Enemies and Allies (Bound to the Abyss Book 3)

by James R. Vernon

  "Azalea . . . I swear . . ."

  "You're such a fool," Zin cut in. "She's feeding off of your frustration."

  "She's . . . Azalea!" Grasping the Yulari by the shoulders, Ean held her out in front of his body. "Were you?"

  "What do you want from me?" she slurred. "I didn't want all of that raw emotion going to waste."

  "You kept pushing me on purpose! Making my anger build so you could keep feeding off of it. And now look at you. You're tipsy."

  "Just a smudge. I don't know why, but since you bonded me, your emotions are twice as filling and full of flavor." Her red eyes began flutter and close.

  "Stop feeding!" He gave her a rough shake. It wasn't that her feeding on his emotions was painful. No one felt a thing when she fed that way. It was much better than her feeding straight off the life-force of a person, which usually lead to their death. Ean even encouraged it to keep her from going out into the village. But for her to keep poking at him to keep him enraged was a selfish thing for her to do.

  After a few more shakes, her eyes opened again and she let out a disappointed sigh.

  "Fine, fine. Such a waste, but if it angers you so, I'll control myself. This time. I make no promises, though, that I won't do it again."

  "Just give me a break today, Azalea. Let me get rid of this anger before I do something I'll regret."

  "Fair enough, Master."

  "I told you not to . . . " Ean stopped speaking as Azalea flashed him her most playful smile.

  "Just playing, Ean. Why don't you relax a bit. You're wound up tighter than a Crux in a room of full of Li'Akoxa."

  "What are Li'Akoxa?"

  "Horrible creatures." Zin shivered before continuing on. "Look human-ish, except their faces have no mouth or nose. Their mouths are actually on their hands, which they attach to a host and then implant--"

  "Enough, I don't want to know. Just the beginning of that description makes me want to ban bringing them to this world."

  "Good!" Azalea and Zin both said in unison. Freeing herself from Ean's grip, the Yulari stumbled backwards a few steps.

  "Well, Ean, I'm sorry your day didn't go as planned. Even if it did provide me with a scrumptious afternoon snack. Now, if we have nothing important to discuss, I think I'll go chew on a Carnslug and try to forget bringing up the Li'Akoxa."

  "Aww, don't go!" A male voice rang out from behind them. "I was enjoying the exchange between the three of you."

  Ean spun around to find a man lounging on his throne, one leg up on the armrest. He wore loose fitting black pants tucked into dark leather boots that stopped just below his knees. A ragged cloak, also black, covered the dark leather armor that covered his chest and hands. A thick, black scarf was wrapped around his head and face, making it impossible to make out anything else. A dagger, blade down and resting on the opposite armrest, was in his hand.

  Surprise, then anger, washed over Ean from his bond with Azalea. She took an uncertain step towards the throne, but Ean sent her a wave of caution through the bond. Anyone that could get down this far into his home without anyone noticing was more than a simple villager. Azalea stopped, sending caution back to him. He nodded, his eyes locked on the stranger.

  "Well, you are quite the serious bunch," the man replied. "Surely you don't find a single man that threatening."

  "I find anyone that sneaks into my home and sits in my chair threatening," Ean replied.

  "Really? With all your supposed power and your pet soul-sucker at your side?" Rage flowed through Azalea's bond but she remained still. "I've even heard that little imp can do some damage with those teeth of his."

  "Finally," Zin scoffed. "My combat prowess is vindicated--"

  "Not now, Zin." Waving the imp off, Ean kept his focus on the man. And his dagger. "I've become much more cautious this past year. Anyone that I don't know has to earn my trust. Sneaking into my home isn't the best start."

  "What can I say?" the man said, shrugging his shoulders. "I like to make an interesting first impression. We can work on the trust part later."

  "Fine. Let's start with your name then."

  "Daoshen Palgrain. My friends call me Dao, and since that's what we'll be eventually, you might as well start calling me that now."

  "You get ahead of yourself, human." Azalea moved close enough to Ean's side that their arms touched. "To be my master's friend in the future, you first have to survive today."

  "Well, aren't you the feisty one. A Yulari, correct? Your kind are as strong as they are beautiful. I have no intention of angering you, cutie."

  "Cutie?!?"

  Ean grabbed Azalea's arm before she could leap at the man. Waves of disgust and rage rolled through their connection. Was this what Azalea tasted all of the time? The emotions of everyone around her? Just feeling hers, and of course the hound’s, emotions all of the time was often overwhelming. He couldn't imagine feeling the emotions of everyone around him AND the “leftovers” as Azalea described them.

  "Daoshen," Ean made sure to emphasis his full name. "I didn't know anyone alive knew about Azalea's kind. Most people shy away from anything having to do with the Abyss. How do you know what she is?"

  "Simple, my dear Ean. I've seen her kind before."

  "What? In a book or something?"

  "No."

  “Then where?"

  "In person, Ean my boy. Up close and personal."

  "You ran into one that escaped from the Abyss?"

  "Alright, since this seems like such a hard concept to understand, let me spell it out for you. I've seen dozens of them before, along with armies of Cruxlum. Going by how empty your little lair is, I've probably seen creatures from the Abyss that you've never even heard about."

  "Now I know you're lying. If there were armies of creatures from the Abyss causing havoc around the realm, everyone would be in an uproar."

  "And they were in an uproar. Back when a man that wore the same tattoos as you tried to take over the world and drill a hole into the very Abyss itself. I was there for all of it."

  "Impossible. That was hundreds of years ago."

  "Yes, I know."

  Reaching up, Daoshen pulled the scarf from his face. Underneath was a pale, blue human face, except two holes sat where the nose should have been. The missing feature made his thin grey lips and deep-set black eyes stand out even more. A tiny gash ran from the outside corner of his right eye down to the middle of his cheek, the wound seemed old but had never been sewn shut. Daoshen flashed them a smile, showing a complete set of teeth that seemed out of place on such a disturbing face.

  "You're one of the Living Dead." Ean didn't bother to hide the surprise in his voice.

  "Correct! You've hit the most important thing right on the nose!" He took a moment to tap the skin in-between his two nose holes. The smile didn't leave his face.

  "Which brings up another question, Daoshen. How did you cross out of the Deadlands? I thought the magical plague turned anyone and anything leaving the Deadlands into a sick pile of mush.”

  "Well, I'm special."

  "How so?"

  "Come now, Ean. Let's save a little bit of the mystery that is Daoshen Paigrain for later. After all, we all have our secrets."

  "Fair enough. Then tell me why you're here. To join us?"

  "No, no. I already have someone that likes to boss me around. I'm here more as a messenger and guide."

  "And the message?"

  "Oh yes. I've just been talking about myself. I suppose I can get to the reason I'm here then." Dao reached into a pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. "I was told not to improvise or put my own spin on the message, so don't blame me if this comes off as stuffy. Here we go."

  "Ean Sangrave,

  First I want to apologize for the messenger. He can be obnoxious, as I am sure you have witnessed, despite my warnings to him to behave himself. He is, however, the only one who could deliver the message."

  Pausing, Dao gave a dismissive wave. "In my defense, it was more like a suggestion to ton
e down my amazing personality, not a warning."

  "Just continue."

  Dao gave a nod and returned to reading.

  "I am known in the Deadlands as The Silent King. Since the Plague and the resulting imprisonment of those infected by it in the north, I have organized those you refer to as The Living Dead . . . "

  "We call ourselves the Zu'ra, just so you know."

  A flash of curiosity leapt up through Azalea's bond, but Ean ignored it. "Just continue."

  " . . . over these past few centuries, and we have lived quite contently with the little contact we've needed with our neighbors to the south.

  You changed all of that with the destruction of Ulundkin. Whether part of some plan of yours or through consequences that got out of control, you have disrupted the natural order of things here. With that supply of food to Ulundkin now cut off, my people will start to suffer. Fixing this problem has proven difficult. Humans would not dare spend so much time in our lands to travel to our capital, and my people cannot cross the magical border created to keep the Plague from spreading.

  I task you with meeting with me to discuss new trade terms that you can take back to the humans that control things in your land. You have been chosen for two reasons. The first being that it is your fault this problem has come to pass as mentioned above. The second being that your unique situation allows you to enter deep into our lands without fear of becoming like us. Without you, I fear a new arrangement will not be reached with your people, which will then have dire consequences on mine.

  While you may be untrusting of my intentions, I swear I wish you no harm for what befell Ulundkin. I only wish to serve my people and keep them safe and happy. As an added incentive for you, I have 'procured' the entire library from the lair near Ulundkin. Those books, which I am sure you would find most enlightening about your situation, are all loaded onto carts awaiting your arrival. When you choose to assist me in fixing the problems you have caused, they will be yours to take back to your home.

  Consider my words carefully. From what I have learned about you these past few seasons, I am sure you will make the right decision. Daoshen will remain with you to guide you to the capital city of Novufyr where I reside. I will expect you within the season.

  The Silent King"

  When Dao finished, he folded up the paper and placed it back in his pocket.

  "So, am I returning home empty-handed, or will I have the pleasure of your company on my trip back to Novufyr?"

  "We need to discuss--" Zin began, but Ean spoke right over him.

  "We leave tomorrow."

  Chapter 6

  "How big of a fool are you?"

  It had been while since Zin had openly questioned any of Ean's decisions so vehemently. The imp had a dangerous look in his eyes, the same one he used to get right before delivering a sharp-nailed kick to Ean's shin.

  "For once, I agree with the little cretin," Azalea chimed in. "Sure, there is a great deal of potential behind this trip, but more likely than not, this will end up being the biggest mistake you've made in your life. And that's saying something. We need to at least discuss this before you make such a rash decision."

  "Ok. Let's discuss it then."

  Ean tried not to smile as a wave of surprise washed over him. With as often as Azalea could talk him into circles, it was nice to catch her off guard sometimes.

  "Well . . . um . . . " she stuttered.

  "I'll start then," Zin chimed in. "The most obvious reason not to go is that we have no idea if any of this is true. As bizarre of a situation it is having one of the Living Dead down in our land, it doesn't mean anything in that letter is the truth. This Daoshen fellow could have made all of this up."

  "And why would he do that?"

  "For a free meal of course!" Daoshen said from his spot on the throne.

  "Quiet," Azalea snapped at him.

  "No, it’s true. I risked crossing the barrier between our lands, traveled all the way down here with a raggedy old map as a guide, and wrote out that elegant letter all for a single meal. Cause I couldn't have gotten that anywhere else."

  Instead of telling him to quiet down, Ean raised an eyebrow in Zin's direction.

  "Fine," Zin conceded. "I have no idea why he would make all of this up. But just because I can't think of one off the top of my head doesn't mean he still can't have an ulterior motive. "

  "Which just means I have to be careful."

  "No, careful isn't enough." Azalea placed her hands on her hips. "How about we talk more about the fact that this could easily be a trap set up by this Quiet King fellow."

  "It’s 'Silent King,' beautiful."

  "Can you just shut up for a few moments!"

  "I don't know."

  "Maybe a missing jaw to match your nose--"

  "Azalea, enough." Ean needed to keep the conversation civil. He didn't want it to fall apart while he was on a roll. "Let's just say it is a trap. What exactly can they do to me? According to Auz, I'm practically immortal. If this Silent King knows anything more about Zin's former master--"

  "His name was Sage Fellowman," Daoshen said, absently picking at one of his nails.

  "What?"

  "The man that drove the Shadaer Umdaer south, that eventually grew power hungry and crazy, tried to dig a hole straight into the Abyss, and released the Plague when he was killed. His name was Sage Fellowman before he made such a huge mark on the world. After he went all 'evil overlord,' we simply called him the Plague, since he and what he did to our lands are one in the same. At one point, though, he was just a man with what I would consider a wimpy name."

  Finally hearing the name of Zin’s old master, the man who had gone through the same process of bonding himself to the Abyss and eventually turned into a tyrant made the hairs on Ean's arm stand up. Questions that constantly plagued him jumped to the front of his mind. What had pushed him into becoming such a monster? Had he taken on the tattoos to have the power to drive the Shadaer back or had that just been his first steps in his quest for power? The possibility of finding the answers to those questions alone made the trip worthwhile.

  "Did you know that, Zin? You're master's old name."

  "Can't say that I did."

  "So, clearly they have some knowledge that you don't.”

  "And if we travel all that way and he refuses to give you the books, then the trip will have been for nothing." Zin said, his voice wavering. Was Ean winning him over?

  "Zin, I'm not exactly doing a whole lot here. I wake up, train with Jaan, and maybe make a few decisions that any of you could make for me. I need to get out of here for a while. Believe it or not, I miss traveling around."

  "Yes, well, I kind of miss it too . . . "

  "And who will be in charge if we all go?" Azalea asked.

  "We? I'm the only one going with Daoshen."

  "Over Zin's dead body you are!"

  "There is no way . . . " Zin began. "Wait. Why MY dead body?"

  "Because you're the most frail!"

  "Neither of you are going," Ean said, raising his voice to be heard over the two. "I may be immortal but neither of you are. If this does end up being a trap--"

  "All the more reason you'll need us," Azalea said, cutting him off. "You may be bigger and stronger than before, but you still can't fight worth a lick. I've watched some of your sparring sessions with Jaan."

  "You have? When?"

  "Sometimes I happen to wander by when you spar . . . that's not what's important. What's important is that in a straight fight, all you've gotten good at is dodging blows. I haven't seen you even make Jaan flinch."

  "He's a Crux! I don't think any human would have much of a chance against even the weakest of his race."

  "The Seekers did." Zin's voice was low, a sharp contrast to Azalea's. "For all we know, it might have taken all three of them to do it, but they killed the Crux you summoned. And if you have any brains left in there, you'll remember that I saved you from one of them putting a knife in your heart."

/>   "Zin . . . I . . . "

  "Those Seekers are out there, searching for anything from the Abyss. Searching for it and have the ability to destroy it. That could include you, no matter what Auz tells you. And the stronger you grow, the easier it will be for them to find you. Why rely on a mere stranger like Dao to watch your back when friends you trust have volunteered? It’s almost insulting. I'm going, Ean."

  "If the imp gets to go, I'm going too." Azalea poked a finger into his chest. "If I remember correctly, I had to save you a few times from regular humans. Not warriors with magical weapons or powers either. I had to save you from a lecherous thief and a drunk goon. Let's face it, even with your growing power, out of the three of us, you're the least dangerous in a fight."

  "Azalea, you're terrified to be around large groups of humans." Ean knew it was a low blow, but it was a valid point. "We're going to have to stop at a few towns on the way to the Deadlands."

  "I'll deal," Azalea said between clenched teeth.

  "What if you can't–"

  “Don’t you begin to tell me what I can and cannot do, Ean.”

  “Azalea, I can’t have your weakness—“ As her eyes went wide at the last word, Ean knew he had made a big mistake.

  Azalea kicked him hard in the stomach, sending Ean rolling backward. He hadn't even had the chance to try to block the kick or even tense up his muscles. He rolled a few times before crashing into the stony wall.

  "I'm going, Ean." Azalea growled. "By the Abyss, if you try to stop me, I'll break both your legs and we'll have to carry you to the Deadlands."

  All Ean could do was wheeze as he tried to get air to return to his lungs.

  With a smirk and a snort, Azalea nodded curtly and left the room.

  "Lover's quarrel?" Daoshen had gotten off the throne and was moving down near Zin.

  "Those two have a . . . special . . . connection. It’s hard to explain," Zin said.

  "Well, it will certainly make our trip entertaining."

  "That's one word for it."

  "Both of you get out." Ean wheezed. The two shrugged in unison and began making their way out of the room.

  "Come on, Daoshen. Let me show you where you can sleep for the night."