Until All Curses Are Lifted

by Tim Frankovich

  “Really, Father?”

  Varion jumped and cursed. He let go of Seri’s robe and turned around. Only then could Seri see his son standing in the doorway, arms folded.

  “You unbelievable bastard,” the son said. “The only available female on the island, and you’re already after her.”

  Lord Varion spread his hands. “This is who I am, Volraag. You know this. Your mother certainly does.”

  “Let her go.”

  “Why should I? Are you jealous? It’s not my fault you left your concubine at home.”

  “Not only is this girl an acolyte of Arazu, she’s immensely favored by both the Lord and Lady.”

  Varion snorted. “Arazu! That pathetic strip of coastline? Why should I fear their retaliation? They have nothing.” He glanced back at Seri. “Nothing except some attractive females, it seems.”

  Volraag rolled his eyes. “I’m serious, Father. I’ve been paying attention. All of the Masters here are impressed with her. Harm her and you’ll have trouble with everyone.” He unfolded his arms. “Even the Eldanim.”

  Lord Varion sighed. “Fine, whatever.” He waved his hand and Seri felt the relaxed state evaporate from her. She could move again! She grabbed her belt off the floor and ran to the doorway. Volraag stood aside and let her pass.

  “If you change your mind, my bedroom’s always available!” Lord Varion called.

  •••••

  Seri rushed out to the hallway and leaned against the wall. In all her life, she had never been that close to… to being violated. Horrible, horrible thoughts fought for dominance in her racing mind. Part of her wanted to run as far away as possible. Part of her wanted to curl up and cry. And part of her wanted to turn around and use her power to collapse this entire wing of the citadel.

  Volraag emerged from the room. Seri jumped and spun away, then stopped when she saw it was him. She noticed her hands were trembling and put them down to her sides.

  “Are you all right?” Volraag asked. “Genuinely?”

  “I, I will be.” She had to be. This one incident would not ruin her life. Seri tried to remind herself of Lady Lilitu’s words. Destiny. Greatness.

  “I am sorry that happened,” Volraag said. His voice was gentle and even seemed pained. “I will speak to those in the kitchen and make sure that you are not assigned this duty again.”

  Volraag glanced back at the door and sighed. “I will not tell you not to speak of this to your Master. That is up to you. I don’t know what good it would do, though. As long as my father possesses his power, he’s practically untouchable. Antises will be a better place when men like him have no power.”

  Seri put a hand to her chest and tried to control her breathing. Volraag noticed.

  “Deep breaths,” he urged. “You’ll be all right. You’re safe now.” He started to reach a hand toward her, then stopped himself. Seri felt a surge of gratefulness for that. This was a man who could actually think through his actions. She tried to follow his instructions for breathing.

  She realized she was still holding her belt. Putting it back on in front of the Lord’s son would be highly improper, though leaving it off wasn’t much better. At least, that’s what the logical side of her mind said. The other side mocked her for even thinking such ridiculous thoughts at a time like this.

  One thing troubled her most of all. “How… how…”

  “How does he get away with that?” Volraag asked. Seri nodded. A man forcing himself on a woman was almost unheard of. The repercussions, the curses… oh. “He’s a Lord. He’s exempt from curses. Except, of course, the curses for his actions fall on his children.”

  Seri looked at Volraag in horror. She knew this to be true, of course. But to see it first-hand…

  “So far, I’ve been lucky,” Volraag said. “The curses haven’t touched me. The consequences for his first crimes fell on his first-born, who, sadly, is now dead. Since then, he’s fathered half a dozen offspring. As he continues his actions, curses have hit various ones of us. Just not me. Not yet, anyway.”

  At that point, Dravid lurched around the corner, moving as fast as he could with his crutch. “Seri! Seri! Are you all right?”

  Seri held up her hand and Dravid came to a stop. “I’ll be fine,” she said. “Thank you. I heard you up there. I know you were watching.”

  “I, I tried to blast through, but I, I couldn’t make it work,” Dravid stuttered. “I came as fast as I could.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Seri said. “The Lord sucks in all the magic around him. I didn’t know it worked that way. Otherwise, I could have broken free on my own.”

  Seri took a deep breath and turned back to Volraag. “Thank you,” she said. His unusual blue eyes shone brilliant, even in the dim hallway light. “I cannot possibly repay you for your assistance, for… for… saving me.”

  Volraag closed his eyes and made a short bow. “As I said, sometimes power is in the wrong hands. It was my pleasure to help you. If you should ever need anything else, anything within my power, let me know.”

  He spun on a heel and hurried away. Seri watched him go. What a contrast between father and son.

  Dravid touched her shoulder and she jerked away instinctively. He held up his hand. “Sorry, sorry. I just…”

  “I know. I don’t have to fear you. That was… Let’s get out of here.”

  She let Dravid move ahead of her and surreptitiously put her belt back on. Little things. Little victories. Don’t think about that man any more.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

  “WHAT CAN WE hope to find at Theon’s temple?” Aelia asked Nian the next day as they walked. “Are the priests who work there honorable, like yourself?”

  “Flattery is hardly necessary,” Nian said, “and probably not accurate. The priests of Reman’s temple are servants of Theon. What, specifically, are you asking?”

  Marshal looked up. This was the first time Aelia had spoken of the temple in days. He still didn’t know what hope she had in going there.

  Aelia studied Nian for a moment before answering. “Can I trust you, Nian?”

  Nian looked grave. “I never betray a confidence, my lady. Now, will you be asking me to trust you about your intentions at the temple? Or about your son’s curse? Or about the reason you always keep someone on guard at night? Or the truth about your identity?”

  “How did you know about his curse?” Victor demanded. Talinir’s hand drifted to his sword hilt.

  “It’s not hard to deduce,” Nian said. “He never speaks, never makes signs, never communicates in any way.”

  “That’s–”

  “And a thrummer landed on him last night and flew away glowing as bright as I’ve ever seen one.”

  “Fair enough,” Aelia said. “You are observant. You also seem to genuinely care about other people. That is why I feel comfortable speaking with you.”

  “But should you betray her trust, you will have me to deal with,” Talinir said. “And I am not bound by your curses.”

  Nian nodded. “I wondered about that, actually. It does answer a few questions that I hadn’t worked up the courage to ask yet.” He looked around at the others. “You’ve all known me for two days. I don’t expect your trust. All that I know is through clever guesswork. If you ask it of me, I will never tell a soul that I even met you.” He shrugged. “Besides, who would I tell? We’re both going to the temple, and after that, I will be traveling on to the next land.”

  “I am seeking to have Marshal’s curse removed,” Aelia said with sudden bluntness.

  Nian stopped walking. For the first time since he had met the priest, Marshal saw shock on his face.

  Aelia stopped too, and faced him. “I see that I have finally rendered you speechless.”

  Nian found his voice. “I will admit that I did not anticipate that possibility. I am… surprised, to say the least, that you would be considering this course of action.”

  “Is it not possible?”

  “Why would you even ask th
is?”

  Aelia scowled. “Do not play games with me, priest. I am not some commoner who trusts the priests to explain the Law. I have read it myself. The provision is there.”

  “This is true, though some would dispute that. It’s not in the Law itself, but in the Words of Aharu, which some see as an addendum…”

  “Who’s Aharu?” Victor asked

  “The founder of the priesthood,” Aelia said without turning. “A companion to Akhenadom. That makes his words a little hard to ignore, does it not?”

  “Yes,” Nian admitted. “Though Aharu is controversial to some, since he was both priest and mage. Even so, from the very beginning he wrote of this provision, but…”

  Marshal perked up. From the very beginning? Then why had no one ever done it?

  “But?”

  “But most people have never read it or even heard about it. And no one has ever tried it. The cost is too high.”

  “Perhaps no one has ever loved a child the way I do,” Aelia said, her voice soft and pained. “Or perhaps no one has seen the future of what he can do if I do this for him.”

  “You have seen the future?”

  “In a manner of speaking.”

  “Now I’m significantly curious.”

  “There are some things I am not going to tell you.” Aelia resumed walking. “But I do seek your expertise and knowledge. How do you think the priests at the temple will react to this?”

  “If they do not laugh in your face, they will at the least try to dissuade you from this course of action.” Nian repositioned his bag’s shoulder strap and caught up to Aelia.

  “I will not be dissuaded.”

  “They may even try to stop you by direct means.”

  Aelia cocked her head. “It had crossed my mind,” she said. “But would they really go that far? What I ask is not against the laws of Varioch, Antises, or the Bindings and Cursings.”

  “They may be obstinate. But will Theon honor it, I wonder?” Nian mused. “Yes, it is within the law, I suppose, but it has never been tested, to my knowledge.”

  “Why wouldn’t he? It is love, is it not? Is he not a god of love?”

  “Yes, of course. I just… You raise many interesting issues. I am now exceptionally pleased that I met you. From an intellectual standpoint, that is.”

  “I wish someone would tell the rest of us what this all means,” Victor complained.

  “Of course. When–” Nian began.

  “Not now,” Aelia interrupted. “Marshal and Victor do not need to know the details yet.”

  Nian raised his eyebrows, but said nothing else.

  •••••

  At twilight, the travelers found an open space near the road for their camp. Both Talinir and Nian agreed that less than a week remained before they arrived at Reman, barring any further trouble. Thus far, none of the anticipated problems of road travel had occurred, much to Aelia’s relief. Marshal wondered if Volraag even knew of their whereabouts. Probably not, unless the assassin had reported to him. There had been no sign of the mysterious killer for two weeks.

  Victor and Marshal performed their usual end-of-the-day sword practice, which Nian found immensely fascinating. Everyone gathered for the evening meal, then prepared for bed. Marshal had the first watch for the night. He watched the others prepare their bedrolls and drop off, one by one. Even Talinir fell asleep. He seemed to do that more often since he lost the starshine. Only Nian stayed awake. He whispered to himself, gazing up into the sky.

  Marshal sat silent as time passed. He kept his eyes away from the fire and watched the darkness. As he often did, he took out Volraag’s dagger and toyed with it. What was his half-brother up to now? Was he waiting for them at the city they were nearing? Would he resort to more direct methods to kill Marshal? He snorted. That might be harder than expected, thanks to the Eldanim. He stabbed the dagger down at his thigh. No penetration. The protection spell did not seem to have diminished at all.

  Keeping watch while camped beside the road was different than being in the wilderness. Out there, everything was dark. The only movement came from animals. Here, he could see lights in the distance on occasion: homes and inns along the road, or near it. Even late at night, travelers sometimes passed by, continuing on their way in a hurry, perhaps close to home, or perhaps they simply preferred walking at night.

  One such traveler walked by their camp about two hours after nightfall. He stopped and stood on the road, facing Marshal, as if watching him. His dark shape was silhouetted against the full moon. Marshal sucked in a breath as he realized the watcher’s dark shape did not come from the night. He was a creature of shadow, an eidolon. Again.

  “Is that what I think it is?” Nian asked.

  Marshal glanced his way. The priest sat up and stared at the shadowy figure. Marshal looked back. The eidolon still stood in the same place, unmoved. Marshal carefully slid his sword from its sheath.

  “You call them eidolon here, don’t you?” Nian said. “I’m guessing from your reaction that you’ve seen them before.”

  Marshal nodded without looking away. He got to his feet and took a step toward the road. The eidolon took a step backwards in response.

  Marshal scowled. He was sick of these things following him everywhere he went. They had never seemed to mean harm to him, except for the attack on Talinir he had fought off. But they were annoying. Why did they always keep appearing? What were they? What did they want?

  As if in response, the eidolon made an elaborate bow in his direction. It held its position for a moment, then turned and vanished into the night. Marshal dashed up onto the road, but the creature had disappeared completely. Marshal suspected that even if it were daylight, he would find no sign of it.

  “Fascinating,” Nian said. “I’ve never seen one behave that way before.” He watched Marshal return to his place.

  Marshal put his sword away and resumed his watch. Nian was silent for a minute or so before he resumed the one-sided conversation.

  “Do you know these creatures are seen all over Antises? They’re called by different names, of course. In Kuktarma, they call them bhoots. In Arazu, they call them Gidim. All of them whisper strange tales of these ghosts. Some people think they’re the spirits of the dead. Others that they’re some magical creatures like the Eldanim. The stories are endless.” Nian paused. “And yet… they’re never seen as friends of humans. But this one bowed to you. Was he being sarcastic or serious? Why…?” He trailed off.

  Even if he could speak, Marshal had no answers. He glanced at Nian. Even through the darkness, he could tell the priest was watching him. After a moment of silence, he moved nearer to Marshal and sighed.

  “I know you cannot communicate very well, but my conscience requires me to ask you something.” He looked at Marshal, seeking a response. Marshal nodded, not knowing what else to do.

  “Are you aware of what your mother intends to do in Reman?”

  Marshal wrinkled his brow. He didn’t know how to respond to that. Before he could figure out whether to nod or shake his head, Nian shook his.

  “Never mind. I asked that wrong. Let me be clear. Do you understand the cost that Aelia would pay in this attempt to lift your curse?”

  Marshal shook his head. He had suspicions, obviously, but Aelia had kept that part of the plan to herself.

  “She plans to die, Marshal. To sacrifice herself for you.”

  That couldn’t be right. No. Not Aelia. Not his mother. She couldn’t die.

  Nian studied him. “You didn’t know,” he said. “I thought not. Yet that is what is written in the Words of Aharu - that if a willing, uncursed person sacrifices herself for one with a curse, the curse will be lifted.” He placed a hand on Marshal’s shoulder. “Your mother wants my help at the temple. I cannot be a party to this if you are not in agreement. That is why I have told you. Do you want Aelia to do this?”

  Marshal shook his head violently.

  “I thought not. Then I will not allow her to go throu
gh with it.” He patted Marshal’s shoulder and withdrew his hand. “Besides, I cannot imagine that Theon would want her to do so. Perhaps… perhaps merely seeing her resolve will be enough. Maybe he will accept her intentions.” He took a deep breath. “My conscience is settled, then. Rest easy, Marshal. I will not allow her to die.”

  Marshal made the same vow. Regardless of what she wanted, he would not permit his mother to die for him.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

  SERI SPENT A horrible night alone in her room. This was far more terrifying than her worries about Curasir. Lord Varioch might actually have the gall to come to her room. And how could she stop him? His power could not be matched, except by another Lord. As before, she pushed her writing table in front of the door, for all the good it might do.

  If Lord Varioch’s appetites were as strong as Volraag implied, then she was still in great danger. She had no weapons. Her magic was in flux, at best. She truly was the most unprotected woman on the island.

  She barely slept. Every sound, every trick of the light had her scrambling to the corner of her bed, grasping for her magic, staring at the door.

  In the morning, Seri felt her only recourse was to tell Master Hain what had happened. She needed protection, and her fellow acolytes would not be enough. As much as she loved them, they lacked the power she needed. She worked up her courage by the middle of the morning and then had to plead with Master Hain for a moment of privacy. He relented and excused himself from a discussion with two of the other Masters, meeting her out in a hall away from them.

  “What is so important?” he asked, clearly impatient.

  Seri lowered her head, unable to look him in the eye. “Lord Varioch tried to… to…”

  “He tried to what?”

  “Violate me.” The small words fell into the empty hall like heavy weights.

  Master Hain stood still for a moment. His face did not move. Then his jaw worked back and forth before he finally spoke. “But he did not succeed?”