by Phil Stern
“Princess Lydia,” he breathed, eyes narrowing. “I’ll deal with you in a moment.”
“No!” Fists clenched at her side, Lydia’s entire body seemingly pulsed with suppressed might. “I think you’ll deal with me now.”
A surge of power slammed into Perno, draining away the Network chief’s own energy. Stumbling to one side, leaning against a large rock, Perno desperately held a hand to his head. “What are you doing?” he yelled.
Majestically striding forward, Lydia briefly glanced at Anson. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll live.” Painfully getting up, Anson caused Perno’s sword to fly up into his own hand. “What are you doing to him?”
“Blocking his power.”
“I, uh, didn’t know you could do that.” Coming to stand beside her, they both looked at the hobbled Demon, still pressed up against the rock.
“Neither did I.” Smiling, Lydia pushed dark hair back from her dirt-smudged face. “Until now.”
“I always suspected you were a threat.” Hesitantly, Perno drew himself up once more, stepping away from the rock.
“Stay where you are,” Lydia commanded.
But instead Perno rushed at them, Anson easily throwing him back against the rock. The Demon’s head struck the stone flush, dropping him to the ground, semiconscious.
“So what do we do with him now?” Anson asked. Both his wounded leg and arm were beginning to throb, the forest growing colder in the fading light.
“Well, he is alone, out in the woods.” Lydia nodded off to one side, where a large bear ambled into view. “That’s not always smart, now is it?”
“Are you sure?” Taking her arm, Anson forced her to look at him. “Taking a life is no easy thing.”
“He would have taken ours. And my mother’s, I suspect, if we’d let him.” Turning about, Lydia deliberately walked off, over a small rise to their rear. Hesitating only briefly, Anson then followed, both the bear and prostrate Demon soon out of view.
A half-minute later they heard a roar behind them, followed by a man’s scream. Both paused, listening to the sounds of combat and death die away.
Sighing, she anxiously looked away. “Oh Anson, it’s terrible to have so much power, isn’t it?”
“It is.” Anson paused. “You just discovered this new talent? That you can negate the power of other people?”
“Yes.” Slowly, Lydia drew a hand back through her long hair. “I just needed it, and somehow I knew it was there.”
Thinking back to Senter’s story of self-discovery, Anson nodded. “That’s how it works for all of us, I guess.”
Embracing him, Lydia looked up into Anson’s deep blue eyes. “Oh, my love. You don’t think the less of me now, do you?”
“No,” he replied, smiling. “I just hope you don’t turn me into bear food one day.”
“Don’t worry. You’re too cute for that.”
“Wait! I have an idea.” Anson briskly started a small fire, using nearby wood as fuel. Then, grabbing one of the larger sticks, he carefully singed the trunks of several nearby trees, causing obvious burn marks.
“What are you doing?” Lydia asked.
“Hopefully making Tenen’s life a little more difficult.”
Calling Xander in, they soon made their way back to Brenlaw, splitting up in town and returning separately to the castle.
CHAPTER TEN
THREE DAYS LATER THE KING moodily consumed his second glass of wine of the morning within his chambers.
There was a brisk knock on the door. “Come,” growled the monarch, rising to his feet.
In full princely regalia, Tenen strode into the King’s inner sanctum, the door closing behind him. “You wished to see me, Your Majesty?”
No, the King decided, he didn’t like this young upstart at all. The haughty smile, the affected stance...it just wouldn’t do. “Prince Tenen,” he peremptorily announced. “You have much to answer for.”
Taken aback, Tenen carefully eyed the King. “I know not what you speak of, my Lord.”
“My head Demon, that’s what!” Furious, the monarch advanced. “You killed him! Just two-hours north of here by Stallion! Burned him to death, and then left his remains for the bears!”
Remaining very still, Tenen didn’t look away. “I have killed no one, my Lord.”
“You’re a liar!” Grabbing the younger man by his lapels, the King shook him. “There were burn marks on a half-dozen trees! Your calling card, so to speak. It must have been quite some battle.”
“My liege.” Their faces inches apart, Tenen hands remained at his sides. “You are misinformed. I have not been outside Brenlaw in over a week. And I most certainly have not fought or killed your head Demon, even if I knew who that was.”
“You know exactly who he was!” the King snapped, now turning about and walking away. “He passed information to you from time to time, rumors he wished spread about the castle.”
Indeed, that was true. It was Perno who had apprised Tenen of Aprina’s supposed disloyalty, giving the young prince the pleasure of watching Lydia squirm when he’d first asked her to marry him.
But Perno was now dead, with burn marks left at the scene? Someone was setting him up.
“My liege.” Abruptly, Tenen ripped off his outer coat and shirt. “Look at me. I am unwounded, without blemish. Do I appear as one recently in combat with your most powerful Demon?”
Studying him with bloodshot eyes, the King grunted. “You might have taken him by surprise.”
“I doubt that. And if so, why would you find a half-dozen burned trees?”
It was a legitimate point. The King sank back down within his favorite chair, refilling his wine mug.
“Perhaps you are correct. I’ll admit, for you to kill Perno makes little sense, on the face of it.” Taking a large gulp, the King sighed. “But do you know who was gone from the castle the entire day in question? Who, in fact, Perno had been following when slain?”
“Who, my Lord.”
“Princess Lydia! Your betrothed.” Grunting, the King sat back. “Though you appear far more betrothed to those harlots in town than any princess here in the castle.”
The monarch’s words stung. “I have done nothing inappropriate, my Lord.”
“Really? What about failing to keep that girl under control!” Suddenly enraged, the King again struggled from the chair, spilling wine all over the floor. “How can you allow her to traipse about the countryside, alone, getting into all kinds of mischief!”
“You seriously believe that Lydia killed Perno?” With difficult, Tenen kept a straight face.
“Maybe she had help!” the King bellowed. “I don’t know! But the point is, neither do you!” Taking a moment to gather himself, the King then continued. “But from now on, you will keep Lydia in line. She disparages you without respite. The whole castle knows it. She barely looks at you in public! Why, Tenen, this girl spurns you at every turn! Are you not a man? Should I give her to someone else? Tell me.”
The fusillade hit home. “That will not be necessary.” Turning crimson red, Tenen shook his head. “I will control Princess Lydia.”
“Good!” the King snarled, finger now pointing straight at him. “You will also discover who killed my head Demon! Because someone will pay, Tenen. If not you, then someone else. But a killer will be found! Do you understand me?”
“Completely, my liege.”
“Then get out.” Turning his back, the King stared out the window.
Bursting out of the King’s chambers, Tenen angrily strode down the stone passageway.
Unbeknownst to the King, there was someone with the strength to kill Perno nearby. That same someone had also acquired a set of mysterious wounds in recent days.
Anson had claimed the injuries to have occurred on the training fields, which hadn’t made much sense. After all, Anson was a very skilled swordsman. Tenen had thought it unlikely his new sergeant would sustain two serious gashes during sword practice, but had let the matter
go.
Only now did Tenen recall something else. Three days past, the same day Lydia had left the castle and Perno had apparently been slain, Anson had also been absent. Supposedly he’d been off hunting until late at night, a common enough occupation for soldiers in their leisure time, but still...
So Anson and Lydia were both absent the castle on the same day. Yet Perno had been stalking the princess, no doubt hoping to find her renegade mother. But if Anson had then killed Perno, that would mean...
Thinking of a possible connection between Anson and his betrothed, Tenen felt his fingers become hot, sparks of flame hissing down onto the cold flagstones.
***
“Sergeant Anson! A word, if you please.”
Inspecting the guard at the outer castle gate, Anson turned about to see Tenen some twenty feet behind, hands clamped behind his back. Clearly, the young prince was furious.
“My Lord.” Warily approaching, Anson respectfully inclined his head. “Is there a problem?”
There were only a few other people in the courtyard that day, most everyone staying well clear of Tenen. Wandering out into the center of the grassy field, Anson and the prince were effectively isolated.
“Don’t play games with me, Anson!” Tenen now snarled, suddenly turning on his sergeant. “It was you who killed Perno three days past! There’s no other explanation.”
Rage burst from the young prince’s gaze. Realizing he would have to tread very carefully, Anson took a deep breath. “If you are speaking of a powerful telepath, one who could manipulate his own body and surrounding matter at will, then you are correct.”
“Why? How could this happen?”
“As you know, I was out hunting, my Lord.” Smoothly, Anson repeated his earlier lie. “I knew not his name, but this powerful man appeared as if from thin air, demanding I betray your Lordship for his own benefit. We fought, and I was victorious.”
“Really?” Tenen seethed. “You were hunting that far afield?”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“So you were not injured on the practice field, as you first claimed?”
“No, my Lord.” Evenly, Anson matched his gaze. “That was a lie.”
“You imbecile!” Tenen snapped, grabbing Anson’s arm. “They’ve found his body! Do you understand the King suspects my hand in this?”
“I could do nothing else, my Lord,” Anson continued. “When I told this...this man that I would not bear false witness against you, he attacked me.”
“And what of Lydia?” Visibly corralling his own emotions, Tenen let his sergeant go. “Was she there?”
“Lydia, my Lord?” Anson seemed genuinely perplexed. “I know not where the princess was. Here in the castle, I would assume.”
“Here in the castle?” Breathing heavily, Tenen’s eyes narrowed. “You would lie to me again? After injuring me so with the King already? I would fry you this instant, Anson, and no one would lift a finger to stop me!”
“Prince Tenen.” For his part, Anson didn’t back away. “I think you forget yourself.”
“No Anson! It is you who forget!” Throwing down his riding gloves, Tenen shook a finger in his face. “By the King, you swine, I will have the truth in this!”
“And now you have it!” Standing at mild attention, Anson made a point of looking about, ensuring no one was close enough to hear. “What was I supposed to do?”
“You killed the King’s chief Demon!” Groaning, Tenen held a hand to his face. “Do you know what that means?”
“But I never dreamed any suspicion would fall on you!” Innocently, Anson raised an eyebrow. “Why would the King suspect your Lordship in this matter?”
“Apparently, someone made a point of burning several trees, to make it seem as if I was involved!” Laughing, Tenen now threw out his arms, nearly shouting. “Who do you think that might be, Sergeant? The Evil Witch of the Forest?”
“Perhaps they were simply old marks, or unfortunate lightning strikes?”
“There’s little lightning in that area. This wasn’t the Outlands, damn it!”
“My Lord, if someone really did burn the trees, then you are indeed being set up.” Anson advanced a step, lowering his voice. “We must find out who.”
“Trust me, I will.” Nearly shaking in anger, Tenen now stared off. “So you say you were alone? That Perno assailed you in the forest, seeking to turn you against me?”
“Yes,” Anson replied. “Like I said, he wanted me to bear false witness against you, telling the King you were disloyal. What else was I to do?”
Angrily swiping at a spot of dirt on his boot, Tenen considered. Could the story be true? After all, if Perno had discovered Anson’s true nature, he might well have sought to turn him against Tenen himself. “And Princess Lydia? She was nowhere in the area?”
“I saw her not, my Lord.” Though trying to sound casual, Anson didn’t miss the hard glint in Tenen’s eye.
“Hmmm.” Glancing around the bright courtyard, at the normal mid-morning activity, Tenen nodded. “Very well, then. I will not tell the King of your involvement.”
“I appreciate that, my Lord.”
“But we must find some other scoundrel on which to blame this.” Smiling thinly, Tenen adjusted a button on Anson’s tunic. “The King is demanding blood. If not ours, then someone else’s.”
“We’ll find someone, my Lord. Have no fear.”
“Good.” Irritably, the prince scratched his forehead. “Dismissed.”
Watching Anson cross back over to the guard station, Tenen carefully considered what he knew thus far. One fact, he now realized, was greatly at odds with Anson’s story.
Perno had been killed a good two-hour Stallion ride north of the castle. A conventional horse would be at least five hours there, and five hours back. Certainly way too far for a single-day hunting excursion.
So if Anson had really been there, which he now admitted, he would have had to travel by Stallion.
Yet only the royals could ride the great horses. And the only one checked out of the stables that day had been in the possession of Lydia.
Rage again surging to the fore, Tenen stalked off. Clearly, Anson was still lying. He and Lydia were conspiring behind his back, making him the laughingstock of the entire caste.
The King was right. He needed to get Lydia in line, once and for all.
Once that was accomplished, he could deal with Anson at his leisure.
***
Drawing quietly in her apartment, Lydia put the finishing touches on her latest work. It was a portrait of Heathrow, her cat, noble eyes and ears put in just the right perspective.
Suddenly the outer door swung open. In alarm she turned about, surprised to see Anson stride into the room in full uniform.
“We must be ready to flee,” he announced without preamble. “Tonight.”
“What?” Half standing, she looked past him in alarm. “Why?”
“Tenen. He’s putting it all together.”
“All right.” Nodding, she thought quickly. “I’ll make sure Xander’s available. And my cats! We need to take them as well.”
Hesitating only a moment, Anson looked at the three felines in turn. “Fine. We’ll leave at midnight. But you must be ready to go sooner, should we need to.”
“I will.” A few royals walked by in the outside passageway, obviously curious as to Lydia’s military visitor. “You must go now,” she urged, once they were safely past. “Try to avoid Tenen.”
“And you as well. Until tonight, then.” And with that, he was gone.
Stunned, Lydia looked around her pleasant apartment, only now realizing her life was about to change very drastically.
***
By the early afternoon Tenen had worked himself into a complete fury. Dropping by the royal party house in town, the young prince quickly became roaring drunk. But even the unexpected presence of a young commoner lass did little to assuage his overall mood. Falling into a stupor around five o’clock, he then slept through dinn
er, awakening at nine, bitter and hung over.
Clearly, Lydia needed to understand the nature of their relationship, show him the respect he deserved. In fact, once his dear bride-to-be had been properly chastened, dealing with Anson would be that much easier.
Thus, fully irritated and still not-quite-sober, the disheveled young prince stalked back to the castle, proceeding directly to Lydia’s apartment.
“Get out!” he roared at Belle, having flung open the front door with a tremendous crash. “I need some time alone with dear Princess Lydia!”
“Are you crazy?” Leaping to her feet, Lydia tried to interpose herself between her stunned apartment-mate and the enraged prince. “Tenen, you have no right...”
Shoving her aside, Lydia was thrown to the floor. Grasping Belle by the arm, Tenen then flung her out into the passageway.
Outside the apartment, Lydia could hear Belle crying. “Enough!” Tenen bellowed, his back turned to Lydia within the doorway. Raising his hand, a stream of flame erupted out in the outer passageway. Belle screamed.
“No!” Lydia cried out, stumbling to her feet. Before she could act, however, Tenen stepped back into the apartment, slamming and bolting the door closed.
“What did you do?” Lydia screamed. “You bastard!”
“Oh, Belle’s fine. I just frightened her.” Smiling, Tenen made a great show of looking Lydia up and down. “And now for you, my dear.”
Gathering her own power, Lydia backed away. “What do you mean?”
“Soon you will be my wife, you know.”
“Never!” she seethed, carefully watching him. “In any event, not for another year!”
“I don’t feel like waiting.” Advancing a step, Tenen slowly undid his left cufflink. “In fact, I think you’ll be my wife tonight.”
Eyes narrowing, Lydia considered. Though she could negate his power, the young prince was still physically very strong. “Tenen, if you...”
Behind Tenen the apartment door burst inward once again, this time dissolving into several large chunks. Falling through the opening, Anson sprawled onto the floor, face down. Narrowly avoiding him, Tenen ducked off to one side.