Kingdom of Shadows

by K M Reynolds

  “Who are you talking to?”

  Wynne jumped at Charles’ voice. “Oh! I didn’t realize you were here.” She glanced from Charles to the plate in front of him heaping with fruit. “That looks delicious.”

  “You are welcome to have some,” he offered, sliding the plate across the table toward her. “I think I cut more than I needed to. I got a bit carried away.”

  Wynne slid into a chair across from Charles and plucked a plump strawberry from the plate. “Thanks. I was just thinking about getting a snack. I’ve been working on Cambria all morning and it’s taking a toll.”

  “How is she?” Charles asked through a mouthful of pear. “Any better?”

  Wynne sighed and rubbed her face. “Well, physically, she seems to be healing nicely. But she just won’t wake up. I’ve seen damage like this once before…” her voice trailed off and she looked at Charles sadly.

  “And?”

  “And they never woke up.”

  “Oh.” He sat back in his chair, his fingers drumming the tabletop in a staccato rhythm. “So there’s no hope?”

  “I refuse to believe that,” Wynne popped another strawberry into her mouth. “This is too big, too important, to just give up on. If anyone has a chance of fighting their way out of this, it’s Cam.”

  “You really think so?”

  “I do.”

  “Does Addie know?” Charles asked. “About the bad odds?”

  “No, and I’d appreciate it if you kept it between us for now. She’s already worried about her friend, we don’t need to make it worse by telling her there’s not much hope.”

  “I don’t like keeping secrets from Adelaide, Wynne.”

  “Neither do I, but in this case, I think it’s necessary.”

  “Fine. I’ll play along, for now. But I want to tell her as soon as possible.”

  “I will let you know as soon as anything changes, or when I know anything for certain.”

  “Thank you.” He rose from the table, gesturing to the fruit. “You can have the rest. I’m going to go sit with Addie for a while. Also, Juniper keeps going to the cupboard and making a racket, I think she’s hungry. I offered her some dried jerky but she didn’t want it.”

  Wynne nodded and grabbed a handful of grapes. “Thanks. I’ll feed her in a few minutes, when she comes back into the room. I think she just senses the tension and is restless.”

  “That makes sense. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Wynne watched as Charles ambled out of the room, back down the hall towards Adelaide and her unconscious friend. She rocked back in her chair, musing over all the possibilities that were keeping Cambria from waking up.

  Maybe she’s scared to wake up and face us. Maybe she’s trapped in her own mind and can’t get out. Maybe she’s on a journey of self-discovery. Or maybe… she grimaced at even thinking it …maybe she’s dead.

  Cambria shivered as Thanaeron’s long fingernails scraped down her cheek. She spat out the blood that was pooling in her mouth, staring defiantly up into the face of pure evil.

  “I already told you, I’m not telling you anything, you monster.”

  “And I told you,” Thanaeron growled, “that I’m not going to stop until you break. You did a foolish thing, coming after us with the Time Glass. So stupid to ignore the warnings Wynne gave you, trying to change the past. Now we have you in our grasp, and we don’t plan on letting you go.”

  “You don’t have me,” Cambria spat again, the gash on her lip stinging. “I escaped. I remember making it back to the Time Glass and re-opening the portal.”

  “Then how are you here?” Thanaeron gestured around at the damp dungeon. “If you truly escaped, then how have I been torturing you day in and day out?”

  “I don’t know.” Cambria hung her head, feeling tears building in her eyes. “But I escaped,” she whispered. “I know I did.”

  “Well, you can know it all you want,” Thanaeron chuckled, picking up a razor blade. “But you will still be wrong.” With a swift flick of her wrist she opened a gash in Cambria’s cheek.

  Cambria flinched, gritting her teeth and fighting the scream that built in her chest. I won’t give her the satisfaction. She closed her eyes as Thanaeron slashed again, the razor biting into her collarbone. She tried to think about other things, about her friends and family. Suddenly, a voice broke through the pain, right in her ear. Wynne’s voice.

  “Keeper of Shadows, it is time to return to the waking world. We need you.”

  Cambria’s eyes flew open, scanning the darkness before meeting Thanaeron’s dark gaze. Wynne! She blinked hard, breaking away from Thanaeron’s gaze to search the dark corners of the dungeon again. “Did you hear that?”

  “Hear what?” Thanaeron sneered. “Is the pain making you hallucinate?”

  Cambria felt the world beginning to spin as Thanaeron cut into her again and again. “No, I know what I heard.”

  “You know what you did, you know what you heard…” Thanaeron chuckled as she wiped the blood from her blade. “You sure seem confident for someone who knows absolutely nothing.” She picked up a long metal spike from her tray of instruments, running her fingers along the length. “Now, I’m not going to play nice anymore. Tell me where the other traitors are located.”

  “Eat me,” Cambria growled through clenched teeth.

  “Oh, that is the plan,” Thanaeron bared her pointed teeth in a wicked grin. “That’s exactly what I hope to do to you.” She lunged forward, piercing Cambria’s thigh with the spike.

  Cambria bit down on her tongue but the pain was too great, and she howled in agony, her muscles spasming uncontrollably. She felt her bladder give way, the urine mixing with the streams of blood running down her leg, flowing in hot rivulets to the stone floor. She tasted bile and blood and she gagged, gasping for air as the darkness consumed her.

  “My love, you should get something to eat. You have barely moved, barely slept.”

  Adelaide shook her head, shifting in her chair. “No, Charles, I can’t leave her here alone. What if she wakes up? What if something happens?”

  “I could sit here with her while you rest,” he offered. “You have to take care of yourself too, and Malcolm. I don’t want you overdoing it.”

  “I’ll be fine, darling.” She smiled at him and waved towards the door. “I can tell you are getting antsy sitting here with me. Go hunt or take Senaris for a ride. I’ll be fine here.”

  Charles strode over to where she was sitting and planted a kiss on her temple. “If you insist.”

  “I do.”

  He blew one last kiss and exited the room, leaving Adelaide alone once more with Cambria’s still body. She hung her head, pressing her face against her palms. Maybe just a few minutes of rest, she thought, settling back into her chair and closing her eyes.

  A piercing scream shook her awake and she gasped, momentarily disoriented. The scream came again, and Adelaide realized where it had come from.

  Cambria’s back was arched like a bow, her muscles contracting and shaking violently. Her mouth was flung wide, and foam spilled from the corners. The screams were guttural, coming from the most feral part of her, buried deep within.

  “Wynne! Charles! Somebody, help!” Adelaide cried out as she leapt from her chair. She flung her body on top of Cambria’s, desperate to stop the convulsions. She pinned down Cam’s arms, tears pooling in her eyes as her unconscious friend seized and shook beneath her.

  The door to the room burst open and Wynne flew to Cambria’s bedside, quickly muttering incantations and scanning her body for tell-tale signs of injury. Finding nothing, she continued to whisper while helping Adelaide hold Cambria still. At long last, the seizure subsided and Cam’s body lay limp and still once more. The only trace of the violence that had gripped her was a bit of dried foam in the corner of her mouth, and the sweat that beaded on Adelaide and Wynne’s foreheads.

  “What was that?” Adelaide asked, wide-eyed.

  “I don’t know,” Wynne answered
truthfully. She leaned over Cambria, studying her closely. “I’m going to try and search her mind to see if I can find answers. Until now I’ve come up empty, but this new… activity… may lead us to answers.”

  “Wynne,” Adelaide pleaded tearfully, “please save my friend. Please. Outside of you and Charles and my baby, she’s the only family I have left in this world. I can’t lose her too.”

  “I’ll do my best,” Wynne promised. “Now Princess, you should go get some real rest. I’ll be here with Cambria, just in case. Please, take it easy. You are wearing yourself too thin.”

  “Charles said the same thing,” Adelaide smirked.

  “Wise man.” Wynne winked and gestured toward the door. “Seriously though, Addie. If you won’t do it for yourself, at least do it for Malcolm.”

  Adelaide sighed and nodded, shuffling toward the door. “You are right. I’m going to go take a nap, please wake me if anything happens.”

  “I will, I promise. Now shoo!”

  “I’m going, I’m going.” Adelaide waddled down the hall to her room, her back twinging slightly after all the time spent in the chair. Malcolm kicked and rolled contentedly inside of her, and she rested her hand over him.

  “Everything is going to be fine, sweet boy. I love you.”

  “Well?” Lord Bainbridge asked, eyeing Thanaeron as she slunk into the room. The way she moved was snake-like, and it both aroused and terrified him. “What did you get from her today?”

  “Well, I think we are just about there. She still won’t give the location of the group, but I think I’ve narrowed it down. What’s the one place we never searched for Wynne when she went missing?”

  Lord Bainbridge thought for a minute, chewing his lip. “The Tangled Marshwood?”

  “Exactly. We assumed only a fool would venture there, and we couldn’t spare the manpower to search that forsaken place.” Thanaeron chuckled. “But I should have known better. Wynne is a fool, so it makes sense that she would go there.”

  “You think she’s been living in that creature-infested jungle this whole time?”

  “I think it’s a safe bet. It would also explain why no one knew anything about the group past Black Lake. And why Cambria said that Winter doesn’t last long where they are.”

  “Did we send any scouts to Marshend?”

  “No, we sent scouts East through the Pine Mountains. We thought they were heading for the seaports on the coast. But the trail went cold. They wouldn’t have gone back West to the Wastelands, but South… now that’s a fair possibility that seems more likely.”

  “So what are you going to do?” Lord Bainbridge sat back in his chair, drumming his fingers against the table top in a staccato rhythm.

  “I will astral project there and search myself. If I find anything, I’ll report back and we can launch an attack on them and wipe them out once and for all.”

  “Finally,” Lord Bainbridge grumbled. “They’ve been the pebble in my boot long enough.” He paused, absentmindedly tapping his chin. “But say they are hiding there, in the jungle. How do you propose we attack? We can’t just send my troops in, they will be devoured by the foul things that live there.”

  “That’s the benefit of dark magic, my pet,” crooned Thanaeron. “I can manipulate the minds of all those that dwell in shadow. The creatures of night will become our weapons. No need to send your soldiers, I can guarantee that the only loss of life will be the traitors. If a creature dies, it is of no consequence.”

  “Brilliant. Have I told you that you are brilliant?”

  “Not nearly often enough.”

  “Well, you are. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.” He gestured around the room. “What can I do for my best advisor and sorceress?”

  “Make me your queen, that would suffice.”

  Lord Bainbridge balked, his eyes going wide. “My queen?” He laughed, feeling an icy pit of dread growing in his gut. “What about my wife?”

  “What does she really do for you, anyway? Huh, Desmond? I’m the real competency you need beside you on the throne, not that weak, simpering sap.”

  “That is my wife you speak of, you demon!” Lord Bainbridge thundered. “No more talk of this. I won’t hear it.” He met Thanaeron’s cold gaze with a steely glare. “On this, you will obey me.”

  “Fine,” Thanaeron tossed her hands up and pursed her lips in an exaggerated pout. “You win. I’ll just be over here, not reaching my full potential.”

  “You want to reach your full potential? Then find those scheming bastards and bring me their heads.” Lord Bainbridge muttered. “And no sulking. You know I hate sulking.”

  “Yes, my liege,” Thanaeron bowed mockingly and strutted out of the room. “I’ll update you on what I find when I find it.”

  Lord Bainbridge watched her leave and ran a hand through his hair. I’m in way over my head with this one, and there’s no way out. He grasped a wine goblet and filled it from the decanter on the table. He sipped from shaky hands. This woman will very well be the death of me. He drained the cup, sighing deeply. To Elios with it all. I may as well enjoy it while I can.

  strategic moves

  T hanaeron arranged the candles carefully around her suite, making sure to leave the flames clear of any hanging draperies that may flutter in the breeze. She created a little nest of pillows on the floor in the center of the room, circling it much like a dog would before resting, finally situating herself in the center of the plush circle. She inhaled deeply, setting her intention in her mind’s eye.

  The world quickly fell away around her and she soared up into the clear sky, hurtling South at a breakneck pace. She flew for about an hour, over Black Lake, past Marshend, right up to the dark tree line of The Tangle. As she reached the border, she hovered there in the sky, surveying the vast jungle spreading out before her. Yesterday she had flown to the East, surveying that coastline. Today, she decided to take the West coastline, and if her search turned up nothing, she would try the center tomorrow.

  She angled low over the trees and flew slowly, reaching out for any discernable trace of magic that may linger in the air. She could practically feel the darkness from the shadows below beckoning her, reaching out with a dark embrace. Stay focused. Find the traitors.

  Her skin began to tingle and she stopped, hovering in place near a small rocky beach. Something is here. She descended carefully, allowing herself to be drawn in by the residual magic. A cursory inspection revealed nothing at the beach, but a faded trail of magic led into the trees. She followed tentatively, stepping lightly through the underbrush. The trail led to a clearing with a cave inside.

  Thanaeron’s lips twisted into a smile. I know that magic, I’d recognize its flavor anywhere. Cambria. Thanaeron ducked inside the cave and looked around. This must be where she lived when she separated from the rest of the group. She smiled again, chuckling to herself. That means the others can’t be far away.

  She exited the cave and reached out, searching for other trails of magic. There were none to be found, the path from Wynne’s to the cave had long since faded away. She launched herself back into the sky, flying slowly out in an ever-widening circle pattern from the cave. She circled and circled until the familiar tingle returned, just on the edge of a large lake. Gotcha.

  She flew low over the lake, the light tingle turning into an almost unbearable burning. With a rush, she pushed through some kind of barrier, and she caught her breath. There, on the shore of the lake, was a small cottage and barn. She quickly flew down into the trees, concealing herself from view in the shadows. As she watched, a tall, handsome man exited the cottage and headed for the barn. I know him, Thanaeron realized. That’s Desmond’s traitorous son. Close on his heels came a young redheaded girl, clearly with child. Thanaeron gasped. That must be the Malcray heir. But who… her question was answered not a moment later, as the Bainbridge boy and the Malcray girl shared a kiss.

  “Maelron below,” she whispered to the shadows. “It can’t be.” She watched for a few m
oments longer, then crept away from the cottage, staying toward the edge of the tree line as she made her way down the lake. She closed her eyes, focusing on reuniting with her body back at Greystone Castle. She succumbed to the pull, slowly vanishing from the forest. Now, those worthless dogs will pay.

  She opened her eyes, once again back in her chambers, surrounded by lit candles. She leapt from her cushions and twirled around the room, her arms raised jubilantly above her head. Her pointed teeth glistened in the candlelight as she grinned. She turned and strode for the door, snapping her fingers and extinguishing the candles as she went.

  As she swept down the hall, servants scuttled away from her, bowing their heads and not daring to gaze too long. Just how I like them, weak and trembling. She breezed into the throne room, closing the large doors behind her with an absentminded flick of her wrist. Lord Bainbridge straightened on his throne as she approached.

  “Well, Desmond, I have some good news at last.”

  “You found them?”

  “I did indeed, and not a moment too soon.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes. It would seem that the Malcray usurper is with child, by your son, no less.”

  Lord Bainbridge hissed through his teeth. “That’s not possible.”

  “Oh, it’s very possible. I saw it with my own two eyes. This makes them more dangerous than ever, but they seem content where they are. Now is the perfect time to strike them down, when they think they are safe.”

  “Let’s do it then. You said you’d come up with a spell to control the creatures in the jungle, to send them to attack?”

  “Yes, that’s still the plan. I’ll get the spell up and running by dawn. Within the next rising and setting of the sun, we will have crushed our enemy once and for all.”

  Charles cleared his throat, gently setting his cup down on the table. “So, we should probably talk about Cambria,” he began, glancing between Adelaide and Wynne.

  “What is there to talk about?” Adelaide asked through a bite of salmon.