by Lilly Pink
“I do approve,” she replied with a grin. “I think you are the best and most wonderful of husbands, and I would endeavor to show you just how much I approve had I not already been given an embarrassing lecture by Ameretat.” The healer had informed her, and she assumed Kian as well, that they would need to refrain from sexual activity for a least a few weeks, as it might cause labor to start again.
Once the twins were more mature, it would be safe to be intimate. Zoe understood the reasoning, but she didn’t have to like it. She assumed the conversation had been even worse for Kian simply due to the awkward subject matter.
“Do not remind me,” he groaned, covering his face with his hands at the memory.
***
About a week later, Kian came into the nursery where Zoe was busily outlining her plans for the mural. He peered around at the walls, trying to make sense of the faint lines of charcoal, and shrugged when he could not. “How goes your newest masterpiece, jãné del-am?” he asked, leaning over to ruffle her hair. Zoe was sitting cross-legged on the floor with a piece of paper taped to a board and a measuring stick, planning.
“It’s going,” she said with a sigh, leaning against his leg. “This is always my least favorite part, all the plotting and measuring, but I have to do it. I’m not naturally talented at estimating how all the pieces will fit together.”
He held his hand out to her and she allowed him to pull her to her feet. “It looks very complex,” he said thoughtfully. “Almost like drawing an enchantment sigil, but one that not even I can make sense of. I am sure it will be beautiful when it is finished.” For a moment he held her at arms’ length, looking her up and down. “Have you been drinking plenty of water and taking breaks?”
“Yes, yes,” she replied, swatting him away, her tone one of exasperated fondness. “I’m fine. Did you come up here to talk to me, or are you just mother-henning?”
“Both,” he said with a smile, pulling her back against his chest and cradling her basketball of a belly. One of the twins rewarded his attentions by punching his hand. Kian and Zoe both smiled at that before he pressed a gentle kiss to the curve of her neck. “Darya says she will be ready to perform the ritual this evening, if you still wish to attend.”
“Of course. Looking into the past to spy on the creation of the World Tree sounds pretty exciting.”
So that night around sunset, they made their way to Darya’s workroom. Zoe had been there several times before, as it was where she normally had her magic lessons. Today, the small chamber in the back, which was for spell work that required shielding, was lit by several floating mage lights and the floor was inscribed with a complicated magical circle. A blank space in the center was occupied by three small cushions.
“Take a seat,” Darya called from the next room. “Do not smudge the lines!” Zoe and Kian stepped gingerly into the empty space and carefully arranged themselves on two of the cushions.
Zoe peered at the complex lines of the sigil, but she hadn’t yet studied much about the slower and more permanent spells like these, so she could divine little from just looking at it. “Have you ever done anything like this before?”
“Not exactly like this,” Kian replied, “But when I was training to be a Dream walker, Mehr would take me on journeys through the Dreaming this way, using his memories as a lesson. It is a good way to experience some of the more dangerous aspects of the craft without undergoing any actual risk.”
“Is it kind of like watching a movie?” Kian gave her a blank stare and she realized he probably had no idea what she was talking about. “Like… a story that plays out in front of you in a series of pictures?”
“Somewhat,” he said thoughtfully. “I always thought it was like experiencing something the way a ghost might. You can walk around the environment, seeing, hearing, and even smelling, all the events around you as they happen, but you cannot interact with it in any meaningful way.”
“That is a good description,” Darya agreed as she entered the room. “You will be able to experience everything that occurred as if you were there, but you cannot affect the world at all, nor can it affect you. People will not hear you speaking, you will pass through objects and people, and even spells cast will not harm you. It can be a bit disorientating for those who have not done it before.”
“It sounds amazing!” Zoe replied. “Imagine the things humans could learn if we could witness events in our history this way.” She could just imagine showing children the signing of the Declaration of Independence as it actually happened, or letting people experience the moon landing. History classes would be a lot less boring.
“Even the Kumari could learn a lot from this type of magic,” Kian agreed, “But it takes a powerful and experienced Seer, as well as willing students. And we only have Darya at the moment.”
The Seer nodded as she carefully sat down on the cushion across from them. “Besides, it can be difficult to find just the right moment. Even with the information Kian gave me about the likely time period and people involved, it still took me over a week of searching to locate. If this had not been associated with a large surge in magical energy, it might have taken even longer.”
“So you already know what we’re going to see?” Zoe inquired. Kian had been so secretive about the whole thing that she felt like she was going to explode from curiosity, and she couldn’t help but be a bit annoyed that Darya had seen it before her. Kian hasn’t seen it either, she chided herself. Darya is the Seer, you’re not. He would have found the memory himself if he could have, but he’s choosing to share it with you.
“Only parts of it, just to make sure I found everything Kian needed,” Darya replied. “What I did see was… surprising. Enlightening, yes, but difficult to take in. I am eager to see the whole, in hopes that it will make more sense, and eager for you both to see it as well, so I will have someone to talk to about it.”
“I asked her to keep whatever she discovered to herself for the time being,” Kian explained. “If even half of what I suspect is true, it will be difficult for many people to accept.”
“Yes, it will need to be handled carefully,” Darya agreed. “I am even more glad than usual that I was not born to rule over this mess. Now, let us join hands, and close our eyes so that we may begin.”
Zoe closed her eyes and held out her hands, feeling the familiar sensation of Kian’s long and somewhat calloused fingers enveloping her left hand, and Darya’s slim, bony hand in her right. “Now we just breathe deeply,” said the seer’s voice, from everywhere and nowhere. “And let ourselves relax. You will feel the vision begin to flow into your mind while the spell draws on some of your power. This may feel strange, but things will go faster is you remain relaxed and do not struggle against the magic.”
If Zoe had trusted Darya any less, she would have found that statement worrying, but Kian squeezed her hand to let her know it was all right, which she appreciated. It did feel strange. There was a pressure outside her skull, almost like swimming in deep water, and meanwhile she felt something like suction at the base of her spine. She remembered what Ameretat always said when they practiced relaxation exercises for childbirth. Just focus on your breath, in and out, keep it slow and steady. Suddenly, the pressure eased and everything changed.
The three of them were now standing together in a dim room; it looked like one of the larger council rooms in the palace, perhaps even the Grand Council Chamber, but if so, it was decorated much differently, with an emphasis on black velvet and gold silk.
There were only two people inside at the moment, men who both appeared to be of middle years. The taller of the two men looked disturbingly like an older version Kian. His hair was shorter and straighter, and maybe a slightly brighter shade of red, and his face was broader with harder, almost cruel-looking features. He was pointing at a map on the table.
“The fires will halt their approach here, and the drain spell is cast here. Suck their whole army dry while the strike force makes a frontal assault on their capital
. When I pour all the drained energy into one mage—” BAM! He slapped the table. “We will finish them, once and for all.”
“That is both appalling and unrealistic, Jahan,” the other man replied, sounding both furious and bewildered by what he had just heard. He was shorter, with dark skin and his sandy blond hair and beard were streaked with gray. “First, that is a wasteful and unnecessary loss of life, especially when their ambassador has begged an audience with you to discuss terms of a ceasefire.”
“Mehr, we have tried the ceasefire nonsense time and time again. It never lasts more than a few years. I want this conflict done and over with.”
Zoe raised her eyebrows, turning to Kian. “So your mentor was involved in this somehow? Is that why you wanted to keep it a secret?”
“In a small part,” he admitted, “at least until I could see the truth of what happened. But more important is the fact that the other man, Jahan, is my grandfather, and at the time this was occurring, he was the king,” gesturing over to where Jahan was ranting about the untrustworthiness of the opposing side.
“It is always our troops who break the terms of the treaty,” Mehr retorted, and Jahan waved that away as if it was a minor detail. “No doubt due to the success of your propaganda campaign which asserted that the Wylkani steal young children in order to make suits of dragon scale armor.” Jahan grinned almost nostalgically and Mehr shook his head. “In any case, even if I agreed with this strategy, which I do not, there is no way to power such a spell. Even with every enchanter in the court working together we could not drain more than a quarter.”
“Did I not give you that fascinating paper about the magnifying effect of linked drain spells?” Jahan asked in such a nonchalant tone that Zoe frowned in confusion. It was almost like the two men were having two different conversations.
“I recall reading it, and telling you that drain spells are ethically questionable at best and linking them is terrifically dangerous for the caster as well as anyone who happens to be in the general vicinity,” Mehr replied in a tone of resigned exasperation.
“By my calculations,” Jahan continued as if he hadn’t heard the wizard’s answer, “it will only take three cross-linked circles of thirty to drain 15,000 Wylkani. The adult male servants will be more than sufficient.”
Mehr looked almost as stunned as Kian and Darya. Zoe hadn’t ever heard of a drain spell, but judging by the looks on the others’ faces, she was pretty sure the king had just casually ordered the murder of about a hundred servants to power a military venture that probably wasn’t even necessary. “You would send them to their deaths just like that? Men with families and children, some of whom you have known your whole life? They aren’t even warriors, you cannot just conscript them into your conflict to use them up like toothpicks.”
“They are servants, and they will serve their kingdom as it requires. If you are so worried about the wellbeing of their dependents, give them a silver or two out of your own salary. They ought to feel honored to be part of this great victory, as should you.”
Now Mehr sighed, as if finally coming to a particularly weighty decision. “Feel free to bring your plan to the full Council tomorrow, but I cannot support you in this endeavor.” Jahan did not reply and Mehr turned to go, but hesitated when he reached the doorway. “Valora had her baby two days ago. A boy.”
“Who?” Jahan asked mildly, but Zoe thought this time his unconcern was feigned. “You mean the pretty little chamber maid? I had wondered where she went.”
“Are you truly so blind, or do you simply believe everyone else to be? That is your child. He did not come by red hair and golden eyes by chance. Valora is practically a child herself, and still you said nothing!”
“Well, I certainly did not intend to have a serving girl crowned queen. If they cannot be foisted off on some lonely courtier in back of beyond, the girl and her child will have to be disposed of.”
“Are you suggesting the assassination of a newborn because you find his mother inconvenient? After everything you have done, I suppose I should be relieved that you still find forcing yourself on a young girl something to be ashamed of,” Mehr said, his voice as cold as ice.
“Force myself? Don’t be ridiculous. She couldn’t wait to have me. But the fact of the matter is, she is completely unsuitable, and I refuse to let this archaic superstition interfere with my plans. You all claim there is no way to circumvent this mating bond, and I can hardly believe that. But, true or not, I have four nieces and six nephews. I would much rather have one of them inherit the throne than be forced to wed a girl who probably cannot even read.
It is a distraction from the task at hand, which, as I said earlier, is the destruction of the Wylkani. So make them disappear, or you will be the one who goes missing,” Jahan said, his tone eerily pleasant. “I have no shortage of servants or wizards. Ancestors know, you breed like rats.”
Mehr looked a little sad, but more angry and bitter as he set something down on the table. “I do not know where your mother went amiss in raising you, Jahan, but clearly, you lack some sort of crucial knowledge, which I cannot longer in good conscience attempt to provide. Perhaps someday you will realize that not everything is replaceable.”
The vision started to fade away, and all three observers turned to each other in shock. “I’ve never seen someone who was so blasé about being evil. He talked about murdering his son like it was picking up the dry cleaning,” Zoe said, shaking her head. Kian and Darya stared at her, and she sighed. “Never mind.”
“I have certainly never seen anyone with such a callous disregard for life. And to order the assassination of his own mate and child. I cannot even imagine entertaining the possibility. It is almost as if he lacked an essential part of himself.”
“He did not seem to feel emotions as we do,” Darya agreed, “But attend, that was only the first of the visions I collected.” As she spoke, the air around them brightened, and they found themselves standing on a cliff overlooking what seemed to be two armies preparing for battle. The smaller of the two groups had barricaded themselves behind makeshift walls in a narrow canyon.
Archers lined the barriers as well as the cliff sides; you couldn’t ask for a better defensive position. But the opposing side had at least three times their number, and in the distance, Zoe could see they had about twenty five dragons flying in the rear. Not being a military strategist, it was hard for her to guess who had the advantage, but it would undoubtedly be a bloody affair.
Both sides started casting magic as the attacking army advanced, but most of the spells were countered. Arrows flew on both sides, and a few found their homes. So far the attacking army was taking the most losses, which was as to be expected. Then the dragons came in. Zoe expected it to be devastating, but the defenders were clearly experienced at fighting Kumari in that form.
They fended them off with spears and crossbows, and matched them spell for spell. After a few sorties, the dragons retreated again. It seemed to be a stalemate. There was some sort of commotion on the attacking side. In the rear, several gigantic magic circles had been drawn, and were already starting to glow with power.
“Drain spells. He’s draining his own army now to fuel an offensive spell, just like we heard about before,” Kian said in breathless horror. As they watched, ranks of troops nearest the circles started to fall down where they stood. When the soldiers in front noticed what was happening they started to flee in terror, many dropping their weapons and throwing themselves at the mercy of their foes who had cautiously retreated further into the defended canyon. Despite half of the army deserting, the circles had raised so much power that the magic in the air was palpable. It didn’t affect the trio of watchers, but they could see people behind the barricades reacting with fear as their hair began to stand on end.
Then there was a resounding boom, echoing through the air and ground like a clap of thunder, but even louder and deeper. The magic circles went dim, but not due to the purpose of their makers. Those wizards were
yelling in anger and confusion. “What happened?” Zoe asked quietly.
“I believe that every active spell in the area, perhaps even the whole world, has been disrupted and its power drained. If I am not mistaken, we are about to witness exactly what happened to the missing Kumari,” Kian replied, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Now they could hear something, a voice speaking on the air, but just out of the range where words could be understood.
Kian was looking around, and suddenly he shouted and pointed upward. The entire sky was alight with magical symbols. Zoe gasped, and then nearly fell over as the earth started to shake. She and Kian clung together next to Darya, though they knew they couldn’t actually be hurt, it was hard to stay calm when it seemed like the world was about to be destroyed all around you.
Cracks appeared in the ground and spread, thunder and lightning split the air, and then things started to disappear. At first it seemed random — a tree here, a boulder there — but then larger areas began to vanish in a shimmer of light. People vanished too, sometimes with whatever they were standing on and sometimes alone. Down in the canyon, the soldiers were screaming in terror, praying, weeping, clinging to each other.
Then the whole valley disappeared. Kian, Zoe, and Darya all found themselves screaming in panic when they were suddenly suspended in midair, before realizing, with some embarrassment, that they weren’t falling to their deaths. They floated above the scene, watching as ocean raced to take the place of disappearing land with cataclysmic fury.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. The sky cleared as the spell faded, leaving a large island surrounded by ocean and many smaller outlying islands. On the beach below the trio of onlookers, less than a hundred people from the huge army remained, many of them the mages that had cast the drain spells. Arguments broke out nearly the moment they started to regain their senses.