Balestone (18 page)

“Let’s go,” Rafe said with determination.

“I’m staying here with the horses,” Lexi said. “They’ll just slow you down, and they can’t make the climb up.”

“Then we should leave them here and all go up,” Tiberius said.

“Ti,” Lexi argued, hoping he wouldn’t see her true reasons for wanting to stay, “the horses won’t be here if I don’t stay with them — you know that. What if something tries to eat them?”

“Anything large enough to eat a horse is something I don’t want you anywhere near,” Tiberius said.

“Keep a fire going,” Rafe said. “That’ll keep the animals at bay.”

“You think this is a good idea?” Tiberius said.

“I think it’s practical,” Rafe explained. “I don’t like it, but I don’t like any of this. We have to get Olyva up that mountain, and Lexi is right. The horses won’t make it.”

“So, we won’t need horses once we get to Hamill Keep,” Tiberius argued.

“We can’t be sure that’s the Keep,” Rafe said. “If it is, I’ll come back for her myself.”

“It’s the best plan, Tiberius,” Lexi insisted. “Don’t worry about me. I can look out for myself, and besides, Dancer won’t let anything bad happen to me. Will you, girl?”

The wind glider trilled and hopped up and down on Lexi’s shoulder.

“See, I’ll be fine. Go, take care of Olyva.”

“You’re sure?” Tiberius asked.

“Positive,” Lexi replied.

“All right,” Tiberius said with a sigh. “Let’s go.”

Lexi watched them both jump over the stream and begin hiking away. Tiberius with his staff looked so sure of himself. Lexi felt a surge of affection for him, then they disappeared behind a hill, and Lexi was left alone. She hadn’t felt scared when she woke up or even when they were traveling through the night with only a sputtering torch to light their way. But now, even in the daylight, she felt a sense of isolation she’d never experienced before. Growing up on the streets of Avondale, she didn’t have a family to depend on, and she had spent many lonely nights wishing her life were different. But even then she knew there were people all around her, in houses and inns, some walking the streets, others plying their trades.

Now she was truly alone, with no idea where or even if there were any other people for miles and miles. That truth weighed heavily on her thin shoulders, but there was nothing she could do about it.

The true reason she stayed behind was not simply because of the horses. If she was being honest, being near Tiberius after she had gone behind his back to destroy the old wizard’s tower made her feel awful. Lexi had always feared being betrayed and had kept the people around her at arm’s length to avoid the possibility of being hurt. Tiberius was the only person she had ever allowed herself to open up with, and now she had betrayed him. She was tired of trying to pretend everything was okay when in fact she was full of self-loathing. So she had stayed behind, and once she saw to the horses, gathered firewood, and sent Dancer flying high into the air to scout for any signs of danger, she broke down and cried. By midday there was nothing left for her to do but wait and worry.

Chapter 25

The wedding was a subdued affair. The earls had gone back to their quarters, and no one seemed to realize anything had changed. The courtiers and high-ranking city officials thought the timing of the wedding was in bad taste, while the king’s military officers found the entire marriage suspect. But while many questioned the marriage in secret, there was no evidence to point to foul play, so the wedding proceeded without interruption.

Leonosis’ mother, the Countess Wendolyn, and his brother Brutas arrived. Leonosis was forced to watch as Draggah bullied them. Neither expected anything less from Leonosis, especially now that he was marrying into the royal family, but Leonosis for the first time in his life felt sorry for both of them. He had never cared when he mistreated his family (or anyone else for that matter), but to see someone else do it — and in his body no less — made him feel dirty and ashamed.

The day of the wedding dawned bright, and Leonosis was dressed in the graypee armor that was made from the skins of the beasts that Tiberius and Rafe had slain. Leonosis had taken credit for the kills, spreading the lie that he had saved Rafe from the graypees and killed two of the legendary creatures in the process. The earl’s tanner had worked diligently for weeks tanning and shaping the exceptionally hard leather. It fit Leonosis perfectly, and to it he added a long fur-lined cloak, his sword, and a golden torc around his neck.

“You look like a king,” Brutas said.

“Good,” Draggah replied. “That is the point.”

“How did you do it?” Brutas said in a whisper. “The princess wouldn’t give you a second glance in Avondale.”

“Things change.”

“They do indeed,” Brutas said. “Especially when you have a little leverage.”

“Dear brother, are you implying that I have somehow forced myself into this position?”

“I’m just saying what everyone is thinking.”

“That’s absurd,” Draggah said.

“Hey, a little dirt on the princess — or maybe on King Aethel himself — would be enough to get you what you want. It isn’t as if we marry for love,” he smirked. “Not that I wouldn’t mind a little taste of royal—”

Draggah struck out so fast Brutas never saw the blow coming. Leonosis was a healthy young man, but not overly strong. Draggah’s presence increased that strength exponentially, and Brutas was sent sprawling across the room. Leonosis watched, helpless to stop the evil spirit that controlled him from beating his brother senseless.

Anger and then fear crossed Brutas’ face as he scrambled back across the floor. He spit blood and then a tooth before Draggah grabbed him roughly from the floor and slammed him hard into the wall. Leonosis saw Brutas’ head thump against the stone, and even though Leonosis was little more than a spectator, he winced just the same.

“Do not think, dear brother, that you can possess anything that is mine,” Draggah said. “Is that abundantly clear?”

“Y-y-yes,” Brutas said.

“Good, now clean yourself up. I don’t want you looking like you were brawling in a tavern like a misguided peasant.”

“Su-sure,” Brutas said.

Leonosis watched him go, and Draggah laughed. The demon could feel Leonosis’ distress, and that, more than anything, made the demon happy. The vile creature feasted on pain and thrived on misery.

“You do not approve?”
Draggah spoke directly into Leonosis’ mind.

“You know how I feel,”
Leonosis said.

“Yes, of course I do.”
Draggah laughed.
“And I shall enjoy watching you squirm as I make your brother one of my own.”

“You don’t have to do that,”
Leonosis said, almost in a panic.

“Ah, but that is where you are wrong, you pathetic lump of filth. Once we take the crown, your brother will be made Earl of Avondale in your place. Then once I have command of all nine cities, there will be no one to stop me from scouring this accursed world until I have what is mine.”

Leonosis had no idea what the demon was referring to, but he knew better than to question Draggah. The foul spirit knew his every thought anyway and rarely ever shared the details of his plans.

A servant knocked at the door.

“Come,” Draggah said, straightening the cloak that hung from his shoulders.

“My lord,” said a manservant. “It is time.”

“Yes, indeed,” Draggah said.

They walked out of the suite of rooms and down to the king’s feasting hall. The tables had been cleared out, and now the entire room was filled with guests. The decorations were lavish, and the smell of food from the nearby kitchens was enticing. Many of the spectators already held cups of ale or goblets of wine. Draggah had insisted Princess Ariel use the castle’s most desirable food and spirits. Trumpets announced Leonosis’ arrival in the hall, and the crowd parted as he strode up to the elevated platform where the royal family dined. That table had also been replaced by a thick red carpet and an archway covered in colorful flowers.

Leonosis stood and waited, as flutes and harps began to play a soft yet familiar song. It was the royal march, but arranged for a more delicate performance that suited the illustrious event. The king appeared, with Princess Ariel clutching his arm. He led his daughter through the crowd and up onto the platform. Marriages were usually conducted by priests, but Draggah had insisted that King Aethel bless their union.

“Men and women of Sparlan Citadel,” King Aethel said. “Esteemed guests and nobility from each of Valana’s nine cities. It is my great honor to give my daughter in marriage to Leonosis, son of Earl Aegus of Avondale. No man hopes to lose a son as I have, yet every man dreams of gaining a son as honorable as Leonosis.”

Draggah’s presence filled the feasting hall, and no whisper went unheard by the devious spirit. Leonosis felt the demon’s turmoil as people whispered in response to King Aethel’s fawning over his new son-in-law.

“And so, it is my great pleasure to bind my daughter to Leonosis in marriage and to see him as my heir.”

This time the crowd didn’t whisper but expressed their shock verbally, some even shouting in opposition.

“This is my decision, made in good faith and with the interests of the kingdom in mind,” the king said loudly. “And any who challenge my decision may do so with a sword in his hand. I will stand by my decision.”

One by one the earls all added their voices in support of the king’s decision. And Leonosis could feel the ripples of disbelief from the crowd as Draggah laughed inwardly. Still, no one took up the king’s challenge, and the hall fell silent.

“Leonosis, please bow,” the king said.

Leonosis could smell the wine on the king’s breath and see the glassy eyes that stared dully back at him. He knelt, and the king drew his sword. He placed the blade flat on Leonosis’ shoulder.

“I declare you this day, Prince Leonosis, heir to the throne of Valana and champion of the nine cities.”

There was a spattering of applause as the king tapped each of Leonosis’ shoulders with the blade and then touched the top of his head. The king then sheathed his sword and stepped back. A priest stepped forward and wrapped Princess Ariel’s right hand with a long embroidered cloth, then he joined Leonosis’ left hand to the princess’ hand and spoke the traditional wedding vows. Then a sword was given to Leonosis by the King’s champion, and a leather bag of heavy gold coins was given by the city’s treasurer. To Princess Ariel a loaf of bread was given by Leonosis’ mother, and a sprig of pine that represented fertility was given by her own mother.

The priest intoned a solemn prayer, and finally the ceremony was over. Leonosis and Ariel were led out of the feasting hall by a royal guard. The feasting began, but only the highest-ranking citizens stayed in the feasting hall; the rest were led down into the grand cavern where the entire city waited to celebrate the wedding, which meant an excuse to drink themselves into a stupor on the king’s ale and stuff themselves from the king’s kitchens.

Leonosis and Ariel were escorted to a special suite of rooms where they were supposed to celebrate their wedding for an entire week. Traditionally, the bride and groom would consummate their marriage and then return to the feasting hall, where there would be drinking and foods served until late into the night. But Draggah did not want Ariel’s innocence lost.

“Now,” he said as they settled into the lavishly decorated bedchamber. “You must not let anyone guess we are not one flesh. The days ahead are critical. The king will waste away, and then I shall be crowned.”

“You are the crown prince — isn’t that enough? We control my father. Why does he have to die?” Ariel protested.

“Do not question my plans,” Draggah said. “We will have the earls’ support but we must also have the officers in your father’s army.”

“Why? What do you hope to accomplish?”

“Our goal, Princess,” Draggah said with a savage grin. “Now, it has been long enough. We shall change clothes and return to the feast.”

Their return was celebrated with wooden toasts by the earls, which were really just an extension of Draggah’s own mind. Leonosis could almost felt a stretching in his captor’s mental capacity since the earls were murdered and brought magically back to life as the demon’s pawns.

The king sat on his throne, nursing goblet after goblet of wine. He looked miserable, but he couldn’t leave the feast. Brutas turned up, his mouth looking swollen to Leonosis but not so much that people who did not know Brutas would notice. Countess Wendolyn alone looked truly happy. She did not care about anything but the achievement of her family, and no matter how poorly Draggah treated her, she would still be the mother of a king. No one could take that from her now, and Leonosis saw that she had several suitors. The winds of change were blowing, and the most canny of the kingdom’s power brokers were already taking notice.

Three days later Princess Ariel convinced her father that he would feel better with a sword in his hand. Leonosis watched from a high window in the castle as the king set about sword practice with his royal guard. The blades were all bare, although the royal guard were the best swordsmen in the king’s army, and none would dare hurt the king. They went through their paces, allowing the king to defeat them time and again. Then, Leonosis saw Ariel wave her hand. It was a common gesture, as if she were shooing a fly away, but suddenly one of the guards stumbled forward. At the same moment, the king spun to avoid another guard’s painfully slow thrust. There was a clash of bodies and a scream of pain. Princess Ariel looked up at Leonosis, but he was lost deep inside Draggah’s consciousness. He could see her, but she saw only her demon overlord.

The king was grievously wounded, and while everyone in the entire city was speculating about exactly how the king had been brought low, Leonosis was high above the training ground where anyone could see him, and the king’s own guard had been training with their lord. There was no way that anyone could accuse Leonosis of assassinating the king, and later that same day, King Aethel died.

Princess Ariel did not have to pretend to grieve; her loss was obviously real. She had resented her father and used magic to control him for a long time, but she wept for him just the same. The next day the earls called a council, with Brutas sitting in for his father as Leonosis was proclaimed the new king. Draggah had been prepared for opposition from the army, but in the end their honor and guilt over their part in the king’s demise held them in check.

Another ceremony was quickly performed, and Leonosis was crowned. The other earls paid their respects at the king’s funeral feast and then traveled back to their own cities. And Leonosis, unable to do anything to stop the evil spirit’s plans, watched it all from his own body. Once everyone was gone and there were no more public perceptions to keep up, Leonosis stayed in the king’s lavish study. It was a large room with huge windows overlooking the training grounds.

Princess Ariel sat on a small stool, waiting for Draggah’s next move. She was impatient and angry, but she kept silent, and Leonosis, who had deep feelings for his queen, was glad that she did not draw the ire of their demon master.

“It is almost time,” Draggah said at last. “I can feel the wind of fate stirring.”

“Time for what?” Ariel asked.

“How little you know, child,” Draggah said softly. “Do you not remember there are three sacred objects of power that protect this world?”

“Of course I do,” Ariel said. “But they were lost in the cataclysm.”

“The cataclysm was only a small part of many needful things.”

“You were part of the cataclysm?” Ariel asked in surprise.

“Don’t seem so shocked. Your kind only needed a nudge to sink to their baser instincts. A hint of true power to those fools who ruled your kingdom was enough to send them rushing over the edge of self-restraint and straight into total chaos.”

“And the purge?” Ariel asked.

“An unfortunate, but not unforeseen, result of the fear your kind adopted after the cataclysm.”

“If someone hadn’t archived the sacred texts here, your plan might have been lost,” she sneered.

Draggah laughed. “That is the one great weakness of your kind. You are so short-sighted that you cannot fathom a time beyond your own pathetic lives. You are mortal, and I am not. With eternity comes patience, my dear, and if I had been forced to wait an eternity, I would not have lost sight of my plan.”

“Which is?” Ariel asked.

“Do not try me, O Queen,” Draggah said in a mocking voice that Leonosis himself had often employed. “Your part in my scheme will come to fruition soon enough. You are the centerpiece, the embodiment of centuries of work. But do not think that you are any more to me than a smoldering wick. I can snuff out your life whenever I choose.”

Ariel looked away, and Draggah laughed. Leonosis wanted to scream for the demon to stop, but tormenting Ariel was Draggah’s favorite pastime. And if Leonosis interfered, he would know only pain.

“Something important is about to happen, I can almost taste it,” Draggah said.