The Babachenko nodded deferentially. “You have indeed given this more thought than I have. Your plan for vengeance is quite thorough.”
Isabel chuckled to herself, washing down a bite of bread with a sip of wine to mask the thrill of dread that spread through her at the prospect of Phane actually doing the things he described. “Aren’t you two getting ahead of yourselves? I mean, he did just defeat you pretty soundly,” she said to the Babachenko. “And you’ve been trying to kill him for the past year, Phane. Sounds to me like both of you are underestimating him … again.”
“I will admit that Alexander has acquitted himself far better than I would have imagined,” Phane said. “But he can’t win. Hector and Drogan have returned with the remains of the Goiri. I will use the power of those cursed bones to open the warded box containing the final keystone to the Nether Gate and then we will depart for the Reishi Isle. With all of my Master’s minions to serve me, the Seven Isles will succumb to my will. Alexander will fall. Your friends will all die badly.
“Your stubborn optimism is becoming sad and delusional, Isabel. You’ve lost. You might as well embrace that painful truth and accept the world as it is. Life will become much better for you once you do.”
Worry about the Nether Gate occupied her mind. The moment she’d seen Hector, she knew that he’d returned with the cursed bones, and that Phane would soon have all three keystones … but she wasn’t about to let him or his henchmen see any hint of concern.
“I think you’ve told so many lies that you can’t tell the difference anymore,” she said. “I think you believe that simply saying something makes it reality. From where I’m sitting, there’s a long way between here and the fantasy you just described.”
She saw a flicker of doubt in the Babachenko’s eyes.
“In fact,” she continued, “Alexander will probably come at you in ways that you never expected. He’ll blindside you, hit you where you’re weak, bleed you one cut at a time. And when you strike back, he just won’t be there.
“You know what I’m talking about, don’t you, Babachenko? He was alone, stripped of his weapons, deprived of his magic, a prisoner and a slave. And yet, he took so much from you. Your city, your Lancers, your home. If you go against him again, I suspect he’ll take your head.
“But it doesn’t have to be that way. Alexander is nothing if not fair. If you offered him Phane’s head instead, I’m sure he would let you return to Andalia and rule the isle in the name of the Old Law. You could have your title, your power, your privilege, your wealth … everything you’ve lost. All for the price of one man’s head.
“Think about it. Phane seduced you with his lies. He set your nation on a path to war—a war that’s cost you terribly. What has it cost him? You and your people suffer so that he can have dominion over you? Not much of a bargain if you ask me.
“You have ten wizards in this room with you. Together, you could kill him right now.” She leaned forward, a bit surprised that Phane hadn’t interrupted her. “Put an end to this war. Kill him and preserve yourself. This is your chance at salvation … take it.”
The room fell silent as she held the Babachenko with her piercing green eyes. He twitched slightly, seemingly unable to break free of her gaze, until Phane started clapping slowly, breaking the spell of her words.
“You see now why I spare her,” Phane said. “Just imagine how formidable she’ll be once I’ve broken her conscience and turned her to our purpose.”
The Babachenko looked back to her, as if considering her words.
Phane took a long pull from his goblet, then motioned for a serving girl to refill it.
“There is one other thing I’ve been meaning to ask of you, Babachenko,” Phane said, waiting until he pulled his eyes away from Isabel to continue. “Since the pretender and his family are the heirs to Ruatha, the isle will be without a ruler once they’re defeated. I was hoping that you would take on the responsibility in my name. I realize that it’s a lot to ask. Ruling two island kingdoms would be a challenge, but I’m quite certain that you’re up to the task.”
The Babachenko seemed to consider Phane’s words for a moment before nodding, almost as if to himself. “I would be honored to bear such a burden,” he said with a smile, raising his goblet to Phane.
“I thought you might,” Phane said. With a gesture, the serving girls started taking plates away from the table. Isabel snatched a piece of bread and a slice of meat from hers before it was whisked away, folding the bread around the meat into a sandwich.
“Hector, Drogan, regale us with the story of your travels,” Phane said.
Both men looked at Phane and then at each other as if they’d been ordered to cut their own wrists.
“Go on,” Phane said.
Drogan shrugged. “We marched through the jungle until the pretender showed up and attracted some predators. The chameleon lizards killed most of our men, but we managed to escape into the Dead Swamp. A few more died on the way through there. We lost the rest inside the fortress.”
“Ah …” Phane said, swirling his wine. “Where’s a bard when you need one? I must say, Drogan, that was the most boring story I’ve ever heard. I guess it’s a good thing you have other talents.”
He shrugged again, unfazed by Phane’s criticism.
“Perhaps you could elaborate for us, Hector. I’m especially interested in the crystal chambers you found.”
The Babachenko looked up sharply, excitement alight in his eyes.
Phane smiled knowingly.
“There are two of them,” Hector said a bit hesitantly. “If you put a person in each, their minds, and I guess their souls, switch bodies.”
The Babachenko leaned forward, as did the rest of the Acuna wizards.
“Does their magic transfer as well?” he asked.
“Yeah, at least it did for the witch that used it on Ayela.”
“That would mean … immortality,” the Babachenko whispered.
“Indeed it would, Babachenko. Of course, I must ask that you keep this knowledge a secret. After all, not everyone can live forever.”
“No, they most certainly cannot,” the Babachenko said with a broad smile. “To an alliance well made, Prince Phane.”
Phane raised his goblet again. Isabel idly wondered if he ever got drunk. He was on his fourth glass of wine and didn’t seem affected in the least. She finished off her sandwich while Phane and the Acuna wizards talked excitedly of selecting new, younger bodies to take for themselves. The idea that they would be depriving other human beings of the lives that they were born to never came up.
As they speculated on their imagined futures, a wraithkin appeared at the foot of the table.
“All is ready, Master.”
“Ah, excellent,” Phane said, standing. “Gentlemen, if you’d like to accompany me to the top of the city’s walls, you may bear witness to the beginning of the end of this war.”
Chapter 21
Phane and the Babachenko walked ahead of the rest of the group. Isabel could hear them talking quietly. It was early evening and the air was cool but pleasant enough, especially after several days spent in a cell. A few of the Acuna wizards eyed her suggestively but quickly lost interest when the wraithkin escorting her smiled back at them. For all of the enemies surrounding her, Isabel felt perfectly safe amongst them, at least for the time being. Only when thoughts of Azugorath pushed their way into her mind did she feel a thrill in her belly, and each time, she resolved anew to face the Wraith Queen without fear.
It took nearly half an hour to make their way out of the black tower and up to the top of the fortress walls. She couldn’t help feeling a bit impressed by the scope of the fortifications. The walls were a hundred feet across and perfectly flat on top. While there were no battlements or siege engines, there was plenty of room for defenders to assemble and fight any attack from a vantage point a hundred feet above the jungle floor.
Phane led them toward the southwest corner of the city. A group of
soldiers was already assembled, most armed with crossbows, cocked and loaded. Phane stopped well short of a line etched in the stone as one of his officers trotted up, stopping smartly and offering a crisp salute.
That’s when Isabel saw Lacy. She was flanked by two soldiers and looked like she’d been beaten a few days prior, but she stood with her head up and smiled when she saw Isabel. Isabel smiled back. She wanted to go to the princess and give her a hug, but thought better of it. Phane might not be willing to hurt Isabel, at least not too seriously, but she wasn’t so sure that he wouldn’t kill Lacy now that he could open the box without her.
Lacy mouthed the word Wren questioningly. Isabel smiled brighter, pointing north. Even fifty feet away she could see the relief in Lacy’s expression.
“My father created a device he called the Nether Gate,” Phane said to the crowd. “As a precaution, he also created a set of three keystones. The Nether Gate can only be opened with the complete set, and once it is, the denizens of the netherworld can be called forth and bound to service. I have searched and fought for these keystones for many months.”
He held up the box containing the last of the three keystones for everyone to see.
“Princess Lacy was kind enough to deliver this into my hands, but she’s been less than willing to open it for me.” He looked at her sternly, then smiled like the sunrise. “Today, thanks to the brave efforts of Hector and Drogan, her intransigence no longer matters. The skull of the Goiri, a creature of legend, has been set into the wall just over there,” he said, pointing toward the corner of the fortification. “Within the sphere of this cursed bone’s influence, magic ceases to affect the world of time and substance. This power will be my key.
“I told you, Lacy. You could have had everything. You could have ruled Fellenden in my name. You could have protected your people. But you chose to defy me. And now, your assistance is no longer necessary.”
She scowled at him and his smile brightened.
“Drogan, take this box into the null magic field and open it for me.”
Drogan shrugged, nodding to Phane without a word. Phane whispered something to him as he took the box. Drogan nodded again before ambling a few feet over the line marking the perimeter of the null magic field. He fumbled with the lid for a moment while Isabel held her breath, hoping against hope that the box would remain locked, but then it popped open with a click. Drogan took out a small black stone pyramid and held it up for Phane to see.
He tipped his head back and laughed at the sky.
“History will say that our enemies lost the war on this day,” he said, holding out his hand toward Drogan.
Isabel and Lacy shared a worried look.
Drogan appraised the keystone for a moment, frowning skeptically before walking back toward Phane. When he crossed the line etched into the top of the wall, the box, still open and in his hand, seemed to come alive, a faint white glow emanating from within. He stopped, looking into the empty box, his brow furrowing. A moment later, a flash of magic erupted from the box, vaporizing his head and shoulders in a single blinding instant. His arms and what remained of his torso and legs fell to the ground, along with the keystone still clutched in his dead hand.
“Huh,” Phane said. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
The Babachenko and the Acuna wizards all laughed with him as he pried the keystone from Drogan’s death grip and inspected it closely.
“Pity. Drogan was a good man. He always did as he was told, no matter how distasteful the task.”
“Such men are rare,” the Babachenko said. “Did he have a family?”
“You know, I’m not sure,” Phane said. “If he did, I’ll see to their needs. It’s the least I can do for such faithful service.”
“Indeed,” the Babachenko said. “I too believe that loyalty should be rewarded. After all, without men like Drogan, who would do the bidding of men like us?”
“Well said, Babachenko.”
Phane casually strolled over to Isabel, holding the keystone up between his thumb and forefinger.
“This is what losing looks like. You’ve fought me every step of the way, but surely you must see now that there’s no hope for your friends. They will all die. The sooner you forsake them and embrace me, the easier it will be for you to accept that.”
“It’s not over yet, Phane. It’s a long way from here to the Reishi Isle. I’m sure I’ll have at least one more chance to drive a stake into your heart.”
“Defiant to the last,” he said, shaking his head. “In truth, I guess I wouldn’t have it any other way. You wouldn’t be worthy of the title Lady Reishi, if you gave in to me too easily. For a conquest to be worthwhile there must be resistance, and you’ve certainly offered me that.”
“You might want to get used to that, Phane, because I’m never going to serve you of my own free will. And really, it’ll be a pretty empty victory to have me as nothing more than a puppet for your pet demon.”
He laughed, turning to the Babachenko. “Isn’t she a delight?”
He bowed his head slightly, though it was clear he didn’t agree.
“Come, we have much to discuss,” Phane said, motioning for the guards to return Isabel and Lacy to their cells.
“Hey, Hector, did you see how easily he shrugged off Drogan’s death?” Isabel said loud enough for all to hear.
Hector clenched his jaw and looked down.
“Drogan’s death was unfortunate,” Phane said. “But there’s nothing I could do once it was done. Horace, on the other hand, is another matter. Since you’ve returned with his remains, and you’ve agreed to pay the necessary price, I will resurrect him tomorrow night. Your long awaited reunion is only a day away, Hector. You have my word.”
Isabel laughed mockingly.
***
She was sitting cross-legged on the floor when she heard footsteps. Not an hour had passed since the wraithkin had returned her to her cell. This time she remained sitting. Phane looked pleased with himself when he opened the door—never a good sign.
“Oh, don’t bother to get up,” he said, even though she’d made no move to rise. “I just wanted to try something.”
He muttered a few words and she was unable to stand or speak, frozen in place. Then he put his hand on her head and began chanting in a guttural and angry language. Her frustration at being paralyzed by his spell welled up into panic.
Then the darkness flooded into her mind, the portal to the netherworld opening wide and pouring forth. It felt like she was drowning in an unclean ocean of coldness. Panic gripped her for a moment, paralyzing her will as completely as Phane had paralyzed her body.
And then it was over, the portal to the netherworld slammed shut and she found herself leaning over her crossed legs with her forehead on the floor, screaming at the top of her lungs. Shaken and overwhelmed by the sheer intensity, surprise, and suddenness of the experience, she broke down and began crying, despite her fierce desire to show Phane no weakness.
He stood over her for several moments.
“Yes, I think that will do,” he said, turning on his heel and locking her cell door behind him as he left.
Isabel rolled onto her side and wept for a long time. She felt violated in every sense of the word. Her psyche had been immersed in the unfiltered evil of the netherworld and it felt like it had scarred her very soul.
She woke in the middle of the floor some time later, screaming and scrambling to escape the monster haunting her dreams. It took her a moment to regain her senses. That’s when she realized that the monster had been Azugorath trying to worm her way into Isabel’s mind through her nightmares.
She sat with her back to the wall opposite the door, her knees pulled up against her chest as she focused on her breathing, trying to slow her hammering heart. It took a few minutes, but she gradually regained her composure enough to think through what had just happened to her.
Phane had tapped the darkness through her link.
The ramifications were terrify
ing in so many ways. He could use her to do unspeakable evil. And each time he did, she would feel the darkness pass through her, an experience that she doubted her sanity could withstand for very long or very often.
She started to wonder at the wisdom of coming to Phane in the first place, but dismissed her second-guessing the moment it entered her mind. Deal in what is, not what if, she told herself.
The truth was, her options were desperately limited. At the moment, the most important thing she could do was meditate on the light and attempt to cleanse herself of the horrific experience that Phane had subjected her to. In time, she was confident that another opportunity to strike would present itself. Until then, she had to wait and survive.
She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind, but vivid images of everything she’d ever felt guilty about came to her one after the next, assailing her with a barrage of recriminations. Real transgressions from her past gave way to imagined crimes until she was feeling remorse for things she’d never done and would never do.
With a quick shake of her head, she opened her eyes and stood up, pacing back and forth, struggling to let go of the feelings of deep remorse still lingering in her heart and mind.
“I serve the light,” she whispered to herself. “I serve the light.”
Chapter 22
The dread induced by her brush with darkness had subsided, only to be replaced by dread for the ritual spell Phane was preparing to cast. Whatever his promises, Isabel knew full well that he wasn’t going to resurrect Horace.
Horace was dead.
Sovereign of the Seven Isles 7: Reishi Adept Page 24