Queens (The Wielders of Arantha Book 2)

by Patrick Hodges

  “At last,” Elzaria said, dismounting her merych with a groan and stretching her aching muscles. She gazed up to watch the sun begin its descent behind the nearest peak, and pulled her cloak around herself as if anticipating the night's cold.

  “Indeed,” said Elzor, joining her. “Somewhere within these mountains lies one of the Stones we seek. It only remains for us to find it and claim it.”

  She gave a resigned sigh. Elzor couldn't help but notice how the journey thus far had aged her. Or perhaps it was the visions she'd been experiencing. Either way, her work was far from done. “I will consult the Stone again after evening meal, brother,” she said, and there was no mistaking the dread in her voice.

  “Thank you, sister,” he replied. What else could he say? Without her visions, finding the aliens' craft would be an impossible task.

  * * *

  A chill wind blew in from the tops of the peaks, forcing the men below to huddle around fires hastily built from dozens of scraggly bushes and scrub-brush that grew at the mountain's base. Very little was spoken around those fires, not even the one Elzor shared with Langon and Brynak, his most trusted captains.

  Elzor bit off another morsel from his rasher of salted meat when Kalik strode up and saluted, placing his right fist against his left breast. “You sent for me, my liege?” he inquired.

  “Ah, Kalik, yes.” Elzor stood and approached the smaller man. “What is the current state of morale among the men?”

  “Spirits are high, my liege,” Kalik replied. “They've taken the fair weather we've had since leaving Agrus as a good omen.” A particularly icy gust of wind chose that moment to sweep through the company, forcing Kalik to shift his weight.

  “We may face far colder temperatures in the near future, not to mention rain,” Elzor said, gesturing at a group of storm clouds flashing lightning on the southern horizon.

  Kalik flashed a grim smile. “It has to be colder than this for us to take heed, my liege. Compared to that torturous march through Thyvurn Valley, this is but a lilting summer breeze.”

  “Indeed.” Elzor clapped Kalik on the shoulder. “What news of our newest recruit?”

  “Rahne?” Kalik shot a look back at the throng of men camped behind them. “He's proven to be a skilled young man, proficient with both spear and sword.”

  Elzor couldn't help notice Kalik's blank expression while he delivered this compliment. “But?”

  “I don't trust him. He's an Agrusian, and I'm not convinced he has the stomach for what lies ahead.”

  “I see,” Elzor replied, stroking his beard. “Perhaps a test of his loyalty is in order.”

  “My liege?”

  Elzor gestured at the fire. “Come, my friend, sit with us. If my sister,” he motioned toward the small tent inside which Elzaria was currently involved with her latest consultation, “has the news I hope for us, I may have a very special task for you.”

  Kalik bowed. “Gladly, my liege.” He took a spot next to the fire between Langon and Brynak, a tall, broad-shouldered man with unruly dark hair and piercing grey eyes.

  They didn't have long to wait. Elzaria emerged from her tent only a few scant minutes later. All the men, including Elzor, immediately stood and allowed her access to the fire. She warmed her hands, which Elzor noticed were shaking.

  Elzor opened his pack and brought forth a still-ripe manza fruit, which he held out to her. She accepted it with a smile and took a healthy bite, then another. He'd learned from experience that her temperament improved when her stomach was full. With juice dribbling down her chin, she mouthed, “Thank you, my liege,” and he nodded.

  “Any news?” Langon asked, breaking the silence. Patience was not his strong suit.

  “Yes,” Elzaria whispered, causing Elzor's eyebrows to shoot up. “I believe I can now provide ample directions for a small party to infiltrate the mountains and locate the visitors' craft.” She pointed southward. “There is an entrance two or three days' journey from here. The way is difficult but passable. A winding path leads to a dry riverbed that runs between two large mountains, due east of what I believe is the largest peak in the entire range. This riverbed leads to a large mountain lake next to which you'll find the craft.”

  A huge smile spread over Elzor's face, which was then mirrored on the faces of Langon, Brynak, and Kalik. “Excellent, sister!” Elzor exclaimed. “This means the aliens have not yet returned?”

  “They will soon,” Elzaria said. “The woman, her son, and a third, a woman from the female tribe, will arrive ahead of you if we don't make good time tomorrow. It is imperative we get there first. The Stone they found is hidden within their vessel, and you will need them to retrieve it.”

  Elzor turned his gaze toward his men. “Kalik, how many men will you need for such a task?”

  “A dozen should suffice, my liege,” Kalik said, standing up. “Against two women and a boy, we will easily overpower them.”

  “Have a care, Kalik,” Elzaria chided him. “Remember, we know nothing of these aliens. They traveled here from the Above. Who knows what other magic they are capable of?”

  “Duly noted, my lady.” Kalik turned to leave, but Elzor caught him by the arm.

  “Take ten of your best men,” he whispered in Kalik's ear. “And take Rahne as well. When you secure the Stone, have Rahne kill the aliens.”

  Kalik's eyes widened. “My liege? You do not wish to keep them as prisoners?”

  Elzor shook his head. “As my sister said, we don't know what their capabilities are. They are enemies I can't afford to leave alive. Subdue them, get the Stone, and dispose of them. If Rahne hesitates …” Elzor's lips twisted into a snarl. “kill him as well.”

  “It will be done.”

  “Tomorrow you will ride south. Let nothing stop you until you have reached the vessel. The rest of us will resume our journey east. Join us at the plateau with the Stone, and we will toast to our victory.” He offered his arm to Kalik.

  Kalik smiled, and grasped his lord's forearm. “I will not fail you, my liege.”

  Elzor nodded. “I know you won't. Now go, get some rest.”

  “Yes, my liege.” Kalik bowed again, and then retreated to his distant bedroll.

  “I have more to report,” Elzaria said, regaining Elzor's attention.

  “Please, continue,” he said. Langon and Brynak also listened with rapt attention.

  “I saw a great hall. Many men in regal finery stood behind tables, arguing with each other. I could not hear what was said, but it looked like every crowned head on Elystra was present: Aridor of Darad, Largo of Imar, even Viceroy Callis. High Mage Mizar was there as well.”

  Langon gave a throaty chuckle. “I'll wager I know what they were arguing about.”

  Elzor gave a dismissive wave. “It matters not. It would take a miracle if all those puffed-up dungheads managed to reach an accord, especially if Callis is there. The man is as immovable as the mountain his castle is perched upon.”

  Before Langon could respond, Elzaria stood up. “General, Captain, may I speak to Lord Elzor alone for a moment?”

  Langon immediately looked to Elzor, awaiting his orders. So did Brynak.

  “Go,” Elzor said. “Spread the word among the men that we move out at dawn, and reassure them that victory is at hand.”

  Both men stood and saluted. “Yes, my liege,” they said, and walked toward the distant collection of campfires.

  After another minute of silence, Elzaria spoke again. “I don't think I like this new ability.”

  He leaned close to her ear, catching a whiff of the perfume she had used since taking over the Queen of Agrus' bedchamber. It smelled of femininity and luxury, two things his sister had never coveted before. “I see that it's had a negative effect on your appearance,” he whispered, “but you've seen things no other person has dared to imagine.”

  “I know that.” She met his gaze. “Getting used to these visions is a lot like it was when I first discovered my lightning abilities. I was but a child
back then.”

  He smiled. “As was I.”

  “In those years after finding the Stone, I felt like there was nothing we couldn't do. It gave me so much energy, literally and figuratively. But the images I'm seeing … it feels like my strength ebbs away a little more every time I touch the Stone.”

  “I'm sure you'll recover. You always have in the past.”

  “I don't know, Elzor. These visions may have provided us with the means to complete our quest, but the road ahead is hardly clear of obstacles.”

  He looked at her in alarm. “What does that mean?”

  “There are most certainly battles ahead of us, brother, and –”

  “The Stone showed you these battles?” he interrupted.

  “No,” she replied, scowling. “But the ones who hold these other two Stones will certainly not give them up without a fight. One of them is defended by a tribe with who knows how many Wielders among their number. Their leader, whom I've seen, is very powerful. I will need to be at my strongest to have a chance against her, and with my strength continuing to flag, I don't know if I can.

  “And then there's the other Stone, held by the beings from the Above. I have no reason to doubt the efficiency of Kalik or his men, but really, who knows what knowledge, what weapons they have at their disposal? For all we know, these aliens have the ability to destroy our world even without the benefit of a Stone.”

  “That's a chance we have to take.”

  “I also wouldn't dismiss the royals so quickly. We are the greatest threat to their way of life they've ever faced. Even Callis won't deny that. And if any of them have knowledge of Merdeen's prophecies, then that might motivate them to ally.”

  “That is true, but we have the benefit of time. If by some miracle they do reach an accord, it won't matter. By then, I'll have all three Stones in my possession. No army will dare challenge us after that.”

  She shot him an icy glare. “Challenge me, you mean. You'll need me to hold off any attacking army singlehandedly while you execute the next part of your plan.”

  He felt anger, and a slight twinge of fear, well up inside him. He occasionally forgot that behind his sister's visage dwelt a power he couldn't comprehend or control. Should she ever turn on him, he would be no match for her. However, she was right. He still hadn't come up with a plan to penetrate Mount Calabur and avail himself of the chance to activate his latent abilities—assuming their theory about their mother was correct.

  He felt anger welling up inside him, but quelled it. She was right. He still hadn't come up with a plan to penetrate Mount Calabur and avail himself of the chance to activate his latent abilities—assuming their theory about their mother was correct.

  “If you have a better plan, sister, I'm listening,” he acquiesced.

  “Allies.” She led the word hang in the air.

  He scoffed. “The entire world is focused on destroying us, Elzaria. I'm rather loath to trust anyone outside this army.”

  For the first time since emerging from the tent, she looked hopeful. Her mouth curled into a smirk. “Our options are limited, yes, but that doesn't mean we don't have them. For that was the last thing I saw before the vision ended.”

  He leaned back, regarding her. “Who are you talking about?”

  Her smile disappeared. “You're really not going to like this.”

  “It's late, Elzaria,” he said, breathing into his hands. “And I'm not in the mood for –”

  “Maxtar,” she said flatly. “You make an alliance with Maxtar.”

  He blanched. “Maxtar? The Vandan Warlord? You must be joking!”

  Years of intense combat training had taught Elzor how to steel his resolve and purge his fear. Very little frightened him now. He'd heard stories about how Maxtar dealt with those who displeased him, and the thought of allying himself with such a beast sent a cold shiver dancing up his spine.

  “I am not,” she said, shaking her head. “I know it means you'll miss the attack on the plateau, but this is vital, brother. If the royals' armies come after us, we'll need a place to retreat to.”

  “They don't even know where we are.”

  “The King of Darad has a visionary with far more experience than I in his employ, Elzor. Any move we make, he could conceivably foresee. Our best chance is to draw him away from the safe confines of Mount Calabur.”

  “Do you have a plan to do so?”

  “I do. It's not without risk, but then, no part of this quest has been, has it?”

  “I suppose not. Please continue.”

  “At the desert's end is hundreds of miles of forest. I envisioned you, Langon, and Brynak, riding through that forest, disguised as Agrusians, as clearly as I see you now.”

  His voice became strained. “You're asking me to abandon my men.” Not to mention, asking me to literally put my head on the chopping block, he thought. “How can I secure victory if I am not there to oversee it?”

  She smiled again. “By listening to exactly what I have to say.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  With a deep, cleansing breath, Kelia removed her hands from the Stone. She did not speak or turn around right away, which alarmed Maeve.

  Maeve also noticed that her friend's posture had changed from the last time they had performed this ritual. Rather than being slumped in defeat, Kelia's shoulders remained firm and confident. When she finally turned around, her face did not bear the haggard despair she'd displayed at seeing the wanton destruction of all she knew and held dear, but faint hope.

  “Kelia?” Maeve asked, leaning forward in anticipation. “What is it?”

  She didn't reply. Instead, her mouth formed a wisp of a smile.

  “Protectress?” asked Liana, standing next to Maeve. “Has something changed? Are we no longer in danger?”

  Kelia shook her head. “I'm afraid that possible future hasn't changed. However, I did see something else that gives me a glimmer of hope.”

  Liana gasped. “What is it?”

  Kelia stepped away from the rocky altar. “Come with me, both of you. I must speak with Susarra.”

  Maeve and Liana exchanged a look, but didn't respond. They simply followed Kelia as she swept out of the cave and walked at a brisk pace down the eastern path along the river.

  It didn't take them long to reach Susarra's dwelling. It was a rather spacious home compared to most others in the village. The homes on the east side of the River Ix were built to accommodate the elderly women on the Council and whatever family still chose to live with them. As prescribed by her punishment, Susarra's doorway was covered by a thick, heavy, wooden slab that the former Councilor, because of her age and infirmity, would have a difficult time shifting. The home's two windows, through which food was passed thrice daily, were far too small to be a viable escape route.

  “Maeve, help me move this,” Kelia said, grasping one side of the slab. Together, they were able to move the large block of huxa wood away from the entryway enough to allow them access. Kelia entered the home without announcing herself, Maeve right behind her. Liana remained just outside the door.

  “Susarra?” she called from the main room, which, like most dwellings within the village, contained a small fire-pit and an array of shelves filled with personal belongings.

  With a thunk of her wooden walking stick upon the ground, Susarra emerged from her bedroom. Maeve had never met the corpulent ex-Councilor before, but she cut an imposing figure despite her pronounced limp: tall, her long, gray hair done up into a severe bun, and her face bearing a scowl that could crack a glacier in half.

  Said scowl, however, faded quickly when she beheld Maeve in all her alien, purple-haired, tattooed glory, to be replaced by a look of abject shock that Maeve had come to find amusing. The effect she had on the people of this world …

  “Is this … she, Protectress?” Susarra stammered. “The one I've been told about? The huntresses tell me so little, but …” She trailed off.

  “Yes, this is Maeve,” Kelia said. “She's be
en helping me with my visions. And that's why I'm here.”

  “Helping you?” She gulped. “So it's true? You really can Wield?”

  “It's true,” Maeve said with a frown. She had no intention of being friendly with the large woman. She'd heard from Kelia how Susarra had treated her only granddaughter, and it turned Maeve's stomach.

  “I had a vision just minutes ago,” Kelia said, getting down to business, “and it just so happens that I saw Vaxi.”

  Susarra's eyes widened. “Really? Was she with child?”

  Kelia let out a disgusted snort. Even now, with everything else going on, the woman was still hell-bent on Vaxi completing her Sojourn.

  “No, Susarra, she was not. She was riding across the Plains of Iyan.”

  “Riding –”

  “On a merych, not a chava,” Kelia said. “And she wasn't alone. She was with a company of men. A large company of men.”

  Susarra's eyes flicked between Kelia and Maeve, and she shook her head vigorously. “That's impossible. My granddaughter would not betray us in the way you suggest.”

  “I'm not suggesting anything of the sort,” Kelia retorted, placing her hands on her hips. “The only reason I'm telling you this at all is because I felt you had the right to know Vaxi was alive. Your refusal to cooperate in any way prior to this has robbed you of any further rights, as far as I'm concerned. I am gratified that you chose to send her to Darad, but that's where my gratitude ends.”

  “How … how do you know that's where I sent her?”

  “Because the men she rode with wore the emblem and traditional colors of Darad. And that's not all: the rider on her left bore a crown upon his head, and the man on her right wore a black cloak and skullcap. These can only be King Aridor and his High Mage, Mizar.”

  Susarra slumped into the nearest chair, processing this incredible news.

  “You have failed, Susarra,” Kelia said. Maeve detected no small amount of bile in her voice. “Your intention was to preserve our old way of life, but those days are gone forever. I don't know how Vaxi enlisted the aid of the most powerful king on Elystra, but if they ride to our aid, all I can do is pray to Arantha that they arrive in time to save us from Proda's daughter.”