Empire Awakening (Maledorian Chronicles Book 2) Page 21

  Was this all about his love and worship of Ba’al or about gaining the power for himself? When he’d tasted the spirit of Ba’al, after his experience in the old Maledorian Ruins, he knew his god was jealous and craved absolute obedience. But he also knew the gods could not read the thoughts of human minds. He could observe the rituals to Ba’al and outwardly perform the rites, but secretly, he could be building everything for the benefit of himself. And of course, for the glory of Ba’al.

  That was what he truly wanted. Now that he’d seen real power and felt what it was like to dominate and destroy the northern nobility, Lord Rigar craved that power for himself.

  He put the Duke of Wrainton’s life on notice. When the man was away from the boy, Rigar would have his new creations take him. But killing him wouldn’t be enough. He’d make Wrainton into one of the most pathetic constructs in his army. A vivid reminder of the importance of winning the political game.

  But first, he had to build his army and plan his ascension to power.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  “Is this the proof you require?” Prince Jondran turned to study the witch Cambria. They were perched on a tall cliff overlooking the edge of a vast, lush forest. An army of unholy constructs—part men, part trees, and part something else, like beetles, wolves, and foxes. It was hard to tell by looking through the spyglass.

  “I never doubted your word, Prince. I merely needed to see it for myself.” Cambria let out a tired sigh. “So, the Maledorians have returned. And they are camped near the heart of the old empire. This is worse than we could have ever imagined, Arcturius.”

  The old wizard leaned on his gnarled staff and studied the view. “I’ve heard about nightmares like these from stories told by the old sages. But that was a very long time ago. Are these illusions, do you think?”

  “Nay, they are true creations sprung from the seeds of life. No demons spawned, no portals opened to another world, these were created here, with the creatures of this world, using an ancient kind of magic. Unknown until now.”

  “Not without a great deal of tragic, wasteful experimentation, I am told. Madam Lassengre witnessed much of it in the forest south of Criswall. The acts done by Lord Rigar Orensal, formerly of Maren Downs.”

  “Not formerly, the man is here and in a powerful way. But I have only heard of him in passing. A minor lord from a minor house, a house now shamed because of his deeds.” Cambria spat in disgust. “But whatever shall we do now? Have you an idea, wizard?”

  Arcturius frowned, his bushy eyebrows moving in consternation. “Well, they are made of wood, are they not? Can’t they be burned like a forest?”

  “I am not worried about the fabrications—we will find a way to deal with them. It is the location of our foe that troubles me.” Cambria gave the wizard a significant look.

  “No, it’s impossible. The ancient scepters and stones of power were either destroyed or buried, long forgotten. If they are here, it is purely based on old legends, nothing more. They won’t find anything.”

  “Don’t be so sure of your presumptions, wizard. This fool, this Lord Rigar, must have found something in those ruins, something to use to summon a fragment of Ba’al into the body of a boy. What if this fragment remembers something? What if the memories are true to the past? What if they find one of the relics of power? Is this so impossible?”

  “That’s a lot of what-ifs, I would say.” The wizard tapped the side of his head. “I wouldn’t presume to claim if they know anything or not. For all we know, they are treasure hunters digging in vain. Let them search in the old ruins, while we burn the forest around them. We should strike now before anything happens.”

  Prince Jondran suppressed a grin, amused by their banter. Despite their sharp words, he could tell the two still held feelings for each other. A strange couple, indeed. If they ever got over whatever history had kept them apart, they might be a couple once again.

  “So, you will recommend to your leaders that we ally?” The prince studied the witch as if searching for a glimmer of hope.

  “You overstep because of your inexperience, Prince Jondran. Talking about an alliance now is far too early. However, I will talk to the military leaders of Jalinfaer and recommend we take steps to negotiate a truce. But I warn you; they will have many conditions, some of which you may not like at all.”

  “Nothing more than I already expected.” He gave the witch a low bow, feeling satisfied that the negotiations would begin. “Our two kingdoms do have a sordid past. I expected the discussions would be difficult, but at least we are talking.”

  She returned the bow and began walking toward her horse. Arcturius joined her, a faint smile forming on his face. Jondran could tell the wizard was delighted to be back in her presence.

  Seeing the two together again caused Jondran to think of Elendria. He wondered if she was safe and when he might see her again. He decided to linger here a while and motioned for Branwenth and the other soldiers to wait. He walked over to a towering oak tree at the top of the cleft, wanting some time alone. As he sat, leaning against the tree, he gazed over the lush green landscape, feeling close to Elendria somehow. This was her homeland, after all. Wouldn’t she want to return here someday?

  One of the first things he wanted to do upon Madam Lassengre’s arrival at the camp was to ask the witch about her. More than anything else, he desired to be reunited with her. He still felt terrible at not meeting her before he was forced to march south with his regiment. Did she forgive him, he wondered?

  Perhaps, they were bound to live separate lives, like Arcturius and Cambria, and only find each other after many years apart. But Jondran refused to have that kind of life. When the time was right, when his duty had been served, he would search for her. How long would that be? The war with the cultists was only beginning. And even if they did manage to destroy the mutual threat, what of the war between the Kingdom of Mar Thagroth and the Kingdom of Jalinfaer? The disputes were endless.

  No, there had to be some way for Jondran to send word to Elendria and ask her to join him. Now, they faced a common foe. Since the cultists had left Criswall, wasn’t it safe for her to return south? Or had they left a contingent force to hold the capital?

  There was so much to do. He should send runners and a squad north to investigate the state of Criswall and the remaining nobility. Were his parents still alive or taken as hostage in the cultist’s camp? Everything was such a mess right now. But instead of panic, the situation caused him to focus, realizing how grave his duty was to his people and his kingdom.

  It was time to go, time to act. He pushed himself up and stood tall, allowing the scene of those unholy constructs to fill him with a new resolve. He could not fail. He had to succeed in the negotiations and defeat this foe.

  The rest would come later.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Elendria marveled at the vision of Prince Jondran in her homeland. He was standing upon a cleft overlooking a vast forest. His face looked so serious and determined like he was about to go to war. Maren Downs was far away, but she could see him so clearly, as if he were right next to her.

  She had watched him talk with a wizard and a witch, who looked like she was from the southern kingdom of Jalinfaer. Was he having a peace negotiation with their enemy? They had been looking off in the distance, where an army of strange looking fabrications roamed near the edge of a dense forest. That must be where her father and mother were, along with Remi… Her heart ached when she thought of the poor boy. She’d failed to protect him. Thinking of him made her feel angry all over again.

  The spell of farseeing had its benefits, but it also brought her sadness and frustration, for she could see Jondran but not hear or communicate with him. Could she even see her father and mother? Or would that invite his unwanted attention? She thought back to Relek’s distant magical attack when she was in Wilhem. Would her father do that to her? She didn’t believe he ever would and doubted he had sanctioned Relek’s actions against her. But seeing her parents
right now would be too painful, she decided. That was for another time.

  She broke the vision and stood from her meditation, taking in a long, deep breath. The anger she felt spurred her to act. She had to do something to help Remi.

  The mine was still a wreck, though her meditation room was unharmed. She left the chamber and used ice magic to form steps and ascend to the surface. The miners were still working at rebuilding the mineshaft and the lift. Everything had to be redone, but neither the witches nor the miners blamed her. In fact, Hadara was thrilled to see she’d survived and beaten the two sorcerers.

  When she returned to the village, she was greeted by Lysha’s exuberant face. She seemed eager to tell her something. Tal stood next to her, grinning like he was the luckiest boy in the world. The two had gotten even closer during their time together in the witch’s village. Tal had sorely missed her while Lysha and Elendria had been away in the mines. But he’d kept himself busy studying under Devin and Shells.

  “We’re going to leave the village. I just spoke to Hadara.” Lysha beamed with excitement.

  “What? And go where?”

  “I shouldn’t have told you anything, but I couldn’t help it.” Lysha motioned Elendria toward Hadara’s hut. “Go talk to her. She’ll tell you everything.”

  What was going on? Elendria’s mind was flooded with thoughts. Could they be returning south to Criswall? With the cultists in Maren Downs, perhaps it was finally safe for her to go. Or were they to meet Madam Lassengre somewhere?

  She burst into the witch’s hut and was met by Hadara’s surprised face.

  “Didn’t your mother teach you to knock before entering someone’s house?”

  Elendria froze, realizing Hadara was in a serious discussion with several of the witches, including the leader of their coven, Drevenia. The green-eyed witch had been away for a day, though Hadara had not told her where.

  “Don’t scold the girl.” Drevenia rested a consoling hand on Hadara’s arm.

  “I can come back another time.” Elendria turned to leave.

  “No, no, you can stay.” Drevenia turned to study Hadara and the other witches. “Since Elendria has arrived so unexpectedly, perhaps we should confide in her. She has passed the test, after all. We can make an exception, just this once.”

  Hadara sniffed but nodded in acceptance, glancing at Elendria. “The timing is fortuitous. So, I imagine we can discuss our plans with her.”

  “Plans for my friends and I?” Elendria eyed the witch, wondering if this had to do with what Lysha had told her.

  “No, the plans for our coven. Madam Lassengre has urgently requested we come to Maren Downs and aid her. We are debating whether this is a good idea for us. It seems the situation with the Maledorian cultists has gotten worse. They’ve arrived in Maren Downs with their army of constructs.”

  “I’ve seen them just now in a vision.”

  All eyes turned to study her, causing Elendria to feel nervous. “I used the spell of farseeing to find Prince Jondran. He was talking with a wizard and a southern witch—”

  “That was probably Cambria,” said Hadara, “the old she-devil herself. I wonder how Arcturius got her to agree to talk. This is a good development. It means the Kingdom of Jalinfaer might ally with Mar Thagroth.”

  Elendria continued, “There were strange, giant creatures—an army of them—moving in the forest.”

  “The cultists are after something in the Maledorian ruins: an ancient artifact of power.” Drevenia glanced back and forth, studying the witches. “This is why I am inclined to help Madam Lassengre. Who disagrees with my assessment?”

  “It’s not that I disagree,” said a tall, spindly witch. Her pale-yellow hair was tied in twin braids. “I only believe we should consider all the risks before involving ourselves in their war. We’ve remained neutral all these years.”

  “This is a different situation, and you know it,” said Hadara, her tone bristling. “We’ve stayed out of politics and wars amongst the kingdoms. But cultists who worship the ancient Maledorian god? They’ve managed to summon a fragment of the god, and that fragment is leading them to the old Maledorian capital… Think about it. What if they manage to extract one of the lost relics of power? Then what? How will we remain neutral then?”

  “Peace, Hadara,” Drevenia said. “We all recognize the danger. No one wants to see such a relic getting into the wrong hands. It would be unthinkable.”

  “And too late to combat such an occurrence.” Hadara made a fist and shook it slowly. “That’s why we need to act now before it is too late.”

  The spindly witch closed her eyes, nodding in acquiescence. “Points well taken. I only want to make sure we go into this understanding the risks and have an agreement that, once we’ve dealt with the problem, we will retreat once again. I’d prefer to stay away from the nobility and out of the affairs of the kingdoms.”

  “You can’t hide in the mountains forever, Balan.” Hadara frowned at the witch. “We live in a world of people and civilizations. Our sanctuary was only meant as a retreat, not as a permanent home. Emulate Madam Lassengre and see the positive influence she has had on the world.”

  “But you see how far she has moved from our guiding principles.” Balan scoffed. “Witch for hire and friend of the rich and the nobles. She only does what benefits her fortune and influence.”

  “Now, now,” said Drevenia. “No talking ill of one of our sisters. We all do what we feel is best in our path in life. Madam Lassengre has her reasons, and she may not feel it is necessary to share those reasons with everyone.”

  Drevenia clapped her hands as if wanting to change the subject. “We’ve moved away from the matter at hand. I sense we’ve agreed. Yes? Good, let’s move forward then.” She looked to Elendria. “The time has come for us to leave, and that includes you and your friends. We will be journeying south to Maren Downs and joining Madam Lassengre and Arcturius in their fight against these Maledorian cultists. But it seems you have the most experience of all of us, having dealt with them firsthand.”

  “Not only me, Lysha helped me fight them,” Elendria said.

  “And your father is one of their leaders?” Drevenia’s face had turned severe and cold.

  “I watched him summon Ba’al into my friend, Remi.” The dark memory often haunted her at night. “My father was always a strange person. He raised me to worship Nenlil, the forest protector god. On one of his explorations in Maren Downs, he found a Maledorian ruin with a statue of Ba’al. It must have been filled with a spirit essence of the god, for he changed after that day. I remember it now, though the memory had evaded me for years.

  “When we moved to Criswall, he became an alcoholic, though I now know it was a ruse. I think he’s done all the wrong things for reasons he believes are important or even righteous in his own eyes. He’s not an evil person. I don’t believe it.”

  “Sometimes, good people do evil things in the name of their religious belief. He doesn’t know he is playing with a terrible kind of fire. Perhaps, we can mend the error in his thinking.” But Hadara looked unsure about what she had said.

  “When will we leave for Maren Downs?” said Elendria. “It will probably take us weeks by horse.”

  A grin spread across Drevenia’s wizened face. “The way we will be traveling, we can get there significantly faster.”

  “Indeed,” Hadara said, catching Drevenia’s gaze. “One could say it will be as fast as speaking the words to cast the spell.”

  “And of course, you need the required way stone,” Drevenia raised a finger, “which we fortunately possess.”

  “A way stone? What is that? It’s not that I don’t believe you, but…” Elendria tried to imagine how such a spell would function. “How do you choose a destination?”

  “Everything was planned by the ancients,” said Hadara. “They were the ones who assembled way stones all over the world. The magic has been passed down to only a few covens. Many of the locations of the way stones and the runes neede
d have been lost—”

  “Part of our research,” interrupted Drevenia, “has been to rediscover various runes to lost way stones. But of course, this is significant work. There are many way stones in Maren Downs, and the one we will be traveling to is on the western edge of the old empire, within ten miles of where Prince Jondran and his allies are located.”

  “Is this spell something I can learn?” asked Elendria, looking uncertainly at Hadara.

  Hadara and Drevenia studied Elendria for a moment, then locked eyes with each other as if lost in some silent conversation. It was Drevenia who broke the silence.

  “When it is necessary for you, we will teach it to you. But not yet, not until you have proven your loyalty to our coven. Having this knowledge escape our circle is far too dangerous. If your father were to learn of this spell and the functioning of the way stones, then I fear a grave future for the world. I hope you understand.”

  Elendria nodded but knew she would never betray them. It would have to be something she earned after gaining their trust.

  “Good. Then you will pack and prepare to depart for Maren Downs.” Drevenia studied the witches as if ensuring they were all supportive. “We will leave in an hour.”

  Elendria gulped in a sharp breath, uncertain if she was ready. But then she thought of Prince Jondran and smiled to herself. She would finally get to see him again. Would things have changed between them? She hoped he still felt the same about her. In her heart, nothing had changed, though time and distance had kept them apart. If anything, her feelings toward him were stronger.

  She left the room with the other witches and was greeted by Lysha, Maggie, and Tal. The girl studied her with curious eyes.

  “Will I be going with you?” said Maggie.