Harvest of Dreams (The Gods' Dream Trilogy) (54 page)

CHAPTER FORTY

Thaddis studied Indaran, who looked almost the same as on that fateful day when the prince had departed for Louat. Only the expression in his emerald eyes looked old, haunted, and at odds with his young, handsome face. How Thaddis wished he could pull his friend into his arms for a hearty embrace, to ask for his forgiveness.

For fourteen years, Thaddis had thought of his reunion with his foster brother—from his early determination to rescue his friend, to the last weeks of longing and dread about facing the man whose family he killed and kingdom he destroyed. In his mind, he’d had hundreds of conversations with Indaran, from yelling in anger at his stubborn, foolish decision to sail to Louat, to an on-his-knees-weeping-with-remorse confession of wrongdoing. But Thaddis had never dreamed they’d meet as equals, leaders of two fighting contingents, on the same side—on opposite lines.

We have decisions to make. A God to take down.
“My army engages Ontarem’s forces, keeping them from the temple and giving us time to battle the Evil One.

Indaran glared, his emerald gaze glass-sharp. He drew himself up.

Thaddis knew what came next—an exchange of words, leading to a fight. After which, in the past, they’d make up and hit their favorite tavern. But Thaddis was no longer eighteen to be so easily manipulated. Anger burned in him—yes, at Pasinae, at Ontarem. He wasn’t a hotheaded youth and wouldn’t let Indaran push him to react—to let Seagem’s king take charge. There was too much at stake…he glanced at Sadie, sword half-raised, body tense, beautiful in her warrior essence.

Philan elbowed Indaran in the side. “We’ll deal with Thaddis when this is all over. But I have the right to first blood.”

Daria narrowed her eyes at her friend. “If anyone does, I do.”

“Enough,” Thaddis said wearily, holding up a hand. “When this is over, you’re all welcome to pieces of me.”

Sadie made a small sound of protest.

Indaran set his hand to his sword hilt. “Do you have a plan?”

Of sorts.
Thaddis gave a sharp nod. “Pasinae’s in there. She’s Ontarem’s priestess and has been instrumental in aiding Ontarem. She is
mine
.”

“Then,
Ontarem
is mine,” Indaran growled. “I’ll keep the God engaged so He doesn’t interfere. I’ve brought special chains to trap the Evil God.”

They conferred for a few minutes, Indaran giving opinions about Thaddis’s strategic plan, their minds in synchronization, as if no time had passed since they last played at war, though both were fully aware of the terrible consequences should they fail their mission.

Thaddis nodded final agreement. He sent a soldier to the rear to observe and report back on the last skirmishes of his and Ontarem’s soldiers, and then he reached behind him and pulled the strap of the spear case over his head. He loosened the ties and unrolled the velvet to expose the spear. Leaving the material open, he cupped his hands under the shaft, holding it up for Indaran’s inspection.

Indaran’s breath hissed. “I recognize the runes on that spear. I killed Ontarem’s priest for it.”

Jasmine crowded closer. “Don’t touch the metal,” she warned.

“Milady,” Thaddis said to Jasmine. “I thank you for your concern. The Goddess Withea charges me with this weapon, and—” he tilted his head in Sadie’s direction “—Sadie from your Earth bears the accompanying helmet. Withea has decreed that I alone can hold them.”

Jasmine threw a welcoming smile at Sadie. Then her brows pinched. She reached up and placed a hand on Thaddis’s forehead.

He felt energy—warm and gentle—trickle from her palm into his mind.

She took her hand away, gave him a sweet smile, and stepped back. “He speaks the truth. He is free of the taint of Ontarem. No tentacles or other bindings. I feel his connection with Withea and Yadarius. Also...” She wrinkled her brow. “Another?”

Liking the kind spirit he sensed in her, Thaddis smiled. “The Goddess Guinheld.”

“Ah. I’ve never connected with Her before.”

Evidently satisfied with his wife’s test, Indaran jerked a thumb toward his horse. “I’ll get the chains to bind Ontarem, courtesy of His Twin Arvintor.”

“We’ve both come prepared with gifts from the Gods.” Thaddis rolled up the spear, and looped the straps over his shoulder. Greatly daring, he held out his free hand in a sign of friendship and agreement. “I think we’re ready.”

A long moment passed between them, each man’s eyes narrowing and assessing.

Thaddis held his breath, hoping.

As if making a sudden decision, Indaran reached out and clasped Thaddis’s arm. “We’re ready.”

~ ~ ~

At the sight of the two estranged men making peace, emotion welled up in Sadie, and she pressed a hand to her chest. She glanced over at Jasmine and saw the Earth-woman’s hands folded together in front of her, blue eyes shining with tears.

Thaddis and Indaran broke apart, each taking several steps back as if to distance themselves from their emotion.

Thaddis, his face more relaxed than she’d ever seen outside an othersense dream, strode over to her. Ignoring the distance she’d intentionally created between them. He gathered her into an embrace.

Deeply moved by what had just happened, Sadie allowed herself to be enveloped in his arms, wishing Thaddis could be the man she wanted him to be—not a killer, a peace maker. But she didn’t dare let herself hope. After a few precious moments, she wiggled away.

Emerging from a similar hug with Jasmine, Indaran ordered his mounted force to take up a rearguard position just beyond the market place, blocking the street in case Ontarem’s soldiers retreated to defend the Evil God.

The rest of the fighters headed toward the temple and entered the plain stone courtyard of the temple without sighting any of the enemy.

At her first glimpse of Ontarem’s stronghold, Sadie shivered. The square structure seemed like an industrial building made of what looked like dark gray cement blocks. It towered over the city, although the height couldn’t have been more than a few stories. But the energy currents emanating from the place—so dark and evil—jangled her othersense.

Thaddis signaled for the rest of his soldiers to take up a defensive position around the perimeter of the courtyard.

Jasmine reached into the bag in front of her and pulled out a ball of lime green fur.

At first, Sadie thought the queen carried a stuffed animal, but the creature moved his head and stared at her with intelligent eyes.

Jasmine set the animal on the ground. “Stay out from underfoot.”

Cheta trotted over to sniff the little one.

Sadie was drawn to both woman and her pet. “What’s
that?
” she said in English. “It’s so cute.”

“You’re American,” the woman smiled, speaking English with an Arabic-British accent. “My monga, Shareef,” He’s very intelligent. Almost psychic.”

“So is Cheta.” Sadie waved to the dog.

“Shareef saved me from the Trine Priest.” Jasmine glanced at the temple and shivered. “Why are you doing this?” Sadie demanded. “If you’re scared, can’t fight…”

“I’m not meant to fight,” Jasmine said with assurance. “But I am meant to be here, that fact I know from my othersense.”

Sadie wasn’t about to argue with othersense. She suspected Indaran had already tried and failed.

Two shadows dropped from the sky and swooped close.

Only Jasmine’s calmness kept Sadie from shrieking.

The flying creatures slowed their descent and hovered in front of Khan and Daria. Both of them held up a arm, and the animals landed.

Jasmine caught Sadie’s stare of astonishment. “Two-tailed monkey-bats. They’re also psychic.”

“So many special animals.” Sadie shook her head in amazement. “Guinheld wanted Cheta to come along. She’s already been useful.”

The men moved closer to the stairs of the temple.

Jasmine reached out, caught Sadie’s hand, and squeezed. “May the Gods and Goddesses keep you safe, Sadie.”

“You too, Jasmine. Safe and
free
.”

~ ~ ~

Still conflicted about Thaddis, Indaran looped Arvintor’s chains around his neck, and gave his beloved one more look.

Both men moved as one toward the doors.

Philan came from behind and reached between them. He grabbed their shoulders and pulled them back, rolling his eyes. “You’re the
kings,
” he said in a sardonic tone, exchanging exasperated glances with Boerk. “
Allow us
to go through first.”

Thaddis gestured toward the door. “Boerk, go left. Philan, right. Take out the defenders so Indaran can go straight to Pasinae and Ontarem.

Indaran cast a resigned glance back at his wife, who’d joined Sadie in the line about to rush in.
Yadarius keep her safe.

~ ~ ~

Jasmine’s monga turned to scamper up the steps. With a clench of her stomach, Sadie saw Cheta trot after her new friend. As soon as Philan eased open the door, his back pressed against the wood to peer around it, the animals slipped through.

Sadie bit her lip against the urge to call Cheta back. The dog had proven her intelligence, and she was just as much a part of this venture as Sadie was. Both monkey-bats launched themselves off Khan and Daria and flew through the entrance after the animals.

Sadie inhaled, centered herself, trying to imagine this was only a competition. But her heart pounded and her hand shook.

Philan and Boerk threw the doors wide open and rushed inside. From the shouts and metallic clangs that ensued, they’d stepped right into a battle.

Thaddis and Indaran entered next, followed by Daria, sword out, and Khan, holding his bow ready, arrow nocked.

Then, it was her turn. Stomach in a knot, sword in her hand, Sadie headed into the lion’s den, Jasmine on her heels.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

As soon as Thaddis smelled the fumes of the tainted incense, saw the helmets all the priests wore, he swore, knowing what he’d have to do. He sheathed his sword, pulled the spear case over his head, and rapidly unrolled the material. He tossed the velvet covering to Indaran. “Wrap this around your face.” He dropped back a few paces to Sadie’s side. “Give me the helmet.”

With a nod, she handed it over.

Thaddis met Indaran’s eyes. “If He takes me over, kill me.”

Jaw tightening, Indaran nodded.

Thaddis didn’t have time to ease the helmet onto his head. The strength of the fumes increased, and he shoved the helmet down. The metal heated, igniting the anger within him. Across the cavernous space, his eyes met Pasinae’s in a challenge he knew the Trine Priestess wouldn’t ignore.

Rows of spear-wielding priests came at them. With Ontarem’s spear in his left hand, and his sword in his right, Thaddis leaped into the fray.

The anger that had simmered within him for the last few days burst into flame. Berserker rage overcame him, and he quickly dispatched two opponents, fighting his way toward Pasinae.

~ ~ ~

Once he was in the door, Khan let fly an arrow at Ontarem. Before it had hit the target, he’d loosed a second at Pasinae. Both bounced harmlessly away, as if the points had hit a force field. “Made that mistake before,” he muttered.
But I had to try.
He aimed the next arrow at a priest, who was cocking an arm to throw his spear.

You dare!
Ontarem roared, focusing on Khan.

Pasinae pointed at Khan and released a stream of energy that propelled him back several feet against the wall. He landed with a jarring thud. Groaning, he pushed off the wall and drew the arrow again, sighting at a priest with a spear, running down the aisle.

~ ~ ~

When he saw the helmet in Thaddis’s hands, Indaran remembered what had happened to Mastin and wanted to yell at him not to put it on. But he knew he couldn’t hold back Thaddis from what he needed to do. He clenched his jaw and fought his way around the pektats, moving toward the statue of Ontarem.

~ ~ ~

Sadie’s first impression of the temple was that she’d walked into a warehouse—a vast room that dwarfed the people inside. Skylights let in the light, filtered by noxious smoke oozing from braziers on the stone pallets. She coughed and threw up her arm across her face to block the smell.

“Cover your nose!” Jasmine yelled, yanking her scarf off her head and tying it around her face.

Sadie remembered the scarf she’d put in her pocket before leaving Zacatlan. She pulled out the crumpled material and followed Jasmine’s example, but not before breathing some of the nasty fumes. Blinking to clear her eyes, she saw Philan and Boerk fighting gray-robed priests thrusting at them with spears.

A larger-than-life statue compelled Sadie’s gaze to the front of the temple. The statue seemed to pulse with a menacing vibration.

Thaddis’s men were beginning to stagger. No doubt due to the choking incense. The priests were lunging in to kill, and Sadie worried over the men’s safety.

When the God thundered at Khan, she wanted to clap her hands over her ears, but a spear whistled through the air.
Too close.
She pulled Jasmine aside and jumped out of the way. “Get down.” She pushed Jasmine’s shoulder.