Dragonvein (Book Two) (24 page)

Chapter Nineteen

L
ord Vraylic’s breath
hung in the chill atmosphere as he stood at the threshold of the main Imperial throne room. Forewarned by others, he had thought to wrap himself in a thick winter cape before setting out. Large crimson pools of frozen blood were scattered haphazardly about the spacious chamber, a testament to the Emperor’s foul and often unpredictable mood.

The throne was empty. Experience told him that this was not a good sign. It meant the Emperor could be anywhere. Even standing behind him. The hair on his neck prickled. When Shinzan played games, the loser usually died. And Shinzan
never
lost.

He took a step forward, his eyes darting from side to side. “Your Majesty?”

His voice reverberated from the walls for a split second before falling abruptly silent, as if the cold air had consumed the sound.

He continued toward the throne with slow, uneasy paces. He called out again, but still there was no reply. He could almost feel his death approaching. He had heard the stories. Shinzan liked to toy with those he deemed deserving of death. But what did I do wrong, he agonized? I’m just a supply officer. But he knew this was ridiculous. The Emperor didn’t need a reason. If he decided you were to die, then you died. No explanation. No ceremony other than the hideous way in which he would toy with you first.

When he was less than twenty feet away from the base of the throne, from behind it, a great wall of black flames spanning the entire breadth of the hall suddenly erupted. The heat was unbearable. Vraylic instantly jumped back, throwing his cape over his head.

“Please, Your Majesty,” he cried. “I have done nothing wrong. I swear it.”

The roar from the inferno drowned out his words. Even through the protective cape, the heat was already scorching his flesh and he could smell the cloth starting to smolder. In an effort to make himself as small as possible, he began scampering away on his hands and knees.

A deep unnatural voice boomed out. “Where are you going, Lord Vraylic? I summoned you here.”

Vraylic halted his retreat. “Please, Your Highness. Spare me.”

“Uncover yourself, you silly man.” This time the voice sounded quite human.

Shaking badly, Vraylic did as commanded. To his amazement and relief, the black flames were now gone. On the throne sat The Eternal Emperor, Shinzan. He was dressed in simple white cotton pants and a matching open-necked shirt. A pair of black silk slippers adorned his feet. He smiled warmly at Vraylic, gesturing for him to rise.

The terrified man struggled to his feet, sucking his teeth as pain shot through his body from blistered skin on his face and hands. Doing his best to ignore the discomfort, he bowed low. “Your Majesty. You wanted to see me?” There was something different about the Emperor. Something around the eyes. They looked weary.

“Indeed I do,” Shinzan replied, his smile never fading. With a flick of his wrist, a stream of green smoke sprang from his hand and wrapped itself around Vraylic. The man staggered back, gasping. “That should make you feel better.”

When the smoke vanished a moment later, all of Vraylic’s burns were healed. He bowed again. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“As of this moment, I’m promoting you to field commander,” Shinzan told him.

Vraylic’s eyes widened. “Field commander?” he repeated in disbelief. “But I’m just a supply officer. I have no real military experience.”

Shinzan chuckled. “Nor do you need any. I do not expect you to lead an army. Unless I am misinformed, you are from a well-respected family in Ralmaria. Is this true?”

“I am, Your Majesty.”

“Then I need you to journey to see all five kings of Lumnia. Tell them they are to prepare for war.”

“Who shall I say we will be fighting?”

Shinzan threw a leg over the arm of his throne and leaned back. “You are a stupid one, aren’t you? Many have died standing right where you are now for questioning me.”

Vraylic began wringing his hands. “N…no, Your Majesty. I was not questioning –”

The Emperor’s hand shot up. “You were chosen because you are familiar with the noble houses. So deliver the messages and be grateful that you will be permitted to live. Everything you need will be brought to your home within the hour. If you are still here ten minutes after that…” He cracked a wicked grin. “Then I shall summon you again.”

No further warning was needed. After bowing low yet again, Vraylic scurried from the hall. While descending the long stairway leading to the main foyer, he had an unsettling feeling that the Emperor’s eyes were still boring into the back of his skull. It was all he could do not to burst into a panicked run. Not that he would have been the first person to be seen fleeing from Shinzan’s presence. But as the Emperor had rightly stated, he was a noble from Ralmaria. Such displays from people of his class were unbecoming.

As he left the palace, he couldn’t help but notice that the guards positioned outside the massive doors were shifting nervously. This was most unusual for men of such fierce reputation. Rumors had spread that the Emperor was in a frazzled state of mind, even sending away most of his concubines. The iced blood spattered across the throne room floor and the ill-ease of the guards more or less confirmed these stories. Something had happened.

Perhaps the mages really are returning, he thought.

Beyond the palace grounds lay Noel, city of dreams. But to the locals it was secretly referred to as the city of nightmares. Though it was never spoken of openly, all those who resided there were known to experience terrible dreams of fire and death every single night.

The white stone used to build most of the structures was hewn from quarries deep within the desert wastes west of the city. Being so near to the desert of the Shadow Lands, one would never expect the lush gardens and mild climate that Noel possessed. Of course, everyone knew this was only an illusion created by the Emperor. The desert was expanding faster each year. And even beyond the sands, the soil was beginning to rot. One needed to travel for a week or more before seeing anything of substance growing.

In spite of this, the city appeared to be a veritable paradise. The buildings and streets were spotless, with not a single beggar or pauper found anywhere. Everyone had a place to call home as well as decent food and clothing. Though not large or densely populated when compared with the cities of the Five Kingdoms, Noel bustled with commerce. It wasn’t until you entered the inns and taverns later in the day that the façade was removed. No revelry or merrymaking of any sort could be found. When the sun set, people hurried to their homes and did not emerge until daybreak.

Lord Vraylic lived on the outskirts of the city in an area called the
doldrums
– a place situated between the common dwellings of the lower ranking officers and the extravagant manors of the elite class. He quite liked it here. It kept him from being noticed. He didn’t desire fame, or even fortune. Not anymore. These days he was content to keep his head down and simply live to see the sun rise again. In Noel, fame could easily be a death sentence.

While entering his home, he immediately heard the clattering of pots and dishes from the kitchen. Jassa was hard at work. The aroma of roast mutton and onions filled the house, making his mouth water. Not a king nor noble lord could match the fare that Jassa put on the table for him. He would miss it. And he would miss her too.

Careful not to alert her that he was home, he hurried to his bed chamber in order to change into clothing suitable for travel. He then packed as quickly as he could and placed his belongings next to the front door.

Jassa was still in the kitchen when a courier arrived with his new uniform and a bundle of five scrolls – one for each monarch he was to visit. Outside, an escort of ten soldiers waited, along with a magnificent black stallion for his use. Alerted by the commotion, Jassa hurried into the room, wiping her hands on her flour stained apron as she came. A cheerful smile formed when she saw Vraylic, and she immediately threw her arms around him in greeting.

Gently, he pushed her away and held her hands. Her honey blond hair was tied neatly in a bun, accentuating her delicate features and bright green eyes. She was young. Too young for Vraylic by most people’s judgement. But she didn’t seem to mind the twenty-five years that stood between them. And her affection for him appeared to be quite genuine. With her fetching appearance and household skills, Jassa could have gained employment with the wealthiest houses in Noel, and for far more money. But she chose to remain with him. As a servant, yes. But also as a companion.

She could see that something was troubling him, prompting a look of concern to come over her. “What is it, My Lord?” she asked.

She called him My Lord during sunlight hours. But after sunset, it was just plain Vraylic. Sometimes even Ray when she was feeling playful.

“I have to go,” he told her, trying not to sound afraid.

She knitted her brow. “For how long?”

“I’m not sure. But there’s something I need you to do for me after I’m gone.”

“Of course.”

He removed a small key from his pocket and pressed it into her hand. “There’s a chest beneath the floorboard in the study behind my desk. Inside, you’ll find enough gold to keep you comfortable for some time. Take it and go to my family home in Ralmaria. I’ve left a map and a letter for you to present to my cousin, Lyceane. She’ll take care of you until I get there.”

Jassa pulled away and stepped back. “You’re scaring me. Please tell me what’s going on.”

He sighed heavily. “I can’t. But I may be gone for some time. I’d feel better knowing you’re with my family, far away from this place.” He stepped close to place his hands on her shoulders. “Will you do this for me?”

She touched his cheek and smiled. “Of course I will.”

Just at that moment, a loud banging sounded at the front entrance. Jassa moved to answer it, but the door flew open before she was able to reach it and two grim-faced palace guards stepped inside.

“How dare you enter my home uninvited,” Vraylic bellowed. “Who do you think you are?”

“We have orders from the Emperor,” the first guard stated, unmoved by his anger. He held out a folded piece of parchment.

Vraylic snatched it away and read it carefully. At once, all the color drained from his face.

Jassa gripped his arm. “What does it say?”

He could barely speak the words. “It…it says that you are to go to the palace and serve as the Emperor’s personal servant until I return.”

The guards reached out to grab her, but she scampered behind Vraylic. “No! I won’t go! You can’t make me do this!”

“I’m afraid we can,” the second guard told her. “You can either come willingly, or I will be forced to carry you through the streets over my shoulder.”

She spun Vraylic around to face her. “You can’t let them. Please. Don’t let them do this.” Her lips were trembling and tears were spilling down her cheeks.

He averted his eyes. “There’s nothing I can do. You have to go with them. But I promise to return for you. You have my word on that.”

Jassa collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Vraylic did not say another word as the two guards grabbed her arms and lifted her roughly to her feet. After they had led her away, he let out a feral cry.
I will be back for you
, he promised.
I’ll save you from that monster.

But it was a promise he dared not speak aloud.

*

Shinzan chuckled softly. The little cruelties were the best. And this one actually served a purpose. Loyalties were either bought, or gained through fear. An aspect of human predictability he relished. The wench would serve him well. And with any luck, he would completely break her long before Lord Vraylic returned.

His feeling of amusement did not last for very long. A sudden wave of nausea contorted his face, causing his anger to swell. Two women, part of the cleaning staff, were busy mopping up the now thawing blood. Neither of them dared to look up and notice his discomfort. Still…

A red light burst forth from his eyes, striking the floor just by the entrance to the room and causing a great serpent more than thirty feet long to materialize. Screaming at the top of their voices, the women raced to opposite walls. Not that this was going to help them. Within seconds the snake had cornered the woman to its left and struck, sinking rows of four inch razor-like teeth into her flesh. The second woman made a wild dash for the exit, howling in terror. But there was no escape from Shinzan’s wrath.

With the first woman still dangling in its mouth, the snake raced across the floor to cut off the other one just as she reached the archway. Its sinewy body coiled around the helpless victim, stifling her screams and slowly crushing the life out of her.

Shinzan watched with a tiny smile on his lips until he was sure that both women were dead. Then, in a flash of brilliant light, the serpent vanished, leaving the mangled bodies in a heap.

That’s what I’ll do to young Dragonvein
, he promised himself.
And when I’m done with him, I’ll deal with the
dragons.

He regarded the macabre scene that had become his throne room. With a flick of his wrist, the carnage evaporated into puffs of black smoke. He leaned back and shut his eyes. He could feel the power of the dragons aligned against him. Fools. They only hastened their demise.

“Your Majesty.”

Shinzan sighed and opened his eyes. Two guards stood just inside the room, a young, fair haired beauty standing between them.

He smiled broadly. A distraction. Yes. Time for a bit of sport.

Chapter Twenty

A
s Renald’s house
drew closer, both of them had a good view of the front porch. Ethan smiled to himself. Kat was sitting cross-legged on the boards, eyes closed and whispering a spell. Lylinora was standing a few feet away from her, looking on. Within moments, a flash of green light exploded near the door. When it faded, a tiny white mouse with pink eyes was looking inquisitively at them.

Kat opened her eyes, bouncing up and down and squealing with delight. Startled by the sudden noise, the mouse scuttled about the porch for a few seconds before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

“Very good,” praised Lylinora. “And on your first attempt as well. I’m impressed.”

Kat then spotted Ethan approaching and leapt to her feet, quickly spanning the distance between them. “Did you see that?” she asked, throwing her arms around his neck. “I made a mouse out of magic.”

Ethan embraced her as she continued to dangle from her hold. “That was great!”

“Yes,” grumbled Renald. “I’ll be most glad to have you around should we ever be attacked by a group of savage cheeses.”

Ignoring Renald’s jibe, Kat finally released Ethan and bounded back onto the porch. Lylinora, however, was not prepared to let the insult go unchallenged.

“She did it on her first try,” she stated. “And after only hearing the spell once. Were you so talented when you began?”

Renald stopped short and locked eyes with her. After a couple of seconds, he waved his hand in concession. “Yes, now that I think about it, I suppose it is impressive.” He looked over to Kat. “But don’t let such things go to your head, young lady. You can’t become a
real
mage without hard work and dedication. You may have talent. But talent alone isn’t enough. Understand?”

Kat beamed. “I do. I really do.”

He nodded sharply. “Good. Now if you will excuse me, I must change and attend to Jonas.”

The old man hobbled into the house, slamming the door behind him.

Lylinora sauntered over to Ethan with a devilish grin, draping her arms casually around his neck. “Did you miss me?” she asked, seduction dripping from each syllable.

He smiled. “Of course I did.” Nonetheless, he gently but firmly removed her arms and headed for the door. “Where’s Markus?”

Clearly surprised by this lack of affection, it took her a moment to respond. “At the shore,” she replied. “He’s decided to start sleeping on the boat.”

Pausing only to give her a curt nod, Ethan stepped inside.

“What was
that
?” giggled Kat.

Lylinora was still stunned. “I…I don’t know. But I most surely intend to find out.”

Tight-lipped, she waited until Renald re-emerged. Only when he was on his way over to the building where Jonas was being held did she enter the house. Kat moved to follow her, but was halted by a fierce glance. Inside, she found Ethan sitting at the dining table, flipping through the pages of a thick, leather-bound book.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, taking a seat directly across from him.

Ethan closed the book and smiled. “No. Why?”

Lylinora puffed up. “Why? You push me away when I try to kiss you and you ask why?”

“Oh, that.” He lowered his head as if in deep thought for several seconds before looking up again. “I’m not sure this is the right time to talk. Renald is trying to help Jonas and he might need you.”

“I think this is the perfect time to talk,” she countered stubbornly.

Ethan leaned in. His tone was level and commanding. “We will speak later. For now, there is nothing else to say.”

She stiffened. “I don’t know what has come over you, but we certainly
will
talk later.”

His face softened. “Please don’t be upset. It really is because of Jonas. Were it not for him, we’d be able to talk now.”

Lylinora hesitated, clearly unsure how best to respond. Finally, she stood up and walked over to the door. “When we do, you can start by telling me what happened to you when you were with the dragons. Because whatever it is…I don’t like it.”

After she had left, Ethan leaned back and rubbed his brow. It was a good question. What
had
happened to him? He thought he knew. But even as the words he’d just spoken to Lylinora had come out of his mouth, he felt as if they weren’t his own. It was as if someone else had control. He
did
need for Lylinora to wait, but had not intended to be so forceful about it. Still brooding on this, he rose from the table and left the house.

Lylinora was sitting in a chair, arms folded and sour faced. Kat, having obviously enjoyed the scene, was squatting on the grass with a tiny white mouse crawling across her lap.

“I’m going to get Markus,” Ethan announced. “I’ll be back soon.”

Lylinora waved her hand indifferently.

“Can I come?” Kat quickly asked. The mouse puffed out of existence as she jumped to her feet.

“No,” he replied. “Stay here in case Renald needs your help.”

Though disappointed, she gave him a smile and sat back down on the grass to continue practicing her spell.

Ethan found Markus sitting on the dock, a bottle of wine in one hand while staring vacantly at the horizon. He sat down beside his friend.

After nodding a greeting, Markus handed the bottle over. “Did things go well?”

Ethan took a long drink, then wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “I suppose you could say that.” He expected more questions, but Markus simply got to his feet and jumped aboard the boat. After disappearing below for a short time, he returned carrying another bottle.

“I came across a whole crate of these in the shack where Renald is keeping Jonas,” he explained. “I guess I didn’t feel much like sharing.” He sat back down. “So you found the dragons?”

Ethan nodded. “I found them all right.”

“Good.”

He regarded his old friend closely. “You’re struggling.”

Markus raised an eyebrow. “I’m what?”

“I can see it when I look at you,” he continued. “The darkness you’re fighting keeps bubbling to the surface. Specter is still with you.”

Markus sniffed and opened the bottle with his teeth. “What of it?”

“I just wanted you to know that I understand.”

His remark raised a scornful laugh. “You do, do you? You understand? Then understand this: Mind your own fucking business. The last thing I need right now is a goddamn boy scout telling me that he understands what it’s like being me.”

Ethan felt a surge of anger well up – but Markus’ words were not the cause. It took a moment for him to realize that it was the whirlwind of souls to which he was now bound that was influencing his emotions. He fought the anger down and forced a smile. “What I was, and what I am now, are two very different things,” he stated.

His change of voice certainly caught Markus’ attention. He studied Ethan’s face for a short time, frowning heavily. “Yes. I can see that. Hell, I can hear it.” His irritation was suddenly gone, replaced by curiosity. “What happened out there?”

Ethan looked to the setting sun before deciding there was time for a brief telling. He recounted the important aspects of his experience, glossing over the details.

“And you can hear them all talking in your head?” Markus asked, once he was finished.

“In a way, yes. And I’m learning that not all of them are very nice people.”

This elicited a laugh from his friend. “Then I suppose you
do
understand.”

Ethan’s expression remained serious. “There is something I want to ask you.” He drew a breath. “If you had the chance to return to Earth, would you want to stay there?”

Markus began to laugh again, but the sound faded away when he realized the seriousness of what Ethan was asking. He leaned his elbows on his knees and drooped his shoulders. “I really don’t know.”

“Think about it. And think about it carefully.”

“Are you saying that’s where we’re going?”

“Yes.”

Suddenly, Markus looked pale and anxious. “I…I lost all hope of going home a long time ago. I’m not sure I even belong there anymore.”

Ethan gripped his shoulder fondly. “To be truthful, I don’t know
where
you belong…other than at my side. I may have changed, but my friends are still important to me. Shinzan must be destroyed, and I can’t do that alone. I’ll need my friends with me.
You
in particular.”

“What’s so special about me?”

“Because of what you did on the ship,” he answered flatly. “I need people with me who are willing to do what I cannot. I need you, Markus. But I need Specter too.”

Markus shook his head and pulled away. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“I know exactly what I’m saying,” Ethan countered. “And I know what that might do to you. But even more importantly, I know that failure means death for every living creature on Lumnia.”

There was a mixture of astonishment and revulsion on Markus’ face as Ethan continued. “I hope you decide to return here with me. But I also admit that a part of me hopes you stay on Earth. Because if you return, what you did on the ship might be only a prelude of what’s to come.”

Markus blinked several times before speaking. “Who are you now? It’s like you’re not the Ethan I know anymore.”

“Oh, I’m still him.” He cracked a smile and pushed himself to his feet. “But I’m also something new. Something more than what I was before. And I’m learning more about who that is with every hour that passes.” He offered a hand to pull Markus up. “But don’t worry. In my heart, I’m still a lot like the boy scout you remember.”

Markus was speechless. All he could do was nod in acceptance and then walk with Ethan back to the house. A cool salty breeze followed them from the shore, transporting Ethan’s mind to unfamiliar places in the company of unfamiliar people. Memories not his own.

The stars were just beginning to peek through the twilight when they arrived. On stepping inside, they immediately saw that Jonas was there. Sitting at the table with his head hanging down and his body shuddering with sobs, he cut a sorry figure. Lylinora and Kat were seated on either side of him, Kat with a comforting arm draped around his shoulder. Across the room, Renald was at the stove preparing what smelled like fish.

Jonas looked up, his eyes red and face soaked in tears. “I’m so sorry,” he wept. “I swear I had no idea what was happening to me.”

Ethan smiled reassuringly. “I know you didn’t. You shouldn’t blame yourself.”

“But it’s my fault,” he persisted. “Birger saved our lives, and he’s dead because of my stupidity. I should have known. I should have told you everything.”

“Told him what?” asked Markus.

“It doesn’t matter now,” Ethan said. “I already know. And it makes absolutely no difference.”

A confused look came over Jonas. “How could you know?”

Ethan took a seat across from him. “I saw the dragons. And I saw the faces of my family: all of them throughout time. They live inside me now. But there was one notable exception.”

Jonas’ sobs renewed. “I’m so sorry. I was ashamed.”

Ethan cast a quick glance over to Renald. But the old man did not appear interested in what he was about to say. He must have known…or at least suspected.

“Shinzan is my father,” he revealed to the others.

A deathly silence fell over the room.

After a long pause, Lylinora spoke. “No. That’s not possible.”

“I’m afraid it is,” Ethan told her. “As I said, I saw the faces of all my ancestors. All but one, that is. The face of Praxis Dragonvein.”

“But that doesn’t mean he’s Shinzan,” said Markus.

“No,” agreed Ethan. “But later, when I arrived back at the house, I found a book. It was full of sketches that Renald had drawn long ago.” He turned to Lylinora. “You saw me looking at it just before I went off to find Markus. One of those sketches was of my father. It was the same face I saw when Shinzan sent me a message through the
menax
crystal.”

Markus turned to Jonas. “Is this true?”

He nodded weakly. “It is. I was there when Lord Dragonvein and the others fought Shinzan. I saw what happened.”

Ethan reached out and took hold of his hand. “You don’t have to…”

“No. It’s all right,” Jonas assured him.

He pulled his hand free to wipe his eyes with his sleeve. “The Council of Volnar was destroyed and Shinzan had already taken most of the north. Praxis wanted to flee to Elyfoss with you and your mother. But I…I shamed him into fighting. I convinced him that the only way to save you and Lady Illyrian was to gather as many of the remaining council members as he could find and confront Shinzan directly. But even then he resisted. I called him a coward. I said that his fear would doom us all. Finally, he gave in.”

He paused to draw a long breath. “So sure was I that Praxis could defeat the Emperor that I even went with him to chronicle the events. Twenty mages set out. None returned. Shinzan killed half of them in the first minute of battle, unleashing magic I had never imagined possible. Only your father was strong enough to resist.”

“Wait just a minute,” said Kat. “I thought you told us that Shinzan
was
Praxis.”

“He is,” said Jonas. “In the end it came down to just Shinzan and Praxis Dragonvein. I can still remember my feelings of joy when Praxis stood over the shattered body of his enemy on that desolated field and claimed victory. I thought he had won, I really did. But my joy was still less than a minute old when the sky erupted into a maelstrom of black flames. Praxis was already severely weakened from the fight. There was nothing he could do to stop what happened next. The flames descended and enveloped him like a hellish fog. Had I been any closer, they would have consumed me as well.”

There was another pause while Jonas steadied himself sufficiently to continue. “Slowly the flames died and all that remained was the body of Praxis. I ran to his side, praying to the spirits that he still lived. At first I thought he was dead. Then he opened his eyes and looked at me. It was in that moment I understood. Shinzan had…he had…”

Jonas stopped, unable to say the awful truth.

Ethan squeezed his arm. “I know. Shinzan had possessed my father’s body.” He turned to the others. “So in a sense, he
is
the Emperor.”