Deathbringer

by Tamara Grantham

  Several more people attempted to enter the tower without success. As Kull and I waited to try our chance, I prayed we’d have better luck.

  “Halt,” one of the guards barked as we reached the doors. “State your business.”

  “We’d like to see Jeven,” Kull said.

  “For what reason?”

  “We wish to discuss important matters concerning the Regaymor with your leader. Will you keep us waiting or will you let us inside?”

  The guard narrowed his eyes. “The Regaymor?”

  “Yes,” Kull answered.

  “What about them?” the guard with the glowing eyes asked.

  “Seems your defenses may not be functioning as smoothly as you believe. We have reason to suspect the Regaymor will soon have the ability to enter your city. So, will you let us discuss this matter with your leader or not?”

  The guards glanced at one another.

  “We’re not to let any outsiders into the tower. We’re under orders—”

  “We’re not concerned with your orders. We’ve an important message to bring to your leader, and unless you let us inside, your city could be attacked.”

  Neither man spoke as they scrutinized us. As they did, I felt the magic in the amulets working, a faint spell that clouded their eyes and made us appear as friends rather than enemies.

  “Very well,” the red-eyed man finally answered. “Velynn, take them to Jeven.”

  The guard, Velynn, I assumed, studied us for a moment, but then nodded. The two men stepped aside and opened the doors. I breathed a sigh of relief as we entered the tower. As I glanced up, I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen a pair of doors so tall. They were only decorated with clean, geometric lines, but they must’ve been tall enough to allow a dragon inside.

  Velynn stepped in front of us and led us into Jeven’s tower. Cold radiated from the smooth black stones surrounding the walls. The floor tiles were arranged with black-and-white geometric patterns. Our footsteps echoed throughout the castle. The rooms weren’t overly large, but the ceilings were incredibly high. I strained my neck just trying to see all the way up.

  In some places, chandeliers hung suspended from long chains, their pale white light glowing over the occasional tables with vases of gray and white flowers. There was no color in the building except varying shades of gray.

  We passed through several open chambers. People brushed past us—a few with red eyes. By now, I was starting to get used to it. There were variations in eye color, some of the eyes glowed bright red, others only shone with a dim, reflective luster. A group of women walked past us, but they didn’t give us a second glance.

  Good. The more inconspicuous we were, the better.

  At the end of a broad hallway, we spotted a pair of doors. Velynn stopped, then he turned to us.

  “Jeven’s chambers lay through these doors. Are you sure you wish to speak to him?”

  “We’ve come a long way,” Kull said. “Why would we turn back now?”

  “He’s hardly tolerant of outsiders. He trusts only those he knows. You are entering at your own peril.”

  “We understand,” I answered.

  He nodded, then turned and flung the doors open. We walked into a large, circular room. As I stepped onto the triangle-shaped tiles of alternating black and white, a dizzying pattern that formed a whirlpool shape and tapered to a point at the center, I had to catch my breath. The room was overwhelming, with a group of people wearing jeweled clothing and sweeping skirts, the men wearing garments resembling eighteenth-century suits with long coattails and high collars. Their gazes fixed on Kull and me as we crossed the area. It was silent except for the echo of our footfalls.

  Across the room, under a pair of narrow windows, sat a silver-embossed throne—a ramrod-straight chair devoid of any decoration, but it was empty.

  Where was Jeven?

  A woman emerged from the group and intercepted us as we approached the throne. She appeared ghostlike, her thin frame bordering on anorexic. Her collarbones protruded from her skin, and her gauzy, silver dress shimmered in the dim lighting. Even those inside Jeven’s tower weren’t any more nourished than those outside.

  “Hello,” she said in a quiet voice. “Are you here to attend the gathering?”

  “No,” Kull answered. “We seek Jeven.”

  “I see. He left quite some time ago, but he shall return shortly.” She eyed both of us. “I’ve never seen either of you before. Are you outsiders?”

  “Yes,” I answered.

  Her eyebrows rose. “How were you able to get inside the tower?” She looked from our faces to our cloaks, and then peered into our eyes. “You are not from Slavom, are you?”

  I tensed. Why wasn’t the spell working?

  “Where we are from is not your concern,” Kull said. “When can we speak to your leader?”

  “Outsiders are not permitted to see Jeven. It is forbidden for anyone but…” Her eyes glazed as she peered at us. I finally felt the amulet’s spell working. “Are you outsiders?” she asked again. “Now that I think of it, you do seem familiar.”

  “We are here to speak to Jeven,” I said calmly. “Please, can you find him for us?”

  “I… I… yes, of course.” She shook her head as if trying to clear away the cobwebs. “I shall return with him shortly.” She turned and dashed away, leaving us alone.

  I let go of my pent-up breath. “That was close.”

  “I agree. I only hope the amulet’s spell works on their leader.” Kull scanned the room, his face unreadable. “Where do you suppose he keeps the sword?”

  “No idea. Were you planning to search for it?”

  “That is what we’re here for. I’ve got an uneasy feeling about this whole situation. I’d rather find the sword and escape this place as soon as possible. We’re deluding ourselves to think we can somehow befriend him and hope he gives us the sword out of the kindness of his heart.”

  “That’s not what Maveryck said,” I retorted. “He didn’t want us making an enemy of Jeven, but he never suggested that befriending Jeven would lead to him giving us the sword. Besides, we don’t even know where it is, nor have we met Jeven yet. Although,” I said, glancing at the people standing and talking quietly across the room, “I do agree about feeling uneasy.”

  The doors on the other side of the room were flung open, and the girl we’d met a moment ago walked into the room. A man, I assumed Jeven, walked behind her.

  With the muted colors in the place, seeing him walk inside—clothed in deep red, with hair of the same hue and eyes to match—came unexpectedly. His skin was the color of gray marble, so smooth it didn’t look natural. He was tall and very slender, and his dress shirt with a ruffled collar hung off his frame. His presence was overpowering, and I couldn’t look at him too long. Although his eyes weren’t glowing as brightly as some of the others, they held an intensity that made me shudder.

  He didn’t smile as he approached us. Iciness radiated from him, making my insides squirm. The absolute power of his magic set my teeth on edge. Lucretian said he was powerful, so I should have expected this feeling, but still, I shuddered in his presence.

  “Why have you come here?” he asked, his voice smooth and silken, almost inhuman.

  Kull stood tall, leveling his own intimidating gaze at the warlock. Having been on the receiving end of that glare a few times, I didn’t envy Jeven. “We are travelers,” he said, “from another country, and we are here to send you a warning.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Travelers? How were you able to enter my tower?”

  “We were permitted,” I said, “because we come with a message about the Regaymor.”

  Fear flashed through his eyes at the mention of the nightmarish creatures. “What about them?”

  As he asked the question, I could feel the amulet’s powers working. I hoped it held steady as I wasn’t entirely confident Jeven wouldn’t detect the magic. Lucretian had assured us it was too weak to be noticed, and I prayed he was right.
r />   “The Regaymor are growing stronger,” Kull said. “Your wards will not keep them away much longer as the power of the stones fail. There is only one weapon to keep them away.”

  “What weapon do you speak of?”

  Kull and I traded glances. I wasn’t sure how Jeven would react when we brought up the weapon he kept heavily guarded, but I hoped the amulets would soften his reaction.

  “It’s a sword,” I said.

  His eyes narrowed.

  “I have many swords. Of which one do you speak?”

  “The sword from another world,” I answered. “The sword of Dracon.”

  He locked his jaw. Anger burned in his eyes. “How do you know of that?” he hissed, glancing guardedly at the gathering. “No one knows of that sword. Come, both of you will follow me.” He turned on his heel and marched out of the room. A few people stared after us as Kull and I followed Jeven into the hallway. Nerves knotted my stomach. I wasn’t sure what he planned to do with us. Bringing up the subject of the sword had been risky, but if we wanted to take it, we had to know its location first. Judging by the sheer size of Jeven’s tower, I wasn’t even sure where to start looking.

  He led us into a smaller room and shut the door quietly behind us. Tall vases lined the walls of the circular space, and a fire burned in a hearth across from us, putting off a little heat.

  “Where did you hear of that sword?” he demanded.

  “It’s common knowledge where we come from,” I answered.

  His eyes narrowed. “And where are you from?”

  Clearing my throat, I knew a fair bit of deceit was in order. “From a province far away, on the other side of the planet. We have traveled here to deliver a warning. The power of the stone is failing. Only the sword of Dracon can deliver you from the onslaught of the Regaymor.”

  “How could you possibly know this?”

  “We had a weapon,” I said. “It was a staff, similar to your sword, fueled by the same magic. We used it to drive them away.”

  “Where is this weapon now?” he asked.

  “It was stolen,” I answered, “which is why we seek your help now.”

  His gaze lingered on me too long, as if he were searching my thoughts, assessing my magic. I knew our lies were flimsy at best. Without the amulets, I was sure he would have killed us already. If we could just get him to show us where he kept the sword, then we could take it and be free of him and this place.

  “Tell me again where you come from?” he asked, leaning closer to peer into my eyes.

  I held his gaze, willing the amulet to work. “We come from another country.”

  “Another country?”

  I nodded. If Jeven failed to believe our story, I would use my magic against him, although I wasn’t sure how effective I would be.

  “I wasn’t aware there was anyone left except us. The people of this city have scoured the globe for years looking for others and found no one. Although,” he paused, and as he did, I felt the calming influence of the amulet reach out to him once again, gently clouding his mind, coaxing him to believe our lies. “It may be foolishness for me to assume we are the only people left. I am glad I am wrong.” His gaze softened. His words, once harsh and emotionless, became cordial. He reached his hand toward me. “Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner. I am High Governor Jeven Vonnguard Monturiel, Eminence of the Last Remaining Waste of the city of Slavom. Welcome, wanderers, to our city.”

  He took my fingers in his hand, which was shockingly cold, and kissed my knuckles. It took all I had not to pull away from him. The feel of his skin reminded me of a snake’s scales. Chills prickled the back of my neck. I breathed a sigh of relief when he finally released my hand.

  “Come,” he said, turning. “I shall show you around my palace. We will arrange a place for you to rest and eat, if you wish.”

  We exited the room and followed Jeven through his palace. I unfisted my hands and attempted to breathe steadily, if only for a moment. He’d bought our story, and we were still alive.

  The black-and-white tiles continued through the hallways. The lighting was sparse, but soft, coming from small chandeliers made of teardrop-shaped glass pieces hanging from the impossibly high ceilings.

  We reached a room with tall windows spaced along the back walls. The smog-tinted light drifted through the glass, making the white tiles of the floors and marble walls look a yellowish color, the hue of pages in an old book.

  Several couches and chairs were arranged around the room, and Jeven led us to a seat. Kull and I sat across from him as several servants stood behind us.

  “Tell me,” Jeven said, “what do you think of my city?”

  I glanced out the window at the skyline obscured by smog, not sure how to answer his question.

  “It wasn’t always this way,” Jeven said. “Once, our city was a beautiful place—before the stones started failing, before Theht abandoned us. More than a century ago, Theht herself walked the streets, visiting our temples, giving her power to us, and helping us keep our livelihoods. But then, she disappeared. Her presence has not been felt in our lands in over a hundred years.”

  I knew this world was dying. Was that why she’d left? Had she given up on this planet altogether in exchange for a better life in Faythander?

  “But we have survived,” Jeven continued. “It is not a life any of us would choose. Some have made great sacrifices, and a shocking number of our population has not survived.” He looked out the window, his gaze detached, as if reliving memories. “Billions were taken by the Regaymor after Theht left us. I will not allow that sort of destruction to happen ever again.” He turned his gaze back on us. “That is why you must tell me more about the sword you seek from me. As of yet, no one has been able to access its powers. It is fueled by a strange blue magic that neither me nor my best warlocks understand. Do you know how to access its power?”

  I nodded. “I may be able to help.”

  “You are sure of this? It is not a power like ours, and it is not easily controlled. If I show you this sword, will you teach me to use it?”

  I didn’t want to let my excitement show. This was the opportunity we’d been waiting for. All I had to do was agree to teach him to use the sword’s magic and he would show me where it was kept, but was it really that simple? What I was about to agree to didn’t sit well with me, although I had no other choice.

  “Yes,” I answered. “I will teach you to use the sword’s magic.”

  Chapter Ten

  Kull paced our room, becoming more agitated the longer we waited. Jeven had assigned us a room and given us both a change of clothes. We now wore drab colors. My dress had a high collar that was tight around my neck, and the black lace was itchy around my arms. Kull wore a gray suit that was clearly not made for him. His muscles made the fabric bulge, and the pants were several inches too short, but at least we fit in without having to rely on the amulets so much.

  Evening came slowly, but finally, the sun began to dip below the horizon. I watched it through the windows in our room, thinking of our quest. Assuming Heidel and Maveryck were well on their way to removing the unicorn’s stone, we only had so much time left before the magic was down and we could take the sword from Jeven’s castle. The longer we waited to find it, the smaller our window of opportunity became.

  “Kull,” I said. “You might as well sit down. You’re not making anything better by pacing like that.”

  “I can’t sit,” he mumbled. “I don’t like this place or these people. You know how I get feelings about people, Olive, and I’ve got a horrible feeling about all of them.”

  “The feeling is mutual.”

  “Yet, you don’t seem concerned.”

  I sighed. “I am concerned, but right now, we can’t leave until we have the sword, so we might as well rest while we have the opportunity.”

  Kull glanced nervously at the door. “Do you really think he’ll show you where he keeps it?”

  “Yes, as long as we don’t do anythi
ng stupid before then.” Like losing tempers and completely blowing our cover.

  “Come sit down beside me,” I said, patting the seat cushion next to me.

  He eyed the sofa. “I can’t. Something is going on here; something is wrong.”

  “Something like what?” I asked.

  Kull shook his head. “I can’t explain it. It’s only a premonition, really. I wish I knew more.” He eyed the door again. “Olive,” he said quietly. “I need to know what’s happening here and what Jeven is hiding. Would you mind terribly if I left you for a little while? Just long enough to find out what’s going on?”

  “Don’t you think that would be dangerous?”

  “I’ll take my chances. I promise I will return to you shortly. You may eat the evening meal without me.”

  “And what should I tell Jeven when he asks where you are?”

  “Tell him I wasn’t feeling well or some such story. I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

  “What if you get caught?”

  “I’ll deal with that if it happens, but I assure you, I can be inconspicuous when I need to be. Wults are excellent spies.”

  I eyed him. If there was one thing I knew about Kull, it was never to underestimate him. If he thought he could sneak around the castle without getting caught, then I wouldn’t get in his way.

  I stood and took his hands in mine. “You really want to do this?”

  He nodded. “I feel I must.”

  “All right, but please don’t get caught,” I said. “And be safe. Don’t pull any weapons on anyone unless you have to.”

  He gave me that half-smile, the one that never failed to make me weak in the knees, then he cupped my cheek. “I give you my word. I will return to you.”

  “Without pulling weapons on anyone?”

  “Yes. Without pulling weapons on anyone. Unless I have to.”

  “Fine,” I said, sighing.

  “I love you, Olive.”

  “I know. Be safe.”

  “I will.”

  He turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. That feeling of vulnerability returned to me, and I practiced controlling my magic, letting it gather in my chest, and then releasing it. If I had to use it for defense, I would.