Chapter Twenty-Five
Unleash
The silver streaks of moonlight cut across the room through gaps in the curtains. The fabric gently billowed as the breeze caressed them. The walls were bare, the only significant item was an armour stand currently holding a set of blued plate. An unusual looking weapon rested on the table next to it, the blades on both ends of the haft curved and razor-sharp.
Kneeling on the floor, her head bowed, Luna gathered her thoughts, trying to smother her rising impatience.
Mirana was taking too long.
Sighing irritably, Luna stood and tied back her long white hair. She padded over to the stand and donned her armour. She preferred to do this herself, having modified the armour so that she could buckle it into place herself.
She took up her weapon and strode from the squat, fortified building at the end of the commune which served as the headquarters of the Dark Moon Order's military arm.
Her night-beast, Nova, was waiting for her. She raised her large head and grunted softly. Luna lifted her hand as she passed, palm facing the leonine creature. Nova relaxed and did not follow.
Luna passed a circular space as she walked, a depression flanked by flowerbeds and carefully manicured shrubs. It felt strange to see it empty after five years of seeing Mirana's mute servant practising within. Whenever Mirana had been communing with Selemene, her handmaiden had often come to this spot, attacking the empty air with fist and foot, eyes utterly focused on something she could see only in her mind's eye—a phantom opponent, Luna supposed.
They had never been friends. Luna did not care for mercy, and Marci had been allowed to stay out of charity. She had prayed at the masses and performed her duties as a guardian of the Temple, but Luna could tell that she was not as devout as she should have been. She had joined the Order only for Mirana's sake.
When the time had come, she had failed miserably. Selemene had rightfully declared her exiled unless she could redeem herself. Much to Selemene's chagrin, Mirana had shouldered the blame too and set off with Marci.
Luna did not like Mirana either.
They had been without a Princess of the Moon for three years prior to Mirana's arrival. They'd had a High Priestess, but Selemene had not chosen a consort from amongst the commune.
And then Mirana had turned up with her mute servant, both clad in dirty, cheap, ill-fitting clothing which they had likely stolen. They had both been lost, hungry and aimless.
Luna had not thought much of them when she and her Moon Riders had confronted them, though she had been faintly impressed by the handmaiden's bravery. Despite being confronted by ten potential foes all riding fearsome night-beasts, she had immediately adopted a combat stance and moved to defend Mirana. Mirana had told them that they had not intended to trespass and were in desperate need of sanctuary.
They had looked wretched. Even as she stood with her feet apart and fists raised, Marci had been swaying on the spot, exhausted, starving and cold. They had come a long way, fleeing from something dangerous. Whatever it was, it had been enough to make them spend the previous year on the run.
Per her orders, Luna had brought them both before the High Priestess. During Mirana's explanations, the High Priestess had been called away to speak with Selemene.
Tense minutes had passed. Luna had kept her hand on her weapon the whole time, watching Mirana's petite bodyguard as she had watched her in turn. Though younger, smaller and weakened by hunger and fatigue, the girl had not been afraid of Luna. As someone whose name had instilled fear in her enemies for years, even before joining the Dark Moon Order, Luna had resented her for this simple act of defiance. She had toyed with the idea of demanding that the girl stand and prove herself worthy of her attitude. She had also considered having her thrown back into the woods to be eaten by the wild night-beasts, or just lopping her head off then and there.
Then the High Priestess had returned, stunned, and ordered her attendants to take Mirana and Marci to lodgings, draw baths for them, prepare fresh clothing and food, and have Mirana enter the Temple when ready.
Luna had continued to watch over Marci as Mirana had met with Selemene. Some sort of bargain was struck, with Mirana and her servant being allowed to join the Dark Moon Order. Selemene had kept summoning Mirana to speak with Her, and less than three months after her arrival the High Priestess had declared that Mirana was now the Princess of the Moon. The High Priestess had stepped down, taking a lesser position as ordained.
Luna had been appalled at Mirana's nerve when she had figured out what she and Selemene had agreed on that first meeting. Mirana had done what no other priestess chosen by Selemene had ever done: she had only accepted the great honour of serving the goddess after making a demand of Selemene: she would serve Selemene if Marci was given the choice to stay too. What right had she, a newly arrived and chosen acolyte, to demand anything of a goddess?
The silver armoured sentinels outside the temple stood at attention, their crescent-bladed glaives glittering in the moonlight. Luna swept past them without a word.
Luna was one of the very few permitted to enter the temple at will, unless Selemene Herself barred her way. She marched through the ranks of worshippers as they prayed and made straight for the inner sanctum.
The Silver Warden stood aside for her. Evidently she was expected. Little within the commune escaped Selemene's watch, save the dark powers of the thief who had so angered Her.
Even deities had rules to abide by.
Luna stepped into the perfectly circular chamber which was the inner sanctum. Arrayed around the walls were bas-reliefs of the moon in its various phases. At the every end of the room, where the depiction of the full moon hung high above, was an elegantly carved throne of flawless white marble, atop a semi-circular dais.
Luna went down on one knee and bowed her head, awaiting the question.
'Do you love me?' The voice which flowed forth was smooth and faintly accented, the words cool and soft.
'With all of my heart and soul, my lady.' Luna responded, her own accent more obvious and her voice stronger. She kept her head bowed as pure silver and white light merged and streamed across the chamber. She heard slow, deliberate footfalls on the steps of the dais.
'Rise, Luna.'
Luna did as she was bidden, standing to meet the gaze of the goddess she served. As always, the breath caught in her throat.
Standing seven feet tall, achingly beautiful and incredibly formed, Selemene gazed at her with amethyst eyes, Her long silver and white hair flowing down Her back and across Her shoulders. She was clad in pure white garments which almost blended with Her pale, luminous skin. Her face was sharp and striking, possessed of features even a master sculptor, though longing to do them justice, would never have been able to carve.
'What troubles you, Luna?' Selemene continued to speak softly, and She no doubt knew what vexed Luna. She always did.
'My lady,' Luna stood tall, like the sentinels outside. 'I beg your leave to join the hunt for the one who stole your sacred lotuses.'
Selemene smiled. Though it was a hauntingly mesmerising smile, there was hardly any warmth within. 'I would have expected nothing less.' An understatement, considering that Luna had already voiced her desire for retribution many times. 'You ardour and zeal please me as always, Luna, but I have faith in my chosen Princess.'
'With respect, my lady, she defied you in leaving.'
Selemene turned to regard the depiction of the waning moon on the wall. 'I gave her my blessing to leave. The lotuses which were taken were under the watch of her servant, a woman she swore responsibility for. Her choice saddened me, but it was her duty.'
Luna frowned briefly. As one of the temple guardians, Marci had been charged with protecting the sacred pools as well as Mirana. As Mirana's servant, she had been chosen to guard some of the most important lotuses in the commune, ones potent with the power of Selemene—some would say the power of Mene, if they were blasphemous. Her inability to protect them had meant that she was charged with retrieving them, yet Mirana still saw it as her duty rather than Marci's.
'My lady,' Luna stepped forwards. 'The lotuses stolen from us are too powerful to lose. I believe that I can find the one responsible.'
Selemene did not turn to face her. 'I know who is responsible, Luna. But he is beyond your reach and mine.' She finally turned to face Luna and slowly descended the steps until She was before Luna. With careful deliberation, She cupped Luna's chin and lifted her head. Her skin was cool and Luna briefly shuddered as her own flesh tingled, the power of her goddess tangible in Her touch. 'But there are others who must be punished.' Selemene whispered, every word sending a faint shiver down Luna's spine. How must it have felt for Mirana to commune with Selemene? How Luna envied her.
'Name them, my lady,' Luna breathed, unable to raise her voice. 'I will see them answer for their crimes. Give me the command and it shall be done.'
Selemene smiled down at the champion of the Moon Riders. 'Our enemies are gathering, Luna. Seek the enclave of Coedwig. Find it and raze it to the ground. This is my command.'
She released Luna's chin. Luna dropped to her knees and lowered her head once again. 'It shall be done, my lady. By the light of the moon, I swear it.'
Silver light flowed around her, filling the chamber. It was as if the moon itself had descended to bathe Luna in its soothing radiance.
When the light faded, Luna looked up once more. Selemene had departed, but Luna was not alone. Selemene would watch over her, as She always did.
Luna strode from the room, tense and eager to carry out her lady's will. When she reached the entrance, she called for one of her soldiers. 'Gather the Moon Riders. Tell them to prepare themselves for battle. Tonight, we ride to war.'
Lina leaned back, gazing up into the sky. Following Gavenus' advice, she was not wearing her hood.
She felt excited and tense. They had come so far in such a short time. Their little conspiracy had grown into a full-fledged potential rebellion. All it had taken was Kashurra's news that Mirana was alive to finally galvanise the others into agreeing on a plan.
They had needed hope, and he had provided it.
Lina sighed. She still remembered being brought to Rasolir for the first time.
Misrule had just been annexed after some token resistance. Janulus had heard of Lina's reputation, powers and how the people of Misrule respected her. Shabarra had thought about having her killed to send a message. Kashurra had instead suggested bringing her to Rasolir as "an honoured guest and representative of Misrule". A hostage. They'd given her a room in a decent inn and left her to stew, since Shabarra was too afraid of her to let her anywhere near the palace.
Lina had felt lost and oppressed in Rasolir. Though she was mostly free to wander, she knew that she was carefully watched. Stuck in this strange, massive city with no friends and plenty of enemies who would love to see her dead, she had meandered aimlessly, aching to incinerate the people who had denied Misrule freedom.
She had come to this bench during that first month, believing that she would never see Misrule again. She had glared up at the massive edifice which was the palace in the middle of this overlarge city, looming over everything, gloating back at her. She could imagine Shabarra sneering at her discomfort from one of the many balconies. She would have loved to burn the damn thing down. Even stone could melt if you applied enough heat.
"Would you mind if I joined you, my dear?"
Those had been the first friendly words she had heard in Rasolir.
The man who had sat next to her obviously knew who she was, and he had not been afraid of her. He had sat down calmly and introduced himself as Senator Gavenus. He had told her that he had seen her here before, lonely and friendless in this vast city. He had had suggested that she come with him to meet some friends, enjoy her time in Rasolir even if she was a hostage.
"I'm not keen on politicians." Lina had warned him. "Especially the ones here."
"We're not all bad, my dear." Gavenus had smiled at her. "Why not meet them anyway? How bad could it be? You might be surprised."
She had been.
Gavenus had taken her to an upper-class tavern and escorted her to a private room upstairs, where Janulus' spies could not follow without being noticed. There, she had met with people who, like her, wanted Shabarra gone.
Lina had been surprised to see Kashurra there too, and had revised her opinion of the man during that meeting. She had hated him, knowing that he had arranged to have her brought here as a hostage. But it turned out that he had actually done that to save her life, otherwise she would have been killed to set an example for the rest of Misrule.
Lina wasn't sure about calling the others friends. They had spent more time arguing over what to do than anything else. But Gavenus had always been sympathetic. Though he was patient, he also understood her desire to act rather than debate. At least they all knew that they could trust her without question. She would never sell them out to Shabarra.
Weirdly, she had gained the impression that Kashurra might have despised Shabarra more than she did. He hid his emotions so well that he might have appeared to have no feeling, yet he had worked harder than any of them to bring Shabarra down. He had put himself at the most risk, deliberately misleading Shabarra and feeding the conspirators information. Though he never said it overtly, Lina knew that he hated what Shabarra was doing to the once glorious Helio Imperium.
How he had survived the Bloody Dance, she did not know. All he had told her when asked was that he had been careful.
Keen to help Misrule, and even the Imperium, by getting rid of the paranoid tyrant on the Solar Throne, Lina had kept attending the meetings. They made her feel useful, even if they got little done. This little act of defiance had felt good.
It was not so little now.
They were almost ready to strike.
Lina glanced at the sun dial beside the bench. It was time for the next step.
It took Lina half-an-hour to find her way to the meeting point. A keen, seemingly asleep, was waiting for her in the alleyway. As she approached, he tapped his foot against the concealed grate. It slid open and Lina quickly descended the ladder. The grate slid back into place and she was plunged into darkness.
Lina sighed. 'There's no need to keep me in suspense.'
'I can't get this damn thing to light. Hold on.'
Lina folded her arms. After another second of scraping, sparks flickered and flames flared. The Wraith was standing with one of her oglodi bodyguards, her arms also folded.
'Sorry, Boss.' the oglodi muttered, holding aloft the torch.
'Don't worry about it. Let's just get going.' The Wraith rasped. 'Right this way, Slayer.'
They set off down the tunnels. These were not the same as the ones used by prostitutes and lecherous noblemen. These tunnels had been built long before, maybe three or four generations after the city had been built. These had once been alleyways, built over and largely forgotten about. They had been used by workers from the slums to get around, out of sight, sound and mind of the richer folks.
Like the other tunnels, few remembered them. Janulus knew of a few and even used them, but this one was solely under the control of the Wraith. She had made it look like it had collapsed. One of her specialities was camouflage. She was a clever woman. If she continued to support them, and Lina trusted her to do so if only for vengeance, she would be a great help to Mirana when she took the Solar Throne.
They couldn't have used a barge for this. There were no canals in the Old District. Instead, their footsteps echoed in the darkness as they walked. The Wraith and her bodyguard did not have much to say.
Lina watched the torch and the flickering light it cast against the old walls. Here and there were old doorways, long since blocked with bricks and mortar. A few doorways were still open, used by the Wraith to store illegal goods.
'Have you thought about what you're going to do?'
'You mean if we survive this, right?' The Wraith shrugged. 'I live day by day. All I plan is what goes in and out, beyond that I'm adaptable. I have to be. Either something unexpected will happen, or I'll get arrested and executed.' She paused and grimaced. 'Getting killed would be unexpected too, actually.'
'Not now, it wouldn't.'
'No, I suppose not.'
'You didn't answer my question.'
The Wraith huffed croakily, then cleared her throat. 'Not public speaking, that's for sure.'
'Janulus is going to end up gone, one way or another.' Lina stated.
'What are you saying?'
'You're well connected. You run a tricky business which relies on subtlety.' Lina explained. 'When the Princess takes over, she'll need a new spymaster. You won't have to do much public speaking.'
'And I'm the right person for that?' The Wraith scoffed. 'Me? I'm a criminal. I'm an elven outcast with no decent standing in this city. She'll want somebody else. Somebody from a noble family who knows everybody.'
'You're better connected, and you've only done this to survive.' Lina insisted. 'And your standing won't matter. You do know that the Princess' handmaiden was a slum-rat, don't you?'
'Heard a rumour. Your point?'
'My point is that we made you a promise, and according to Kashurra, Mirana isn't the sort who will ignore potential because of your origins.'
'I'm still a criminal.'
'A criminal who is now helping her to reclaim the Solar Throne. Maybe she believes in second chances too. You're not the only one to turn to crime for survival because of Shabarra.'
The Wraith sighed. 'No. You're not wrong. Many of my people are slum-dwellers with no other prospects, thanks to Shabarra. He's either sold their families or done whatever he can to keep them out of honest work. He doesn't give a damn about them.' She coughed. 'But no matter what we do, it won't bring the ones we lost back.'
'Nothing ever will. But we can make things better for the people who are left, and the ones who will follow.'
The Wraith chuckled croakily. 'Slayer, I think you've been spending too much time with the politicians.'
'A necessary partnership.'
'I never asked what's in this for you.'
'I want Misrule to be free.' Lina answered simply. 'I'll at least settle for having somebody decent watching over my home.'
'And?'
'And what? That's it.'
'And you think that Princess Mirana is the right ruler?'
'Not just because it's her birthright and not just because the Senate voted to have her made the heir before Shabarra took over. She used to be a little bit like Shabarra when she was child. She was young, spoilt, entitled. And then she changed.' Lina paused, taking a breath. 'Kashurra told me all about it, because I had my doubts too. She changed because she met an injured little girl from the slums and felt sorry for her.'
'You trust Kashurra? He's a slippery one. He managed to keep his position after the Bloody Dance, despite his apparent loyalty to Mirana's father.'
'He's put himself at risk for us. I'd say that it's thanks to him that we haven't all been rounded up and executed.'
'And what's to stop him from betraying us later?'
'He's walked too far into the desert to turn back now.'
'Fair enough.' The Wraith accepted. 'I guess the same goes for me.'
'It goes for all of us.' Lina said. 'You never did tell me your real name.'
'Not now, Slayer. Maybe if we win, I'll tell you then. For now, I am a smuggler. Maybe when Shabarra is gone, I can be somebody else.'
'We're here, Boss.' the oglodi announced. They had stopped under another concealed grate. The oglodi put out the torch, plunging the tunnel into darkness once again, and then banged it against the ladder.
The grate was pulled back and Lina and the Wraith climbed back up into daylight. Both women pulled cloths over their mouths and noses. The plague was less prevalent in this area of the Old District, but still a hazard. They were also trying to avoid being identified.
Gavenus had been unsure of allowing Lina to come down here, but she had been adamant. If she was supposed to rally the common people, then she would have to stand before them sooner or later. Kashurra had agreed, and along with the Wraith had found the safest place for this meeting.
'Wait there.' The Wraith called down to her subordinate. 'We won't be long.'
The two of them moved through the narrow streets, the rough, dirty ground passing under their boots. Both of them were wearing unassuming clothing and had their hoods up. Although Shabarra had ordered the Watch to quarantine the slums, they were not patrolling the streets. So long as they steered clear of the edge of the slums, they would be relatively safe.
It was the potential informers who worried Lina. Poverty made people desperate.
The horrible truth was that the plague itself was not actually that dangerous. It was the lack of decent medicine which was killing people here. If they survived the plague itself, their weakened bodies inevitably failed without proper care.
The Wraith knew this all too well. She had been trying to smuggle various medicines into the slums. Despite her bluster about making money, Lina knew that she was acting out of pity. Just about everybody who worked for her knew somebody down here. They risked their necks for her, she considered it only fair to try to help their families.
Lina held the cloth tighter against her mouth as they passed a fly-stricken body in the alleyway. The pustules across the corpse had burst and the air around the body was fetid and rank.
Lina looked away. The corpse was that of a boy, left where he had died out of fear of the plague. He couldn't have been older than fifteen.
'Shabarra could have stopped this.' The Wraith hissed. 'There are more than enough apothecaries in this city with everything we need to save these people.'
'The plague would spread.'
'The plague isn't the problem, it's what happens after. It's already struck Tarrin, and they managed to deal with it without this happening.' The Wraith muttered. 'Besides, the plague will spread when it starts.' She had no need to explain what "it" was. 'A risk you're prepared to take, I assume.'
'I'm here, aren't I?'
They turned the next corner, with Lina allowing the Wraith to move ahead of her. The elf knew these streets much better than Lina did. As Lina followed, she heard women wailing in the distance and he tolling of a handbell, followed by the grim call of: 'Bring out your dead!'
Yes, the plague would spread once the rebellion began. The Senators on their side were prepared to order every physician and apothecary in the city to get to work once Shabarra was gone. Gavenus and Kashurra were confident that it could be stopped. Nevertheless, both Lina and the Wraith had several infusions and mixtures waiting for them.
The warehouse door creaked open on rusty hinges as they stepped inside. This was one of the few buildings in the slums large enough for the meeting.
Dust hung heavy in the air. This warehouse had not been used for years. Lina could smell rotten wood. She could hear a rat scrabbling around near the back, clawing at the walls.
Inside were five men and seven women. All of them were thin and clad in tattered clothes. Lina noticed that one man was missing his arm below the elbow and one of the women was blind, the skin around her eyes puckered with scar tissue—she was supported by an older woman who might have been her sister.
Despite their raggedness, these twelve people were amongst the most influential in the slums. They were not necessarily rich, but they were all outspoken critics of Shabarra and had made the greatest efforts to treat plague victims.
Lina and the Wraith both removed the cloths from their faces and pulled back their hoods. Lina inclined her head respectfully, the Wraith simply folded her arms and glowered.
'Didn't think you'd risk coming here.' This came from the man with the amputated forearm. 'Thought the plague would keep you away, or that this was a trap.'
'Then you risked just as much as we did.' Lina told him, extending her left hand in deference to his lost limb. 'We appreciate you meeting with us.'
The man shook her hand warily. 'I am Tarim. The others have chosen me to speak for them.' He was older than the others, and more careworn.
'My name is Lina. And this is the Wraith.'
'You, we have heard of.' Tarim stated. He jerked his head towards the Wraith. 'You too. I won't pretend to be ungrateful to you for smuggling medicine to us, even if you drag my people into a life of crime.'
'We all do what we have to do these days.' The Wraith muttered. 'Tell me, how many people have you been forced to imprison in their own homes to die, just to keep the plague from spreading?'
Tarim's face hardened. 'Too many. I know what you want to ask of me, but though I agree with your goals, I cannot help you.'
'But—' Lina began.
'My people are suffering, Lina. We are too sick and too weak to fight. We would be slaughtered by the hundreds when the legions arrive.'
'This is some trick,' the blind woman uttered. 'Shabarra would love nothing more than to kill us all.'
'If he wanted that, what's stopping him from sending soldiers in to just cut you all down?' Lina countered. 'If he really wanted to, he could. He doesn't care if his soldiers catch the plague, he can replace them.' Lina stepped forwards and laid her hand on the blind woman's shoulder. 'I know that you are scared. I can't fault you for that. But we have a plan and it will work. We can be rid of Shabarra once and for all.'
'And then what?' Somebody else spoke up from the back of the gathering. 'What would change? We'd still be the lowest of the low! We'd still starve. Maybe the slavers wouldn't come back, but we'd still be in the shit!'
Lina moved into the gathering. The Wraith hung back, leaning against a post. 'I cannot promise that things will change immediately, or that you will have prosperity.' Lina told them truthfully. 'But things will change. I can promise you that. We are already prepared to open places in the Senate for you and people like you. Your voices will be heard, and they will be listened to.'
'Bullshit!'
'Peace!' Talim called over his shoulder. 'And how can you guarantee this? Shabarra is the only member of the royal family left alive. Who will rule when he is gone? The Senate? This city would tear itself apart in weeks.'
'We will have a new leader, a better one.' Lina promised.
'Who?' the blind woman demanded. 'One of your Senators? This criminal? You?'
'Me, but only for a short time.' Lina glanced at the Wraith, who cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. This was a dangerous move, but they were so close now. 'What I tell you now must not spread beyond these walls. Not yet. If Shabarra hears of this, he will purge the slums and we will have to abandon our plans. If you tell anybody this secret, Shabarra will win and nothing will change, save that more of us will die.' Lina paused, taking in a deep breath before speaking again. 'Shabarra failed on the night of the Bloody Dance. Yes, he took the Solar Throne, but he failed to destroy the royal line. Princess Mirana is alive, and once Shabarra is gone she will return to take her rightful place.'
A collective gasp erupted from the slum-dwellers, followed by muttering and whispers. The Wraith blinked slowly. She had not been sure about revealing Mirana's survival, but Lina felt that they'd had no choice.
'You are certain of this?' Talim asked.
'Absolutely.'
'And what makes her a better ruler?' This came from another man, one whose face was lopsided courtesy of an overzealous guard.
'She is her father's daughter.' Lina answered calmly. 'Did he not prevent the slavers from taking your families? And Mirana knows what life is like here. She knows that you exist. Her handmaiden was born here, in these slums. She still lives too. Do you think that she'll let the Princess forget about you?'
'It's been six years. How do you know that she will return?'
'It's her duty as well as her birthright. And this is her home.' Lina answered firmly. 'She will return.'
'Even if she does not,' the Wraith stepped forwards, speaking as clearly as she could. 'I would gladly take the chance to replace Shabarra with somebody better, even if it's just for a day. And even if this city descends into anarchy, wouldn't it be worth it to see that bastard's head on the end of a spike?'
Talim frowned. 'Is that what you're fighting for? Revenge?'
'Is that not a good enough reason?' The Wraith indicated her seared flesh. 'When a man orders you and your family burned alive just for trying to start a new life, just for being different, wouldn't you want nothing more than to kill him? He killed my family in one night, just for being elves. He's been killing you for six years, because he couldn't care less about you. And he won't stop. Fast or slow, he will let you die from neglect, from disease, from starvation, or he will decide to get it over with and let you die upon the swords of his soldiers.' The Wraith paused to clear her throat and resumed with the same raspy voice, 'I say that we should get it over with. We should march on that bloody palace of his and tear him apart!' The Wraith moved to Lina's side. 'And this is who will lead us when that day comes. Follow Lina, and we will see Shaburra burn.'
That struck a chord with the doubters. The assent was louder now, and Lina knew that if nothing else would unite these people, anger would. As the Wraith had said, they had watched their people die from neglect, get snatched by slavers or be hauled off for an execution for six years. Mirana could not be any worse.
And if she was...
The conspirators, by Kashurra's advice, had decided that Lina would make a good figurehead for a rebellion. She would likely become regent until Mirana returned.
If need be, she would remain as such.
'Awaken.'
Her head pounded, throbbing towards the back of her skull.
'Awaken. They need you.'
That voice... it was familiar. Where had she heard it before?
Marci opened her eyes, squinting as bright light stabbed into them. She blinked and the light vanished. She blinked again to reduce the blurriness.
The sky was overcast and moody. She was propped against a rock with her arms and legs bound. Marci lifted her arms and peered at the rope around her wrists. She managed to avoid smirking.
These people were good at fighting dragons, but hauling prisoners around was new to them. They had left her wrists crossed over when they had tied them. That meant that she could loosen the rope at least a little. If she had been conscious when they had tied her, this would have been easier.
This was not the first time she had been restrained like this. As part of her training, she had been taught various methods of escaping captivity. The trick was to free herself without being noticed.
This would hurt though.
Her head throbbed again. Cautiously, Marci lifted her arms again and probed at the back of her skull, wincing when she found a painful lump.
She could still think properly. She wasn't blacking out, she hadn't thrown up, she could count the people moving around the makeshift camp. No concussion then. That was lucky.
Mirana was opposite her, watching the Dragon Knights and their squires scurry around. Marci caught her eye and nodded to indicate that she was fine. Fymryn was tied up next to her, looking fearful.
Marci looked around carefully, spotting Davion tied to a tree and more securely bound than she was.
There was no sign of Sagan. He would be following them, but was staying out of sight unless called. That was good.
Marci glanced around, then started to rotate her wrists. The rope was rough against her skin, even through the cuffs of her tunic.
'Oi!' A Dragon Knight stomped over. 'Stay still!'
Marci glowered at him, then shifted her legs in an attempt to regain the feeling. The Dragon Knight reached for his weapon.
A hand encased in a gauntlet made of orange scales closed on his wrist. 'Stand away.' It was the female Dragon Knight, Eserren.
The Knight scowled, then released his weapon and stood back. Eserren was clearly the one in charge. The junior Knight seemed to resent this, and Marci wondered if this could be an advantage. As Davion had implied, Eserren was an exception. Few women were allowed to join the Dragon Knights. For some of these men, taking orders from a woman must have been galling. The fact that she had chosen an elf to be her squire must have added insult to injury.
Slowly, Eserren knelt in front of Marci and peered at her. She was too far away to kick, and it wasn't like Marci could easily propel herself forwards like this. 'Who are you? You wear the colours of the Dark Moon Order. But you are no priestess.'
Marci simply glared at her.
'Kaden said she's a Demon.' the sullen Knight reminded Eserren. 'We should kill her and be done with it.'
Eserren did not respond. 'Who are you?'
This was going to be a very one-sided interrogation. Marci did not want to talk to Eserren, and with her hands bound she could not sign. She was not going to whistle either. Unless told to, she would not give anything away.
'She can't talk.' Eserren turned her head towards Mirana, who was watching the futile exchange.
'Why?' Eserren asked.
Mirana glanced at Marci. 'That's none of your business.'
'I will decide what is my business.' Eserren stood and strode over to Mirana. 'You, on the other hand, are clearly a priestess of some kind. How else could you use a starstorm spell?'
Mirana was surprised. 'You know of Selemene's blessings?'
'I know what She does to Her enemies.' Eserren's eyes twitched towards the blonde elf bustling around one of the tents, humming as she worked. 'Do you?'
Mirana narrowed her eyes. 'I will not listen to your lies.'
'I am no liar. I am a Knight.' Eserren stated. 'Others may take their oaths lightly. But I do not.'
'Mum?' The blonde elf hurried over. 'Take a look at this!' She held out the eye-shaped amulet Marci had been wearing.
Eserren took it and frowned. 'Whose is it?'
'I think it's hers.' Caewyn pointed at Marci and moved over. 'Hello! Is that amulet yours?'
Marci continued to glare.
'No hard feelings?' Caewyn said. 'You scared me when you used Halcan as a shield, but he's still alive—mostly—so I can forgive you. Is it yours? It's very nice.'
'She can't talk.' Mirana repeated. 'If you untie her hands, I can translate for you.'
'Nice try.' Caewyn called over her shoulder, still sounding cheery.
Fymryn was watching Caewyn keenly. She called out to her in elvish.
'Sorry, I don't understand.' Caewyn told her.
Fymryn looked both surprised and affronted. 'You don't speak elvish?'
'Nope.' Caewyn stated simply. 'All I left my village with was my name.'
'Caewyn,' Eserren called. 'Best prepare the rest, and get the Warbler working. Sir Kaden will be here soon.'
Marci froze and cast a frightened look at Davion. How could Kaden be arriving so soon?
Davion had neglected to mention the transportation scrolls used by the Dragon Knights. With Caewyn bustling off again, Marci began to work her hands, trying to pull her right hand free of the rope.
Caewyn pulled a strange looking object from one of the sacks. It looked like an oval shaped mesh cage with a green gem inside. She gave it a shake and it began to pulse. Davion twitched and squinted.
'What is that?' Mirana demanded, trying to keep attention away from Marci.
'Oh, this?' Caewyn held it up. 'It's a Warbler. Funny name, considering that we can't hear it. I wonder what it sounds like to a dragon.' She cocked her head. 'I think it sounds like this...' She opened her mouth and made a bizarre ululating noise, sounding like a startled and confused turkey.
Marci cast a look over at Davion. He kept looking round, eyes wide and staring. Marci guessed that the Warbler was having an effect on him.
It affected dragons, that much was obvious. Would it force him to transform?
It was time for drastic measures.
Marci steeled herself, taking in a deep breath and gritting her teeth. This was one of the few times when she was glad that she had no voice.
Mirana caught her eye, guessing what she intended. 'Hey!' Mirana yelled. 'You have no right to hold me prisoner! I am the Princess of the Moon and you will listen to me!'
Eserren scowled at her. 'Be silent.'
'No! I will not! You will bloody well listen to me.' Mirana retorted. 'I am on a sacred mission for Selemene.'
'I don't care.' Eserren stomped over. 'Your blighted goddess can rot.'
Mirana was stunned. Finally, she spoke with a low, breathy whisper. 'You dare?'
The other Dragon Knights were all watching Eserren and Mirana. It had to be now.
Marci deliberately popped her right thumb out of its socket. Eyes screwed shut and watering, she began to pull her wrist free. She felt her fingers sliding through the rope. She kept her head down to hide her streaming eyes, peering out from under her damp lashes.
Oddly, Marci could also dislocate her right shoulder at will with a bit of effort. It was one of the legacies of that attack fourteen years ago. The same thing had happened when she had accidentally caught her thumb in a door.
Fortunately, she had no need to wrench her shoulder this time—that was agonising.
Carefully keeping her wrists together, her freed hand under the rope, she pushed her thumb back into place, keeping herself from wincing. She kept her teeth clamped together throughout, having bitten her tongue the last time she had done this.
'You cannot be serious.' Mirana breathed, now not just trying to distract the Dragon Knights. 'I have served Selemene for five years. She deserves our love.'
'Does She?' Eserren knelt and leaned in close to Mirana, her voice low. 'And what happens to those who refuse Her?'
'Mum?' Caewyn had crept over. For once her voice was melancholy. She laid a hand on Eserren's shoulder. 'Mum, it's all right. We have orders.'
Slowly, carefully, Marci leaned forwards and began to work the ropes free of her legs.
Eserren sighed and stood. 'How little She has told you, Princess.'
Mirana stared up at her. 'I don't know what lies you have been told—'
'Lies? Lies?' Eserren's jaw clenched and she bared her teeth. 'No. I do not doubt what I have seen, Princess of the Moon.' She waved an armoured hand dismissively. 'I will not waste any more time on you.'
If Eserren turned now...
'Hail!' One of the Knights lifted his sword in a salute. 'Welcome, Sir Kaden!'
Marci's heart sank as she saw him ride into the clearing, his armour as sable as the gelding he rode. He dismounted without preamble and took his sword from the horse's harness. His Knights followed his lead.
'Sir Kaden,' Eserren approached him. She was as tall as he was, standing out more due to her brightly coloured armour. 'It is an honour. We are ready to take the traitor and his allies to Dragon Keep, at your command.'
Kaden eyed each of the captives. Marci noticed the loathing on his craggy face as he regarded Davion. It only grew when he gazed at her, and his right eye pulsed erratically. Had she hit him that hard?
Kaden squared his armoured shoulders and lifted his mighty sword, his armour thrumming faintly with power. 'No.'
Eserren frowned. 'Sir?'
'You have done well, Lady Eserren.' Kaden said. 'But we will not be taking the prisoners back to Dragon Keep. They are too dangerous to be left alive.'
Marci looked for Bram amongst the Knights, but there was no sign of him. Kaden might have been unhinged, but he was no fool. He had left Bram behind.
Eserren caught Kaden's shoulder and stepped in front of him, still frowning severely. 'We have orders, Sir Kaden. I understand your anger, but I intend to take these prisoners to the Fathers, alive and unharmed.'
Kaden glowered at her. 'Stand aside, Eserren.'
'No.'
'Stand aside. Now.'
One of Kaden's fellow Knights drew his sword and lifted it, ready to strike. Eserren was not wearing her helm, and he was ready to cleave her head asunder.
'Back off!' Caewyn brought her loaded crossbow up to her shoulder.
'Tell your pet to lower her weapon.' Another Knight readied his spear for a throw, aiming it at Caewyn's chest.
Eserren grimaced. 'Stand down, Caewyn.'
Caewyn reluctantly lowered her crossbow.
Kaden pushed past Eserren and approached Davion. 'I have waited a long time for my vengeance. I will not be denied now.'
Davion lifted his head, his brow creased with pain. The Warbler was filling his head with a cacophonous din of noise. 'You can kill me, Kaden. Just let the others go.'
Kaden did not answer, he simply lifted his sword and brought it down.
Marci would have screamed if she could. All she could do was try to tear the ropes off her legs, but it would be too late.
CLANG!
The clash of metal on metal was unmistakable, as was the rage in Kaden's voice as he bellowed, 'What the hell are you doing?'
His sword had been brought to a halt above Davion's head, blocked by the blade of Eserren's bardiche.
Eserren pushed the blade away and shoved Kaden back with the haft of her weapon. She brought it round skilfully, aiming the massive crescent-shaped blade at his neck. 'He was one of us, Kaden. He was a Knight.'
'He is a monster.'
'That does not matter.' Eserren grated. 'Give him a fair fight or stand down.'
'I am your superior, woman!'
'He is my prisoner!' Eserren retorted. 'Put up your weapon or be prepared to use it.'
'If you stand with him, you will die too.'
'I stand for honour.' Eserren argued. 'Or have you forgotten what that is? What kind of Dragon Knight executes an unarmed, defenceless prisoner?'
'He must die!'
'Then let the gods decide his fate. Give him a weapon and let him fight.'
'Do you not know what he is?' Kaden snarled. 'He is no longer a man. He is Slyrak. He is our enemy.'
'Then he is more than deserving of a fair fight.'
Kaden growled. 'Then you leave me no choice, Eserren.'
This must have been a signal of some sort. One of Kaden's Knights seized Caewyn and forced her to the ground, kicking aside her crossbow. He aimed the tip of his sword at her spine. The crossbow came to rest six feet away from Marci, still loaded.
Eserren froze, her jaw dropping and her eyes widening with horror.
'I knew that you would be stubborn, Eserren.' Kaden said. 'It brings me no pleasure to do this, but it is necessary. Stand down or your daughter dies.'
Eserren gave him a look of unadulterated disgust. 'And you call this man a monster.' She cast her bardiche aside. 'You should be ashamed of yourself, Kaden. Whatever you were before, you are no longer a Knight. When I return to Steelpoint Vigil, I will send a message to the Fathers. They will know what you have done.'
'I don't care.' Kaden pushed past her. 'I do what must be done.'
So did Marci.
Her legs now free, she scrambled forwards and seized Caewyn's crossbow. One twitch of the trigger sent the bolt straight into the neck of the man standing over Caewyn. She would have shot at Kaden, but she doubted that the bolt could have penetrated his helm and she knew what would happen next.
Seeing her daughter out of danger, Eserren rammed her elbow into the man behind her, snatched up her weapon and swung at Kaden.
Furious, Kaden met her blade. He was more experienced than she was, but she was no novice. Both were masters of their chosen weapons and both were bolstered by their armour.
Kaden had more than a dragon's strength at his command though. His armour bore the power of a chaos dragon—creatures infamous for their ability to phase in and out of reality.
Eserren's bardiche swept through empty air swirling with black vapour as Kaden appeared behind her. One of Eserren's fellow Knights tried to block the greatsword with his own weapon. It bisected the brave, loyal man's spear and Kaden buried it in his head, cleaving straight through his barbute.
Marci had freed Mirana by now. Caewyn had clearly decided that Kaden and his Knights were the true enemy here. She had moved to free Fymryn, pausing to shoot a man in the leg as he ran at them.
Marci thrust Mirana's bow at her, then raced towards the carnage. She heard Mirana yell, 'Sagan! Komi!'
Eserren had forced Kaden away from Davion, using the longer reach of her weapon to keep him away. He could shift in and out of reality, but she had also imbued her armour with the scales of the sky dragons she had slain. She could use their latent power to emit blasts of air, driving him back before he could strike her.
Marci took up a fallen sword and started to hack through the ropes binding Davion. He still looked confused and pained. The Warbler was suppressing Slyrak's influence. The Eldwurm would be no help to them now.
Davion had to be dismayed by what was happening. All around them, Dragon Knight fought Dragon Knight. Several of them had died, the swords and spears of their brothers thrust into their necks or through their visors, their cuirasses crumpled by hammers and maces, their limbs hewn by axes and halberds.
Eserren's Knights had been outnumbered from the start, and more than a few had decided to stand with Kaden.
Eserren could have held her own against Kaden. She might even have won. But she was only supported by Caewyn and four other Knights now.
Now free, Davion snatched up his greatsword. 'Kaden! Let them go and face me!'
Kaden reacted instantly. Using the dark power of his armour, he vanished in a haze of blackness and reappeared before Davion.
He took no chances. He seized Marci by the throat and hurled her aside.
Marci spun in the air, ground and sky whirling before her eyes, and landed heavily, rolling into a heap. Dazed and bleeding where the skin on her arm had been torn, she lifted her head.
Some of Kaden's men had forced Eserren back. Working as a team, they managed to tear the bardiche from her. One of them bashed her over the head with the pommel of his sword, sending her sprawling. Now it was Caewyn's turn to surrender.
Sagan had arrived, and Fymryn was with him. Their path was blocked by more Dragon Knights, forcing them away with polearms even Sagan could not risk charging.
As for Davion, without Marci and his draconic armour he was no match for Kaden. The vengeful Dragon Knight easily dashed the sword from his hands and prepared to land the killing blow. His eyes blazed with feverish hatred.
Marci struggled to her feet, dazed and reeling, stumbling clumsily. Her head was thundering and her vision blurred. She tried to stand again, but her strength had suddenly faded away.
With one last desperate, blurry look at her friends, Marci collapsed.
'No!' Mirana lifted her bow, intending to rain down another starstorm.
Kaden phased again. Before Mirana could release her arrow, he slammed into her. Her arrow flew up, but fell feebly to the ground. She fell onto her back, gasping for air and scrambling for a weapon.
Kaden snarled, lifted his leg, and stamped on her right leg, hard.
Mirana screamed, the shrill wail not enough to mask the sickening crack of bone.
'Kaden!' Davion yelled, moving to grab another sword. 'Stop this, Kaden!' He charged at the maddened Dragon Knight. Two of Kaden's men blocked him, lowering their spears to stop him.
Mirana turned onto her front and tried to crawl away, her watering eyes landing on a fallen falchion. Even though she stood no chance of reaching it, she tried to anyway.
Kaden dug his boot under her ribs and turned her onto her back again. 'You shouldn't have gotten involved, Priestess.'
Mirana now understood the helplessness Marci had felt when she had been robbed of her voice.
Was this how it would end for her?
As Kaden lifted the blade, she heard Fymryn screaming her name. She heard Sagan roar as a spear dug into his side. Davion was yelling at Kaden, cursing him and demanding that he kill him instead.
Mirana should have prayed to Selemene. She should have prayed for the forgiveness of her goddess and prayed to be taken into her embrace.
It was Marci she thought of though.
She wished that she had told Marci just how much she loved her.
'Stand! Stand and fight!'
She couldn't.
'She will die if you cannot fight! You will have failed them!'
She was helpless, just like she had been on that day fourteen years ago. There were some enemies who could not be defeated by strength alone, and she had no more strength.
'Let it fill you, Marci. Let the power flow. Know your true strength.'
Her heart jolted in her chest. It began to pound, racing, beating like the drums of war. The blood thundered in her ears, singing and surging with a sudden intensity, filling her with a power she had never felt before.
'Unleash.'
Once more, the shape of an eye seared itself across the firmament. Her eyes filled with light until she could see nothing but vague shapes in a world of gold.
And with a roar of absolute potency the voice boomed once more.
'UNLEASH!'
Davion desperately tried to shove past the Knights before him. He managed to thrust aside one spear and dodged the other, driving his blade into the neck of the man before him and shoving past before his comrade could act.
If he could just...
The butt of the spear struck his legs and he fell, helpless as the sword tumbled from his hand. 'Mirana!'
Kaden swung his sword.
Davion must have blinked, for he never saw the impact. But he heard the thunderclap of sound and saw a flash of honey-coloured light.
Shattered black scales flew through the air. Pieces of buckled steel and broken chain links fell to the ground as Kaden was hurled backwards.
He hit the ground and rolled, losing his grip on his sword. He rolled over, groaning and bleeding, his ribs bruised by the impact. The Dragon Knight lifted his head, staring, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Marci lowered her fist, her skin impossibly unbroken. A faint golden haze surrounded her, shimmering around her hands.
When she lifted her head, Davion gasped.
Her eyes were no longer pale brown, nor amber. The tiny motes of light had been surpassed.
Marci's eyes were aglow with blinding golden light, her power and her fury unleashed.
