This news was devastating to her; Kerra was all she had left after her husband died. “What else do you have to report? What happened?” she asked frantically.
“It’s not best to talk here, someone might overhear us.” He whispered.
He was right Vallerus wanted to know there location, and to capture them and bring them back. “Where shall we go to discuss the matter?” she asked.
“Follow me to the abandoned warehouse down by the docks, we can speak freely there.” He said as he led her down the street. She didn’t understand why the Lieutenant was helping her; she never really did particularly like him but she was grateful none the less.
They had finally made it to the warehouse, it was old and worn down; abandoned really wasn’t the word for it. They came to the door and he opened it for her and motioned her to walk in first. She never recalled him being the gentlemen type but she ignored this. She walked inside the warehouse, it was dark and quiet. Suddenly the door behind her slammed shut.
She began to bang on the door, “Omak let me out of here or I’ll kick your ass!” she shouted.
She could hear him laughing on the other side of the door; she already couldn’t wait to strangle the old fool.
“Come now Kiarra stay awhile.” A voice said.
A chill ran down her spine, she knew that voice and suddenly it had occurred to her why she was brought here. The figure walked out from the shadows, it was Vallerus.
“Why have you locked me up in here?” she asked.
“This is your trial my dear, and from what I know I don’t need a confession.” He said.
“I can just blow the door off.” She said.
He waved a finger in front of her, “I’ve spelled the door closed, and the only one who can get out is me.” Vallerus explained.
“So you mean to kill me, is that it?” Kiarra asked.
He smiled widely, “You always were a smart girl.” He said.
She pulled out her sword to defend herself, “Even if you kill me, you won’t stop them.” She said.
“I was lenient enough to allow your daughter to live after finding out she was one of them, and this is how you repay me?” he asked.
She knew the extent of his power as well as her own, the odds were against her. “So I’m the last and you’ve come to finish it after all this time?” she asked.
“I had to it was for the good of this world, first was Lillian and Zephyr then there was Heiro’s parents, and then your husband Mikhail. Now it will all end with you.” He explained.
She began to inch her way backward to keep her distance, “So how did you find out about the order?” she asked him.
“Thesia never was one to keep a good secret; I had informants working at her estate.” The Supreme Judge said.
“Enough talk lets end this!” she shouted. Vallerus pulled out his sword,
“As you wish, may the sentencing begin.” He said.
A battle between two judges had never been seen in the history of V’nairia. Their power was on a whole other level, and you could see it with each blow. Kiarra was fast, and she was good but not as good as Vallerus. The rate at which they exchanged blows was incredible; if you blinked you could miss it.
“Lightning Art: Thunder Crash!” she shouted as the spell headed for the judge, who had dodged it just in time.
“Flame art: Fire stream.” Vallerus said as he spat the flames at her, she had also dodged them as well.
Neither of their attacks was connecting, Kiarra became frustrated. She had lowered her guard for a split second and the supreme judge made his move. He had punched her in the gut, and threw her into the back wall. She could feel some of her bones cracking from the impact; she tried to fight through the pain. She regained her composure and jumped back in the fight.
“You’re more resilient than I thought.” Vallerus said acknowledging her abilities.
“Lightning Art: Thunders Dance of Madness!” she shouted.
Several bolts of electricity had struck Vallerus and threw him into wall as well. He seemed to be unharmed, “So you do pack quite the punch.” He said.
He was only toying with her; this wasn’t his true power at all. They ran at each other and exchanged blows again. She began to thrown lightning spells trying to hit him but none were successful.
“Surely by now you’ve used at least half of your magick, feeling tired yet?” Vallerus asked.
“No I’m still fine; I won’t stop until your dead.” She said.
He came at her ready to strike; she quickly appeared behind him and delivered a kick so powerful it sent him flying through the wall and outside the warehouse. They clashed swords from the docks all the way up to the street.
“Flame Art: Flash Fire!” Vallerus shouted as three fireballs struck Kiarra.
She cried out in pain, he was so powerful she couldn’t overpower him. She could barely stand; he began to kick her repeatedly. All she could think of was Kerra and how much she loved her and prayed that Zander had kept her safe. She was bruised, burned, and bloodied; Vallerus picked her up by her neck and lifted her off the ground.
“Well how did we know it would come to this?” He asked her.
She spat Blood on his face, this infuriated him. He shoved his blade into her, “Now you won’t have to worry, you’ll be seeing your daughter sometime soon.” He said smiling.
Tears began to run down her face. She managed to let out one word before the light left her eyes, “Kerra.”
Zander and the others had recovered from their injuries, but stayed by the waterfall to camp for the night. Heiro was fast asleep, nothing in the world could wake him; not even the fiercest of battles. Zander couldn’t sleep; he saw Kerra sitting under a tree near the waterfall and walked over to sit with her.
“Hey, you couldn’t sleep either?” she asked him.
“Nope, not a wink what are you doing way over here?” he asked her.
He sat down next to her and gazed off into the distance. “I just came up her to look at the moon, its beautiful tonight.” She said.
It was the first time they had ever seen the moon this close before, in the capital it was hard to see such beauty at night for the tall buildings. “Yeah it is.” He agreed.
Suddenly it began to rain and thunder boomed throughout the area. “The weather sure did change quickly.” He said.
“Something’s not right.” Kerra said.
A large lightning bolt struck a tree near them setting it on fire. Kerra felt a strange feeling in her heart, and it moved throughout her whole body and then it hit her. She began to cry,
“Kerra what’s wrong?” Zander asked.
Kerra was silent for a moment and then spoke up, “My mother is dead.”
Chapter XII
The Unspoken Truth
“What do you mean your mother is dead? How could you possibly know that?” Zander asked her. She was still crying, she was so upset she couldn’t speak. Zander couldn’t imagine the pain she felt, he had never known his parents in the first place. “Kerra talk to me.” He said calmly as he hugged her tightly.
“Our family has always had the ability to sense the deaths of our own bloodline; we are connected through the natural energy that comes from lightning. It is what helps us channel our magick; the moment that lightning struck that tree I felt my mother’s heart stop beating.” She explained.
Zander had never known that her family had such ability, knowing that she wasn’t there with her mother while she died must have been a horrible feeling. “That’s not all Zander; we can also sense how they die.” She said. She had a frightened look on her face; Zander assumed that the worst of the news was coming. “It was Vallus’ father’s sword that killed her.” Kerra said and began to cry again.
This made perfect sense to him, Kiarra had helped them break Heiro out of the underground holding cell; of course he would want her dead but this wasn’t the time to discuss that. The storm had finally woken Heiro up, “What’s going on?” He asked them as he
walked over to where they were sitting.
“Vallerus killed Kerra’s mother.” Zander explained.
Heiro’s expression completely changed, “Kerra I’m so sorry.” He said sympathetically. She didn’t respond she was still in shock, “So what should we do? Should we go back to the city and confront him?” Heiro asked.
Kerra wiped her eyes and looked up at him, “No we aren’t going to stop, we will go get Vallus and go face him together, the four of us.” She said.
Zander could understand what she was saying, if we faced him now the three of them would surely be killed. He was ruthless; he wouldn’t spare any of their lives. “There has to be a connection here, Thesia said that all of our parents were mystics.” Heiro said.
“Vallerus told me when I was young that he and my parents were friends, up until he became supreme judge then they had drifted apart.” Zander said.
“My mother told me that my father had fought in the militia with Vallus’ father.” Kerra said.
Zander thought for a moment, and then it hit him. He fell to his knees slamming his fist into the dirt, “Dammit!” he shouted.
“Zander what’s wrong?” Heiro asked.
Zander stood up and faced them; he had tears running down his face. “Don’t you see what’s going on? Vallerus was the one who killed our parents.” Zander said.
“Are you serious!?” Heiro asked.
“Look at what we know, all the pieces fit.” Zander was right. He wasn’t a fool; Zander knew exactly what was going on, now the others knew as well. “We will find Vallus and end this.” Zander said clenching his fist.
“When do we leave?” Heiro asked.
“We leave now.” Zander said walking over and grabbing Ivory and strapping it to his side. The three of them packed up the camp and began their trip through the cave under the waterfall.
The cave was dark; they couldn’t even see their hands in front of their faces. Heiro picked up a stick and used a fire spell to light it. “So where do you suppose Vallus went?” Kerra asked.
“There may be more than one path in this cave.” Heiro said.
Zander began to feel pain in his left shoulder, he was still sore from when Raphael had stabbed him. His shoulder wasn’t the only part of him that was wounded, so was his pride. He wasn’t able to protect Kerra he could have gotten them all killed. He still wasn’t strong enough and it ate at him. They walked on through the cave trying to find the way out.
To the north in the snowy city of Rygoth the Baroness and Ashe rode to the Duke’s palace. The Duke’s personal assistant greeted them outside, “Madam Thesia such a pleasure to see you.” The man said as he helped the Baroness off her horse.
“Thank you for your kind words, I need to speak with Duke Agarath at once.” Thesia said.
“Yes my lady right this way.” The man said as he shown her to the palace doors.
Inside the palace was brightly lit, paintings from very famous artist hung from the walls; the Duke was quite fond of the arts. The assistant walked them into the main hall where the duke sat at the long dining table eating his evening meal.
“Your highness, the Baroness Thesia and her daughter Ashe.” The man said making their presence known. The assistant left the room and closed the double doors behind him.
“Ladies Thesia and Ashe, please have a seat.” The Duke said motioning them to a chair.
They both sat down and the servants poured each of them a glass of wine. “We thank you for your hospitality your grace.” Thesia said.
“You are always welcome in my halls my lady.” Duke Agarath said before biting into a lamb’s leg.
The Duke never had been visually appealing; he was a short, portly disgusting man with a long black braided beard; Ashe couldn’t stand to be in the same room with him. The only thing he loved more than eating and drinking wine, was bedding the many whores at his disposal. He knew of the order but never played any part in anything worth honoring someone for; for the Duke even, though wealthy, was not an honorable man.
“What brings you to the city of Rygoth?” He asked them.
Thesia took a sip of wine from her glass and gently laid it back on the table, “We have come to warn you of the dangers that ride from the south.” Thesia said.
“What sort of dangers do you mean milady?” he asked.
“The Supreme Judge’s son Vallus is going to the shrine north of this city to resurrect Diaboro.” The Baroness explained.
The Duke laughed, “That’s impossible he would need the key and the cursed blades.” He said.
She shown him the key she had fashioned into a necklace that hung just above her breasts. “When he finds out I have the key he will come for me, he also has possession of Ebony.” Thesia said.
Ashe seemed to not be a part of the conversation; she kept eating and drinking not having a care in the world. She always did act like one of the boys, Thesia despised this. “Well without Ivory he has nothing, have you located the other sword?” Agarath asked while still stuffing his fat face.
“The wielder of Ivory is on our side actually, it is Lillian and Zephyr’s son; Zander.” Thesia said.
“Well hell, he’s finally grown up has he? Where’s he been all this time?” The duke asked.
“He was in the care of the Supreme Judge; he had just graduated from the Militia’s academy a few months back. He’s a fine soldier and swords master.” The baroness stated.
“So I take it the boy is after Vallus and Vallus is after the sword the boy has?” Agarath asked.
She nodded politely. “That does pose a problem doesn’t it? What can I do to help?” he asked.
“We simply meant to come and warn you, I have everything else under control; just please have your men ready for anything.” Thesia said as she and Ashe rose from their seats.
“Thank you for your information and concern milady but Rygoth has nothing to be worried about, have a safe trip back.” Agarath said.
The assistant came in as they had made their way over to the door, “Milady these soldiers will accompany you back to your horses.” He said showing them out the door. The soldiers walked them outside; they had gotten on their steeds and rode off for the hideout.
“Well that was easier than expected.” The Duke said.
The assistant began to transform, it was Raphael. Raphael threw a large bag of Yol on the table in front of the duke. Agarath began to go through the money counting it.
“So she does have the key to the shrine?” Raphael asked.
“Yes she carries it around her neck.” The Duke said as he began sniffing the money. “If there’s one thing better than wine or women; its money.” Agarath said.
“Clearly.” Raphael said disgusted by the man’s indulgences.
“So you won’t kill her right? That’s what we agreed upon.” The duke asked.
Raphael gave a courteous bow, “Cross my heart.” Raphael said as he turned to leave.
The duke whistled and a woman walked in the room, she had long blonde hair and was topless. She walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek. “How can I serve you my lord?” she asked.
“Be a dear and wait for me in my chambers, will you?” He asked. She gave a small nod and he slapped her on the behind as she turned to walk out. “So Raphael, should I do anything to slow the boy and the others down?” he asked.
Raphael turned his head slightly, “I already have that covered.” He said walking out of the great hall.
Chapter XIII
Healing Magicks
“How much further Zander? My feet are getting sore.” Kerra asked.
“Just a little further it shouldn’t be long.” He said. He was just guessing he had never been here before; he was just trying to get her to relax.
“Quit complaining Kerra, save your breath before you run out of it.” Heiro said. She became angry and ran up behind him and knocked him in the head.
“That will do ya some good asshole!” she shouted.
Zander wasn’t in t
he mood for bickering, he was sweating profusely and had no idea why, and his breathing became heavy. “Now apologize.” Kerra demanded.
Heiro let out a hard sigh, “Fine I’m sorry.” He said.
Kerra smiled, “Thank you very much.” She said. They had finally seen a light, it was the outside. They ran for the exit and finally made it out, Heiro drew in the fresh air appreciating the fact he was no longer smothering. “It took us long enough.” Kerra said.
Zander and Heiro agreed, it felt as though it was forever before they would have escaped the pitch black cave. Zander began to see two of everything; Heiro waved his hand in front of his face. “Zander, hey buddy you feeling okay?” He asked.
Zander didn’t respond, he just walked forward not even knowing where he was going; stumbling along the way. Finally he had passed out, the others rushed over to him; Kerra immediately dampened a cloth and put it on his head.
“This is strange, he hasn’t been sick the whole trip and suddenly he collapses.” Heiro said.
Kerra was patting him down with the cloth, when she noticed something on his skin. She pulled off his shirt, and below his right shoulder was a black mark; almost like a bruise. “What is that?” Heiro asked.
“I don’t know I’ve never seen anything like it.” Kerra said.
Heiro examined the spot more closely and saw that it had appeared over the scar where Raphael had stabbed him. “He was poisoned by Raphael’s blade, we have to get him to a hospital or he will die.” Heiro explained.
Kerra pulled out the map that Thesia gave them and examined it. “There is a small village east of here, it’s just south of the hideout.” She said.
Heiro lifted him onto his back. “Okay lets go we don’t have any time to waste.” He said.
They crossed the plain until nightfall, unsure of what wild beasts could be out waiting for them; they still kept moving. Finally they had made it to the small village of Eo. It was a very small village in the middle of the plain. It was a poor village, but everyone seemed happy enough. A short older lady came to meet them, “Hello there dears.” She said.
The Fated Swords (Mystics of V'nairia #1) Page 8