Vessa huddled close to Saida in the tree shadows. “Are you sure we can trust them?” she whispered.
“They will do as we ask,” she whispered back.
Her army would march on the Capital and cut down any in their path. Then they would take the city, and she would hunt down Egrin Dinoba. She still could hardly face the thought of war, but she had been convinced it was a necessary evil. She would not let the armies march upon Faerune. Without his city or his armies, Egrin could not hide from her forever.
“I don’t like that scary look in your eye,” Vessa muttered.
Saida blinked, pulling out of her thoughts. “Once we reach the city, you can do what you want. You don’t have to follow me.”
Vessa shook her hair out of her face. “What I want is to find my brother. And that’s what you should want too. That’s why he left me behind. Let me show you into the city.” She glanced at Vail, standing quietly at her other side.
Vail met her gaze as some silent question passed between them. After a moment, the healer inclined her chin. “I agree. Your quarrel is with the emperor, and Alluin may need your help. You should come with us.”
The three male elves accompanying them did not comment, though she had noticed their gazes lingering on the other elves who marched with the Makali—Malon’s early recruits. Perhaps the Valeroot elves were wishing they had made better alliances from the start.
She almost wanted to take Vail and Vessa up on their offer. Malon’s plan was logical, but it didn’t cover Alluin and Elmerah reaching the Capital before them. If they went after the emperor, they might need her help.
She didn’t have a chance to answer before Malon and Brosod returned to them.
“We will rest for half the night,” Malon explained as he reached her, “then we will begin our march in darkness. If my estimations are correct, we will reach Galterra at first light. I hope you have not reconsidered our plan.” He gave her a knowing look.
She glanced at the elves. “We cannot allow his armies to leave the Capital. Once we have taken the city, we will go after the emperor.”
Vessa shook her head, clearly disappointed. “If you do not come with us, Egrin will be warned of your arrival. What if he simply disappears in a cloud of darkness and evades you?”
She patted her belt pouch where her compass rested. “I will follow him to the ends of the earth if need be.”
Malon stepped closer and placed a hand upon her shoulder. “Hopefully it will not come to that. I only wish Elmerah had not lost Isara.”
Saida bowed her head. “What’s done is done. We must do what we can to protect Faerune.”
He squeezed her shoulder, then stepped away. “We should rest while we can. Tomorrow, we end this.”
She glanced at the other elves, all watching on. Tomorrow would be the end of all they had worked for, one way or another.
Isara
“I don’t know why you insist on exploring this blasted island,” Daemon said behind Isara as they both trudged through the sand.
She knew better than to explain it to him. They had come across the demon carcasses the day before. They must have come from somewhere, and she intended to find out. No ships large enough to carry them to the mainland had docked since their arrival, and she was not content to live out her days on the tiny island with her brother.
Although, she had considered it. On this island, they could live in peace. Her brother’s duties to Egrin did not exist here, nor did her promises.
She almost slowed her steps across the sand, then she shook her head and picked up her pace. She was not a coward, not anymore. Those demons had found some way onto the island, which meant there was another way off of it.
She would find it. She would escape, and would take Daemon with her, even if she had to drag him by his ear the entire way.
Chapter Thirteen
Alluin
They found rest at an abandoned Valeroot settlement. Alluin could still picture all of the elves there, forging rough weapons, restringing bows, sharing a morning meal. Now they were all gone. Those who hadn’t fled were killed. He didn’t know how many, and he hoped to never find out.
He stood alone in one of the wooden huts. He had already searched it for supplies, but most had been pilfered. While he had found a dusty cloak to wear, he found no weapons or food. The food they could do without—both he and Killian we’re skilled hunters and knew how to live off the land—but the weapons were a problem. Could they really hope to free Elmerah with Celen’s magic alone?
He didn’t think so, but it wouldn’t stop him from trying.
“Are you ready?” Celen stood in the open doorway, framed in the smoky purple light of early dawn.
He nodded, then followed Celen out of the hut. He wished they could have entered the Capital under the cover of night, but they had desperately needed rest. At least Celen and Killian hadn’t asked any questions about the settlement. They both seemed to understand that he wouldn’t want to talk about it.
Killian waited at the edge of the settlement, his back to them as he kept watch. His simple tunic and breeches were dirty and torn, but he could easily cast an illusion to make them look brand new.
As he approached Killian’s back, he wondered what the Nokken actually thought about things. He’d followed Celen on impulse, and had been practically forced into their plan. Killian looked up to Celen like some sort of idol, and he ended up the only one of his people actually striving against the emperor. Alluin could relate. Yes, Vessa had followed him, but she never would have fought for the Valeroot elves on her own. He no longer begrudged her choices. Perhaps she was wiser than him after all.
Celen walked at Alluin’s side. “You’re sure you can get us into the city unnoticed?”
He nodded, though his blood felt like ice in his veins. The closest entrance was the same way he and Elmerah once fled, leaving the burning corpses of his kin behind. He wasn’t even sure if the underground path was accessible now, but it was their best choice. Either that, or lose another day traveling to a different secret entrance.
Celen gestured for Killian to follow as they walked past.
“It’s not far from here,” Alluin explained, “but keep your senses about you. One of the Dreilore found us there before. She did not survive, but I cannot guarantee others don’t know about the place. If they didn’t keep it for their own, they might have caved it in.”
“I can take care of a simple cave-in.” Celen pulled up the hood of his pilfered brown cloak. It was in far worse condition than the one Alluin had found, but at least it would conceal his features.
Alluin looked in the direction they would be heading. It would take an hour, maybe less. He had no idea what they would do if they managed to not only enter the city, but the keep. They would simply have to figure it out when it happened.
Elmerah
Elmerah barely had time to react as the door to her cage swung open, then Egrin fisted his hand in her hair. She had finally managed a few moments of sleep, and this was what it got her.
He dragged her across the stone floor. She glanced around frantically, realizing they were alone. There were no Dreilore guards to watch them.
Her scalp felt on fire as Egrin lifted her by her hair until she was on her feet, then leaned in next to her cheek. “Tell me what they’re planning.”
She stood on her boot tips, swaying dangerously, lest he yank her hair out by the root. “What are you talking about!”
Using her hair, he tossed her across the room. With her hands still shackled she landed hard on her shoulder. Pain shot through her, but she forced herself to roll over.
Not fast enough. His boot landed against her abdomen, stealing her breath.
She curled up, choking and gagging.
He stood over her with his boots right next to her face. “What. Are. They. Planning?”
She glared up at him. “Who? The gods? The fates? I couldn’t tell you.”
He crouched down beside her. “There is an entire fleet of Akke
ri ships sailing in from the west. Any moment now they will launch their attack upon my port. It would not be such an issue if those blasted elves weren’t standing outside my gates with an army of Makali.” He grabbed her hair again, pulling her face toward his. “How did they enlist the Akkeri?”
She blinked at him. The Makali. That meant Saida was here.
He dragged her up again, then started walking toward the door. “I had planned to wait for the full moon. Everything would have worked out perfectly, but now we have to rush.”
She stumbled after him, her scalp screaming in pain. “Rush what!”
Thera stood just outside the doorway with a tray of food. She staggered back, spilling the tray. Her wide eyes locked with Elmerah’s.
“Come,” Egrin ordered her. “You’ll be needed.”
He continued through the keep, and Elmerah realized past her pain that it was eerily quiet. Not one human nor Dreilore lurked. They were entirely alone.
“Where are you taking me?” she demanded.
“I won’t risk those elves finding us before we’re done. I’ll just have to fetch Isara later.”
She stumbled after him, bent at an odd angle with his lowered hand tugging her hair. “Isara?”
“She’ll be needed, but not yet.”
They rounded a bend with Thera scurrying after them. “Saida and Malon will find you,” she threatened. “You fear them.”
He spun around, slamming her against the wall before pressing a hand around her throat. He leaned in near her face. “The circlets will not be a threat for long. I would advise you to keep your mouth shut and do as you’re told.”
He released her only long enough to shove her ahead of him, but she hadn’t missed the fear in his eyes. He really was afraid of Saida, but she was still outside the gates. There was still time for him to achieve whatever he had set out to do.
He continued to shove her until they reached a room at the end of a long hall. Egrin stopped before a hatch in the ground. Lightning fast, he grabbed her hair again, dragging her down with him as he opened the hatch with his free hand.
Elmerah stared through the opening. Nothing but darkness stared back.
Egrin let go of her hair. “Down.”
She stepped back. “I don’t think so.”
He grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the hatch. “Climb down the ladder, or I will throw you down, and break every bone in your body. I don’t care if you’re crippled, I only need you alive.”
He looked to Thera. “Find Lord Orius. Bring him here. Tell him it is time to make good on his end of the bargain.”
He shoved Elmerah toward the hatch again. “Now climb, or fall. I don’t care. Either way you’re going down.”
She gave Thera a pleading look, but the elf only stepped back, still clutching her empty tray.
“Down!” Egrin shouted.
“I can’t climb a ladder in shackles!” she shouted back, holding out her hands.
He merely touched her shackles and they fell away, clattering to the stone floor. “Summon your magic, and you know what will happen.”
She did know. She wouldn’t summon it, not until it was her last resort. She stepped toward the hatch and started climbing. If she was going to find a way out of this, she preferred to do it without broken bones.
Thera turned away and fled, leaving Egrin alone to watch her descent.
She continued down into the darkness, fighting the warning voice in her head that told her she would never come back up.
Isara
Isara stared down into the gaping pit, wrinkling her nose at a strange smell emanating from within. Her body was coated with sweat, her limbs trembling. She had spent the morning clearing rocks and dirt out of the hole. It was no natural cavern, she could sense it. The incline was steep, but it would be possible to climb down into that darkness.
“This has to be where the demons came from.”
Daemon moved to her side, his eyes wide as he looked down. “And remind me again why we care where the demons came from?”
“Maybe we can use the passage to get off this island.”
He stepped back. “You foolish girl. I humored your search because we have nothing better to do, but you’re speaking absolute madness. We are safe here, we have food and shelter.”
She wiped the sweat from her brow, then crossed her shaking arms, waiting for him to calm down. “I think it’s time you told me what you’re hiding.”
He raked a hand through his curls, his fingers snagging in the tangles. He tugged his hand back out in a jerky, irritated movement. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She waited patiently, noticing a cool gust of air easing its way up from the cavern. Birds sang happily around them. Whatever evil had come up from the cavern was long gone, but that did not mean it was safe. If the cavern led to the demon realm, something else could come upon it from below at any moment.
“You would never simply be content to live out your life on this island, gutting fish to earn your next meal. I know you’re trying to keep me here for a reason.”
He glared at her. “Some things you’re better off not knowing. Just know that I am trying to keep you safe.”
“From what?”
He rolled his eyes. “A horrible death.”
She took a step toward him, away from the cavern. “Egrin ordered you to keep me here, didn’t he? Why did he do it? What does he want with me?”
Daemon tried to stare her down, but she wouldn’t look away. Not this time.
“Fine,” he huffed. “We are here for safekeeping. When Egrin needs us, he will come.”
Her mind flooded with emotions, overwhelming her better senses. She marched right up to him and slapped him across the face.
His eyes flared as he gripped his cheek. “You’ve got to stop doing that, you foolish girl. The only reason you’re alive is because I bargained with him to keep you alive.”
“Are you so blind? Or can you simply not see me as anything of value? I’m still alive because Egrin wants to use me in some way. I’m the only person who can nullify his magic. If he didn’t need me, he would have killed me at the start. If we wait here for him, eventually he will take me, use me, then get rid of me.”
Still clutching his cheek, he stared at her unblinking.
She sighed heavily. “You’ve never been one to think things through.” But then she realized he wasn’t staring at her, but past her.
She turned around, then gasped. A dozen creatures with shaggy gray hair and onyx eyes watched them. The Fogfaun were small, smaller than her, with goat-like legs and humanoid torsos. Their skin was a similar color to their dark gray fur.
“What in the gods are they?” Daemon whispered behind her.
She held up a hand to silence him, then took a step toward the creatures. She remembered their magic, how they could easily abduct people . . . “We need your help. Can you transport us off this island?”
The closest creature tilted its head, then pointed to the cavern. “Did you make hole?”
Oh gods, not this again. They must have come to investigate the cavern. “Listen,” she began, daring to move a step closer. “The weather worker is trying to get rid of the demon king, but she needs my help. Can you take me to her?”
“Get away from those creatures,” Daemon hissed as the Fogfaun began chattering amongst themselves. He grabbed her arm and tried to pull her backward, but she tugged away from him.
The chatter died down as the nearest creature observed her. “Weather worker is with demon king.”
She clutched a hand to her chest. Egrin had Elmerah? She cast a glare back at Daemon. “Did you know that Egrin had her?”
“Who? The witch? I had no idea, though it’s about time.”
Saving her anger for her brother for later, she turned back to the Fogfaun. “Can you help me reach her? I swear to you, we are trying to set things right. We don’t want more demons coming up through these holes either.”
The creature
s all stared at her.
She held her hands together in front of her chest. “Please. Egrin will kill her, then all of our hopes will be dashed. Together, she and I can defeat him.”
The lead creature finally blinked, then inclined its pointy chin.
“Isara,” Daemon warned, his voice low.
The other Fogfaun shuffled closer, as if by some silent command. The lead creature began to chant. Isara could feel magic building.
Daemon grabbed her again. “Isara, don’t—”
Then everything went black and foggy. When Isara opened her eyes, she was standing upon the shore. But not the shore of the small island. She looked northward, and there stood the tall walls of the Capital.
Daemon cursed emphatically at her side, drawing her attention to him.
She looked her pathetic brother up and down. “I do believe that in your own ridiculous way you were trying to keep me safe, but that ends now. Either you help me defeat him, or you are my brother no more.”
He spat in the sand. “We stand no chance of defeating him. I know what you’re capable of, and it is not this.”
She clenched her hands into fists at her sides. “No, Daemon, you don’t know me at all. You never did.”
But he was looking right past her again.
Her temper flaring, she followed his gaze out toward the sea as an entire fleet of ships came into view on the horizon. Akkeri ships. Distantly, in the other direction, she thought she could hear sounds of fighting already happening. It seemed she had come not a moment too soon.
She turned away from her brother and started running toward the Capital. There were many secret ways into the city, and she knew them all. Her father had never trusted Egrin, and had taught her well. She was done hiding. It was time to show everyone exactly what she was capable of.
Chapter Fourteen
Alluin
Empire of Demons (The Moonstone Chronicles Book 4) Page 13