Oath of Destruction

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  The healer mixed the contents of the two bowls together. When she finished, she scraped the antidote into another bowl. “It’s ready.”

  Savenek exited the room, the healer right behind him. After she locked the door, they made their way out of the castle and to the barracks. Inside, Savenek found Neco talking with several soldiers.

  “I need your assistance,” Savenek said to him.

  Neco immediately came over. “Are you going to the dungeon?”

  “Yes.”

  Neco unlocked the door on the left, then led them down the stairwell to the dungeon. “I assume you want one of the Telmena prisoners?”

  “I do,” Savenek answered.

  Neco stopped before one of the cells and unlocked it.

  “Back for more,” the guy inside taunted. “Think I’ll tell you something now?”

  Savenek recognized him as the man from under the bridge the night he and Marek had gone out. The man would never willingly drink from the cup knowing it could contain poison. After sizing him up—six feet, one hundred eighty-five pounds—Savenek handed the healer the cup of poison and entered the cell. Reaching for the man’s throat, Savenek grabbed him, slamming him onto the floor.

  Neco rushed in, pinching the man’s nose. Savenek used his weight to pin the man’s legs down. The healer entered, carefully holding the cup. She knelt and began pouring it into the man’s mouth. He tried spitting it out, but Savenek pushed on the man’s stomach. When he did, the prisoner inhaled, ingesting the substance.

  Neco released the man’s nose, now forcing his mouth closed. After about a minute, Savenek nodded. They let go of the man, exiting the cell.

  “Fools,” the prisoner said, his voice hoarse.

  “Did either of you get any poison on your skin?” the healer asked.

  Savenek examined his hands. “I don’t think so.”

  “I did,” Neco said.

  “Do you have any cuts?” The healer pulled out a handkerchief.

  “No.”

  “Good.” She handed the handkerchief to Neco, and he wiped his hands off. “If it went in through a cut, it would spread much more quickly.” She gave him the antidote. “See the spots on your palm?” He nodded. “Put the antidote there.”

  Neco scooped up some of the paste the healer had made and then spread it on his palm, covering the dark spots. “It already feels better.”

  Savenek noticed Neco’s hands were shaking. They stood there for about a minute, no one talking.

  “Do you feel anything burning?” the healer asked.

  “No,” Neco replied. “I am fine.”

  She nodded. “I’m glad you’re doing well, because he certainly isn’t.”

  They turned to look at the prisoner. His legs were stiff, and white foam ran out of his mouth.

  “That happened much quicker than I thought it would,” Savenek said. It scared him that only two drops of the poison could be so severe. “How do we administer the antidote?”

  “Orally,” the healer said. “I need it in his system to see if it works.”

  Neco opened the cell door. “I hope he’s not already dead.”

  “If it kills that quickly,” the healer said, “then no one stands a chance.” Hurrying over to the prisoner, she moved to crouch beside him. Using a spoon, she shoved the pasty antidote into his mouth.

  The man’s eyes rolled back, and he stopped breathing. The healer picked up the cup and bowl, exiting the cell. “He’s dead.”

  “Let’s try it again,” Neco said. “This time, let’s give the antidote first, the poison second. See if that works.”

  The healer handed the cup to Savenek. There was just enough left inside to try it on one more Telmena prisoner.

  Neco led the way farther down the corridor, stopping before another cell.

  The man Savenek had knocked out at the inn was inside. He was roughly two hundred pounds, his lumbering frame propped in the corner of the cell. Loud snores emanated from him.

  Neco unlocked the door. The healer waved both men back, so the prisoner wouldn’t see either of them. Once the healer entered the cell, Savenek couldn’t see what she was doing. He heard her talking softly. He wondered what she was saying in order to get him to take the antidote. A minute later, the healer exited and joined them.

  “Let’s wait five minutes,” she whispered. “Then we’ll give him the poison.”

  When the allotted time had passed, Savenek strolled forward until he was standing in front of the prisoner’s cell. “Finally,” Savenek said, “someone’s awake.” He squatted. “What are you in here for?” He hoped the man didn’t recognize him.

  “Why do you care?” the man asked.

  “They said I can give a cup of ale to anyone who’s in here for stealing but not for murder.” He slid the cup between the bars.

  The man smiled, revealing a missing tooth. “I’m not in for murder.” He heaved himself forward and snatched the cup, gulping it down. “Hey! This ain’t ale!”

  Savenek jumped to his feet, standing a safe distance away with Neco and the healer. The three of them watched the prisoner. Nothing happened.

  “Why’s the lot of you standing there?” the man asked.

  They didn’t answer.

  The man’s breathing sped up, sweat started to bead on his forehead. After another minute, the man gasped for air. His legs starting to shake, foam bubbled out of his mouth and down his chin. His eyes rolled back.

  Neco cursed.

  “I’ll get back to work,” the healer said. “There has to be something that will neutralize the poison once a person ingests it or it enters the bloodstream.”

  “Why did it work on my hands?” Neco asked.

  “Because it hadn’t penetrated the surface of your palm yet. If you’d had a cut and the poison got in it, you’d be in the infirmary by now. The poison is slower when it’s administered through a wound.” She pointed at the dead prisoner. “But if it’s swallowed, you’re dead within seconds.”

  Savenek remembered when he’d been cut by the contaminated sword. Within minutes, he’d lost feeling of his arm and leg and had blacked out.

  “I have a few more ideas,” the healer said. “Give me another day or two and we’ll try again.”

  Savenek hoped they had another day or two to spare.

  When Savenek exited the barracks, a soldier ran up to him. “Your Highness,” the man said. “You’re needed in the Throne Room.”

  Savenek jogged across the lawn, then entered the castle from one of the side doors. His guards’ swords clanked as they ran after him.

  Odar’s parents must have arrived. Blasted. Savenek had wanted to be there with Allyssa. He entered the Throne Room from the front, slowly easing his way across the dais until he stood a few feet from his sister.

  The room was only half-full of courtiers. Odar stood with a couple in their fifties, all facing the dais. Allyssa remained on the first step, Rema and Darmik on either side of her.

  “I presume this is your missing son,” King Viscor said, his eyebrows raised as he took in Savenek.

  Savenek immediately hated the arrogant guy.

  “Yes, Father,” Odar said. “This is Prince Savenek, the princess’s twin brother.”

  The king slowly inclined his head. Savenek guessed that was as much of a hello as he would get from the prick.

  “I must say,” the king said to no one in particular, “we’re surprised you’re still here. We thought that once Princess Allyssa returned, you’d leave again.”

  Savenek wondered who the we he was referring to. Him and his wife? Or Fren and Telmena? Both perhaps.

  Rema smiled, and Savenek eagerly anticipated what she had to say to put the king in his place. “I must confess,” Rema purred, “when you severed the marriage contract with my daughter, I did not expect for Prince Odar to come groveling back seeking to reestablish the union. Since the original contract was destroyed, we signed another one. This new contract is very beneficial for Emperion, and I’m quite plea
sed with it.”

  The king’s face contorted with rage.

  “It’s a good thing you gave your son permission to negotiate terms and sign contracts on your behalf,” Darmik added.

  “Come, Mother, Father,” Odar said. “I’ll show you to your rooms.” He ushered them from the Throne Room.

  Savenek started to ask Allyssa how she was doing, but she glided from the dais and exited the room through a side door. He noticed Neco standing in the shadows of the corridor, watching everything. Neco nodded his chin to the left, and Savenek hurried to join him.

  “What is it?” Savenek asked as they headed farther away from the Throne Room.

  “Another complication,” Neco mumbled. “In here.” He entered a small storage room piled high with boxes. “The mines have successfully been destroyed. We need to figure out how to make sure the Apethaga royal family doesn’t hear the news until after they’ve left the castle.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” Savenek knew a couple of tricks on how to prevent messages from getting through to them. “What else?” Because it seemed like Neco had more to say.

  “There have been small riots sprouting up throughout the kingdom of Telmena.”

  This was both good and bad news. Good because it meant people wouldn’t be upset once the king and queen of Telmena were dead. Bad because Kren and Jestina would have to get the citizens under control. “There are things we can do to help.” Savenek had a few ideas on how to calm the people after the king and queen were dead.

  “I’ll escort you back to the Royal Chambers.”

  Savenek was shocked Neco had come to him with this information instead of going straight to Darmik. When they neared the Royal Chambers, he heard several angry voices arguing from within. He raised an eyebrow at Neco, who shook his head.

  Savenek opened the door. Allyssa stood with her hands on her hips, her face red. Kerdan was near the hearth, his back to everyone in the room. Darmik paced behind the sofa where Rema was perched, her back ramrod straight.

  “Is everything okay?” Savenek asked. Had Kerdan done something to upset Allyssa? If he had, Savenek would pummel him right there in the middle of the sitting room. He stretched his neck, loosening up. The last time he’d fought Kerdan, the guy had gotten in some good punches. This time, Savenek was sure Kerdan wouldn’t be so lucky.

  “Princess Conditto,” Allyssa said, her voice clipped, “informed everyone of her impending marriage to Kerdan. She even had the nerve to suggest she and Kerdan wed while they are both here.” Allyssa’s face was getting redder as she spoke. “Conditto asked the empress if she and Kerdan could hold their ceremony after Odar and I wed.”

  Savenek wondered why Allyssa was so upset. He glanced over at Darmik, who shook his head ever so slightly. Savenek kept his mouth shut.

  Neco excused himself and exited the room. Savenek wished he could do the same.

  “Allyssa,” Rema said, her voice calm and placating. “Telmena is due to arrive any day. I need you to get your temper under control. Everyone thinks you’re engaged to Odar, so you cannot be upset over anything related to Kerdan.”

  “I don’t want to watch that evil woman put her hands on my man, Mother.”

  Savenek raised his hand to point out Kerdan had to see her with Odar, but Darmik shook his head again. Savenek closed his mouth, forcing himself to keep quiet.

  Kerdan pivoted to face Rema. “What’s our plan?”

  “How would you normally respond to an allegation such as this?” Rema asked him.

  “I would demand to see the contract.”

  Rema smiled. “And that is what you will do. You will speak with King Theon and ask to see the signed contract. Inform him you know nothing of the engagement and are quite surprised.”

  “I agree with Rema,” Savenek said. “If Kerdan goes along with the marriage contract, they might think he’s working with Emperion.” Savenek was the one who’d discovered the information and told Rema and Darmik about it in the first place. “However,” and now for the part his sister was going to hate, “Kerdan should state he is willing to discuss a potential alliance through marriage as the Russek king.”

  Tears welled in Allyssa’s eyes.

  “That is a wise move,” Rema said. “Demand to see the contract, state it isn’t valid, and then propose negotiations. That not only makes sure the contract is null and void, but it also buys us additional time.”

  “Conditto isn’t a flirt,” Savenek said, trying to appease his sister. If it was Lareissa, Savenek would say Allyssa had reason to be concerned. But Conditto was cold.

  “I should go to my bedchamber and prepare for tonight,” Kerdan said. He left the room before Allyssa could say a word.

  “Allyssa,” Rema said.

  “I don’t want to hear it.” Allyssa held up her hand, whirled around, then stormed out of the room.

  “I’ll talk to her,” Savenek said, even though he didn’t have the slightest idea what to say. He went to Allyssa’s bedchamber where he found her standing at the window, staring outside.

  “I don’t need you to tell me I’m overreacting, being unreasonable, or that I need to calm down. I already know.”

  Savenek chuckled. “If you already know, then why are you acting this way?” If the situation was reversed, he’d feel the same way. The difference was he’d hide it while Allyssa wore her emotions plain on her face for everyone to see.

  “I can’t help it.” She spun in his direction. “When I was in Russek, I saw Kerdan wear so many different masks. I finally uncovered the real Kerdan. And now, we’re asking him to wear another mask. I hate it.”

  Understanding this was more than mere jealousy, Savenek came farther into the room and sat on the sofa, propping his feet on the low table in front of it. “Isn’t that what you do every day, though? Play different roles?”

  Allyssa came over and sat next to him, leaning her head against his shoulder. The act of seeking comfort and familiarity stunned him.

  “I suppose,” she muttered. “I know I act one way in front of members of our court, one way in front of my family, and yet another when I’m out in the town.”

  “Each job I perform requires a different personality.” The beggar, the shopkeeper, the prince, the diplomat…the list went on and on. “Sometimes it can be fun. Most of the time, however, it is difficult not to lose who I am underneath the façade.”

  She lifted her head, staring directly into his eyes. “That’s exactly it.”

  “I’m sure Kerdan knows and understands this. I wouldn’t worry.”

  “I know you’re right. And I know we’ll both continue to wear masks throughout our lives.”

  Savenek couldn’t believe he was going to say this. “Kerdan’s a good man. You don’t need to worry about him being unfaithful or untrustworthy.”

  “It’s not like I’m jealous.” Folding her arms, she pouted. “Well, maybe I am just a little bit.”

  “You have nothing to worry about.” Savenek had been going over it in his head. Originally, Jana was the one insisting on the marriages to tie the kingdoms together. Now that Jana was dead, what reason could Apethaga have to want the marriage to go through? The only reason Savenek could think of was to thwart Telmena. Without the marriage, Apethaga would always be under Telmena’s thumb. But with such an advantageous marriage, Apethaga would be strong enough to stand against Telmena. Which meant Emperion might have a chance at getting Apethaga over to their side.

  Savenek sighed. Things were getting rather complicated, and Telmena wasn’t even here yet.

  Allyssa

  “Your Highness,” Nathenek said to Allyssa. “Can I please have a moment of your time?”

  “Of course.” She pushed her chair back and stood, thankful to be leaving the Dining Hall. She didn’t think she could sit there and finish her breakfast while pretending not to look at Kerdan, who was sitting next to Conditto. Allyssa wanted to tear the woman’s eyes out.

  She followed Nathenek out of the room. In the corridor,
her guard fell in step behind her. They entered the library and Allyssa breathed in the smell of books, immediately feeling more relaxed. Her guard remained near the entrance. She went over to her alcove. The drapes were open. She didn’t remember leaving them that way when she left here yesterday. Maybe one of the servants had cleaned the area for her. She sat on the bench, motioning for Nathenek to sit across from her. The stack of books she’d been reading was in the middle of the table, so she shoved them closer to the window. She thought she’d organized them into two stacks—ones she had to read and ones she wanted to read.

  “Two things,” Nathenek said, pulling something out of his pocket. He set a tiny glass jar on the table. “I want you to swallow the contents of this.”

  “What is it?”

  “It could be an antidote for the poison Apethaga has been producing.”

  “Could be?”

  “The healer is still working on it. However, since Telmena is due to arrive today, I want you to take it. It’s better than nothing.”

  She reached forward and took the glass jar, uncorking it. It smelled like rotten fish.

  “Pinch your nose. It’ll help.”

  “Did you give some to Savenek already?”

  “No, you’re first. I’ll administer it to your parents and brother next.”

  She pinched her nose and tossed the contents of the jar in her mouth, swallowing the thick gooey substance as quickly as possible. It got stuck in her throat, making her gag. Nathenek withdrew a flask and handed it to her. She chugged it, washing the gooey stuff down. Her throat burned, and she slammed the flask on the table.

  “That was ale,” he said. “I only meant for you to have a sip.” He took the flask and the jar, closing both and putting them away. “Now for the second item of business.”

  Allyssa leaned back on the bench, her chest feeling warm and her head pounding. Her foot hit something. Glancing under the table, she saw something had fallen on the floor. When she reached down, she picked up a book and a scrap of material—one of Mayra’s handkerchiefs. The book was about a woman who fought for the king in his army of men. She set it on the table, sure she’d loaned it to Mayra seasons ago. Mayra had returned it—she was certain of it. So how had her book and Mayra’s handkerchief gotten on the floor?