A battle horn sounded, a sign that the horse king's men were beginning a new attack on the Green Dragon's domain. The battle had shifted to the mundane, with humans, drakes, elves, and others cutting one another down for what they believed. Not for the first time, Aurim wanted to throw up. He had never found war very glamorous and what little he had witnessed here from his exalted position had made it look no better.
Now you may get some rest, Aurim, my friend. There are some things to which I must attend before I visit my dear other self.
The young sorcerer barely had time to close his eyes before he blacked out. Yet again he had been reminded of how much Yureel controlled his existence. Aurim floated through a dreamless sleep, vaguely aware of things around him but not quite certain what they were. Only once did anything disturb his slumber, the voice of a young woman who called his name. He was certain that he knew her, but once the voice ceased, Aurim drifted off again, forgetting her.
Wake, Aurim Bedlam!
He nearly jumped to his feet in his attempt to obey. Blinking, Aurim looked around, only to find that he was no longer on the field of battle, but in the room set aside for him back in Zuu. The disorientation was enough to make his head spin and only by clutching it did the sorcerer prevent himself from passing out. Then he slowly realized that he had seized hold of his head, not Yureel. Gazing at his hands, Aurim wiggled his fingers. The minor movements thrilled him, so long had it been since this much control had been his. He took a few tentative steps from his bed—and suddenly his body began moving in a different direction.
"Well, that was a little bit of fun," Yureel commented with a giggle, suddenly floating in one corner of the room. His ice- blue eyes sparkled merrily. "The time has come."
With no more explanation than that, the sinister shadow puppet whisked him to another chamber, one Aurim recognized as the cell Yureel had forced him to create. On one side of the cell lay Darkhorse, terribly misshapen. Gone were all traces of the equine form of which his friend was so fond. Darkhorse was now a shapeless, still blob that spread across a good quarter of the chamber. A pair of icy blue orbs, identical to Yureel's save that they seemed dull and lifeless, floated in the center of the unsightly mass. Once or twice in the past, Aurim had seen Darldiorse in such a shape and he had been unnerved each time. Now, though, he only felt sympathy for him.
"He really must learn to pull himself together," Yureel said, giggling again.
The laughter seemed to cause the prisoner to stir. The eyes grew more alive.
Their captor noticed this and his next words were louder, more concise, just for Darkhorse's sake. "A little late and a little sloppy, but all things have worked out for the best, don't you think, my dear boy?"
"Yes, Yureel." Although the voice was Aurirn's, the response was Yureel's. Once more, all the young sorcerer could do was watch as his every action was dictated by the foul creature.
"I hope you'll forgive the long wait, my brother, my self! It was hard to draw myself away from the delicious tableau I've been so busily concocting. I think dear Lanith can make do for now, though, even without his prize sorcerer or his oh so majestic steed. The drake's warriors are admirable fighters, but their defeat is inevitable, isn't it, my brother, my self? Their first lines have already been routed."
Aurim desperately wanted to hear more, but then another voice in his head caught his attention, the same female voice he had heard earlier during his enforced slumber.
Aurim Bedlam . . . can you hear me?. . . By Rheena, Mistress of the Forest, please say you do!
Someone was in his head, someone who had managed to do what Yureel had told him time and time again was impossible. Who are you?
Yssa . . . my name is Yssa . . . thank the Mistress that I finally got through to you! I've . . . trying to reach you ever since . . . sensed your presence! You are . . . you are Aurim Bedlam?
He acknowledged his identity to her, although it should not have been necessary considering their link. Obviously she was nearly as anxious as he was. You . . . you're the woman who saved my father . . .
Yes . . . my name is Yssa, but that's not important! I've tried to break through the barrier in your mind since . . . first brought here . . . listen to me . . . she thinks that I'm still under her spell. I've got to make this quick. Can you . . . anything . . . ?
He asked her to repeat her question. Their link seemed to be a tenuous one, which weakened every time Yureel made his body move or speak. The monstrous creature was saying something to Darkhorse, but Aurim paid his words no mind, wanting only to continue his conversation with Yssa. If she could break through, perhaps she could help him to escape Yureel's power.
Can you do anything at all on your own, Aurim?
He told her the sad truth in as few words as he could, finishing with I only managed to fight him in the forest. His will is overwhelming!
But you've got such power, such will of your own! I felt it! I've heard about it!
Something in the way she spoke to him briefly encouraged Aurim. How could Yssa believe in him if there was not truth to what she said? In all fairness, a part of the young sorcerer knew that it was also the enchantress's beauty that played games with his hopes. Nonetheless, his hopes rose. Maybe I could do something . . .
As if stirred by her continuing presence, Aurim's mind began to race. His father had often told him how it had been during the worst crises that his own mind had worked best. Now the same happened to the younger Bedlam. One thing in particular interested him. How had Yssa managed to breach the sorcerous walls with which their captor had enveloped his mind when no one else had? What made her different?
Whatever the reason, it was possible she offered him options that he had not had before. Yssa! Can you help me—
Her answer was immediate and without hope. No . . . I can't do anything except talk . . . you. Saress doesn't know how skilled I am at . . .
Her last words faded as Aurim found his attention forced back to Darkhorse's predicament. Yureel had him doing something. He was casting a spell to strengthen the one holding the weakened shadow steed to one place. At the same time, Yureel began to distort and expand, coming more and more to resemble the shapeless mass that was his captive brother. The floating blob immediately moved toward Darkhorse, his intention quite clear. Yureel had spoken many times about what he intended to do with his counterpart once he tired of humiliating him. Now, it was very clear that the horrific shadow man had decided the ordeal of humiliation had come to an end.
Yureel will devour him . . . Aurim knew that what he thought was not quite an accurate description, but it was close enough. Yureel would absorb Darkhorse; there would be nothing left and the monster would be far, far stronger than he had been before. The sorcerer had witnessed the amazing extent of the shadow steed's power in times past; what would Yureel be able to do with so much more strength at his beck and call?
Worse . . . what about Darkhorse? Such a fate went beyond horror as Aurim knew it.
What is it? What . . . happening, Aurim?
He had forgotten about Yssa. Yureel! He plans to make Darkhorse part of him!
The enchantress's dismay more than matched his own, but she was less inclined to simply wait for the inevitable. You've got to save . . . Aurim! You're his only hope! You . . . the power! Use it before . . . too late!
I can't defeat Yureel on my own. Can't you help me?
Her presence faded more. No . . . nothing I can do. I'd hoped if I could break through . . . you . . .
Darkhorse roared in pain and agony, a sound that nearly deafened Aurim. Already Yureel floated partially atop his captive. The process of assimilation, as the monster had sometimes called it, would soon be complete.
Aurim! I had a chance to . . . you at the Manor! Your father said that you . . . power . . .
Yssa's words no longer made much sense. She had obviously used most of her remaining strength to contact him and all she had accomplished was to discover how helpless he was.
To his s
urprise, Darkhorse suddenly called out, "Aurim! Hear me! Break his hold! Your will is powerful! He cannot hold you and still do this!"
I can't! he tried to reply. But Yureel allowed him only to watch and keep Darkhorse still.
Aurim . . . Yssa insisted, her presence momentarily stronger. With a little more concentration, he even managed to summon a vision of her. The enchantress was chained to a wall, her bonds radiating an emerald aura. Even at this dire moment, she looked beautiful.
Aurim, if there is any hope, you've got to push your will to its fullest now!
He had been saying he couldn't for so long, it was hard for Aurim to think otherwise, but if he did not try once again, Darkhorse would be no more.
What can I do? Fighting Yureel would be a fruitless task. There remained only one possible plan. It would enable him to avoid battling the demon directly. He had to try to send the shadow steed far, far away where Darkhorse would have the time he needed to recuperate.
Away . . . Aurim concentrated his efforts through the very spell the puppet master had forced him to maintain all this time, the one that kept Darkhorse still while Yureel devoured him. This was his link to his friend, an opening that might be turned to his favor if he had the will and power to do it.
Away . . . He did not know where to send Darkhorse. As far away as possible, he supposed. As far away as Aurim's will would permit.
Away . . .
Darkhorse roared—
"What is this, what is this, what is this?" Yureel cried, still formless but quivering in astonishment and swiftly rising fury. "Where is he? Where is he?"
Aurim! I felt . . . such power . . . what did you do?
He ignored Yssa's frantic question, his efforts concentrated on doing what he could to free himself. It would not take the demon long to realize just who had been responsible for snatching his prey from his grasp. Aurim did not want to be here when that happened.
Too late. "You! It had to be you!" The massive blob turned on him. "It can't be but it has to be! What did you do, human, what did you do?"
"I sent him far away," Aurim responded against his will. He had forgotten that Yureel could simply demand answers from him. "I sent him far away."
"Where?"
"I don't know." It was true. Aurim had not consciously chosen a destination.
The blob shifted nearer, Yureel's disturbing gaze never leaving him. "You don't know where, my little sorcerer? You don't know where you put him?"
"I only wanted to send Darkhorse away so that you couldn't hurt him." The captive spellcaster tried to keep himself from saying anything more, but his will was not strong enough. "I don't know where."
"I heard you!" Still shapeless, the demon expanded farther, filling more than half the chamber. He floated closer, a hungry look in the inhuman eyes.
He's going to take me now! He's going to take me! "Aurim, darling, I thought I felt—"
Saress had materialized, seduction clearly evident in her eyes. However, one look at the monstrous form hovering be fore them and the enchantress shrieked. Aurim could not really blame her; he wanted to scream, too. Yureel was only inches from him . . .
The demon suddenly withdrew, his form contracting and reshaping. Saress stopped shrieking and started to cast a spell, a dangerous thing for all of them considering not only how panicked she was but also how tight their quarters were.
"Grand and glorious Lanith," Yureel suddenly called. "I've need of you, 0 conqueror of the realm . . ."
"—Lipazar's Bladel You—" The horse king stiffened, then quickly studied those around him, finishing with the demon. Yureel had returned to his previous form and now he darted behind the monarch, as if frightened of what the sorceress could do to him. Aurim wanted to scowl; the monster was hardly in danger from Saress.
"What goes on here? Why've you brought me back here, imp? Have you found my steed?"
"Not yet, your glorious majesty! A problem arose with this sorcerer; he's proven willful when he shouldn't be! I was trying to remind him of his duty when the beautiful Saress materialized and mistook my deed for one that threatened both of their lives . . ." Yureel sounded timid.
Lanith turned to Saress. "Calm yourself. Yureel's no threat to you; he serves me . . . don't you, imp?"
"Yes, yes, I do, Lanith the Great!"
The enchantress quieted, but she was by no means convinced of the demon's complacency. Aurim prayed that she would remain suspicious; it would only serve his own chances if Saress continued to keep a wary eye on Yureel. She had seen him at his most terrible. Unless he wiped the memory from her mind, Saress would have to think the demon more dangerous than he now pretended to be.
"What is he, Lanith?" the sorceress demanded, thrusting a finger at Yureel.
"A servant, Saress. One who's worked hard to aid me in my conquest of the Dragonrealm."
The woman's brow arched. "Has he? I thought it was my Magical Order—and dear Aurim here—who had done so much!"
"Yes, yes, indeed," the demon cried. "They've performed marvelously, beauteous Saress! I . . . I've only done what little I could on the side."
"Why haven't I known about him, Lanith?"
"It wasn't wise to let too many know about Yureel, Saress. You can see for yourself what sort of reaction he receives. He serves me best by being unnoticed until too late." The horse king turned slightly toward the tiny demon and smiled at him. Yureel pretended to be honored.
Clearly the enchantress saw that Yureel had Lanith's ear. It did not sit well with her, but Aurim noticed that she was intelligent enough to cover her distaste before Lanith glanced her way again. The woman did not like being second to anyone or anything when it came to her beloved ruler. "You must forgive me . . . Yureel . . . but I sensed a great spell cast here, one that Aurim cast. I came to see what he might be doing down here when he should've been on the battlefield serving my dear king."
At last she had garnered Lanith's curiosity. "What spell is that, imp? Why would you drag Aurim here to cast a spell when he's needed on the field for the same reason?"
"I intended on using the aid of your precious sorcerer for a spell that would give us knowledge of the Dragon King's present position, but I discovered some . . . reluctance . . . on the lad's part, Your Majesty. As I first indicated, he seems to be having second thoughts." Yureel peered at Aurim, pupilless eyes growing colder. "Dangerous second thoughts."
"Oh?" The king also stared at Aurim. "I thought that was beyond him, imp. You said so yourself."
"I appear to have been remiss, glorious majesty! My apologies! I shall, of course, deal with the problem. Oh, I must assume that since your Saress is here, King Lanith, that she's accomplished the task you asked of her."
The horse king blinked. "Task? What task would—"
"The renegade enchantress, grand king! The woman who has danced around your city evading your Magical Order for the past several years! If Saress is here, then certainly she must've captured the woman!"
"Yes . . . I'd forgotten about that. Where is she, Saress?"
"I . . . have her in one of the dungeons, darling, but she's hardly worth the trouble to deal with now—"
The tiny figure floated away from the supposed protection of the horse king and took up a position that allowed him to gaze at both spellcasters without much effort. "I must humbly disagree, my lovely lady. More than ever she's of importance." Yureel studied Aurim closely. "Most important, indeed."
"She's nothing but a hedge witch!" Saress snapped.
"Oh, she's more than that, much, much more! Just ask her father, Lady Saress. You may have heard of him, I think."
As Aurim watched, the enchantress's visage paled. Yureel had struck a nerve. Saress actually looked frightened again. "I don't know anything about her father!"
"A great lapse in knowledge considering how long you've known her. One would almost think the two of you had grown up together, so familiar do you act with her."
"She's nothing to me."
"Enough of this babble,
" the horse king commanded, his expression one of increasing impatience. "I have a land and a Dragon King to conquer and this is delaying things! Bring me this woman now, Saress!"
She curtsied, managing still to display her obvious charms to the king as she bent forward. "I am ever at your command, dear Lanith."
Yureel giggled. Rising, Saress stifled what was likely a grimace. She took a deep breath, then slowly looked up at the ceiling. Power began to gather around her.
"The day is quickly waning," the shadow puppet remarked offhandedly.
The narrowing of her eyes was the only visible sign Aurim noted that indicated her bitterness with Yureel. "Come here, Yssa!"
No sooner had she finished the command when they were joined by the other enchantress. Aurim Bedlam found himself thankful that Yureel had not bothered to control his sight, for there was no one else in the chamber he would have rather stared at now than Yssa. She was even more beautiful than he recalled. Unfortunately, the blond enchantress was just as much a prisoner as he. A faint orange glow around her throat was the only evidence of the magical bonds that kept Yssa from using her own abilities, but its presence was sufficient to tell Aurim Bedlam that she would not easily escape.
King Lanith approached her, the gleam in his eye not one that Aurim cared for much. "This is her, eh?"
Evidently Saress was not pleased by her beloved monarch's interest in her rival. "She's nothing, Lanith. Not even worth trying to add to the Order. Leave her to me. I'll—"
"Be silent." The horse king's gaze drifted down, then up again. He cupped Yssa's chin, studying her face for much too long as far as Aurim was concerned. "Good form. Very healthy. Excellent breeding, I'd say."
Legends of the Dragonrealm: Volume 04 Page 63