Glyphbinder (21 page)

Trell frowned as he thought back to his conversation with Aryn, before he died. “When we spoke, Aryn said the glyph that mage used in Solyr … Balazel … that was a demon glyph.”

“That’s right. You know how using the Hand of Life draws our world closer to her? It’s the same with demon glyphs. They offer incredible power, and in return they latch onto the scriber’s soul and get their hooks into our world. Turn it toward the Underside. The more closely we’re aligned, the easier it is for the demons to invade.”

“And drawing on the Five’s power turns it back?”

“Precisely. No one knew our world was turning toward the Underside until the All Province War was almost over. It didn’t matter who won, because so long as both sides kept scribing demon glyphs, the Mavoureen would eventually have us all.”

“But Torn stopped all that.”

“He did, but not by himself. No one outside the magic schools really knows what happened to end the All Province War. That’s what I’m going to tell you now, and you can’t repeat it in front of anyone outside a magic school. Can you promise me that?”

“You have my word.”

“Good. The war ended because the Five Who Had Made the World came here and stopped it.”

Trell thought about that. “But … you just said the Five couldn’t enter our world. That they would destroy it.”

“That’s right. To get around that problem, each of the Five took what we call champions, manifesting themselves inside human hosts. They contacted Torn. With Torn’s help, the champions of the Five crushed the Demonkin presence and turned our world away from the Underside. Back toward Order.”

“So Life chose me as she chose another long ago. I’m her vessel? Her pawn?”

“You’re Life’s Champion,” Kara corrected him, “and that’s far more than a pawn. You’re like her emissary, or perhaps her knight, if you want to think of it that way. You wield her power because she can’t, not without harming the world she made.”

“All right,” Trell said. “I believe you.” Given what he remembered of his fight with the harvenger, he could not believe anything else.

“Good, but there’s something else. Something that explains what happened to you in the Layn.”

“Why I lost my memory?”

“That may be part of it, but that’s not all. The Five can’t just take any human they like. The champion has to cross over, first. Step from our world to theirs. The only way any of the Five can manifest inside a person is if that person first dies.”

Trell remembered the feel of the Layn’s cold water crushing him. He remembered it in his lungs, remembered choking, dying. He shuddered as Kara took his hand.

“That’s right,” she said. “You didn’t survive your journey down the Layn. You drowned in that river, and when you did, Life made you her champion. She brought you back.”

Trell considered Kara’s words. Nothing about them seemed wrong. If anything, she was making more sense than anyone had since he had first waked in Solyr’s infirmary.

“I know it sounds like lunacy,” Kara said, “but it’s no crazier than some Demonkin bitch bringing harvengers and davengers into our world. Everything I’ve seen on this journey … roaming demons, villagers being slaughtered, our world turning toward the Underside … it points to another All Province War. If the Five hold true to history, they may already be here trying to stop it.”

“No,” Trell said. “That’s not why Life took me.”

“I’m certain I’m right. If Life made you her champion, which is the only way I can see you cutting a davenger in half and taking on a harvenger, the holes in your memory came about because of what happened to you in the Layn. What Life did to you.”

“You’re not wrong about that,” Trell assured her. “I am Life’s Champion. What you’re wrong about is Life’s purpose here.”

“Her purpose?”

“In the All Province War, the Five manifested to save the world, but I feel no compulsion to do that. Everything inside me, every impulse from Life, is focused on one goal. Protecting you.”

Kara’s brow furrowed. “This isn’t a joke.”

“I’m not joking. That’s what I felt when I fought that harvenger, when that mage attacked you at Solyr. Life brought me back to protect you. That’s the reason I’m alive.”

“Well.” Kara ran both hands through her brown hair. “That’s one way to take the wind out of my sails.”

Trell felt sane again. He might not know who he had been, before he died, but he knew why he still lived. To protect Kara. Having a clear purpose made him feel whole.

“Why would the Five have any stake in protecting me?” Kara dropped her hands. “I’m just a poor sailor’s girl from Boon.”

“Then why would Jyllith or her elder want to abduct you?”

“Maybe they needed a hostage. The royal apprentice would make a damn good one.”

“Yet they came after you before the elders announced their choice. Remember? When those graybacks attacked us in the woods, no one knew the elders had nominated you yet.”

“I’m just not that important.”

“I think you are. I think you’re the key to all of this. If Life made me her champion to protect you, I arrived just in time to stop that first attack. That means the Five want you safe and these people … Jyllith and her master … they want something else.”

Kara sighed. “I guess that makes sense. Given all I’ve dropped on you tonight, it’s only fair for you to give a little back.”

“I don’t mean to frighten you.”

“You’re not. I guess you’ll just have to keep them from getting me, won’t you?” Kara settled her other hand atop his and leaned close. She smiled wide, and he felt that tingle again.

Trell remembered her brown hair falling across one eye. He remembered her head against his chest. He could not stop looking at her, and he didn’t know if that was an emotion of his own or one forced on him by Life. Another aspect of his compulsion.

“You’ve done nothing but protect me since we met,” Kara said, “and my friends would be dead many times over if you had not ridden with us. So I’ll just say it, Trell. I care about you. A lot.”

Trell measured his pounding heart. Held her hand and stared. Then footfalls sounded on rock and Kara’s hands jerked from his own. They turned to find Byn lumbering from the darkness.

“Watch over,” he wheezed. “Earn your keep.” He threw out his bedroll and collapsed, snoring softly.

Trell looked back to find Kara still smiling at him. He smiled back. Considering what she had just told him, he would need at least a night to wrap his mind around any of it.

“I’ll wake them all at sunrise, provided nothing intrudes beforehand.” Trell stood and brushed the grip of his sword. “You will rest in Chesa’s saddle, tomorrow, while I watch.”

“All right.”

“I mean it. No more heroics.”

“I’ll promise if you will.” She stood and crossed her arms.

Trell tore his eyes from hers and walked to the edge of the firelight. Once there, he settled into a ready, comfortable crouch. For the first time since Solyr, his world made sense.

He was Life’s Champion. He felt ill-prepared for that revelation, but it paled in comparison to this recent revelation from Kara. She cared about him. A lot.

Trell thought of the shadow he had seen on the Crystal Flats, the woman who had reached for him from the storm. She was the reason he doubted his feelings for Kara, felt guilt. He was certain of it.

He was also certain that woman was dead.

Such thoughts could wait for a brighter night than this. They made his chest ache. Trell focused on the night beyond the fire.

KARA SETTLED HERSELF on the most uncomfortable rock she could find and stared into the dark pass. The discomfort kept her awake. Just a sliver of moon had returned, but it gave better light than what they had the night Jyllith murdered Aryn. She tried not to think about where he was now — trapped in the Underside with the demons. They tortured souls for eons.

Thin vines wound in and out of the pass’s striated walls, choking them. Insects chirped above. Every so often the clatter of pebbles marked a tiny predator searching for food. Kara felt certain the harvenger’s red eyes would come at her any moment.

She wondered if she had gone too far with Trell. Even so, she was tired of doing things in half measures, keeping things from those who trusted her. She had called to Elder Halde several times already tonight, using the echo stone, but she had not received a response. Whoever tainted their food with carrow root must have shattered the stone’s twin. At the least, Halde must know it was broken.

When they left Solyr, Kara had been certain that she was up to this journey. She would lead her friends to Tarna and nothing could stop them. Now many things had, and one had killed a person she had promised to protect. How many more would join Aryn?

Kara hated the thought of people dying for her. She had already considered leaving a dozen times, drawing their hunter away from her friends as she had done when she faced the harvenger, but she knew that was foolish.

If Jyllith, her elder, and their gnarls could not find Kara, they would find those she loved. Jyllith would kill them out of spite. Besides, Sera had promised never to speak to Kara again if she repeated that trick with the packhorses.

Feet crunched on rock. Kara rose, spun, and unslung her quarterstaff. Jair raised his hands, eyes bloodshot from the road.

“I didn’t mean to startle you.” Sleep had mussed his short dark hair, and his face looked drawn. Then again, it often did.

“Drown me, Jair.” Kara lowered her staff. “What happened? Is everything all right?”

“Of course. I just … I needed to get some air.”

Kara strapped her staff across her back and grimaced. She had asked Jair to come with her, and now he was in terrible danger. Her fault. She settled on her rock and motioned him closer.

“I'm glad you’re here. I could use the company.”

Jair settled beside her. He did not seem bothered by the rocky ground. He stared down the pass and breathed.

Kara struggled for what she could say. Thank you for volunteering to protect me? I hope you don't get eaten by demons? “How are you doing? With everything?”

“I’ve seen people die before,” Jair said quietly. “I watched my mother die, when I was little.”

“I’m sorry. I didn't know.”

“Don’t be sorry. I was very young when she passed, and it was a peaceful death. She closed her eyes and simply didn’t open them again. Her death is one of the reasons I became a Soulmage. I had so many questions to ask her, and I never got the chance.”

Kara had never thought about using soul glyphs to talk to a dead relative, but she had never lost anyone so close to her. “Have you ever spoken with her?”

“Not yet.” Jair offered a small smile. “Honestly, that’s the reason I agreed to come with you after graduation. I wanted to go to Tarna to meet Anylus. He’s one of the best Soulmages in the Five Provinces. I’ve been unable to contact my mother, and no one at Solyr can tell me why. I hope Anylus will know something they don’t."

Kara squeezed his arm. “I hope you find her. I never wanted you in danger like this, especially over me.”

“This is what it is. We will reach Tarna, so long as we don’t lose hope and keep our heads.”

“You really believe that?”

“I have too. I’m not ready to die just yet.”

Kara almost smiled. “Me neither.”

“Anyway,” Jair continued, “I think the worst is behind us. Three more days and we’ll be in Tarna. You’ll be safe, and we can finally—"

A muffled voice interrupted from inside the leather pouch. The one that held the echo stone. Elder Halde, at last! Kara fumbled the pouch open and dropped the glowing stone into her palm.

“Kara?” Halde asked, his voice as clear as if he stood beside her. “Can you hear me?”

“I'm here, Halde!” she all but shouted. She looked to Jair, who smiled. Halde’s voice encouraged him as well.

“Good.” Halde sounded relieved. “How long before you reach Tarna?”

“Maybe three days.” Kara restrained herself from assaulting him with questions. Why hadn’t he contacted her? Who had opened the stores of carrow root? Yet she let Halde ask whatever questions he wanted, first. He was her elder.

“Where are you now?” Halde asked.

“We’re…” Kara glanced behind her. “I’d say a half day’s ride from the northern mouth of Highridge Pass. We made camp. We lost our wagon and some horses, so it’s been slow going. Everyone is exhausted. Aryn is … he’s dead, Halde.”

“I understand. We are not far from where you are now. Return to your camp and do not leave. Wait for us.”

"We will.” Kara felt hope for the first time in days. Her father was coming. “What about the answer glyphs? Is Solyr safe?”

“I’ll see you soon,” Halde said. The crystal stopped glowing.

Kara looked to Jair. "Back to camp. Get everyone ready."

"This is good news." Jair turned and jogged off at a rapid pace.

Kara tucked the stone away and sat, watching the pass behind them for the harvenger. Nothing moved. The pass was silent save for the mournful wind. How long had Halde been following them? Who now protected her mother, back in Solyr?

Kara sighed and risked a glance behind her. Nothing. When she looked forward again, a ghost stood right in front of her.

Kara hopped up and gasped, unslinging her quarterstaff. The ghost had light blue eyes and white hair like ivy. She pointed
up
.

Kara backpedaled and kept her staff between them. The apparition wore a white Bloodmender's robe. Another Sentinel?

The spectral woman pointed
above
Kara again, pointed at the high wall of the pass. Her eyes were wide and wild. Kara looked up. Something dropped on her from the wall of the pass.

Kara swung her staff with a fierce cry and caught the shadow on its chin. It tumbled away and rolled, quickly coming to its feet. When it did that, Kara realized who it was. “Byn!”

Byn sidestepped like a crab as he circled her, using all four limbs. Kara scribed a Hand of Breath and readied it as she kept her quarterstaff raised. She took the dream world and searched for a red glyph in his head, but his orange dream form looked clear.

“Byn?” Kara opened her eyes. “It’s me. Kara.”

“I know.” Byn grinned at her. “I just want to give you a hug.” He leapt at her again.

Kara sidestepped Byn’s leap and slammed the end of her quarterstaff into his back. Like this was a triptych duel. Byn rolled and came up, spinning around and backhanding her staff away.

Kara cursed and ducked under another strike. She slammed Byn’s ankle with the tip of her boot. She knocked his feet out from under him, hurdled his fallen body, and rushed for her staff.

Why would Byn attack her? Had Shifters disguised her as Jyllith? Had she fallen asleep? Was this some nightmare?

“Little Kara and her little stick.” Byn circled, his whole head twisted sideways. “How does it feel to see your friends hunted, Kara? How does it feel to watch us all die?”

Kara kept her grip low with the forward tip of her staff slanted up. Until she figured out what had possessed him, she had to make sure neither of them got hurt. The best way to do that would be to keep her distance. Make him keep his.

Byn bared teeth that grew sharp, changing as she watched. His tan flesh paled, melting off him like mud. Beneath that sloughing flesh was demon skin as dark as night, scaled and rough.

Kara stared as Byn’s fingers fused and changed, the individual fingers on each hand growing into sharp, black claws. Horns burst from Byn’s forehead. Kara screamed, and he screamed right back.

She had seen monsters like this before, but never in person. She had seen them in a book. Illustrations from the All Province War.

“Malkavet!” Kara’s knees trembled as she stood in the cold wind.

Jyllith had glyphed Malkavet on Byn. The demons had stolen his soul, and she had to get it back. Kara kept her Hand of Breath ready and then scribed two Hands of Heat. She ignited nothing.

The demon that now possessed Byn chuckled and straightened, bones snapping in its distended spine. Its balance looked ungainly on its hind legs, bent backwards like those of a flightless bird. It was taller than she was, and each claw was as long as one of her feet.

“You know my name.” Malkavet’s voice was smooth and alluring. “Will you scream it for me? I love it when my women scream.”

“I’m not screaming anything.” Kara’s heart raced, but she couldn’t let the demon see that. “Leave Byn. Now!”

“No. You must melt us. Melt away every last trace of your darling Byn.” Malkavet made Byn’s body creep toward her on all fours.

Kara ignited her Hand of Breath, slamming a massive gust into Byn’s possessed body. It knocked him into the side of the pass with enough force to smash his head against the rock. He just laughed.

His possessed body pushed off the wall and came for her with claws outstretched. Time slowed as Kara scribed a Hand of Life and splashed a freezing spot across the rock. Malkavet leapt over it, but Kara’s next Hand of Breath hit him when he did.

That impact knocked him to the ground, hard, yet he landed and rolled to his feet like an acrobat. He came at her again. Kara slammed her quarterstaff into his face.

The impact rattled her staff and took Byn down. Kara winced and stepped back, praying she hadn’t done more than stun him. Her palms felt swollen and their fight had only just begun.

Kara scribed another glyph and ignited it, gasping as that glyph sucked more blood into the void. Olden’s Shell manifested just as Malkavet launched itself at her again. This time the demon slammed into her shield and crumpled when it hit.

“Fight it!” Kara shouted, backing away. “Push the demon out!”

Byn shook his head like a confused bear, snorting, and backed off. Kara watched him as goosebumps rose across her skin. She could not keep burning blood like this. She needed it.

“Melt us,” Malkavet hissed. “Turn us to cinders, little Kara, or I’ll snatch your soul away. You’ll join me in the Underside!”

Another shadow sprinted into view from further up the pass. This shadow had a Solyr broadsword and wild eyes. It was Trell. He launched himself at Byn’s possessed body.

A thin sheet of ice covered his blade. It sliced Byn’s arm clean off. The demon wrenched away with a piercing mill saw shriek, fresh black blood spraying across the rock.

“Stop!” Kara screamed. He was killing Byn!

Trell ducked a claw swipe and then drove his ice-covered sword right into Byn’s chest. The demon inside Byn thrashed before his body burst like a popping grape. Blood, ice, and bone exploded in all directions at once. The man she had loved like a brother became nothing more than a black stain on the rocks.

Kara dropped and gagged, dry heaving. Byn’s death had left a miasma not unlike the massed corpses of Taven’s Hamlet. Trell tried to help her up, but Kara batted his hand away.

“I could have saved him,” she whispered. Trying not to hate him.

“That wasn’t Byn.” Trell flicked his sword, dislodging gunk. “It was someone else they captured along the way. Some poor soul.”

Kara dared believe. “You’re certain?”

“I just figured it out. At Highridge Keep, your hunter knocked Byn into a moat. I thought he climbed out, but I think it was someone else. That doppelganger. They must have captured Byn and sent that demon in his place, used the water to cover the switch.”

“Then that means—”

“Byn is alive. We just don’t know where.”

Kara stood and dusted herself off, wincing as her bare hand slid across something wet and sticky. She tried not to think about what that might be. “How do we know that? What if they killed him?”

“You still feel him on your dyn disc, don’t you?”

Kara breathed out. “Yes.”

“Then he’s alive. They kept him alive so you would feel him, and therefore not suspect anything. We’ll find him.” Trell took her hand. “We must go back to camp now.”

“Wait.” Kara remembered her earlier conversation over the echo stone. “The stone came alive just a moment ago. I talked with Halde! He and the Solyr Guard are coming to find us!”

Trell did not look back as they walked, hand in hand. “Are you certain?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“That echo stone has not worked for days, yes?”

“Sure.”

“Do you remember when we were attacked in Taven’s Hamlet? It was right after you used the stone. You used it again on our way to Highridge Keep. We were attacked both times.”

“No.” Kara felt a chill. “Elder Halde would never betray us.”

“What if what you’re talking to isn’t Elder Halde?”