“Maybe,” Kade said, but deep down he was fairly certain that the Mordra was never going to let the Master Chosen get too close. Kade was also very certain that the silky, black creature was never going to let Doren anywhere near the sack of books, with how protective it was being of them.
“We took the liberty of making you and your lady some clothes out of a special material. We produce this naturally. I think you will approve of the colors we chose. We used the most vibrant greens for the lady and the deepest blues for you, Kade. We thought you may need it someday, and it appears that we were correct,” Crayken said as he eyed their outfits. “There is a tunnel at the back of the great hall that leads to an underground spring. It is cold, but it should do for a place for you to bathe,” the king said as he looked at the three of them.
“I am in no need of cleaning,” Doren said as he bowed slightly. “Thank you for the offer.”
“Then you may join me while Kade and Darcienna wash,” Crayken said. “The queen will show you to the spring. I will have your clothes brought to you,” the king said to Kade and Darcienna.
“Thank you,” Kade said as he scrutinized his outfit he was wearing. He was not sure of the new clothes as he was very comfortable in the ones he was wearing, but they did appear to be very nice. Darcienna saw how he was eyeing his outfit and gave him a stern look. “I know,” he said, accepting that he needed to change after the bath.
Kade turned his attention back to his Mordra and stroked the animal affectionately. Chance let out a deep, rumbling purr. The creature got up from the books and sat back on its haunches while looking at him expectantly. Its paws were together as if praying. Kade easily recognized this by now and chuckled. He gladly called a piece of fresh meat into existence and handed it to Chance, who eagerly took it into his paws and pulled it to himself protectively. After surveying the room to make sure no one was going to take away its prize, Chance settled down and starting chewing hungrily.
Kade opened the sack and gently rolled the sides down until the stack of books were exposed. Doren was watching intently while trying to appear to be uninterested. Kade put himself between the bag and Doren as he worked at the bindings. He loosened the strap and slid the black book into place on the top of the pile and then cinched them tightly again. Chance glanced at the sack, then to everyone in the room and then back to the sack. Content that everything was as it should be, he continued to happily chew on his food.
Crayken exited the room and Doren reluctantly followed. Kade was relieved and a little surprised at how uncomfortable he had been until the Master Chosen was no longer present. He shook off the unease and smiled at Chance, appreciating his friend’s protective nature with his books.
“This way,” Rakna said as she left the room and waited for them in the hall.
Darcienna glanced at the books and then back to Kade. He could see the concern on her face. Kade glanced at Doren as he and the king were almost out of sight and then back to the Mordra while smiling.
“They are safe,” Kade said as he patted the Mordra on the head. He felt sorry for the fool who would try to touch those books with this thing around. Kade started to reach for the new clothes when the queen spoke.
“They will be brought to you.” Kade shrugged his shoulders and left the clothes where they lay.
Without another word, they turned and walked out the door. They worked their way through the tree to the exit and over to the other massive tree that housed the Great Hall. The queen led them down the stairs and through the expansive Great Hall to a tunnel at the back. The queen continued until they had walked almost two hundred feet down the tunnel. They were standing in front of a pool of water that was crystal clear. It was only ten feet wide in all directions. Kade could see the bottom as though the water was not even there. The slight ripple on the surface as water churned in was the only evidence that there was any water there at all. A soft light coming from luminescent algae hanging on the walls and ceiling helped light the area. Kade moved over to the wall to examine the light-giving substance. He reached out a hand and brushed the algae lightly. It flared brightly for a moment and then faded out completely.
“I’m sorry. I did not realize,” Kade said as he pulled his hands back, afraid that he may have committed a grave error.
“They are very fragile,” Rakna said as she surveyed the dead plant. “It will be replaced,” she said as she pulled it from the wall and moved over to the water. “It makes for a great cleaner, also,” the white queen said as she handed it to him. He gently took the proffered algae and noticed how slick it felt. It was almost slimy, making him want to drop it and wipe his hands on his pants.
“It does not feel,” Rakna said, noticing how gently he was handling the plant. “Think of it as grass. It is there for us to use. Your clothes will be here shortly,” she added as she settled down a little ways from the pool of water.
Kade hesitated, watching the queen fold her legs under herself as she prepared to wait. He glanced at Darcienna, who was also watching him. It occurred to him that none of the spiders wore anything at all. Clothing was strictly something used by people. He looked back to Darcienna and noticed a slight grin creeping across her face.
Okay, he thought to himself and decided to call her bluff. He undid his shirt while she watched. Her face became one of suspicion. He reached for his pants and smiled. Her eyes came open wide and her cheeks colored a deep red. As he undid the strap that served as a belt, she quickly faced away. He smiled to himself as the rest of his clothes hit the ground. He turned and walked into the spring. The water sent shockwaves of cold through his body. He shivered hard.
“Holy Divine this is cold,” Kade said as he quickly waded deeper and dunked his head.
Kade recalled the cold lake the previous day and knew if he went too slowly, he would take all day getting in. He held his right hand out of the water as he gripped the algae tightly. With his head still under, he vigorously scrubbed his hair with his left hand, shaking lose any dirt. After surfacing and gasping for breath because of the cold, he then rubbed the algae through his hair. He still felt odd about using something that appeared to have been alive just moments before, but it did seem to lather. He scrubbed eagerly and then dunked his head back under the surface. The dirt drifted away. The water clouded momentarily and then cleared as the underground spring continued to bubble in, cycling out the old water.
Several spiders skittered in and dropped their newly made clothes onto the ground. Darcienna got up from next to the queen and hefted one of the outfits. It was surprisingly light. She was not quite certain she wanted to wear something so fragile, though. She tried to put a small tear in it but it held strong. She pulled, using more of her strength, and still, it gave no sign of ripping. Next, she gripped it in both hands and put all her might into it. There was not even the slightest bit of damage. She nodded her approval and turned to see Kade watching.
“It is quite amazing,” Darcienna said as she held the clothes out for him to see.
“They appear to be durable,” Kade said skeptically as he shook the excess water from his hair and prepared to exit the frigid water.
Darcienna was flipping through the clothes when she came across what passed for towels. She brought one to the edge of the water, dropped it on the ground and turned to walk away but hesitated as a smudge of dirt on his forehead caught her attention. She got down on her knees and motioned for Kade to move closer.
“Almost,” Darcienna said as she reached out and scrubbed his forehead with her bare hand. Kade enjoyed her touch and even found it a little arousing. Her full lips were slightly parted as she focused on her task. He could not help but to stare as she ran her tongue just behind her teeth. He leaned closer, feeling an attraction building. His body urged him on as his pulse quickened. His breathing became deep as he moved even closer yet. He looked into her eyes as the distance between them shrank little by little. She leaned forward to inspect her work as she concentrated on removing the dirt. He felt t
he soft caress of her breath on his face and inhaled. His body started to react as thoughts of her in his arms drifted through his mind. He ached to embrace her firmly and pull her into a kiss. He moved closer to those lips that beckoned him, yearning to feel them against his. She leaned down just a little more and then locked eyes with him. Her hand stopped on his forehead as he moved slowly toward her. Kade felt his heart pounding hard. She closed her eyes, and her lips parted ever so slightly as she ran her tongue along them, preparing for the kiss that was just a hairs-breath away. He felt just the lightest brush of her lips on his when a voice exploded in his mind, causing him to flinch back.
The king is ready for us at the royal table, Rakna thought to him. Darcienna’s eyes flew open, and she looked at him in confusion. Kade’s mind scrambled, trying to find the words to salvage this, but it was too late. She quickly got to her feet and stalked away.
“It’s not what you…,” Kade was trying to say, but she had no interest in hearing what he had to say. “Blood and Ash!” Kade swore.
“You may get out anytime,” Darcienna said from next to the queen, tightness in her voice.
Kade reached for the towel and covered himself as he exited the water. He dried off and then wrapped the towel around his waist. He walked over to her, put his hand on her shoulder and turned her around. She ducked out from under his arm and smiled but the smile did not make it to her eyes.
“Darcienna,” Kade said, but look in her eye said she was done listening. “Your turn,” he said, thoroughly frustrated.
Kade kept his back to Darcienna as she disrobed and stepped into the water. He could tell that she had entered the frigid pool by the way she inhaled a hiss through her clenched teeth. He fought the urge to turn and stood facing the queen.
“I am going to get dressed,” Kade said over his shoulder.
“Your clothes are the ones on the bottom,” Darcienna said through chattering teeth.
“Thanks,” Kade called back as he bent and picked up the neatly folded pile. He vowed that if he was able to get his hands on fate right then, he would have throttled her.
Kade walked around the corner, out of sight of the pool and let the towel fall. The air felt good on his skin as he dried. He shook out the clothes and surveyed them as they hung from his hands. They were light, but not too light, nor were they too thin. He rubbed them between his fingers and nodded, pleased with the feel. He pulled the pants on and then pulled the top on. It was snug around his shoulders but widened as it moved down his arm. They stopped at his wrist and hang down almost a foot. He could hide a loaf of bread in those sleeves. The pants were the same. He waved his arms around and smiled at the affect. The sleeves flowed smoothly through the air. It reminded him of the king and queen’s fur. He walked up and down the tunnel, marveling at how comfortable the outfit felt.
“These move pretty good,” Kade said as he walked back into the open room. Darcienna held a towel up to herself and waited for him to notice. His eyes took in what was going on, and without slowing, immediately turned and walked back out.
“Sorry,” Kade called over his shoulder as he walked down the tunnel.
“Give me a minute,” Darcienna called back but her tone was still unfriendly. There was definitely still ice there and it had nothing to do with the cold spring.
“Just call out when you are done,” Kade yelled back. “The queen says they are waiting for us.”
“You may come back in,” Darcienna called out. “She said nothing of the kind,” she added as she glanced at the queen.
“She said it here,” Kade said as he walked around the corner and tapped his head. She looked at him, studying him closely to see if he were playing games with her. Kade did not see the suspicious look in her eyes or he may have realized that she was more confused after the explanation. He turned to go and then stopped with his back to her. Darcienna started to walk past him, but before she could take two steps, he grabbed her by the arm, spun her around, wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into a deep embrace. Darcienna put both her hands on his shoulders, ready to push him away, but the moment his lips touched hers, every last little bit of strength in her body evaporated. Her lips molded to his and she melted into his arms. Her right hand slipped over his shoulder to mix with the hair at the back of his head. After several long seconds, he let her go and confidently turned to walk up the tunnel.
Darcienna was stunned to the very core of her being. No calling or Nature’s gift could have affected her as profoundly as that kiss. She fought to regain her breathing as her hand drifted up to her mouth. She could still taste his kiss on her lips. The queen stood by, watching curiously.
“Forgive me but I must ask. Is that normal for a man to…do that to his mate?” Rakna asked curiously. It took a long moment for Darcienna to realize that the queen was addressing her and even longer for her to formulate an intelligent response.
“It is,” Darcienna said. That was the best she could do while her mind grappled with what had just happened.
Kade worked his way back to the Great Hall. It was filled with spiders from wall to wall. There were spiders in every doorway. They were on the walls and some even hung on the ceiling. Some had different markings on their body but they were all of the same shape and size. Doren and the king were by the throne, talking. Kade started toward the king, and the spiders parted easily for him. He walked up the steps and stopped in front of Crayken.
“Many leaders from the other clutches will be here. They all want to hear what you have to say,” Crayken said as he turned to lead them to a table that sat behind the thrones.
Kade bent his arm at the elbow while holding his hand over his midsection. Darcienna reached through to wrap her hand around his forearm as she was becoming accustomed to. He smiled ever so slightly as he followed the royal couple to the table. Rakna indicated for Darcienna to take her place at her side. Kade surveyed the spiders already sitting and wondered what was to be expected of him.
He glanced at Doren, ready to ask a question, but before he could speak, he noticed a scratch on the master’s wrist. Doren pulled his sleeve a bit lower. Kade narrowed his eyes as he fixed Doren with a glare. The master appeared not to notice Kade’s accusing look as he walked gracefully toward the table. Kade, begrudgingly, let it go…for now. Turning, he glanced at Darcienna on the other side of the table. He was not sure where he should sit, but he was certain that there was going to be some order to bestow honor based on rank.
“Kade,” Crayken said as he indicated the seat directly to his left at the head of the table.
“Darcienna,” the white queen said, indicating the seat next to her. Kade and Darcienna gave each other a glance and then took their seats. Nothing was said to Doren so Kade motioned for the Master Chosen to sit on his left. Doren hesitated. Kade indicated more firmly and Doren sat. The rest of the spiders then took their seats. When everyone was settled, Crayken rose and addressed the congregation.
“This is the one I spoke of. This is the mighty Kade, slayer of the black plague and savior of our kind; the wielder of the Divine and rider of dragons!” Crayken said dramatically as he looked each and every one of them in the eye. He had the desired effect as all eyes turned to regard Kade closely. Most nodded their head in approval while others just stared. “He fights for our kind and all sentient beings. He is our best hope to rid this land of an evil one named Morg.”
“And you would have us join this fight?” a king with gray climbing up his legs asked.
“I would,” Crayken said evenly but firmly.
“If this Morg is as powerful as you would have us believe, could he not destroy us easily?” another ageing spider asked.
“That is why we ally with him,” Crayken said as he indicated Kade. “If we don’t work with this Chosen to stop Morg, then sooner or later, when Morg turns on us, we will have no hope of surviving. We must stand with him now!” Crayken said as he put his front legs on the table and leaned toward the spider for emphasis.
&
nbsp; One of the spiders buzzed rapidly to Crayken. It was large and black just like Crayken with the exception of a crimson shaped diamond on its chest. Kade glanced at the white diamond shape on Crayken’s chest and wondered if there was a connection. Crayken buzzed back angrily while gesturing to Kade. Darcienna glanced at Kade and then back to Red Diamond.
“We will speak so all can understand,” Crayken hissed. The angry spider took a breath and repeated his words for all to hear.
“What will keep Morg from tracking him here?” Red Diamond hissed. “I have heard of this Morg. It is known that he can track those that practice the ways of the Divine. So I ask again,” the spider said as he stood challengingly, “what keeps him from coming here at this very moment?” the old king asked in an almost accusing tone.
“I have this,” Kade said as he produced the amulet. “It keeps me hidden.”
“That is all very well and good for you, but is he not versed in the ways of the Divine?” the spider king asked as he violently jabbed a leg in Doren’s direction.
Kade froze. The thought had not occurred to him that Morg might, indeed, track them through Doren. He recalled how the Master Chosen had used the Divine to ready himself for battle against the spiders and felt panic well up in him. Red Diamond was right.
“It is not just an amulet that protects the user but an amulet that protects an area,” Doren said smoothly and confidently.
In a flash, it made complete sense. How else would Morg have not found Zayle all these years? He relaxed and hoped his fear had not shown on his face. The old spider seemed mollified with this.
“We must be wise in our approach,” Red Diamond said. “We will, most assuredly, have one chance at this. I am certain that when Morg knows we stand against him in force, he will do everything in his power to destroy every last living spider,” the old king said loudly and then pounded the table for effect.
“You have vowed to follow,” Crayken reminded him firmly.
The Divine Unleashed (Book 3) Page 6