Enemies and Allies (Bound to the Abyss Book 3)

by James R. Vernon

  Keeping his small bubble of Plague-free space clear for the entire day had worn him out. The only time Dao had spoken during the trip was to warn Ean to keep the bubble clear of him. Since Ean wanted to keep their food supplies inside the bubble, he had to balance keeping the wagon in while keeping Dao and the horse out. With all of the stopping and changes in direction to avoid the local plant life, the trip had been more stressful on Ean than he could have imagined. All he wanted to do now that they had stopped was have a small meal and get some sleep.

  But would that even be possible? It took a conscious effort to keep the bubble in place. Any time Ean had not kept a little of his attention on pushing the Plague energy away, it had rushed in, destroying his tiny safe haven. Which then, of course, earned him dirty looks from both Azalea and Zin. One thing came to mind, though, that made Ean decide to let the bubble go for the night.

  "Just to warn you," he announced as they continued to set up camp. "I'm going to stop holding off the Plague for the night."

  "Good," Dao grunted. The man was in the middle of piling up a collection of violet colored twigs and branches for their fire.

  Zin seemed less than pleased. "And why exactly would you do that? Enjoy torturing your friends?"

  "I doubt I can keep it up in my sleep--"

  "Who says you need to sleep?" Azalea asked in a sweet tone. Ean ignored her.

  " . . . And I can't keep it going once we reach Driavarage."

  "Why not?" Azalea had her arms crossed now and was looking at him with annoyance.

  "Because I don't want to accidentally murder anyone that stumbles too close."

  "First smart thing you've said in a while," Dao mumbled. Ean shot him a look then returned his attention to Azalea.

  "We're already going to stand out."

  "Speak for yourself." Azalea's form shimmered for a moment and then her human illusion appeared, except this time her skin mirrored Dao's pale blue. "I can even make it appear like I'm missing some pieces, if that will help. And the imp will just do his normal disappearing act."

  "Which is fine, but I'm not going to walk around a crowded town with an invisible field that will probably kill the inhabitants just as easily as it killed the grass here."

  "A few dead humans--"

  "First off, beast," Dao said, hopping to his feet. "We aren't human anymore. We're better. We are the Zu'ra."

  "Yes, you've said that name before. You still smell human to me. At least the parts that aren't rotting . . . "

  "And you’re just some foul creature. I'm not afraid of you. I've killed your kind before. My orders are to bring Ean before my king. Those orders do not include you being alive."

  "Come try your luck then, blue man."

  "Step out of that death sphere and I will!"

  "Coward!"

  Ean had had enough. He stopped making the effort of holding the bubble of his energy outward. The mist and the Plague both came rushing in. The corrupted energy hammered against him but he held onto enough Abyssmal energy that it kept the Plague from bothering him. Azalea didn't have the same defense. As soon as the mist touched her, she doubled over, her arms wrapped around her stomach. A dark grin appeared on Dao's face. He only made it one step towards the Yulari before Ean stepped in front of him.

  "Enough of this. There is no reason for us to be at each other's throats. I understand that you’re upset about what I did to that man--"

  "I'm upset because you haven't even acknowledged that the same day you visited Ulundkin, not only did you kill that one man, but the village itself was burned to the ground."

  "Oh . . . I . . . "

  Ean felt like he had been kicked in the gut. After his rebirth in the mines of Rottwealth, Azalea had mentioned what had happened to Ulundkin. How she, Zin, and his Hound had exited the mountain caves above the village and had found it destroyed. But it had been a small part of a much larger conversation about how he had died and been brought back. It had never come up again and he hadn't given it a second thought.

  Well, he was thinking about it now. He might have directly killed one man. But he indirectly let a creature out of those caves that for whatever reason felt the need to take its revenge on the people below.

  "Dao . . . I . . . "

  "I just want to hear the truth. The Silent King had a proclamation made that even though you had taken one man's life, you were not the one at fault behind Ulundkin's destruction. I want you to tell me what really happened."

  Ean was quiet for a moment. He didn't owe this man anything, but in the short amount of time they had traveled together, Dao was starting to grow on him.

  "It was my fault."

  "Not true!" Azalea exclaimed, then made a gurgling noise and covered her mouth with her hands.

  "I don't know why Ean would say that," Zin said in a weak voice. "Seeing as how the village was fine when we went into the caves and Ean was technically dead when we exited them and found the village wiped out."

  "It was still my fault. I let that creature out--"

  "You can't possibly take credit for what Lav'zernathar did. That creature is more powerful than anything I've ever seen before. Even stronger than the Nar'grim in the Abyss."

  "But it was my ignorance that set him free . . . "

  "As you were trying to find me." Azalea was still bent over, but she seemed a little more in control. "Zin told me what happened while that monster, Sadiek, was torturing me. How you rushed about trying to find me while avoiding those abominations Sadiek created. It was blind misfortune that you let that Lav'zernathar thing free."

  "Hold on, hold on." Dao walked up to Ean's side. Some of the tension that had been in his voice since Ean had first created the bubble was gone. "There were rumors of a creature destroying the town, but many believed it was something you had summoned. You're telling me that it was something that had been locked up in those caverns above Ulundkin?"

  "Yes, something Zin's former master had kept locked up. I ran into Lav'zernathar as it was leaving. It seemed just as angry at the villagers of Ulundkin as it did at Zin's former master. We had no idea what it had planned and to be honest, even if I wasn't focused on finding Azalea, I doubt I would have had any chance to stop it."

  "Well . . . I have to say, this not what I expected."

  In that moment, everything fell into place. All of Dao's biting comments that had seemed to come out of nowhere since he had first met the man.

  "You believed the rumors. You didn't think I had just killed the one man, you thought I had wiped out the whole village."

  "You have to admit, it made sense. The few survivors told tales of you killing that man and escaping into the mines. Those that didn't follow you were attacked later by some monstrous creature that burned the town to ash. Many of us still remember your imp's former master, and it did not take long for those that did to make a connection between the energy you control and the sudden appearance of monsters."

  "And what do you think now?"

  "I think I've gotten to see the real you. Not the reflection of the person who caused the Plague, not the destroyer of entire towns. I've seen a simple man who showed mercy to a woman whose sole purpose is to eradicate you and anything else connected to the Abyss from the world. That's not the type of man who intentionally murders even a single man, let alone an entire town. I had judged you before I met you. For that I am sorry."

  Dao extended a hand.

  "You're not worried what I accidentally did to that one . . . Zu'raian . . . that I won't do the same to you?"

  "I trust you."

  Ean made sure he had a firm hold on the energy coursing through his body before taking the man's hand. They shared a firm handshake before Dao released his hand.

  "Well . . . now, I feel a bit awkward."

  Ean let out a weak laugh. "So do I."

  "You're both pathetic," Azalea grunted.

  "Maybe," Dao replied. "I suppose since you've been honest with me, I need to be honest about a few things with you."

&
nbsp; "A few things?"

  "Well . . . "–Dao paused for a moment and rubbed at the back of his neck–"I didn't think you would be honest with me, so I chose to keep some information from you."

  Despite finally understanding why Dao had held some animosity towards him, Ean was still annoyed the man had kept secrets. Now that they were already in the Deadlands, those secrets could prove dangerous. But Ean controlled his anger as he addressed the man.

  "Alright. Let's hear what you've held back."

  "Well, first off, this is how I could survive crossing out of the Deadlands."

  Removing his left leather glove, Dao held out his hand. Scars crisscrossed his pale blue skin and his fingers were devoid of nails. A single ring wrapped around his thumb made of gold with different colored rectangular gems inset its entire surface.

  "The ring?"

  "Yes," Dao said as he put his glove back on. "It was a gift from The Silent King. He said it would protect me from turning to dust as I crossed into your realm. Needless to say, I was a little skeptical at first. Took me half a day to work up the courage to cross over when I was at the border for the first time. But here I am, a handsome tour guide and not a pile of ash."

  "But you were scared of the clean bubble that I created?"

  "All I was told about the ring was that it would allow me to cross out of the Deadlands. Nothing was mentioned about your magic or that even you could keep a small area clear. I was willing to take a leap of faith about leaving my home, but I'm not going to push it with your magic."

  "That's understandable."

  "And surprisingly smart," Azalea added. "Not something I would expect from you."

  "I'm smart when it comes to my survival, thank you very much." All the animosity was gone from Dao's voice now. "And Ean's magic has proven dangerous to my kind in the past."

  "Well, I have more control over it now." The memory of the Scar opening when he had tried to access his Pocket leapt to mind, but he pushed it away. He mostly had control over it.

  "That might be true. It brings me to the second thing I didn't mention before."

  "Which is?"

  "Well, most of the people here are under the impression that you caused the destruction of Ulundkin." Dao raised his hands in a soothing gesture as Ean was about to renew his objections to this. "Which I believe now isn't true, but those that survived, did lay the blame at your feet."

  "That's stupid," Azalea said.

  She had moved to Ean's side and was gently rubbing his back with one hand. Ean felt a wave of support flow over to him through their bond. He must be more upset than he thought if Azalea had felt it through the bond enough to comfort him.

  "If people survived," she continued. "They would have seen this Lav'zernathar thing causing all of the damage."

  "They did. And they claimed Ean had summoned it."

  "So, what you are telling me," Ean broke in. "Is that your entire culture has had a few seasons now to build a grudge against me."

  "Yes, although I feel that the stories they tell to scare the children about you are a bit over exaggerated."

  "Stories. Wonderful."

  Ean took a seat on the ground. The weight of the Plague pressing in on him seemed twice as strong as it had a few moments ago. Since Zin had started talking about his old master and the fear and pain he caused, Ean had always feared becoming him. And now, an entire race of people were already spreading stories about him to scare their children. He felt more sick now than if he had let the Plague invade his body.

  "Ean, it’s an easy fix. I can't speak for The Silent King, especially since he doesn't technically speak, but I would guess that part of this deal you are creating with him is to dispel some of the misinformation there is about you."

  "Why would he even care?"

  "Because we have enough problems without the people spreading that a Plaguebringer has returned. It will be good for the people to see you as the face behind re-establishing trade with the people of Ven Khilada."

  "Hopefully."

  "Yes, it’s just that until that day, it would be safer if the people here didn't know you were . . . well, you."

  "I understand."

  "So, no bubble, and you probably should hide your face. And keep your tattoos covered up as well."

  "Of course."

  "Listen Ean, don't let it bother you. We'll be through Driavarage in a few days, then reach the capitol and head straight to an audience with The Silent King. Deals will be struck, hands will be shaken, and word of your help will spread faster than the rumors that named you . . . well, the news that you will be bringing fresh food back into our lands will erase any bad stories about you."

  "If you say so."

  However, all Ean could think about the rest of the night was whether he was going to eventually become the monster the people here already feared.

  Chapter 21

  Looking out from the back of her horse, the sight of the border to the Deadlands filled Kaytlin with as much disgust as the sight of a Scar.

  The swirling purple mist seemed to glow in the morning sun. The corrupted plant life was a sick rainbow of different hues. The blur of an oddly shapen animal moved about in the haze. Even thinking about the people that lived further north and now called this land their home turned Kaytlin's stomach. It was a sharp contrast to the muted greens of the grass below her. Even the wintering trees without their leaves looked more alive on this side of the border than the sickly pines rooted a few paces away in the Deadlands.

  If not for the magic of some of the most powerful Magi of the past, the Plague would have spread over the entire land, engulfing what they now called Ven Khilada. Even taking over the Shadaer Umdaer lands in the south. Kaytlin didn't exactly like the savage race of heathens to the south of Ven Khilada. They were dangerous and warlike, but she would not wish the Plague on even those that she despised. To spend your life as the Living Dead, an unending life as you watch your body slowly decay, was a fate worse than death.

  Dashing the thought from her mind, Kaytlin reached into her saddlebag and pulled out the map to gather her bearings. She was at the spot marked on the map. Or at least, the general area.

  She had done her best to head towards the marked spot, but the large fingerprint took up a good amount of space and the map contained few landmarks to let her know she was even close to where she was supposed to be. But Alistar said she would find a way to follow this Ean fellow, so she held on to her faith and began to look around.

  Nothing caught her eye as being out of place. She sat atop Rook for a while, straining her eyes to find any kind of landmark she could use to help determine where she was in terms of the pictures on the map. Without any success, Kaytlin dismounted and began searching the ground for anything that could give her a clue if she was even close to where Ean Sangrave had crossed over. Years of training in tracking both animal and beast had her searching for the slightest blade of grass out of place, a stick snapped in two, the faintest imprint of either boot or horseshoe.

  Kaytlin found none of these things.

  One last "trick" to try.

  Taking out her amulet from underneath her armor, she pointed it north. The blue gem pulsed slowly with a bright light. She aimed the amulet northeast. The pulse did not waver. She pointed the gem northwest and received the same result.

  "Well, Rook," she said, giving her horse a playful pat. "Looks like we have two choices. Head east or head south and hope we find . . . whatever it is we are supposed to find. Do you have any idea which way to go?"

  Rook gave a snort and turned his head to look at her. He was a good stead but never very helpful when it came to giving advice.

  "You're right. It's my mission, I should decide. Here, have a snack while I figure it out."

  Reaching into one of her bags, she pulled out a carrot and held it out for Rook to take. He snatched it out of her hands, his teeth coming a little too close to her fingers. She shot him an annoyed look and felt a bit of satisfaction when he turned away
. The horse didn't stop eating though.

  "And EliZane says horses are just stupid beasts. We know better. Sometimes you are a little too smart for your own good."

  The horse gave no response.

  Kaytlin wasn't sure exactly when she had started talking to Rook as if he were a person. She had received the horse nine years ago when it had turned six. A gift from the temple for her years of service. It had taken her a few seasons to break in the willful horse but now he was as obedient as could be expected. It was sometime after that that Kaytlin had started holding conversations with the steed. It was rare for the three Seekers to travel together, their duty often sending them off in different directions at the same time. With Rook, she at least had something to talk at if no one to talk to. As crazy as it seemed, talking to the horse helped keep her sane.

  "Well, I don't have time to waste. Best to just pick a direction and hope for the best, huh Rook?"

  East or West. Maybe the map would help. Taking another look, she tried to think what anyone crossing into the Deadlands might do.

  Kaytlin struggled with the thought. No one sane would enter the Deadlands knowing the fate that would befall them if they stayed too long. No one humanoid, at least. The Plague effects on the common people of Ven Khilada–human, Taruun, even the Umdaer–it was all the same. It might take hold in a few days or a few seasons, but it eventually tied you to the Deadlands. Forever. She gave a shudder.

  This Ean fellow and his companions wouldn't fear that though, would he? If he had some control over Abyssmal energy, the Plague wouldn't cause him any concern. The foul female creature from the Abyss he traveled with certainly wouldn't be worried about it. Kaytlin let the thought of running the Yulari through with her sword linger in her mind for a few moments.

  But first she must catch them. Which meant making a decision and not wasting more time on personal desires.

  So what did Kaytlin know? Ean was heading into the Deadlands. Was he trying to find his predecessor's old lair? Was he traveling to the site where the Plague was said to have originated and the Plaguebringer had tried to dig into the Abyss? Or were his plans less grand? If that was the case, he could be heading to one of the six different settlements marked on the map. Without knowing his plans, one of those six settlements would be the best place to start.