The Forgotten Queen

by Matt Glicksman

  "Bamby? Where have I heard that name before?"

  "He was a pretty well-known priest back in the day. He was Verago's greatest advocate and founder of the Brotherhood of Prevarra. You probably also know his father, Zavi, the first Primus of Candelux and the creator of the Talisman."

  "Really?"

  "Yes. Zavi and Bamby were of Shabinne lineage," the Marksman explained.

  "That's fascinating." This wasn't the context in which Altheus had heard the name before, but he decided to press on instead of dwelling on it. "So, you joined the Brotherhood because of your family?"

  "That's correct. We saw it as our duty to right the wrongs committed against Verago."

  "Then what about your sister? Why didn't Corriani fix it all once she became queen?"

  Alejjir patted the prince on the shoulder. "Things started out differently under her reign. Better, I would say. The Brotherhood didn't skulk in the shadows. But, the problem was too much time had passed. Once Verago found a new heart in the Amulet, he started to change. After a few years, talk of destroying the Talisman and the Amulet together gradually shifted to talk of only destroying the Talisman. By the time Corriani assumed the throne and found her footing, Verago was beyond reasoning with. Not for lack of trying. After about ten years on the throne, Corriani condemned the Brotherhood, who went back to the shadows where they've been hiding ever since."

  "And you defied your sister and still followed Verago?"

  "I did. Corriani's failed efforts didn't change the fact that Verago had every right to be angry. Decades playing the servant, only to be betrayed by his own blood and stripped of his power. He intentionally sacrificed himself to save the kingdom. Looking back, I remember I used to have this glimmer of hope. One day both artifacts would be destroyed and things would go back to the way they were. Of course, that hope died the day Corriani ordered Verago's name scratched off the monument in Memorial City."

  ✽✽✽

  The room was lit by a single lantern. For the past two days, Aksilacarn had done his best to weave a tale to keep both the beatings and deathroot at bay. Thanks to being tied to a chair for three straight days, minus the small breaks for relieving himself, his muscles ached, his mind was fatigued, and his neck had a nasty crick from his sleeping posture. But none of those things worried him as much as the day passing without a visit from his faithful interrogator, Don Layola. If they didn't need him for information, he was useless. When the door finally opened, his eyes shot up in anticipation. He breathed a sigh of relief as he caught sight of the brown robe and black scarf.

  "Please, I'm so hungry," Aksil begged. "I think you forgot to remind your boys to feed me, but that's all right. I forgive you."

  Layola quietly grabbed her chair and dragged it to the center of the room. She moseyed over to the table where the lantern rested and then stood at attention.

  "What are you…what are you doing?" Aksil asked.

  "Presenting, Lord Hable."

  "Lord?"

  A man entered the room with his hands clasped behind his back. His clothing clung to his rotund figure. And though they managed, his little legs didn't appear like they should be able to fulfill their supporting role. When he took his seat before the prisoner, the man's unpleasant face was illuminated by the candlelight. His facial hair was curly and sparse, scattered across his cheeks and down his neck as far as his collar. His black hair was greasy and combed back.

  Hable removed a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed the sweat from his forehead. "So, I finally meet the infamous Aksilacarn. I've heard much about you."

  "Ah, and you must be Hable, who I've heard—"

  "Lord Hable. I am, in fact, a baron and will be properly addressed."

  Aksil was silent, confused by the interjection. In the world of nobility, barons were the lowest of the low. They wielded virtually no power, and because of that, most never bothered bringing up their titles in conversation.

  Hable held out his hand. "You may proceed."

  "Right. I've never heard of you."

  "Which was my intention." The baron grinned. "No need getting my name spread around too early."

  Aksil found the smile arrogant, which was odd, because a baron remaining unknown was no great feat. "And it's not too early now?"

  "Oh, it is. But, you see, you won't be spreading it."

  With downcast eyes, the thief sighed. He had done his best to save his neck, but it appeared he had run out of time. "What an honor. You always visit your prisoners before they're executed?"

  "Executed?" The baron wiped his nose with his handkerchief as he sniffled. "No, it's not like that. We have something much better for you."

  "Deathroot?"

  "Oh, you've heard of it?"

  Aksil glanced at Don Layola, who kept her lips sealed. "It's been mentioned before. I was doing my best to cooperate so you wouldn't be forced to use it."

  "Cooperate?" Hable looked over his shoulder. "Don Layola, would you say our prisoner has been cooperating?"

  "No, Your Lordship."

  The thief snickered.

  Hable turned his attention back to Aksil. "Something you find amusing?"

  "Me? No, nothing at all."

  "Are you sure? If you have something to say, you might as well get it out now. Deathroot has a tendency to muddy the mind."

  "No, I'm fine, I really—all right, actually, yeah, I do have something to say. I just…Your Lordship? Really? You're a baron. You're closer to being a commoner than you are to being a count. I've never in my life heard a single baron—and there are a lot of you out there, so trust me when I say I've met my fair share—never heard a baron insist on being called a lord."

  "And yet, it's my birthright to use the title, is it not? I've earned that much."

  Askil smirked. "Earned? As far as I can tell, the only person who earned their title is the viscountess who pushed you out between her legs. What an achievement. I'm guessing you were a ten-pound baby? Eleven?"

  Hable grimaced. "They told me you were a jester of sorts. Very clever. I hope when the deathroot infects every aspect of your being, you keep your humor. Would be a pity to lose such a fine quality."

  The thief's smirk vanished. "Well, what are you waiting for? I know Layola already has one ready to go. I saw it a couple of days ago."

  "The seed you saw was not for you, but for the priest who healed you, Don Pike. But now that he's completed his treatment, you're next in line. I've already received approval from the Grand Overseer, and your first seed will arrive tomorrow night."

  "Since when did the Brotherhood get a new Grand Overseer?"

  Hable sniffled. "Since none of your business."

  "So, who's the lucky traitor to humanity?"

  "Also, none of your business."

  Aksil pursed his lips. "Why are you here?"

  Hable crossed his arms, burying his handkerchief in his armpit. "I wanted to meet you before you were changed. I also wanted you to realize the grave situation you're in now that I'm here."

  "Oh, for certain," the thief said sarcastically before scrunching his eyebrows together. "Who are you?"

  "I am Lord Hable, the next overseer of Memorial City and right-hand to the Grand Overseer. You should consider yourself lucky to be sitting across from me, to have spoken with me face-to-face. Most of our Brothers, even within this city, won't be able to make such a claim."

  "You're saying there will be Brothers who won't get to see your face?"

  "That's right."

  Aksil chuckled. "I'd say they're the lucky ones."

  Hable cleared his throat as he stood up. "Clever."

  The baron grunted as he threw his body into a backhand that sent Aksil reeling to the floor. The pain in his face forced the thief to forget all about the hunger pangs that had plagued him throughout the day. His head was still ringing as he made out the words of the baron.

  "On second thought, I hope you lose every drop of so-called wit in your disrespectful body. Give him water, but no food until
he's taken his first seed."

  As Hable stomped out, Aksil felt hands lifting him and his chair. Once he was back in an upright position, everyone left the room except for one.

  "Why would you do that?" Layola asked when they were alone.

  "Do what?"

  "You know what. Provoke him."

  Aksil rubbed his sore cheek against his shoulder. "As the first non-Brother lucky enough to meet the future overseer of Memorial City, I thought I'd assess how much trouble the rest of the kingdom might be in."

  Layola took the chair the baron had left empty. "And?"

  "I'd say you're lucky he's not going to be your overseer."

  The priest smiled. "You can say that again. But still, he's got the ear of someone who might become the next Grand Overseer. If everything goes like he says, Hable, I mean Lord Hable, could end up in a very powerful position."

  "Might become the next Grand Overseer, you say? So, it's not official yet?"

  "Nice try." Layola rose to her feet. "I'll grab you some water, and then you should probably get some rest. You'll need to conserve your strength for tomorrow."

  "Wait! How did you…" Aksil didn't want to admit he'd been lying for the past few days.

  "How did I what?"

  "Well, you said you'd give me deathroot to make me tell the truth. What makes you think I wasn't?"

  Layola patted him on the head. "You didn't stand a chance. We were pretty fortunate. That priest who healed you? Don Pike? He was contacted by the Death Gods to help them find you, and me. So, yeah, we know you're a spy for the Death Gods, which means it's Shinigami who's interested in protecting Don Millan, or at least the conduit he's carrying."

  "Oh, so you figured out the Prima didn't give the Talisman to Millan? I wonder who tried to tell you that from the beginning."

  "Ha! Fine, you were right. King Batar still has the Talisman. But I'm thinking that's the only truthful thing you told us."

  Chapter 29

  Eleza quickened her step as the day's light was nearly gone. She had made it to North Refuge in record time thanks to the stamina of her trusty horse, Jasper, but locating Altheus's wife proved to be the more difficult task in her mission. With the help of some strangers at the rectory and in the streets, Eleza had uncovered Nila's new occupation as a squire in Candelux and her housing arrangements in the noble district. The lanterns were being lit as she approached her destination and knocked.

  The wooden door, painted red, swung open just a crack so only part of the occupant's face could be seen.

  "Yes?" the half-hidden woman asked.

  "Hi, I'm looking for Nila," Eleza said.

  "And you are?"

  "My name is Eleza. Are you Nila?"

  "Maybe. What do you want?"

  The Brother checked over her shoulder to spot the closest watcher. "I need to speak with you about a matter of great urgency, but not out here. We need to be alone."

  There was a short pause. "I'm sorry, it's a little late for guests. Come back tomorrow."

  The door began to close and Eleza pressed her hand against it to stop it. "Please, it can't wait until tomorrow. I have message from"—she once again scoped the area before lowering her voice to a whisper—"your husband."

  The woman continued to apply pressure in an effort to shut the door. "I'm sorry, but you must be mistaken. My husband's been dead for three years now."

  Eleza slipped her foot into the threshold and grunted as it became caught between the door and the frame. "Wait. Please, just wait. I can prove it."

  The applied force was alleviated enough to stop the pain in her foot, but Eleza could still feel Nila preventing the door from opening any farther.

  "Your daughter's name is Sereyna, named after Prince Altheus's sister."

  "And? Everyone knows that."

  "If she were a boy, you would have named her Jak, after your grandfather."

  Another pause, this one a tad longer. The door opened, and Eleza scurried inside. The Brother quickly closed the door and put her back to it. Before her stood a woman in extravagant clothing. A mix of whites and blues, her robe was lined with silver at the end of her sleeves and around her collar. Her golden hair was neatly tucked into a bun.

  Eleza strolled to the window and peered out from behind the curtain. The watchers appeared to be holding their positions.

  "Mommy, who's this?" a sweet young voice asked.

  Eleza released the curtain and smiled at the young girl wearing a beautiful dress.

  "Go to your room, Sereyna," Nila said. "This nice lady just stopped by about the bread for tomorrow morning."

  "That's right," Eleza chimed in. "We're going to make sure it's still warm when you get it."

  Nila furrowed her brow.

  The little girl scratched her head. "I thought it was always warm."

  Nila bent down to her daughter. "It is, my dear. We're just making sure they bring us two loaves instead of one. Now, enough questions. Off to your room. I'll come get you when I'm done."

  "Yes, Mommy."

  After Sereyna had scampered off, Nila carefully arranged her gown before sitting. "Would you like a seat?"

  "Thank you." Eleza chose the chair facing the front door. "I don't want to take up too much of your time, so I'll try to be brief."

  "Please, go on. You said you had a message from Altheus?"

  "Yes. He's—"

  Eleza's peripheral vision darkened, and her head began to spin. Her initial panic subsided as she realized what was happening. Someone was contacting her. Eleza had the choice to reject the communication attempt, but she allowed it to proceed. Nila's lips appeared to be moving, but her voice was muffled. Shortly after, Eleza was completely blind. She lost her other senses one by one, ending with the touch of her chair. When she was able to see again, she was standing alone in an empty void.

  "Eleza, how good to see you again," said a soft, sensual voice. Wearing a red formfitting dress, a figure materialized before the Brother.

  Eleza bowed. "Sereyna, I'm honored."

  The Seductress bit her nail. "I've let go of that name and reclaimed Agalia."

  "My apologies, Agalia. How may I, a humble servant of Verago, be of assistance?"

  "I'm reaching out to you because I need to find Erynion as soon as possible. I had heard he was in the vicinity of Nolka recently, so I figured you might know best where he is now."

  "I do. Is there a problem?" Eleza asked.

  "Yes, but it's of a personal nature, regarding his identity. I can't discuss it with you."

  "Actually, I know his true identity, so there's no issue there."

  "Ah, well, it's more than that. It has to do with his family as well."

  "Funny you should say that. You'll never guess where I am right now."

  Agalia narrowed her eyes. "Is this a game to you?"

  "What? No."

  "You think it's easy to connect with you? Do you have any idea what I've been through these past two weeks?"

  Eleza was dumbfounded. The only other time she had been contacted in this manner by the Seductress was when the Brotherhood aided the demons to retrieve Erynion from Nolka. The Seductress had been nothing but friendly then, but now she seemed cold and testy.

  "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean any offense."

  Agalia growled. "It's fine. Forget it. Look, just tell me where Erynion is so I can prevent a complete disaster from happening."

  "Sure. He's on foot, heading to North Refuge. He should be a few miles east of the city come tomorrow morning."

  "Tomorrow, huh? Is he planning on staying there for more than a day?"

  "I believe so. He's coming here to contact his family."

  The Seductress grinned before covering her mouth. "That's so sweet. Look, he's not going to like what I have to say, but I don't want to ruin his little reunion, so don't mention that we've spoken. Let him at least enjoy the next few days with his family, and I'll explain everything to him when I get there. Understand?"

  Eleza nodded, and in a bli
nk, she was outside of her head, and back in reality.

  "Are you all right?" Nila asked.

  The Brother looked up. "Yes. Why?"

  "You were about to tell me Altheus's message, but then you froze for a few seconds. You're sure you're all right?"

  "Absolutely."

  ✽✽✽

  "What do you think the message is?" Millan asked.

  "I was with you all day," Sundancer said. "I know as much as you do."

  "But it's strange, right?"

  "A bit, yes. Try to relax. I'm sure it's nothing bad."

  The pair walked down the snowy pathway to the tent of Archdon Kainol. Millan shuddered underneath the black coat. Despite learning how to control his body heat during the day, he had too much on his mind to focus on that now. Although there was no watchtower in Nua'dem, Millan was certain it was well past the time he would be in bed. Upon entering the tent, the Nesinu priest was surprised to find Archdon Navi Laila already inside.

  "Ah, Don Millan, good, we can get started." Kainol gestured for the newcomers to have a seat on the floor. "I'm sorry for calling on you so late into the night, but this is a matter of some urgency."

  "What's the word from Light's 'aven then?" Navi asked.

  Kainol joined them on the area carpet. "There's a situation developing in Memorial City. Apparently, the Brotherhood has captured a Death God spy named Aksilacarn."

  Millan's eyes widened, and he did his best to stop himself from twisting around to look at Sundancer.

  Kainol continued, "A small group of Death Gods are in Memorial City and have reached out to Head Archdon Kyara for help. Given the history, Her Luminescence, Prima Mashira, has decided you two will travel there immediately to mediate. The Death Gods need our help, and we expect them to offer something in exchange for our services. It will be up to you two to negotiate that."

  Millan grinned. "That's easy. Erynion's identity."

  "Preferably something we don't know yet."

  "I'm sorry?"

  Navi cocked her head. "Are you saying we know 'is real name?"

  Kainol pursed his lips. "This information is not to leave this tent. The only people privy to the truth right now are the Prima, her advisors, the head archdons of each city, and me."