Veilspeaker (Pharim War Book 2)

by Martinez, Gama Ray

  The ground rumbled and the portal opened for a second and spat out the battered form of Shamarion. The pharim’s robes were ripped and his sword looked tarnished, but he stood up and saluted Jez. With the throne reclaimed, the royal magic withdrew. Jez screamed as his own power began to consume him. He let it go, returning to his mortal form and falling to the ground. The last thing he saw before he lost consciousness was the cracks in the stone where he’d trapped Sharim.

  The demon in human flesh was gone.

  CHAPTER 57

  Jez woke to see the healer Paleel standing over him, her hands glowing yellow. When she saw he was awake, she yelped and ran out of the room before he could say anything. Haziel came in a few minutes later. He wore new robes and had obviously bathed recently. To Jez’s surprise, he bowed.

  “Baron Jezreel, I owe you a great deal. Ashtar may well have fallen if not for you.”

  Jez glanced at Paleel. “You found the mages.”

  Haziel nodded. “Once Maries was free, he summoned demons that could bind their powers and imprisoned them in their own rooms.”

  “Flinas?”

  “The demon we were fighting disappeared when we saw that red light in the sky. As far as we can tell, the rest of the demons did that too.”

  Jez tried to sit up, but he didn’t have the strength. Haziel put a hand on his shoulder and pushed him down. “I wouldn’t. The healers say you’re weak. It’s like you’ve gone days without eating. You had burns too, but the healers have taken care of those.”

  “Osmund? Lina?”

  “They’re both fine. They want to see you if you’re feeling up to it. I insisted on coming in first.” He smiled. “Being king does have its privileges.”

  Jez was feeling tired, but he managed a nod, and the king walked out into the hall. Osmund and Lina came in a second later. Osmund’s arm was in a sling, and he had a bandage on his face, but otherwise he looked fine. Lina wore one of her gowns, though she no longer used an illusion to hide her scar. When she noticed him looking, she turned away, and her fingers went to her cheek.

  “Sorry,” he said.

  She turned back and inclined her head, and her hand dropped back to her side. “No, it’s nothing. After all I’ve seen, it seems ridiculous to spend my power hiding this, doesn’t it?”

  Jez grinned. “Just a little bit.” He glanced at Osmund. “We never did apologize for accusing you of summoning the demon, did we?”

  She shook her head. “No, but I understand why you did. Sharim fooled us all.”

  “All the same, I apologize. We had no right.”

  Jez glared at Osmund, but he only shrugged. “Technically, I never accused her. That was you.”

  Jez’s eyes were heavy, and he wanted to rest, but this was important. “Osmund.”

  Osmund let out a breath, and his shoulders sagged. “Sorry Lina.”

  “I suppose I should apologize to you as well, for bringing you to trial.” She reddened a little. “And for before, when Regis and I attacked you.”

  Osmund gaped at her for a few seconds, unable to speak until Lina was obviously uncomfortable under his stare.

  “How is your father?” Jez asked.

  Osmund blinked and, as if realizing he’d been staring, he turned back to Jez. Lina shrugged. “They say he’ll be fine. There’s nothing physically wrong with him. He’s going back home. Mother will hire someone to care for him while she sees to the affairs of our lands.” She grinned. “She’s been doing that for years anyway.”

  “You’re not going with him?”

  “I think I’ll go back to the Academy. I was hoping you’d permit me to ride with you.”

  “You’re coming back?”

  She glanced at Osmund. “I left because I was afraid of what he would do to me. I don’t think I need to be afraid anymore.” She smiled. “You know, you never apologized for that either.”

  “I’m sorry,” Osmund said without hesitation. If Jez hadn’t known Osmund as well as he did, he might’ve missed the sorrow in his friend’s voice.

  Osmund didn’t meet her eyes. Lina seemed confused, but Jez understood. Nothing weighed down on Osmund’s conscious so much as the actions he’d take while Ziary was out of control. He cleared his throat, and they both looked at him.

  “Of course you can come with us. You’ve earned our trust and respect.”

  “What about...” she let the words hang.

  “I’ll tell you on the way back to the Academy. Like I said, it’s a long story.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Did Shamarion say anything?”

  “The pharim?”

  “Yes.”

  She nodded. “He said to thank you. Maries’s power was holding him in the abyss. When you banished Maries, you allowed him to find his own way back.”

  “What about Sharim?”

  She shook her head. “He was gone. He must’ve gotten free and fled. Haziel sent men looking for him.”

  “They’ll never find him.”

  “I think he knows that. He just doesn’t know what else to do.”

  “The speaking stones are working again,” Osmund said. “I contacted the masters. They’ll spread the word. If he shows his face anywhere in Ashtar, we’ll know.”

  Jez nodded, but he doubted even they would find Sharim. He’d hidden in the keep for years under the eye of an afur. He wouldn’t be found unless he chose to. Jez had no doubt he would see Sharim again, though. He tried to say as much, but his words came out in a mumble. Dimly, he was aware of a healer ushering his friends out. The pillow felt wonderfully soft, and for the first time in a long time, Jez allowed himself to truly rest.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Gama Ray Martinez lives near Salt Lake City, Utah. He moved there solely because he likes mountains. He collects weapons in case he ever needs to supply a medieval battalion, and he greatly resents when work or other real life things get in the way of writing. Find him at http://gamarayburst.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/gamarayburst.