Duality (34 page)

The Minister of Merchants, Gioeli, bristled. “Honor demands justice—”

Loren held up a hand. “A third goblin war would be vengeance, not justice. We do not go to war to avenge the death of one man, prince or not. My brother or not.”

“All know of the animosity betwixt thy brother and thee,” Raun retorted. “Convenient his death was, to place thee here today.”

Loren saw Cianan reach for his nonexistent sword, but it was Anika who answered.

“Just as well known was Prince Loren’s personal aversion to politics and power. We also know he hath spurned thy daughter in favor of another. If thou cannot separate personal from official business, I wouldst ask thou be removed from these proceedings.”

Pari eyed his grandson from the head of the table. “What of thy brother’s murderers?”

Loren glared back as Raun struggled to regain his composure. “You and I both know the one who killed him is not long for this world, Granther. The mercy of a quick death. The destruction of his weapon. Once tainted by elven blood, a blade is forever untrue. It must be destroyed afore it destroys its wielder. So it has ever been since the days of Camryn. The spilling of elven blood never goes unanswered for long. It is already done and is a foolish reason to go to war.”

He turned to the ministry. “Deane and I had our differences, but I loved my brother all the same. You know with the crown I cannot lie, but I am insulted all the same some of you thought I would.” He glared at Raun. “I hereby put my words on record for all time. Whatever hopes of an agreement you had betwixt yourself and my father in regard to your daughter Alani, you must lay it aside. I have no interest in marrying her, sir. Now, do we work together for the greater good, or do you excuse yourself from this ministry here and now?”

Raun eyed Loren. “We work.” There was grudging respect in his voice.

“Wars are costly propositions,” Loren said. “If you would go to war, make sure it is for stakes of equal value—like a demon.”

“Why should we go?” Danaii, the Minister of Education, asked. “We do not interfere with the world of men.”

“The world of men is prepared to interfere with us. Do you think the demon, once it devours everything on the other side of the barrier, shall be content to stay there? Do you think darkness shall never challenge the Light? Then you are fools, for he
is
coming. It would not stop with the world of men. If it takes the mountain passes, how long would the barriers hold? How long afore darkness sweeps over our realm to the very walls of Poshnari-Unai? To the Lady’s very temple? If we do not banish it now while it is still weak, all is lost.”

Anika broke in. “We have mages for all five elements—Lorelei for water, Gwendolyn for earth, myself for air, Pahn for metal, and Dara for fire. Loren stands as Lady’s champion, and Everett and Aletha as high priest and priestess. We have man, elf, dwarf and dragon. Anika for crone, Lorelei for mother, and Dara for maiden.”

Aletha nodded. “We have Her blessing. Do we have yours?”

The doors burst open. Lorelei rushed into the room, flushed and breathless. Gwendolyn and Dara were right behind her, Pahn a stride farther back.

“We bring word,” his granna gasped.

***

Dara stared at the white faces of the ministry as Lorelei’s report sank into their minds. Loren moved to her side and took her hand. She felt comforted by his show of support. His action was noticed by all, including Raun. The minister’s mouth tightened, but he said naught.

Cianan nodded his head at Dara and smiled. He had not done the same to Alani, and she recognized his show of support. It warmed her, deep within, melting the little cold spot of self-doubt that persisted.

He believed in the idea of her and Loren. Why couldn’t she do the same?

Pari turned to his wife. “Canst thou get a message to the clans?”

Lorelei nodded, but looked puzzled.

“Tell them to expect a messenger from beyond the barrier.” He turned to Cianan. “Thou must ride. Warn them to wait for us.”

“Hani`ena can show Kikeona the way to Wolf Clan. Look for Moira or Trystan. Hani`ena can show Kikeona what they look like,” Loren said.

Cianan nodded to his best friend. “I shall not fail you.”

Dara turned toward Cianan. “Be careful.”

His face softened. “Do not fear for me,
vertenya
. This is what we rangers do, and I am no cadet.” He left.

“I shalt be in my workroom.” Lorelei turned to Anika and Aletha. “Ladies, join us when thou art done here.” She also left the room.

“Canst we defeat them?” Raun asked.

“We canst banish the demon,” Gwendolyn said. “That is what powers these creatures.”

Aletha nodded. “The Lady shalt not fail us. Join us, champion.” She closed her eyes and focused for a moment, then opened them again. “Everett shalt join us, as well.”

Loren turned to the ministry. “Have we the resources to go to war?”

Raun nodded. “Thou shalt have them.”

“We can muster a thousand warriors, twice that if we dip into the reserves and the academy,” Lord Elio reported.

“Not the academy,” Danaii protested. “They are green troops and we must guard our future.”

“Agreed.” Pari turned to Lord Elio. “The main army only. The reserves should guard our own borders. What do we have?”

“Two hundred horse rangers and eight hundred infantry.”

Loren spoke up. “Moira and Trystan promised two hundred spears betwixt their three clans. More may come, depending on Cianan’s powers of persuasion.”

“Riverhead’s forces are decimated,” Dara stated. “They’re the ones Jalad’s turning. Whoever rode out with Hengist or hides with those from Jakop’s Crossing are all we can expect. I’ve no idea the exact number. I know if Hengist convinces Sezeny to help, Arcadia in its entirety can muster a couple thousand, as well.”

“For what they still think is a border-skirmish betwixt Westmarche and Riverhead?” Pari shook his head. “I wouldst not count on more than a company or two, infantry led by knights or a squad of heavy cavalry.”

“Xavier rode to warn them of Jalad’s true power,” Dara reminded Loren. “If he got through, Sezeny could send more troops.”

“I wish we knew for certain if he got through.” Loren turned to Dara. “Can you seek blood-still-living for a particular person?”

She shook her head. “I never have afore.”

“Afore usss. Thou holdsss hisss aura in thy memory. Thou canssst ssseek him out.”

Pahn spoke up. “Fire can be a portal. Like a relay.”

Dara frowned. “I can do that?”

“Aye,”
the voices stated.

Loren reached out and laid his hand against her cheek. His gaze held hers. “You can do
anything
, Dara. Your kin were called guardians for a reason. These are your people. What would you not try for them?”

Dara turned to the hearth. “Little friend, I seek someone. South, beyond the demon’s reach. Will you help me?”

First appeared. “
Whom do I seek?”

Dara sent it the image of Xavier’s scarred face overlaid on the man’s aura sense-casting would recognize.

“A blind human seer? How ironic,”
the salamander commented. It vanished, and a dizzying series of images flashed through the flames in the hearth. The salamander leaped from one to the next without the need to pause for breath. Finally it announced, “
This is the human high king’s kitchen roasting pit. Cast thy net from here
.”

Dara did.
“Does Xavier still live? Is this aura out there?”
Naught east. Naught west. Naught farther south. But back northward, a faint warm gold flickered. “There. Little friend, he’s there.”

More flashing images as First backtracked through a different series of fires.
“Campfire. Troops on the move,”
it reported.
“Northward.”

Xavier’s signature aura flared right next to the fire as he sought to warm his hands.

“Xavier. Hear me.” Dara called.

The seer froze. “Lady healer?”

“Aye. Loren found Moira. She’s safe.”

“Thank the Lady.” Xavier wept. “Let me get King Hengist. You should speak with him.”

“Can you hold the link?” Dara asked First.

“I can. Can you?”

She didn’t know. “Xavier, hurry.” The seer disappeared, returning with a half-dressed, rumpled man. “You’ve looked better, My Liege.”

“Dara?” To his credit, Hengist did not question the sudden communication. “I’m so relieved you’re all right. I was worried.” He sounded like he really meant it. “Child, how did you escape?”

“I’m with Loren in the east. I don’t have long.” Already the first twinge of pain hit the back of her head. “Jalad changes people into an army of giants, possessed by shards of the demon. You can’t attack yet. We’re figuring out a way to banish the demon so our armies can fight on even ground.”

“Sezeny sent a single infantry company with me.” Hengist’s voice sounded bitter. “A hundred pike and axe, with a dozen heavy cavalry, knights, swords. If Moira and Trystan bring theirs to bear, that’s still but two hundred spears, and it’s a long march from the break. What of my survivors?”

“Gone. They’re what he’s changed. All you have are those with you, and mayhaps a handful channeled through Jakop’s Crossroads into the swamps.”

Hengist swayed.

“Lord and Lady,” Xavier whispered.

“Loren’s bringing an army of his own,” she told the king. “Two hundred horse—rangers and war mares—and eight hundred infantry. You’ll have your swords and archers, Sire. The best.” Pain built in earnest.

“Cut the link,”
the voices warned.

“North. South. East.” Hengist nodded. “Only place he’ll have to run is westward, back home. Not that he’ll stay there.”

“I have to go. Stay safe, Sire. I’ll see you soon.”

“Come back to me, little friend.”

First was back on her hand within minutes.
“Pull on the fire. Recharge.”

Dara repeated the healing chant and the headache vanished. Loren wrapped his arms around her waist, heedless of their audience, and she leaned against him. What would she do without his support? His belief in her? In them? “I wish I knew how to do that during, not just after.”

“Someday
.” First sounded amused. “
Crawl first. Fly later
.” With that, it was gone.

“Go to Lorelei,” Pari told his grandson. “We shalt work out the military logistics from here.”

Loren moved to Dara’s side and took her arm as they filed out of the ministry chambers. “Are you all right?”

“We seem to be having quite a day for firsts, Highness.”

“Stop.” He frowned and jerked her to a halt. “Do not do that.”

“Do what?”

He waited until Aletha and the mages preceded them far enough to be out of earshot. “You know what. Stop throwing the barrier of titles up betwixt us.”

But they were divided—they always had been, right from the start. Dara backed up against the wall. “I wasn’t—”

He tapped the heir’s crown. “Do not lie to me. We have seen each other wounded and naked. We have bled on each other. Cried on each other. It is far too late to turn back now.” He leaned closer, their bodies barely touching.

She shivered as he trailed his fingers down the side of her neck. The warmth of his body called to hers, tugged at her heart. How she wanted to believe that.

His eyes flared with chips of emerald flame. “You shall never lose me. When I said forever, I meant it. You can walk away from me when all this is over,
friend
, but I shall never leave you. That was my vow, and I hold true to it. Jalad does not matter. That cursed torque and this bloody crown do not matter. It comes down to you and me.”

Forever. “It’s not that simple.” She blinked away tears. Why couldn’t he see that?

“It
is
that simple. You are the one making it complicated.” Done talking, Loren ended the argument the one way he had left to make his point. His hand cradled the back of her head as he captured her lips with his.

Dara had a split-second to marvel at the amount of anger and desperation poured into a kiss afore sheer emotion swept away all reason. Passion rose, swift and hot. A desire that transcended want. She needed this, needed him. His strength. She shook in his arms as his mouth devoured hers. His tongue conquered hers, robbing her of breath until she clung to him, kissing him back with all that was left of her breaking heart. If she was dead tomorrow, she wanted this moment with him. She pulled his head closer as she arched against him, parting her lips so he could deepen the kiss and sweep her away.

Loren took full advantage of the invitation, with an expertise that had her shaking. He trailed open-mouthed kisses down her throat, sinking his teeth lightly into the curve of her shoulder. She shuddered, panting, her body aflame. His tongue traced a line of wet heat back up to her ear. “It is just this simple. Do not give up on me. You are a fighter, guardian.
Vertenya
. Fight for us.”