The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice

by Melissa Collins

  Shaky in his movements Naphul struggled to his feet, leaning heavily against the wall for support. His curiosity was growing, staring at Callum hard through the grime on his face, searching for some indication of falsity. Edric couldn’t remember the last time he had ever been so grateful for his friend’s nerves of steel. When it came to his work, nothing could break Callum’s concentration. “Show me proof of this power you claim and I might be persuaded to tell you the answers you seek.”

  Callum lifted his chin, staring down at Naphul from over his nose, haughty in his demeanor. The behavior was uncharacteristic of him, but Naphul had no way of knowing anything about Callum’s true self. All he knew was the hardened soldier who stood before him now. Dangling power in front of him. “What proof do you require? I’m not in the mood to entertain.”

  Chains rattled as Naphul lifted his hands, the shackles weighing him down. With a trembling finger he pointed at Edric, nodding decisively. “Him,” he sneered. “Why does he smell like the girl?”

  “The It’aryn girl?” Callum asked, cocking his head to one side inquisitively. “I had him place her in a neighboring cell only moments before I decided to pay you a visit. A shame to see such a woman reduced to nothing but I thought she would be more use alive than dead. The rest of her family was not so lucky in receiving the rare gift of my mercy.”

  Edric prayed the disbelief he felt wasn’t obvious in his eyes as he turned his gaze upon Callum. It made sense. If Naphul desired to see Okivra removed from power, to feign victory over the Komoa tribe seemed a reasonable course to take in gaining his favor. But words would only do so much. How far was Callum willing to take this charade in order to garner the information they required?

  Propped against the wall Naphul looked between the two of them, hesitant, but too curious to ignore the possibility presented to him. “I don’t believe you,” he wrinkled his nose in disgust. “If the girl is in fact within this prison, then bring her to me. I will tell you nothing until I see her shackled at your feet.”

  Without speaking a name, Callum snapped his fingers in Edric’s direction, the gesture commanding, drawing him from his thoughts. Their eyes met in a steady gaze, a sense of urgency passing between them in the brief moment of silence they were granted. “Bring the girl. We can humor him for the time. Try not to jostle her too much. I am hoping to keep her features unmarred.”

  Impressed by the steadiness of his own actions Edric followed Callum’s commands. He barely saw the door as his fingers grasped at the handle, pulling it open to grant access to the darkened hallway, terrified of leaving Callum alone in that room. Naphul may be shackled but it was no secret the Ovatai were capable of great things by use of their magic. There was no saying how much Naphul was capable of, even in his weakened state. And what was Edric to do? He was the worst person to be presenting the idea of slavery to Neomi. To suggest dragging her around like a lowly prisoner would do nothing to help the damage he had already caused to their friendship – not to mention how Moinie would feel on the matter. She would never allow it. Callum was relying too heavily on their cooperation when he knew they would be too proud to accept the role asked of them.

  He had barely taken more than three steps in the darkness when he felt a strong hand tighten around his bicep, jerking him forward harshly. Moinie’s eyes gazed at him through the shadows, her anger evident without need of seeing the rest of her face. “What do you think you are doing?” she spat. “How dare you spew such lies to that despicable creature.”

  “Callum knows what he is doing,” Edric exhaled, glancing nervously toward the cell door where he had just come, afraid of their voices being overheard by the men within. “We are limited in resources. If convincing that man that his goals have been achieved while he has been rotting in this prison is the best way to gain his trust and get him to talk, then that is what we must do… unless, of course, you have some other plan you think would work better.”

  “I am not going to allow this.”

  A slender arm slid between the two of them, Edric’s muscles relaxing slightly to see Neomi’s eyes appear in the darkness. “What do you need me to do?”

  He stared at her, unsure of what to say. She wasn’t arguing? He had been prepared for a far more drawn out disagreement. “Neomi?” he asked, swallowing hard to push back the shock. “Are you sure? I… somehow I didn’t think you would be willing to do this.”

  “There are worse things which have been asked of me the past few weeks. A few moments in shackles hardly seems worth fighting over at a time like this.”

  “Neomi, I will not allow this!” Moinie hissed. “Your father said you were not to go near that man. If you agree to this ridiculous scheme, not only will you be in the man’s presence, but you will be at his mercy if he tries to come near you. I want to trust the Captain as much as you do, but I must view this from a more rational perspective. You are being rash.”

  “And like so many times before, you mistake yourself to have more authority than you in fact do.”

  The hostility between the two women was practically palpable. Uneasy by the feeling, Edric took a step backward, unsure of what to do. He couldn’t take sides with either of them. Moinie’s concerns were with good reason while on the same token he hoped Neomi would concede to the plan and allow him to take her before Naphul. At that moment it seemed the only chance they had to get the information they needed and Neomi seemed aware of that truth. He could see it burning in the depths of her icy blue glare as it remained fixed on Moinie.

  Unwilling to give up, but realizing she had no ground on which to argue, Moinie drew in a deep breath, slowly letting it seep out of her lungs in a long exhale to calm her rising anger. “Fine,” she huffed. “You can go play your little games. I will find your brother and see to it that he puts a stop to this before it gets out of hand. It was foolish of me to have agreed to bring these men here in the first place.”

  “Then fetch my brother if you must. By the time he reaches us, it will be too late.”

  With barely a rustle of fabric Moinie’s eyes disappeared, the sensation of her presence quickly moving back toward the direction of the stairs which they had taken to reach this place. Panic rushed through Edric. She was going to find Onuric. If he became aware of what they were doing in the prison, he would not waste time asking questions; he would make his way to them with far greater speed than they utilized in chasing after Neomi. They were working on limited time and there was no way to know how much work they had left to do in convincing Naphul to talk.

  “If you’re not comfortable with this…”

  “Stop,” Neomi raised her hand, pressing her index finger firmly against Edric’s lips. “There are shackles in the cell where we spoke earlier. Help me put them on so we can get to your Captain. We have already taken more time than we should. Naphul will be suspicious.”

  “I’m not fond of the idea of treating you like a slave.”

  “I am not fond of doing nothing while my people are dying. Now help me gather the shackles or we will lose our chance.”

  There was something in her voice which stirred Edric’s confidence. She sounded fixed on the idea. Resolved to what it would entail. If she had no qualms with what they asked of her then he would have to match her courage for this to work. Nodding his head he followed the dim glow which emanated from Neomi’s body to illuminate the hall, guiding him back into the tiny cell where they had been not long ago. His skin tingled at the memory of being so close to her, tempted by her lips. Don’t be stupid. It was imperative he not let his mind run away with him. Their act would require the utmost concentration. The Ovatai were more observant than the Ven’shal. Simple tricks might have been enough for his parents to fool their enemies in the past but Naphul would require a flawless performance from everyone involved.

  Edric forced himself to move forward, helping to collect the cumbersome shackles from the ground to secure them around Neomi’s wrists. Satisfied with their tightness, he started to make his way towar
d the door, halted by the gruff tug of Neomi’s hand on his sleeve. “The fetters,” she pointed to the chains at her feet. “We must make it look convincing.”

  “I don’t want to leave you so vulnerable in that man’s presence,” he argued, pulling his arm away in hopes of her following. “If things take a turn for the worst, you need to have some means of protecting yourself.”

  “This is not up for debate. If you do not help me, I will find a way to do it myself.”

  He didn’t doubt the seriousness of her threat. She wasn’t a woman of jest. Begrudged by the thought of what he was doing Edric gave a sigh of defeat, hurrying to adjust the cuffs at her ankles. A long chain connected the two bindings, granting a sort of morbid leash from which he could lead her onward. She gave resistance at first, flattening her palms against the wall, the tips of her fingers digging into the hard soil. Edric watched in fascination as she dug at the earth, wiping it across the pale skin of her face and hair, transforming her usual elegance of appearance into that of a bedraggled prisoner. Her attention to detail was impressive. In his haste he had failed to consider the options in helping make their illusion more believable.

  By the time they exited the cell Edric was uncomfortably aware of the time which had already lapsed since Moinie’s departure. He had faith in Callum’s ability to direct the performance. His concern was in how long it would take to set the scene.

  They walked side-by-side until they reached the ominous outline of Naphul’s cell door. Neomi let the glow from her energy dissipate, leaving them in complete darkness, distracting Edric’s senses while he struggled to adjust his eyes to the lack of light. Fumbling over the door he felt it push open at his bidding, the impenetrable blackness immediately chased away by the glow of Callum’s light directed toward them at their approach. Edric resigned himself to do what he had to. There would be time to apologize for his behavior later. Fingers clenched around the chains he gave a hard tug, knocking Neomi off balance, her body pitching forward to the ground at his feet, a sharp gasp escaping her from the sudden motion. For a woman brought up without need of theatrics, she carried the fearful expression well, staring up between Callum and Edric as if frightened of what they might do. She portrayed the damsel in distress so well, Edric found himself desiring to pick her up and save her from himself.

  In disbelief Naphul lowered himself to the ground, extending a hand toward her as if to touch her, verifying that she was real. Before his fingers could brush her skin Edric tugged Neomi away, narrowing his eyes at Naphul in disapproval.

  “I promised you to see her in chains, nothing more,” Callum frowned. If he was surprised by their entrance, he concealed it well, carrying his act with the air of a merciless leader, the gentleness of his features replaced entirely by a brutish glare. “Let me make myself clear,” he continued, taking advantage of Naphul’s distraction. “I don’t care who your leader is. I don’t care what crimes you committed which landed you in the position you are in now. My only question lies in the history regarding your people.”

  “If you are looking for a history lesson, you will get more out of the girl than you will me.” Naphul reached for Neomi again, finding her hastily removed from his grasp by Edric’s firm hands, the chain clutched in his fingers, holding her to him. Edric felt her squirm against him, a grimace crossing her features from where the shackles cut into her skin. Just ease your hold. Don’t let her go. He hated to see her in pain but their charade required he maintain the image of power a little longer.

  “I was hoping for something a little more in depth,” Callum continued. “We all know the legends which make the Komoa out to be gods amongst your kind. What I want is the truth. The reason why the Ythes – a tribe so much stronger than the others – allowed themselves to be ruled by these pathetic wretches for so long.”

  “Pathetic?” Neomi scowled, spitting in disgust at Callum’s feet. Her anger was so vivid. Edric found himself wondering if she was truly offended by Callum’s false jabs or if she simply played along as the desperate captive. “History shows proof that the Komoa is more powerful than the Ythes could ever hope to be.”

  “You poor delusional girl,” Naphul laughed. “That is what your people want you to believe. What they fail to tell you is that your beloved line of chiefs wouldn’t be alive if it had not been for the Ythes.”

  “My people have never needed yours. You have been a thorn in our side from the beginning.”

  “I think I see what you mean.” With a knowing smirk Naphul winked at Callum, gesturing to Neomi’s wriggling form in Edric’s arms. “The Komoa have been taught an inaccurate rendition of history where their tribe is concerned. The Chief prefers to maintain an image of power and strength so he can easily control those around him. What their teachers fail to educate them on is the truth.”

  Crouching forward Callum stroked his chin, ponderous, taking in what Naphul said as if with little interest while Edric knew he must be feeling the same excitement which flooded him now. “And what truth might that be?”

  “It is what I said before. Their people would have perished had it not been for the strength of the Ythes.” Shrugging his shoulders Naphul smiled an evil, condescending smile, a flash of some unknown pleasure noticeable in his eyes to see Neomi in Edric’s clutches. “My tribesmen know the truth. That the Komoa Chief came to us once, pleading with us to help him. He had not the strength to defeat the beast which wreaked havoc on his people. Even then the Chief knew our power surpassed his own. It was our indomitable strength which has kept that beast from reviving for centuries.”

  Neomi started to speak, her words cut off by Callum’s hand tightly clasping over her mouth, shooting Edric a look of disapproval. Shaking his head he redirected his attention to Naphul in irritation. “Now that she’s quiet for another moment – I would like to ask for a bit of elaboration. I’m aware of the story regarding this beast. The Avaern? History says the Ythes killed the creature yet you say your people have kept it from reviving. Do you imply the Ythes failed in destroying it?”

  “Failed?” Naphul snorted derisively. “We did what the Komoa were incapable of doing when we suppressed the Avaern. Although large, it was a relatively weak creature. The Chief was merely intimidated by it. Frightened of failure.”

  “Your people held no concern for the beast?”

  “What is your interest in such stories?” Naphul straightened his back against the wall, looking at Callum, suspicious. “Our legends are in the past and mean nothing to you and your kind. There is no reason for you to inquire of the Avaern unless…” the smirk on Naphul’s face transformed into a knowing smile, the sparkle in his eye growing brighter. “Unless the beast has returned.”

  Releasing his hold on Neomi’s mouth Callum casually smoothed the wrinkles of his doublet, his mannerisms calm and collected despite Naphul’s attempts to rattle him. Edric wasn’t sure how he could conduct himself with the confidence he displayed. His own heart beat loudly, ringing through his head. They were losing their control over Naphul. The distraction of seeing Neomi in chains no longer fascinated him, his stubbornness returned, silencing the ease with which his answers had begun to flow. “I have reasons for my inquiries,” Callum stated matter-of-factly, holding his flattened palm out to reflect the light into Naphul’s eyes. “The question is whether or not you can prove yourself useful enough for me to keep you alive. If you cannot answer my questions, I will find another who can.”

  “Does the Avaern wake?”

  “It does.”

  “Then I will tell you nothing,” Naphul smiled. “The rise of the beast was Emakai’s goal. If it has surfaced then his plans are coming to fruition and I can die knowing he has attained control over our people the way he deserves.”

  “Emakai is dead!” Callum said through gritted teeth, his eerie calm making him a frightening sight even to Edric. Naphul’s eyes opened wide as Callum’s hand reached for him, grasping the tattered collar of his shirt to pin him against the earthen wall, their faces mere inc
hes apart, Callum’s stern gaze piercing deep into Naphul’s. “Isavo has been destroyed along with what was left of your tribesman. Do you really think I would be here if there was a chance your people could recover from the damage done to this land? The beast threatens Tanispan soil and the Ovatai have proven themselves incapable of handling the problem. Now… I might be willing to offer you a deal if you can clean out your ears and listen.”

  Callum’s words struck Naphul like a knife, his confidence flickering with the light in his eyes. He couldn’t conceal the shock at hearing the fate of his leader. The failure of his tribe in their plans to take over the Chiefdom. Edric took a strange pleasure in seeing him so confused. Pained at the thought of what he missed while locked away. The tension in Naphul’s body eased under Callum’s grip, sinking against the wall in defeat. “Emakai is dead?”

  “Killed by the hand of this woman’s father before the beast awoke and struck down the Chief and most of what remained of his warriors,” Callum gestured toward Neomi. “Without someone to give commands, the people of Ethrysta have been useless against the Avaern and I grow sick of dealing with everyone else’s problems. I came here with the thought of offering you the Chiefdom in exchange for whatever information you can provide regarding the history of the beast. If you know the means to destroy it, I recommend you tell me so I can see it dealt with. Once that problem has been successfully swept under the rug, we can focus on a transfer of power to you so I can leave this wretched place in your hands. What say you to this?”

  The conviction in Callum’s stern features made Edric uneasy. He was aware of the game they played and still he could see no sign of falsehood in his friend’s behavior. It was as if he had gone from the honorable military man Edric had known for so long to a heartless mercenary without a care for what happened to those around him. Judging by the look on Naphul’s face, he was beginning to let himself be swept up in the drama of the story Callum fed him. “Me?” his brow arched with curiosity. “You wish to make me Chief ?”