Disclaimer: I don't own anything you saw in The Immortals Quartet. That would belong to Tamora Pierce. I own Zircah Bladewing and whatever storyline was not present in The Immortals.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait, folks! I kinda got sidetracked by the fact that I have a new PSII. *smiles* And exams, too. Evil, evil exams… anyways. ^^; Um, here's the thirteenth chapter, in which bad things start to happen. ^^ What a coincidence – I didn't plan this to be chapter thirteen! ^_^ And apologies to all who know me IRL for the chapter title. It just had to be done. :P
And I swear, if I have to tell my spell check than Rikash is not Rakish ONE MORE TIME… *twitch*
Chapter Thirteen: Things Fall Apart"King Jokhun of Stone Tree Nation and his vassals, Lord Rikash Moonsword and Lady Zircah Bladewing." Zircah winced at the proclamation, wishing they could have called her something a little more flattering than 'lady vassal'. It made her sound pathetic, especially behind this snivelling monarch. She glared imperiously at the first of the mortals come to greet them. The room was packed with twoleggers, nobles and slaves alike. With the buzz of many minds to confuse her, it took Zircah some time to realise that Skysong was present, even longer for her to pick the dragon and her mistress out of the crowd. Daine was dressed prettily, a huge change from the worn breeches and shirt she usually wore. Zircah glanced at Rikash, who was looking around as well. Before the next group could be introduced, she tapped him with her wingtip.
"Look at that – a dragon." She said. Rikash's eyes widened slightly, then narrowed in affected distaste as he found Daine and Skysong. The girl waved cheekily at them. Rikash turned up his nose and looked away – plenty of time to talk with her when they were officially introduced. Zircah grinned and turned her attention back to the other more mundane Tortallan guests.
Finally the crier announced Mistress Veralidaine Sarrasri and the dragon Skysong. "We've met." Rikash muttered. Daine curtsied, wobbling a little, and looked at Jokhun. Finding him less than interested, she shot a smile at Zircah. To Rikash she said, "Moonsword? That's very pretty."
Rikash snorted as Zircah snickered. "My ancestors were a sentimental lot."
Daine grinned widely, evil amusement in her eyes. "I would've thought Lady Zircah would have better suited it. Bladewing would sound better on you."
There was a long pause. Zircah and Rikash looked at each other and burst into loud laughter than stilled the entire hall for a few moments. When Zircah got herself under control, she managed to choke out, "Listen, girlie, only Stormwing mates trade last names. If you think this blond bone-bag is worthy of me, you're crazy!"
Oh, I don't know. I think you look kind of cute together.
WHAT?
Rikash rolled his eyes as Daine giggled, though he hadn't heard their mental commentary, and made to change the subject. "I remember you, too, mage." He said loudly, calling attention back to himself. "I remember the onion spell you threw at me."
"Lord Rikash, did you not say the animals of Dunlath behaved oddly?" Ozorne deigned to interject. Rikash blinked at him, but started speaking again as Zircah discreetly poked him in the back.
"I certainly did." He agreed, though he already knew why. Zircah had not wanted him to expand on the knowledge, though, so he had held his tongue.
"You have Daine to thank. She is bonded to animals through wild magic." Ozorne said loftily. Rikash tried to look annoyed and surprised while thinking, Well, really, do you think?
Jokhun stirred himself, seeming to think that if Ozorne would speak to these mortals then he would, too. "Someday we shall meet less formally – when you are not protected by your host. We will discuss a number of Stormwing deaths that are laid to your account." Zircah saw Daine's eye twitch at the inherent irritating quality of Jokhun's whiny voice.
"Any time." She managed sweetly. Numair bowed and after a moment's hesitation, Daine dropped into her second curtsy, this one far more confident than the last. They walked away through the crowd. Jokhun sneered after them as the mortals moved to seat themselves for the banquet.
"I tire of these mortal activities." He remarked idly after a time. He nodded to Ozorne. "I am leaving now." He said, barely showing enough respect to keep Ozorne's temper in check. His cheeks darkened with spots of angry colour, but he nodded calmly enough.
"Very well, Lord Jokhun, you may take your leave. Your vassals may remain, if they wish."
Zircah smiled pleasantly and nodded. Taking his cue from her, Rikash nodded and settled himself. Jokhun turned and flew slowly out the large window. As soon as he was gone, Zircah ducked closer to Rikash.
"This is a perfect opportunity to ally yourself closer to Daine while that old windbag is gone." She whispered. Rikash looked mildly surprised.
"Myself? And what about you?" He asked, vague annoyance showing in his tone.
"I am already quite allied with Veralidaine." Zircah said with a slight smile. Rikash stared at her for a few moments before realisation dawned.
"You mean you helped her to plan the downfall of Dunlath?" He hissed, barely masked fury showing in his tone. Zircah, slightly surprised by this outburst, could only shrug. Rikash glared at her. "I cannot believe you did that." He said finally. Zircah raised an eyebrow at his vehemence. He seemed really very angry with her. She shrugged again and moved back to her previous perch.
He's going to be in a right pet when he comes to see you. Be nice. She informed Daine, much to the girl's confusion. Zircah refused to speak any more. She glanced around the hall, took a fondly amused look at the still sulking Rikash, and decided that she had had enough of this banquet, as well.
"Lord Ozorne, I, too, will take me leave of you." She did not bother phrasing it as a request to the puppet-thing that was once more playing the Emperor. He nodded his acquiescence and she spread her wings to fly out the window into the night sky.
Sense. Seek for that which is dearest to your heart.
She nearly fell out of the air in surprise. The goddess' voice sounded so near. She glanced around in wonder, curious as to what she was searching for. She reached out her magical spider-web of awareness and felt along it tentatively. Was she supposed to be searching for another like herself? Daine was there, in the hall. There were the birds in the menagerie. Dearest to her heart?
She stopped in shock as her awareness swept over an immortal. More than one, many immortals! She changed her direction immediately. She had not sensed them there before, yet they were right near the birds. She bared her teeth as she worked her wings faster. There was a griffin, the cold mind of a Coldfang, killer unicorns, spidrens, hurroks – Stormwings! Her heart raced as she dropped toward what she thought was an open, empty pavilion. The mind-signatures were inside it, she could feel them. They were so familiar to her, but she did not dare to believe what she hoped until she saw it with her own eyes.
She landed heavily and spun to see the Stormwings. They stared at her with round eyes full of surprise. Then both of them rushed to the bars of the cage they were in.
"Zircah!" Barzha exclaimed, clearly very surprised to see her. "What in the name of the Graveyard Hag are you doing here?"
"It is in the name of the Graveyard Hag," Zircah replied in slightly garbled explanation. "My queen… Hebakh… Jokhun told us you were dead! That piece of sewer-floating mortal dung!" Fury was plain on her face. "I'll kill him."
Barzha seemed to guess what she was on about. "No, you won't." She commanded, still queen despite the absence of a crown. "You'll leave the foul scum for us when we are free of this cage. But you must find out a way to free us, Zircah. Ozorne maintains these cages."
Zircah's teeth showed in a cruel grin. "His death will be your freedom, my lady, my lord. He has been nothing but an annoyance to me. I would be pleased to get rid of him for you."
"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way."
Zircah whirled with an angry screech at Ozorne's voice. She nearly got free of the ground before a wave of crimson fire slammed into her and she knew no more. Ozorne's amber eyes were sadistic as he manipulated her into the same cage as Barzha and Hebakh with one hand. The Stormwing monarchs swore filthily at him, promising vengeance. Hebakh in particular looked ready to go through the bars.
"Hold your tongues!" Ozorne snarled, throwing up both his hands in anger. They choked and fell silent, though still simmering with rage. Zircah thudded to the ground, wings lax, hair falling messily about her shoulders. Ozorne's good humour returned slowly as he watched her still form. "There is simply no point in your making a fuss about this." He told Barzha and Hebakh calmly. "You see, she will never wake. She will simply go on dreaming of everything she abhors until she is nothing but dust. Even immortals fall prey to this spell. There is no cure." He sighed theatrically. "A pity. She is the most beautiful of my three captive Stormwings. Such a shame to lose the most beautiful gem in a collection." He clicked his fingers, and both Hebakh and Barzha gasped for breath. He walked away, leaving them to watch over the unconscious form of Zircah.
It had taken Rikash a good fifteen minutes to get a slave to even venture near him, a further ten before the quavering woman got him what he wanted. A trolley with a thick bar parallel to its surface was eventually wheeled up to him. He explained what he wished the slave to do.
"Listen," he told her. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'd just like you to wheel me over to where Veralidaine and the dragon are. Do you think you can do that?" The slave nodded nervously. "Good." He hopped onto the bar. The slave started to push him slowly through the crowd. He was relieved she had the courage to do as he had asked. He hadn't wanted to fly over Ozorne's dinner guests, calling attention to himself as he went to speak to a person whom every other person in the room assumed was his enemy. Fortunately, the slave wheeled him around the outskirts of the crowd until they reached Veralidaine.
"Go away." He told the slave coldly, mostly to keep up appearances. He had the pleasure of seeing Daine's eyes flash with anger and Numair straightened slightly. He nodded to them coolly and found himself staring at a tiny marmoset perched on Daine's shoulder. He sneered. "Still consorting with tree rats, I see."
Daine smiled despite herself. "Now you know what disease the Dunlath animals had."
"Was that you, shape-changed?" He asked, curious. Zircah had no such ability, as far as he knew. He recalled her explaining to him that she could not shape-change because she was an immortal, only able to put her mind within a creature instead of becoming a separate creature herself.
"I could only put myself within an animal's mind then. Flicker and that eagle were helping me."
Rikash decided that this was his chance to seem helpful. "Shape-shifting goes with that skill." Unable to help himself, he added, "I would have thought you would know that by now."
Numair's grin was eviller than anything Rikash had seen on a Stormwing. "She does."
"How delightful for us all." Rikash commented dryly. "I must remember to give Tortall a wide berth." A shame about that. I should like to see Maura again. He scratched the brass of his perch idly, drawing ear-piercing screeches from the trolley. The older mage winced and patted his fellow humans on the shoulder, excusing himself with a bow.
"We were having a nice talk before you came along." Daine told Rikash in a slightly accusatory tone. He smirked.
"I am devastated to have ruined your fun." He paused, wondering. He looked down at his feet almost apologetically as he asked, "Do you hear from Maura of Dunlath."
"She writes to Daine often." Numair volunteered. Daine nodded as she stroked the marmoset on her shoulder.
"She misses you. She says her guardian is nice, but he doesn't have your sense of humour." As though she didn't quite want to mention it, she added, "You could visit her, you know. She'd like that."
Rikash thought about that as he pried up part of the trolley's surface brass. Underneath, there was nothing but cheap wood painted gold. "I must remain here with King Jokhun, for now." He replied, remembering his King at the last minute. "I believe… my stay will not endure for much longer, and then I may be free to pursue my own life. If that is the case, I would like to see Maura again." He gave a mental snort. It sounded as though he had been caged.
"Oh? It sounds as if you anticipate a momentous event. What is it?" Numair asked curiously. Rikash looked at him sharply, amusement glimmering in his eyes as he grinned. He wondered what he could say. Certainly not, Oh, we thought we'd put Carthak to ruin while we were here. Graveyard Hag has a whim, you see."
"Finish your business here quickly, mage. Carthak's unhealthy. It will get worse before it gets better. Frankly, I'm surprised to find either of you here at this court. Is it wise to make peace with the man who tried to overthrow your king?" Trying to open them up to the idea of not making any agreements with Ozorne was, he felt, a good idea. Numair sighed.
"It's very wise, if the greatest army and navy are on your enemy's side."
Daine looked troubled as she fiddled with the silver badger claw at her throat. "It's no different to what you did, is it?"
Rikash raised his eyebrows and stamped the pulled-up sheet of metal back into place to mask his confusion. "Now what is that supposed to mean?"
Daine looked up sharply in annoyance. "Don't play innocent. We've seen the menagerie, Lord Rikash. They have one of your queens and her consort there." The dragon kit, who had been trying to clamber onto the trolley to greet the Stormwing properly, whistled in agreement. Rikash shot her a warning glare, which made her turn greyish and snap her muzzle closed with a soft click. What on earth were these mortals speaking of? Stormwings entrapped in Ozorne's palace? Would not Zircah have mentioned such a thing when she sensed them?
"You are wrong. There are no queens missing from the other flocks, and I have no queen in mine. The old one was slain in combat by King Jokhun, after our custom." The grain was uneven in that, it always had been. It had always troubled him that Barzha had been defeated by a Stormwing he had always regarded as being feeble.
Numair frowned, then shrugged, convinced the Stormwing would know more about the comings and goings of his people than mortals would. "Then maybe the prince was mistaken. He seemed convinced that Barzha was a queen."
Rikash's eyes widened and he fluffed his feathers as a chill ran down his spine. You're joking. "What did you say her name was?"
Daine picked up the sulking Skysong and stroked her gently. "Barzha. Her consort was named Hebakh. The prince said that their being in a cage was the price of the alliance with King Jokhun."
Rikash's features froze for an instant. There was no possible way that Daine and Numair could have made up two Stormwing names, and he doubted very much that Zircah would have mentioned her old queen. That… ground-pounding weevil! His face contorted with rage and he immediately swept into the air and out into the dark night sky. He had to find Zircah, because if he didn't, he was going to kill Jokhun. Surely she must have sensed them by now? He scowled at the array of torches that marked the terraces and pathways through the palace gardens. He was unsure of where the aviary had been, but he was sure that Barzha and Hebakh would be kept somewhere near there. He found the washer-courts and glared suspiciously at an open area he was certain had not been there before. He swept cautiously down toward it and let out a startled cry at the sight of trapped immortals. He had landed before he could think about it further, turning around until he found the cage that held Stormwings.
A wordless sound of dismay escaped him and he beat his wings to come nearer to the cage. "Queen Barzha! King Hebakh!" His gaze travelled downward to where Zircah was sprawled on the ground, the bladed feathers woven into her hair cutting into her skin. Already she was much paler than she had been an hour ago, and her mouth was slightly open, blood trickling from the corner of her lips. "…oh no…"
Hebakh glanced at him sharply. "You were working with her?"
Rikash nodded slightly, disappointment plain on his face. "…Veralidaine just mentioned you were being held captive. I was afraid she might have come to trouble."
"And so she has." Barzha said shortly. "Ozorne said that
she will sleep and have nightmares until she wastes to nothing. He will be
returning here soon, so you must leave. You must do everything in your power to
get us all out of here, Rikash Moonsword."
Rikash's face was dark with anger. "I will. I swear I will. You may count on
it. How were you brought here?"
"Jokhun had already spoken across the barrier when he challenged us for the crown. Ozorne's magic trapped us until we were brought here." Hebakh sneered angrily. "You must leave, quickly." Rikash nodded curtly.
"I will return when I may." He flapped his wings furiously and rose up out of the courtyard into the night sky. Hebakh nodded to him respectfully and went back to pacing in the confines of the magical cage.
Rikash flew back over the terraces, promising himself that he would not kill Jokhun. It would be far too messy a thing to occur in Carthak just now. At that moment, his eyes fell on a curiously bright spot of the terrace, where an old woman stood, looking at him. Rikash stared down at her for several moments before he recognised her – the Graveyard Hag. She grinned wickedly and raised her hands to clap out the lights that surrounded her, but Rikash wasn't going to let her get away that easily. He pushed himself through the air into a stoop and nearly ploughed himself into the stone of the terrace in an effort to reach her before she vanished.
Fortunately, the Graveyard Hag was not in a playful mood, and waited for him. The simple white shift she wore hung to her knees and billowed gently in a breeze that was not of the realm Rikash currently inhabited. He scowled at her and opened his mouth to yell at her, but she held a bony finger to her lips and flickered away to a darker part of the terrace, where it met the building. Rikash scowled and held his tongue for the moment, flapping over to where he could perch on the banister. She looked at him expectantly, fingers steepled together at her collar.
"I suppose you think this is tremendously funny?" Rikash asked her angrily. "I suppose you think it just hysterical that your vessel has been taken down by a mortal?"
The Graveyard Hag merely watched him, an amused smile on her face.
"You were the one who brought her here, and now she's fallen prey to some foully fatal spell. What, pray tell, do you plan to do about it? I certainly can't finish whatever mission you and Shakith are on by myself!" Rikash waved his wings angrily, trying to make his point while at the same time trying to keep his voice down. "You have to pull some divine strings, get her out of there."
The Graveyard Hag shook her head while Rikash fumed and produced a silver dice cup. "There are more ways than divine retribution to break the bars of a cage." She said, rattling the dice cup. "You don't have to kill a mortal to take them away from everything that makes them so." She held up the cup invitingly, and at his curt nod, shook them out on the flagstones. She counted them quickly and grinned at him as she collected them and turned the cup upside down on the railing. "Seven. You win, for now."
Rikash looked up with a start as the Graveyard Hag turned to face Veralidaine. He hadn't even seen her coming, but she was glaring directly at him. The Graveyard Hag grinned at her. "Push this bad boy off the rail, there's a dear. He's going to beat a poor old lady out of her life's savings." She snatched the dice cup, leaving the dice behind, and turned back to Rikash. "Something of hers for you. Use it well." With that she swung herself out off the balcony, vanishing without so much as silver mist. Daine gave a cry and ran to the banister to peer after her.
"Who was that? What were you doing with her?" She sounded confused and a little bit frightened by what she had just witnessed.
Rikash stared at her, surprised and amused at her worry for the goddess. He had assumed that the Graveyard Hag had made herself visible to only him. "You saw her? Who was she?"
"The poor old slave they made clean my rooms this morning!"
The idea of the Graveyard Hag cleaning was too much. Rikash burst out laughing. "Oh, indeed? Well, if you want to believe that, go right ahead. You'll learn." Daine regarded him suspiciously.
"There's something you're not telling me."
Rikash was indignant. "No, it's her. Ask her what she's not telling you." His eyes fell on the spot where the dice had been and he paused when he realised it was a feather.
Something of hers for you. Use it well.
Zircah's feather. His annoyance tapered off as he added, "And be careful. She's tricky." Now what on earth could he be expected to do with that?
Daine followed his gaze and stared at the steel feather. "Are you moulting?" She asked in surprise. "Do you moult? You don't look like you lost a feather."
Oh no, just an ally, Rikash though bitterly as he snapped, "Never mind that." He near bit his tongue in two as she turned to leave. "No – wait. Please." There must have been just enough desperation in his tone to sway her. She turned around again and crossed her arms impatiently, waiting. But Rikash was wondering where to begin, and sat in silence for a time.
"Anything?" Daine asked, impatience getting the better of her. "You left in a hurry before."
"I would apologise for my rudeness, if I had manners. Happily, I don't. You ought to try our shape sometime. People expect you to be crude. I'm told it's liberating for most humans."
The simplicity of the plan was so brilliant it stunned him for a moment.
You don't have to kill a mortal to take them away from everything that makes them so.
So… but how to get the feather to Ozorne? He couldn't do it in front of Jokhun; the pretender would know the effects of what he was planning, and would surely let it slip to protect his own interests. Against all else, he made a quick prayer to the Graveyard Hag.
Daine snorted. "You won't catch me that way. Numair warned me what happens when humans take on the shape of immortals – we can't change back."
"Wanted to try dragon's shape, did you?" Rikash replied, and was rewarded by Daine sticking out her tongue at him. He smiled. She reminded him of Maura, sometimes.
"I wasn't lying, about the Stormwings in the menagerie." She picked up Zircah's feather and poked the rail with it, careful to keep her flesh clear of its bladed edges. Rikash felt the rage bubble up again.
"I know." He said angrily. "I saw them – Barzha, and Hebakh. They told me how they came to be there. And…" He looked away. "When Zircah left during the feast, she was captured, also."
Daine looked sad. "I'm sorry."
"I'm angry, not sorry." Rikash replied harshly, though it was not exactly true. "Jokhun lied when he took over our flock. He said he killed Barzha and Hebakh in combat, and their bodies dropped into one of your oceans. We believed him because we were tired of battles… Stormwings, tired of battles! We betrayed her, just as he did. And to find this smiling, lying mortal in league with him-" He broke off as humans appeared on the terrace, globes lit with magic sailing overhead to light their way. Ozorne led them, and Rikash also recognised Lady Alanna and Duke Gareth, both Tortallan nobility. Rikash glanced at Daine as he tried to get his emotions under control. "Follow my lead. Please," he added at her dubious expression.
"Veralidaine, and Lord Rikash," The emperor classed them and greeted them with the same words. "Now here is an odd pairing. We had heard this young lady hates Stormwings."
Rikash shrugged, trying his very hardest to appear casual and not as though he wanted to rip Ozorne's throat out. "We value a good enemy, imperial Majesty. If I may be permitted to say so, opponents come in many guises. It is well to get to know them all." The emperor nodded sagely. Rikash made a mental sneer. Smile all you want now, your imperial Majesty, but I will be the one laughing when all this comes to an end.
"Forgive my departure earlier, but I had thought of a gift to make to you, as a personal token of my appreciation for our association. It would be my very great pleasure if you would accept it. Give it to him, if you please," He told Daine imperiously, as though this was a deal they had already struck, as though they were on the same side. She haltingly offered it to Ozorne, obviously confused by the exchange.
The emperor smiled and took the feather carefully. "Is some particular virtue attached to this gift?"
"Indeed. Any such token from an immortal has-" Death attached, you crocodile-grinning vermin. "-qualities. Heed me: If ever you are in peril of life and throne – and it must be peril which drives you, not curiosity – take this feather and thrust it into your flesh. When it mixes with your blood, you will fly from your enemies as if winged with steel, and escape beyond the Black God's reach for all time." His voice had taken on an unearthly ringing tone. Rikash wondered if the Graveyard Hag had added to the drama of the moment for her own amusement, or to aid him.
Ozorne's amber eyes were cool as he replied. "Neither our life nor our throne is in peril, Lord Rikash, nor do we believe they will ever be. Our hold on our empire is firm."
Rikash smiled and nodded agreement. I bet you don't. "But the wheel turns. What is up may come down; what is brought low may rise. The gods are not fickle – but they have been known to change their minds. One day you will know the value of Stormwing esteem." And also the value of having none of it at all, he added within his mind as he offered a careful bow to the emperor. Having dismissed the man, he turned to Daine.
"I never know what to make of you," He told her truthfully. "I suppose I never will." He took off and moved as far away from the palace as he dared, wondering where Jokhun could be. He did not think he could risk a return to the palace tonight, not even after mouthing platitudes and gifting Ozorne with the feather. He hoped he had done enough, because he wasn't sure how much more pretending he could take. His blood was boiling as he flew to where Stone Tree Nation had last made their eyries in Carthak and greeted Jokhun as courteously as he could.
"Where is Zircah?" Jokhun demanded. Rikash tried to be casual.
"Probably talking to her precious animals." He sneered uncaringly, huddling down in what had been her eyrie, once. "What care we? She was nothing but an irritating female." He cowled his wings above his head and was surprised to find that he was actually rather hurt she had gone and gotten herself attacked. It just wasn't very Zircah-like. He wondered how long it would be before Daine fulfilled her part in the prophecy, so that his own plan could go into effect.
Barzha watched over Zircah worriedly. She was growing paler by the minute, breathing hoarsely as she slept on. Barzha glanced at her mate, who shrugged.
"At least she is sleeping relatively peacefully, Barzha." He said softly. It was all the comfort he could offer. Barzha was about to nod when Zircah gave a sudden, short exhalation of shock and started murmuring softly and frantically to herself in the Stormwing tongue. It was too soft for either of the Stormwing monarchs to make out properly, but they caught the name of a dragon and several calls for the goddess, Shakith, and Rikash. Slowly the whisperings faded into silence once more. Barzha had almost begun to relax when Zircah began to scream.
~*~
A/N: :( Poor Zircah. Had to be done, I'm afraid. I'll have the next instalment up as soon as possible, but I'm not making any deadlines, because that will jinx it. *giggle* Your support is greatly appreciated, so please take a few seconds to review! Many thanks. :)
Nogard, before I forget – Zircah didn't heal the birds because Daine had already healed them! She just came through while they were sleeping off the effects of Daine's little magic inoculation. ^^ Okies?
And Wyrren.. I swear, I will never complain about how short my chapters are again! XD