by Rosie Scott
“How much time has to pass after I accepted your apology before you become comfortable with me accepting you as an ally?” Azazel asked.
“Mm...sixty-five years or so.” Calder smiled softly after he said it, for that was how long Azazel had been enslaved after Calder had left him behind.
As I finished up mending Calder, Altan came over and squatted beside me. “I hate to badger you, but would you happen to know where little Miss Leura took off to? Cyrus told me earlier he last saw her with you outside.”
An ache flooded through my gut. I hesitated to answer him for the moment, checking for more wounds on Calder. When I found none, I finally stood up, and Altan mimicked the move to stand beside me.
Death was so common, ugly, and inconvenient in warfare. It was also such a finicky thing. Over my time in this war, I'd personally witnessed thousands of deaths. Many were caused by me or my allies, so the people slain were often overlooked or forgotten. Yet, if a death belonged to a friend, just one could shatter my world or confidence. Leura's death was a new experience for me. I'd worked with her often enough in Hammerton, and only recently had she attempted to make conversation with me. She was an ally, but she hadn't yet become a friend. On the one hand, I felt sadness for a potential friendship between us that was never meant to be. On the other hand, I found myself grateful I hadn't known her well, for the only pain I felt was for those who had.
Altan's jovial face started to fall even before I said a word. I finally worked up the courage to say, “Leura was killed breaching the second gate, Altan. I'm so, so sorry.”
Altan's gaze clouded with emotion. He'd spent years training Leura. Since she'd been so much younger than him, I knew he felt like a guide or perhaps even like her protector. It was possible he also felt a paternal nature toward her since his relationship with his only child was strained. Though his bright red eyes moistened, he didn't allow himself to cry.
“Her...” Altan trailed off, clearing his throat when the word came out like a croak. “Her body. Where is it? Cyrus said he thought she was alive. Her armor wasn't...” he paused again and met my gaze. “You know. He didn't see it outside.”
I opened my mouth to reply but was quickly interrupted.
“Leura's body is unrecognizable closer to the tunnel exit.” I hadn't seen Kirek approach, and I wish I had so I could prepare for her usual coldness. Kirek's voice was emotionless even now, which made me ache for Altan as he turned to the other Sentinel, hurt by the news.
“Unrecognizable? What happened to her?” Altan grimaced unintentionally even before his question was answered as if mentally bracing himself.
“Dwarven alchemy is what killed her at the gate,” Kirek replied, nodding once toward me. “The dwarves mistook her for Kai. As for why her body's been moved?” Her sharp green eyes moved over to Cerin. “Ask the necromancer.”
“Ask me?” Cerin retorted.
“You are the one who raised her from the dead and urged her forth like one of your minions,” Kirek explained, her nostrils flared with distaste. “Leura fought among the dead until she was bombarded by dwarven inventions. It is better not to ask about her body, Altan.”
“Raising multiple dead is an area of effect spell,” Cerin said, his voice growing tight with hostility. “I have no say when it comes to the bodies the magic reaches. If I raised Leura from the dead, I have no memory or knowledge of it.”
Altan held out a hand to stop their arguing, appearing nauseated. “Gods. Can we just...let's forget I asked.”
“You have the right to know about how Leura's body was treated by our allies,” Kirek replied, unwilling to drop it.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I blurted, unable to help myself. “Can you not give Altan time to mourn? Can't you at least give him that?”
If looks could kill, Kirek's stare would have been the last thing I saw before I was taken from Arrayis. “I will give Altan time to mourn, yes,” she agreed after a pause. “But you cannot hold secrets from us forever, Kai.” She moved her gaze to Altan. “Whenever you are ready, call for a meeting. There is much we need to discuss.”
Thirty-six
54th of New Moon, 428
From a stone balcony extending over the lake beneath Griswald, I watched the war-torn city go about its business. Cerin and I had chosen one of the tallest apartment buildings to stay in because of my love of heights in architecture. The cavern ceilings arched overhead, softly glowing teal. The bridges crisscrossing over the lake were spotted with people. Though it was just over a week since Griswald's takeover, things were going smoothly. In Olympia, many of the dwarves had shown resistance since they believed the Hammerton Army would save them. Overall, many of the dwarves who had once held out hope of driving us from their land were now intimidated and had given up. Most of the businesses here had continued on because refusing service to us had little chance of proving beneficial for them.
The mood of the dwarves was somber. Even though our combined invasion force had once more proven victorious, the spirits of our army did not fare much better. We'd started out with a massive army, and Calder's reinforcements had helped immensely. But Griswald's casualties proved higher than Olympia's, due in large part to being bombarded with traps. Griswald's streamlined underground road had also stifled many of our army's fighting benefits. Our military was still enormous, but despite Calder's second support force and Eteri's delivery of reinforcements earlier in the year, we were back to the numbers we'd started with. Taking Hallmar next would be a hard but doable task. It was Hammerton's reinforcements I was worried about.
“Your tea is going cold.” I felt Cerin's eyes on me as I hurried to take a distracted sip of it at his reminder. Far below us, a group of Alderi sat at tables on the curved bridge, drinking dwarven ale to excess. At the end of the overpass, a few dwarven civilians hung back and watched them from a distance. I remembered it being like this in Olympia. It would take time, but eventually, the two rowdy races would be partying together. It was fascinating how time and circumstances could change things.
“You feel it too, huh?” Cerin asked, breaking the silence when I continued to refuse to. “That overwhelming feeling of foreboding?”
“I do.”
Cerin nodded beside me, his silver eyes glimmering with cool hues as the bioluminescent fungi reflected from them. “Do you want to know something odd? I told you last year that I felt something was happening with Terran. But it's not just Terran. It's everything.”
I finally glanced over at my lover. “What do you mean?”
“You've often joked about how we're changing the world in this war.” Cerin paused to take a sip of tea, before putting the empty mug on a table beside the balcony door. “But it's not a joke. Everything about our world is changing because of you. Countries are rising in world power. Others are faltering. Magic is spreading. People all over the globe admire or fear you without having met you. You are changing everything not only because of this war, but because you seek to improve magical science. The repercussions of our deeds will echo forth into the generations.” He hesitated. “I don't read about history like you do, so I have no idea how the world was developed or which war generals and leaders changed its fate. I must rely on you to tell me whether we are on the cusp of something unique. Is this just another war, Kai? Or have we accomplished more than we ever intended?”
“We are on the verge of a new era, Cerin,” I replied softly.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because Kirek is right. We will turn Chairel into a nation of immortals, and the rest of Arrayis will be forced to adapt. I am a necromancer and a god. Both beings who lust for power. Many will consider me to be even worse since I hand my power off to allies to grant them access to strength they never otherwise would have had. There are moral implications to this that many will not accept. Rebellions may rise beneath me to pull me from power, or to try to find and assassinate those loyal to me. I intend to make Chairel open and free when it comes to magic, but freedom
is easily exploited. Necromancers may become too powerful and pose new threats, and they won't be considered criminals under my rule for so long as they do not murder. I will, essentially, be opening the doors of Chairel and accepting its greatest fear with no qualms. The tables will turn. Necromancers, once feared and rare, will become the new elites. Life and death mages will be able to pass their power onto others of their choosing. A country with claustrophobic and stringent magical laws will become truly free, and with it will come new benefits and detriments.”
“Are you reconsidering making magic open and available to anyone?” Cerin questioned.
“Absolutely not,” I replied, and Cerin relaxed a bit with agreement. “I chose this path. I believe in it. Freedom is more attractive to me than picking and choosing who may learn skills based on gold. Besides, no society is perfect. There are flaws with my idea like any other. It's how we'll deal with them that matters most. Chairel's new laws and government will be seriously contested from naysayers around the world. But because I will grant the people freedom and power, my armies will be filled to the brim with powerful loyalists prepared to defend the ideals which gave them strength.”
“I feel like I need a quill and parchment to write all this down,” Cerin mused.
I chuckled softly. “Why?”
“You always speak with such conviction when it comes to your ideas of leading Chairel. Your words are empowering and hopeful. It feels like a waste not to have them on paper.”
“My words are not a waste. I gave them to you.”
Cerin leaned into my side, burying his face between my neck and shoulder and kissing me once just below my jawline. “I love you, Kai. Perhaps you remember when you first told me your motivations for this war back in Comercio. I told you I couldn't wait to be there for your quest. As much as I loved and admired you at the time, I don't think I could have imagined coming all this way. Your ambition is immeasurable. It has been such a thrill to be with you all this time.”
“Don't say that like the journey ends here,” I replied, moving my face through his hair to kiss him. “You'll be with me in Chairel and beyond. You will have power in Sera, you know. You were once a loner bullied for your looks and your quietude. Before long, you will rule beside me over all of the bastards who once sought to hurt or destroy you. I'm not the only legend here. You are a large part of the reason any of this happened at all.”
“I know.” Cerin's arms abruptly moved around my waist, grabbing me close to him as he landed a flurry of kisses on my neck. “And gods does that turn me on.”
Some of my worries dissipated from his sudden affections, and I chuckled breathlessly. “What does?”
“You. Everything about you.” Cerin pulled back from me, his pupils dilated with desire as his eyes tried to search my soul. “How many men get to say that their loved one started a rebellion over their mistreatment? And got this far with it? The farther we get, Kai, the more people admire you and risk their lives for you. Yet you come home with me every night. I am the luckiest man alive.”
“I feel like the lucky one,” I argued lightly, even as Cerin assaulted me with more kisses, pressing me back against the iron railing of the balcony. One of his hands found my breast through my armor, and the other got lost in my hair. In the midst of our rapidly evolving affections, a loud whistle pierced the air from the path far below.
“Gah,” Cerin lamented, pulling back from me. Looking at the road, he called down, “Perfect timing as always, Azazel!”
I chuckled even before I found the archer motioning to us from many stories down. Azazel cupped his mouth with both hands and called, “Interrupting you wasn't my idea, I promise! Altan requested you both. That meeting you've been worried about? It's happening.”
Cerin exhaled with frustration and looked back to me. I commented, “At least we can get it out of the way. We'll come right back here afterward so you can take all of your frustrations out on me, and I promise to like it.”
He laughed breathlessly and pulled a hand through his long hair. Meanwhile, Azazel called up, “I didn't know you two were exhibitionists!”
I chuckled and yelled back, “Now you know why I like balconies!”
Azazel told us that Nyx and Maggie were already at the designated meeting place, so we fetched Holter and Calder and were on our way. Altan had chosen to meet in a large party room of a tavern near the peak of Griswald, for most of the Sentinels chose places to stay outside of the mountain, while many of the Seran Renegades and Calder had decided to stay within it. Our walk took the better part of an hour even though there was only light traffic on the streets.
“Did I tell you, love?” Calder said at one point between drags of a ferris cigarette. “One of the assassins gave birth the other day to the funniest looking thing I've ever seen. Which is impressive considering skelly-lover over there.”
Cerin huffed with humor as I asked, “I'm assuming you're talking about a baby, Cal? Surely you've seen them before.”
“Oh, I have. All babies are funny looking, but this one in particular...” Calder trailed off and laughed, jerking a thumb to his right, where the open chasm was in wait. “I mean, I'm not saying 'kill it with fire,' but I certainly think it would have been best for all involved.”
Holter burst into laughter from the other side of Azazel. “What was wrong with it?”
“It's a half-breed. Alderi and dwarf.” Calder wiggled his eyebrows. “So many of my soldiers are pregnant. Not all of the babies born so far are half-dwarf, but it's pretty clear to me what all the ladies were doing during our time in Olympia.”
“That's actually really interesting,” Azazel spoke up. “I don't believe a half-breed of the type has ever existed before.”
“No,” Calder agreed. “Between the forced sterilization underground and the hatred between us, it was never going to happen without outside help. You made this possible, you know,” he added, reaching over to poke me in the shoulder. “It's the first change you've made I don't like.”
I chuckled at his distaste. “Why? What did it look like?”
Calder snorted a laugh and replied, “Stubby little thing. Bulky limbs. A tuft of black hair on its head. Dark purple skin and hazel eyes. Pointed ears, but they weren't as long as elven babies. Came out of the womb smelling like ale and body odor. Pretty sure its first word was aye.” We chuckled at his exaggerated description. He flicked his cigarette to the ground and continued, “So, as I suggested, I'll be throwing it into the abyss.”
“Is this why you ordered more reinforcements from the underground?” I asked. Just days prior, Calder had sent a messenger to the Quakes tunnel to fetch another army. It would take them many weeks to arrive, but that was much faster than any more Vhiri troops could get here.
“Because I couldn't stop throwing my people into the abyss?” Calder said, amused. “No.”
Though I chuckled, I also clarified, “I'm assuming you're losing soldiers left and right because they're pregnant or have newborns.”
“Nah, love,” Calder shook his head. “These are Alderi women we're talking about. Most of them want no part in raising kids. I sent a whole shipment of babies to Olympia when Uriel sent the first trading cart out to establish a route. Figure the dwarven fathers will want them more than the assassins.”
“A shipment...of babies?” Cerin questioned, raising one eyebrow at the odd statement.
“That's what it was,” Calder insisted.
Azazel said to my left, “Very few Alderi ever learn to love and nurture. Even the female babies aren't always kept. They have places underground to dump them.” The archer glanced over at Calder and asked, “Have you kept the kennels and wards?”
“Mostly,” Calder replied. “I couldn't get rid of them. You can't force people to care for their kids. I combined the two ideas, though. Females and males now go together, and I had my court keep tabs on the wards so they can investigate any claims of abuse. There's a lower infant mortality rate now. Still higher than I want it to be, but
we're working on it.”
It impressed me to hear Calder talking about one of the changes he'd made under his rule because during most of our conversations he'd avoided talking about the underground at all. I remembered how agitated he'd been to re-enter it years before in the Silvi rainforest, and he'd said long ago in Olympia that he still feared it. I shouldn't have been surprised that Calder had shown up here in Hammerton if only to get away from it. I looked over at him, finding that he held the silver ring I'd given him in Quellden with two fingers of his other hand.
“We're considered weak underground,” Calder said, spinning the ring subconsciously. Like all the times he'd held Koby's key long ago, it seemed to comfort him. “Me, Holter, Azazel, Nyx. Alderi like us who learn to care for people.”
“I hope my ring didn't give you trouble regarding that,” I said, nodding toward his fidgeting when he seemed confused.
“No. This ring got me through a lot.” Calder cleared his throat and looked away, a bit embarrassed. “I spent seven years underground without you, love, surrounded by Alderi who find it hard to form attachments. This ring reminded me that someone who cared was still out there. That our friendship and our journey wasn't just a lie I made up in my head so that I could feel something.”
I slowed my pace, letting Cerin step past so I could hurry over to Calder's side, squeezing him against me as we walked together. “It sure wasn't. You're not weak, Cal. If it weren't for the fact that you love me to pieces, you would've never come here and accomplished everything you have.”
Calder chuckled roughly and hung an arm over my shoulders. “You're right, love. And speaking of the things I do for you, I've been wanting to ask you how much you enjoyed battling on the seas with our Vhiri friends.”
I found myself amused by the random question, and I answered, “I enjoyed myself quite a bit. I like being on the seas when the captains know what they're doing.”
Calder snorted a laugh. “How about when they don't?”