Wielder of Tiren (The Raven Chronicles Book 3) (9 page)

Chapter Eighteen

Y
’Dürkie cursed, not caring who she shocked. Even Hala recoiled from the onslaught coming from her mouth. “Hugh, this is not good. Ve have to find Sera and Kial. Arvenna vill not vant to know they vent missink.”

              “I know, I know. I’ve seen her angry before. I’d rather face you,” Hugh replied.

              “Are ve there yet?”

              “It is just around the next corner, I think.” Hala said softly. “Father and I were discussing some of the renovation techniques the workers were using. When we turned around, they were gone.”

              Y’Dürkie nodded once. “It reminds me of Arvenna and Joss. She vould try to sneak off vith him every chance she could. And you cannot watch them as closely as Barek did, Hugh.”

              They rounded the last bend and came into the corridor where Kial and Sera were last seen. Y’Dürkie immediately went for the first door she saw. “We checked the rooms, Y’Dürkie. And all the workers. None of them saw them leave, and the rooms were empty.” Hugh kept pace with her.

              “Ve vill check again.” She replied. “I may see somethink you did not.”

              The rooms were deserted, which didn’t surprise her much. Judging from the décor, the current occupants were all nobility and should’ve been at Court. She should be there, as well. But this was more important. Liam was there, if Arwenna needed someone. But her sister needed few bodyguards with the magic she could harness. It was more for show, more to make her and the rest feel like they were necessary. Arwenna could take care of herself just fine. Her daughter, however… that was questionable.

              They got to the last room in the corridor, frustration building in Y’Dürkie. So far, they hadn’t found a single trace of either Sera or Kial. No lost shoes, signs of a struggle,
no notes
. It was if they vanished into the very walls of the palace.

             
Vhat am I goink to tell Arvenna,
she thought.
I cannot say I lost her daughter!
Frustrated, she grabbed at the cushion on a chair and threw it. The dull thud as it hit the wall and then the floor wasn’t nearly satisfying. She needed to break something. Or someone.

              “Hala, what’s that? By the pillow?” Hugh commanded.

              Y’Dürkie watched her daughter bend down and pick something up from the floor. “It’s a feather, Father.”

              “Hugh, find out vho is stayink in this room.” Y’Dürkie commanded. “Hala, give me the feather. Ve vill go back and tell Arvenna vhat ve know. She vill decide vhat ve do next.”

              Hala placed the black raven’s feather in her hand. “Who has them, Mother?” Her voice shook with fear.

              “Senyan.”

Chapter Nineteen

“
I
t’s almost over, Mom. I’m sure Y'Dürkie will have something for you when we’ve wrapped this up,” Liam whispered.

              Arwenna shifted in her chair. There was no way she could’ve excused herself. Curtis knew that. It was all over his smug face as he sauntered from the vast hall. Ramberti had glanced her way once, concern evident. She’d given him a small nod of reassurance. Whether or not he believed her was another story.

              At last, the final courtier came forth and swore allegiance to the new king. Arwenna rose, barely a breath behind Ramberti. It took all of her self-control not to dash down the dais and break into a dead run. 

              “I thank you for your words of loyalty. The days ahead will not all be smooth. Godric was a good man, and shall be honored. However, changes will be made. And I shall remember your oaths.” Ramberti’s voice echoed across the room. He turned to his left and offered a hand to Frances. Liam moved around from behind Arwenna’s chair and joined her. They waited until the other two were off the steps and followed them out the main doors.

              As soon as they exited, Ramberti angled his head to the left. The door to a small antechamber opened and Arwenna followed
him inside
.

              She heard Liam close the door behind them. Ramberti was already removing the crown from his head, placing it gently on a table. “Damn thing’s giving me a headache already,” he muttered. Running fingers through his hair, he turned to Arwenna. “What’s happened? You were pale as a sheet after Curtis left.”

              “It’s a family matter, Your Majesty,” she replied.

              He pointed a finger at her, “No. Not anymore. You won’t get me to stop asking questions with that.”

              Frances put a hand on his arm, “Ramberti, calm yourself. I’m sure Arwenna will let us know what she feels she can,” she reasoned.

              Arwenna drew a deep breath. “He’s back. Senyan. And he has Sera and Kial.”

              The man slumped into a chair. “Damn it. I’m not King for even two hours and your private war starts again.”

              “As soon as you can, Ramberti, order the city to be deserted. Take Frances and James and go back to Almair. This family dispute of ours has lasted for centuries. It needs to end. Here and now. And I don’t want a city full of innocents to protect while I do that.” She took a breath. “But keep Curtis here. Tell him whatever you want. He cannot leave with you.”

              “He’s a Baron, Arwenna, I can’t just—”

              “And you’re the King, Ramberti. He won’t leave if you order him to remain. Make up a reason if you must, but he stays. I am not done with him yet.”

              He nodded, “Fine. But…”

              “But what?”

              “Arwenna, you’ve had the chance to do this before. And your compassion won out. You let him live, convinced he’d gone back to the man he was before being cursed. What happened to turn Lu’Thare back to Senyan? What did you miss? I can’t keep sending soldiers to die whenever you two meet.”

              “I understand your position, Ramberti. I really do. I guess I finally realize that I have more to lose by letting him live. The world has more to lose.” She turned toward the door. “When we meet this time, there will be no holding back by me. I may well level this city before I’m done. But he will not slaughter my daughter like he did Joss.” She twisted the knob, “We’re both demigods, Ramberti. Even if his power is in check. He’ll sacrifice Kial first, to get it back. Then he’ll come for me. I have to find him before that happens.” She began to open the door.

              “Arwenna,” Ramberti called out.

              She turned and looked past Liam and at her friend, “Yes?”

              “I’ll have Captain Wolfgang move out to open water, but keep a rowboat handy. When you’re done, we’ll come get you.” His fear for her showed in his face. “Just be sure you’re the one that comes out of this alive.”

              A brief smile flickered across her face. “If I’m not, may the Gods have mercy on us all.”

              She walked out of the room, the crowd flowing from the main hall overwhelming her for a moment. “This way,” Liam tugged on the sleeve of her dress. She followed him as he wove his way through the throng.

              He led her back into the audience chamber. “When they left, they went through that door.” He pointed to a single opening on the far left. “It’s going to be faster if we go that way as well.”

              “Go. I’ll follow.” The staff began to remove the chairs and benches used at court, lessening the obstacles. One or two paused long enough to bow as they passed, but none dared to speak to her. Which was good, as she wasn’t in a mood to bestow blessings or answer questions.

              Liam reached the door first, opening it for her to pass through. About halfway down the hallway, she saw Hugh trotting her way. Grasping her skirt in her hands, she ran to meet him.

              “What happened, Hugh? Where are they?”

              “Near as we can tell, Sera and Kial slipped off to a room on the way to court.” Hugh spoke as he led them back the way he came. “Hala said Sera hadn’t been happy with the constant supervision, wanted to find a way to be alone with Kial. She didn’t think she’d actually do it, though.”

              They turned down another side corridor. “She’s headstrong, much like you.” Hugh commented. “We started searching for them the moment we realized they’d gone. When we didn’t find them, we came and got Y’Dürkie. The last room we checked had been locked. This time, it wasn’t.” He stopped in front of a door. “That’s when Hala found it.” He opened the door.

              Y’Dürkie ran her hands across the panels making up the wall near the fireplace. Hala sat slumped in a chair. As soon as she heard the door open, she rose. “Mother,” she whispered.

              Y’Dürkie’s red braid swung as she looked over her shoulder. “Arvenna. Good. It must mean ve have a new kink?”

              “Ramberti was chosen.”

              “That is good. He vill lead vell.” She went back to slowly passing her hands over the wall. “Hala, show Arvenna vhat ve found earlier.”

              Hala walked to her, a black feather in her hand. “This was on the floor, Aunt. Near the fireplace,” she paused. “It was my fault. I knew Sera wanted to be alone with Kial. I should have said something.”

              Arwenna took the feather. “No, Hala. It’s not your fault. Sera would’ve found a way if she was chained to my waist.” She turned the feather over. “This isn’t normal for him. To be this clumsy and leave a trace behind.” She began to scan the room. “Whose chambers are these?”

              “I asked. Curtis would use them more times than not, but they weren’t assigned to anyone in particular that the servant remembered.” Hugh answered.

              “Y’Dürkie, what are you looking for?”

              “The feather vas on the floor over here, Arvenna. There is only the one door. I think there is another vay in and out of here.”

              “Let Hugh or one of the others find it. You are needed elsewhere.” Krilln spoke as he stepped from the shadows of a corner.

              Arwenna turned to the Aeshor. “No, Krilln. I am not abandoning my daughter because your Goddess decides she wants a reunion!”

              The creature turned toward Arwenna. “With respect, Daughter of Hauk,” he bowed his head. “This request does not come from Lexi. But from your Father.”

              Arwenna furrowed her brow. “Why would he send you and not simply tell me himself?”

              The Aeshor held his hands out wide, “I do not question the need of the Gods, Daughter. I was only asked to deliver the summons to you and your sister.”

              She glanced at Y’Dürkie. Her face mirrored her own confusion. “Where are we to go?”

              “There is a cave a half day’s travel from here. It is one you both know from the past. There is one there who has need to speak with you both.” He bowed slowly. “Thus is my task complete.”

              “Okay, Hugh, you and Hala keep looking for Sera and Kial. I’ll go with the—” Liam said.

              “No, Liam. The summons is for the two alone. You are not needed.” Krilln’s voice was firm.

              Liam strode toward the amphibian. “I’m not leaving Mom’s side until Senyan’s dead. I don’t care who says different!”

              Krilln looked up, the second set of eyelids passing slowly over his bulbous eyes. “You would defy your Grandfather as well as Lexi? I cannot tell if you are wise…or stupid.”

              “Enough.” Arwenna interrupted. “Liam, stay. Hugh and Hala may need you if they locate Sera and Kial.” She turned her attention to Y’Dürkie. “There’s only one cave nearby that we’ve spent time in. You know which one it is.”

              The warrior nodded once. “Yes, I do. Vhy ve need to return to vhere this all began is beyond me.”

              Arwenna looked back at Krilln. “Tell my father we will come. But should this delay cost the lives of any I hold dear, he will pay a steep price.”

              “I will tell them,” Krilln whispered as he faded back into the shadows. “Make haste, Daughter. For the one who needs to speak with you is not a patient creature.”

              Arwenna kept her attention on the spot where Krilln had stood. “What do you mean, ‘where this all began’?” Hugh asked. “I thought it all started in Serenity. And that place doesn’t exist anymore.

              “The cave is where we were holed up when Barek, Senyan, and Mialee came into town. When the Corrupted began to take over the city. Where Silas became aware I wasn’t his and stopped answering my prayers,” she whispered.

              She turned and looked at each of them in turn. “That’s when it began to fall apart.” She took a deep breath. “Two days later, Y’Dürkie and I were executed. By Bohrs, with Curtis watching.”

Chapter Twenty

A
fire burned in the hearth, but still Sera shivered. Kial knew it was fear more than cold. He had no clue how to help her regain her confidence, though. And he couldn’t blame her. The only thing that kept him from the same terror was his need to keep her safe. If he couldn’t do that one thing, he didn’t deserve her love.

              Their captor sat in a chair close to the fire, His posture was meant to reassure them, but it didn’t. Kial didn’t know much beyond the rumors and stories of what he did during the war. To know he was related to this madman sat in his stomach like a bar of lead.

              “Would either of you care for something to eat? I’ve rediscovered a fondness for food since Arwenna gave me back what she ripped out of me.” Madness tinged Senyan’s words. Kial couldn’t fathom the depth of hate he held for Sera’s mother.

              “We’re fine,” Kial replied for both of them, keeping his voice even.

              He felt Sera shift as she sat next to him, but he kept his gaze on Senyan. A small caress with his hand as it draped protectively across
her slender
shoulders was the only reassurance he dared give right then. This was the start of a battle in a far larger war, one Kial was determined to win. Only he didn’t know the rules.

              “Really, son, there’s no reason to be so cold.”

              “I’m not your son. My father was a trader, a good man.” Kial replied in defiance.

              “And I’m not?” Senyan sighed. “How would you know? You’ve only heard one side of the story, one that’s been heavily edited I have no doubt.”

              “What do you want with us?’ Sera’s voice was barely above a whisper.

              “Why, not much. Simply to get to know you both. Lu’Kial and I have never been acquainted, truly. And, if he plans to spend a lifetime with you, it’s only right that I know my future daughter-in-law.”

              Something stirred in Kial. He didn’t understand it, or know where it came from, but flashes of his foe’s life began to coalesce in his mind. They were random, pieces of a puzzle he couldn’t quite put in order yet.

              “My name is Kial. You are not my father,” he asserted. “Let Sera go. I’ll stay if you must have a hostage, but she’s innocent.”

              “Innocent?” Senyan chuckled. “She’s the product of demigods, raised by those who have no understanding of what I am. Even if she doesn’t wield magic to the extent of her parents, she is far from innocent.”

              The fragmented images in his head began
to come together into
a pattern he could understand. Is this the magic Arwenna had warned him he could harness? He hoped not. But for now, he’d use it. Try to reassure Sera, and throw Senyan off just a little.

              “I understand now. It’s going to be fine, Sera. He’s not going to kill us. Not for a while.”

              Senyan’s brow furrowed. Kial’s words were unexpected.

              “He’s not going to kill us because he doesn’t know where your mother is. And he won’t be happy unless she sees us die. He’ll kill me first, to regain the power he craves. And then he’ll slaughter everyone your mother loves. You, Liam, Hala, Y’Dürkie, Hugh. Only when we’re all dead at her feet, when she sees our bodies, will he try to kill her.”

              Senyan narrowed his eyes, the penetrating gaze daring Kial to continue. “You’re fairly perceptive for one who claims not to use magic. Tell me, what else do you think you know?”

              Kial met the gaze, his confidence growing with each word. “You blame Arwenna for everything that’s happened to you, even when she was as much a pawn as you were. That you’re the shadow of the man you could’ve been. That you led her to believe that you gave up your thirst for power and regained your humanity. When all you did for sixteen years was scour libraries and forgotten books to try and regain what you felt was your birthright. And, when you finally found the answers you wanted, you burned the cottage in the woods. Threw off the last vestiges of Lu’Thare and truly embraced Senyan.” He drew a breath. Sera wouldn’t like this part.

              “Even then, you watched. Waited. Learned that Joss was vulnerable during the exchange of power between him and Krilln. That the momentary disorientation would blind him to your presence enough to get behind him. And that his death would cause Arwenna so much pain that she’d cross the line into vengeance, costing her the humanity that kept her from killing you so many other times. You hoped that I’d come out of hiding at the same time. Only, the plan’s not complete. You’re still missing one important piece of the puzzle to bring it all together.”

              Kial gently kissed the top of Sera’s head, and she looked up at him.
Faith in
him rose in her gray eyes. And love. “That’s what he’s missing Sera. Hala’s dagger. He can’t kill me or your mother without being able to wield Tiren.”

              Hope flared in her eyes, matching what he felt. Arwenna told them Tiren would choose who could use her power. As long as the dagger remained missing and out of Senyan’s reach, they were safe.