Giahem's Talons

by Katharine Wibell

  Lluava recalled her conversation with Yena beside the scrying pool hidden underground the temple. “So, your remaining troops are at the border awaiting word to approach.”

  “Yes.”

  “How many?”

  “Larger than the force we have here.”

  Lluava needed time to think about how to use this in some future advantageous plan. But for now, first things first. “We still need to capture Alcove.”

  “I will not risk any other Theriomorph lives needlessly.”

  “But what if those undertaking the plan were not your people?” An idea had begun to take root.

  “Explain.”

  “You have human prisoners. I know you do,” Lluava stated assuredly. “Let them do the work for us.”

  Luka, unable to remain quiet, questioned, “What are they going to do? Disguise themselves as Raiders and waltz right into the enemy’s camp?”

  Lluava’s eyes widened. She looked from Luka to Apex. “That’s exactly what they will do. High Priestess, if I am right about Crocotta’s intentions, and we act upon the goddess’s suggestion, would you be able to scry freely again?”

  “That has happened.”

  “Would you be able to follow the movements of specific humans?”

  “My gift comes from Crocotta herself. I see what she reveals to me. If I ask for a specific vision, I have usually been blessed with the ability to follow certain Theriomorphs. Humans are different from us, which makes them more difficult to perceive.”

  Lluava’s frustration dissipated as she studied the faces before her. “Luka, you told me that our abilities as Incarn continue to grow. I have seen you create an illusion strong enough that a number of people, myself included, believed it.

  “We are all Incarn. We are blessed with gifts of the gods for some reason. Let us use these gifts to save our race.” Thinking of Aquila’s strange aura, Lluava asked, “Luka, do you think you could make humans emanate the same essence that Theriomorphs do in order for Yena to follow them when she scries?”

  “I’ve never tried. I’ve never thought about it. Truly, I’m not sure what you mean,” admitted Luka. “But I’ve always liked a new challenge.”

  “Selene, you could— wait, no, that won’t work—” Lluava broke off in exasperation. “When we free them, I need the prisoners to believe that they have escaped and are switching sides to join the Raiders. They have to be convincing, or else they will be killed.”

  Selene glanced at Apex, then looked down at Lluava. “I agree. In order for the humans to function the way they must, they would need to be controlled. Control is different from seduction. Lust can make a man or woman act in ways they would never normally choose, but it has its limits. Fortunately,” Selene said with a thin smile, “I seem not to. I can control your humans.”

  Lluava forced herself to look up at the young woman she loathed. “Selene, how many men could you control at one time?”

  The beautiful woman hesitated as if wanting to keep her secrets to herself, but catching the eye of Yena, she answered, “A score, maybe more.”

  Apex asked in a semi-lucid manner, “Won’t the Raiders kill them regardless?”

  Lluava responded truthfully. “That is a possibility; but if not, this provides the opportunity to find out where Alcove is being held. If the humans are able to infiltrate the Raiders’ camp and Yena can scry them, we will discover the layout of the camp as well as Alcove’s location. If possible, Selene could have the men release the ambassador. Once free, he will attempt to leave the camp, and we could capture him. With luck, we might even discover the enemy’s plans.”

  No voices spoke in opposition, so Lluava continued. “If all works out, we would be one step closer to defeating the enemy. If anything goes wrong, only humans die and not our people, High Priestess.”

  “And how would you have us capture the ambassador?” Selene questioned. Lluava could not tell whether she was being mocked.

  Unsure who might be privy to certain details, Lluava answered in the form of a question directed to the high priestess. “How is the work on your tunnels progressing? Are they long enough?”

  The question hung in the air, and Lluava waited for Yena’s response. “They are sufficient, although patience and more time would be beneficial.”

  Regarding her fellow Incarn, Lluava said, “We, I, could bring Alcove here by way of tunnels that extend far outside New Rhadamanthus’s walls. The Raiders do not know of the tunnels’ existence; if we are careful, they would not be aware of one or two people coming and going through them.”

  “Tunnels?” Luka questioned excitedly. He was not that concerned about Alcove, but this was to his liking.

  Yena explained in her mother-like tone, “These are ancient tunnels that have been reopened and extended from the underground city to the outside world for the purpose of sending messages. We need an active line of communication to coordinate assistance. Yet, why volunteer yourself, Lluava?”

  Lluava assumed Yena knew her reasoning, but she answered, “Because I am the Incarn of Issaura, Goddess of War, and this idea was my own.”

  The priestess spoke without empathy. “If you choose to leave by these means, I will consent, but I cannot allow you to return that way. The entrances to the tunnels must not be discovered by the Ocean Men. If Alcove escapes, the enemy will certainly pursue him. The entrances to the tunnels will be resealed after you leave on this mission.”

  Though she understood Yena’s logic, a low growl of annoyance rumbled up Lluava’s throat. “Then make sure the gates are ready to open upon my return.”

  The high priestess smiled. “You are thinking like a true goddess of war. I do have doubts, but I am only a vessel for the gods. I cannot understand their grand meaning unless they wish to share it with me. So, Lluava Kargen, Incarn of Theri, I will leave these war games to your discretion. Help us end this war.”

  ***

  After far too much time was spent getting everything in order, Lluava, Apex, and Yena waited in the temple for the return of Luka and Selene. With the ever-massing clouds above them, it was hard to tell if it was day or night. The warming winds rushed aggravatingly through the capital and the neighboring lands, whipping Lluava’s platinum-blond hair into her eyes and mouth.

  Would the storm ever break? Lluava anxiously fidgeted from side to side. Everything had to be in place for this to work. There were so many aspects that could go wrong. She had done everything she needed to do, and now it was up to the twins. They had been in Tartarus practicing their abilities on the twenty men selected for this mission.

  So that the prisoners’ escape would appear genuine, very few people knew of their release. Certain guards were forewarned, as were the keepers at the main gates. As soon as the twins arrived, Yena led the group into the caverns below the temple and entered the chamber with the scrying pool.

  I hope this works, Lluava thought. She saw Luka’s eyes flick about excitedly while Selene furrowed her brow in deep concentration. Even Apex’s typically glazed eyes appeared more alert.

  Yena began her ritual, and five faces peered into the black liquid. An image of the band of prisoners escaping from the castle manifested. The men would not remember their doors being unbarred nor the weapons placed for them to stumble upon. They would not question how they could so easily overpower trained Theriomorphs. All they would know is that they needed to seek the protection of the Raiders from the cruelty of the Outlanders. Lluava’s plan was working! If only everything else would fall in her favor.

  Ammit’s job was to keep the Theriomorphs away from the fleeing men. Although the castle’s halls were vacant, once the men were outside, a few members of the Silver Tongue Clan intercepted the humans. From the clansmen’s loud, brash singing, they had been into the ale again.

  A fight erupted. Most of the prisoners escaped, but one was killed and another taken hostage. The poor, abandoned human looked frightened. The drunken clansmen struggled to decide his fate. Suddenly, the human lurched to his fe
et. Spitting out a curse, he pulled a small vial from a pocket and swallowed. He instantly grew rigid and fell motionless to the ground.

  The image changed, rippling as though someone had tossed a pebble into the pool. The fight at the main gate was like a well-choreographed dance. The Theriomorphs faked injuries and death as the humans fled through the doors as if their lives depended on it. If enemy spies were about, they would certainly be convinced that the humans had escaped on their own.

  Once away from the city walls, the men seemed to recollect themselves and cautiously advanced upon the Raider’s camp. Words were whispered among them as they approached the line of torches marking the edge of the enemy encampment. Where were the Raiders? They must have realized that an unfamiliar group of humans was arriving. Would the Elysians be kept alive? If not, the whole ordeal would have been for naught.

  The scene began to dissolve. As soon as the water resumed its reflective properties, Lluava and the others found their voices.

  “What happened?” Luka cried out. “They should still be able to be tracked.”

  Selene’s eyes gleamed in the dim lighting. “I only sense fifteen. No…fourteen at present. I have lost touch with the others.”

  “They are being killed, you fool!” Lluava snapped. She was unable to contain her dislike of her fellow Incarn. “High Priestess, can you try to reconnect with them?”

  Yena scrutinized the four Incarn. “The problem is that one among you is currently being charmed by another.” There was no need to acknowledge Apex. “The charm is similar to the one being used for this mission. Release your fellow Incarn, or send him back to the castle. Until you do, my line of sight to the prisoners is blocked.”

  Lluava and the twins looked at Apex, then at one another. Finally, Selene placed her hand gently against the side of the huntsman’s face. “Go, my love. Return to your rooms. I will meet you there later.”

  “Yes, Selene,” was Apex’s only reply before he left the chamber.

  As soon as he had departed, Lluava rounded on the twins. Her anger at Selene’s lie, as well as at this situation, was too much. “What in the seven hells happened to the human captured by the clansmen? Was that poison? How did he come across a vial of poison? They were to have only some second-rate weapons.”

  “Calm down, Lluava,” Luka soothed, but Selene was the one who answered. “Of course it was a vial of poison. They all have one.”

  “For what purpose?” Lluava demanded angrily. Though the mission was her idea, she never wanted to harm any of the Elysians. Human or not, they deserved better. “So they would have a way out if captured?”

  “I am sorry to disillusion you, my dear Lluava,” said Selene in her sweet, syrupy voice. “The poison given to them is for a much greater purpose. The men are to pour the liquid into the source of the Raiders’ water. Starting from the farthest point upstream, the enemy will fall.”

  “As will anything else that drinks the water,” said Lluava mortified. “What of Alcove? What happens if he is killed?”

  “If your plan works,” Selene countered, “then there is nothing to fear, for he will flee the area. And if not, well, that is why there must always be a viable backup plan. Risks need to be taken. You did not seem willing to take them.”

  Heat began to bubble up in Lluava’s core. She stifled a growl.

  In turn, Selene’s eyes sparkled under her thick eyelashes. “Why, Lluava, are you upset? Surely, you understand that removing the threat by any means is beneficial to us all. This way, we are not risking extra lives.”

  In truth, Lluava was frustrated with herself. Why hadn’t she thought of such a simple solution? Yet her concern still remained. The poison could kill not only Alcove but also any innocent being that used the same water source. Who knew what ripple effect this would cause?

  “Selene’s plan has merit,” Luka admitted. “Maybe this is all that needs to be done to end this war. And having a backup plan never hurts.”

  Of course, Luka would side with his sister. Lluava, unable to hide her annoyance, asked again, “What about Alcove? Why has Crocotta been telling us to save him if he is not important?”

  Selene countered in earnest, “How do you know the will of Crocotta? You are not her seer.”

  “Children.” Yena’s full-throated voice silenced the trio around her. “Do not search for deceit among yourselves, for you will only create it in your pursuit. We must act together. We can work on resolving your issues at a later time, but for now I need all of you with me.”

  Selene suddenly looked genuinely ashamed, as did her brother. Lluava could not find it in herself to apologize, even when Selene said, “I only did what I thought was right.”

  Yena seemed to smile without actually doing so. She turned back to the pool. “Let us try again.”

  This second attempt was more fragmented. The image struggled to manifest. Looking at the survivors, now bound at the center of a group of Raiders, Lluava felt sick when she realized how few of the Elysians were still alive.

  Were they all to die by the enemy’s blade? Was there truly no mercy among the Raiders? Lluava wondered if she had sentenced all these men to horrific deaths, a fool’s errand. Her confidence in her plan wavered as another prisoner was put to the blade.

  The image went black.

  “I’m sorry.” Luka was the first to speak. “I wasn’t able to keep up the illusion for that long. I’ve never attempted a prolonged experiment at such a great distance. They can no longer be traced.”

  “You did well,” Selene soothed her brother, hugging him. “As long as my connections do not fail, the men will not speak of anything but the desire to work for the Raiders. There is hope yet.”

  “Did you see what was happening to them?” Lluava cried out, her voice ringing through the vault.

  Still holding her brother to her chest, Selene turned to Lluava. “What were your expectations? That all would live? Of course some would die. The Raiders need to test the truth of their words. Inevitably, some were going to be tortured or killed. Our only hope is that a few survive.”

  “What happens now?” Lluava demanded. She was angry at everyone, including herself. Secretly she knew what Selene said was true. “What happens if Alcove is set free? How are we to know to search for him?”

  Letting go of her brother, Selene challenged, “You created the plan. You figure that out.” Turning to Yena, she pointed out, “I am able to control the survivors for now, but I have no idea how long my connection will last. Like my dear brother, I have never tried to manipulate so many men and over such a great distance.”

  “Your contribution,” Yena began, “has been exceptional. As have those of all of you. Now, return to the castle. I will stay here and pray to Crocotta for further guidance on this matter.”

  The trio walked somberly down the mosaic-lined corridors. In a miasma of their own making, they passed the bejeweled scenes with little awareness. Shennue’s anger over his unrequited love was ignored. The indestructible net he fabricated to hold anything he captured, mortal or not, was unheeded. The moment when Valcum first began his work creating weapons for the gods in his smithy was overlooked. Only when they neared the exit did Selene stop to study the image of Suada’s initial seduction of Ullr.

  “I know you do not approve of my actions,” Selene said as she continued to stare at the mosaic. Realizing the other woman was talking to her, Lluava listened quietly. “Yet, I do not regret any choices I have made. I also know that because of what I have done, we may never be friends. For that, I am truly sorry. I will not change. For what I am, I was always meant to be.”

  Selene reached out her hand as if to touch Ullr’s depiction. Then, turning to look at Lluava, she continued, “I say this out of the respect I bear you: the connections I have with the surviving humans are already beginning to deteriorate. Once they are free of my power, they will admit the truth, that they had no intention of switching sides. The enemy will realize our deceit, and the end result, I fear, could be grievou
s. Your plan has a time limit, Lluava. One that is rapidly approaching.”

  Chapter 24

  The Storm Breaks

  Something had to be done. Fast.

  Without so much as a thank you, Lluava bolted toward the city. She needed to gather her closest friends immediately. Finding Yamir first, she had him send word to Talos. Then, doubling back to her quarters, she met with Aquila.

  “Are you ready to use that bow of yours?” Lluava asked. Her face was flushed from running and her lungs burned, yet she felt more alive now than she had since returning to the capital. Her feet ached and her leg throbbed and she was elated.

  Holding Giahem’s Wings, Aquila said, “I feel I was born to shoot this bow.”

  “We are waiting on a few others; then I will tell you what has occurred.”

  The nomad was strangely accepting of this. If the situation had been reversed, Lluava would have been dying to know the reason for this summons to battle. As she forced herself to take a few bites of the cold dinner that had been left in her chamber, she could not stop fiddling with the Claws.

  Finally, her door opened. Yamir entered, leading Talos and a pallid Derrick.

  “What are you doing here?” Lluava asked her dark-skinned friend.

  “Going to fight by your side,” asserted Derrick grimly. His face showed signs of strain, and Lluava wondered if he was still in pain. “I know you are planning something dangerous, and I’m ready.”

  “Nonsense,” chastised Lluava. “You’re not recovered, and that could cost you your life.”