Silence.
“Crossed swords, yes, like to those mounted on the wall. Three red drops from the centre, like blood. A sigil? Is it a sigil? There is a marking below, an inverted triangle with the number four in the centre. I do not see more.”
“Do not open your eyes,” Elianas said. “Concentrate. Tell us what you hear.”
Tristan drew in a breath and then sat unmoving.
Long minutes passed.
“Water runs somewhere beyond the chamber. To me it sounds like a water wheel. Someone sneezes and it irritates Rivalen. He glares at the door, yes. The vulci hisses. Crackling from the fire. Scuffling from Rivalen as he moves towards me. My own heartbeat. There is a rat in the ceiling. Bells … bells in the distance …”
Tristan opened his eyes.
“I know those bells.”
Torrullin still stared at him.
Tristan frowned. “We know those bells. I haven’t been in that chamber before, but certainly to the place. The Kaval have been in there on numerous occasions to rout them. The crossed swords, their emblem. The triangle isn’t a sigil, it is the mark for the house. Number four. They use old water mills, for the sound outside masks what happens inside.”
“The Slayers of Millwold.”
“Yes!”
Torrullin rubbed at his face in agitation.
“Tell me,” Elianas prompted.
Tristan, after releasing an explosive breath, said, “The Slayers arose around four centuries ago. During the time of the long peace, they gathered, claiming when peace ended, their services would be needed. Millwold is an older world, a place where milling is done in the old way. Or was done. Many worlds brought their wheat to mill into flour, cheaper than building their own facilities. Today there are more economic ways, and parts of Millwold went up for sale, bought by a wealthy merchant. Soon after, the mills went into operation again and we later learned the Slayers trained inside.”
“Assassins?”
“Indeed, but the worst kind. They have no ethos other than coin. There is no political tenet and no cultural ideal, such as the Valleur Guild had. Killing isn’t always clean. They can be stealthy indeed, but often do not care who knows they did a job. Their signature is the crossed swords emblem and the red cloaks they wear. Hides the blood.”
“How many and how well trained?” Elianas demanded.
“They are trained, believe me. We have left Millwold with many scrapes. How many? At last count, the Kaval put their number at around fifty thousand.”
“All gods,” Elianas muttered, losing his colour. “Why would so many choose a life of murder?”
“It pays well,” Torrullin muttered. “It is a massive universe, many worlds. They could probably triple their number and still make a profit.”
Silence, and then Elianas said, “To prove he can lead them to greater profit, Rivalen needed to show how he has the power to do so. Not only did he show them a man they believed was Torrullin Valla, Elixir, but also the infamous Maghdim many have desired to own and use for nefarious purpose.”
“Exactly,” Tristan agreed.
“And how perfect the timing was for him,” Torrullin muttered. “The sudden quelling that spread throughout the universe ended when he so-called captured Elixir and the Medaillon.”
Elianas inflated his cheeks.
“That was you? The deadening in the spaces?” Tristan asked.
“Yes, to prevent more floods and fires. Never mind that now, and he has clearly moved on to a different track.” Torrullin leaned in. “First a slayer must prove prowess in order to become a Slayer of Millwold. We can assume it did not take Rivalen long to prove himself in the art of killing. Then there is this. The Slayer leader chooses himself and he does so by trial of combat, which means the aspirant leader kills the old one and takes over. No doubt Rivalen murdered the previous leader in some horrific fashion to prove himself worthy.”
“He cannot care about worthiness, surely?” Tristan frowned.
“No, but the Slayers must think him thus if he is to bend them to his will. He added power to his worthiness by claiming the Maghdim. They will now kneel to him. He hoped to kill Elixir before witnesses as an added measure, but Lowen summoned me before he could ostensibly do so. It would not do to have the double of the man at his feet suddenly make an appearance.”
Tristan realised Lowen’s timely summons had saved his life.
“The fact that I still live can now be explained, of course, but had I appeared after he ‘killed’ me before his witnesses it would not matter, for his control will soon be absolute.” Torrullin leaned back. “Rivalen has got himself a mighty army.”
Elianas swore. “What kind are they? Human?”
“All kinds,” Tristan replied, “but mostly humanoid in appearance. I remember seeing a Lizoid once and even a lone Murs.”
“What of sorcery?”
“Some. All have the power of transport taught to them in order to move as needs demand.”
“And this Millwold? How defensible is it?”
“Numbers is the main defence. There are bulwarks, walls and pits and so forth, but numbers keep it safe from incursion.”
“What does the four signify?” Elianas asked.
“The mill number. There are thousands.”
“The next question would be, what does he intend to achieve with this army of killers at his command,” Torrullin said.
“It could be as simple as having a shield from you and Elianas,” Tristan said.
“Maybe.”
“Can we enter Millwold?” Elianas asked.
Tristan blinked. “If we do, we should go in with the Luvanese host.”
“Gods,” Elianas muttered.
“Protect yourself, Tristan,” Torrullin said. “He could attempt something similar.”
“There are now guards on Akhavar’s ledge at all times. He will not catch anyone there again. But, yes, I hear you.”
“Yet you came alone?”
“Not so much.”
Torrullin lifted an eyebrow.
“Quilla studies the fire damage,” Tristan grinned. “And there are a few gardeners around - for the trees?”
“I forgot about the trees,” Torrullin muttered.
“Tian won’t. He intends making Akhavar unassailable.”
“That city requires a name,” Elianas said. “Once other cities and towns are named, we cannot go on calling it plain Akhavar or the mountain city. The Valleur need it to have an identity.”
“Good point,” Tristan said.
“What do you suggest,” Torrullin asked Elianas.
“I do not fucking care. Name it anything. I shall not be spending much time there.”
“Will you be spending time in Kalgaia?”
Elianas stared at him. “No.”
Tristan stood. “I think that is my cue to be on my merry way. Yes, yes, I am joining Quilla and I promise to be careful.”
He touched his forehead and swiftly left the kitchen, leaving them to it.
TORRULLIN FOLLOWED TRISTAN’S example. He swiftly left the kitchen after grabbing the swords.
Elianas tracked him deliberately and it pissed him off. As he entered his bed chamber, he swung around. “Enough.”
“Not near enough.” Elianas shoved him further into the chamber, then shoved him until he stumbled onto his bed. Swords and scabbards went scattering. Elianas unbuckled his and allowed it to drop.
Torrullin fell awkwardly and started cursing.
Elianas lifted him, hands twisted into his tunic, and tossed him upward into a better position.
“Lie still,” he commanded.
“I fucking will not,” Torrullin snarled.
Ignoring his outburst, Elianas shunted his tunic up.
“I am not in the mood,” Torrullin said, shifting sideways from questing hands.
Elianas grabbed his arms and pinned them, leaning all his weight into the grips. “I need to feel you. My reality recedes, Torrullin, and I need you to ground me in the
present.”
He ceased fighting immediately. “Your reality recedes? What does that mean?”
“Right now I am like to that form you spoke to, in and out of reality.” He drew a breath. “Do not let me go, please.”
All gods. Whatever it meant, he would not let go. “Take what you need,” Torrullin said.
Elianas released him, straddled him, and laid his hands on his chest, merely resting them there. He closed his eyes. After a moment, he moved his left hand to the area over Torrullin’s heart, while the right rested upon the Medaillon. He did not move thereafter.
Of course his heart thundered like a raging bull running across the plains. This was all new, this receding reality concept. He lay still and watched the dark man on him, noticing how the pale line of strain under his lower lip regained colour. Seeing it, his heart started to slow.
Elianas pressed there, absorbing the energy.
His heart thundered into life again.
Elianas’ eyes snapped open.
Gods. Without thinking, acting only on instinct, he reached for him, dragged his mouth to his and kissed him. Immediately the dampened fires within flared into life.
Elianas’ heart thudded against his chest and then his hands plunged into his lover’s fair hair and he deepened the kiss. The man sought to absorb his inner being.
Instinct bade him arch and he did, clawing at the dark man’s tunic.
Elianas lifted his head. “My god, your fire is hot.”
Those words spoke to his contrary nature. He shifted and flung the man over. “Now I am in the mood,” he warned.
“Good,” Elianas murmured and dragged him down.
“You could just have asked.”
“I need you to burn me,” Elianas whispered, hands and mouth hungry. “Keep me with you, don’t let go.”
Fear became anger and anger became lust. He dug into the dark man’s breeches without bothering to undo, and gripped. Oh god oh god oh god.
“Move, Elianas. You let go. I have you, I swear.”
Elianas moved against his grip, into his clasp, arched up and hot liquid spilled over his fingers. He shuddered long, head thrown back. The man’s utter surrender altered his own arousal into a siren’s summons. Holding himself, Torrullin climaxed, his face buried in Elianas’ neck.
Hearts thudded in exactly the same rhythm.
One hand smoothed his hair.
Shifting his weight, Torrullin murmured, “How do you do this to me?”
Elianas rolled onto his side. “It works both ways.” He inhaled deeply and lay back. Releasing that breath, he added, “Thank you.”
His heart knocked askew, once. “What did you mean?”
“Words cannot explain it. I was lost, about to disappear; there are no words.”
Perhaps it was not as literal as he had thought, thank the gods, but from now on he would watch for the pale line under Elianas’ bottom lip.
“We both feel disconnected,” he said, giving Elianas the benefit of his doubt.
Elianas sat up. “I am beginning to think we have no noble purpose.”
“Ending Rivalen’s reign is certainly purpose. Others may regard it as noble.”
“There has to be more.” Elianas shook his head. “Right now we both need to shower.”
“And eat.”
Reluctantly the man grinned. “Eat, yes.” He gazed down. “Come shower with me.”
Grey eyes glittered. “You do understand what will happen.”
Laughing then, Elianas dragged him away.
Chapter 46
A kiss changes perception
~ Awl ~
Akhavar
Mountain City
LATER, IN A LESS witnessed space, Torrullin and Elianas sat around a table with Tianoman and Tristan.
All were armed.
Along from the royal apartment there was a smaller conference facility, one Tianoman had furnished in a hurry, for he was weary of everyone watching his every action in the Throne-room. More and more he thought and acted like a Vallorin. Transparency never sat well with Vallorins.
Aislinn had been in with Lunik and had left again when the toddler began making a ruckus.
This table came from the Keep’s dining room. Torrullin’s stomach clenched, seeing it. The Keep, increasingly, lay in the past.
“This is for family,” Tianoman said.
Hangings adorned the wall and large potted trees created a sense of peace. No doubt Aislinn had a hand in the decorations - Tianoman would probably have been happy with the table and chairs only. A sideboard sported drinks and goblets, which all had helped themselves from already.
“Our family is larger than the four of us, however. Aislinn may not be able to join us, but she knows I will tell her all. There are others I wish to summon to this meeting; I would like your permission to do so,” Tianoman continued, gazing at the three men in turn.
“Whose permission are you asking, Tian?” Tristan asked.
“All of you. Here family needs to agree.”
Tristan inclined his head. “We will not always be unanimous.”
Tianoman smiled. “I am aware.”
“Who do you wish to join us?” Torrullin prompted.
“Caballa.”
“Unanimous,” Torrullin smiled, causing Tristan to grin.
“Rose.”
Torrullin glanced at Elianas, who shrugged. Tristan already nodded when he looked there. “Rose is family, yes.”
“And Teroux.”
Silence greeted that.
Tianoman waited them out.
Elianas eventually waved a hand in resignation. “Fine with me.”
“Really?” Torrullin said.
Elianas did not respond.
“Fine,” Torrullin muttered.
Tristan was less accepting. “Teroux, cousin? The man makes waves. If you seek agreement, know you will not get it with Teroux present.”
Tianoman was unblinking. “He does not have to agree with anything. He needs to listen, though. Teroux has to make a stand, Tris, and we have to grant him an opportunity to do so from an informed state of mind. He is our cousin. He is family.”
“Whatever.” Tristan lifted his amber drink and slurped.
“You two were so close growing up, Tris. Surely you would want him to return to us?”
Tristan smacked his goblet down. “So close, yes, and still he turned his back. Family does not do that.”
“Family is more likely to do so,” Torrullin murmured. “Because we share genetics, we disagree more.”
“I have no issue with disagreement, Torrullin,” Tristan said. “But Teroux overstepped many lines.”
“Would one of those lines be his sexual preferences?”
Tristan glared at Torrullin. “How can you ask that?”
Torrullin stared back.
On his feet, Tristan strode to the array of drinks. “I have no problem with his preference.”
As Tristan poured, Tianoman said, “But?”
“I have an issue with his lies!” Tristan snarled. He returned to table, sitting angrily, drink in hand. “We were brothers growing up, did everything together. I thought we could tell each other anything. He said nothing. He lied to me for years.”
Elianas leaned forward. “Perhaps it is right that Teroux be here now. He needs to know how you feel.”
“Gods, Elianas, how can you be so calm? You know what he wants from you.”
Elianas lifted his barely touched wine. “What he wants and what he will get are two different situations.”
Torrullin snorted a laugh.
Sighing, Tristan murmured, “Fine, Tian, Teroux as well.”
Tianoman nodded and, in silence, sent out the calls.
Rose entered first, for she had a suite down the corridor. Besides Tianoman, the other three men stared at her. Rose had lost much weight and appeared ill. Her blond hair was without lustre. Her spark was entirely missing.
She smiled wanly at them. “Hello.”
; Elianas rose and went to kiss her cheek. “It is good to see you, Rose. Come sit. Family talk.”
“I am family?” she whispered.
Briefly Torrullin closed his eyes to inwardly curse bloody Teroux. “Always, Rose. Welcome.”
She sat beside Elianas and folded her hands in her lap.
Tristan’s teeth ground audibly. He knocked his drink back.
“Tris, maybe you should walk some of that anger off,” Torrullin suggested.
He received another glare. “You are merely better at hiding yours. I know how angry you are right now.”
A muscle twitched in Torrullin’s cheek. He looked away.
Tristan, this time, snorted a laugh.
Caballa appeared then, breezy bright-eyed and full of smiles. “Oh, good,” she said. “It’s lovely to see all the gorgeous men in one place.”
Elianas laughed and relaxed in his seat. He nudged Torrullin on his other side, who shook his head in a long-suffering way.
Caballa proceeded to kiss every cheek on her way around the table until she reached Tianoman. “Lord Vallorin.”
Tianoman gestured significantly at his cheek.
Laughing, she placed a kiss there as well, and sat in the chair Tristan held out for her. She blinked at him. “Are you all right?”
“Teroux has been summoned.”
“Then I am leaving,” Rose stated, and prepared to stand.
Elianas laid a hand on her shoulder. “Sometimes it is better to face what hurts you most, Rose. We are here for you.”
In answer, she shifted her chair closer to him and put her hand out.
Saying not a word, Elianas took it into his and held it.
Tristan stared at that linking. He realised how connected Teroux had made Elianas and Rose. One a man the object of desire, the other a woman hurting in repudiation. He shifted to Caballa. “Keep me from hitting him.”
She touched his face.
Torrullin discovered he wished to hit Teroux as well.
“Well,” Tianoman sighed, “this could be intense.”
“Is he coming?” Tristan demanded.
“He is here,” Teroux said, and sauntered in. “Thank you for the invite, cousin.” He glanced around the table, and bobbed his head. “I hope this isn’t one of those interference things.”
Lore of Sanctum Omnibus Page 228