“Hello,” she said.
“I heard you were successful and Tamera has bonded with a new unicorn. It is good to see her smiling again.”
“Many more successes like today and I might not be able to walk. Are you being treated well?”
“I am not trusted, but they have acted with honor. It is more than I expected. Your general politely refused to grant the commander of Salif’s forces request that he be allowed to question me in private. I suspect we both know how that would have gone.”
Sadly, she had a good idea. For a moment, she thought back to her life before. The conversations with her mother just over a year ago revolved around the chores needing done, what would be for dinner, and the latest commission her mother worked on. Now, she was speaking as an equal to a warrior about the realities of torture after a day of pushing the limits of her magic.
“An artist,” her mother used to say, “must always be aware of perspective. Never lose focus on that.”
The statement still applied to her vastly different life.
“You have also acted with honor and earned my trust, Rahzir. You’ve proven yourself to me.”
The nomad warrior nodded solemnly.
Honor, Kayleigh concluded, was the thing that mattered the most to him.
“When do we leave this place?”
“Soon,” she answered. “I take it you don’t wish to start a new life here?”
“I have not seen you to safety and, even if I had, this city has nothing I want. My people call this place ‘Salif the Silent.’ The rulers are only interested in the size of their coffers and coin purses. As soon as an army gets within two days of here, the king will announce neutrality and the Battle Maidens will be asked to leave.”
Kayleigh glanced at his two escorts and saw one frowning and the other shaking her head. They didn’t quite believe his words, but it was plausible enough.
“Jaruciax fell and Shiftla barely put up any resistance,” Kayleigh said.
“I believe I’m looking at the majority of Shiftla’s resistance,” Rahzir said and cracked a rare smile.
“I guess I can’t really deny that,” she said.
“Nor should you,” he stated. “But I will see you to safety.”
The two managed a few minutes of small talk until a rider Kayleigh recognized from General Hawthorne’s personal squad approached. “Rider Reese, your presence is required. Please follow me.”
Kayleigh didn’t know what General Hawthorne wanted and hardly expected to ride Rheysurrah across the city in the late evening, side by side with Meghan Lynch, but that was precisely what happened. A unicorn rider with blackened eyes waited outside the city gate, and she wanted to speak with Kayleigh. The rider hadn’t made any hostile moves yet, but the guards manning the walls were taking no chances.
General Hawthorne would have ignored the request except for the fact that the rider was Amanda Edwards.
Being in Rhey’s saddle once more felt awkward. Their partnership was virtually non-existent at this stage and if Kayleigh was being honest, he’d grown more distant since being reunited with T’rsa. Captain Lynch’s unicorn, or perhaps both of unicorn and rider, still seemed to hold a grudge against Kayleigh and Rheysurrah appeared to side with them over her.
Captain Lynch addressed her. “The Seeress is creating a scry block for you. It should be ready in three days. Our departure will be delayed until you have it.”
“Why?”
“He probably knows who you are and will be using magic to follow your movements. He sent a messenger all this way just for you. Just because the girl was a friend, do not let your guard down.”
Kayleigh glanced at the woman. “I’m fully aware of what a possessed person is capable of. That warning also applies to your sister.”
“Leave Danella to me, Reese. I’ll handle her.”
“She’s more powerful. She’s done something that turned Majherri’s coat dark. Garrett’s unicorn, Cyemma, showed me a vision of Danella briefly possessing Garrett and forcing her to whip Cyemma. Whatever immunity you have might not cover that.”
“Suddenly, you’re the expert on my sister, Reese?”
Kayleigh shrugged, knowing full well that the woman had little interest in what she was saying. “I don’t claim to be an expert on anything, Captain. For your sake, I hope you are able to handle Danella.”
The rest of their ride was in silence and they were waved through the open gates. She made a quick count of the number of guards manning the walls. The low number backed Rahzir’s theory that Salif was not going to participate in the war.
Four unicorn riders surrounded a fifth. Considering the fifth was a shorter, slightly chubby third year, with fighting skills ranked near the bottom of her class, it almost seemed laughable...almost.
General Hawthorne motioned Kayleigh over to the side.
“The girl is holding a vial of poison and says that she has been ordered to drink it if we do not allow her to speak with you.”
“So it’s some kind of trap or a trick?” Kayleigh asked.
“Probably,” Althea Hawthorne answered. “You don’t have to go through with it.”
“But Amanda would die then,” she said, already knowing what her decision would be. “I’ll talk to her.”
Nodding, General Hawthorne motioned for her to follow and they approached Amanda, who simply stared at them, vial held next to her lips.
“I’m here, Amanda,” Kayleigh said, trying not to betray any emotions.
“Greetings, milady,” Amanda said, sweeping her free hand to the side while lowering her head and the poison.
“I’m just Kayleigh, Amanda. There’s no call for that.”
“Oh, but there is,” Amanda answered. “You are the Master’s blood and kin. He wishes to speak with you, using my body as his vessel.”
Kayleigh looked at General Hawthorne for reassurance before nodding to her possessed classmate.
Amanda reached with the free hand and gripped the pendant on her neck. The centerpiece cracked and blood leaked from the stone. The girl’s darkened eyes rolled into the back of her head. Seconds passed and the eyes snapped open. Amanda sat taller in her saddle and her body language was entirely different.
“Hello, daughter, and do my borrowed eyes deceive me? Is that you, Althea? Amazing how you parlayed a few victories into a generalship. I applaud your determination.”
“You should have stayed dead, Ian,” the woman replied, making Kayleigh wonder about the relationship between the two.
“I suppose that would have made everyone else’s dreams come true. Unfortunately for you, I have my own dreams and those do not involve my death, but my time is short and you are not worth a second more. Kayleigh, however, is. Let me take a good look at you, my dear. Ah, yes! I do see Brianna’s beauty mirrored in you. I’m curious why she never told you your heritage.”
“How do you know she didn’t?” Kayleigh bluffed.
Amanda’s lips curled in a predatory grin and the man’s voice said, “Your former unicorn shared his knowledge at Danella’s behest. You couldn’t have hidden it from him. But now I see you seated in the saddle of another unicorn. Amazing! Simply amazing.”
“What do you want?” Kayleigh demanded.
“Ah, to the point I see. Ultimately, I’d like you by my side as befitting your status as my heir, but the chances of that happening anytime soon are rather remote. Therefore, I propose a truce between the two of us. Do not oppose me and I will not actively seek to harm you. In fact, I will not attack any city, save Talcosa of course, where you reside as proof of my good intentions.”
“You tried to kill me in Shiftla,” Kayleigh countered. “I’ve been told you probably tried to kill me and my mother long ago. Why in the Goddess’s name should I believe you now?”
“When we fought, I had no idea who you were. You opposed me and I deal harshly with those who make themselves my enemies. As for the past, my quarrel was with Brianna. I am impressed that she managed to fake her de
ath so convincingly and I do intend to ask her about it...very soon.”
Kayleigh sputtered, “Leave her out of this!”
“That is one request I cannot honor, daughter, but when I do acquire her, I will keep her safe, which is more than those around you can guarantee.”
Flushed with anger, she opened her mouth to speak, but felt the grip of General Hawthorne on her forearm.
“Don’t let him rattle you,” she said to her. “She will consider your offer, Count Darius, but there will be no answer today. If you really want to show her your good intentions, release your hold on the girl.”
Amanda dumped the poison onto the ground and said, “I was planning on it anyway as a gesture of goodwill to Kayleigh as soon as our conversation ends. Amanda and I had several long discussions concerning you, Kayleigh. Between what I learned from her and what Danella gleaned from Majherri, you were treated rather poorly. I see Danella’s sister with you. Make you peace with your Goddess, Meghan Lynch. Even if Kayleigh asks for me to spare your life, I’ll not do it.”
“I’m not afraid of you!” the woman shouted. “I’ll see you dead for what you’ve done to Danella.”
Amanda broke something off from a circle of rope dangling from her wrist and tossed it at Captain Lynch. The object swelled into a trio of arrows speeding toward the Battle Maiden.
Kayleigh was stunned, unable to react, but someone else managed to respond. General Hawthorne’s outstretched hand willed a column of earth to rise from the ground, and the arrows slammed into it, just short of their target.
“A pity,” Amanda said. “Your reflexes are as good as ever, Althea.”
The dismounted general looked drained from her exertion, but replied, “I remembered you’d used that bit of sorcery before and knew to look for the charm. You’re predictable, Ian, and that’s why you’ll fail every time.”
“If that is what you wish to believe, oh mighty general, please cling to that foolish notion. I look forward to besting you and proving to all that your accolades are truly undeserved. If the powers that be continue to favor me, you will sport eyes like this girl does one day, and I will listen with utter delight when you first call me Master. Farewell, daughter. Hopefully, the next time our paths cross, you’ll be in better company than this rabble.”
Amanda collapsed like a puppet with her strings cut, falling from her saddle, and went into a series of convulsions on the ground. When she looked up, her eyes were clear again.
“What happened? Where am I?”
“Help her to her feet and keep her under watch,” General Hawthorne ordered. “Reese, if anything he says is true, you need to ride now or you’ll be imprisoned in Salif, or any other city that learns of his promise to leave you alone – even if he has no intention of abiding by it. Captain Lynch will escort you.”
“My things? What about the scry block?”
“Get down the road! The others will be sent along as soon as they are ready to travel. You should be able to rendezvous with them in a few days,” the general said and removed her coin purse from her belt. She tossed it to Captain Lynch. “This should be enough to see you on her way. You should make for The Academy.”
Casting an, uncertain, sideways glance at Meghan Lynch, Kayleigh nodded. “General, my friend Rahzir…”
“I will send him as well. Safe journey, cousin. Give my regards to Andrea,” she said and extended her hand.
Kayleigh grasped it. “I will. Safe journey to you as well.”
Chapter 19- Claws of Ice Chieftain
Majherri fought the urge to become sick. His horn was visible now, smeared with the blood of the two male unicorns. Danella had ordered the wholesale slaughter of everyone and the nomads proved eager to carry out her orders.
Some might have made it to the safety of the woods. He hoped so, but Majherri sincerely doubted it. Other than Danella and the nomads, now reduced in number by two, the only other living souls left alive were the stunned guide and a single Battle Maiden - Iarisha’s rider.
Humming a tune, Danella dumped a bucket of water onto the unconscious prisoner. The warrior sputtered and choked. Majherri watched her eyes dart around and survey the bodies sprawled all over the square as she tested the strength of the ropes binding her hands.
“What kind of monster are you?” she demanded.
Danella threw her head back and laughed. “A monster you say! Perhaps you are right? Then again, maybe I’m just a simple storyteller. I am Death’s right hand and my story will be written in blood all over this land. Passages will be carved in bone and verses left in the ashes of places just like this one.”
The rider fixed her gaze on Majherri and said, “And what dark perversion is that thing?”
“Majherri is a new kind of unicorn, reborn into power. He is the face of the future. Your order will be swept aside and replaced with a new one that serves a greater master than that so-called High-King.”
“All I see is a handful of warriors and a murdering fool, drunk on her delusions. Am I alive just to listen to your hollow boasting, or is there some greater design?”
Majherri gave the Battle Maiden credit for her courage, even if it served no purpose other than to hasten her own death. Even so, he remained impressed at the prisoner’s fortitude.
“I need you to call your unicorn back,” Danella said.
“If I could have called her, she’d already be here and her horn would have impaled you.”
“Doubtful,” Danella said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “However, you probably just need some encouragement to try harder and I happen to know of a way to motivate you.”
At Danella’s order two of the nomads hoisted the flailing Battle Maiden from the ground. When Danella was close enough, the prisoner spit on her.
“I hope you die a thousand deaths!”
Brushing aside the spittle with her gloved hand, Danella gripped the woman’s hair and yanked it back. As the prisoner opened her mouth to scream, his rider shoved their faces together and expelled that same dark smoke directly into the other woman’s mouth.
The prisoner went limp, and then convulsed violently.
“That would mean I’d also lived a thousand lives. Now, call your unicorn!” Danella commanded.
The other woman appeared dazed and unfocused, causing Danella to repeat the process. This time there was less of a struggle and she signaled to the men to drop the bound warrior, who fell in a heap and made no attempt to rise.
When Danella raised her foot, Majherri thought she was going to kick the prisoner. Instead, she held it close to the woman’s face.
“Kiss it!”
Majherri saw a brief moment of hesitation before the warrior lifted her head enough to kiss Danella’s boot. He disliked seeing her control anyone else just as much as when she did the same to him.
“It’s a pity I can’t bind you to my will for more than a few hours. You’d make such a delightful thrall. Now, call to your unicorn. Command her to return!”
“Yes, mistress,” the woman whispered and held her bound hands outstretched. Majherri considered trying to kill Iarisha’s rider and wondered if he could do the deed before Danella reacted.
There was a pause before the ensorcelled woman spoke, “She’s too far away. I barely sense her.”
“Where is your unicorn?”
“She rides south and east, I think, but the distance is too far, mistress. I can’t make her come to me.”
“Bring her back to us. Do it now!”
“She’s too far away,” cried the woman.
“Try harder! Do not disappoint me.”
“I...I can’t. Iarisha’s beyond my reach.”
“That’s what I was afraid of,” Danella said and drew her belt knife. “There is only one thing left to do then.”
“Please, mistress, I did not mean to fail you. I can do better!”
“No you can’t,” Danella said and slit the thrall’s throat. It broke the spell over the warrior and the air maiden sneered in defiance at
her murderer. The dying rider tried to say something, but the words were drowned in her blood as she fell to the ground.
Turning to Majherri, she said, “Her death, in fact all of this, is because of you!”
Drawing on his inner strength and the courage displayed by the fallen Battle Maiden, he snorted and dragged his hoof in the ground, while lowering his horn at Danella in defiance.
I regret nothing!
“Still rebellious, eh? Don’t think you’re safe, Majherri. There may come a time when I decide your power is no longer worth your acts of betrayal. I spared you from fighting unicorns until today, but no longer. From this day forth, I will make you attack your kind and we will leave their carcasses in our wake.”
His rider turned to face Kuresh and walked over to where the nomad held their guide. “Have the men drag the bodies into one of the buildings and set it on fire. Make it look like the savages did this. Also, since these people no longer have use for their horses or anything else for that matter, gather whatever you think we will need.”
Kuresh repeated her orders to his men as she addressed the captive guide. “You will either take us to your Yar friends willingly, or I will do what I did to that dead woman back there. Either way, you will take us there. Choose wisely.”
Majherri listened to the guide and learned that the Yar were made up of eleven separate tribes. The nearest one to the village that had just been slaughtered was known as The Clan of the Ice Claw.
“The clans have a ranking system,” the man explained. “Their chieftains possess the power of animal spirits and are measured by how long they have had their spirit with them. The Ice Claw leader is third of eleven, meaning only the Tundra Serpent and the Silver Hydra outrank them. If the chieftain is slain, the spirit is said to attach itself to the most worthy warrior present, but then he and the tribe fall to the bottom of the rankings, becoming eleventh of eleven.”
“Are these spirits powerful?” Kuresh asked, clearly interested.
“Yes,” the man answered, blinking his darkened eyes. He’d chosen to willingly guide the group, but Danella had never intended to allow him freedom. “But they rarely risk themselves in battle. The loss of status for the tribe means a higher situated tribe could claim their lands.”
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