I am going to make up for the last two short chapters by doing a really long one one of these days. But not this chapter. Just to tell you: Kel is my favorite character so I won't really trash her like I did Daine and Alanna (the latter to some extent, the former majorly). It will have a happy ending. Though a very odd one…
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Chapter 10: The Mage and his Apprentice
Kel rushed up and down stairs, searching out the only person who could help. Perhaps he was the greatest mage in the world, perhaps not. But the one that Kel sought out was the one and only… Thom of Trebond. He had a sister, that woman who had disguised her gender for years to become a knight. She had gone off with her husband, Sir Gary, to live as a shaman among the Bazhir. Her name was something like Elenne, or Helena, or maybe Alainne…
Kel knocked frantically on Thom's door, heart beating fast. Thom's apprentice, Arandiall, opened it.
"May I help you?" he asked.
"Got- to see- Master- Thom." Kel said between gasps.
"Just a minute." He disappeared inside. He reappeared, and let her enter.
Thom was sitting in a huge padded chair, crossed legs flung over the arm, poring through a huge and dusty tome. Arandiall tapped his shoulder, and he looked up.
"What do you want?" he asked. Being the most powerful sorcerer in the world, he cared little for politeness and manners. But that saved time, as he was always straightforward.
"Well, you see…" and Kel began her story. Thom listened, interested, and thought for a moment.
"Chisakami." He snorted. "Bitch. She's got the Gift, you know- but she hides it better than anyone I've ever seen. She got a lot of books on manipulation spells from that renegade mage- wazzizname- Numair Samalin. He came around maybe a year ago, with his honey. He was almost as good as I am- almost." Thom's pride was famous. "Maybe as good as my sister. Anyhow, Chisakami has been riffling through them like a maniac, and it's fully possible that she wants someone dead. Does she hold any grudges against anyone you know?"
Kel thought for a moment. "Actually, she does, against- me. I mocked her, the first time I met her, and she said something along the lines of 'I'll make you regret this.' I didn't think she would do something so drastic."
Thom smiled grimly. "Well- she knows that you, ah, spend a lot of time with Cleon, and if she drives him mad, it's likely that he'd kill you, or someone you care about, such as Neal." Kel blushed, but Thom merely raised his eyebrow. "What complicates matters-"
Thom broke off when the door was thrown open, Cleon standing at the threshold. There was foam flying from his mouth, and his eyes were bloodshot. His skin radiated a dark pink glow, even thicker around his head. He was strong- driven by madness. Chisakami, hands glowing the same pink color, was standing behind him. Ropes of magic connected Cleon to her hands, and with the merest movements she controlled him, like a puppet master.
"Go, my pet," she purred. "Kill the foolish mage, and that slut you used to love."
Thom jumped from his chair, book dropping out of his hands. "Foolish mage? I'm not the one who walks in behind her creation, leaving herself open."
Chisakami laughed, a cold, icy sound. "Thom, dear, I wanted to see you die. You should have died years ago, when you brought Roger back to life. But you didn't. And- to see my revenge on Keladry- yes, my revenge will be sweet."
Kel turned pale. "You're mad."
"No more insane than your lover here," she gestured to the figure in front of her. "And I will see you die, yes, I will watch you die, in physical and emotional pain." Chisakami pointed, and Cleon lunged.
Kel was more scared than she had ever been in her life. Not only did she not want to hurt Cleon, her lover was mad. He had the strength of madness, and no Shang training could fend him off. She jumped and kicked him squarely in the chest, throwing him back. He got up and rushed forward again, and this time Kel punched him in the jaw, and wrapping her arm around his neck, she put her leg behind his ankle and forced him to the floor. He reached up with both arms that she was struggling to pin, and squeezed his hands around her neck, cutting off her air.
***
Dimly Cleon, in his madness, realized with horror what he was doing. This was Kel. He tried to let go and found he could not, some invisible force making him squeeze harder and harder. Somehow he noticed a man standing behind him, calling out a word he did not comprehend. Suddenly fireworks exploded in his head, pink and purple danced in front on his eyes, and he alternately squeezed and let go. Finally blackness overwhelmed both, throwing him into the abyss of unconsciousness.
***
Thom, sweating, stood over Kel and Cleon. A haggard Chisakami stood behind him, shaking and struggling to stay up. Kel got up, staggering over to the padded chair, knees shaking. Finally Chisakami collapsed, unable to keep her consciousness. Thom walked over to where Kel was standing, putting his arm around her shoulders, helping her stand.
"Gods, Thom," she rasped. "I just can't believe what happened. I just can't believe it. You saved my life."
Thom turned her face towards him. "Saved your life, did I? Then grant me one thing…" and he brought her close to him, kissing her passionately.
Kel weakly pushed herself away. "Thom! What are you doing! You're old enough to be my father! And Cleon-"
"What? You like that mess over there?" he waved his hand at Cleon, who was still out cold. "Give me this one thing…" and he kissed her again, longer, fiercer, and bore her onto the bed. He sent a thread of magic out, tying Chisakami and Cleon together and binding their limbs with magical rope. Kel resisted Thom for a while, but then stopped, returning his lust and passion.
***
Kel woke up beside Thom, seeing Chisakami struggling against her bonds and Cleon sagging in his. Wrapping herself in a blanket, she silently retrieved her clothes and went into the privy where she could put them on. Emerging, she first went to Cleon. He looked up at her, eyes gray and dull.
"Kill me," he whispered. Kel shook her head, and groped for his hand.
"Kill me," he repeated. "Kill me and end it all. I almost killed you, Kel. I can't live with that. But I saw what you did with Thom. And maybe I deserve it. All I know is that I can't go on, Kel, I can't go on."
"No," said Kel through tears. "It was Chisakami. You couldn't resist her Gift, Cleon, only a great mage could. And Thom… I was scared, Cleon. He saved my life. I regret now what I did, but then again, I regret a lot of things I've done in my life."
Cleon turned away. "Like making love to Neal?" he asked quietly.
Kel started to cry. "Dammit, Cleon, I love you! I can't change what I did, though gods know I've tried! I can't change the fact that I'm pregnant with Neal's Child!" She sobbed, then smiled sardonically. "Maybe we deserve each other. We're both so fucked up." She put her arms around her lover, crying down his back. "I need you, Cleon, I need you…" and Kel felt hot tears flowing down her own back. Then Thom woke up.
"Shit!" cursed Chisakami.
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So that works out. But there are problems to come. No, I can't just leave it at that. So… Remember to review!