"It's you," Ella said with surprise.
Killian gaped, for a moment unable to speak. How could she be here?
"I'm back in the hut, aren't I?" Killian said. "I'm dreaming. You're the last person I ever expected to see here. But please, don't wake me up."
Ella looked just as surprised as he was. She stood staring at him in shock until Killian wondered if she was going to speak at all.
"Well?" Killian said.
"Well what?"
"Are you going to get me out of these chains?"
"Soon." Ella smiled. "It's nice to finally have you as my prisoner, rather than the other way around."
50
ELLA tended Killian's wounds as they rested within the trees, under the flickering glow of firelight. She could have activated a nightlamp but it was a cool night, and the warmth would be good for him. Perhaps it would be good for her too.
The freed prisoners had fled into the forest, knowing better than to stay anywhere near Seranthia. Now there was just one more facility Ella needed to destroy.
"You look like you're thinking," Killian said as Ella touched a damp cloth to the sores on his wrists.
"I was thinking about that place," Ella said. "How long were you there?"
"Not long at all. Weeks. Some people were there a lot longer than that."
Ella moved on to Killian's ankles, making a sound when she saw the bloodied mess he'd made of them. "How could you do this to yourself?"
"Fear of dying does that to a man," Killian said. "For some reason you become a little desperate. Aren't there others out there who might need your help more?"
"To be honest I don't know what I'm doing," Ella said. "But I've been in a few battles now, and I'm pretty sure you're supposed to clean wounds. At least with you if I get something wrong, it isn't much of a loss to the world."
"I'm glad to know you feel like that," Killian said wryly. "I've thought about you. Thought about you a lot. Yet the girl I've been thinking about doesn't care about me."
Ella's breath caught at Killian's words. She'd slotted back so easily into the familiar feeling of companionship that she hadn't taken note of the way he was looking at her. Was he toying with her? It wouldn't be the first time.
She pushed in a little too hard at one of the wounds on Killian's ankles, making him gasp. "Let me see. We were in Petrya, if I recall correctly. You looked out the window, and then you told me you were going out for a short while. I never saw you again."
"Might that be because High Enchantress Evora Guinestor would have carved me into little pieces?"
"You could have told me."
"What would I have said? Ella, I'm going to Stonewater to recover the Halrana Lexicon I stole. Don't let your boss see me on the way out."
"Something like that."
"I did what I had to do," Killian said. "I had to go back. Something told me the answers I was looking for were in Stonewater. You have a brother, Ella, and a people. You have a last name, and a home. Maybe I have family out there, somewhere. Or maybe I'm just some orphan thief. I have to know."
"You're more than that," Ella said softly, "and blood doesn't make anyone who they are."
"You don't know what it's like. And, Ella, I was right. When I got to Stonewater, I met someone who knew about me. He knew about how some lore doesn't harm me, and how essence doesn't kill me. He asked me to help him destroy the Primate's relics, and in return he would tell me who I was. What I am."
"Did he tell you?" Ella asked, fascinated despite her belief that people make their own destiny, family or not. Maybe he was right. Maybe she didn't know what it felt like to have no home, no relatives, and to be different.
She looked at Killian again. The red hair, the piercing blue eyes; Ella had never seen anyone with his features. His strong jaw and athletic build made him handsome, but there was some other quality to him as well. There was something almost fey about the way Killian looked.
"I destroyed the relics," Killian said. "I did my part to end the Primate's evil. In return Evrin Evenstar promised to tell me what I wanted to know. But he never made it to our meeting. I waited, but he never came."
"Evrin Evenstar?" Ella started. "Did you say Evrin Evenstar?" She took a breath. "At the beginning of the Alturan Lexicon there's some writing. I've seen the same writing in the Hazaran Lexicon."
"I've seen it," Killian nodded. "'To the common people of Merralya, one and all, I give you this, the third volume in my Tomes of Lore. Evrin Evenstar. ' I read that in the Halrana Lexicon."
"I once met someone who said his name was Evrin Alistair," Ella said. "He taught me animator's runes. He was clever, and strange, and funny, all at once."
"Did he have a white beard, flecked with ginger?" Killian asked.
"And blue eyes," Ella said. "Blue, like yours."
"It was him." Killian nodded.
"How?" Ella asked. "How could Evrin Evenstar have created the Lexicons, yet be alive today?"
"I don't know," Killian said. "It's somehow tied in with who I am. What I am."
"Please, go on," Ella said. "Evrin: what happened to him?"
"I've only learned this since, but while I tried to destroy the relics the Primate used to create essence, Evrin went to a different part of Stonewater, the Pinnacle, to destroy something he considered at least as important."
"I knew something had happened to disrupt the Primate's supply of essence. You saved countless lives. What could be more important?"
"I don't know exactly," Killian said. "There's a templar named Zavros. He's the templar who perfected the Primate's elixir, and is probably the one who built these vats. He's an evil man. I questioned him, back in Stonewater, and he let slip something about a book. Evrin tried to destroy it, but he wasn't successful, and now the Primate has it. But I don't think it's the book itself that's the danger. It's the knowledge contained in its pages."
"What happened to Evrin?"
"The Primate had him locked up in Salvation for a time, but he escaped. Since I couldn't find Evrin, I decided to look for the Primate and try to find the book, so I headed to Seranthia. On the way, I saw Evrin with some prisoners. I tried to free him, but I was captured while Evrin escaped. And here we are."
Ella was silent for a moment while she digested Killian's words.
She realised she was still holding the damp cloth, now stained red with Killian's blood, and she threw it into the fire.
Obviously the book that was in the Primate's hands was of the utmost importance.
"You said Evrin escaped the Primate in Salvation?" Ella asked.
"Yes," Killian nodded, "the Primate wasn't happy. He had all the guards killed."
"Yet you found him with some prisoners near Seranthia. What was he doing in Seranthia?"
"I don't know," Killian said. "All I know is that Evrin needs my help, and he's the only one who can tell me who I am."
"Whatever it is Evrin's worried about, it has something to do with Seranthia," Ella said, "and it sounds dangerous."
"Will you help me?" Killian asked.
"I have my own task to complete first," Ella said. "There's one more facility like the one you were in. The essence coming out of there is being used to fight my people, and the prisoners deserve to be freed."
"I could help you," Killian said. "They say it's a bigger facility than this one, which means it will be more heavily defended."
Ella nodded. "If you help me destroy this last facility, I'll help you find Evrin."
"Agreed," Killian said.
Ella held out her hand, and she and Killian clasped hands, the act strangely formal. His strong hand easily held her delicate fingers within it.
"You never told me what happened to you?" Killian said, releasing Ella's palm.
Ella told Killian about High Enchantress Evora's sacrifice to save Ella and the Alturan Lexicon. She skimmed over her capture by Prince Ilathor and his men, telling Killian simply that she'd helped the Hazarans rediscover their forgotten lore, and in the process she
herself learned about the power of illusion.
Ella explained how she'd blocked the Wondhip Pass using the animator's runes Evrin had taught her, and built the ethereal runebridge when the Bridge of Sutanesta was destroyed, saving the refugees and enabling the Alturans to fight another day.
Finally, Ella told him about the battle against the Akari in the lands between Petrya and Tingara, and how she had come here to see what she could learn, and hopefully do.
"You've learned a lot," Killian said. "You've changed."
"Not too much, I hope?" Ella said, smiling up at him.
"You're more beautiful than ever," Killian said, and Ella blushed. "But that's not what I meant. You've grown."
"War will do that."
"You've learned something of illusionist's runes, elementalist's runes and animator's runes, as well as being a trained enchantress. I don't know if anyone has done that before."
"There's still so much I don't know," Ella said.
"You should see what Evrin can do," Killian said, shaking his head. "I know nothing about lore, but when he drew the runes on my skin… I can't describe it."
"Where did he draw them?" Ella asked.
Killian touched his chest with both hands, gesturing then to his arms and his neck, his legs and his face. "Everywhere."
Ella moved a little closer to him.
"I have essence," she said. "When we take the base tomorrow night, we'll need to hit them with everything we can."
Killian stretched and moved closer to the fire, inadvertently shifting closer to Ella so that their legs were touching. Neither of them moved apart.
"I agree," he said.
The firelight danced and played across Killian's face. Ella's leg was pressed only slightly against his, yet she felt incredibly conscious of the warmth of his touch.
"I've always wanted to see what we could do together," Ella said. "I have some runes in mind."
Ella's chest heaved, her breasts rising and falling with her breathing. She realised she was wearing the same dress she'd worn when she was with Ilathor, and she suddenly felt heat come to her face.
"You're blushing," Killian said.
Ella wondered if she should tell Killian about Ilathor, but she pushed the thought away. After all the horror and bloodshed, the time with Ilathor had been a rush of emotion, as Ella craved the warmth she'd seen Shani and Bartolo share. Prince Ilathor had pushed Ella, and she'd succumbed. With Ilathor she'd felt none of the companionship she now felt with Killian.
"The fire's a bit warm," Ella said.
Killian looked over at the fire, which had died down to embers, and raised an eyebrow.
"It's a little cooler over here," he said, opening the crook of his arm.
Ella shuffled over until she was sitting beside him, leaning back into his arms. Killian moved to sit with his back to a tree, while Ella snuggled in to his body, feeling safe with Killian in a way she never had with another man.
Comfortable tiredness washed over her. "You still have me at a disadvantage," Ella murmured. "You've seen me naked."
She felt a hand stroking the side of her cheek, and then Killian's soft touch was on her neck. As Ella drifted off she realised it was the necklace at her throat that he'd found.
"You do care for me," Killian said.
Ella didn't hear him. She had already closed her eyes, sleep coming to her instantly.
51
"THIS enemy can be beaten," Jehral said.
Prince Ilathor nodded. "Their numbers are fewer, and even in battle some of the revenants are falling down without being struck at all. Whatever she has done, it is working. Yet still no word."
"I am sure she is safe, my prince," Jehral said.
"Salute!" a voice called from outside. "Your Highness, the Petryan and the Alturan are here."
"Send them in," Jehral called.
Shani and Bartolo entered the prince's command tent. Without preamble, Prince Ilathor spoke. "The new tactics are working. Elementalist Shani, Bladesinger Bartolo, I have you to thank."
"We need to move more slowly," Bartolo said. "I know your men value speed and surprise, Prince Ilathor, but we can't keep this pace up. Today's battle was lucky. Tomorrow's battle might not turn out as well."
"I hear you, bladesinger," Prince Ilathor said, "and I do not wish you to think your arguments fall on deaf ears, but the Tingaran winter is coming, and if we want to reach Seranthia before the advent of the cold, we must press on. My men are not equipped for winter."
Bartolo shrugged. "Then many more of your men will die than is necessary. The speed you want will mean sacrifice."
"It cannot be avoided."
Shani spoke. "The essence we captured today… If our elementalists can have some we can create more walls of fire."
"You shall have it," Prince Ilathor said. "As much as you like. Nothing is as successful as fire when it comes to destroying these revenants."
"We can see if our elders can create some illusionary fire as well," Jehral said. "That way the enemy won't know where the fire is real, and where not."
"Good, good." Ilathor smiled. "These are all excellent ideas. You've done well, all of you."
"What do you intend to do with the necromancers we captured?" Bartolo asked.
Prince Ilathor exchanged glances with Jehral. "They have been killed. Jehral and I have seen to it."
"That's not customary…" Bartolo began.
The prince looked up at Bartolo. "Not customary in these lands? Not customary practice in war? You have heard the same things I have, Alturan. Do not let your honour get in the way of ridding the world of this evil."
"We don't know if it's true," Shani said.
"Even the facts are bad enough. If it's true about how the enemy is obtaining their essence, then it isn't just my duty, but all of our duty, to see this thing through. It won't be over until our men are in the streets of Seranthia."
"Have you heard anything from Ella?" Shani asked.
"Nothing," the prince said.
"Her brother is my friend," Bartolo said, "and he will want to know that she is no longer under your protection."
"I don't know if she ever was under our protection," Jehral said, smiling thinly.
"That doesn't change the fact that the Alturan Lord Marshal needs to know," Bartolo said. He turned to the prince. "Either you tell him, or I will."
52
THE LAND of Torakon was the last to be freed from the Black Army before the allies advanced into Tingara itself.
Moragon and Dain Barden fled before the allied army, the Black Army inflicting heavy losses before falling back to the next strong position. Nevertheless, the men in green and brown were advancing. As winter drew near, and they pushed relentlessly eastwards, the Torak capital of Sakurai was declared an open city, and the Black Army fell back to the Tingaran border without a fight.
Miro was surprised, although he soon realised he shouldn't have been, when the allied army was hailed in Sakurai as liberators. Raj Torakon had been one of the first houses to ally themselves with Tingara, yet here they were cheering wildly and celebrating in the streets when the army marched through the city. Then Miro heard about the dark days of High Lord Koraku Rolan's rule while under the Primate's control, and began to understand. Koraku's body was discovered in his chambers, swinging from a rope. The Toraks raged that it was too-clean a death. Miro knew it was better for it to be over; they would move on all the quicker.
"Something's changed," Miro said to Rogan.
They were in Miro's tent at the allied army's encampment outside the walls of Sakurai. Both men preferred the austerity of the tents to the strange structures and giddy heights of the builders' city.
"They're running out of essence," Rogan said. "I've seen it before, back in the Rebellion."
"That's not the only thing though. You know what I'm talking about."
"The Hazarans," Rogan said.
Miro nodded. "The Hazarans. We've tried to communicate with this Prince Ilathor but h
is replies are guarded and ambiguous. He doesn't sound like a man accustomed to the bargaining table."
"You know their reputation," Rogan said. "Kill first, ask questions later."
"We need an alliance," Miro said. "Our information says they're ahead of us in the race to Seranthia."
"Your sister would be the natural go-between," Rogan said. "She travels with them."
"I don't know how I can get a message to her," Miro said. "Anything I send to her will be intercepted by the prince. I don't trust him, Rogan."
"If the Hazarans are the first in Seranthia, she'll be the only Alturan there," Rogan said.
"Miro," a new voice said. Marshal Beorn entered the tent. "There you are. There's a message." He held out a piece of paper. "It's from Prince Ilathor."
Miro exchanged glances with Rogan and then took the scroll, quickly breaking the seal: a desert rose in yellow wax. Miro quickly scanned the paper while the other two commanders looked on.
"Prince Ilathor says fire is the best weapon to use against the draugar. He also says to cut off the revenants' heads, something we've already learned. They are short on essence, but they drain faster in warmer weather, so once winter settles in we'll find it harder to wear them out. He mentions nothing about an alliance." Miro looked up. "And finally he says my sister is no longer with him. She's out there somewhere on her own, in the enemy-held lands near Seranthia."
Miro handed the note to Rogan, who scanned it swiftly.
"What does this mean?" Marshal Beorn asked.
"He's sending us a message," Rogan said. "He's telling us he intends to be in Seranthia before winter sets in properly. We need to press on. Some of the Toraks might join our cause, but they'll need to be trained as we march. We can't be the last to reach Seranthia. The future of the world depends on it."
"I've come to a decision," Miro said, standing.
Rogan and Beorn regarded him. "Tell us," Rogan said.
"Freeport is to the north. I'm going there, alone."
"Freeport?" Rogan frowned. "There's nothing there but fish and trader ships."
The Hidden Relic (The Evermen Saga, Book Two) Page 35