Heddas Sword.jpg

by Hedda's Sword (lit)

  "You have been spending far too much time with Pahn, vertenya," Cianan reproved. "Does she not know any nice dwarvish phrases?"

  "They would be entirely inappropriate for the occasion," she retorted. She turned to Maleta, who stood gaping at Dara's once-again gold eyes. "So. I hear he got in one good blow afore he died. Let me see." Dara knelt by her side, and her hands glowed with a golden light as she ran them down the sides of Maleta's knee without touching the ruined joint.

  Maleta felt warmth and then no pain at all. The relief alone made her want to cry anew.

  "There. Now you can quit being so stoic," Dara stated. "Well, that edimar got you just right, but I've seen worse. Stay sitting down. You can't stand on it yet."

  Maleta saw Dara close her eyes. The golden glow intensified and went right through her knee. With the pain gone, Maleta could bear to look at it, and watched in amazement as the splint disintegrated and the blood disappeared. After several minutes, the flesh returned to its regular color and the swelling receded.

  Dara opened her eyes. "All right, now you can stand on it."

  Warmth and strength flowed into Maleta's entire body from Dara's hands, and she stood, leaning on her left leg. She took a couple of steps toward Cianan, then turned back to Dara. "Good as new. Thank you."

  Dara motioned Hajnal and Maleta over to her and placed a hand on each of their heads. "No more nightmares. Not about him. They die with him."

  Maleta felt a shadow she hadn't known afore dissipate, and Hajnal started to shake.

  Dara's gaze softened to warm honey. "I can't undo the past, but I can make the nightmares go away – for good." She turned to Cianan. "So, I hear I'm missing a good fight... " Dara and Cianan both flinched. She scowled. "He never lets me have any fun!"

  "Best get back home, vertenya," Cianan replied. "About the other thing... "

  Dara nodded. "When you're ready, call Anika. Anika will send her sylphs to help." She turned to Maleta. "Until we meet again, little sister." With that, she disappeared back into the fireplace.

  "Who was that?" Hajnal asked.

  "A friend," Cianan replied.

  "Who's Anika?" Maleta demanded. "What are sylphs and what are they supposed to be helping with?"

  "Later," he promised her. "Just trust me for now."

  Trust me. She was beginning to. Maleta grasped his sleeve. "You came back for me."

  He searched her face. "Always, elingrena. You are free now, free to find your brother and restore him to your home. Free to choose your own destiny."

  She trembled at the thought. "With you?"

  "If that is your wish."

  "Why me? Out of all the women you've known, why settle for me when you could have so much more?"

  He frowned, and cupped her cheek in one hand. "Everything I want is right here. I love you because of who you are, not in spite of it."

  She struggled to understand. "I... " Taking a deep breath, she leaned up and brushed her lips against his. Even so brief a contact sent a small spark of awareness jolting her back to herself. Shocked at her own daring, and appalled, she jerked back. Her cheeks burned. When she found the nerve to meet his gaze, she saw warmth and a bit of humor, there.

  "Bravest woman I know," Cianan whispered. He turned to Hajnal. "Well, I take it you know where Jovan is. Take Maleta to him. I shall watch your backs."

  Hajnal slipped out into the hallway, Maleta on her heels. Cianan brought up the rear, sword drawn and ready. Maleta felt him behind her, a warm steadying presence. Her lips still tingled. She'd thought the fear, the revulsion would come back, but no. She had an insane desire to turn around and try it again. Her choice, he'd said. Her wish. Was that what made the difference? Mayhaps a future with Cianan could be possible, after all.

  Hajnal stopped at the last door on the left. "This is it. He's kept in here, at Sunniva's beck an' call."

  Maleta held her breath as Hajnal knocked on the door. She tried to slow her racing heart. Her fingertips tingled, and she curled her hands into fists to give them something to do.

  "Enter," a male voice called. A man's voice, deep, reminiscent of her father's. A wave of dizziness struck Maleta. She held her breath until her head cleared.

  Cianan took her arm. "Are you all right?" he whispered.

  She nodded, exhaled, and turned to Hajnal. "Open it."

  The Shamaru girl drew back the bolt and pushed open the door. "Jovan, you have a special visitor."

  "We shall wait out here," Cianan said, and Hajnal nodded and stepped back.

  Maleta took a final deep breath and stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her. A man stood afore the fireplace, warming his hands. His back was to her. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with short curly chestnut hair. At the sound of the door closing, he turned, and his blue eyes met hers. Their father's eyes stared at her, from Jovan's face. His was thinner than Jereon's, unlined, with their mother's nose.

  Maleta stared at the handsome stranger who had once been her little brother. The blood turned to ice in her veins as the childlike expression in his vapid blue eyes registered. This was Von Jovan, heir and guardian of Kunigonde Keep, upon whose military prowess all of Shamar depended? Sweet Hedda, were they in trouble!

  "Hello, Jovan." She held out a hand, palm up.

  His head cocked to one side. "Hello," he parroted. "Do I know you?"

  How to answer? "Do I look familiar?"

  Jovan's eyes narrowed. "How do you know me?"

  "Do I look familiar?" Maleta repeated.

  A shadow crossed his face. "Mayhaps."

  Maleta's heart sank as she stared into the too-young eyes of her brother. The twelve-year-old she'd left behind was still there. This was not a man fit to rule Kunigonde and guard Bronwyn's Pass. Whatever Sunniva had done to him, she'd left him unfit for much else, other than what he was. A minstrel. A woman's plaything.

  She couldn't leave with Cianan. The realization struck like a fist to her midsection. Her hope of being with Cianan crumbled to dust. Cianan wanted to go home, and Maleta had nobody to leave Kunigonde Keep to. She had to stay here. Even if Cianan spoke the truth and Arcadia had no designs on Shamar, the threat of the rievers still loomed.

  "Are you here to escort me to banquet?" Jovan picked up his lyre. "I've new songs all ready. I'm sure Sunniva will be pleased."

  Maleta stared into his spaniel gaze. He didn't know anything. She pointed to one of the floor cushions, resigned. "Sit."

  "But we'll be late." Jovan trembled. "Sunniva hates to be kept waiting."

  Maleta braced against his fear. What had that monster of a queen done to Jovan? She scowled. "I said sit. Believe me, boy, she's past caring about time or banquets."

  He dropped to the cushion with the fluid grace of a cat. "What are you talking about?"

  "Jovan, who am I? "

  He flashed a brilliant smile. "You're my older sister, Marete, visiting from the abbey. But Sunniva said you were cloistered, had rescinded all ties with the outside world... " That too-bright smile reappeared. "I'm glad they let you out to visit."

  "Which abbey?"

  "Sunniva said you were staying at Nerthus with Mother Tam."

  I'll bet she did. Hedda, grant me patience. "Nay, Jovan. I've spent the last six years in Hedda's Tempest. Sunniva destroyed Nerthus' Abbey because the nuns there were helping the Shamaru. Mother Tam is dead."

  His eyes widened. "You lie! My queen would never do such! She's a great lady."

  Maleta's patience snapped. "Your great lady killed our parents and tried to kill me! She kidnapped you. She stole our home. She destroyed Nerthus' Abbey and killed everyone there. She tried to wipe out the Shamaru people, down to the last brown-eyed baby."

  "Nay!" Jovan glared at her. "The Black Wolf destroyed our home. Sunniva rescued us."

  Maleta rolled her eyes, recalling that song and dance. "I've met the Black Wolf, the real one – he's not the man who attacked us." She shook her head. "Sunniva's reign is over. You're free. Shamar has a new queen, Tzigana."


  To her shock, tears welled in Jovan's eyes. "Sunniva's dead?"

  She wasn't good at this. She had no time for diplomacy. Not that she was any good at that, either. She wanted to hug him, but feared he'd push her away. "I don't know," she admitted, "but she's no longer queen." If it took the last breath of the last one standing, someone in Hedda's force would see it done.

  "What will become of me?"

  "We – you and I – are moving back to Kunigonde Keep." Hedda help them all.

  Jovan started to shake. "I can't go back there. That place is evil."

  The same fear haunted her. "It's not evil. Evil things were done there, but the keep itself is not evil. Kunigonde is our home. Mother and Father would want our home in our hands, not those of some murderous bitch's lackeys."

  Hajnal slipped into the room. "Ye'd best get going. I'll stay with him until ye send someone for us."

  Maleta took Jovan's hand. "I'll go make sure it's safe for us, then you'll never be locked in another room again – I promise." She tried not to feel hurt when he jerked away from her. He didn't know her anymore, and he'd grown up with his own version of what had transpired that awful day. She slipped out of the room with a heavy heart.

  Cianan waited for her. He opened his arms. "Come here."

  She leaned into his embrace. "He acts like he doesn't know anything she did. He treats me like the villain and Sunniva the victim."

  "He remembers her rescuing him," he said. "Jovan may never remember what happened."

  "Well, we can't let him run around blurting it out to everyone. The first person he praises Sunniva to is liable to kill him on general principle." Maleta straightened her shoulders. "I have to take care of him, keep him safe. He's all the family I have left."

  Cianan took a deep breath. "Well, get ready to put that to the test. Tzigana wants to see us."

  Chapter Nineteen

  Maleta stiffened and pulled back so she could look him in the eye. "They're all the way in?"

  Cianan nodded. "She is waiting for us, in the throne room. Sunniva's surviving troops are all corralled in the courtyard, disarmed and under guard." His jaw clenched. "There are a lot of dead, on both sides."

  She swallowed. "And Sunniva?" If they succeeded, it was all worth it. It'd have to be.

  He hesitated. "She barricaded herself in the treasury room behind the throne. Thanks to Jana's help, Sister Reva and Raven guard the secret exit out of there. Sunniva is trapped. Tzigana and Jana wait for us – and Hedda's Sword."

  "What about Jovan?"

  "Bring him," Cianan replied. "He needs enlightenment as much as the rest of them."

  "Do you think he'll be able to come back?" Maleta bit her lower lip. "He's more child than man."

  "I do not know. I have a strong suspicion they used more than cloudwort to break him." Cianan's expression was sad. "You must prepare yourself, elingrena. It may well be permanent."

  Icy rage welled without Hedda's interference. "Sunniva has even more to answer for. Let's go." She opened the door. "You two are coming with us."

  Hajnal indicated her bedsheet toga. "I can't go like this."

  "You can," Maleta retorted, "and you will. They'll pay for what they've done."

  Hajnal straightened her shoulders and led the way down the hall. Like a cowed dog, Jovan followed after one wary look at the sword in Cianan's hand. Maleta drew Hedda's Sword and strode aside Cianan. As they made their way down the main staircase, she couldn't help wondering, what to do when all this ended? She couldn't leave Jovan and go with Cianan. Would Cianan be willing to stay to defend Shamar with her?

  Kikeona awaited them at the foot of the stairs. Cianan placed a hand on her neck, but didn't take his gaze off Jovan. Once his boots hit the hard marble floor, though, Maleta felt Cianan stiffen at the sight of the peacock throne. "What's wrong?" she asked him.

  Those cobalt eyes were gemstone-hard. "I have unfond memories of this room."

  Dagonet and Wolf waited with Tzigana and Jana. Sarge and Cary were there as well. Maleta saw Tzigana glance at Jovan, and the Shamaru queen's jaw tightened. "This is my brother, Von Jovan," Maleta announced. "Jovan, this is the real Black Wolf. It's like I said. Sunniva lied to you."

  Jovan stared at Wolf's breastplate, and frowned in puzzlement. Suddenly he grabbed at his temples. Then, with an incoherent cry, he bent over and vomited. Hajnal took his arm, speaking to him. She tore off a piece of her makeshift toga and handed it to Jovan to wipe his mouth.

  Maleta's heart ached. Some strong conditioning had to be in place for so violent a reaction from trying to recall a true memory. She met Wolf's grim gaze. He shook his head. She stiffened. No. It was not a lost cause. There was a way to bring him back. She had to find it.

  "We'll bring Sunniva out when you're ready," Tzigana told Maleta.

  Cianan nodded, placing his hands on Maleta's shoulders. "If Hedda would permit, when you put her to Hedda's trial, I can make it so everyone present gets the same information you do. I can unravel truth from lie and have each man find his own path back. That should break the cloudwort's grip. Those who follow Sunniva because of the drug shall be free." He paused. "Those who genuinely follow her shall have to be dealt with separately."

  Maleta closed her eyes and sought the grey path. That familiar icy wind blew through her, and once again she found herself afore that dilapidated bridge. Hedda awaited her, as cold and dispassionate as ever. "So, My Own, thou hast cornered thy prey in her den. Thou hast found thy long-lost family. Art thou ready to end it?"

  "I am. Cianan can help Your people shake off Sunniva's drug, but he needs the assistance of his own Goddess. If She is willing to aid people not Her own, will You permit Her doing so?"

  "I am familiar with his Goddess of Light." Hedda sounded a bit sour. "It involves sorcery, which I hath banned from my lands for a purpose. Difficult enough to maintain order amongst the bullies without bringing magic into it. Doth he invoke this truth-to-all spell, he shalt also be revealed as he truly is. Art thou both prepared for that?"

  Maleta was. She just wasn't sure about the rest of Shamar. "Might we ask him?"

  The wind kicked up again, and Cianan appeared aside her. When he saw Hedda, his puzzled look changed to a disgruntled one, but he did bow his head. "With respect, Grey Lady, forewarning would be appreciated afore You remove a person from the here-and-now."

  "I hath a question for thee, elder son," Hedda stated. "I banished magic from these lands long ago. Thine shalt not work doth I forbid it, and thy Goddess shalt not infringe on these lands. Dost thou invoke thy truth-to-all spell, thou shalt be revealed, thy people shalt be revealed. No more hiding, no more secrecy. Art thou prepared for that? Art thy people prepared for that?"

  "I am." Cianan stood tall afore Her. "We are. It has already been discussed and approved. It is long past time for Shamar to enter the rest of the world."

  "And thou?" Hedda turned to Maleta. "This spell doth not discriminate. All of Sunniva's sins and treachery shalt be revealed, to everyone. What wast done to thy family, to thee and to thy brother. Art thou strong enough to know what wast done to Jovan? Art thou strong enough to bear others knowing what wast done to thee?"

  Was she? Could she relive every awful memory, have Cianan relive it with her? Could she go through whatever had been done to Jovan to break him? Could she make their private hell public? Her eyes burned and her throat tightened. She turned to Cianan. "Is there no other way?"

  His own eyes shone with unshed tears. "I do not know. If I knew of any other way, I would take it. I do know this way shall work. If we know what was done to Jovan, healers shall have a better idea of how to help him. I shall stand with you till the end, come what may."

  The immediate freedom of hundreds hinged on this decision, the freedom of thousands. The fate of a nation. She never imagined her little quest could end on so grand a hinge as this. She'd wanted to free her brother, but she'd never thought to be in a position to free everyone else. What was one woman compared to that?

  "
It is not just you," Cianan assured her. "She did heinous things to many people. She is a monster."

  "And I'm the monster-slayer." Maleta straightened her shoulders. "So be it."

  "So be it," Hedda agreed.

  Maleta found herself back in the throne room with Cianan and everyone else staring at her. "So, that was Her way of granting permission?" she mused. When Cianan nodded, she took a deep breath and turned to Tzigana. "I'm ready. Bring her out."

  Tzigana nodded to Wolf and Dagonet. "Open it."

  When Wolf opened the door, they found Sunniva sitting on the floor clutching a bleeding knee and Raven standing over her with sword drawn and a scowl on her face. "What happened?" Wolf asked.

  "She's hard of hearing," Raven retorted. "On your feet, you treacherous bitch. It's not broke."

  "I am still your lawful queen and demand I be treated as such." Sunniva glared as she hauled herself to her feet and took one dramatic limping step toward the doorway.

  "My queen!" Jovan fell to his knees with a rapt expression on his face that broke Maleta's heart, even as it turned her stomach.

  Wolf remained unmoved. "You'd have a better chance of being treated as a queen, did you act like one, cousin."

  "You're no cousin of mine, traitor," Sunniva sneered.

  "Our mothers were cousins whether you admit it or nay," Wolf retorted. "I'm the only family you've left alive."

  "A mistake easily rectified. Guards!"

  None came. She stilled as Wolf smiled, a cold, deadly smile. "You killed every family member you could find, to protect your throne, save one. Me. You never could quite catch me."

  Tzigana stared at him, aghast. "You're related to her?"

  Sunniva spat at him. "Never!"

  Wolf backhanded her to the floor.

  "No!" Jovan protested, jumping to his feet. Cianan had to restrain him.

  Wolf's eyes glittered with malice and hatred as he glared down at Sunniva. "I was in the north, chasing the rievers back into the sea, when she had me declared outlaw, killed my family and confiscated my lands," he replied. He turned to Maleta. "Sound familiar? You're not the only one to lose family. I had a wife, a pregnant sister and a son. He was not yet three years old. Murdered, all of them. She was setting me up even then, but I was in Marcou when Kunigonde fell. I've been on the run, in hiding, ever since. Until you found me and convinced me to stop running. To take a stand."