hand on Moren’s shoulder and steered him back to the others.
Lorrek locked eyes with Skelton. “I believe it is time for us to leave.”
Skelton sighed. “Most certainly.” He stepped toward Lorrek but turned back to Mordora. “Perhaps when I return we can discuss that kiss?” He asked her.
Lorrek didn’t give Mordora a chance to reply. He placed his hand on Skelton’s shoulder then magicked the two of them away.
Mordora had opened her mouth to answer Skelton, but she stared now that he was gone. What had happened? What did any of this mean? She looked at Lady Lorentha with confusion.
With a sigh, Lorentha motioned for Moren to come to her as she drew near to Mordora. “Come, children. I believe you’ve had a very long and stressful day. It is time to relax before the High Court session this evening.” She steered the two siblings out of the library but paused for a moment, looking back over her shoulder at the place where Lorrek had been.
It had been nice to see him again, but she hoped one day soon they could have an actual conversation without him having to magick away. She understood he was extremely busy, and she couldn’t even comprehend all he had to do.
Nevertheless, she desired one day with him to sit down and talk about everything that had happened and everything that was happening. Maybe after he had reversed this spell, he would have free time to talk. If he did, well...she supposed she would have to command him to take a day off. She was his mother. She could do that, and she decided in that moment that the first chance she got, she would issue such a command to him.
However, for the time being, Lorentha had duties regarding the king and princess of Nirrorm, so she followed after them, closing the door of the library behind her.
36
Aradin, Dustal, and Prince Kinnard were magicked in by Radella. As soon as the dust cleared, Dustal saw the gathered party of Lorrek, Theran, Vixen, Anelm, Caleth, Rykeldan, Therth, Gremina, and Skelton, and he groaned. “Well, isn’t this such a lovely reunion. What exactly are we doing here...” He trailed off as he took in their surroundings.
They stood in the middle of an abandoned castle. Although some vegetation broke through the stone foundation while other vines spiraled around pillars, the fortress itself remained intact and strong. The pillars stood tall and firm, and the vaulted ceiling showed little sign of wear.
Dustal turned around and furrowed his brows. “And...where are we now?”
“You don’t know?” Gremina lifted her brows but headed down a corridor, expecting everyone to follow her lead. “This is my father’s Keep.”
“I know where this place is, but...” Aradin looked around and had to ward off a shiver. “There’s a reason we thieves never came in here. It’s haunted or something.” As soon as he said this, a strong wind tore through the hall, screeching and causing everyone to get back-to-back with one another with weapons raised.
They waited, looking at every corner, at the shadows in this huge chamber—everywhere. Yet when no threat emerged, they relaxed.
Gremina darted her gaze around, and once she saw everyone relax, she allowed herself to breathe. She pointed to a door off to the side of the room. “That should lead to the chamber where the spellbook is kept.”
An uneasy feeling washed over Caleth, and he furrowed his brows as he almost stumbled just standing there. He shot Gremina a look. “Did your father place any...protective spells over this place?”
Gremina shook her head and frowned when she heard this. “No...not that I know of. Why?” Then she noticed all the sorcerers looked pale and unstable. She stepped back from them, uncertain what was happening. “What’s going on?”
Rykeldan looked at his hands. He had felt this before but differently, right before he was trapped in that bracelet. A massive weight crushed him. He sank to his knees, and for a moment, he glanced up and saw all the other sorcerers were affected in a similar way. His eyes fixed on Anelm, and anger boiled within him at the sight of her confusion and suffering. Whatever this spell was, he would break it!
Lorrek placed his hand on a pillar to keep from falling over. He didn’t know what was happening, but he saw whatever it was only affected magic users. Breathing heavily, he locked eyes with Therth. “Go...take Gremina...and the others...get the spellbook. We haven’t...much time.”
Therth didn’t argue and grabbed Gremina’s arm, pulling her toward the door. Dustal and Aradin hastened after them, but Prince Kinnard hesitated. He didn’t like leaving them, but he saw how neither Theran nor Vixen moved after Therth.
“Go!” Theran commanded Kinnard. “I don’t trust those thieves. We’ve got this.” He clenched his fist, just wanting an opportunity to unleash all his pent up fury although there was nothing he could do against such magic.
Once Kinnard hastened away, Vixen observed the inoperative sorcerers. Anelm sank to her knees, and both Caleth and Rykeldan reached out to support her in their own haze, and they glared at each other, but it didn’t last long. They were too disoriented to be angry.
Skelton stared wide-eyed at his hands, but his vision doubled, and he gasped for breath. He too sank to the floor.
Radella tried to keep focus, tried to push through it, but when she took a step forward, she stumbled and fell to her hands and knees on the floor.
Only Lorrek remained standing, but that was because he leaned heavily against a pillar. Vixen could see the sweat trickling down his pale features.
“What is going on?” Theran muttered beside her, on edge from seeing some of the most powerful individuals he had ever met so easily put out of commission.
Something about all this seemed familiar to Vixen, although she had never seen anything like it. She fixed her gaze on Anelm as she recalled their conversation. “An Anicocina,” she breathed.
“A what?”
Before Vixen c
ould clarify, she caught movement and darted her gaze to the left where she saw Reven and Draben accompanied by another individual and a tall, dark creature she had never seen before. Vixen narrowed her eyes when she saw them and lowered her stance.
Draben raised his hands then pointed at Jethcal. “It was entirely his idea. I told him it wasn’t a good one, but...listening has never been a strong trait of his.”
“Ani...co...cina....” Anelm whispered as she stared with her eyes fixed on the black creature. She gasped as it became harder for her to breathe.
Rykeldan saw her struggle, and though he felt the same pressure and draining of his life, a fearful thought came to him—a memory. “How many...lives....?” He looked at Caleth, who cradled his sister.
With eyes closed, Caleth willed himself to breathe and shook his head. “Just...the one...”
Rykeldan stared at her. She only had one life. As a kelliph, she should have many, yet so long ago she had gone through the Procedure where all her lives had been stripped away—except one. And it had been his fault. He touched Anelm’s cheek gently. “Not today, Therina...you will not die...today.”
With a growl, Rykeldan pushed himself to his feet and started toward the thymords and the Anicocina, only to stumble as the entire room seemed like liquid in his mind. He let out a cry of frustration and tried to summon his power to turn the thymords into dust, but nothing happened.
Still leaning heavily against the pillar, Lorrek managed to find a pattern of breathing that helped him focus. He had had his magic bound before, so he recalled the feeling. However, he watched the kelliphs’ interaction and reaction in confusion and shot Vixen a puzzled look as he tried to maintain his balance. “What....what is happening?”
“The Anicocina—that thing!” Vixen pointed to the black creature. “Its mere presence negates any supernatural powers anyone may have. For all of you, it’s your magic. For them...” She motioned to the kelliphs. “I think it affects their extra lives too.” She looked back at Lorrek with wide eyes. “It’s killing them!”
The Chronicles of Lorrek Box Set Page 105