The confinement was just about to drive her insane. If the queen intended to invoke some sort of consequences for her hasty actions, she wished Hesperina would just get on with her judgement. Syann wasn’t one to be restrained, she was ready to pay whatever price the queen decreed. There were a great many things that needed her attention.
Things needed to be set right with Helana. She had to put an end to her daughter’s foolish engagement to Tobiah. Her girl was much too good for Valentina’s pathetic spawn. A marriage to that soft-bellied dog could only end in disaster. Helana’s half-brother was a self-serving snob only interested in Helana for the strength their union would bring him. Tobiah was shrewd but weak. Her daughter would lessen that flaw.
A heavy pounding at her door made her jump. Snatching her silver sword, Syann moved warily to the door. She wasn’t allowed visitors and now she had enemies inside the mountain. The goddess didn’t trust Valintina not to try and extract some sort of revenge. Her aunt’s beauty was only exceeded by her arrogance and vindictiveness.
Pulling the door open, she found her brother grinning down at her. “Are you going to let me in or run me through with that?”
Syann lowered her blade and threw herself into Nickodemos’s arms. The Lord of Vengeance was in his battle armor and armed for war. Peering out into the corridor, Syann pulled him into the room and softly closed the door. “I am not allowed visitors, Niko.”
“Said who, Hesperina?”
“Yes, she is queen, brother, and you would do well to get that through your head,” Syann said, patting his armored chest.
The god lifted a shoulder. “If the queen tries to send me to my quarters she will find me much less cooperative than you.”
“You can’t just defy her. The others will turn on you. Hesperina is no fool and her power is growing. I think she will become stronger than Cem ever was.”
“I don’t care about Hesperina. The gods of this mountain are nothing but a pack of treacherous dogs, their hunger for power never satisfied,” the god said with disgust.
“Are you satisfied? Am I? It’s our nature, Niko. I have come to terms with it. You will be playing a dangerous game it you try and take on Hesperina and her supporters. What we need now is unity.”
The Lord of Vengeance laughed. “Yes, unity, like that unity you put through Tobiah’s guts.”
“That was personal. I am speaking about the pantheon as a whole.”
“Soon enough, the pantheon will tremble, when…”
Syann’s lips tightened and she put her hand over his mouth. “You don’t know who could be listening. If our secret comes to light, it could very well mean our heads.” Syann slowly removed her hand. Niko knew better than to mention their father inside the mountain. Their home was notoriously no place to discuss private matters. “Why are you here anyway?”
Nikodemos sat down on her bed and stretched back like a great cat. “I came to see you. I heard about Helana and her idiotic engagement to Tobiah, and your less than cordial response to the news. I don’t think my niece could have picked a more worthless mate?”
Syann lowered her eyes. “It’s Valintina; she is the one that manipulated Helana into agreeing to the marriage. It is her that is behind the whole thing.”
“We won’t allow it, so relax.”
“How can I do anything locked up in here?” Syann said, throwing up her hands.
“This will soon end one way or another, and if it doesn’t, I will just take Tobiah’s head. It would be no loss.”
Syann couldn’t say she didn’t like her brother’s solution. It just wasn’t possible.
Nikodemos sat up on the bed. “There is something else I wanted to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“The boy Payton”
Syann’s brow furrowed in thought. “The son of Endra Korlest?”
“Yes, our half-brother. I have been watching and doing a little pushing the way dear old Mother taught us.”
“Mother’s methods are not ones to be followed, Niko. You know her dealings with mortals never end well. You should leave that boy alone.”
“First off, Payton is not totally mortal. He is half-god. It has taken little effort on my part to push him in the direction we need.”
Syann shook her head in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“We were told that the mortals of this world would be needed in the times to come. The boy could be the first step in bringing the humans back to the Reaper’s altar, and ours as well.”
Her brother reminded her more and more of their father as the centuries passed—always focused on power, war, and themselves.
“I glad you found something to occupy your time, but I have more pressing problems now than one of father’s mortal children. My advice is this, the boy is our half-brother, and the blood in his veins will be enough trouble for him without you adding to it. Just remember our lovely half-sisters. They turned out wonderful, didn’t they?” Syann said sarcastically.
“You always care too much, Syann, and the witches aren’t that bad.”
Syann cocked her head. “How can you say that with a straight face?”
Another knock came on her door. Both gods came to their feet.
“I will return, sister,” Niko whispered, vanishing without a sound.
Syann opened the door with a frown. Dressed in a red and white gown with her golden hair pulled back to reveal her flawless features, the Goddess of Love stood smugly outside her room.
“You’re not welcome at my door,” Syann said hatefully.
Valintina smiled and leaned against the door’s archway seductively. “I know. I’m not here for a visit. I just came to inform you I am off to pay a visit to you precious Slayer.”
Syann’s heart began to beat faster, and she tried to hide her dread. “What is your business with Kian, you smiling bitch?”
Valintina batted her eyes. “I can’t punish you, but I can make him suffer for your sins.”
“I won’t allow it,” Syann said.
“What are you going to do? Defy the throne and break your confinement? I wish you would.” The goddess’s smile faded and she vanished.
Syann bit her lip; if she followed, it would go bad for her with the queen. If not, the love goddess would make Kian pay for what she had done.
Without another thought, she grabbed her blade and followed Valintina.
Syann almost didn’t notice the snow-covered ground. Her attention was focused on Kian and the group he traveled with. They had stopped to rest their horses. She had no idea what business they had been on, something to do with the Trimenian rebellion was her guess. There hadn’t been much time recently to follow what the swordsman had been up to.
Seeing him again caused her heartbeat to quicken, and she felt no shame at the warmth in her loins. Syann couldn’t deny that she wanted the inhuman warrior for herself, or the pang of jealousy seeing him with the woman he loved. Still, she would not allow his life to be damaged so the Goddess of Love could settle a score with her.
There was no sign of Valintina. The goddess could keep herself hidden from the mortals, but not Syann. Silver sword in hand, she squatted behind a cluster of frost-covered bushes a good distance from the band of mercenaries and waited. Val would have to show herself sooner or later.
Sensing movement behind her, Syann turned with sword at the ready, but it wasn’t Valintina she found. Galames, Satron, and Mantel had appeared to her rear. The three elder gods all frowned at her. Syann lowered her weapon. She had been a fool. Valintina not only threated Kian, but had tricked her into breaking her word to Hesperina.
“The queen confined you to the mountain, girl, and you have dared to disobey her command,” Satron said, his voice heavy with spite.
“Did you think you weren’t being watched?” Galames added. “You will return with us now.”
Syann took a step back. “Valintina plans to harm my champion. I won’t allow it.”
Mantel stepped forward, the moun
tain god’s face a mask of contempt. “Who cares what any god does to a mortal? Besides, you are lying. You haven’t put any name on the roll of champions. Come with us now, Syann, or I assure you we will make your return unpleasant.”
She had no chance against three elder gods. Their power was far beyond her, but she wasn’t leaving without a fight. Raising her hand, she let go a blast of force. The bolt struck Mantel in the chest, and the God of the Mountains staggered. Moving towards Galames, she swung her sword at the sun god’s head. Unprepared for her resistance, the blow knocked his golden helmet off.
A blue and gray bolt of energy took her from her feet before she could strike again. Satron, she had not been quick enough to evade the sea god’s power.
Rising from the cold snow, she tried to focus. Her head swam and her legs buckled. Mantel’s massive fist caught her between the eyes lifting her from the ground.
Finding herself on her back and her wits scrambled, Syann could only stare up at the three gods that circled her.
“She has too much of her father in her,” Galames said as the trio vanished, taking her with them.
* * *
Valintina took a great deal of pleasure in the beating her uncles had given Syann. They were gone now, taking the hag back to the mountain with them. Now that the devilish woman was gone, she could continue her course of action.
Valintina had never been one for the cold. Trimenia’s weather wasn’t to her liking, but she wouldn’t be here long. Invisible to the mortal eye, she glided close to Slayer. The abomination stopped and sniffed the air. His golden eyes narrowed, and the warrior looked right at her. It frightened her for a moment. Though it was clear he couldn’t see her, the creature nonetheless gave Valintina a feeling of dread. Its unnatural abilities sparked a sense of trepidation in her very being. The goddess’s instincts told her the thing should be destroyed, and its ashes scattered to the wind. However, she wasn’t after the Slayer’s life, at least not today.
Casting off the uncharacteristic violent sensation, Valintina thrust at the swordsman with her will. Frowning at the lack of success, Valintina tried again. Holding her breath and straining till her face turned red, the goddess let go the full might of her mind. Panting with effort, she pulled back. The nasty creature seemed to be immune to her influence. She wasn’t sure if it was some strange innate defense the creature possessed or that his bond to the Korlest woman was so strong. In the past, there had been a rare few mortal loves so great that even her dominating enchantments couldn’t overcome them. Whatever the case, her power was useless against the Slayer. Fortunately, she had other options.
The Slayer’s woman could pay for Syann’s wickedness. It would be just as satisfying, perhaps even more so, and the mortal creature Syann cared about would be just as broken.
She appraised the swordsman’s woman. This daughter of Sorrack, dressed in her animal hides and armor, was little more than a savage, though Valintina had to reluctantly admit the woman was stunning for a mortal. If properly tended to, the barbaric wench could be magnificent.
With her features, she reminded her of the goddesses of the mountain. It was little wonder Octavian filled her with his vile seed. Her brother was little better than a lustful goat, his lovers numbered more than her own. The death god often strayed into the mortal world to find the most beautiful women to lie with. As much as Valintina would like to chastise the Reaper for his insatiable desires, she couldn’t. When it came to finding pleasure in the arms of mortals, she was as guilty as he.
Closing her eyes and calming herself, the goddess moved easily into the woman’s mind. Directing her power with a keen talent, the love goddess dug deep into the mortal’s most carnal desires. The woman’s love for the inhuman swordsman was vast. She loved the creature with all her heart; even her soul yearned for his love. Valintina was about to give up when she found a tiny spark, just a minute thought of lust for another. It was all she needed.
“You need to slake your thirst, Endra,” Valintina whispered to the woman’s mind. “The craving in your loins is too strong, and it must be satisfied or you might go mad. Kian cannot suffice anymore. It’s not he that speaks to the ache inside your body or your heart. Kian is a half-breed, a creature that’s very touch makes your skin crawl. His love must be rejected; your lust is for another. You will never be happy without it.” The goddess gently blew on the woman, her enchanted breath blending with the cool winter breeze, stirring the mortal’s hair and her heart.
Stepping back, Valintina regarded the woman whose love she had just doomed. The goddess had a pang of regret. These two shared a great love, one destined to be told by bards, and she had torn it asunder. It was unfortunate and didn’t please her, but Syann shouldn’t have crossed her.
The woman would be unable to resist the feelings inside her that Valintina set in motion. It would gnaw at the roots of the Slayer and Endra’s devotion until a rift grew. Then human nature would do the rest. It was not her way to be cruel, but she had her satisfaction. Spreading her arms wide, the goddess returned to the mountain.
* * *
“Why have you done this, Syann? I would have let the matter pass,” Hesperina railed. “I know full well that Valentina’s inherent condescension started the uproar. I would have let you go in due time and suffered the love goddess’s endless complaints for it. Now you have defied me, and that foolish decision cannot go unanswered.”
Head bowed, Syann stood between Galames and Satron. Hesperina was right. She had no choice this time; she would have to pay a price for her disobedience. If the queen didn’t punish her, the others would see it as a weakness, and when you ruled the gods of Shadow Dragon Mountain, one could never show any vulnerability.
Her head still throbbed from Mantel’s blow, but her wits had returned. Syann knew she had fallen into Valentina’s trap. Without a thought, she had rushed headlong to Kian’s side. Her mother would be disappointed at her recklessness, but the Mistress’s thoughts were of no consequence now. She had disobeyed Hesperina, and flaunted the queen’s lenience her face.
Syann raised her chin. “Majesty, I accept whatever sentence you decree, yet I must ask one thing from you.”
Hesperina shifted forward on the dark throne. “You will get no favors from me now, Syann.” The queen gestured to the gods beside her. “They have told me that Valintina may interfere with your pets. The Slayer was never named by you, so there is little I can do. You will just have to live with what your crimes have wrought, Syann.” Hesperina raised her hand and a pair of manacles appeared on Syann’s wrists. They glowed faintly with the power of the queen’s magic. “Take her below.”
She was spun around harshly and marched out of the throne room.
“I wish you hadn’t made me do this,” Hesperina called after her.
Syann hung her head as she was taken from the throne room, her blonde locks covering the stinging tears.
* * *
The baron stood on the battlements above the courtyard. The torch light flicking on the thirty men he had just hanged filled him with grim satisfaction. Perhaps the royal guard would be a little more careful with his prisoners in the future. The prince was of little importance now. The man was blind and broken. He could easily be dispatched along with what remained of the rebels.
Bernard’s loss, however, was devastating. He would be hard-pressed to find another man among his mercenaries that could fill the Alarusian’s role. There were few he trusted to handle things during the daylight hours.
Reports said his shapechanger had at least destroyed one of the rebel’s wolves, and the upstart army had been culled to nearly nothing. If not for the traitor Strom, they would have been finished all together. Still, Constantine and the treacherous mercenaries would be no threat to his plans. Spring would come and he would rule, and the threats against him would be ended. The rebels had no magic and only this Vladimir to menace him. The rebellion was finished, and he was as safe as the pope himself.
Just outside the encampment,
several huge mounds of bodies had been piled and put to the torch. Thousands had died here. The all too familiar stench of death tickled his sensitive nose, and signs of battle still lingered throughout the camp. While they were in the north, there had been an attack. Now Kian knew why it had been the royal guard that pursued them from the palace. Serban’s mercenaries had been here.
It didn’t look as if the rebels had fared well. The number of people that usually wandered the camp was greatly diminished. He did see a great deal of K’xarr’s men in the camp; Constantine must have relaxed the order barring the sellswords from entering his encampment.
Kian’s companions were weary and half-starved. The frigid trip back from the palace had not been an easy one. The swordsman watched as Endra slowly slid down from her horse. The woman was exhausted. The last few days, she had barely spoken a word to him. They all needed food and proper rest, preferably in front of a warm fire. The Trimenian winter had taken a heavy toll on all of them.
Cromwell helped Prince Dimitri from the saddle. The Toran made sure the prince’s hood covered his head and obscured his face. The noble had requested that his blindness be kept secret from everyone but the rebellion’s leaders for now. Their charge looked unwell. Dimitri was terribly thin, and the dirty beard he sported made him look more like a beggar than a prince of the realm.
However, during their flight from the north, they found that his mind was still sharp. Dimitri’s insistence on concealing his infirmity was for the morale of the people, not his own vanity. The prince knew his blindness would mar his return, and he would need every advantage if he was going to convince the rebels that he wasn’t his father.
K’xarr approached. He still wore his battle armor, but the captain’s head was bare. The mercenary nodded to the others as they escorted the prince into the camp. The man would need suitable lodging where he could be tended. It was a wonder they had gotten him back alive with the nobleman in such a frail condition.
The Star Of Saree Page 31