by Cait Ashwood
“Good.” Zeche moved with sudden haste for the altar, then pulled a piece of parchment from within his vest. He reached into his pocket for some stones, and laid it out on the altar, anchoring the corners with the pebbles.
“Come. The vows are here.” Zeche stepped to the side, opening a path for Rowan to approach the parchment.
“Read them over first, boy. I want you to know exactly what you’re swearing to.”
Well, obviously. You can’t take a vow if you don’t know what it is.
Suddenly nervous, Rowan’s eyes flicked over the parchment. The light from the lamps was dim, but he could just make the words out. He read them twice, then swallowed, feeling the sweat across his brow despite the cool temperature. He glanced at Zeche, who stood with his arms crossed over his chest. His master nodded at him.
Rowan straightened and stood at attention, squaring his shoulders to the altar. The words were simple enough, but the weight of their meaning already pressed against him.
“I am the Watcher in the night, the observer of the unseen. In all things, I swear to keep the balance. I vow to walk the earth till the end of my days, silencing those that would harm humanity.” He paused, taking a breath. “I am silent. I am selfless. I am... a Watcher.”
Rowan’s words echoed in the temple. Zeche said nothing for so long, Rowan fidgeted. Had he messed up the lines, somehow? He repeated them over and over in his mind, sure he’d recited them correctly.
Zeche approached the altar from the other side. “As it is your name day, I give to you the gift of knowledge. You will know your family.”
His heart raced and he found himself taking quick, shallow breaths. He’d always wondered about the family that had abandoned him, but eventually, he’d decided if he wasn’t good enough for them, they didn’t deserve his thoughts or obsession. To have the knowledge handed to him now, after so long... Rowan didn’t know how he felt about that.
Zeche didn’t give him any time to stew it over. “You are Rowan, born of Audrey, leader of the Order, and Ace, First Seeker. You have a twin sister named Lily, a half-sister named Brana, and a half-brother named Jasper. You have one living grandmother, Hallie, founder of Hallie’s Manse.”
His heart missed a few beats and beat erratically the rest of the time Zeche spoke. He was the first-born child of Audrey, the Chosen that had proved fertile and saved them not only by bearing Lily, but by leading the effort to find and free the imprisoned Order? That was his mother?
Of course. I was just a useless son. No need for her to feed another mouth that wasn’t useful to her. Bitterness swept through him. He’d always hoped that maybe his family was poor, that they’d given him to Zeche because they couldn’t care for him. He’d never in his wildest imaginings assumed that he’d been unwanted, tossed away on the garbage heap like so much wasted flesh. He’d been to the Order’s tower a few times, and yet she’d never bothered to so much as come look at him. The rejection stunned him more than he’d thought possible and he licked his lips, energy coursing through his veins with a desperate need for release.
“Can we go?”
Zeche raised an eyebrow. “As you wish.” He packed up the parchment, pocketed the stones, and extinguished the lamps. The trip back to the surface was a quick one, and as soon as they were both clear, Rowan phased them home, pushing all of his effort to make the trip through the eons in one single jump.
He brought them to the streets of Ebonwallowe, unconsciously choosing the red lantern district. Zeche’s mouth curled into a one-sided smirk. Rowan caught the glint of metal as Zeche flipped him a coin, his hand shooting out to catch it.
“Go bury your troubles in a wench or two. I’ll collect you in the morning.”
I’m not sure two is going to cut it. Rowan glanced at the sign above the door. The Wilted Rose. If that wasn’t a euphemism for his life right now, he wasn’t sure what was. He pushed through the doors without hesitation, desperate to get his mind fully occupied by something else. The busty brunette in the corner gave him a knowing smile as she sauntered closer.
This was exactly what he needed.
Chapter Three
Stryker glanced at Vex in the darkness. The pair trailed behind Zaddicus, who held the only torch. They hadn’t been told where they were going, or for what purpose, but that was par for the course when dealing with their father. We’ve never been in these tunnels before. Stryker frowned after Zaddicus, thankful that his father’s attention was directed elsewhere. Zad had built up quite the network of caves, both naturally occurring and man-made. Traversing unfamiliar territory wasn’t the most reassuring thing to Stryker, especially not knowing their purpose.
Vex walked with haughty confidence, as always. She never seemed to doubt their father or his motivations. Stryker wasn’t sure he was as reliable as she believed. Zad killed off loyal servants if they displeased him once, or if they’d gone too long between executions. Stryker wasn’t counting on a blood tie to the man saving him from a similar fate. He always walked on eggshells around Zaddicus, just in case.
“Wait here.”
Stryker stopped on a dime, one foot held in mid-step. Zaddicus could be particular in his instructions, and it wasn’t until the man vanished into a cavern ahead that he dared to put his foot down on the ground. These caves were more humid than he was accustomed to; the underground river must reach the air nearby. Back home, they used an irrigation method with complicated valves to get their water from the river. Zad said it was better than having moisture clogging things up. As the tepid air here was harder to breathe, Stryker had to agree with him.
The view ahead slowly changed from a yawning, black hole to a spot of light. A shape crossed the opening far back in the cavern and Stryker’s hand flew to the sword on his hip. Just Zad lighting torches. Calm down. He was far from familiar tunnels and hadn’t brought anything to mark a trail. If Zad didn’t lead them back, they’d be hard-pressed to find their way home. And we didn’t bring rations, either. He told us to bring our weapons, that was all. Didn’t realize we were going on a trip. Zaddicus had packed supplies for them, but it still rankled.
Everything is always “You’re going to be in charge one day,” this, and “Always act like a leader,” that, but he doesn’t treat us like leaders. Even the common troops knew their destination and what to pack.
Zad reappeared in the entrance, the room beyond now decently lit. “Don’t keep me waiting all day. Move it!” Zad turned on his heel and stalked back into the room. Vex followed him without a backward glance.
I can’t be the only one that sees how contradictory he is. Can I?
Unlike most of the caverns off the main line of tunnels, this one had a wild, untamed look to it. Stalactites clung to the ceiling, reaching down toward the floor where the stalagmites rose to meet them. A few had formed columns throughout the room, casting wavering shadows in the torchlight. Water dripped down from the ceiling, forming shallow pools on the uneven floor.
Stryker analyzed the room as he’d been taught, his attention caught by the sconces. The scratches in the surrounding rock from the installation were old. Most of the torches flickered around the perimeter, which appeared to have two other exits. A few of the columns also had sconces, making the overall lighting variable at best. The smell of heavy minerals tickled his nose. Scrunching up his face, Stryker stared up at the ceiling and peered into the gloom. This cavern didn’t appear to have easy access to the outdoors, but one never knew where bats managed to end up. Although this deep, it’s the giant lizards that are bound to be more of a problem.
A small table was pushed up against a flatter portion of the cave wall, holding a keg that sat with its lip over the edge. The stoppered spigot slowly leaked liquid onto the floor. Stone cups were tossed about on the table, which was otherwise empty. Zad took a seat on the stool next to the table and waved his hand at them impatiently.
“Well? I brought you here to test your training. I’m not convinced that new instructor is worth his wage.” Zad ga
zed at them, his eyes narrowed.
Vex snorted. “He’s not. I think he’s managed to make Stryker worse.”
Zad frowned. “We’ll see about that.” He waved again at the cavern spread out before them.
Stryker ground his teeth together, the only sign of disapproval he dared to show. The instructor was a more versatile fighter, teaching him a different style to better combat Vex’s lethality. Learning something new meant starting over from the ground up, so of course, he looked like he’d gone backward. This new style was making him think differently, and he could see its potential. It would take time for him to implement all the changes, but he’d fight for the chance to get that time. He couldn’t let Vex take this from him, not when he finally had a chance to gain the upper hand.
Vex didn’t give him any warning, the ring of metal as she drew her weapons the only hint he got that she was leaping toward him. Thinking quickly, Stryker rolled, placing a column of rock between them. He managed to draw his dirk mid-roll and unsheathed his sword once he was on his feet. She came at him with a predictable double overhanded diagonal strike, which he didn’t bother parrying. He stepped to the side to avoid her blades, striking out at her exposed ribs. She sucked in her stomach and stumbled back, barely avoiding his attack.
Vex narrowed her eyes at him, hesitating for a moment.
See, you put all of your energy into your attacks so that your opponent is too busy defending to go on the offense. He dodged another testing blow, and finally had to parry another. Instead of meeting her blade head-on, he held his own at an angle, dissipating the force of her blow and sending it skittering off to the side. She circled him, trying to re-evaluate his technique. I can play the waiting game all day long, let you tire yourself out.
She came at him with a vicious flurry of blows, her movements almost impossible to track in the dim, flickering light. They’d been fighting each other their entire lives, however, and Vex had some predictable patterns. He blocked the blows out of habit, forgetting his new training. His arms stung, vibrating from each hit.
Shit. Old habits die hard. Vex had him, now. He’d be stuck parrying her blows until either she finally got through his defenses or Zaddicus called the match. Stryker cursed his stupidity under his breath. He hadn’t been practicing the new method long, but he’d hoped to do better than this.
Stryker gave up some ground, his back foot landing in a puddle. It’s fighting dirty, but Vex would use it if she had the chance. The idea of dirty fighting was a new one, brought with the instructor who apparently had a higher moral code when it came to battlefield tactics. It only took a few more blows, each making his arms that much less responsive, to make up his mind. Stryker retreated in a quick one-two pattern, freeing his back foot to kick the dirty water up into Vex’s face. It only interrupted her for a second, but that was all he needed. He’d broken her cycle.
This time, he did a much better job of sliding her blades off his, opening counter-attack opportunities. The thing with Vex was, she was so used to being constantly on the offensive that her defensive skills were lacking. Stryker had the inverse problem and was always hesitant when making his attacks. He grew frustrated as a few prime opportunities passed him by and he didn’t capitalize on them. Vex had torn into him good on the few occasions she’d gotten past his guard, once almost killing him. He was reluctant to return the favor, though he’d never know why.
“With your full skills now.”
Stryker couldn’t keep the grin off his face as he switched to the taint sight, the nearby stalactites reflecting the violet glow of his eyes back at him. Vex staggered back, bringing her blades up defensively. They were outlined with a soft white glow now, and any hit from them would hurt like a mother. If I have my way, she’ll never even get close. Stryker sheathed his dirk and dropped to a crouch, drawing a throwing dagger from his boot. He cloaked it in the taint and let it fly.
Vex’s blades snapped out in a flash of light, batting the dagger aside. Her movements slowed immediately after, her blades slowly lowering. The attack wasn’t the dagger, sister of mine, just a diversion. Purple strands of the taint now connected them, but he wasn’t seeking to immobilize her or manually force her movements. No, not when she was trying to take his tutor from him. His goal was total domination.
Stryker had always had the ability and had even used it on subordinates, but never Vex. He honestly had no desire to understand how her mind worked and had largely left her in peace. Now, however, he wanted to know everything. He used the taint to seep into her mind, taking over her thought processes and control of her bodily functions. It was almost too easy to control her actions when first linked to her mind, and he had her bring her hands to her sides, dropping her weapons.
Stryker heard a soft gasp from Zaddicus but ignored it. If his father wanted to see what his heirs were capable of, then let him.
He made Vex kick her blades away, a wry grin tugging at his lips when her dirk landed in one of the puddles of water. She was going to be upset about having to clean it up, later. She dropped to her knees with another thought from Stryker, and then he made her place her hands on her knees, palm up.
“What now, Father?” It took a bit of concentration to keep the hold on Vex, but it wasn’t impossible to speak or move around.
Zaddicus rose from his stool and approached them, skirting the puddle with Vex’s dirk. “You have her completely compelled.” It was a statement, yet there was surprise in his voice.
“I do.” Stryker wasn’t at all sure if he was being praised or not, and prepared himself for one of Zad’s infamous back-handed strikes. You had to allow them to land; if you attempted to dodge in any way, it earned you twenty lashes on the pole in front of the troops. No thank you.
“You’ve been holding out on me.” Zad’s voice was soft and quiet, but no less dangerous for it.
“I had no desire to touch her mind. With how moody women are...” Stryker let the comment drift out into the clammy chamber air, droplets of water punctuating the silence.
Zad had no visible reaction for a moment, then a chuckle escaped him. Slowly, it built to full laughter until Zad was guffawing, his voice coming back in echoes to accost them again. He wheezed, bending nearly in half.
Stryker joined in, his laughter high and nervous. Zad could stop at any moment.
The laughter subsided and Zad wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. “My son, that has got to be the best reason I’ve ever heard.” Zad clapped him on the shoulder, smiling broadly. “Release her. I have words for both of you.”
She is gonna be pissed. She remained aware of her surroundings while under his control but was unable to respond as she wished. Stryker wanted to move away before releasing her, but that would seem cowardly to Zaddicus, so he kept his boots right where they were. He released the mental hold and watched her out of the corner of his eye.
Her face contorted with anger, but she didn’t rise from her position. “What is your message, Father?” Her words were short and clipped.
I’ll be watching my back for days after this.
“Get some water first.” Zad jerked his head toward the barrel on the table.
Vex wasted no time rising to her feet and pushing past Stryker, hitting him hard in the shoulder as she walked past. Stryker shook his head, having expected as much. If that’s the worst I get, I’ll be lucky. We have three days’ travel to get through. Those three days held prime opportunities for Vex to strike, seeing as there were no underlings around to see them squabbling for rank. That was Zad’s only rule: no bickering where the troops could see it.
Stryker waited for Vex to get her water and back off before approaching the barrel. He poured a cup for himself and stared at it suspiciously. He forced his vision into the taint sight again and found the entire barrel had been tainted. Good going, Vex. Just pollute our return water supply, why don’t you? Vex was the only one capable of cleansing it again. The blood of the Order ran in her veins, cut in half by the blood of her sire. She could
easily decide not to provide him with any clean water on the trip home. Three days of hard traveling would put him at the limit of his endurance.
Disgusted, Stryker scattered the contents of the cup on the cavern floor before leaning against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. He was so done with this trip already.
“Vex.” Zaddicus said nothing else, but he didn’t have to.
The short brunette rolled her eyes, but they did flash green as she stared at the barrel.
Stryker grabbed a different cup and tried again, finding the water clean this time. He took his first sip hesitantly, not sure if there was anything else she could have done to it. It tasted fine, but the wicked grin she flashed him didn’t instill confidence. He took two swallows, just enough to wet his throat, and set the cup down. If it didn’t kill him, he’d go back for more later.
“You two never stop competing, do you?” The words were spoken with a certain sense of fondness, though Stryker had no idea why. If they didn’t fight, Zaddicus wouldn’t put up with either of them. They might otherwise have been friends, or at least managed to not undermine each other at every turn.
Stryker settled for responding to the question with a smirk. Zad wouldn’t have things any other way.
Their father pulled the stool out and sat, facing them. “I have told you that my previous attempt at taking the surface Order failed, though I have not told you why.”
Well. This ought to be interesting. Stryker crossed his arms over his chest. Zad never admitted to failure, so this was likely going to be a once in a lifetime speech.
“I attained my forces through bullying, overpowering, and poisoning them. I had few loyal servants, enough that the loss of one was a huge blow to my team.” Zad pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. “I know now that the best way to ensure the loyalty of your servants is to manipulate them into thinking that following you is their idea. If they think they are in control of the situation, they are much more likely to stay. I controlled my previous men through the taint. When I was injured in the fighting, that hold loosened and utter pandemonium ensued.” He was quiet for a moment. “That will not happen with the troops we have today. They will maintain order and continue following commands, whether you are connected to them through the taint or not.”