'You selfish kannan-raik,' the Saviour growled, using an elvan term of insult. 'How many will you sacrifice for the life of one?'
'Ask Akileena the same question,' Colnba shot back, but then immediately regretted it.
The very mage he spoke of, spurred by what was happening, finally managed to batter down what was left of Colnba's barrier. In truth, Colnba no longer had the will to keep it up. Already, Keysjhon was off his horse, rushing over to them. Others were following suit, but the Saviour's father was several paces ahead of them. Colnba did not doubt that Keysjhon would exact vengeance for his father's death and his son's injury with alacrity.
'I oath to you, Keysjhon, I did not mean to take his life.'
Ferocious wrath sparked in the blade-master's eyes, even though tears of grief streaked his face. 'No, in attempting to kill my son, you stole the life of my father,' he retorted, brushing past Colnba and dropping to his knees at Riqumorgia's side.
'Abbarane's forces will not regroup or pursue for the next day, that is all I can guarantee,' Colnba murmured.
Keysjhon seemed to ignore Colnba's words and the mage was not sure if he registered the significance of the promise. Swallowing any more words of apology, Colnba shifted back to Sal-Cirus.
Riqu felt Brynn's talent radiating out from the wound throughout his body. The warmth of the young elvan's breath upon his cheek was comforting. He allowed himself to relax in Brynn's embrace. He felt no pain. Only talent kept Brynn conscious, and yet the child had dragged himself over so Riqu's last breaths were in the arms of loving kin and not on the icy ground alone.
'The strike is fatal, inalla. Your injuries are too grievous. Heal yourself, let my sacrifice mean something,' he implored. Through hazy vision he saw Keysjhon drop to his knees beside him, Sariah was just a few steps behind. Riqu had enough time to give each a look that said farewell, and then he could no longer stop his spirit from letting go.
He felt Brynn grasp at it with his talent, but the child was too weak. Caging a spirit and drawing it back into a body was not beyond a healer, but it was difficult even for one of Belon's innate skill and experience, and Riqu knew he was beyond Belon's reach.
Riqu sent his contentment to his grandson. 'Be at peace. It is my time.'
For a moment, Sariah did not realise she was planes-bound. She felt Keysjhon's arm wrap around her and then she was... nowhere — not in herself.
'I can only keep him here a few moments, Sariah. It is all I can do.'
Sariah saw Brynn, saw him on his knees in a place of white and grey mists. He looked just as weak, just as dishevelled with dirt and blood on his clothing and in the tangled mane of his hair, and a dark trail of blood from a wound that should have killed him. The only thing that indicated they were not on the physical plane was the mist and a silver 'string' of light that tied him to...
'Seda!' she exclaimed.
She ran to Riqu and he caught her up in a hug. 'Seda, do not go...' she cried.
'He cannot re-integrate my spirit with my body...'
Sariah felt her knees give, but Riqu held her. No, it... it seemed so real. 'No, Seda, you are strong enough still.'
'Inalla, we are spirits here, what you feel is a memory.' Riqu stroked her hair out of her face and met her gaze. 'How happy I am that you are whole again, ena-ra...' Riqu kissed Sariah's temple. 'Ever have I considered you my daughter, remember that. No matter our differences, no matter how you remember them, I love you and I am so proud of you.' Riqu gently brushed a tear from her cheek. 'Oh, my beautiful daughter, you were my reason for living when existing was all I had. You made my life bright with sunshine and laughter and I regret leaving you while you are still so young.'
Sariah reached up with both hands and cupped his face. His rough beard, and the soft skin of his cheeks felt so real. 'I will miss you so much, seda... I love you. Please do not go, please hold on long enough for them to heal you.'
'It is my time, Sariah, Fate has called me to a new path. I will ever be in your life, if you keep me in your heart.' Riqu ran both his hands over her cheeks and kissed her forehead. 'Be strong, my beautiful, amazing daughter.'
'I cannot get to him, he is on a plane I cannot access.'
'He is dying, Belon!' Keysjhon cried his voice full of desperation.
'That statement is not at all helpful,' Belon growled.
'I am sorry, my dawn, I am beyond rational thought or words...'
Belon's hands trembled where they rested on Brynn's shoulder and knee. Her son had managed to cradle Riqu, and Keysjhon, on the other side, was supporting them both. Sariah, tear-stained face crumpled by grief, knelt next to Keysjhon, her hands cupping Riqu's limp hand. The warrior let go with one hand to wrap her arm around Keysjhon in an attempt to comfort him.
No matter what method she tried, Belon could not get through Brynn's barriers. It was not an unusual problem with mages, especially when they were injured so grievously during talented battle. She tried a different plane. Here, she could see his spirit, see all the spirits around her. Keysjhon was glowing a soft blue, and Sariah, a gold flame. Brynn's was fading, but for a spirit strand of gold and silver. Of course, shaen-duura connected him to another. But it did not mean he could not die. She tried to get past Brynn's barriers by going through the rahn's planes.
A vigorous shake brought her off the planes. 'Belon!'
Belon refocused, looking up at Keysjhon, whose hand was on her shoulder. She suddenly realised Brynn's barriers were down. In fact, he was drawing talent from her to sustain himself. His eyes fluttered open and he looked up at her plaintively. 'I tried, seda, but I could not save him.'
Belon leaned forward and pushed Brynn's hair back from his face. Blood trailed from the corner of his mouth down his throat. He was an unhealthy pallor. Tears streaked his cheeks.
'Nay, nay mi inalla, da raik tu-re eir-mida.' No, no, my little one your courage is honourable. 'Rest, heal, let me bear the burden of your injuries.'
At her words Brynn closed his eyes, giving himself over to his mother's talent.
Only moments had passed, but for Keysjhon it seemed endless. Just as Brynn had given Sariah a few precious moments to say farewell, he had linked Keysjhon with Riqu. But they had not spoken, instead, connecting with their talent, both ensured the other knew the depth of their love for the other.
Keysjhon's hand dropped to Riqu's cheek and stroked it. 'Tia ghel, seda, tia rin.' Dream light, father, dream free.
Two more elvan had worked their way through the group and pushed through to Belon's side. From the feel of the talent emanating from them, Keysjhon knew they were healers. Keysjhon pulled Sariah aside to make room for them. He wrapped both arms about her, murmuring softly in elvan. Sariah curled in towards him, her tears wetting his neck, but she did not make a sound.
Day 20 – Morning
Sal-Cirus
Tears slid down Linuk's face. Caradon… Beautiful, kind-hearted Caradon. Her heart was heavy with grief. Not since Diannra had died had she felt such sadness that it felt like her very spirit was drenched in it.
'Ko-rayen!' Within the sent call, Linuk placed a heightened feeling of urgency.
She felt the physical plane vibrate and then warp.
By Fate's hand, he could planes-shift. Now that surprised her. Sure enough, a moment later Ko-rayen entered the room. He had blood on him. Linuk wondered if it was Caradon's blood. The wards he had placed upon and around her restricted her from accessing the paths of the present, future, and past, so she did not know how Caradon had come to die. It was only because of the amulet that she knew he was about to depart this realm. She did not have long.
Without preamble she said, 'I need you to drop my wards for a few moments.' Linuk raised her hand to forestall his interjection. 'I will explain more later, I have no time. If you drop them for just a few seconds, I oath, I will not attempt escape or attack any Abbarane party. I wish to preserve a spirit. I will do so using planes-walking abilities. I will allow you to fully observe what I do if you agree.'
The Ko-renti heir was frowning deeply, but he was a mage, he knew that when another mage, a mage of her capabilities said she had no time, she meant it.
The wards dropped.
'You must trust me, give me access to you so I may fulfil my promise.'
'Ko-rayen's barriers parted.
Linuk linked to him and then shifted to an upper plane. 'I need some of your energy.'
'Where are we?'
'Later.'
It was unsurprising that Ko-rayen did not recognise the plane, not many would, this was not a may-en-ghi plane, it was a plane planes-walkers used. She had discovered it when she was staying at the Temple of Eirra-kaan. Hahn, one of the founders of Andarea and a natural-born planes-walker, had spoken of this plane and how to use it.
She sped through the plane, taking Ko-rayen with her. She had no time, where was Caradon?
Then she saw him. Caradon's spirit. It was diminishing.
'No!'
She raced towards it, already reciting the incantation she had learned in Eirra-kaan. It was not a spell as the humans would call it, it was a means to remember what she needed to do. Linuk wrapped Caradon's spirit in her own as she delayed it from departing. Then, schooling her concentration she herded the spirit into the amulet that already held Diannra's spirit. The task exhausted her, and she dropped from the plane like a stone.
'What did you just do?'
Sweat plastered the black, red-gold hair to Ko-rayen's forehead. It would have been rough on him. Linuk was not in a much better state. She met his red-gold gaze, lying to a mage was never an easy accomplishment. 'I attempted to capture Caradon's spirit, but I failed to return it to his vessel.'
Ko-rayen studied her, he was frowning intently, checking the planes, verifying what she said. She had told two truths, but in merging them, she passed on a lie. She had attempted to capture Caradon's spirit and she had failed to return it to its vessel. Her aim had never been to return it to its vessel though, and that was where she was not being truthful, but the Ko-renti mage had not asked her what her intention had been. Thus, he would check and see she had failed at returning his spirit to his vessel and determine she had been truthful. The amulet she had used to store his spirit was around Lariel's neck, that had been another reason to get her familiar out. Which brought to mind the question — what had happened to Lariel? Mayhap it was a good sign that she had not heard from her. Ko-rayen would have mentioned it if he had caught her, which must mean she had escaped. If so, that meant all Linuk had to do was bide her time until the rebels came for her.
Ko-rayen stumbled, the excursion had taken quite a toll on him. Linuk rose from the bed where she had been lying and helped him to a chair. You should get some rest. In return for your trust. I will answer some questions about the plane we went to, but after we have both recovered.
'I cannot afford to rest. I must get to…' he looked at her, realising he had almost revealed more than he should. 'I must go.'
He pushed himself up and used his mind-will to open the sliding door and then shut it behind him and lock it. Mayhap he was not as drained as she thought, or he was putting on a show of strength so that she would think he was stronger than he was. Either way, Linuk was too tired to care at the moment. She had secured Caradon's spirit. His knowledge would not be lost, and his spirit would be reunited with Diannra's, just as he had requested.
Day 20 – Morning
Sal-Cirus
For several long moments, Colnba could not think. He had killed not the leader of the rebel movement, not Riqumorgia, the raven's guardian, he had killed Caradon. Caradon, his friend and mentor. Caradon, with whom he spent hours seeing to the governing of their country, sharing meals, laughing and…
Caradon was dead.
And it was his hand that held the blade.
Nisari did not speak, but he felt her spirit press against his. There were no words for the tragedy just passed — just shock and disbelief.
Ko-rayen's voice brought his focus back to the room. 'The past is for regret and learning, but the future should always be your priority.' The deep Ko-renti voice was gentle. He was telling Colnba that an act, whether by intent or accident, could not be undone.
'Honour the past, Colnba, but not right now, Abbarane is on his way. Liacoren cannot stall his impatience any longer.'
Taking in the rows of unconscious mages and then the damage inflicted by the lightning strike, Colnba's survival instincts took control. First, he willed the bloody weapons to his quarters, then he used his talent to clean his clothing and skin. Once this was done, he brought all the human mages back to consciousness. With a command of will, he directed them to return to their quarters immediately and to rest. He could not wake the elvan mages, not yet, not after the terror the Saviour had planted within their subconsciousness. They needed the refuge of oblivion until… 'Nisari…'
'I will restore each mind back to health, ena-ra,' she assured him.
'Ko-rayen, get some soldiers in here to remove the elvan to their rooms, immediately. They must be gone before Abbarane gets here.'
The Ko-renti mage gave Colnba a nod, lifting the elvan nearest him as he called over a soldier from outside the room. Aside from removing the mages, Colnba did not alter the room. With the mages safe from Malithorn's wrath, there was no need to waste talented energy on repairs. Colnba looked down at his trembling hands, willing them to steady, but they refused to obey.
'That does not make sense, Liacoren, how is it that an elvan mage could enforce unconsciousness from a human plane?' Malithorn's voice grew louder as he entered the corridor and strode towards the room.
'It is not impossible, just not common.' Liacoren was answering. 'How do you think Colnba monitors your human mages? He is elvan, but he is able to navigate human planes. It is fortunate for us that the Saviour is elvan, else our human mages would have been just as adversely affected by that last attack as the elvan ones.'
Colnba linked his hands behind his back just as Malithorn and Liacoren reached the entrance. The reigning Abbarane came to an abrupt halt, indicating that despite knowing that lightning had struck the room, the complete destruction was more than he expected. Not one piece of glass had survived and much of the furniture and planted areas bore proof of the titanic force. A large circle of floor was blackened, as was the bench that Colnba had shared with Ko-rayen. Only Colnba's shields had prevented the bench from exploding and a clear, untouched outline around Colnba showed where his shields had been.
Malithorn looked up at the clear sky and then slowly scanned the room. 'Where are they?'
'The mages have been returned to their quarters. They must rest,' Colnba's flat tone gave away his exhaustion.
Malithorn glanced at Liacoren, and she said, 'My lord, if the rebels choose to attack again soon, the mages will need their strength.'
It was not often he and Liacoren were in accord, but the human mage understood that Malithorn could easily fly into a deadly temper, and it was best if the less-experienced mages were absent. Colnba flicked a brief, thankful glance in her direction.
'Considering we ambushed them, they reacted in a very organised manner,' Malithorn observed. 'The rebels are far more coordinated than estimated and that does not bode well.'
Sighing, Colnba grimaced and leaned against the wall. To say he was exhausted would not convey the depth of his fatigue, but it was Riqumorgia's death that took the strength from his body.
'Riqumorgia is dead.'
Malithorn frowned. 'How is this so?'
'I killed him,' Colnba replied tonelessly. 'I know you like to be fully informed, lord, yet in truth, I am fatigued beyond measure. I beg you, lord, for time to rest after this strenuous feat.'
Malithorn looked over to Liacoren, the human mage gave a very slight nod.
'You can guarantee that Riqumorgia is really dead?' Malithorn persisted.
'As if his blood were on my hands, lord.'
Malithorn considered the statement for a long moment before asking
, 'What about this mythical child we were trying to corner? Despite the welcome news of the rebel leader's demise, I have not forgotten that we failed in attaining our primary goal.'
'His injuries were mortal…'
But? Malithorn's expression seemed to say.
'But a healer might save him. For the moment, he is rendered harmless. Even with a healer's aid, he will take many sennats to recover,' Colnba explained.
Slowly, a smile spread across the Great Lord's face. 'This is not the defeat I thought I had witnessed. Yes, Colnba, you can rest. Tomorrow morning, I want a full report. I will see you in my quarters before breakfast.'
'I am grateful for your generosity, lord.'
Malithorn turned as he watched his senior elvan mage depart. 'Is it true, Liacoren, did he kill Riqumorgia?'
'Yes, my lord, Colnba spoke truly.'
Looking back around the room one more time, Malithorn gestured for Liacoren to follow him, 'That's bloody marvellous,' he chuckled. He grinned back at Liacoren. 'Send for a bottle of Ju del la Mont Vianz, I believe a celebratory drink is in order.'
Despite his uplifted mood, Malithorn knew that the rebellion was not over, not yet. But they had made substantial progress. They were rid of the meddlesome Riqumorgia and they had confirmed the mythical child existed. And he was a myth no more! No longer the unseen threat. No longer the phantom saviour that haunted him from the pages of a prophecy. He was real.
Prophecy's Quest Page 35